The ESS Department at ERML seeks to impact decision making positively. The department was created as a distinct unit in November 2001 primarily to provide in- depth pre and post-activity assessment of environment/activity interactions with a view to identifying and articulating issues that impact the natural and socio cultural environment and more importantly, recommending practical and fit-for-purpose mitigative and corrective actions as necessary.

Recognizing that sustainable development options must treat the social and natural environments as inseparable, the ESS Department has been staffed and equipped not only with human and material resources for scientific assessments but also to effectively cover the social dimension.