Sustainability Language

Policy & governance

Environmental impact assessment

The systematic process of identifying, predicting, evaluating and mitigating the environmental effects of proposed projects before decisions are made.

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Definition

Environmental impact assessment is the process of identifying, predicting, evaluating and mitigating the biophysical, social and other relevant effects of development proposals prior to major decisions being taken and commitments made (IAIA definition). UNEP describes it as a tool to identify the environmental, social and economic impacts of a project before decision-making; the Espoo Convention defines it as a national procedure for evaluating the likely impact of a proposed activity.

References

Overview

What it means

Originating in the US National Environmental Policy Act (1969/70) and now used in more than 100 countries, EIA follows a broadly common sequence: screening, scoping, impact prediction and evaluation, reporting (environmental impact statement), review, decision, and monitoring. Strategic environmental assessment (SEA) applies the same logic to policies, plans and programmes.

How it is used

Required for major infrastructure and industrial projects under national laws, the EU EIA Directive, lender safeguards (IFC Performance Standards, Equator Principles) and the Espoo Convention for transboundary effects.

Why it matters

EIA is the world's most widely practised environmental-management tool and the main legal channel for public participation in development decisions.

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