Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary context (Espoo, 1991)

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The Espoo (EIA) Convention sets out the obligations of Parties to assess the environmental impact of certain activities at an early stage of planning. It also lays down the general obligation of States to notify and consult each other on all major projects under consideration that are likely to have a significant adverse environmental impact across boundaries. The Convention was adopted in 1991 and entered into force on 10 September 1997.

The public and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have a vital role to play in the development, implementation and support of the Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context (the EIA Convention) and its Protocol on Strategic Environmental Assessment (the SEA Protocol).

When done well, EIA has several potential benefits:

• It may help the project proponent to identify project alternatives (alternative locations or technology, for example) and mitigation and compensatory measures that reduce the environmental impact of the project. Suggestions may come from the public, the EIA experts, the consultees and the developer.
• It may provide for public involvement in the project design, promoting understanding between the community and developer. It may also promote good governance in the longer term.

This presentation was taken from the UNECE Website

You can find more information, and the convention in other languages, on: http://www.unece.org