EIA / SEA

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) has become a major tool in European environmental policy in the last 25 years. It rests on the assumption that the gathering of information, before making any decision about activities that could significantly affect the environment will improve environmental performance. Through EIA, public authorities are presented with environmental information from a range of sources, and have an opportunity to reflect on the impact of their decision; the developer of a particular project produces and receives environmental information, and similarly has an opportunity to reflect upon it.

Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) is designed to play a similar role by requiring assessment of public plans and programmes, therefore contributes to a more rational use of resources and a better environmental performance, already on the strategic level.

J&E found both EIA and SEA crucial for the protection of environment as well as for the involvement of the public into environmental decision-making. Therefore J&E produced legal analyses, case studies and position papers on issues relating to EIA and SEA in Members States of the EU, and also collected the relevant case law of the Court of Justice of the EU in EIA and SEA related matters.

All J&E outputs regarding EIA and SEA are available on the Publications page.