Over thirty years have passed since Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) was initially established in the United Kingdom through the Town and Country Planning Regulations in England and Wales and the Environmental Assessment Regulations for Scotland and Northern Ireland. Today, the IES EIA Working Group has launched it's new thought piece outlining how EIA should evolve over the next 30 years to support better environmental outcomes that support people and planet.
The thought piece explores the current challenges facing EIA professionals and it's vision for EIA moving forwards, including eight key areas to support EIA in achieving better environmental outcomes from developments.
This thought piece comes as a number of key legislation changes are on the horizon that are likely to affect the EIA process and those that work in it. The thought piece highlights the importance of legislation supporting a science-led approach to EIA which champions competence and the use of EIA as a tool to support better design.
This report has been informed by discussions exploring EIA through four different themes:
- The philosophy behind EIA
- The legislative context
- The EIA process
- The future of EIA
Get involved in the EIA Community
We are looking to expand our activities for EIA professionals and welcome the input of our members.
Read more about the work of the Community so far.
Join the EIA Community and be the first to hear about tailored services for EIA professionals. You will have the chance to connect with fellow EIA professionals, discuss topical issues and help shape the work of the IES in this space. The Community welcomes all professionals involved in the EIA process, spanning specialisms and sectors. The Community will also collaborate where appropriate with other organisations to support a multidisciplinary approach to EIA topics, ensuring a science-led approach.
