The World Summit in Johannesburg and Denmark's National Strategy for Sustainable Development

The World Summit in Johannesburg and Denmark's National Strategy for Sustainable Development

Environmental impact assessments

Strategic environmental impact assessments are part of ensuring that sustainable development is included in decisions at all levels, including bills, plans, programmes or projects.

The Johannesburg Implementation Plan highlights the importance of authorities using strategic Environmental Impact Assessment in decision-making on development plans, infrastructure, and development of business

In 2004, the Government will present a bill on introducing environmental impact assessments in connection with preparations of plans and programmes.The regulations will include plans and programmes that set the framework for construction projects at all authority levels.Within a short period of years it will be ensured that decisions leading to significant impacts on the physical environment are made on the basis of an assessment of environmental impacts.

Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) are already included as a routine part of legislative work in connection with bills and other governmental proposals.

Environmental Impact Assessments have been required in projects since 1989. EIA rules cover all projects and construction that could impact the environment significantly.The rules are regularly updated, most recently in 1999.The EIA rules will be revised in 2005 as a result of the Århus Convention and the consequential changes in the EIA Directive.