Environmental impact assessment

The environmental impact assessment procedure (EIA) aims at reducing or fully preventing the negative environmental impacts of projects.

Meanwhile, the environmental impact assessment of plans and programmes refers to an EIA performed during the preparation phase of a project.

As seen by its name, the Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context lays down regulations on the assessment of environmental impacts that cross state borders. The environmental impact assessment of plans and programmes in a transboundary context is regulated by the Protocol on Strategic Environmental Assessment of the aforementioned Convention.

According to the Land Use and Building Act, the Ministry of the Environment must inform other states of land use plans which could have cross-border environmental impacts.

The Ministry of the Environment is the Finnish contact authority for international environmental impact assessments.

National EIA procedures and nuclear energy projects

Centres for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment are responsible for national EIA procedures.

• Environment.fi: Environmental impact assessment

The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment is the contact authority for nuclear energy projects.

• The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment: Nuclear energy