Tools for environmental protection: environmental impact assessments and strategic environmental assessments

Roads, business parks, refineries, large-scale incineration plants: constructing infrastructure and industrial sites has a significant impact on the environment. It is the task of the public authorities to assess how these schemes will affect people, flora and fauna in particular, but also soil, water, air quality and the climate.

In order to identify potentially adverse impacts on the environment at an early stage and protect public health, an environmental impact assessment (EIA) or strategic environmental assessment (SEA) is conducted ahead of certain types of projects or construction schemes. So when is it necessary to apply these tools? This is regulated by Germany’s Environmental Impact Assessment Act (Gesetz über die Umweltverträglichkeitsprüfung – UVPG).