The inclusion of health in impact assessments: a case study in Geneva, Switzerland

Abstract

The aim of this study is to investigate the integration of the health dimension within existing impact assessments such as environmental impact assessment (EIA), strategic environmental assessment (SEA) and sustainability assessment (SA). This work focuses on the canton of Geneva (Switzerland) and was carried out using the following methodology: a review of the legal texts and the guidelines that underpin the design and methodology of IAs; an analysis of the application of these tools in 37 case studies (11 SEAs and 20 EIAs conducted in Geneva as well as 6 SAs undertaken at national level); and conducting semi-structured interviews with selected professionals who participated in these case studies. Our study reveals serious shortcomings in the consideration of health within the investigated environmental assessments, limited to a simple review of the effects of projects on the determinants of the physical environment as required by the Swiss or local (Geneva) legislations. Regarding SA, our research finds that health is treated superficially and primarily through the analysis of ‘health and safety’ criteria.

Keywords:

• Health inclusion
• environmental impact assessment
• strategic environmental assessment
• sustainability assessment
• Geneva
• Switzerland