Simplification and potential replacement of EA in the UK – is it fit for purpose?

ABSTRACT

This contribution is part of a compilation of letters on ‘Environmental Assessment (EA)/Impact Assessment (IA) simplification’ in the journal ‘Impact Assessment and Project Appraisal’. In it, the author discusses current efforts of the UK government to simplify and potentially replace EA. First, an overview of the development of EA over time is provided since it became mandatory (Environmental Impact Assessment – EIA – in 1988 and Strategic Environmental Assessment – SEA – in 2004). This is followed by a review of identified weaknesses of the UK EA system. The current initiative to potentially replace EA with so-called environmental outcomes reports (EORs) is described and critically reflected on. The letter concludes with a deliberation on whether current efforts appear to be fit for purpose and recommendations are provided on how we should proceed.

KEYWORDS:

• Environmental impact assessment
• strategic environmental assessment
• simplification
• environmental outcomes reports
• United Kingdom

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

1. The Aarhus Convention was ratified by the UK on 23 February 2005.

2. Also, and in line with commitments made in the 2020 (2,555 pages long) ‘EU and UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement’ (‘to maintain the commitment to undertaking the assessments of projects, plans and programmes likely to have significant environmental impact; art 393), EORs will still need to remain recognisable as an EA tool (Reid 2022).

3. In this context, the requirements of the earlier mentioned Aarhus Convention on Public Participation in Decision-making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters will need to be taken into account.