Environmental impact assessment in Turkey: capacity building for European Union accession

Abstract

This article analyses the environmental impact assessment (EIA) system in Turkey with reference to the outcomes of a capacity-building project aimed to assist the implementation of the European Union EIA regulations. It discusses key challenges facing EIA in Turkey, and practical recommendations on streamlining and partially decentralising the EIA procedures to increase their effectiveness. The main problems with EIA in Turkey include insufficient capacity of environmental authorities at national and provincial levels; weaknesses in the system of public participation, the review process and the set-up of the EIA Scope Determination, Inspection and Evaluation Commission; and problems with the quality of EIA reports.

Keywords:

• capacity building
• EIA
• SEA
• Turkey
• EU accession
• EU legislation