Mission impossible: does environmental impact assessment in Denmark secure a holistic approach to the environment?

Abstract

This article focuses on the holistic approach to the environment within environmental impact assessment (EIA). Based on a comprehensive evaluation of the EIA regulations in Denmark, an important observation is that the environmental concept, from being broad in the initial stages, is narrowed considerably in subsequent phases of the EIA process. Although the EIA process starts out as very holistic, ultimately we find that mitigation measures and the regulatory efforts largely mirror traditional regulations, such as the law of environmental protection and other sectoral legislation. The article finally addresses some of the difficulties facing the authorities, when handling the broad concept of the environment.

Keywords:

• environment
• EIA
• Denmark
• holistic