EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment)

An environmental impact assessment (EIA) is a structured process that predicts, evaluates, and mitigates the environmental effects of a proposed project before consent is granted. It scopes the affected receptors, establishes a baseline, models impacts (direct, indirect, and cumulative), proposes mitigation, and documents the findings in an environmental statement open to public consultation. For marine projects, ports, dredging, offshore wind, and aquaculture, it covers benthic disturbance, underwater noise, water quality, and protected species. The EU EIA Directive 2011/92/EU (as amended by 2014/52/EU) and the Espoo Convention on transboundary effects govern it in Europe. Strategic environmental assessment applies the same logic at the plan and program level.