Tool Characteristics

Name of the tool
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Environmental statement (ES)

Data required to utilise tool
"Initially in undertaking an EIA it is essential to identify and obtain environmental information relating to the proposal and area affected. In some areas little environmental information may be available, therefore an EIA would involve undertaking some baseline studies (such as ecological surveys, noise surveys and air quality assessment) to provide an adequate environmental baseline for assessment of potential impacts. Depending on the nature of the proposal, further investigations (such as air dispersion modelling and noise modelling) may be required to accurately predict potential environmental effects."
The European Union Development Directorate General: Sustainable Development
http://europa.eu.int/comm/development/body/theme/environment/env_integ/env_integration/envman-97.html#pgfId-28982

Form of output
A report of the findings of the assessment: An Environmental Statement

Type of data output
The data output in the report could be a mixture of qualitative and quantitative.

What format is the tool available in?
The Directive can be obtained from the European Union, and further information on the application of EIA from a wide range of available publications e.g.
• Morris, P., and Therivel, R . Eds (2001) Methods of Environmental Impact Assessment (2nd Edn.). Spon Press, London
• Glasson, J., A. Chadwick and R. Therivel (1999) An Introduction to Environmental Impact Assessment (major extended 2nd edition), UCL Press, London.
• Wood, G. and C. Bellanger (1999) Directory of Environmental Impact Statements, 1988-1998. IAU, Oxford Brookes University

What language/s is the tool available in?
Information about EIA is available in English, but also in a range of other languages.

Characterisation of the tool
The EIA is a generic tool

Factors covered

Environment	Social	Economic	Governance
1	0	0	0

Stage when tool is usually used

Inception of idea	Design	Design assessment	Construction	Operation	Demolition
0	0	1	0	0	0