SUPPORTED BY THE EUROPEAN UNION’S OBNOVA AND PHARE PROGRAMMES
EIA TRAINING
RESOURCE
MANUAL
FOR SOUTH EASTERN EUROPE
Public Involvement
SUPPORTED BY THE EUROPEAN UNION’S OBNOVA AND PHARE PROGRAMMES
2
Propos al
identification
EIA required
Screening
Scoping
Initial
environmental
examination
No EIA
Impact analys is
Mitigation
and impact
management
*Public involvement
Resubmit
EIA report
Redes ign
Review
Not approved
Decis ion-making
Approved
*Public involvement typically
occurs at these points .
It may also occur at any
other s tage of the EIA
Process
Information from this process
contributes to effective EIA in the future
Implementation
and post-EIA
monitoring
EIA TRAINING RESOURCE MANUAL
FOR SOUTH EASTERN EUROPE
PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT
SUPPORTED BY THE EUROPEAN UNION’S OBNOVA AND PHARE PROGRAMMES
3
Key objectives of public involvement
 Take account of views and concerns
of key stakeholders.
 Ensure that important impacts are
not overlooked.
 Reduce conflicts through the early
 Improve transparency and increase
public confidence in the EIA process.
 Obtain local input into the design of
alternatives and mitigation
measures.
identification of contentious issues.
EIA TRAINING RESOURCE MANUAL
FOR SOUTH EASTERN EUROPE
PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT
SUPPORTED BY THE EUROPEAN UNION’S OBNOVA AND PHARE PROGRAMMES
4
Levels of public involvement
An alternative dispute-resolution mechanism based on joint
fact-finding, consensus building and mutual accommodation
of different interests.
A more interactive process of engaging the public in
addressing the issues, establishing areas of
agreement and disagreement, and trying to reach
common positions.
Participating
Consulting
Informing
EIA TRAINING RESOURCE MANUAL
FOR SOUTH EASTERN EUROPE
Negotiating
A two-way exchange of information designed
to canvass the views of stakeholders on a
proposal and its impacts.
One way communication with those
affected by a proposal.
PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT
SUPPORTED BY THE EUROPEAN UNION’S OBNOVA AND PHARE PROGRAMMES
5
Who are the participants?
 those directly or indirectly affected
by the proposal
 those interested in the proposal
(e.g. NGOs, the private sector,
 proponents and project beneficiaries
 government agencies with
responsibilities or policy interests
relating to the proposal
academics, etc.)
EIA TRAINING RESOURCE MANUAL
FOR SOUTH EASTERN EUROPE
PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT
SUPPORTED BY THE EUROPEAN UNION’S OBNOVA AND PHARE PROGRAMMES
6
Principles of public involvement
 The process should be:
•
•
inclusive – (covers all
fair – (conducted impartially and
stakeholders)
without bias towards any
open and transparent – (steps
stakeholder)
and activities are understood)
•
•
•
requirements and input
relevant – (focused on the
issues that matter)
responsive to stakeholder
•
credible – (capable of inspiring
confidence and trust
EIA TRAINING RESOURCE MANUAL
FOR SOUTH EASTERN EUROPE
PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT
SUPPORTED BY THE EUROPEAN UNION’S OBNOVA AND PHARE PROGRAMMES
7
Public Involvement in the main EIA Stages
Screening
Scoping
Impact analys is
To consult people likely to be affected by proposal.
To ensure that significant issues are identified; project related
information is gathered, alternatives are considered.
To avoid biases/inaccuracies in analysis; identify local
values/preferences; assist in consideration of mitigation measures;
select best alternative.
Mitigation
and impact
management
EIA report
Review
To consider and comment on EIA Report
Decis ion making
Implementation
and monitoring
To monitor the implementation of EIA Report’s
recommendations and decision’s conditions.
EIA TRAINING RESOURCE MANUAL
FOR SOUTH EASTERN EUROPE
PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT
SUPPORTED BY THE EUROPEAN UNION’S OBNOVA AND PHARE PROGRAMMES
8
Developing a public involvement
programme
 Determine the key issues to be
discussed.
 Identify the affected and
 Analyse input.
 Provide feedback to build
confidence and trust.
interested public.
 Select appropriate techniques
(take into account budgets and
timelines into account).
EIA TRAINING RESOURCE MANUAL
FOR SOUTH EASTERN EUROPE
PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT
SUPPORTED BY THE EUROPEAN UNION’S OBNOVA AND PHARE PROGRAMMES
9
Principles for successful application of public
involvement techniques
 Provide the right information at
the right time.
 Allow sufficient time for review
and response.
 Provide appropriate opportunities
and means for stakeholder
involvement.
 Select appropriate venues, and
schedule events to suit
stakeholders.
EIA TRAINING RESOURCE MANUAL
FOR SOUTH EASTERN EUROPE
PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT
SUPPORTED BY THE EUROPEAN UNION’S OBNOVA AND PHARE PROGRAMMES
10
Common excuses given for avoiding public
involvement
 It’s too early in the process.
 The debate will be one-sided.
 It will take too long and
 We will raise too many expectations.
cost too much.
 People won’t understand.
 It will stir up opposition.
EIA TRAINING RESOURCE MANUAL
FOR SOUTH EASTERN EUROPE
PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT
SUPPORTED BY THE EUROPEAN UNION’S OBNOVA AND PHARE PROGRAMMES
11
Public involvement in EIA:
key provisions of the Aarhus Convention
 Provisions of the Aarhus Convention are now fully reflected in the EC
EIA Directive (following amendments introduced by Directive
2003/35/EC)
EIA TRAINING RESOURCE MANUAL
FOR SOUTH EASTERN EUROPE
PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT
SUPPORTED BY THE EUROPEAN UNION’S OBNOVA AND PHARE PROGRAMMES
12
Aarhus Convention:
defining the public and public concerned
 “The public” (Art 2.4) means:
•
•
one or more natural or legal persons; and,
in accordance with national legislation or practice, their associations,
organisations or group.
 “The public concerned” (Art. 2.5) means:
•
•
•
those affected or likely to be affected by environmental decision-making;
those having an interest in environmental decision-making; and
Those non-governmental organisations promoting environmental protection
and meeting any requirements under national law, which shall be deemed to
have an interest.
EIA TRAINING RESOURCE MANUAL
FOR SOUTH EASTERN EUROPE
PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT
SUPPORTED BY THE EUROPEAN UNION’S OBNOVA AND PHARE PROGRAMMES
13
Aarhus Convention:
key requirements for public participation
 early notification in a timely and effective manner, plus elements of
the notification document (Art. 6.2.)
 reasonable timeframes for effective participation (Art. 6.3)
 early public participation, when all options are open and effective participation
can take place (Art. 6.4)
 free access to information as soon as it becomes available (Art. 6.6)
 public participation procedures allowing the public to submit comments in writing,
or at public hearing or inquiry (Art. 6.8)
EIA TRAINING RESOURCE MANUAL
FOR SOUTH EASTERN EUROPE
PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT