Environmental Impact Assessment – EIA

EIA consulting in Finland

EIA, or Environmental Impact Assessment, is a statutory procedure in which the environmental impacts of a planned activity are assessed comprehensively. The purpose of the EIA procedure is to identify significant impacts and to reduce or fully eliminate the adverse environmental effects of the project.

A carefully carried out EIA procedure helps to avoid surprises and reduces uncertainty in project implementation. The procedure often reveals ways to mitigate environmental impacts and to increase the social acceptability of the project. Ecobio’s experts ensure that the assessment of environmental impacts proceeds smoothly and in line with authority requirements. We know the working methods of the authorities well, which makes dialogue straightforward and helps avoid unnecessary studies and investigations.

Ecobio received the “Hyvä YVA” award in 2020 for the EIA procedure of the Port of Koverhar. The award is granted annually to a best-practice EIA procedure in Finland.

When is Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) required?  

The need for Environmental Impact Assessment is defined in the Finnish EIA Act (252/2017). For large-scale projects such as mines, waste treatment plants and wind power areas, EIA is mandatory. For smaller projects, such as small industrial plants or changes in the operation of existing plants, the Finnish Supervisory Agency assesses the need for EIA on a case-by-case basis. A project change can be, for example, an increase in plant capacity.

EIA procedure in Finland

The EIA procedure consists of an EIA programme, which presents the project, the alternatives and the assessment methods, and an EIA report, which describes the assessed impacts of the project on the environment, climate, housing, human health and other relevant impact categories. The content requirements for the programme and report are set out in the EIA Decree (277/2017). EIA often includes separate studies such as nature, groundwater, landscape or noise surveys.

The EIA procedure may last from six months to several years and includes authority meetings, consultation periods and public events where the project is presented to residents and other stakeholders. Residents in the surrounding area and other stakeholders are also engaged through, for example, public meetings or surveys. EIA is not a permitting procedure and the EIA decision cannot be appealed. Often an environmental permit is required after EIA.

Role of nature surveys in the EIA process

Nature surveys provide the ecological foundation for the EIA process. They are used to identify and assess the project’s impacts on biodiversity and to design the necessary mitigation measures. Ecobio offers expert and high quality nature surveys as an integrated part of the EIA procedure.

Our EIA consulting services include:
  • Assessments of the need for EIA
  • Environmental impact assessment programmes
  • Environmental impact assessment reports
  • Necessary environmental studies, investigations and modelling
  • Impact assessments
  • Planning and implementation of stakeholder interaction and participation
  • Resident surveys and dialogue
  • Assessments of social impacts (SIA)
  • Project management and coordination

References for our EIA projects

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