DRIVERS OF EFFECTIVENESS OF ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT

The research evaluates the effectiveness of Environmental Assessment (EA) by analyzing Environmental Impact Statements (EIS), screening decisions for Natura 2000 sites, and stakeholder perceptions in Estonia. It identifies a generally satisfactory but inconsistent quality in EIS, with significant gaps in project descriptions and alternatives. The study finds that screening for Natura 2000 sites is poorly conducted and that stakeholder expectations often diverge. The author proposes a theoretical framework of five interlinked drivers for EA effectiveness: clearly defined objectives, effective participatory processes, high-quality documentation, positive influence on project design and decision-making, and cost-time efficiency.

• An evaluation of 50 Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) in Estonia from 2001–2005 showed that while 68% were graded positively, significant information gaps existed in project descriptions, mitigation measures, and the consideration of alternatives.
• The assessment of EIS quality is highly subjective; group evaluations tend to be more critical of specific details than individual reviewers due to a broader range of technical expertise, although they may result in higher overall grades due to a 'borderline effect'.
• Screening decisions for projects and plans affecting Natura 2000 sites in Estonia between 2004 and 2009 were poorly executed, with only one in six decisions addressing likely impacts on these sites.
• When Natura 2000 screening was performed, it primarily focused on the distance between the development and the site, often ignoring the actual type and significance of the environmental effects.
• Stakeholders in Estonia's Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) process often hold diverging expectations regarding objectives and outcomes, which can lead to confusion and delays if not agreed upon at the start.
• The author proposes a theoretical framework consisting of five interdependent drivers that determine the effectiveness of an Environmental Assessment.
• The effectiveness of EA is influenced by the tension between 'environmental benefit-oriented' approaches, which seek to alter decisions to reduce harm, and 'normative' or process-oriented approaches, which focus on following legally defined steps.

APA

Peterson, K. (2010). DRIVERS OF EFFECTIVENESS OF ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT. Stockholm Environment Institute. https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/4360.pdf

Chicago

Peterson, Kaja. DRIVERS OF EFFECTIVENESS OF ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT. Stockholm Environment Institute, 2010. https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/4360.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Peterson |first1=Kaja |title=DRIVERS OF EFFECTIVENESS OF ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT |publisher=Stockholm Environment Institute |date=2010 |url=https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/4360.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{peterson2010drivers, author = {Peterson, Kaja}, title = {{DRIVERS OF EFFECTIVENESS OF ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT}}, institution = {Stockholm Environment Institute}, year = {2010}, url = {https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/4360.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }