Ympäristöarviointiprosessi

Ympäristöarviointiprosessi, commonly referred to as EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment), is a systematic process used to evaluate the potential environmental consequences of a proposed project before a decision is made on its approval. The goal of EIA is to ensure that environmental considerations are integrated into the planning and decision-making stages of development projects.

The process typically begins with a screening phase to determine if an EIA is required for a particular project. If an EIA is deemed necessary, a scoping phase follows, where the key environmental issues to be assessed are identified and the terms of reference for the assessment are established. The core of the process is the impact assessment itself, where the potential positive and negative environmental effects of the project are analyzed. This includes identifying direct and indirect impacts on areas such as air quality, water resources, biodiversity, soil, noise levels, cultural heritage, and human health.

Following the impact assessment, mitigation measures are developed to avoid, reduce, or compensate for any adverse environmental effects. A report, often called an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) or YVA-selostus in Finnish, is then prepared, detailing the findings of the assessment and proposed mitigation strategies. This report is made available for public consultation, allowing stakeholders, including the public, NGOs, and other authorities, to provide feedback. Finally, the competent authority reviews the EIS and public comments before making an informed decision on whether to approve the project and under what conditions. The EIA process aims to promote sustainable development by balancing economic, social, and environmental factors.