Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context

Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context (further also referred to as “transboundary EIA”) establishes a set of procedures to assess and manage transboundary impacts, when a proposed economic activity located on the territory of one country is likely to cause significant adverse transboundary impact in another country (or countries).

In Lithuania the process of transboundary EIA is regulated by the Law on Environmental Impact Assessment of the Proposed Economic Activity, United Nations Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context (further also referred to as “Espoo Convention”) and international treaties concluded by the Republic of Lithuania. Based on these regulatory documents, Lithuania, as Party to the Espoo Convention is obliged to assess the environmental impact of certain activities at an early stage of planning and to notify and consult other countries on all proposed economic activities that are likely to have a significant adverse environmental impact across the state boundaries. Accordingly, other countries, which are Parties to the Espoo Convention are obliged to notify and consult Lithuania about economic activities proposed on their territory that are likely to have significant negative transboundary impacts. As a result, transboundary EIA enhances international cooperation, including awareness of the importance of the environment, helps to avoid conflicts and facilitates a better and more objective decision making.

In some projects a precautionary approach is taken and other countries, which are Parties to the Espoo Convention, are provided with information about the proposed activity which is highly unlikely to have significant impact on the environment of other countries. In this way, the public and the responsible authorities in other countries have access to detailed information on projects in the neighborhood.

When performing a transboundary environmental impact assessment, Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Lithuania is acting as a coordinating authority, while Environmental Protection Agency performs the functions of the competent authority.

Information on transboundary EIA cases is provided below. It includes projects for which either notification was submitted, either information was provided (if no significant impact on the environment was expected) to other countries.