Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context (Espoo Convention)

The Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context (Espoo Convention) recognizes the interrelationship between economic activities and their environmental consequences and the need to ensure environmentally sound and sustainable development. It further expresses a determination to enhance international cooperation in assessing environmental impact in particular in a transboundary context. Parties are therefore obliged to establish an environmental impact assessment procedure with respect to activities listed in Appendix I that are likely to cause significant transboundary impact. Proposed activities that are not listed in Appendix I may likewise require an environmental impact assessment if concerned parties agree that they will likely have a significant transboundary impact. The environmental impact assessment procedure must permit public participation. The environmental impact assessment must be undertaken prior to a decision to authorize or undertake the proposed activity.