Environmental impact assessment in a transboundary context

The Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context (also known as the Espoo Convention) was ratified by Finland in 1995 and has been in force since 1997. The Convention was drafted by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE).

All parties to the Convention are entitled to participate in environmental impact assessments conducted in Finland if the projects listed in the Convention are likely to cause significant adverse environmental impacts in their territories (Finland as party of origin). 

Finland has a corresponding right to participate in assessments conducted in other countries whenever the projects under assessment are likely to have such impacts in Finland (Finland as affected party).