Transboundary environmental impact assessment
International agreements on environmental impact assessment
The Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context (Espoo Convention) of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) and the Protocol on Strategic Environmental Assessment (Protocol on SEA) oblige the Parties to carry out international environmental impact assessment procedures at least when certain projects, plans and programmes are being prepared. The Parties to the Espoo Convention and the SEA Protocol have the right to participate in an assessment procedure taking place in another state if the proposed activity is likely to have significant transboundary impacts. Finland is a Party to both the Espoo Convention and the Protocol on SEA.
Authority in Finland
The Finnish Environment Institute acts as Finland’s Point of Contact in the EIA and SEA procedures carried out under the Espoo Convention and its Protocol on SEA. Since 2023, the Finnish Environment Institute has been responsible for the information, consultation and hearing tasks related to the assessment of transboundary environmental impacts under the Espoo Convention and the Protocol on SEA. Previously, these tasks were carried out by the Ministry of the Environment.
The tasks of the Finnish Environment Institute cover both projects, plans and programmes being prepared in Finland and those being prepared in another Party State that are likely to have significant transboundary environmental impacts. In addition, land-use plans prepared under the Land Use and Building Act become part of the international assessment procedure if their implementation is likely to result in significant transboundary environmental impacts.
The Finnish Environment Institute ensures, in cooperation with affected states, that authorities, organisations and citizens of the affected states have the opportunity to participate in the assessment procedures for planned projects, plans and programmes, as well as land use planning. The Finnish Environment Institute also carries out negotiation tasks related to environmental impact assessments.
Espoo Convention
The Espoo Convention ensures that its Parties assess the environmental impacts of the projects listed in the Convention at an early stage of planning, notify and consult each other on projects that are likely to have significant adverse transboundary environmental impacts. In the international EIA procedure, the Parties may negotiate matters related to environmental impacts. The Parties may also request that environmental impact assessments be carried out for other projects that may have transboundary environmental impacts.
Protocol on SEA
The Protocol on SEA applies to plans and programmes prepared by authorities. If a plan or programme subject to strategic environmental assessment – including land use plans – is likely to have significant transboundary environmental impacts, cooperation between states is required. Cooperation is also necessary when the potentially affected state requests it. The Protocol on SEA promotes sustainable development by ensuring that environmental impacts are considered at an early stage of the Parties’ decision making processes and that environmental and health aspects are taken into account throughout the process.
Agreement between Estonia and Finland on Environmental Impact Assessment
Finland has concluded a bilateral agreement with Estonia on the assessment of transboundary environmental impacts. The purpose of the agreement is to strengthen bilateral cooperation in environmental impact assessment procedures for projects. The Parties jointly promote and further develop the implementation of the Espoo Convention.
Further information on the Espoo Convention and the Protocol on SEA available online
Participation in an ongoing environmental impact assessment procedure in another state
Please find the ongoing EIA and SEA procedures started in 2023 in other states:
More information
Contacts related to transboundary environmental impact assessments: transboundaryEIA.SEA@syke.fi
- Senior officer Laura Aitala-Martesuo, tel. +358 29 525 1325, laura.aitala-martesuo@syke.fi
- Senior officer Ulla Helminen, tel. +358 29 525 2357, ulla.helminen@syke.fi
- Senior officer Hanne Rajanen, tel. +358 29 525 1332, hanne.rajanen@syke.fi
- Senior officer Julianna Reunanen, tel. +358 29 525 2390, julianna.reunanen@syke.fi