The International Law of Environmental Impact Assessment
Process, Substance and Integration

Neil Craik examines the structure and role of international environmental impact assessments.

Neil Craik (Author)

9780521184069, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 16 December 2010

356 pages
22.9 x 15.2 x 2 cm, 0.52 kg

Review of the hardback: 'Whether interested in theory or practice, the contribution of international EIA norms to process, substance and integration is admirably documented and analysed in this book, which is a significant addition to the literature on EIA and the law at all levels.' Simon Marsden, Journal of Environmental Conservation

The central idea animating environmental impact assessment (EIA) is that decisions affecting the environment should be made through a comprehensive evaluation of predicted impacts. Notwithstanding their evaluative mandate, EIA processes do not impose specific environmental standards, but rely on the creation of open, participatory and information rich decision-making settings to bring about environmentally benign outcomes. In light of this tension between process and substance, Neil Craik assesses whether EIA, as a method of implementing international environmental law, is a sound policy strategy, and how international EIA commitments structure transnational interactions in order to influence decisions affecting the international environment. Through a comprehensive description of international EIA commitments and their implementation with domestic and transnational governance structures, and drawing on specific examples of transnational EIA processes, the author examines how international EIA commitments can facilitate interest coordination, and provide opportunities for persuasion and for the internalisation of international environmental norms.

Part I. Introduction: 1. Introduction and overview
Part II. Background Norms: 2. Domestic origins of International EIA
3. EIAs and general principles of international environmental law
Part III. EIA Commitments in International Law: 4. Sources of international EIA commitments
5. The structure of international EIA commitments
Part IV. The Role of EIA Commitments in International Law: 6. EIAs as compliance mechanisms
7. EIAs, interests and legitimacy
Part V. Conclusion: 8. EIAs and the process and substance of international environmental law
Appendices.

Subject Areas: International environmental law [LBBP]