Overcoming barriers to effective environmental assessments

In a world where environmental concerns have become increasingly pressing, effective environmental assessments are vital to protect and preserve our natural resources. The Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) has released a report highlighting the practical challenges that hinder the efficiency of environmental assessment regimes.

In this blog, Rufus Howard, IEMA’s Policy and Engagement Lead for impact assessment, delves into the key findings of the OEP report, with a particular focus on the invaluable contributions of IEMA in addressing these issues.

Understanding the OEP report

The OEP conducted a comprehensive examination of the implementation of three critical assessment regimes used to evaluate the environmental impacts of proposed developments:

• Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
• Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA)
• Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA)

These assessments, while essential, are not always operating as effectively as they should, potentially jeopardizing the government's environmental ambitions.

The OEP's research aimed to identify the strengths of the existing systems, as well as the barriers to their effectiveness, in order to shape future changes. The OEP report is supported by three annexes, a legal review, an examination of UK practice, and an international review.

Challenges to effective environmental assessments

Dame Glenys Stacey, Chair of the OEP, emphasizes the pressing need for action:

“The environment is under serious threat. We continue to see extremely worrying and persistent trends of environmental decline, with some increasingly difficult to arrest. Government is committed by law to significantly improve the natural environment for future generations, but it aims also to meet the need for new homes and improved infrastructure, and such developments can damage the environment.” 

According to the OEP, three fundamental root causes impede the effectiveness of these assessment regimes:

• Access to information: One major challenge is limited access to crucial data, which hinders the decision-making process. Data is often collected but not made available to others, leading to unnecessary duplication of work.
• Post-decision monitoring and reporting: The extent of post-decision monitoring, evaluation, and reporting is often insufficient, preventing an accurate assessment of the effectiveness of environmental mitigations.
• Access to expertise: Access to environmental expertise is inconsistent and sometimes lacking, creating gaps in the implementation of assessment laws.

The role of IEMA in addressing these challenges

IEMA, as the recognized leading professional body for environmental assessment practitioners, has played a vital role in addressing these barriers to effective environmental assessments.

Here's a summary of how IEMA has been instrumental in tackling these challenges:

• Promoting data accessibility: IEMA has actively advocated for improved data sharing and access within the environmental assessment community. IEMA has called for greater transparency and accessibility to ensure that valuable information is readily available to all stakeholders. We have also been at the forefront of promoting digital adoption and greater use of public participation and stakeholder engagement.
• Enhancing expertise: IEMA has been at the forefront of efforts to raise the standards of expertise in the field of environmental assessment. Through professional development and professional accreditation programmes (such as the EIA Practitioner Register and EIA Quality Mark), IEMA has contributed to building a pool of skilled practitioners.
• Influencing government policy: IEMA's involvement in responding the government consultations and in the development of good practice guidance on environmental assessments has been pivotal for over 30 years. Our expertise has been instrumental in shaping the practice for environmental impact assessments, making it more effective and efficient.
• Fostering collaboration: Through IEMA events, steering groups, and working groups, IEMA continues to facilitate collaboration between government bodies, local planning authorities, industry, consultants, and other public organizations. This collaboration is vital to secure the necessary expertise required for the successful implementation of environmental assessments.

Key takeaway

The OEP's report sheds light on the practical barriers that hinder effective environmental assessments, which are crucial for safeguarding our environment.

IEMA's role in addressing these challenges has been significant, as evidenced by our extensive coverage in the OEP’s report and supporting documents. Through IEMA member’s dedication to promoting good policy, enhancing expertise, and shaping good practice guidance, IEMA continues to play a vital role in improving the state of environmental assessments. As we strive to protect our environment and meet ambitious sustainability goals, the contributions of IEMA and its members are more essential than ever.

How to get involved

To join IEMA's impact assessment network or find out more about our work go to www.iema.net or email [email protected].

Rufus Howard

Policy and Engagement Lead at IEMA, IEMA

Dr Howard is the policy and engagement lead for Impact Assessment at IEMA and a leading professional in EIA, with two decades of international experience across renewable energy and major infrastructure.