Modern impact assessment in a sustainable planning system
Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) are essential to understanding the impacts of development and delivering robust, evidence-informed approaches to achieving social, economic, and environmental outcomes.
Our planning system can deliver for people and the environment, as long as it is modernised and focused on achieving sustainable development. Working with environmental assessment professionals, the Government should develop a system that is quick, accessible and that genuinely delivers for communities and our natural world.
As part of our recommendations to the UK Government for 2024-2029, the IES published this chapter on 'modern impact assessment in a sustainable planning system', which sets out recommendations on EIA, planning, and the built environment.
Our recommendations for the UK Government
- Create a less adversarial approach to planning and environmental consenting, developing processes which are coherent, flexible, and accessible.
- Take a joined-up approach to achieving environmental objectives throughout national development policy, especially for major infrastructure developments.
- Work with environmental scientists and planning officers to ensure that the transition to Environmental Outcome Reports (EORs) delivers a modern, digital and data-driven system.
More on planning & built environment
Find out more
Read our recommendations for other fields of environmental science in 'Our Shared Mission for Sustainable Wellbeing'.
To find out more about the topic, you can read our briefing on the latest developments in land and nature policy. To take part in thought-provoking, critical conversations around EIA from a science-based perspective, join the EIA Community.
If you want to support the work of the IES, you can become an affiliate, or if you’re a professional in the environmental sector working with science, consider joining the IES.
Header image credit: © Shaun | Adobe Stock
