Environmental threats do not respect national borders. Governments have realized that to avert this danger they must notify and consult each other on all major projects under consideration that might have adverse environmental impact across borders. The Espoo Convention is a key step to bringing together all stakeholders to prevent environmental damage before it occurs. The Convention entered into force in 1997. More »

Latest news: 16/12/09: Report of 17th session and Agenda of 18th session of Implementation Committee available. More »... 14/12/09: Bosnia & Herzegovina becomes 44th Party to the Convention. More »... 1/9/09: Biannual financial report issued. More »... 9/7/09: Montenegro becomes 43rd Party to the Convention. More »

The SEA Protocol will augment the Espoo Convention by ensuring that individual Parties integrate environmental assessment into their plans and programmes at the earliest stages – so helping to lay the groundwork for sustainable development. The Protocol also provides for extensive public participation in the governmental decision-making process. More »

Latest news: 8/12/09: The Netherlands becomes the 14th Party to the Protocol. More » ... 2/11/09: Montenegro becomes the 13th Party to the Protocol. More » ... 6/10/09: Croatia becomes the 12th Party to the Protocol. More »

Upcoming key meetings:

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Espoo in the subregions

UNECE wins IAIA's 2010 Regional Award