UNECE > Programmes > Environment > impact assessment > SEA Protocol > Resource Manual > links > biodiversity

Protocol on Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA)

Resource Manual to Support Application of the Protocol on SEA

Draft Final

Links to extra resources (back to main list)

Biodiversity

Convention on Biological Diversity

Article 14. Impact Assessment and Minimizing Adverse Impacts

1. Each Contracting Party, as far as possible and as appropriate, shall:

(a) Introduce appropriate procedures requiring environmental impact assessment of its proposed projects that are likely to have significant adverse effects on biological diversity with a view to avoiding or minimizing such effects and, where appropriate, allow for public participation in such procedures;

(b) Introduce appropriate arrangements to ensure that the environmental consequences of its programmes and policies that are likely to have significant adverse impacts on biological diversity are duly taken into account;

(c) Promote, on the basis of reciprocity, notification, exchange of information and consultation on activities under their jurisdiction or control which are likely to significantly affect adversely the biological diversity of other States or areas beyond the limits of national jurisdiction, by encouraging the conclusion of bilateral, regional or multilateral arrangements, as appropriate;

(d) In the case of imminent or grave danger or damage, originating under its jurisdiction or control, to biological diversity within the area under jurisdiction of other States or in areas beyond the limits of national jurisdiction, notify immediately the potentially affected States of such danger or damage, as well as initiate action to prevent or minimize such danger or damage; and

(e) Promote national arrangements for emergency responses to activities or events, whether caused naturally or otherwise, which present a grave and imminent danger to biological diversity and encourage international cooperation to supplement such national efforts and, where appropriate and agreed by the States or regional economic integration organizations concerned, to establish joint contingency plans.

2. The Conference of the Parties shall examine, on the basis of studies to be carried out, the issue of liability and redress, including restoration and compensation, for damage to biological diversity, except where such liability is a purely internal matter.

Resources

Guidelines for incorporating biodiversity related issues in strategic environmental assessments adopted under the Convention on Biological Diversity .		-	-	ENG	-	-	-
Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity endorsed Guidelines for incorporating biodiversity-related issues into environmental impact assessment legislation or processes and in strategic impact assessment (decision VI/7-A) .		-	-	ENG	-	-	-
Voluntary Guidelines on Biodiversity-inclusive EIA, proposed for endorsement by the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (May 2006), and replacing the above guidelines		ARA	CHI	ENG	FRE	RUS	SPA
Strategic Environmental Assessment and Biodiversity: Guidance for Practitioners (June 2004; Countryside Council for Wales, English Nature, Environment Agency, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds; prepared by South West Ecological Surveys, Levett-Therivel sustainability consultants and Oxford Brookes University)		-	-	ENG	-	-	-
Strategic Environmental Assessment - learning from practice (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds)		-	-	ENG	-	-	-
A Guide on Biodiversity and Environmental Assessment (April 1996), Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency		-	-	ENG	FRE	-	-
Biodiversity in Impact Assessment - Best Practice Principles by the International Association for Impact Assessment (IAIA )		-	-	ENG	FRE	-	SPA
Biodiversity and environmental assessment, update no. 20 to the World Bank Environmental Assessment Sourcebook (Oct. 1997) available at the list of updates		-	-	ENG	-	-	-

---

UNECE is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.