UNEP-BPSP THEMATIC STUDIES

Integration of Biodiversity into National Environmental Assessment Procedures

Introduction This report is one of eight thematic reviews prepared for the Biodiversity Planning Support Programme (BPSP), jointly-implemented by the United Nations Development Programme and the United Nations Environment Programme, with core financial support from the GEF. The BPSP was created to help countries strengthen national capacity to prepare and implement National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans in compliance with Article 6 of the Convention on Biological Diversity. The study consists of the following: 1. Integrating Biodiversity with National Environmental Assessment Processes: A Review of Experiences and Methods (Spanish, French) This synthesis report reviews the extent to which biodiversity considerations are incorporated in impact assessment procedures throughout the world, with a particular focus on the extent to which environmental impact assessment (EIA) and related instruments (including strategic environmental assessment (SEA) are applied by countries in accordance with their obligations under the Convention on Biodiversity (CBD). 2. Integrating Biodiversity with National Environmental Assessment Processes - 15 Country Case Studies In order to assess the progress with integration of biodiversity into environmental assessment at the national, a series of 15 country case studies were commissioned. To open the country case studies in pdf format, simply click on the country of your choice fro the list below. Afghanistan; Argentina (Spanish); Cameroon (English) (French); Colombia; Guyana; India; Kyrgyz Republic; Nepal; Niger (English) (French); Romania; South Africa; Tanzania; United Kingdom; Uruguay; Yemen. 3. An international workshop was held at Lechwe Lodge, Zambia from the 30th May to the 4th June 2001 to discuss the implications of the country status reports and case studies.  4. A bibliography of literature relating to the integration of biodiversity with impact assessment.