THE COUNCIL ,
HAVING REGARD to Article 5 b) of the Convention on the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development of 14 December 1960;
HAVING REGARD to the Declaration on Environmental Policy [ OECD/LEGAL/0134 ]; the Recommendation of the Council concerning the Reduction of Environmental Impacts from Energy Production and Use [ OECD/LEGAL/0149 ]; the Recommendation of the Council on Noise Abatement Policies [ OECD/LEGAL/0163 ]; the Recommendation of the Council for Strengthening International Co-operation on Environmental Protection in Frontier Regions [ OECD/LEGAL/0165 ]; the Recommendation of the Council on Environment and Tourism [ OECD/LEGAL/0171 ]; the Declaration on Anticipatory Environmental Policies [ OECD/LEGAL/0175 ]; the Recommendation of the Council on Environmental Assessment of Development Assistance Projects and Programmes [ OECD/LEGAL/0227 ]; the Recommendation of the Council on Integrated Coastal Zone Management [ OECD/LEGAL/0268 ]; the Recommendation of the Council on Assessment and Decision-Making for Integrated Transport and Environment Policy [ OECD/LEGAL/0325 ]; and the Recommendation of the Council on Regulatory Policy and Governance [ OECD/LEGAL/0390 ];
CONSIDERING that significant public and private development projects, during execution and subsequent operation, as well as implementation of plans and programmes may generate direct and indirect impact on the natural and man-made environment; that such impact may significantly reduce the potential short and long-term benefits expected from such projects, plans and programmes; and that in some cases irreversible environmental damage and loss of amenities may result;
RECOGNISING that the capability for forecasting, or dealing with environmental impacts of such projects, plans and programmes and for identifying and carrying out measures to mitigate such impacts continues to increase;
RECOGNISING that the use, where appropriate, of procedures for assessing environmental impact can improve decisions on projects, plans and programmes;
RECOGNISING that Members and non-Members having adhered to this Recommendation (hereafter “Adherents”) have varying legislative, institutional and administrative frameworks within which the assessment of environmental and other impacts either takes place already or can be incorporated;
CONSIDERING that environmental assessment may be performed at all levels of government, according to Adherents’ legal and institutional frameworks;
On the proposal of the Environment Policy Committee:
I. RECOMMENDS that Adherents:
1. Use environmental assessment as part of the planning, development and decision-making process for projects, plans and programmes having potentially significant impact on the environment.
2. Establish clear scope and procedures for assessment of the environmental impacts and for determination of relevant mitigation measures as inputs to the planning and decision-making process in order to restore and enhance environmental quality.
3. Incorporate analysis of reasonable alternatives in the assessment of environmental impacts of projects, plans and programmes with a view to arriving at an informed decision that includes best environmental considerations.
4. Include practical and appropriate measures for consulting public authorities having functions and responsibilities relevant to the environmental impacts of projects, plans and programmes.
5. Implement, where appropriate, practical measures for informing the public and for participation by those who may be affected at suitable stages of decision-making on projects, plans and programmes.
6. Ensure that there are means of putting into effect measures derived from the environmental assessment of projects, plans and programmes.
7. Implement appropriate practical measures for monitoring the effects on the environment of projects, plans and programmes that have been subject to environmental assessment.
8. Institute, as appropriate, environmental assessment procedures for projects, plans and programmes that might have significant transboundary impacts.
II. INVITES the Secretary-General to disseminate this Recommendation.
III. INVITES Adherents to disseminate this Recommendation at all levels of government.
IV. INVITES non-Adherents to take due account of, and adhere to, this Recommendation.
V. INSTRUCTS the Environment Policy Committee to:
a. Serve as a forum for Adherents to share experience in implementing various environmental assessment methods and procedures.
b. Support the implementation of the Recommendation by Adherents through reviews or guidance.
c. Monitor the implementation of this Recommendation and thereon to Council no later than five years following its adoption and at least every ten years thereafter.