Implications of BREXIT for

environmental assessment in the UK

– a one day workshop at the

University of Liverpool-

Thomas B Fischer

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Rationale

Implications of BREXIT for EA

• There is currently no defined strategy, process

or initiative in place for engaging with or

lobbying of central government with regards to

how SEA and EIA may change.

• Workshop held on 14 June 2017

with 70 participants; half

representatives of consult

-ancies, other half academics

(+ 1 LA representative)

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And the answer is…

Implications of BREXIT for EA

?

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Seven presentations…

Implications of BREXIT for EA

• On SEA and EIA in the UK– how environmental aspects and the quality of decision making had been

considered before and after the introduction of the European EIA and SEA directives (John Glasson; Oxford Brookes University)

– Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) of and for the UK EA system (Urmila Jha-Thakur and Thomas B Fischer, University of Liverpool)

– Successes and failures of SEA in the UK (Riki Therivel, Levett-Therivel)

– How to improve effectiveness of EIA in the UK (Rufus Howard, dhv-Royal Haskoning)

– How to lobby government (Josh Fothergill, IEMA)

• On international SEA and EIA experiences– The Swedish SPEAK project – currently Europe’s biggest research project on

Environmental Assessment (Kedar Uttam and Berit Balfors, KTH Stockholm)

• On the need to assess the impacts of BREXIT on different UK regions/localities– How to change an established Policy Instrument - a case for (Territorial) Impact

Assessment (Olivier Sykes, University of Liverpool)

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Presentations

Implications of BREXIT for EA

• EU Directives were seen as a force for good (not just EU, but internationally)

• many European treaties are linked to international conventions (e.g. UNECE), which means that the UK’s commitment to EIA should remain largely unchanged

• the need for the EIA community to take action in improving and enhancing the internal factors was seen as particularly important, irrespective of what the implications of Brexit would be

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Presentations

Implications of BREXIT for EA

• High profile legal challenges of 2007-2013 and

ongoing changes to the planning system have

led to lengthy, ‘cover your tail’ SEA reports

• Local Plans Expert Group suggested in 2016 that

SA/SEAs are “often of little genuine assistance

to decision making”;

– empirical evidence makes this

statement questionable, though…

• …

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Afternoon workshops

Implications of BREXIT for EA

• Health was seen to be potentially able to

counter the current inertia in the environmental

assessment field (new PH England EIA guidance)

• Academia to pro-actively support the wider

community, through e.g. organising

environment related

workshops and other

activities [?]

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Afternoon workshops

Implications of BREXIT for EA

• Very out of date 2005 Practical Guide to the SEA Directive (in particularconceptually)

• Better guidance could clarify how and when issues can be scoped out. Guidance should also explain how SA/SEA may be embedded in the plan-making process, and how to document its influence

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Afternoon workshops

Implications of BREXIT for EA

• BREXIT could be seen as an ‘opportunity’ for arbitrary cuts to e.g. current IA thresholds and Habitat Regulations

• Opportunities resulting from devolution. IA may be picked up at the regional level through devolved powers by mayors’ offices. Also, improved collaboration of authorities is possible

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Afternoon workshops

Implications of BREXIT for EA

• Positive message should be built about how useful IA is for society, and that it is not just seen as red tape; improved proportionality of assessment and better monitoring in IA are key aspects

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Survey with participants on EIA…

Implications of BREXIT for EA

• Results to be published later, but– A majority of respondents think

that the UK will be successful in maintaining EIA post-BREXIT

– Opinions on whether EIA will become more or less important are divided

– A majority of respondents think that BREXIT has the potential to limit future EIA progress within the UK

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Thank you…

Implications of BREXIT for EA