Environmental and climate risk screening

OVERVIEW

What is it?

The NDICI-Global Europe Regulation (Article 25.5) establishes that environmental screening, including for climate change and biodiversity impacts shall be undertaken at the level of actions, in accordance with applicable legislation, including the EU EIA Directive. It is also stipulated that, where relevant, Strategic Environmental Assessments, including the impact on climate change, shall be used in the implementation of sectoral programmes. The Global Gateway Communication stipulates that ‘projects will live up to the European Green Deal oath to do no harm and ensure the use of Environmental Impact Assessments and Strategic Environmental Assessments’.

What can it be used for?

The purpose of the environment & climate risk screening is to determine if a given action is likely to have significant adverse impacts on the environment or is at significant risk from climate change and environmental degradation, and therefore whether a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA), an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), and/or a Climate Risk Assessment (CRA) should be prepared. The aim of the screening and assessments is to identify, avoid, minimise and/or avoid negative impacts and to do no harm. In many cases the assessments also cover social risks and impacts (Environment and Social Impact Assessments - ESIA).

When can it be used?

The formal screening is compulsory: it should be performed as soon as there is a clear idea of the objectives and scope of the action that is promoted. In the case of DG INTPA, this information is normally available at the time when the SSC Fiche is prepared. In the case of DG NEAR, the necessary insight into the action may be available at the Identification phase (i.e., ahead of QR1). At the very latest, the screening should be undertaken during formulation. In case an SEA, and EIA and/or a CRA are required, it is necessary to allocate sufficient resources and time for their preparation. Thus, the earliest the screening is done, the better.

Screening for greening opportunities can best be done at the earliest stage of identification as it may influence objectives and scope of an action.

Who can use it?

All EU staff involved in design.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

Key elements

Yet, the EIA directive does not specify an impact as being negative or positive. The analysis and reflection triggered from the screening questionnaires not only allows to identify environmental and climate risks but also opportunities that should be addressed in the design of the action, regardless of whether an SEA, an EIA or a CRA are required. The screening process thus can also be used to apply the ‘green lens’ approach and look at ways to ‘do good’ to environment or climate. The screening consists of three parts: