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a. the size and design of the whole project;

b. cumulation with other existing and/or approved projects;

c. the use of natural resources, in particular land, soil, water and biodiversity;

d. the production of waste;

e. pollution and nuisances;

f. the risk of major accidents and/or disasters which are relevant to the project concerned, including those caused by climate change, in accordance with scientific knowledge;

g. the risks to human health (for example due to water contamination or air pollution).

• Is there a possibility of cumulation of the likely impacts on environment and health with other existing and/or approved projects?
• Is the action likely to require (during or after implementation) significant amounts of water, wood, minerals, other materials or natural resources? (Note that the availability, productivity or regeneration of these resources may be threatened by the effects of climate change).
• Is the action likely to result in the production of significant quantities of waste, especially of hazardous wastes? Are there appropriate facilities in the country for the recycling and treatment of such waste?
• Is the action likely to produce significant amounts of liquid effluents or air pollutants, including greenhouse gases, during construction and/or operation? Are the quantities and concentrations of these emissions likely to exceed national and international environmental standards?
• Is the action likely to produce significant environmental nuisance (e.g. noise, odours, vibration, visual impact)?
• Is the action likely to affect important water bodies or significantly affect water regimes? (e.g. due to intensive water extraction, polluting effluents, land use change, removal of vegetation that would increase sediment load of water bodies).
• Is the action likely to require significant accommodation or service amenities to support the workforce (during or after construction)?
• Is the action likely to require significant use of fertilisers, pesticides or other chemicals?
• Is the action likely to include the introduction of genetically modified organisms or invasive species?
• Is the action likely to attract or displace a significant population and economic activities?
• Is the action likely to promote (directly or indirectly) new settlements, including irregular settlements? (e.g. associated to the construction of roads).
• Is the action likely to cause significant soil erosion or degradation, considering its activities and its location on steep slopes or vulnerable soils? (Note that this could lead to increased local vulnerability to the possible combined effects of climate change and other pressures).
• Is the action likely to significantly affect particular ecosystems, such as natural forests, wetlands, coral reefs, mangroves? (Note that this may lead to weakening ecosystems resilience to the effects of climate variability and change).
• Are there other foreseen interventions in the area that are likely to affect the same environmental and socio-economic variables likely to be impacted by the action, such that the cumulative adverse impacts are likely to be significant?
• Will the action constitute a risk for the surrounding environment and population (e.g. risk of explosion, risk of accidental release of polluting or hazardous substances), taking into account also the expected effects of climate change?
• Can the feasibility and effectiveness of the action be significantly affected by climate change or existing/expected environmental degradation?

a. the existing and approved land use;

b. the relative abundance, availability, quality and regenerative capacity of natural resources (including soil, land, water and biodiversity) in the area and its underground;

c. the absorption capacity of the natural environment, paying particular attention to the following areas:

            i.  wetlands, riparian areas, river mouths;

           ii.  coastal zones and the marine environment;

          iii.  mountain and forest areas;

          iv.  nature reserves and parks;

d. areas classified or protected under national legislation;

e. areas in which there has already been a failure to meet the environmental quality standards, laid down in national legislation and relevant to the project, or in which it is considered that there is such a failure;

f. densely populated areas;

g. landscapes and sites of historical, cultural or archaeological significance.

• Is the action located inside or close to a protected area or other areas classified as vulnerable, and is it likely to affect its integrity and quality directly or indirectly? (e.g. roads can facilitate access to valuable natural resources and to poaching; linear projects can cut biological corridors, effluent discharges and run off of polluting substances can affect water quality and ecosystems downstream)?
• Is the action compatible with existing and approved land uses?
• Is the action likely to require the acquisition or conversion of significant areas of land that are important for ecosystem services? (e.g. for soil and water conservation, habitats, flood regulation, natural sea defences, recreation).
• Will the action be located in areas classified or protected under national legislation or in the areas in which there has already been a failure to meet the environmental quality standards?
• Will the action be located in a site where it can significantly affect surface waters or groundwater (its quantity and/or quality)?
• Will the intervention be located in a densely populated area and likely to produce significant nuisances such as air pollution, noise, vibration and odours?
• Will the intervention be located in or close to a site of high cultural or scenic value?

a. population and human health;

b. biodiversity, with particular attention to species and habitats protected under national legislation or international convention and treaties;

c. land, soil, water, air and climate;

d. material assets, cultural heritage and the landscape;

e. the interaction between the factors referred to in points (a) to (d).

Taking into account:

a. the magnitude and spatial extent of the impact (for example geographical area and size of the population likely to be affected);

b. the nature of the impact;

c. the transboundary nature of the impact;

d. the intensity and complexity of the impact;

e. the probability of the impact;

f. the expected onset, duration, frequency and reversibility of the impact;

g. the cumulation of the impact with the impact of other existing and/or approved projects; the possibility of effectively reducing the impact.