International cooperation: Transparency and consultation [EBRD

UNECE Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context

The UNECE Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context (Espoo Convention) establishes assessment criteria on major projects likely to have a significant adverse environmental impact across borders. It also identifies procedures for signatory countries to notify and consult with each other about such projects.

The EBRD supports the Espoo Convention through its investments. If a project has the potential for transboundary impacts or requires an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), the Espoo notification and consultation guidelines are followed in principle. Working with project sponsors to incorporate the Espoo principles in the consultation process, the EBRD recognises that the Espoo obligations are between governments and that affected countries may not be Espoo signatories.

The EBRD has worked closely with the states around the Caspian Sea, the UNECE secretariat, the Caspian Environment Programme, and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to agree on notification and communication during the EIA process for projects with potential transboundary impacts. A regional guideline has been formally agreed and UNECE and UNEP are training local authorities on the requirements.

More about the Espoo Convention.

UNECE Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters

The UNECE Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters (Aarhus Convention) focuses on public participation. It maintains that sustainable development can be achieved only through transparency about adverse environmental impacts, involvement of relevant stakeholders in decision making, and the right to appeal decisions that negatively affect the environment.

As detailed in the Environmental Policy, the EBRD is committed to providing environmental information and public consultation. The Bank has also has a formal grievance mechanism for local stakeholders adversely affected by EBRD projects: the Independent Recourse Mechanism.

Although the EBRD has not had a specific Aarhus Convention initiative, the Bank reviews the commitment of the countries of operations to the Convention in country strategies and project due diligence.

More about the EBRD Independent Recourse Mechanism.
More about the Aarhus Convention.

Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative

The Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) was announced by UK Prime Minister Tony Blair at the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg in September 2002.

Its aim is to increase transparency over payments by companies to governments and government-linked entities, as well as transparency over revenues by those host country governments.

Revenues from oil, gas and mining companies, in the form of taxes, royalties, signature bonuses and other payments should be an important engine for economic growth and social development in developing and transition countries. However, the lack of accountability and transparency in these revenues can exacerbate poor governance and lead to corruption, conflict and poverty.

The EBRD has been committed to the initiative since its inception and continues to support the EITI process both in its lending operations and policy dialogue with governments, NGOs and companies. The Bank’s Energy Operations Policy, signed in July 2006 sets out the requirements on project sponsors to adhere to the methodology principles and criteria of the EITI, where relevant, and is detailed in Annex 5.

More information:

Development Cooperation Directorate Task Force on Strategic Environmental Assessment

The EBRD has been an observer on the OECD Development Cooperation Directorate (DAC) Task Force on Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) since 2003. In particular, the Bank has worked on technical guidance for SEA, contributing in such areas as public consultation and clarifying the differences between EIA and SEA.

More about the DAC Task Force on SEA.

International cooperation: transparency and consultation