Environmental impact assessment & consenting

An environmental impact assessment (EIA) maps out the environmental impact of a plan or project before the competent authority takes a decision or grants a permit. As such, the environmental interest is included in the decision-making. The research results are included in a report, known as the EIA. Based on national and European legislation, an EIA is prescribed for projects with potentially significant environmental impacts. In recent years the EIA has extended and more non-environmental topics, like socio-economic effects, are included. This is also referred to as a Strategic Impact Assessment (SIA). Instead of a classic report, the results of the EIA can also be presented in a digital EIA. In this case we create an interactive website that uses maps and graphics to present the EIA results in an easily accessible way. Projects with a large number of stakeholders can benefit from this helpful tool. 

SEIA is the assessment of the high-level environmental impacts of a proposed policy or plan, that will facilitate future projects with a potential environmental impact. The difference between the strategic EIA and the project EIA is that the project EIA is much more specific on a certain project and specific location, whereas the strategic EIA focuses on the high-level environmental impact of – for example – a certain policy choice. 

An environment and planning act permit is the official approval of the competent authority to build and operate a (renewable energy) project. To obtain this permit several documents have to be submitted and surveys prepared. For example, a comprehensive description of the project, construction drawings and noise surveys are part of the required documentation for the application. Pondera can prepare the full scope permit application(s) required for your project and guide you up to the granting of the (ir)revocable permit.  

When realizing a renewable energy initiative, several legal questions come up. What consents and permits do I need? How should I draft the contract with the supplier or landowner? Or how should I cope with the permit requirements when building and operating my project? Besides, most projects face some sort of legal opposition nowadays and end up in court or at the Council of State. Pondera can support with solid legal- and policy advice in the field of energy transition, public and private law, and has successfully been involved as an expert in dozens of trials over the past 15 years.