Kommunikationen i miljökonsekvensbeskrivningsprocessen : en intervjustudie om infrastrukturprojekt

Abstract: Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a method to describe the possible impact of a planned project. The aim of such an assessment is to aid a sustainable development, by supplying a comprehensive basis for decision-making. Today there are many people working with EIA in different forms, representing both different interests within the community, as well as having different individual points of view. The proponent is responsible for the EIA, but it is of interest to study the relationship between the different participants who are involved in this process. The aim of this report is to study how the different disciplines involved have communicated with each other and amongst themselves, what characterises good communication, and if anything should be improved. Emphasis has particularly been placed on the communication of environmental issues. The study is based on three EIAs concerning road and railroad projects, and interviews have been conducted with 15 people, representing three disciplines: EIA consultants, the proponents and the County Administrative Boards. The study concludes that communication between the different disciplines is indeed important for the quality of the EIA. The interviewees believed that, for instance, good communication leads to transparent planning, a quicker and smoother process and synergistic effects when different competences are combined. Also, according to the interviewees, the County Administrative Board seems to have a key role in this communication, and a continuous contact with them facilitates everyone's work. The County Administrative Board contributes to each project with knowledge and experience, and helps the EIA-consultant and the proponent set the framework for the content of the EIA. Suggested improvements in the process for an EIA are, for example, that more effective ways of communication are found, more interdisciplinary discussions are held, and that involved participants focus more on finding the best possible infrastructural solution, rather than trying to write the perfect report.