The European Commission developed a comprehensive approach to impact assessment, requiring that all likely economic, social and environmental impacts of major Commission proposals are given due consideration. However, not every impact assessment accorded equal treatment to all dimensions of sustainable development. The primary objective of the project is to assess the extent to which environmental impacts are taken into consideration when impact assessments are performed, and to suggest ways in which to improve consideration of environmental impacts within the assessment process.

The specific objectives of the projects are to:

• Identify “best practices” with regard to assessing the environmental impacts of Commission proposals in policy areas that are not primarily related to the environment.
• Identify “best practices” from other international and national bodies with regard to assessing the environmental impacts of policies that are not primarily related to the environment.
• Identify conditions designed to guarantee that environmental impacts are considered in other policy areas.
• Identify factors blocking or impeding the adequate assessment of environmental impacts in other policy areas.

The results of the project are represented and discussed at a high level policy maker workshop in Brussels.

The project is part of a framework contract with the European Commission on Economic Analysis in the Context of Environmental Policies and of Sustainable Development.