Check whether an environmental impact assessment is required
Find out whether environmental impact assessment requirements may apply to your activity.
Check whether environmental impact assessment requirements apply
Environmental impact assessment requirements may apply if you are planning an activity:
In areas beyond national jurisdiction
The activity will be:
- carried on or controlled by a UK individual, business or organisation
- carried on from a British vessel, aircraft or marine structure
- carried on from a floating container controlled from a British vessel, aircraft or marine structure
In areas within national jurisdiction
The requirements may apply where the activity:
- will be carried on or controlled by a UK individual, business or organisation, or from a British vessel, aircraft or marine structure, or from a floating container controlled from any of these
- and may cause substantial pollution or significant harmful changes to the marine environment in areas beyond national jurisdiction
Activities in areas beyond national jurisdiction
Planned activities in areas beyond national jurisdiction that may have more than a minor or transitory effect on the marine environment, or where the effects are unknown or poorly understood, must be screened to determine whether an environmental impact assessment is required.
Where it is determined, on the basis of that screening, that the activity may cause substantial pollution of or significant harmful changes to the marine environment, an environmental impact assessment must be carried out.
For other activities in areas beyond national jurisdiction, contact the relevant regulator for further guidance.
Activities in areas within national jurisdiction
Activities taking place in areas within national jurisdiction that may cause substantial pollution of or significant harmful changes to the marine environment in areas beyond national jurisdiction are subject to environmental impact assessment and transparency requirements under the biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement.
This may require sharing information or documents with the BBNJ Clearing-House Mechanism.
Where applicable, the environmental impact assessment, together with any subsequent monitoring and reporting, will be conducted under the relevant national process.
For activities planned in areas within national jurisdiction, contact the relevant regulator.
Antarctic activities
EIA requirements for activities undertaken in Antarctic waters are governed by the Antarctic Act 1994 and associated Regulations as part of the UK’s Antarctic permitting arrangements.
Consequently, if you will be undertaking activities in Antarctic waters please instead consult the Antarctic permitting guidance.