Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a key procedure for ensuring that human activities are carried out sustainably and with respect for the environment. It supports informed decision-making on development projects and plays an important role in measuring and reducing the carbon footprint.

What is an Environmental Impact Assessment?

An EIA is a technical, administrative and legal procedure that identifies, predicts and mitigates the potential negative effects a project or activity may have on the environment. It allows authorities and developers to make informed decisions, minimise damage and promote sustainable development.

An EIA generally analyses factors such as:

• Air, water and soil quality.
• Biodiversity and affected ecosystems.
• Impact on human health and local communities.
• Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and their contribution to climate change.

Legal framework in Spain

In Spain, the EIA is governed by Law 21/2013 of 9 December on Environmental Assessment. It sets out the procedures for assessing the significant effects of certain projects, plans and programmes, and aligns national rules with the European EIA Directive (Directive 2011/92/EU) and its amendment (Directive 2014/52/EU). The law distinguishes two types of assessment:

• Ordinary EIA: for projects with high potential impact, requiring in-depth analysis and an environmental impact study.
• Simplified EIA: for smaller projects, to decide whether a full assessment is needed.

Stages of an Environmental Impact Assessment

1. Screening

This stage determines whether a project needs an EIA, based on its nature, location and scale. In Spain, Annexes I and II of Law 21/2013 list the projects subject to assessment.

2. Environmental impact study

The developer prepares a technical document identifying potential impacts and proposing mitigation measures, including:

• Project description.
• Analysis of alternatives.
• Identification and assessment of impacts.
• Mitigation measures and monitoring plans.

3. Public consultation

The study undergoes public consultation so the community can take part and provide feedback, improving transparency and surfacing additional concerns.

4. Decision and monitoring

The competent authority issues a decision that may approve, approve with conditions or reject the project. If approved, corrective measures are applied and ongoing monitoring checks compliance.

EIA and the carbon footprint

One of the most relevant aspects of an EIA is its link to the carbon footprint, which measures the total GHG emissions generated directly or indirectly by an activity. Including carbon footprint analysis in an EIA is essential for addressing climate change and supporting the goals of the Paris Agreement.

Emissions across Scopes 1, 2 and 3

An EIA can include emissions across the three scopes of the GHG Protocol:

• Scope 1: direct emissions from sources controlled by the project, such as machinery or vehicles.
• Scope 2: indirect emissions from electricity, heat or steam consumption.
• Scope 3: indirect emissions across the value chain, such as suppliers or material transport.

Benefits of integrating EIA into business strategy

An EIA is not only a legal requirement but also an opportunity to demonstrate a commitment to sustainability. Key benefits include:

• Risk reduction: identifying and mitigating impacts lowers the risk of penalties and reputational damage.
• Resource optimisation: efficiency and emission-reduction measures can deliver significant savings.
• Access to finance and tenders: sustainable projects are more likely to secure funding and qualify for public procurement.
• Competitiveness: companies that embed sustainability are more attractive to investors, customers and partners.

At Manglai we help companies measure the carbon footprint of their activities and projects and prepare their sustainability reporting. Discover how Manglai can help you.