January 2013: The Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations (IDDRI) has released a policy brief, titled “Environmental Impact Assessments in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction” (ABNJ), which highlights gaps in the current framework on Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) in ABNJ.

The brief notes that EIAs in ABNJ appear at first to be one of the less controversial issues discussed within the UN Ad Hoc Open-Ended Informal Working Group to Study Issues Relating to the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity Beyond Areas of National Jurisdiction (BBNJ), despite disagreement on the practical implementation of EIAs. However, the author notes, there is need for caution before developing a global instrument on EIAs, to make sure that any requirement to carry out EIAs will be efficient enough to provide the best possible framework for their conduct.

Emphasizing that EIAs are one of the most important tools for the sustainable use of marine biodiversity in ABNJ, the brief notes that a global framework should take into account the cumulative impacts of human activities on the marine environment. The brief also proposes that minimum requirements should be defined, including objectives or principles against which the outcome of any EIA will be tested.

Finally, the note calls for an advisory scientific and technical body, and a global compliance committee. [Publication: Environmental Impact Assessments in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction]