environmental-assessment mandate
Quick Summary
Environmental assessment mandates are a crucial part of environmental law. These mandates require that potential environmental impacts of contemplated actions be identified and assessed. They establish goals for these assessments and ensure that the findings influence decisions about whether to proceed with an action or consider alternatives.1
These mandates protect the environment indirectly by providing more information about the consequences of proposed actions. This can improve decision-making by government officials and increase public involvement in environmental policy. For example, the United States National Environmental Policy Act requires an environmental impact statement for major federal actions that significantly affect the environment. Similarly, the European Union has its own requirements for environmental impact assessments for various projects.1
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