Environmental Outcome Reports (EOR)

The government are currently running a consultation on a new scheme to replace Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). They state:

"Part 6 of the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill will secure powers to implement a new system of environmental assessment known as Environmental Outcomes Reports. This will allow the government to replace the EU-derived Strategic Environmental Assessment and Environmental Impact Assessment processes with a streamlined system that places greater focus on delivering our environmental ambitions.

The introduction of outcomes-based approach to the Environmental Outcomes Reports allows the government to reflect its environmental priorities directly into plan-making and decision-making process on the largest developments. The feedback from this consultation will help us establish our approach to developing these environmental outcomes across government."

The consultation advises that:

"Outcomes should:

• drive the achievement of statutory environmental targets and the Environment Improvement Plan
• be measurable using indicators at the correct scale ...
• be designed using the knowledge and experience of sector groups and environmental experts
• have an organisation responsible for monitoring overall progress of specific outcomes i.e., a responsible ‘owner’
• be reviewed on a regular basis to ensure they remain relevant
• not duplicate matters more effectively addressed through policy.

You can find out more and take part at DLHC.