Exploring the Dimensions of EIA Follow-up

There is growing interest in EIA follow-up both within government and industry. Follow-up includes EIA projects and SEA plans, programs or policies and there is increasing regulatory requirement for EIA follow-up around the world. Additionally industry often makes an important contribution to follow-up through self-regulation undertakings. This paper presents an overview of current insights in EIA follow-up based on recent experience from around the world. It reviews the theoretical foundation of EIA follow-up and provides answers to these questions: • What is EIA follow-up? • Why is follow-up important? • Who is involved in EIA follow-up? and • What factors determine EIA follow-up outcomes in practice? The paper also considers the different levels at which follow-up can be conceptualised: micro (or project) level, macro (or EIA system) level and the meta (overall practice of EIA internationally) level. The theoretical framework is illustrated with best practice examples from around the world. The paper concludes with some challenges and future directions for EIA follow-up.