Environmental impact assessments

The rules on environmental assessment of plans and programmes (SEA) and environmental assessment of individual projects (EIA) are now contained in the Danish Environmental Assessment Act. Having in-depth knowledge of the advanced rules, we often advise on substantive and procedural issues related to those rules and assist clients in assessing when they need to carry out a screening only, and when it is necessary to carry out an environmental assessment of the relevant activity or local development plan. We assist in compliance issues, e.g. the handling of already ongoing activities where the environmental impact assessment is subsequently set aside by an appeals body.

In addition, we have unparalleled experience in advising on the rules in the Habitats Directive and the protection of Natura 2000 areas, and on the interaction between those rules and the rules in the Danish Environmental Assessment Act. 

We often assist enterprises and authorities in appeal proceedings concerning these matters before the Danish Local Planning Appeal Board and/or the Danish Environment and Food Board of Appeal. In addition, we are highly experienced litigators in this fields, representing clients before the ordinary Danish courts of law and the European Court of Justice.