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Abstract
This study provides data on the quality of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) reports in Albania, focusing more on their content and meeting the criteria set out in Albanian legislation, but not only. The study was conducted referring to 200 reports drafted during 2021.
The results show a significant lack of compliance with legal criteria for the structure and content of an EIA report. The first most problematic aspect, which in itself is the main reason for the poor quality of assessments, is that they are prepared generally by a single person who can by no means have knowledge of all the aspects covered by an EIA.
Other shortcomings include: non-reference of information sources; lack (in most cases) of the methodology followed for report preparation, biodiversity assessment and impact forecasting; lack of consultation with stakeholders or relevant experts; lack of alternatives about project development; insufficient biodiversity assessment; lack of indirect impacts; not determining the significance of the impacts; lack of cost-benefit analysis and other aspects such as climate change or ecosystem services. More complete data are provided for the legislation that supports the assessments, physical characteristics of the development area such as: hydrology, geology, climate (except flora and fauna), data about the project and its location, environmental discharges, to some extent also the social aspects, duration and extent of impacts and environmental management / mitigation measures.
Keywords: Preliminary EIA; Profound EIA; Monitoring; Management; Impacts; Metodology; Legislation;
Biodiversity, Albania.
