Miljökonsekvensbedömning som rättsligt verktyg för hållbar utveckling

Sammanfattning: The aim of this thesis is to analyse the legal notion of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) in order to provide, on a scientific basis, increased understanding and knowledge of the different components of this legal notion and each component’s importance for the whole. The objective is to specify what EIA is at present and what it is intended to be. This thesis analyses the legal tool, shows what the rules are in a few selected countries and goes on to discuss how it could be developed in order best to fulfil its function of promoting sustainable development. The question asked throughout this thesis is how the EIA rules should be designed in terms of their content and construction in order to function as a legal tool to promote sustainable development.