PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT: LEGAL FRAMEWORKS AND THEIR ROLE IN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
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Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is widely recognized as a critical legal instrument for integrating environmental considerations into development planning. A central component of effective EIA legislation is the requirement for public participation, which serves as both a procedural safeguard and a substantive mechanism for achieving sustainable development outcomes. This article examines the legal frameworks governing public participation in EIA processes across multiple jurisdictions, evaluates their effectiveness in promoting informed decision-making, and identifies persistent gaps that undermine the capacity of EIA laws to deliver on their sustainability mandate. Drawing on comparative legal analysis and empirical evidence from developed and developing country contexts, the study argues that while public participation provisions have expanded significantly since the 1990s, their practical implementation remains constrained by institutional weaknesses, power asymmetries, and inadequate enforcement mechanisms. The article concludes with recommendations for strengthening participatory governance within EIA legal frameworks to better align with the goals of sustainable development.
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