Partners will identify and compile existing accords (international, hemispheric, sub-regional and bi-lateral) and laws (national & municipal) of the 34 countries of the Americas, to develop an accessible database in Spanish and English. Summaries of the laws will focus on the scope of the impact assessment regulations, the obligations and methodologies contemplated, and how health and environment aspects are addressed. (For further details, see Appendix 4, below).

Based on the treaties, laws and policies surveyed, each core partner will select three qualitative case studies which permit them to investigate the implementation of the relevant impact assessment laws in these cases. The laws and cases to be studied will be selected in accordance with agreed criteria, which will include such factors as importance of the impacts for the sub-region and the Americas, link to economic liberalisation processes, and previous contacts and experiences of the research partner with regard to the case. (For further details of criteria, see Appendix 4, below). Particular case studies might include assessments done on specific trade policy (liberalisation of soya agriculture, for example), and also assessments done on natural resource development initiatives (pulp mills, mines, hydroelectric dams). Each sub-regional core partner will research the application of the health and environment aspects of the IA laws in the three case studies, using research techniques such as literature searches and studies of available documentation, in-depth interviews and consultations with ‘informantes’, direct observation / site visits and community consultation. The concrete outcomes of these studies will consist of 20 – 40 page reports, including a 1-2 page summary (for further details of outcomes, see Appendix 4, below).

In each case study, the impact assessments procedures used to comply with the laws will be analysed. In particular, the core sub-regional partners will investigate, for each case: which obligations and methods were applied (ex-post, ex-ante, or both), which techniques were used to evaluate environment and human health impacts and opportunities (how were health and environment aspects integrated in the assessment, were gender aspects taken into account and how, and which indicators – if any- were used), which actors participated in the assessment process (was participation continual through planning, execution and evaluation or only at one stage), how was institutional coordination carried out between responsible authorities (health, environment, trade and industry, education), what resources were made available (human, financial, institutional capacity) and how was the IA financed? In all case studies, both IAs carried out prior to project execution (investment or economic development projects, for example) and IAs carried out as part of environmental management plans agreed after activities have commenced will be taken into consideration (for further details, see Appendix 4, below). Research will be carried out through literature surveys and document analysis, interviews, and direct observation.

In order to analyse the effectiveness of the IA laws and regulatory instruments in each case study, the partners will consider certain key aspects of each case, and each assessment carried out. They will investigate which measures were recommended in the IA, whether or not these measures were applied and why (what was recommended by the IA, and of the measures recommended, which were carried out?), what levels of receptor capacity exist and whether these can be strengthened, what were the successful outcomes, and what gaps exist, whether ex-post measures have been evaluated, whether capacity-building and awareness-raising activities were carried out, etc. Research will be carried out through literature surveys and document analysis, interviews, and direct observation.

In order to recommend changes to improve the outcomes of IAs, and the implementation of IA law and policy with regard to eco-health, the partners will analyse: which changes are needed to the laws and policies, what new forms of logistical (human and institutional resources) and financial (development assistance, cooperation mechanisms) support are needed, how to increase ‘receptor capacity’ in economic ministries and agencies, how could international institutions better support such processes (UNEP, OAS, PAHO, etc), and whether new accords or instruments would be helpful. The analysis will take into account challenges and successes, seeking to understand which factors led to success, which techniques and instruments worked best. Research will be carried out through working groups, workshops and side events in international events, in particular, through three subregional workshops (one in North America and the Caribbean, one for Central America and the Andes, and a third one for the Mercosur, Bolivia and Chile), panels and side-events in decision-making processes, and a final symposium for peer review.