The effectiveness of provisions and quality of practices concerning public participation in EIA in Italy

The central question this paper examines is: how can the effectiveness of provisions for and practices concerning public participation in the EIA procedure be improved, with specific reference to those in Italy? To address this question, the paper starts by establishing what the “goals” of involving the public in the EIA procedure are, and which “factors” contribute towards achieving effective public participation. Indicators for both the “goals” and the “factors” are then identified and used to analyze the legislative provisions and procedure in Italy in relation to their implications for effective public participation. Two case studies are also analyzed in relation to the same set of indicators. As a final step, a “profile” of public participation in EIA is created, and broad recommendations based on the opportunities for improving the effectiveness of public participation formulated.