Approval procedures for large-scale renewable energy installations: Comparison of national legal frameworks in Japan, New Zealand, the EU and the US

Preliminary recognition of state of incorporating climate change impacts and adaptation considerations in SEA and EIA procedures for renewable energy projects

“…Comparison of national legal frameworks in Japan, New Zealand, the EU and the USA Due to different ways of conducting environmental impact assessments and the degree of implementation of climate change considerations, Schumacher presented a summary of the procedures applied in New Zealand, Japan, the USA and the EU [7]. The aim of the Schumacher study was to examine the role of EIA procedures, which are mandatory for LS-RE installations and which at the same time hamper the development of these projects.…”

“…The aim of the Schumacher study was to examine the role of EIA procedures, which are mandatory for LS-RE installations and which at the same time hamper the development of these projects. In Table 2 is presented the state of implementation of the RE installation in total energy production [7]. Table 2.…”

“…As can be seen from Table 2, the highest percentage of installations based on conventional energy sources was found for Japan, which is 93.6%. The largest planned share of RE installations was established for New Zealand, it is to be 100% by 2035 [7]. Subsequently, the analysis presented indicates the main existing legal acts related to EIA procedures, which are set out in Table 3.…”

“…Consequently, most legislation does not take into account considerations related to climate change and its implementation in procedures. However, in each of the analysed areas, both strengths and weaknesses of legal regulations were identified (Tables 4 and 5) [7]. Table 4.…”

“…On the basis of the above tables can be observe that in both the EU and Japan the advantage is high public participation and awareness, whereas in New Zealand and the US the short time and easy way of process of the EIA procedure. On the other hand, visible drawbacks of the process of implementing EIA procedures in particular areas are unclear rules for some projects, including RES, and the inability to abolish the obligation to implement the EIA procedure for them, as well as the absence of consideration of climate change and its consequences [7].…”