Epsilon Open Archive

Abstract

This thesis is about Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) practice in Sweden.
Impact Assessment (IA) is expected to play a crucial role in enabling democratic and
enlightened decision making. EIA practice seems however not to be in accordance with
best IA practice norms and legislation in many countries. We therefore need a more
thorough understanding of IA practice and its outcomes and about what is gained
through EIA and thus also be able to suggest, on a more profound basis, how the
practice can be improved.

This thesis presents an analysis of the two cases EIA practice on cumulative effects
and the final disposal for spent nuclear fuel. The methods and approaches used are
qualitatively and include literature review, document analysis, individual interviews
and focus group interviews. The results were analysed using social psychology theory
and community of practice theory.

The case of cumulative effects clearly demonstrated that a positive attitude towards
including cumulative effects was in place, but the conditions to change the knowledge
base were not. In the investigated case for a final disposal for spent nuclear fuel it was
revealed that a shared practice and social learning over time might result in difficulties
for the authority in mapping out a clear role and identity for itself in relation to the
proponent. It also showed that the shared practice that has developed between the
industry, and the competent authorities, has over time resulted in the adoption of a
shared understanding and similar perspectives, concerning at least two points. The first
concerns downgrading the need to more thoroughly investigate alternate technical
methods to the main alternative, while the second concerns the need to avoid delays in
the planning process. Communication and the shared practice that has developed over a
long period of time, can have a significant and not necessarily positive impact on power
relations and thus hamper knowledge production, diffusion of roles and identities.