ID: 2292
Presenting Author: Tomás B. Ramos
Session: 602 - Synergies between Impact Assessment and the Circular Economy
Status: approve
Develops a framework to assess the 'Do No Significant Harm' (DNSH) principle throughout public programme stages and examines how DNSH connects with circular economy assessment.
The "Do No Significant Harm" (DNSH) principle ensures that economic activities contributing to environmental or social goals do not significantly harm any of the six defined environmental objectives. Its application in public programmes follows two stages: Step 1 identifies whether a measure may cause significant impacts on these objectives; and Step 2 entails a substantive evaluation of all objectives identified in Step 1, based on specific criteria. However, a knowledge gap remains in applying this principle to public programmes, particularly regarding how impact can be evaluated when an activity is non-compliant, and how DNSH assessment can enhance circular impact assessment of public programmes. Moreover, while ex-ante evaluations are established, in itinere and ex-post assessments remain underdeveloped. This work aims to develop a framework to support DNSH assessment throughout the “life cycle” of public programme activities, covering the ex-ante, in itinere, and ex-post stages, and explore the interlinks between DNSH and circular economy assessment principles. Using the European Commission’s guidelines (C/2023/111), the DNSH was applied at ex-ante stage to nine public programmes. In Step 1, the Commission’s guidelines were followed; in Step 2, an ordinal scale (High, Moderate, Low) was introduced to assess the significance of potential impacts. Thematic academic experts tested and implement the criteria. This approach ensures compliance, supports tailored recommendations, and promotes circular economy considerations in impact assessments.
Professor of Sustainability Assessment and Planning at NOVA University Lisbon and senior researcher at CENSE, Center for Environmental and Sustainability Research
Coauthor 1: Diogo Sousa
Coauthor 2: Alexandre Rodrigues da Silva