To overcome some of these challenges and limitations, voluntary guidelines have been developed to assist Parties in incorporating biodiversity-related issues into environmental impact assessment (Annex to
decision VII/28) and strategic environmental assessment legislation and procedures (Annex II of
document UNEP/CBD/COP/8/27/Add.2 ). A brochure with the two sets of guidelines and additional background information is available
here. They were prepared in collaboration with the
International Association for Impact Assessment (IAIA), the
Netherlands Commission for Environmental Assessment (NCEA) and other relevant organizations.
To ensure that projects and programmes with a potential impact on indigenous and local communities undergo an appropriate impact assessment process, the
Akwé: Kon voluntary guidelines for the conduct of cultural, environmental and social impact assessments regarding developments proposed to take place on, or which are likely to impact on, sacred sites and on lands and waters traditionally occupied or used by indigenous and local communities (
decision VII/16 Part F) have been prepared by the Open-ended working group on
Article 8 (j). This should be seen as complementary to the voluntary guidelines on biodiversity-inclusive impact assessment.