Environmental Impact Assessment - Objectives

The Nabucco Project is one of the largest infrastructure projects in Europe. When completed, the Nabucco West pipeline will transport natural gas over 1329 km from the vicinity of the Turkish-Bulgarian border via Bulgaria, Romania and Hungary to the Central European Gas Hub locatednear Baumgarten in Austria. The aim of the Nabucco project is to bring freedom of choice to consumers in Europe and to diversify the gas portfolio with gas from the Caspian region and other sources.
Given the scale of the project, the Nabucco project is keenly aware of the need to avoid, and where necessary, mitigate any possible environmental impact created by our work. We do this not only by following regulations and directives to the letter, surpassing them wherever possible, but also by engaging, communicating and consulting with stakeholders at all levels. In terms of both project development and environmental impact assessment and mitigation, Nabucco aims to establish best international practices rather than just follow them. Nabucco believes that building a sustainable relationship with all stakeholders is the best way to create value for our shareholders in the long term.

The Nabucco Project is subject to an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) according the EU Environmental Impact Assessment Directive. The principle of the Directive governing Environmental Impact Assessment in the EU is to ensure that all plans, programmes and projects likely to have significant effects on the environment are made subject to an environmental assessment prior to their approval or authorisation. Consultation with the public is a key feature of this process. National regulations in all the transit countries of Nabucco West are harmonized with the EU directives. These regulations, in general, mandate a two-step process: the first of which requires a submission for an environmental permit, outlining preliminary findings and documentation; the second is a more detailed analysis of possible impacts and mitigation plans. Public consultations form an important part of both these phases.

Environmental Impact Assessment is far advanced in all the NABUCCO countries. The Permitting process is complete for the Hungarian section of the route, and close to finalisation in Romania and Bulgaria. In Austria, where national regulations mandate a more consolidated approach, the permitting process is well underway.

AT EIA: Environmental Impact Assessment in Austria

HU EIA: Environmental Impact Assessment in Hungary

RO EIA: Environmental Impact Assessment in Romania

BG EIA: Environmental Impact Assessment in Bulgaria