Capacity Building in Environment and Health (CBEH) project: strengthening health in environmental assessments in Slovenia: gap analysis and way forward

ABSTRACT

In the frame of the Capacity Building in Environment and Health (CBEH) project, co-funded by the European Commission, a workshop was held in Slovenia in order to analyse the specific capacity needs in the country in relation to the implementation of health impact assessment (HIA) and further integration of health in environmental assessments (EAs). During the workshop in Ljubljana in June 2012, ways to enhance capacity in health in EAs across Slovenia were examined. The aim was for experts in health and environment to review their experience in impact assessments. Discussion focused on the following types of impact assessment HIA; environmental impact assessment (EIA); and strategic environmental assessment (SEA). One of the key findings was that, even though capacity-building activities in HIA and different HIA pilot projects have already taken place in Slovenia, there still seem to be unmet needs in various government departments. Furthermore, there is a need to define clear roles and responsibilities between environment and health in regard to HIA and further integration of health into EAs.