GSD partner directly informs Estonian parliamentary policy
In an unprecedented move, the Estonian parliament, the Riigikogu, recently called on a group of the country’s most esteemed scientists to help inform policy on the environmental risks related to the gas pipeline planned in the Baltic Sea. The research findings presented by the team, which included GSD partner Tarmo Soomere, led directly to a published statement from the Riigikogu, which stated a concern with developments in this area, and an unwillingness to approve permits until full environmental survey work had been carried out:
“The Riigikogu notes that the assessment of environmental impact initiated on the basis of the Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context (Espoo Convention) has not sufficiently taken into consideration all the risks connected to the project and that the permits necessary for carrying out the project cannot thus be issued in respect of the generally recognised precautionary principle of international environmental law.”
Prof. Soomere stated that he was pleased with the speed of the transition from scientific recommendation to parliamentary policy, in this grave situation.
