Criteria for the Assessment of the Environmental Damage (CAED)

This report details the activities and products of the CAED project from 2020 to 2024 , which aimed to develop a guide and tools for assessing environmental damage and imminent threats under the Environmental Liability Directive (ELD). The project focused on creating practical resources like the Practical Guide and Tables, incorporating a new ISPD model, to aid in the screening, identification, and assessment of environmental damage. A significant emphasis in the latter part of the project was placed on capacity building through training activities and the development of training materials for ELD experts and non-experts.

A Tools for CAED

CAED Training 2022 Documents

CAED Webinar 2022 Documents

The "Criteria for the Assessment of Environmental Damage (CAED)" report, created by the IMPEL Network, focuses on the determination of environmental damage, particularly under the Environmental Liability Directive (ELD). It offers guidance for authorities and practitioners on assessing environmental damage, with a focus on the ascertainment phase. The report presents a methodology that involves a screening process, determination of clues, and determination of evidence. It includes a questionnaire-based survey with 32 case studies, highlighting different approaches across EU member states. The report identifies common approaches and challenges, and suggests best practices. It also emphasizes the importance of data collection and reporting, and the need for training and clear criteria for determining environmental damage.

This Practical Guide proposes a new approach for the assessment of environmental damage based on three phases of ascertainment and on reference parameters relating to evidence” and to “clue” of environmental damage, taking guidance on the Guidelines SNPA 33/2021 of the National System for Environmental Protection of Italy (see eferences) as a springboard.