Environmental and Social Impact Assessment Proclamation No. 1371/2025

This Proclamation establishes a comprehensive legal framework for environmental and social impact assessment (ESIA) in Ethiopia, aimed at ensuring that development activities are environmentally sustainable, socially responsible, and aligned with constitutional environmental rights. Its objectives are to predict, prevent, and manage adverse environmental and social impacts, integrate environmental, economic, cultural, and social considerations into decision-making, and promote sustainable development. The Proclamation is grounded in principles of transparency, accountability, and meaningful public and community participation, and applies to project proponents, licensing agencies, the federal Environmental Protection Authority, and regional environmental agencies. Its scope extends beyond individual projects to include public instruments such as policies, laws, strategies, and programmes, establishing a coherent national system of environmental and social governance.
Operationally, the Proclamation defines key concepts including environment, ESIA, strategic environmental and social assessment, environmental and social audit, project, proponent, licensing agency, public instrument, and trans-regional impact. It sets the general rule that no project subject to ESIA may commence without prior environmental and social authorization, and requires licensing bodies to ensure clearance before issuing or renewing permits or licenses. Projects are categorized by Directive according to the significance of their impacts, with special procedures for activities likely to cause trans-regional impacts, including federal-level review and consultation with affected communities in all concerned regions. Proponents are responsible for preparing ESIA reports through qualified experts, bearing all related costs, conducting public consultations, complying with authorization conditions, and undertaking environmental and social audits through certified consultants.
The Proclamation further regulates review, monitoring, and enforcement. ESIA study reports must include detailed information on project characteristics, pollutants and energy use, the nature, extent, and duration of impacts, mitigation and contingency measures, and self-monitoring arrangements. Competent authorities review reports within prescribed timeframes, consider public and expert input, and may approve projects with or without conditions or refuse authorization. It provides for monitoring, rectification orders, revision or repetition of ESIA where unforeseen serious impacts arise, strategic assessment of specified public instruments, audit and grievance mechanisms, incentives, offences and penalties, transitional measures, and final provisions repealing prior legislation and enabling subordinate regulations and directives.