You can assess possible environmental impacts using methods developed in health and safety risk assessments.

You may have heard people refer to "CoSHH assessments" referring to the law that requires employers to assess the health risks of any substances used at work.

There is a legal Directive throughout Europe for employers to carry out "risk assessments" as part of their overall responsibilities for the safety and health of their employees.

The Directive requires that a competent person assess the risks of any possible hazard, and recommend steps for dealing with those risks if necessary.

The process also requires consultation with existing representatives of employees.

It is relatively easy to see how this process can be extended to take account of the environment outside the workplace.