(b) Comparative assessment of the alternatives considered
It is the responsibility of competent authorities to evaluate the relative impact of the alternative solutions with a view to justifying a decision under Article 6(4). The competent authorities must determine whether the alternative put forward for approval is the least damaging for habitats and species and for the integrity of the Natura 2000 site or sites concerned. The assessment of alternative solutions is necessary even if the investment is already justified in advance for imperative reasons of overriding public interest, e.g. through national law. The various alternatives must be compared in light of their effects on the habitats and species significantly present on the site as well as their conservation objectives, and on the integrity of the site and its importance for the ecological coherence of the Natura 2000 network. The identified impacts of each alternative must be fully and precisely described and quantified as far as possible in terms of the following (non-exhaustive list) and in view of the site-specific conservation objectives: Natura 2000 sites affected; area of habitat loss and degradation; population numbers of affected species; deterioration of important functions; disturbance; displacement of species populations. This should provide the basis for comparing alternatives and for determining which alternatives are the least damaging for Natura 2000 sites and the species and habitats that are significantly present therein, in view of the site-specific conservation objectives. This needs to be identified based on a set of qualitative and quantitative criteria. In a second phase, other criteria such as social considerations and the economic cost of the alternatives analysed may be considered in the choice of alternative solutions. Tasks to be carried out in assessing alternatives are summarised in Box 17. A matrix for the identification and assessment of alternatives is presented in Table 10 below. The matrix can also be used to report on the results of the assessment of alternatives. Table 10 Assessment of alternative solutions matrix Box 18 below summarises examples of alternatives that have been considered in the context of notifications for Commission opinions in accordance with Article 6(4) of the Habitats Directive (36).
Source: EUR-Lex (Cellar) · retrieved 2026-09-25 · Text as adopted (Official Journal); later amendments are not incorporated in this text.