Since the early 1990s the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) has been promoting the use of environmental planning and assessment processes amongst its member countries and territories. SPREP's approach to environmental planning and assessment has been part of a global programme for improving environmental management and supporting sustainable development.

Environmental impact assessment (EIA) is the primary instrument for planning, assessing and managing development projects, to support sustainable and resilient development goals and green growth outcomes.