Ecological Impact Assessment (EcIA) is a process of identifying, quantifying and evaluating potential effects of development-related or other proposed actions on habitats, species and ecosystems. Where impacts upon protected species and habitats of value are identified, an EcIA will be required to support a planning application.

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The findings of an EcIA can help competent authorities understand ecological issues when determining applications for consent. EcIA can be used for the appraisal of projects of any scale including the ecological component of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). When undertaken as part of an EIA, EcIA is subject to the relevant EIA Regulations. However, unlike EIA, EcIA on its own is not a statutory requirement. It is a best practice evaluation process undertaken to support a range of assessments.

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Not every planned development will need an EcIA, and it is only necessary if a project is expected to have a serious impact on the surrounding environment.