Handbook

The methods of the manual allow for an in-depth assessment that goes beyond a binary "for or against" decision, and include:

• an assessment of positive and negative impacts;
• finding appropriate measures to mitigate risks;
• suggesting alternative solutions;
• the link between the methodology and the actual understanding of heritage values.

HANDBOOK AND TOOLS FOR IMPACT ASSESSMENT IN THE CONTEXT OF WORLD HERITAGE 

The handbook provides key information and methodology for assessing the impacts on cultural and natural heritage sites of development projects that could affect their outstanding universal value. The assessment is carried out within the framework of an integrated environmental impact assessment system or as a stand-alone procedure carried out in cultural heritage sites. The Handbook's methodology does not simply confront decision-makers with a choice of for or against proposed development projects, but enables them to assess in more detail the potential positive and negative impacts, and how risks can be reduced, appropriate mitigation measures identified and alternative solutions sought. The assessment is based on a real understanding of the values, qualities and attributes that underpin the management and protection of World Heritage.

The Handbook was published in 2022 as a joint project of UNESCO, the International Centre for the Study of the Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM), the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). It has rapidly become a key reference in the preparation of World Heritage Impact Assessments, with a basis in the Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the Convention, and the use of its methodology is regularly requested by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee from States Parties to the Convention when considering new inscriptions and reports on the state of conservation of sites inscribed on the World Heritage List. UNESCO's World Heritage Committee also regularly requests the use of its methodology from States Parties to the Convention when considering new inscriptions and reports on the state of conservation of World Heritage sites.

The Slovenian translation was co-published by UNESCO, ICCROM, ICOMOS, IUCN and IUCN, with the financial support of SNKU. It is a joint work of key domestic institutions and responsible ministries in the field of World Heritage: the WHCDS, IUCN, IUCN, the UNESCO Chair at the Faculty of Humanities, the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of the Interior, as well as external experts. The translation was produced under the auspices of an editorial board composed of Katarina Odlazek (ZVKDS, see ed.), Tomaž Štoka (MAO, see ed.), and several other experts.), Špela Karo (ZVKDS), Irena Potočnik (ZVKDS), Tina Potočnik (ZVKDS), Neža Čebron Lipovec (UP FHŠ), Špela Spanžel (MK), Gordana Beltram (natural heritage expert) and Mateja Kavčič (cultural heritage expert). The translation, which was demanding in terms of its content, depended on the continuous work of the editorial team and on international cooperation.

We believe that the translation of the handbook is an important step towards further implementation of the World Heritage Impact Assessment mechanism in Slovenia, and thus towards quality care for and responsible coexistence with our common heritage. 

The Slovenian translation of the publication was supported by:

AVAILABILITY

The Slovenian translation is available online at:

• https://whc.unesco.org/en/guidance-toolkit-impact-assessments/
• https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000395387
• https://www.iccrom.org/sites/default/files/publications/2025-09/sl_whl_impact_assessment_iccrom_2025.pdf
• https://publ.icomos.org/publicomos/technica/71AEABF6737DFCE21BC4925C3DE724B4
• https://portals.iucn.org/library/node/52572