The environment is not governed by the countries' borders. The alterations to nature made in a territory, may generate consequences in another beyond its borders. For example, water canalization works in the Mauri basin towards Tacna also impacted hectares of Bolivian space, and the detonations of the Pucamarca mine in southern Peru affected the flora and fauna that surround the Aymara communities of Chile. 

This reflection is the focus of Sandra Dalfiume's first book, “Las evaluaciones de impacto ambiental transfronterizas en el Perú: una primera aproximación” ("Transboundary Environmental Impact Assessments in Peru: A First Approach"). The text began as a thesis with which she obtained a degree in law and has already become a mandatory reference material that questions the transboundary environmental impact assessments that are carried out in our country.

“It is important that Peru comply with its international obligations towards the environment”, explained Dalfiume during the presentation of her book at Universidad del Pacífico. The research analyzes how the business activities that are allowed by the Peruvian legal framework can generate a negative impact on the environment of other countries.

Professor Carlos J. Zelada, thesis adviser of the lawyer, highlighted the research and called it "a real bridge between academic reflection and activism." He highlighted the relevance of the book for its contribution to the design of public policies in the country and the use of information from multiple authors. "This is a remarkable work that - approaching International Law to domestic law - shows the quality of research that our students can carry out during their studies here", he said.

On the other hand, Patrick Wieland, professor of Environmental Law at Universidad del Pacífico, emphasized the suggestions for adjustments to the environmental impact assessment system proposed by the publication. "International Law seeks to provide global solutions, but Sandra's work considers the environment as a holistic space, not as a sum of flora, fauna, water and forests, but as the system that operates them", he explained.

The specialist also mentioned the youth of the environmental impact studies in Peru as a factor to consider. "While in other countries transboundary environmental impact studies and their variants were developed early, they only arrived in Peru in 1990 with the Environment Code."