Lecture 7 Flashcards
1
Q
Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA)
A
- Systematic, open process of analyzing the impact of policies, plans, programs
and other strategic initiatives on the environment - Undertaken to ensure that environmental considerations are taken into account
and integrated into decision-making in support of sustainable development - Applied to all strategic proposals that have a potentially significant impact on the
environment - Because these are relatively diverse, SEA approaches are more diverse than EIA
although the same basic principles apply
2
Q
Importance of SEA
A
- EIA typically does not cover higher level decisions, including those that determine type/location of
projects - SEA focuses on the upstream source of environmental problems not just their downstream impacts
- In doing so, responds to sustainable development agenda, e.g. WSSD and MDG 7 to ensure environmental
sustainability - Emphasis of international lending and cooperation is changing from projects to policy-based and
budgetary support, sector programming, regional planning etc
3
Q
How does SEA adds value?
A
- Ensures critical resource and environmental assets are protected
- Supports sustainable development and poverty alleviation, e.g. in reinforcing MDG 7 which underpins
all others - Identifies development opportunities and potentials that otherwise might be missed, e.g by thorough
examination of options - Prevents costly mistakes and avoids risks by eliminating environmentally damaging options and taking
account of cumulative impacts at an early stage in decision-making - Streamlines SEA or EIA process by:- clarification of scope and context- reducing the time and effort needed for review
4
Q
Wider or secondary benefits of SEA
A
- Provides a means of ‘mainstreaming’ the environment across all levels and sectors of
decision-making - As a systematic, evidence-based approach, SEA helps to improve the quality of policy and
plan-making - Procedural requirements of SEA help to strengthen good governance and the credibility of
decision-making - Public and stakeholder engagement promote greater transparency and openness in decision-making
and help to build civil society
5
Q
SEA
SEA vs EIA
A
Takes place at earlier stages of
decision-making cycle
* Multi-stage process with variations
e.g. policy v plans/programmes
* Pro-active, out-in-front approach to
development proposals
* Broad level of analysis, e.g. focus on
cross-sector links and issues
* Considers potentially wide range of
development alternatives
* Gives early warning of cumulative
impacts (sector or region wide)
* Emphasis on meeting goals and
safeguards for the environment
* Focus on ‘do most good’
6
Q
EIA
SEA vs EIA
A
- Takes place at end of decision-making
cycle - Well-defined process, clear beginning
and end - Reacts to specific development
proposal - Detailed, cause-effect analysis of the
impact of project components - Considers limited range of feasible
alternatives - Limited opportunity to address
cumulative impacts at project level - Emphasis on mitigating and
minimising impacts - Focus on do no/least harm
7
Q
Key trends in SEA
A
- SEA still at a relatively early stage of development
- Three main stages in process evolution
1)
early, formative phase to 1990, limited use of SEA
2)
3)
wider adoption, greater differentiation 1990 -2001
toward standardization and extension, 2001 onwards - EC Directive (2001) and UNECE SEA Protocol (2003) established new international legal regime
- EIA-based procedure applied to plans/ programs
8
Q
Key trends in SEA
part 2
A
- Today, approx 50 countries are estimated to have some provision for SEA with increasing number of
developing countries - Several different procedural models, e.g. EIA-based, appraisal-type approaches, integrated
assessment, SEA-like approaches (para SEA) - Some countries have different SEA systems for policies and regulations compared to plans and
programmes - New generation of SEA and SEA-type processes applied by international agencies and donors
- New OECD Guidance to harmonise these approaches in accordance with the Paris Declaration on Aid
Effectiveness
9
Q
Key principles of SEA good practice
A
- Integrated – with existing policy frameworks and planning structures (not stand-alone, + to help
improve both over time) - Adaptive – customized to context and issues at stake
- Relevant – focus on the potential impacts and risks that matter (don’t study everything)
- Examine alternatives + evaluate significance of impacts for each one
- Proactive – be forward-looking, and look for environmental gains and opportunities as well as
constraints
10
Q
Key principles of SEA good practice
A
- Sustainability oriented – consider linkages and trade-offs among environmental, social and
economic considerations - transparent – clear, easy to understand requirements
- participative – provides for input from all stakeholders, including public involvement
- accountable – implemented fairly, impartially and professionally and in accordance with designated
responsibilities - cost-effective – meets objectives within time and budget limits
11
Q
Factors to help achieve initial success in SEA practice
A
- Promote SEA as a bonus not a burden
- Tailor the approach to the needs of clients
- Use the simplest procedures and methods consistent with the task
- Learn by doing and build a knowledge base from case experience
- Pilot and demonstrate – don’t try and apply it comprehensively all at once
12
Q
Key challenges for SEA
A
- Being accepted at senior and decision-making levels and adopted for use
- Assessing cumulative impacts
- Addressing cross-boundary & trans-national issues
- SEA at the policy level (how to integrate with political functions, and processes?)
- Integrating with planning and across sectors
- Effective public & stakeholder participation
