Strategic Environmental Assessment Sadler and Verheem define Strategic Environmental Assessment SEA as the formalized, systematic and comprehensive process of identifying and evaluating the environmental consequences of proposed policies, plans or programmes to ensure that they are fully included and appropriately addressed at the earliest possible stage of decision-making on a par with economic and social considerations.
Since this early definition the field of SEA has rapidly developed and expanded, and the number of definitions of SEA has multiplied accordingly. SEA, by its nature, covers a wider range of activities or a wider area and often over a longer time span than the environmental impact assessment of projects.
SEA might be applied to an entire sector such as a national policy on energy for example or to a geographical area for example, in the context of a regional development scheme. Environmental Impact Assessment EIA is a systematic and integrative process for considering possible impacts prior to a decision being taken on whether or not a proposal should be given approval to proceed Wood Strategic Environmental Assessment SEA is a process of prior examination and appraisal of policies, plans, and programmes and other higher level or pre-project initiatives Sadler It is important to note that the terms defined above have differing interpretations and meanings in different countries, and that EIA and EA are often used interchangeably.
In the UK, for example, the term EA has often been used to describe project-level assessment. However, for the purposes of this unit the definitions and distinctions introduced above are used. The objective of EIA is not to force decision-makers to adopt the least environmentally damaging alternative, but rather to make explicit the environmental impact of the development, so that the environment is taken into account in decision-making.
Strategic environment assessment. SEA had limited development and implementation till However, after , a number of countries in developed economies adopted SEA. While in New Zealand and Australia, it is a part of resource management or biodiversity conservation regimes. Lack of formal EIA legislation in many developing countries. It has been enacted by making an amendment in the Environment Protection Act In developed countries, active involvement of all participants including competent authority, government agencies and affected people at early stages of the EIA.
This makes the process more robust and gives a fair idea of issues, which need to be addressed in the initial phase of EIA. Limited involvement of public and government agencies in the initial phases. This often results in poor representation of the issues and impacts in the report, adversely affecting the quality of the report. Integrated approach to EIA followed. All aspects including social and health taken into account. Mainly environmental aspects considered. Poor on social or health aspects.
No provision in place to cover landscape and visual impacts in the Indian EIA regulations Proper consideration of alternatives in EIA The consideration of alternatives in developing countries is more or less absent. Same as developing countries The process of screening is well defined.
In Japan, screening decision is made by the authorizing agency with respect to certain criteria. In Canada, federal authority determines whether an environmental assessment is required or not. In developing countries, screening practice in EIA is weak. In most cases, there is a list of activities that require EIA but without any threshold values. Screening done on the basis of a defined list. Threshold values on the size of the project has been used to decide whether the project will be cleared by the state government or the central government.
Scoping process is comprehensive and involves consultation with all the stakeholders. In many countries like US, Netherlands, Canada and Europe, the involvement of the public and their concern are addressed in the scoping exercise.
Scoping process in most developing countries is very poorly defined. In many countries including China, Pakistan, etc. In some countries like in Nigeria and Indonesia, a term of reference is followed for scoping while in some countries like Ghana, Taiwan and Chile, a general checklist is followed.
In countries where it is undertaken, there is no public consultation during scoping. Moreover, in most developing countries, scoping is often directed towards meeting pollution control requirements, rather than addressing the full range of potential environmental impacts from a proposed development. Earlier scoping was done by consultant or proponent with an inclination towards meeting pollution control requirements, rather than addressing the full range of potential environmental impacts from a proposed development.
However, the new notification has put the onus of scoping on the expert committee based on the information provided by the proponent. Consultation with public is optional and depends on the discretion of the expert committee. Share Tweet Share Share Share. Understanding EIA. Development of EIA. Limited consideration given to environmental consequences. Basic principle: Guidelines, procedures including public participation requirement instituted. Standard methodologies for impact analysis developed e.
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