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Thomas B Fischer - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Strategic Environmental Assessment related research projects and journal articles an overview of the past 20 years
Impact Assessment and Project Appraisal, 2012Co-Authors: Thomas B Fischer, Vincent OnyangoAbstract:This paper provides an overview of Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) related research projects as well as publications in international refereed English language journals of the past 20 years. This is based on a survey with international SEA researchers and the results of a content analysis of 263 SEA papers, published in the three most preeminent international refereed English language journals for SEA: Environmental Impact Assessment Review, Impact Assessment and Project Appraisal and Journal of Environmental Assessment Policy and Management. It is concluded that, while more empirical evidence has been produced than is frequently acknowledged, the main challenge is to raise the level of awareness of what is already out there and to make this the baseline for the future SEA research agenda.
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the consideration of health in Strategic Environmental Assessment sea
Environmental Impact Assessment Review, 2010Co-Authors: Thomas B Fischer, Marco Matuzzi, Julia NowackiAbstract:Abstract Following the requirements of the European Directive 2001/42/EC on Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and the Protocol on Strategic Environmental Assessment (Kiev, 2003) to the Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context (Espoo, 1991), health is one of the aspects to be considered in SEA. In this paper, results of an evaluation of eight SEAs from Austria, the Czech Republic, Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom (England and Wales) regarding the consideration of health are presented. This includes SEAs for five spatial plans, as well as one SEA for each, a transport, a waste management and an economic development plan. It is found that while all SEAs cover important physical and natural aspects that are related to health, social and behavioural aspects are considered to a much smaller extent. Based on the results, facilitating factors and barriers for health inclusive SEA are identified. Overall, good baseline data can be seen as an important starting point for effective health inclusive SEA, while an effective monitoring system is crucial for effective implementation of the measures and recommendations brought forward in health inclusive SEA. Crucially, health authorities/health experts need to engage more with SEA, as this provides a key platform for cross sectoral dialogue on a range of issues. SEA presents the health sector with an opportunity to influence the policy and decision-making process to improve people's health and well-being.
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reviewing the quality of Strategic Environmental Assessment reports for english spatial plan core strategies
Environmental Impact Assessment Review, 2010Co-Authors: Thomas B FischerAbstract:Abstract This paper summarises the results of a research project from early 2008, involving the author of this paper, as well as 18 post-graduate University of Liverpool students, in which the quality of European Directive based Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) reports of English spatial plan core strategies (conducted within the context of the spatial planning sustainability appraisal—SA—regime) was reviewed. The project aimed at establishing the extensiveness of emerging spatial plan related SEA practice, as well as highlighting shortcomings and problems. Overall, it was found that whilst some aspects of Assessment were done well, others were not of a satisfactory quality. Shortcomings were connected particularly with the practice of listing potentially relevant baseline documents and data without distinguishing sufficiently between those that are important in terms of significant impacts and those that are not. Problems were also found to exist with the evaluation of options and impacts, the consideration of substantive aspects, such as health, as well as regarding the formulation of final recommendations and monitoring.
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reviewing the quality of Strategic Environmental Assessment reports for english spatial plan core strategies
Environmental Impact Assessment Review, 2010Co-Authors: Thomas B FischerAbstract:Abstract This paper summarises the results of a research project from early 2008, involving the author of this paper, as well as 18 post-graduate University of Liverpool students, in which the quality of European Directive based Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) reports of English spatial plan core strategies (conducted within the context of the spatial planning sustainability appraisal—SA—regime) was reviewed. The project aimed at establishing the extensiveness of emerging spatial plan related SEA practice, as well as highlighting shortcomings and problems. Overall, it was found that whilst some aspects of Assessment were done well, others were not of a satisfactory quality. Shortcomings were connected particularly with the practice of listing potentially relevant baseline documents and data without distinguishing sufficiently between those that are important in terms of significant impacts and those that are not. Problems were also found to exist with the evaluation of options and impacts, the consideration of substantive aspects, such as health, as well as regarding the formulation of final recommendations and monitoring.
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effectiveness of Strategic Environmental Assessment the significance of learning
Impact Assessment and Project Appraisal, 2009Co-Authors: Urmila Jhathakur, Thomas B Fischer, Paola Gazzola, Deborah Peel, Sue KiddAbstract:Learning, particularly transformative learning, is an established feature of Environmental planning, management and Assessment. Nevertheless, very often it loses its prominence both as a process and as a goal. This paper explores the extent to which Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) can facilitate learning at an organisational and individual level, and ultimately, achieve effectiveness. It is based on the assumption that SEA effectiveness can be achieved if policy, programme and plan-making are oriented towards both the continuous improvement of decision-making and the associated implementation processes. Set within the context of the European SEA Directive, the learning dimension of SEA is explored in Germany, Italy and the UK. This is done through a framework for analysis based on a review of the organisational and individual learning literatures. The research indicates that, owing to their unique contextual and methodological influences, the three countries developed distinct approaches to SEA, ...
Bram F Noble - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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effectiveness of Strategic Environmental Assessment in canada under directive based and informal practice
Impact Assessment and Project Appraisal, 2019Co-Authors: Bram F Noble, Robert B Gibson, Lisa White, Jill A E Blakley, Peter Croal, Kelechi Nwanekezie, Meinhard DoelleAbstract:ABSTRACTThis article explores the diversity of Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) practice in Canada and lessons for improving the effectiveness of SEA. There are multiple dimensions to effec...
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conceptualizing Strategic Environmental Assessment principles approaches and research directions
Environmental Impact Assessment Review, 2017Co-Authors: Bram F Noble, Kelechi NwanekezieAbstract:Abstract Increasing emphasis has been placed in recent years on transitioning Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) away from its Environmental impact Assessment (EIA) roots. Scholars have argued the need to conceptualize SEA as a process designed to facilitate Strategic thinking, thus enabling transitions toward sustainability. The practice of SEA, however, remains deeply rooted in the EIA tradition and scholars and practitioners often appear divided on the nature and purpose of SEA. This paper revisits the Strategic principles of SEA and conceptualizes SEA as a multi-faceted and multi-dimensional Assessment process. It is suggested that SEA can be conceptualized as series of approaches operating along a spectrum from less to more Strategic – from impact Assessment-based to strategy-based – with each approach to SEA differentiated by the specific objectives of SEA application and the extent to which Strategic principles are reflected in its design and implementation. Advancing the effectiveness of SEA requires a continued research agenda focused on improving the traditional SEA approach, as a tool to assess the impacts of policies, plans and programs (PPPs). Realizing the full potential of SEA, however, requires a new research agenda — one focused on the development and testing of a deliberative governance approach to SEA that can facilitate Strategic innovations in PPP formulation and drive transitions in short-term policy and initiatives based on longer-term thinking.
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assessing the impact of Strategic Environmental Assessment
Impact Assessment and Project Appraisal, 2014Co-Authors: John B Acharibasam, Bram F NobleAbstract:This paper examines the impact of Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) – its direct impact on policies, plans and programs (PPPs) and its indirect and longer-term impacts. Criteria for assessing SEA's impact are developed and applied in the Canadian context based on a survey of SEA practitioners, and the perceived opportunities and challenges to realizing the full impact of SEA explored. Results indicate that SEA does have a direct impact on PPPs, but its indirect impacts are either constrained or difficult to distinguish from an agency's normal policies, practices and innovations. Amongst the most significant challenges to realizing the indirect impacts of SEA is the lack of shared vision for SEA by those responsible for implementation, and incongruences between the need for rapid results by way of PPP approval versus the long-term commitment required to realize many of the benefits of SEA. Indirect impacts require more explicit consideration at the outset of the SEA design process than what is curre...
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Strategic Environmental Assessment for sustainability a review of a decade of academic research
Environmental Impact Assessment Review, 2013Co-Authors: Lisa White, Bram F NobleAbstract:Abstract This paper examines the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA)–sustainability relationship over the past decade, from 2000 to 2010, focusing in particular on the incorporation of sustainability in SEA. A total of 86 papers from the academic literature containing the terms ‘sustainability’ or ‘sustainable development’ and ‘Strategic Environmental Assessment’ were identified and reviewed. Several common themes emerged by which SEA can support sustainability, including providing a framework to support decision making for sustainability; setting sustainability objectives, ensuring the consideration of ‘more sustainable’ alternatives, and integrating sustainability criteria in PPP development; and promoting sustainability outcomes through tiering and institutional learning. At the same time, our review identified many underlying barriers that challenge SEA for sustainability, including the variable interpretations of the scope of sustainability in SEA; the limited use of Assessment criteria directly linked to sustainability objectives; and challenges for decision-makers in operationalizing sustainability in SEA and adapting PPP development decision-making processes to include sustainability issues. To advance SEA for sustainability there is a need to better define the scope of sustainability in SEA; clarify how to operationalize the different approaches to sustainability in SEA, as opposed to simply describing those approaches; provide guidance on how to operationalize broad sustainability goals through Assessment criteria in SEA; and understand better how to facilitate institutional learning regarding sustainability through SEA application.
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Strategic Environmental Assessment opportunities and risks for arctic offshore energy planning and development
Marine Policy, 2013Co-Authors: Bram F Noble, Skye Ketilson, Alec E Aitken, Greg PoelzerAbstract:Abstract Canada's Arctic environment is rich in hydrocarbon resources. As international attention turns to the Arctic to meet global energy demands there is increased recognition of the need to advance upstream impact Assessment and decision-making to plan for energy development. There have been several applications of Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) over the past decade in the international offshore energy sector; however, SEA remains underdeveloped offshore in comparison to project-based Environmental impact Assessment and unchartered territory in Canada's Arctic. This paper examines stakeholder perceptions of the opportunities and risks of advancing SEA for offshore energy planning and development in Canada's Beaufort Sea. Results indicate a number of perceived opportunities for SEA, including improved regulatory efficiency, better regional baselines and planning practices, an opportunity to assess cumulative effects, more meaningful project-based Assessment, and greater certainty for industry stakeholders. At the same time there are a number of perceived risks, including foregoing anticipated development opportunities, the loss of flexibility in decision making, adding another layer of bureaucracy, and the added uncertainties of a novel approach. The implications of these findings for advancing SEA in the offshore energy sector are discussed.
Davide Geneletti - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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dealing with land use decisions in uncertain contexts a method to support Strategic Environmental Assessment of spatial plans
Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, 2014Co-Authors: Chiara Bragagnolo, Davide GenelettiAbstract:Predicting the Environmental effects of spatial plans is made harder by the uncertainties affecting the future evolution of the planning region. Decisions contained in sectoral policies play a significant role, hence they need to be properly considered in Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of spatial planning. A method to support SEA, based on the comparison of land use zoning options, under different sectoral policies, is developed and tested in the peri-urban region of Milan. Land use scenarios are generated and then assessed against a set of Environmental indicators. The results showed the Environmental consequences associated with poor co-ordination between spatial and sectoral decisions.
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reasons and options for integrating ecosystem services in Strategic Environmental Assessment of spatial planning
International Journal of Biodiversity Science Ecosystems Services & Management, 2011Co-Authors: Davide GenelettiAbstract:Despite the attention that research on ecosystem services has attracted in recent years, its use to support real-life decision-making processes is still very limited, especially at the planning level. Spatial planning results in actions that may affect the distribution and quality of a wide range of ecosystem services. Hence, spatial planning decisions would benefit from systematic considerations of their effects on ecosystem services. Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) provides an excellent platform to this purpose. This paper aims at providing insights on why it is important to promote ecosystem service-inclusive SEA processes, and on how to do it, with particular emphasis on spatial planning. First, possible actions to include relevant information of ecosystem services throughout the SEA process are presented. Second, the advantages are discussed by considering both the characteristics of ecosystem services approaches and the criteria of good-quality SEA. Finally, four main challenges are identif...
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reasons and options for integrating ecosystem services in Strategic Environmental Assessment of spatial planning
International Journal of Biodiversity Science Ecosystems Services & Management, 2011Co-Authors: Davide GenelettiAbstract:Despite the attention that research on ecosystem services has attracted in recent years, its use to support real-life decision-making processes is still very limited, especially at the planning level. Spatial planning results in actions that may affect the distribution and quality of a wide range of ecosystem services. Hence, spatial planning decisions would benefit from systematic considerations of their effects on ecosystem services. Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) provides an excellent platform to this purpose. This paper aims at providing insights on why it is important to promote ecosystem service-inclusive SEA processes, and on how to do it, with particular emphasis on spatial planning. First, possible actions to include relevant information of ecosystem services throughout the SEA process are presented. Second, the advantages are discussed by considering both the characteristics of ecosystem services approaches and the criteria of good-quality SEA. Finally, four main challenges are identif...
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spatial decision support for Strategic Environmental Assessment of land use plans a case study in southern italy
Environmental Impact Assessment Review, 2007Co-Authors: Davide Geneletti, Stefano Bagli, Paola Napolitano, Alberto PistocchiAbstract:This paper presents and discusses the construction of a spatial decision-support tool for the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of a land use plan: the spatial coordination plan of the Province of Naples, in southern Italy. The decision-support tool organises the relevant information, spatially resolves the actions of the plan, predicts their Environmental impacts, and generates overall performance maps. Its final goal is to provide a suitable technical support to a formal SEA procedure. The expected implications of the plan, such as changes in land use and traffic flows and urban expansion, were modelled and assessed against a set of Environmental criteria using SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) analysis and mapping. It was found that the SWOT analysis provided a good basis for Assessment and strategy formulation. The paper also intends to contribute to the topic of data and scale issues in SEA, by exemplifying the role played by spatial data and spatial analyses to support informative SEA.
Maria Rosário Partidário - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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a comparative analysis on how different governance contexts may influence Strategic Environmental Assessment
Environmental Impact Assessment Review, 2018Co-Authors: Margarida B Monteiro, Maria Rosário Partidário, Louis MeulemanAbstract:Abstract This paper explores the relationship between governance contexts and the development and outcomes of Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA). The main objective of this paper is to understand if, and how, the governance context may influence the system and institutionalisation of SEA, and the capacity of SEA to reach its objectives. The research methodology is based on the comparison of six country-cases that have an established SEA system, including three European countries, two Asian countries and one in Latin American, with distinct national culture and political-administrative setting. Results show that cultural and institutional values impact how SEA is interpreted and carried out, and that SEA systems are facing constraints of a more normative and cognitive nature. Connecting governance contexts and patterns in the SEA systems confirm that SEA is not ‘context free’, but instead ‘context-influenced’, while its capacity is dependent on its level of adaptation to the governance environment.
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cumulative effects in Strategic Environmental Assessment the influence of plan boundaries
Environmental Impact Assessment Review, 2016Co-Authors: Morten Bidstrup, Lone Kornov, Maria Rosário PartidárioAbstract:Abstract Cumulative effects (CE) Assessment is lacking quality in impact Assessment (IA) worldwide. It has been argued that the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) provides a suitable IA framework for addressing CE because it is applied to developments with broad boundaries, but few have tested this claim. Through a case study on the Danish mining sector, this article explores how plan boundaries influence the analytical boundaries applied for assessing CE in SEA. The case was studied through document analysis in combination with semi-structured group interviews of the responsible planners, who also serve as SEA practitioners. It was found that CE are to some extent assessed and managed implicitly throughout the planning process. However, this is through a focus on lowering the cumulative stress of mining rather than the cumulative stress on and capacity of the receiving environment. Plan boundaries do influence CE Assessment, though all boundaries are not equally influential. The geographical and time boundaries of the Danish mining plans are broad or flexible enough to accommodate a meaningful Assessment of CE, but the topical boundary is restrictive. The study indicates that collaboration among planning authorities and legally appointed CE leadership may facilitate better practice on CE Assessment in sector-specific SEA contexts. However, most pressing is the need for relating Assessment to the receiving environment as opposed to solely the stress of a proposed plan.
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theory versus practice in Strategic Environmental Assessment sea
Environmental Impact Assessment Review, 2014Co-Authors: Victor Lobos, Maria Rosário PartidárioAbstract:Abstract Could the theory of Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) be ahead of its time and decoupled from its practice? This paper evolved in search for this leading research question. Over the years the discourse on SEA experienced a gradual shift from the technocratic and rationalist thinking that supported its origin to more Strategic approaches and integrated concepts, suggested since the mid 1990's. In this paper we share the results of our analysis of international thinking and practical experience with SEA. Results reveal that SEA practice changes very slowly when compared to advanced thinking supporting the noted shift. Current SEA practice shows to be still predominantly rooted in the logic of projects' Environmental impact Assessment (EIA). It is strongly bound to legal and regulatory requirements, and the motivation for its application persists being the delivery of Environmental (or final) reports to meet legal obligations. Even though advanced SEA theoretical thinking claim its potential to help decisions to look forward, change mind-sets and the rationale of decision-making to meet sustainability challenges and enhance societal values, we note a weak relationship between the theoretical development of SEA and its practice. Why is this happening? Which factors explain this apparent inertia, resistance to change, in the SEA practice? Results appear to demonstrate the influence of assumptions, understandings, concepts, and beliefs in the use of SEA, which in turn suggest the political sensitivity of the instrument.
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ecosystem services inclusive Strategic Environmental Assessment
Environmental Impact Assessment Review, 2013Co-Authors: Maria Rosário Partidário, Rita C GomesAbstract:Abstract A consistent framework to address biodiversity, ecosystem services and their societal values is now established with the MEA (Millennium Ecosystem Assessment) and the TEEB (The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity). These and other studies point to the urgency in considering actions that can revert the process of degradation of biodiversity values and its supporting ecosystems. Safeguarding livelihoods is a common objective in ecosystem approaches as well as in Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) effort to promote sustainability. Human activities, as direct and indirect development drivers, are crucial targets for SEA to have a Strategic contribution in influencing priorities, by showing Strategic reasons for change. Rather than keeping only a control and mitigation role on the Assessment of effects and impacts of development on the environment, SEA has the capacity to understand the decisional and development context and to drive development opportunities into pathways that are inclusive of Environmental and sustainability priorities. The development opportunities provided by ecosystem services can be explored in SEA through Strategic approaches to enhance the value of the benefits and avoid the negative impact of human actions on ecosystem services. SENSU, a research team at IST-Portugal, advocates the Strategic-based and collaborative oriented approach in SEA based on Partidario (2007) SEA framework of critical decision factors (CDF). A methodology to allow the consideration of ecosystem services in SEA is being developed and tested. This paper will share research advances on how ecosystem services can be incorporated into SEA as a fundamental component of Strategic Assessment in support of decision-making.
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writing Strategic Environmental Assessment guidance
Impact Assessment and Project Appraisal, 2004Co-Authors: Riki Therivel, Maria Rosário Partidário, Pietro Caratti, Asdis Hlokk Theodorsdottir, David TyldesleyAbstract:The main authors of five of the early guidance documents for how to implement the European Union Strategic Environmental Assessment Directive at regional and national level (those of England, Iceland, the Lombardia region of Italy, Portugal and Scotland) discuss the respective documents. They summarise the evolution of the five documents, then discuss what they were trying to achieve and whether they feel they have succeeded, common and diverging aspects of the documents, and unresolved issues.
Riki Therivel - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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the Strategic Environmental Assessment directive in the uk 1year onwards
Environmental Impact Assessment Review, 2006Co-Authors: Riki Therivel, Fiona WalshAbstract:Abstract This article analyses the status of Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) in the United Kingdom 1 year after the implementation of the European Directive on SEA. It summarises the regulatory basis for SEA in the UK, and lists relevant guidance documents. Based on a questionnaire survey of all local planning authorities in England and Wales, it indicates the number and types of SEAs carried out, by whom, how long they took, techniques used, and perceived costs and benefits of SEA. It compares these findings with those of a similar survey carried out in 2001, prior to the Directive.
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writing Strategic Environmental Assessment guidance
Impact Assessment and Project Appraisal, 2004Co-Authors: Riki Therivel, Maria Rosário Partidário, Pietro Caratti, Asdis Hlokk Theodorsdottir, David TyldesleyAbstract:The main authors of five of the early guidance documents for how to implement the European Union Strategic Environmental Assessment Directive at regional and national level (those of England, Iceland, the Lombardia region of Italy, Portugal and Scotland) discuss the respective documents. They summarise the evolution of the five documents, then discuss what they were trying to achieve and whether they feel they have succeeded, common and diverging aspects of the documents, and unresolved issues.
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Strategic Environmental Assessment in action
2004Co-Authors: Riki TherivelAbstract:Part I: Introducing Strategic Environmental Assessment * Introduction * Strategic Environmental Assessment: An Overview * The European Union SEA Directive and UNECE SEA Protocol * The SEA Process as a Whole * Part II: The SEA Process * Setting the Context for SEA * Describing the Environmental Baseline, Identifying Problems, Links to Other Strategic Actions * Identifying Alternatives * Predicting, Evaluating and Mitigating Impacts * Documentation, Implementation and Monitoring * Part III: Assuring SEA Quality * Ensuring that the SEA is Done Well and Resourcing It * Appendices * Index
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Strategic Environmental Assessment in action
2004Co-Authors: Riki TherivelAbstract:This practical guide, written by a practitioner for practitioners, presents a coherent and straightforward 'how-to-do-it' approach to the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) process. Part one provides an overview of the aims, principles, advantages and problems of SEA as well as looking at key SEA regulations and their requirements. Part two examines the SEA process in considerable detail including setting the policy context, describing the baseline, identifying alternatives, predicting and evaluating impacts and using the SEA information in decision-making. Part three is devoted to assuring SEA quality with a discussion of resources and capacity building. This new edition incorporates five years' worth of practical application of the SEA Directive and SEA practice more broadly. Additions and updates include: the findings of various reviews into SEA effectiveness and efficiency emerging approaches to identifying and comparing alternatives, cumulative impacts, the likely future baseline without the plan, documenting changes made to the plan in response to the SEA process, and Environmental limits consideration of both the 'baseline-led' and the 'objectives-led' approach to SEA, and the two approaches' advantages and disadvantages SEA's links to 'appropriate Assessment' of plans under the European Habitats Directive. Employing a host of real-life case studies and examples, each chapter presents a range of techniques and discusses what the final product should look like. Appendices provide a wealth of additional information including text of the SEA Directive and the UNECE Protocol on SEA, and a 'toolkit' of SEA techniques. The approach and techniques in Strategic Environmental Assessment in Action are useful for anyone carrying out or studying SEA at any level, from policy to programme, international to local, but particularly for practitioners responsible for implementing the SEA Directive.
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principles to guide the development of Strategic Environmental Assessment methodology
Impact Assessment and Project Appraisal, 2000Co-Authors: A L Brown, Riki TherivelAbstract:Despite much recent attention being given to Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA), there are considerable difficulties moving from a useful concept to widespread and enduring practice. This may be partly because the proponents of the policies, programmes and plans (PPPs) and the decision-makers remain unaware, or unconvinced, that SEA can add value to the existing processes in PPP development, Assessment and decision-making. This paper attempts to respond to these difficulties by defining an overarching concept of SEA and a set of principles to assist in the evolution of effective methodologies. A broad range of SEA methodologies will be needed to adapt to the particular PPP-making context and these must be grafted onto the existing PPP process.
