Scientific Basis and Technological Path of Regional Strategic Environmental Assessment

Abstract

The study tries to set up a system to extract strategic environmental assessment (SEA) in exploitation of regional development based on the present situation of environmental assessment in China. First, the article summarizes the emphasis and deficiency of international academic community’s SEA research in the past 10 years. Based on this, the article puts forward the concept and evaluation principles of regional strategic environmental assessment (RSEA). Then the article expounds the necessity of carrying out RSEA. After that, the article discusses in detail the process of RSEA, which includes defining evaluation scope, describing regional background, combing strategic behavior, designing development scenarios, predicting the pressure on environment, assessing environmental impact, screening alternatives and proposing regulation and control schemes.     

战略环境影响评价中生物多样性影响评价特点

随着战略环境影响评价（Strategic Environmental Assessment，简称SEA）的发展，SEA被越来越广泛地用于生物多样性影响评价。由于受人类对生物多样性的研究和认识水平的限制，目前在国内外还没有成熟的方法用于生物多样性的影响评价，以致于生物多样性的影响评价内容不够具体和全面。从生物多样性的景观、生态系统、物种和基因4个层次分析了生物多样性影响评价在SEA中应用的限制因素。在此基础上，提出景观层次影响评价可以通过寻求易于测度的关键景观要素进行评价，宏观把握景观变化给生物多样性带来的影响趋势；生态系统层次影响评价应充分考虑各种替代方案的比较，避免敏感目标的生物多样性重大损失；物种层次的影响评价选择重要的目标物种作为主要评价依据；受研究水平限制，基因层次的影响评价还不具有普遍意义。     

我国公路网规划环境影响评价

我国正处于公路交通飞速发展的历史阶段，公路建设在促进社会经济发展的同时也带来了显著的生态环境问题。由于目前建设项目环境影响评价的局限性日益突出，环评法以及相继出台的部门规章都要求从战略层次科学评估交通规划造成的潜在环境影响，促使交通战略的决策过程充分考虑环境因素。然而，我国交通战略环境评价起步较晚并较多关注于内容框架的研究，因此从宏观层面上对公路网规划的环境评价方法还有待完善和深入研究。以融合国际经验的湖北省骨架公路网规划战略环境评价为例，从规划分析、现状调查、指标体系、影响预测、制度分析和公众参与等方面，详细分析了我国公路网规划环境影响评价的技术路线确定、评价要点识别以及评价方法选取等内容，并从层次性和介入时机等方面讨论了我国交通战略环境评价存在的不足，为完善交通规划战略环境评价提供参考     

Strategic Environmental Assessment： A New Tool for Ecological Urbanization of Coastal Cities in China

Recently, there has been growing concerns about environmental issues related to urbanization in China. The intense natural resources utilization and increasing population has brought great pressure, especially in coastal areas, consequently affecting the sustainable development of coastal cities. In 2002, Environmental Impact Assessment Act （EIA Act） was enacted in China. Environmental impact assessment targeted at planning, one level of strategic environmental assessment （SEA）, thus became a legislative requirement. This paper considers SEA to be one of the important approaches not only to control coastal pollution, but also to conserve coastal ecosystems and finally to achieve sustainable development during urbanization, thus it will be a set an example for other areas of China. The experience of SEA in Xiamen, a coastal city in southeast China, illustrates the potentials of SEA. This paper first briefly introduces the concept and potentials of SEA, then compares two SEA cases and a project EIA case in Xiamen, and finally identifies the key characteristics of SEA.     

Study Progress and Trends of Strategic Environmental Assessment in China

Abstract

Strategic environmental assessment (SEA) in China has developed rapidly since it was introduced into China in the 1990s. Chinese government promulgated the Environmental Impact Assessment Law of China (hereinafter referred to as the EIA Law) in 2002. In this law, it is stipulated clearly that regional and sector plans should be assessed. Through investigating materials and analyzing literatures, this article analyses the practical and academic study achievements of SEA in China that have been achieved since the EIA Law was implemented, probes into the current situation of the main level of SEA in China—plan EIA, then summarizes the development characteristics, and eventually, puts forward the development trends of SEA in China. The research conclusions can offer the foundations for comprehending systematically the progress of SEA in China.     

Strategic environmental assessment in Hong Kong

This review examines the development and application of strategic environmental assessment (SEA) process in the planning framework of Hong Kong. Two strategic planning case studies are evaluated within the context of SEA, namely the Territorial Development Strategy Review (TDS Review) and the Third Comprehensive Transport Study (CTS-3). Rapid population growth and urbanisation in Hong Kong, coupled with a historic lack of planning controls and inherent conflicts between government departments have been major obstacles to achieving sustainable development in the territory. Despite these challenges, Hong Kong was one of the first Asian countries to apply SEA to major development plans, where the implementation of the 'SUSDEV 21' study on sustainable development has demonstrated the government's commitment towards integrated environmental protection. The application of SEA has provided decision-makers with key information on potential environment impacts arising from proposed developments, resulting in greater accountability and transparency in the decision-making process. SEA in Hong Kong has also prompted an increased level of environmental awareness and co-operation between government departments and agencies responsible for the management of Hong Kong's natural and urban environments. However, the application of SEA in Hong Kong continues to have notable limitations. SEA needs to evolve beyond its current sectoral application to examine ways in which development decisions can not only pre-empt and prevent environmental damage, but also positively enhance and restore existing natural resources. Current land use plans and transportation strategies still largely determine the pattern of development in the near future without adequate longer-term environmental cost-benefit analysis. Sustainable development includes environmental, social and economic considerations, and these inter-related elements need be suitably balanced. SEA is not a means to obstruct development in Hong Kong, but should be recognised for its inherent socio-economic and ecological value, and fully integrated with the decision-making process. Whilst it is admirable that Hong Kong has taken positive steps in this direction, it is now an opportune moment for the government to have the foresight and tenacity to create a sustainable development framework for Hong Kong into the future.     

城市总体规划的战略环境评价研究 --以河北省丰南市黄各庄镇为例

开展城市总体规划的战略环境评价可以将环境问题纳入到规划中进行综合分析，使规划遵循可持续发展的原则，并根据可持续发展的目标，协调各部门发展的关系。本文基于开发的评价程序，结合黄各庄镇总体规划的战略环境评价。尝试在规划层次上对城镇总体规划的战略环境评价进行探讨。     

Strategic environmental assessment application for sustainable transport-related air quality policies: a case study in Hanoi City,Vietnam

Recognition has grown among policy-makers that early in the decision-making process, there is a need for an environmental assessment of the effects of the policy, plan, and program (PPP) and their alternatives. Strategic environmental assessment (SEA) is widely recognized as a supporting tool that systematically integrates environmental aspects into strategic decision-making processes, thereby contributing to sustainable development. In this study, SEA was applied for an integrated assessment of environmental, social, and economic impacts of a wide range of scenarios for transport-related air quality policies to help decision-makers in identifying the most sustainable scenario with the purpose of reducing carbon monoxide (CO) concentrations from transport emissions in Hanoi City, Vietnam. In conducting SEA process, the urban air dispersion model MUAIR was used as a quantitative tool in prediction of CO concentrations. To evaluate the predicted impacts of scenarios, the SEA objectives concerning sustainability and the corresponding sustainable indicators were identified. Based on the likely significant predicted impacts on landscape, biodiversity, and health benefits, mitigation measures were proposed. These included planning in infrastructure development and implementation of public education campaign. The results of predicted and evaluated impacts of scenarios as well as proposed mitigation measures were taken into account for supporting sound decision-making that is consistent with the principles of sustainable development. Considering sustainable impacts of the scenarios, the SEA result clearly indicates that a combination of policy for public transport development and policy for installation of oxidation catalytic converter for motorcycles is the most sustainable scenario for reducing CO concentrations from transport emissions.     

基于GIS的景观生态功能指标分析

针对当前我国规划及战略环评指标体系中缺乏直接反映生态功能指标的问题，提出可通过系统研究区域景观生态结构与景观功能变化间的关系，由斑块面积指数计算生物生产力、由景观香农多样性指数和景观香农均匀度指数反映生态质量，以此表征景观生态功能。以地理信息系统（GIS）为平台，提出了利用基于斑块面积而得到的景观要素转移矩阵及基于年鉴统计而得到的景观单位面积生物生产力的转移矩阵来计算生物生产力的方法，并在统计若干研究流域景观格局异质性指数文献的基础上发掘了景观多样性指数、景观均匀度指数与生态质量间的关系。最后，以江苏省沿江地区2000、2004年的数据开展了实例分析，结果表明，提出的生物生产力和生态质量这两个指标确实能反映区域景观功能的变化，在今后的规划和战略环评中具有一定的应用前景.     

Study Progress and Trends of Strategic Environmental Assessment in China

Strategic environmental assessment （SEA） in China has developed rapidly since it was introduced into China in the 1990s. Chinese government promulgated the Environmental Impact Assessment Law of China （hereinafter referred to as the EIA Law） in 2002. In this law, it is stipulated clearly that regional and sector plans should be assessed. Through investigating materials and analyzing literatures, this article analyses the practical and academic study achievements of SEA in China that have been achieved since the EIA Law was implemented, probes into the current situation of the main level of SEA in China-plan EIA, then summarizes the development characteristics, and eventually, puts forward the development trends of SEA in China. The research conclusions can offer the foundations for comprehending systematically the progress of SEA in China.     

重庆市骨架公路网规划生态环境影响评价

战略环境评价作为一种促进可持续发展的重要工具，已经得到了广泛的关注。以重庆市骨架公路网规划生态环境影响评价为例，探讨一种基于规划路网与生态要素空间关系的评价方法。将评价要素分为两类，运用地理信息技术识别出规划路网对4种生态组分影响较大的地区和直接受规划路网影响的自然保护区，做出了空间分布图，并针对存在的问题给出了建议和对策，为合理设计和布设路网提供了依据。提出的基于空间位置关系的评价方法将会促进路网规划环境影响评价的开展。     

战略环境影响评价中生物多样性影响评价特点

随着战略环境影响评价（Strategic Environmental Assessment，简称SEA）的发展，SEA被越来越广泛地用于生物多样性影响评价。由于受人类对生物多样性的研究和认识水平的限制，目前在国内外还没有成熟的方法用于生物多样性的影响评价，以致于生物多样性的影响评价内容不够具体和全面。从生物多样性的景观、生态系统、物种和基因4个层次分析了生物多样性影响评价在SEA中应用的限制因素。在此基础上，提出景观层次影响评价可以通过寻求易于测度的关键景观要素进行评价，宏观把握景观变化给生物多样性带来的影响趋势；生态系统层次影响评价应充分考虑各种替代方案的比较，避免敏感目标的生物多样性重大损失；物种层次的影响评价选择重要的目标物种作为主要评价依据；受研究水平限制，基因层次的影响评价还不具有普遍意义。     

环境约束下的中国工业效率地区差异评价

为了对中国各地区工业进行环境约束下的效率评价，采用超效率DEA方法，利用2005~2009年各地区工业的面板数据，对31个省市的工业进行了环境约束下的效率测算，揭示了中国工业效率的总体发展情况及各地区间的差异。在进行超效率DEA评价的过程中，利用工业环境影响的社会支付意愿代表环境投入，弥补了过去研究中在处理非期望产出问题上的不足，并通过比较不同模型的评价结果，反映了环境问题对各地区工业的效率影响程度上的差异。根据效率评价结果，利用投影寻踪方法加权评分，反映了各地区工业效率的综合状况，从区域情况来看呈现东部优于中部与西部，而中部优于西部的态势。最后，根据效率评价结果，对各区域中的特殊省份进行了简要的分析，并提出了各地区工业的效率改进建议     

Research on Public Participation and Information Publicity in Strategic Environmental Assessment

1 INTRODUCTIONStrategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) is the application of EIA(Environment Impact Assessment) to strategic actions such as policies, plans or programs (PPPs). More specially, SEA is: 'The formalized, systematic and comprehensive process of evaluating the environmental impacts of a policy, plan or program and its alternatives, including the preparation of a written report on the findings of that evaluation, and using the findings in publicly accountable decision-ma…     

Research on Public Participation and Information Publicity in Strategic Environmental Assessment

Abstract

It has been generally recognized that strategic environmental assessment integrates environment and development into decision-making and becomes an important decision-making tool for implementing sustainable development. This paper firstly introduces the relationships of SEA, public participation(PP)and information publicity(IP), then discusses the key parts in enforcing the effective process of PP: They are the methods for how to make sufficient information open (What), when to implement PP (When), who will determinate the public (Who), and how to make the models of PP (How). Six cases are compared and analyzed. At last, ways to improve the effectiveness of PP in China is also presented.     

加拿大战略环境影响评价的经验与启示

战略环境影响评价(简称战略环评)是加拿大政府实施可持续发展的一个重要手段。尽管加拿大的战略环境影响评价发展较快,形式多样,但其战略环评的理念及方法却有其一般的规律和特点。本文将介绍加拿大战略环境影响评价的理念、特点及评价方法,分析加拿大战略环评对我国的启示。     

基于应对不确定性的战略环境评价管理模式设计与应用

战略环境评价是目前环境评价领域中令人关注的前沿课题，但是不确定性却客观地、广泛地存在于战略环境评价中，这给战略环评的有效性实施带来很多的障碍。在介绍不确定性概念及其在战略环评中内涵的基础上，针对战略环境评价的特点，基于应对不确定性，建立了战略环境评价的管理模式，包括“早期介入、工作程序互动、战略制定与战略环评的融合、跟踪评价”的4个方面。通过这种管理模式的实施运用，来顺应战略环评的不确定性，更好地应对不确定性，能更好地满足战略环评的需要，并提高其有效性。以江苏省金坛市城南新区规划环境影响评价为例，进行了该管理模式的初步运用。研究表明：通过早期介入、战略环境评价与规划编制过程的互动及融合，能确保在规划编制阶段较早地、及时地、系统地考虑不确定的规划要素及环境因素，有利于通过战略环境评价为规划的编制与未来的实施提供科学的、客观的并易于规划编制机构接受的环境保护对策和政策建议。     

基于可靠性理论的区域大气环境质量风险评价模型探讨

为了用可靠性理论进行区域大气环境质量风险评价．从理论上研究了几个需要解决的基本问题。包括：明确区域环境质量风险评价的研究对象．确定区域环境质量可靠性的内涵,提出区域环境系统的“应力-强度-失效”假说．分析环境系统净化环节闻的串、并联关系。因此．从可靠性的视角,对区域环境质量的复杂性和不确定性进行新的探讨．构建环境科学与可靠性理论联系的桥梁。在理论分析的基础上．对福建省泉港区石化工业基地大气环境质量风险评价问题进行研究。从大气环境污染的主要问题出发。研究区域环境系统对大气污染物的净化环节及其串并联关系。在此基础上．构建区域大气环境污染的故障树,并以区域环境质量的可靠性作为评价指标对区域环境风险问题进行具体评价。这是一种以概率为基础的、新的区域环境质量风险评价模型．对于研究污染型工业系统的环境质量风险具有重要意义。     

基于可变模糊集理论及其模型的水利规划环境影响综合评价

地区水利规划环评处于起步阶段，存在评价形式化、方法单一化以及指标权重确定的主观性较强等问题。针对以往评价中的不足，提出了运用可变模糊集理论及其模型进行综合评价的方法。以江苏省水利发展规划作为研究实例，建立指标体系，采用模糊聚类循环迭代模型进行主客观综合指标权重的计算；从重点工程空间布局角度出发，运用调整后的可变模糊识别模型进行各市环境影响的相对优属度计算。结果表明，全省规划方案的环境影响相对优属度大于现状和零方案，南通市的相对优属度最大，其次是苏州和无锡。与层次分析法进行对比，该理论及其模型适用于地区水利规划环境影响综合评价     

Coastal wetland loss and environmental change due to rapid urban expansion in Lianyungang,Jiangsu, China

To address the growing need for developable land, many coastal cities are draining and filling wetlands, transforming them into urban built-up areas, and thereby substantially altering the structure and function of coastal ecosystems. We demonstrate an integrative approach for investigating the dynamics and impacts of coastal development in China’s Jiangsu Province, where urban expansion has resulted in extensive wetland losses and sea reclamation (the process of creating new land from ocean or coastal waters). Remotely sensed data reveal that landscape change in the study area has been accompanied by an increase in total impervious surface area and an increase in mean surface “heat island effect.” These indicators of change can be detected with remote sensing data and used to support a strategic environmental assessment (SEA) for urban coastal planning. Changes detected in Lianyungang during 2000–2006 suggest that reclaimed areas are environmentally sensitive and should be a focus of concern in future development planning, which has historically targeted coastal salt pond wetlands for conversion to land for the development. Given the current and projected rate of coastal development in China and elsewhere in the developing world, our findings and assessment approach have implications for coastal management decisions in the developing coastal zones of China and other regions of the world that are experiencing rapid urban growth.