Conceptualizing strategic environmental assessment: Principles,approaches and research directions |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Department of Geography and Planning, and School of Environment and Sustainability, University of Saskatchewan, 117 Science Place, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5A5, Canada;2. Department of Geography and Planning, University of Saskatchewan, 117 Science Place, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5A5, Canada;1. Natural Resources Institute, University of Manitoba, 303-70 Dysart Road, Winnipeg R3T 2M6, Canada;2. Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, The King''s University College, 9125-50 Street, Edmonton, Alberta T6B 2H3, Canada;1. Department of Economics, University of Gothenburg, Box 640, S-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden;2. University of Gothenburg, Box 640, S-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden;1. School of Geography, Planning and Environmental Management, The University of Queensland, Level 5, Building 35, The University of Queensland, Brisbane 4072, Australia;2. School of Civil Engineering and Built Environment, Queensland University of Technology, Level 8, Block S, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane 4000, Australia;1. Department of Development and Planning, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark;2. Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands;3. Department of Urban and Rural Development, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden;4. Forest and Nature Conservation Group, Wageningen University and Research Centre, Wageningen, The Netherlands;1. Dipartimento di Agraria, University of Sassari, Viale Italia, 39, 07100 Sassari, Italy;2. LaSalle Investment Management, One Curzon Street London, UK |
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| 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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