Strategic environmental assessment: definition, principles, and policy integration

Environmental assessment is an integral part of governmental and organizational planning process. It is important that an elaborate program be tailored to evaluate the environmental impact of various projects. The concept of strategic environmental assessment forms on eof the cornerstone of policy making since every government and corporation must strive to incorporate environmental considerations into their plans, programmes and policies.

Definition of Strategic environmental assessment (SEA)

Partidario (2003) pointed out that the definition of Strategic environmental assessment (SEA) is not easy to arrive at. Several authors have attempted to define it as the environmental assessment of plans, programmes and policies.Therivel et al. (1993) defined SEA as a comprehensive, formalized and yet systematic process of evaluating the impact of environment on programmes, plans and policies. He went ahead to point out that the process entails the preparation of a formally written report that contains the outcome of the evaluation as well as the application of the findings in the decision-making process of public projects. Strategic environmental assessment (SEA) can be seen as an extension of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) due to its insistence on following systematic procedures as well as the preparation of a report detailing the findings and their application on publicly-accountable process of decision making. According to Sadler and Verheem (1996), Strategic environmental assessment (SEA) is a process which is systematic and is important for the evaluation of the environmental outcomes of a proposed policy, programme or plan. This is important to ensure that the environmental consequences are included in the policy, programme or plan and are addressed appropriately at the initial decision-making stages as dictated by the socio-economic considerations. Partidario (1999) insisted that SEA is a complex idea that must be proactive, continuous and yet integrated. She pointed out that SEA should be observed as a process and not just a production of a written report. This is because it is n adaptive and perpetually increasing process. That is why one of the most elaborate definitions of SEA according to (Partidario, 1999) is the systematic and yet an ongoing evaluation process that is carried at an early stage of a publicly accountable process of decision-making in an effort of determining the environmental quality, its consequences as well as the incorporation of development agendas and alternative visions into policies, planning as well programme making. This is done to fit seamlessly into the existing biophysical, political and socio-economic considerations.

The principles of Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA)

According to OECD (2006), the following are the principles of Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) that should be used in improving the policy making process, planning as well as the making of decisions. These are; the establishment of clear goals, the integration of the recommendations with the existing structure of planning and policies. To be come up with solutions that is iterative, customizable and flexible. To carry out analysis of the potential risks and effects of the proposed moves as well as the alternatives. This is to be done against a special framework of principles, criteria and objectives of sustainability. The provision of an elaborate justification for a given selection of preferable options as well as the acceptance of appropriate trade-offs. The identification of environmental variables, opportunities as well as possible constrains. To address the trade-off as well as linkages that exists between the environmental and socio-economic considerations. To engage key stakeholders as well as encourage the participation of the general public. To employ a quality assurance system that is both effective and independent. To maintain transparency throughout the entire process and effectively communicate the findings. To be cost effective. To support the formal review of the chosen SEA procedures after their completion and monitor the outcome of the policy, plan or programme (PPP). Capacity building for the carrying out and applying the SEA. Partidario (2003) pointed out the following as the principles of SEA:

The SEA must fit its purpose: This implies that the process must be customized to fit the unique characteristics of a policy or decision making process.

The SEA must be guided by an objective: This implies that the SEA process should be carried out with due reference to the various environmental priorities and goals.

The SEA must encourage sustainability: the process should recommend options that are environmentally sustainable.

The SEA process must be fully integrated: this implies that the aligned to both socio-economic appraisals.

The SEA process must be transparent; this implies that the process must be clear and fathomable to the general public

The SEA process must be cost effective: this implies that the SEA process should meet its objectives with the use of the available time, information and other resources.

The SEA process must be relevant: this implies that the process must have a sharp focus on the issue at hand

The SEA process must be practical; this implies that the process should yield recommendations that can be put into practice.

The SEA principles of "good practice"

Several people have attempted to come up with a universal approach to Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA).It is worth pointing out that a universal approach is not practical. Partidario and Clark (2000) pointed out that the best thing to do is to come up with effective approaches that are adaptable to specific situations that they are tailored for. What are needed are a recognition, agreement and understanding of the basic principles so as to adopt the SEA concepts to different situations.

How Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) could have been used to shape the Gipsy Lane brickworks site project.

The recognition of environmental impact of the project (Investigation of the environmental considerations)

Prior to the commissioning of the project it was necessary to carry out its impact on the environment. The environmental assessment team carried out an investigation at the Gypsy Lane Claypit and its adjacent land in order to determine the importance of the land and its use. At Grid Ref: 620-070, a notification of site of importance for nature conservation/wildlife was issued. The area covering 12 hectares was marked as grassland suitable for nature conservation. The ground investigation is another sign of Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA). The carrying out of an in-depth description of the surrounding ecology is another sign of Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA). This entailed an in-depth description of the flora by their scientific taxonomy. The gas monitoring data diagram clearly indicate the words "Environmental Assessment -- Victoria Lane East Ext; Lewisher Link lane-Gipsy Lane Brickworks." This too indicates that the concept of Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) must have been used. The ecological designations document from the Leicester habitat survey and the corresponding list of requirements from the City Council that demanded conditions that could only be ascertained via an elaborate Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA).

The investigation of social and economic considerations

The investigation that was carried out and presented in the document appropriately titled "Community severance and Amenity" indicated clearly how the Gipsy Lane Brickworks project would negatively impact the community both socially and economically. Certain areas would experience changes in traffic flow as well as impeded access to certain amenities in other areas.

A protocol that could be used to assess the sustainability of the development

4. Facility Operation

These four assessment tools are to be standalone tools that are applied at specific stages of the Gipsy Lane brickworks road extension and the industrial development project life cycle. The assessment with one of the tools has no link or dependence with earlier stages. The tools of assessment are to be designed in a manner that they are applicable throughout the planning stage up to the point of making decisions in the project life cycle (See figure 1.).

The process of protocol assessment (Source: IHA, 2010).

The tools are to undergo repeated application so as to help in the continuous improvement of the process.

Strategic Assessments section

This section is important for the assessment of the strategic basis of the Gipsy Lane brickworks project. This part is most applicable at the stage when the Gipsy Lane brickworks is still under consideration and no clear cut decisions have been made in order to invest in the project. The reasons for this are because probably no public statements have been released regarding the project, the project has not yet been tendered for the initial engineering design operations. The purpose of this section of the protocol is to inform the stakeholders and the public that there exists a strategic basis for progressing with project preparation and also to make it certain that the risks involved are manageable.

Project Preparation section

This section is important since it is used to assess the preparation stage of the Gipsy Lane brickworks project. In this stage, the team members investigate, plan as well as design all the important aspects of the project. After project preparation, another critical move, the making of decision to proceed with the awarding of construction contracts follows. The assessment that is conducted at this stage assesses if all of the preparatory requirement/conditions have been fulfilled, plans of management are laid down and the commitment is both appropriate as well as binding. This part of the protocol can be employed prior to as well as to inform the process of decision-making to proceed forward with the implementation of the project. After this section, the construction begins along the appropriate environmental and socio-economic action plans (considerations)

Project implementation section

This section is important for the success of the Gipsy Lane brickworks project since it makes an elaborate assessment of the implementation stage of the project. It monitors how the construction, plans of resettlement, road diversion plans, management and other environmental plans are implemented. The commissioning of the Gipsy Lane brickworks project enables it to begin serving the public. The assessment that is made before the commissioning of the Gipsy Lane brickworks project makes it possible to assess if all project commitments/requirements have been met.

Project operation section

This stage assesses the nature and extent of operation of the Gipsy Lane brickworks project facility. This phase of the protocol is important since it can be used to gauge if the facility is functioning on a sustainable basis while all the active measures have been placed to monitor compliance for the purpose of improving the performance of the facility on a continual basis.

The implementation of the protocol

After the project has fully been adopted, it would be necessary to develop and formalize the appropriate structures that are integral to its management and implementation. There are four major strategic objectives that are important for the success of the protocol implementation. The first one is the widespread application of the protocol in order to promote sustainable construction and development. The second one would be the need to train as well as increase awareness on the protocol through efforts of project partners. The fourth one would be ensuring of transparency in the management as well as the governance of the developed protocol. This is extended to the associated activities and must be executed on a self-financing regime.

In order to realize these objectives, the company carrying out the project must work together with organizations and the community in the development of the necessary governance plans for the protocol.

In order for an assessment to be taken for a project, it must be at its initial or final stages. The assessment must have a future perspective or should scrutinize the past activities. The Protocol should be designed for conducting repeat operations. An assessment that is carried out in the initial stages of a project can help in the improvement of the later stages. An overlap may occur in the project life cycle. This is to say that implementation operations may take place at the time of project preparations, like the commissioning additional sidewalks, while the implementation operations are progressing. Should a project be in transition stage, then the assessment tool's choice heavily depends on the purpose of the project assessment itself. Road construction an industrial construction projects possess extensive lifespan. The Strategic Assessments tools can act as a source of guidance on certain important considerations that must be taken into account for making of decisions regarding the facility or the re-optimization of the transmission network, extension of life of the facility or decommissioning of the facility. In case there is a need of performing refurbishments, the Project Preparation section would come in handy. The Project Operation assessment section is important during re-licensing as well as in times of minor refurbishments.