IAIA Conference on international experience & perspectives in SEA, Prague, 26-30 September 2005 IAIA Conference on international experience & perspectives

IAIA Conference on international experience & perspectives in SEA, Prague, 26-30 September 2005

IAIA Conference on international experience & perspectives in SEA

Prague, 26-30 September 2005

Session E7Nick Bonvoisin

UNECE SecretariatEspoo Convention on EIA

in a Transboundary Context

www.unece.org/env/eia


Module 4Practical Implementation (E7.3)

Session E7Capacity Development Manual

for the implementation of the UNECE Protocol on SEA


Contents• Importance of proper coordination of SEA

with planning & programming processes• Introduction to various approaches for

coordination of SEA with elaboration of P/Ps• Outline of different evaluation frameworks

that can be applied in SEA• Tips for design of effective application

arrangements for SEA Protocol in particular planning or programming process


2. Reasons for coordination of SEA with elaboration of

P/Ps


2.1 Protocol provisions calling for coordination of SEA with P/Ps

• SEA should have an important role in the preparation & adoption of plans, programmes, and, to the extent appropriate, policies & legislation…

• Objective to ensure “environmental, including health, considerations are thoroughly taken into account in development of P/Ps”

• SEA includes “taking into account of the environmental report & results of public participation & consultations in P/P”


2.2. Practical concernsNeed to use effective SEA procedures that:

• Don’t unreasonably prolong P/P elaboration

• Are not unnecessarily costly• Assist early solving of conflicting views &

interests & so increase credibility of decision making


3. Illustration of logical linkages between elaboration

of P/Ps and SEA


Usual steps in elaboration of P/P

Review and finalising of the proposed P/P

Initiation

Possible consultations

with authorities

Possible public access to information

and participation

Development &comparison

of alternatives

Determining detailed context &relevant issues

Decision-making

Iterative process

3.1


Logical linkages between P/Ps and SEA


Initiation

Development and comparison of alternatives

Analysis of detailed context and issues

Decision-making

Elaboration of P/P

Environmental ReportDetermine detailed context and issues

Contribute to development and comparison of alternatives

Review and finalise environmental report

Determine need of SEA

SEA

Scoping

Taking into account

3.2


Link between requirements of the SEA Protocol and OVOS/SER systems in EECCA countries

Review of the proposed P/P

Draft P/P

Adoption

Env.report

OVOS

Limited application through screeningInitiation

SER

Scopingconsult.

Wide application

Conclusions of SER binding

OVOS/SER SEA Protocol

Consultation with env. and health authorities

Due account in D-M

3.3


3.4 Key issues for consideration: general issues• How to maximize linkages between SEA

& P/P elaboration so as to achieve the Protocol’s objectives

• ….“to provide for a high level of protection of the environment, including health, by […] ensuring that environmental, including health, considerations are thoroughly taken into account in the development of P/Ps; ….”


3.4 Key issues for consideration: detailed issues• How to maximise linkages between

during:• Elaboration of P/P & Environmental Report• Consultation with authorities• Public participation

• How to ensure conclusions of SEA are considered in P/P elaboration before final decision-making


4. Options for undertaking SEA during elaboration of P/Ps


4.1.Situation to avoidEx-post and separate SEA


Initiation

Development and comparison of alternatives

Determination of detailed context and issues

Decision-making

Elaboration of P/P

Environmental Report

Determine need of SEA

SEA

Scoping


Ex-post SEA separated from planning: key weaknesses

Doesn’t support elaboration of P/P (doesn’t use logical links between SEA & P/P elaboration). Danger of duplication of effort (in data gathering & internal assessments)

Tends to be more costly (due to duplication of effort in data gathering, comparison of alternatives, etc.)

Separate consultations on draft P/P & on environmental report may confuse public

Prolongs entire planning process Most likely will not provide SEA in accordance

with the Protocol (see Preamble, Objectives & Definition of SEA)


SEA partially integrated into elaboration of P/P : Overall approach

ELABORATION

OF

P/P

Environmentalreport

J oint consultations

with authorities and public (as

relevant)

Drawing-upof P/P


Partial integration of SEA into planning:Strengths & weaknesses

Saves time (parallel to planning) Saves money (joint use of data by planning &

assessment teams) Facilitates early considerations of different

viewpoints (both in planning process & in SEA) Can incorporate early consultations with

relevant authorities & with public. Creates favourable framework for meeting

obligations of Protocol

Participation of SEA team in often lengthy & complicated planning process may be demanding


SEA fully integrated into elaboration of P/P: Overall approach

ELABORATION

OF

P/P

Experts elaborating

environmentalreport

Relevant environmental

and health authorities and publicconcerned

Experts elaborating P/P

Public access

to info and

generalconsult.


SEA fully integrated into elaboration of P/P: Strengths & weaknesses

Same benefits as partial integration – it saves time & money, & prevents late surprises ...

Fully internalizes SEA into planning process – brings planning experts, SEA experts & key authorities & public concerned into one forum & builds their mutual relations

Creates good conditions for meeting all obligations of Protocol

SEA experts may be marginalised in planning process Possible internal agreements/disputes between team

members may be hidden from external stakeholders – they may not understand & appreciate them


5. Determining effective linkages between SEA & P/P

elaboration


5.1 Analysis of the planning process

• Identifies possible linkages between P/P elaboration & SEA

• May provide inputs into design effective SEA systems

• Can be carried out either for planning procedures or for a specific process used to draw up particular P/P

• Helps to design SEA procedure which is customized for specific planning process

• May take a lot of time


5.2 Suggested focus of the analysis

• Logic, stages & specific tasks in planning process

• Environmental/health information used in planning process

• Existing provisions for consultations with environmental & health authorities

• Existing provisions for public access to information & public participation

Documents

IAIA Conference on international experience & perspectives in SEA, Prague, 26-30 September 2005 IAIA Conference on international experience & perspectives