A critical review of the dominant lines of argumentation on the need for strategic environmental assessment

Bina, Olívia

doi:10.1016/j.eiar.2007.05.003

Cited by 162 publications

(172 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…Despite the fact that EIA under NEPA was originally intended to apply to strategic as well as project-level decision-making (Bina, 2007), the term EIA remains almost exclusively reserved for project level assessment (Morgan, 2012). The emergence of SEA to fill the perceived gap at the strategic levels of policies, plans and programmes has been well-documented, and is summarised by Fundingsland Tetlow and Hanusch (2012).…”

Section: The Emergence and Status Of Impact Assessment Practicementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Something of a crisis of confidence in SEA practice has become evident in recent years, with its raison d'etre comprehensively questioned (Bina, 2007), and an "(u)nclear role and aim of SEA" observed (Fundingsland Tetlow and Hanusch, 2012, p21). While the preceding discussion suggests that relevance is not the exclusive concern of the SEA community, in addition to the epistemological debates there is continuing debate amongst SEA practitioners at a more fundamental level, questioning (Fundingsland Tetlow and Hanusch, 2012, p22):…”

Section: The Emergence and Status Of Impact Assessment Practicementioning

confidence: 99%

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Advancing the theory and practice of impact assessment: Setting the research agenda

Pope

Bond

Morrison‐Saunders

et al. 2013

Environmental Impact Assessment Review

217

102

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Impact assessment has been in place for over 40 years and is now practised in some form in all but two of the world's nations. In this paper we reflect on the state of the art of impact assessment theory and practice, focusing on six well-established forms: EIA, SEA, policy assessment, SIA, HIA and sustainability assessment. We note that although the fundamentals of impact assessment have their roots in the US National Environmental Policy Act 1969 (NEPA) each branch of the field is distinct in also drawing on other theoretical and conceptual bases that in turn shape the prevailing discourse in each case, generating increasing degrees of specialisation within each sub-field. Against this backdrop, we consider the strengths and weaknesses of collective impact assessment practice, concluding that although there are substantial strengths, the plethora of specialist branches is generating a somewhat confusing picture and lack of clarity regarding how the pieces of the impact assessment jigsaw puzzle fit together. We use this 2 review to suggest an overarching research agenda that will enable impact assessment to evolve in line with changing expectations for what it should deliver.

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Section: The Emergence and Status Of Impact Assessment Practicementioning

confidence: 99%

Section: The Emergence and Status Of Impact Assessment Practicementioning

confidence: 99%

Advancing the theory and practice of impact assessment: Setting the research agenda

Pope

Bond

Morrison‐Saunders

et al. 2013

Environmental Impact Assessment Review

217

102

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…First, SEA needs to be designed for a variety of contexts and applications (Partidário, 2000), since it is used to assess the sustainability of diversified policies, plans and programs (PPP). As a consequence, SEA proliferates in many forms thus increasing the difficulties for users (Bina, 2007). Second, the awareness and sensitivities of institutional frameworks are crucial because regional policy-making differs in terms of structure and competences.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Bridging the divide between theory and guidance in strategic environmental assessment: A path for Italian regions

Baresi

Vella

Sipe

2017

Environmental Impact Assessment Review

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Clear and effective legislation is a prerequisite to move sustainable development from theory into practice. This paper develops a methodology to investigate how Italian regions use Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and the procedures used in the European Union (EU) to pursue sustainable development of policies, plans, and programs (PPPs). This case study is at the Italian regional level, examined to identify flaws and areas for improvement for each regional legislative framework. For this purpose, we used criteria from international debates on sustainability assessments. Through statistical multidimensional analysis, we classified Italian regions with similar SEA legislation. We developed four taxonomies, based on: i) legislation and guidelines; ii) integration between SEA and PPPs; iii) sustainability goals; iv) technical organization; v) participatory organization; and vi) monitoring. Our findings suggest that Italian administrators should cooperate to improve legislation at the regional level. Acknowledging the institutioncentered nature of SEA, this methodology could support SEA development in European countries with diversified traditions.

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“…The argument presented in this paper is based mainly on knowledge of the operative steps in the lending process and lenders' environmental information needs gained through an in-depth empirical study of the role of environment in bank lending practices in a European and an Australian commercial bank 2 conducted in 2006and 2007(Banhalmi-Zakar 2014. This is combined with literature and experience of SEA theory and practice to view the connections between the two.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

How strategic environmental assessment can inform lenders about potential environmental risks

Banhalmi-Zakar

Larsen

2014

Impact Assessment and Project Appraisal

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In this paper, we explore the potential for Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) to be a useful tool for banks to manage environmental risks and inform lending decisions. SEA is an environmental assessment tool that was developed to assist strategic-level decision-makers, such as policy-makers, planners, government authorities and environmental practitioners in improving developmental outcomes, aiming to facilitate the transition to sustainable development. We propose that SEA may also be a valuable tool for banks because it has the capacity to provide information about environmental risks at a time when it can be used as an input to bank lending decisions, which can assist banks in making lending decisions with better environmental outcomes. For these reasons, we argue that in some circumstances, and particularly for project finance transactions, SEA may be a more useful environmental assessment tool for lenders than EIA, which many banks are currently relying on to help assess and mitigate environmental risks. Further we suggest that the use of SEA by banks would contribute to the sustainability goals of SEA.

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A critical review of the dominant lines of argumentation on the need for strategic environmental assessment

Cited by 162 publications

References 33 publications

Advancing the theory and practice of impact assessment: Setting the research agenda

Advancing the theory and practice of impact assessment: Setting the research agenda

Bridging the divide between theory and guidance in strategic environmental assessment: A path for Italian regions

How strategic environmental assessment can inform lenders about potential environmental risks

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