Decisional environment values as the object of analysis for strategic environmental assessment

Abstract

Strategic environmental assessment (SEA) is intended to go beyond the assessment of the likely environmental consequences of specific projects. However, SEA relies formally on a conceptual and methodological background that is centred on the analysis of likely environmental impacts of decisions related to policies, plans and programmes. This paper attempts to find a common theoretical denominator for the different d emands placed on SEA when it is imposed on a case study. The concept of decisional environment values (DEVs) is the suggested approach:DEV is defined here as an objective entity that could constitute the study object of environmental assessment.

Recognizing the institutional dimension of strategic environmental assessment

“…As it was not possible any more to base the assessment on knowledge of the likely final material environmental consequences of decisions, it could not be assumed that SEA was founded on a strictly substantive, objective rationale. 2 Later SEA definitions have gradually stressed that the aim of SEA is neither exclusively nor primarily to incorporate the consequences of decisions into decision-making processes, but to improve those processes themselves, clearly from an environmental perspective (Brown and Therivel, 2000;Jiliberto, 2002Caratti et al, 2004, Bina, 2007UNDP, 2004). 3 The World Bank definition of SEA as a participative approach to place the environmental and social aspects in the centre of the decision-making process and to influence in the development planning, the decision-making and the implementation processes at a strategic level (Mercier, 2004;World Bank, 2005) is relevant in this regard.…”

“…This is because SEA is simply a tool to support strategic decision-making, whose ultimate purpose is to adequately incorporate the environmental values that society holds at a given time into strategic decisionmaking (Jiliberto, 2002).…”

Evaluación Ambiental Estratégica: una contribución a la sostenibilidad del desarrollo turístico

“… La EAE, antes que una herramienta orientada a identificar impactos ambientales, debe ser un instrumento que ayude a mejorar integralmente de la toma de decisiones (Partidario, 2007;Dalkmann, Jiliberto y Bongardt, 2004;Jiliberto, 2002;Jiliberto, 2007;Caratti, Dalkmann y Jiliberto, 2004).…”

The Contribution of Strategic Environmental Assessment to Transport Policy Governance

“…Later definitions have gradually stressed that the aim of SEA is neither exclusively nor primarily to incorporate the consequences of decisions into decisionmaking processes, but to improve those processes themselves, clearly from an environmental perspective (Brown and Therivel, 2000;Jiliberto, 2002 and2004;Caratti et al, 2004, Bina, 2007UNDP, 2004). The World Bank definition of SEA as "a participative approach to place the environmental and social aspects in the centre of the decision-making process and to influence in the development planning, the decisionmaking and the implementation processes at a strategic level" (Mercier, 2004;World Bank 2005) is relevant in this regard.…”

“…Viewed in this way, it can be said that SEA is at the heart of the governance of our current societies; in particular the governance of public policies, and naturally the governance of transport policies. This is because SEA is simply a tool to support strategic decision-making, whose ultimate purpose is to adequately incorporate the environmental values that society holds at a given time into strategic decision-making (Jiliberto, 2002).…”