Exploring experts' views and perspectives on the enhancement of Strategic Environmental Assessment in European small islands

Abstract

This version is available at https://strathprints.strath.ac.uk/55926/ Strathprints is designed to allow users to access the research output of the University of Strathclyde. Unless otherwise explicitly stated on the manuscript, Copyright © and Moral Rights for the papers on this site are retained by the individual authors and/or other copyright owners. Please check the manuscript for details of any other licences that may have been applied. You may not engage in further distribution of the material for any profitmaking activities or any commercial gain. You may freely distribute both the url (https://strathprints.strath.ac.uk/) and the content of this paper for research or private study, educational, or not-for-profit purposes without prior permission or charge. HighlightsExplored the views and perspectives of European small islands experts.Showed the need for cooperation networks while developing SEA in these territories.Encouraged the development of specific guidelines as opposed to more legal frameworks.Highlighted SEA capability for the enhancement of small island sustainability. HighlightsExplored the views and perspectives of European small islands experts.Showed the need for cooperation networks while developing SEA in these territories.Encouraged the development of specific guidelines as opposed to more legal frameworks.Highlighted SEA capability for the enhancement of small island sustainability. AbstractSmall islands have the attention of the international community because they are territories with unique features, and a pressing need for the enhancement of sustainability. Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) has characteristics that may promote the development and improvement of sustainability in these territories: (i) changing the mind-set, and the decision-making and institutional paradigm, (ii) facilitating cooperation and coordination between different stakeholders, and (iii) providing a framework for good governance and community empowerment. The scientific literature suggests that there may be a need for context-specific SEA in these territories. However, SEA studies often do not incorporate local contextual information, including intuitive knowledge and sense of place. Therefore, there is a possible gap between what is found in the literature and what local communities think, including different stakeholders and experts. Hence, the main goal of this research was to gain an insight into the views and perspectives of small islands SEA experts about issues related to SEA in European small islands, including context-specific approaches, as well as the contribution of SEA for sustainability in these territories. To achieve the research aim, exploratory research using a questionnaire-based survey was designed, aimed at experts on SEA in European small islands. Findings showed regional cooperation networks may have a fundamental role when developing SEA-specific approaches in these territories. This is because SEA-specific approaches encourage a joint effort among islands within one region to i...

Da experiência francesa em Avaliação Ambiental Estratégica de SAGEs para os Planos de Bacia Hidrográfica do Brasil

“…Nesse sentido, justifica-se sobre a importância da consistente análise de objetivos e definição das questões-chave de avaliação, durante a etapa de definição do escopo da AAE (Harding, 1998;Singleton et al, 1999;Wood, 2000;Stookes, 2003;Sánchez, 2006) que, para além da consideração exclusiva dos requisitos legais e diretrizes técnicas das autoridades ambientais, pode se a utilizar de abordagens inovadoras de construção participativa, com amplo envolvimento das diversas partes interessadas, incluindo a vertente comunitária (Azcarate & Balfors, 2009;Polido et al, 2016).…”

“…Segundo Azcarate & Balfors (2009), em AAE, procedimentos participativos de diagnósticos favorecem a identificação de informações adicionais e demandas futuras, ampliando os resultados do processo de avaliação em regiões com lacuna de conhecimento e/ou objetivos setoriais conflitantes. Polido et al (2016) defendem a necessidade de a AAE incorporar informações contextuais locais, incluindo o conhecimento intuitivo e senso de lugar da comunidade e dos especialistas locais.…”

A contribution to the conceptualisation of quality in impact assessment

“…Transformation can also mean empowerment, which crosses over with public participation approaches and the extent to which they can empower individuals and or communities. Research is increasingly investigating this aspect of IA process as the basis for good quality (see, for example, Polido et al, 2014;Polido et al, 2016).…”

How may sustainability be advanced through Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) in Small Islands? Exploring a conceptual framework

“…Sustainability in these territories need to take into account concepts of governance entailing community empowerment, decision-making paradigm change, and resilience enhancement , promoting transparency and public awareness, but sustainability may be further enhanced through cooperation and information exchange. Networks with key stakeholders and the use of local knowledge are also encouraged by SEA practitioners and experts and are seen as a way to enhance sustainability in small islands (Alshuwaikhat, 2005;Polido et al, 2016a). However, it was found by , in the case of the Azores (Portugal) and Orkney (Scotland) archipelagos, that the existing SEA guidelines (main components and features addressed) and the team that develops the assessment (their specific knowledge and capacity), influence practice and shape the SEA outcomes independently of the type of decision-making being assessed.…”

“…Thus, despite the importance of SEA for the advancement of sustainability in small islands, there remains a paucity of research about context-specific approaches in these territories . There is evidence that specific approaches for small islands must take into account stakeholders' engagement and capacity building (including decision-makers), and establish collaborative approaches within small islands regions (Polido et al, 2016a.…”