STRATEGIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT IN CHINA: OPPORTUNITIES, ISSUES AND CHALLENGES

2009 ◽  
Vol 11 (04) ◽  
pp. 369-385 ◽  
Author(s):  
KIN-CHE LAM ◽  
YONGQIN DAVID CHEN ◽  
JING WU
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Assessment ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Harmonious Society ◽  
Strategic Environmental Assessment ◽  
Political Resistance ◽  
Political Reality ◽  
Literature Reviews ◽  
Other Information ◽  
Current Emphasis

Based on literature reviews, case studies and other information available on the web, this paper examines the evolution and status of strategic environmental assessment in China by reviewing the progress that has been made; discussing the issues and problems encountered and exploring the best way forward. It is suggested that the Chinese EIA system has evolved over the years to cope with the rapidity and scale of development in China and the current emphasis on Plan EIA is probably the most appropriate form of SEA given the political reality and complicated institution setup. Given China's environmental and resource problems, the paper affirms the potential role of SEA in fostering a sustainable and harmonious society and the need to mainstream sustainability considerations in the formulation of national plans and strategies. To circumvent political resistance from line agencies, the paper suggests that SEA can be applied, in various names and forms, to national and provincial socio-economic plans.

scholarly journals Oceans beyond Boundaries: Environmental Assessment Frameworks

2012 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 481-499 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robin Warner
Keyword(s):  
International Law ◽  
Marine Environment ◽  
Environmental Assessment ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Ad Hoc ◽  
Strategic Environmental Assessment ◽  
Customary International Law ◽  
National Jurisdiction ◽  
Marine Areas

Abstract The obligation to conduct environmental impact assessment (EIA) of activities with the potential for significant impact on the marine environment within and beyond national jurisdiction has attained customary international law status. The related but broader process of strategic environmental assessment (SEA) is also applied to plans, policies and programmes with the potential for significant impact on the marine environment in many national jurisdictions and in a transboundary context. The application of EIA and SEA for activities with the potential for significant impact on marine areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ) has been much more ad hoc. This commentary reviews the initiatives being taken by the international community to develop a more comprehensive legal and institutional framework for EIA and SEA of activities affecting ABNJ. It examines the role of sectoral environmental assessment in ABNJ, as well as the potential role of global guidelines for EIA and SEA of activities affecting ABNJ.

EXAMINING QUALITY OF ENVIRONMENTAL OBJECTIVES, TARGETS AND INDICATORS IN ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTS PREPARED FOR STRATEGIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT

2008 ◽  
Vol 10 (04) ◽  
pp. 381-401 ◽  
Author(s):  
ALISON DONNELLY ◽  
TERRY PRENDERGAST ◽  
MARIE HANUSCH
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Impact ◽  
Environmental Assessment ◽  
Environmental Indicators ◽  
Strategic Environmental Assessment ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Environmental Objectives ◽  
Minimum Requirements ◽  
Development Plans ◽  
Land Use Development

Due to the pivotal role of environmental objectives, targets and indicators in Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) to assess environmental impact and monitor environmental condition resulting from a proposed plan it is crucial to ensure high quality in their development. Here we present a quality assurance checklist for practitioners to ensure compliance with (i) the minimum requirements of the SEA Directive and (ii) guidelines established by the Irish government for SEA of land use development plans. Furthermore, we propose additional recommended tasks based on expertise and experience gained in carrying out SEA to ensure high quality. Some of the questions posed in the checklist include, for example, "Are the environmental indicators capable of demonstrating the likely significant environmental impact(s) of the implementation of the proposed plan or programme?", "Have limits and thresholds been established for each environmental target?" and "Is responsibility for implementing the monitoring programme clearly defined?". We applied the completed checklist to 10 environmental reports from Ireland, Wales, England, Malta and Germany and proposed a grading system for comparative purposes. The results showed varying quality among the ERs from Ireland, UK and Malta. In addition, we found that the checklist did not directly apply to the German ERs because of the different approach taken to SEA whereby environmental targets and indicators were used in a more implicit manner than elsewhere. However, as environmental objectives and the monitoring programmes were similar for all ERs we concluded that different approaches still resulted in a manageable and focused monitoring system.

scholarly journals STRATEGIC ENVIRONMENTAL EVALUATION OF IRAQ PLANS AND PROGRAMS

2019 ◽  
pp. 63-72 ◽  
Author(s):  
Али Абуали ◽  
Ali Abuali ◽  
М. Перькова ◽  
M. Perkova ◽  
Мохаммед Хасан Аль-Савафи ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Impact ◽  
Environmental Assessment ◽  
Environmental Planning ◽  
Strategic Environmental Assessment ◽  
Social Aspects ◽  
Environmental Evaluation ◽  
The Public ◽  
Comprehensive Development ◽  
The Impact

The interaction of architectural, urban planning activities and the natural environment is manifested at all hierarchical levels and its results need to be foreseen. The role of strategic environmental assessment is closely related to the concept of sustainability, since it is a tool that identifies the environmental impact of plans and programs implemented in the territory. The study examines the role of strategic environmental assessment in achieving sustainability of plans and programs at the international level, and concentrates on the problems of strategic environmental planning in Iraq. Strategic environmental assessment is a comprehensive process for assessing the impact of plans and programs on the environment. The previous studies have shown the effectiveness of using methods of strategic environmental assessment in promoting the comprehensive development of the territory; the ability of the public to participate in the assessment of environmental and social aspects of policies, plans, and programs. The purpose of the strategic environmental assessment (SEA) is to eliminate disproportions in the development of territories. A comparison of SEA and environmental impact assessment (EIA) has been carried out. In Iraq, strategic environmental assessment has been found to be a relatively new phenomenon. Its use in strategic planning of the territory will contribute to increasing the sustainability of development in Iraq, its application will be efficient in the country and its regions, and will ensure public participation in this process.

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