Environmental Management

Strategic Environmental
Assessment (SEA)
 Definition of SEA
• Several approaches to SEA have been
developed in different parts of the world,
each reflecting a different understanding of
the purpose of SEA
• In South Africa, SEA refers to a process
that integrates sustainability
considerations into the formulation,
assessment and implementation of
policies, plans and programmes (PPPs)
SEA, 2007 (Page 1)
 Definition of SEA…2
• Policies, plans, programmes and projects
are often referred to as being in a 'tiered'
relationship with one another, with the
policy preceding the plan, the plan the
programme and the and the programme
the project (see next slide)
• Internationally SA is regarded as a leading
developing country in the application of
SEA
 Definition of SEA…3

SEA, 2007 (Page 1)

 Role of SEA within IEM

Using a tiered approach, SEA can create a framework which

focuses EIA, Management Systems and Monitoring!
 Using a Precautionary Approach to
Managing Strategic Impacts in Relation to
the Limits of Acceptable Change (LAC)

SEA, 2007 (Page 21)

Differences Between EIA & SEA

SEA, 2007 (Page 2)

Differences Between EIA & SEA…2
Difference Between EIA & SEA…3
EIA: assesses the effect of a
specific, proposed, development
on the socioeconomic &
biophysical environment

SEA: primarily focus on the

opportunities and constraints
that the environment provides
for future development
(see next slide)

SEA, 2007 (Page 1)

 Models of SEA Application
• EIA-based or “consent-related”
(not common in SA)
• Sustainability framework (common in SA)

• Integrated model (common in SA)

SEA, 2007 (Page 7-9)

 Models of SEA Application…2
• EIA-based: assesses the impacts of a
plan/program on the environment

• Sustainability framework: assesses the

opportunities and constraints which the
environment places on plans or programs

• Integrated model: attempts to integrate SEA

into various stages of the policy formulation
 Models of SEA Application…3
The EIA-based Model

SEA, 2007 (Page 7)

Models of SEA Application…4
The Integrated Model
 Models of SEA Application…5
The Sustainability Framework Model

SEA, 2007 (Page 9)

 When Are SEAs Useful?

• Regional planning e.g. a geographical

area such as catchment area; an
administrative area such as a province,
district or local municipality

• By a particular sector e.g. transport sector,

mining sector, etc.
 Initiator of SEA
• The initiator of a SEA may be:
– an industry which intends making a strategic
decision concerning their future business
direction

– a government body that requires a process to

enhance strategic decision-making relating to
the management of a particular sector or
region
Provision for SEA in South
African Legislation
Concepts & Principles of SEA
 Key Concepts Underpinning
SEA
• Context-specific
– focus on identifying key elements for SEA, to be
integrated into context-specific processes for plan and
program formulation
• Integrative
– aim to avoid the duplication of processes –
sometimes challenging
• Sustainability-led
– provides for the proactive inclusion of the concept of
sustainability into plan and program formulation
Principles for SEA
Principles for SEA…2
Principles for SEA…3
Key Elements of SEA
 Elements of SEA

• Regardless of the SEA model chosen,

there are certain steps that are common to
all, however:-
– not all steps may be necessary in all SEAs,
and
– the steps are not necessarily carried out in a
rigid sequence
 Elements of SEA…2

• Screening
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Scoping
• Situational Analysis
• Specialist Studies
• Assessment of Effects and Evaluation of
Their Significance
• Identifying and Comparing Alternatives
SEA, 2007 (Page 18 - 35)
 Elements of SEA…3

• Trade-Offs
• Developing a Strategic Environmental
Management Plan
• Implementation – Translating Study to
Action
• Quality Control and Assurance
Tools and Resources for SEA
SEA Experience in SA
 SEA and IDP

• SEA applied to IDP provides an overview

of the environmental opportunities and
constraints for development within LAC, in
order to ensure SD
• The approach outlined in the next slide
(the integrated model) is proposed
SEA, 2007 (Page 36 - 39)
Relationship Between SEA & IDP
Assignment