ESIA & SEA BRIEF

ESIA
Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) is a systematic
process used to identify, predict, evaluate, and mitigate the
environmental and social impacts of proposed projects, plans, or
policies before they are implemented. It serves as a decision-making
tool to ensure that development projects are carried out in a sustainable
manner, taking into account their potential effects on the environment
and local communities.
SEA

Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) is a systematic process used

to evaluate the environmental implications of proposed policies, plans,
programs, or large-scale development projects. It aims to integrate
environmental considerations into decision-making processes to ensure
sustainable development.
 Aspect ESIA SEA

Integrating environmental concerns into

Purpose Assessing impacts of specific projects.
policies, plans, and programs.

Considers broader policies, plans, or

Scope Focuses on individual projects or activities.
programs.

Conducted during early stages of policy or

Timing Conducted before project implementation.
plan development.

Scale Local or project level. Regional, sectoral, or strategic level.

Governed by environmental impact Integrated into broader legal and policy

Legal Framework
assessment laws or regulations. frameworks for sustainable development.

Involves a broader range of stakeholders,

Typically involves local stakeholders,
Stakeholder Involvement including government agencies, industry,
including affected communities and NGOs.
and civil society.

Identify, predict, and mitigate project- Integrate environmental considerations into

Objectives
specific impacts. decision-making processes.

Focus Specific project or activity. Policies, plans, or programs.

 Aspect
Assessment Methods
Alternatives Assessment
Mitigation Measures
Decision-making Influence
Cumulative Effects Consideration
Predictive Capability
Data Requirements
Implementation Monitoring
Long-term Impacts Assessment
Public Participation
ESIA
Detailed analysis of project-specific impacts.
Compares different project options.
Recommends measures to minimize project
impacts.
Influences project approval and permitting.
Considers immediate and direct impacts.
Predicts project-specific impacts with greater
accuracy.
Detailed project-specific data and assessments.
Monitors project-specific compliance with
mitigation measures.
Focuses on short- to medium-term project
impacts.
Involves local communities and stakeholders Engages a broader range of stakeholders at
directly affected by the project. different stages of the decision-making process.
SEA
Strategic analysis of potential environmental
implications.
Evaluates alternative policy or plan scenarios.
Suggests strategies to enhance environmental
sustainability.
Influences strategic decision-making and policy
development.
Considers indirect and long-term effects of
multiple actions.
Forecasts broader environmental trends and
potential consequences.
Comprehensive data on environmental trends,
baseline conditions, and potential impacts.
Monitors implementation of policies, plans, or
programs and their effectiveness in achieving
environmental objectives.
Considers long-term sustainability implications
of policy or plan decisions.
 Main take aways

• Project Specificity vs Broad Strategy

• Flexibility
• Reflected in impact, mitigation and decision making
• Direct short term vs Indirect long term
• Project related vs strategy & framework integration