5 jornada aae-060312_amanda chisholm
TRANSCRIPT
The Environmental Assessment
of Plans and Programmes Regulations 2004
SEA Directive 2001/42/EC
Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005
• UK-wide• plans, programmes
• Scottish public bodies• plans, programmes,
strategies (PPS)
Features
• formal reporting stages• statutory consultation deadlines• Consultation Authorities:
– Scottish Environment Protection Agency– Scottish Natural Heritage– Historic Scotland
• Responsible Authorities (plan owners)
Scottish Government’s SEA Gateway
• central contact point– communication – deadlines
• guidance:– SEA Forum– SEA Toolkit– queries
• interests of Scottish Ministers
PPS and sectors: 2006-11
Legislation / Policy
Community
Economic Educational
Health
AgricultureForestry
Fisheries
Industry
Energy
Transport
Waste Management
Water Management
Telecommunication
Tourism
Town & Country planning & Land Use
Miscellaneous
Scottish GovernmentEnvironmental Assessment Team
strategic environmental assessment habitats
regulationsappraisal
environmentalimpactassessment
Scottish Government SEA 2006-11
agriculture
forestry
fisheries & aquaculture
energy
industry
transport
waste
water
telecoms
sports & tourism
land use/ town & countryplanningenvironment
Why SEA?
• environmental effects of decisions at plan level
• need to adequately capture environmental costs and benefits
Purpose of SEA
• to integrate environmental factors into decision-making
• thereby achieving:– sustainable development– environmental protection
• early and effective opportunity for public participation
• accountability
What is working well?
• efficient and proportionate operation• innovation• opportunities for consultation• influencing PPS• sustainable development and climate change
objectives• Consultation Authority and SEA Gateway
working well• good range of guidance / rapid learning
What can be improved?• understanding of SEA• application across all sectors• targeted improvements to SEA process • focus on significant effects• integration between SEA and PPS• earlier stakeholder engagement• simplify / clarify SEA documents• mitigation• proportionate: time and resources in balance with
benefits for public policy• climate change
Is SEA making a difference?
• yes:– plan shaper– fine tuner
• challenge:– to better shape Scottish public policy-
making
Is SEA undertaken efficiently?
• room for improvement:– improve SEA process– focus on significant issues– earlier information provision– earlier issues resolution– timing– integration of SEA and PPS processes– integrate into corporate culture
Planning Cycle / SEA
Problem
Solutions
Test / consult
Select option
Implement
Monitor / evaluate
Change
screening
scoping
assessmentdecision statement
monitoring
consultation
baseline information
Theoretical perspective – policy cycle
Problem
Solutions
Test / consult
Select option
Implement
Monitor / evaluate
Change
academicsactivists
lobbyists
politicians
government
public
environmental NGOs
public
environmental NGOs
stakeholders
academics
government
stakeholders
lobbyists
government
government
public
Proportionate SEA
• SEA: an effective tool for protecting & enhancing the environment…
….or a ‘legal obstaclecourse’?
Proportionate SEA
• reporting• focus on significant issues• scoping• accessibility to decision-makers and
stakeholders• managing uncertainty
Recommendations• promote value of SEA• improve efficiency and proportionality• focus SEA: scoping / evidence base• integrate SEA and plan-making• greater clarity• mitigation and enhancement• working together• deliver climate change targets• earlier engagement• continue to reflect on experience