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Current situation July 2004 is a key date for anyone concerned with the protection of the environment. It is on this date that the Directive, 2001/42/EC on the assessment of certain plans and programmes on the environment comes into force. Commonly referred to as the Directive on Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA), it represents the culmination of years of campaigning by the EEB to see the environment better integrated into decisions taken within Member States and by the European Institutions.
The Directive aims to 'provide for a high level of protection of the environment and to contribute to the integration of environmental considerations into the preparation and adoption of plans and programmes with a view to promoting sustainable development'. Unlike project level EIA, which primarily concerns private developers, the SEA Directive relates to plans and programmes prepared by public authorities.
What is the EEB doing? The EEB focus in particular on strict implementation of the SEA Directive.
There are different definitions of what an SEA is, and practice varies across Europe. However, some common themes emerge. The EEB believes that SEA is the systematic process of identifying and assessing the likely effects on the environment of a policy, plan, or programme at the earliest opportunity before a decision is made on its adoption. The SEA should ensure potential adverse effects are avoided, reduced or minimised in the design of the policy, plan or programme. This should involve effective consideration of a wide range of alternatives, including the best practical environmental option. Consultation and public participation are integral to the process, and the results of these, along with a written SEA Report, must be taken into account in the final decision.
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For more information, please contact: Paul HAMBLIN email: paulh@cpre.org.uk
