SENSU Strategic Approaches to Environment and Sustainability research group Perceptions on SEA: Not all that glitters is gold Session:

SENSUStrategic Approaches to Environment and Sustainability research grouphttp://sensuist.pt.vu

Perceptions on SEA: Not all that glitters is goldSession: Specific SEA issues

Authors: Monteiro, MB; Partidário, MR

Centro de Congressos da Alfândega Porto, Portugal, 27 May – 1 June 2012

32nd Annual Conference of IAIA

Energy Future – The Role of Impact Assessment

Introduction

Objectives:– Understanding the current practice of SEA in

Portugal;– Getting to know the actor’s visions on the

contribution of SEA to the planning process;– Analyzing the influence of actor’s perceptions

in SEA and planning processes;– Synthesizing on the theory and practice trends

observed.

2SENSU - Strategic Approaches to Environment and Sustainability research group http://sensuist.pt.vu

Perceptions on SEA: Not all that glitters is gold 32nd Annual Conference of IAIA

SEA and Sustainable Development



Assess environmental impacts of PPP and their alternatives(Therivel, 1993)

Assess environmental consequences of policy, plan and programme proposals at the earliest stage of decision-making(Sadler & Verheem, 1996)

Integration of biophysical, economic, social and political considerations (Partidário, 1999)

Understand and explore environmental and sustainable strategic options to address the problems and meet intended objectives(Partidário, 2007)

Improve strategic actions by integrate environmental and sustainability issues in strategic decision-making, moving beyond the comfort area of decisions(Therivel, 2004)

Instrument that acts like a knowledge brokerage platform to achieve environmental and sustainability oriented decision-making(Partidário & Sheate, 2012)

Systematic, objectives-led and evidence-led decision-making support instrument to ensure due consideration is given to environmental aspects in PPP making by adding rigor to the decision-making process(Fischer et al, 2009)

The rational model guided EA assumptions over the years…


32nd Annual Conference of IAIAPerceptions on SEA: Not all that glitters is gold

SEA and Decision

Cognitive limitation

Lack of knowledge

Mutual dependencies

Level of ambition

Uncertainties

Multiple actors/behaviors

Divergences

Complexity

Unpredictability

• One single and central decision-maker

• All the necessary information is available (reasonable degree of certainty)

• Systematical search of the best solution to an independent and well defined problem

… but:



SEA and PerceptionConsultants vs. Decision-makers

SEA(mediator)

Problem identification

Actors involvedTransparency

Responsibilities

Values

Hierarchy of decisionObjectives

Data/information

Costs and benefits

Efforts

Priorities

Resources

Background

Causes

Financial effects Communication

Values and culture

Negotiation

Legal requirements

Flexibility

Accountability

• Criteria's: Approach, object of assessment, perspective, entry point, relation to the decision-making process, assessment, governance, follow-up;

• ER analysis: 34 ER, different typologies (programmes, sectorial, planning);

• Interviews: Consultants, decision-makers, specialists;

• Questionnaires: Environmental consultant enterprises, public administration, sectorial institutions, researchers.



Methodology

Literature review

Criteria to analysis

Interviews Questionnaires

Influence of perception in

SEA

ER analysis



Influence of Perception in SEA: TheoryInterviews:

• Instrument that most serve sustainability in the way it is applied

• … Gives transparency and legitimacy to the planning process

• Consider the success factors that influence decisions…

• Be simultaneous and influence since the beginning the policy development

• Adopts a participatory approach that connects decision-maker, consultants and society

• Proactive engagement of stakeholders and society

Questionnaires:



Influence of Perception in SEA: Theory

Aim

To integrate environmental

issues in the strategic options conception and

find development pathways

To identify , predict, assess and mitigate

significant effects of development proposals before decision-making

Strategic dimension

To make sustainable

strategic decision-making

To assure the environmental viability of the

PPP

Purpose

Assess strategic directions by the

objectives and planning stages

definition

Assess development

proposals based on detailed

information and suggest mitigation

measures

To help the decision-making,

assessing strategic options and considering

different scenarios

To assure the mitigation of

negative impacts before PPP execution

To create conditions that

assure the strategy

development, by interaction and sharing ideas

between actors

To provide technical solutions

to decision-makers, based on

scientific evidences

Contribution to the PPP

process

Relation with the decision

Some results of ER analysis:



Influence of Perception in SEA: Practice

Entry point 10 18 6

Vision and strategic objectives Territorial model Proposal implementation

13 17 4

Assess opportunities and risks Assess impacts/effects Without assessment

Opportunities and risks

13 4 17

Institutional arrangements Environmental resposabilities Ignored

Governance



Main Results: Theory vs. PracticeTheory Practice

Perspective

Sustainability (holistic and integrated) Limited environmental scope

Entry Point

Beginning of the planning process Late start

Relation with the decision

Facilitator of the decision-making Legal obligationTechnical assessment

Object of Assessment

ProductsFuture images / possible choices

ResultsFuture predictions /choices made

Governance

Institutional arrangements and participation Only environmental responsibilities

Follow-up

Planning, management, governance and monitoring guidelines Indicators and control measures

Approach

‘Strategic’ SEA EIA-based SEA



Conclusions and Future steps

– SEA outcomes always depends on how it is conducted and applied;

– Different values and perceptions influence SEA effectiveness, coherency and efficiency: low consensus between actors leads to different outcomes;

– Big EIA influence: extension of EIA to upper decision levels vs. limited development as a strategic approach;

– Theory-practice gap.

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Thank You for your attention!

“How many colors are there in a field of grass to the crawling baby unaware of "green"?”

Stan Brakhage



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SENSU Strategic Approaches to Environment and Sustainability research group Perceptions on SEA: Not all that glitters is gold Session:

Documents

gold sea

contribution of sea

understandings of sea

decision slide

sensu strategic approaches

sensu strategic approaches

sea er analysis slide

current practice of