This authoritative handbook surveys the full breadth and depth of SEA, bringing together a range of international perspectives and insights on the theoretical, methodological and institutional dimensions and practical issues of the field. It then subjects this conventional wisdom to a critical reappraisal, looks at the vast lessons of experience and offers new ideas and interpretations as to where the field is going. The volume is organized into six major sections, beginning with an introduction and overview of the development of the field and a framework for evaluating SEA good practice. Part I comprises a review of SEA frameworks in leading countries (Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the USA), the European Union and developing regions (Africa, Asia, Latin America and Newly Independent States). Part II reviews SEA practice in several major sectors (energy, minerals, transport, water, development assistance and coastal zone management). Part III addresses the linkages between SEA and other comparable tools such as spatial planning and environmental management. Part IV probes key cross-cutting issues in SEA, including how to address cumulative and trans-boundary effects. Part V identifies ways and means of SEA process and capacity development, focusing on how to improve and upgrade the theory and practice of the field. Part VI examines the shift from conventional SEA towards more integrative approaches, drawing on experience and examples from a number of countries. Published with IAIA

* The first and only comprehensive international sourcebook of Sustainability Appraisal/Assessment (SA) principles, approaches and instruments from all governments, businesses and NGOs worldwide* The essential guide for all impact assessment practitioners, business analysts, researchers, policymakers and international organizations* Written by two world-renowned practitioners and authors, with support from a wealth of international organizations and expertsA unique state-of-the-art analysis of the status and scope of SA, drawing on a wealth of international experiences and approaches. This fully comprehensive guide highlights how SA can be used to integrate the key environmental, social and economic (ESE) pillars of sustainability into decision-making at all levels-from policy to project to investment-by government, business and industry, or international organizations. Distilling both published and unpublished materials, as well as in-depth workshop discussions and contributions from a range of leading experts, organizations and agencies, this book provides an indispensable window into the field. It will be of significant value to professionals everywhere who are in need of a solid, practical guide to what constitutes SA and, more importantly, how and when it can be applied.

* The only comprehensive international sourcebook of SEA principles, approaches, and instruments with coverage of all major industrialized countries including the U.S., the U.K./Europe, Canada, Australia, Japan, and Korea, and more than 50 transitional and developing countries in Asia, Latin America, Africa, and the Pacific * The essential reference for all impact assessment practitioners, researchers, policymakers, aid and development agencies, and funders* Written by two world-renowned practitioners with support from the OECD, UNEP, and IIEDThis unique sourcebook provides a global, state-of-the-art review of the rapidly evolving field of strategic environmental assessment (SEA), describing trends in application and experience and practice across the globe in a variety of agencies and contexts. Drawing on published and unpublished material, and contributions from a wide range of individual experts, organizations, and agencies, it provides an unparalleled and invaluable understanding of what constitutes SEA and how and when it can be applied. It includes an international review of experience, practice, terminology, approaches, and tools of SEA, covering developed, transitional, and developing countries. A collection of case studies illustrates SEA practice in a range of countries and contexts. Included also: a full set of references and several appendices.

This book brings together the latest thinking in Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and considers the key question of whether the processes are having a positive impact on strategic decision making, both in Europe and worldwide. As governments move to develop green agendas, the book explores the challenges of working within national systems, as well as the strengths and weaknesses of sector-specific SEA. The importance of stakeholder engagement is considered, as is the question of how to turn NIMBYs into WIMBYs - that is, creating positive reasons to encourage development and allow local stakeholders to profit. In assessing ways in which the practice of SEA can provide a new agenda for the 21st Century, the chapters explore current and emerging approaches, procedures and methods, along with ways in which SEA can be linked with other planning tools. The role of research and academia is considered, and the book looks beyond the current status of SEA to address the question of how practitioners can capitalise on the potential of SEA to become integrated into high-level policy as a key element of climate change mitigation strategies. Each chapter is written by internationally renowned authors and based on many years of experience in the field. The book will be essential reading for forward-thinking practitioners and students of SEA.

This authoritative handbook, written and edited by forty international leaders in Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) practice and theory, is the most comprehensive state-of-the-art review of the field to date. The book surveys the full breadth and depth of SEA, bringing together a range of international perspectives and insights on the theoretical, methodological and institutional dimensions and practical issues of the field.Part I comprises a review of SEA frameworks in leading countries (Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the US), the European Union and developing regions (Africa, Asia, Latin America and Newly Independent States). Part 2 reviews SEA practice in several major sectors (energy, minerals, transport, water, development assistance and coastal zone management). Part 3 addresses the linkages between SEA and other comparable tools such as spatial planning and environmental management. Part 4 probes key cross-cutting issues in SEA, including how to address cumulative and transboundary effects. Part 5 identifies ways and means of SEA process and capacity development, focusing on how to improve and upgrade the theory and practice of the field. Part 6 examines the shift from conventional SEA towards more integrative approaches, drawing on experience and examples from a number of countries.This Handbook is the most comprehensive examination of SEA to date and is the essential reference for all practitioners, researchers, impact assessors, planners, environmental managers, policy-makers and regulators in all jurisdictions worldwide.Published with IAIA.

This book brings together the latest thinking in Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and considers the key question of whether the processes are having a positive impact on strategic decision making, both in Europe and worldwide. As governments move to develop green agendas, the book explores the challenges of working within national systems, as well as the strengths and weaknesses of sector-specific SEA. The importance of stakeholder engagement is considered, as is the question of how to turn NIMBYs into WIMBYs - that is, creating positive reasons to encourage development and allow local stakeholders to profit. In assessing ways in which the practice of SEA can provide a new agenda for the 21st Century, the chapters explore current and emerging approaches, procedures and methods, along with ways in which SEA can be linked with other planning tools. The role of research and academia is considered, and the book looks beyond the current status of SEA to address the question of how practitioners can capitalise on the potential of SEA to become integrated into high-level policy as a key element of climate change mitigation strategies. Each chapter is written by internationally renowned authors and based on many years of experience in the field. The book will be essential reading for forward-thinking practitioners and students of SEA.