A first of its kind planning tool for the Pacific region, Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA), is now officially published and available online for free download
The Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Guidelines for Pacific island countries and territories was developed to assist Pacific island governments in ensuring environmental and social considerations are fully integrated in national and sectorial development plans, policies, strategies and programmes.
The SEA Guidelines was developed with input through a series of extensive consultations with SPREP Members and partners which culminated in the approval of the Guidelines by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) Executive Board meeting on 5 September, 2020.
“The development of the SEA Guidelines at this time is crucial given the increasing interest to effectively address new emerging issues such as seabed mining and multiple development projects in the region and within our Pacific islands,” said Mr Kosi Latu, Director General of SPREP. “It also ensures environmental assessment is fully embedded in broader national and sectorial policy, planning and programmes to achieve sustainable development at a much larger scale.”
“I would like to encourage all those who are responsible for national planning, policy and programmes to make good use of the Guidelines to fully realise the benefits that can be achieved through its targeted use to ensure that environmental considerations are integrated into policies, plans, programmes and projects. On behalf of the Secretariat, I would like to convey our sincere appreciation to everyone who was involved in the development of the Guidelines. Your hard work has resulted in the successful completion and launch of this important planning tool.”
The SEA Guidelines are intended for use by all sectors including non-government organisations and development partners to guide and support planning and decision making for environmental sustainability and sustainable development at national and regional levels.
The SEA Guidelines are currently available in English. The French version will be available in November, 2020.
For more information on the SEA Guidelines please contact Mr. Jope Davetanivalu at [email protected] or Dr Gregory Barbara at [email protected].
Or visit the Pacific Network for Environmental Assessment (PNEA) website for information on environmental impact assessment and strategic environmental assessment: https://pnea.sprep.org/.