Routledge European and International Experiences of Strategic Environmental Assessment: Recent progress and future prospects

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. About the Author Barry Sadler has more than 40 years’ experience in the field of impact assessment as a practitioner, analyst and advisor to a number of international organisations; his main areas of interest are in strategic environmental assessment and sustainability appraisal. Jiří Dusík is Managing Partner at Integra Consulting and has been involved in various projects on the development of SEA systems, guidance and practice in Europe and Asia since 1997.