The second review of Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) effectiveness in Ireland is currently being carried out by an EPA-funded project entitled: ‘Follow-on Review of Effectiveness of SEA in Ireland’ by .
The project aims to evaluate the on-going progress made in implementing Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) in Ireland since the first review published in 2012, and to identify areas or gaps where further improvements are required. The findings will be used to update the SEA Action Plan as well as to inform the European Commission’s regulatory fitness and performance (REFIT) of the SEA Directive.
The project has progressed significantly since its inception on 31st March 2018. The methodology has been defined, including the selection of plan/programme SEAs covering a range of sectors and planning hierarchies that conform the case studies to be reviewed. Consultation with key stakeholders through an international online survey and targeted interviews has also been initiated.
Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) is the process by which environmental considerations are required to be fully integrated into the preparation of plans and programmes prior to their final adoption. The objectives of SEA are to provide for a high level of protection of the environment and to promote sustainable development.
Environmental impact assessment (EIA) is used to identify the environmental and social impacts of a proposed project prior to decision-making in order to predict environmental impacts at an early stage in project planning and design, while strategic environmental assessment (SEA) is used at the policy, planning and programming levels.
Verde Environmental Consultants in-house expertise in the main Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) disciplines and strategic partnerships enables us to efficiently project manage the EIA process, including:
- Initial screening
- Scoping
- Alternatives evaluations
- EIA / EIS preparation
- Presentation at public enquiry