Developing SEA as a strategic tool and applying it to specific policies, projects or initiatives
Strategic Environmental Assessment is a conceptual tool and a methodology. Developed to provide a more holistic, strategic and critical form of assessment than more traditional approaches, it now has a legislative basis and application in many jurisdictions. One part of the research would be to subject the SEA approach itself to conceptual scrutiny and analysis.
As a tool or approach it has been and can be applied to a wide range of initiatives, from the development of policy, through to quite specific projects. In Vietnam, there is now a legal requirement for example that Provinces will apply SEA to all their future plans and policies for development. It can and has been applied to whole industries or sectors, such as agriculture, and as part of the decision making about construction and location of hydro electric power stations. The empirical research would therefore focus in on a policy, plan, initiative or project, and apply this tool and set of techniques for critical assessment.
For further information about this topic contact Associate Professor Mick Paddon
