Strategic Environmental Assessment: Integrated environmental management

Abstract

This document has been written for a wide audience. Its objective is to serve as an initial reference text. The aim is to provide an introductory information source to government authorities, environmental practitioners, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), industry, project proponents, academics, students and other interested and affected parties (I&APs). This document focuses on concepts, principles and the general characteristics of SEA. In Section 3, the benefits of SEA are presented. Thereafter, certain milestones in the evolution of SEA internationally, and in South Africa, are briefly described. In Section 5, examples of principles and performance criteria for SEA are listed and in Section 6 key characteristics of selected SEA approaches are summarised. Recommendations for best practice are listed in Section 7. This document does not prescribe or recommend specific methods, but rather provides an overview of the nature of SEA.