Keysheets and Cases

Cases

Challenges and solutions for River Basin & Delta planning

Highlights and recommendations from three ESIA's carried for the oil and gas sector in Uganda

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ESIA and SEA for Sustainable Hydropower Development

Since 1993, the NCEA has been involved in several hydropower projects and energy policies. Nowadays, the role of environmental and social impact assessment (ESIA) in assessing, avoiding, mitigating and compensating the impacts of large hydropower projects, is fairly well known. Less known is the positive role of strategic environmental assessment (SEA) in developing a more
sustainable energy sector vision, including a possible role for hydropower. Based on our experiences, in this Views & Experiences we share some examples and findings on the added value of environmental assessment and how to get the most out of it.

ESIA and SEA for responsible mining

Environmental and social impact assessment (ESIA) and strategic environmental assessment (SEA) can
enhance the mining sector’s contribution to sustainable development and avoid or reduce negative consequences for the natural environment and people. While the role of ESIA in large mining projects is well known, the positive role of SEA in developing a sector vision on responsible mining has only recently become apparent. The same applies to the role of SEA in integrating mining activities in the broader context of regional development planning and in aligning these activities with existing policies on for example biodiversity.

ESIA and SEA for the oil and gas sector - 3 country cases

The expansion of extractive industries and their effect on the environment throughout the world has made the need for sound environmental assessment more pressing than ever. The NCEA has advised in the pas 25 years on various oil and gas related projects and (sector) plans. In the last ten years, we saw a shift in our focus from ESIA for projects towards SEA for plans and programmes, thereby integrating environmental and social issues in the strategic level. In this case we share some observations and experiences with SEAs in this sector, using examples from Ghana, Mauritania and Bolivia.

Keysheets

SEA and Land Governance

Sustainable solutions for challenges in land governance require mechanisms that may go beyond what is currently being used in land governance systems. SEA closely links to land governance because it frequently deals with plans and decisions that influence the way land resources are allocated, used and managed. SEA for spatial plans such as regional, land use or river basin plans seems to be gaining momentum. In this key sheet, we explore the relation between SEA and land governance.

Strategic Environmental Assessment - an introduction

What is SEA? - A tool to structure debate in the preparation of policies, plans and programmes; feed this debate through a robust assessment of the environmental and social consequences; ensure that the results are taken into account during decision making and implementation.

Country specific SEA introduction programmes

SEA can only be effective if it is country specific. In this keysheet, we set out 8 questions that need to be addressed when designing a tailor-made SEA system.

Independent advice on ESIA for complex projects

Why would you need independent advice? What is the added value and will it help you to make the initiatives in your country more sustainable?

Two key sheets: ESIA and SEA for the extractives

With the continuing expansion of the extractive industries and their effect on the environment, the need for sound environmental assessment is more pressing than ever. We provide more information on issues in the oil and gas sector and in the mining sector.

ESY-MAP: a tool to analyse country ESIA Systems

ESY-MAP is a tool for assessing the quality of a national ESIA system. Practitioners involved in ESIA analyse ESIA requirements and performance with a standard set of questions.

The NCEA: our international work

Internationally, we support environment and sectoral ministries, professionals and non-governmental organisations in mainly developing countries to improve their practice. Through advice, coaching, capacity development and knowledge sharing.

Gender in environmental assessment

This key sheet shows how environmental assessment can promote gender equality and how it can benefit from integrating gender considerations.

ESIA helpdesk for the private sector

Practically every country in the world has ESIA legislation, but the requirements differ. It can be difficult to find your way around the regulations and institutions involved. We provides advice on ESIA in many countries, and can help you on your way.

NCEA's System Approach for ESIA / SEA effectiveness

If we want to understand SEA /ESIA effectiveness, we need to take into consideration the whole SEA/ESIA system in the country. This means that we also include the regulatory framework, awareness and commitment, education, and compliance and enforcement.

Capacity Development

The systems approach is the basis for our capacity development programmes. How this is implemented, including specific activities and tools, can be found in the key sheet on our work.

SEA coaching

Is Strategic Environmental Assessment new in your country? Would you like to know where to start, which issues could play a role, how to develop a roadmap, or how to coordinate the process? Then coaching might be an option to improve your SEA process.