Welcome
The SEA Focal Point is the national competent authority for the implementation of the Strategic Environmental Assessment regulations and is composed of a chair and two members.
Strategic Environmental Assessment sets a framework for the provision of a high-level protection to the environment by ensuring that the environmental dimension is integrated in the preparation and adoption of plans and programmes. These regulations also contribute towards the promotion of sustainable development by ensuring that plans and programmes are environmentally well assessed and subject to the widest possible level of public consultation.
SEA seeks to address environmental impacts and deterioration at the strategic level , assisting policy-makers to identify best environmental options early in the decision-making process (at plan or programme-making stage), before specific development project proposals have been prepared. SEAs are intended to commence concurrently with the development of plans and programmes to ensure that these provide a constant input that will allow the plan or programme to factor in the environmental dimension at all stages of its development. The SEA also serves as a tool for the assessment of proposed options at the earliest possible stage, with a view to ensure that proposed options are revised to take into account findings resulting from the SEA process.
The applicability of SEAs extends to plans and programmes that are prepared by a national, regional or local authority or which are prepared by an authority for adoption through a legislative procedure by Parliament or Government and which are required by legislative, regulatory or administrative provisions, which set the framework for future development consent of projects listed in Annexes I and II to Directive 85/337/EEC ( as then amended in Directive 2014/52/EU); or which in view of the likely effect on sites, have been determined to require an assessment pursuant to Article 6 or 7 of Directive 92/43/EEC.
The SEA legislation applies to public plans and programmes in certain sectors, amongst which energy, land-use planning, transport, tourism, water, industry, telecommunications, waste management, and agriculture. Thus, entities within government developing plans, programmes, strategies, policies and in particular cases also legislation, should embark on an SEA process after conducting a screening process, for consideration by the SEA Focal Point, to determine whether an SEA is required.
SEA also provides for a consultative mechanism that, together with the environmental assessment undertaken, feeds into the design of plans and programmes in order to integrate environmental considerations. The SEA process should seek to enhance the policy-making process, public participation, and the environmental transparency of plans and programmes with the ultimate aim of contributing towards the goal of sustainable development.
The main deliverable of an SEA is the Environmental Report wherein the likely significant effects, including transboundary ones, that the plan or programme and its alternatives could have on the environment are identified, evaluated and mitigated. The Environment Report is submitted for public consultation, with a subsequent revised report being expected. This revised report should reflect such consultations and show how these were integrated.
An SEA also takes into account the possible transboundary effects on other Member States as a result of the proponent’s plan impacting other Member States.
