Strategic Environmental Assessment in Development Cooperation

1. Strategic Environmental Assessment in Development Cooperation A practice-orientatedtraining based on the OECD Guidance Axel Olearius, Harald Lossack (German Technical Cooperation / GTZ) IAIA 2007, Seoul

2. Questions • Why is SEA increasingly important in the context of international development cooperation ? • What are characteristics of capacity development approaches within German Technical Cooperation (GTZ)? • How does the GTZ/InWEnt SEA training look like? Where has it been delivered? • Lessons learnt?

3. SEA and Development CooperationThe International Context • SEA directly supports MDG 7: “to integrate the principles of sustainable development into country policies and programmes and reverse loss of environmental resources” • Paris Declarationon Aid Effectiveness highlights importance of SEA in harmonising approaches to environmental assessment (§40-42) • Shift from project-based to programme- and policy-based development cooperation • OECD Development Assistance Committee - SEA Task Team: Elaboration of Guidance for SEA

4. German Technical Cooperation - GTZ • Government-owned corporation with international operations • Implements contracts for the German Federal Government (Minist. f. Economic Cooperation and Development) and other clients • Furthers political, economic, ecological and social development worldwide, and so seeks to improve people’s living conditions • Provides services that support development and reform processes

5. Objectives of GTZ/InWENt SEA Training • To introduce concept and use of SEA and illustrate the process through a fictitious case study (transport programme, PRSP, biofuels); • To relate lessons learnt from the case study to the participants’ context and to train them how to apply it in their daily work; • To strengthen respective capacities to implement own SEA strategies and to cope with existing legislation.

6. Training Target Groups In developing & transition countries: • Administration officials and planners in environment, planning, sector ministries. • National SEA consultants/experts • NGO representatives Within donor agencies: • planners and consultants in environment, planning, and other sectors

7. Training Methodology I Based on the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC) Guidance: Applying SEA. Good Practice Guidance for Development Co-operation, Paris 2006. SEA Capacity Development: • “Non-blueprint approach” • Outcome/result orientation • Learning orientation

8. Training Methodology II • Uses Harvard Business School Case Methodology • Practical ‘case work‘ (only short introductory lecture) • Allows discussion on locally/regionally appropriate SEA approaches • Conclusions formulated through joint debate • Illustrated by real life examples

9. Case Materials • Fictitious country Ganama. Fact sheet gives background information • Case works on SEA for formulation of a transport infrastructure programme, PRSP (under preparation: land-use planning & biofuels) • Folder includes further background information on SEA (country related SEA documents, OECD Guidance, etc.) • Languages: English, French, Spanish, Vietnamese

10. Modules of the training Introduction to SEA Case works • Link P/P/P and SEA, design appropriate strategy for SEA • Determine the right issues and scope of assessment • Analyze the baseline trends (zero alternative) • Assess proposed development objectives and elaborate their alternatives • Assess proposed actions and consider their alternatives • Use effective means of participation • Ensure sufficient management and monitoring in implementation of the P/P/P • Manage SEA efficiently within budgetary and time constraints Evaluation and Follow-up of the GTZ/InWent SEA Training + Further inputs, resources, reading materials & „action learning elements“

11. Example of Case work Review of planning process (“linking P/P/P to SEA”)

12. (1) Participants receive... …Information about the aims of different tasks of an SEA e.g. the aim of “linking the Policy, Plan or Programme to SEA” is: • To ensure that SEA provides inputs early enoughand in appropriate formto be used in the formulation of the P/P/P • To maximize cooperationwith the planners savingtime and resourcesfor undertaking SEA • To ensure that SEA is effective and meets its purpose • Identify realistic potential of SEA in particular case

13. (2) Participants read... …the handout “Introduction to the exercise”: The Ministry of Transport (MoT) initiated the elaboration of a “Transport Infrastructure Programme for Ganama”. The proposed programme will be elaborated during the next 10 months and will involve the following tasks: • Identification of current problems and issues (month 1-2) • Formulation of objectives and priorities of the transport programme (month 3-4 ) • Formulation of measures to implement the strategy (month 5-7) • Proposal of implementation and monitoring arrangements regarding the transport programme (month 8) • (…)

14. (3) Participants work on... …the instructionfor the case work e.g. the instruction for “linking Policy, Plan or Programme to SEA”: • At what steps of the transport programming process would you see the right locations of the basic analytical and preparatory steps of the SEA? • Which obstacles could you imagine in performing these tasks and how to overcome them? • Are there any consultations that would be carried out within SEA? Whom would you involve and when? (…)

15. (4) Participants discuss... …the results and challenges of the task (e.g. “linking P/P/P to SEA”): (5) Participants receive… …information on different options and “solutions“

16. (6) Participants & Trainer draw… …conclusions of case work and link them to their own context of plans, programmes and policies. e.g. conclusions for “linking P/P/P and SEA” could be: • Ensure that planners are involvedin this debate - let them explain the planning process and agree on the best objectives of the SEA and timing of SEA inputs • Try to build up on already existing environmental analyses and consultations in the P/P/P(however partial) – avoid duplications and try to improve what is already there • Do not be disappointed if the planning does not operate as perfect process(it never is in reality)

17. Examples of Applications (I) • Tunisia: Cumulative impact assessment / SEA for Infrastructure Programme • Namibia:Land-use planning / Environmental Management Bill • Mauritania: National env. assessment approach (including emerging extractive industry in the offshore oil sector)

18. Examples of Applications (II) • Indonesia: Strategic advice on Tsunami-reconstruction measures, trainer pool for SEA; lessons learnt provide source for infrastructure programmes at national level • Vietnam: Integration of interests of the National Park Tam Dao into District / Province-socioeconomic development planning; national capacity development program Train-the-trainers in Bonn 06/2006: Participants from South Africa, Vietnam, Indonesia, Tunisia, Morocco, Australia, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Germany)

19. Examples of Applications (III) • International Association for Impact Assessment (IAIA): training prior to annual conference 2007 in Seoul • McGill University Canada : McGill-UNEP Intern. Master Programme in Environmental Assessment • African Development Bank: Capacity Development in context of ADB Directives • Asian Development Bank: “Core Environment Program” in the greater Mekong Subregion; discussion on joint support for capacity development program in Vietnam; • EASY-ECO 2005-2007:EU's Sixth Framework Programme for Research and Development - Marie Curie Actions, UNEP, University of Manchester, REC…and GTZ • 15th Session of the UN Commission on Sustainable Development; Learning Center event by OECD, UNDP & GTZ Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD-15)

20. Lessons learnt • Training very useful as kick-off for broader capacity development approaches • There is no “blueprint” for SEA, however: to introduce the adapted concept of SEA, methodology of training seems to be key • Good Experienced SEA-Expert & experiences Moderator necessary

21. Thank you very much!Further Information on the GTZ/InWEnt SEA Training: • GTZ Poject “Rioplus” (Bonn): Axel.Olearius@gtz.de; Harald.Lossack@gtz.de • Flyer: GTZ/InWEnt SEA Training • Reports of several trainings available on SEA Taskteam website: • www.seataskteam.net • www.gtz.de