1 / 8

the contribution of sea to energy sector planning

the contribution of sea to energy sector planning. Lisa White Ph.D. Candidate School of Environment and Sustainability University of Saskatchewan May 29 th , 2012. Research objectives. SEA has been slow to evolve in the energy sector Can SEA contribute to energy sector planning?

hoai
Download Presentation

the contribution of sea to energy sector planning

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. the contribution of sea to energy sector planning Lisa White Ph.D. Candidate School of Environment and Sustainability University of Saskatchewan May 29th, 2012

  2. Research objectives • SEA has been slow to evolve in the energy sector • Can SEA contribute to energy sector planning? • Decisions about energy development have significant sustainability implications • Need to understand & advance SEA in energy sector planning & decision-making • Role & contributions of SEA in energy sector planning are examined • electricity sector in particular • Determination of best practice SEA process elements & outcomes • Implications?

  3. Methods • Review of 6 international SEA case studies • UK, Sweden, Portugal, Wisconsin, Ontario & Nova Scotia • Level of application, spatial scales & formal/informal SEA process used • 25 documents reviewed &14 interviews conducted • Questions regarding purpose, timing, regulatory requirements, process steps & outcomes

  4. Results – SEA process • 3 cases considered alternatives • 6 cases assessed impacts of the PPP: • Five used social, economic and environmental criteria • Qualitatitive methods dominate • 6 cases had participation & engagement • Ranged from simple to complex forms • 6 cases proposed monitoring of some form

  5. Results – SEA outcomes • Increased understanding & knowledge in 5 cases • Improved communication & institutional learning in 6 cases • SEA influenced PPP decision-making in 5 cases • Tiering to lower level decision-making promoted in 6 cases • Although only demonstrated in two cases

  6. Discussion • Some evidence of good SEA process & PPP influence • Consideration of alternatives is poor • Qualitative impact assessment methodologies are dominant • Early SEA application is more influential • Participation has both direct & more subtle benefits • Tiering is alive & well

  7. Implications • SEA can & does contribute to improved PPPs in the energy sector • Awareness of environmental issues & PPP options • Institutional learning • Early application that includes alternatives • Tiering • Barriers to SEA realizing its full potential • Lack of early application, lack of alternatives, restrictions set out by higher-level policies • Better SEA guidance needed in the future

  8. Questions? I would like to thank: Wayne Clifton, Clifton Associates Ltd., for his generous support of my academic endeavours Dr. Bram Noble, School of Environment and Sustainability, for his support and advice throughout my studies

More Related