ID: 1686
Presenting Author: Dennis van Peppen
Session: 592 - Streamlining IA in an era of global uncertainty
Status: pending
How can SEA remain an effective instrument for decision making in the Netherlands. Is it living up to its potential? How to prevent the instrument from becoming obsolete given the enormous challenges
The purpose of this paper is to discuss the position of SEA in Dutch strategic planning. The application of SEA is commonplace in the Netherlands. It is applied for all national programmes and national and regional spatial plans.
SEAs focus predominantly on plans related to the energy transition, water management, and strategic spatial development plans.
SEA is applied fairly late in the development of plans and policies in the Netherlands. It is merely used as check on these in the later stages of development. While having its benefits in terms of checks and balances, SEA is also conceived as a ‘paper tiger’ instrument.
Strategic spatial planning is facing big challenges in the Netherlands because of national transitions such climate mitigation and adaptation, strengthening biodiversity and the circular economy. These transitions are taking place in a vulnerable delta with strong competing demands such as agriculture, housing construction and industry. With a lack of political consensus and coordination, SEA could play a better role in bringing forward much earlier in planning processes environmental and social constraints and alternatives.
Why is this not happening? Is it because of the place of SEA in the development process of plans and policies and the lack of knowledge about what contribution SEA can make? Does it have to do with its reputation as a technocratic, compliance driven instrument? How can SEA become a more effective enabling instrument for strategic planning and what is needed for that? Or if not, what is the future of SEA in the Netherlands?
Dennis van Peppen is Director International at the Netherlands Commission for Environmental Assessment (NCEA). He has a background in international water management and political science