Establishment of the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) System in the Republic of Moldova

Abstract

Sustainable development cannot be achieved without a sound environmental policy and management system. Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) is a systematic process that integrates environmental considerations into decision-making and can be used as an efficient environmental management tool. The objective of this paper is to describe a coherent approach for establishment of the SEA system in the Republic of Moldova. The 2005 EU-Moldova Action Plan envisages the adoption of additional legal acts for key environmental sectors, based on EU environmental acquits and, therefore, the creation of further national legislative framework is essential. Currently, the existing system of environmental assessment in the Republic of Moldova is accomplished by two activities: state ecological expertise and environmental impact assessment (EIA). The establishment of SEA can be done in one of two ways: (i) amending the Law on Ecological Expertise and Environmental Impact Assessment, or (ii) drafting a new Law on SEA. Moreover, there is no specific structure dealing with SEA, except the Focal Point for Espoo Convention. In order to comply with the provisions of the SEA Protocol and Directive, the Republic of Moldova has to designate a Competent Authority for Environmental Assessment that will deal with EIA and SEA. This can be done in one of three alternative ways: (i) to establish new institution subordinated to the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources of the Republic of Moldova (MoENR), or (ii) to establish new department within the MoENR, or (iii) to reorganise functions and responsibilities of existing departments of the MoENR.