Abstract
This paper develops a comparative overview of SEA in Kenya, Tanzania and South Africa regarding legal, institutional and procedural perspectives, in order to assess their effectiveness and unveil main constrains. It is clear from this brief review that SEA is a tool of environmental governance that is of growing importance in East and Southern Africa. With regards to the institutional and legal framework, both Kenya and Tanzania have formal provisions for SEA, but no specific legislation. The main constrains on SEA effectiveness are related to the lack of a clear mandate and institutional framework, guidelines for procedures and public participation. As this analysis and case studies from the three countries examined here reveal, Kenya, Tanzania, and South Africa have expanded their use of SEA as a preventive mechanism for environmental policy and to enhance the efficiency of strategic decisions. While each of these countries has made great strides in developing the SEA process and integrating it into their decision-making processes, much work remains to be done. Ongoing refinement to the SEA process, both within this region and elsewhere in the world, will mean that this important tool integrates sustainable environmental management principles and practices into policies, plans, and programmes and the decision-making process.
Highlights
Strategic environmental assessment (SEA) is recognised as an important decision support tool for integrating environmental considerations along with social and economic considerations into proposed policies, plans andHow to cite this paper: Rebelo, C. and Guerreiro, J. (2016) The State of Sea Systems and Practices in East and Southern Africa
This paper provides a comparative overview of SEA systems and practices in Kenya, Tanzania, and South Africa from legal, institutional, and procedural perspectives in order to assess their effectiveness through critical review of selected case studies
Formal provisions for SEA can be made under Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) or other legislation, or separate administrative orders or policy guidelines
Summary
Strategic environmental assessment (SEA) is recognised as an important decision support tool for integrating environmental considerations along with social and economic considerations into proposed policies, plans andHow to cite this paper: Rebelo, C. and Guerreiro, J. (2016) The State of Sea Systems and Practices in East and Southern Africa. The following issues are addressed: Which concept of SEA is followed? Are SEA models followed effectively? What are the main constrains and gaps to effective SEA processes? Is there a pattern for an effective institutional framework and procedural arrangements for SEA processes? What are the steps for improving existing SEA systems and practices in these three countries?
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