SEA Examples / Outcome Profiles

 

In Hong Kong, besides the project EIA system that has been well established with more than 15 years of experience, SEA has also been applied to major policies and planning strategies. A key basis for such evaluation is a requirement for information on environmental implications to be included in submissions made to the highest level decision-making body, the Executive Council. SEAs in Hong Kong can be generally grouped into 3 categories, i.e. territorial land use planning, transportation strategies and policies, as well as sectoral strategies and policies. Some case studies try to illustrate how we have been applying SEA at the strategic and regional level. They also indicate how SEAs have influenced the formulation and selection of strategies and regional development options. With the appropriate strategic environmental input to the decision making process, various potential environmental damages and problems were avoided. All these contribute to the final achievement of maintaining Hong Kong's environmental sustainability.