Part IV : Worldwide Experience and World Trend

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Major Trends and Issues affecting SEA

• Great demand for efficient and prompt decision-making and simplicity
• Need for comprehensive, reliable and affordable environmental information of proposals and alterantives
• Need for clarity on ecological criteria, energy and conservation policies

Obstacles to Faster/Smoother Development of SEA

• Lack of ownership from proponents
• Lack of win-win development alternatives
• Conventional assessment techniques not suitable
• Lack of knowledge and experience by consultants
• SEA moving faster than other international or local polices – assessment in a policy vacuum

How Can Quality be Improved

• Informed discussion on scoping and process
• More ownership and accountability from proponents (sticks and carrots)
• Early public consultation on key issues and criteria
• Integrate environmental considerations when options are being formulated by others

Recommendations on Ways and Means to Improve SEA

• SEA Guideline being prepared in HK to provide a concise framework for proponents/consultants to follow
• SEA examples and past SEA reports available and easily accessible by public, proponents, consultants
• Strategic follow-up and monitoring framework as a key feature of SEA
• Knowledge and experiences sharing across the globe
• More practical pragmatic research towards efficient, effective processes