Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
13 Requirements and Issues with Implementing
SEA as a Sustainable Development
Instrument in Ukraine
Dmytro Palekhov and Michael Schmidt
Department of Environmental Planning, Brandenburg University of Technology
(BTU), Cottbus, Germany
13.1 Introduction
This chapter aims to discuss the requirements and issues associated with the im-
plementation of Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) as an instrument for
sustainable development in Ukraine.
Having signed the UNECE SEA Protocol in 2003 (UNECE 2003), Ukraine ac-
tually recognised the necessity of using, at the national level, the European
mechanisms for preventive environmental regulation. Implementation of SEA
procedure into the practice of public administration in Ukraine, similar to other
countries with economies in transition, is of principal importance for the balanced
social and economic development, while preserving natural resources and securing
quality of the environment. Furthermore, the practical application of SEA as an in-
strument for devising strategies promoting sustainable development requires spe-
cial studies on adaptation of SEA procedure for national practice. It is important to
critically evaluate the status and potential of SEA procedure, while taking into ac-
count the specific conditions, institutional realities and political circumstances in
the country.
The main focus of this chapter is therefore to reflect on the main reasons for,
and benefits from, implementation of SEA as an instrument aiding sustainable de-
velopment in Ukraine. With this view, the chapter has the following objectives:
•
to analyse the main principles of sustainable development and distinctive fea-
tures of the Ukrainian approach towards their realisation;
•
to analyse the characteristics of Ukrainian environmental assessment system
and potential place for SEA within it; and
•
to define the criteria reflecting the effectiveness of applying SEA as an instru-
ment aiding sustainable development.
In this context, this chapter supplements and continues the studies on potential of
SEA as a planning and decision-making tool in Ukraine. The chapter starts by ex-
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