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SEA Protocol Resource Manual

Resource Manual to Support Application of the Protocol on Strategic Environmental Assessment
Electronic-only publication, available in English, and Russian.
Informal translations by OSCE in Armenian, Azerbaijani and Georgian.
(ECE/MP.EIA/17, 208 pp.)
The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (ECE) Protocol on Strategic Environmental Assessment to the Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context (Espoo Convention) was adopted in Kyiv in May 2003. The Protocol entered into force in July 2010 and, as of mid-2011. The Protocol is not limited to States in the ECE region; any Member State of the United Nations may accede upon approval to the Protocol.
This Resource Manual to Support Application of the Protocol on Strategic
Environmental Assessment was developed as decided by the Meeting of the Signatories to the Protocol in June 2004.
The Manual does not constitute formal legal or other professional advice, but
instead provides guidance to those applying the Protocol or supporting others in
doing so.

Contents


Abbreviations and Acronyms
Introduction to the Manual
0.1 Preamble
0.2 Purpose, target audience and status
0.3 Structure
0.4 Revision and adaptation of the manual

Part A: Application of the Protocol
Chapter A1 A brief introduction to strategic environmental assessment
A1.1 Introduction to the chapter
A1.2 What is SEA?
A1.3 Benefits and costs of SEA
A1.4 Guiding principles for application of SEA
A1.5 Some broader considerations

Chapter A2 Integration of SEA into plan and programme making
A2.1 Introduction to the Chapter
A2.2 Plan and programme making, SEA and the links between them
A2.3 Practical approaches to integrating SEA into plan and programme making
A2.4 Options for applying the Protocol during plan and programme making

Chapter A3 Determining whether plans and programmes require SEA under the Protocol
A3.1 Introduction to the Chapter
A3.2 Legal obligations
A3.3 Detailed description of tests
A3.4 Possible practical arrangements

Chapter A4 SEA of plans and programmes
A4.1 Introduction to the chapter
A4.2 Scoping and environmental report
A4.3 Public participation
A4.4 Consultation with authorities
A4.5 Transboundary consultations
A4.6 Decision
A4.7 Monitoring

Chapter A5 Overview of basic tools for SEA
A5.1 Introduction to the chapter
A5.2 Analytical and participatory tools in SEA
A5.3 Overview of basic analytical tools
A5.4 Overview of basic public participation tools

Chapter A6 Policies and legislation
A6.1 Introduction to the chapter
A6.2 Possible approaches

Part B: Trainer’s Guide
Chapter B1 Capacity-development framework for the Protocol
B1.1 Introduction to the chapter
B1.2 Introduction to capacity development for the Protocol
B1.3 Capacity assessment
B1.4 Tips for designing SEA capacity-development strategies
B1.5 Concluding remarks

Chapter B2 Example structure of practical exercise for use in training course on the Protocol
 
B2.1 Introduction to the chapter
B2.2 Tasks for work on a case study