2009年-世界发展银行全球_Strategic_Environmental_Assessment___Improving_Water_Resources_Governance_and_Decision_Making_90页_1mb

Strategic Environmental Assessment: Improving Water Resources Governance and Decision Making

Core Content

This document presents a strategic environmental assessment (SEA) framework aimed at improving water resources governance and decision-making. It outlines the role of SEAs in integrating environmental considerations into water sector policies, strategies, and programs, and discusses lessons from global case studies and a detailed pilot study in Tanzania.

Main Report Overview

Objectives of the Report

• To help water resources and environment professionals use SEAs effectively for IWRM implementation.
• To analyze 10 global case studies of SEAs in the water sector, four national and state water policies, and an in-depth pilot study in Tanzania.
• To propose a framework for expanding the use of SEAs in integrated water resources management.

Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM)

Key Principles

• Multisectoral water management: Coordination across different sectors to ensure efficient and equitable use of water.
• Stakeholder participation and devolution of responsibility: Involving diverse stakeholders in decision-making processes.
• Use of economic instruments: Incorporating market-based approaches and private sector involvement in water management.

Challenges in Implementation

• Despite widespread acceptance of IWRM, its implementation in developing countries has been limited and often disjointed.
• Environmental sustainability is not consistently integrated into IWRM practices.
• Environmental water management is frequently addressed in an ad hoc manner and not prioritized in key water decisions.

Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA)

Definition and Purpose

• SEA is an environmental planning tool used to assess the potential impacts of strategic-level policies, legislation, strategies, plans, and programs (PLSPPs).
• It aims to improve public policy design and governance of natural resources by integrating environmental, social, and economic considerations.

Key Characteristics

• Institutional controls: SEA requires institutional support and oversight.
• Operational competence: The SEA team must have a balanced composition and understanding of cross-sectoral impacts.
• Spatial scale: The scope of the SEA should match the complexity and scale of the issues being assessed.

Lessons from Global Water-Sector SEAs

Institutional Drivers

• Procedural drivers: Legislative requirements and oversight institutions were important but not sufficient on their own.
• Evaluative drivers: Strong institutional evaluation and public pressure enhanced SEA effectiveness.
• Instrumental drivers: Recommendations from external bodies, such as the World Bank, played a significant role.
• Professional drivers: Expertise and stakeholder engagement were critical for successful SEA implementation.

Procedural Factors

• Clear Terms of Reference (TORs) are essential for effective SEA.
• The team composition should balance different sectors and expertise.
• Assessment methods must be tailored to the specific issues and context.
• Consultation and participation are crucial, especially involving stakeholders directly affected by the decisions.

Substantive Factors

• The integration of environmental, social, and economic considerations is as important as the outputs of the SEA.
• Effective SEAs can lead to policy reforms, institutional changes, and implementation of water-related programs.
• SEAs can be cost-effective, with some costing less than $100,000.
• Environmental sustainability is not always the primary driver of SEAs, though it plays a key role in many cases.

Lessons from Tanzanian Water Sector Reforms

Key Reforms

• The 2002 National Water Policy emphasized environmental sustainability and multisectoral management.
• Six water-related SEAs had already been conducted in Tanzania before the 2004 environmental legislation required them.
• The water and energy sectors were identified as priority sectors for environmental integration.

Findings

• Simply having the water sector sensitized to environmental issues and legislative requirements is not enough.
• Other water-using sectors (e.g., agriculture, energy) must also reform their policies and strategies.
• SEAs can serve as a coordination tool across sectors to ensure consistency and support for environmental sustainability.

Framework for Expanding SEA Use in IWRM

1. Bridge disciplinary perspectives

   • Encourage understanding and collaboration between environmental and water resources professionals.

2. Establish an enabling environment

   • Harmonize sectoral policies to support IWRM and environmental protection.
   • Encourage the use of appropriate SEA types and promote stakeholder participation.

3. Build capacity

   • Develop awareness and understanding of SEAs among senior decision-makers and sectoral staff.
   • Ensure access to quality water resources data to support SEA analysis.

4. Plan SEAs effectively

   • Use experienced team leaders.
   • Ensure clear TORs and tailored analytical procedures.
   • Carefully plan stakeholder engagement throughout the SEA process.

Key Information and Recommendations

Key Information

• SEAs can contribute to IWRM by integrating environmental sustainability into strategic decision-making.
• SEAs are effective in promoting stakeholder participation and multisectoral coordination.
• The economic instruments are underutilized in SEA processes, though some cases show potential for their application.
• The Tanzanian pilot study highlights the need for broader sectoral reforms and coordination.

Recommendations

• Use SEAs to mainstream environmental considerations in water sector policies, strategies, and institutional reforms.
• Develop a framework that supports the use of diverse SEA types and ensures stakeholder involvement.
• Promote the use of economic instruments to support sustainable water management.
• Enhance institutional capacity and data availability to ensure effective SEA implementation.

Conclusion

Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEAs) offer a valuable tool for improving water resources governance and decision-making by integrating environmental sustainability into strategic planning. While SEAs have shown promise in promoting multisectoral approaches, stakeholder participation, and policy reforms, their full potential in the water sector remains untapped. A comprehensive framework is needed to ensure that SEAs are effectively used across different levels of decision-making, and that environmental concerns are consistently incorporated into water resources management.