Volker Kleinschmidt – författare

This work consists of papers and final recommendations on Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA), presented at the 4th European EIA Workshop which was held from 29 May to 1 June 1997 in Potsdam, Germany. The main objectives of this workshop were to specify current SEA-related methodologies and procedures, and to identify major deficiencies; to identify constraints on SEA implementation in the Member States; and to identify SEA research and training needs and methods. The book contains contributions on recent SEA research developments and covers a wide range of topics, including a contribution from the European Commission on SEA developments in the EU, with a proposal for a council directive on the assessment of the effects of certain plans and programmes on the environment. Other papers, particularly from the Federal Environmental Ministries of the EU Member States, deal with SEA legislation and procedures in the European Community, an Austrian SEA study, EIA/SEA for structural funds and the development of environmental quality objectives, the Erlangen case study on SEA in land use planning, and SEA research strategy in Europe.The discussion is not limited to SEA for plans and programmes but also includes environmental assessment for policies, for instance the Danish experience with SEA in policy-making, environmental assessment of policies in The Netherlands, and inclusion of environmental considerations into Ministerial Recommendations for Cabinet's decisions by the Federal Government in Canada. The book shows that SEA is already part of some sectoral planning procedures within the Member States, mostly for land use planning. It is acknowledged to be a valuable instrument for including environmental considerations early in the planning process. There may be methodological, procedural or political constraints on implementation of SEA at all planning levels, but they can be overcome by practice and research.

SEA, in particular, one study which dealt with the I. WORKSHOP OBJECTIVES AND development of an overall research strategy for FINDINGS - INTRODUCTION EIAISEA. 2 On 4th December 1996, the Commission Volker Kleinschmidt & Dieter Wagner, passed a "Proposal for a Council Directive on the PRO TERRA TEAM GmbH / Stadt-und Assessment of the Effects of Certain Plans and Regionalplanung Dr. Paul G. Jansen) Programmes on the Environment". 3 Finally, after years of negotiations, there is a proposal for a SEA Directive which now has to be discussed within the institutions of the European Union and its Member States. The scope of the Potsdam workshop covers 1. INTRODUCTION Strategic Environmental Assessment for decisions above the project level, Le. for plans, programmes and policies. The principal tasks of the workshop Since 1990, the Directorate General XI of the were: European Commission has supported and co­ • to specify current SEA-related methodologies and ordinated several international expert meetings in procedures, to identify major deficiencies and to the field of "Environmental Impact Assessment". propose means of overcoming these, The participants of these meetings were drawn from • to identify constraints to SEA implementation in ministries, different branches of public administra­ the Member States and means of overcoming tion, EIA-Centres and research institutes. The par­ these constraints, ticipants coming from different backgrounds ensured • to identify SEA research and training needs, intensive, interdisciplinary discussions. The previous training methods and means of implementing workshops have focused on the following topics: these.