Strategic environmental assessment consists of a range of analytical and participatory approaches that aim to integrate environmental considerations into policies, plans and programmes and evaluate the inter-linkages with economic and social considerations.

As development agencies switch their emphasis from supporting individual projects to providing support for broad policies and strategies, SEAs are becoming more urgent and necessary. But while these assessments are widely considered the best way forward, moving from concept to action and towards results has varied.

Our involvement in the Strategic Environmental Assessment Network has enabled us to produce guidance notes to promote a more harmonised, effective approach to SEA, working alongside key donor and development agencies.