Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA): guidelines for Pacific island countries and territories

This publication ‘Strategic Environmental Assessment – Guidelines for Pacific Island Countries and
Territories’ has been prepared to provide guidance on the application of SEA as a tool to support
environmental planning, policy and informed decision making. It provides background on the use and
benefits of SEA as well as providing tips and guiding steps on the process, including case studies, toolkits
and checklists for conducting an SEA in the Appendices.

These guidelines are intended to assist the national and local authorities such as Environment
Agencies and National Planning Offices, development control agencies, municipal authorities, provincial
administrations and Strategic Development Offices in Pacific Island Countries and Territories with
an understanding of what Strategic Environmental Assessment is, the benefits that can be achieved
through its targeted use, and how and when to apply it to ensure that environmental and social matters
are integrated into policies, plans, programmes and projects. The guidelines can also be used by
other government sectors in terms of developing and implementing new policies and programs for the
government. These guidelines can also provide useful assistance to non-governmental organisations,
communities and all those seeking to broaden their capacities, with a view of better informed public
participation in strategic planning.