A methodology for reviewing the quality of strategic environmental assessments in development cooperation

A methodology is described for reviewing the quality of strategic environmental assessments (SEAs) and identifying problems associated with them. It was developed to support the work of the OECD DAC SEA Task Team and designed for application to SEAs undertaken in the context of development cooperation. The methodology is based on internationally accepted principles and elements of good practice and is question-based. Three modules separately address three core attributes of SEA: compliance with requirements, technical quality, and utility and benefits of the SEA. The methodology is applicable in various ways from a relatively quick desk exercise taking one or two days and conducted by an individual, to a longer review involving a team with fieldwork, ground-truthing and stakeholder engagement (e.g. for a multi-country SEA). A range of factors that need to be addressed in reviewing SEAs are considered. Independent and trial applications of the methodology to SEAs for development cooperation in Ukraine, the Caribbean and Namibia have shown that it can be usefully and successfully applied in this context.