Strategic Environmental Assessment: Scoping Study Findings Mary M. Matthews, Ph.D. SEA Consultant for European Delegation

Overview Scoping Study Objectives Scoping Study Methodology Scoping Study Findings Institutional Assessment Stakeholders Involved Environmental Issues Most Important Lessons for the SEA

Scoping Study Objectives To identify concerns, priorities and roles of key stakeholders pertaining to the specific planning, programme and policy making process To identify which issue areas are most critical for the SEA focus To identify how the SEA can be most relevant to the decision making process

Scoping Study Methodology Identification of stakeholders, and development of the Stakeholder Engagement Plan (a living document) Meeting with stakeholders from multiple sectors, both impacting and affected Aggregating stakeholder concerns about key environmental, social and economic issues to serve as the basis for the Strategic Environmental Assessment*

Scoping Study Findings Initial Institutional Assessment Stakeholders Roles Environmental Issues

Institutional Assessment Overview of the policy, institutional and legislation framework: Vision 2020 Development Strategy Environmental Policy and Institutional Framework Agricultural Policy and Institutional Framework Labor Policy and Institutional Framework

Stakeholders Involved National Divestment Office Estate Management and Development Board (EMDB) Caroni (1975) Ltd. Agricultural Society Ministry of Planning, Housing, and Environment Environmental Management Authority Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA) Environmental Commission Ministry of Agriculture, Land, and Marine Resources (MALMR) MALMR Planning Office Trinidad and Tobago Agribusiness Association (TTABA) Agricultural Training (extension services) MALMR ResearchForestry Division University of West Indies (UWI), Agriculture Faculty Caroni Worker Farmers Private Cane Farmers Agricultural Development Bank (ADB) Federation of Independent Trade Unions and Non- Governmental Organizations International Development Organizations (UNDP/ECLAC)

Environmental Issues Environmental Water* Soil* Air Quality Climate Change* Biodiversity Human Health Socio-Economic Social Inclusiveness Cultural Heritage and Landscapes Economic Access Material Assets and infrastructure

Most Important Lessons for the SEA Importance of inter-sectoral cooperation Need to develop sustainable agricultural capacity and interest in export markets Wide range of environmental issues: Agricultural Residential Industrial Infrastructure Importance of social and economic factors on environment Multiple challenges = Multiple opportunities

Questions & Comments?