1. Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Manual Environmental Protection Department H. M. Wong 18 June 2005

2. Objectives of SEA Manual To provide government officials, decision makers and professionals with a set of systematic, user-friendly and practical guidance on SEA practice; To use examples to demonstrate how SEA can contribute proactively to a more sustainable outcomes and preclude major environmental problems; To illustrate and demonstrate in a step by step manner the techniques and principles in the application of an SEA process.

3. SEA Manual – Table of Content Part I What is SEA Part II SEA Mechanisms in Hong Kong Part IV Worldwide Experience & Trend Part III How to Conduct SEA

4. Why is SEA Important ? Facilitate the search of sustainable development options; Provide environmental information at the earliest stage of PPP formulation; Inform decision makers and the public about the environmental and sustainability implications of PPPs; Test out alternatives at a policy level before proceeding with site specific projects; Steer developments toward environmentally “robust” areas or away from environmentally sensitive areas; and Address at a high level the cumulative environmental impacts that cannot be addressed by project EIA.

5. Administrative Requirements for SEA for SEA In 1988, the Government required major landuse/ development plans to be subject to EIA process. Since 1992, environmental implications arising from the proposals should be stated clearly in all submissions to Executive Council. Policy Address 1999 requires all Policy Bureaus to carry out Sustainability Impact Assessment for major policy proposals. Requires “Sustainability Assessment” and “Sustainability Implications” for major proposals since April 2002. In 1988, the Government required major landuse/ development plans to be subject to EIA process. Since 1992, environmental implications arising from the proposals should be stated clearly in all submissions to Executive Council. Policy Address 1999 requires all Policy Bureaus to carry out Sustainability Impact Assessment for major policy proposals. Requires “Sustainability Assessment” and “Sustainability Implications” for major proposals since April 2002.

6. Statutory requirements for certain SEA Schedule 3 of the EIA Ordinance Major Designated Projects Requiring Environmental Impact Assessment Reports 1.Engineering feasibility study of urban development projects with a study area covering more than 20 ha or involving a total population of more than 100,000. 2.Engineering feasibility study of redevelopment projects with a study area covering more than 100,000 existing or new population. Schedule 3 of the EIA Ordinance Major Designated Projects Requiring Environmental Impact Assessment Reports 1.Engineering feasibility study of urban development projects with a study area covering more than 20 ha or involving a total population of more than 100,000. 2.Engineering feasibility study of redevelopment projects with a study area covering more than 100,000 existing or new population.

7. Methodology Development and Building success stories + major plans/ strategies some sustainability issues Wider Application Phase to Other sectors + Some policies + Strategic follow-up more sustainability driven Plans / Programme Trying Out Phase EIA issues 198819921995/9619982002 Types Issues Evolution of SEA in Hong Kong

8. When should SEA be Conducted To tie in with the Critical Juncture of Decision Making SEA Process in TDSR

9. How does SEA relate to the Project Life Cycle? Site selection, environmental screening, initial assessment, scoping of significant issues (PER Stage) Detailed assessment of significant impacts, identification of mitigation needs, Input to cost/benefit analysis (EIA Stage) Pre-feasibility Feasibility Implementation Design and Construction Monitoring and evaluation Project concept Detailed Design of Mitigation measures Implementation of mitigation measures and environmental strategy Monitoring and audit Rectify adverse impacts Lessons for future projects SEA Source : “EIA Training and Capacity Building Program for Government Works Departments” Common Applications of SEA

10. Interaction Between Planning, SEA and EIA Planning Approval Broad Land Use Patterns Scenarios Preferred Option Planning & SEA Strategic Planning or Sectoral Policy Studies Development Options Sub-regional Plan Development Strategy Statutory Plans Plan Implementation and Local Disposal Project Planning & EIA EIA Implementation Strategic Environmental Assessment Designated Projects Project Level EIA Environmental Controls during Construction and Operation Environmental Controls during Decommissioning Project Planning and Design Assessing Environmental Impact Against Established Criteria Technical Prevention & Mitigation Measures Environmental Monitoring & Audit Developing Detailed Source : “EIA Training and Capacity Building Program for Government Works Departments – EIA Training Manual” Common Applications of SEA

11. Generic Steps of SEA

12. Generic Steps of SEA (Steps 1 to 3) Continuous and earliest possible interaction with stakeholders and the public Re-consideration of objectives in view of environmental implications Step 1 Step 3 Step 2

13. Step 3:Screening and Scoping Propose of Screening To identify aspects of the PPPs having major and long terms environmental implications to facilitate informed decision and to pre-empt major environmental problems, while balancing the need of efficiency and avoid unnecessary assessments Purpose of Scoping To define the issues to be assessed, to what levels of detail and by what kind of methodologies Generic Steps of SEA

14. Ways of Screening : Checklists Source : The former Planning Environmental and Lands Bureau’s Technical Circular No. 10/98

15. Generic Steps of SEA (Steps 4 to 6) Step 4 Step 5 Step 6 Preparation Final Assessment

16. Step 4 : Assemble Relevant Baseline or Background Studies TDSR’s environmental baseline study identified a range of environmental constraints and environmentally sensitive areas and thus protecting these areas free from development Generic Steps of SEA

17. Step 6 :Identify Possible Options and their Environmental Implications In TDSR, the option of reclaiming Rambler Channel to the east of the Tsing Yi Island was eliminated and excluded for further study after consideration of SEA results. Generic Steps of SEA

18. Generic Steps of SEA (Steps 7 & 8) Step 7 Step 8 Continuous and earliest possible interaction with stakeholders and the public Initial Assessment

19. Require future follow-up actions such as environmental issues, mitigation measures and major assumptions. Example : CTS-3 EM&A   Task group was set up.   Regular update of EM&A findings and results. Strategic Follow-up (SEM&A) Step 8 :Determine follow up action, monitoring requirements

20. Application of SEA Processes to Different Types of PPPs Sectoral strategies and policies Transportation strategies and policies Territorial land use planning

21. Sectoral strategies and policies 1. 1.Nature and Scope Usually for very major infrastructure / facilities ; Usually high profile and restricted access during the course of SEA ; Timely environmental inputs are important, especially for alternative sites. 2. 2.Considerations Identify “no-go” areas at the onset; Carry out site search process in stages; Consider alternative approaches and sites over the territory; For decisions required within very short-time frame professional judgment based on best available information.

22. 1. 1.Nature and Scope Facilitating a “win-win” strategy/ policy to meet transport (social), environmental, and economic requirements. 2. 2.Considerations mode of transport ; alternatives and needs ; rail or road ; alignment options ; integration with environmental and landuse planning ; traffic management and control ; use of advance vehicle technologies; demand management Transportation Strategies and Policies

23. Territorial land use planning 1. 1.Nature and Scope Population Growth & strategic growth areas Transport & Other Supporting Infrastructure Ecologically Important Areas Spacial and Temporal Cumulative impacts 2. 2.Considerations Detailed evaluations at various levels should be carried out. Environmental & Planning objectives should be fully integrated. Use best estimates and predictions available. Undesirable elements should be screened out at each stage. Adopt different scenario for analysis and comparison. Analysis should focus on implications of “worst-case” scenarios. Define mitigation measures & follow-up review

25. Existing SEA website will be revamped to be more interactive and user-friendly. SEA website will be further improved, with hyperlinks to other environmental information or other SEA website overseas. Further actions in hand

29. Thank You