Strategic Environmental Assessment as a Tool for Achieving Climate Targets in Urban Planning

Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) is a policy-level assessment tool integrating environmental, social, economic considerations into decision-making on planning at an earlier stage - long before implementation begins and ensures follow up during environmental impact assessments (EIA). The legal and institutional frameworks of SEA and its science-grounded and stepwise evaluation process establish solid basis for tracking Sustainable Development Goals' (SDGs) implementation. It is an effective policy instrument and methodology applied in urban planning sector too which supports most of the SDGs, mainly, echoes the targets of SDG 11 on "Sustainable Cities and Communities’, SDG 13 on Climate Action including reinforcing SDG 3 (Good health and well being), 9 (Industry, innovation and infrustructure), 12 (Responsible consumption and production) and SDG 15 (Life on Land). Inclusive, integrated and participatory steps of SEA builds trust and transparency that aligne with the targets of other MEAs.Thus, SEA enables and equips urban policymakers with precize data and evidence-based information to be able to examine proposed alternatives on land use, transportation, housing, energy infrastructure, green spaces, waste, water systems and more, for designing low-carbon, inclusive, and climate-resilient housing systems and supporting sustainable urban development. SEA will be advanced policy tool for the control by environmental authorities on NDC, NAP and other climate policy goals’ achievement. Using Artificial Intelligence (AI) in SEA application progressed in some countries, especially in urban sector and it will be showcased to the audience. SEA amplifies joint commitments set under New Urban Agenda (NUA). NUA promotes urban planning and design instruments that support sustainable management and use of natural resources and land, as well as enhance resource efficiency and environmental sustainability. These are core objectives of SEA. UNECE plays an influential role in promoting the use of SEA globally, particularly within the framework of the Protocol on SEA to the Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context (Espoo Convention), adopted in 2003 and open for accession, ratification, acceptance, or approval by all UN Member States. It is recognized an implementing partner of SDG 11.