Abstract
Looking back through the course of history, it is indeed possible to find many different forms of “environmental assessment” that relate to a clear, unifying philosophy: to consider the impact of such practices before they are implemented. The most important difference that is clearly prevalent in more recent instances is the consideration of the environmental component in the assessment process, which can be straightforwardly be attributed to an increasing awareness within the modern society of the ever-growing scarcity and the cost of natural resources combined with the resulting quality of life for current and future generations. Focusing on the origin of modern ecological assessment, this chapter will seek to analyse the developments in the disciplines and benefits pertaining to the new Strategic Environmental Assessment—an institution conceived in response to the progression of not only particular requirements—but also to economical, social and ecological values as well as the complexity of the planning process itself.
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Notes
- 1.
The EIA introduces the first form of control upon the activities that interact with the environment through instruments and processes able to foresee and evaluate the consequences of certain works, in order to avoid, reduce and mitigate their impacts.
- 2.
Member states have to carry out a screening procedure to determine whether the plans/programmes are likely to have significant environmental effects. If there are significant impacts, an SEA is needed. The screening procedure is based on criteria set out in Annex II of the Directive.
- 3.
The scoping procedure determines the content and extent of the matters covered in the SEA report to be submitted to the competent authority.
- 4.
In 1976, a decision by the Federal Cabinet introduced an examination of the environmental compatibility of the measures taken by public authorities, including proposed legislation, regulations, administrative provisions, programs and projects.
- 5.
On 10th July 1976, in France was enacted Law no. 629, which introduced three different levels of evaluation: surveys of environment, notices of impact and studies of impact.
- 6.
This definition should cover the direct, indirect, secondary, cumulative, short, medium, long-term, permanent, temporary, positive and negative effects of the project.
- 7.
The precautionary principle in the context of environmental protection is essentially about the management of scientific risk. It is a fundamental component of the concept of ecologically sustainable development and has been defined in Principle 15 of the Rio Declaration: “Where there are threats of serious or irreversible damage, lack of full scientific certainty shall not be used as a reason for postponing cost-effective measures to prevent environmental degradation”.
References
General References and Literature
Caratti P, Dalkman H, Jiliberto J (eds) (2002) Analysing strategic environmental assessment: towards better decision-making. Edward Elgar Publishing, Cheltenham
Crepaldi G, Togni P (2007) Ecologia ambientale ed ecologia umana. Cantagalli, Siena
Daclon C (1996) La VIA in Italia e in Europa. Maggioli, Santarcangelo di Romagna
Ferrara R (2000) La valutazione di impatto ambientale. Cedam, Padova
Garano M (ed) (2005) La valutazione ambientale strategica: la decisione strategica nelle politiche, nei piani e nei programmi urbanistici. Gangemi, Rome
O’Riordan T, Turner R (1983) An annotated Reader in Environmental Planning and Management. Pergamon Press, Oxford
Schmidt M, João E, Albrecht E (2005) Implementing strategic environmental assessment. Springer, Dordrecht
Sheate W (1994) Making an impact: a guide to EIA law and policy. Cameron May, Londona
Legislation
USA (1969) The National Environmental Policy Act, Tit. I, Congressional Declaration of National Environmental Policy, sec. 102, let. a
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Cutaia, F. (2016). The Origins of Environmental Assessment. In: Strategic Environmental Assessment: Integrating Landscape and Urban Planning. UNIPA Springer Series. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-42132-2_1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-42132-2_1
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