Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) is the formal, systematic evaluation of the likely significant environmental effects of implementing a plan or programme before a decision is made to adopt the plan or programme. SEA is similar in principle to the process of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for development projects, except that it is carried out at a higher level, on the policies or plans which set the framework or permissions within which individual projects may be permitted.  Throughout the European Union, SEA is regulated by the E.U. Directive on the assessment of the effects of certain plans and programmes on the environment (2001/42/EEC) (commonly known as the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Directive). This piece of legislation is one of the most important instruments governing environmental protection and the planning process implemented in Europe to date. The types of plans and programmes covered by the directive include certain local, regional and national development plans, and major policy implementation programmes relating to (for example) infrastructure development, energy generation, water security etc. SEA is a powerful tool for promoting and securing sustainable development, and has particular relevance to the implementation of the U.N. Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). It is also an important means of ensuring that ecosystem goods and services, and the benefits they provide to human health and well-being, are protected from degradation and maintained or enhanced.

Health Impact Assessment (HIA) may be defined as a combination of procedures, methods and tools by which a policy, programme or project may be assessed as to its potential effects on the health of a population, and the distribution of those effects within the population. The HIA process aims to identify what potential changes in health determinants might result from a new policy or project, for example a local development or transport or transport policy, and what effects these changes might have on population health. HIA is not subject to any specific legislation in Ireland or Europe, however it is oftemn required under the auspicies of SEA and EIA in order to assess impacts of certain activities on human beings. Although awareness of the importance of biodiversity and ecosystem services to human well-being is increasing within all sectors, as yet this has not been given much attention within HIA. Considering that impacts on biodiversity resulting from human activities can have signifcant implications for public health, such gaps in knowledge and practice must be addressed.

The use of strategic assessment tools such as SEA and HIA is a core component of the COHAB Initiative strategy for building collaboration between disciplines. These methodologies require that stakeholders, decision makers and practitioners adopt a trans-disciplinary approach, based upon a common understanding of key issues and individual perspectives. The current COHAB Initiative project on SEA and HIA aims to develop a model for considering biodiversity and ecosystems within SEA and HIA processes in Ireland, highlighting the critical importance of biodiversity to human well-being and social and economic development, and assisting with the integration of biodiversity into various policy areas such as natural resource management, energy, construction, public health, and economic development. Following the examples set by the IAIA through its "Capacity Building for Biodiversity in Impact Asessment" (CBBIA) tool kits, and in line with the ecosystem approach

As part of this project, the COHAB Initiative Secretariat and partners have held a series of capacity building and exploratory workshops in Ireland.  The draft guidance notes will be released for public consultation in October 2008. For further details of the project, or to learn more about biodiversity issues relating to SEA and HIA, please contact the SEA Project team at the COHAB Initiative Secretariat (sea@cohabnet.org)

The Secretariat of the COHAB Initiative wishes to acknowledge the generous support of the Irish Heritage Council for this project, and the assistance of Ben Cave (Ben Cave Associates) and Jo Treweek, both with the IAIA.

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