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Project title

Public Participation and Performance Criteria in Strategic Environmental Assessment: The Way Forward to Advancing Practice

Primary Funding Agency

Environmental Protection Agency

Co-Funding Organisation(s)

n/a

Lead Organisation

University College Dublin (UCD)

Lead Applicant

Ainhoa Gonzalez

Project Abstract

Public participation is a cornerstone of good plan-making and Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA). It allows local information and concerns to be captured, interested and affected parties to be engaged in the assessment and plan-making processes, and conflict and opposition to plan implementation to be reduced. However, SEA processes worldwide seem to be much better at providing information than at engendering a two-way flow of information that includes public feedback integration. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are measurable values that demonstrate how effective an intervention, such as SEA, is in achieving its objectives. In SEA, KPIs can be used to measure inputs such a human and financial resources, activities such as SEA screening, scoping and public participation, outputs such as a quality SEA environmental report and informed planning decision, and outcomes such as environmental enhancement or more sustainable forms of development. The aim of this research is twofold: • review the extent and effectiveness of public participation in SEA practice and to enhance participation in Irish SEAs by developing a Guidance Note on good practice and a video on how to get involved in the process, piloting a good practice approach within the project timeline if possible; and • review preliminary KPIs for SEA in Ireland, and develop a robust performance framework and associated effective KPIs that will be tested in live SEAs within the project timeline. This will be achieved through structured and interlinked research tasks, including: literature review; an international survey supplemented with national interviews; identification of good practice case studies; ‘research in action’ for piloting/testing research outputs; and stakeholder training workshops. The ultimate goal of the project is to improve public participation in SEA in Ireland and to provide a robust SEA performance evaluation framework and associated KPIs to facilitate performance checks during assessments, thus foster good practice, as well as supporting and providing a consistent framework for future effectiveness reviews. Overall, the research outputs and outcomes will contribute to advancing the effectiveness of SEA in protecting the environment and promoting sustainable development.

Grant Approved

�248,378.10

Research Hub

Natural Environment

Research Theme

n/a

Start Date

31/03/2022

Initial Projected Completion Date

30/03/2024