An IAIA initiative, with funding and support from ADB, IAAC, IFC, NCEA (MER), and NORAD.

• How can Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) help to drive better outcomes in the energy transition away from fossil fuels?

• What are the principal considerations for applying SEA to the major renewable energy alternatives?

To address these important issues (and many more!), IAIA is pleased to release Version 1 of "Improving decision-making for the energy transition: Guidance for using Strategic Environmental Assessment."

Climate change is a major driver for transitioning away from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources. Recognizing that SEA can significantly help this process, IAIA launched a multi-phase initiative in 2022.  It aims to:

(a) Develop guidance for using SEA in the renewable energy transition, and
(b) Promote use of the guidance for SEAs undertaken for policies, plans and programs that support this transition.

IAIA members Barry Dalal-Clayton and Miles Scott-Brown have been engaged by IAIA to lead this important initiative, and the first step is now complete with release of Version 1 of the guidance.

Why Version 1?
Because we confidently expect there to be a need for regular updates as best practice guidance is amended and new practical case studies are generated. As Ingvar Kamprad, founder of IKEA, observed "No method is more effective than the good example."

Many IAIA members have participated in this initiative as peer reviewers, as have numerous external experts in the various renewable energy sectors. We appreciate their essential inputs into making this guidance robust and insightful.

What does Version 1 cover?

Version 1 covers the essentials of SEA (origins, theory, legal underpinning, key steps, methods, and tools) and includes chapters on key issues for specific renewable energy options as well as the retirement of coal-fired power plants and closure of associated coal mines. We also include chapters covering specific advice for policy and project planners, other institutions and infrastructure considerations.

How do I access the Guidance?

You can access a PDF of the entire document, or you can download individual chapters.

Next steps

IAIA is also working on a transition of our own – to take the excellent core text developed by Dalal-Clayton and Scott-Brown and to convert that into online content, making the guidance more interactive, user-friendly, and accessible.

We are also working with key international partners to develop training materials based on the guidance. Initial training will likely focus on government and planning authorities, introducing information on what SEA is, why it is important, and how it can be applied to energy resource planning. As further funding allows, training will be developed for additional audiences (e.g., practitioners, NGOs, donor agencies) across as many geographic regions as possible.

How did this initiative develop?

The initial scoping of the initiative anticipated three distinct phases, as detailed below. Phase A and B are complete, and we are now entering Phase C: Implementation and Roll-out.