Strategic Environmental Assessment: Assessing the Environmental Impact of Biotechnology

This policy brief maps out a process for undertaking Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEAs) of biotechnology investments. The SEA methodology includes qualitative and quantitative analysis, management, participation and communication. One of the principles of SEA is that it should be transparent and open. In line with this principle, participation is generallyconsidered to be an essential step in an SEA procedure and implies that “sufficient information on the views of all legitimate stakeholders (including the affected public) is available early enough to be used effectively in the preparation of thestrategic decision.”