Guidance on Integrating Climate Change and Biodiversity into ...
Guidance on Integrating Climate Change and Biodiversity into ...
Guidance on Integrating Climate Change and Biodiversity into ...
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<str<strong>on</strong>g>Guidance</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong> <strong>Integrating</strong> <strong>Climate</strong> <strong>Change</strong><strong>and</strong> <strong>Biodiversity</strong> <strong>into</strong>Strategic Envir<strong>on</strong>mental AssessmentEnvir<strong>on</strong>ment
Europe Direct is a service to help you find answersto your questi<strong>on</strong>s about the European Uni<strong>on</strong>New freeph<strong>on</strong>e number:00 800 6 7 8 9 10 11A great deal of additi<strong>on</strong>al informati<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> the European Uni<strong>on</strong> is available <strong>on</strong> the Internet.It can be accessed through the Europa server (http://ec.europa.eu).ISBN 978-92-79-29016-9doi: 10.2779/11869© European Uni<strong>on</strong>, 2013Reproducti<strong>on</strong> is authorised provided the source is acknowledged.This document reflects the view of the Commissi<strong>on</strong> services <strong>and</strong> is not of a binding nature.Photo: iStockphotoThis document benefited from Study C<strong>on</strong>tract No 07.0307/2010/580136/ETU/A3 implemented for the European Commissi<strong>on</strong>by Milieu Ltd, Collingwood Envir<strong>on</strong>mental Planning Ltd <strong>and</strong> Integra C<strong>on</strong>sulting Ltd. The main authors were Jennifer McGuinn <strong>and</strong>Guillermo Hern<strong>and</strong>ez from Milieu Ltd; Ric Eales, William Sheate <strong>and</strong> J<strong>on</strong>athan Baker from Collingwood Envir<strong>on</strong>mental Planning; <strong>and</strong>Jiri Dusik from Integra C<strong>on</strong>sulting. Maria Partidario of the Technical University of Lisb<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong> Helen Byr<strong>on</strong> of the Royal Society for theProtecti<strong>on</strong> of Birds/Birdlife UK provided advice. Members of the Commissi<strong>on</strong> Group of EIA/SEA Nati<strong>on</strong>al Experts (in particular,Paolo Boccardi, Susanna Eberhartinger-Tafill, Paul Fortuin, Aurora Hern<strong>and</strong>o Garcinuno, Anna Kieniewicz, Gabrielle McKeown, KoenMaertens, Tadhg O’Mah<strong>on</strong>y, Martine Moris, Kees Van Muiswinkel, Rainer Persidski, Claire Piens, Matthias Sauer, Roel Teeuwen, AdrianVecino Varela) <strong>and</strong> staff of the European Commissi<strong>on</strong>’s Directorate-General for <strong>Climate</strong> Acti<strong>on</strong> (Vaidotas Kuodys, Sami Zeidan) <strong>and</strong>Directorate-General for Envir<strong>on</strong>ment (Stephanos Ampatzis, Szilvia Bosze, Marco Fritz, Milena Novakova <strong>and</strong> Przemyslaw Oginski) alsoc<strong>on</strong>tributed.
ForewordThe need for acti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity loss is recognised across Europe <strong>and</strong> aroundthe world. To make progress towards combating <strong>and</strong> adapting to climate change, <strong>and</strong> halting theloss of biodiversity <strong>and</strong> the degradati<strong>on</strong> of ecosystems, it is vital to fully integrate these issues in theplans, programmes <strong>and</strong> projects implemented across the EU.It is widely recognised that climate change has enormous ec<strong>on</strong>omic c<strong>on</strong>sequences. The evidencegathered in The Stern Review: The Ec<strong>on</strong>omics of <strong>Climate</strong> <strong>Change</strong> (2007) shows that ‘ignoring climatechange will eventually damage ec<strong>on</strong>omic growth.’ The Review also points out that ‘the benefits ofstr<strong>on</strong>g <strong>and</strong> early acti<strong>on</strong> far outweigh the ec<strong>on</strong>omic costs of not acting.’ The Commissi<strong>on</strong>’s WhitePaper − Adapting to climate change: Towards a European framework for acti<strong>on</strong> (2009) tackles thisevidence <strong>and</strong> includes a commitment that ‘… the Commissi<strong>on</strong> will work with Member States <strong>and</strong>stakeholders setting guidelines <strong>and</strong> exchanging good practice, to ensure that account is taken ofclimate change impacts when implementing the Envir<strong>on</strong>mental Impact Assessment (EIA) <strong>and</strong>Strategic Envir<strong>on</strong>mental Assessment (SEA) Directives <strong>and</strong> spatial planning policies.’ It alsoencourages Member States to adopt ecosystem-based approaches, including green infrastructure.The Commissi<strong>on</strong>’s EU Strategy <strong>on</strong> Adaptati<strong>on</strong> to <strong>Climate</strong> <strong>Change</strong>, to be adopted in 2013, will build <strong>on</strong>the White Paper.The loss of biodiversity has become <strong>on</strong>e of our main envir<strong>on</strong>mental challenges. Its impact <strong>on</strong> thedelivery of ecosystem services, the society <strong>and</strong> ec<strong>on</strong>omy as whole is increasingly recognised,including in the internati<strong>on</strong>al study by TEEB (2010) of The Ec<strong>on</strong>omics of Ecosystems <strong>and</strong> <strong>Biodiversity</strong>— Mainstreaming the Ec<strong>on</strong>omics of Nature: A synthesis of the approach, c<strong>on</strong>clusi<strong>on</strong>s <strong>and</strong>recommendati<strong>on</strong>s. To address this challenge, Member States have committed themselves to halt theloss of biodiversity <strong>and</strong> ecosystems by 2020 <strong>and</strong> to restore them in so far as feasible.This <str<strong>on</strong>g>Guidance</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong> <strong>Integrating</strong> <strong>Climate</strong> <strong>Change</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Biodiversity</strong> <strong>into</strong> Strategic Envir<strong>on</strong>mentalAssessment is a resp<strong>on</strong>se to the above commitments. Most of the projected impacts of climatechange are believed to have adverse effects <strong>on</strong> biodiversity. Since climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversityloss — like so many other envir<strong>on</strong>mental issues we face — are closely interrelated, they are coveredin the same guidance.It is clear that ‘business as usual’ will neither achieve our climate change nor our biodiversityobjectives. The time has come to make sure that we employ all available tools to tackle these globalthreats. Envir<strong>on</strong>mental Impact Assessments (EIAs) <strong>and</strong> Strategic Envir<strong>on</strong>mental Assessments (SEAs)are legally required <strong>and</strong> systematic tools, <strong>and</strong> as such they are well suited to systematically tacklethe problems.As Jose Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commissi<strong>on</strong>, said at the Athens <strong>Biodiversity</strong>C<strong>on</strong>ference in 2009 − ‘The success of our climate change policy will also be measured by the successof our efforts in stopping the loss of biodiversity.’ Our aim is that this guidance will help the impactassessment community to better integrate these c<strong>on</strong>siderati<strong>on</strong>s <strong>into</strong> their work, stepping up global<strong>and</strong> EU acti<strong>on</strong> to combat biodiversity loss <strong>and</strong> climate change.<str<strong>on</strong>g>Guidance</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong> integrating climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity <strong>into</strong> SEA 3
Acr<strong>on</strong>yms <strong>and</strong> abbreviati<strong>on</strong>sBAP<strong>Biodiversity</strong> Acti<strong>on</strong> PlanBBOPBusiness <strong>and</strong> <strong>Biodiversity</strong> Offsets ProgrammeBISE<strong>Biodiversity</strong> Informati<strong>on</strong> System for EuropeCBDC<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> Biological DiversityCH 4MethaneCO 2Carb<strong>on</strong> dioxideECCPEuropean <strong>Climate</strong> <strong>Change</strong> ProgrammeECEuropean Commissi<strong>on</strong>EEAEuropean Envir<strong>on</strong>ment AgencyEIAEnvir<strong>on</strong>mental Impact AssessmentETC/ACM European Topic Centre for Air Polluti<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Climate</strong> <strong>Change</strong> Mitigati<strong>on</strong>ETC-BDEuropean Topic Centre <strong>on</strong> Biological DiversityEU ETSEU Emissi<strong>on</strong>s Trading SystemEUEuropean Uni<strong>on</strong>GHG, GHGs Greenhouse gas, Greenhouse gasesGISGeographic Informati<strong>on</strong> SystemIAIAInternati<strong>on</strong>al Associati<strong>on</strong> for Impact AssessmentIEMAInstitute of Envir<strong>on</strong>mental Management <strong>and</strong> AssessmentIPCCIntergovernmental Panel <strong>on</strong> <strong>Climate</strong> <strong>Change</strong>JRCJoint Research CentreNBSAPNati<strong>on</strong>al <strong>Biodiversity</strong> Strategy <strong>and</strong> Acti<strong>on</strong> PlanNGOsN<strong>on</strong>-governmental organisati<strong>on</strong>sNO xNitrogen oxidesN 2 ONitrous oxideOECDOrganisati<strong>on</strong> for Ec<strong>on</strong>omic Cooperati<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong> DevelopmentPP, PPsPlan or Programme, Plans <strong>and</strong>/or ProgrammesSACSpecial Area of C<strong>on</strong>servati<strong>on</strong>SEAStrategic Envir<strong>on</strong>mental AssessmentSOERState of the Envir<strong>on</strong>ment Report (EEA)SPASpecial Protecti<strong>on</strong> AreaTEEBThe Ec<strong>on</strong>omics of Ecosystems <strong>and</strong> <strong>Biodiversity</strong>UNUnited Nati<strong>on</strong>sUNECEUnited Nati<strong>on</strong>s Ec<strong>on</strong>omic Commissi<strong>on</strong> for EuropeUNFCCC United Nati<strong>on</strong>s Framework C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> <strong>Climate</strong> <strong>Change</strong>VOCsVolatile organic compounds<str<strong>on</strong>g>Guidance</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong> integrating climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity <strong>into</strong> SEA 5
GlossaryTermAdaptati<strong>on</strong>(climate change)Adaptive capacityAdaptivemanagementArticle 6(3)appropriateassessmentBaseline<strong>Biodiversity</strong><strong>Biodiversity</strong> offsetsBirds DirectiveCarb<strong>on</strong>sequestrati<strong>on</strong>Carb<strong>on</strong> sink<strong>Climate</strong><strong>Climate</strong> changeCO 2 equivalentCumulative effectsDirect effectsEcosystem servicesDefiniti<strong>on</strong>The term used to describe resp<strong>on</strong>ses to the effects of climate change. The Intergovernmental Panel<strong>on</strong> <strong>Climate</strong> <strong>Change</strong> (IPCC) defines adaptati<strong>on</strong> as ‘adjustment in natural or human systems inresp<strong>on</strong>se to actual or expected climatic stimuli or their effects, which moderates harm or exploitsbeneficial opportunities.’ Adaptati<strong>on</strong> can also be thought of as learning how to live with thec<strong>on</strong>sequences of climate change.The ability of a system to adjust to climate change (including climate variability <strong>and</strong> extremes), tomoderate potential damages, to take advantage of opportunities <strong>and</strong> to cope with thec<strong>on</strong>sequences. (CLIMATE-ADAPT Glossary)A systematic process for c<strong>on</strong>tinually improving management policies <strong>and</strong> practices by learning fromthe outcomes of previous policies <strong>and</strong> practices.Article 6(3) of the Habitats Directive requires an appropriate assessment (also referred to as‘Habitats Directive assessment’ or ‘Natura 2000 assessment’) to be carried out where any plans orprojects that are not directly linked to the management of that site may have a significant effect <strong>on</strong>the c<strong>on</strong>servati<strong>on</strong> objectives <strong>and</strong> would ultimately affect the integrity of the site. Integrity can bedefined as the ability of the site to fulfil its functi<strong>on</strong> to c<strong>on</strong>tinue to support protected habitats orspecies. Annex I to the Habitats Directive includes a full list of protected habitats <strong>and</strong> Annex II ofprotected species.A descripti<strong>on</strong> of the present <strong>and</strong> future state, if the plan or programme (PP) is not implemented,taking <strong>into</strong> account changes resulting from natural events <strong>and</strong> from other human activities.The C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> Biological Diversity (CBD) defines biological diversity as ‘the variability am<strong>on</strong>gliving organisms from all sources including, inter alia, terrestrial, marine <strong>and</strong> other aquaticecosystems <strong>and</strong> the ecological complexes of which they are part; this includes diversity withinspecies, between species <strong>and</strong> of ecosystems’ (Article 2).Measures taken to compensate for any residual significant, adverse impacts that cannot beavoided, minimised <strong>and</strong>/or rehabilitated or restored, in order to achieve ‘no-net-loss’ or a ‘net-gain’of biodiversity. Offsets can take the form of positive management interventi<strong>on</strong>s such as restorati<strong>on</strong>of degraded habitat, arrested degradati<strong>on</strong> or averted risk, protecting areas where there isimminent or projected loss of biodiversity.Directive 2009/147/EC of the European Parliament <strong>and</strong> of the Council of 30 November 2009 <strong>on</strong> thec<strong>on</strong>servati<strong>on</strong> of wild birds [codified versi<strong>on</strong>], OJ L 20, 26.1.2010, p. 7.The removal of carb<strong>on</strong> from the atmosphere <strong>and</strong> its storage in carb<strong>on</strong> sinks (such as oceans, forestsor soils) through physical or biological processes, such as photosynthesis.An absorber of carb<strong>on</strong> (usually in the form of CO 2 ). Natural carb<strong>on</strong> sinks include forests <strong>and</strong> otherecosystems that absorb carb<strong>on</strong>, thereby removing it from the atmosphere <strong>and</strong> offsetting CO 2emissi<strong>on</strong>s. (Modified from EEA Glossary)Usually defined as the ‘average weather’, or more rigorously, as the statistical descripti<strong>on</strong> in termsof the mean <strong>and</strong> variability of relevant quantities of variables such as temperature, precipitati<strong>on</strong>,<strong>and</strong> wind, over a period of time. The c<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong>al period of time over which weather is averagedto calculate climate is 30 years, as defined by the World Meteorological Organisati<strong>on</strong> (WMO).(Modified from IPCC)The IPCC defines climate change as ‘...any change in climate over time, whether due to naturalvariability or as a result of human activity.’ The United Nati<strong>on</strong>s Framework C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> <strong>Climate</strong><strong>Change</strong> (UNFCCC) defines it specifically in relati<strong>on</strong> to human influence as: ‘a change of climatewhich is attributed directly or indirectly to human activity that alters the compositi<strong>on</strong> of the globalatmosphere <strong>and</strong> which is in additi<strong>on</strong> to natural climate variability observed over comparable timeperiods.'A metric measure used to compare emissi<strong>on</strong>s from various GHGs based up<strong>on</strong> their global warmingpotential (GWP). Carb<strong>on</strong> dioxide equivalents are comm<strong>on</strong>ly expressed as ‘milli<strong>on</strong> metric t<strong>on</strong>nes ofcarb<strong>on</strong> dioxide equivalents (MMTCDE)’.The incremental effects of an acti<strong>on</strong> PP when added to other past, present, <strong>and</strong> reas<strong>on</strong>ablyforeseeable future acti<strong>on</strong>s. Cumulative effects can result from individually minor but collectivelysignificant acti<strong>on</strong>s taking place over a period of time.Envir<strong>on</strong>mental effects caused directly by the implementati<strong>on</strong> of a PP.The Ec<strong>on</strong>omics of Ecosystem Services <strong>and</strong> <strong>Biodiversity</strong> (TEEB) study defines ecosystem services as:‘the benefits people receive from ecosystems’. TEEB also sets out the basis of human dependence<strong>on</strong> the natural envir<strong>on</strong>ment. The European-led study builds <strong>on</strong> the United Nati<strong>on</strong>s MillenniumEcosystem Assessment, which defined four categories of ecosystem services that c<strong>on</strong>tribute tohuman well-being:6 <str<strong>on</strong>g>Guidance</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong> integrating climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity <strong>into</strong> SEA
Effort SharingDecisi<strong>on</strong>EIA DirectiveEmissi<strong>on</strong> tradingscheme <strong>and</strong> EUEmissi<strong>on</strong>s Tradingsystem (EU ETS)Envir<strong>on</strong>mentalreportEuropean <strong>Climate</strong><strong>Change</strong>ProgrammeFaunaFloods DirectiveFloraGreeninfrastructureGreenhouse gas(GHG)Habitats DirectiveIndirect effectsKyoto ProtocolMaladaptati<strong>on</strong>Maximumsustainable yield(MSY)• provisi<strong>on</strong>ing services e.g. wild foods, crops, fresh water <strong>and</strong> plant-derived medicines;• regulating services e.g. filtrati<strong>on</strong> of pollutants by wetl<strong>and</strong>s, climate regulati<strong>on</strong> through carb<strong>on</strong>storage <strong>and</strong> water cycling, pollinati<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong> protecti<strong>on</strong> from disasters;• cultural services e.g. recreati<strong>on</strong>, spiritual <strong>and</strong> aesthetic values, educati<strong>on</strong>;• supporting services e.g. soil formati<strong>on</strong>, photosynthesis <strong>and</strong> nutrient cycling. (TEEB, 2010)A Decisi<strong>on</strong> that sets annual binding GHG emissi<strong>on</strong> targets for Member States for the 2013–2020period. These targets c<strong>on</strong>cern emissi<strong>on</strong>s from sectors not included in the EU Emissi<strong>on</strong>s TradingSystem (ETS) — such as transport, buildings, agriculture <strong>and</strong> waste. It is part of a package of policies<strong>and</strong> measures <strong>on</strong> climate change <strong>and</strong> energy that will help transform Europe <strong>into</strong> a low-carb<strong>on</strong>ec<strong>on</strong>omy <strong>and</strong> increase its energy security.Directive 2011/92/EU <strong>on</strong> the assessment of the effects of certain public <strong>and</strong> private projects <strong>on</strong> theenvir<strong>on</strong>ment [codificati<strong>on</strong>], OJ L 26, 28.1.2012, p.1. The EIA Directive requires that Member Statesensure that, before development c<strong>on</strong>sent is given, projects likely to have significant effects <strong>on</strong> theenvir<strong>on</strong>ment because of their nature, size or locati<strong>on</strong> are made subject to an assessment of theenvir<strong>on</strong>mental effects.A market mechanism that allows those bodies (such as countries, companies or manufacturingplants) that emit (release) GHGs <strong>into</strong> the atmosphere, to buy <strong>and</strong> sell these emissi<strong>on</strong>s (as permitsor allowances) am<strong>on</strong>gst themselves. Emissi<strong>on</strong>s mean the release of GHGs <strong>and</strong>/or their precursors<strong>into</strong> the atmosphere over a set area <strong>and</strong> period of time. The European Uni<strong>on</strong> Emissi<strong>on</strong> tradingsystem (EU ETS) is based <strong>on</strong> the idea that creating a price for carb<strong>on</strong> offers the most cost-effectiveway to achieve the significant cuts in global GHG emissi<strong>on</strong>s that are needed to prevent climatechange from reaching dangerous levels.Document required by the SEA Directive as part of an envir<strong>on</strong>mental assessment, which identifies,describes <strong>and</strong> evaluates the likely significant effects <strong>on</strong> the envir<strong>on</strong>ment of implementing a PP. TheSEA Directive states that the envir<strong>on</strong>mental report shall mean the part of the plan or programmedocumentati<strong>on</strong> c<strong>on</strong>taining the informati<strong>on</strong> required in Article 5 <strong>and</strong> Annex I.A programme launched by the European Commissi<strong>on</strong> in June 2000. Its goal is to identify <strong>and</strong>develop all the necessary elements of the EU strategy to implement the Kyoto Protocol.The animals of a particular regi<strong>on</strong> or habitat.Directive 2007/60/EC <strong>on</strong> the assessment <strong>and</strong> management of flood risks, OJ L288, 6.11.2007, p.27,requires Member States to assess if all water courses <strong>and</strong> coast lines are at risk from flooding; tomap the flood extent <strong>and</strong> assets <strong>and</strong> humans at risk in these areas; <strong>and</strong> to take adequate <strong>and</strong>coordinated measures to reduce this flood risk. The Directive also reinforces the rights of the publicto access this informati<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong> to have a say in the planning process.The plants of a particular regi<strong>on</strong> or habitat.Green infrastructure serves the interests of both people <strong>and</strong> nature. It can be defined as astrategically planned <strong>and</strong> delivered network of high quality green spaces <strong>and</strong> other envir<strong>on</strong>mentalfeatures. Green infrastructure includes natural <strong>and</strong> semi-natural areas, features <strong>and</strong> green spacesin rural <strong>and</strong> urban, terrestrial, freshwater, coastal <strong>and</strong> marine areas. It should be designed <strong>and</strong>managed as a multifuncti<strong>on</strong>al resource capable of delivering a wide range of benefits <strong>and</strong> services.Areas protected as Natura 2000 sites are at the core of green infrastructure.Any atmospheric gas (either natural or anthropogenic in origin) which absorbs thermal radiati<strong>on</strong>emitted by the Earth’s surface. This traps heat in the atmosphere <strong>and</strong> keeps the surface at awarmer temperature than would otherwise be possible.Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 <strong>on</strong> the c<strong>on</strong>servati<strong>on</strong> of natural habitats <strong>and</strong> of wildfauna <strong>and</strong> flora, as amended, OJ L 206, 22.7.1992, p.7.Effects that occur away from the immediate locati<strong>on</strong> or timing affected by the implementati<strong>on</strong> of aPP, e.g. quarrying of aggregates elsewhere as a result of implementing new road proposals includedin plan or programme (see also sec<strong>on</strong>dary effects).The Kyoto Protocol to the UN Framework C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> <strong>Climate</strong> <strong>Change</strong> (UNFCCC) was adopted in1997 (Kyoto, Japan). It c<strong>on</strong>tains legally binding commitments, in additi<strong>on</strong> to those included in theUNFCCC. Countries included in Annex B of the Protocol (most OECD countries <strong>and</strong> EITs) agreed toreduce their anthropogenic emissi<strong>on</strong>s of GHGs (CO 2 , CH 4 , N 2 O, HFCs, PFCs, <strong>and</strong> SF 6 ) by at least 5 %below 1990 levels in the commitment period 2008 – 2012.An acti<strong>on</strong> or process that increases vulnerability to climate change-related hazards. Maladaptiveacti<strong>on</strong>s <strong>and</strong> processes often include planned development policies <strong>and</strong> measures that deliver shorttermgains or ec<strong>on</strong>omic benefits, but increase vulnerability in the medium to l<strong>on</strong>g-term.Maximum sustainable yield (MSY) is the largest l<strong>on</strong>g-term average catch or yield that can be takenfrom a stock or stock complex under prevailing ecological <strong>and</strong> envir<strong>on</strong>mental c<strong>on</strong>diti<strong>on</strong>s.<str<strong>on</strong>g>Guidance</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong> integrating climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity <strong>into</strong> SEA 7
Mitigati<strong>on</strong> (climatechange)Mitigati<strong>on</strong> (SEA)Natura 2000No-net-loss ofbiodiversityNo-regretmeasuresPrecauti<strong>on</strong>aryprincipleProxy indicatorResidual effectsResilienceSEA DirectiveSec<strong>on</strong>dary effectsSensitivitySignificant effectsSynergistic effectsVulnerabilityA term used to describe the process of reducing GHG emissi<strong>on</strong>s that are c<strong>on</strong>tributing to climatechange. It includes strategies to reduce GHG emissi<strong>on</strong>s <strong>and</strong> enhancing GHG sinks.Measures to prevent, reduce <strong>and</strong> as fully as possible offset any significant adverse effects <strong>on</strong> theenvir<strong>on</strong>ment of implementing the PP. (SEA Directive)An EU-wide network of nature protecti<strong>on</strong> areas established under the Habitats Directive. The aimof the network is to assure the l<strong>on</strong>g-term survival of Europe’s most valuable <strong>and</strong> threatened species<strong>and</strong> habitats. It is comprised of Special Areas of C<strong>on</strong>servati<strong>on</strong> (SAC) designated by Member Statesunder the Habitats Directive <strong>and</strong> Special Protecti<strong>on</strong> Areas (SPAs) designated under the BirdsDirective.The point where biodiversity gains from targeted c<strong>on</strong>servati<strong>on</strong> activities match the losses ofbiodiversity due to the impacts of a specific development project, so that there is no net reducti<strong>on</strong>overall in the type, amount <strong>and</strong> c<strong>on</strong>diti<strong>on</strong> (or quality) of biodiversity over space <strong>and</strong> time. A netgain means that biodiversity gains exceed a specific set of losses. The c<strong>on</strong>cept of no-net biodiversityloss lies at the heart of biodiversity offsetting. (Business <strong>and</strong> <strong>Biodiversity</strong> Offsets Programme)‘No-regret’ measures are activities that yield benefits even in the absence of climate change. Inmany locati<strong>on</strong>s, the implementati<strong>on</strong> of these acti<strong>on</strong>s c<strong>on</strong>stitutes a very efficient first step in a l<strong>on</strong>gtermadaptati<strong>on</strong> strategy. For example, c<strong>on</strong>trolling leakages in water pipes or maintaining drainagechannels is almost always c<strong>on</strong>sidered a very good investment from a cost–benefit analysisperspective, even in absence of climate change. (CLIMATE-ADAPT relevant webpage)Principle adopted by the UN C<strong>on</strong>ference <strong>on</strong> the Envir<strong>on</strong>ment <strong>and</strong> Development (1992) that in orderto protect the envir<strong>on</strong>ment, a precauti<strong>on</strong>ary approach should be widely applied, meaning thatwhere there are threats of serious or irreversible damage to the envir<strong>on</strong>ment, lack of full scientificcertainty should not be used as a reas<strong>on</strong> for postp<strong>on</strong>ing cost-effective measures to preventenvir<strong>on</strong>mental degradati<strong>on</strong>. (EEA Glossary)Indirect measure that approximates or represents a phenomen<strong>on</strong> in the absence of a directmeasure.Effects that remain after mitigati<strong>on</strong> acti<strong>on</strong>.The ability of a social or ecological system to absorb disturbances, while retaining the same basicstructure <strong>and</strong> ways of functi<strong>on</strong>ing, as well as its capacity to self-organise <strong>and</strong> adapt to stress <strong>and</strong>change. There are different ways in which resilience can be framed; the Dutch <strong>Climate</strong> <strong>Change</strong>sSpatial Planning research programme provides a list. (Adapted from CLIMATE-ADAPT Glossary). Itcan be also described as the amount of change a system can undergo without changing state.Directive 2001/42/EC <strong>on</strong> the assessment of the effects of certain plans <strong>and</strong> programmes <strong>on</strong> theenvir<strong>on</strong>ment, OJ L 197, 21.7.2001, p.30. It requires the envir<strong>on</strong>mental effects of a broad range ofplans <strong>and</strong> programmes to be assessed so they can be c<strong>on</strong>sidered while plans are actually beingdeveloped, <strong>and</strong> in due course adopted. The public must also be c<strong>on</strong>sulted <strong>on</strong> the draft plans <strong>and</strong>the envir<strong>on</strong>mental assessment, <strong>and</strong> their views must be taken <strong>into</strong> account.Effects that occur as a c<strong>on</strong>sequence of a primary effect or as a result of a complex pathway (seealso indirect effects).The degree to which a system is affected, either adversely or beneficially, by climate-relatedstimuli. The effect may be direct (e.g. a change in crop yield in resp<strong>on</strong>se to a change in the mean,range, or variability of temperature) or indirect (e.g. damages caused by an increase in thefrequency of coastal flooding due to sea level rise).Effects that are significant in the c<strong>on</strong>text of the PP, i.e. a functi<strong>on</strong> not just of magnitude or size ofeffect, but of nature, sensitivity <strong>and</strong> scale of the receptor.Effects that interact to produce a total effect greater (or less than) than the sum of the individualeffects. Cumulative effects that result when the interacti<strong>on</strong> of a number of impacts is greater thanthe sum of the individual impacts.The degree to which a system is susceptible to, or unable to cope with, adverse effects of climatechange, including climate variability <strong>and</strong> extremes. Vulnerability is a functi<strong>on</strong> of the character,magnitude, <strong>and</strong> rate of climate change <strong>and</strong> variati<strong>on</strong> to which a system is exposed, its sensitivity,<strong>and</strong> its adaptive capacity. (CLIMATE-ADAPT Glossary)8 <str<strong>on</strong>g>Guidance</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong> integrating climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity <strong>into</strong> SEA
SummaryDirective 2001/42/EC <strong>on</strong> the assessment of the effects ofcertain plans <strong>and</strong> programmes <strong>on</strong> the envir<strong>on</strong>ment 1(‘Strategic Envir<strong>on</strong>mental Assessment’ — ‘SEA Directive’)requires certain public plans <strong>and</strong> programmes (PPs) toundergo an envir<strong>on</strong>mental assessment before they areadopted.How important are climatechange <strong>and</strong> biodiversity for yourSEA?• How will PP influence climatechange <strong>and</strong> biodiversity <strong>and</strong>The aim of this <str<strong>on</strong>g>Guidance</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong> <strong>Integrating</strong> <strong>Climate</strong> <strong>Change</strong>how it will be influenced byclimate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity?<strong>and</strong> <strong>Biodiversity</strong> <strong>into</strong> Strategic Envir<strong>on</strong>mental Assessment is • What is it about climate changeto improve the c<strong>on</strong>siderati<strong>on</strong> of these issues in strategic <strong>and</strong> biodiversity that poses aenvir<strong>on</strong>mental assessments (SEAs) carried out across the challenge to the assessmentprocess?EU Member States. This summary gives an overview of the• How does that affect theguidance <strong>and</strong> distils the advice <strong>on</strong> how to integrate theseissues <strong>into</strong> SEAs.informati<strong>on</strong> needs — what typeof informati<strong>on</strong>, what sources<strong>and</strong> what stakeholders will holdThe guidance is arranged in a way that will encourage informati<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong> specificusers to think about how important climate change <strong>and</strong>knowledge in these areas?• What are the key aspects tobiodiversity — as assessment issues — are likely to be for a cover in the detailed assessmentspecific SEA (see box right).Secti<strong>on</strong> 1 c<strong>on</strong>tains an introducti<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong> detailed user guide,<strong>and</strong> how important will thoseissues be in decisi<strong>on</strong> making?including a navigati<strong>on</strong> aid to help to decide when <strong>and</strong> howto use the guidance. Secti<strong>on</strong>s 2 <strong>and</strong> 3 explain why climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity are so importantfor SEAs, including an explanati<strong>on</strong> of the issues <strong>and</strong> the policy background at the internati<strong>on</strong>al/EUlevel. Secti<strong>on</strong> 4 helps to scope the climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity issues, <strong>and</strong> Secti<strong>on</strong> 5 explains howto assess climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity throughout the SEA process. The annexes provide sourcesof further reading <strong>and</strong> links to other relevant guidance, informati<strong>on</strong>, data <strong>and</strong> tools.The summary boxes overleaf distil the main points of the guidance <strong>on</strong> how to integrate climatechange <strong>and</strong> biodiversity <strong>into</strong> SEAs.1 Directive 2001/42/EC of the European Parliament <strong>and</strong> of the Council of 27 June 2001 <strong>on</strong> the assessment of the effects of certain plans<strong>and</strong> programmes <strong>on</strong> the envir<strong>on</strong>ment, OJ L 197, 21.7.2001, p.30.<str<strong>on</strong>g>Guidance</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong> integrating climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity <strong>into</strong> SEA 9
HOW TO ADDRESS BOTH CLIMATE CHANGE AND BIODIVERSITY EFFECTIVELY IN SEAs:• Build them <strong>into</strong> the assessment <strong>and</strong> PP from the earliest stage <strong>and</strong> follow them throughout —start at the screening <strong>and</strong> scoping stages to build these issues <strong>into</strong> the mindset of all the keyparties: competent authorities <strong>and</strong> policymakers, planners, SEA practiti<strong>on</strong>ers <strong>and</strong> otherstakeholders. The SEA can be used as a creative process to support learning am<strong>on</strong>gst all theseparties.• The c<strong>on</strong>siderati<strong>on</strong> of biodiversity <strong>and</strong> climate change issues must be tailored to the specificc<strong>on</strong>text of the PP. It is not simply a checklist of issues to tick off. Each SEA can potentially bedifferent.• Be practical <strong>and</strong> use your comm<strong>on</strong> sense! When c<strong>on</strong>sulting stakeholders, avoid drawing out theSEA procedure <strong>and</strong> leave enough time to properly assess complex informati<strong>on</strong>.• Use the SEA as an opportunity to address key issues regarding different types of projects orspecific infrastructure projects. At this time, many opti<strong>on</strong>s are still open (e.g. the locati<strong>on</strong> ofmotorways versus Natura 2000 network sites) <strong>and</strong> you can avoid problematic situati<strong>on</strong>s at theEIA/project level.CRITICAL CHALLENGES FOR ADDRESSING CLIMATE CHANGE AND BIODIVERSITY IN SEAs ARE TO:• C<strong>on</strong>sider l<strong>on</strong>g-term trends both with <strong>and</strong> without the proposed PP <strong>and</strong> avoid ‘snapshot’analyses.• Assess the PP against the future baseline <strong>and</strong> key trends <strong>and</strong> their drivers taking <strong>into</strong> accountother PPs.• C<strong>on</strong>sider the impact that predicted changes in the climate <strong>and</strong> biodiversity will have <strong>on</strong> theproposed PP, potentially over a l<strong>on</strong>g timescale, <strong>and</strong> its resilience <strong>and</strong> capacity to cope.• Manage complexity; c<strong>on</strong>sider whether implementati<strong>on</strong> of part of a PP e.g. climate changemitigati<strong>on</strong>, that might otherwise be positive in its impact, could have a negative impact <strong>on</strong> climatechange adaptati<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong>/or biodiversity.• C<strong>on</strong>sider what existing climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity objectives <strong>and</strong> targets need to beintegrated <strong>into</strong> the PP.• C<strong>on</strong>sider the l<strong>on</strong>g-term <strong>and</strong> cumulative effects <strong>on</strong> climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity of PP asthese will be potentially significant given the complex nature of these topics.• Be comfortable with uncertainty. Use tools such as scenarios to help deal with the uncertaintyinherent within complex systems <strong>and</strong> imperfect data. Think about risks when impacts are toouncertain <strong>and</strong> factor this <strong>into</strong> m<strong>on</strong>itoring to manage adverse effects.• Develop more resilient alternatives <strong>and</strong> soluti<strong>on</strong>s based <strong>on</strong> ‘win-win’ or ‘no regret’/‘lowregret’ approaches to PP development, given the uncertainty inherent in climate change <strong>and</strong>predicting impacts <strong>on</strong> biodiversity.• Prepare for adaptive management <strong>and</strong> m<strong>on</strong>itor to improve adaptive capacity.• Base your recommendati<strong>on</strong>s <strong>on</strong> the precauti<strong>on</strong>ary principle <strong>and</strong> acknowledge assumpti<strong>on</strong>s<strong>and</strong> limitati<strong>on</strong>s of current knowledge.10 <str<strong>on</strong>g>Guidance</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong> integrating climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity <strong>into</strong> SEA
1. Introducti<strong>on</strong>This secti<strong>on</strong> explains the purpose of the guidance, the approach it adopts, <strong>and</strong> how to use it tointegrate climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity <strong>into</strong> strategic envir<strong>on</strong>mental assessments (SEA). It isassumed that readers will be familiar with the SEA, so it does not introduce the basic SEA process.1.1 Nature <strong>and</strong> purpose of this guidance<strong>Climate</strong> change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity loss are am<strong>on</strong>g the most important envir<strong>on</strong>mental challenges weface today. Both are complex <strong>and</strong> cross-cutting issues, which impact <strong>on</strong> nearly all human activity.This <str<strong>on</strong>g>Guidance</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong> <strong>Integrating</strong> <strong>Climate</strong> <strong>Change</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Biodiversity</strong> <strong>into</strong> Strategic Envir<strong>on</strong>mentalAssessment (‘the guidance’) aims to help improve the c<strong>on</strong>siderati<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong> assessment of climatechange <strong>and</strong> biodiversity issues <strong>into</strong> SEAs carried out across the EU Member States, under theDirective 2001/42/EC 2 (‘Strategic Envir<strong>on</strong>mental Assessment’ — ‘the SEA Directive’).The SEA DirectiveThe SEA Directive requires certain publicPPs to undergo an envir<strong>on</strong>mentalassessment before they are adopted.The SEA Directive applies to a wide rangeof public PPs (e.g. <strong>on</strong> l<strong>and</strong> use, transport,energy, waste, agriculture, etc.).PP in the sense of the SEA Directive mustbe prepared or adopted by an authority(at nati<strong>on</strong>al, regi<strong>on</strong>al or local level) <strong>and</strong>be required by legislative, regulatory oradministrative provisi<strong>on</strong>s.The PPs covered by the Directive aresubject to an envir<strong>on</strong>mental assessmentduring their preparati<strong>on</strong>, <strong>and</strong> beforetheir adopti<strong>on</strong>. This includes the drawingup of an envir<strong>on</strong>mental report in whichthe likely significant effects <strong>on</strong> theenvir<strong>on</strong>ment <strong>and</strong> the reas<strong>on</strong>ablealternatives are identified, <strong>and</strong> thecarrying out of c<strong>on</strong>sultati<strong>on</strong>s (with thepublic, the envir<strong>on</strong>mental authorities,<strong>and</strong> with other Member States in thecase of transboundary effects). Theenvir<strong>on</strong>mental report <strong>and</strong> the results ofthe c<strong>on</strong>sultati<strong>on</strong>s are taken <strong>into</strong> accountbefore adopti<strong>on</strong> of the proposed PP.Once a PP is adopted, the envir<strong>on</strong>mentalauthorities <strong>and</strong> the public are informed<strong>and</strong> relevant informati<strong>on</strong> is madeavailable to them. SEA Directive alsorequires m<strong>on</strong>itoring of significantenvir<strong>on</strong>mental effects of the PP in orderto identify unforeseen adverse effects atan early stage of PP implementati<strong>on</strong>.As a legally required <strong>and</strong> specifically defined process,SEAs are an opportunity to systematically integrateclimate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity in a st<strong>and</strong>ardisedapproach <strong>into</strong> plans <strong>and</strong> programmes (PPs) across the EU.This is an opportunity that cannot be missed if Europe is toachieve its envir<strong>on</strong>ment <strong>and</strong> development objectives.This guidance addresses the specific issues <strong>and</strong> challengesthat climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity bring to SEA;complementary guidance was prepared <strong>on</strong> the integrati<strong>on</strong>of climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity <strong>into</strong> envir<strong>on</strong>mentalimpact assessments (EIA). The SEA guidance is designed tobe used by competent authorities <strong>and</strong> policymakers,planners, SEA practiti<strong>on</strong>ers <strong>and</strong> other stakeholders acrossthe Member States <strong>and</strong> c<strong>and</strong>idate countries.This guidance highlights how you need to integrate climatechange <strong>and</strong> biodiversity issues effectively <strong>into</strong> the SEAprocess. It is arranged in a way that will encourage usersto think about how important climate change <strong>and</strong>biodiversity — as assessment issues — are likely to be fora specific PP <strong>and</strong> SEA processes.This guidance applies to SEAs carried out for differenttypes of PPs, <strong>and</strong> their revisi<strong>on</strong>s, required under theDirective — it is therefore inevitably generic. It is alsointended to apply across all the Member States <strong>and</strong> theirrespective legislative <strong>and</strong> governance structures, <strong>and</strong> tosupplement rather than c<strong>on</strong>flict with any nati<strong>on</strong>al SEA2 Directive 2001/42/EC of the European Parliament <strong>and</strong> of the Council of 27 June 2001 <strong>on</strong> the assessment of the effects of certain plans<strong>and</strong> programmes <strong>on</strong> the envir<strong>on</strong>ment, OJ L 197, 21.7.2001, p.30.12 <str<strong>on</strong>g>Guidance</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong> integrating climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity <strong>into</strong> SEA
guidance.Since it is the first such type of guidance issued by theEuropean Commissi<strong>on</strong>, <strong>and</strong> climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversityscientific base, policies, <strong>and</strong> SEA practices c<strong>on</strong>stantlyevolve, it should be c<strong>on</strong>sidered as a pilot guidancedocument. Subsequent amended versi<strong>on</strong>s are expected asexperience with the process is gained. These may includemore specific guidance <strong>on</strong> integrating disaster riskmanagement.1.2 How to use this guidanceUsers can either review the entire document at <strong>on</strong>ce, orskip directly to secti<strong>on</strong>s of specific interest. It is assumedthat readers will already have a reas<strong>on</strong>able underst<strong>and</strong>ingof the SEA process, methodologies <strong>and</strong> techniques used inSEAs.Secti<strong>on</strong> 2: <strong>Climate</strong> change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity in SEA —provides background <strong>on</strong> the issues <strong>and</strong> their legal <strong>and</strong>practical relati<strong>on</strong>ship with SEA. It also shows the benefits ofearly c<strong>on</strong>siderati<strong>on</strong> of climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity inSEAs.Secti<strong>on</strong> 3: Underst<strong>and</strong>ing climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity— gives users a basic underst<strong>and</strong>ing of the climate change<strong>and</strong> biodiversity issues to enable them to integrate the right issues <strong>into</strong> the SEA.Secti<strong>on</strong> 4: What are the key climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity issues? — identifies the key issues <strong>on</strong>climate change mitigati<strong>on</strong>, adaptati<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong> biodiversity — i.e. how to scope these issues in SEAs.Secti<strong>on</strong> 5: How to assess effects related to climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity in SEA? — practical tips<strong>on</strong> how to assess climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity related effects in SEAs.1.2.1 Annexes, tools <strong>and</strong> other supportThree Annexes provide additi<strong>on</strong>al sources of informati<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong> tools. Annex 1 <strong>and</strong> Annex 2 providefurther informati<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong> data that could be useful to support the SEA process, <strong>and</strong> integratingclimate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity in particular. Annex 3 summarises key tools <strong>and</strong> approaches thatcan be used to support the assessment of climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity as part of the SEA.1.2.2 Navigating the guidanceExisting guidance documents: SEA<strong>and</strong> climate changeSeveral general guidance documents <strong>on</strong>SEA <strong>and</strong> climate change have alreadybeen issued by Member States or otherorganisati<strong>on</strong>s. While they are tailored forspecific users, they can be useful toc<strong>on</strong>sult for supplementary informati<strong>on</strong>:• Opportunities for <strong>Integrating</strong><strong>Climate</strong> <strong>Change</strong> C<strong>on</strong>cerns <strong>into</strong>Regi<strong>on</strong>al Planning through StrategicEnvir<strong>on</strong>mental Assessment (theINTERREG IVC project, Regi<strong>on</strong>s forSustainable <strong>Change</strong>, 2011)• Strategic Envir<strong>on</strong>mental Assessment<strong>and</strong> climate change: <str<strong>on</strong>g>Guidance</str<strong>on</strong>g> forpractiti<strong>on</strong>ers (the Envir<strong>on</strong>mentAgency for Engl<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> Wales,2011)• SEA Topic <str<strong>on</strong>g>Guidance</str<strong>on</strong>g> for Practiti<strong>on</strong>ers(the <strong>Climate</strong> <strong>Change</strong> CountrysideCouncil for Wales, revised 2007)• The C<strong>on</strong>siderati<strong>on</strong> of ClimacticFactors within StrategicEnvir<strong>on</strong>mental Assessment (theScottish Government, 2010)Further informati<strong>on</strong>: Annex 1The figure overleaf gives an overview of the guidance, <strong>and</strong> shows how it can be applied throughoutthe SEA process, as outlined by the SEA Directive.<str<strong>on</strong>g>Guidance</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong> integrating climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity <strong>into</strong> SEA 13
Figure 1: Overview of the key steps in carrying out an SEA <strong>and</strong> where to find guidance14 <str<strong>on</strong>g>Guidance</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong> integrating climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity <strong>into</strong> SEA
2. <strong>Climate</strong> change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity in SEAThis secti<strong>on</strong> looks at how climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity are currently featured in SEAs. It reviewsthe requirements of the SEA Directive <strong>and</strong> discusses the benefits <strong>and</strong> challenges of integratingclimate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity <strong>into</strong> SEAs.2.1 The legal basis <strong>and</strong> the ‘spirit’ of the DirectiveThe SEA Directive c<strong>on</strong>tains a number of starting principles that provide a useful basis for c<strong>on</strong>sideringclimate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity in SEA. ‘<strong>Biodiversity</strong>’ <strong>and</strong> ‘climatic factors’ are specified in the list offactors to be assessed, as well as ‘fauna’ <strong>and</strong> ‘flora’ (see Table 1). The Directive sets out clearly toestablish a high level of protecti<strong>on</strong> for the envir<strong>on</strong>ment (Article 1) <strong>and</strong> to integrate envir<strong>on</strong>mentalc<strong>on</strong>siderati<strong>on</strong>s <strong>into</strong> the preparati<strong>on</strong> of PP likely to have significant effects <strong>on</strong> the envir<strong>on</strong>ment, with aview to promoting sustainable development.Table 1: Direct <strong>and</strong> indirect references to climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity in the SEA DirectiveIssue Directive reference (direct) Directive reference (indirect)<strong>Climate</strong> <strong>Change</strong>• Annex I(f) requires an envir<strong>on</strong>mental reportto c<strong>on</strong>sider the effects <strong>on</strong> ‘climatic factors’.• Annex I(d) requires an envir<strong>on</strong>mental reportto c<strong>on</strong>sider any existing envir<strong>on</strong>mentalproblems which are relevant to the PPincluding, in particular, those relating to any• The recitals to the Directive refer to theC<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> Biological Diversity, theHabitats Directive <strong>and</strong> the Birds Directive.areas of a particular envir<strong>on</strong>mental<strong>Biodiversity</strong>importance, such as areas designatedpursuant to 92/43/EEC 3 (‘HabitatsDirective’) <strong>and</strong> the Directive 2009/147/EC 4(‘Birds Directive’).• Annex I(f) requires an envir<strong>on</strong>mental reportto c<strong>on</strong>sider the effects <strong>on</strong> ‘biodiversity’,‘fauna’ <strong>and</strong> ‘flora’.• Annex I(f) requires an envir<strong>on</strong>mental report • Article 1 sets out the Directive’s objective toRelevant toboth climatechange <strong>and</strong>biodiversityto c<strong>on</strong>sider the ‘interrelati<strong>on</strong>ship’ betweenall listed factors.provide for a high level of protecti<strong>on</strong> of theenvir<strong>on</strong>ment <strong>and</strong> integrati<strong>on</strong> ofenvir<strong>on</strong>mental c<strong>on</strong>siderati<strong>on</strong>s <strong>into</strong> planning.• Annex I requires an envir<strong>on</strong>mental report toc<strong>on</strong>sider envir<strong>on</strong>mental objectives atinternati<strong>on</strong>al, EU <strong>and</strong> Member State levels.• Article 10(1) requires m<strong>on</strong>itoring of theeffects of implementing PP to identifyunforeseen effects at an early stage.3 Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 <strong>on</strong> the c<strong>on</strong>servati<strong>on</strong> of natural habitats <strong>and</strong> of wild fauna <strong>and</strong> flora, as amended, OJ L 206,22.7.1992, p.7.4 Directive 2009/147/EC of the European Parliament <strong>and</strong> of the Council of 30 November 2009, <strong>on</strong> the c<strong>on</strong>servati<strong>on</strong> of wild birds [codifiedversi<strong>on</strong>], OJ L 20, 26.1.2010, p.7.<str<strong>on</strong>g>Guidance</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong> integrating climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity <strong>into</strong> SEA 15
2.2 Benefits of c<strong>on</strong>sidering climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity within SEAsSEA is not an end in itself. It is the appropriate tool for including envir<strong>on</strong>mental c<strong>on</strong>siderati<strong>on</strong>s whendeveloping a PP. This guidance document seeks to dem<strong>on</strong>strate the benefits of incorporating climatechange <strong>and</strong> biodiversity from the early stages of developing a PP.2.2.1 Delivery of climate <strong>and</strong> biodiversity objectivesFor many types of PPs, the SEA is the <strong>on</strong>ly legally required tool that requires planners to c<strong>on</strong>sider theenvir<strong>on</strong>ment at an early stage of development, when alternatives are still open. For climate changethis might include:• underst<strong>and</strong>ing the potential greenhouse gas (GHG) emissi<strong>on</strong>s from the implementati<strong>on</strong> of thePP <strong>and</strong> potential alternatives to avoid or reduce these effects;• c<strong>on</strong>sidering flood risk plans/maps in the c<strong>on</strong>text of different l<strong>and</strong> uses; <strong>and</strong>• exploring any c<strong>on</strong>flicts <strong>and</strong> synergies between climate change mitigati<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong> adaptati<strong>on</strong>,therefore avoiding maladaptati<strong>on</strong>.For biodiversity this might include:• assessing the spatial c<strong>on</strong>text of biodiversity (e.g. possible applicati<strong>on</strong> of ecosystem servicesmapping/assessment); <strong>and</strong>• addressing the objectives of the EU 2020 <strong>Biodiversity</strong> Strategy 5 <strong>and</strong> the Member Statesmeasures put in place to implement that Strategy.2.2.2 Compliance with EU <strong>and</strong> nati<strong>on</strong>al legislati<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong> policiesClearly, assessing climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity issues in SEAs will facilitate compliance with theSEA Directive <strong>and</strong> nati<strong>on</strong>al SEA laws. Moreover, climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity are the subjects of amany pieces of EU legislati<strong>on</strong>, policies <strong>and</strong> strategies, including binding targets for Member States.Each Member State is also likely to have a suite of legislative instruments relevant to climate change<strong>and</strong> biodiversity (e.g. building codes to promote energy efficiency, planning polices to minimise theneed to travel <strong>and</strong> avoid development in areas at risk from flooding, species <strong>and</strong> site protecti<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong>management requirements).Programmes to be funded under the Structural Funds <strong>and</strong>/or the Cohesi<strong>on</strong> Fund (over the 2014-2020 period) also need to c<strong>on</strong>sider the ex-ante c<strong>on</strong>diti<strong>on</strong>alities 6 linked with climate change aspects,which need to be met by the Member States.The c<strong>on</strong>siderati<strong>on</strong> of climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity will also feed <strong>into</strong> the planning of any projectsthat result from the implementati<strong>on</strong> of a particular PP, as well as any associated EIAs or Article 6(3)appropriate assessments under the Habitats Directive.5 Communicati<strong>on</strong> from the Commissi<strong>on</strong> to the European Parliament, the Council, the Ec<strong>on</strong>omic <strong>and</strong> Social Committee <strong>and</strong> the Committeeof Regi<strong>on</strong>s, Our life insurance, our natural capital: an EU biodiversity strategy to 2020, EC, COM(2011) 244 final.6 As laid down in the amended proposal for a regulati<strong>on</strong> of the European Parliament <strong>and</strong> of the Council laying down comm<strong>on</strong> provisi<strong>on</strong>s <strong>on</strong>the European Regi<strong>on</strong>al Development Fund, the European Social Fund, the Cohesi<strong>on</strong> Fund, the European Agricultural Fund for RuralDevelopment <strong>and</strong> the European Maritime <strong>and</strong> Fisheries Fund covered by the Comm<strong>on</strong> Strategic Framework <strong>and</strong> laying down generalprovisi<strong>on</strong>s <strong>on</strong> the European Regi<strong>on</strong>al Development Fund, the European Social Fund <strong>and</strong> the Cohesi<strong>on</strong> Fund <strong>and</strong> repealing CouncilRegulati<strong>on</strong> (EC) No 1083/2006, COM/2012/0496 final — 2011/0276(COD).16 <str<strong>on</strong>g>Guidance</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong> integrating climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity <strong>into</strong> SEA
2.2.3 Resilience of a PP to a changing climateA number of recent studies <strong>on</strong> the vulnerability of the EU <strong>and</strong> specific sectors <strong>and</strong> territories to thechanging climate have shown that some of Europe’s infrastructure needs to be adjusted to be ableto resp<strong>on</strong>d to the changing climate. This represents a shift in thinking from the traditi<strong>on</strong>alassessment of the effects of a PP <strong>on</strong> the envir<strong>on</strong>ment al<strong>on</strong>e, to <strong>on</strong>e where the likely l<strong>on</strong>g-term risksassociated with climate change are taken <strong>into</strong> account. Insurance firms, for instance, are alreadyrecognising the value of this form of thinking <strong>and</strong> include such risks in their assessments of risks fromnatural hazards. SEAs can address these risks within a PP through the c<strong>on</strong>cept of resilience.Building resilience <strong>into</strong> a PP is increasingly recognised as key to creating an adaptive managementresp<strong>on</strong>se to climate change. 7 In the c<strong>on</strong>text of SEAs, this means c<strong>on</strong>sidering that a PP operateswithin an evolving envir<strong>on</strong>mental baseline — e.g. <strong>on</strong>e that changes over time. The SEA thereforeneeds to underst<strong>and</strong> the impacts of this changing baseline <strong>on</strong> the implementati<strong>on</strong> of the PP <strong>and</strong> howit may resp<strong>on</strong>d over time. Adaptati<strong>on</strong> should not be left until the end of the preparati<strong>on</strong> of the PP —resilience needs to be built in from the very beginning as many are likely to experience a significantlychanging envir<strong>on</strong>ment. The SEA process is particularly important in that it has the potential to setthe framework for projects — therefore properly building in potential climate change impacts <strong>into</strong>SEAs has a huge potential to result in more resilient projects (supported by EIAs).2.2.4 Managing c<strong>on</strong>flicts <strong>and</strong> potential synergies between climate change, biodiversity<strong>and</strong> other envir<strong>on</strong>mental issuesThere are c<strong>on</strong>siderable benefits, not to menti<strong>on</strong> cost-effectiveness, of c<strong>on</strong>sidering climate changemitigati<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong> adaptati<strong>on</strong>, biodiversity, <strong>and</strong> other envir<strong>on</strong>mental issues together. For example, itprovides the opportunity for win-wins when applying ecosystem-based approaches to climatemitigati<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong> adaptati<strong>on</strong>, <strong>and</strong> avoiding mitigati<strong>on</strong> acti<strong>on</strong>s that have no adaptive capacity or thatreduce the resilience of other factors. One of the roles of SEAs is to seek to manage these c<strong>on</strong>flicts<strong>and</strong> potential synergies.2.2.5 Ecosystem servicesThe ecosystem services provided by biodiversity also need to be c<strong>on</strong>sidered when developing a PP.<strong>Biodiversity</strong> can provide a range of ecosystem services that potentially support the objectives of a PP<strong>and</strong> its implementati<strong>on</strong>. For example, a plan promoting ec<strong>on</strong>omic <strong>and</strong> social development could alsobenefit from the aesthetic <strong>and</strong> recreati<strong>on</strong>al services offered by biodiversity through the creati<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong>protecti<strong>on</strong> of green spaces <strong>and</strong> other natural areas associated with residential or commercialdevelopments. The l<strong>on</strong>g-term sustainability of the ec<strong>on</strong>omic development may be reliant <strong>on</strong> theclimate change adaptati<strong>on</strong> benefits provided by these natural areas, such as, cooling during hottemperature periods <strong>and</strong>/or the attenuati<strong>on</strong> of flood water.2.3 Challenges to overcome in addressing climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversityin SEAsA number of characteristics of climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity shape the way in which we need tolook at them in the c<strong>on</strong>text of a SEA:7 Resilience Alliance (2010) in Annex 1 gives examples of envir<strong>on</strong>mental limits relevant to climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity.<str<strong>on</strong>g>Guidance</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong> integrating climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity <strong>into</strong> SEA 17
• l<strong>on</strong>g-term <strong>and</strong> cumulative nature of effects;• complexity of the issues <strong>and</strong> cause-effect relati<strong>on</strong>ships;• uncertainty.These are the main characteristics of climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity that are most likely to pose asignificant challenge to SEAs. This secti<strong>on</strong> will help users to underst<strong>and</strong> these aspects better <strong>and</strong>gives some recommendati<strong>on</strong>s to help deal with them more effectively throughout the SEA process.Table 2 below summarises an approach to tackling these challenges. Each challenge is thendiscussed in more detail in the following secti<strong>on</strong>s.Table 2: Useful tips <strong>on</strong> tackling the challenges of climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity in SEAsKey challenges to c<strong>on</strong>sidering climatechange <strong>and</strong> biodiversity in SEATips <strong>on</strong> tackling this in SEAsL<strong>on</strong>g-term <strong>and</strong> cumulative nature ofimpacts• Avoid ‘snapshot’ analyses <strong>and</strong> c<strong>on</strong>sider trends with <strong>and</strong>without the proposed PP• Analyse impacts of proposed PP <strong>on</strong> the key climate changeComplexity of the issues <strong>and</strong> causeeffectrelati<strong>on</strong>ships<strong>and</strong> biodiversity trends <strong>and</strong> their drivers• Work with worst-case <strong>and</strong> best-case scenarios• Acknowledge assumpti<strong>on</strong>s <strong>and</strong> limitati<strong>on</strong>s of currentUncertaintyknowledge• Base your recommendati<strong>on</strong>s <strong>on</strong> the precauti<strong>on</strong>ary principle• Prepare for adaptive management2.3.1 L<strong>on</strong>g-term <strong>and</strong> cumulative nature of impacts<strong>Climate</strong> change − both mitigati<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong> adaptati<strong>on</strong> − c<strong>on</strong>cerns l<strong>on</strong>g-term trends <strong>and</strong> entails changesthat are often too gradual to detect over the lifetime of a typical PP. The l<strong>on</strong>g-term nature of climatechange makes it more difficult to c<strong>on</strong>sider within normal (five-to-ten year) planning horiz<strong>on</strong>s.However, as many PPs are implemented over the l<strong>on</strong>ger-term, <strong>and</strong> may set a framework forinfrastructure <strong>and</strong> other projects that will have a lifespan of many years, the c<strong>on</strong>siderati<strong>on</strong> of climatechange <strong>and</strong> biodiversity will be critical to their viability. This influences the baseline envir<strong>on</strong>mentagainst which a PP should be assessed as part of an SEA.<strong>Biodiversity</strong> also c<strong>on</strong>cerns l<strong>on</strong>g-term trends <strong>and</strong> changes as the effects <strong>on</strong> biodiversity arecumulative over time. Once species or habitats are completely lost, they cannot be replaced orrecovered. This means that we need to avoid impacts wherever possible <strong>and</strong> take positive acti<strong>on</strong> toenhance <strong>and</strong> better manage biodiversity <strong>and</strong> maximise ecosystem services.SEAs should therefore avoid ‘snapshot’ analyses (i.e. at a single point in time) <strong>and</strong> c<strong>on</strong>sider trends<strong>and</strong> envir<strong>on</strong>mental c<strong>on</strong>diti<strong>on</strong>s with <strong>and</strong> without the proposed PP (<strong>and</strong> its alternatives). This isc<strong>on</strong>sistent with Annex I(b) to the SEA Directive, which requires the assessment of not <strong>on</strong>ly thecurrent state of the envir<strong>on</strong>ment, but also the ‘likely evoluti<strong>on</strong> thereof without implementati<strong>on</strong> ofthe plan or programme.’ The cumulative climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity effects are particularlyimportant with regards to the evolving baseline. The need to c<strong>on</strong>sider cumulative effects ishighlighted in both Annex I <strong>and</strong> Annex II(2) to the SEA Directive.18 <str<strong>on</strong>g>Guidance</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong> integrating climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity <strong>into</strong> SEA
2.3.2 Complexity of the issues <strong>and</strong> cause-effect relati<strong>on</strong>shipsBoth climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity involve complexsystems (see box right) <strong>and</strong> interacti<strong>on</strong>s with otherenvir<strong>on</strong>mental aspects envir<strong>on</strong>ment <strong>and</strong> the humanenvir<strong>on</strong>ment. Since we cannot fully underst<strong>and</strong> someaspects of complex systems at the required decisi<strong>on</strong> point,we need to be able to work with what we have. Forexample, we are able to analyse trends based <strong>on</strong> studies,reports <strong>and</strong> other sources of informati<strong>on</strong>. At times, this willrequire simplified models to give best estimates ofemissi<strong>on</strong>s <strong>and</strong> impacts, for example, best-case <strong>and</strong> worstcasescenarios to illustrate different future states undervarious assumpti<strong>on</strong>s. C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong>al assessment approachescan be made more rigorous by asking two basic questi<strong>on</strong>s:ComplexityImpacts that may appear to havepositive climate change mitigati<strong>on</strong>benefits (e.g. renewable energyinfrastructure) could affect biodiversity,for instance via the cumulative effects ofseveral wind turbines <strong>on</strong> birds, locatedwithin or vicinity of Special Protecti<strong>on</strong>Areas (SPAs) designated under the BirdsDirective. These adverse effects could beexacerbated by additi<strong>on</strong>al pressure suchas inadequate farming or forestrypractices, etc.1. Is the implementati<strong>on</strong> of the proposed PP likely to have any significant direct positive ornegative effects <strong>on</strong> the expected future state of the envir<strong>on</strong>ment in the study area?2. Is the implementati<strong>on</strong> of the proposed PP likely to significantly alter drivers or trends in the keyissues?The judgment of impact magnitude <strong>and</strong> significance must be c<strong>on</strong>text-specific. For an individual PP —a transport plan, for example — while its c<strong>on</strong>tributi<strong>on</strong> to GHGs may be insignificant at the globalscale, it may well be very significant at the local or regi<strong>on</strong>al scale in terms of its c<strong>on</strong>tributi<strong>on</strong> totargets set at those levels for GHG reducti<strong>on</strong>s. <strong>Biodiversity</strong> impacts will also depend <strong>on</strong> thegeographical <strong>and</strong> temporal scales of impacts <strong>and</strong> the sensitivity of the habitat or species c<strong>on</strong>cerned.For instance, implementing the PP could have negative effects up<strong>on</strong> a relatively comm<strong>on</strong> species atthe global level, but at the local level this could be the <strong>on</strong>ly viable populati<strong>on</strong> of that species. Bothclimate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity therefore dem<strong>on</strong>strate the importance of distinguishing betweenmagnitude <strong>and</strong> significance as you should normally in a SEA. In these cases, temporal <strong>and</strong>geographical scales may need to be greater.2.3.3 UncertaintyThere is a degree of uncertainty in any decisi<strong>on</strong>-making system, but it increases with complexity <strong>and</strong>timescale. It is therefore very likely that there will be uncertainty about the l<strong>on</strong>g-term impacts of aPP <strong>on</strong> biodiversity <strong>and</strong> climate change (see box overleaf), <strong>and</strong> how projected changes in the climatewill impact the PP. Uncertainty requires taking a more qualitative approach, where actualquantitative data are not available or not sufficiently reliable to predict impacts. Once you recogniseuncertainty in the PP <strong>and</strong> the SEA, c<strong>on</strong>sider the following advice for dealing with it.• Be comfortable with uncertainty. When seeking to anticipate the future, you can never becertain.• Factor uncertainty <strong>into</strong> screening.<str<strong>on</strong>g>Guidance</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong> integrating climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity <strong>into</strong> SEA 19
• Factor uncertainty <strong>into</strong> scoping by c<strong>on</strong>sidering what aspects of the PP are susceptible to achanging climate or to l<strong>on</strong>g-term biodiversity impacts — <strong>and</strong> determine what expertise isneeded <strong>on</strong> the SEA team to enable this.• Gather more informati<strong>on</strong> that could be useful up to a point, but <strong>on</strong>ly if it is the appropriateinformati<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong> it is feasible to fill an informati<strong>on</strong> gap. See Annex 1 <strong>on</strong> informati<strong>on</strong> sources.• Scenarios are an effective way to deal with the uncertainty inherent in complex systems <strong>and</strong>imperfect data. Use scenarios to present a range of possible outcomes or pathways. For moreinformati<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> scenarios see Annex 2.• Use proxy indicators if direct indicators are not available, e.g. trends in traffic levels if vehicleGHG emissi<strong>on</strong> data are not available.• Think about risks when the impacts are too uncertain. Always acknowledge assumpti<strong>on</strong>s behindassessment (i.e. under what circumstances an impact can occur).• Use the precauti<strong>on</strong>ary principle to guide the choice of PP alternatives <strong>and</strong> mitigati<strong>on</strong> measures.Think about building l<strong>on</strong>g-term resilience <strong>into</strong> the PP this way.• Prepare for adaptive management by putting in place m<strong>on</strong>itoring measures to resp<strong>on</strong>d tofuture changes.Case study:SEA of the Thames 2100 Flood Risk Management Plan, the United Kingdom — dealing withuncertaintyThe Thames Estuary 2100 Plan is a l<strong>on</strong>g-term flood risk management strategy for the Thames river area. It wasdeveloped by the Envir<strong>on</strong>ment Agency for Engl<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> Wales in resp<strong>on</strong>se to the gradual deteriorati<strong>on</strong> of flooddefences in the tidal Thames <strong>and</strong> the potential for increases in the frequency <strong>and</strong> severity of flooding due toprojected socio-ec<strong>on</strong>omic change <strong>and</strong> climate change.The SEA dem<strong>on</strong>strates an approach to dealing with l<strong>on</strong>g-term horiz<strong>on</strong>s <strong>and</strong> their inherent uncertainties <strong>and</strong>acknowledges uncertainty directly.It deals with uncertainty through, for example, the opti<strong>on</strong>s for future flood risk management <strong>and</strong> the emphasisplaced <strong>on</strong> m<strong>on</strong>itoring implementati<strong>on</strong> of the plan.Source: The Envir<strong>on</strong>ment Agency for Engl<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> Wales relevant webpage20 <str<strong>on</strong>g>Guidance</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong> integrating climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity <strong>into</strong> SEA
3. Underst<strong>and</strong>ing climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversityThis secti<strong>on</strong> provides informati<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> the current status, trends, drivers <strong>and</strong> policy resp<strong>on</strong>sesregarding climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity in the EU. The purpose is to highlight the importance <strong>and</strong>complexity of climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity to those involved in SEAs: competent authorities;planners or programme developers; SEA practiti<strong>on</strong>ers; regulators; or other stakeholders. It shouldhelp you at the scoping stage of the SEA process.Clearly, an SEA will also need to assess, depending <strong>on</strong> its scale, the nati<strong>on</strong>al, regi<strong>on</strong>al <strong>and</strong> localc<strong>on</strong>text applicable to the PP c<strong>on</strong>cerned. It is not practical to include this level of informati<strong>on</strong> in thisguidance, therefore the internati<strong>on</strong>al/EU c<strong>on</strong>text provided here is just a starting point.3.1 Introducti<strong>on</strong> to climate changeResp<strong>on</strong>ses to climate change can be divided <strong>into</strong> two aspects:Mitigati<strong>on</strong> — the term used to describe the process of reducing GHG emissi<strong>on</strong>s thatc<strong>on</strong>tribute to climate change. It includes strategies to reduce GHG emissi<strong>on</strong>s <strong>and</strong>enhance GHG sinks.Adaptati<strong>on</strong> — is a process, or set of initiatives <strong>and</strong> measures, to reduce thevulnerability of natural <strong>and</strong> human systems against actual or expected climate changeeffects. Adaptati<strong>on</strong> can also be thought of as learning how to live with thec<strong>on</strong>sequences of climate change. The first c<strong>on</strong>sequences of climate change canalready be seen in Europe <strong>and</strong> worldwide, <strong>and</strong> these impacts are predicted tointensify in the coming decades. Temperatures are rising, rainfall patterns are shifting,glaciers are melting, sea levels are getting higher <strong>and</strong> extreme weather resulting inhazards such as floods <strong>and</strong> droughts is becoming more comm<strong>on</strong>.<strong>Climate</strong> change adaptati<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong> mitigati<strong>on</strong> are closely interrelated. While they are often c<strong>on</strong>sideredas separate topics or policy fields, it is critical to c<strong>on</strong>sider the links between them. Certain adaptati<strong>on</strong>resp<strong>on</strong>ses have clear mitigati<strong>on</strong> benefits, but some acti<strong>on</strong>s can result in ‘maladaptati<strong>on</strong>’ — i.e.instead of reducing vulnerability to climate change, they actually increase it or reduce the adaptivecapacity. Some acti<strong>on</strong>s can also distribute the benefits of adaptati<strong>on</strong> unequally across society (forexample, the preventi<strong>on</strong> of climate-change-induced diseases <strong>on</strong>ly for affluent people). 8One of the roles of SEAs is to seek to manage these c<strong>on</strong>flicts <strong>and</strong> potential synergies. To do so, makea comprehensive assessment of the links between climate change mitigati<strong>on</strong>, adaptati<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong> otherenvir<strong>on</strong>mental issues <strong>and</strong> policy c<strong>on</strong>cerns, to avoid the risk of:• negative synergies <strong>and</strong> inc<strong>on</strong>sistent policies;• missed opportunities for exploring <strong>and</strong> promoting positive synergies; <strong>and</strong>• sub-optimal allocati<strong>on</strong> of resources <strong>and</strong> policy resp<strong>on</strong>ses.Some PPs will have as their objectives the promoti<strong>on</strong> of climate change-resp<strong>on</strong>sive projects,including mitigati<strong>on</strong> (such as renewable energy licensing regimes, or plans for carb<strong>on</strong> capture <strong>and</strong>8 Taken from Guiding principles for adaptati<strong>on</strong> to climate change in Europe ETC/ACC Technical Paper 2010/6.<str<strong>on</strong>g>Guidance</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong> integrating climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity <strong>into</strong> SEA 21
storage); adaptati<strong>on</strong> (such as flood management plans); or resource-management such as water (forwhich energy use, carb<strong>on</strong> reducti<strong>on</strong>, <strong>and</strong> adaptati<strong>on</strong> are important, for example, al<strong>on</strong>g with thecomplex interacti<strong>on</strong>s between climate change <strong>and</strong> its impact <strong>on</strong> supply/dem<strong>and</strong> for water <strong>and</strong>ecosystem functi<strong>on</strong>s <strong>and</strong> biodiversity). For such PPs, <strong>and</strong> for PPs with more generic objectives (suchas urban development plans), it is important that their SEAs assess these links.3.1.1 <strong>Climate</strong> change mitigati<strong>on</strong> — overview of current status, trends <strong>and</strong> policyresp<strong>on</strong>sesCurrent status, trends <strong>and</strong> key driversMany studies have been carried out <strong>into</strong> how to assess the current status, trends <strong>and</strong> key drivers forGHG emissi<strong>on</strong>s, <strong>and</strong> they provide a useful background. See Mitigating climate change — SOER 2010thematic assessment (EEA, 2010) 9 <strong>and</strong> other documents listed in the Annex 1 to this guidance for anoverview.Policy resp<strong>on</strong>seIn March 2007, 10 the EU Heads of State <strong>and</strong> Government endorsed an integrated approach toclimate <strong>and</strong> energy policy that aims to combat climate change <strong>and</strong> increase the EU’s energy securitywhile strengthening its competitiveness. They set a series of dem<strong>and</strong>ing climate <strong>and</strong> energy targetsto be met by 2020, known as the ‘20-20-20’ targets (see‘20-20-20’ climate <strong>and</strong> energybox left).targetsWith its Roadmap for moving to a competitive low-carb<strong>on</strong>• A reducti<strong>on</strong> in EU GHG emissi<strong>on</strong>s of ec<strong>on</strong>omy in 2050, the European Commissi<strong>on</strong> has lookedat least 20 % below 1990 levels;bey<strong>on</strong>d these short-term objectives <strong>and</strong> set out a costeffectivepathway for reducing domestic emissi<strong>on</strong>s by 80• 20 % of EU energy c<strong>on</strong>sumpti<strong>on</strong> tocome from renewable resources;to 95 % by mid-century. The Roadmap identifies• 20 % reducti<strong>on</strong> in primary energy usecompared with projected levels, to milest<strong>on</strong>es <strong>and</strong> provides guidance <strong>on</strong> how to move to abe achieved by improving energyclimate-friendly, low carb<strong>on</strong> ec<strong>on</strong>omy in the most efficientefficiency.way.Table 3 below summarises the key aspects of internati<strong>on</strong>al <strong>and</strong> EU climate change mitigati<strong>on</strong> policy.Table 3: Key aspects of climate change mitigati<strong>on</strong> policyPolicy resp<strong>on</strong>seObjectives <strong>and</strong> targetsUnited Nati<strong>on</strong> FrameworkC<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> <strong>Climate</strong><strong>Change</strong> (UNFCCC)• UNFCCC seeks to reduce internati<strong>on</strong>al GHG emissi<strong>on</strong>s by setting nati<strong>on</strong>al level targetsbased <strong>on</strong> the c<strong>on</strong>cept of ‘comm<strong>on</strong> but differentiated resp<strong>on</strong>sibility’. This means thatnati<strong>on</strong>s which have emitted the majority of GHGs up to now should seek to reduce GHGsat a greater rate.UNFCCC’s Kyoto Protocol • Under the UNFCCC’s Kyoto Protocol, 15 Member States of the EU (‘EU-15’) decided <strong>on</strong> acollective target of reducing GHG emissi<strong>on</strong>s by 8 % relative to 1990 levels between 2008<strong>and</strong> 2012 (Member State emissi<strong>on</strong> targets are differentiated under an EU burden-sharingdecisi<strong>on</strong>). The other Member States have similar targets, with the excepti<strong>on</strong> of Cyprus<strong>and</strong> Malta.• The EU-15 are well <strong>on</strong> track to meeting their target. Preliminary EEA estimates indicatethat they reduced their emissi<strong>on</strong>s by 14.1 % below base-year levels by 2011. 119 http://www.eea.europa.eu/soer/europe/mitigating-climate-change.10 European Council, 8/9 March 2007.11 Approximated EU GHG inventory, http://www.eea.europa.eu/publicati<strong>on</strong>s/approximated-eu-ghg-inventory-201122 <str<strong>on</strong>g>Guidance</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong> integrating climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity <strong>into</strong> SEA
EU <strong>Climate</strong> <strong>and</strong> EnergyPackageRoadmap for moving to alow-carb<strong>on</strong> ec<strong>on</strong>omy in2050• To meet the EU’s obligati<strong>on</strong> under internati<strong>on</strong>al law <strong>and</strong> in line with European ambiti<strong>on</strong>.Member States are required to:• Collectively reduce their combined GHG emissi<strong>on</strong>s in 2020 by at least 20 % compared to1990 levels. Note: the EU has offered to take <strong>on</strong> a 30 % target for 2020 if other majoremitters c<strong>on</strong>tribute adequately to global mitigati<strong>on</strong> efforts.• Produce 20 % of their combined energy from renewable sources.• Improve energy efficiency to reduce primary energy use by 20 % compared with projectedlevels.• The collective EU target of reducing emissi<strong>on</strong>s by 20 % by 2020 is to be achieved by:o The EU Emissi<strong>on</strong>s Trading System, the backb<strong>on</strong>e of the EU mitigati<strong>on</strong> effort, whichsets a cap <strong>on</strong> emissi<strong>on</strong>s from the most polluting sectors, including over 11000factories, power plants <strong>and</strong> other installati<strong>on</strong>s, including airlines. By 2020, the capshould result in a 21 % reducti<strong>on</strong> relative to 2005 levels. The EU ETS covers about40 % of all EU emissi<strong>on</strong>s.o The ‘effort sharing decisi<strong>on</strong>’, which operates outside the EU ETS <strong>and</strong> establishesannual binding GHG emissi<strong>on</strong> targets for individual Member States for the 2013-2020 period. These c<strong>on</strong>cern emissi<strong>on</strong>s from sectors such as waste, agriculture,buildings, etc.• The ‘20-20-20’ targets are supported by the l<strong>on</strong>g-term target of 85-90 % reducti<strong>on</strong> in GHGemissi<strong>on</strong>s against 1990 levels by 2050.• The Roadmap looks bey<strong>on</strong>d the 2020 targets <strong>and</strong> sets out a plan to meet the l<strong>on</strong>g-termtarget of reducing EU emissi<strong>on</strong>s by 80-95 % by 2050. The strategy takes a sectoralperspective, looking at how the heavy-emissi<strong>on</strong>s sectors such as power generati<strong>on</strong>,transport, buildings <strong>and</strong> c<strong>on</strong>structi<strong>on</strong>, industry <strong>and</strong> agriculture can make the transiti<strong>on</strong> toa low-carb<strong>on</strong> ec<strong>on</strong>omy over the coming decades.Energy Roadmap 2050 • In the Energy Roadmap 2050, the EU explores the challenges posed by delivering the EU’sdecarb<strong>on</strong>isati<strong>on</strong> objective, while at the same time ensuring security of energy supply <strong>and</strong>competitiveness.Flagship initiative for aresource-efficient Europe• It supports the shift to a resource-efficient, low-carb<strong>on</strong> ec<strong>on</strong>omy to achieve sustainablegrowth. It provides a l<strong>on</strong>g-term framework for acti<strong>on</strong> to factor in resource efficiency in abalanced manner in many policy areas, including climate change, energy, transport,industry, agriculture, biodiversity <strong>and</strong> regi<strong>on</strong>al development.3.1.2 <strong>Climate</strong> change adaptati<strong>on</strong> — overview of current status, trends <strong>and</strong> policyresp<strong>on</strong>sesCurrent status, trends <strong>and</strong> key driversRegardless of the success of mitigati<strong>on</strong> acti<strong>on</strong>, some degree of climate change is already ‘locked in’<strong>and</strong> we are feeling the effects of our changing climate already. Several studies have assessed thecurrent status, trends <strong>and</strong> key drivers for climate change <strong>and</strong> provide a useful background. SeeAdapting to climate change — SOER 2010 thematic assessment (EEA, 2010) 12 <strong>and</strong> the European<strong>Climate</strong> Adaptati<strong>on</strong> Platform: CLIMATE-ADAPT, 13 as well as other documents listed in Annex 1 to this<str<strong>on</strong>g>Guidance</str<strong>on</strong>g>.Policy resp<strong>on</strong>seAdaptati<strong>on</strong> involves adjusting our behaviour to limit harm <strong>and</strong> exploiting the beneficial opportunitiesarising from climate change. However, our level of preparedness, resilience <strong>and</strong> vulnerability are noteasily quantifiable, making it difficult to set hard <strong>and</strong> fast targets. But climate change mitigati<strong>on</strong>targets are more tangible. In the EU, the focus is <strong>on</strong> integrating (‘mainstreaming’) adaptati<strong>on</strong> <strong>into</strong> allrelevant policies <strong>and</strong> instruments <strong>and</strong> facilitating effective, c<strong>on</strong>sistent adaptati<strong>on</strong> acti<strong>on</strong> at nati<strong>on</strong>al,regi<strong>on</strong>al <strong>and</strong> local levels. For example, the legislative proposals for the EU regi<strong>on</strong>al policy (2014-2020) include ex-ante c<strong>on</strong>diti<strong>on</strong>alities linked with climate change aspects, which need to be met by12 http://www.eea.europa.eu/soer/europe/adapting-to-climate-change.13 http://climate-adapt.eea.europa.eu/<str<strong>on</strong>g>Guidance</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong> integrating climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity <strong>into</strong> SEA 23
the Member States if they use the EU Structural <strong>and</strong> Cohesi<strong>on</strong> Funds. Many European countries, aswell as some regi<strong>on</strong>s <strong>and</strong> cities, have adopted adaptati<strong>on</strong> strategies. The European Envir<strong>on</strong>mentAgency (EEA) keeps an overview of adaptati<strong>on</strong> strategies in its 32 member countries. 14 It also hoststhe European <strong>Climate</strong> Adaptati<strong>on</strong> Platform: CLIMATE-ADAPT.Table 4 below summarises the key internati<strong>on</strong>al <strong>and</strong> EU policies <strong>on</strong> climate change adaptati<strong>on</strong>.Table 4: Key aspects of climate change adaptati<strong>on</strong> policyPolicy resp<strong>on</strong>seObjectives <strong>and</strong> targetsEU Strategy <strong>on</strong> Adaptati<strong>on</strong>to <strong>Climate</strong> <strong>Change</strong>European <strong>Climate</strong>Adaptati<strong>on</strong> Platform:CLIMATE-ADAPT• The European Commissi<strong>on</strong> adopted a White Paper <strong>on</strong> Adapting to <strong>Climate</strong> <strong>Change</strong> in2009, leading to an EU Adaptati<strong>on</strong> Strategy in 2013.• The Adaptati<strong>on</strong> Strategy will:o recognise how important impact assessment is for climate proofing (thisguidance supports the Strategy’s key objectives <strong>and</strong> acti<strong>on</strong>s)o identify the key priorities for acti<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong> how EU policies can encourage effectiveadaptati<strong>on</strong> acti<strong>on</strong>o highlight the issue of adapting infrastructure to climate change <strong>and</strong> include aseparate document <strong>on</strong> this topico encourage creating green infrastructure <strong>and</strong> applying ecosystem-basedapproaches.• <str<strong>on</strong>g>Guidance</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong> how to mainstream adaptati<strong>on</strong> <strong>into</strong> the Comm<strong>on</strong> Agricultural Policy <strong>and</strong>Cohesi<strong>on</strong> Policy will be developed after the Adaptati<strong>on</strong> Strategy is adopted.• A publicly accessible, web-based platform designed to support policy-makers at EU,nati<strong>on</strong>al, regi<strong>on</strong>al <strong>and</strong> local levels in the development of climate change adaptati<strong>on</strong>measures <strong>and</strong> policies.• It has been developed to help users to access, disseminate <strong>and</strong> integrate informati<strong>on</strong><strong>on</strong>:o expected climate change in Europeo the vulnerability of regi<strong>on</strong>s, countries <strong>and</strong> sectors now <strong>and</strong> in the futureo informati<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> nati<strong>on</strong>al, regi<strong>on</strong>al <strong>and</strong> transnati<strong>on</strong>al adaptati<strong>on</strong> activities <strong>and</strong>strategieso case studies of adaptati<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong> potential future adaptati<strong>on</strong> opti<strong>on</strong>soo3.2 Introducti<strong>on</strong> to biodiversity<strong>on</strong>line tools that support adaptati<strong>on</strong> planningadaptati<strong>on</strong>-related research projects, guideline documents, reports informati<strong>on</strong>sources, links, news <strong>and</strong> events.<strong>Biodiversity</strong> — or biological diversity — is <strong>on</strong>e of the key terms in c<strong>on</strong>servati<strong>on</strong>,encompassing the richness of life <strong>and</strong> the diverse patterns it forms. The C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong><strong>on</strong> Biological Diversity (CBD) defines biological diversity as ‘the variability am<strong>on</strong>g livingorganisms from all sources including, inter alia, terrestrial, marine <strong>and</strong> other aquaticecosystems <strong>and</strong> the ecological complexes of which they are part; this includesdiversity within species, between species <strong>and</strong> of ecosystems’ (Article 2).The Natura 2000 network of protected areas, created <strong>on</strong> the basis of the Habitats <strong>and</strong> the BirdsDirectives, is the backb<strong>on</strong>e of the EU’s biodiversity policy. At present, the network covers almost18 % of the EU’s l<strong>and</strong> surface <strong>and</strong> more than 145 000 km² of its seas. However, it is important toremember that the c<strong>on</strong>cept of biodiversity is not limited to the Natura 2000 network, it is muchbroader:• The Birds <strong>and</strong> Habitats Directives also cover species <strong>and</strong> habitats outside Natura 2000 sites.14 Available from: http://www.eea.europa.eu/themes/climate/nati<strong>on</strong>al- adaptati<strong>on</strong>-strategies.24 <str<strong>on</strong>g>Guidance</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong> integrating climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity <strong>into</strong> SEA
• Under Article 6(3) of the Habitats Directive, an ‘appropriate assessment’ − is required for anyplan or project likely to have a significant effect <strong>on</strong> Natura 2000 site, even if it is implementedoutside these sites.• Article 10 of the Habitats Directive recognises the importance of ensuring the ecologicalcoherence of the Natura 2000 sites.• Finally, the EU 2020 <strong>Biodiversity</strong> Strategy 15 as endorsed by the Council <strong>and</strong> European Parliamentcovers the whole territory <strong>and</strong> emphasises the benefits that ecosystems give us. It provides apackage of acti<strong>on</strong>s needed to halt the loss of biodiversity <strong>and</strong> the degradati<strong>on</strong> of ecosystemservices by 2020 <strong>and</strong> to restore them in so far as feasible.Therefore, SEAs should look at all these aspects of biodiversity <strong>and</strong> the quality of surroundings (seebox below).Case study: 2000-2007 transport infrastructure development plan, Spain — biodiversity outsidedesignated areasThe Spanish Ornithological Society (Sociedad Española de Ornitología, SEO/Birdlife) has developed a methodologyto accurately determine the relevance of territories for biodiversity c<strong>on</strong>servati<strong>on</strong>. This methodology, which hasbeen developed for SEAs for large-scale infrastructure plans, was applied to the Spanish 2000-2007 transportinfrastructure plan.It c<strong>on</strong>cluded that SEAs cannot limit themselves to assessing the effects of PPs <strong>on</strong> protected areas or even networksof protected areas, as the preservati<strong>on</strong> of these depends up<strong>on</strong> the quality of their surroundings.SEAs for large-scale infrastructure development plans in particular must c<strong>on</strong>tribute to c<strong>on</strong>serving biodiversity not<strong>on</strong>ly inside but also outside the system of protected areas <strong>and</strong> promoting biological c<strong>on</strong>nectivity by adopting ascope that is commensurate to the plan’s potential impact.Source: SEO Birdlife relevant webpage3.2.1 Overview of current status, trends <strong>and</strong> policy resp<strong>on</strong>sesCurrent status, trends <strong>and</strong> key driversSeveral studies have assessed the current status, trends <strong>and</strong> key drivers for biodiversity, <strong>and</strong> providea useful background. See <strong>Biodiversity</strong> — SOER 2012 thematic assessment (EEA, 2010), 16 the EU 2010<strong>Biodiversity</strong> Baseline (EEA, 2010), 17 <strong>and</strong> the other documents listed in Annex 1 to this guidance for anoverview.These studies have found that the rate of biodiversity loss is accelerating all over Europe. Althoughthere are some positive signs, they recognise five main pressures <strong>and</strong> drivers of biodiversity loss: (i)habitat loss <strong>and</strong> fragmentati<strong>on</strong>; (ii) overexploitati<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong> unsustainable use of natural resources; (iii)polluti<strong>on</strong>; (iv) invasive alien species, <strong>and</strong> (v) climate change.15 Communicati<strong>on</strong> from the Commissi<strong>on</strong> to the European Parliament, the Council, the Ec<strong>on</strong>omic <strong>and</strong> Social Committee <strong>and</strong> the Committeeof Regi<strong>on</strong>s, Our life insurance, our natural capital: an EU biodiversity strategy to 2020, EC, COM(2011) 244 final.16 http://www.eea.europa.eu/soer/europe/biodiversity.17 http://www.eea.europa.eu/publicati<strong>on</strong>s/eu-2010-biodiversity-baseline/.<str<strong>on</strong>g>Guidance</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong> integrating climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity <strong>into</strong> SEA 25
The aim of the Natura 2000 network <strong>and</strong> the sites designated under it is to slow down the rate ofbiodiversity loss, by establishing a system to protect key species <strong>and</strong> habitats. However, manyNatura 2000 sites remain in an unfavourable state <strong>and</strong> require improved management.Policy resp<strong>on</strong>se<strong>Biodiversity</strong> has been a core part of EU policy for over 20 years. Nevertheless, the overall trends arestill negative <strong>and</strong> recent policy has been c<strong>on</strong>sidered ineffective. This is shown by the EU’s failure toachieve the target of halting biodiversity loss by 2010.In 2011, the European Commissi<strong>on</strong> adopted a new EU 2020 <strong>Biodiversity</strong> Strategy with its 2020headline target — ‘Halting the loss of biodiversity <strong>and</strong> theGreen infrastructuredegradati<strong>on</strong> of ecosystem services in the EU by 2020, <strong>and</strong>restoring them in so far as feasible, while stepping up theEU c<strong>on</strong>tributi<strong>on</strong> to averting global biodiversity loss.’Green infrastructure can be defined as astrategically planned <strong>and</strong> deliverednetwork of high quality green spaces <strong>and</strong>other envir<strong>on</strong>mental features. It includesnatural <strong>and</strong> semi-natural areas, features<strong>and</strong> green spaces in rural <strong>and</strong> urban,terrestrial, freshwater, coastal <strong>and</strong>marine areas. Areas protected as Natura2000 sites are at the core of greeninfrastructure.It should be designed <strong>and</strong> managed as amultifuncti<strong>on</strong>al resource capable ofdelivering a wide range of benefits <strong>and</strong>services.The underlying principle is that the samearea of l<strong>and</strong> can frequently offer multiplebenefits. By enhancing greeninfrastructure, valuable l<strong>and</strong>scapefeatures can be maintained or created,which are not <strong>on</strong>ly valuable forbiodiversity but also help deliverecosystem services such as the provisi<strong>on</strong>of clean water, productive soil, attractiverecreati<strong>on</strong>al areas, <strong>and</strong> help climatechange mitigati<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong> adaptati<strong>on</strong>. It cansometimes be a cost-effectivealternative or be complementary to greyinfrastructure <strong>and</strong> intensive l<strong>and</strong> usechange.Source: DG Envir<strong>on</strong>ment relevantwebpageTarget 2 of this Strategy is that ‘by 2020, ecosystems <strong>and</strong>their services are maintained <strong>and</strong> enhanced byestablishing green infrastructure <strong>and</strong> restoring at least15 % of degraded ecosystem’. This target is broken down<strong>into</strong> accompanying acti<strong>on</strong>s, two of which seek to influenceplanning practices:• set priorities to restore <strong>and</strong> promote the use of greeninfrastructure (Acti<strong>on</strong> 6); <strong>and</strong>• ensure ‘no-net-loss’ of biodiversity <strong>and</strong> ecosystemservices (Acti<strong>on</strong> 7).These provide a good policy basis for preservingecosystem services <strong>and</strong> the use of ecosystem-basedapproaches <strong>and</strong> green infrastructure (see box left) in SEAsto support PPs. In the climate change c<strong>on</strong>text, ecosystembasedapproaches can maintain carb<strong>on</strong> stocks, regulatewater flow <strong>and</strong> storage, maintain <strong>and</strong> increase resilience,reduce the vulnerability of ecosystems <strong>and</strong> people, help toadapt to climate change impacts, improve biodiversityc<strong>on</strong>servati<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong> livelihood opportunities <strong>and</strong> providehealth <strong>and</strong> recreati<strong>on</strong>al benefits. 18The key aspects of internati<strong>on</strong>al <strong>and</strong> EU biodiversity policy are summarised in Table 5 overleaf.18 Assessment of the potential of ecosystem-based approaches to climate change adaptati<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong> mitigati<strong>on</strong> in Europe (EC study, EcologicInstitute <strong>and</strong> Envir<strong>on</strong>mental <strong>Change</strong> Institute, 2011).26 <str<strong>on</strong>g>Guidance</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong> integrating climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity <strong>into</strong> SEA
Table 5: Key aspects of biodiversity policyPolicy resp<strong>on</strong>seObjectives <strong>and</strong> targetsThe Habitats Directive <strong>and</strong>the Birds Directive• The Habitats Directive <strong>and</strong> the Birds Directive seek to protect sites of particularimportance for biodiversity— these sites form a network referred to as Natura 2000.• Member States are required to designate <strong>and</strong> manage Natura 2000 network siteswithin their borders. This includes habitat <strong>and</strong> species c<strong>on</strong>servati<strong>on</strong>, <strong>and</strong> reducing theimpact of building new infrastructure <strong>and</strong> of other human activities. This is achieved inpart by applying Article 6(3) <strong>on</strong> ‘appropriate assessments’.• The two directives create provisi<strong>on</strong>s for the protecti<strong>on</strong> of certain species of flora <strong>and</strong>fauna when they occur in the wider natural envir<strong>on</strong>ment.• Article 10 of the Habitats Directive recognises the importance of ensuring theecological coherence of Natura 2000 sites.The C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong>Biological Diversity (CBD)• The CBD is the main internati<strong>on</strong>al agreement governing biodiversity policy. The EU <strong>and</strong>its Member States are all parties to the c<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong>. Article 14 of the CBD, <strong>on</strong> ImpactAssessment <strong>and</strong> Minimising Adverse Impacts, requires that a project’s potentialadverse impact <strong>on</strong> biodiversity be taken <strong>into</strong> account.Nagoya Protocol • The Nagoya Protocol <strong>on</strong> Access to Genetic Resources <strong>and</strong> the Fair <strong>and</strong> EquitableSharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilisati<strong>on</strong> to the C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> BiologicalDiversity (adopted in Nagoya, October 2010) is a legally binding agreement thataddresses two issues:o How states provide access to genetic resources <strong>and</strong>/or associated traditi<strong>on</strong>alknowledge under their jurisdicti<strong>on</strong>; <strong>and</strong>o What measures they take to ensure that benefits of using such resources <strong>and</strong>/orknowledge are shared with provider countries, including indigenous <strong>and</strong> localcommunities?Strategic Plan for<strong>Biodiversity</strong> 2011-2020 <strong>and</strong>the Aichi TargetsEU 2020 <strong>Biodiversity</strong>Strategy• The Strategic Plan for <strong>Biodiversity</strong> 2011-2020 (adopted in Nagoya, October 2010) aimsto inspire acti<strong>on</strong> in support of biodiversity by all countries <strong>and</strong> stakeholders over thenext decade.• The Strategic Plan includes 20 headline targets, collectively known as the AichiTargets. They are organised under five strategic goals that address the underlyingcauses of biodiversity loss, reduce the pressures <strong>on</strong> biodiversity, safeguard biodiversityat all levels, enhance its benefits, <strong>and</strong> provide for capacity-building.• Our life insurance, our natural capital: an EU biodiversity strategy to 2020 is in line withthe two commitments made by EU Heads of State <strong>and</strong> Government in March 2010 —halting the loss of biodiversity <strong>and</strong> the degradati<strong>on</strong> of ecosystem services in the EU by2020, <strong>and</strong> restoring them in so far as feasible, while stepping up the EU c<strong>on</strong>tributi<strong>on</strong> toaverting global biodiversity loss.• The l<strong>on</strong>g-term goal states that ‘by 2050, European Uni<strong>on</strong> biodiversity <strong>and</strong> theecosystem services it provides — its natural capital — are protected, valued <strong>and</strong>appropriately restored for biodiversity’s intrinsic value <strong>and</strong> for their essentialc<strong>on</strong>tributi<strong>on</strong> to human wellbeing <strong>and</strong> ec<strong>on</strong>omic prosperity, <strong>and</strong> so that catastrophicchanges caused by the loss of biodiversity are avoided.’• The Strategy is also in line with the global commitments world leaders made in Nagoyain October 2010, when, in the c<strong>on</strong>text of the CBD, they adopted a package of measuresaddressing global biodiversity loss over the next decade (described above).• The emphasis is <strong>on</strong> the essential c<strong>on</strong>tributi<strong>on</strong> of biodiversity <strong>and</strong> ecosystem services tohuman wellbeing <strong>and</strong> ec<strong>on</strong>omic prosperity, <strong>and</strong> avoiding catastrophic changes causedby the loss of biodiversity. This represents a significant change in approach for theimpact assessment process, from reducing impact to actively improving (restoring)biodiversity as a whole <strong>and</strong> ensuring ‘no-net-loss’.• The main targets of the Strategy cover:o full implementati<strong>on</strong> of EU legislati<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> protecting biodiversity;o better protecti<strong>on</strong> for ecosystems <strong>and</strong> more use of green infrastructure;o more sustainable agriculture <strong>and</strong> forestry;o better fish stock management;o tighter c<strong>on</strong>trols <strong>on</strong> invasive alien species, including adopting new legislati<strong>on</strong> to fillexisting policy gaps;o a more significant EU c<strong>on</strong>tributi<strong>on</strong> to averting global biodiversity loss.<str<strong>on</strong>g>Guidance</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong> integrating climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity <strong>into</strong> SEA 27
<strong>Biodiversity</strong> Acti<strong>on</strong> Plans(BAPs)• BAPs provide details <strong>on</strong> how the <strong>Biodiversity</strong> Strategy is to be achieved. They arepresent at European level (for example, the 2006 BAP now superseded by the 2020<strong>Biodiversity</strong> Strategy), but also exist across the EU <strong>and</strong> worldwide under the CBD (asNati<strong>on</strong>al <strong>Biodiversity</strong> Strategy <strong>and</strong> Acti<strong>on</strong> Plans, NBSAPs). In Member States, they aresometimes aligned with the EU 2006 BAP.• BAPs form the wider implementati<strong>on</strong> framework for biodiversity, bey<strong>on</strong>d Natura2000. At Member State level, they list identified species <strong>and</strong> habitats, assess theirstatus within the ecosystem, create c<strong>on</strong>servati<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong> restorati<strong>on</strong> targets <strong>and</strong>establish the budgets <strong>and</strong> timelines needed to achieve said targets.• BAPs can also require the protecti<strong>on</strong> of certain species where they occur outside ofprotected areas.3.3 Interacti<strong>on</strong>s between climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversityThe natural envir<strong>on</strong>ment is intrinsically interlinked. These links are evident am<strong>on</strong>g manyenvir<strong>on</strong>mental issues, including climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity. This secti<strong>on</strong> does not attempt tofully describe the links between these two aspects, but simply focuses <strong>on</strong> the key interacti<strong>on</strong>s thatare directly relevant to SEAs.Two examples of interacti<strong>on</strong>s between biodiversity <strong>and</strong> climate change are:Using green infrastructure for floodrisk managementThe EU Floods Directive establishes aframework for the management of floodrisks. It gives the EU Member States thechoice of measures to put in place toreduce the adverse c<strong>on</strong>sequencesrelated to floods.Article 7 requires Member States to settheir own flood management objectives.The objectives must also focus <strong>on</strong> ‘n<strong>on</strong>structural’measures (ranging from earlywarningto natural water retenti<strong>on</strong>measures) <strong>and</strong>/or <strong>on</strong> the reducti<strong>on</strong> ofthe likelihood of flooding.These are potentially very cost-effectivealternatives of achieving flood protecti<strong>on</strong>to c<strong>on</strong>structing new or reinforcing dykes<strong>and</strong> dams. They often deliver multiplebenefits in additi<strong>on</strong> to flood protecti<strong>on</strong>.Examples of such measures are:• restoring natural flows byrealignment of coastal areas, or rec<strong>on</strong>necti<strong>on</strong>of rivers with theirfloodplain;• restorati<strong>on</strong> of wetl<strong>and</strong>s which canstore flood water <strong>and</strong> help ‘slow theflow’ of flood waters;• urban green infrastructure such asgreen spaces or green roofs.Source: DG Envir<strong>on</strong>ment relevantwebpage• Supporting biodiversity delivers clear carb<strong>on</strong> benefitsby enhancing the natural envir<strong>on</strong>ment’s ability toabsorb <strong>and</strong> store carb<strong>on</strong> via soil <strong>and</strong> plant matter.Evidence suggests that healthy natural habitats suchas soil, wetl<strong>and</strong>s, <strong>and</strong> forests can sequester significantamounts of carb<strong>on</strong>. Damaging the biodiversity orphysical envir<strong>on</strong>ment of these areas can release thisstored carb<strong>on</strong>, even indirectly, c<strong>on</strong>tributing to climatechange <strong>and</strong> to reducing biodiversity.• <strong>Biodiversity</strong> <strong>and</strong> the natural envir<strong>on</strong>ment provideservices that increase our resilience to the impacts ofclimate change, such as changes in precipitati<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong>temperature. For example, well-functi<strong>on</strong>ing greenspaces can regulate storm water flow, reducing therisk of flood events. Ecosystems <strong>and</strong> their services canbe used in many PPs with success as cost-effectivealternatives to build infrastructure, for example, tomanage flood risks (see box left). Green spaces <strong>and</strong>vegetati<strong>on</strong> also provide cooling within cities reducingthe impact of heat waves <strong>and</strong> the urban heat isl<strong>and</strong>effect <strong>and</strong> plants stabilise soils, reducing the risk ofl<strong>and</strong>slides <strong>and</strong> erosi<strong>on</strong>. By c<strong>on</strong>trast, deforestati<strong>on</strong> canc<strong>on</strong>tribute to mudslides, etc.The link between biodiversity <strong>and</strong> climate change is not<strong>on</strong>e-way. The effects of a changing climate are alreadyhaving an impact <strong>on</strong> biodiversity <strong>and</strong> ecosystem serviceprovisi<strong>on</strong>. It is predicted that climate change will be the28 <str<strong>on</strong>g>Guidance</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong> integrating climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity <strong>into</strong> SEA
single biggest cause of biodiversity loss next to l<strong>and</strong> use change. 19 The impacts of climate change <strong>on</strong>biodiversity stem from the fact that species tend to evolve to a specific range of envir<strong>on</strong>mentalfactors, such as temperature or moisture. As these factors alter due to climate change, species needto migrate to stay in their optimum envir<strong>on</strong>ment. Some species are more adaptive. For others, thisthreatens their ability to survive <strong>and</strong> hence increases extincti<strong>on</strong> rates <strong>and</strong> reduces biodiversity.The ability of species to resp<strong>on</strong>d to climate-enforced migrati<strong>on</strong> is also limited by human activity,which has changed l<strong>and</strong> use <strong>and</strong> fragmented habitats. When roads, urban areas <strong>and</strong> agricultural l<strong>and</strong>st<strong>and</strong> in their way, many species will find it almost impossible to migrate across the l<strong>and</strong>scape. Thereis therefore a need to facilitate this natural adaptati<strong>on</strong> process by, for example, recognisingecological networks <strong>and</strong> corridors, <strong>and</strong> creating new corridors to reduce fragmentati<strong>on</strong>.19 Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (2005) Synthesis Report.<str<strong>on</strong>g>Guidance</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong> integrating climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity <strong>into</strong> SEA 29
4. What are the key climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity issues?This secti<strong>on</strong> looks at the scope of climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity issues in SEAs <strong>and</strong> how to identifywhich <strong>on</strong>es should be addressed in any particular c<strong>on</strong>text. It is structured around three keyrecommendati<strong>on</strong>s:• start identifying the key issues early, using stakeholders to help;• underst<strong>and</strong> the key climate change issues, <strong>and</strong> how climate change interacts with the othertopics to be assessed in the SEA; <strong>and</strong>• underst<strong>and</strong> the key biodiversity issues, <strong>and</strong> how biodiversity interacts with the other topics to beassessed in the SEA.This secti<strong>on</strong> should support both the screening <strong>and</strong> scoping stages in the SEA process.4.1 Start identifying the key issues early using stakeholders to helpIt is critical to identify the key issues from a climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity perspective early in theSEA process to ensure that they are assessed effectively throughout the process. When doing this,c<strong>on</strong>sider not <strong>on</strong>ly the impacts of the PP <strong>on</strong> climate <strong>and</strong> climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity but also theimpact of a changing climate <strong>and</strong> natural envir<strong>on</strong>ment <strong>on</strong> the PP. For example, quality of life, oftenassociated with the quality of the natural envir<strong>on</strong>ment rich in biodiversity, can attract investment,workers <strong>and</strong> tourists. It can be am<strong>on</strong>g a regi<strong>on</strong>’s greatest assets <strong>and</strong> can translate <strong>into</strong> futureec<strong>on</strong>omic success. It should therefore be recognised at the drafting stage of the PP <strong>and</strong> theassociated SEA. On the other h<strong>and</strong>, a PP covering large areas at high risk of flooding may putrestricti<strong>on</strong>s <strong>on</strong> future developments.For programmes co-financed by the EU Structural <strong>and</strong> Cohesi<strong>on</strong> Funds in the 2014 to 2020 period, itis recommended that the SEA also assesses whether relevant ex-ante c<strong>on</strong>diti<strong>on</strong>alities have beenfulfilled.It is also essential to involve the envir<strong>on</strong>mental authorities <strong>and</strong> targeted stakeholder groups, experts,instituti<strong>on</strong>s <strong>and</strong> the wider public at an early stage, to ensure you capture the most important issues<strong>and</strong> get agreement for establishing a c<strong>on</strong>sistent approach to m<strong>on</strong>itoring. Early engagement withstakeholders (see box below) is likely to help improve compliance with certain aspects of theDirective but also make use of envir<strong>on</strong>mental authorities <strong>and</strong> stakeholder knowledge <strong>and</strong> opini<strong>on</strong> tohighlight potential areas of envir<strong>on</strong>mental problems <strong>and</strong> opportunities for improvement in a timely<strong>and</strong> effective way. However, you will need to be flexible to address new issues as they emergethrough the SEA process.Case study:SEA of the Rural Development Plan, Wales, the United Kingdom — early engagement of stakeholdersThe Welsh Assembly Government commissi<strong>on</strong>ed an SEA to be undertaken al<strong>on</strong>gside their Rural Development Plan2007-2013. The SEA is notable for the early <strong>and</strong> effective engagement with stakeholders during the scoping stage.This led to the c<strong>on</strong>siderati<strong>on</strong> of climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity across the SEA. The SEA is also a useful example ofthe use of network analysis <strong>and</strong> the c<strong>on</strong>siderati<strong>on</strong> of cumulative impacts with regard to biodiversity <strong>and</strong> climatechange.Source: Welsh Government relevant webpage30 <str<strong>on</strong>g>Guidance</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong> integrating climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity <strong>into</strong> SEA
Engaging proactively with envir<strong>on</strong>mental authorities <strong>and</strong> stakeholders can also help build climatechange mitigati<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong> adaptati<strong>on</strong> measures <strong>and</strong>/or biodiversity enhancement schemes <strong>into</strong> theproposed PP from the very beginning of planning, <strong>into</strong> all stages of the SEA process (see box below).Envir<strong>on</strong>mental authorities <strong>and</strong> stakeholders will be in positi<strong>on</strong> to give their advice if there are anysignificant <strong>on</strong>going plans that should be taken <strong>into</strong> account, but you may not be aware of, e.g. floodrisks.Case study:River Basin Management Plans, Spain — importance of integrating climate change issues <strong>into</strong> allstages of the SEA process<strong>Climate</strong> change needs to be c<strong>on</strong>sidered c<strong>on</strong>sistently at all stages of the SEA process, particularly in vulnerable areas<strong>and</strong> sectors.This case-study recommends that SEA practiti<strong>on</strong>ers clearly define mechanisms or instruments to integrate climatechange issues <strong>into</strong> the planning process. Proposed alternative measures need to be designed <strong>on</strong> the basis of anintegrated approach, <strong>and</strong> explicitly account for climate change-related uncertainty.Source: IAIA (Paper <strong>and</strong> presentati<strong>on</strong>: SEA of Spanish river basin plans <strong>and</strong> climate change: A checklist study)The breadth of sectors <strong>and</strong> stakeholders involved in climate change complicates the process ofc<strong>on</strong>sulting the correct authorities <strong>and</strong> stakeholders when carrying out SEAs, especially for PPs at thenati<strong>on</strong>al level. The SEA Directive requires early <strong>and</strong> effective c<strong>on</strong>sultati<strong>on</strong> with authorities with‘specific envir<strong>on</strong>mental resp<strong>on</strong>sibilities’ <strong>and</strong> the public affected or likely to be affected by, or havingan interest in, the decisi<strong>on</strong>-making related to the PP in questi<strong>on</strong>, including n<strong>on</strong>-governmentalorganisati<strong>on</strong>s, such as those promoting envir<strong>on</strong>mental protecti<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong> other organisati<strong>on</strong>s c<strong>on</strong>cerned(Article 6). These authorities are typically defined by the MSs as ministries or specialisedenvir<strong>on</strong>mental agencies at different levels (nati<strong>on</strong>al/regi<strong>on</strong>al/local), but climate change issuestypically require a different <strong>and</strong> often broader perspective, including authorities resp<strong>on</strong>sible forenergy, transport, water management, health <strong>and</strong> ec<strong>on</strong>omic sectors.Again, SEAs can help PP authorities <strong>and</strong> experts to better define the range of authorities <strong>and</strong>stakeholders that need to be part of climate change-related decisi<strong>on</strong> making, <strong>and</strong> to get theminvolved early in scoping the key issues. SEAs also have a role to play in building c<strong>on</strong>sensus overl<strong>on</strong>ger-term scenarios <strong>and</strong> alternatives.A series of key questi<strong>on</strong>s can be used as a starting point to help identify which aspects of climatechange <strong>and</strong> biodiversity are the most relevant — the headline c<strong>on</strong>cerns are listed in Table 6 overleaf.The secti<strong>on</strong>s below provide sets of questi<strong>on</strong>s <strong>and</strong> issues to help you c<strong>on</strong>sider which are the mostrelevant in any situati<strong>on</strong>. Note that envir<strong>on</strong>mental authorities <strong>and</strong> stakeholders may identify otherkey c<strong>on</strong>cerns, such as the interacti<strong>on</strong>s between issues in different columns in Table 6 (e.g. measuresto meet low-carb<strong>on</strong> energy dem<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> their impacts <strong>on</strong> habitat fragmentati<strong>on</strong>), <strong>and</strong> interacti<strong>on</strong>swith other envir<strong>on</strong>mental issues such as water, waste <strong>and</strong> air. As discussed in Secti<strong>on</strong> 3, it isimportant to c<strong>on</strong>sider the interacti<strong>on</strong>s <strong>and</strong> the potential synergies <strong>and</strong> c<strong>on</strong>flicts betweenenvir<strong>on</strong>mental issues as part of the SEA process.<str<strong>on</strong>g>Guidance</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong> integrating climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity <strong>into</strong> SEA 31
Table 6: Examples of headline climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity issues to c<strong>on</strong>sider as part of SEAs• degradati<strong>on</strong> of ecosystem services<strong>Climate</strong> change mitigati<strong>on</strong> <strong>Climate</strong> change adaptati<strong>on</strong> <strong>Biodiversity</strong>• energy dem<strong>and</strong> in industry • heat waves (including impact <strong>on</strong>• freeze-thaw damage 20• energy dem<strong>and</strong> in housing <strong>and</strong>c<strong>on</strong>structi<strong>on</strong>human health, damage to crops,forest fires, etc.)• loss of habitats, fragmentati<strong>on</strong>(including the extent or quality of• GHG emissi<strong>on</strong>s in agriculture • droughts (including decreased the habitat, protected areas,• GHG emissi<strong>on</strong>s in waste water availability <strong>and</strong> quality <strong>and</strong> including Natura 2000 sites,managementincreased water dem<strong>and</strong>)habitat fragmentati<strong>on</strong> or• travel patterns <strong>and</strong> GHG • flood management <strong>and</strong> extreme isolati<strong>on</strong>, as well as the impactsemissi<strong>on</strong>s from transportrainfall events<strong>on</strong> the processes which are• GHG emissi<strong>on</strong>s from energy • storms <strong>and</strong> high wind (including important for the creati<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong>/orproducti<strong>on</strong>damage to infrastructure, maintenance of ecosystems)• l<strong>and</strong> use, l<strong>and</strong>-use change, buildings, crops <strong>and</strong> forests) • loss of species diversity (includingforestry <strong>and</strong> biodiversity• l<strong>and</strong>slidesspecies protected under the• sea level rise, extreme storms, Habitats <strong>and</strong> Birds Directives)coastal erosi<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong> saline • loss of genetic diversityintrusi<strong>on</strong>• cold spellsThis is <strong>on</strong>ly an indicative list, it is not comprehensive. The issues <strong>and</strong> impacts that will be relevant toany particular SEA will depend up<strong>on</strong> the specific circumstances <strong>and</strong> c<strong>on</strong>text of each PP (e.g. the typeof PP, the sector covered, its locati<strong>on</strong>, scale <strong>and</strong> the characteristics of the receiving envir<strong>on</strong>ment,instituti<strong>on</strong>al <strong>and</strong> governance arrangements, etc.). Therefore this secti<strong>on</strong> should be used just as astarting point for c<strong>on</strong>sidering what issues <strong>and</strong> impacts may be relevant. The level of certainty of theprojected changes listed in Table 6 will also vary, <strong>and</strong> some changes may be more certain thanothers. Annex 1 <strong>and</strong> the sources of informati<strong>on</strong> in Annex 2, as well as relevant nati<strong>on</strong>al <strong>and</strong> localinformati<strong>on</strong>, should help determine which are the relevant key climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversityissues (see also the discussi<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> the use of scenario, vulnerability assessment, etc. below <strong>and</strong> inSecti<strong>on</strong> 5).This informati<strong>on</strong> can be used during both the scoping <strong>and</strong> screening stages to help identify whichclimate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity issues <strong>and</strong> impacts might be most relevant to an SEA of a particularPP. Some key questi<strong>on</strong>s are provided to help a reader think through which might be most relevant ina specific situati<strong>on</strong>. It may be useful to explore these questi<strong>on</strong>s with stakeholders with an interest orexpertise in climate change or biodiversity.4.2 Identifying the key climate change issuesThe starting point is likely to involve c<strong>on</strong>sidering climate change scenarios, al<strong>on</strong>g with socioec<strong>on</strong>omicscenarios, <strong>and</strong> what the implicati<strong>on</strong>s of these could be for the PP. Key issues of c<strong>on</strong>cernare likely to be around GHG emissi<strong>on</strong>s for mitigati<strong>on</strong>, <strong>and</strong> adaptati<strong>on</strong> measures needed to deal withanticipated impacts resulting from climate change. Note that the mitigati<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong> adaptati<strong>on</strong> c<strong>on</strong>cernswill need to be appropriate to the level at which the PP is operating <strong>and</strong> will have an influence <strong>on</strong>/beinfluenced by.20 Freeze-thaw weathering is a form of physical weathering, comm<strong>on</strong> in mountains <strong>and</strong> glacial envir<strong>on</strong>ments, caused by the expansi<strong>on</strong> ofwater as it freezes. This process also applies to infrastructure materials, e.g. c<strong>on</strong>crete. <strong>Climate</strong> change is projected to bring moreunpredictable winter weather in some parts of the world, increasing the frequency of freeze-thaw cycles. As this happens, roads, railways,water networks, etc. will suffer problems <strong>and</strong> increased maintenance costs. (adapted from: Talk Talk, <strong>and</strong> Weathering of buildingInfrastructure <strong>and</strong> the changing climate: adaptati<strong>on</strong> opti<strong>on</strong>s (Auld H., Klaassen J., Comer N., 2007)32 <str<strong>on</strong>g>Guidance</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong> integrating climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity <strong>into</strong> SEA
For climate change, in particular, it will be important to c<strong>on</strong>sider early in the SEA process not just theimpacts of the PP <strong>on</strong> climate <strong>and</strong> climate change, but also the impact of a changing climate <strong>on</strong> the PP<strong>and</strong> its implementati<strong>on</strong>. The examples of key questi<strong>on</strong>s therefore guide you through both of theseaspects (see Tables 7 <strong>and</strong> 8):• How may the climate be affected by implementing the PP in terms of GHG emissi<strong>on</strong>s?• How may the implementati<strong>on</strong> of the PP be affected by climate change, including the need toadapt to a changing climate <strong>and</strong> the impact of extreme events? The use of spatial data (see boxbelow) could be very useful to address this questi<strong>on</strong>.Case study:SEA of Masterplan for Kijkduin, the Netherl<strong>and</strong>s − identifying climate risksThis case illustrates the use of spatial data to identify climate changerisk exposure. To obtain a first indicati<strong>on</strong> of the degree to whichclimate effects are important in an area, a mapping tool has beendeveloped in the Netherl<strong>and</strong>s — the <strong>Climate</strong> Effect Atlas. It is meantto make climate impact data available nati<strong>on</strong>wide in a simple <strong>and</strong> fastway, via an interactive website, all based <strong>on</strong> the same assumpti<strong>on</strong>s<strong>and</strong> prec<strong>on</strong>diti<strong>on</strong>s.Source: <strong>Climate</strong> Effects Atlas (in Dutch),DHV (in Dutch), <strong>Climate</strong> Impact Atlas promotes the use of climateinformati<strong>on</strong> in policy making (<strong>Climate</strong> Research Netherl<strong>and</strong>s —Research Highlights, 2009) (in English)Example map for salt intrusi<strong>on</strong>Table 7: Examples of key questi<strong>on</strong>s for identifying climate change mitigati<strong>on</strong> issuesMain c<strong>on</strong>cerns related to:Key questi<strong>on</strong>s that could be asked at the screening <strong>and</strong>/or scoping stage of the SEAEnergy dem<strong>and</strong> in industry • Will the proposed PP increase or decrease dem<strong>and</strong> for energy in industry?• Does the PP encourage or limit opportunities for low carb<strong>on</strong> businesses <strong>and</strong>technologies?Energy dem<strong>and</strong> in housing<strong>and</strong> c<strong>on</strong>structi<strong>on</strong>• Will the PP increase or decrease dem<strong>and</strong> for c<strong>on</strong>structi<strong>on</strong> of housing <strong>and</strong> for energyuse in housing?GHG emissi<strong>on</strong>s inagricultureGHG emissi<strong>on</strong>s in wastemanagementTravel patterns <strong>and</strong> GHGemissi<strong>on</strong>s from transportGHG emissi<strong>on</strong>s fromenergy producti<strong>on</strong>• Will the PP increase or decrease generati<strong>on</strong> of methane (CH 4 ) <strong>and</strong> nitrous oxide(N 2 O) in agriculture?• Will the PP increase or decrease use of nitrogen in fertilising practices?• Will the PP adversely affect or protect carb<strong>on</strong> rich soils?• Will the PP increase waste generati<strong>on</strong>?• Will the proposed PP influence the waste management system?• How will these changes affect emissi<strong>on</strong>s of CO 2 <strong>and</strong> CH 4 from waste management?• Can the PP increase pers<strong>on</strong>al travel — the number <strong>and</strong> length of journeys <strong>and</strong> themode of travel? Will it entail a shift from more-polluting to less-polluting modes oftravel (e.g. from pers<strong>on</strong>al cars to public transport or from buses to electric trains)?• Can the PP significantly increase or decrease freight transport emissi<strong>on</strong>s?• How can the PP enhance or stimulate the provisi<strong>on</strong> of sustainable transportinfrastructure or technologies — for instance electric vehicle charging points, LPGfuel, hydrogen fuel cells?• Will the PP increase or decrease energy c<strong>on</strong>sumpti<strong>on</strong>?• How will these changes in energy dem<strong>and</strong> affect the energy supply mix?• What implicati<strong>on</strong>s will this change in energy supply have <strong>on</strong> GHG emissi<strong>on</strong>s fromenergy producti<strong>on</strong>?Forestry <strong>and</strong> biodiversity • What opportunities could the PP give for carb<strong>on</strong> sequestrati<strong>on</strong> via investment inforestry <strong>and</strong> biodiversity?<str<strong>on</strong>g>Guidance</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong> integrating climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity <strong>into</strong> SEA 33
Table 8: Examples of key questi<strong>on</strong>s for identifying climate change adaptati<strong>on</strong> issuesMain c<strong>on</strong>cerns related to:Key questi<strong>on</strong>s that could be asked at the screening <strong>and</strong>/or scoping stage of the SEAHeat waves • What are the key terrestrial habitats <strong>and</strong> migrati<strong>on</strong> corridors that may besignificantly affected by heat waves? How will the proposed PP impact <strong>on</strong> them?• What urban areas, populati<strong>on</strong> groups or ec<strong>on</strong>omic activities are most vulnerable toheat waves? How will the PP impact <strong>on</strong> them?• Does the PP reduce or enhance the ‘urban heat isl<strong>and</strong>’ effect?• Will the PP increase or reduce the resilience of l<strong>and</strong>scape/forests to wildlife fires?Droughts • What are the key terrestrial habitats <strong>and</strong> migrati<strong>on</strong> corridors that may besignificantly affected by droughts? How will the PP impact <strong>on</strong> them?• Will the PP increase water dem<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> to what extent?• Are there any significant risks associated with worsening water quality duringdroughts (increased polluti<strong>on</strong> c<strong>on</strong>centrati<strong>on</strong>s due to limited diluti<strong>on</strong>, saline intrusi<strong>on</strong>,etc.)?• Which freshwater bodies will be exposed to excessive water polluti<strong>on</strong> — especiallyduring droughts when the polluti<strong>on</strong> will become less diluted in reduced rivervolumes?Flood regimes <strong>and</strong> extremerainfall events• What infrastructure (e.g. existing or planned road segments, water supply, energy,etc.) is at risk due to its locati<strong>on</strong> in extreme flood z<strong>on</strong>es?• Is the capacity of drainage networks sufficient to h<strong>and</strong>le potential extreme rainfall?• Does the design of drainage systems prevent channelling drainage water <strong>into</strong> lowerlaying areas?• Will the proposed PP reduce or enhance the capacity of ecosystems <strong>and</strong> flood plainsfor natural flood management?• Will the proposed PP increase the exposure of the vulnerable (e.g. the elderly,unwell or young people) or sensitive receptors (e.g. critical infrastructure) to floods?Storms <strong>and</strong> high winds • What areas <strong>and</strong> critical infrastructure will be at risk because of storms <strong>and</strong> str<strong>on</strong>gwinds?L<strong>and</strong>slides • What property, pers<strong>on</strong>s or envir<strong>on</strong>mental assets are at risk because of l<strong>and</strong>slides <strong>and</strong>their vulnerability?Sea level rise, stormssurge, coastal erosi<strong>on</strong>,hydrological regimes <strong>and</strong>saline intrusi<strong>on</strong>• What are the key aquatic, riverine <strong>and</strong> coastal habitats <strong>and</strong> migrati<strong>on</strong> corridors thatmay be significantly adversely affected by sea level rise, coastal erosi<strong>on</strong>, changes inhydrological regimes <strong>and</strong> salinity levels? How will the proposed PP impact <strong>on</strong> them?• What are the key infrastructural assets (e.g. road segments <strong>and</strong> intersecti<strong>on</strong>s, watersupply infrastructure; energy infrastructure; industrial z<strong>on</strong>es <strong>and</strong> major l<strong>and</strong>fills) atrisk due to their locati<strong>on</strong> in areas that may be inundated by sea level rise or subjectto coastal erosi<strong>on</strong>? Will the proposed PP reduce or increase these risks?• What areas may be affected by saline intrusi<strong>on</strong>? Will the proposed PP reduce orincrease these risks?Cold spells • What areas <strong>and</strong> critical infrastructure will be at risk because of short periods ofunusually cold weather, blizzards or frost?Freeze-thaw damage • What key infrastructure (e.g. roads, water pipes, etc.) is at risk of freeze-thawdamage?34 <str<strong>on</strong>g>Guidance</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong> integrating climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity <strong>into</strong> SEA
4.3 Identifying the key biodiversity issuesHow is biodiversity affected by the implementati<strong>on</strong> of aPP? It may lead, for example, to habitat loss <strong>and</strong>degradati<strong>on</strong> (e.g. the destructi<strong>on</strong> of wetl<strong>and</strong>s, grassl<strong>and</strong>s<strong>and</strong> forests for housing <strong>and</strong> industrial development);habitat fragmentati<strong>on</strong>; loss of species (e.g. the plants <strong>and</strong>animals endemic to a particular habitat will not be able tosurvive if that habitat is destroyed or altered bydevelopment); altering of natural envir<strong>on</strong>mentalprocesses (e.g. river flow, water purificati<strong>on</strong>, coastalsediment transport, <strong>and</strong> erosi<strong>on</strong> c<strong>on</strong>trol, are altered whichcan have a l<strong>on</strong>g-term impact <strong>on</strong> habitat <strong>and</strong> species);impact <strong>on</strong> the provisi<strong>on</strong>ing of ecosystem services as aresult of loss of species <strong>and</strong> habitats; spread of alieninvasive species that can transform natural habitats <strong>and</strong>disrupt native species; etc.These sources can help determinewhich biodiversity impacts toc<strong>on</strong>sider in SEA:• The C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> BiologicalDiversity: Voluntary guidelines <strong>on</strong>biodiversity-inclusive envir<strong>on</strong>mentalimpact assessment• The IAIA: <strong>Biodiversity</strong> in ImpactAssessmentNote that informati<strong>on</strong> in Tables 7 <strong>and</strong> 10draw extensively <strong>on</strong> these sources.• The Ramsar H<strong>and</strong>book 16: ImpactAssessment: Guidelines <strong>on</strong>biodiversity inclusive EIA <strong>and</strong> SEA.When scoping the key issues for SEA, you should c<strong>on</strong>sider any SEAs carried out at higher decisi<strong>on</strong>levels that might have an influence <strong>on</strong> the scope of the SEA <strong>and</strong> <strong>on</strong> climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversityaspects of the evolving baseline. Similarly, if Natura 2000 sites could be affected, the requirementsof the Article 6(3) of the Habitats Directive have to be taken <strong>into</strong> account. Article 6(3) requires an‘appropriate assessment’ when any plan, either individually or in combinati<strong>on</strong> with other PPs <strong>and</strong>projects, is likely to have a significant effect <strong>on</strong> a Natura 2000 site/s. The implementati<strong>on</strong>experience 21 shows that Member States use mainly a co-ordinated approach for the SEA <strong>and</strong> Article6(3) assessments. This is in line with Article 11(2) of the SEA Directive which allows Member Statesto provide co-ordinated or joint procedures 22 to avoid duplicati<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong> overlapping of assessments.Combined applicati<strong>on</strong> of the SEA Directive <strong>and</strong> the Habitats Directive [Articles 6(3) <strong>and</strong> 6(4)]The combined applicati<strong>on</strong> of the SEA Directive <strong>and</strong> the Habitats Directive can help in particular to:• identify projects <strong>and</strong>/or types of projects likely to have significant negative effects <strong>on</strong> Natura 2000 sites <strong>and</strong> thecoherence of the network;• identify <strong>and</strong> assess likely significant cumulative effects of the PP in combinati<strong>on</strong> with other plans or projects;• propose mitigati<strong>on</strong> measures to avoid <strong>and</strong> reduce these effects;• examine alternative soluti<strong>on</strong>s (e.g. locati<strong>on</strong>s/routes or dem<strong>and</strong> management), when many opti<strong>on</strong>s are still openat PP level, to avoid significant effects;• prepare the ground for Article 6(3) assessments at project level; <strong>and</strong>• if needed, provide the basis for using the derogati<strong>on</strong> procedure (compensatory measures) under Article 6(4) atproject level.Table 9 overleaf provides examples of questi<strong>on</strong>s to help you in identifying key biodiversity issues.21 Report from the Commissi<strong>on</strong> to the Council, the European Parliament, the European Ec<strong>on</strong>omic <strong>and</strong> Social Committee <strong>and</strong> theCommittee of the Regi<strong>on</strong>s <strong>on</strong> the applicati<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong> effectiveness of the Directive <strong>on</strong> Strategic Envir<strong>on</strong>mental Assessment (Directive2001/42/EC), COM(2009) 469 final.22 Coordinati<strong>on</strong> of the SEA assessment with the other assessment(s) <strong>and</strong> joint procedure with <strong>on</strong>e single assessment that meets therequirements of both Directives.<str<strong>on</strong>g>Guidance</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong> integrating climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity <strong>into</strong> SEA 35
Table 9: Examples of key questi<strong>on</strong>s for identifying key biodiversity issuesMain c<strong>on</strong>cerns related to:Degradati<strong>on</strong> to ecosystemservices(including the impacts <strong>on</strong>the processes that areimportant for creating<strong>and</strong>/or maintainingecosystems)Loss <strong>and</strong> degradati<strong>on</strong> ofhabitats(including the extent orquality of the habitat,protected areas includingNatura 2000 sites, habitatfragmentati<strong>on</strong> or isolati<strong>on</strong><strong>and</strong> green infrastructure)Loss of species diversity 23(including speciesprotected under theHabitats <strong>and</strong> BirdsDirectives)Key questi<strong>on</strong>s that could be asked at the screening <strong>and</strong>/or scoping stage of the SEA• Will the proposed PP, either directly or indirectly, lead to serious damage or total loss ofecosystem, or l<strong>and</strong>-use type thus leading to a loss of ecosystem services ofscientific/ecological value, or of cultural value?• Will the PP damage ecosystem processes <strong>and</strong> services, particularly those <strong>on</strong> which localcommunities rely?• Will the PP lead to changes in ecosystem compositi<strong>on</strong>, structure or key processesresp<strong>on</strong>sible for maintaining ecosystems <strong>and</strong> their services in areas providing key services?• Is the PP in any way dependent up<strong>on</strong> ecosystem services?• Can increased supply of ecosystem services c<strong>on</strong>tribute towards the PP's objectives?Processes that are important for the creati<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong>/or maintenance of ecosystems:• Will the PP change the food web structure <strong>and</strong> interacti<strong>on</strong>s that shape the flow of energy<strong>and</strong> the distributi<strong>on</strong> of biomass within the relevant ecosystem?• Would the PP result in significant changes to water level, quantity or quality?Would the PP result in significant changes to air quantity or polluti<strong>on</strong>?• Will the PP lead to loss or deteriorati<strong>on</strong> of natural or semi-natural habitats, includinghabitats of Community interest? If so, to what extent; what are the functi<strong>on</strong>s performed bythis habitat; is the damage temporary or permanent <strong>and</strong> what can be d<strong>on</strong>e to minimise theimpact?• If habitats are lost or altered, are alternative habitats available to support associatedspecies?• Are there opportunities to c<strong>on</strong>solidate or c<strong>on</strong>nect habitats?• Will the PP adversely affect protected areas; threatened ecosystems outside protectedareas; migrati<strong>on</strong> corridors identified as being important for ecological or evoluti<strong>on</strong>aryprocesses; areas known to provide important ecosystem services <strong>and</strong> habitats forthreatened species?• Will the PP lead to fragmentati<strong>on</strong> of habitats or areas providing key ecosystem services,e.g. by the creati<strong>on</strong> of linear infrastructure, human settlements, intensive agriculturall<strong>and</strong>s, forest m<strong>on</strong>oculture?• How seriously will this impact <strong>on</strong> the habitats <strong>and</strong> corridors, given that they can be alsoadversely affected by climate change?• Are there opportunities to build or develop green infrastructure as a part of the PP tosupport its n<strong>on</strong>-envir<strong>on</strong>mental goals <strong>and</strong> its envir<strong>on</strong>mental goals (e.g. adaptati<strong>on</strong> toclimate change or increasing c<strong>on</strong>nectivity of protected sites)?• Will the PP have a negative impact, direct or indirect, <strong>on</strong> the species of Community interestlisted in Annex II <strong>and</strong>/or Annex IV or V, in particular, priority species from Annex II 24 of theHabitats Directive or <strong>on</strong> the species covered by the Birds Directive?• Will the PP cause a direct or indirect loss of a populati<strong>on</strong> of a species identified as prioritiesin NBSAPs <strong>and</strong>/or other sub-nati<strong>on</strong>al biodiversity plans?• Will the PP alter the species-richness or species-compositi<strong>on</strong> of habitats in the area?• Will the PP affect the sustainable use of a species populati<strong>on</strong>?• Will the PP exceed the maximum sustainable yield, the carrying capacity of ahabitat/ecosystem or the maximum allowable disturbance level of populati<strong>on</strong>s, orecosystem?• Would the PP increase the risk of invasi<strong>on</strong> by alien species?Loss of genetic diversity 25 • Will the PP result in the extincti<strong>on</strong> of a populati<strong>on</strong> of particularly rare or declining species<strong>and</strong> those with identified as priorities in NBSAPs <strong>and</strong>/or sub-nati<strong>on</strong>al biodiversity plans?• Will the PP cause a local loss of varieties of cultivated plants <strong>and</strong>/or domesticated animals<strong>and</strong> their relatives, genes or genomes of scientific, ecological, or cultural value?• Will the PP result in the fragmentati<strong>on</strong> of a populati<strong>on</strong> leading to (genetic) isolati<strong>on</strong>?23 Definiti<strong>on</strong>: The number <strong>and</strong> variety of species found in a given area in a regi<strong>on</strong> http://www.cbd.int/cepa/toolkit/2008/doc/CBD-Toolkit-Glossaries.pdf.24 Priority species are indicated by an asterisk (*) in Annex II of the Habitats Directive.25 The potential loss of natural genetic diversity (genetic erosi<strong>on</strong>) is extremely difficult to determine, <strong>and</strong> does not provide any practicalclues for formal screening/scoping. The issue probably <strong>on</strong>ly comes up when dealing with highly threatened, legally protected specieswhich are limited in numbers <strong>and</strong>/or have highly separated populati<strong>on</strong>s, or when complete ecosystems become separated <strong>and</strong> the risk ofgenetic erosi<strong>on</strong> applies to many species, COP 6 Decisi<strong>on</strong> VI/7, Annex: Guidelines for incorporating biodiversity-related issues <strong>into</strong>envir<strong>on</strong>mental impact assessment legislati<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong>/or process <strong>and</strong> in strategic envir<strong>on</strong>mental impact assessment,http://www.cbd.int/decisi<strong>on</strong>/cop/?id=7181.36 <str<strong>on</strong>g>Guidance</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong> integrating climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity <strong>into</strong> SEA
5. How to assess effects related to climate change <strong>and</strong>biodiversity in SEA?This secti<strong>on</strong> gives you specific tips, tools <strong>and</strong> methods for assessing the effects related to climatechange <strong>and</strong> biodiversity throughout the SEA process. It is organised according to the key aspects ofSEA where climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity c<strong>on</strong>siderati<strong>on</strong>s have the greatest impact <strong>on</strong> the process.Each sub-secti<strong>on</strong> looks at the practical elements of an SEA where climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversityc<strong>on</strong>siderati<strong>on</strong>s are most relevant <strong>and</strong> provides examples of techniques that are most helpful. Manyof the approaches <strong>and</strong> techniques suggested can be used at various stages of SEA, not <strong>on</strong>ly the <strong>on</strong>esshown here.This secti<strong>on</strong> supports several stages of the SEA process, particularly, the c<strong>on</strong>siderati<strong>on</strong> ofreas<strong>on</strong>able alternatives, assessment of significant effects <strong>and</strong> identificati<strong>on</strong> of m<strong>on</strong>itoringmeasures.Addressing climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity in the SEA process (see Secti<strong>on</strong> 2.3) brings newchallenges for the SEA practiti<strong>on</strong>er. There will be situati<strong>on</strong>s in which the practiti<strong>on</strong>er will have tomake a judgement, preferably in c<strong>on</strong>sultati<strong>on</strong> with stakeholders, to avoid unnecessarily extendingthe EIA procedure or to leave enough time to properly assess complex informati<strong>on</strong>. Taking apractical, comm<strong>on</strong> sense approach to SEA will sometimes be best.SEA should be used as an opportunity to address the key issues of climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity atan early stage, when many opti<strong>on</strong>s are still open. For example, planners should impose restricti<strong>on</strong>s,where appropriate, <strong>on</strong> developments <strong>on</strong> flood plains or areas at risk of flooding, or promote l<strong>and</strong>management to increase water retenti<strong>on</strong> capacity <strong>and</strong> avoid or minimise flood risk at project/EIAlevel.For linear types of projects, such as motorways or railways, it is important to assess the likelysignificant effects at corridor level before looking at individual secti<strong>on</strong>s (EIA level). This makes itpossible to c<strong>on</strong>sider a wide range of locati<strong>on</strong> alternatives <strong>and</strong> select the opti<strong>on</strong> that avoids orminimises significant envir<strong>on</strong>mental effects.5.1 An overview of tools <strong>and</strong> approaches to integrate climate change <strong>and</strong>biodiversity <strong>into</strong> SEAsTable 10 overleaf provides an overview of tools <strong>and</strong> approaches that can be used to help you assessclimate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity issues during the SEA process. An example of the practicalapplicati<strong>on</strong> of <strong>on</strong>e tool — Critical (Decisi<strong>on</strong>) Factors — is described in the box below.Case study:SEA of Lisb<strong>on</strong> Metropolitan Area Regi<strong>on</strong>al Plan, Portugal — an example of using Critical Decisi<strong>on</strong>Factors <strong>and</strong> close collaborati<strong>on</strong> between plan-makers <strong>and</strong> SEA practiti<strong>on</strong>ersIncorporating biodiversity <strong>and</strong> climate change by using a Critical Decisi<strong>on</strong> Factors approach led to the effectiveintegrati<strong>on</strong> of climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity in the Plan. As a result of this <strong>and</strong> the SEA <strong>and</strong> planning teams workingtogether, significant opportunities were recognised <strong>and</strong> adopted, e.g. protecting natural <strong>and</strong> agro-forestry areas,limiting the expansi<strong>on</strong> of urban areas <strong>and</strong> adopting a preliminary regi<strong>on</strong>al strategy for climate change.Source: http://c<strong>on</strong>sulta- protaml.inescporto.pt/plano-regi<strong>on</strong>al (Plan <strong>and</strong> SEA in Portuguese)<str<strong>on</strong>g>Guidance</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong> integrating climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity <strong>into</strong> SEA 37
For more informati<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> the tools <strong>and</strong> approaches, see Annex 3. This is not an exhaustive list <strong>and</strong>many other tools may be useful. 26 Some of the tools <strong>and</strong> approaches listed assess specific aspects ofclimate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity (e.g. GHG emissi<strong>on</strong> calculators); others are more generallyapplicable. They can support different stages of the SEA process, with some being applicable <strong>on</strong>ly tospecific stages <strong>and</strong> others to the whole process.Table 10: Overview of selected tools <strong>and</strong> approaches that can be used to support the assessmentof climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity as part of the SEA processTools <strong>and</strong> approaches<strong>Biodiversity</strong> offsettingTopics that the tools <strong>and</strong> approaches are most applicable to<strong>Climate</strong> changemitigati<strong>on</strong><strong>Climate</strong> changeadaptati<strong>on</strong><strong>Biodiversity</strong><strong>Biodiversity</strong> screening mapCO 2 MPAREC<strong>on</strong>fidence levelsCritical FactorsEcosystem-based approachesEcosystem services approachesEcosystem services valuati<strong>on</strong>GHG emissi<strong>on</strong> calculatorsGIS <strong>and</strong> spatial analysisGreen infrastructureGRIPIndustry (project) profiles of GHGsLife Cycle Assessment (LCA)Natural capital approaches/Four-CapitalsNetwork analysisRegi<strong>on</strong>al Ec<strong>on</strong>omy Envir<strong>on</strong>mentInput Output (REEIO)Resources <strong>and</strong> Energy AnalysisProgramme (REAP)Risk managementScenariosSpheres of influence <strong>and</strong> EcosystemchainsSWOT <strong>and</strong> STEEP analysisVulnerability assessmentFurther informati<strong>on</strong>: Annex 3.26 The IAIA wiki is a useful resource for more general tools <strong>and</strong> c<strong>on</strong>cepts in the practice of SEA: http://www.iaia.org/iaiawiki/.38 <str<strong>on</strong>g>Guidance</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong> integrating climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity <strong>into</strong> SEA
5.2 C<strong>on</strong>sider climate change scenarios at the outset of the SEASEA practiti<strong>on</strong>ers should outline climate scenarios that may either adversely affect implementati<strong>on</strong>of the proposed PP or may worsen its impacts <strong>on</strong> biodiversity <strong>and</strong> other envir<strong>on</strong>mental factors.These may include ‘big surprises’ such as extreme droughts, major heat waves <strong>and</strong> fires, speciesextincti<strong>on</strong>s, loss of resilience <strong>and</strong> system collapses. The scenarios to c<strong>on</strong>sider will depend <strong>on</strong> thenature of the PP <strong>and</strong> issues that emerge at the scoping stage.In order to put climate change factors as the basis of the assessment, future climatic c<strong>on</strong>diti<strong>on</strong>sshould be c<strong>on</strong>sidered upfr<strong>on</strong>t — this should include both gradual changes in climate <strong>and</strong> changes tothe frequency of extreme events. Include the following factors:• changing temperatures (general expected changes, extreme c<strong>on</strong>diti<strong>on</strong>s such as heat waves <strong>and</strong>cold spells);• changing rainfall patterns <strong>and</strong> extreme rainfall events (heavy rainfall <strong>and</strong> droughts);• windstorms;• changing sea levels;• other potential extreme climatic c<strong>on</strong>diti<strong>on</strong>s (snowstorms, hail, etc.).In additi<strong>on</strong> to climate scenarios, it is important to c<strong>on</strong>sider socio-ec<strong>on</strong>omic scenarios as this will helpassess future vulnerability to climate change. Most of the direct manifestati<strong>on</strong>s of climate changewill cause further sec<strong>on</strong>dary <strong>and</strong> indirect effects that can be c<strong>on</strong>sidered in the analysis ofenvir<strong>on</strong>mental baseline trends (see the secti<strong>on</strong> below <strong>on</strong> analysing evolving baseline trends.)5.3 Analyse evolving baseline trendsThe evoluti<strong>on</strong> of the baseline — how the current state of the envir<strong>on</strong>ment is expected to change inthe future with or without implementati<strong>on</strong> of the PP — is critical to underst<strong>and</strong>ing how theproposed PP could impact that changing envir<strong>on</strong>ment (see box below).Case study:SEA of the Offshore Energy Development Plan, Irel<strong>and</strong> — an example of c<strong>on</strong>sidering the evolvingbaselineThis SEA is most interesting as a good example of climate change effects being factored <strong>into</strong> the assessment of theenvir<strong>on</strong>mental baseline, particularly with regard to the impacts <strong>on</strong> biodiversity. The review of the evolvingenvir<strong>on</strong>mental baseline for each category of species c<strong>on</strong>siders ‘key issues <strong>and</strong> future trends’, with climate changeincluded within each of these species category assessments. This ensures that informati<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> climate effects isbased <strong>on</strong> future trends as per the best available informati<strong>on</strong> about what can be expected to happen. Thisinformati<strong>on</strong> is used to identify <strong>and</strong> develop win-win alternatives to the development areas <strong>and</strong> to apply theprecauti<strong>on</strong>ary principle.Source: Sustainable Energy Authority in Irel<strong>and</strong>The baseline envir<strong>on</strong>ment will be a moving baseline, particularly for PPs resulting in largeinfrastructure projects with a l<strong>on</strong>g planning or l<strong>on</strong>g-lasting effects (time-scales exceeding 20 years).<str<strong>on</strong>g>Guidance</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong> integrating climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity <strong>into</strong> SEA 39
It may take many years before they become fully operati<strong>on</strong>al, <strong>and</strong> in that time, biodiversity in theaffected areas may have changed, the area may be subject to different climate impacts, such asstorm events, increased flood risk, etc. For such PPs, envir<strong>on</strong>mental outlooks or scenario studies thatanalyse the trends <strong>and</strong> their likely future directi<strong>on</strong>s may provide a useful reference.To be able to underst<strong>and</strong> how the proposed PP could impact <strong>on</strong> the future envir<strong>on</strong>ment <strong>and</strong> how itsimplementati<strong>on</strong> might be impacted by the changing envir<strong>on</strong>mental c<strong>on</strong>text, it is critical tounderst<strong>and</strong> the likely evoluti<strong>on</strong> of the baseline without the proposed PP in light of expected changesin the climate, either positive or negative . You should also c<strong>on</strong>sider the result of implementing otherPPs. Spatially explicit data <strong>and</strong> assessments, potentially using the Geographic Informati<strong>on</strong> System(GIS), are likely to be important in making this analysis, <strong>and</strong> to underst<strong>and</strong> the distributi<strong>on</strong>al effects.The type <strong>and</strong> geographical scale of a particular PP is likely to determine what is appropriate for aparticular SEA. Several European sources of data, including data repositories <strong>and</strong> <strong>on</strong>line digitaldatasets, such as the <strong>Biodiversity</strong> Informati<strong>on</strong> System for Europe (BISE) or the <strong>Climate</strong> change DataCentre might be useful for analysing the evolving baseline trends. Annex 2includes acomprehensive overview <strong>and</strong> links to sources of informati<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> biodiversity <strong>and</strong> climate change.It is essential to c<strong>on</strong>sider the following aspects when looking at the evolving baseline:• Trends in key issues over time: e.g. water quality <strong>and</strong> availability during droughts, ecosystemdeteriorati<strong>on</strong>, vulnerability of infrastructure to extreme climatic events, etc. Are these trendsc<strong>on</strong>tinuing, changing, or levelling out? Are there envir<strong>on</strong>mental outlooks or scenario studiesavailable that have assessed the likely future directi<strong>on</strong> of these trends? If data are unavailablefor certain indicators, are proxy indicators available, e.g. if air quality m<strong>on</strong>itoring data is notreadily available for an urban area, are there data relating to trends in traffic flow/volumes overtime?• Drivers of change: e.g. major drivers such as demographic trends <strong>and</strong> the ec<strong>on</strong>omic affluence ofthe society, the legal <strong>and</strong> policy framework, market forces <strong>and</strong> ec<strong>on</strong>omic incentives, majorprojects that affect the issue, instituti<strong>on</strong>al powers <strong>and</strong> capacities to regulate <strong>and</strong> manage theissue. The drivers can be broken down <strong>into</strong>:o Direct drivers: e.g. changes in l<strong>and</strong> use <strong>and</strong> l<strong>and</strong> cover; fragmentati<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong> isolati<strong>on</strong>;extracti<strong>on</strong>, harvest or removal of species; external inputs such as emissi<strong>on</strong>s, effluents,chemicals; disturbance; introducti<strong>on</strong> of invasive, alien or genetically modified species;restorati<strong>on</strong>.o Indirect drivers: e.g. demographic, socio-political, ec<strong>on</strong>omic, cultural, technologicalprocesses or interventi<strong>on</strong>s.• Thresholds/limits: e.g. have thresholds already been breached (such as air quality thresholds inurban areas, etc.), or are the limits expected to be reached? Have targets been set that need tobe met, such as nati<strong>on</strong>al or regi<strong>on</strong>al energy or emissi<strong>on</strong>s targets related to the ‘20-20-20’ targetsin the EU’s <strong>Climate</strong> <strong>and</strong> Energy Package? Are there tipping points to be avoided in order toprevent serious deteriorati<strong>on</strong> or breakdown of relevant ecological <strong>and</strong> social systems? 2727 See examples of envir<strong>on</strong>mental limits relevant to climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity at http://www.resalliance.org/index.php/thresholds_database.40 <str<strong>on</strong>g>Guidance</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong> integrating climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity <strong>into</strong> SEA
• Key areas that may be particularly adversely affected by the worsening envir<strong>on</strong>mental trends:focus <strong>on</strong> areas of particular envir<strong>on</strong>mental importance, such as Natura 2000 sites designatedunder the Birds <strong>and</strong> Habitats Directives or other z<strong>on</strong>es designated under EU legislati<strong>on</strong> becauseof their envir<strong>on</strong>mental sensitivity or characteristics.• Critical interdependencies: e.g. water supply <strong>and</strong> sewage treatment systems, flood defences,energy/electricity supply <strong>and</strong> communicati<strong>on</strong> networks.• Who benefits <strong>and</strong> who loses as a result of these trends: adverse impacts are not generallyproporti<strong>on</strong>ally distributed within society — some populati<strong>on</strong> groups <strong>and</strong> ec<strong>on</strong>omic sectors aremore seriously affected than others by these changes in the ecosystems.When developing the baseline against which the proposed PP is to be assessed, it is also importantto acknowledge uncertainty — depending <strong>on</strong> the timescale <strong>and</strong> spatial scale being c<strong>on</strong>sidered someuncertainty is inevitable <strong>and</strong> this will increase over larger scales.5.3.1 VulnerabilityAssessing vulnerability needs to be built <strong>into</strong> any assessmentof the evoluti<strong>on</strong> of the baseline envir<strong>on</strong>ment, <strong>and</strong> ofalternatives. How will the envir<strong>on</strong>ment change if the PP isnot implemented, or if different alternatives are taken?‘Vulnerability assessment is the analysis of the expectedimpacts, risks <strong>and</strong> the adaptive capacity of a regi<strong>on</strong> or sectorto the effects of climate change. Vulnerability assessmentencompasses more than simple measurement of thepotential harm caused by events resulting from climatechange: it includes an assessment of the regi<strong>on</strong>’s or sector’sability to adapt. Within the c<strong>on</strong>text of climate change, theIPCC defines vulnerability to climate change as the degree towhich a system is susceptible to, or unable to cope with,adverse effects of climate change, including climatevariability <strong>and</strong> extremes.’ 28Major infrastructure will be particularly vulnerable, <strong>and</strong>therefore PPs should reflect this (see box right). During flashfloods, for example, poorly designed sewage networks canoverflow <strong>and</strong> release c<strong>on</strong>taminated flood waters <strong>into</strong> otherneighbourhoods. PPs that will place future dem<strong>and</strong>s <strong>on</strong> thesewerage system will need to take account of the capacity ofthe system to cope not just with the expected sewageeffluent/disposal requirements of the development resultingfrom the implementati<strong>on</strong> of a PP, but also its capacity in thel<strong>on</strong>g-term <strong>and</strong> in the face of climate change. <strong>Biodiversity</strong>Vulnerability of infrastructureMajor infrastructure projects, inparticular, might be vulnerable, e.g. to:• increased flood risk to fossil fuel<strong>and</strong> nuclear power sites <strong>and</strong>electricity substati<strong>on</strong>s;• reduced availability of cooling waterfor inl<strong>and</strong> power stati<strong>on</strong>s;• reduced quality of wireless servicefrom increased temperatures <strong>and</strong>intense rainfall;• increased floods risk to all transportsectors;• increased scour of bridges fromintense rainfall/flooding;• reduced security of water supplyfrom changing rainfall patterns;• increased flood risk to wastewaterinfrastructure.When assessing vulnerability, it isimportant to c<strong>on</strong>sider criticalinterdependencies, e.g. in infrastructurethey can lead to a ‘cascade failure’where the failure of <strong>on</strong>e aspect ofinfrastructure, such as flood defences,can lead to other failures e.g. floodedpower stati<strong>on</strong>s leading to power cutswhich thereby affecttelecommunicati<strong>on</strong>s networks.Source: HM Government (UK, 2011)(<strong>Climate</strong> Resilient Infrastructure:Preparing for a Changing <strong>Climate</strong> —Summary Document)28 Source: CLIMATE-ADAPT.<str<strong>on</strong>g>Guidance</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong> integrating climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity <strong>into</strong> SEA 41
c<strong>on</strong>siderati<strong>on</strong>s may also be relevant if, for example, river courses carrying sewage effluent discharge<strong>into</strong> estuaries designated as being of importance for biodiversity.5.3.2 Policy c<strong>on</strong>sistency <strong>and</strong> coherenceAn important functi<strong>on</strong> of SEAs is to assess the c<strong>on</strong>sistency <strong>and</strong> coherence between the proposed PP<strong>and</strong> the relevant policy objectives <strong>and</strong> targets for biodiversity protecti<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong> climate change. TheSEA Directive requires envir<strong>on</strong>mental protecti<strong>on</strong> objectives to be set at internati<strong>on</strong>al, Community orMember State level, which are relevant to the PP. These objectives (<strong>and</strong> any envir<strong>on</strong>mentalc<strong>on</strong>siderati<strong>on</strong>s) must be assessed when an SEA is prepared. Secti<strong>on</strong> 3 of this guidance outlines themain legislative <strong>and</strong> policy documents produced at the internati<strong>on</strong>al <strong>and</strong> European levels forbiodiversity protecti<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong> climate change at the time of writing. Additi<strong>on</strong>al policy objectives arebeing set at nati<strong>on</strong>al <strong>and</strong> sub-nati<strong>on</strong>al levels in different Member States. They can provide overallbenchmarks for assessing whether the proposed PP moves in a right directi<strong>on</strong>. <strong>Climate</strong> changeobjectives can be divided <strong>into</strong> two sets of objectives: assessment objectives (minimal/bottom-linetargets or st<strong>and</strong>ards that the proposed PP must meet); <strong>and</strong> aspirati<strong>on</strong>al objectives (l<strong>on</strong>g-termenvir<strong>on</strong>mental goals that the proposed PP should c<strong>on</strong>sider).The SEA process should identify the policy objectives for biodiversity protecti<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong> climate changewhich may be relevant for the proposed PP <strong>and</strong> clearly describe whether it facilitates or c<strong>on</strong>tradictstheir achievement.Discussing your SEA with other SEA practiti<strong>on</strong>ers <strong>and</strong> those who will prepare or adopt the PP is likelyto yield significant benefits. Such discussi<strong>on</strong>s can identify broad envir<strong>on</strong>mental risks <strong>and</strong>envir<strong>on</strong>mental benefits of the various opti<strong>on</strong>s <strong>and</strong> may help c<strong>on</strong>sider or develop alternatives orrecommend overall changes in the thrust of the proposed PP.5.4 Assess alternatives that make a difference in terms of climate change<strong>and</strong> biodiversity impactsAn analysis of alternatives is often viewed to be at the heart of the SEA process, as this providesc<strong>on</strong>fidence that the proposed course of acti<strong>on</strong> is the best <strong>on</strong>e available. But there must be additi<strong>on</strong>alc<strong>on</strong>siderati<strong>on</strong>s of climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity issues if they are to be addressed effectively inSEAs. This is particularly important if c<strong>on</strong>siderati<strong>on</strong> of l<strong>on</strong>g-term resilience — of the envir<strong>on</strong>ment <strong>and</strong>of the PP — is to be built <strong>into</strong> the SEA.C<strong>on</strong>sidering alternatives should encourage the planning process to look for better ways to meethuman needs without c<strong>on</strong>tributing to climate change, <strong>and</strong> minimise the risks resulting from previousdevelopment patterns <strong>and</strong> the likely expected climate change phenomena.The analysis of reas<strong>on</strong>able alternatives should:• c<strong>on</strong>sider the c<strong>on</strong>text of different climate change scenarios <strong>and</strong> climate impacts, <strong>and</strong> possiblereas<strong>on</strong>able alternative climate change futures (see Annex 3, Scenarios);• examine alternative ways of achieving the PP's objectives, in particular, if the PP is likely to haveadverse impacts (either al<strong>on</strong>e or in combinati<strong>on</strong> with other plans or projects) <strong>on</strong> the integrity ofNatura 2000 site/s, <strong>and</strong> they cannot be addressed via appropriate mitigati<strong>on</strong> measures;42 <str<strong>on</strong>g>Guidance</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong> integrating climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity <strong>into</strong> SEA
• aim for ‘no-net-loss’ of biodiversity (see box right) <strong>and</strong>/oran improvement in biodiversity.If you use a vulnerability assessment, as outlined above, itcan also help when assessing alternatives to help identify<strong>and</strong> select the most resilient alternative(s).SEA practiti<strong>on</strong>ers may apply the precauti<strong>on</strong>ary principlewhen they are uncertain about the nature of the potentialrisks <strong>and</strong> adjust the proposed PP based <strong>on</strong> a ‘no-regret’ (seebox below) or ‘low regret’ measures, rather than risk causingmajor problems during implementati<strong>on</strong> of the proposed PP.This is fully c<strong>on</strong>sistent with the requirements of the SEADirective to ‘prevent, reduce <strong>and</strong> as fully as possible offsetany significant adverse effects <strong>on</strong> the envir<strong>on</strong>ment ofimplementing the plan or programme’ [Annex I (g)].‘No-net-loss’ of biodiversityNo-net-loss, in essence, refers to thepoint where biodiversity gains fromtargeted c<strong>on</strong>servati<strong>on</strong> activities matchthe losses of biodiversity due to theimpacts of a specific developmentproject, so that there is no-netreducti<strong>on</strong> overall in the type, amount<strong>and</strong> c<strong>on</strong>diti<strong>on</strong> (or quality) of biodiversityover space <strong>and</strong> time. Several countrieshave adopted no-net-loss or net gain asan overarching policy goal, for example,‘no net loss’ goal for wetl<strong>and</strong>s, etc.Source: Business <strong>and</strong> <strong>Biodiversity</strong>Offsets Programme; <strong>Biodiversity</strong> ImpactAssessment (IAIA, 2005)The CBD Voluntary Guidelines <strong>on</strong> <strong>Biodiversity</strong>-inclusive EIA <strong>and</strong> SEA 29 recommend the identificati<strong>on</strong><strong>and</strong> mapping of valued ecosystem services so that these can help influence the type of alternatives<strong>and</strong> mitigati<strong>on</strong> measures c<strong>on</strong>sidered.Tables 11, 12 <strong>and</strong> 13 provide examples of alternatives <strong>and</strong> mitigati<strong>on</strong> measures c<strong>on</strong>cerning keyclimate change mitigati<strong>on</strong>, climate change adaptati<strong>on</strong>, <strong>and</strong> biodiversity c<strong>on</strong>cerns. These should beadapted in light of the specificities of each individual case.‘No-regret’ measures‘No-regret’ measures are activities that yield benefits even in the absence of climate change. In many locati<strong>on</strong>s, theimplementati<strong>on</strong> of these acti<strong>on</strong>s c<strong>on</strong>stitutes a very efficient first step in a l<strong>on</strong>g-term adaptati<strong>on</strong> strategy. Forexample, c<strong>on</strong>trolling leakages in water pipes or maintaining drainage channels is almost always c<strong>on</strong>sidered a verygood investment from a cost–benefit analysis perspective, even in absence of climate change. Improving buildinginsulati<strong>on</strong> norms <strong>and</strong> climate-proofing new buildings is another example of a no-regret strategy, since this acti<strong>on</strong>increases climate robustness while energy savings can often pay back the additi<strong>on</strong>al cost in <strong>on</strong>ly a few years.Once ‘no-regret’ measures have been identified, it is important to know why they are not implemented yet. Manyobstacles explain the current situati<strong>on</strong>, including (i) financial <strong>and</strong> technology c<strong>on</strong>straints; (ii) lack of informati<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong>transacti<strong>on</strong> costs at the micro-level; <strong>and</strong> (iii) instituti<strong>on</strong>al <strong>and</strong> legal c<strong>on</strong>straints.Source: CLIMATE-ADAPT29 CBD/IAIA (2006), <strong>Biodiversity</strong> in EIA <strong>and</strong> SEA — CBD Voluntary Guidelines <strong>on</strong> <strong>Biodiversity</strong>-inclusive EIA <strong>and</strong> SEA, Background document toCBD Decisi<strong>on</strong> VIII/2.<str<strong>on</strong>g>Guidance</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong> integrating climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity <strong>into</strong> SEA 43
Table 11: Examples of alternatives <strong>and</strong> mitigati<strong>on</strong> measures related to climate change mitigati<strong>on</strong>Main c<strong>on</strong>cerns related to:Examples of alternatives <strong>and</strong>/or mitigati<strong>on</strong> measures at the assessment stageEnergy dem<strong>and</strong> in industry • Reducing dem<strong>and</strong> for energy (electricity or fuel) in industry• Alternative low-carb<strong>on</strong> sources (<strong>on</strong>site or through specific low carb<strong>on</strong> energy supplier)• Targeted support to businesses engaged in eco-innovati<strong>on</strong>s, low-carb<strong>on</strong> business <strong>and</strong> lowcarb<strong>on</strong>technologies• Potential synergies between adaptati<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong> GHG reducti<strong>on</strong>Energy dem<strong>and</strong> in housing<strong>and</strong> c<strong>on</strong>structi<strong>on</strong>GHG emissi<strong>on</strong>s inagricultureGHG emissi<strong>on</strong>s in wastemanagementTravel patterns <strong>and</strong> GHGemissi<strong>on</strong>s from transportGHG emissi<strong>on</strong>s fromenergy producti<strong>on</strong>• Improve the energy performance of buildings• Alternative low carb<strong>on</strong> sources (<strong>on</strong>site or through specific low carb<strong>on</strong> energy supplier)• Potential synergies between adaptati<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong> GHG reducti<strong>on</strong>• Reducing the use of nitrogen in fertilising practices• Managing methane (enteric <strong>and</strong> manure)• Protecting natural carb<strong>on</strong> sinks, such as peat soils• Potential synergies between adaptati<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong> GHG reducti<strong>on</strong>• Harvesting methane emissi<strong>on</strong>s for biogas producti<strong>on</strong>• C<strong>on</strong>sider ways in which the PP can increase waste preventi<strong>on</strong>, re-use <strong>and</strong> recycling,particularly to divert waste from l<strong>and</strong>fill• C<strong>on</strong>sider ways of producing energy through waste incinerati<strong>on</strong> or producing biogas fromwastewater <strong>and</strong> sludge• Alternative low carb<strong>on</strong> sources (<strong>on</strong>site or through specific low carb<strong>on</strong> energy supplier)• Potential synergies between adaptati<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong> GHG reducti<strong>on</strong>• Promote PP patterns that reduce the need to travel• Support car-free PP• Encourage walking <strong>and</strong> cycling• Encourage public transport• Provide transport choices to encourage a modal shift to cleaner modes (e.g. from cars totrains), such as an effective <strong>and</strong> integrated public transport system• Transport dem<strong>and</strong> management schemes• Encourage car sharing• Prioritise high density urban PPs (smaller housing at higher density) <strong>and</strong> reuse of brownfiel<strong>and</strong>• Generic recommendati<strong>on</strong>s are intenti<strong>on</strong>ally not provided as these are c<strong>on</strong>text-specific,depending up<strong>on</strong> the energy producti<strong>on</strong> capacity <strong>and</strong> energy supply sources of the area inquesti<strong>on</strong>• Potential synergies between adaptati<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong> GHG reducti<strong>on</strong>Forests <strong>and</strong> biodiversity • Investment in wetl<strong>and</strong>s to support carb<strong>on</strong> sequestrati<strong>on</strong> to offset PP's GHG emissi<strong>on</strong>s.Table 12: Examples of alternatives <strong>and</strong> mitigati<strong>on</strong> measures related to climate change adaptati<strong>on</strong>Main c<strong>on</strong>cerns related to:Examples of alternatives <strong>and</strong>/or mitigati<strong>on</strong> measures at the assessment stageHeat waves • Avoid development patterns that fragment habitat corridors or, for linear infrastructures,make sure that habitat c<strong>on</strong>tinuity is restored in the most sensitive areas• Improvements in urban structure — expansi<strong>on</strong> of green areas, open water surfaces <strong>and</strong>wind paths (al<strong>on</strong>g rivers <strong>and</strong> waterfr<strong>on</strong>ts) in urban areas to reduce the possible heatisl<strong>and</strong> effect• Encourage greater use of green roofs• Reduce man-made exhausts during heat waves (industries, <strong>and</strong> car traffic)• Awareness-raising about risks associated with heat waves <strong>and</strong> acti<strong>on</strong> to reduce them• Heat wave early warning systems <strong>and</strong> resp<strong>on</strong>se plans• Potential synergies between adaptati<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong> GHG reducti<strong>on</strong>Droughts • Encourage water efficiency measures• Explore efficient use/re-use of rainwater <strong>and</strong> grey water• Restricti<strong>on</strong>s <strong>on</strong> excessive/n<strong>on</strong>-essential use water use during droughts (depending <strong>on</strong>their severity)• Minimise low flow withdrawals• Restricti<strong>on</strong>s for effluent discharges <strong>into</strong> water bodies during droughts• Maintain <strong>and</strong> improve the resilience of watersheds <strong>and</strong> aquatic ecosystems byimplementing practices that protect, maintain, <strong>and</strong> restore watershed processes <strong>and</strong>services44 <str<strong>on</strong>g>Guidance</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong> integrating climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity <strong>into</strong> SEA
Flood regimes <strong>and</strong> extremerainfall events• Ensure that any existing or planned essential infrastructure is protected from future floodrisk• In high risk areas, c<strong>on</strong>sider arrangements for supply of goods/services that may bedisturbed by floods• Increase resilience to floods through use of sustainable drainage systems• Enhance permeable surfaces <strong>and</strong> green spaces in new PPs• Avoid decreasing storage volumes in flood plainsStorms <strong>and</strong> high winds • Ensure new infrastructure c<strong>on</strong>siders the impacts of increased high winds <strong>and</strong> storms• In high-risk areas, c<strong>on</strong>sider arrangements for supply of goods/services that may bedisturbed by increased storm eventsL<strong>and</strong>slides • Avoid new developments in areas at risk from erosi<strong>on</strong>• Protect <strong>and</strong> exp<strong>and</strong> native woodl<strong>and</strong> cover• In high-risk areas, c<strong>on</strong>sider arrangements for supply of goods/services that may bedisturbed by l<strong>and</strong>slidesSea level rise, storms surge,coastal erosi<strong>on</strong>,hydrological regimes <strong>and</strong>saline intrusi<strong>on</strong>• Avoid PPs that promote development in coastal areas at risk of rising sea levels, coastalerosi<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong> flooding, except for projects for which this risk is taken <strong>into</strong> account, such asport development• Move water intakes <strong>and</strong> any ec<strong>on</strong>omic activities that depend <strong>on</strong> the supply of clean wateror ground water (agriculture) away from areas that will be affected by saline intrusi<strong>on</strong>• Potential synergies between adaptati<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong> GHG reducti<strong>on</strong>Cold spells • Ensure that any existing or planned essential infrastructure is protected from cold spellsFreeze-thaw damage • Ensure that key infrastructure (e.g. roads, water pipes) is able to resist wind acti<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong> toprevent moisture from entering the structure by (e.g. different formulati<strong>on</strong>s of materials)Table 13: Examples of alternatives <strong>and</strong> mitigati<strong>on</strong> measures related to biodiversityMain c<strong>on</strong>cerns related to:Degradati<strong>on</strong> of ecosystemservices(including the impacts <strong>on</strong> theprocesses which areimportant for the creati<strong>on</strong><strong>and</strong>/or maintenance ofecosystems)Loss <strong>and</strong> degradati<strong>on</strong> ofhabitats(including the extent orquality of the habitat,protected areas includingNatura 2000 sites, habitatfragmentati<strong>on</strong> or isolati<strong>on</strong><strong>and</strong> green infrastructure)Loss of species diversity(including species protectedunder the Habitats Directive<strong>and</strong> Birds Directive)Examples of alternatives <strong>and</strong>/or mitigati<strong>on</strong> measures at the assessment stage• Restore degraded ecosystems <strong>on</strong> the site with a view to enhancing ecosystem services• Use of ecosystem services approach (see box overleaf) <strong>and</strong> ecosystem-based approaches<strong>and</strong> green infrastructure:o green bridges <strong>and</strong> eco-ducts (elements of green infrastructure) re-c<strong>on</strong>nect naturalareas divided by linear developments (e.g. roads or railway lines); they reduceaccidents involving wild animals <strong>and</strong> cars; allow animals to move easily <strong>and</strong> safelyfrom <strong>on</strong>e area to another; give animals more space to find food <strong>and</strong> shelter, <strong>and</strong> allowpopulati<strong>on</strong>s of the same species to interact, improving the overall resilience of thespecies; <strong>and</strong> help plant species to spreado restorati<strong>on</strong> of flood plains <strong>and</strong> wetl<strong>and</strong>s as an alternative to dykes• Provide recommendati<strong>on</strong>s for the project level, e.g. recommend specific designalternatives to avoid adverse effects <strong>on</strong> bird species (e.g. size, height, spacing, lighting <strong>and</strong>visibility of wind turbines); or timing of c<strong>on</strong>structi<strong>on</strong> c<strong>on</strong>diti<strong>on</strong>s• Deliver ‘smart c<strong>on</strong>servati<strong>on</strong>’ e.g. by promoting properly designed parks, walking paths,green roofs <strong>and</strong> walls which can c<strong>on</strong>tribute to species diversity <strong>and</strong> to tackle climatechange in urban envir<strong>on</strong>mentLoss of genetic diversity • Identify recommendati<strong>on</strong>s for the project level, e.g. identify ‘no-go-z<strong>on</strong>es’ or alternativelocati<strong>on</strong>s for certain types of investments <strong>on</strong> grounds of irreversible damage to rarespecies<str<strong>on</strong>g>Guidance</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong> integrating climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity <strong>into</strong> SEA 45
Case study:SEA of the Integrated Coastal Z<strong>on</strong>e Management (ICZM), Portugal — example of an ecosystemservices approachEcosystem services can be integrated <strong>into</strong> SEA without the need for extensive technical exercises. An ecosystemservices approach is also a useful tool to enable the strategic c<strong>on</strong>siderati<strong>on</strong> of biodiversity which would otherwisebe difficult in very high level plans.The SEA did not c<strong>on</strong>duct a detailed analysis <strong>and</strong> assessment of existing ecosystems <strong>and</strong> services in the Portuguesecoastal z<strong>on</strong>e. Rather, it identified <strong>and</strong> compared policy opti<strong>on</strong>s in terms of their risk or benefit to strategic levelecosystem services that were identified through c<strong>on</strong>sultati<strong>on</strong> with key policy stakeholders. This required ac<strong>on</strong>siderati<strong>on</strong> of strategic ecosystem services that could be affected by policy choices relevant to ICZM: e.g. themanagement of natural coastal dynamics, especially in vulnerable z<strong>on</strong>es; the maintenance of the productivity ofcoastal z<strong>on</strong>es; the maintenance <strong>and</strong> c<strong>on</strong>servati<strong>on</strong> of the availability of natural <strong>and</strong> cultural heritage <strong>and</strong>biodiversity.Source: Including ecosystem services in coastal management by using SEA, Portugal (Partidário M.R., 2011)5.5 Assess climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity cumulative effectsCumulative effects — or the combined impact of any number of different effects — are particularlyimportant for climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity. As shown in Secti<strong>on</strong> 2, climate change <strong>and</strong>biodiversity are complex issues with l<strong>on</strong>g-term impacts <strong>and</strong> c<strong>on</strong>sequences for PPs. This means thatunderst<strong>and</strong>ing <strong>and</strong> assessing the cumulative effects is critical.There are a number of tips <strong>and</strong> approaches to assessing the cumulative effects of climate change<strong>and</strong> biodiversity in SEAs.• Recognise cumulative effects as early as possible in the SEA process, if possible in the scopingstage. Talking to the right stakeholders as early as possible can give you a broader overview,which helps you better underst<strong>and</strong> how seemingly insignificant individual effects can havegreater c<strong>on</strong>sequences when c<strong>on</strong>sidered together.• Pay attenti<strong>on</strong> to the evolving baseline when assessing the cumulative effects of climate change<strong>and</strong> biodiversity impacts. The current state of the envir<strong>on</strong>ment will not necessarily be the futurestate of the envir<strong>on</strong>ment, even if the proposed PP does not go ahead. Both the climate <strong>and</strong> thespecies that make up the natural world are in a c<strong>on</strong>stant state of flux.• Distinguish between magnitude <strong>and</strong> significance <strong>and</strong> use significance criteria. A highmagnitude impact may not be significant if the species affected is comm<strong>on</strong>, widely distributed<strong>and</strong> readily able to recover, but even a small magnitude impact may be very significant to ahighly sensitive or rare species or habitat. Significance criteria can be policy <strong>and</strong> guidancedocuments, such as: biodiversity strategies; biodiversity acti<strong>on</strong> plans for habitats <strong>and</strong> species;internati<strong>on</strong>al, nati<strong>on</strong>al <strong>and</strong> local designati<strong>on</strong>s (e.g. c<strong>on</strong>servati<strong>on</strong> objectives of Natura 2000 sites);legislati<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong>/or using an ecosystems approach by identifying the valued ecosystem services<strong>and</strong> how they will be affected by drivers of change over time.• Gain an underst<strong>and</strong>ing of other PPs <strong>and</strong> projects. Identify relevant PPs <strong>and</strong> take them <strong>into</strong>account when assessing cumulative effects.46 <str<strong>on</strong>g>Guidance</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong> integrating climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity <strong>into</strong> SEA
• Where possible, use causal chains or network analysis (see box below) to underst<strong>and</strong> theinteracti<strong>on</strong>s <strong>and</strong> associated cumulative effects between specific elements of the PP <strong>and</strong> aspectsof the envir<strong>on</strong>ment. The point is not to be comprehensive, but to underst<strong>and</strong> what might be themost significant cumulative effects. These may often be best identified through discussi<strong>on</strong>s withstakeholders who can help work through potential pathways in causal chains.Case study:SEA of the Strategy for Wild Deer in Scotl<strong>and</strong>, the United Kingdom — example of the use of networkanalysisThe Strategy sought to provide a l<strong>on</strong>g term visi<strong>on</strong> for the effective management of wild deer in Scotl<strong>and</strong>. SEA used anetwork analysis. It is an effective approach for c<strong>on</strong>sidering complex l<strong>on</strong>g-term issues.SEA explored a suite of alternative approaches to managing wild deer. Each <strong>on</strong>e could enable the Strategy toresp<strong>on</strong>d to future changes <strong>and</strong> unexpected or unforeseen events. The network diagram was based <strong>on</strong> therelati<strong>on</strong>ships between the:• driver: as identified via brainstorming with stakeholders;• factors of change: the possible broader impacts of the driver;• sub-influence: impacts specific to the strategy due to the factors of change (<strong>and</strong> ultimately the driver);• management approach: what alternatives are available for the strategy to adapt <strong>and</strong> resp<strong>on</strong>d to the subinfluences;<strong>and</strong>,• impacts: what are the likely final impacts <strong>on</strong> the ground in relati<strong>on</strong> to the Strategy.Source: Deer Commissi<strong>on</strong> for Scotl<strong>and</strong> relevant webpage5.5.1 Trend analysisSEA practiti<strong>on</strong>ers may find it useful to use a trend analysis(see box right), not <strong>on</strong>ly to analyse the baseline, but alsoto assess the cumulative effects of multiple acti<strong>on</strong>sproposed in the PP <strong>on</strong> the relevant envir<strong>on</strong>mental <strong>and</strong>climate change issues. This approach allows you to identifythe potential changes to the baseline trends likely to becaused by the proposed PP.A trend analysis can be defined as an interpretati<strong>on</strong> ofchange over time with <strong>and</strong> without the proposed PP. It canhelp to describe past trends <strong>and</strong> the current situati<strong>on</strong> bytracing any trends or patterns in the relevant territories intime periods covered by the PP. It can also help youpredict future baseline trends without the PP, based <strong>on</strong>informati<strong>on</strong> about the changes in their future drivers. 30Lastly, a trend analysis can be helpful when assessing thecumulative effects of proposed developments in the PP <strong>on</strong>the identified future baseline trends. Its benefit is that itcan combine many different tools <strong>and</strong> has the capacity toanalyse cause-effect relati<strong>on</strong>ships even in situati<strong>on</strong>sc<strong>on</strong>strained by significant data gaps.Trend analysisTrends can be presented through:• Storylines that describe the overalltrends, their main drivers,territorial dimensi<strong>on</strong>s <strong>and</strong> keyc<strong>on</strong>cerns <strong>and</strong> opportunities arisingfrom these trends;• Maps showing spatial developmentpatterns;• Graphs: from simple graphs thatuse available data sets to illustrateevoluti<strong>on</strong> of key issues <strong>and</strong>/or theirdrivers over time to complexgraphs that provide comprehensiveoverview of correlati<strong>on</strong> betweenevoluti<strong>on</strong> of drivers overtime <strong>and</strong>the corresp<strong>on</strong>ding (sometimedelayed) changes in the issuesaddressed by the analysis.Source: Presentati<strong>on</strong> at the C<strong>on</strong>ferenceof Regi<strong>on</strong>s for Sustainable <strong>Change</strong>project, INTERREG IVC (Dusik J., 2011)30 Oversimplified extrapolati<strong>on</strong> that does not c<strong>on</strong>sider how the trend will evolve <strong>on</strong>ce it reaches a key breaking point (e.g. when thecarrying capacity of the surrounding envir<strong>on</strong>ment has been reached or exceeded), or <strong>on</strong>ce the counter-trends reverse the trend, <strong>and</strong>therefore may be misleading.<str<strong>on</strong>g>Guidance</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong> integrating climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity <strong>into</strong> SEA 47
5.6 Seek to avoid adverse effects wherever possible, before c<strong>on</strong>sideringmitigati<strong>on</strong>The SEA Directive requires a descripti<strong>on</strong> of ‘measures envisaged to prevent, reduce <strong>and</strong> as fully aspossible offset significant adverse effects <strong>on</strong> the envir<strong>on</strong>ment’.<strong>Biodiversity</strong> offsetting<strong>Biodiversity</strong> offsets can compensate forsignificant negative biodiversity impactsarising from development plans orprojects after appropriate preventi<strong>on</strong><strong>and</strong> mitigati<strong>on</strong> measures have beentaken. Offsets should:1. aim for ‘no-net-loss’;2. seek additi<strong>on</strong>al c<strong>on</strong>servati<strong>on</strong>outcomes;3. adhere to the mitigati<strong>on</strong> hierarchy;4. recognise there are limits to whatcan be offset;5. be used in a l<strong>and</strong>scape c<strong>on</strong>text;6. achieved through stakeholderparticipati<strong>on</strong>;7. seek equity am<strong>on</strong>g stakeholders;8. be based <strong>on</strong> adaptive management<strong>and</strong> l<strong>on</strong>g-term outcomes;9. be transparent;10. be informed by sound science.Source: Business <strong>and</strong> <strong>Biodiversity</strong> OffsetsProgram relevant webpageWhen assessing biodiversity effects, there is a need to aimfor avoiding or reducing residual impacts, whilemaximising opportunities for improvement. SEAs shouldfocus <strong>on</strong> ensuring ‘no-net-loss’ of biodiversity <strong>and</strong> avoidingeffects from the start, before c<strong>on</strong>sidering mitigati<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong>compensati<strong>on</strong> (see box left). Article 6(4) of the HabitatsDirective provides a compensati<strong>on</strong> system specifically forNatura 2000 sites.If required, mitigati<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong> compensati<strong>on</strong> measures forbiodiversity can be beneficial for climate change mitigati<strong>on</strong><strong>and</strong> adaptati<strong>on</strong>. For example, the creati<strong>on</strong> of new habitats,green spaces, green corridors, green <strong>and</strong> brown roofs(enhancement) can maintain <strong>and</strong> enhance biodiversity, aidspecies in adapting to l<strong>on</strong>g-term climate change, <strong>and</strong> helpprovide essential ecosystem services such as flood storagecapacity, rainfall intercepti<strong>on</strong>, shade <strong>and</strong> heat regulati<strong>on</strong>,<strong>and</strong> air quality regulati<strong>on</strong> as part of adaptati<strong>on</strong> to climatechange.For climate change, an SEA can take a precauti<strong>on</strong>aryapproach <strong>and</strong> evaluate whether there is an opti<strong>on</strong> to avoid GHG emissi<strong>on</strong>s throughout a PP, ratherthan seek to mitigate them after they have been released. Mitigati<strong>on</strong> measures, such as requiringenergy efficiency measures in buildings, may help but are unlikely to fully remediate the harmfuleffects of emissi<strong>on</strong>s.For climate change adaptati<strong>on</strong>, SEAs should be used to help adjust human activities <strong>and</strong> theproposed PP to improve adaptive capacity of the system <strong>and</strong> support human resp<strong>on</strong>ses to bettercope with extreme events.5.7 M<strong>on</strong>itoring significant effects <strong>and</strong> adaptive managementThe SEA Directive provides for m<strong>on</strong>itoring a PP’s significant envir<strong>on</strong>mental effects so thatunforeseen adverse effects can be identified at an early stage <strong>and</strong> remedial acti<strong>on</strong> can be takenwhere needed.The use of m<strong>on</strong>itoring provisi<strong>on</strong>s has c<strong>on</strong>sistently been identified as a weakness in SEAs, forexample, because of difficulties in identifying m<strong>on</strong>itoring indicators. 31 This is particularly relevant forcomplex <strong>and</strong> often uncertain issues like climate change adaptati<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong> biodiversity, as m<strong>on</strong>itoringinjects flexibility <strong>into</strong> PPs <strong>and</strong> strengthens their adaptive capacity.31 (European Commissi<strong>on</strong>) Study c<strong>on</strong>cerning the report <strong>on</strong> the applicati<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong> effectiveness of the SEA Directive (COWI, 2009).48 <str<strong>on</strong>g>Guidance</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong> integrating climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity <strong>into</strong> SEA
This guidance document emphasises the importance of integrating more adaptive management <strong>into</strong>SEAs − a systematic process to c<strong>on</strong>tinually improve management policies <strong>and</strong> practices by learningfrom the outcomes of previously employed policies <strong>and</strong> practices. 32 One way to do this is to developan effective m<strong>on</strong>itoring system (see box below). In practical terms — given the l<strong>on</strong>g timescales oftenc<strong>on</strong>sidered — this is best integrated <strong>into</strong> the regular review process for PPs so that the objectives ofthe new or revised PP can be adapted to changing circumstances. So, while a PP may have a rolling20-year horiz<strong>on</strong>, it may be reviewed every five years, providing the opportunity to review <strong>and</strong> revisethe PP in light of changes observed over the preceding five years.<strong>Climate</strong> change mitigati<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong> adapti<strong>on</strong> indicators, <strong>and</strong> key biodiversity indicators, should beidentified as part of the m<strong>on</strong>itoring proposals in the SEA. However, many of these are likely toalready be indicators m<strong>on</strong>itored for the PP or other purposes <strong>and</strong> used to ensure that impactmitigati<strong>on</strong> measures are safeguarded, implemented, <strong>and</strong> focused <strong>on</strong> the most significant <strong>and</strong>relevant effects identified by the SEA process. Central to adaptive management will be the ability ofthe PP, when reviewed, to resp<strong>on</strong>d when thresholds or limits are exceeded or negative trendsworsen, e.g. a c<strong>on</strong>tinuing decline in populati<strong>on</strong>s of farml<strong>and</strong> birds or increasing frequency of floodevents in the plan area. Adaptive management is therefore more readily integrated <strong>into</strong> regularplan-making cycles, if these exist. For a <strong>on</strong>e-off PP, e.g. for a linear transport scheme, the adaptivemanagement <strong>and</strong> mitigati<strong>on</strong> measures need to be fed down the decisi<strong>on</strong>-making hierarchy <strong>into</strong>individual projects (<strong>and</strong> their EIAs) that arise out of the PP. The m<strong>on</strong>itoring arrangements alreadyidentified at strategic level may then be used for EIA.Mitigati<strong>on</strong> measures may have significant residual envir<strong>on</strong>mental effects that need to be taken <strong>into</strong>account (e.g. renewable energy generati<strong>on</strong> or tree planting may have adverse impacts <strong>on</strong>biodiversity). Hence, there is a need to m<strong>on</strong>itor the PP regularly <strong>and</strong> assess the mitigati<strong>on</strong> measuresagainst identified effects <strong>on</strong> the ground.The IMPEL Project’s Report 33 provides useful generic informati<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> m<strong>on</strong>itoring in SEA.Case study:SEA of the Thames Estuary 2100 Plan for Flood Risk Management — m<strong>on</strong>itoring adaptive capacityThis SEA highlights the importance of m<strong>on</strong>itoring the plan, given its l<strong>on</strong>g-term focus <strong>and</strong> the inherent uncertainty.The SEA report states that m<strong>on</strong>itoring will help to achieve ‘timely adaptati<strong>on</strong> of the plan in resp<strong>on</strong>se to changes inhow the Estuary resp<strong>on</strong>ds to both climate change <strong>and</strong> the flood risk management approaches.’ Am<strong>on</strong>g the aspectsthat the SEA expects to m<strong>on</strong>itor are: impacts of flood risk management measures <strong>and</strong> sea level rise (which willprovide an indicati<strong>on</strong> of the biodiversity effects <strong>and</strong> help determine whether habitat replacement measures arecorrectly aligned with the rate <strong>and</strong> scale of habitat loss); health <strong>and</strong> stability of the intertidal habitat; <strong>and</strong> ‘climaticfactors’ as measured by mean sea level rise, peak surge tide level <strong>and</strong> peak river flood flows.Source: The Envir<strong>on</strong>ment Agency for Engl<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> Wales relevant webpage32 Further guidance <strong>on</strong> adaptive management can be found at http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hfp/amhome/Admin/index.htm.33 IMPEL Project: Implementing Article 10 of the SEA Directive 2001/42/EC, Final Report (Impel, 2002).<str<strong>on</strong>g>Guidance</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong> integrating climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity <strong>into</strong> SEA 49
Annexes50 <str<strong>on</strong>g>Guidance</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong> integrating climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity <strong>into</strong> SEA
Annex 1: Further readingThe policy documents, reports <strong>and</strong> guidelines described below include both documents referred towithin this guidance <strong>and</strong> also other potentially useful sources of informati<strong>on</strong> to support the SEAprocess. This secti<strong>on</strong> includes <strong>on</strong>ly reference documents publicly available <strong>on</strong> the Internet. The tablebelow provides the title, hyperlink <strong>and</strong> short descripti<strong>on</strong> of each source. The ic<strong>on</strong>s below are used todistinguish the different topics covered in the table.Key:<strong>Climate</strong> change Mitigati<strong>on</strong> Adaptati<strong>on</strong><strong>Biodiversity</strong>EIAEnvir<strong>on</strong>mental ImpactAssessmentSEAStrategic Envir<strong>on</strong>mentalAssessmentReference/further reading(links active as of March 2013)Comments <strong>on</strong> relevance<strong>Climate</strong> change — generalImpacts of Europe's changing climate 2008 —indicator-based assessment (EEA, 2008)Stern Review <strong>on</strong> the Ec<strong>on</strong>omics of <strong>Climate</strong> <strong>Change</strong>(Cabinet Office - HM Treasury, 2006)Underst<strong>and</strong>ing <strong>Climate</strong> <strong>Change</strong>, SOER thematicassessment (EEA, 2010)UN Framework C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> <strong>Climate</strong> <strong>Change</strong>(UNFCCC)• The main part of this report summarises the relevance, pasttrends <strong>and</strong> future projecti<strong>on</strong>s for about 40 indicators coveringall aspects of climate change <strong>and</strong> impacted sectors. The reportalso addresses adaptati<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong> the ec<strong>on</strong>omics of climatechange impacts <strong>and</strong> adaptati<strong>on</strong> strategies.• This review provides a c<strong>on</strong>tributi<strong>on</strong> to assessing the evidence<strong>and</strong> building underst<strong>and</strong>ing of the ec<strong>on</strong>omics of climatechange. It first examines the evidence <strong>on</strong> the ec<strong>on</strong>omicimpacts of climate change itself, <strong>and</strong> explores the ec<strong>on</strong>omicsof stabilising GHGs in the atmosphere. The sec<strong>on</strong>d half of thedocument c<strong>on</strong>siders the complex policy challenges involved inmanaging the transiti<strong>on</strong> to a low-carb<strong>on</strong> ec<strong>on</strong>omy <strong>and</strong> inensuring that societies can adapt to the c<strong>on</strong>sequences ofclimate change that can no l<strong>on</strong>ger be avoided.• The report which provides an introducti<strong>on</strong> to climate change,including scientific background, policy c<strong>on</strong>text, possible risks<strong>and</strong> impacts, policy acti<strong>on</strong>s <strong>and</strong> current targets <strong>and</strong> goals.• It provides informati<strong>on</strong> regarding the latest developmentsthrough the United Nati<strong>on</strong>s C<strong>on</strong>ference of Parties (COP)process.• It includes links detailing internati<strong>on</strong>al requirements (such asKyoto, Bali Acti<strong>on</strong> Plan, Copenhagen Accord <strong>and</strong> CancunAgreement) including likely developments.• Good source of supra-nati<strong>on</strong>al GHGs data.<strong>Climate</strong> change — mitigati<strong>on</strong>Mitigating climate change, SOER thematicassessment (EEA, 2010)• The report summarising the EU’s progress towards GHGreducti<strong>on</strong> targets.• It c<strong>on</strong>siders global <strong>and</strong> European trends in GHG <strong>and</strong> associatedchallenges.<strong>Climate</strong> change — adaptati<strong>on</strong>Adapting to <strong>Climate</strong> <strong>Change</strong>, SOER thematicassessment (EEA, 2010)• This report is a good source of European climate changeimpact analysis; descripti<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong> analysis of current <strong>and</strong>possible future policy acti<strong>on</strong>s.<str<strong>on</strong>g>Guidance</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong> integrating climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity <strong>into</strong> SEA 51
<strong>Climate</strong> <strong>Change</strong>: Working Group II: Impacts,Adapti<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong> Vulnerability (IPCC, 2007)Forest, health <strong>and</strong> climate change: Urban greenspaces, forests for cooler cities <strong>and</strong> healthier people(EEA, 2011)Fourth Assessment Report: <strong>Climate</strong> <strong>Change</strong> (IPCC,2007)Guiding principles for adaptati<strong>on</strong> to climate changein Europe ETC/ACC Technical Paper 2010/6 (ETC,2010)Managing the Risks of Extreme Events <strong>and</strong> Disastersto Advance <strong>Climate</strong> <strong>Change</strong> Adaptati<strong>on</strong> (IPCC, 2012)Mapping the impacts of natural hazards <strong>and</strong>technological accidents in Europe (EEA, 2010)Vulnerability <strong>and</strong> adaptati<strong>on</strong> to climate change (EEA,2005)White paper - Adapting to climate change: towards aEuropean framework for acti<strong>on</strong> (EC, 2009)• IPPC Chapter <strong>on</strong> impacts of climate change across Europe. Itc<strong>on</strong>siders key vulnerabilities <strong>and</strong> possible policy resp<strong>on</strong>ses.• A leaflet describing the benefits of forests (parks <strong>and</strong> greenspaces) in urban envir<strong>on</strong>ment as an adaptati<strong>on</strong> approach toclimate change.• The informati<strong>on</strong> regarding global climate change science, split<strong>into</strong> a range of working groups <strong>and</strong> sectoral reports.• Technical c<strong>on</strong>siderati<strong>on</strong> of the higher level principles foradapting to climate change.• Extreme weather <strong>and</strong> climate events, interacting with exposed<strong>and</strong> vulnerable human <strong>and</strong> natural systems, can lead todisasters. This report explores the challenge of underst<strong>and</strong>ing<strong>and</strong> managing the risks of climate extremes to advanceclimate change adaptati<strong>on</strong>.• The report assesses the occurrence <strong>and</strong> impacts of disasters<strong>and</strong> the underlying hazards such as storms, extremetemperature events, forest fires, water scarcity <strong>and</strong> droughts,floods, snow avalanches, l<strong>and</strong>slides, earthquakes, volcanoes<strong>and</strong> technological accidents in Europe for the period 1998-2009. Useful for scoping potential vulnerability.• The technical report by the EEA that assesses Europeanvulnerability to climate change impacts <strong>and</strong> adaptati<strong>on</strong>measures being undertaken as of 2010.• The white paper setting out the EU’s approach to adapting toclimate change, based <strong>on</strong> the c<strong>on</strong>cept of mainstreaming.• It refers to resilience of biodiversity <strong>and</strong> natural systems.<strong>Biodiversity</strong>GeneralAssessing biodiversity in Europe — the 2010 report(EEA, 2010)• This report provides informati<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> the status of Europeanbiodiversity with a focus <strong>on</strong> designated areas <strong>and</strong> progresstowards the EU’s biodiversity targets.<strong>Biodiversity</strong> Baseline Flyer (EEA, 2010) • The report summarising the EEA’s biodiversity assessments aspart of the State of the Envir<strong>on</strong>ment Report 2010 reports.<strong>Biodiversity</strong> — SOER 2010 thematic assessment(EEA, 2010)• This report provides comprehensive assessment of the state<strong>and</strong> trends of Europe’s biodiversity.<strong>Biodiversity</strong> — 10 messages for 2010 (EEA, 2010) • This report provides a range of specific assessments based <strong>on</strong>Europe’s bio-geographic regi<strong>on</strong>s <strong>and</strong> the interrelati<strong>on</strong>shipbetween climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity.EU 2010 <strong>Biodiversity</strong> Baseline (EEA, 2010) • The detailed report providing an assessment of the status <strong>and</strong>trends of Europe’s biodiversity.EU <strong>Biodiversity</strong> Strategy to 2020 (EC, COM(2011) 244final)• The new <strong>Biodiversity</strong> Strategy aims to halt the loss ofbiodiversity <strong>and</strong> ecosystem services in the EU by 2020. Thereare six main targets, <strong>and</strong> 20 acti<strong>on</strong>s to help Europe reach itsgoal.L<strong>and</strong>scape fragmentati<strong>on</strong> in Europe (EEA, 2011) • This report provides a foundati<strong>on</strong> for envir<strong>on</strong>mentalm<strong>on</strong>itoring <strong>and</strong> protective measures for those l<strong>and</strong>scapes thatare not yet fragmented. It also makes it clear thatfragmentati<strong>on</strong> analysis must be integrated <strong>into</strong> transport <strong>and</strong>regi<strong>on</strong>al planning so that cumulative effects are c<strong>on</strong>sideredmore effectively in the future.Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (2005) • This seminal report c<strong>on</strong>siders the status <strong>and</strong> trends of globalbiodiversity <strong>and</strong> the services it provides.PIANC — Working with Nature (PIANC, revised 2011) • The document that sets out the World Associati<strong>on</strong> forWaterborne Transport (PIANC) management plans to integrateecosystem services <strong>into</strong> its activities. It provides a generalprinciple of integrated planning.52 <str<strong>on</strong>g>Guidance</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong> integrating climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity <strong>into</strong> SEA
Resource Paper: No Net Loss <strong>and</strong> Loss-GainCalculati<strong>on</strong>s in <strong>Biodiversity</strong> Offsets (2012)The Ec<strong>on</strong>omics of Ecosystems <strong>and</strong> <strong>Biodiversity</strong> (TEEB,2010)The Use of Envir<strong>on</strong>mental Limits in RegulatingEnvir<strong>on</strong>mental Systems - How Could the C<strong>on</strong>cept BeApplied in Envir<strong>on</strong>mental Agencies? (SNIFFER, 2010)Green infrastructureGreen infrastructure implementati<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong> efficiency(EC study, 2012)Green infrastructure <strong>and</strong> territorial cohesi<strong>on</strong> (EEA,2011)Green infrastructure — Sustainable investments forthe benefit of both people <strong>and</strong> nature (SURF-natureproject, 2011)Article 6 of the Habitats Directive guidance documentsCommissi<strong>on</strong> Staff Working Document: <strong>Integrating</strong>biodiversity <strong>and</strong> nature protecti<strong>on</strong> <strong>into</strong> portdevelopment (EC, 2011)EC <str<strong>on</strong>g>Guidance</str<strong>on</strong>g>: N<strong>on</strong>-mineral extracti<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong> Natura2000 (EU, 2011)EC <str<strong>on</strong>g>Guidance</str<strong>on</strong>g>: The implementati<strong>on</strong> of the Birds <strong>and</strong>Habitats Directives in estuaries <strong>and</strong> coastal z<strong>on</strong>eswith particular attenti<strong>on</strong> to port developments <strong>and</strong>dredging (EU, 2011)EC <str<strong>on</strong>g>Guidance</str<strong>on</strong>g>: Wind energy development <strong>and</strong> Natura2000 (EC, 2010)<str<strong>on</strong>g>Guidance</str<strong>on</strong>g> document <strong>on</strong> Article 6(4) of the HabitatsDirective 92/43/EEC (EC, 2007/updated in 2012)<str<strong>on</strong>g>Guidance</str<strong>on</strong>g> document <strong>on</strong> the assessment of plans <strong>and</strong>projects significantly affecting Natura 2000 sites (EC,2001)Managing Natura 2000 sites. The provisi<strong>on</strong>s ofArticle 6 of the Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC (EC,2000)• This resource paper has been prepared by the Business <strong>and</strong><strong>Biodiversity</strong> Offsets Programme to help auditors, developers,c<strong>on</strong>servati<strong>on</strong> groups, communities, governments <strong>and</strong> financialinstituti<strong>on</strong>s that wish to c<strong>on</strong>sider <strong>and</strong> develop best practicerelated to biodiversity offsets.• The report <strong>on</strong> the current provisi<strong>on</strong> of ecosystem services <strong>and</strong>the ec<strong>on</strong>omic <strong>and</strong> decisi<strong>on</strong> support tools that can support itsintegrati<strong>on</strong> <strong>into</strong> policy <strong>and</strong> decisi<strong>on</strong> making.• The report c<strong>on</strong>sidering the c<strong>on</strong>cept of envir<strong>on</strong>mental limits<strong>and</strong> how it may usefully applied within envir<strong>on</strong>mentalagencies.• The study assessing the effectiveness <strong>and</strong> efficiency of policyinitiatives to support green infrastructure across Europe.• It identified the main existing policy measures that can help tosupport Green Infrastructure initiatives <strong>and</strong> theirimplementati<strong>on</strong>, including, seven in-depth case studies <strong>on</strong>thematic issues.• The report exploring the c<strong>on</strong>cept of green infrastructure, withillustrative examples of green infrastructure initiatives <strong>on</strong> theground <strong>and</strong> further analyses of the integrati<strong>on</strong> of greeninfrastructure <strong>into</strong> policy sectors.• The booklet explaining the basics of green infrastructure <strong>and</strong>presenting some approaches.• The Commissi<strong>on</strong> Staff Working Document includes the policyc<strong>on</strong>text for rec<strong>on</strong>ciling envir<strong>on</strong>mental requirements with portdevelopment.• These guidelines show how the needs of extractive industrycan be met while avoiding adverse effects <strong>on</strong> wildlife <strong>and</strong>nature.• They examine how the potential impacts of extracti<strong>on</strong>activities <strong>on</strong> nature <strong>and</strong> biodiversity can be minimised oravoided altogether.• This guidance document aims to explain the protecti<strong>on</strong>regime, defined under Article 6 of the Habitats Directive thatapplies to Natura 2000 sites in the specific c<strong>on</strong>text of estuaries<strong>and</strong> overlapping with, fairway channels <strong>and</strong> coastal z<strong>on</strong>es,with particular attenti<strong>on</strong> to port-related activities, includingdredging <strong>and</strong> industry (e.g. shipyards).• The purpose of this document is to provide guidance <strong>on</strong> howbest to ensure that wind energy developments are compatiblewith the provisi<strong>on</strong>s of the Habitats <strong>and</strong> Birds Directives.• The clarificati<strong>on</strong> of the c<strong>on</strong>cepts of: alternative soluti<strong>on</strong>s,imperative reas<strong>on</strong>s of overriding public interest,compensatory measures, overall coherence, Opini<strong>on</strong> of theCommissi<strong>on</strong>.• The methodological guidance <strong>on</strong> the provisi<strong>on</strong>s of Article 6(3)<strong>and</strong> (4) of the Habitats Directive.• This document aims at providing guidelines to the MemberStates <strong>on</strong> the interpretati<strong>on</strong> of certain key c<strong>on</strong>cepts used inArticle 6 of the Habitats Directive.<str<strong>on</strong>g>Guidance</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong> integrating climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity <strong>into</strong> SEA 53
<strong>Biodiversity</strong> <strong>and</strong> climate changeAdapting through natural interventi<strong>on</strong>s (<strong>Climate</strong>North West, 2011)Assessment of the potential of ecosystem-basedapproaches to climate change adaptati<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong>mitigati<strong>on</strong> in Europe (EC study, 2011)<strong>Biodiversity</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Climate</strong> <strong>Change</strong>: Achieving the 2020targets (CBD, 2010)<strong>Climate</strong> change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity. 10 messages for2010 (EEA, 2010)<strong>Climate</strong> change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity. The role of theEuropean regi<strong>on</strong>s (European Centre for NatureC<strong>on</strong>servati<strong>on</strong>, J<strong>on</strong>es W.L. <strong>and</strong> Nieto, A. (Eds.), 2007)Draft guidelines <strong>on</strong> dealing with the impact ofclimate change (2012)Examples of envir<strong>on</strong>mental limits relevant climatechange <strong>and</strong> biodiversity (Resilience Alliance, 2010)Impacts of climate change <strong>and</strong> selected renewableenergy infrastructures <strong>on</strong> EU biodiversity <strong>and</strong> theNatura 2000 network: Summary report (EC study,2011)• The detailed descripti<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong> analysis of envir<strong>on</strong>ment basedinterventi<strong>on</strong>s that increase adaptive capacity with regard toclimate change.• The study aimed to address current knowledge gaps regardingthe uptake <strong>and</strong> implementati<strong>on</strong> of ecosystem-basedapproaches <strong>and</strong> thereby gain a better underst<strong>and</strong>ing of theirrole <strong>and</strong> potential in climate change adaptati<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong> mitigati<strong>on</strong>in Europe.• The technical note <strong>on</strong> how the 2020 targets as set down in theCBD will be achieved c<strong>on</strong>sidering the stresses presented byclimate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity loss• The summary report exploring <strong>and</strong> describing the main issuessurrounding climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity in Europe.• This report discusses the role of the European regi<strong>on</strong>s inresp<strong>on</strong>ding to climate change-related issues, includingadaptati<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong> mitigati<strong>on</strong>.• The purpose of these guidelines is to underline benefits fromNatura 2000 sites in mitigating the impacts of climate change,reducing vulnerability <strong>and</strong> increasing resilience, <strong>and</strong> howadaptati<strong>on</strong> of management for species <strong>and</strong> habitats protectedby Natura 2000 can be used to tackle the effects of climatechange.• The database of a wide range of examples <strong>and</strong> case studies ofenvir<strong>on</strong>mental limits research, experience <strong>and</strong> analysis.• This summary report provides an overview of the likely impactof climate change <strong>on</strong> biodiversity in the EU <strong>and</strong> indicati<strong>on</strong>s asto how the design <strong>and</strong> implementati<strong>on</strong> of current policy mightneed to be adapted in order to ensure that the EU respects itscommitment to reduce biodiversity loss.Nature’s Role in <strong>Climate</strong> <strong>Change</strong> (EC, 2009) • The analysis report <strong>on</strong> the potential role of nature <strong>and</strong>ecosystem services in mitigating <strong>and</strong> resp<strong>on</strong>ding to climatechange.SEASEADirective 2001/42/EC <strong>on</strong> the assessment of theeffects of certain plans <strong>and</strong> programmes <strong>on</strong> theenvir<strong>on</strong>ment<str<strong>on</strong>g>Guidance</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong> the implementati<strong>on</strong> of Directive2001/42/EC <strong>on</strong> the assessment of the effects ofcertain plans <strong>and</strong> programmes <strong>on</strong> the envir<strong>on</strong>ment(EC, 2003)H<strong>and</strong>book <strong>on</strong> SEA for Cohesi<strong>on</strong> Policy 2007-2013(GRDP Project, 2006)Implementati<strong>on</strong> of the SEA Directive (2001/42/EC)-Irel<strong>and</strong>Report <strong>on</strong> the applicati<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong> effectiveness of theDirective <strong>on</strong> Strategic Envir<strong>on</strong>mental Assessment(COM (2009) 469 final)• Directive 2001/42/EC <strong>on</strong> the assessment of the effects ofcertain plans <strong>and</strong> programmes <strong>on</strong> the envir<strong>on</strong>ment, OJ L 197,21.7.2001, p.30. It requires the envir<strong>on</strong>mental effects of abroad range of plans <strong>and</strong> programmes to be assessed so theycan be c<strong>on</strong>sidered while plans are actually being developed,<strong>and</strong> in due course adopted. The public must also be c<strong>on</strong>sulted<strong>on</strong> the draft plans <strong>and</strong> <strong>on</strong> the envir<strong>on</strong>mental assessment <strong>and</strong>their views must be taken <strong>into</strong> account.• The guidance aims to provide MSs with a clear underst<strong>and</strong>ingof the Directive’s requirements, so that it is implementedc<strong>on</strong>sistently throughout the EU.• The step-by-step guidance specifically tailored for SEAs ofCohesi<strong>on</strong> Policy Operati<strong>on</strong>al Programmes for the programmingperiod 2007-2013.• The report describing the implementati<strong>on</strong> requirements of theSEA Directive in Irel<strong>and</strong>. The report refers to climatic factors<strong>and</strong> biodiversity at certain stages of the SEA procedure.• This report assesses the applicati<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong> the effectiveness ofthe SEA Directive <strong>and</strong> includes proposals for its amendment (inparticular the amendment of its scope).54 <str<strong>on</strong>g>Guidance</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong> integrating climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity <strong>into</strong> SEA
Resource Manual to Support Applicati<strong>on</strong> of theUNECE Protocol <strong>on</strong> Strategic Envir<strong>on</strong>mentalAssessment (UNECE <strong>and</strong> REC, 2011)Strategic Envir<strong>on</strong>mental Assessment good practiceguide (Portuguese Envir<strong>on</strong>ment Agency, 2007)• It provides guidance to those applying the Protocol orsupporting others in doing so, including: the mainrequirements of Protocol; an outline of the key issues forapplying Protocol in practice; <strong>and</strong> materials for training &capacity-development programmes supporting Protocolapplicati<strong>on</strong>• The Portuguese SEA guide which promotes an integratedapproach to assessments.SEASEA <strong>and</strong> biodiversity<strong>Biodiversity</strong>, Ecology, <strong>and</strong> Ecosystem Services -Impact Assessment C<strong>on</strong>siderati<strong>on</strong>s/Approaches.(Internati<strong>on</strong>al Associati<strong>on</strong> of Impact Assessment,2006)• The meta-study pulling together work <strong>and</strong> synthesising.• The range of overarching principles, supported by case studies<strong>and</strong> possible tools.<strong>Biodiversity</strong> in Impact Assessment (IAIA, 2005) • The short special publicati<strong>on</strong>, user-friendly structure reviewingkey strategic <strong>and</strong> operati<strong>on</strong>al issues c<strong>on</strong>cerning the integrati<strong>on</strong>of biodiversity-related c<strong>on</strong>siderati<strong>on</strong>s <strong>into</strong> impact assessmentpractices.Guidelines for ecological impact assessment in theUnited Kingdom (Institute of Ecology <strong>and</strong>Envir<strong>on</strong>mental Management, 2006)Impact assessment: Voluntary guidelines <strong>on</strong>biodiversity-inclusive impact assessment(C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> Biological Diversity, 2006)Positi<strong>on</strong> paper <strong>on</strong> envir<strong>on</strong>mental assessment in theEuropean Uni<strong>on</strong> (Birdlife, 2010)Principles for the use of Strategic Envir<strong>on</strong>mentalAssessment as a tool for promoting the c<strong>on</strong>servati<strong>on</strong><strong>and</strong> sustainable use of biodiversity. Treweek, J.,Therivel, R., Thomps<strong>on</strong>, S. <strong>and</strong> Slater, M. (2005).Journal of Envir<strong>on</strong>mental Assessment, Policy &Management, 7, 173 - 199Resoluti<strong>on</strong> X.17 - Envir<strong>on</strong>mental Impact Assessment<strong>and</strong> Strategic Envir<strong>on</strong>mentalAssessment: updated scientific <strong>and</strong> technicalguidance (RAMSAR C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong>, 2010)• The guidelines including examples of how biodiversity could beincluded <strong>into</strong> assessment methodologies.• The assessment guidelines that seek to incorporate therequirements of the CBD <strong>into</strong> PPs (via SEA) <strong>and</strong> projects (viaEIA).• They c<strong>on</strong>sider higher level principles <strong>and</strong> provide relevant casestudies.• The incorporati<strong>on</strong> of advocacy <strong>into</strong> guidance. It includes higherlevel principles supported by a process based approach thathighlights comm<strong>on</strong> problems with each stage of assessment.• It sets out ‘dos <strong>and</strong> d<strong>on</strong>’ts’ for practiti<strong>on</strong>ers <strong>and</strong> reviewers.• The paper c<strong>on</strong>textualising the potential of SEA to promotebiological c<strong>on</strong>servati<strong>on</strong>, including the overarching principles.• It identifies ‘inserti<strong>on</strong> points’ for biodiversity al<strong>on</strong>g the SEAprocess.• The technical guidance based <strong>on</strong> the CBD guidelines describedabove. Includes RAMSAR-specific additi<strong>on</strong>s that seek toinclude c<strong>on</strong>siderati<strong>on</strong> of wetl<strong>and</strong>s.SEA <strong>and</strong> Ecosystem Services (OECD, 2010) • The advisory note <strong>on</strong> the inclusi<strong>on</strong> of biodiversity within SEA.SEA Topic guidance for Practiti<strong>on</strong>ers. SEA topic:biodiversity (Countryside Council for Wales, 2007)TEEB for local <strong>and</strong> regi<strong>on</strong>al policy makers (TEEB,2010)• This guidance introduces biodiversity <strong>and</strong> SEA for resp<strong>on</strong>sibleauthorities; it provides source informati<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong> examples forthe various stages of SEA.• The report that c<strong>on</strong>siders how SEA (<strong>and</strong> EIA) could seek toinclude ecosystem services.SEASEA <strong>and</strong> climate change<strong>Climate</strong> change <strong>and</strong> impact assessment symposium(Internati<strong>on</strong>al Associati<strong>on</strong> of Impact Assessment,2010)• This <strong>on</strong>line resource which provides links to a range ofpresentati<strong>on</strong>s <strong>on</strong> various aspects of climate change.<str<strong>on</strong>g>Guidance</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong> integrating climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity <strong>into</strong> SEA 55
Guidelines <strong>on</strong> the Integrati<strong>on</strong> of Envir<strong>on</strong>ment <strong>and</strong><strong>Climate</strong> <strong>Change</strong> in Development Cooperati<strong>on</strong>,Guidelines No. 4 (EuropeAid 2009)Improving the <strong>Climate</strong> Resilience of Cohesi<strong>on</strong> PolicyFunding Programmes. An overview of memberstates’ measures <strong>and</strong> tools for climate proofingCohesi<strong>on</strong> Policy funds. (ENEA Working Group <strong>on</strong><strong>Climate</strong> <strong>Change</strong> <strong>and</strong> Cohesi<strong>on</strong> Policy, 2009).Incorporating climate change impact <strong>and</strong> adaptati<strong>on</strong>in envir<strong>on</strong>mental impact assessments opportunities<strong>and</strong> challenges. (OECD, 2010)OECD/DAC Advisory note: Strategic Envir<strong>on</strong>mentalAssessment <strong>and</strong> Adaptati<strong>on</strong> to <strong>Climate</strong> <strong>Change</strong>(OECD, 2008)Opportunities for <strong>Integrating</strong> <strong>Climate</strong> <strong>Change</strong>C<strong>on</strong>cerns <strong>into</strong> Regi<strong>on</strong>al Planning through StrategicEnvir<strong>on</strong>mental Assessment. Regi<strong>on</strong>s for Sustainable<strong>Change</strong> project, INTERREG IVC (RSC Project, 2011)Resilience thinking improves SEA: a discussi<strong>on</strong> paper(Slootweg, R. <strong>and</strong> J<strong>on</strong>es, M., 2011)• The guidelines cover EIA <strong>and</strong> SEA with specific reference toclimate change issue, adaptati<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong> risk management ininternati<strong>on</strong>al development funding <strong>and</strong> projects.• It presents MS’ strategies for integrating climate change toCohesi<strong>on</strong> Policy programmes.• This multi-purpose guidance type document assesses thecurrent state of the inclusi<strong>on</strong> of adaptati<strong>on</strong> <strong>into</strong> EIA withexamples of current approaches — Canada <strong>and</strong> CARICOM.• This note setting out advice <strong>and</strong> links to additi<strong>on</strong>al resources(an OECD/DAC document ‘Good Practice <str<strong>on</strong>g>Guidance</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong> SEA’exists since 2006).• It uses a questi<strong>on</strong>-based approach to c<strong>on</strong>sider climate changeadaptati<strong>on</strong> in SEA, supported by informati<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong> case studies.• It illustrates how SEA can provide a framework for integratingclimate change, adaptati<strong>on</strong>-related c<strong>on</strong>siderati<strong>on</strong>s (risks <strong>and</strong>opportunities) <strong>into</strong> strategic planning.• Key questi<strong>on</strong>s to ask during each step of SEA (Setting c<strong>on</strong>text,Implementati<strong>on</strong>, Informing/Influencing Decisi<strong>on</strong> Makers,M<strong>on</strong>itoring/Evaluati<strong>on</strong>).• It investigates critical issues for using SEA as a tool to helpintegrate climate change <strong>into</strong> regi<strong>on</strong>al-level planning in the EU• It reviews actual practice of regi<strong>on</strong>al authorities in integratingclimate change <strong>into</strong> SEA• It provides guidance <strong>and</strong> recommendati<strong>on</strong>s <strong>on</strong> how tomainstream climate <strong>and</strong> low-carb<strong>on</strong> issues <strong>into</strong> planningprocesses using SEA• The discussi<strong>on</strong> paper drawn from a workshop <strong>on</strong> resiliencethinking <strong>and</strong> SEA at the 2010 IAIA c<strong>on</strong>ference in Geneva. Itintroduces the basic c<strong>on</strong>cepts of resilience thinking, <strong>and</strong>develops ideas for its integrati<strong>on</strong> within SEA practice.SEA <strong>and</strong> Adapting to <strong>Climate</strong> <strong>Change</strong> (OECD, 2010) • The advisory note <strong>on</strong> the inclusi<strong>on</strong> of adaptati<strong>on</strong> within SEA.Strategic Envir<strong>on</strong>mental Assessment <strong>and</strong> climatechange: <str<strong>on</strong>g>Guidance</str<strong>on</strong>g> for practiti<strong>on</strong>ers (Envir<strong>on</strong>mentAgency for Engl<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> Wales, revised 2011)SEA <str<strong>on</strong>g>Guidance</str<strong>on</strong>g> for Practiti<strong>on</strong>ers, SEA Topic - <strong>Climate</strong><strong>Change</strong> (Countryside Council for Wales, revised2007)The C<strong>on</strong>siderati<strong>on</strong> of Climactic Factors withinStrategic Envir<strong>on</strong>mental Assessment (ScottishGovernment Envir<strong>on</strong>mental Assessment Team,2010)• The UK guide that provides useful, c<strong>on</strong>cise informati<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> howclimate change should be c<strong>on</strong>sidered in each stage of the SEAprocess <strong>and</strong> examples of objectives <strong>and</strong> climate impactsrelevant to a range of sectors.• Possible climate change indicators <strong>and</strong> informati<strong>on</strong> sources.• The guidance <strong>on</strong> potential plans, programmes, objectives,policies <strong>and</strong> legislati<strong>on</strong> to be taken <strong>into</strong> c<strong>on</strong>siderati<strong>on</strong> for the<strong>Climate</strong> <strong>Change</strong> Topic (internati<strong>on</strong>al, nati<strong>on</strong>al <strong>and</strong> regi<strong>on</strong>al).• Potential climate change-related envir<strong>on</strong>mental issues <strong>and</strong>opportunities.• The examples of SEA Objectives/Sub-Objectives <strong>and</strong> Indicatorsfor <strong>Climate</strong> <strong>Change</strong>.• Interrelati<strong>on</strong>ships with other SEA topics (includingbiodiversity).• The report providing key screening questi<strong>on</strong>s formitigati<strong>on</strong>/adaptati<strong>on</strong>.• The baseline informati<strong>on</strong> sources (Scottish) for scoping.• The tables showing typical influences <strong>on</strong> climactic factors fromdifferent types of plans, which could be referred to in theguidance secti<strong>on</strong>s <strong>on</strong> alternatives assessment <strong>and</strong> impacts.• Useful examples of SEA objectives, cumulative effects,indicators, data sources, etc.56 <str<strong>on</strong>g>Guidance</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong> integrating climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity <strong>into</strong> SEA
Annex 2: Sources of informati<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> biodiversity <strong>and</strong> climate changeThis annex lists the informati<strong>on</strong> that can be used to support an SEA. It outlines the different types<strong>and</strong> sources of informati<strong>on</strong> that may be available. This is likely to be particularly relevant to the SEAscreening, scoping <strong>and</strong> assessment stages, <strong>and</strong> then m<strong>on</strong>itoring/follow-up.Types of informati<strong>on</strong>Examples of the types of quantitative datasets relevant to climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity include:• species distributi<strong>on</strong>;• trend data, e.g. loss of species/habitats;• protected area status: Natura 2000 sites, nati<strong>on</strong>al designati<strong>on</strong>s, etc.;• GHGs emissi<strong>on</strong> inventories etc.;• climate projecti<strong>on</strong>s: IPCC , etc.;• future climate <strong>and</strong> socio-ec<strong>on</strong>omic scenarios.These datasets may already exist, depending up<strong>on</strong> the locati<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong> scale required.Sources of informati<strong>on</strong>A starting point for sources of informati<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity will be other strategicdocuments that provide the c<strong>on</strong>text in which a plan or programme must be c<strong>on</strong>sidered. These mayinclude, for example, municipal/local authority spatial plans <strong>and</strong> policies/strategies <strong>on</strong> biodiversityprotecti<strong>on</strong> (e.g. biodiversity acti<strong>on</strong> plans for species <strong>and</strong> habitats) <strong>and</strong> climate change mitigati<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong>adaptati<strong>on</strong> plans, strategies or vulnerability assessment studies.Other forms of assessment may also be relevant, such as EIAs carried out under the EIA Directive orassessments carried out under the Habitats Directive.For biodiversity — potential specialist sources are likely to include:• envir<strong>on</strong>mental authorities with resp<strong>on</strong>sibility for nature c<strong>on</strong>servati<strong>on</strong>;• envir<strong>on</strong>mental NGOs;• stakeholders dependent or influential <strong>on</strong> biodiversity derived ecosystem services, e.g.foresters, fisheries, water companies/authorities.For climate change — potential specialist sources are likely to include:• envir<strong>on</strong>mental authorities with resp<strong>on</strong>sibility for climate change mitigati<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong> adaptati<strong>on</strong>;• local authorities/municipalities;• envir<strong>on</strong>mental NGOs;• health services;• social well-being organisati<strong>on</strong>s;• infrastructure providers, e.g. transport authorities, utilities.Key European sources of dataThe table below summarises some of the key sources of data available at the European level,including data repositories <strong>and</strong> datasets, <strong>on</strong>line tools <strong>and</strong> key reports <strong>and</strong> documents. The table isorganised <strong>into</strong> different topics <strong>and</strong> types of data using the ic<strong>on</strong>s below.<str<strong>on</strong>g>Guidance</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong> integrating climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity <strong>into</strong> SEA 57
Key:<strong>Climate</strong>change<strong>Biodiversity</strong> Mitigati<strong>on</strong> Adaptati<strong>on</strong>Databases,datarepositories<strong>and</strong> <strong>on</strong>linetoolsOrganisati<strong>on</strong>s<strong>and</strong> researchprojectsReports <strong>and</strong>otherdocumentsKey European sources of data, including data repositories <strong>and</strong> <strong>on</strong>line digital datasetsSource Descripti<strong>on</strong> Link (March 2013)<strong>Climate</strong> change<strong>Climate</strong> <strong>Change</strong> DataCentre (EEA)<strong>Climate</strong> <strong>Change</strong>Knowledge Portal,CCKP (the World BankGroup)IntergovernmentalPanel <strong>on</strong> <strong>Climate</strong><strong>Change</strong> (IPPC)Repository of a wide range of climate change relevant data<strong>and</strong> informati<strong>on</strong>. This includes all the latest climate changerelevant developments within the EEA. Good meta-sourceof developments across European climate policy <strong>and</strong>reporting.The Portal provides an <strong>on</strong>line tool for access tocomprehensive global, regi<strong>on</strong>al, <strong>and</strong> country data related toclimate change <strong>and</strong> development. The aim of the portal isto help provide development practiti<strong>on</strong>ers with a resourceto explore, evaluate, synthesise, <strong>and</strong> learn about climaterelated vulnerabilities <strong>and</strong> risks at multiple levels of details.IPCC is the leading internati<strong>on</strong>al body for the assessment ofclimate change. Its website includes, inter alia, the Fourthassessment report: climate change (2007) <strong>and</strong> otherreleases of global climate change science, split <strong>into</strong> a rangeof working groups <strong>and</strong> sectoral reports.http://www.eea.europa.eu/themes/climate/dchttp://sdwebx.worldbank.org/climateportal/index.cfmhttp://www.ipcc.ch/publicati<strong>on</strong>s_<strong>and</strong>_data/publicati<strong>on</strong>s_<strong>and</strong>_data_reports.shtml<strong>Climate</strong> change — mitigati<strong>on</strong>European TopicCentre for AirPolluti<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Climate</strong><strong>Change</strong> Mitigati<strong>on</strong>(ETC/ACM) (EEA)Greenhouse GasEmissi<strong>on</strong> Viewer (EEA)The ETC/ACM assists the EEA in its support to EU policy inthe field of air polluti<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong> climate change mitigati<strong>on</strong>. TheETC/ACM provides reports <strong>and</strong> databases relevant toclimate change mitigati<strong>on</strong>.The EEA GHG viewer provides easy access <strong>and</strong> analysis ofthe data c<strong>on</strong>tained in the Annual EU greenhouse gasinventories. The EEA GHG data viewer can show emissi<strong>on</strong>trends for the main sectors <strong>and</strong> allows for comparis<strong>on</strong>s ofemissi<strong>on</strong>s between different countries <strong>and</strong> activities.http://acm.ei<strong>on</strong>et.europa.eu/http://www.eea.europa.eu/data-<strong>and</strong>maps/data/dataviewers/greenhousegases-viewer<strong>Climate</strong> change — adaptati<strong>on</strong>CLIMATE-ADAPT:European <strong>Climate</strong>Adaptati<strong>on</strong> Platform(EEA)CLIMSAVECLIMATE-ADAPT is an interactive, publicly accessible webbasedtool <strong>on</strong> adaptati<strong>on</strong> to climate change. It is designedto support policy-makers at EU, nati<strong>on</strong>al, regi<strong>on</strong>al <strong>and</strong> locallevels in the development of climate change adaptati<strong>on</strong>measures <strong>and</strong> policies.CLIMSAVE is a research project that is developing a userfriendly,interactive web-based tool that will allowstakeholders to assess climate change impacts <strong>and</strong>vulnerabilities for a range of sectors, including agriculture,forests, biodiversity, coasts, water resources <strong>and</strong> urb<strong>and</strong>evelopment. The linking of models for the different sectorswill enable stakeholders to see how their interacti<strong>on</strong>s couldaffect European l<strong>and</strong>scape change.http://climateadapt.eea.europa.eu/http://www.climsave.eu/climsave/index.html58 <str<strong>on</strong>g>Guidance</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong> integrating climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity <strong>into</strong> SEA
EmDATERA-NET ROAD —Coordinati<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong>Implementati<strong>on</strong> ofRoad Research inEuropeEuropean SevereWeather DatabaseGreen <strong>and</strong> Blue Spacefor Adaptati<strong>on</strong>(GRaBS) Adaptati<strong>on</strong>Risk <strong>and</strong> VulnerabilityToolkitNatCatSERVICENati<strong>on</strong>al Adaptati<strong>on</strong>Strategies (EEA)Nati<strong>on</strong>al <strong>Climate</strong>Research TheNetherl<strong>and</strong>sUrban adaptati<strong>on</strong> toclimate change inEurope <strong>and</strong>Interactive maps fromthe Report <strong>on</strong> Eye <strong>on</strong>Earth (EEA)Internati<strong>on</strong>al disaster database that seeks to informpreparedness <strong>and</strong> decisi<strong>on</strong> making to natural disasters. Itcan be useful for scoping vulnerability to climate change.ERA-NET ROAD was a Coordinati<strong>on</strong> Acti<strong>on</strong> funded by the EUSixth FrameworkProgramme for European Research <strong>and</strong> TechnologicalDevelopment. 11 Nati<strong>on</strong>al Road Administrati<strong>on</strong>sparticipated in the programme. Within the framework ofthis acti<strong>on</strong>, the call Road owners getting to grips withclimate change was launched. Four projects relevant forclimate change adaptati<strong>on</strong> were funded within this call:IRWIN — Improved local winter index to assessmaintenance needs <strong>and</strong> adaptati<strong>on</strong> costs in climate changescenarios; P2R2C2 — Pavement Performance <strong>and</strong>Remediati<strong>on</strong> Requirements following <strong>Climate</strong> <strong>Change</strong>;RIMAROCC — Risk Management for Roads in a Changing<strong>Climate</strong>; SWAMP — Storm Water preventi<strong>on</strong> — Methods topredict damage from water stream in <strong>and</strong> near roadpavements in lowl<strong>and</strong> areas. The project is being c<strong>on</strong>tinuedas ERA-NET Road II within an enlarged c<strong>on</strong>sortium <strong>and</strong> thefunding from the EU Seventh Framework Programme forResearch <strong>and</strong> Technological Development.Database of severe weather events across Europe. It isuseful for indicating general vulnerability of projects.Online toolkit that presents spatially various aspects ofclimate change adaptati<strong>on</strong>. It includes physical risks <strong>and</strong>aspects of social vulnerability.Insurance based database analysing approximately 1000events every year. The informati<strong>on</strong> collated can be used todocument <strong>and</strong> perform risk <strong>and</strong> trend analyses <strong>on</strong> theextent <strong>and</strong> intensity of individual natural hazard events invarious parts of the world.Up-to-date database of EU MSs progress under the EU’sAdaptati<strong>on</strong> White Paper. It is a good source for countryspecific acti<strong>on</strong>s.The joint website of the Dutch <strong>Climate</strong> changes SpatialPlanning Programme <strong>and</strong> the Knowledge for <strong>Climate</strong>Research Programme. The <strong>Climate</strong> changes Spatial PlanningProgramme enhances joint-learning between communities<strong>and</strong> people in practice within spatial planning, with thethemes climate scenarios, mitigati<strong>on</strong>, adaptati<strong>on</strong>,integrati<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong> communicati<strong>on</strong>. The Knowledge for <strong>Climate</strong>Research Programme develops knowledge <strong>and</strong> services,focusing <strong>on</strong> eight Hotspots, enabling the climate proofing ofthe Netherl<strong>and</strong>s.This Report provides informati<strong>on</strong> regarding challenges <strong>and</strong>opportunities for cities together with supportive nati<strong>on</strong>al<strong>and</strong> European policies to facilitate. It is accompanied by arange of interactive maps from the report <strong>on</strong> Eye <strong>on</strong> Earth,including, heat wave risk to European cities; coastalflooding; share of green <strong>and</strong> blue areas, etc.http://www.emdat.be/http://www.eranetroad.org/http://www.essl.org/ESWD/http://www.ppgis.manchester.ac.uk/grabs/start.htmlhttp://www.munichre.com/en/reinsurance/business/n<strong>on</strong>life/georisks/natcatservice/default.aspxhttp://www.eea.europa.eu/themes/climate/nati<strong>on</strong>al-adaptati<strong>on</strong>strategieshttp://www.climateresearchnetherl<strong>and</strong>s.nl/http://www.eea.europa.eu/publicati<strong>on</strong>s/urbanadaptati<strong>on</strong>-to-climatechangehttp://eea.maps.arcgis.com/apps/PublicGallery/index.html?appid=1573f2f083824a34a5640bd04e098248&group=b9052eb339264f64b1eb75f6244eccdf<str<strong>on</strong>g>Guidance</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong> integrating climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity <strong>into</strong> SEA 59
<strong>Biodiversity</strong>ALARM<strong>Biodiversity</strong> Acti<strong>on</strong>Plans (EC)<strong>Biodiversity</strong> DataCentre (EEA)<strong>Biodiversity</strong>Informati<strong>on</strong> Systemfor Europe, BISE (EEA)Birdlife Dataz<strong>on</strong>eEuropean TopicCentre for BiologicalDiversity (ETC/BC)(EEA)Global <strong>Biodiversity</strong>Informati<strong>on</strong> ServiceIntergovernmentalPlatform <strong>on</strong><strong>Biodiversity</strong> <strong>and</strong>Ecosystem Services(IPBES)MACISNatura2000 Viewer(EEA)RESPONSESALARM (Assessing LArge Scale Risks for <strong>Biodiversity</strong> withTested Methods) is a research project which developed <strong>and</strong>tested methods <strong>and</strong> protocols for the assessment of largescaleenvir<strong>on</strong>mental risks in order to minimise negativedirect <strong>and</strong> indirect human impacts.Inventory of European <strong>Biodiversity</strong> Acti<strong>on</strong> Plans <strong>and</strong>assessments of Member States.Repository of a wide range of biodiversity relevant data <strong>and</strong>informati<strong>on</strong>. This includes all the latest biodiversity relevantdevelopments within the EEA. It is a good meta-source ofdevelopments across European biodiversity policy <strong>and</strong>reporting.Database of all relevant European biodiversity data sources.It is a good source of indicators <strong>and</strong> maps collated fromacross European instituti<strong>on</strong>s.Updated site that provides species <strong>and</strong> habitat specificinformati<strong>on</strong> for sites across the EU (<strong>and</strong> bey<strong>on</strong>d).The ETC/BD is an internati<strong>on</strong>al c<strong>on</strong>sortium working with theEEA under a framework partnership agreement. TheETC/BD presents expert knowledge <strong>and</strong> reporting in a rangeof reports <strong>and</strong> databases.Publicly accessible biodiversity data including speciesoccurrence <strong>and</strong> tax<strong>on</strong>omic informati<strong>on</strong>. Very detailedspecies specific data source. Good indicator of potentialspecies presence across Europe for use in scoping. It is likelyto require site investigati<strong>on</strong> to c<strong>on</strong>firm occurrences.IPBES goal is to be an interface between the scientificcommunity <strong>and</strong> policy makers that aims to build capacityfor <strong>and</strong> strengthen the use of science in policy making. Itsets a mechanism to address the gaps in the science policyinterface <strong>on</strong> biodiversity <strong>and</strong> ecosystem services.MACIS (Minimisati<strong>on</strong> of <strong>and</strong> Adaptati<strong>on</strong> to <strong>Climate</strong> <strong>Change</strong>Impacts <strong>on</strong> BiodiverSity) is a research project whichsummarised what is already know about the impacts ofclimate change <strong>on</strong> biodiversity <strong>and</strong> developed methods toassess the potential impacts in the future.Informati<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> the Natura 2000 network across the EUMember States.The objective of the RESPONSES research project is toidentify <strong>and</strong> assess integrated EU climate-change policyresp<strong>on</strong>ses that achieve ambitious mitigati<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong>envir<strong>on</strong>mental targets <strong>and</strong>, at the same time, reduce theUni<strong>on</strong>’s vulnerability to inevitable climate-change impacts.http://www.alarmproject.net/alarm/http://ec.europa.eu/envir<strong>on</strong>ment/nature/biodiversity/comm2006/bap_2010.htmhttp://www.eea.europa.eu/themes/biodiversity/dchttp://biodiversity.europa.eu/datahttp://www.birdlife.org/dataz<strong>on</strong>e/http://bd.ei<strong>on</strong>et.europa.eu/http://data.gbif.org/welcome.htmhttp://www.ipbes.net/http://macisproject.net/index.htmlhttp://natura2000.eea.europa.eu/http://www.resp<strong>on</strong>sesproject.eu/60 <str<strong>on</strong>g>Guidance</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong> integrating climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity <strong>into</strong> SEA
GeneralData <strong>and</strong> Maps (EEA)EUROSTATEUROSTATSustainabledevelopmentindicatorsEUROSTAT CountryprofilesGroup <strong>on</strong> EarthObservatories (GEO)Indicators (EEA)Access the EEA’s maps, indicators, databases <strong>and</strong> graphs.Database holding a huge range of envir<strong>on</strong>mental, ec<strong>on</strong>omic<strong>and</strong> social data.The Sustainable Development Indicators are used tom<strong>on</strong>itor the EU Sustainable Development Strategy in areport published by Eurostat every two years. They arepresented in ten themes including climate change <strong>and</strong>natural resources down to Member State levels.Country specific data <strong>on</strong> a range of issues including climatechange emissi<strong>on</strong>s <strong>and</strong> sectoral activity.Database of global data comp<strong>on</strong>ents <strong>on</strong> a range ofenvir<strong>on</strong>mental aspects, including climate change <strong>and</strong>biodiversity.Indicators <strong>and</strong> factsheets about Europe’s envir<strong>on</strong>ment.http://www.eea.europa.eu/data-<strong>and</strong>-mapshttp://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/portal/page/portal/eurostat/homehttp://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/portal/page/portal/sdi/indicatorshttp://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/guip/introActi<strong>on</strong>.dohttp://geossregistries.info/holdings.htmhttp://www.eea.europa.eu/data-<strong>and</strong>maps/indicators#c7=all&c5=&c0=10&b_start=0<str<strong>on</strong>g>Guidance</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong> integrating climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity <strong>into</strong> SEA 61
Annex 3: Tools for assessing climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity within SEAThe table below provides an overview of tools <strong>and</strong> approaches that can be used to support theassessment of climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity as part of the SEA process. See Secti<strong>on</strong> 5 for asummary of these tools <strong>and</strong> approaches <strong>and</strong> hints <strong>on</strong> determining when they may be applicable.Descripti<strong>on</strong> of tools <strong>and</strong> approaches that can be used to support the assessment of climate change<strong>and</strong> biodiversity as part of the SEA processSource of furtherName Descripti<strong>on</strong> Applicati<strong>on</strong> CommentsInformati<strong>on</strong><strong>Biodiversity</strong>offsetting<strong>Biodiversity</strong>screeningmap<strong>Biodiversity</strong> offsetting is anapproach which seeks tocompensate for unavoidableloss of habitats <strong>and</strong> speciesdue to development. Thoughnot formalised in everyMember State there areallowances for offsettingwithin the Envir<strong>on</strong>mentalLiability Directive <strong>and</strong>Habitats Directive — Article6.4.Screening maps are a form ofspatial analysis that requiresthe identificati<strong>on</strong> of thehabitats sited around aparticular project. Based <strong>on</strong>these, habitats should beassessed for their relativeworth c<strong>on</strong>sidering widertrends <strong>and</strong> likely impacts ofthe project. If there isc<strong>on</strong>sidered to be somepotentially significant effects,this should inform thescreening decisi<strong>on</strong>.CO 2 MPARE Model to assess CO 2emissi<strong>on</strong>s of Regi<strong>on</strong>al PolicyOperati<strong>on</strong>al Programmes(2014-2020) — underdevelopment (status as ofFebruary 2013).C<strong>on</strong>fidencelevelsCriticalC<strong>on</strong>fidence levels are aneffective approach tocommunicating uncertainty;this may be useful whenc<strong>on</strong>sidering potential climatechange impacts.An alternative approach toc<strong>on</strong>sider is <strong>on</strong>e based <strong>on</strong>This practice is developing acrossEurope <strong>and</strong> examples include theEU <strong>Biodiversity</strong> Strategy makingreference to the Commissi<strong>on</strong>developing practice in line withprevious studies. It is likely that,within the c<strong>on</strong>text of Europeanpolicy, Member States will developthis area as they see fit.Useful for screening <strong>and</strong> scopingstages <strong>and</strong> to identify areas ofpotential higher value biodiversitythat may be used within thec<strong>on</strong>siderati<strong>on</strong> of the alternatives.This voluntary tool should (i)enable evaluati<strong>on</strong> of the GHGimpact of investments resultingfrom the Operati<strong>on</strong>al Programmes;(ii) be so generic that it canpotentially be applied in allEuropean regi<strong>on</strong>s <strong>and</strong> for allrelevant spending categories, <strong>and</strong>(iii) be freely available.Increasingly climate changeimpacts are being presented inprobabilistic scenarios which canbe presented in terms ofc<strong>on</strong>fidence levels.This is a structured approach tothe scoping stage of SEA. TheBusiness- led offsettingprogramme:http://bbop.foresttrends.org/index.phpBirdLife Internati<strong>on</strong>al positi<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong>offsetting:http://www.birdlife.org/eu/pdfs/2010_BHDTF_positi<strong>on</strong>_<strong>Biodiversity</strong>_offsets.pdfEC feasibility study:http://ec.europa.eu/envir<strong>on</strong>ment/enveco/pdf/eftec_habitat_technical_report.pdfA source of news, data, <strong>and</strong>analytics <strong>on</strong> markets <strong>and</strong>payments for ecosystemservices:http://www.ecosystemmarketplace.com/It can be supported by some ofthe informati<strong>on</strong> sourcespresented in Annex 2, but willmore normally be based <strong>on</strong>expert judgment <strong>and</strong> theexperience of otherstakeholders.http://ted.europa.eu/udl?uri=TED:NOTICE:179076-2011:TEXT:EN:HTML&tabId=1http://www.bartlett.ucl.ac.uk/energy/research/themes/energysystems/co2_emissi<strong>on</strong>s_modelThe provisi<strong>on</strong> of c<strong>on</strong>fidencelevels varies within differentclimate scenarios — e.g. theIPPC provides informati<strong>on</strong> as tospecific c<strong>on</strong>fidence levels withindifferent assessments.Strategic Envir<strong>on</strong>mentalAssessment Good Practices62 <str<strong>on</strong>g>Guidance</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong> integrating climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity <strong>into</strong> SEA
factorsEcosystembasedapproachesEcosystemservicesapproaches‘critical factors for decisi<strong>on</strong>making.’These c<strong>on</strong>stitute thefundamental decisi<strong>on</strong>-makingfactors that should beunderlying the focus of theSEA. These critical factorsidentify the aspects regardingdesign <strong>and</strong> implementati<strong>on</strong> ofthe PP that must bec<strong>on</strong>sidered in the decisi<strong>on</strong>process.The resulting critical factorsfor decisi<strong>on</strong>-making willprovide the structure to theanalysis <strong>and</strong> assessment ofopportunities <strong>and</strong> risks acrossthe SEA, defining thetechnical studies that need tobe performed under the SEAin order to gather theinformati<strong>on</strong> required for adecisi<strong>on</strong>. The critical factorsshould be derived throughwider public participati<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong>c<strong>on</strong>sultati<strong>on</strong> with keystakeholders.Managing, restoring <strong>and</strong>protecting biodiversity <strong>and</strong>ecosystem services providemultiple benefits to humansociety. These ecosystembasedapproaches c<strong>on</strong>tributeto protecting <strong>and</strong> restoringnatural ecosystems byc<strong>on</strong>serving or enhancingcarb<strong>on</strong> stocks, reducingemissi<strong>on</strong>s caused byecosystem degradati<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong>loss, <strong>and</strong> providing costeffectiveprotecti<strong>on</strong> againstsome of the threats thatresult from climate change.Ecosystems provide a numberof basic functi<strong>on</strong>s that areessential for using the Earth’sresources sustainably. TheEc<strong>on</strong>omics of EcosystemServices <strong>and</strong> <strong>Biodiversity</strong>(TEEB) study definesecosystem services as ‘thebenefits people receive fromecosystems’.Ecosystem services offerpotentially a new tool to usein SEA, using the c<strong>on</strong>ceptsdeveloped by the MillenniumEcosystem Assessment.critical factors are generated outof an integrated analysis of thefollowing elements:• Strategic referenceframework — whichc<strong>on</strong>stitutes an assessmentbenchmark <strong>and</strong> gathers therelevant policy objectivesestablished at internati<strong>on</strong>al,European, nati<strong>on</strong>al <strong>and</strong> locallevels <strong>and</strong> also other relevantPPs.• Strategic issues — thestrategic objectives <strong>and</strong> coreprinciples of the strategybeing assessed.• Envir<strong>on</strong>mental/sustainability/health/equality/etc. factors —defines the relevant scope ofthe SEA which must beadjusted to each specific caseaccording to the strategicfocus, the assessment scale<strong>and</strong>, as a result, theirrelevance.They can be used as cost-effectivealternatives to infrastructuresoluti<strong>on</strong>s. For example, coastalecosystems such as saltmarsh <strong>and</strong>barrier beaches provide naturalshoreline protecti<strong>on</strong> from storms<strong>and</strong> flooding <strong>and</strong> urban greenspaces cool cities (reducing theurban-heat isl<strong>and</strong> effect), minimiseflooding <strong>and</strong> improve air quality.In practice ecosystem servicescould be could be used in anumber of ways in SEA:Baseline — ecosystem servicescould help make baseline datamuch more relevant to theassessment process by combiningdatasets in a useful way forplanners <strong>and</strong> decisi<strong>on</strong>-making.Scoping <strong>and</strong> engagement withstakeholders — using networkanalysis for example to underst<strong>and</strong>the range of ecosystem servicesprovided by an area <strong>and</strong> as ameans to identify key issues/areas.Guide. Methodological<str<strong>on</strong>g>Guidance</str<strong>on</strong>g>.PortugueseEnvir<strong>on</strong>ment Agencyhttp://www.seainfo.net//files/events/SEA_guide_Portugal.pdfRelevant informati<strong>on</strong> from theDG Envir<strong>on</strong>ment website,including the following reports:Towards a Strategy <strong>on</strong> <strong>Climate</strong><strong>Change</strong>, Ecosystem Services <strong>and</strong><strong>Biodiversity</strong>http://ec.europa.eu/envir<strong>on</strong>ment/nature/pdf/discussi<strong>on</strong>_paper_climate_change.pdfAssessment of the potential ofecosystem-based approaches toclimate change adaptati<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong>mitigati<strong>on</strong> in Europehttp://ec.europa.eu/envir<strong>on</strong>ment/nature/climatechange/pdf/EbA_EBM_CC_FinalReport.pdfRelevant informati<strong>on</strong> from theCBD website:http://www.cbd.int/climate/Millennium EcosystemAssessment (MEA) (2005)Ecosystems <strong>and</strong> Human Well-Being: Synthesis. Isl<strong>and</strong> Press,Washingt<strong>on</strong>.http://www.maweb.org/en/index.aspxOECD (2008) StrategicEnvir<strong>on</strong>mental Assessment <strong>and</strong>EcosystemServiceshttp://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/24/54/41882953.pdfWorld Resources Institute (2008)Ecosystem Services: A Guide forDecisi<strong>on</strong>Makers<str<strong>on</strong>g>Guidance</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong> integrating climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity <strong>into</strong> SEA 63
Ecosystemservicesvaluati<strong>on</strong>GHG emissi<strong>on</strong>calculatorsEcosystem services can beused as additi<strong>on</strong>al oralternative assessmentcriteria within SEA, even at ageneric/strategic level e.g.what will be the effects <strong>on</strong> i)supporting services; ii)provisi<strong>on</strong>ing services; iii)regulating services; <strong>and</strong> iv)cultural services. See alsoecosystem services valuati<strong>on</strong>below.The ec<strong>on</strong>omic valuati<strong>on</strong> ofecosystem services hasdeveloped significantly as apotential tool within impactassessment. Recent analysiswithin the TEEB <strong>and</strong> variousMember States indicate thisapproach has some potentialfor making clear theec<strong>on</strong>omic value ofbiodiversity. This in theorywould allow a more informedunderst<strong>and</strong>ing of the societalimpact of a project.Valuati<strong>on</strong> is a useful tool butthe most efficient use of thec<strong>on</strong>cept of ecosystemservices within impactassessment may be indem<strong>on</strong>strating that theenvir<strong>on</strong>ment is important tous rather than in quantifyingthe cost equivalence of thisimportance.Emissi<strong>on</strong> calculators seek toquantify the total GHG (oroften carb<strong>on</strong> al<strong>on</strong>e) emissi<strong>on</strong>sfrom an activity or project asa whole. Emissi<strong>on</strong>s can becalculated for operati<strong>on</strong> orthe c<strong>on</strong>structi<strong>on</strong> of a project.A range of calculators exist<strong>and</strong> are generally based <strong>on</strong>GHG equivalents for certainindicators such as energyc<strong>on</strong>sumpti<strong>on</strong>.Assessment <strong>and</strong> c<strong>on</strong>siderati<strong>on</strong> ofalternatives — ecosystem servicescan provide important informati<strong>on</strong><strong>on</strong> the potential for multifuncti<strong>on</strong>alityof an area whenc<strong>on</strong>sidering alternatives. They canbe supplementary or an alternativeto the typical assessmentobjectives or criteria — e.g. anobjective ‘To protect <strong>and</strong> enhancebiodiversity’ might be re-cast inecosystem service terms ‘What willbe the effect <strong>on</strong> biodiversityprovisi<strong>on</strong>ing services?’ However,‘ecosystem services thinking’ couldalso provide an importantperspective in the same way thatlife cycle thinking provides widerbenefits to sustainable product<strong>and</strong> service provisi<strong>on</strong> bey<strong>on</strong>dheavily data dependent life cycleanalysis/assessment.The time <strong>and</strong> resourcerequirements for ecosystemvaluati<strong>on</strong> are significant <strong>and</strong> mayundermine its potential to supportimpact assessment practice whereresources are often limited. This isparticularly true at the strategicscale. It is possible to relateexisting valuati<strong>on</strong> studies to adifferent area this can be useful atthe strategic scale but itseffectiveness is limited at morelocal levels due to the c<strong>on</strong>textualnature of value.However certain ecosystemservices (i.e. provisi<strong>on</strong>ing services)can be relatively simply valued <strong>and</strong>may add value to someassessments.Within SEA the focus should be <strong>on</strong>the value of services <strong>and</strong> areasbroadly rather than specifically,this can be based <strong>on</strong> linking l<strong>and</strong> orhabitat types to services usingexisting studies or stakeholder <strong>and</strong>expert engagement.Depending <strong>on</strong> the level of detailc<strong>on</strong>tained within your PP, it maybe possible to quantify possibleGHG emissi<strong>on</strong>s. This can beundertaken by c<strong>on</strong>sultants or via<strong>on</strong>line tools where available.A number of c<strong>on</strong>sultancies operateGHG emissi<strong>on</strong>s calculators that canbe undertaken for individualprojects. Calculators can be found<strong>on</strong>line though the accuracy <strong>and</strong>assumpti<strong>on</strong>s (such as the type offuel used to generate power, etc.)will vary <strong>and</strong> may not be relevanthttp://www.wri.org/publicati<strong>on</strong>/ecosystem-services-a-guide-fordecisi<strong>on</strong>-makersSheate W, Eales R, Daly E,Murdoch A, <strong>and</strong> Hill C (2008),Case study to develop tools <strong>and</strong>methodologies to deliver anecosystem-based approach:Thames Gateway Green Grids,Project report NR0109, L<strong>on</strong>d<strong>on</strong>,Defra, 2008, available athttp://r<strong>and</strong>d.defra.gov.uk/Document.aspx?Document=NR0109_7429_FRP.pdfChapter 6 of TEEB for Local <strong>and</strong>Regi<strong>on</strong>al Policy makers c<strong>on</strong>sidersec<strong>on</strong>omic valuati<strong>on</strong> as part ofEIA <strong>and</strong> SEA practice:http://www.teebweb.org/local<strong>and</strong>-regi<strong>on</strong>al-policy-makersreport/Guide to valuing ecosystemservices:http://www.defra.gov.uk/envir<strong>on</strong>ment/natural/ecosystemsservices/valuing-ecosystemservices/Resources <strong>and</strong> Energy AnalysisProgramme (REAP) (see below)is a potentially useful strategiclevel emissi<strong>on</strong> calculator.The World Resource Institute<strong>and</strong> World Business Council forSustainable Development havedeveloped <strong>and</strong> maintain thehttp://www.ghgprotocol.org/which includes a wide range ofsectoral GHG calculators <strong>and</strong>related tools <strong>and</strong> case studies.The Scottish Government isdeveloping a Quantitative64 <str<strong>on</strong>g>Guidance</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong> integrating climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity <strong>into</strong> SEA
to your PP area. Greenhouse Gas ImpactAssessment: A Tool For SpatialPlanning Policy Developmenthttp://www.scotl<strong>and</strong>.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/341338/0113478.pdfGIS <strong>and</strong>spatialanalysisGreeninfrastructureGeographic Informati<strong>on</strong>System (GIS) <strong>and</strong> its use as aform of spatial analysis hasproven value incommunicating <strong>and</strong>identifying envir<strong>on</strong>mentalimpacts of PPs. There is ahuge spectrum of possible GISmethods <strong>and</strong> uses <strong>and</strong> thesecan be tailored depending <strong>on</strong>the required scales <strong>and</strong>available resources.Green infrastructure is ac<strong>on</strong>cept addressing thec<strong>on</strong>nectivity of ecosystems,their protecti<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong> theprovisi<strong>on</strong> of ecosystemservices, while alsoaddressing mitigati<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong>adaptati<strong>on</strong> to climate change.It c<strong>on</strong>tributes to minimisingnatural disaster risks, by usingecosystem-based approachesfor coastal protecti<strong>on</strong> throughmarshes/flood plainrestorati<strong>on</strong> rather thanc<strong>on</strong>structing dikes.The protocol allows theformati<strong>on</strong> of a GHG emissi<strong>on</strong>sinventory. The GRIP approachenables regi<strong>on</strong>s across theworld to compare theirreleases using a c<strong>on</strong>sistentapproach.The nature of the GIS required willvary depending <strong>on</strong> the scale of PP<strong>and</strong> the intended purpose of theGIS. GIS is a broad technique <strong>and</strong>can be used to undertake analysisof various morphological ortechnical factors or to supportc<strong>on</strong>sultati<strong>on</strong> exercises viavisualisati<strong>on</strong>.Useful for c<strong>on</strong>siderati<strong>on</strong> ofalternatives <strong>and</strong> mitigati<strong>on</strong>measures.GIS is largely dependent up<strong>on</strong>the available data. Potentiallyuseful sources of pan-Europeaninformati<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong> data arepresented in Annex 2.http://ec.europa.eu/envir<strong>on</strong>ment/nature/ecosystems/index_en.htmGreenhouseGas Regi<strong>on</strong>InventoryProtocol(GRIP)Industry(project)profiles ofGHGsSEAs should, where possible,make use of existinginformati<strong>on</strong> — <strong>on</strong>e potentialsource of useful informati<strong>on</strong>may be sectoral ortechnology profiles of theenergy requirements ofvarious elements of a projectduring operati<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong>c<strong>on</strong>structi<strong>on</strong>.GRIP also c<strong>on</strong>tains a Scenario Tooldevised to bring togetherdiscussi<strong>on</strong>s <strong>on</strong> energy futures. Itenables coherent discussi<strong>on</strong>sacross the energy system, so that(for example) debates <strong>on</strong> transportcan take place in combinati<strong>on</strong> withthose <strong>on</strong> electricity generati<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong>domestic heating.Subscripti<strong>on</strong> required.This informati<strong>on</strong> will be usefulduring the scoping <strong>and</strong> screeningstages of the SEA <strong>and</strong> tounderst<strong>and</strong> the relative profiles ofdifferent sectors.For general informati<strong>on</strong>http://www.grip.org.uk/Industry profiles may often bebased <strong>on</strong> the experience ofvarious stakeholders <strong>and</strong> lookingto see examples of previous PPs(or EIAs where appropriate). Incertain Member States specificindustry profiles may exist.<str<strong>on</strong>g>Guidance</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong> integrating climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity <strong>into</strong> SEA 65
Life CycleAssessment(LCA)NaturalcapitalapproachesFour-CapitalsNetworkanalysisLCA is a technique that seeksto c<strong>on</strong>sider all theenvir<strong>on</strong>mental impacts ofparticular acti<strong>on</strong>s — overtheir lifetime. This isparticularly relevant toclimate change as the GHGemissi<strong>on</strong>s are often releasedduring the c<strong>on</strong>structi<strong>on</strong> stage.LCA can include a fullassessment of all impacts indetail or be a less quantitative<strong>and</strong> detailed c<strong>on</strong>siderati<strong>on</strong> ofthe materials in use <strong>and</strong> theirprobable envir<strong>on</strong>mentalimpacts. For exampleresp<strong>on</strong>sibly sourced wood hasa lower carb<strong>on</strong> footprint thatsteel <strong>and</strong> resp<strong>on</strong>sibly sourced(certified) wood has agenerally lower impact <strong>on</strong>biodiversity than un-certifiedwood. LCAs can beundertaken by c<strong>on</strong>sultants orin-house.Various similar approachesthat use the c<strong>on</strong>cept of‘capital’ as derived fromec<strong>on</strong>omics <strong>and</strong> describebenefits through the services<strong>and</strong> outputs provided bynatural <strong>and</strong> other capital.The Four Capitals Modelc<strong>on</strong>siders development (<strong>and</strong>the meeting of needs <strong>and</strong>aspirati<strong>on</strong>s) to take placethrough the services providedby ec<strong>on</strong>omic, human, social<strong>and</strong> envir<strong>on</strong>mental assets.Development is thenc<strong>on</strong>sidered to be sustainableif <strong>and</strong> <strong>on</strong>ly if the stock of allassets or capital (wealth) percapita remains c<strong>on</strong>stant orrises over time. The fourtypes of capital are:manufactured capital(infrastructure); naturalcapital (natural resources);human capital (health, wellbeing<strong>and</strong> productivepotential of individuals); <strong>and</strong>social capital (human wellbeing<strong>on</strong> a societal level).Network analysis is aneffective way to c<strong>on</strong>sidercomplex systems by linkingcauses <strong>and</strong> impacts via achain of causati<strong>on</strong>. Thec<strong>on</strong>cept is based <strong>on</strong> the ideathat there are links <strong>and</strong>impact pathways betweenUndertaking full LCA can be a verycostly <strong>and</strong> timely process, howevercertain elements of a project mayalready be subject to LCA, there istherefore the potential for the EIAto use this informati<strong>on</strong> whereavailable.It may also be possible toundertake a qualitativeassessment of possible LCAimpacts based <strong>on</strong> readily availableinformati<strong>on</strong> such as material types.LCA is particularly useful during theimpact assessment stage of the EIA<strong>and</strong> can inform the c<strong>on</strong>siderati<strong>on</strong>of alternatives buy identify themost significant elements of aproject in terms of biodiversity <strong>and</strong>climate change. But for SEA, LCA ismore likely to be relevant forproviding a way of thinking aboutstrategic opti<strong>on</strong>s rather than beingapplied more formally.The four-capitals model, <strong>and</strong> othersimilar approaches, provide analternative framework for defining<strong>and</strong> assessing sustainabledevelopment <strong>and</strong> can provide analternative assessment frameworkto use as part of an SEA ensuringthat that all three of the pillars ofsustainable development —ec<strong>on</strong>omic, social <strong>and</strong>envir<strong>on</strong>mental — are included inthe analysis <strong>and</strong> that the focus is<strong>on</strong> the evaluati<strong>on</strong> is not just <strong>on</strong>stocks, but <strong>on</strong> the flows of benefitsto which they give rise to. It canalso provide a good means ofengaging stakeholders with thec<strong>on</strong>cerns of sustainabledevelopment.This approach can be used toascertain the probable impacts <strong>and</strong>benefits <strong>on</strong> climate change <strong>and</strong>biodiversity of various elements ofa project by identifying theiroutcomes via the development ofa chain of causati<strong>on</strong>. It is bestundertaken during the scopingOnline repository of LCA tools:http://www.dantes.info/Tools&Methods/Software/enviro_soft_SW.htmlRegi<strong>on</strong>al Ec<strong>on</strong>omy Envir<strong>on</strong>mentInput Output (REEIO) is apotentially useful LCA type tool(see below)The SDRTOOLS programmedesign evaluati<strong>on</strong> methods toassess sustainable development,using the Four Capitals Model asa starting point.http://www.srdtools.info/index.htmNetwork analysis is generallydependent up<strong>on</strong> the use ofexpert knowledge <strong>and</strong> judgment<strong>and</strong> the accurate identificati<strong>on</strong><strong>and</strong> linking of drivers <strong>and</strong>impacts.Examples of the applicati<strong>on</strong> ofthis approach can be seen in66 <str<strong>on</strong>g>Guidance</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong> integrating climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity <strong>into</strong> SEA
stage, but may be extended <strong>into</strong>the following stages ofassessment.case studies in Annex 4 of theguidance.Regi<strong>on</strong>alEc<strong>on</strong>omyEnvir<strong>on</strong>mentInput Output(REEIO)Resources<strong>and</strong> EnergyAnalysisProgramme(REAP)Riskmanagementelements of a project <strong>and</strong>envir<strong>on</strong>mental outcomes, <strong>and</strong>that these can be identified.This enables the identificati<strong>on</strong>of acti<strong>on</strong>s that may achievedesired objectives, such asreduced impact orenhancement.Within SEA it is particularlyuseful in relating n<strong>on</strong> materialelements of a PP (such asfunding or managementopti<strong>on</strong>s) to specificenvir<strong>on</strong>mental impact.The Regi<strong>on</strong>al Ec<strong>on</strong>omyEnvir<strong>on</strong>ment Input OutputModel is a powerful decisi<strong>on</strong>support tool used to assesstheenvir<strong>on</strong>mentalimplicati<strong>on</strong>s of producti<strong>on</strong>within a regi<strong>on</strong>.The model was the mainoutput from the REWARDproject <strong>and</strong> is nowmaintained by CambridgeEc<strong>on</strong>ometricsREAP is a software tooldeveloped by the StockholmEnvir<strong>on</strong>ment Institute.In additi<strong>on</strong> to managing datato quantify GHG emissi<strong>on</strong>s<strong>and</strong> other indicators ofresource use REAP can beused as a scenariodevelopment tool.Subscripti<strong>on</strong> is required.When c<strong>on</strong>sidering climatechange it is particularly usefulto frame potential impacts interms of the probability <strong>and</strong>magnitude of impacts. Thesetwo comp<strong>on</strong>ents make uprisk.This can be achieved byc<strong>on</strong>sidering the probability ofimpact (e.g. how likely is itthat sea level rise will impact<strong>on</strong> a PP) in relati<strong>on</strong> to themagnitude of the impact(what would be the likelyREEIO links ec<strong>on</strong>omic activity in 42industrial sectors to envir<strong>on</strong>mentalcomp<strong>on</strong>ent. Using eitherCambridge Ec<strong>on</strong>ometrics regi<strong>on</strong>alec<strong>on</strong>omic forecasts or a userdefined scenario, it allows the userto measure <strong>and</strong> compare theenvir<strong>on</strong>mental impact of ec<strong>on</strong>omicdevelopment. The model providesannual comprehensive projecti<strong>on</strong>sto 2020 for a wide range ofindicators.REAP can be used to answercertain questi<strong>on</strong>s related tounderst<strong>and</strong>ing the envir<strong>on</strong>mentalc<strong>on</strong>sequences of ec<strong>on</strong>omicactivity. These include:• How do we account for theresource use associated witheverything people buy <strong>and</strong> use?• How do we track complexproduct supply chains?• How do we calculate, attribute<strong>and</strong> report results in a c<strong>on</strong>sistentfashi<strong>on</strong>?• How do we relate this topopulati<strong>on</strong>s at different spatialscales <strong>and</strong> over time?• How do we explore whereresource savings can be madeboth in producti<strong>on</strong> efficiency<strong>and</strong> c<strong>on</strong>sumpti<strong>on</strong> patterns?Thinking in terms of probability<strong>and</strong> magnitude within an SEA caninform the stakeholders as to thevulnerability of a PP <strong>and</strong> thereforethe necessity of adaptati<strong>on</strong>measures (what alternatives areavailable) <strong>and</strong> what m<strong>on</strong>itoring isrequired to enable adaptivemanagement.http://www.camec<strong>on</strong>.com/AnalysisTraining/suite_ec<strong>on</strong>omic_models/Reeio/ReeioOverview.aspxTool website:http://www.resourceaccounting.org.uk/Vulnerability <strong>and</strong> climatechange:http://www.metrovancouver.org/planning/<strong>Climate</strong><strong>Change</strong>/<strong>Climate</strong><strong>Change</strong>Docs/Vulnerability_climate_change.pdfIAIA’s risk management advice:http://www.iaia.org/iaiawiki/ra.ashx<str<strong>on</strong>g>Guidance</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong> integrating climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity <strong>into</strong> SEA 67
ScenariosSpheres ofinfluence <strong>and</strong>EcosystemchainsSWOT <strong>and</strong>STEEPanalysisimpact of sea level rise <strong>on</strong> aPP). Underst<strong>and</strong>ing these twoelements is essential toreducing vulnerability <strong>and</strong>increasing resilience.Scenarios relate to climatechange scenarios (e.g. IPCCscenarios) <strong>and</strong> socioec<strong>on</strong>omic/alternativefuturesscenarios for c<strong>on</strong>sidering theresilience of projects <strong>and</strong> theenvir<strong>on</strong>ment <strong>into</strong> the l<strong>on</strong>gterm future. The use ofscenarios is a resp<strong>on</strong>se touncertainty.Spheres of influence arebased <strong>on</strong> using spatial toolsto assess the potential effectsof a project bey<strong>on</strong>d thespecific project boundaries;as such these c<strong>on</strong>cepts usetools such as network analysisbut apply them spatially. Thisentails looking at the indirectimpact <strong>on</strong> downstream orrelated ecosystems, forinstance how will changingwater abstracti<strong>on</strong> impactdownstream systems, howwill increased dust impact <strong>on</strong>the turbidity of downstreamenvir<strong>on</strong>ments, how willremoving <strong>on</strong>e habitat typeimpact <strong>on</strong> neighbouringhabitats?SWOT(Strengths,Weaknesses, Opportunities<strong>and</strong> Threats) <strong>and</strong> STEEP(Socio-cultural, Technological,Ec<strong>on</strong>omic, Envir<strong>on</strong>mental <strong>and</strong>Political) analysis are strategicplanning methods used toevaluate a project, plan or abusiness venture for example.They involve identifying theinternal <strong>and</strong> external factorsthat are favourable <strong>and</strong>unfavourable to achieve anobjective of the activity.Scenarios are effective ways ofc<strong>on</strong>sidering the evoluti<strong>on</strong> of thebaseline — both in terms of thepotential impacts of the climate <strong>on</strong>a project <strong>and</strong> the changes to widersocio-ec<strong>on</strong>omic c<strong>on</strong>text that theproject operates in. The scenarioscan also support the c<strong>on</strong>siderati<strong>on</strong>of alternatives.This c<strong>on</strong>cept is particularly usefulfor the screening <strong>and</strong> scopingstages <strong>and</strong> for identifying indirect<strong>and</strong> sec<strong>on</strong>dary effects. It requiresan underst<strong>and</strong>ing of possibleimpacts <strong>and</strong> causal chains, as suchnetwork analysis is a related tool.This may also be a useful toolwhen c<strong>on</strong>sidering alternatives <strong>and</strong>their impacts.SWOT analysis <strong>and</strong> STEEP analysismay be appropriate to use withinan SEA, particularly as part ofidentifying effects.SWOT analysis, for example, couldbe used to summarise the mainstrengths,weaknesses,opportunities <strong>and</strong> threatspresented by a draft PP, <strong>and</strong> as aresult what could be addressed inthe final plan or programme toimprove its overall performance.STEEP analysis could similarly beused, for example it could offer anopportunity to help take accountof envir<strong>on</strong>mental equality inassessments: Social: use the ideaof community <strong>and</strong> wellbeing;Technical: look at soft <strong>and</strong> hardsoluti<strong>on</strong>s for social <strong>and</strong>envir<strong>on</strong>mental benefits for all;Envir<strong>on</strong>ment: use simple languageabout the envir<strong>on</strong>ment in thec<strong>on</strong>text of wellbeing <strong>and</strong> sharing itequally with others; Ec<strong>on</strong>omic:explore models that work toprovide equitable ec<strong>on</strong>omicPotential European resourcesinclude the informati<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> theEuropean Envir<strong>on</strong>ment Agency’swebsite:http://www.eea.europa.eu/themes/scenarios/scenarios-<strong>and</strong>forward-studies-eea-activitieshttp://scenarios.ew.eea.europa.eu/It can be supported by some ofthe informati<strong>on</strong> sourcespresented in Annex 2, but willmore normally be based <strong>on</strong>expert judgment <strong>and</strong> theexperience of otherstakeholders.http://www.gcvcore.gov.uk/downloads/futures/STEEPanalysisOutputs.pdfhttp://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTMC_05.htm68 <str<strong>on</strong>g>Guidance</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong> integrating climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity <strong>into</strong> SEA
enefits for all; Political: discussgood stewardship ofenvir<strong>on</strong>mental, community <strong>and</strong>financial resources.VulnerabilityassessmentA vulnerability assessment isthe process of identifying,quantifying, <strong>and</strong> prioritising(or ranking) thevulnerabilities in a system.Vulnerability assessment hasmany things in comm<strong>on</strong> withrisk assessment. Assessmentsare typically performedaccording to the followingsteps:• cataloguing assets <strong>and</strong>capabilities (resources) ina system;• assigning quantifiablevalue (or at least rankorder) <strong>and</strong> importance tothose resources;• identifying thevulnerabilities orpotential threats to eachresource;• mitigating or eliminatingthe most seriousvulnerabilities for themost valuable resources.Vulnerability assessment is helpfulwhen taking resilience approach toclimate change <strong>and</strong> needs to bebuilt <strong>into</strong> any effective assessmentof the evoluti<strong>on</strong> of the baselineenvir<strong>on</strong>ment <strong>and</strong> of alternatives toinvestigate how will theenvir<strong>on</strong>ment change withoutimplementati<strong>on</strong> of a PP, <strong>and</strong> inrelati<strong>on</strong> to different alternatives. Itcan therefore be used to evaluatealternatives in order to helpidentify <strong>and</strong> select the mostresilient alternative(s).<strong>Climate</strong> change Clearing House.Technical Briefings(5) <strong>Climate</strong>Vulnerability Assessment.http://www.theclimatechangeclearinghouse.org/Resources/TechBrief/default.aspxA Guide to <strong>Climate</strong> <strong>Change</strong>Vulnerability Assessment.Nati<strong>on</strong>al Wildlife Federati<strong>on</strong>,Washingt<strong>on</strong>,D.C.www.nwf.org/vulnerabilityguide<str<strong>on</strong>g>Guidance</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong> integrating climate change <strong>and</strong> biodiversity <strong>into</strong> SEA 69
doi:10.2779/11869KH-32-13-127-EN-N