Past and future of Environmental Assessment – Findings of the Swedish SPEAK project

Background to SPEAK Ongoing discussions on the need for change of the Swedish planning system. Example of reports from the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency: Evaluation of the Swedish environmental objectives (Report 2015).

Issue.… “In general, the potential in raising environmental issues early in the planning process is not taken in consideration. Tools like SEA and EIA are used for evaluating the planning result and not as proactive measures.” Source: SEPA

SPEAK – overall aim To generate knowledge on and identify measures that could be used to strengthen the planning system for sustainability and in order to attain the environmental quality objectives. .

Environmental Assessment – in the past, today and in the future? How is planning carried out in practice in relation to legislation? Why are there inconsistencies between practice and legislation? What can be done about such inconsistencies? What can be learned from planning systems in other countries?

Collaboration of different partners Swedish National Road and Transport Research Institute

Work Packages WP1: Mapping current environmental assessment practice WP2: Social science and behavioural aspects of current EIA/SEA practice WP3: Reflect and develop designs of incentives for improvements WP4: Looking outside and ahead

Activities included in SPEAK 1. Mapping of current Environmental Assessment practice (plans and programs) 2004-2015 Mapping (identify and quantify) and analysing Swedish environmental assessment practice in relation to prevailing regulations and policies

SPEAK DATABASE What do we have (2004-2015) Municipal Comprehensive Plans (MCP) Detailed/thematic Comprehensive Plans (DCP, TCP) Detailed Development Plans (DDP) Waste Plans (WP) Energy Plans (EP, 2004-2016)

Activities included in SPEAK 2. Study behavioural and social science aspects of current SEA practice. Understanding mechanisms that shape the outcome of planning processes Exploring power relations and cultures that shape the outcome of planning processes and to identify explanations to inertias in planning for reduced environmental impact Studying behavioural aspects in connection to attitudes and norms

The curious case of Västra Götaland The working method initiated by the County Board requires that the municipalities take the initial contact with the County Administrative Board before the planning process

Activities included in SPEAK 3. Design of incentives – supplementing and adjusting the current EIA/SEA system in Sweden. Developing proposals of changes to complement and adjust the current planning system.

Activities included in SPEAK 4. Looking outside and looking ahead Studies of other countries' planning systems for sustainable development and reduced environmental impact. We discuss the current Swedish planning system in relation to an international context and, and by extension, develop visions of alternative ways to change the Swedish planning system.

Invitation Take part in SPEAK!

Please contact us if you want to know more. Or discuss SPEAK issues Please contact us if you want to know more? Or discuss SPEAK issues! Project leader Berit Balfors, KTH Department of Sustainable Development, Environmental Science and Engineering balfors@kth.se