An assessment of cumulative effects in Strategic Environmental Assessment : a critical review of South African practice
Date
2001-03
Authors
Mitchell, Inge
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: There is a general consensus that EIA is limited in its scope. The main concern in this
regard is that EIA generally fails to handle cumulative impacts effectively, due to its
focus on individual projects. Cumulative effects are changes to the environment that
are caused by an action in combination with other past, present and future human
actions. The evaluation of cumulative effects generally focuses on potential pervasive,
regional environmental problems.
Due to its strong focus on sustainable development, Strategic Environmental
Assessment (SEA), by definition, should address cumulative effects. EIAs in South
Africa traditionally only considered the "footprint" or area covered by each project
component. However, in recent years the cumulative nature of environmental impacts
of human actions has increasingly become a visible concern to the South African
public, which has led to the need to infuse cumulative effects concepts into
environmental assessments.
In theory, a SEA is aimed at improving the way in which cumulative effects are dealt
with in environmental assessments. This raises the question of whether past and
present South African SEA approaches have effectively addressed the issue of
cumulative effects.
This thesis provides a critical reappraisal of recent experience in SEA with particular
reference to its application in South Africa. It is in this context, of the opportunities
and constraints of current SEA application, that this study attempts to determine how
best to infuse cumulative effects methodology and philosophy into the emerging
South African SEA process.
This study evaluates three SEA case studies undertaken in South African, in order to
assess how effectively cumulative effects are addressed within the current South
African SEA process. The analysis focuses on both innovative approaches used in
each study, as well as the limitations and deficiencies of each approach.
A generic framework was developed in order to provide broad guidelines for
practitioners and reviewers. These guidelines focus on how best to infuse cumulative
effects philosophy and methodology into the current SEA process.
It is envisaged that this methodology will enhance the current SEA process, in order
to ensure that environmental issues are placed on the same level as economic and
social considerations in future decision making, to achieve sustainable development.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Geen opsomming beskikbaar.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Geen opsomming beskikbaar.
Description
Thesis (M.A.)--Stellenbosch University, 2001.
Keywords
Environmental impact analysis -- South Africa, Environmental protection -- South Africa