Strategic environmental assessment: sustainability and democratization

The integration of environmental considerations into strategic decision making is recognized as a key to achieving sustainability. In the European Union a draft directive on Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) is currently being reviewed by the member states. The nature of the proposed SEA directive is outlined, together with its relationship with the process of spatial planning and public participation in Denmark. This paper analyses the adoption of the proposed directive and discusses whether the SEA is an appropriate tool for opening and democratizing political structures. It concludes that the SEA directive will influence the decision-making process positively and will help to promote improved environmental decisions. However, the guidelines for public participation are not sufficient and the democratic element is strongly limited. On the basis of these findings, recommendations relating to public participation are put forward.