Mixed-methods policy analysis reveals procedural inconsistencies and donor dependency in voluntary environmental assessments, highlighting the need for statutory legal mandates.
Key Points
Investigate the institutional challenges and procedural limitations of conducting Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEA) in the absence of a dedicated legal mandate.
Conducted a systematic literature review alongside content analysis of 1 international SEA instrument and 25 national policy documents.
Gathered qualitative evaluative feedback through 9 expert reviews with environmental authorities and policy stakeholders.
Current SEA practice relies heavily on voluntary, donor-driven initiatives, leading to procedural inconsistencies, weak enforcement, and bureaucratic reluctance.
Experts advocated for formal legislative amendments to mandate SEA across ministries and establish institutional capacity for standardized review protocols and strategic environmental management plans.