Pluralism of Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) - Perspectives from regulators in South Africa

Abstract

The research study aims to investigate pluralism within Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEA) in South Africa from perspectives of regulators within the strategic decision making process. Pluralism is the concept of coexistence of various role-players that hold a collective responsibility to manage their institutional environments and objectives towards attaining a strategy. According to researchers, there is a need for “fit for purpose” approaches to environmental planning and decision making thus acknowledging that the current compulsory tool of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) does not sufficiently fulfil this role. The study objectives are to understand the extent of pluralism experienced in SEA processes and the perspectives of perceived objectives of SEA’s for regulators. Regulators are key in the decision making process of environmental assessments and assumed certain objectives and expectations throughout the process of developing an SEA. An embedded case study approach will be applied in order to collect and analyse data of perspectives of regulators who are fundamental to the process of SEA development. The perceived expectations of regulators need to be managed through an approach that employs pluralism in order to support an inclusive and well developed SEA. A case study selection criteria was used on the basis of (1) high profile SEA, (2) time for reflection, (3) decision-making context and (4) well establish SEA system. Research using questionnaires and semi-structured interviews with regulators and other interested groups provides both perspectives of regulators to be analysed as well as the inclusive nature of pluralism by interested groups. The aim of the study is not to analyse the achievements of the SEA. The study is focused on the share the shared perspectives and shared group perspectives in order to provide findings that reflect on the integration of pluralism within the SEA. The findings concluded that regulator perspectives are share over the majority of the regulator group. This holds a strong link between the SEA process and plurality of regulator group that is present within SEA. Analysis of regulator perspectives in relation to other interested groups indicated that there is a weak link between perspectives of regulators and interested group stakeholders. The regulator group perspectives centred on departmental and institutional mandates and treasury considerations in order for SEA’s to provide the necessary information for informed decision making within the group. The extent of pluralism was showcased in the shared objectives and perspectives of regulators in terms of SEA development and processes. These are integrated into the process along with various interested groups that provide crucial information for Policy, Plans and Programmes (PPP) development and decision-making. The perspectives held by the interested groups extended to the shared perspective of streamlining authorisation processes for future project level development and the plurality of challenges that occurred due to the limitations of regulator mandates and responsibilities. There is a need for plurality of regulator perspectives to be included in SEA with specific regard to regulator mandates as well as a common understanding of regulator perspectives to be considered by interested groups and stakeholders. Pluralism is an aiding sustainable approach for SEA’s and may to be implemented with a shared benefit for various regulators to attain inclusive and reliable information from interested groups. This is needed to make informed decisions and realise the value of SEA on various scales for PPP development.