How SEA Facilitates Planning, Collaboration And Decision Making
Netherlands Commission for Environmental Assessment (NCEA)
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Abstract: This report explores the multifaceted role of Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) in enhancing governance, planning, and decision-making within delta and river basin contexts. Using the Tana Delta case in Kenya as its centerpiece, the report demonstrates how SEA can lead to collaborative, inclusive and technically sound land use plans. It details the process of embedding SEA within Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM), with emphasis on legal frameworks, stakeholder engagement, and environmental safeguards. The case study reveals that SEA was instrumental in conflict mitigation, strengthening community involvement, and enhancing accountability. By operationalizing cross-sectoral coordination and environmental foresight, the document positions SEA not only as a legal requirement, but also as a practical instrument for interinstitutional alignment. The publication also outlines key lessons for future SEA implementations across African deltas, stressing the importance of early integration in planning cycles and sustained local capacity building.