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Chapter 15: Glossary
This flow chart sets out the key topics covered by this Tool Kit. The chapter you are now reading is highlighted.
"Administrative provisions" - PPS required by "administrative provisions"
Typical characteristics of "administrative provisions" are that they are publicly available, prepared in a formal way, probably involving consultation with interested parties. The administrative provision must have sufficient formality such that it counts as a "provision" and it must also use language that plainly requires rather than just encourages a PPS to be prepared.
Consultation Authorities
Authorities which because of their environmental responsibilities are likely to be concerned by the effects of implementing PPS and must be consulted at specified stages of the SEA. The Consultation Authorities, designated in the Act, are:
- Scottish Ministers (Historic Scotland),
- Scottish Natural Heritage ( SNH), and
- The Scottish Environment Protection Agency ( SEPA).
EIA:
Environmental Impact Assessment - A project level assessment
Environmental Appraisal
A form of environmental assessment used in the UK (primarily for Development Plans) since the early 1990s, supported by "Environmental Appraisal of Development Plans: A Good Practice Guide" (DoE, 1993); more recently superseded by sustainability appraisal. Some aspects of environmental appraisal foreshadow the requirements of the SEA Directive.
Environmental Assessment
A method or procedure for predicting the effects on the environment of a proposal, either for an individual project or a higher-level "strategy" (a PPS), with the aim of taking account of these effects in decision-making. The term "Environmental Impact Assessment" ( EIA) is used, as in European Directive 337/85/ EEC, for assessments of projects. In the SEA Directive, an environmental assessment means "the preparation of an environmental report, the carrying out of consultations, the taking into account of the environmental report and the results of the consultations in decision-making and the provision of information on the decision", in accordance with the Directive's requirements.
Environmental Report
Document required by the SEA Directive [Directive 2001/42/EEC on the assessment of the effects of certain plans and programmes on the environment] as part of an environmental assessment, which identifies, describes and evaluates the likely significant effects on the environment of implementing a PPS and its reasonable alternatives. Section 14 and Schedule 3 of the Act set out the information required in an Environmental Report.
Hierarchies of plans, programmes, strategies ( PPS) and projects
A high level or "parent" PPS may have plans or programmes at lower tiers or later stages.
Indicator
A measure of variables over time often used to measure achievement of objectives.
- Output Indicator: An indicator that measures the direct output of the PPS. These indicators measure progress in achieving PPS objectives, targets and policies.
- Significant Effects Indicator: An indicator that measures the significant effects of the PPS.
- Contextual Indicator: An indicator used in monitoring, that measures changes in the context within which a PPS is being implemented.
Minimal Effect on the environment: Minimal takes its normal meaning
Whether environmental effects are considered "minimal" should be seen as a difficult test to meet and should always be assessed in the context of each individual PPS. If the Responsible Authority sees any indication at all that a PPS may have more than minimal environmental affects then the pre-screening provisions will not apply ( Chapter 4).
Mitigation
Used in this Tool Kit to refer to measures to prevent, reduce or offset, as fully as possible, adverse effects on the environment. Mitigation in SEA also includes enhancement and compensating measures.
Objective
A statement of what is intended, specifying the desired direction and outcome
PPS
A plan, programme or strategy.
Plan or Programme
For the purposes of the Tool Kit, the term "plan or programme" covers any plans or programmes to which the Act applies and includes strategies.
Pre-Screening
Where a plan as described in Section 5(4) of the Act is considered, in the opinion of the Responsible Authority, to have no or minimal effect on the environment the plan is exempt from SEA. To reach such a decision the Responsible Authority shall apply criteria set out in Schedule 2. Pre-screening should be considered a hard test to meet and, if any doubt exists, then it should not be applied. Instead, the screening process should be used to establish the likelihood of any significant effects on the environment. Under Section 7 of the Act, Responsible Authorities have a statutory obligation to notify the Scottish Ministers of their pre-screening decisions and a register of decisions will be made available by the Scottish Ministers for public inspection.
Responsible Authority
Any person, body or office holder exercising functions of a public character. If such an authority prepares a PPS which requires an SEA then that authority is responsible for the SEA. Where more than one authority is responsible for a PPS they should reach an agreement as to who is responsible for the SEA. Where an agreement cannot be reached, the Scottish Ministers shall make the determination.
Scoping
The process of deciding the scope and level of detail to be included in an Environmental Report along with requirements regarding consultation periods (section 15(1)(b).
Screening
The process of determining the likely significance of effects on the environment of a PPS. Schedule 2 of the Act sets out criteria for determining the likely significant effects on the environment.
Strategic Environmental Assessment ( SEA)
Term used to describe environmental assessment as applied to PPS. In this Tool Kit, " SEA" is used to refer to the type of environmental assessment required under the Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005.
SEA Directive
European Directive 2001/42/EC on the assessment of the effects of certain plans and programmes on the environment.
SEA Regulations
In the UK the SEA Directive is transposed into the following Regulations:-
- The Environmental Assessment of Plans and Programmes Regulations 2004;
- The Environmental Assessment of Plans and Programmes Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2004; and
- The Environmental Assessment of Plans and Programmes (Wales) Regulations 2004)
In Scotland SEA is provided for by the Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005 and is the transposing legislation for the SEA Directive. The Act repealed the Environmental Assessment of Plans and Programmes (Scotland) Regulations 2004 ( SSI 2004/258).
Set the framework for future development consent
The words would normally mean that the PPS contains criteria or conditions which guide the way the consenting authority decides an application for development consent ( EC 2003).
Significant environmental effects
A degree of professional judgement is required in assessing significance of environmental effects but to help ensure that determinations are consistent and appropriate Schedule 2 of the Act sets out specific criteria for determining the likely significance of effects on the environment of a PPS.
Sustainability appraisal
A form of assessment that considers social and economic effects as well as environmental ones, and appraises them in relation to the aims of sustainable development.
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