Strategic environmental assessment opportunities and risks for Arctic offshore energy planning and development |
| |
| Institution: | 1. Alaska Center for Energy and Power, University of Alaska Fairbanks, United States of America;2. School of Environment and Sustainability, University of Saskatchewan, Kirk Hall, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5A5, Canada;3. Department of Geography, University of Saskatchewan, Canada;1. Federal University of Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil;2. University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil;3. Escola Superior Dom Helder Câmara, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil;1. Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, South Africa;2. Research Unit for Environmental Science and Management, North West University, South Africa;3. School of Environmental Sciences, University of Liverpool, United Kingdom;4. School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, United Kingdom;1. Department of Civil, Construction-Architectural and Environmental Engineering, University of L''Aquila, L''Aquila, Italy;2. Department of Architecture, University ‘G. D''Annunzio’ Chieti-Pescara, Pescara, Italy |
| |
| Abstract: | Canada's Arctic environment is rich in hydrocarbon resources. As international attention turns to the Arctic to meet global energy demands there is increased recognition of the need to advance upstream impact assessment and decision-making to plan for energy development. There have been several applications of strategic environmental assessment (SEA) over the past decade in the international offshore energy sector; however, SEA remains underdeveloped offshore in comparison to project-based environmental impact assessment and unchartered territory in Canada's Arctic. This paper examines stakeholder perceptions of the opportunities and risks of advancing SEA for offshore energy planning and development in Canada's Beaufort Sea. Results indicate a number of perceived opportunities for SEA, including improved regulatory efficiency, better regional baselines and planning practices, an opportunity to assess cumulative effects, more meaningful project-based assessment, and greater certainty for industry stakeholders. At the same time there are a number of perceived risks, including foregoing anticipated development opportunities, the loss of flexibility in decision making, adding another layer of bureaucracy, and the added uncertainties of a novel approach. The implications of these findings for advancing SEA in the offshore energy sector are discussed. |
| |
| Keywords: | |
| 本文献已被 ScienceDirect 等数据库收录！ |
|
