Strategic environmental assessment of Canadian energy policy

Abstract

This paper presents a multi-criteria methodological framework for the application of strategic environmental assessment (SEA). The methodology, based on a generic seven phase assessment framework, is explained and demonstrated through a case study assessment of alternative options for Canadian energy policy. Five energy policy scenarios are presented and assessed by an expert panel on the basis of several environmental and socio-economic assessment criteria using a paired comparison assessment process. Impact assessment data are aggregated and analyzed using a multi-criteria approach to identify the preferred strategic direction for energy policy development. The robustness of the assessment results is then tested using a sensitivity analysis.

Keywords:

• strategic environmental assessment
• Canada
• energy policy