SIA METHODOLOGY
Advantages
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Better planning and implementation with the “Anticipate-and-Avoid” method, considering both short-term and long-term effects.
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Minimise negative impact and associated cost.
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Create a learning environment by feeding back info to the database.
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Stakeholder participation allows for greater transparency and creates more sustainable and consensual policy solutions.
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SIA uses a variety of tools and methodologies to capture less monetary aspects of sustainability.
Principles/Characteristics
Full integration of the three sustainable development aspects
A focus beyond numbers
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Uses a variety of tools and methodologies to capture the less readily monetised aspects
Stakeholder involvement
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Ensures input on the possible impacts (direct or indirect) and trade-offs from different perspectives and disciplines.
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Politicians, civil servants, stakeholders and civil society can all contribute.
Transparent, independent & evidence-based
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Carried by external party, with best-chosen tools and methodologies
Functions
A methodological soft policy instrument for developing integrated policies which
take full account of E+S+G.
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Investigate the interrelations between these aspects, weighted impact of each component (pillar) against the others is included.
Assessment takes place before policies are been formulated
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SIA follows well-defined methodologies and procedures that are transparent and creates a learning environment.
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SIA assesses whether a proposed policy will contribute to sustainable development or not; does not evaluate the policy against its own goals.
