Charting Sustainable Futures: Kiribati Embraces Strategic Environmental Assessment

In the heart of the Blue Pacific, the island nation of Kiribati is taking bold steps to safeguard its environment while pursuing sustainable development. 

A recent workshop in Tarawa, marks a significant milestone in the country's journey towards integrating environmental and socio-economic considerations into high-level decision-making through Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA). 

Strategic Environmental Assessment is not a new concept globally, but its application in the Pacific Islands region is gaining momentum with interest from several countries. Unlike project-level environmental impact assessments, SEA operates at a higher level, evaluating the environmental and socio-economic implications of proposed policies, plans, and programs (PPP) before they're implemented.

"SEA allows us to 'look before we leap'," explains Mr. Jope Davetanivalu, Director of SPREP's Director of Environmental Monitoring and Governance of the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP). "It's about integrating environmental and socio-economic considerations into the very fabric of our decision-making processes."

Kiribati has been laying the groundwork for SEA across several years. The amended Environment Act 2021 now includes provisions for SEA, providing a legal basis for its implementation. Furthermore, the Kiribati Integrated Environment Policy (KIEP 2021-2036) recognises SEA as a key instrument for integrated planning and national decision-making.

The Kiribati Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources Development (MFMRD), recognising SEA's potential in managing seabed mineral resources, made a request for capacity building on SEA through the SPREP focal point in the Kiribati Ministry of Environment Land and Agricultural Development (MELAD).

"We saw SEA as a crucial tool for ensuring any future seabed mineral activities are conducted sustainably," explains Ms Teereta Roota, an Environment Assurance Officer with MFMRD. "This workshop is the first step in building our capacity to use SEA effectively."

The growing recognition of SEA in Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) adds further relevance to Kiribati's efforts. The recent Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) instrument, for instance, includes provisions on SEA, highlighting its importance in managing shared environmental resources.

The workshop, hosted by the Kiribati Ministry of Environment Land and Agricultural Development (MELAD) and facilitated by SPREP, aimed to build capacity and understanding of this powerful planning tool. The workshop was attended by over 40 participants from across 14 government agencies looking to unpack and explore strategic planning and decision making.

The four-day capacity building activity covered the theory and practice of SEA, guided by the SPREP SEA guidelines as a key resource. The guidelines, developed in 2020, provide a framework that's relevant to our region's specific environmental, social, and economic challenges. It covers the entire SEA process, from screening and scoping to implementation and monitoring and emphasise the importance of stakeholder engagement, traditional knowledge integration, and consideration of climate change impacts - all critical factors for Pacific Island nations.

Participants also explored global and regional case studies, offering insights into how other nations have successfully implemented SEA. Practical exercises on screening and scoping policies, plans, and programs provided hands-on experience, allowing participants to apply SEA principles to Kiribati's unique context.

As the workshop concluded, attention turned to the future. Participants engaged in lively discussions about what's needed to move SEA forward in Kiribati. While acknowledging that SEA provisions exist in the amended Environment Act 2021, participants discussed the need for specific regulations and guidelines to support the Act. A group discussion saw the agencies discuss the legal and policy tools, the institutional arrangements, technical capacity and other areas necessary to drive SEA implementation forward. 

The potential application of SEA to seabed mineral resources also emerged as a priority area, with the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources Development expressing keen interest in undertaking an SEA for this sector. "We've requested SPREP's continued support in conducting an SEA for the proposed seabed mineral activities and we’re hoping to work on a Technical Assistance to support this," says Ms Teereta Roota from the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources Development.”

As the participants return to their respective agencies, they carry with them not just new knowledge, but a shared vision of a more sustainable Kiribati. The journey of implementing SEA may be challenging, but it's one that promises to shape the nation's future for the better.

"This workshop isn't the end, it's just the beginning," concludes Mr. Davetanivalu. "With SEA, Kiribati is better equipped to navigate the complex decisions that lie ahead and SPREP stands ready to provide ongoing support as Kiribati moves forward with implementing this important decision-making tool.

The Kiribati Strategic Environmental Assessment workshop held from 1 to 5 October 2024, was supported through the European Union initiated capacity building project phase 3 titled, "Capacity Building related to Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) in African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Countries", implemented by UN Environment executed by SPREP.

For more information on the workshop, please contact Mr Jope Davetanivalu, Director of Environmental Monitoring and Governance Programme, [email protected].

To learn more about the ACPMEA 3 project, please visit http://www.sprep.org/Projects/acp-meas-project