The role of Strategic Environmental Assessment towards sustainability in small islands: the case of Azores and Orkney archipelagos

Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) is often accepted as a mean for the transition towards sustainability through decision-making, but it is widely acknowledged that are challenges to overcome. SEA is context-specific, depending on different aspects, including the territorial context. It was identified a lack of research focusing on systematised and consistent studies enhancing SEA context specificity for sustainability in particular territories, namely through tailored practices and procedures. Hence, the main goal was to explore SEA for sustainability in territories with unique features, such as small islands. These territories provide an opportunity to explore and advance SEA for sustainability because small islands have a pressing need for the enhancement of sustainability. To address the research goal an exploratory and inductive mixed-method approach was used, unfolded through (i) a literature review, identifying the main trending topics on sustainability and SEA practices in small islands, (ii) a case-study, using the Azores (Portugal) and Orkney (Scotland) archipelagos, to assess and compare small islands SEA practices with the mainland, (iii) a questionnaire survey, to identify key issues to take into account while preparing SEA for sustainability integration in these territories, and (iv) a conceptual framework, developing the findings of the empirical research phases with further literature review. The operationalization of the framework was conceptualized for the Azores and Orkney archipelagos. The key findings suggest that it could be easier for Azores to operationalize SEA for sustainability while it is expected that Orkney may need creative solutions to overcome different challenges. Transitioning towards sustainability in small islands through SEA needs a strong support from decision-makers and ownership by practitioners and intermediate decision-makers, with an effective involvement of small islands stakeholders (e.g., small islands civil organizations, small islands experts). Islands’ knowledge and cooperation networks need to be established, and a continuous learning process needs to take plac

Strategic environmental assessment practices in European small islands : insights from Azores and Orkney islands

The literature concerning Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) often refers to the importance of context-specific approaches. However, there is a lack of systematised and consistent studies that enhance tailor-made SEA practices and procedures. Small islands are bounded units of study which may help explore SEA theory and practice in special territories. Small islands present particular features and unique values, such as, small size and population, geographic isolation, limited resources and vulnerable ecosystems. Hence, the main goal of this research was to profile SEA practices and procedures in European small islands and provide a background for future research aiming to improve context-specific SEA applications. To achieve this goal, an exploratory case study was developed using Azores (Portugal) and Orkney (Scotland) archipelagos. An analysis of the corresponding mainland was also carried out to contextualise both case studies. The data collection was achieved through a qualitative content analysis of 43 Environmental Reports. The research found that there is not an SEA context-specific approach used within these European small islands, including guidelines, assessment topics, assessment techniques, follow-up and stakeholders engagement. The debate concerning specific approaches to small islands must be re-focused on the enhancement of SEA capacity-building amongst different stakeholders (including decision-makers), on the development and implementation of collaborative approaches, and on the exchange of knowledge and experiences between small islands networks

Exploring experts' views and perspectives on the enhancement of strategic environmental assessment in European small islands

Small islands have the attention of the international community because they are territories with unique features, and a pressing need for the enhancement of sustainability. Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) has characteristics that may promote the development and improvement of sustainability in these territories: (i) changing the mind-set, and the decision-making and institutional paradigm, (ii) facilitating cooperation and coordination between different stakeholders, and (iii) providing a framework for good governance and community empowerment. The scientific literature suggests that there may be a need for context-specific SEA in these territories. However, SEA studies often do not incorporate local contextual information, including intuitive knowledge and sense of place. Therefore, there is a possible gap between what is found in the literature and what local communities think, including different stakeholders and experts. Hence, the main goal of this research was to gain an insight into the views and perspectives of small islands SEA experts about issues related to SEA in European small islands, including context-specific approaches, as well as the contribution of SEA for sustainability in these territories. To achieve the research aim, exploratory research using a questionnaire-based survey was designed, aimed at experts on SEA in European small islands. Findings showed regional cooperation networks may have a fundamental role when developing SEA-specific approaches in these territories. This is because SEA-specific approaches encourage a joint effort among islands within one region to improve SEA capacity-building, develop and share a baseline information system, and to share and exchange resources, overall. Also, guidelines are preferred among experts over more legal frameworks and regulations. Finally, the research showed that experts view SEA as a way to enhance sustainability in small islands. This study highlights the importance of integrating stakeholders, such as territorial experts, to learn and promote the use and improvement of environmental and sustainability tools such as SEA

Avaliação da eficácia da definição do âmbito no processo de avaliação ambiental estratégica em Portugal

Dissertação apresentada na Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia da Universidade Nova de Lisboa para a obtenção do grau de Mestre em Engenharia do Ambiente, perfil Ordenamento do Território e Impactes AmbientaisA Avaliação Ambiental Estratégica (AAE) é um processo sistemático focado nos efeitos significativos no ambiente de um determinado Plano ou Programa (PP). Existem diferentes metodologias para o processo de AAE, no entanto, existem três etapas principais que são genericamente seguidas: (i) definição do âmbito, (ii) avaliação ambiental e elaboração do relatório ambiental e (iii) monitorização. A fase de definição do âmbito no processo de AAE é crucial pois assegura que o processo de planeamento integre desde o seu início as questões de sustentabilidade. Uma boa definição do âmbito pode melhorar a eficiência e eficácia do processo de AAE. Torna-se assim fundamental estudar esta etapa, as suas metodologias e avaliar o seu desempenho. A avaliação da eficácia da AAE permite apoiar e melhorar a articulação entre o processo de planeamento e dos seus resultados, responsabilizar os decisores e envolver partes interessadas, tornando os resultados das decisões transparentes e identificar e explicar os resultados que foram obtidos mesmo quando houve falha no alcance dos objectivos. O principal objectivo desta dissertação consiste em analisar como decorre a fase da definição do âmbito no processo de AAE, utilizando como estudo de caso uma amostra de Definições do Âmbito de processos de AAE realizados em Portugal. Para atingir este objectivo foram identificadas metodologias de suporte à elaboração da definição do âmbito de uma AAE, no contexto nacional e internacional, bem como foram também identificados sistemas de avaliação da eficácia dos processos de AAE. Com base nestes elementos desenvolveu-se uma metodologia para a avaliação da eficácia da definição do âmbito de AAE. A metodologia desenvolvida é composta por 21 critérios divididos por cinco dimensões relativas ao contexto do PP, quadro de referência estratégico, factores de sustentabilidade e objectivos da AAE, informação disponível, comunicação e participação e integração da AAE com as diferentes fases do PP. Estes critérios foram aplicados a uma amostra de 20 Relatório de Definição do Âmbito (RDA) – 16 RDA de Planos Municipais de Ordenamento do Território (PMOT) e 4 RDA de não-PMOT. Da análise realizada concluiu-se que globalmente os RDA cumprem os requisitos da legislação, e utilizam fundamentalmente o Guia de Boas Práticas da Agência Portuguesa do Ambiente. Contrariando o que seria expectável, os RDA de PMOT realizados depois de 2008 não utilizam o Guia da Avaliação Ambiental dos Planos Municipais de Ordenamento do Território. Os RDA analisados não apresentam a fundamentação do processo de definição do âmbito, isto é, o histórico do processo e em alguns casos apresentam excessiva informação irrelevante para esta fase

# 28. Avaliação da resistência adesiva e caracterização morfológica de um novo sistema adesivo

Poster apresentado no XXXIV Congresso Anual da Sociedade Portuguesa de Estomatologia e Medicina Dentária (SPEMD), 9-11 Outubro 2014, Auditórios do Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra.Under a Creative Commons license - http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0

O efeito dos selantes de superfície na estabilidade de cor das resinas compostas

Poster apresentado no XXXIV Congresso Anual da Sociedade Portuguesa de Estomatologia e Medicina Dentária (SPEMD), 9-11 Outubro 2014, Auditórios do Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra.Under a Creative Commons license - http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0

How may sustainability be advanced through Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) in small islands? Exploring a conceptual framework

Small islands provide an opportunity to influence the debate on Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) towards sustainability, due to their specific natural and human features. The research goal was to understand how sustainability might be advanced through SEA in small islands, supported by the development of a conceptual framework and recommendations for its implementation. The framework developed provides for the identification of clusters of concepts linking SEA with sustainability in small islands, identified as being key actors, island cooperation and information exchange networks, and small islands SEA-specific issues. These clusters of concepts are interlinked through the actors in a continuous loop of learning and improvement process. The implementation of the framework is recommended based on different key factors, which derived from the conceptual framework: awareness for decision-makers; empowerment and ownership of practitioners and intermediate decision-makers; small islands cooperation and exchange networks; SEA specific issues for small islands; and, small islands specific stakeholders' engagement (local knowledge). The application of the framework developed was conceptualized for the Azores and Orkney archipelagos due to their well-established SEA systems, with similar legal background – the European Union SEA Directive (Directive 2001/42/EC). In the Azores, the SEA system may promote an easier transition towards new models of thinking, but more challenges are expected for Orkney practitioners and decision supporters which may need to use creative solutions to overcome them. Overall, this research concludes that a mind-set changing capacity is needed, enhancing future practice and influencing different stakeholders for the need of specific small islands approaches. The proposed framework should be adopted as a dynamic tool and adjusted iteratively with practice

Sustainable development discourse in Smart Specialization Strategies

Smart Specialization Strategies have been used to implement European Union Cohesion Policy in recent years, aiming to achieve economic, social and territorial development by reducing disparities between regions. The European Union often declares an alignment between Cohesion Policy, Smart Specialization Strategies and the United Nations Agenda 2030. However, and despite the recurrent Sustainable Development discourse present in the European political agenda, it is not evident that Smart Specialization Strategies integrate Sustainable Development goals and practices. Hence, this paper aims to explore and discuss the degree of embeddedness of the Sustainable Development discourse in the Research and Innovation Strategies for Smart Specialization, using the Portuguese Centro Region as an exploratory study. In this research a content analysis of the Centro Region Smart Specialization Strategy was used for data collection and analysis, framed by the 17 goals of Agenda 2030 and their targets. Results show a good embeddedness of the overall goals of Agenda 2030, but a lower integration of the targets, suggesting that this strategy needs to be revisited to further integrate Agenda 2030. Moreover, the Centro Smart Specialization Strategy has a strong alignment with the goals related with economic and environmental issues, almost disregarding social aspects. These findings are amplified by the fact that this strategy is mainly being implemented through projects financed under the economy pillar. Finally, there is evidence about the need of developing regional innovation policies towards sustainable development from the regional to the national level. Overall, it is critical to enlarge the debate on how Smart Specialization Strategies can be an effective engine for a new development trajectory for European regions assuming the Agenda 2030 as a framework for the necessary change.publishe