Strategic environmental assessment and the World Bank Group

Strategic environmental assessment (SEA) is mandated by an increasing number of countries and agencies. SEA has become a reliable and useful tool in reducing environ-mental and social impacts of plans, policies and programmes. The main elements of SEA are outlined with examples. The status of SEA in the World Bank is discussed. The case is presented that the World Bank should apply SEA to country lending strategies, programme lending, technical assistance, and to its budget