Assessment and appraisal

We provide decision-makers with the information they need by using appraisal tools and techniques to assess and evaluate the effects and implications of policies, plans, programmes and projects.  We have been involved in developing approaches to implementing the SEA Directive in the UK, EU and internationally and in undertaking research to develop integrated appraisal tools and techniques, such as Sustainability Appraisal (SA), covering economic, social and environmental issues and applying them to all levels of decision-making.  We have also developed strategic environmental assessment approaches, methodologies and procedures as well as developing guidance, providing training, quality reviewing and co-ordinating SEAs for a variety of activities.  Increasingly this involves the use of assessment in supporting strategy development.

Current priorities are within strategic environmental assessment and sustainability appraisal, developing strategic environmental assessment (SEA) and integrated appraisal tools and techniques,  approaches, procedures and guidance and undertaking or co-ordinating SEAs and SAs for a variety of strategic activities and advising on statutory requirements.

We also specialise in coordinating, quality reviewing and providing specialist contributions to environmental impact assessment (EIA) on a wide range of development projects and advising on statutory requirements.  We also have a particular interest  - and undertake research in - the relationship between EIA and SEA.  A further specialisation is in social impact assessment and appraisal, and the development of approaches to the assessment of social impacts using qualitative and quantitative research methods.