SEA profile

Updated to: 29 January 2019

Establishing context

Screening process

Screening is a formal step. The screening process starts when the proponent submits a Project Screening Form to the MoE for its intended PPP. The MoE screens the proposal to determine if SEA is required. 

Timeline Screening

Upon receiving the screening request, the MoE informs the proponent on its decision within 15 calendar days. If the MoE fails to do so, the proponent may start the study in line with existing laws and regulations.

Implementing SEA

Scoping process

Scoping is a required step in the Lebanese SEA procedure. Once a scoping report is submitted to the MoE, it is reviewed by a technical committee. The MoE must inform the proponent on the outcomes of this review within 15 working days. 

Participation in scoping

The proponent is required to prepare a scoping report in coordination with the MoE an concerned authorities and by involving affected stakeholders.

Assessment/mitigation of effects

After engaging a qualified environmental consultancy, the SEA study is conducted and the report prepared according to Annex 3 of the SEA Decree. The SEA report is submitted to the MoE.

Content of SEA report

Annex 3 of the SEA Decree outlines what should be contained in an SEA report. The required information includes: a summary, baseline, legal and policy framework and an institutional analysis, alternatives, impacts, recommendations for decision making, records of public consultations and information on those who conducted the SEA.  

Review process

The MoE must review whether the SEA and the proposal comply with the conditions for protecting the environment and sustainability of natural resources. For the review, the MoE establishes a technical committee of three persons from within the Ministry. If needed, they may also involve external experts and concerned departments. The review must be completed and communicated to the Minister within thirty working days and the Ministers informs the proponent within two days. Otherwise, the study will be considered as implicitly approved. Further details on the review process are described in Annex 6 of decision 589/1 of 2015. 

Participation in review

Stakeholder participation in review is not explicitly mentioned in the SEA Decree.

Informing decision making

SEA and planning decision-making

The results of the review may be approval, conditionally approval or the rejection of the SEA. The MoE may demand the completion or amendment of the study. In such case, the proponent can decide to revise the proposal and its SEA and re-submit it to the MoE. The proponent may also submit the proposal to the Council of Ministers to issue a final decision. 

Follow-up

Monitoring and evaluation

The SEA decree does not specify any monitoring requirements for individual SEAs. The decree does outline that the MoE shall assess the results and application of the SEA every four years. 

SEA practice

Background information

History of SEA

SEA was introduced to Lebanon through the European Commission LIFE Programme which started in 2002. Under this programme, the Ministry of Environment (MoE) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) launched project activities aimed at institutional strengthening and capacity building on SEA. 

Legal framework

Enabling law

The Environmental Protection Law 444/2002 is the enabling law that obliges environmental assessments. This law does not specifically call for SEAs. 

National detailed regulation

Details on the procedure and process for SEA are outlined in Decree 8213, issued in 2012. 

In addition to the SEA Decree 8213, Decision No. 589/1 of 2015 outlines procedures for reviewing SEA reports.

Scope of application

Any proposal for or amendment of a policy, plan, programme, studiy or investment proposed by a public body requires an SEA before approval. An SEA could cover the entire Lebanese region or a specific sector or activity such as; water and wastewater, energy, transport, master plans for the use of lands, development of residential, industrial, agricultural, touristic and environmental areas, natural resource investments and extracted materials. 

Exemptions from application

National defence related activities and disaster management activities are exempt from SEA requirement.

Institutional setting

Central SEA authority

The MoE is the authority responsible for screening, the review of scoping and final SEA reports and following up on the SEA's implementation. The proponent of the policy, plan or programme is responsible to conduct the SEA study. 

Contact

Ms. Nadia Al Ahmar
Head of the Service of Planning and Programming at the Ministry of Environment
Email: n.alahmar@moe.gov.lb
Phone:+ 961 1 976555 ex: 459