It is intended to support local practitioners in the design and implementation of appropriate country specific EIA and SEA arrangements and in addressing emerging demands for a more integrated approach to decision-making in support of sustainable development. This last area was identified as a priority at the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) and is being taken forward by UNEP through a number of initiatives, including those reported below. UNEP recognizes that such an approach will take time to become standard practice. In the interim, EIA and SEA afford useful entry points to a closer integration of environmental, social and economic considerations in evaluating proposed actions
