Good practice SEA? When we look at the four key energy topics to be addressed in an SEA for spatial planning (p. 26), we note that this SEA report: • • did indeed provide insight in the energy demand and the various strategies for saving energy and using sustainable sources of energy. did provide (indirectly) insight in the contribution of these energy strategies to greenhouse gas emission reduction targets. The reduction targets are not mentioned in the report, however are incorporated in Hillegom’s ambition to be energy neutral in 2030 and climate neutral in 2050. • did mention - albeit superficially - options for combining the energy transition with other ambitions for the area; For three subareas possible combination solutions are given, for example a solar field -flower bulb farming ‘rotation system’; energy neutral housing projects and combining factories with solar panels. • did mention - albeit superficially - the consequences and risks arising from the various energy strategies. As mentioned in NCEA’s review, this topic could and should have been addressed more profoundly, for it to be a significant added value in the decision-making process. On a more general note, as one of the first SEAs carried out for an environmental strategy, it was a good test case to find out the importance and points of attention of an SEA in a process like this. For the NCEA, one of the most important criteria will always be whether an SEA process and report support decision making. As far as this SEA report is concerned, we could conclude that its role was predominantly indicating and agenda setting, rather than providing the information necessary for good decision making. Decision making and further steps After the NCEA’s review, an obstacle map showing more prominently actual or potentially conflicting interests in subareas was drawn up as an addendum to the SEA report, to guide decision making. The revised environmental strategy, which also included a “sustainability programme” as an annex, was subsequently accepted by the municipal council. In response to the conclusion that it is impossible to achieve energy neutrality within Hillegom itself or within the broader region, Hillegom (and other municipalities in the region) have opted to seek other ways of becoming energy neutral, such as investing in energy production outside the region, on land or even at sea. 30 The NCEA’s Views and Experiences 2018
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