Language selection

Search

Tip Sheet on Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA): Growth That Works for Everyone

Main recommendations extracted from the SEA of the Feminist International Assistance Policy (FIAP) for the Growth that Works for Everyone (GroWE) Action Area

In compliance with the Cabinet Directive on the Environmental Assessment of Policy, Plan and Program Proposals, GAC has produced a strategic environmental assessment (SEA) of its Feminist International Assistance Policy (FIAP) and its action area policies. The purpose of the SEA is to assess the potential environmental effects, either positive or negative, associated with the FIAP and its action area policies and to incorporate the results in the development of these policies in order to reduce potential adverse environmental effects and enhance environmental and developmental outcomes.

Summary of the Growth that Works for Everyone Action Area priority pathways: Canada will focus its efforts on advancing women’s economic rights and leadership, promoting inclusive markets and entrepreneurship, and promoting financial security and resilience.

What are the environmental sustainability issues and linkages?

Our current pattern of growth has led to growing inequalities, and economic gains came at tremendous environmental costs, starting with alarming rates of natural resources and biodiversity depletion, water contamination and scarcity, unbreathable air in many parts of the world, and worst of all, rapid climate change. Emerging countries are now entering the path of rapid development and following similar wasteful patterns of growth.

Above all issues, human induced climate change is probably the greatest threat to human welfare and health. Driven largely by economic growth and increasingly affluent lifestyles, GHG emissions have risen drastically over the last few decades and are now higher than ever. Therefore, it is crucial to urgently transition to low-carbon economies and adopt economic models that decouple economic growth from the escalating, unsustainable use of natural resources and activities that result in environmental degradation. Critical sectors to address are energy, agriculture, forestry and other land use.

What are the potential environmental effects of the proposed pathways?

There is a broad range of potentially important environmental effects that can result from the GroWE programming. These effects, both positive and negative, will vary considerably depending on the program area and scope, and many other factors such as the country context, the strength of implementing institutions, and the financial mechanisms used. To optimize environmental benefits, funding in this area should promote sustainable pathways of growth and not undermine global climate change and environmental sustainability efforts and commitments.

Overlooking environmental factors in GroWE can not only harm the environment but also be very costly over time in terms of people’s health and well-being, through:

To mobilise new sources of funding, Canada intends to create new public-private partnerships and innovative finance mechanisms (i.e. blended finance) which will have their own terms and conditions to fulfill. It will be critical to assess the environmental risks associated with any new financing arrangement and ensure that the rules and procedures allow for strong environmental management.

What are the proposed measures to minimise potential adverse environmental effects and increase positive development outcomes?

In line with Canada’s Federal Sustainable Development Act, all decisions to support any economic activities should be based on sustainable development principles, namely the ecologically efficient use of natural, social, and economic resources. It should seek to minimize the environmental impacts and maximize the efficient use of natural resources.

Some basic principles that should guide any decision-making include:

Among principal key actions are to:

For more information, consult the Public Statement: Strategic Environmental Assessment of Action Areas under Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy

Report a problem on this page
Please select all that apply:

Thank you for your help!

You will not receive a reply. For enquiries, please contact us.

Date modified: