Climate aspects and strategic environmental assessment in spatial planning

Various aspects of climate change call for explicit attention in spatial planning as they may limit potential future spatial developments (Kabat et al., 2005; Van Leeuwen et al., 2009). Conversely, spatial planning may impact climate change aspects. Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) is a useful method to help address the interrelations between climate change and spatial planning in a consistent manner as will be proposed in this paper. The paper first describes how SEA should ideally be used to incorporate climate change aspects in spatial planning. It then analyses current practice in two recent Regional Spatial Strategies drafted by Dutch provinces (regional administrations) and then discusses existing barriers to the proper inclusion of climate change considerations in planning. Finally a number of suggestions is presented to overcome these obstacles.