Methodological Problems and Specific Features of Strategic Environmental Assessment of Territory Development Plans and Programs of Regional and Local Levels

The article discusses the mechanism of Strategic Environmental Assessment, which is a step by step process of analysis and discussion of the possible environmental impacts of a proposed state and municipal development strategies, plans and programs. Strategic Environmental Assessment contributes to sustainable development and better integration of environmental issues into strategic decision-making and allows the authorities to reasonably choose options such economic development that benefit the population and the protection of the health of the environment. The basic methodological problems and specific features of Strategic Environmental Assessment of territory development plans and programs of regional and local levels aimed at achieving the Sustainable Development Goals are given in the work. The necessity of the expansion procedure of Strategic Environmental Assessment in the context of the focus on sustainable development and the integration of social and economic issues.

Keywords: Strategic Environmental Assessment, sustainable development, territory development plans and programs, Environmental Impact Assessment, Sustainability Appraisal.