Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Green Growth through Strategic Environmental Assessment in Bangladesh

Abstract

Md. Suzaul Islam and Yanrong Zhang

It is vital that Bangladesh decouples its economy from the harmful environmental outcomes of the economic growth pathway it is pursuing currently. So it is significant that green growth is pursued with the aim of unlocking Bangladesh from its unsustainable development pathway to more sustainable as well as an inclusive one through the application of strategic environmental assessment (SEA). The article seeks to emphasize the role of SEAs could play in supporting the green growth in Bangladesh. The paper addresses the environmental assessment and overview of SEA in Bangladesh. It explores the enabling factors for SEA and challenges of SEA. The empirical basis for the paper, has drawn on experiences gained from a recent practice of SEA to support green growth in different sector of different country. With the aim of the green growth, promote the use of SEA in the national and sector development plans and strategies, as well as in decisions and actions relating to environmental goods and services. Bangladesh as an effective environmental assessment system with the application of SEA is still faraway reaching but through increasing awareness, learning and research, donor pressure and proper initiative by government it is achievable.