Environmental Sensitivity Mapping: Supporting evidence-based Strategic Environmental Assessment and spatial planning

In the context of the global climate and biodiversity emergencies, there is a significant impetus on planning departments and governmental agencies to ensure that environmental awareness is at the heart of decision-making. Yet, access to environmental information remains disjointed. Moreover, even when available, assessors, planners and decision-makers often lack the technical skills required to interrogate and apply environmental datasets. This is particularly an issue in the context of Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA), Appropriate Assessment (AA) and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).