González Del Campo, AinhoaAinhoaGonzález Del Campo2025-07-292025-07-292017 Elsev2017-09-01Environmental Impact Assessment Review0195-9255http://hdl.handle.net/10197/28674Environmental sensitivity analysis provides a framework for systematically and objectively determining the potential for significant environmental impacts. The higher the natural or acquired sensitivity of the receiving environment, the less capable it is to cope with human-induced change. Given that sensitivity is context- and spatially-specific, Geographic Information Systems have been applied to develop an operational Webtool to analyse it. The Webtool enables a rapid and replicable spatial examination of environmental sensitivities and potential for land-use conflicts that supports Strategic Environmental Assessment and, ultimately, informed planning and decision-making. The novelty is on the provision of an online geoprocessing Widget that enables creation of context-specific maps. Pilot testing the Webtool in land-use and renewable energy planning through stakeholder engagement has validated its applicability. Stakeholders confirmed that it enables replicating and, in some cases, improving in-house SEA mapping processes while saving time and effort. However, its full reliance on publicly available spatial datasets renders completeness and resolution issues. The Webtool provides a critical starting-point for sectoral planning discussions and for developing plan/programme alternatives that avoid or minimise potentially incompatible or unsustainable zonings, while promoting consistency and transparency in impact assessment.enThis is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in Environmental Impact Assessment Review. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published in Environmental Impact Assessment Review (66, September 2017 pp. 86-98) (DATE)) DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eiar.2017.06.010Baseline environmentSensitivityStrategic environmental assessmentSpatial analysisOnline geoprocessingJournal Article66869810.1016/j.eiar.2017.06.0102024-06-122013-B-FS-4https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/ie/