Exploring alternatives for a low-carbon future: cases of strategic environmental assessment from Tanzania

Purpose - This study seeks to offer empirical insights into the role of alternatives analysis within strategic environmental assessment (SEA) in implementing low-carbon development (LCD) as part of Tanzania's efforts to tackle climate change. Design/methodology/approach - The study design is cross-sectional multi-case. It draws on six SEA cases from Tanzania. Data were collected from SEA reports and subsequently analysed qualitatively using content analysis. The analysis framework was derived from the best practice literature and focused on determining whether and how alternatives were identified, assessed and selected and where and how LCD aspects were included. Findings - The findings reveal that the practice of alternatives analysis is generally weak and varied. Gaps identified include neglect of alternatives, lack of transparency, a focus on mitigating harm, lack of inclusiveness and partial integration of LCD considerations. Practical implications - Many countries are still developing their SEA systems, which requires building on local experience and adapting to local circumstances. Tanzanian SEA practitioners appear to place little weight on alternatives analysis and perform SEA using outdated, impact-based approaches. The study outlines policy recommendations for working more effectively with alternatives in Tanzania and comparable contexts. Originality/value - There is a noticeable lack of scholarly emphasis on SEA processes that effectively identify, evaluate and select alternatives aligned with explicit societal values and concerns. This study focuses on the alternatives analysis stage, offering novel insights into the potential for constructing a desirable, low-carbon future. The cases studied show that an LCD-focused analysis is feasible and can be improved with the right theoretical and methodological approaches.