Effectiveness studies. Importance of context in measuring the effectiveness of strategic environmental assessment

By focusing on three contextual areas-social/political, environmental/economic and legal/administrative - this article considers how a greater understanding of context may help in measuring the effectiveness of strategic environmental assessment (SEA). Based on a review of literature, some of the environmental assessment studies and a recent case study in Canada, the importance of context is considered generally and contextual criteria developed. A positive approach is necessary if the challenge of moving SEA effectiveness studies forward is to be met.