Context and Systems: Thinking More Broadly About Effectiveness in Strategic Environmental Assessment in China |
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Authors: | Olivia Bina |
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Institution: | (1) Centro de Filosofia, Faculdade de Letras, Universidade de Lisboa, Alameda da Universidade, 1600-214 Lisboa, Portugal;(2) Centre of Urban and Regional Systems, Instituto Superior Técnico, Lisboa, Portugal;(3) Geography and Resource Management, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, SAR, People’s Republic of China |
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Abstract: | China is an illustrative—and extreme—case of the difficulties of balancing the pursuit of economic, social, and environmental
objectives. In 2003 it adopted a form of Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) for its plans and programs (referred to
here as PEIA) with the aim of moving towards greater environmental sustainability. The literature has explored primarily the
issue of methods and legal procedures. This research contributes to the analysis of PEIA through a different set of interpretative
lens. Drawing on recent developments in the theory and practice of SEA, I propose a conceptualization of SEA effectiveness
that combines direct and incremental impacts, and a need for context-specific systems as a way to focus on the relationship
between assessment, planning, and their context, and thus maximize effectiveness. This framework underpins the analysis of
China’s experience, which I explore with the help of interview material and the literature. The result is an evaluation of
the strengths and weaknesses of PEIA in terms of its purpose, assessment concept, process, and methods. The detailed analysis
of six aspects of the context helps explain the origin of such shortcomings, and identify opportunities for its improvement.
I conclude defining elements of a context-specific system for SEA that seeks to maximize the opportunity for incremental,
as well as direct, effectiveness in China. |
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Keywords: | Strategic Environmental Assessment Effectiveness System Context Purpose Strategy China |
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