Handbook on Strategic Environmental Assessment

In this introduction to the International Handbook of Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) a brief description of the origins of SEA is provided. Furthermore, growth in practice, research and publication activities and an associated evolving understanding of SEA over time is described. In this context, the maturing of conceptual thinking along with the increasing versatile use of SEA is stressed. Finally, the book itself is introduced, including its underlying idea and rationale, as well as its structure.