Definition – Complementarity
refers to a beneficial situation where the implementation of two measures results in greater total benefits than the implementation of either measure on its own:
- Benefits (A+B) > Benefits gain A, and
- Benefits (A+B) > Benefits gain B.
These total benefits may result across different policy sectors (e.g. environment, health), as a result of horizontal integration informing measure selection. See also synergies.
Relevance to SUMP – Careful measure selection during the SUMP development process can help to ensure the greatest possible benefit to all by looking for opportunities for complementarity and synergy.
Source: Mayeres et al, 2003; IEE, 2014