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Abstract
This paper describes the importance of different policy perspectives and contexts on the numerical values of policy effectiveness indicators, developed to inform the policy makers and the public on the progress of environmental policies towards the targets set. We concentrate on indicators for progress towards emission reduction targets for greenhouse gases (Kyoto) and air pollutants (EU National Emission Ceilings Directive) within the European Union. It is shown that both the policy perspective (monitoring, planning and strategy) and the context (individual EU Member State or the European Union as a whole) have a strong influence on the relative score of the Member States. Scientific and technical policy advisors should be aware of this when developing indicators to answer relatively simple policy questions. The choices they make on perspective and context have a strong influence on the answers they produce.