Land Use, Landscape and Governance:

How to Make Better Policies and Decisions

Alister Scott Birmingham City University

Talk Outline

Our Research Brief Initial Assumptions Building a Better

Framework Case Study Lessons learnt

Research : National Ecosystem Assessment Follow on

“To further develop and communicate the evidence base of the UK NEA and make it relevant to decision and policy making at different spatial scales across the UK”

http://uknea.unep-wcmc.org/NEWFollowonPhase/Aimoffollowupphase/tabid/128/Default.aspx

WP 9 – TABLES Project

The principal aim of work package 9/10 is to mainstream the principles of the ecosystem approach (EA) by adapting policy and decision-support tools within an ecosystem services framework (ESF) to improve policy- and decision-making processes and outcomes

Initial Assumptions

Each setting where policy & decision making occurs is unique

Many policy & decision-making processes fail to mainstream environment

Confusing range of tools for policy and decision-making

Ecosystem Approach and associated lexicon are not well understood or applied

Building a better framework

Challenges From academic to policy and

practice Language / jargon Silos – status quo Lack of time and resources Economic growth Bandwagon, manipulation Project constraints Conflicting demands Abstract/vague concept Bolt-on

Our response From practice and policy with

academic insights … find common language Trans-disciplinary; new fora Co-production, co-financing Ecosystem Approach Work with champions Build partnerships / links Adapt through clear choices Examples and tools Embed (ecosystem servicing)

Building our Conceptual Framework

Ecosystem Approach (adapted)

1 Management of land is based on societal choices. 2: Management of land should be decentralized to lowest appropriate level 3. Managers should consider adjacent effects (actual or potential) of their activities 4: Manage land in an economic context. 5: Maintain and enhance ecosystem services 6: Identify environmental limits of land

Contd. 7: Manage land at appropriate spatial and temporal scales. 8: Recognize varying temporal scales & lag-effects of land management and manage for the long term. 9: Manage land use change to best advantage 10: Seek appropriate balance between conservation and use of biodiversity. 11: Consider all forms of information; scientific and indigenous &local knowledge, innovations & practices. 12: Involve all relevant sectors of society and science

Ecosystem Services (Principle 5)

Typology of Tools distinguishing between decision-support and influencing behaviour tools.

Major tools category

Tools for decision support

Tools for influencing behaviour

Ecosystem Services INVEST Payment for Ecosystem Services

Regulation Strategic Environment Assessment

Green Taxes

Incentives Agri-environ ment schemes

Valuation Cost Benefit Analysis Public Engagement All tools should engage

with publics All tools should engage with publics

Futures Scenarios Scenarios

Hooks: Policy Cycle

Exmoor: South West Water

Exmoor

R Barle

R Exe

Wimbleball Resr & R Haddeo

ExebridgePumping Station

Replenishment PumpingApprox 5 miles, lifting water from 120 to 240 m AOD

CO 2

Source: Charles Cowap

Lessons learnt

Mainstreaming ecosystem science takes different forms reflecting realities of the settings.

Engaging all key decision-makers and stakeholders in the process from outset secures necessary political buy-in

Strong leadership is vital to engage with more sceptical audiences and overcome resistance to change.

Simplifying complex science without diluting its impact is key: maps

Need to identify ‘hooks’ and best-practice examples from the end users perspective

Important to demonstrate who benefits and loses from particular resource management interventions

Summary

Important to capture existing good practice and not re-invent wheel

Ecosystem Approach should be used to guide decisions not just ecosystem serivces

We all have to get out of our silos and comfort zone (pro-active, positive change, new links)

The most forgotten ‘tool’ is you!