What is it about?
The article discusses global environmental challenges in the 2020s, highlighting issues with current policy frameworks like the UN SDGs and climate finance. It proposes the concept of Environmental Policy Mixes (EPMs) to design effective policies, introducing a framework for their analysis. After reviewing the literature (101 publications), the article presents a database of 146 environmental policy instruments and a set of 14 criteria to analyse these instruments. Following, these criteria are further refined via structured interviews with academic and business practitioners. The insights from the interviews are then used to develop an EPM anlaytical framework. The Discussion illustrates how to design environmental policy mixes for different policy targets with two applied case studies: economic trade-offs at the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Wadden Sea Region, and the alignment of COVID-19 stimulus packages with the objectives of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. Emphasizing the need for a post-growth environmental policy, the article calls for a shift in focus from economic growth to multi-dimensional well-being. Overall, it advocates for innovative policy instruments to navigate the complexities of the critical decade.
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Why is it important?
The article's importance lies in addressing critical global environmental challenges during the pivotal decade of the 2020s. It highlights shortcomings in existing policy frameworks, emphasizing the need for innovative approaches. The proposal of Environmental Policy Mixes (EPMs) and their analytical framework is crucial for designing effective policies tailored to specific environmental goals. The article advocates for a shift towards post-growth environmental policies, recognizing the limitations of prioritizing economic growth over broader well-being. Ultimately, its significance lies in providing a toolset and perspective to inform transformative environmental policy, ensuring a more sustainable and inclusive future.
Perspectives
From Elinor Ostrom to W. J. Baumol, from the policy guidelines of the Convention on Biological Diversity to those of the OECD, working on this article has challenged me to explore and review a broad range of fascinating literatures and policy initiatives. I believe this article provides a timely contribution to addressing the complexity and structural conditions that hinder the effectivness of mainstream global environmental policy.
Rubén Vezzoni
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Designing effective environmental policy mixes in the UN Decade on ecosystem restoration, Ecosystem Services, August 2023, Elsevier,
DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoser.2023.101541.
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