Bridging the gap between environmental knowledge and research, and desired environmental outcomes to achieve sustainable land management
Abstract
The purpose of this report is to draw out key lessons on how science and environmental knowledge have been used in the past to achieve desired environmental outcomes. The role that policy and technology transfer play in this dynamic is central to this objective.
The report is broken into three parts:
- a summary of theories and models relating to behaviour change, particularly related to land management
- a review of overseas approaches to integrating science in environmental policy making
- an historical analysis of New Zealand’s experience in managing three current environmental issues – soil erosion, possum control and nitrogen management.
The report highlights some key lessons for policy makers and land management programme designers. In particular it identifies those factors which seem to be most influential in the achievement of environmentally sustainable land management practices.
The analysis of behaviour change theories and approaches highlights the range of social, economic and psychological factors that influence farmers’ response to environmental concerns. This analysis indicates the importance of taking a holistic and participatory approach to bring about sustainable change in land management practices.
Analysis of overseas experience shows that voluntary approaches, while effective to a degree, are generally not enough to achieve the community’s desired rate of progress without strong regulatory underpinning. Successful programmes often involve the community as beneficiaries sharing some of the costs farmers face in making the transition to sustainable practices. Practice shows that market tools, such as pollution credit trading, are likely to have little scope in New Zealand particularly for non-point source pollution issues such as nitrogen.
New Zealand experience highlights the rational way that farmers have responded to changing incentive structures and community values. Where uncertainty exists as to the impact of farming activity on the environment, and a direct link cannot be established between cause and effect, farmers face considerable risks in adopting environmental practices. Being able to monitor progress is a key motivating force for change.
The next phase of work will involve testing and evaluating the lessons identified here in real life situations. Analysis of a series of New Zealand case studies will clarify the role that policy and knowledge transfer can play in achieving more sustainable land-use. This understanding will move us closer to finding successful and enduring approaches to bridging the gap between environmental knowledge and desired environmental outcomes.
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