Pub Date : 2025-03-19DOI: 10.1016/j.envsci.2025.104037
Celina Strzelecka
This paper critically examines the Waste Monitoring and Management System (WMMS) implemented in several Polish cities as part of the green-digital transition. Positioned as a tool to advance green and digital transformation in waste management, WMMS promises to reduce environmental impact, improve recycling levels, and optimize waste collection. However, through ethnographic research, including 25 in-depth interviews and participant observations, the study reveals key discrepancies between these promises and the system's real-world outcomes. Rather than delivering environmental benefits, WMMS reinforces private sector control over municipal infrastructures, increases energy consumption due to extended data storage, and exacerbates issues of surveillance and data misrepresentation. These findings suggest that, despite the green-digital narrative, technologies like WMMS risk diverting attention from core environmental challenges by reducing complex ecological problems to technical solutions. The research underscores the need for more integrated approaches that balance technological innovation with local realities to achieve meaningful progress in green policy.
{"title":"Green-digital transition in municipal waste management: Ethnographic perspective on ‘smart’ waste monitoring and management system","authors":"Celina Strzelecka","doi":"10.1016/j.envsci.2025.104037","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.envsci.2025.104037","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This paper critically examines the Waste Monitoring and Management System (WMMS) implemented in several Polish cities as part of the green-digital transition. Positioned as a tool to advance green and digital transformation in waste management, WMMS promises to reduce environmental impact, improve recycling levels, and optimize waste collection. However, through ethnographic research, including 25 in-depth interviews and participant observations, the study reveals key discrepancies between these promises and the system's real-world outcomes. Rather than delivering environmental benefits, WMMS reinforces private sector control over municipal infrastructures, increases energy consumption due to extended data storage, and exacerbates issues of surveillance and data misrepresentation. These findings suggest that, despite the green-digital narrative, technologies like WMMS risk diverting attention from core environmental challenges by reducing complex ecological problems to technical solutions. The research underscores the need for more integrated approaches that balance technological innovation with local realities to achieve meaningful progress in green policy.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":313,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Science & Policy","volume":"167 ","pages":"Article 104037"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-03-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143686186","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The study explores stakeholder perspectives on the future adoption of agroecological farming practices in Crete over the ten-year period (2020–2030). The aim is to understand the potential effects of such practices on various environmental and socioeconomic aspects, such as ecosystem services, farmers’ work environment, and the rural labour market. Using Q methodology, 26 Q sorts were collected and analysed, resulting in the emergence of three distinct viewpoints: “Interconnected ecological farms”, “Environment & eco-system services”, and “Skills and labour.” Each viewpoint presents distinct considerations regarding the adoption of agroecological farming, ranging from the prediction of increased cooperation among farms to the potential impacts on the rural economy and water quality. The findings emphasize the importance of tailoring agricultural advisory and training services to accommodate bottom-up diverse learning styles among farmers. Q methodology proves to be a valuable tool for understanding complex and uncertain future scenarios, offering insights into regional policy establishment to promote sustainable and ecologically friendly farming practices. Overall, this study contributes to the growing body of literature on Q methodology’s versatility in understanding stakeholder perspectives and informing policy decisions in agriculture and related fields.
{"title":"Mapping stakeholders' perceptions of agroecological farming practices adoption in Crete, Greece","authors":"Penelope Gouta , Vasilia Konstantidelli , Stuart Henderson , Irene Tzouramani","doi":"10.1016/j.envsci.2025.104030","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.envsci.2025.104030","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The study explores stakeholder perspectives on the future adoption of agroecological farming practices in Crete over the ten-year period (2020–2030). The aim is to understand the potential effects of such practices on various environmental and socioeconomic aspects, such as ecosystem services, farmers’ work environment, and the rural labour market. Using Q methodology, 26 Q sorts were collected and analysed, resulting in the emergence of three distinct viewpoints: <em>“Interconnected ecological farms”</em>, <em>“Environment & eco-system services”,</em> and <em>“Skills and labour.”</em> Each viewpoint presents distinct considerations regarding the adoption of agroecological farming, ranging from the prediction of increased cooperation among farms to the potential impacts on the rural economy and water quality. The findings emphasize the importance of tailoring agricultural advisory and training services to accommodate bottom-up diverse learning styles among farmers. Q methodology proves to be a valuable tool for understanding complex and uncertain future scenarios, offering insights into regional policy establishment to promote sustainable and ecologically friendly farming practices. Overall, this study contributes to the growing body of literature on Q methodology’s versatility in understanding stakeholder perspectives and informing policy decisions in agriculture and related fields.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":313,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Science & Policy","volume":"167 ","pages":"Article 104030"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-03-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143642167","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-03-17DOI: 10.1016/j.envsci.2025.104036
Alexis M. Wilson , Emily Polk , Christopher B. Field , Scott Fendorf
Community based participatory research (CBPR) is an approach to research that equitably involves community members, academic researchers, and stakeholders in all aspects of the research process. The goal is to enact social change and improve the well-being of the communities involved. CBPR is widely adopted in the fields of psychology and public health but to a lesser extent in the fields of Earth and environmental sciences (EES). Few clear frameworks or examples of successful implementation of CBPR in environmental research has limited its adoption in the field. We seek to fill that gap by providing a case study of a long-term project in Oakland, California. Academic researchers assessed soil contamination in urban school gardens in partnership with the Oakland Unified School District and a local environmental justice organization, Communities for a Better Environment. The effectiveness of the CBPR approach is illustrated in generating scientifically robust data while empowering community members to actively contribute to the research process. To encourage adoption of the CBPR approach in the EES fields, we provide eight strategies employed to foster meaningful collaboration between scientists and community members. Furthermore, the study introduces a novel framework, C.I.R.C.L.E, which outlines the core principles needed to build and sustain strong community partnerships and successfully implement CBPR in research. This paper contributes to the growing body of literature on the integration of community perspectives in environmental research and provides a blueprint for future endeavors seeking to address environmental issues through collaborative, community-driven approaches.
{"title":"Towards environmental justice: A framework and strategic approach for implementing community based participatory research in the earth and environmental sciences","authors":"Alexis M. Wilson , Emily Polk , Christopher B. Field , Scott Fendorf","doi":"10.1016/j.envsci.2025.104036","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.envsci.2025.104036","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Community based participatory research (CBPR) is an approach to research that equitably involves community members, academic researchers, and stakeholders in all aspects of the research process. The goal is to enact social change and improve the well-being of the communities involved. CBPR is widely adopted in the fields of psychology and public health but to a lesser extent in the fields of Earth and environmental sciences (EES). Few clear frameworks or examples of successful implementation of CBPR in environmental research has limited its adoption in the field. We seek to fill that gap by providing a case study of a long-term project in Oakland, California. Academic researchers assessed soil contamination in urban school gardens in partnership with the Oakland Unified School District and a local environmental justice organization, Communities for a Better Environment. The effectiveness of the CBPR approach is illustrated in generating scientifically robust data while empowering community members to actively contribute to the research process. To encourage adoption of the CBPR approach in the EES fields, we provide eight strategies employed to foster meaningful collaboration between scientists and community members. Furthermore, the study introduces a novel framework, C.I.R.C.L.E, which outlines the core principles needed to build and sustain strong community partnerships and successfully implement CBPR in research. This paper contributes to the growing body of literature on the integration of community perspectives in environmental research and provides a blueprint for future endeavors seeking to address environmental issues through collaborative, community-driven approaches.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":313,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Science & Policy","volume":"167 ","pages":"Article 104036"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-03-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143632130","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-03-15DOI: 10.1016/j.envsci.2025.104033
Jędrzej Niklas
This article examines how the proposed European Forest Monitoring Law (EFM) reconfigures sovereignty and governance in the European Union’s pursuit of climate and digital ovjectives. The EFM aims to harmonize forest data collection through satellite imagery, ground sensors, and big data, reflecting the EU's "twin transition" . Yet, it has provoked concerns over national competences and local management traditions. Drawing on critical data studies and political ecology, this research analyzes policy documents, public consultations materials, and interviews. Findings show that once-perceived "neutral" forest data can quickly transitions into a political domain, revealing divergent interests over who own and controls information. The study underscore the politicization of data and the evolving concept of sovereignty, which now encompasses governance of digital infrastructures and information flows. This work highlights the tensions between EU centralization and local autonomy, offering new insights into how digitalization shapes environmental governance and sovereignty in contemporary Europe.
{"title":"When Brussels watch from the sky: Negotiating sovereignty over data and forest in Europe","authors":"Jędrzej Niklas","doi":"10.1016/j.envsci.2025.104033","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.envsci.2025.104033","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This article examines how the proposed European Forest Monitoring Law (EFM) reconfigures sovereignty and governance in the European Union’s pursuit of climate and digital ovjectives. The EFM aims to harmonize forest data collection through satellite imagery, ground sensors, and big data, reflecting the EU's \"twin transition\" . Yet, it has provoked concerns over national competences and local management traditions. Drawing on critical data studies and political ecology, this research analyzes policy documents, public consultations materials, and interviews. Findings show that once-perceived \"neutral\" forest data can quickly transitions into a political domain, revealing divergent interests over who own and controls information. The study underscore the politicization of data and the evolving concept of sovereignty, which now encompasses governance of digital infrastructures and information flows. This work highlights the tensions between EU centralization and local autonomy, offering new insights into how digitalization shapes environmental governance and sovereignty in contemporary Europe.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":313,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Science & Policy","volume":"167 ","pages":"Article 104033"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-03-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143629544","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-03-13DOI: 10.1016/j.envsci.2025.104027
Ante Ivčević , Daria Povh Škugor , Maria Snoussi , Michaël Karner , Matthieu Kervyn , Jean Hugé
Integrated coastal zone management (ICZM) is a policy framework that aims to achieve sustainable development in the context of limited space and resources of (densely populated) coastal areas, by balancing environmental protection, societal needs, and economic development. In this paper, we first reflect on key components influencing the success of ICZM. Second, we compare our understanding to the process of preparation of a coastal plan for the Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima region in Morocco. Finally, we extend and generalize our conclusions to ICZM as a relevant policy framework, by identifying factors that influence the context-specific interpretation of ICZM in Morocco. We argue that ICZM depends on the integration, implementation, coordination between science and policy, and appropriate governance. In the Moroccan case, a variety of institutions first need to agree on the governance structure and priorities, as a base for a clear direction for the regional ICZM. This calls for a change of stakeholder engagement for certain steering institutions and leadership by ‘wilaya’. The coastal plan preparation process showed a lack of balance between stakeholder participation and institutional coordination, and increased bureaucratization which covers accountability for decision-making. Although coastal governance is supported by the national government, it is still unknown to what extent it is supported at the regional level which oversees the ICZM. We conclude that besides leadership, political support, and institutional commitment, broader stakeholder engagement is crucial for the decisions that shape the future of the coastal zone, which indicates that governance is the most important success factor for ICZM.
{"title":"Identifying success factors for integrated coastal zone management: Development of a regional coastal plan in Morocco.","authors":"Ante Ivčević , Daria Povh Škugor , Maria Snoussi , Michaël Karner , Matthieu Kervyn , Jean Hugé","doi":"10.1016/j.envsci.2025.104027","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.envsci.2025.104027","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Integrated coastal zone management (ICZM) is a policy framework that aims to achieve sustainable development in the context of limited space and resources of (densely populated) coastal areas, by balancing environmental protection, societal needs, and economic development. In this paper, we first reflect on key components influencing the success of ICZM. Second, we compare our understanding to the process of preparation of a coastal plan for the Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima region in Morocco. Finally, we extend and generalize our conclusions to ICZM as a relevant policy framework, by identifying factors that influence the context-specific interpretation of ICZM in Morocco. We argue that ICZM depends on the integration, implementation, coordination between science and policy, and appropriate governance. In the Moroccan case, a variety of institutions first need to agree on the governance structure and priorities, as a base for a clear direction for the regional ICZM. This calls for a change of stakeholder engagement for certain steering institutions and leadership by ‘wilaya’. The coastal plan preparation process showed a lack of balance between stakeholder participation and institutional coordination, and increased bureaucratization which covers accountability for decision-making. Although coastal governance is supported by the national government, it is still unknown to what extent it is supported at the regional level which oversees the ICZM. We conclude that besides leadership, political support, and institutional commitment, broader stakeholder engagement is crucial for the decisions that shape the future of the coastal zone, which indicates that governance is the most important success factor for ICZM.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":313,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Science & Policy","volume":"167 ","pages":"Article 104027"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-03-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143621218","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-03-12DOI: 10.1016/j.envsci.2025.104028
Ida N.S. Djenontin , Bassel Daher , Jacob W. Johnson , Kenan Adule , Birhanu K. Hishe , Patience Kekirunga , Vanessa King , Emma Gaalaas Mullaney , Patience Nimushaba , Michael G. Jacobson , Annette Huber-Lee , Ellen J. Kayendeke , Abdullah Konak , Vicki L. Morrone , Esther Obonyo , Losira N. Sanya , Laura Schmitt Olabisi , Silvia Ulloa Jiménez , Christopher A. Scott
The water-energy-food (WEF) Nexus is an integrative framework for addressing the multi-scalar interdependencies that challenge sustainability solutions across the water, energy, and food systems. However, challenges linked to scale and data availability often make WEF analyses more theoretical, limiting their ability to offer practical, implementable solutions in policy and decision contexts. This paper introduces Collaborative Learning Schools (CLS) as a transdisciplinary process that fosters stakeholder engagement, cross-cultural knowledge exchange, and participatory learning for actionable policy and management solutions from WEF Nexus research, which we tested in Buikwe district in the central region of Uganda, East Africa. Our CLS brings together scientists (professors and students), practitioners, policy makers and implementers, and farmers around a holistic, cross-scale analysis of WEF Nexus issues for innovative and appropriate solutions. The CLS also integrates cross-scale linkages (from community to local government, to national policy context), blended systems and design thinking approaches, and post-evaluations. Our analysis and findings start with an account of the CLS implementation process, while also assessing the utility of integrating the WEF Nexus with systems and design thinking tools. We also present the co-created outputs and evaluative reflections from the non-academic stakeholders. We discuss the CLS value, emphasizing its potential to support participatory co-creations of context-driven multi-scalar WEF-Nexus pathways for problem-solving-oriented knowledge co-production. Through this case study, we contribute promising practices for effective stakeholder engagement and transdisciplinary co-production of actionable knowledge, drawing from tangential but complementary systems thinking and design thinking perspectives. We also provide a real-world illustration of aspirations for true transdisciplinary approaches that include communities and stakeholders in research processes.
{"title":"Coproducing water-energy-food Nexus actionable knowledge: Lessons from a multi-actor collaborative learning school in Uganda, East Africa","authors":"Ida N.S. Djenontin , Bassel Daher , Jacob W. Johnson , Kenan Adule , Birhanu K. Hishe , Patience Kekirunga , Vanessa King , Emma Gaalaas Mullaney , Patience Nimushaba , Michael G. Jacobson , Annette Huber-Lee , Ellen J. Kayendeke , Abdullah Konak , Vicki L. Morrone , Esther Obonyo , Losira N. Sanya , Laura Schmitt Olabisi , Silvia Ulloa Jiménez , Christopher A. Scott","doi":"10.1016/j.envsci.2025.104028","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.envsci.2025.104028","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The water-energy-food (WEF) Nexus is an integrative framework for addressing the multi-scalar interdependencies that challenge sustainability solutions across the water, energy, and food systems. However, challenges linked to scale and data availability often make WEF analyses more theoretical, limiting their ability to offer practical, implementable solutions in policy and decision contexts. This paper introduces Collaborative Learning Schools (CLS) as a transdisciplinary process that fosters stakeholder engagement, cross-cultural knowledge exchange, and participatory learning for actionable policy and management solutions from WEF Nexus research, which we tested in Buikwe district in the central region of Uganda, East Africa. Our CLS brings together scientists (professors and students), practitioners, policy makers and implementers, and farmers around a holistic, cross-scale analysis of WEF Nexus issues for innovative and appropriate solutions. The CLS also integrates cross-scale linkages (from community to local government, to national policy context), blended systems and design thinking approaches, and post-evaluations. Our analysis and findings start with an account of the CLS implementation process, while also assessing the utility of integrating the WEF Nexus with systems and design thinking tools. We also present the co-created outputs and evaluative reflections from the non-academic stakeholders. We discuss the CLS value, emphasizing its potential to support participatory co-creations of context-driven multi-scalar WEF-Nexus pathways for problem-solving-oriented knowledge co-production. Through this case study, we contribute promising practices for effective stakeholder engagement and transdisciplinary co-production of actionable knowledge, drawing from tangential but complementary systems thinking and design thinking perspectives. We also provide a real-world illustration of aspirations for true transdisciplinary approaches that include communities and stakeholders in research processes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":313,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Science & Policy","volume":"166 ","pages":"Article 104028"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-03-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143601550","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-03-08DOI: 10.1016/j.envsci.2025.104034
Eli Hatleskog
This paper explores how systems informed collaborative design practice can help multi-discipline, multi-stakeholder research to integrate knowledge and think in aligned ways. Whilst there is growing appreciation for the need to do joined-up complex research and move beyond one-way research processes, there is less consensus on how researchers can practically work together to integrate their skills, expertise, and knowledge. Through working closely with an ongoing research consortium, participatory design approaches were developed that can benefit complex research projects, leading towards better collaboration across disciplines sectors and publics. Learning from interviews with researchers on a large-scale multi-discipline multi-sector consortium, who came from different backgrounds, with varying perspectives and expectations, collaborative design methods were developed to support researchers in taking self-determined steps toward more productive research infrastructures. The consortium aimed to employ systems approaches to help researchers to understand and address complex urban challenges. Taking a starting point in different understandings of systems approaches on the project, the design research was influenced by contemporary approaches to community involvement in the urban planning system. The activities described in this paper sought to build capacity towards a responsive infrastructure of shared connections, interests, and needs, with the overarching aims of supporting future discussions about dynamics, interactions, alignments, and synergies; and making a process contribution to the improved integration of the consortium.
{"title":"Infrastructuring to support multi-discipline, multi-stakeholder research: Co-designing synergy through a systems lens","authors":"Eli Hatleskog","doi":"10.1016/j.envsci.2025.104034","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.envsci.2025.104034","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This paper explores how systems informed collaborative design practice can help multi-discipline, multi-stakeholder research to integrate knowledge and think in aligned ways. Whilst there is growing appreciation for the need to do joined-up complex research and move beyond one-way research processes, there is less consensus on how researchers can practically work together to integrate their skills, expertise, and knowledge. Through working closely with an ongoing research consortium, participatory design approaches were developed that can benefit complex research projects, leading towards better collaboration across disciplines sectors and publics. Learning from interviews with researchers on a large-scale multi-discipline multi-sector consortium, who came from different backgrounds, with varying perspectives and expectations, collaborative design methods were developed to support researchers in taking self-determined steps toward more productive research infrastructures. The consortium aimed to employ systems approaches to help researchers to understand and address complex urban challenges. Taking a starting point in different understandings of systems approaches on the project, the design research was influenced by contemporary approaches to community involvement in the urban planning system. The activities described in this paper sought to build capacity towards a responsive infrastructure of shared connections, interests, and needs, with the overarching aims of supporting future discussions about dynamics, interactions, alignments, and synergies; and making a process contribution to the improved integration of the consortium.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":313,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Science & Policy","volume":"166 ","pages":"Article 104034"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-03-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143579702","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
This paper considers the merits of combining LDA topic modeling as a technique in Natural Language Processing [NLP] and policy analysis to contribute to methods for systematically analysing the rapidly evolving climate policy landscape. The novelty of the use of topic modelling within our methods contributes to a growing literature on using NLP to analyse policy changes. In our case study, we consider the policy frame of “climate emergency”. Eight years after the first declaration of climate emergency and now with the movement slowing, it is timely to reflect on the presence (or not) of the climate emergency policy mode. To do so, we undertake a text analysis of local government climate strategy documents of 70 local governments in Australia that declared a climate emergency from 2016 to the end of 2022. We aim to ascertain whether the framing of "climate emergency" can be detected in real-world policy utilising a mixed-methods approach of qualitative and quantitative methods, including the use of LDA topic modelling and qualitative policy analysis. We conclude that topic modelling techniques such as LDA contribute to the identification and analysis of the evolving framing of “climate emergency” in local governments’ policies. LDA Topic modelling complements traditional qualitative policy analysis by introducing efficient and replicable methods for comprehensive examination of policy documents. In addition, for the first time at scale, we can assess the impact of the Climate Emergency Declaration movement across local governments in Australia, revealing the presence of all key attributes of the climate emergency mode.
{"title":"Reflections eight years on from the first declaration of climate emergency: The role of LDA topic modelling combined with qualitative policy analysis in detecting a frame of \"climate emergency\" in real-world policy","authors":"Kathryn Davidson , Thi Minh Phuong Nguyen , Sombol Mokhles , Zichao Sang","doi":"10.1016/j.envsci.2025.104035","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.envsci.2025.104035","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This paper considers the merits of combining LDA topic modeling as a technique in Natural Language Processing [NLP] and policy analysis to contribute to methods for systematically analysing the rapidly evolving climate policy landscape. The novelty of the use of topic modelling within our methods contributes to a growing literature on using NLP to analyse policy changes. In our case study, we consider the policy frame of “climate emergency”. Eight years after the first declaration of climate emergency and now with the movement slowing, it is timely to reflect on the presence (or not) of the climate emergency policy mode. To do so, we undertake a text analysis of local government climate strategy documents of 70 local governments in Australia that declared a climate emergency from 2016 to the end of 2022. We aim to ascertain whether the framing of \"climate emergency\" can be detected in real-world policy utilising a mixed-methods approach of qualitative and quantitative methods, including the use of LDA topic modelling and qualitative policy analysis. We conclude that topic modelling techniques such as LDA contribute to the identification and analysis of the evolving framing of “climate emergency” in local governments’ policies. LDA Topic modelling complements traditional qualitative policy analysis by introducing efficient and replicable methods for comprehensive examination of policy documents. In addition, for the first time at scale, we can assess the impact of the Climate Emergency Declaration movement across local governments in Australia, revealing the presence of all key attributes of the climate emergency mode.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":313,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Science & Policy","volume":"166 ","pages":"Article 104035"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-03-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143562808","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-03-07DOI: 10.1016/j.envsci.2025.104029
Tamara Avellán , Andrea B. Müller , Daniella Kristensen , Chrysaida-Aliki Papadopoulou , Maria P. Papadopoulou , Ingrida Bremere , Stefania Munaretto , Florentina Nanu , Malgorzata Blicharska
Transdisciplinary Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystem (WEFE) Nexus projects intend to engage stakeholders from a broad base. European Union funded projects must adhere to General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) that govern the way in which personal data of stakeholders is gathered, stored, and used. In the H2020 project NEXOGENESIS, WEFE nexus interlinkages are assessed in five river basins, four in Europe and one in Southern Africa. This work is carried out in a participatory manner and stakeholder engagement plays a central role. Stakeholders were asked to actively consent to the collection, storage, and use of their information through a privacy policy consent form. Active engagement with stakeholders occurred in the first half of the project (2021–2023) through stakeholder workshops via different modalities in each of the five case studies, and targeted stakeholder interviews and focus group discussions. We show that the stakeholders that actively consent to the use of their information are not evenly distributed across all sectors but are generally from the water sector and have high interest and rather low power. Our study provides evidence that the need to sign a consent form reveals biases in the stakeholder landscape. Results also show that consent rates increased with active engagement situations and were relatively high through face-to-face interactions but were the highest in absolute terms through hybrid events. Using consent forms not only helps increase the transparency of how personal data of stakeholders is used, but also helps show the biases that are present in the active stakeholder base.
{"title":"Impact of explicit consent to data protection rules on the stakeholder landscape in transdisciplinary Nexus research projects","authors":"Tamara Avellán , Andrea B. Müller , Daniella Kristensen , Chrysaida-Aliki Papadopoulou , Maria P. Papadopoulou , Ingrida Bremere , Stefania Munaretto , Florentina Nanu , Malgorzata Blicharska","doi":"10.1016/j.envsci.2025.104029","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.envsci.2025.104029","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Transdisciplinary Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystem (WEFE) Nexus projects intend to engage stakeholders from a broad base. European Union funded projects must adhere to General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) that govern the way in which personal data of stakeholders is gathered, stored, and used. In the H2020 project NEXOGENESIS, WEFE nexus interlinkages are assessed in five river basins, four in Europe and one in Southern Africa. This work is carried out in a participatory manner and stakeholder engagement plays a central role. Stakeholders were asked to actively consent to the collection, storage, and use of their information through a privacy policy consent form. Active engagement with stakeholders occurred in the first half of the project (2021–2023) through stakeholder workshops via different modalities in each of the five case studies, and targeted stakeholder interviews and focus group discussions. We show that the stakeholders that actively consent to the use of their information are not evenly distributed across all sectors but are generally from the water sector and have high interest and rather low power. Our study provides evidence that the need to sign a consent form reveals biases in the stakeholder landscape. Results also show that consent rates increased with active engagement situations and were relatively high through face-to-face interactions but were the highest in absolute terms through hybrid events. Using consent forms not only helps increase the transparency of how personal data of stakeholders is used, but also helps show the biases that are present in the active stakeholder base.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":313,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Science & Policy","volume":"166 ","pages":"Article 104029"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-03-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143562809","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-03-03DOI: 10.1016/j.envsci.2025.104026
Alexander J.F. Martin , Emma S. Bacon , Niigani Migizikwe Jenna V.L. Valiquette , Serena Soucy , Amber Grant , Tenley M. Conway
Environmental justice in urban forestry is concerned with recognizing and centering the needs of under-engaged communities in planning and decision-making processes. To examine the engagement and visibility of Indigenous Peoples in urban forestry, this study reviewed 181 urban forest management plans (UFMPs) from Canada and the United States. Themes pertaining to Indigenous Peoples were found in only 16 Canadian (22 %) and 27 US (25 %) UFMPs. The most common reference to Indigeneity in the UFMPs briefly referred to the pre-European history of the region, often omitting how settler-colonialism impacted the socio-ecological landscape. Only three UFMPs included a land acknowledgement, despite all cities being located on traditional territory of Indigenous Peoples. Even with a focus on the socio-ecological benefits of urban trees throughout the UFMPs, few referenced socio-cultural and provisioning benefits for Indigenous Peoples specifically. On-going Indigenous engagement was only discussed in one UFMP, although five acknowledged Indigenous engagement in creating the UFMP and eight mentioned plans for long-term engagement. Reconciliation was described in three UFMPs, with one Canadian UFMP referencing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action. Given the deep cultural connection that Indigenous communities share with the environment, the impacts of settler colonialism, and the underrepresentation of reconciliation and decolonization principles with urban environmental planning, it is imperative that Indigenous Peoples be recognized and centered within urban forest planning and decision-making. Supporting engagement and co-governance with Indigenous Peoples acknowledges their rights, traditional ways of knowing, promotes recognitional justice, and helps to foster a more sustainable and just urban future.
{"title":"History, engagement, and visibility of Indigenous Peoples in urban forest management plans from Canada and the United States","authors":"Alexander J.F. Martin , Emma S. Bacon , Niigani Migizikwe Jenna V.L. Valiquette , Serena Soucy , Amber Grant , Tenley M. Conway","doi":"10.1016/j.envsci.2025.104026","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.envsci.2025.104026","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Environmental justice in urban forestry is concerned with recognizing and centering the needs of under-engaged communities in planning and decision-making processes. To examine the engagement and visibility of Indigenous Peoples in urban forestry, this study reviewed 181 urban forest management plans (UFMPs) from Canada and the United States. Themes pertaining to Indigenous Peoples were found in only 16 Canadian (22 %) and 27 US (25 %) UFMPs. The most common reference to Indigeneity in the UFMPs briefly referred to the pre-European history of the region, often omitting how settler-colonialism impacted the socio-ecological landscape. Only three UFMPs included a land acknowledgement, despite all cities being located on traditional territory of Indigenous Peoples. Even with a focus on the socio-ecological benefits of urban trees throughout the UFMPs, few referenced socio-cultural and provisioning benefits for Indigenous Peoples specifically. On-going Indigenous engagement was only discussed in one UFMP, although five acknowledged Indigenous engagement in creating the UFMP and eight mentioned plans for long-term engagement. Reconciliation was described in three UFMPs, with one Canadian UFMP referencing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action. Given the deep cultural connection that Indigenous communities share with the environment, the impacts of settler colonialism, and the underrepresentation of reconciliation and decolonization principles with urban environmental planning, it is imperative that Indigenous Peoples be recognized and centered within urban forest planning and decision-making. Supporting engagement and co-governance with Indigenous Peoples acknowledges their rights, traditional ways of knowing, promotes recognitional justice, and helps to foster a more sustainable and just urban future.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":313,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Science & Policy","volume":"166 ","pages":"Article 104026"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-03-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143549464","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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