Environmental governance theories: a review and application to coastal systems

Abstract

This article synthesizes and compares environmental governance theories. For each theory we outline its main tenets, claims, origin, and supporting literature. We then group the theories into focused versus combinatory frameworks for comparison. The analysis resonates with many types of ecosystems; however, to make it more tangible, we focus on coastal systems. First, we characterize coastal governance challenges and then later link salient research questions arising from these challenges to the theories that may be useful in answering them. Our discussion emphasizes the usefulness of having a diverse theoretical toolbox, and we argue that if governance analysts are more broadly informed about the theories available, they may more easily engage in open-minded interdisciplinary collaboration. The eight theories examined are the following: polycentricity, network governance, multilevel governance, collective action, governmentality (power / knowledge), adaptive governance, interactive governance theory (IGT), and evolutionary governance theory (EGT). Polycentricity and network governance both help examine the links or connections in governance processes. Polycentricity emphasizes structural configurations at a broader level, and network governance highlights agency and information flow within and between individuals or organizations. Collective action theory is helpful for examining community level governance, and helps analyze variables hindering or enabling self-organization and shared resource outcomes. In contrast, multilevel governance helps understand governance integration processes between localities, regions, and states across administrative, policy, or legal dimensions. Governmentality is helpful for understanding the role of discourse, power, knowledge, and narratives in governance, such as who creates them and who becomes governed by them with what effect. Adaptive governance helps analyze the links between context, change, and resilience. IGT helps examine the interdependencies between the systems being governed and the governing systems. EGT is helpful for unpacking how coevolutionary processes shape governance and the options for change.

Coastal and Marine Socio-Ecological Systems: A Systematic Review of the Literature

“…Several of the reviewed studies highlight the challenges associated with governance at the land-sea interface since terrestrial and aquatic environments are typically covered by different authorities. This finding is congruent with Partelow et al (2020), who criticized the traditional separation in land-sea regulation as well as the use of theories and applications grounded on some natural resources and specific sectors (see Partelow et al, 2020 for further information on governance theories applied to coastal environments). Bigagli (2016) described two global policies that address the unique characteristics of the land-sea interface: the Global Programme of Action for Protection of the Marine Environment from Landbased Activities (commonly referred to as the GPA) and the Water Framework Directive.…”

Territorial governance of managed retreat in Sweden: addressing challenges

“…Adaptive governance seeks to understand how formal and informal institutions and networks can help create resilient socio-ecological systems and climate adaptation (e.g. Partelow et al 2020).…”

“…Thus, they developed an integrated theoretical governance framework of the Five R Governance Capabilities (Termeer et al 2016) -(1) reflexibility, (2) responsibleness, (3) resilience, (4) revitalization and (5) rescaling, which may be useful to show the hindering or enabling conditions of climate adaptation strategies as well as their mutual interplay. Partelow et al (2020) in their review of environmental governance theories have showcased combined theories and discussed their analytical strengths and applicability to coastal systems, including adaptive governance, interactive governance theory and evolutionary governance theory (EGT). In particular, EGT theory emphasizes that the role of discourse in governance analysis adds a temporal aspect to the analysis.…”

“…Integrating various sectoral interests of the territorial governance framework evokes how elements of multi-level governance can highlight the vertical organizational configurations that affect the implementation of environmental policies (Partelow et al 2020) and how to deal with conflicting interests (Johnson 2020). In the Swedish cases, while the potential conflicts of interest were illuminated by workshop participants, finding ways to overcome these conflicts and work intersectoral was difficult.…”

Strategic Spatial Planning in Emerging Land-Use Frontiers – Evidence from Mozambique

“…SSP is described as a set of concepts, procedures and tools that must be tailored carefully to different spatial contexts (Albrechts et al 2017, Albrechts 2010. SSP, which has already been linked to ecosystem services (Wilkinson et al 2013), environmental governance theories (Partelow et al 2020) or adaptive capacity of threatened communities (Blythe et al 2014) is thus selective and oriented towards issues that are prioritized by a myriad of stakeholders. Urban and rural regions often develop SSP processes in an attempt to transform spatial-economic, social and ecological conditions, as well as to support structural shifts away from, for example, an industry-based approach, towards a service-oriented urban region or the knowledge-economy (Oliveira 2016).…”