www.ccp-online.org | CCP 1 (2007): 51-71

DOES PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN ENVIRONMENTAL DECISIONS LEAD TO IMPROVED ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY? Towards an analytical framework.

---

Newig, Jens

Abstract: In times of continuing implementation deficits, environmental governance inreasingly relies on the participation of non-state actors such as citizens and organized interest groups. Focusing on substantive outcomes, participation becomes a means to achieve environmental goals in a more targeted, swift and effective way. Specifically, participatory governance relies on the expectation that participation improves the ‘quality’ of decisions by incorporating the knowledge of local actors. Moreover, it is expected that the involvement of non-state actors leads to a higher acceptance of decisions and thus improves implementation and compliance. Both mechanisms are assumed to ultimately lead to better environmental outcomes as opposed to more hierarchical modes of steering.

To what extent, however, this ‘instrumental claim’ empirically applies, is still poorly understood. The effects of participatory processes with regard to implementation of and compliance with political measures have up to now neither been sufficiently conceptualized nor empirically explored in a systematic fashion. This contribution seeks to con-ceptualise the ‘instrumental claim’ on the basis of a causal model. A number of key mechanisms that affect participatory processes are identified and classified into context, process and result variables. The paper concludes by suggesting ways to utilise the proposed model as a conceptual framework for comparative empirical analysis.

Keywords: Rationales for Public Participation, Effectiveness, Legitimacy, Implementation, Aarhus Convention, Causal Model

Contact:

Dr. Jens Newig
Assistant Professor
Institute of Environmental Systems Research University of Osnabrück
Barbarastr. 12 /
D-49069 Osnabrück
Phone: +49 541 969-2315
Fax: +49 541 969-2368

E-Mail: jens.newig@usf.uos.de