Article
Environmental Sciences
Mark Wiering, Sabrina Kirschke, Nasir Uddin Akif
Summary: Nutrient pollution from agriculture is a major obstacle to achieving the water quality goals of the European Water Framework Directive. This study analyzes the relationship between governance structures and the practical measures taken to address diffuse nutrient pollution, as well as the choice of policy instruments. The results suggest that the governance structures may not be as important as previously thought in determining the nature of practical measures and policy instrument choices.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jinpeng Zou, Xiaodong Chen, Fang Liu, Fang Wang, Mingling Du, Bin Wu, Ni Yang
Summary: This paper analyzes the economic policy instruments in China and the UK and suggests improvements for China. It proposes three principles for innovating water quality governance and provides recommendations for deepening reforms and pilot projects. The paper can also serve as a reference for water pollution control in other developing countries.
Article
Environmental Studies
K. L. Blackstock, P. Novo, A. Byg, R. Creaney, A. Juarez Bourke, J. L. Maxwell, S. J. Tindale, K. A. Waylen
Summary: The research highlights the importance of interdependency and hybridity among environmental policy instruments in Scottish agricultural and forested areas for effective governance of public goods. There is a need for a more systemic approach to policy instrument implementation in order to better coordinate their objectives. The study calls for on-the-ground research on policy instruments to gain a deeper understanding of their role and challenges in environmental governance.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Marija Leko Kos, Lidija Tadic
Summary: The sedimentation of drainage canals is a common process influenced by various geographical and hydrological factors, with pollutants often accumulating and posing environmental risks in smaller catchment areas. Through data analysis and modeling, the study demonstrates the need for enhanced environmental risk assessment for smaller water bodies.
Article
Environmental Sciences
S. Shahvi, P-E Mellander, P. Jordan, O. Fenton
Summary: The study used a systems thinking approach and Fuzzy Cognitive Maps to investigate different stakeholders' views on the water governance framework and influencing factors, revealing diverse perceptions of governance structures and factor rankings among stakeholders.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Anastasio J. Villanueva, Klaus Glenk
Summary: The study examines irrigators' preferences towards policy instruments in southern Spain, finding high preferences for water storage account and improved infrastructure, while low preferences for water banks and markets. Preference heterogeneity was high, with irrigators categorized into market haters, pond haters, bank haters, and pond lovers.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
B. Grizzetti, O. Vigiak, A. Udias, A. Aloe, M. Zanni, F. Bouraoui, A. Pistocchi, C. Dorati, R. Friedland, A. De Roo, C. Benitez Sanz, A. Leip, M. Bielza
Summary: The study analyzed the current pressures of nitrogen and phosphorus emissions to European fresh and coastal waters from 2005 to 2012, as well as the effects of three policy scenarios of nutrient reduction. Results showed that policy measures supporting technological improvements could decrease nutrient export to the seas, improving the ecological status of rivers and lakes but potentially worsening the nutrient imbalance in coastal ecosystems and eutrophication.
GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE-HUMAN AND POLICY DIMENSIONS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Els Belmans, Lieve Borremans, Lone Soderkvist Kristensen, Nicoleta Alina Suciu, Eva Kerselaers
Summary: The research proposes a practical guide for water governance assessment and improvement, consisting of three steps: assessment, implementation of a multi-actor process, and evaluation. Implementing the guide in different action labs showed progress towards goals, with water managers appreciating the integrated approach and the leaders finding the guide hands-on and practical.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Richard J. Cooper, Kevin M. Hiscock
Summary: The EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) is considered a milestone in environmental legislation, but many European water bodies still fail to meet its ambitious goals. This study focuses on the impact of the WFD on the River Wensum in eastern England. By analyzing water quality data from 2000 to 2022, it reveals improvements in wastewater treatment but a deterioration in agricultural pollution indicators. Concentration spikes of organic chemical contaminants and changes in discharge increase the risk of riverine pollution. Despite achieving good or high water quality status for some indicators, compliance with WFD goals for phosphorus and nitrogen is low and projected to persist due to legacy stores and climate change effects.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jenny Rowbottom, Morten Graversgaard, Isobel Wright, Karl Dudman, Susanne Klages, Claudia Heidecke, Nicolas Surdyk, Laurence Gourcy, Ines Amorim Leita, Antonio Dinis Ferreira, Susanne Wuijts, Sandra Boekhold, Donnacha G. Doody, Matjaz Glavan, Rozalija Cvejic, Gerard Velthof
Summary: This study examines the differences in multi-level governance implementation of the Water Framework Directive (WFD) across several European countries. It explores the impact of historical choices on the challenges and governance arrangements surrounding WFD implementation. It concludes that a hybrid approach to water governance, including both decentralization and centralization, is necessary for effective implementation and stakeholder engagement.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Elisa Soana, Elisa Anna Fano, Giuseppe Castaldelli
Summary: Research shows that managing in-stream vegetation in agricultural waters can effectively reduce nitrate pollution, thus protecting water quality in coastal areas.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Economics
Syezlin Hasan, Line Block Hansen, James C. R. Smart, Berit Hasler, Mette Termansen
Summary: This study explores the feasibility of managing nitrogen through a smart market trading system in a realistic setting. The results show that the smart market can significantly reduce the cost of achieving nitrogen reduction targets and is relatively robust. Participating farms also benefit from net gains.
ENVIRONMENTAL & RESOURCE ECONOMICS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Sana Ullah, Ilhan Ozturk, Sidra Sohail
Summary: This study in Pakistan finds that the impacts of different fiscal and monetary policy instruments vary, with positive and negative shocks in fiscal policy affecting carbon emissions differently in the short and long run, and positive shocks in monetary policy having a contradictory effect in terms of carbon emissions over time. Policymakers should consider utilizing both types of policy instruments to balance economic growth and environmental protection.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Environmental Studies
Kerstin Potthoff, Wenche E. Dramstad
Summary: Renting agricultural land is a common practice among farmers, but the factors influencing their investment decisions on rented land are complex and may include non-economic factors. This study found that while some variables can explain part of the investment decisions, there is still a significant amount of unexplained variation. This suggests that trust or norms, as well as individual differences among farmers and investments, may play a role in these decisions. Policymakers face challenges in developing measures targeting farmers renting land, but the finding that farmers are driving longer distances to rented land than they find acceptable deserves attention.
Article
Environmental Studies
Michele Marini, Dario Caro, Marianne Thomsen
Summary: In recent decades, urban agriculture (UA) and controlled environmental agriculture (CEA) have been blossoming in urban areas around the world, providing fresh food and contributing to the sustainable development of urban landscapes. Municipal policies and regulatory tools play a crucial role in supporting and managing UA and CEA. However, there is a lack of systematic evaluations of the impacts and effectiveness of city-level food policies for UA/CEA, especially in Europe. This study aims to fill this gap by examining municipal policies that affect UA/CEA in four EU cities and analyzing the various policy instruments employed.