Cross-scale governance and the analysis of policy implementation for water management, with particular regard to climate adaptation, industrial pollution and impacts of agriculture

2011 ◽  
Vol 2 (2-3) ◽  
pp. 123-142
Author(s):  
Andrew M. Farmer
Keyword(s):  
Water Management ◽  
Information Transmission ◽  
Policy Development ◽  
Industrial Pollution ◽  
Climate Adaptation ◽  
National Level ◽  
Ecological Status ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Good Ecological Status

This paper explores cross-scale governance between the European Union (EU) and Member State level arising from the identification of key policy priorities by stakeholders in six river basins across Europe and their relationship to EU policy development and implementation. Particular emphasis is given to interpretation of Good Ecological Status in implementing the EU Water Framework Directive, climate adaptation for water management, application of agri-environment measures to reduce agricultural impacts on water and control of discharges from industry. The paper also examines lessons from wider sources of information such as legal analysis of transposition of EU law at national level and the rulings of the European Court of Justice. The analysis identifies a number of different types of ‘information’ transmission between the different governance scales. Information includes a range of governance issues, including transmission of rules. These are exact ‘information’ transmission (water quality standards), national elaboration of information transmitted (adapting to climate change), national simplification of information transmitted (industrial pollution control), distributed information transmission (in national transposition), fuzzy transmission of information (interpretation of Good Ecological Status) and barriers to transmission (available funding). The paper concludes by considering the importance of cross-scale analysis in assessing policy effectiveness and argues for further analysis drawing on cross-scale research derived from ecosystems analysis.

Who has to pay for measures in the field of water management? A proposal for applying the polluter pays principle

2009 ◽  
Vol 59 (2) ◽  
pp. 359-365 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Grünebaum ◽  
Heinrich Schweder ◽  
Michael Weyand
Keyword(s):  
Water Management ◽  
River Basin ◽  
Ecological Status ◽  
Integrative Approach ◽  
Vested Interests ◽  
Financial Expenditure ◽  
Polluter Pays Principle ◽  
Good Ecological Status ◽  
Special Algorithm ◽  
Small Tributary

There is no doubt about the fact that the implementation of the European Water Framework Directive (WFD) and the pursuit of its goal of good ecological status will give rise to measures in different fields of water management. However, a conclusive and transparent method of financing these measures is still missing up to now. Measures in the water management sector are no mere end in themselves; instead, they serve specific ends directed at human activities or they serve general environment objectives. Following the integrative approach of the WFD on looking upon river basins as a whole and its requirement to observe the polluter pays principle, all different groups within a river basin should contribute to the costs according to their cost-bearer roles as polluters, stakeholders with vested interests or beneficiaries via relevant yardsticks. In order to quantify the financial expenditure of each cost bearer, a special algorithm was developed and tested in the river basin of a small tributary of the Ruhr River. It was proved to be generally practicable with regard to its handling and the comprehension of the results. Therefore, the application of a cost bearer system based on the polluter-pays principle and thus in correspondence with the WFD's requirements should appear possible in order to finance future measures.

scholarly journals European Union Telecommunications Policy

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seamus Simpson
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Policy Development ◽  
National Level ◽  
Telecommunications Policy ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Electronic Communications ◽  
Sectoral Change ◽  
Neoliberal Economics ◽  
Policy Proposals ◽  
The Eu

For most of the 20th century, telecommunications was a matter of national governance and thus of peripheral interest to the European Union. Then from the mid- to late-1980s, the EU began to develop an intensified policy package for the telecommunications sector. Telecommunications has now grown to become one of the most prominent and extensive policy areas addressed by the EU. But what accounts for such a remarkable Europeanization of telecommunications governance? In polar contrast to its origins, telecommunications has become a key focus in neoliberal economics and policy in effecting sectoral change. This development went hand in hand with arguments around propounding the benefits of economic globalization, which sustained a move to internationalize the organization of telecommunications to the European level along neoliberal lines. However, notwithstanding the remarkable growth of the EU governance framework for telecommunications, there are nuances in the analysis of the constant resistance to the wholesale Europeanization of telecommunications policy that provide evidence of a residual tension between national- and EU-level interests. This tension has been evident in policy proposals, decision-making, and implementation at key junctures for more since the late 1980s The policy has played key roles at different times, in particular, on the national level, involving governmental, regulatory, and commercial actors. Telecommunications thus provides a classic illustration of the balance that needs to be struck in the development of communications policies in the EU between supranational and intergovernmental interests. Now part of a converging electronic communications sector, this feature of telecommunications governance is as prominent today as it was in the very early days of EU telecommunications policy development in the mid- to late-1980s.

Nitrate transport pathways in riparian zones of the Hagens Møllebæk catchment, northern Denmark

1969 ◽  
pp. 17-20
Author(s):  
Bertel Nilsson ◽  
Anker Lajer Højberg ◽  
Per Jensen
Keyword(s):  
Stream Water ◽  
Action Plan ◽  
Ecological Status ◽  
Mitigation Measures ◽  
Riparian Zones ◽  
Nitrate Transport ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Transport Pathways ◽  
Good Ecological Status ◽  
Targeted Approach

The Water Framework Directive (WFD) of the European Union prescribes “good ecological status” of all waters. In terms of nitrate this means, among other things, to avoid eutrophication and achieve a good ecological balance in surface water systems for the benefit of the groundwater dependent flora and fauna (Hinsby et al. 2012). In Denmark, the nitrate load to estuaries has been nearly halved since the first national action plan was implemented in the mid-1980s, but further abatements are required in many areas to fulfil the WFD. New approaches to regulate nitrate use are needed with measures targeted to the areas where most effect is obtained, and this is recognised at political level. Recent legislation allows farmers to increase nitrate application, but should at the same time introduce new mitigation measures and a more targeted approach to regulation. Therefore the physical system, i.e. the geological framework and topography, of the catchment has to be understood (Winter 1999). Previous studies have shown that in hydrological catchments with high geological variability, sampling of groundwater in riparian zones, the stream water itself and water in the stream bed can help to identify near-stream areas with specific nitrate problems. Detailed studies are, however, not feasible in all catchments, and development of representative typologies to guide an optimal location of mitigation measures in the catchment is thus needed. The present study is a detailed characterisation of nitrate transport and reduction in the groundwater–stream system in the river Hagens Møllebæk catchment for this purpose.

scholarly journals The structure of the rural economy in Romania. Case study on macro-region 2

2014 ◽  
Vol 71 (1) ◽  
pp. 76-83
Author(s):  
Mihaela KRUSZLICIKA ◽  
Verginia CHIRITESCU ◽  
Camelia GAVRILESCU ◽  
Viorica GAVRILÄ‚ ◽  
Daniela Ruxandra ANDREI
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Rural Population ◽  
Rural Economy ◽  
National Level ◽  
Self Healing ◽  
Agricultural Activities ◽  
Small Farms ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Mountain Areas

Romanian rural area includes most of the territory of Romania, according to statistics, accounting for 87.1% of the total. Romanian rural economy is still largely agrarian, because in Romania the agricultural economy itself has a weight of 60.5% in its structure, compared to only 14.1% in the EU Deep structural causes distorted Romanian rural economy and rural population has a similar structure by sector (primary sector 64.2%, of which 56.6% agriculture, 18.5% secondary sector, tertiary sector 17.3%). Romanian-scale rural non-farm economy, has a low weight and rural tourism in all its variants, except for some mountain areas (Bran - Moeciu, Apuseni, Maramures, Bucovina) and the Danube Delta is almost nonexistent (11,000 beds in about 1,600 rural locations). The main objectives of the research were: overall characterization of the Romanian rural economy, showing the evolution of the structure of the rural economy in Macro-region 2 of Romania and identify differences between the structures of the rural economy nationally and regionally. In this context, we took into account agricultural activities (in the vegetal and animal sector) and non-agricultural activities suitable for each area (region). This article was prepared by using various sources of information, both quantitative and qualitative, such as: official statistics on national and territorial profile; analysis, reports and local studies; the information included in the rural development plans and national strategies; regional and local qualitative information obtained through direct communication with local stakeholders. Romanian agrarian structures are strongly polarized, about 40% of the agricultural area (UAA) of Romania is 2.5 to 2,800,000 small and very small farms (less than 5 ha), 40% of the UAA of the country, that area from 3.8 to 4.0 million ha is owned by 800 large farms (with area of ​​over 1,000 ha each) and 20% of Romania's UAA holdings surface is comparable to the European Union (5 - 50 ha). The structure of the rural economy in the Macro-region 2 of Romania, like the national level, reveals the dominance of agriculture as the main activity, but also a significant degree of development of agriculture related activities. The importance and need for diversified rural economy and rural areas based on multifunctionality based start being more obvious in Romania of 2013, maintaining the social and ecological agriculture, especially for reasons of self-healing micro-regional level, but developing income-generating agricultural activities, efficient and competitive. Keeping the family farm is the subject of European rural policy term. This also applies to less direct interventions aimed at grouping small farms economically viable units, but rather to stimulate the diversification of activities in these areas. In a broader context, it tends to recognize equally diversification requirements, the economic base in rural areas, and to drive public service by providing the rural population.

Towards good ecological status of surface waters in Europe - interpretation and harmonisation of the concept

2004 ◽  
Vol 49 (7) ◽  
pp. 169-177 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.-S. Heiskanen ◽  
W. van de Bund ◽  
A.C. Cardoso ◽  
P. Nõges
Keyword(s):  
Water Management ◽  
Surface Water ◽  
Surface Waters ◽  
Groundwater Resources ◽  
Reference Conditions ◽  
Ecological Status ◽  
Water Bodies ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Anthropogenic Pressures ◽  
High Good

The Water Framework Directive (WFD) is a new legislative framework to manage, use, protect, and restore surface water and groundwater resources and coastal waters in the European Union (EU). The aim is to ensure sustainable water management and to reach good water quality by 2015. The assessment of the ecological status and setting of the practical management goals require several steps. The process has started with the characterisation of the river basins including identification of surface water bodies and types, and identification of significant anthropogenic pressures and impacts. The water bodies will be classified in five quality classes (high, good, moderate, poor, bad) based on the Ecological Quality Ratio, which is a ratio between reference conditions and measured status of the biological quality elements. The normative criteria for high, good and moderate ecological status described in the WFD need to be made operational because those will be used to set the practical quality targets for surface water management. National ecological assessment systems and classifications will be harmonised through the WFD intercalibration exercise in order to ensure an equal level of ambition in achieving good surface waters status all over Europe.

scholarly journals Application of Macrophytes to the Assessment and Classification of Ecological Status above and below the Barrage with Hydroelectric Buildings

Water ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 1028 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paweł Tomczyk ◽  
Mirosław Wiatkowski ◽  
Łukasz Gruss
Keyword(s):  
Ecological Status ◽  
Water Bodies ◽  
The European Union ◽  
The Past ◽  
Trophic Index ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Reference Index ◽  
Good Ecological Status ◽  
Reference Section

The key goal of the Water Framework Directive is to achieve a good ecological status in water bodies. The ecological status is mainly determined by the biological elements, which are a very good indicator of the changes taking place in water environments. Thus, this article focuses on the analysis of different methods of assessment of the ecological status of water bodies based on macrophytes used in selected countries in the European Union (the Macrophyte Index for Rivers (MMOR)—Poland; the Mean Trophic Rank (MTR)—Ireland; the Trophic Index of Macrophytes (TIM)—Bavaria, Germany; the Bulgarian Reference Index of Macrophytes (RI-BG)—Bulgaria). Three research sections have been selected for research on the river Ślęza: The reference section, the section above the barrage and the section below the barrage. The analysis carried out revealed considerable similarity between the results obtained by all these methods—the differences were at most by one class of ecological status (and the analysis of sums of Wilcoxon’s ranks revealed that there were no differences between the results obtained using different methods, i.e., p = 0.860). With respect to surface waters, investigation of biological elements is important because it allows one to retrace the past and foresee the future based on the past and present trends in the changes occurring in the species diversity and structure of not only macrophytes, but also other groups of organisms. Further action is required that would determine the scope of influence of barrages with hydroelectric buildings on the environment (in the case of the investigated barrage this influence is negative).

scholarly journals The new EU water framework directive and participative evaluation processes: use of multicriteria tools in the evaluation of water management options in the Costa Del Sol (south Spain)

Geografie ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 109 (2) ◽  
pp. 156-169
Author(s):  
Pilar Paneque Salgado ◽  
Serafín Corral Quintana ◽  
Ângela Guimarăes Pereira ◽  
Leandro Del Moral Ituarte ◽  
Belén Pedregal Mateos
Keyword(s):  
Water Management ◽  
Water Framework Directive ◽  
Water Policy ◽  
Social Research ◽  
Ecological Status ◽  
Evaluation Process ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Management Options ◽  
Water Ecosystems ◽  
Management Alternatives

The European Union Water Framework Directive has become an engine of change in water policy, particularly in so far as it prioritises the rational use of water, restoration of the good ecological status of water ecosystems and public participation - diversity of perspectives and values - in decision-making, as a vital instrument to achieve these aims. This paper presents the results of the implementation of a participatory evaluation process to assess water management alternatives for the water supply in the Costa del Sol Occidental area in the province of Malaga. The techniques used in the process were multi-criteria evaluation and social research, with the involvement of the social actors identified in the analysis as a central tenet. It is maintained that by implementing participatory processes, it is possible to arrive at unconventional diagnoses, which can be developed into innovative water management alternatives, and that by taking into account all the values and interests at stake, it is possible to find solutions that overcome inertia, look beyond shortterm considerations and rationalize social conflicts and resistance.

European experience in transition to circular economy

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 598-617 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.V. Ratner
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Raw Materials ◽  
Action Plan ◽  
National Level ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Scientific Methods ◽  
European Experience ◽  
General Scientific ◽  
The Eu

Subject. The article considers the concept of circular economy, which has originated relatively recently in the academic literature, and is now increasingly recognized in many countries at the national level. In the European Union, the transition to circular economy is viewed as an opportunity to improve competitiveness of the European Union, protect businesses from resource shortages and fluctuating prices for raw materials and supplies, and a way to increase employment and innovation. Objectives. The aim of the study is to analyze the incentives developed by the European Commission for moving to circular economy, and to assess their effectiveness on the basis of statistical analysis. Methods. I employ general scientific methods of research. Results. The analysis of the EU Action Plan for the Circular Economy enabled to conclude that the results of the recent research in circular economy barriers, eco-innovation, technology and infrastructure were successfully integrated into the framework of this document. Understanding the root causes holding back the circular economy development and the balanced combination of economic and administrative incentives strengthened the Action Plan, and it contributed to the circular economy development in the EU. Conclusions. The measures to stimulate the development of the circular economy proposed in the European Action Plan can be viewed as a prototype for designing similar strategies in other countries, including Russia. Meanwhile, a more detailed analysis of barriers to the circular economy at the level of individual countries and regions is needed.

scholarly journals Economic burden of work injuries and diseases: a framework and application in five European Union countries

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Emile Tompa ◽  
Amirabbas Mofidi ◽  
Swenneke van den Heuvel ◽  
Thijmen van Bree ◽  
Frithjof Michaelsen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
The Netherlands ◽  
Economic Burden ◽  
National Level ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Indirect Costs ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Work Injuries ◽  
European Union Countries ◽  
Related Quality

Abstract Background Estimates of the economic burden of work injuries and diseases can help policymakers prioritize occupational health and safety policies and interventions in order to best allocate scarce resources. Several attempts have been made to estimate these economic burdens at the national level, but most have not included a comprehensive list of cost components, and none have attempted to implement a standard approach across several countries. The aim of our study is to develop a framework for estimating the economic burden of work injuries and diseases and implement it for selected European Union countries. Methods We develop an incidence cost framework using a bottom-up approach to estimate the societal burden of work injuries and diseases and implement it for five European Union countries. Three broad categories of costs are considered—direct healthcare, indirect productivity and intangible health-related quality of life costs. We begin with data on newly diagnosed work injuries and diseases from calendar year 2015. We consider lifetime costs for cases across all categories and incurred by all stakeholders. Sensitivity analysis is undertaken for key parameters. Results Indirect costs are the largest part of the economic burden, then direct costs and intangible costs. As a percentage of GDP, the highest overall costs are for Poland (10.4%), then Italy (6.7%), The Netherlands (3.6%), Germany (3.3%) and Finland (2.7%). The Netherlands has the highest per case costs (€75,342), then Italy (€58,411), Germany (€44,919), Finland (€43,069) and Poland (€38,918). Costs per working-age population are highest for Italy (€4956), then The Netherlands (€2930), Poland (€2793), Germany (€2527) and Finland (€2331). Conclusions Our framework serves as a template for estimating the economic burden of work injuries and diseases across countries in the European Union and elsewhere. Results can assist policymakers with identifying health and safety priority areas based on the magnitude of components, particularly when stratified by key characteristics such as industry, injury/disease, age and sex. Case costing can serve as an input into the economic evaluation of prevention initiatives. Comparisons across countries provide insights into the relevant performance of health and safety systems.

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