Behavioral patterns of environmental performance evaluation programs. (1st November 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Li, Wanxin; Mauerhofer, Volker
• Is Part Of: Journal of environmental management. Volume 182(2016)
• Page Start: 429
• Page End: 435
• Publication Date: 2016-11-01
• Subjects: Environmental performance evaluation -- Environmental management -- Multi-level environmental governance; CIESIN Center for International Earth Science Information Network -- CSDR China's Sustainable Development Strategy Report -- DEFRA Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs -- EPA Environmental Performance Assessment -- EPI Environmental Performance Index -- EPR OECD Environmental Performance Review -- ESI Environmental Sustainability Index -- EU European Union -- GMS Greater Mekong Subregion -- ISD Indicators of Sustainable Development -- MCE Model City for Protecting the Environment -- MDGs Millennium Development Goals -- MEP Ministry of Environmental Protection -- ODPM Office of the Deputy Prime Minister -- OECD Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development -- QECCUE Quantitative Examination of Comprehensive Control of Urban Environment -- QLA Quality of Life Audit -- SDA Sustainable Development Audit -- UA Urban Audit -- UN CSD United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development -- YCELP Yale Center for Environmental Law and Policy; Environmental policy -- Periodicals; Environmental management -- Periodicals; Environment -- Periodicals; Ecology -- Periodicals; 363.705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2016.07.085
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0301-4797

Abstract

Abstract: During the past decades numerous environmental performance evaluation programs have been developed and implemented on different geographic scales. This paper develops a taxonomy of environmental management behavioral patterns in order to provide a practical comparison tool for environmental performance evaluation programs. Ten such programs purposively selected are mapped against the identified four behavioral patterns in the form of diagnosis, negotiation, learning, and socialization and learning. Overall, we found that schemes which serve to diagnose environmental abnormalities are mainly externally imposed and have been developed as a result of technical debates concerning data sources, methodology and ranking criteria. Learning oriented scheme is featured by processes through which free exchange of ideas, mutual and adaptive learning can occur. Scheme developed by higher authority for influencing behaviors of lower levels of government has been adopted by the evaluated to signal their excellent environmental performance. The socializing and learning classified evaluation schemes have incorporated dialogue, participation, and capacity building in program design. In conclusion we consider the 'fitness for purpose' of the various schemes, the merits of our analytical model and the future possibilities of fostering capacity building in the realm of wicked environmental challenges. Highlights: The paper provides an innovative methodological option for theory and practice. It offers a new tool categorizing behavioral patterns in environmental management. The tool's applicability is shown on 10 wide-spread environmental evaluation schemes. The tool appears to be replicable on schemes covering each continent and beyond.