Navigating the nexus: The role of intermediaries in charting a new frontier of policy integration for agrifood and energy systems transformation. Issue 139 (January 2023) - Ptak, Emilia Noel
Abstract: The effects of climate change are instigating a discourse shift towards net-zero emissions agriculture. However, a sectoral silo paradigm of policy design is incompatible with a systems approach to address complex global environmental challenges. This study introduces a social cartography approach that amalgamates network theory with a nexus perspective to identify social relation changes in the making. The study examines the role of an advisor-led initiative promoting the discourse of climate-smart farming in Scotland and identifies the impacts upon farmer knowledge networks. The social cartography comprises of a survey, farm meeting observations, and social network analysis of the agriculture, climate change, and energy (ACE) policyscape. As a visualization method, the social cartography provides a conceptual compass to navigate social relation changes of farmer knowledge networks amidst discursive transition. The results demonstrate that the advisor-led initiative acts an intermediary of discursive transition by introducing new knowledge frames and practices of farming that facilitate network shifts. However, voluntary measures fall short of instigating cross-sectoral interplay to actualize transformation towards systems integration. Furthermore, the study presents policy design elements to chart a new frontier of integrated agrifood and energy systems governance in Scotland. Highlights: Innovative policyscape approach to agrifood systems transformation. Novel ACE nexus concept: agriculture, climate change, energy policy intersection. Role of advisors as intermediaries in farmer knowledge networks. Social processes and properties for discourse transition. Policy design elements for integrated agrifood and energy systems governance.