Opportunities and barriers for water co-governance-A critical analysis of seven cases of diffuse water pollution from agriculture in Europe, Australia and North America

Journal article (2018)

Authors

Morten Graversgaard Aarhus University
Beatrice Hedelin Karlstad University
Nico Stelljes Ecologic Institute
Cors van Den Brink Royal HaskoningDHV, University Medical Center Groningen
Jens Christian Refsgaard Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland
Laurence Smith SOAS University of London
Flemming Gertz Landbrug and Fødevarer F.M.B.A.
Anker Lajer Højberg Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland
John Langford University of Melbourne
Grit Martinez Ecologic Institute
E. Mostert Water Resources - CEG
Emilia Ptak Aarhus University
Heidi Peterson International Plant Nutrition Institute, University of Minnesota System
Research Group
Water Resources (CEG) (TU Delft)
Copyright: © 2018 Morten Graversgaard, Beatrice Hedelin, Laurence Smith, Flemming Gertz, Anker Lajer Højberg, John Langford, Grit Martinez, E. Mostert, Emilia Ptak, Heidi Peterson, Nico Stelljes, Cors van den Brink, Jens Christian Refsgaard
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su10051634
More Info
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Published Date

11-05-2018

Language

English

Faculty

Civil Engineering & Geosciences

Department

Water Management

Research Group

Water Resources

Abstract

Diffuse Water Pollution from Agriculture (DWPA) and its governance has received increased attention as a policy concern across the globe. Mitigation of DWPA is a complex problem that requires a mix of policy instruments and a multi-agency, broad societal response. In this paper, opportunities and barriers for developing co-governance, defined as collaborative societal involvement in the functions of government, and its suitability for mitigation of DWPA are reviewed using seven case studies in Europe (Poland, Denmark, Sweden, The Netherlands and UK), Australia (Murray-Darling Basin) and North America (State of Minnesota). An analytical framework for assessing opportunities and barriers of co-governance was developed and applied in this review. Results indicated that five key issues constitute both opportunities and barriers, and include: (i) pressure for change; (ii) connected governance structures and allocation of resources and funding; (iii) leadership and establishment of partnerships through capacity building; (iv) use and co-production of knowledge; and (v) time commitment to develop water co-governance.