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Ecologically sustainable development in broader retrospect and prospect: evaluating national framework policies against climate adaptation imperatives

Pittock, Jamie, Hussey, Karen and Dovers, Stephen (2015). Ecologically sustainable development in broader retrospect and prospect: evaluating national framework policies against climate adaptation imperatives. Australasian Journal of Environmental Management,22(1):62-76.

Document type: Journal Article
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IRMA ID 84376995xPUB327
Title Ecologically sustainable development in broader retrospect and prospect: evaluating national framework policies against climate adaptation imperatives
Author Pittock, Jamie
Hussey, Karen
Dovers, Stephen
Journal Name Australasian Journal of Environmental Management
Publication Date 2015
Volume Number 22
Issue Number 1
ISSN 1448-6563   (check CDU catalogue open catalogue search in new window)
Scopus ID 2-s2.0-84925270606
Start Page 62
End Page 76
Total Pages 15
Place of Publication United Kingdom
Publisher Taylor & Francis
HERDC Category C1 - Journal Article (DIISR)
Abstract This article revisits four Australian framework policies with implications for ecologically sustainable development to consider lessons for climate change adaptation. The competition, disaster resilience, sustainable development and water policies examined underline the difficulty in developing and implementing effective policy frameworks. We find that to succeed, a national policy in this federation needs: a coalition of stakeholders advocating for their implementation; medium to long-term bipartisan support; a focus on a perceived urgent national issue; significant socio-economic benefits; a focus on a limited number of core principles and systemic legislative reform with incremental implementation over many years; the allocation by the federal government of substantial funds for state implementation; requirements to report to the Council of Australian Governments; and support from central government agencies rather than marginalisation in the environment portfolio. These qualities are not inherent in the 1992 National Strategy for Ecologically Sustainable Development and this explains why it is now moribund. These findings suggest that it will be particularly hard to develop and difficult to implement an effective national climate change adaptation policy.
Keywords Ecologically sustainable development
Climate change adaptation
National policy
Federal governance
DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14486563.2014.999725   (check subscription with CDU E-Gateway service for CDU Staff and Students  check subscription with CDU E-Gateway in new window)
 
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Created: Tue, 26 Jul 2016, 12:33:19 CST