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Collaboration, Adaptation, and Scaling: Perspectives on Environmental Governance for Sustainability

Author

Listed:
  • Michael Schoon

    (School of Sustainability, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA)

  • Michael E. Cox

    (Environmental Studies Program, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 03755, USA)

Abstract

In preview of the special issue on “Environmental Governance for Sustainability”, this manuscript examines three key themes on governance and sustainability. Governance for sustainability, by its nature, requires long-enduring institutional arrangements. Given the complex adaptive systems in which governance decision-making takes place, we explore three key characteristics of successful, long-term governance. The first of these is working across scale. This includes nested institutions as well as communication and coordination both horizontally and vertically between diverse governance groups. Second, we highlight the importance of collaboration. Building on the previous point, we draw on literature from collaborative governance and co-management to emphasize how collaboration can help to build more enduring governance structures. Third, we examine the importance of adaptation and evolution in the resolution of collective action dilemmas in complex systems filled with nonlinearities, unclear causal chains, and environments in which we have less than a full understanding of the ramifications of governance actions.

Suggested Citation

  • Michael Schoon & Michael E. Cox, 2018. "Collaboration, Adaptation, and Scaling: Perspectives on Environmental Governance for Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(3), pages 1-9, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:10:y:2018:i:3:p:679-:d:134364
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    2. Carmen García-Peña & Moneyba González-Medina & Jose Manuel Diaz-Sarachaga, 2021. "Assessment of the Governance Dimension in the Frame of the 2030 Agenda: Evidence from 100 Spanish Cities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(10), pages 1-21, May.
    3. Gudrun Erla Jonsdottir & Throstur Olaf Sigurjonsson & Ahmad Rahnema Alavi & Jordan Mitchell, 2021. "Applying Responsible Ownership to Advance SDGs and the ESG Framework, Resulting in the Issuance of Green Bonds," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(13), pages 1-20, June.
    4. Menelisi Falayi & James Gambiza & Michael Schoon, 2020. "Unpacking Changing Multi-Actor and Multi-Level Actor Ties in Transformative Spaces: Insights from a Degraded Landscape, Machubeni, South Africa," Land, MDPI, vol. 9(7), pages 1-25, July.
    5. Jaime Moreno-Serna & Teresa Sánchez-Chaparro & Javier Mazorra & Ander Arzamendi & Leda Stott & Carlos Mataix, 2020. "Transformational Collaboration for the SDGs: The Alianza Shire’s Work to Provide Energy Access in Refugee Camps and Host Communities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-28, January.
    6. Camelia-Cristina Dragomir & Diana Foriş & Aurel Mihail Ţîţu & Tiberiu Foriş, 2020. "The Role of Intermediaries in Supporting Collaboration for Sustainability: A Model of Commissioning Intervention in the Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration for Sustainable Territorial Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(17), pages 1-16, August.
    7. Beatrice Hedelin & Johanna Alkan-Olsson & Larry Greenberg, 2023. "Collaboration Adrift: Factors for Anchoring into Governance Systems, Distilled from a Study of Three Regulated Rivers," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-22, March.
    8. Hazem S Kassem & Salim Bagadeem & Bader Alhafi Alotaibi & Mohammed Aljuaid, 2021. "Are partnerships in nonprofit organizations being governed for sustainability? A partnering life cycle assessment," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 16(3), pages 1-25, March.
    9. Jaime Moreno-Serna & Wendy M. Purcell & Teresa Sánchez-Chaparro & Miguel Soberón & Julio Lumbreras & Carlos Mataix, 2020. "Catalyzing Transformational Partnerships for the SDGs: Effectiveness and Impact of the Multi-Stakeholder Initiative El día después," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(17), pages 1-18, September.
    10. Sarah Velten & Nicolas W. Jager & Jens Newig, 2021. "Success of collaboration for sustainable agriculture: a case study meta-analysis," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 23(10), pages 14619-14641, October.
    11. Leandra R. Gonçalves & Mayara Oliveira & Alexander Turra, 2020. "Assessing the Complexity of Social-Ecological Systems: Taking Stock of the Cross-Scale Dependence," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(15), pages 1-22, August.
    12. Kimberly Pugel & Amy Javernick-Will & Matthew Koschmann & Shawn Peabody & Karl Linden, 2020. "Adapting Collaborative Approaches for Service Provision to Low-Income Countries: Expert Panel Results," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(7), pages 1-26, March.
    13. Huijie Li & Jie Li, 2021. "Risk Governance and Sustainability: A Scientometric Analysis and Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(21), pages 1-18, October.

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