Research article // Towards a Low-Carbon Economy: A Nexus-Oriented Policy Coherence Analysis in Greece
By Chrysaida-Aliki Papadopoulou, Maria P. Papadopoulou, Chrysi Laspidou, Stefania Munaretto and Floor Brouwer. This paper aims to contribute to this fast growing body of literature by focusing on the assessment of water-energy-land-food-climate nexus policies in Greece in terms of their coherence both at the level of policy documents and in implementation. Accordingly, the paper investigates: (a) the degree of interactions among identified nexus-critical policy objectives, (b) the degree of interactions between identified nexus-critical policy objectives and nexus-critical policy instruments, (c) the identification of the most influencing objectives and instruments as well as the investigation of the most influenced objectives, and (d) the way such objectives and instruments should be considered during policy design so as to minimize trade-offs and exploit synergies. In this context, the nexus approach and the role of policies in its governance are briefly delineated. Thereinafter, the proposed framework is tested against a national level case study (Greece) and relevant results are described.
Athens city views© GIZ / Dirk Ostermeier
Abstract
The sustainable management of natural resources under climate change conditions is a critical research issue. Among the many approaches emerged in recent times, the so-called ‘nexus approach’ is gaining traction in academic and policy circles. The nexus approach presupposes the analysis of bio-physical, socio-economic and policy interlinkages among sectors (e.g., water, energy, food) for the identification of integrated solutions and the support of policy decisions. Ultimately, the nexus approach aims to identify synergies and trade-offs among the nexus dimensions. Concerning policy, the nexus approach focuses on policy coherence, i.e., the systematic identification and management of trade-offs and synergies between policies across sectors. This paper investigates the coherence between policies on the water-land-energy-food-climate nexus in Greece. The systematic analysis of policy documents led to the elicitation of nexus-related policy objectives and instruments. Then, the coherence among objectives and between objectives and instruments was assessed using the methodology proposed by Nilsson et al. A stakeholder (trans-disciplinary) orientation was adopted and the need to incorporate stakeholders’ recommendations as to policy coherence assessment was highlighted. Overall, the findings revealed that climate and food/agricultural policies represent critical future priorities in Greece by stimulating progress in other nexus-related policies (energy, water, land policies) and being positively influenced by them
Keywords
policy analysis; policy coherence; nexus governance; policy objectives; policy instruments; stakeholder recommendations
Published
January 2020
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Citation
Papadopoulou, C.-A., Papadopoulou, M., Laspidou, C., Munaretto, S., & Brouwer, F. (2020). Towards a Low-Carbon Economy: A Nexus-Oriented Policy Coherence Analysis in Greece. Sustainability, 12(1), 373. MDPI AG. Retrieved from http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su12010373
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Towards a Low-Carbon Economy: A Nexus-Oriented Policy Coherence Analysis in Greece
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