Environmental policy implementation networks : who are the movers and shakers?

The current UK Government policy implementation framework, which directs the structure of partnership involvement in the environmental area, has introduced an implementation model which encompasses both ‘top-down’ and ‘bottom-up’ theoretical typologies, consequently, there is an opportunity to examine the impact of this novel framework by in-depth, practical examination. To address this gap, a critical analysis of UK Government environmental implementation strategy was undertaken, framed within the financial challenges, political devolution debate and social factors which impact implementation agents. The research consisted of a case study on the practical experience of selected river catchment conservation partnerships (NW England River Basin), critically examining the overall governance structure and individual partner relationships through the application of a complexity science approach incorporating social network analysis. UK DEFRA guidance encourages the adoption of an ecosystem framework to direct goal prioritisation, consequently, positioning environmental goals against ecosystem services and disservices formed an important facet of the research, established by novel analysis of historical, narrative records and contemporary reports. Both quantitative and qualitative measures were used in the evaluation. Powerful stakeholders, including partnership development support, are found to influence collaborative activity and maintain a strong focus on statutory goals: suggestions for establishing accountable stakeholders in a complex network are outlined. Understanding long-term trends offers greater potential for robust, innovative environmental interventions, however, the lack of an explicit application of the ecosystem framework is considered to contribute to the prioritisation of water quality and quantity goals within the partnership. The current devolution debate has a discernible impact on the governance arrangements of one of the studied partnerships. Given the restrictions on funding and stakeholder participation found in this study, alternative governance arrangements for catchment partnerships are proposed. Policy frameworks need to support an approach which involves potentially competing UK Government departments, consequently, findings have implications for policymakers, environmental activists and local communities