How to enhance the role of science in European Union policy making and implementation: The case of agricultural impacts on drinking water quality
| Autor: | Marina Pintar, Gerard L. Velthof, Sandra Boekhold, Sindre Langaas, Matjaž Glavan, Špela Železnikar |
|---|---|
| Jazyk: | angličtina |
| Rok vydání: | 2019 |
| Předmět: |
Sociology of scientific knowledge
lcsh:Hydraulic engineering 010504 meteorology & atmospheric sciences Process (engineering) Geography Planning and Development Legislation 010501 environmental sciences Aquatic Science 01 natural sciences Biochemistry drinking water agriculture EU policy governance integrated scientific support water quality nitrates pesticides European Union EU Horizon 2020 lcsh:Water supply for domestic and industrial purposes lcsh:TC1-978 11. Sustainability media_common.cataloged_instance Drinking water European union Pesticides Duurzaam Bodemgebruik Adaptation (computer science) Environmental planning 0105 earth and related environmental sciences Water Science and Technology media_common Sustainable Soil Use lcsh:TD201-500 Governance WIMEK Nitrates business.industry Corporate governance Stakeholder Agriculture Integrated scientific support Water quality 13. Climate action business |
| Zdroj: | Water Water (Switzerland), 11(3) Volume 11 Issue 3 Water (Switzerland) 11 (2019) 3 Water, Vol 11, Iss 3, p 492 (2019) |
| ISSN: | 2073-4441 |
| DOI: | 10.3390/w11030492 |
| Popis: | Throughout the European Union (EU), high concentrations of nitrates and pesticides are among the major polluting components of drinking water and have potential long-term impacts on the environment and human health. Many research projects co-funded by the European Commission have been carried out, but the results often do not influence policy making and implementation to the extent that is duly justified. This paper assesses several issues and barriers that weaken the role of science in EU policy making and EU policy implementation in the case of agricultural impacts on drinking water quality. It then proposes improvements and solutions to strengthen the role of science in this process. The analysis is conceptual but supported empirically by a desk study, a workshop, and complementary individual interviews, mostly with representatives of organizations working at the EU level. The results indicate that perceived barriers are mostly observed on the national or regional level and are connected with a lack of political will, scarce instruction on the legislation implementation process, and a lack of funding opportunities for science to be included in policy making and further EU policy implementation. In response to that, we suggest translating scientific knowledge on technological, practical or environmental changes and using dissemination techniques for specific audiences and in local languages. Further, the relationship between data, information and decision making needs to change by implementing monitoring in real-time, which will allow for the quick adaptation of strategies. In addition, we suggest project clustering (science, policy, stakeholders, and citizens) to make science and research more connected to current policy challenges and stakeholder needs along with citizen involvement with an aim of establishing sustainable long-term relationships and communication flows. |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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