Analyzing the Effectiveness of Policy Implementation at the Local Level: A Case Study of Management of the 2009\u20132010 Drought in Yunnan Province, China

Neera Shrestha Pradhan,Yongping Yang,Yufang Su,Liyun Zhang,Yao Fu

doi:10.1007/s13753-017-0118-9

Abstract

Several research efforts have focused primarily on policy implementation and improving innovative actions to address disaster risks. Discussions are ongoing on how to measure the effectiveness of policy implementation at the local level. But there is no definitive theory of effective policy implementation, and very few frameworks have been found acceptable as the basis of an analysis of the effectiveness of policy implementation, especially on droughts. Based on the 2009–2010 extreme drought in Yunnan, China, this article presents a modified framework to assess the effectiveness of policy implementation by defining policy, practice, and performance, as well as a feedback loop by which to share the lessons learned. Water conservancy projects in Luliang County and the agricultural diversity program in Longyang County in Yunnan Province were analyzed from a farmers’ perspective. It was found that farmers are highly dependent on government policies and projects, and the effectiveness of policies is measured by short-term, immediate, and tangible benefits rather than long-term adaptation strategies. The results highlight the urgent need to reduce risks by developing better awareness about climate change and drought and its impacts, increased understanding of drought hazards, and implementation of appropriate measures for long-term adaptation.

Highlights

Extreme events, such as floods and droughts, are receiving significant attention due to their serious impact on economy, society, and the environment, which leads to impacts on natural, physical, financial, human, and social, and cultural assets (Mimura et al 2014)
Based on the 2009–2010 extreme drought in Yunnan, China, this article presents a modified framework to assess the effectiveness of policy implementation by defining policy, practice, and performance, as well as a feedback loop by which to share the lessons learned
This study conceptualized a framework to analyze the effectiveness of policy implementation, with a specific focus on drought management in Yunnan Province, China

Summary

Introduction

Extreme events, such as floods and droughts, are receiving significant attention due to their serious impact on economy, society, and the environment, which leads to impacts on natural, physical, financial, human, and social, and cultural assets (Mimura et al 2014). Since the founding of the People’s Republic of China, a 3-year-long drought during 1999–2001 ranked the most sever with an area of impact, duration, and induced losses rarely seen in the country’s history. Another large-scale drought disaster occurred in five provinces of China in 2009–2010 and threatened more than 70 million people with drinking water shortages and barren farmlands. Some policies are adopted at multiple levels of government in China (Teng and Gu 2007; Li et al 2012, 2013). The evaluation and promotion of government employees provide strong incentives based on economic growth and local development, disregarding environmental sustainability

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