Environmental policy planning: Experience from flanders

Abstract

AbstractA solid planning approach is needed if effective and efficient environmental policies are to be developed. This policy planning process should be open and comprehensive and should be based on a good understanding of environmental impacts and the mobilization of high‐quality management skills. Building on Dutch experience, at least five conditions for progress in environmental policy planning have been identified in Flanders: (i) policy‐makers should agree on the type of planning needed; (ii) public support and political leadership should be present; (iii) investment in administrative capability and team‐building is needed; (iv) support from the scientific community should be guaranteed; and (v) the planning process should be supported by law. Meeting all five conditions in a balanced way is often very difficult.