Key drivers in environmental legislation towards good governance

Abstract

The trialogue model is investigated with reference to the process that should be generated by Government, Science and Society and the results that should be achieved in the interaction at the interfaces between the stakeholders. What should and what has been achieved are analysed and contrasted. The procedural part of the process is mainly the process of integrated environmental management, supported by a public participation process. The principles against which developments should be measured include sustainable development, the maximisation of benefits and evaluating land development by considering its merits. The structure that brings Society to the trialogue and a co-operative governance structure that brings Government to the trialogue are valuable key drivers that prepare the foundation for good environmental governance. The conclusion reached is that the process that has been developed recently is good. The legal principles that underpin the procedures are both key drivers for the process and valuable touchstones against which the environmental governance products of the trialogue can be legally verified. The conclusion reached is that, through the absence of integration, the process is not used to its best advantage. The valuable contribution that the new Process can make, and the risk of environmental degradation if it is not used, are such that there is great merit in trying to achieve its implementation The weaknesses are analysed and recommendations are made that aim to facilitate the integration of the use of available environmental governance process.