Understanding Stakeholder Synergies Through System Dynamics: Integrating Multi-Sectoral Stakeholder Narratives Into Quantitative Environmental Models

Rachel Gjelsvik Tiller,Zahra Kalantari,Francoise Vernier,Joris De Vente,Mariana Golumbeanu,Georgia Destouni,Luminita Lazar,Bastiaan Notebaert,Giorgos Maneas,Javier Martínez-López,Jean-Marie Lescot,Florin Timofte,Jean-Luc De Kok,Samaneh Seifollahi-Aghmiuni,Erasmia Kastanidi

doi:10.3389/frsus.2021.701180

Abstract

To reach the global aspiration of 17 ambitious SDGs, local realities must be integrated. Often, models are developed based on quantitative statistical data sources from databases on environmental indicators or economics to assess how a given SDG can be achieved. This process however removes the local realities from the equation. How can you best include stakeholders in this mathematical modelling processes distanced from their local realities, though, and ensure higher probability of future compliance with top-down global decisions that may have local consequences once implemented? When researching stakeholder involvement and their ability to form public policy, their opinions often get reported as a single assessment, like counting the fish in the ocean once and stating that as a permanent result. Too seldom do stakeholders get invited back and given the opportunity to validate results and allow researchers to adjust their models based on on-the-ground validation or change requests. We tested the full integration of stakeholders in the modelling process of environmental topics in six different case areas across Europe, with each area holding six sectoral and one inter-sectoral workshops. In these workshops, the scope of the issues relevant to the stakeholders was driven by first the sectoral priorities of the given sector, followed by a merging of issues. In this process, we were able to identify what the commonalities between different sectors were and where synergies lay in terms of governance paths. These results were then returned to the stakeholders in a mixed session where they were able to come with feedback and advice on the results researchers presented, so that the models reflected more closely the perceptions of the regional actors. We present these methods and reflect on the challenges and opportunities of using this deep-integration method to integrate qualitative data from stakeholder inclusion in a quantitative model.

Highlights

In 2015, the United Nations General Assembly formulated the 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs) under the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (Kamau et al, 2018)
We focused on the functioning of their given landsea “system.” The aim of the research and the stakeholder interactions was to develop an actor-driven representation of this system
Inter-workshop Interpretations and Development of Causal Loop Diagrams (CLDs) We developed sector specific shared mental maps of the land-sea system in the given case area

Summary

INTRODUCTION

In 2015, the United Nations General Assembly formulated the 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs) under the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (Kamau et al, 2018). The aim of these workshops was to include policy makers, business entrepreneurs, sector representatives, and domain experts to participate in exploring the relevant land-sea interactions from a coastal or rural perspective in each case area They were encouraged to consider the motivations and barriers for collaboration between regions as well as sectors within their region. While work was ongoing on boards and printouts, simultaneously, another facilitator developed the new Vensim representations graphically, while putting in + (plus) or – (minus) values on the arrows from one variable to the next to represent increasing or decreasing trends in the variables These were decisions taken by the case area leaders in terms of their recollection of how it was being discussed by the stakeholders in the first workshops.

DISCUSSION

CONCLUSION

Findings

Funding for agriculture transition

ETHICS STATEMENT