Science, technology and the environmental policy process: a review of government-supported environmental R&D in the UK

✍ Scribed by Gouldson, Andrew

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1998
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 164 KB
• Volume: 8
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0961-0405
• DOI: 10.1002/(sici)1099-0976(199805/06)8:3<71::aid-eet153>3.0.co;2-b

✦ Synopsis

Following a brief discussion of the relationship between science, technology and the environment, this paper considers the role of science and technology in the formulation and implementation of environmental policy in the UK. It suggests that scientific uncertainty, whether real or perceived, has often been enough to stall the environmental policy process. Consequently, it reviews the attempts that have been made by those government departments and agencies with responsibility for the environment to increase the level of scientific understanding of the environment. It also reviews those research initiatives adopted by government and its agencies to enhance the efficacy and efficiency of environmental policy by ensuring that decision makers at various levels are better informed by advances in science and technology. The paper focuses on the environment-related research activities of the Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions and the Environment Agency for England and Wales. 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.