ESRC/NERC TRANSDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH SEMINAR SERIES Seminar 1: The ecosystem approach and the management of the marine environment A social science response 31 October, University of Liverpool Adam Barker Planning and Landscape School of Environment and Development University of Manchester

1. The widening agenda of environmental planning Emergence of ecosystem approach linked to inappropriate management of environmental systems (EM/SK) Debates can be located within mainstream criticisms of UK approach to environmental planning in terrestrial environment Twenty Third Report: Environmental Planning (2002) highlights need for new direction: A plethora of plans Plans lack comprehensive basis Administrative areas do not necessarily fit environmental or socio- economic systems Coherence limited by differing plan timetables for preparation Often awkward relationship between planning bodies and other key agents Wider liaison limited by limited resources

2. The challenge of institutional reform Assertion of need for extension of ecosystem planning to UK marine environment (EM/SK) Yet, significant challenge in face of administrative density in marine environment Emerging baseline of voluntary mechanisms provides scope for barrier identification: ICZM: Atkins (2004); ITAD/CORDAH (2002); Burbridge (2002) Marine Spatial Planning: MSPP Consortium (2006) Shoreline Management Planning: LGA (2002)

3. Establishing a strategic purpose The ecosystem approach draws attention to interdependence of economic, social and environmental coherence (EM/SK) Raises debates surrounding link between ecosystem approach and response to challenge of sustainability Ecological Modernisation (after Jacobs)Risk Society (after Beck) Optimistic approachSceptical approach No conflict between economy and environmentIrreconcilable conflict between current mode of production and environment Reliance on science and technology to refine production for improving environmental performance Sees modern technology as the cause of risk to ecological system and survival Sustainability marketised and utilitarian, can be priced and traded Sees sustainability concept as radical and moral with protection of ecosystems having highest priority Relies on elitist, techno-corporatist approach to policy making Call for greater participation in policy making at local level State as enabler, facilitating market forces within a regulatory framework Interventionist state based on power of collective action asserting its will on private interest Accepts status quoCalls for social transformation

4. Dealing with complexity Conflicting attitudes within literature toward goal setting and adaptive responsiveness (EM/SK) Raises questions about relationship between comprehensive and incremental planning responses to environmental systems Assumptions about ability to plan rationally at compressive scale challenged within tradition of planning thought: Lindblom (1959) argues ‘the science of muddling through’ as an alternative to comprehensive rationality Advanced by Etzioni (1967) through notion of ‘mixed-scanning’

5. Identifying the baseline environment Ecosystem approach asserts society within rather than without the environment (ED/SK) Yet, understanding of socio-economic dynamics of coastal and marine areas in infancy Potential management significance highlighted by EU Demonstration (1996) Typical areas of management concern include: Unemployment/social instability Resource competition Destruction of cultural heritage Loss of property Lost opportunity for durable employment Marginalisation Further requirement for baseline assessment of socio-economic coastal and marine functions and interactions between them

6. Devolved decision making Decentralised systems hold potential for greater efficiency, effectiveness and equity (ED/SK) Particular area of concern in marginal and post-industrial coastal communities Requires renewed appreciation of community character and role of ‘social capital’. Concept in UK explored by Atterton (2001). Requirements include: The need for stakeholders to have greater control in development processes; The need to use cultural institutions to embed local development and promote social and cultural advancement; The need to develop supportive social environment to foster economic development. New lessons emerging through Initiative at the Edge programme (Iomairt aig an Oir) (1997) in Western Scotland.

7. Dealing with resilience Arguments for central role of planning in climate change management need to be understand within a marine context. New pressures relating to coastal defence, ocean cooling, alternative energy, coastal tourism, migration etc.

8. Assessing impacts of decision making Adoption of ecosystem approach requires appreciation of balance between resource use and conservation, and awareness of shared benefits (EM/SK) Requires consideration of mechanism for evaluation and monitoring decision- making process