Environmental Policy
Because it influences the quality of decision-making, effective policy, whether it is public policy or internal organizational policy, is an important component of resource management and national/regional planning. Environmental problems express themselves at many scales, from local to global. Furthermore, several interrelated factors are responsible for expanding the impacts of humans on the environment. It is important to consider the roles of politics, economy, and history to shape human–environmental interactions. Following an environmental problem from its outcome back to its “cause” provides the opportunity to develop more effective long-term solutions to environmental dilemmas.
New Zealand has a multitude of policies governing the use of natural resources. They operate at different scales, are administered by different agents, and focus on single issues. This fragmented approach is being replaced by a more holistic one to improve the management of natural resources for sustainability and multiple outcomes. Scientists are working towards developing new tools and methods that will equip national and regional agencies with a unifying framework for a more holistic approach to resource management. This approach will lead to better protection of ecosystem series over the full range of service types, and will also provide an internationally credible method of reviewing and reporting on environmental performance. This new approach will also help land owners and industry sectors maintain a competitive advantage and premium market entry for their products.