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701-1651-00L 3 Credits SHE , DR , MSC D-USYS , D-BAUG , D-MAVT , D-INFK , D-MTEC , D-MATH , D-PHYS , D-BIOL , D-GESS , D-ITET , D-ERDW , D-ARCH , D-CHAB
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Environmental Governance

Lecturers & Examiners: Prof. em. Dr. Willi Zimmermann, Prof. Stefanie Engel, Dr. Christian Hirschi
VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-02-05 15:25:08

Abstract

The course discusses the concept and theory of governance and its relevance for environmental policy issues. Students get acquainted with the key elements of environmental governance such as participation, network governance, efficiency and effectiveness, muliti-level governance and decentralization. The degree of actual application of these elements in current environmental policies is analyzed.

Objective

The students understand the concept and theory of governance and its adaptation to environmental policy issues. They are able to explain the change from government to governance and its relevance for public environmental policies. The students know the key elements of environmental governance, their theoretical backgrounds and interfaces and their relevance in different political, economic and cultural contexts. They have the ability to apply the theoretical requirements of environmental governance to processes and contents of different environmental policies at different political levels and in different countries.

Content

An increase in environmental quality and a sustainable use and management of natural resources cannot be achieved through technical solutions alone. Environmental outcomes are strongly affected by human behavior. This behavior crucially depends on existing institutions (defined as formal and informal rules of a society). The formulation and implementation of these rules vary across temporal and local scales. In policymaking currently a change from government to governance can be observed. The concept of governance represents both an anylytical and a normative approach. It contains as principal element the change from a hierarchic steering to a more a deliberating and participatory style of policymaking. In order to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of policies and policy processes, new elements such as the choice of market-based instruments, the horizontal and vertical co-ordination of policies (integrated strategies and multi-level governance), the institutionalised monitoring and evaluation of policies, the decentralisation of decision making and implementation etc. are gaining importance. These key elements of governance presently dominate the discussion on “what is a good environmental policy”. Together with the concept of sustainability, environmental governance provides a strong analytical and normative framework for analyzing and shaping environmental policies at different levels. The course combines the theoretical basics of environmental governance (first part of the semester) and its application in different environmental policymaking processes at different levels (second part of the semester) and applies different approaches of social sciences (particularly political science, economics, and law).

Resources

Lecture Notes

A script is not yet available.

Literature

Selected literature - Durant, R.F., Fiorino, D.J. and R. O’Leary, R. (eds) (2004), Environmental Governance Reconsidered. Cambridge: MIT Press. - Kettl, D.F. (ed.) (2002), Environmental Governance: A Report on the Next Generation of Environmental Policy. Washington D.C.: Brookings Institution Press. - Mayntz, R. (2006), "From Government to Governance: Political Steering in Modern Societies", In Scheer, D. and Rubik, F. (eds), Governance of Integrated Product Policy. Aizlewood Mill: Greenleaf: 18-25. - Pierre, J. and Peters, G. (2005), Governing Complex Societies: Trajectories and Scenarios. Chippenham: Antony Rowe Ltd. - Rhodes, R.A.W. (2000), “Governance and Public Administration”, In Pierre, J. (ed.), Debating Governance: Authority, Steering, and Democracy. Oxford: Oxford University Press: 54 – 90. - Rhodes, R.W.A. (2003), “What is New about Governance and Why does it Matter?”, In Hayward, J.E.S. and Menon, A. (eds), Governing Europe. Oxford: Oxford University Press: 61 -73. - Stoker, G. (1998), “Governance as Theory: Five Positions”, International Social Science Journal 50(155): 17 – 28. - Weiss, T. G. (2000), “Governance, Good Governance and Global Governance: Conceptual and Actual Challenges”, Third World Quarterly 21(5): 795 - 814.

General Information

Language
English
Levels
SHE , DR , MSC
Frequency
Yearly recurring

Examination

Type
graded semester performance

Course Components

Type Title Time & Place Hours
lecture with exercise Environmental governance
  • Tue 15:15-17:00 (CHN G 42)
2 h weekly

Offered In