Voluntary Environmental Agreements Process

Contents

Foreword
Jean-Philippe Barde, Head National Policies Division, OECD Environment Directorate

Prologue
Patrick ten Brink, Institute for European Environmental Policy (IEEP), Belgium
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Part A: Process, practice and stakeholder experience

Part A: Introduction
Patrick ten Brink

1. Voluntary environmental initiatives and sustainable industry
Bruce Paton, The Silicon Valley Center for Innovation and Sustainability, USA

2. Corporate incentives for participation in voluntary environmental agreements: electric utility companies and the Climate Challenge Program
Panagiotis Karamanos, Athens International Airport, Greece

3. Co-operative environmental solutions: acquiring competence for multi-stakeholder partnerships
Ken Sexton, Barbara Scott Murdock and Alfred A. Marcus, University of Minnesota, USA

4. Legitimacy, efficacy and efficiency: factors affecting public participation in environmental agreements in British Columbia, Canada
Michael Mascarenhas, Michigan State University, USA

5. Conflict or collaboration: the New Zealand Forest Accord
Diane Menzies, Menzies Environmental Ltd

6. Successful application of environmental agreements in local communities: perspectives from environment and pollution control agreements in Japan
Rie Tsutsumi, University of Cambridge, UK

7. The chemical industry in Germany: recent developments of the 1987 Chemical Industries Social Partners’ Agreement on Environmental Protection
Bernd Heins and Laurent Lüttge, University of Oldenburg/University of Lüneburg, Germany

8. A new trade union role in environmental agreements: a driving force for sustainable development
Per Erik Boivie, Boivie Arbetsplatsutveckling AB, Sweden

9. EU-level agreements: a successful tool? Lessons from the agreement with the automotive industry
Giulio Volpi and Stephan Singer, World Wide Fund for Nature Climate Change Campaign, Belgium

Part B: New areas for VEAs? Developing countries and transition economies

Part B: Introduction
Patrick ten Brink

10. A role for negotiated environmental agreements in developing countries?
Jonathon Hanks, University of Lund, Sweden

11. A national tripartite agreement on benzene in Brazil
Nilton Freitas, Unified Workers’ Confederation (CUT Brazil); Winston Gereluk, Athabasca University, Canada

12. Environmental agreements as appropriate long-term measures
Nur Masripatin, Ministry of Forestry, Indonesia

13. Negotiated voluntary environmental agreements: cases in the Czech Republic
Antonín Dvorák, Ales Lisa and Petr Sauer, University of Economics in Prague, Czech Republic

14. Navigating toward a Hungarian packaging waste management solution
Dinah A. Koehler, Harvard University, USA

15. Conditions for environmental agreements in Ukraine
Oleksandr Stegniy, Institute of Sociology, National Academy of Sciences, Ukraine

16. Step-by-step procedure for preparing, concluding and evaluating voluntary agreements
Petr Sauer, Jaromir Kovár, Petr Fiala, Petra Holcová, Ales Lisa and Antonín Dvorák, University of Economics in Prague, Czech Republic

Part C: Can voluntary agreements help address climate change?

Part C: Introduction
Patrick ten Brink

17. The Australian Greenhouse Challenge programme: a perspective from a participating university
Paul Osmond, University of New South Wales, Australia

18. Application of effectiveness analysis: the case of greenhouse gas emissions reduction
Roger L. Burritt, The Australian National University

19. Voluntary agreements: key to higher energy efficiency in industry?
Signe Krarup, AKF, Denmark; Stephan Ramesohl, The Wuppertal Institute, Germany

20. Environmental agreements in climate politics
Asbjørn Torvanger and Tora Skodvin, Center for International Climate and Environmental Research–Oslo, Norway

21. Negotiated environmental agreements and CO₂ emissions trading
Johan Albrecht and Delphine François, Ghent University (CEEM), Belgium

22. Voluntary agreements: an effective tool for enhancing organisational learning and improving climate policy-making?
Stephan Ramesohl and Kora Kristof, The Wuppertal Institute, Germany

Part D: Future use: tools for developing agreements

Part D: Introduction
Patrick ten Brink

23. Voluntary agreements: effectiveness analysis. Tools, guidelines and checklist
Roger L. Burritt, The Australian National University

24. Assessing the performance of negotiated environmental agreements in the Netherlands
Ellis Immerzeel-Brand, CSTM, University of Twente, Netherlands

25. Co-regulation performance factors: lessons from theory and from practice in environmental agreements
Manuel M. Cabugueira, Universidade Portucalense, Portugal

26. The EIA public enquiry procedure as a model for public participation in environmental agreements
Patricia Bailey, European University Institute, Italy

27. Monitoring environmental agreements: a multi-level conformity approach. Sustainable water management in the Twente region
Johan Woltjer, CSTM, University of Twente, Netherlands

28. Monitoring mechanisms for efficient environmental agreements
Patrick ten Brink, IEEP; Marina Morère, Independent Expert

29. Voluntary environmental agreements between private and public law
Bent Ole Gram Mortensen, University of Southern Denmark

30. The optimal policy mix: matching ends and means in environmental policy-making
R. Yachnin, N. Gagnon, B. Guthrie and A. Howatson, The Conference Board of Canada

Epilogue
Patrick ten Brink


	Voluntary Environmental Agreements Process, Practice and Future Use Contributing Editor: Patrick ten Brink, Institute for European Environmental Policy (IEEP), Belgium 563pp \| 234 x 156mm \| Hardback ISBN 1 874719 41 1 \| £40.00 US$75.00 \| March 2002
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VOLUNTARY ENVIRONMENTAL AGREEMENTS (VEAs)—generally agreements between government and business—have been regarded by many as a key new instrument for meeting environmental objectives in a flexible manner. Their performance to date has, however, also led to considerable criticism, with several parties arguing that they are methods for avoiding real action that goes beyond ‘business-as-usual’. Is either of these positions justified? The aim of this book is to highlight and learn the lessons from existing experience, looking not just at results but also at specific elements of agreements and also at the process of the agreement itself. Lessons are drawn from experience from across the world, covering the full range of environmental challenges, and from the perspective of key stakeholder groups. Importantly, the book also presents tools for assessing and improving existing agreements and includes recommendations and guidelines for future agreements in key areas such as climate change. It also deals at length with the problem of how such agreements might be used in developing and transitional economies. The overall view of the book is that there is a real potential for the future use of VEAs as part of the policy mix and as a tool for sharing the responsibility for meeting environmental objectives. For the agreements to play this role, however, significant steps are needed to ensure that they are effective, efficient, equitable and appropriately linked to a portfolio of other instruments. The book is divided into four sections. First, existing agreements, their development and efficacy are considered; second, the prospects for voluntary agreements in developing and transitional economies are discussed; third, a range of authors examine the role of VEAs as part of the policy mix to combat climate change; and, finally, the book concludes with an examination of how new tools for evaluating and improving VEAs could be utilised in the future. *Voluntary Environmental Agreements* will be of interest not only to academics, governments and businesses wishing to understand this specific instrument, but also to those already implementing or considering applying VEAs to meet their environmental objectives. Back to the Top This book is a welcome and significant contribution to this debate . . . [it] goes way beyond a simple collection of case studies by a useful integration of conceptual, topical and geographical perspectives. It also brings new insights to the role of stakeholders (particularly NGOs), to the short- or long-term potential of VAs in climate change policies and to developing and transitional economies. Jean-Philippe Barde, Head, National Policies Division, OECD Environment Directorate This book is an essential companion for anyone in industry or government considering the use of voluntary environmental agreements. The ‘devil is in the detail’ and this book provides the requisite detail to get it right, or at least to avoid the worst errors in the design and execution of this interesting policy instrument. Frank J. Convery, Heritage Trust Professor of Environmental Studies, University College, Dublin Flavour of the month or genuine breakthrough in environmental regulation? Voluntary environmental agreements hold out the promise of inexpensive self-regulation and minimal government interference. Patrick ten Brink has assembled a balanced, cautious but impressive collection of case studies and reflections on this novel approach to environmental reform. This is essential reading for managers and policy-makers everywhere. David Pearce, Professor of Environmental Economics, University College London At their best VEAs have the potential to deliver sophisticated environmental solutions, yet at their worst they can institutionalise business-as-usual. This book’s thorough assessment of agreements to date and their future possibilities will help deliver the more ambitious policy packages that environmental challenges now demand. Ben Shaw, Senior Policy Officer, Green Alliance, UK The European paper industry supports voluntary approaches as a cost-efficient way to address environmental issues. This book offers practical insights and a way forward to ensure the cost-effectiveness of VAs. Annick Carpentier, Environment Director, Confederation of European Paper Industries (CEPI) As a new and innovative form of policy instrument, voluntary environmental agreements seem set to play an increasingly important role as part of the broader policy mix. This book provides an incisive, articulate and very timely analysis of their strengths and weaknesses. Andrew Gouldson, Lecturer in Environmental Policy, London School of Economics, and Editor, European Environment The use of voluntary (or negotiated) agreements has long been advocated by the electricity industry as an economic, cost-effective and flexible means of meeting jointly agreed targets. Once a target has been negotiated, there is a greater chance of it being met (or even surpassed) than by the use of other, more traditional, approaches, such as command-and-control measures or taxation. This book is a valuable contribution to the debate. John Scowcroft, Head of Environment and Sustainable Development, Union of the Electricity Industry–EURELECTRIC I am very impressed by the extensiveness of the issues analysed . . . For researchers and policy-makers this book is close to being a must. Congratulations to the Editor and Publisher. Anders Larsen, Director, AKF, Copenhagen, Denmark Voluntary environmental agreements tend to elicit strong views. For many of their proponents they are a miracle cure, making regulatory measures unnecessary. For sceptics, they are a dangerous distraction from effective environmental policy. This book is a much-needed dose of hard-headedness in a controversial field. Rob Bradley, Energy Specialist, Climate Network Europe (CNE), Brussels, Belgium This book provides an extensive overview of the debate on the function, role and place for voluntary initiatives and agreements. What interests me the most is that it also tries to provide the tools to give VEAs a level of maturity enabling serious work to reverse the negative environmental trends the planet now faces. VEAs should not be about regulatory capture, greenwash or ideology. They should bring real solutions to real-world problems, part of a mix of solutions, including regulatory ones, whose sum-effect will then be greater than the effect of each individual part. Pieter van der Gaag, ANPED (The Northern Alliance for Sustainability) Back to the Top Contents Foreword Jean-Philippe Barde, Head National Policies Division, OECD Environment Directorate Prologue Patrick ten Brink, Institute for European Environmental Policy (IEEP), Belgium DOWNLOAD OR VIEW THIS PROLOGUE ONLINE Part A: Process, practice and stakeholder experience Part A: Introduction Patrick ten Brink 1. Voluntary environmental initiatives and sustainable industry Bruce Paton, The Silicon Valley Center for Innovation and Sustainability, USA 2. Corporate incentives for participation in voluntary environmental agreements: electric utility companies and the Climate Challenge Program Panagiotis Karamanos, Athens International Airport, Greece 3. Co-operative environmental solutions: acquiring competence for multi-stakeholder partnerships Ken Sexton, Barbara Scott Murdock and Alfred A. Marcus, University of Minnesota, USA 4. Legitimacy, efficacy and efficiency: factors affecting public participation in environmental agreements in British Columbia, Canada Michael Mascarenhas, Michigan State University, USA 5. Conflict or collaboration: the New Zealand Forest Accord Diane Menzies, Menzies Environmental Ltd 6. Successful application of environmental agreements in local communities: perspectives from environment and pollution control agreements in Japan Rie Tsutsumi, University of Cambridge, UK 7. The chemical industry in Germany: recent developments of the 1987 Chemical Industries Social Partners’ Agreement on Environmental Protection Bernd Heins and Laurent Lüttge, University of Oldenburg/University of Lüneburg, Germany 8. A new trade union role in environmental agreements: a driving force for sustainable development Per Erik Boivie, Boivie Arbetsplatsutveckling AB, Sweden 9. EU-level agreements: a successful tool? Lessons from the agreement with the automotive industry Giulio Volpi and Stephan Singer, World Wide Fund for Nature Climate Change Campaign, Belgium Part B: New areas for VEAs? Developing countries and transition economies Part B: Introduction Patrick ten Brink 10. A role for negotiated environmental agreements in developing countries? Jonathon Hanks, University of Lund, Sweden 11. A national tripartite agreement on benzene in Brazil Nilton Freitas, Unified Workers’ Confederation (CUT Brazil); Winston Gereluk, Athabasca University, Canada 12. Environmental agreements as appropriate long-term measures Nur Masripatin, Ministry of Forestry, Indonesia 13. Negotiated voluntary environmental agreements: cases in the Czech Republic Antonín Dvorák, Ales Lisa and Petr Sauer, University of Economics in Prague, Czech Republic 14. Navigating toward a Hungarian packaging waste management solution Dinah A. Koehler, Harvard University, USA 15. Conditions for environmental agreements in Ukraine Oleksandr Stegniy, Institute of Sociology, National Academy of Sciences, Ukraine 16. Step-by-step procedure for preparing, concluding and evaluating voluntary agreements Petr Sauer, Jaromir Kovár, Petr Fiala, Petra Holcová, Ales Lisa and Antonín Dvorák, University of Economics in Prague, Czech Republic Part C: Can voluntary agreements help address climate change? Part C: Introduction Patrick ten Brink 17. The Australian Greenhouse Challenge programme: a perspective from a participating university Paul Osmond, University of New South Wales, Australia 18. Application of effectiveness analysis: the case of greenhouse gas emissions reduction Roger L. Burritt, The Australian National University 19. Voluntary agreements: key to higher energy efficiency in industry? Signe Krarup, AKF, Denmark; Stephan Ramesohl, The Wuppertal Institute, Germany 20. Environmental agreements in climate politics Asbjørn Torvanger and Tora Skodvin, Center for International Climate and Environmental Research–Oslo, Norway 21. Negotiated environmental agreements and CO₂ emissions trading Johan Albrecht and Delphine François, Ghent University (CEEM), Belgium 22. Voluntary agreements: an effective tool for enhancing organisational learning and improving climate policy-making? Stephan Ramesohl and Kora Kristof, The Wuppertal Institute, Germany Part D: Future use: tools for developing agreements Part D: Introduction Patrick ten Brink 23. Voluntary agreements: effectiveness analysis. Tools, guidelines and checklist Roger L. Burritt, The Australian National University 24. Assessing the performance of negotiated environmental agreements in the Netherlands Ellis Immerzeel-Brand, CSTM, University of Twente, Netherlands 25. Co-regulation performance factors: lessons from theory and from practice in environmental agreements Manuel M. Cabugueira, Universidade Portucalense, Portugal 26. The EIA public enquiry procedure as a model for public participation in environmental agreements Patricia Bailey, European University Institute, Italy 27. Monitoring environmental agreements: a multi-level conformity approach. Sustainable water management in the Twente region Johan Woltjer, CSTM, University of Twente, Netherlands 28. Monitoring mechanisms for efficient environmental agreements Patrick ten Brink, IEEP; Marina Morère, Independent Expert 29. Voluntary environmental agreements between private and public law Bent Ole Gram Mortensen, University of Southern Denmark 30. The optimal policy mix: matching ends and means in environmental policy-making R. Yachnin, N. Gagnon, B. Guthrie and A. Howatson, The Conference Board of Canada Epilogue Patrick ten Brink