barriers to success.

Today I want to talk more about using IEM frameworks so that they suit your current needs and learn how to identify some of the issues that may prevent an IEM outcome to your policy development.
In the policy process there are certain barriers which will have an effect on progress and certain pressure points which will act as catalysts for disaster or success, it is important to be aware of these issues and have plans in place to mitigate any potential negative effects.

Figure 1 - Step 3 in the IEM Framework, Identification of Pressure Points

Barriers of IEM

Ineffective IEM occurs when there is a breakdown in the IEM framework.  Using a framework helps plan for the future and helps identify potential barriers to an integrative approach.  Once you know what these barriers are, it is easier to  understand how to prevent them from occurring.  Cairns & Crawford (1991) put forth a list of 24 Barriers to IEM.

1	Institutions are highly reductionist
2	IEM takes time & money
3	Turf battles run rampant within & between organisations
4	Job insecurity
5	Many are unwilling to compromise
6	Short term profits are too enticing
7	What has posterity done for me?
8	Issues are not simple – IEM is hard work!
9	Often, uncertainty is unacceptably high
10	Developing countries aspire to the same material benefits that developed countries enjoy
11	Changes in lifestyle are strongly resisted
12	Specialists feel more comfortable working with their own kind
13	Fear that the general public will not have the same value system
14	Present use of resource is considered a right
15	Society is oriented towards growth
16	Change is only acceptable in a crisis
17	Fear the management authority will be abused
18	Fear peer criticism of oversimplification
19	All systems are too complex for prescriptive legislation
20	People turn off when they are faced with complex issues
21	Technical information is inadequate
22	Issues determining evidence is credible
23	The number of professional skilled in IEM is inadequate
24	Political process is polarized to ward issues rather than IEM

 Table 1. Barriers to IEM (Cairns & Crawford, 1991)

Some of these barriers involve interaction with people, others are political, knowledge based, or related to institutions. Integration and consultation between different agencies, people and institutions will help mitigate some of these issues however they are often interconnected and complex.

Making a Recipe for Success!

By creating your own framework or criteria to use as a guideline for IEM you can create a recipe for success.  A broad criteria is useful for identifying failings within your approach to an environmental issue.  Frameworks are helpful as they help the user to think in a broader or 'bigger picture' context; they can reveal areas that need more attention, or areas that were completely missed all together during the problem definition stage.

Bührs (1995) put forth a model for developing an IEM framework through the IEM Matrix.  The Matrix takes a holistic approach of incorporating all aspects of the environment at each level of integration through interpretation of the issue, to how institutions, policy address the issue and eventually how integrated the management of the issue is.

The IEM Matrix
Management
The Environment		Interpretation	Institution	Policy	IEM
	Land
	Water
	Air
	Plants
	Animals
	Resources
	People
	Techniques/ issues

                Table 2.  The IEM Matrix for developing an IEM Framework (Buhrs, 1995)

Think Politically!

Often as an analyst in the policy process you have to wear many hats and try and think from different perspectives. Another aspect of the IEM process that is important for success, is that you must be able to think politically!!  All of your actions will have an affect on people and the environment that we live in and you must think about the implications of these effects throughout the development of your IEM framework. 

Figure 2 - Think Politically (Buhrs, 1995)

Now that you have a grounded understanding of IEM in the policy process, check out next weeks blog on the Maui's dolphin saga, the survival of a species hangs in the balance, will IEM save this beautiful dolphin from extinction??  Check in and find out next week.

References

Bührs, T. (1995).  Integrated Environmental Management: towards a framework for application.  Unpublished paper, Environmental Management and Design Division, Lincoln University.

Cairns, J. Jr. & Crawford, T.V.  (1991). Integrated Environmental Management. Chelsea, Michigan: Lewis Publishers.