Exploring policy coherence for land use transformations : the case of Scotland

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Nicholson, Hebe and Blackstock, Kirsty and Boucher, Jean and Glendinning, James and Green, Alexa and Juarez-Bourke, Alba and Martinat, Stan and Sánchez, Graciela Martínez and Matthews, Keith and Merrell, Ian and Poskitt, Sam and Thomson, Steven (2025) Exploring policy coherence for land use transformations : the case of Scotland. Journal of Environmental Management, 374. 123927. ISSN 0301-4797 (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.123927)

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Abstract

The multiple crises (climate, biodiversity, austerity) facing our socio-ecological systems require ambitious responses; with much of the responsibility for protecting public goods and developing sustainably lying with public policy. To tackle these wicked problems, there are increasing calls for policy coherence: to use the levers of government in a more holistic and systemic manner. Land use transformation is crucial to achieving these ambitions. However, there is limited scholarship that takes a comprehensive approach to analysing policy coherence (both horizontal and vertical). Common to many nation-states, the Scottish Government has made ambitious pledges to address climate action (mitigation and adaptation) and nature, with an emphasis on leaving no one behind e.g., net zero by 2045 using Just Transitions. In this research we examine the policy coherence of 66 Scottish land use related policies in addressing land use transformation, as well as an in-depth coherence analysis of 11 agricultural policies. We address three research questions on the synergies and problems in policy coherence for land use transformation, as well as opportunities for improvement. Overall, we found that half of the 66 policies examined advanced land use transformation, but we query the possibility of hidden conflicts. The in-depth coherence analysis highlighted that when looking at the agricultural policies as a collective, coherence was clear, however, on the individual level it was not. Our paper shows that whilst challenging to implement, paying attention to multiple forms of policy coherence can highlight opportunities to consider when revising or designing policies for these pressing problems.

ORCID iDs

Nicholson, Hebe, Blackstock, Kirsty, Boucher, Jean, Glendinning, James, Green, Alexa ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0008-8858-5184, Juarez-Bourke, Alba, Martinat, Stan, Sánchez, Graciela Martínez, Matthews, Keith, Merrell, Ian, Poskitt, Sam and Thomson, Steven;
CORE (COnnecting REpositories)