The strategic objective of our research was to explore the interactions between governance modes and sustainable development objectives in view of identifying what governance processes and institutions can best contribute to the conservation of biodiversity.
In order to meet this strategic objective, we had the following operational objectives:
Identify existing governance types and their modes and processes in relation to conservation of biodiversity.
Identify critical ecosystem management characteristics.
Develop a governance matrix linking governance types and critical ecosystem management characteristics.
Identify and conduct research on a set of case studies.
Compare the “success” and “failure” of different approaches in Europe.
Draw lessons from the US experience.
Develop best practice guidelines that could be transferred to a wider context.
Codify its recommendations in a policy guidance document aimed at policy makers and officials at all levels.
We developed a methodology for the achievement of sustainable management of our natural resources by understanding what constitutes “good governance” and by identifying the critical management characteristics and threshold factors. Their interrelations have generated a governance matrix linking governance types and critical ecosystem management characteristics that are used in the research on a great range of case studies and have presented “success” and “failure” scenarios of different approaches in Europe, USA and third countries.