Shifting perspectives: challenges and changes in policy perspectives on sustainability in the agricultural sector in Flevoland, the Netherlands

Policy perspectives on sustainability, particularly those dominating an era, can have long-lasting effects and shape the context in which decisions are made. Historical analyses of sustainability perspectives applied in policymaking can enrich our understanding of the sources contributing to decisio...

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Main Authors: Kimberly Kuipers, Edwin B. P. De Jong, Riyan J. G. Van den Born
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2024-12-01
Series:International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/14735903.2024.2388486
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author Kimberly Kuipers
Edwin B. P. De Jong
Riyan J. G. Van den Born
author_facet Kimberly Kuipers
Edwin B. P. De Jong
Riyan J. G. Van den Born
author_sort Kimberly Kuipers
collection DOAJ
description Policy perspectives on sustainability, particularly those dominating an era, can have long-lasting effects and shape the context in which decisions are made. Historical analyses of sustainability perspectives applied in policymaking can enrich our understanding of the sources contributing to decision-making processes. Through an in-depth analysis of policy documents published between 1986 and 2022 and interviews with former and current policymakers, we have studied the development of the Dutch regional government of Flevoland’s perspectives on sustainability in the agricultural sector. We developed a framework to guide our analysis of the concepts and rhetoric used and the assumptions made about social-ecological relationships, nature values, and structure and agency. Our findings show a gradual evolution of policy perspectives on sustainability, moving from an economic focus to recognising ecological value and the agricultural sector’s role in addressing environmental and social issues. However, aspects of social sustainability remain narrowly addressed, focusing on business aspects while overlooking farmers’ multifaceted roles and challenges. Moreover, despite encouraging farmer-led sustainability initiatives, the Province struggles to clarify its sustainability strategy and implement concrete measures. These insights can help challenge previously unquestioned or unknown assumptions and be instrumental in crafting better integrated and effective policy measures aimed at addressing sustainability challenges.
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spelling doaj-art-88c5cbb6275f438eadaed7f197fb26242025-01-06T14:27:41ZengTaylor & Francis GroupInternational Journal of Agricultural Sustainability1473-59031747-762X2024-12-0122110.1080/14735903.2024.2388486Shifting perspectives: challenges and changes in policy perspectives on sustainability in the agricultural sector in Flevoland, the NetherlandsKimberly Kuipers0Edwin B. P. De Jong1Riyan J. G. Van den Born2Department of Anthropology and Development Studies, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The NetherlandsDepartment of Anthropology and Development Studies, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The NetherlandsInstitute for Science in Society, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The NetherlandsPolicy perspectives on sustainability, particularly those dominating an era, can have long-lasting effects and shape the context in which decisions are made. Historical analyses of sustainability perspectives applied in policymaking can enrich our understanding of the sources contributing to decision-making processes. Through an in-depth analysis of policy documents published between 1986 and 2022 and interviews with former and current policymakers, we have studied the development of the Dutch regional government of Flevoland’s perspectives on sustainability in the agricultural sector. We developed a framework to guide our analysis of the concepts and rhetoric used and the assumptions made about social-ecological relationships, nature values, and structure and agency. Our findings show a gradual evolution of policy perspectives on sustainability, moving from an economic focus to recognising ecological value and the agricultural sector’s role in addressing environmental and social issues. However, aspects of social sustainability remain narrowly addressed, focusing on business aspects while overlooking farmers’ multifaceted roles and challenges. Moreover, despite encouraging farmer-led sustainability initiatives, the Province struggles to clarify its sustainability strategy and implement concrete measures. These insights can help challenge previously unquestioned or unknown assumptions and be instrumental in crafting better integrated and effective policy measures aimed at addressing sustainability challenges.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/14735903.2024.2388486Sustainability perspectivepolicy changeagriculturehistorical analysissocial sustainability
spellingShingle Kimberly Kuipers
Edwin B. P. De Jong
Riyan J. G. Van den Born
Shifting perspectives: challenges and changes in policy perspectives on sustainability in the agricultural sector in Flevoland, the Netherlands
International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability
Sustainability perspective
policy change
agriculture
historical analysis
social sustainability
title Shifting perspectives: challenges and changes in policy perspectives on sustainability in the agricultural sector in Flevoland, the Netherlands
title_full Shifting perspectives: challenges and changes in policy perspectives on sustainability in the agricultural sector in Flevoland, the Netherlands
title_fullStr Shifting perspectives: challenges and changes in policy perspectives on sustainability in the agricultural sector in Flevoland, the Netherlands
title_full_unstemmed Shifting perspectives: challenges and changes in policy perspectives on sustainability in the agricultural sector in Flevoland, the Netherlands
title_short Shifting perspectives: challenges and changes in policy perspectives on sustainability in the agricultural sector in Flevoland, the Netherlands
title_sort shifting perspectives challenges and changes in policy perspectives on sustainability in the agricultural sector in flevoland the netherlands
topic Sustainability perspective
policy change
agriculture
historical analysis
social sustainability
url https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/14735903.2024.2388486
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