Public participation in environmental decision-making: A water sector perspective

Public participation in water governance and management has evolved significantly, with various institutions and measures established to enhance public input. This study employs a two-step qualitative approach, combining stakeholder perspectives with the International Association for Public Particip...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Sarpong Hammond Antwi, Caroline Gilleran Stephens, Alec Rolston, David Getty, Suzanne Linnane
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-06-01
Series:Environmental and Sustainability Indicators
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2665972725000777
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1850069220595859456
author Sarpong Hammond Antwi
Caroline Gilleran Stephens
Alec Rolston
David Getty
Suzanne Linnane
author_facet Sarpong Hammond Antwi
Caroline Gilleran Stephens
Alec Rolston
David Getty
Suzanne Linnane
author_sort Sarpong Hammond Antwi
collection DOAJ
description Public participation in water governance and management has evolved significantly, with various institutions and measures established to enhance public input. This study employs a two-step qualitative approach, combining stakeholder perspectives with the International Association for Public Participation (IAP2) Spectrum and the Aarhus Convention as analytical frameworks. The findings reveal that public participation in decision-making and implementation processes remains a work in progress, with significant gaps in fully integrating public perspectives into water governance and management decisions. Drawing on international best practices and stakeholder insights, this study proposes targeted interventions to promote inclusive participation, including the integration of digital technologies to enhance accessibility and transparency while balancing digital and traditional engagement approaches. It also underscores the role of environmental and sustainability education in promoting long-term public commitment and shared responsibility.
format Article
id doaj-art-df358fb245374b4e9240725b186e9f1c
institution DOAJ
issn 2665-9727
language English
publishDate 2025-06-01
publisher Elsevier
record_format Article
series Environmental and Sustainability Indicators
spelling doaj-art-df358fb245374b4e9240725b186e9f1c2025-08-20T02:47:49ZengElsevierEnvironmental and Sustainability Indicators2665-97272025-06-012610065610.1016/j.indic.2025.100656Public participation in environmental decision-making: A water sector perspectiveSarpong Hammond Antwi0Caroline Gilleran Stephens1Alec Rolston2David Getty3Suzanne Linnane4Centre for Freshwater and Environmental Studies, Dundalk Institute of Technology, Co. Louth, Dundalk, A91K584, Ireland; Corresponding author.Centre for Freshwater and Environmental Studies, Dundalk Institute of Technology, Co. Louth, Dundalk, A91K584, IrelandGoyder Institute for Water Research, Adelaide, AustraliaCentre for Freshwater and Environmental Studies, Dundalk Institute of Technology, Co. Louth, Dundalk, A91K584, IrelandCentre for Freshwater and Environmental Studies, Dundalk Institute of Technology, Co. Louth, Dundalk, A91K584, IrelandPublic participation in water governance and management has evolved significantly, with various institutions and measures established to enhance public input. This study employs a two-step qualitative approach, combining stakeholder perspectives with the International Association for Public Participation (IAP2) Spectrum and the Aarhus Convention as analytical frameworks. The findings reveal that public participation in decision-making and implementation processes remains a work in progress, with significant gaps in fully integrating public perspectives into water governance and management decisions. Drawing on international best practices and stakeholder insights, this study proposes targeted interventions to promote inclusive participation, including the integration of digital technologies to enhance accessibility and transparency while balancing digital and traditional engagement approaches. It also underscores the role of environmental and sustainability education in promoting long-term public commitment and shared responsibility.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2665972725000777Aarhus conventionImplementation actionPolicy practicesWater managementStakeholder engagement
spellingShingle Sarpong Hammond Antwi
Caroline Gilleran Stephens
Alec Rolston
David Getty
Suzanne Linnane
Public participation in environmental decision-making: A water sector perspective
Environmental and Sustainability Indicators
Aarhus convention
Implementation action
Policy practices
Water management
Stakeholder engagement
title Public participation in environmental decision-making: A water sector perspective
title_full Public participation in environmental decision-making: A water sector perspective
title_fullStr Public participation in environmental decision-making: A water sector perspective
title_full_unstemmed Public participation in environmental decision-making: A water sector perspective
title_short Public participation in environmental decision-making: A water sector perspective
title_sort public participation in environmental decision making a water sector perspective
topic Aarhus convention
Implementation action
Policy practices
Water management
Stakeholder engagement
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2665972725000777
work_keys_str_mv AT sarponghammondantwi publicparticipationinenvironmentaldecisionmakingawatersectorperspective
AT carolinegilleranstephens publicparticipationinenvironmentaldecisionmakingawatersectorperspective
AT alecrolston publicparticipationinenvironmentaldecisionmakingawatersectorperspective
AT davidgetty publicparticipationinenvironmentaldecisionmakingawatersectorperspective
AT suzannelinnane publicparticipationinenvironmentaldecisionmakingawatersectorperspective