In November 2024, the Environment Agency (EA) commissioned Logika, ICF, and Eunomia to support them in understanding the effectiveness and resilience of various governance models for integrated water and land management.
Client
Environment Agency
Focus
This work aimed to answer the following research question:
“What do we know domestically and internationally about the effectiveness, resilience and key success factors of past, present and trialled governance models for integrated water and land management in producing outcomes for land, water, nature and society?”
Purpose of project
Integrated water management in the UK has evolved significantly between 1960 and 2024, driven by shifting priorities for land use, water resources, environmental conservation and societal needs. However, these approaches have been informally and inconsistently evaluated. As a result, their effectiveness is largely unknown, and best practices are not well-documented or shared.
This study synthesised and analysed the integrated governance approaches used within the UK's water environment (with international case studies) over the last 10 years. Consequently, this report informed the best practice for future environmental management approaches.
This work coincided with the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra)’s Future Water Framework programme, which considers future options for water governance and possible models that could be evaluated as part of future water sector regulatory reform. Additionally, the output of the project fed into the Environment Agency's and Defra’s response to the Call for Evidence for the Cunliffe Review.
What we have delivered:
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International case studies on approaches to integrated governance for water, land and nature including a high-level feasibility assessment for their application in the context of the UK. These were developed based on a systematic literature search. Case studies were developed for the Netherlands, Finland, Singapore and New Zealand. This fed into a Quick Scoping Review (QSR) delivered alongside partners Eunomia and ICF.
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Worked with ICF to conduct ~35 interviews to gather perspectives on the pros and cons of integrated governance approaches. Stakeholders included environmental and conservation groups, landowner associations, public authorities, the water industry and those involved in integrated water governance projects.
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A report summarising interview responses and QSR insight on the effectiveness of integrated governance approaches, to inform the development of potential future water governance models, with key conclusions and recommendations.
View all case studies