Environmental policy dynamics in Southeast Asia: Two steps forward, one step back
Publication Type
Book Chapter
Publication Date
6-2023
Abstract
Southeast Asia is an historically important bioregion in terms of environmental indicators such as biodiversity, freshwater resources, and species richness and distribution. It is also a region that faces intense pressure from population growth, industrial expansion, environmental change, and the subsequent land and forest degradation. Issues such as illegal tropical timber harvesting and palm plantation expansion have plagued the region for decades. Drawing on the theoretical work on policy dynamics and change the authors discuss how policymakers are dealing with these changes, focusing on policy formulation, choice of instruments, capacities, and policy networks, supported with examples from the region. They generally find that there is a pattern of “two steps forward, one step back” in the region as there has been a gradual extension of interest and capacity in the environment, as well as better policies and implementation/enforcement. However, there are still many problems in low-capacity states (Cambodia, Laos) and backsliders (Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand) and ongoing problems in Malaysia and Indonesia that have never been satisfactorily addressed.
Discipline
Asian Studies | Environmental Policy
Research Areas
Political Science
Publication
Routledge Handbook of Environmental Policy
Editor
H. Jorgens, C. Knill, & Y. Steinebach
First Page
1
Last Page
11
ISBN
9781003043843
Identifier
10.4324/9781003043843
Publisher
Routledge
City or Country
London
Citation
NAIR, Sreeja, MUKHERJEE, Ishani, HOWLETT, Michael, & CASHORE, Benjamin. (2023). Environmental policy dynamics in Southeast Asia: Two steps forward, one step back. In Routledge Handbook of Environmental Policy (pp. 1-11). London: Routledge.
Available at: https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/soss_research/3893
Additional URL
https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003043843