Scientific Uncertainty and Learning in European Union Environmental Policymaking

In: Policy studies journal: an international journal of public policy, Band 28, Heft 3, S. 576-596

Abstract

Scientific uncertainty characterizes policy making in many environmental issue areas. Policymakers must rely on scientists to bring environmental problems to their attention, design & prescribe policy solutions, & to define & evaluate policy effectiveness. An important theoretical question is: What role does organizational learning play in amelioration of scientific uncertainty & shaping environmental policy. This study examines the political processes & policy outcomes associated with European Union policy making to revise water quality directives & deal with climate change to ascertain & describe the role played by organizational learning. The evidence suggests that organizational learning is occurring as an integral part of the political dynamics of policy making in these two issue areas. 1 Table, 55 References. Adapted from the source document.