Pathways to synergize reductive with relational logics in environmental policy
Transformative policies and policy instruments that effectively and equitably address climate change, biodiversity loss and social-ecological inequality are essential. This paper examines how environmental policy can better integrate reductive with relational logics to accommodate diverse worldviews...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Taylor & Francis Group
2025-12-01
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| Series: | Ecosystems and People |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/26395916.2025.2529585 |
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| author | Katharina-Victoria Pérez-Hämmerle Katie Moon Christopher M. Raymond Patrick Lucas Viola Hakkarainen Penney Wood |
| author_facet | Katharina-Victoria Pérez-Hämmerle Katie Moon Christopher M. Raymond Patrick Lucas Viola Hakkarainen Penney Wood |
| author_sort | Katharina-Victoria Pérez-Hämmerle |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Transformative policies and policy instruments that effectively and equitably address climate change, biodiversity loss and social-ecological inequality are essential. This paper examines how environmental policy can better integrate reductive with relational logics to accommodate diverse worldviews and improve conservation outcomes. We argue that current approaches are largely defined by reductive logics that function to separate, isolate and objectify – to simplify – and could be improved through the integration of relational logics that encapsulate complexity via the conceptualization of dynamic interconnectivity and interdependence. To do so, we explore how time, space, and entities are conceptualized differently under reductive and relational logics. We illustrate these concepts through multiple cases including: market-based instruments such as biodiversity offset markets, legislative changes to World Heritage Convention Criteria and the Te Urewera Act of 2014 in Aotearoa New Zealand. Our analysis reveals the potential of relational logics to transform environmental policy, leading to more inclusive, culturally appropriate, and effective governance strategies. We propose four key practices for navigating towards a plurality of logics in policymaking: 1) recognizing different logical frameworks and adapting language and metrics; 2) accounting for power dynamics; 3) embracing culturally appropriate co-construction; and 4) contextualizing social-ecological systems with place-based knowledge. We conclude by discussing future directions for policy development in environmental governance, emphasizing the need for ongoing experimentation, evaluation, and refinement in the practical implementation of relational logics in policy. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-93b51aadc01f4e72a5d5063b68735d37 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2639-5908 2639-5916 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-12-01 |
| publisher | Taylor & Francis Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Ecosystems and People |
| spelling | doaj-art-93b51aadc01f4e72a5d5063b68735d372025-08-22T07:41:01ZengTaylor & Francis GroupEcosystems and People2639-59082639-59162025-12-0121110.1080/26395916.2025.2529585Pathways to synergize reductive with relational logics in environmental policyKatharina-Victoria Pérez-Hämmerle0Katie Moon1Christopher M. Raymond2Patrick Lucas3Viola Hakkarainen4Penney Wood5Center for Biodiversity and Conservation Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, AustraliaSchool of Business, University of New South Wales, Canberra, AustraliaHelsinki Institute of Sustainability Science, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, FinlandSchool of Business, University of New South Wales, Canberra, AustraliaHelsinki Institute of Sustainability Science, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, FinlandSchool of Business, University of New South Wales, Canberra, AustraliaTransformative policies and policy instruments that effectively and equitably address climate change, biodiversity loss and social-ecological inequality are essential. This paper examines how environmental policy can better integrate reductive with relational logics to accommodate diverse worldviews and improve conservation outcomes. We argue that current approaches are largely defined by reductive logics that function to separate, isolate and objectify – to simplify – and could be improved through the integration of relational logics that encapsulate complexity via the conceptualization of dynamic interconnectivity and interdependence. To do so, we explore how time, space, and entities are conceptualized differently under reductive and relational logics. We illustrate these concepts through multiple cases including: market-based instruments such as biodiversity offset markets, legislative changes to World Heritage Convention Criteria and the Te Urewera Act of 2014 in Aotearoa New Zealand. Our analysis reveals the potential of relational logics to transform environmental policy, leading to more inclusive, culturally appropriate, and effective governance strategies. We propose four key practices for navigating towards a plurality of logics in policymaking: 1) recognizing different logical frameworks and adapting language and metrics; 2) accounting for power dynamics; 3) embracing culturally appropriate co-construction; and 4) contextualizing social-ecological systems with place-based knowledge. We conclude by discussing future directions for policy development in environmental governance, emphasizing the need for ongoing experimentation, evaluation, and refinement in the practical implementation of relational logics in policy.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/26395916.2025.2529585Seb O’ConnorConservationadaptive governancepower dynamicsco-constructionboundary work |
| spellingShingle | Katharina-Victoria Pérez-Hämmerle Katie Moon Christopher M. Raymond Patrick Lucas Viola Hakkarainen Penney Wood Pathways to synergize reductive with relational logics in environmental policy Ecosystems and People Seb O’Connor Conservation adaptive governance power dynamics co-construction boundary work |
| title | Pathways to synergize reductive with relational logics in environmental policy |
| title_full | Pathways to synergize reductive with relational logics in environmental policy |
| title_fullStr | Pathways to synergize reductive with relational logics in environmental policy |
| title_full_unstemmed | Pathways to synergize reductive with relational logics in environmental policy |
| title_short | Pathways to synergize reductive with relational logics in environmental policy |
| title_sort | pathways to synergize reductive with relational logics in environmental policy |
| topic | Seb O’Connor Conservation adaptive governance power dynamics co-construction boundary work |
| url | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/26395916.2025.2529585 |
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