Environmental policy

Abstract

It is widely acknowledged that ‘policy’ is a term that evades precise and agreed definition. Indeed, there is the often-cited metaphor that defining policy is like trying to describe an elephant – easy enough to recognize if you have seen one before, but difficult to describe to those who have not. Most definitions refer to policy, in one way or the other, as agenda setting combined with action.

One useful way of representing policy is by establishing its relation to other aspects of decision making and action, as in the following hierarchical arrangement: Policy – the setting of direction and broad intent, objectives (e.g., an objective to reduce greenhouse gas emissions); Program – a strategy and management framework for achieving policy (e.g., to achieve the policy by reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from industry); and Plan – a specific element or aspect of a program (e.g., encourage emissions reductions by providing subsidies to implement energy efficiency in industry).