Science and the policy process of setting national environmental standards in New Zealand

Abstract

National environmental standards are one of the instruments by which the Resource Management Act 1991 may be implemented. Government policy indicates that 'bottomlines' may be established in the near future based largely on scientific information.

A number of factors including science will influence the policy process of standard setting. This project addresses what role the government perceives science will have in the policy process of setting environmental standards in New Zealand.

Findings established that a neoclassical view of science is held by the government which raises the trans-science issue of how the boundary between science and policy may be identified. It was concluded that risk analysis and use of the precautionary principle were unable to specify where this interface occurs. Viewed neoclassically, science has a powerful influence on the setting of standards which raises fundamental issues of how decisions will be made when setting standards, as well as what form or role public participation will have in the standard setting process. To address this, research into decision making and public participation mechanisms must be pursued.