Environmental evaluation of agri-environment schemes using participatory approaches: Experiences of testing the Agri-Environmental Footprint Index

TY - JOUR

T1 - Environmental evaluation of agri-environment schemes using participatory approaches: Experiences of testing the Agri-Environmental Footprint Index

AU - Mauchline, Alice L.

AU - Mortimer, Simon R.

AU - Park, Julian P.

AU - Finn, John A.

AU - Haysom, Karen

AU - Westbury, Duncan B.

AU - Purvis, Gordon

AU - Louwagie, Geertrui

AU - Northey, Greg

AU - Primdahl, Jørgen

AU - Vejre, Henrik

AU - Kristensen, Lone Søderkvist

AU - Teilmann, Kasper Vind

AU - Vesterager, Jens Peter

AU - Knickel, Karlheinz

AU - Kasperczyk, Nadia

AU - Balázs, Katalin

AU - Podmaniczky, László

AU - Vlahos, George

AU - Christopoulos, Stamatios

AU - Kröger, Laura

AU - Aakkula, Jyrki

AU - Yli-Viikari, Anja

PY - 2012/4

Y1 - 2012/4

N2 - The Agri-Environment Footprint Index (AFI) has been developed as a generic methodology to assess changes in the overall environmental impacts from agriculture at the farm level and to assist in the evaluation of European agri-environmental schemes (AES). The methodology is based on multi-criteria analysis (MCA) and involves stakeholder participation to provide a locally customised evaluation based on weighted environmental indicators. The methodology was subjected to a feasibility assessment in a series of case studies across the EU. The AFI approach was able to measure significant differences in environmental status between farms that participated in an AES and non-participants. Wider environmental concerns, beyond the scheme objectives, were also considered in some case studies and the benefits for identification of unintentional (and often beneficial) impacts of AESs are presented. The participatory approach to AES evaluation proved efficient in different environments and administrative contexts. The approach proved to be appropriate for environmental evaluation of complex agri-environment systems and can complement any evaluation conducted under the Common Monitoring and Evaluation Framework. The applicability of the AFI in routine monitoring of AES impacts and in providing feedback to improve policy design is discussed.

AB - The Agri-Environment Footprint Index (AFI) has been developed as a generic methodology to assess changes in the overall environmental impacts from agriculture at the farm level and to assist in the evaluation of European agri-environmental schemes (AES). The methodology is based on multi-criteria analysis (MCA) and involves stakeholder participation to provide a locally customised evaluation based on weighted environmental indicators. The methodology was subjected to a feasibility assessment in a series of case studies across the EU. The AFI approach was able to measure significant differences in environmental status between farms that participated in an AES and non-participants. Wider environmental concerns, beyond the scheme objectives, were also considered in some case studies and the benefits for identification of unintentional (and often beneficial) impacts of AESs are presented. The participatory approach to AES evaluation proved efficient in different environments and administrative contexts. The approach proved to be appropriate for environmental evaluation of complex agri-environment systems and can complement any evaluation conducted under the Common Monitoring and Evaluation Framework. The applicability of the AFI in routine monitoring of AES impacts and in providing feedback to improve policy design is discussed.

U2 - 10.1016/j.landusepol.2011.07.002

DO - 10.1016/j.landusepol.2011.07.002

M3 - Journal article

SN - 0264-8377

VL - 29

JO - Land Use Policy

JF - Land Use Policy

IS - 2

ER -