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Challenges for bridging the gap between knowledge and governance in sustainability policy – The case of OECD ‘Focal Points’ for Policy Coherence for Development

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  • Zeigermann, Ulrike
  • Böcher, Michael

Abstract

Academic and practical actors have made new claims to foster the link between research, policymaking and sustainability. While some argue in favor of a democratization of knowledge through transdisciplinary research, others suggest that planetary boundaries require urgent political measures that need to be implemented – if necessary – against established standards of democracy. This article criticizes these two positions arguing that decision-making needs to equally reflect knowledge and political interests. Research and political Utilization thereby need to be strictly separated in order to ensure democratic processes and academic freedom. How can scientific research be used successfully for sustainability policy? According to the RIU model the link between knowledge and governance is realized through intermediary processes of Integration. In order to study scientific knowledge, transfer empirically and analyze integration in the area of sustainability policy, the article offers findings from a qualitative analysis of the epistemic community for ‘Policy Coherence for Sustainable Development’ around the OECD Focal Points.

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  • Zeigermann, Ulrike & Böcher, Michael, 2020. "Challenges for bridging the gap between knowledge and governance in sustainability policy – The case of OECD ‘Focal Points’ for Policy Coherence for Development," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 114(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:forpol:v:114:y:2020:i:c:s138993411830488x
    DOI: 10.1016/j.forpol.2019.102005
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    2. Soler, Rosina & Lorenzo, Cristian & González, Joel & Carboni, Lucas & Delgado, Juan & Díaz, Mayra & Toro Manríquez, Mónica D.R. & Alejandro, Huertas Herrera, 2021. "The politics behind scientific knowledge: Sustainable forest management in Latin America," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 131(C).
    3. Pratiwi, Santi & Juerges, Nataly, 2022. "Digital advocacy at the science-policy interface: Resolving land-use conflicts in conservation forests," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 121(C).
    4. Eirini Triantafyllidou & Anastasia Zabaniotou, 2022. "Digital Technology and Social Innovation Promoting a Green Citizenship: Development of the “Go Sustainable Living” Digital Application," Circular Economy and Sustainability,, Springer.

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