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Designing Policy Mixes for Resource Efficiency: The Role of Public Acceptability

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  • Martha Bicket

    (Policy Studies Institute, 35 Marylebone Road, London NW1 5LS, UK)

  • Robin Vanner

    (Policy Studies Institute, 35 Marylebone Road, London NW1 5LS, UK)

Abstract

Where the public acceptability of a policy can influence its chance of success, it is important to anticipate and mitigate potential concerns. This paper applies search frequency analysis and a form of claims-making analysis to identify public acceptability concerns among fourteen policies proposed by the EU-funded DYNAMIX project to achieve EU resource efficiency. Key points of contention in the corresponding public discourses focus primarily on trust, fairness, effectiveness and cost. We use our findings to provide specific recommendations for the design and implementation of the proposed policy mix which are intended to improve the public acceptability of contentious aspects, and highlight some broader insights for policymakers.

Suggested Citation

  • Martha Bicket & Robin Vanner, 2016. "Designing Policy Mixes for Resource Efficiency: The Role of Public Acceptability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(4), pages 1-17, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:8:y:2016:i:4:p:366-:d:68173
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    Cited by:

    1. Robin Vanner & Martha Bicket, 2016. "The Role of Paradigm Analysis in the Development of Policies for a Resource Efficient Economy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(7), pages 1-12, July.

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