Environmental policy dynamics in Southeast Asia: Two steps forward, one step back

• Main Authors: NAIR, Sreeja, MUKHERJEE, Ishani, HOWLETT, Michael, CASHORE, Benjamin
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Institutional Knowledge at Singapore Management University 2023
• Subjects: Asian Studies; Environmental Policy
• Online Access: https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/soss_research/3893
• Institution: Singapore Management University

Southeast Asia is an historically important bioregion in terms of environmental indicators such as biodiversity, freshwater resources, and species richness and distribution. It is also a region that faces intense pressure from population growth, industrial expansion, environmental change, and the subsequent land and forest degradation. Issues such as illegal tropical timber harvesting and palm plantation expansion have plagued the region for decades. Drawing on the theoretical work on policy dynamics and change the authors discuss how policymakers are dealing with these changes, focusing on policy formulation, choice of instruments, capacities, and policy networks, supported with examples from the region. They generally find that there is a pattern of “two steps forward, one step back” in the region as there has been a gradual extension of interest and capacity in the environment, as well as better policies and implementation/enforcement. However, there are still many problems in low-capacity states (Cambodia, Laos) and backsliders (Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand) and ongoing problems in Malaysia and Indonesia that have never been satisfactorily addressed.