Can we take the pulse of environmental governance the way we take the pulse of nature? Applying the Freshwater Health Index in Latin America

• DOI: 10.1007/s13280-020-01407-8
• Publication Date: 2020-11-15T18:02:30Z
• Authors: Derek Vollmer; Maíra Ometto Bezerra; Natalia Acero Mar...; Octavio Rodríguez...; Ivo Encomenderos; Maria Clara Marques; Lina Serrano-Durán; Isabelle Fauconnier; Raymond Yu Wang
• Keywords: Environmental Governance

Abstract Quantitative assessments have long been used to evaluate the condition of natural environment, providing information for standard setting, adaptive management, and monitoring. Similar approaches developed measure environmental governance, however, end result (e.g., numeric indicators) belies subjective normative judgments that are involved in evaluating governance. We demonstrate a framework makes this transparent, through an application Freshwater Health Index three different river basins Latin America. Water Governance is measured on 0–100 scale, using data derived from perception-based surveys administered stakeholders. Results suggest water governance primary area concern all places, with low overall scores (Guandu-26, Alto Mayo-38, Bogotá-43). conclude approach measuring at basin scale provides valuable support monitoring decision making, we offer suggestions how it can be improved.