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

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 multicriteria analysis (MCA) and involves stakeholder participation to provide a locally customised evaluation based on weighted environmental indicators. The methodology was subjected to a validation and feasibility assessment in a series of case studies across the EU. The AFI approach was able to measure significant differences in environmental impact 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 political contexts. The approach proved to be appropriate for environmental evaluation of complex agri-environment systems and is available now to 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.

LOUWAGIE Geertrui;  MAUCHLINE Alice L;  MORTIMER Simon R;  PARK Julian R;  FINN John A;  HAYSOM Karen;  WESTBURY Duncan B;  PURVIS Gordon;  NORTHEY Greg;  PRIMDAHL Jørgen;  VEJRE Henrik;  SØDERKVIST KRISTENSEN Lone;  VIND TEILMANN Kasper;  VESTERAGER Jens Peter;  KASPERCZYKE Nadia;  BALÁZS Katalin;  PODMANICZKY László;  VLAHOS George;  CHRISTOPOULOS Stamatios;  KRÖGER Laura;  AAKKULA Jyrki;  YLI-VIIKARI Anja;  KIINICKEL Karlheinz; 

2011-12-12

ELSEVIER SCI LTD

JRC64692

0264-8377,   

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0264837711000706,    https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC64692,   

10.1016/j.landusepol.2011.07.002,