The observations described above conclude that the governance context for
drought resilience policies and measures for the Twente part of the water authority
of Vechtstromen can be regarded as moderately positive (supportive or at least
neutral), though obviously such general conclusion is always relative to other situations and dependent on the choice of issues emphasized most.
9.4.5.1 Contextual Interaction Theory
Following Contextual Interaction Theory such a generally supportive governance
context is expected to have positive consequences for the motivation, cognitions
and resources of the actors involved in the process of implementing drought resilience measures. What we did observe is a varying and on average moderate, but
also growing degree of draught awareness among the actors. This also positively
influenced their motivation. Of course there is here a strong pre-selection effect:
while all measures are taken voluntarily it is no surprise to see predominantly
positive motivations. On the other hand: also with previously sceptic actors like the
agricultural organization positive developments are observable. The resources of
the actors made available for drought resilience measures and to push and pull to
get them accepted are generally sufficient, with the exception of the withdrawal of
the national government from the support for nature development and the national
landscape park that has made things more difficult. On the positive side, the
provincial government has compensated this loss to a large degree, indicating its
preparedness to contribute. All in all this has led to an implementation process with
a remarkable degree of collaboration.
When we look more specifically into the three actor characteristics of Contextual
Interaction Theory we see the following. The motivation of the stakeholders
working to act on drought is triggered to large extent by their own goals and values.
In a dense country such as the Netherlands, the last remnants of nature are seen as
especially precious. In addition, desiccation is considered one of the major environmental policy themes in the Dutch government for several decades now. The
local water authority views cultivating drought resilience for the area as its own
responsibility. Also nature organizations and more and more farmers are aware of
the implications of drought and water scarcity, including loss of flora and fauna in
creeks and crop losses. For the province also the external pressure of European
policies is very relevant. Low self-effectiveness assessment on top-down regulation
of preparatory measures limits the scope of instruments to voluntary ones.
The cognitions of actors are mainly driven by observations on the changes of the
regional water balance. The visibility of drought issues has increased in the region,
with creeks running dry as well as dry vegetation. Damages from droughts are
affecting agricultural yields in rural areas. Cities and their urban infrastructure are
also affected by drought, which in leads to a change in awareness and perception.
In contrast to the strong legal requirements behind nature conservation in the
Netherlands there are limited resources for the nature organizations to combat
drought issues themselves. Their key competencies are rather limited. Other actors,
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H. Bressers et al.
drought resilience policies and measures for the Twente part of the water authority
of Vechtstromen can be regarded as moderately positive (supportive or at least
neutral), though obviously such general conclusion is always relative to other situations and dependent on the choice of issues emphasized most.
9.4.5.1 Contextual Interaction Theory
Following Contextual Interaction Theory such a generally supportive governance
context is expected to have positive consequences for the motivation, cognitions
and resources of the actors involved in the process of implementing drought resilience measures. What we did observe is a varying and on average moderate, but
also growing degree of draught awareness among the actors. This also positively
influenced their motivation. Of course there is here a strong pre-selection effect:
while all measures are taken voluntarily it is no surprise to see predominantly
positive motivations. On the other hand: also with previously sceptic actors like the
agricultural organization positive developments are observable. The resources of
the actors made available for drought resilience measures and to push and pull to
get them accepted are generally sufficient, with the exception of the withdrawal of
the national government from the support for nature development and the national
landscape park that has made things more difficult. On the positive side, the
provincial government has compensated this loss to a large degree, indicating its
preparedness to contribute. All in all this has led to an implementation process with
a remarkable degree of collaboration.
When we look more specifically into the three actor characteristics of Contextual
Interaction Theory we see the following. The motivation of the stakeholders
working to act on drought is triggered to large extent by their own goals and values.
In a dense country such as the Netherlands, the last remnants of nature are seen as
especially precious. In addition, desiccation is considered one of the major environmental policy themes in the Dutch government for several decades now. The
local water authority views cultivating drought resilience for the area as its own
responsibility. Also nature organizations and more and more farmers are aware of
the implications of drought and water scarcity, including loss of flora and fauna in
creeks and crop losses. For the province also the external pressure of European
policies is very relevant. Low self-effectiveness assessment on top-down regulation
of preparatory measures limits the scope of instruments to voluntary ones.
The cognitions of actors are mainly driven by observations on the changes of the
regional water balance. The visibility of drought issues has increased in the region,
with creeks running dry as well as dry vegetation. Damages from droughts are
affecting agricultural yields in rural areas. Cities and their urban infrastructure are
also affected by drought, which in leads to a change in awareness and perception.
In contrast to the strong legal requirements behind nature conservation in the
Netherlands there are limited resources for the nature organizations to combat
drought issues themselves. Their key competencies are rather limited. Other actors,
198
H. Bressers et al.