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Inaugural speech Professor Dave Huitema: ‘In sustainability transformations, we cannot ignore governments’
“The world is facing major challenges, especially due to climate change,” says Dave Huitema, Professor and Chair of Public Administration at Wageningen University and Research. “All kinds of parties, such as the United Nations, are calling for transformations - fundamental changes in our economy. Especially in our relationship with nature, and in our governance. How are we going to organize those transformations? My argument is that this will not happen without governments, while governments are now often overlooked.” On September 21, Huitema held his inaugural speech on the role of government in sustainability transformations.
Since childhood, Dave Huitema (Leeuwarden, 1968) has been fascinated by decision-making and the motivations behind it. “I have always been interested in how processes of governance work. Also, as a straightforward Frisian, I love water.” As a result he has been studying administrative issues in water management from the beginning of his career. This interest has since broadened. “You can no longer talk about water management without talking about climate change and food security.” His research now conducts on the role of governments in achieving transformations in the sustainability domain.
Government is needed
The story starts close to home. “Sea levels have been rising in the Netherlands for a long time, but the rate of change is accelerating. Scenario studies by the expertise institute Deltares show that The Netherlands may have to start thinking seriously about new approaches this century.” Deltares shows several schools of thought for the future. “Are we soon going into the North Sea, building islands with dikes in between? Or do we adjust for the water coming in more often? There is even a scenario in which we give up some parts of the Netherlands.”
Huitema is certain that The Netherlands must transform. Not only in water management, but also in agriculture and food production. He sees three ways for governments to contribute. First, as a party that enables others to shape transformations, second, as a party that directs and guides, and third, as a party that transforms itself as well.
Empowering others
Society is buzzing with plans and initiatives to become more sustainable. Sometimes these involve new technologies, sometimes new approaches, and sometimes new forms of policy and rules. Huitema: “Not all experiments are equally innovative. Our group is developing ways to pre-test the transformative potential of these ‘small wins’. Unfortunately, much remains stuck at the level of a one-off project. The challenge is to scale up. Government knowledge institutions such as Planbureau voor de Leefomgeving (Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency) could be much more involved in such initiatives and support them with knowledge and expertise. That can accelerate scaling up. It is also about embracing such initiatives, setting them as examples, and creating room in the law to deviate from the standard way of working.”
Directing and steering
It is up to the government to direct where a country should ultimately go. What is the vision, what are the goals and how are they going to be achieved? Increasingly, the government is explicitly committing itself to certain goals, for example with a Climate Act. This makes policy less subject to political change. “I find that a fascinating development, also because judges nowadays intervene when governments fail to meet their goals after all. They force governments to take measures after all, think of the nitrogen debate.”
After such a court ruling, the government itself must take the lead, and explicitly start thinking about building more sustainable systems and phasing out unsustainable ones. “Fortunately, research on economic innovation shows that governments can powerfully encourage technological innovation. They can formulate a clear mission, bring in their own expertise, and make their own risky investments. Phasing out sectors often results in painful discussions. Here, as far as I am concerned, basic mistakes are still made too often, for example by not generously acknowledging that pain.”
Transforming itself
According to Huitema, governments itself must also change. “It is time for a government that considers new principles, new paradigms.” Huitema sees interesting discussions, involving environmental and social boundaries. Or the notion of degrowth, in which economic growth becomes less central. Both approaches are not yet catching on in government land, but that something is changing is certain. “When we look at programs like the European Union's Green Deal, we see an activist government investing in innovation. We also see a government that puts nature and climate goals first, and includes equity.” The hoped-for outcome is still growth, but green economic growth. For example, with jobs in renewable energy or sustainable agriculture.
Hopeful
Huitema hopes for a ‘transformative government’ that contributes positively to the necessary sustainability transformations. He has already seen much change for the better, in part because of individuals throwing their full weight behind it. “I've been looking at policy entrepreneurs for years. These are people who make a difference and take a policy step by step in their direction by developing good ideas. They try out these ideas in practice, forge coalitions and occasionally dug in their heels.” Huitema sees it as his job to convey his insights into policy change to students. “Policy changes and what is happening now on the topic of climate change is a difference of night and day from 20 years ago. Okay, it should have happened yesterday, but big policy changes take time, and look at what's happening at this moment.”