ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT: INNOVATION THROUGH COOPERATION

Abstract

In 1996 the then Australian Nature Conservation Agency (ANC A) and APPEA formalised a commitment to greater cooperation with the hope of facilitating the achievement of objectives of sustainable development and the pursuit of greater understanding of each other's objectives. Up to this time neither APPEA or ANC A had contemplated such an innovative alliance.

The outcomes of this commitment, and the re-signing of the agreement with the Biodiversity Group of Environment Australia, in 1997, has opened up new opportunities to explore innovative strategies which extend beyond the more traditional and adversarial approaches to environmental management and protection.

This paper will discuss progress under the agreement and will analyse the lessons learned for Environment Australia in working with industry. An examination will also be made of how we translate the specifics of these lessons to institutional learning, particularly in the context of policy development and the implementation of research and management.

The paper concludes with some challenges and a vision for the future.