Environment Agency Water Management Mechanisms Evaluation - Physical Modifications

Tender description

To help us understand why certain water management mechanisms are effective while others are not, and demonstrate a robust evidence-based approach before committing resource, we need to evaluate the effectiveness of the mechanisms employed using Magenta book compatible methods. We also need to better understand what motivates people such as land managers and water users to change their behaviours, so we can deploy different mechanisms more effectively. This project will evaluate the effectiveness of key water management mechanisms used to improve physical modification pressures in the water environment. At present, four in ten of our rivers, lakes, estuaries and coasts are not achieving their ecological and environmental objectives due to the effects of physical modifications. By mechanism we mean a programme or tool or intervention or other device that enables implementation through activity on the ground. In other words, policy instruments, which are the means by which public policy is put into practical effect. This project will determine in detail the efficacy, pros and cons of existing mechanisms/policy instruments/interventions. It will not consider the pros and cons of the policies themselves. The evaluation should be undertaken in accordance with new magenta book principles including consideration of complexity. The main audience will be the Environment Agency and Defra. Outline Objectives Overarching objectives for the project are to: 1. Evaluate the main water management mechanisms that have been implemented over the last 20-30 years to mitigate physical modification pressures or issues, and determine the effectiveness of approaches to deliver outcomes for the water environment, people and the economy now. A broad range of outcomes should be included, quantified where possible, for example mitigating flood risk and drought, benefits to water, land, biodiversity and people contributing to health and wellbeing, levelling social inequality and supporting the economy. 2. Assess how much factors such as the type and quality of evidence used to drive mechanisms or the design of the mechanisms contribute to its success or failure. 3. Determine what failures there are in less effective mechanisms 4. Review the application of metrics - what are the most appropriate success metrics in this work area, covering environmental, social and economic aspects (in particular we wish to fully capture the potential societal benefits of this work and consider the use of ecosystem service / natural capital metrics). 5. Review the influence of contextual factors on outcomes for water, for example: • what works where, why and for whom? • is climate change or population growth increasing the challenge as we seek to address it, for example in flood risk and new developments? 6. Review possible or proposed changes to the mechanisms under consideration and their likely effectiveness. 7. Report the findings and conclusions.