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Lost in translation: questioning the role of European evaluations in environmental policy change.

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Title: Lost in translation: questioning the role of European evaluations in environmental policy change.
Authors: Valin, Nina1 (AUTHOR) n.z.valin@vu.nl, Huitema, Dave2 (AUTHOR)
Source: Journal of Environmental Planning & Management. Sep2025, Vol. 68 Issue 11, p2545-2565. 21p.
Subjects: Environmental policy, Transcoding, Reforms, Evaluation methodology, European Union, Water management, Policy analysis, Expertise
Abstract: In the EU, evaluations are built into most modern laws, creating windows for policy feedback and new interpretations accounting for a constantly shifting society and environment. One issue often addressed by evaluators is whether a given policy should be retained in its original form, especially when new information is inconsistent and may upend former policy compromises. To what extent, then, are EU evaluations a legitimate opportunity for learning, adaptation and transformation? This article shows how evaluators engage in an activity known as transcoding, which involves translating expert knowledge into actionable recommendations to maintain a functioning policy system. Based on a study of the Water Framework Directive and its two evaluations – Water Blueprint (2012) and Fitness Check (2019) – we argue that transcoding has employed conflict-averse strategies, sidestepping difficult implementation dilemmas. Such strategies may have contributed to the development of lock-ins, that is, a persistence of the status quo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Journal of Environmental Planning & Management is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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  Data: Lost in translation: questioning the role of European evaluations in environmental policy change.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Journal+of+Environmental+Planning+%26+Management%22">Journal of Environmental Planning & Management</searchLink>. Sep2025, Vol. 68 Issue 11, p2545-2565. 21p.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Environmental+policy%22">Environmental policy</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Transcoding%22">Transcoding</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Reforms%22">Reforms</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Evaluation+methodology%22">Evaluation methodology</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22European+Union%22">European Union</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Water+management%22">Water management</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Policy+analysis%22">Policy analysis</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Expertise%22">Expertise</searchLink>
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  Data: In the EU, evaluations are built into most modern laws, creating windows for policy feedback and new interpretations accounting for a constantly shifting society and environment. One issue often addressed by evaluators is whether a given policy should be retained in its original form, especially when new information is inconsistent and may upend former policy compromises. To what extent, then, are EU evaluations a legitimate opportunity for learning, adaptation and transformation? This article shows how evaluators engage in an activity known as transcoding, which involves translating expert knowledge into actionable recommendations to maintain a functioning policy system. Based on a study of the Water Framework Directive and its two evaluations – Water Blueprint (2012) and Fitness Check (2019) – we argue that transcoding has employed conflict-averse strategies, sidestepping difficult implementation dilemmas. Such strategies may have contributed to the development of lock-ins, that is, a persistence of the status quo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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  Data: <i>Copyright of Journal of Environmental Planning & Management is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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        Value: 10.1080/09640568.2024.2317899
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      – Code: eng
        Text: English
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        PageCount: 21
        StartPage: 2545
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      – SubjectFull: Environmental policy
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Transcoding
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      – SubjectFull: Reforms
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      – SubjectFull: Evaluation methodology
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      – SubjectFull: European Union
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      – SubjectFull: Water management
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      – SubjectFull: Expertise
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              M: 09
              Text: Sep2025
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