Overview:
You are required to write a policy brief for decision-makers at a national level (for example, Minister of Science and Technology). Below, you are provided with two policy brief options that requires you to apply some of the key theoretical ideas from the module whilst allowing you flexibility around the selection of a context-specific sustainability challenge.
Purpose:
The purpose of this assessment is to test your ability to articulate and critically evaluate selected theoretical perspectives on innovation and the environment to a specific sustainability challenge. You will need to research the innovation dimensions of a contemporary environmental problem using a mix of academic and policy literature, demonstrate an appreciation of context-specificity in global-local dimensions of innovation for sustainability and convey the most important information in a clear and concise manner.
Details:
You are required to produce one briefing. You have a choice between two briefing options, as well as which of the listed SDG targets you select and which country you focus on. When making these choices, please consider whether enough data and evidence is available to inform your analysis.
Briefing options:
Briefing option 1: The Minister requires a briefing on specific innovation policy instruments and their potential role in supporting innovation to deliver the SDG target you have selected. You should draw on the literature and on evidence of policy instruments that have been applied across the world, but target your briefing at a particular national context of your choosing. Please specify the country context in your briefing.
OR
Briefing option 2: The Minister requires a policy briefing on some of the challenges faced by ‘grassroots innovation’ for the SDG target you have selected, and the various considerations that should inform government action. With reference to the literature and to real world examples, discuss the evidence and the context-specific policy implications in a country of your choice.
SDG options:
SDG 2: End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture
Target 2.4: By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production, that help maintain ecosystems, that strengthen capacity for adaptation to climate change, extreme weather, drought, flooding and other disasters and that progressively improve land and soil quality.
OR
SDG 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote wellbeing for all at all ages
Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination.
OR
SDG 7: Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all
Target 7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix. * Please focus on the application of one renewable energy technology in one country.
OR
SDG 12: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
Target 12.6: Encourage companies, especially large and transnational companies, to adopt sustainable practices and to integrate sustainability information into their reporting cycle.
OR
SDG 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development
Target 14.2: By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans
Structure
You should use the structure below for your policy briefing (note: sub-titles can be altered to be made more interesting, although they should cover the same areas):
Introduction – introduce the question, and how the briefing goes about answering it. If you propose adopting a specific technology/ies or case study/ies, introduce them here (approximately 200 words)
Framing – clarify the framing(s) that you are adopting in your briefing, recognising environmental, social and economic dimensions of sustainable development as they apply to your briefing (approximately 250 words).
Current situation – describe the current situation (as far as data exist) in the country you are focussing on. What are the most pressing challenges? (approximately 300 words).
Theory and Evidence – Draw on literature covered in the module to introduce the main concepts and theories in this area. (For example, for option 1 emphasise policy instrument selection, design and mix/ for option 2, emphasise challenges associated with grassroots innovation and policy encounters). Draw on the evidence from the country in question or elsewhere to analyse the current situation (approximately 500 words)
Options facing the government – describe and analyse possible options (e.g. policy instruments/ mixes, political considerations and strategies or advocacy positions). Provide a clearly structured, complete and consistent argument, drawing on the literature introduced in the module and relevant evidence (approximately 400 words).
