Evaluating and assessing environmental enforcement networks: Through use of the network evaluation matrix

Abstract

Environmental Enforcement Networks (hereafter EENs or networks) generally have different foci in terms of commodities, sectors and regulated communities. Networks can also be quite specific in terms of the nature of their regulatory, compliance and enforcement activities, initiatives (e.g. undertaking joint inspections or collaborative projects) and responses (whether administrative, civil or criminal in nature) that the EEN undertakes.
This chapter considers the past, present and future of EENs, as their role, purpose, utility and importance has been the subject of much discussion. Moreover, this discussion has increasingly resulted in the focused research of Regional EENs.
This chapter commences with an overview of EENs in terms of their past and present before moving on to consider their future. Given the nature of EENs and the fact that they will largely shape their own future, the central issue of this chapter considers the research results and analysis arising from the input of the research participants who are actively engaged in Regional EENs. The chapter concludes with recommendations based upon their input.