Ocean values round table: next steps
The ocean values round table on 31 January 2019 brought together researchers and practitioners exploring the many ways in which people value the ocean in the UK. The purpose of the day was to understand, map and share the state of knowledge, and to discuss how we might build on this to support decision-making that reflects society's wider values and interests. It confirmed the gap between research and practice, and policy influence, and identified a number of avenues for addressing the issues that emerged. There is a blog here: https://gulbenkian.pt/uk-branch/what-values-count-in-decision-making-about-the-sea, which sets out the discussion in more detail.

With the development of the Marine Social Sciences Network and other initiatives in (and beyond) the UK, we know there is considerable interest at the moment in the stand out issues that were raised. We are keen to build on this momentum and support connections with others working in this space. This (short) survey outlines the ideas and areas of discussion that emerged and asks what appetite you have to engage with them collaboratively (e.g. interest in 'convening', driving and coordinating work in an area; in being 'actively engaged', contributing to plans/outputs, or in remaining informed). With this feedback, we hope to facilitate connections to take things forward.

Please do complete the survey and share it with others who may like to be involved!
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Understanding the power relationships
1. Map decision-making processes at different levels
It's not that communities are unwilling to engage in decision-making processes; often they just don't know how. Building on WWF-UK's mapping work, would it be useful to map decision-making processes at different levels and create a visual tool which makes the process more transparent and shows who has the power?
Convener
Actively engaged
Continue to be informed
Not interested
How would you like to be involved?
Clear selection
Is this (or similar) work already happening elsewhere, or any other comments?
2. Strengthening community power
Some communities voice their views with power and influence. Others may need support to understand the issues they face and to challenge the decisions they think wrong. Do we need a campaign to empower and celebrate coastal communities? It could build on coastal communities clusters and the England Coastal Path initiative. Should we look at empowered communities to understand what has changed as a result of their influence? How do we ensure that inland communities also have a voice in decision-making about the sea?
Convener
Actively engaged
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Not interested
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Clear selection
Is this (or similar) work already happening elsewhere, or any other comments?
Looking forward, looking back
3. Reflect on the assumptions and outcomes of past decisions
Often we don't give time to evaluating what has happened so we don’t learn what works and what doesn't. Evaluation is seldom/never done some years after a project has finished or a decision has been made, when outcomes would be clearer, because there is no appetite or resource to do so. How is the past informing policy/decision/learning now? What creative ways might we develop to embed reflection and review in decision-making processes? What can we learn from the social history of climate change?
Convener
Actively engaged
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Clear selection
Is this (or similar) work already happening elsewhere, or any other comments?
4. Analyse case studies of past decisions
A project to assess past examples of marine decisions and the validity of assumptions underlying the decision-making process - for instance, the assumed impact a decision would have on business stakeholders or the local environment...
Convener
Actively engaged
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Clear selection
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Getting the language (and frameworks) right
5. Promote a glossary of terms to improve communication
The use of jargon can exclude people from decision-making processes. The meanings of expert terms are not always agreed even among the experts. The Marine Social Sciences Network is developing a glossary which will help to address this problem. How can we support this and ensure its take-up?
Convener
Actively engaged
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Clear selection
Is this (or similar) work already happening elsewhere, or any other comments?
6. Communicate the risks of 'natural capital approach' terminology
The natural capital approach should be inclusive and encompass the breadth of things people care about the ocean, but there’s a risk it becomes a shorthand term for ‘finding ways to pay for nature’ or prioritising the immediate economic value of resources over wider considerations for the long term. How can we better address these risks? Should we be questioning the fundamental terms of the discourse?
Convener
Actively engaged
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Clear selection
Is this (or similar) work already happening elsewhere, or any other comments?
7. Promote the inclusion of wider values in the use of a natural capital approach at international scale
The UK often has good representation in international fora to influence thinking e.g. on the CBD and SDGs, but the parties contributing are not always coherent in their approach. Can we develop a clear, collective message on the need to include a wider range of values in the natural capital approach at international level, which could in turn influence interpretation and practice at the national and local level in the UK?
Convener
Actively engaged
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Clear selection
Is this (or similar) work already happening elsewhere, or any other comments?
8. Consider alternatives to a natural capital (market-driven?) approach
Opinions on the natural capital approach range from it being ‘a transformative route to change’ to ‘an issue at the polemic heart of conservation’. Given the risks outlined in #6, should we consider alternative frameworks to ensure the inclusion of a wider range of values in decision-making?
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9. Develop a conceptual framework for 'holistic net gain'
Create a conceptual framework for a holistic approach to net gain, which includes environmental and social gains. We would need to clarify terms and implications and how it would fit in the planning process. We might start by identifying what frameworks already exist, establishing gaps in the existing frameworks and data, and develop new ways of deciding how to value social net gain...
Convener
Actively engaged
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Not interested
How would you like to be involved?
Clear selection
Is this (or similar) work already happening elsewhere, or any other comments?
Do you have any further comments or feedback?
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