The Earthly Truth: Analyzing the Nature of Environmental Think Tanks

Transcription

1 The Earthly Truth: Analyzing the Nature of Environmental Think Tanks James G. McGann, Ph.D. Ecologic Institute Berlin, Germany October 12,

2 Presentation Outline Introduction to Think Tanks Global Overview of Think Tanks Global Overview of Environmental Think Tanks Analysis of Environmental Think Tanks by Region Proliferation and Involvement Levels of Environmental Think Tanks US and EU: Government, Policy, and Think Tanks Comparison of US and EU Environmental Think Tanks 2

3 Penn s TTCSP and the TTCBP TTCSP Think Tanks Think Tank Research and data on think tanks Global Database and network TTs TTCBP Knowledge exchange and capacitybuilding for governmental and NGO think tanks Current Studies Think Tanks in Europe Think Tanks in India Trends and Transitions Security and International Affairs TTs Academics, Advisors and Advocates: Think Tanks and Policy Advice in the US

4 What is a think tank? Think tank: Knowledge based, policy oriented institutions Serve governments, intergovernmental organizations, and civil society Generate policy oriented research, analysis, and advice on domestic and international issues Engage policymakers,,the media and the public on key policy issues Enable policymakers and the public to make informed decisions about public policy issues Introduction to Think Tanks 4

5 Recent Think Tank Trends Introduction to Think Tanks 5

6 Introduction to Think Tanks 6

7 Global Overview of Think Tank Activity European and North American think tanks are much more active in web, television, and print media than other regions think tanks. South and East Asian think tanks publish 850 policy briefs per year, slightly more than the volume of policy briefs from Eastern European think tanks. The average staff size for think tanks throughout the world is 30 employees, but North American and Asian think tanks employ closer to 50 and 60 staff on average. Global Overview of Think Tanks 7

8 Development of Global Think Tanks Growth Catalysts: Information and complexity Forms: Proliferation and global expansion Breeds of global think tanks Establishes operational centers, field offices, or outreach centers outside of its HQ country (Carnegie, Brookings) Contains an integrated relatively permanent body of researchers or members (institutional or individual) in international locales that perform the organizations central functions (Kiel Institute) Amasses a network of internationally based organizations to perform specific temporary functions (Center for Financial Studies in Germany) Functions Academic and policy oriented research Advocacy and project work, including funding Dialogue Think Tanks with Global Reach 8

9 The following graphs show data from 2006 survey of think tanks: -Books -Policy briefs -Media appearances -Webhits -Number of staff 9

10 Graph 1: Books Produced by Think Tanks by Region McGann, Survey of Think Tanks, Global Overview of Think Tanks 10

11 Graph 2: Policy Briefs Produced by Think Tanks by Region McGann, Survey of Think Tanks, Global Overview of Think Tanks 11

12 Graph 3: Media Appearances by Think Tanks by Region McGann, Survey of Think Tanks, Global Overview of Think Tanks 12

13 Graph 4: Web Hits to Think Tank Sites by Region McGann, Survey of Think Tanks, Global Overview of Think Tanks 13

14 Graph 5: Average Number of Staff per Think Tank by Region McGann, Survey of Think Tanks, Global Overview of Think Tanks 14

15 Environmental Think Tanks Outline Global Overview of Environmental Think Tanks Environmental Think Tanks by Region Regional Analysis Think Tank Research Areas Proliferation of Think Tanks Global Environmental Think Tank Proliferation Analysis Levels of Environmental Think Tanks 15

16 Global Overview of Environmental Think Tanks The proliferation of environmental think tanks is evidence of the increased specialization of think tanks by policy area. The following research focus and proliferation graphs by region are based on a study of think tanks in the global database with low, medium, and high levels of environmental research activity. Please note that think tanks are also evaluated by regional, national, and international advocacy. 16

17 Global Overview of Environmental Think Tanks 17

18 Development of Environmental Think Tanks Academic and policy oriented research Energy, resources, and climate change lead Environment folded into security or development issues Advocacy and project work Emphasis on social and economic development Examples Institute for Policy Studies established SEEN (Sustainable Energy and Economy Network) to engage citizens groups in issues of North South relations - World Bank Institute is the largest global environmental think tank - Kiel Institute for World Economy has international researchers on Environment and Natural Resources - Chatham House, a global think tank, has a practice in Energy, Environment and Resource Governance Think Tanks with Global Reach 18

19 Environmental Think Tanks by Region: North America 217 environmentally focused think tanks Research focuses in the US tend to be global issues: - Climate change - Sustainable Development - Water Sanitation/ Management - Environmental Policy/ Management Shortfalls: - Environmental Disaster - Trade and Environment - Poverty and Environmental Degradation Global Overview of Environmental Think Tanks 19

20 Global Overview of Environmental Think Tanks 20

21 US environmental think tanks proliferated as environmental legislation and public support for environmental protection surged in the 1970s through the 1990s. We postulate that think tank proliferation in the 2000s decreased as more work is now handled by environmental consulting and advocacy organizations. 21 Global Overview of Environmental Think Tanks

22 Environmental Think Tanks by Region: Europe 252 environmentally focused think tanks Research focuses include: - Sustainable Development - Alternative Energy Sources - Natural Resources Shortfalls - Eastern European think tanks environmental research is tied to economic development goals; thus many T Ts favor non governmental and technocratic solutions to environmental problems. Global Overview of Environmental Think Tanks 22

23 Global Overview of Environmental Think Tanks 23

24 Europe has a number of older think tanks which now have environmental practice areas and saw a huge number of new environmental think tanks founded in the 1990s. Like in the US case, the decrease in proliferation of T Ts in the 2000s may be explained by the shift toward environmental consulting and advocacy organizations. Global Overview of Environmental Think Tanks 24

25 Environmental Think Tanks by Region: Africa 101 environmentally focused think tanks Research focuses include: - Sustainable Development - Natural Resources - Land Use and Agriculture Shortfalls - Climate Change - Biodiversity Loss - Water and Sanitation - Energy Global Overview of Environmental Think Tanks

26 Global Overview of Environmental Think Tanks 26

27 There are still very few environmental think tanks in Africa, but the vast majority have been founded in the past two decades with funding from European and US based research and policy institutions. Global Overview of Environmental Think Tanks

28 Environmental Think Tanks by Region: Asia 147 environmentally focused think tanks Research focuses include: - Sustainable Development - Natural Resources - Pollution Shortfalls - Most think tanks focus on social and economic aspects of development. South and Central Asia mostly have environment centers within economic development institutes and need more environmentally focused think tanks. 28

29 Global Overview of Environmental Think Tanks 29

30 Most of the growth in environmental think tanks in Asia happened following the rapid growth of the East Asian Tigers. There are very few environmentally focused think tanks in Central and South Asia. 30 Global Overview of Environmental Think Tanks

31 Environmental Think Tanks by Region: Latin America and Caribbean 109 environmentally focused think tanks Research focuses include: - Sustainable Development - Natural Resources - Environmental Policy/ Management Shortfalls - Climate Change, Pollution, Waste Management - Since 1980 think tanks have increasingly viewed environmental policy as interwoven with social and economic policy. Global Overview of Environmental Think Tanks 31

32 Global Overview of Environmental Think Tanks 32

33 Although there are very few environmental think tanks in Latin America and the Caribbean, we can see that their proliferation is lowest in the years of greatest political instability. Global Overview of Environmental Think Tanks 33

34 Environmental Think Tanks by Region: Middle East and North Africa 60 environmentally focused think tanks Research focuses include: - Sustainable Development - Environmental Policy/ Management - Natural Resources Shortfalls - Environmental issues may exacerbate instability in the region if they are not dealt with properly. More think tanks need to address the main environmental crises of water management and air pollution. Global Overview of Environmental Think Tanks

35 Global Overview of Environmental Think Tanks 35

36 Though the region has relatively few environmental T Ts, the Middle East/North Africa region saw growth of new environmental T Ts in the 1990 s and 2000 s with the rapid development of major urban centers. Global Overview of Environmental Think Tanks

37 Environmental Think Tanks by Region: Oceania 24 environmentally focused think tanks Research focuses include: - Climate Change - Sustainable Development - Land Use (Agriculture/ Forestry) Shortfalls - There are two serious environmental crises in the region: climate change and water scarcity. There are too few environmental think tanks working in this region. 37

38 Global Overview of Environmental Think Tanks 38

39 Nearly 40% of Oceania Environmental Think Tanks were founded in the 1990 s and dealt primarily with regional environmental concerns at a high level of priority. Global Overview of Environmental Think Tanks 39

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41 Reasons for Proliferation of Think Tanks Think Tanks, especially those researching the environment, expanded during the 1990 s because of the worlds efforts to combat environmental degradation These efforts are exemplified by the Montreal Protocol, Kyoto Protocol, and in the U.S. the Clean Air Act, amongst other initiative The advent of the Internet in the late 1990 s helped spur the growth of think tanks Internet is a means to disseminate information to a mass audience Allows for lower costs and lower barriers to entry for new think tanks There was a great increase in the number of think tanks after WWII and the reconstruction from damage inflicted during the war Growth in North America and Europe after 1950 due to relative peace in the world The Cold War provide a milieu for think tanks because of its all encompassing nature 41

42 Levels of Environmental Activity Low level of environmental activity: One or two research projects conducted on issues indirectly relating to the environment Medium level of environmental activity: One or more research programs conducted on issues directly and indirectly relating to the environment High level of environmental activity: Mission of organization research and policy advocacy is primarily environmental or includes the environment Global Overview of Environmental Think Tanks 42

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44 Global Overview of Think Tanks 44

45 US and EU Think Tanks The US and EU have important differences between their political cultures which effect the influence, visibility, and flexibility of think tanks in each political arena. American think tanks are more numerous, well funded, and influential on government while maintaining a level of political and financial independence. European think tanks rely more on governments for funding, and they function less as revolving door institutions and media sources for political expertise as US think tanks do. US and EU Think Tanks 45

46 COMPARATIVE POLITICS Porous and highly decentralized system of government. Highly centralized, unitary form of government. Government lite, weak bureaucracy. Strong civil service. Weak and individualistic political parties. US President s candidacy is not tied to party. Hyperpluralistic society and pluralist political system. Strong controlling party system in Europe. Prime Minister s fate is tied to party. Corporatist political system More wealthy donors in the US Bill Gates ($48 Billion), George Soros ($7.6 billion). More government funding 46 US and EU Think Tanks

47 Characteristics of American Think Tanks More of them 1,777 think tanks 374 based in Washington, DC. 49 states have at least one think tank (Wyoming the only exception) Larger staffs and budgets Heritage $48M & Brookings $60M Greater visibility and influence The revolving door Testimony and briefings for Congress and White House Used by the Electronic and Print Media Significant independence Financial Government and Political Parties US and EU Think Tanks 47

48 Characteristics of European Think Tanks EU has 1,335 think tanks The European countries with the most think tanks are: the UK (285), Germany (190), France (168), Russia (109), Italy (88) and Sweden (74) Less influential in policy decisions Less media savvy Lack of revolving door Relationship to academia: research rather than policy Greater reliance on government funding Lack of transparency Smaller budgets and staff 12 of top 15 U.S. think tanks have budget over $20 million 1 of top 10 European think tanks have budget over $20 million US and EU Think Tanks 48

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55 University of Pennsylvania Research Interns under the guidance of Dr. James McGann Zachary Stone Alex Donayre Margo Prebenda Dylan Hoover 55

56 Think Tanks & Civil Societies Program 2009, University of Pennsylvania All rights reserved. Except for short quotes, no part of this presentation may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by information storage or retrieval system, without written permission from the University of Pennsylvania. All requests, questions and comments should be sent to: James G. McGann, Ph.D. Director University of Pennsylvania 635 Williams Hall 255 S. 36th Street Philadelphia, PA Phone: 001 (215)