From silos to synergy: Mapping institutional collaboration across global environmental science–policy interfaces

Abstract

Science-policy interfaces (SPIs) can help address complex socio-environmental crises by providing evidence-based advice in an inclusive and collaborative manner, consistent with the co-production model. However, the growing number of inclusive SPIs in the environmental policy landscape poses challenges to the co-production model. While this issue is well-documented in other fields, there remains a limited empirical and conceptual understanding of how SPIs interact within an increasingly crowded governance landscape and the implications within the scholarly discourse on co-production. This study examines how global SPIs collaborate institutionally to address complex environmental sustainability problems, derived mainly from semi-structured interviews and survey responses with SPI stakeholders. A social network analysis revealed an extensive yet fragmented network of 41 global environmental SPI-related organizations collaborating, clustered by organization type, with many organizations disconnected as a result of low network density. Stakeholders valued collaboration across varying levels of formalization, emphasizing the potential for individual-level collaboration to enhance the effectiveness of SPIs in informing policymakers on complex issues. The study indicated how institutional collaborations were spearheaded by influential individuals and the involvement of the UN, though hindered by bureaucratic politics, power dynamics, and resource constraints. Divergent mandates, resources, and institutional cultures also shaped the feasibility and effectiveness of these collaborations. The study urges global SPIs to carefully consider both the challenges and benefits of collaboration, recommending partnerships that align with each organization's governance context and goals.