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Margeson K, Manuel P, Stewart I, Murphy E, Smit M, Sherren K. The Role of Social License in Non-Industrial Marine and Coastal Planning: a Scoping Review. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2024; 73:595-613. [PMID: 38059979 DOI: 10.1007/s00267-023-01921-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
Marine and coastal environments are diverse and dynamic, supporting competing human interests and demands. As society seeks to balance contested uses of space, more holistic planning processes have emerged, which consider social, economic, and ecological factors. One approach that considers social factors, and more specifically social acceptance, is "social license to operate" (SLO). Originating in the terrestrial mining industry, SLO has been adopted by various marine industries. Except for some emerging work in the conservation field, SLO is typically applied to industrial marine and coastal contexts. To understand SLO's uses in other marine and coastal planning contexts, namely conservation, adaptation, and restoration, we conducted a scoping review using the term SLO and similar concepts, including public or social acceptance, support, and buy-in. Results indicate the concept of SLO is still emerging in non-industrial marine and coastal planning, with an emphasis on gaining public acceptance rather than maintaining it. The concept of SLO was applied broadly, including as a measurement for public support and a product of effective engagement. Most publications focused on barriers and drivers of SLO. Influential factors are identified and organized by theme, then discussed based on their relationships within a social-ecological system framework. Considering the common factors and their associated systems helps to link elements necessary to obtain SLO, highlighting their interconnectedness with each other, society, and the natural environment. The findings of this review illustrate SLO's utility for academics and practitioners alike, through its application in methods, tools, values, and concepts that characterize public inclusion for marine and coastal planning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keahna Margeson
- School for Resource and Environmental Studies, Dalhousie University, Kenneth C. Rowe Management Building, 6100 University Ave, Halifax, NS, B3H 4R2, Canada.
- School of Planning, Dalhousie University, HB3D Medjuck Building, 5410 Spring Garden Road, Halifax, NS, B3H 4R2, Canada.
| | - Patricia Manuel
- School of Planning, Dalhousie University, HB3D Medjuck Building, 5410 Spring Garden Road, Halifax, NS, B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Ian Stewart
- History of Science and Technology, University of Kings College, New Academic Building, Halifax, NS, B3H 2A1, Canada
| | - Enda Murphy
- National Research Council Canada, Ocean, Coastal and River Engineering, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Mike Smit
- School of Information Management, Dalhousie University, Rowe Management Building, 6100 University Avenue, Halifax, NS, B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Kate Sherren
- School for Resource and Environmental Studies, Dalhousie University, Kenneth C. Rowe Management Building, 6100 University Ave, Halifax, NS, B3H 4R2, Canada
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