Evaluating the Role of Public Private Partnerships for the delivery of Ecosystem Services in UK Agriculture: The case of Local Nature Partnerships (LNPs)

Agriculture covers the largest proportion of land worldwide. The way in which agriculture is governed can have implications, for both the societal public and private goods it provides. Agriculture provides a wide range of environmental public goods, which are termed ecosystem services (ES). One of the ways to deliver these ES within agriculture is by using Public Private Partnerships (PPPs). These PPPs are advocated as a method by governments to reduce inefficiencies that occur if the government or the public sector were to deliver ES alone.

This study evaluates the role PPPs have in the delivery of ES within UK agriculture, using the PPP example of Local Nature Partnerships (LNPs) and case study of Cumbria. LNPs were one of the most understudied PPP examples and have diverse structures, with no LNP structurally the same as another. ES mapping was carried out using a model called LUCI. Map outputs showed several ES or contributing features to the delivery of ES. Synergies and trade-offs between different ES were also analysed. Semi-structured interviews with policy makers, partnership implementers and practitioners took place, alongside two deliberative workshops. These methods elicited information on how partnerships should work and the challenges they face.
The thesis argues for a redrawing of the PPP model, which incorporates the third sector as a key part of PPPs operating within agriculture. Secondly, it argues for increased involvement from the public and private sectors to ensure that resources are adequate to make PPPs sustainable. Finally, it calls upon the government to foster trust and implement advocacy work to publicise LNPs. The remit government has given to LNPs is extremely broad, with limited support beyond that. Much more
needs to be done, in terms of training stakeholders, engaging with other partnerships and communicating more effectively with the wider community of farmers.