Why Countries adopt Different Policy Approaches for Common Problems

Western countries often have similar environmental concerns. It is widely recognised, for example, that air quality improvement also improves the health and well-being of populations. Many countries delegate this task to local governments, yet choose different approaches to reach these goals. By analysing the differences in approaches and identifying factors explaining why these differences occur, steps can be taken by future policy designers to overcome any shortcomings stemming from these factors. This study applies a congruence analysis to four local government case studies in New Zealand and the Netherlands to explain why different approaches are used. Three theories propose that environmental approaches vary because of differences in physical and geographical features, Dutch European Union membership, and New Public Management reforms. These three theories are explored using air quality policies of the four case studies, thus focusing on adopted policies and their policy design rather than any other stage in the policy cycle. Implementation and ultimate air quality improvement are thus beyond the scope of this research, instead policy analysis and interviews from practitioners provide the empirical evidence. It is found that while EU membership influences member states' public policy, non-compliance by members limits the impact. Physical and geographical features are often permanent and unavoidable, and thus have the potential to significantly influence environmental policy approaches. Environmental issues like available resources and climate yielded conclusive results in some case studies, yet less decisive conclusions in others. New Public Management reforms, especially local government autonomy, funding, and structure best explained the observed differences between the two countries' policies, thus leading to the conclusion that New Public Management reforms are the most significant influences on environmental policy approaches.