In recent years, certain attempts to promote sustainable transport have fallen victim to the impact of ‘unintended consequences’ on decision-making and policy outcomes. The pressure that the promotion of biofuels for transport puts on global food production and the deforestation caused by increased demand for palm oil are well-rehearsed examples.
This paper explores the burgeoning literature on the ‘unintended consequences’ of policy making and draws insights from management theory. Applying this collective knowledge it explores how European biofuels policy was initially shaped, the unanticipated impacts which it brought about, and how current approaches have been re-framed as a result.
Whilst acknowledging that not all eventualities can be prepared for, the paper highlights the importance of communication and collaboration across different levels and departments of government in policy-making processes, especially when dealing with complex cross-cutting and international social, environmental and economic problems.
