The Application of Environmental Governance Networks in Small Island Destinations: Evidence from Indonesia and the Coral Triangle

Abstract

The natural environment plays a major role in determining destination attractiveness in many small island destinations. This is particularly the case in settings which are characterised by limited natural resources and environmental carrying capacity. Some small island destinations in developing countries have adopted environmental governance networks as a means of advancing environmental protection. However, little is known about how such networks operate. Drawing upon two Indonesian examples within the area known as the “Coral Triangle”, this paper explains how environmental governance networks operate in the context of marine-based tourism in small island settings within developing countries. The analysis is approached in three stages: firstly, by reviewing the literature relevant to environmental governance networks, and by proposing an applicable analytical framework. Secondly, two collaborative governance network case studies are examined. Thirdly, a revised conceptual framework is proposed to explain the operations, characteristics and effectiveness of environmental governance networks in the two case study settings. The frameworks from this paper can serve as a basis for further research into the operation of other environmental governance networks.