The odyssey of environmental future studies for the Mediterranean

Abstract

Future studies were designed to critically address trends, or "business as usual" analyses, to question and make visible boundary making processes that separate endogenous and exogenous variables, determinisms and random events, and upon which public policies are based. How can future studies contribute to shed light on the political choices that underlie environmental policies? To address this issue, this article is based on the study of the Blue Plan, an ambitious international foresight programme designed to feed international and regional debates on cooperation on environmental matters of concern. Analyzing the foresight studies carried out by the Blue Plan on water issues allows us discussing their impact on environmental public policies in the Mediterranean countries, as well as the nature of the Blue Plan and its strategic action.