The True Cost of Governance in Integrated Landscape Approaches

This report examines the often-overlooked costs of governance in integrated landscape approaches and argues for treating governance infrastructure as a core investment in sustainable development. Drawing on experiences from landscape initiatives around the world, it explores the recurring functions needed to sustain multi-stakeholder coordination, inclusive decision-making, planning, monitoring, learning and institutional continuity. Based on responses from 30 representatives of landscape initiatives, the report provides evidence on governance costs, the factors that influence them and the consequences of underfunding. It proposes priority actions for policymakers, funders and practitioners to better recognize and resource landscape governance, including through multi-year funding, stronger support for multi-stakeholder platforms and the integration of governance costs into investment design. The report highlights how sustained investment in governance infrastructure can strengthen coordinated action and support more effective delivery of biodiversity, climate, restoration and other sustainable development objectives.  

A companion briefing note, The True Cost of Governance in Integrated Landscape Approaches, provides a concise overview of the key issues and recommendations presented in the report.