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Theme V: Difference between policy at a council level and at a unit or cluster level.
One respondent pointed out a very pertinent fact and that is that there is a difference between policy at a council level and policy at a unit level. Policy at a council level would imply that the policy is relevant across all clusters and units, while policy at a unit level would render it relevant and applicable only to the stated or a few units.
General discussion of the Theme:
Of the eleven respondents a total of twenty nine responses were collected during the interviews for this question. In addition, a staggering twenty two responses were unique. As the number of participants in the interviews increased no common platform or understanding was arrived at; we have an increasing number of themes emerging. However, a rather comprehensive understanding of the status quo of Climate Change Mitigation has been compiled. It is evident that no one respondent on his or her own could have compiled such an understanding. A comprehensive understanding of what the variables are will only become close to possible when the relevant stakeholders join efforts. This is one of the key tenets of CAS, which is that no agent on their own can fully comprehend the environment on their own.
However, what has not presented itself in this question, even in the smallest degree, is the relationship between the variables that have been identified. During the interviews, all of the variables or themes mentioned above where merely stated to be an aspect to the answer and it seemed as though most, if not all, of the themes are viewed in a mechanistic, stand alone perspective.
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Theme C: Impetus for the creation of an implementation plan.
Two respondents stated that policy precedes any implementation plan and creation thereof.
It also acts as a stimulus for the creation of action plans. This is from a sequential point of view. This theme was also mentioned in question two, theme R.
Theme D: State the resources needed to achieve objectives.
This theme talks to an important aspect of the policy. Two respondents mentioned that any policy should unequivocally state the resources that would be needed to achieve the stated objectives of the policy. The resources can range from financial resources to human resources.
Theme E: Acts as a strategic action plan.
One respondent is of the opinion that policy plays the role of a strategic action plan.
Theme F: Assist in achieving specific results.
This theme is of the notion that policy supports efforts which seek to attain objectives. This was mentioned by two respondents.
Theme G: Directs work effort.
This theme has been mentioned by five respondents. They have stated that policy ultimately directs the work effort of the organisation and individuals within the organisation.
Theme H: Provides guidance.
It was declared by two respondents that policy does provide guidance. This can be according to what can and can’t be done, how to do it, and how to monitor progress.
Theme I: Working within higher levels of service delivery.
This was mentioned by only one respondent.
Theme J: Non-compliance punishment
An important aspect of any authoritative documents that seeks to dictate action, is mentioning what the results for non-compliance would be. It was mentioned by only one respondent.
Theme K: Compliance motivators.
On the other end of the continuum from theme J is this theme. It states that policy should indicate what benefits will become available should compliance with the policy materialise. This theme was also only pointed out by one respondent.
62 Theme L: Reduction of carbon emissions.
Surprisingly, only one respondent declared that Climate Change Mitigation policy should result in the reduction of greenhouse gases. This arguably, should be the single biggest and most prominent objective of any such policy.
Theme M: Reinforce other pieces of policy and strategy.
This theme exhibits traits of holistic thinking and the relationship between other policies and strategies. It states that any policy should support other pieces of policy and strategy.
It, however, was only mentioned by one respondent.
Theme N: Official position of the Municipality.
Any policy document of local government should be in the public domain. This theme states that policy should indicate to all stakeholders what the official stance of the municipality is on the relevant matter. This theme was mentioned by one respondent.
Theme O: The intent of what people believe is best for them.
Local government exists to serve the needs of the citizenry and politicians are elected by them. Therefore any policy developed by local government should be reflective of what people believe is best and want. Only one individual mentioned this theme during the interview.
Theme P: Consistency and fairness.
One respondent mentioned that policy is supposed to provide a platform where all relevant situations are approached with consistency and fairness.
Theme Q: Provide a high level understanding of the issue.
This theme was presented by only one respondent; it states that policy should provide an understanding of the relevant issue at a strategic level.
Theme R: Identify the core issues
Policy should identify the core issues of the relevant topic; this would then feed into theme Q. However, what has not been mentioned is the relationship between those core issues.
General discussion of the Theme:
Form the 11 individuals that participated in the interviews, a total of 26 responses were recorded.
However, only 18 of the responses were unique in nature. While there were many different aspects mentioned of what policy should accomplish, no one respondent provided an answer as comprehensive as the communal answer. In addition, many aspects have been mentioned but the missing link is again the relationship and feedback loops between the variables. The mechanistic and reductionist outlook is still rather apparent. With the exception of theme G of this question,
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there seems to be no convergence of answers between the participants. This is similar to the finding from the previous question. As the number of participants increase, the numbers of variables that are identified also increase. This can be a result of the individuals all having varying academic backgrounds, levels of experience and different things that they have experience during their lives.
What can be ascertained from the findings of this question is that policy is supposed to accomplish different things for different people. Until we start incorporating those things into the actual policy formulation, it will continue to remain a document that people, even subliminally, will be opposed to or not want to support. This is especially true for policy formulators and policy implementers. In addition, a comprehensive answer to the question can only arise by the collective providing contributions to create a holistic answer. This however, would only be relevant to those specific groups. Should another group answer the same question; the findings will be based on their specific context.
Question 4: What are the important aspects to take into account when formulating