Ex-post analyses of agri-environment schemes: a comparative analysis using expert judgement and multicriteria analysis

This chapter illustrates an ex-post evaluation of the performance of agri-environment scheme (AES) implementation in three case study regions in the EU. Due to a lack of available environmental data, we devised a methodology to assess environmental performance of AESs in the case study areas. The methodology is based on the combination of a harmonised framework for characterising environmental objectives, expert judgement, aimed at assessing environmental effectiveness, and multicriteria analysis techniques, aimed at producing an aggregated judgement about single case studies. Our experience shows the potential practical application of this methodology, especially in formalising the evaluation process. In particular, the methodology connecting the evaluation process with design parameters helps to identify specific causes of lower effectiveness. The methodology could also be used to conduct an exante evaluation (based on experts’ predictions of environmental performance criteria), and is especially suited to learning how to improve the environmental performance of schemes.