What is Consensus Building?

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Consensus building draws together dispute resolution
techniques and public participation strategies in order to
transform the way issues and problems are managed. 
There are many different explanations of consensus building. 

Innes et al (1994) define consensus building by reference to:
Long-term, face-to-face group processes that incorporate
key stakeholders, including representatives of public agencies,
interest groups, and local governments, in a search for
common ground. The methods of discussion build on mediation and negotiation techniques, but the consensus building we examined is broader and more anticipatory than ordinary conflict resolution. The groups were called together to prepare legislation, policies, plans, regulatory principles, and implementation strategies rather than simply to resolve conflicts.

Consensus building is defined in ‘The Consensus Building Handbook’ as a process of seeking unanimous agreement.  Participants cooperate in good faith to meet the interests of all stakeholders in an issue or dispute.  The flexibility and creativity of consensus building benefits the resolution of complex, multiparty issues or disputes.

There are a variety of techniques which are included within the scope of consensus building.  Examples include framing, stakeholder analysis, facilitation, and negotiated rulemaking.

The benefits of consensus building processes are many.  In planning and environmental issues, flexible and creative processes are designed and implemented to facilitate the collaboration of large numbers of parties, who represent many different interests, to reach consensus on otherwise difficult issues.

Consensus building can also reduce the cost of litigation.  When a large number of people and organisation participate and provide input into government decision making processes, the likelihood of disputes progressing to litigation is reduced.  Community members who are given the opportunity to have their opinions and views heard and assessed within a transparent system are less likely to oppose final outcomes. 

The participation of local government and regional councils are strongly connected to environmental laws and regulations.  Consensus building processes allow these entities to play a more active role in environmental issues.  The Environmental Law Roundtable of Australia and New Zealand is a forum for proactive participation of local governments and other stakeholders in the harmonisation of environmental laws in Australia and New Zealand. 

Consensus building requires a team of individuals to frame a proposal after carefully listening to the concerns of all stakeholders.  EcoDirections International Pty Ltd has successfully facilitated a variety of consensus building activities.  We understand and acknowledge the importance for each issue / project that participants develop a common understanding of and framework for reaching agreement and for putting their collaborative solutions into practice. 

EcoDirections International Pty Ltd advocates for the increased use of consensus building in environmental law reform, policy making and dispute resolution.