Process-oriented/procedural dimension analysis
The analysis of the process/procedure-based dimension of equity revealed that the factors most addressed were input to decision-making; access to decision-making processes; and the quality of decision-making processes.
A variety of groups were recognised to have restricted access and input to decision-making processes including minority groups, small scale fishers, women, people from diverse ethnicities, and nation states themselves. Collaboration and inclusivity in decision-making frameworks were proposed as a means by which to increase participation by such groups. For example, ‘Oceans and society’ proposed participatory governance to decentralise power, moving it away from private corporations; ‘Deep aspirations’ proposed that international collaborative governance interventions may enable input from Indigenous and traditional peoples; and ‘Ocean governance’ proposed the creation of reflexive, balanced, transparent and inclusive decision-making frameworks to address disenfranchised groups. ‘Sharing our oceans fairly’ noted that in international treaty negotiations, there should be an extensive consultation process to ensure the inclusion of the global communities’ interests.
Regarding quality of decision-making processes, the papers often recognised that everyone in society was likely to be affected by the changed discussed. Transparency, consultation, and knowledge sharing were viewed as the key requirements to improve quality of decision-making and equity of process. ‘Warming world, changing oceans’ suggested that ethical principles should be used to determine when incentives or regulation is used, and for whom. ‘Ocean governance’ suggested a pathway action of transparent consultation processes led by accountable authorities.