A Systematic Review of Policy Challenges and Governance Approaches in Environmental Management with Emphasis on Air Pollution and Climate Change in the Mining Sector

Purpose: Air pollution and climate change represent major environmental and socio-economic challenges in the mining sector, affecting ecosystem integrity, human health, and resource sustainability. This study aims to conduct a systematic review to identify the key policy challenges and governance approaches in environmental management with a focus on the mining sector. Methods: Following the PRISMA framework, a comprehensive search of peer-reviewed literature was conducted in international databases including Scopus, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect, covering the period ۲۰۰۰–۲۰۲۴. Studies addressing environmental governance, mining operations, air pollution, and climate change were screened, selected, and analyzed. Both qualitative and quantitative studies were included, and data were synthesized using thematic analysis to identify governance models, policy instruments, and implementation challenges. Results: The review identified major challenges including fragmented institutional coordination, lack of integration between air quality and climate policies, and limited stakeholder participation. Conversely, polycentric, participatory, and adaptive governance models were associated with improved emission control, enhanced transparency, and increased social trust. Regional and contextual variations were observed, with developed economies generally exhibiting stronger policy coherence and implementation capacity than developing countries Conclusion: The study concludes that effective environmental governance in the mining sector requires institutional coherence, cross-sectoral policy integration, and active stakeholder engagement. Implementing integrated and adaptive governance approaches can enhance sustainability, reduce emissions, and strengthen the socio-environmental legitimacy of mining operations. These findings provide evidence-based guidance for policymakers and practitioners seeking to align mining development with environmental and climate objectives.

کلیدواژه ها:

Environmental Governance ، Air Pollution ، Climate Change ، Mining Sector ، Systematic Review