Horizon Scanning

The British Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) defines Horizon Scanning as :

“The systematic examination of potential threats, opportunities and likely future developments which are at the margins of current thinking and planning. Horizon scanning may explore novel and unexpected issues, as well as persistent problems or trends. Overall, horizon scanning is intended to improve the robustness of Defra’s policies and evidence base.” - Defra, 2002.

"Horizon scanning is a distinct futures methodology that researches and draws out key trends which are on the margins of our current thinking, but which will impact on our lives in the future. These trends and drivers interact with each other and with the policies and strategies we put in place to create new conditions and new futures. By analysing trends and drivers, threats and opportunities to the department can be discovered and explored strategically. This will help to improve the evidence which underpins policy making."