Davenport, MeganDelport, MarionBlignaut, James NelsonHichert, TanjaVan der Burgh, Gerhard2018-11-262019Megan Davenport, Marion Delport, James Nelson Blignaut, Tanja Hichert & Gerhard van der Burgh (2018): Combining theory and wisdom in pragmatic, scenario-based decision support for sustainable development, Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, 62:4, 692-716, DOI: 10.1080/09640568.2018.1428185.0964-0568 (print)1360-0559 (online)10.1080/09640568.2018.1428185http://hdl.handle.net/2263/67324Researchers have increasingly acknowledged the relative strength of ‘hybrid’ approaches to scenario analysis for exploring the futures of coupled human-nature systems. In this paper, we explain, demonstrate, and provisionally evaluate the usefulness of a simple analytical framework, based on five categories of capital assets, as part of a protocol for overcoming the conversion problem in hybrid scenario analysis. Based on a preliminary application of the framework to a case study in South Africa, we suggest that the five capitals framework has the potential to improve expedience and counter the bias against ‘soft’ drivers in hybrid approaches to scenario analysis. However, in light of the methodological trade-off between rigour and expedience, we suggest that future research needs to compare the available protocols for hybrid scenario analysis by weighing up the relative gain in scenario quality versus the relative cost of scenario construction.en© 2018 Newcastle University. This is an electronic version of an article published in Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, vol. 62, no. 4, pp. 692-716, 2019, doi: 10.1080/09640568.2018.1428185. Journal of Environmental Planning and Management is available online at : http://www.tandfonline.comloi/cjep20.Scenario analysisSustainable developmentDecision supportFive capitalsStory-and-simulationPostprint Article