Sustainable Development Activities Research Articles

Assessing land degradation hazard intensity and management plans using subjective models and the Analytical Hierarchy Process in Gorgan, Iran

Land use planning is a comprehensive master plan for any sustainable development action plan and can integrate all land resources and natural hazards management alternatives (strategies, plans and scenarios). This can be done via a multi-attribute decision method such as Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) under data and decision uncertainty. In this paper, fi rst, the potential land degradation hazard was mapped at 1:250,000 scale as four hazard classes. This was done in the context of 14 micro (unit) and six macro (type) physiographic units, regarding the synergetic effects of fi ve key processes (salinization, ponding, water erosion, wind erosion, and vegetation deterioration). A fi ve-class numerical subjective model was used. Secondly, with respect to the nature of land degradation mechanism and intensity in the Gorgan coastal plain (a complex mosaic for land use planning and natural hazard management) four hazard mitigation plans were proposed These were aligned with the goals of national combating of desertifi cation. These include: (1) Drainage and surface fl ow water collection, (2) shrub plantation and green belt creation, (3) soil physicochemical improvement, and (4) protection and preservation. Finally, the relative weights and priorities of management plan alternatives were determined in each hazard class zone. This was accomplished with respect to the hazard intensity and plan implementation cost and effectiveness using AHP model (CR=0.04 for plans, and CR=0.03 for hazard classes). The results indicate land degradation hazard classes I, II, III and IV which are extended with a spatially ordered pattern from forest covered mountain in the south to steppic coastal plain in the north along a sharp geo-ecological gradient of the study area. The differences of hazard class weights and surface areas, and the priority weights of the plans are signifi cant at 0.01 and 0.05 level, respectively. These differences lead to different possible alternatives for hazard management plans and decision making.

Making power explicit in sustainable water innovation: re-linking subjectivity, institution and structure through environmental citizenship

This article offers a new perspective on environmental citizenship by proposing the ‘subjectivity–institution–structure’ framework. Applying the framework to a sustainable water innovation project in north-west England, it argues that the meaning of environmental rights, the understanding of required environmental responsibilities, and the degree of public participation in decision-making, are shaped by individuals' subjective values, institutional arrangements and structural conditions. Our framework makes power explicit in the practice of environmental citizenship. It is intended to help set reasonable targets for sustainable development actions, which is particularly important when working with individuals with limited power.

The reality of environmental sustainability in China1

In the past two decades, China has impressed the world with its rapid economic growth and urbanization which has been responsible for eliminating much of the world’s abject poverty. Its continued high single‐digit growth promises to bring both societal improvements and growth concerns. From environment degradation to energy shortages, many studies have been conducted on the technologies and methods that might ameliorate these growing problems. The Chinese government has promulgated numerous environmental and development laws, decrees and policies, as the push for sustainable development showcased in the next Five‐Year Plan demonstrates. Sceptics give little credit to China’s sustainable development rhetoric and are correct in raising the issues of local government compliance and lack of public participation and support. But what differentiates this policy from past environmental rhetoric is that sustainable development presents itself to the Chinese as a real solution for a pressing issue. The 11th Five‐Year Plan reveals that choice and the need to quickly enact sustainable development policy to maintain national stability. China has reached a point where it is desperate for energy, fearful of social instability and economically able to take action for sustainable development. Never before has this combination coincided with an emboldened environmental civil society and increased international pressure and aid. This combination of factors bodes well for China’s urban sustainability policy.

Comparaison entre les entreprises françaises publiques et privées face aux exigences du développement durable

This article presents a comparative study of strategic integration of sustainable development within several public and private French firms, between 2001 and 2005. It primarily focuses on the influence of institutional and stakeholder pressures associated with property rights on sustainable behaviors. This study highlights the importance of industry regulation and powerful stakeholders to encourage the sustainable development actions of the companies. This research shows the emergence of strong public/private hybridization. This is most notably observed in an attempt to reconcile stakeholders with a priori contradictory interests (i.e. expected shareholder profit, public service demands, as well as social and environmental responsibility). [PUB ABSTRACT]

A historical analysis of traditional common forest planning and management in Seneghe, Sardinia—Lessons for sustainable development

Common lands are known for the management problems they experience as well for their unique contributions to local communities cultural heritage. Forest knowledge and management of the commons represents a relevant component of this heritage that is being progressively lost when critical management problems are not solved. Sustainable development actions that, through participatory processes, involve the community in strategy design and implementation, offer a great opportunity to preserve commons cultural heritage and take best advantage of available knowledge. ForEnCarb is a pilot project financed by the Sustainable Development Service of Sardinia's regional administration, with scientific support of Sassari University. The project goal is to promote sustainable development of Seneghe, a local community of inner Sardinia, by effectively implementing provisions of the international agreements to combat climate change through forest planning programs. Most of Seneghe's forest area is in common land. For countless generations its residents have been entitled to collect wood, to hunt and to graze their cattle and sheep on these lands. In support of a process towards sustainable forest management, our study focused on the social and cultural heritage of the local community and the historical development of its territorial identity, with specific reference to forest-related knowledge. The paper presents the first results of an analysis of forest service archive documents and town council deliberations found in municipal and state archives. The sources used include the documentation from the 19th and 20th centuries, but enlighten only fragments of history since a large number of potentially useful documents have been lost or destroyed. Results include a time series analysis of allowances for cattle access, wood withdrawal and occurrence of forest fires. We conclude that woodlands subject to common rights carry a high symbolic value for this community, but social sensitivity concerning forest management practices, while necessary, is not sufficient to encourage sustainable practices. Integration in sustainable development processes, such as this climate change mitigation project, offers hope to reverse such a cultural decline.

Inequities in the Global Health Workforce: The Greatest Impediment to Health in Sub-Saharan Africa

Health systems played a key role in the dramatic rise in global life expectancy that occurred during the 20th century, and have continued to contribute enormously to the improvement of the health of most of the world's population. The health workforce is the backbone of each health system, the lubricant that facilitates the smooth implementation of health action for sustainable socio-economic development. It has been proved beyond reasonable doubt that the density of the health workforce is directly correlated with positive health outcomes. In other words, health workers save lives and improve health. About 59 million people make up the health workforce of paid full-time health workers world-wide. However, enormous gaps remain between the potential of health systems and their actual performance, and there are far too many inequities in the distribution of health workers between countries and within countries. The Americas (mainly USA and Canada) are home to 14% of the world's population, bear only 10% of the world's disease burden, have 37% of the global health workforce and spend about 50% of the world's financial resources for health. Conversely, sub-Saharan Africa, with about 11% of the world's population bears over 24% of the global disease burden, is home to only 3% of the global health workforce, and spends less than 1% of the world's financial resources on health. In most developing countries, the health workforce is concentrated in the major towns and cities, while rural areas can only boast of about 23% and 38% of the country's doctors and nurses respectively. The imbalances exist not only in the total numbers and geographical distribution of health workers, but also in the skills mix of available health workers. WHO estimates that 57 countries world wide have a critical shortage of health workers, equivalent to a global deficit of about 2.4 million doctors, nurses and midwives. Thirty six of these countries are in sub- Saharan Africa. They would need to increase their health workforce by about 140% to achieve enough coverage for essential health interventions to make a positive difference in the health and life expectancy of their populations. The extent causes and consequences of the health workforce crisis in Sub-Saharan Africa, and the various factors that influence and are related to it are well known and described. Although there is no "magic bullet" solution to the problem, there are several documented, tested and tried best practices from various countries. The global health workforce crisis can be tackled if there is global responsibility, political will, financial commitment and public-private partnership for country-led and country-specific interventions that seek solutions beyond the health sector. Only when enough health workers can be trained, sustained and retained in sub-Saharan African countries will there be meaningful socio-economic development and the faintest hope of attaining the Millennium Development Goals in the sub-continent.

The Position of Poland on the Background of Sustainable Development Trends in the Baltic Sea Region

The Baltic Sea Region was the first multi-country region in the world to adopt common goals and actions for sustainable development. The instrument for that cooperation is Baltic 21 (formally “An Agenda 21 for the Baltic Sea Region”). There are two de"nitions of sustainable development (SD): technical and nontechnical. Technical definition: “a sound balance among the interactions of the impacts (positive and/or negative), or stresses, on the four major quality systems: People, Economic Development, Environment and Availability of Resources”. The non-technical definition was given as being: “a sound balance among the interactions designed to create a healthy economic growth, preserve environmental quality, make wise use of our resources, and enhance social benefits” [Global Community Assessment Centre].

Information Literacy and Lifelong Learning in Latin America: the challenge to build social sustainability

The aim of this work is to explore information literacy and lifelong learning concepts in Latin America. First, we consider the Latin American challenges: inequalities, unstable politics, lack of formation of workers, poverty. Second, we discuss different concepts of society, focusing on the Learning Society, that requires emancipated individuals that are lifelong learners because they are information literate. The next section considers social sustainability as a consequence of sustainable development actions. In Latin America, interest around information literacy and lifelong learning has been growing in recent years because of librarians’ initiatives. In conclusion, information literacy and lifelong learning emerge as fundamental factors for a sustainable development and the consolidation of democracy in Latin America.

Editorial: Putting sustainability science to work: assisting the East of England Region to respond to the challenges of climate change

In May 2006 the Prime Minister made it publicly clear to the incoming Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, David Miliband, that limiting the emissions of greenhouse gases, and dealing with climate change generally, is his top priority.1 Indeed, all policies and institutional arrangements will need to be challenged to achieve the ambition of 60 per cent reduction of carbon dioxide by 2050 (DTI 2003). How may this ambition be delivered sustainably? The UK Sustainable Development Strategy (HM Government 2005) placed an emphasis on the principles and practices of sustainability at all levels of government in the UK. Eventually all of these different levels will be expected to produce sustainable development action plans, beginning with all central government departments, regional administrations and devolved administrations in 2006 (HM Government 2005 2006). The regions have a vital role to play in delivering adequate responses to climate change, both in adapting to its impacts and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Crucial are the Regional Spatial Strategies, since these guide mid-range planning decisions on settlement, transport and energy (see also HM Government 2006). However, it is clear that integrating governance-for-sustainability into emerging regionalism and localism in the UK is still at the embryonic stage (O’Riordan 2004). The UK Sustainable Development Commission (2005) reviewed the regional policy machinery with a view to improving its capability to achieve sustainable development. It proposed that regional sustainable development frameworks should be established at the highest level of integration both for evaluating and progressing sustainability. In its response (HM Government 2006, 17), the Government called for the use of evidence-based scenarios, stakeholder involvement, integrated visions, clear targets, sustainability appraisal techniques and regular monitoring and reporting via independent regional sustainable development round tables.

Les enjeux de l’insertion des entreprises dans l’action collective en faveur du développement durable urbain

Dans cet article, nous abordons la question de la participation des entreprises aux demarches collectives en faveur du developpement durable au sein des espaces urbains, en la resituant a l’interieur du cadre general de la problematique de la gestion des ressources naturelles. Nous mettons l’accent sur le point de convergence entre les pratiques urbaines et economiques que constitue la demarche de rationalisation ecologique. Puis nous insistons sur la definition d’une action collective integrant l’indispensable confrontation des valeurs attachees a ces ressources naturelles par les differents acteurs du developpement urbain.

Linking Knowledge and Action for Sustainable Development

▪ Abstract It is now commonplace to assert that actions toward sustainable development require a mix of scientific, economic, social and political knowledge, and judgments. The role of research-based knowledge in this complex setting is ambiguous and diverse, and it is undergoing rapid change both in theory and in practice. We review conventional views of the linkages between research-based knowledge and action, and the early response to concerns that these links could and should be improved, through efforts at translation and transfer. We then examine the range of critiques that challenge those conventional views by highlighting different aspects of the relationships between science and society, focusing on the implications for action toward sustainable development. We then review the theories and strategies that have emerged in the attempt to improve the linkages between research-based knowledge and action in the context of sustainability across four broad categories: participation, integration, learning, and negotiation. These form a hierarchy with respect to how deeply they engage with the various critiques. We propose that the relationships between research-based knowledge and action can be better understood as arenas of shared responsibility, embedded within larger systems of power and knowledge that evolve and change over time. The unique contribution of research-based knowledge needs to be understood in relation to actual or potential contributions from other forms of knowledge. We conclude with questions that may offer useful orientation to assessing or designing research-action arenas for sustainable development.

Coordination, Challenges, and Innovations in 19 National Sustainable Development Strategies

Summary In this article, we study 19 developing and developed countries to identify key challenges, approaches, and innovations in strategic and coordinated action for sustainable development at the national level. We are interested in the institutional fabric of implementing sustainable development. What are governments actually doing to organize the processes required for this? What are the institutional innovations in this regard and what kind of typologies can be identified? Despite some true progress made, our findings indicate that countries are still at the early stages of learning toward effective action for sustainable development. This applies both to developing and developed countries. Key unsolved challenges include (a) coordination with the national budget, (b) coordination with sub-national level sustainable development strategies, and (c) coordination with other national-level strategy processes.

Monitoring and information reporting for sustainable forest management: A regional comparison of forestry stakeholder perceptions

Since the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) [1992, Agenda 21: programme of action for sustainable development. United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), 3–14 June 1992. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 294pp.], the management of information has become central to the management of forest resources. In the cases of North America and Europe, similar issues have been challenging policy makers as they determine the information suitable for monitoring progress towards sustainable forest management (SFM). Using an ‘online’ survey, this research explored multiple stakeholder perspectives on monitoring and information reporting for SFM in different jurisdictions. The research was based on the premise that an analysis of the variation in stakeholder observations across a range of SFM ‘issue areas’ could provide valuable insight into the perceived need for SFM-related monitoring and information reporting in the regions of Europe, Canada and the USA. Despite the traditional limitations associated with exploratory survey research, the results indicate a demand for more information on SFM-related issues. The results also highlight the degree to which the perceptions of a sample of stakeholders can differ between Europe, USA and Canada. While these results cannot be generalized beyond the present study, they do suggest that further studies are needed to understand stakeholder perspectives on forestry-related monitoring and information reporting in different jurisdictions.

Community Resource Mapping in Sustainable Natural Resource Management: A Case Study of SW Uganda

AbstractSouthwestern Uganda represents a fragile ecosystem of complex and interrelated ecology with extreme socio‐cultural and biophysical diversity. The area has productive soils and receives bimodal rainfall promoting varied agricultural systems and land use practices. With population growth of 2.2% per annum, this ecosystem is exposed to environmental and socio‐economic problems like land degradation, soil erosion, low‐income, poor nutrition, fragmented farms and low agricultural output. To mitigate these environmental and socio‐economic uncertainties, and continue exploiting these rich natural resources areas, ICRAF and FORRI developed intervention strategies ranging from integrated watershed management to tree germplasm production and distribution. These intervention strategies were supported by community resource mapping for integrating predefined‐research areas into community knowledge of their own resources. Acquired geospatial data were analyzed to support community resource mapping and scientific analysis was used for assessment of impacts of land management practices, conservation and conflict resolution. Community–based resource managers and local policy makers were trained in geospatial tools and applications. A GIS node was established in Kabale district to support future spatial analysis and information management. This paper reviews how integrated natural resource intervention strategies and community resource mapping were complemented to realize sustainable development action planning in SW Uganda. It also reviews the benefits of community resource mapping in property rights and geospatial technology transfer. IN this paper, technical backstopping of community effort and capacity building are recommended for sustainable community resource mapping activities.

Ecologically sustainable development: origins, implementation and challenges

The concept of sustainability has received much attention since the publication of Our Common Future by the World Commission on Environment and Development in 1987. Despite the institutionalisation of sustainability principles through legislation and policy around the world, progress in implementing sustainable development actions has been slow. The very open-ended definition of sustainable development provided in these documents, and the “language” used has made interpretation of what is required for implementation controversial. “Principles” of sustainable development have been developed to provide further guidance for implementation, but sustainability remains a contested and value-laden concept. Yet there is increasing recognition that the present development paths around the world are clearly not sustainable into the future and that we need urgently to address this unsustainability. Water use has become a prominent issue through broad acceptance that its use in many situations, including southeast Australia and cities such as Sydney, is unsustainable. This paper provides a broad introduction to the development of the concept of sustainability, barriers to implementation of sustainable development, and the application of sustainable development principles to water provision for a city such as Sydney, with emphasis on the use of recycled water.

The role of metrology in making chemistry sustainable

Sustainable development is the new design of an old concept, now emerging from the acute endangering of our habitat. Coined by the Brundlandt Commission in 1987, sustainable development was defined as ‘Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs’ (World commission on Environment and Development, Our Common Future, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 1987). It appeared on the world stage during the UNO Earth Summit in Rio, 1992. Sustainability became the key term of the ‘Agenda 21’ (United Nations Conference for Education and Development, Earth Summit, Agenda 21, The United Nations Programme of action for Sustainable Development, United Nations, New York, 1992). The ‘Agenda 21’ is adopted by 178 states, although to date not all signatories have ratified the Agenda. Sustainable solutions should aim to harmonize ecological equilibrium, economic stability, and social harmony. But in the course of the years, the interpretation of the concept became more and more complicated and its context is becoming fuzzy.

RENEWABLE ENERGY POLICIES IN T URKEY

Achieving solutions to environmental problems that we face todayrequires long-term potential actions for sustainable development. In thisregard, renewable energy resources appear to be the one of most efficientand effective solutions. Although, Turkey has substantial reserves of re-newable energy resources, actual utilization of these resources is quitelow.The aim of this study is to investigate the renewable energy policiesand the political organizations that shape these policies. In these con-cepts, the renewable energy potential of Turkey, the effective utilizationof this potential, the energy politics, the political organizations, incen-tives, pricing and buying mechanisms, research and development stud-ies, and barriers for development of renewable energy are investigated.In conclusion, proposals and recommendations are given to overcomethe problems.

Renewable Energy Policies in Turkey

ABSTRACT Achieving solutions to environmental problems that we face today requires long-term potential actions for sustainable development. In this regard, renewable energy resources appear to be the one of most efficient and effective solutions. Although, Turkey has substantial reserves of renewable energy resources, actual utilization of these resources is quite low. The aim of this study is to investigate the renewable energy policies and the political organizations that shape these policies. In these concepts, the renewable energy potential of Turkey, the effective utilization of this potential, the energy politics, the political organizations, incentives, pricing and buying mechanisms, research and development studies, and barriers for development of renewable energy are investigated. In conclusion, proposals and recommendations are given to overcome the problems.

Community-university partnerships: Linking research and action for sustainable community development

Community-based research, which usually links university students and faculty with community groups in applied research projects, is gaining recognition as an effective mechanism for community-directed research and development. These partnerships can serve a variety of research, policy, educational and action goals. The nature of the outcomes also depends on the intensity, duration and quality of the partnership. Three types of partnership are described, with reference to the Sustainable Toronto project, which includes all three kinds of relationships under its general umbrella. Recommendations are made to encourage and sustain community–university partnerships.

Indigenizing Evaluation Research: How Lakota Methodologies Are Helping "Raise the Tipi" in the Oglala Sioux Nation

At a 1998 meeting of Elders and spiritual leaders convened to consider how best to meet the needs of children and families on the Pine Ridge Reservation, the late wakan iyeska ("spiritual interpreter") Matthew Zack Bear Shield remarked, "When we followed the Lakota ways and spiritual laws of the universe, the people flourished. Because we went away from the Lakota spiritual calendar, our people suffer and are in chaos."1 The spirit of Bear Shield's remark, that the knowledge and practice of lakol wicohan ("Lakota ways") are a means of overcoming the colonial oppression the Oglala Lakota oyate ("people") continue to experience, resonates with an increasingly large constituency in Lakota country. Efforts to recover and actively use traditional knowledge and practices are evident in ongoing work to, for example, advance treaty rights, design interventions for families and children, create more effective institutions of governance, and address conflict and crime. Critically, these efforts also include the recovery and use of Indigenous approaches to research and evaluation, processes of knowledge creation that were once under Indigenous control but have been supplanted by Western ways of knowing promoted by the "scientific community" and non-Native government bureaucracies. This article documents a currently unfolding example of that reclamation, which originated from the desire of evaluators of the "Comprehensive Indian Resources for Community and Law Enforcement" (CIRCLE) Project to make the federally mandated evaluation as useful to the Oglala people as possible. Using the models of participatory action research and empowerment evaluation, the CIRCLE Project evaluation team has arrived at a way of working that mirrors the Lakota approach to [End Page 499] research and evaluation—an approach grounded in the ideas of wopasi ("inquiry") and tokata wasagle tunpi ("something you set up to go to in the future"), which views research and evaluation as the process of creating knowledge in order to accomplish an end that is desired by the people. By embracing this process the circle Project evaluation team, of which we are members, has found that the recovery of one set of traditions (concerning Indigenous approaches to evaluation) has become inextricably intertwined with the recovery of another set (concerning Indigenous governance). CIRCLE Project research and evaluation, guided by Lakota methodologies, have become vital supports in the "nation building" efforts undertaken through CIRCLE, in which Lakota people are seeking to improve the administration of criminal justice by rebuilding key justice institutions to reflect community needs and culture. "Nation building" is a term used increasingly in the literature and by leaders in Indian Country to refer to the process of constructing effective institutions of self-governance that can provide a foundation for sustainable development, community health, and successful political action.2 In other words, it is the process of promoting Indian self-determination, self-governance, and sovereignty—and, ultimately, of improving tribal citizens' social and economic situations—through the creation of more capable, culturally legitimate institutions of governance. The term echoes the intentions in the treaties tribes signed with foreign sovereigns (including the United States) in the postcontact period and embraces Chief Justice John Marshall's admission that American Indian tribes are "domestic dependent nations" and Vine Deloria and Clifford Lytle's more palatable term, "the nations within." By calling attention to tribes' nationhood, the term emphasizes the fact that tribes are not vestigial elements of American society, but an enduring yet separate part of it. Additionally, the term acknowledges that Indian nations need governing institutions capable of dealing with contemporary issues—be they problems of crime, financial management, mental health, or international trade—and that tribes must make conscious efforts to build Indigenous institutions that are up to the task. Viewed through the powerful lens of nation building, research and evaluation, or wopasi and tokata wasagle tunpi, are also tools in service of the Oglala...