Context Of Environmental Policy Research Articles

Going green: Framing effects in a dynamic coordination game

We study decision-making in a (novel) dynamic coordination game that simulates ‘social tipping’. The game involves groups of three subjects who initially find themselves in a stable state with positive network externalities. Over seven rounds, they have the opportunity to transition to an alternative stable state with higher payoff, based on the other network. The transition is slow, costly and requires coordination to minimize costs.In the experiment, the game is repeated five times, which enables groups to learn to coordinate. We compare a neutral language treatment with a ‘green framing’ treatment, in which meaningful context is added to the instructions. Our findings reveal that green framing significantly increases the number of successful transitions, but also reduces the group's ability to coordinate in subsequent games. Consequently, while green framing results in twice as many transitions, these are also more costly such that payoffs do not differ between treatments.In the context of environmental policy, the experiment suggests general support for ‘going green’, but it also points to green framing causing proponents and opponents to stick to their strategies reducing potential gains from coordination between proponents and opponents of environmentally friendly actions.

Will farmers go electric? How Dutch environmental regulation affects tractor purchase motivations and preferences

Farm machinery management can contribute to European agricultural, energy and environmental policy objectives of climate change mitigation and fossil fuel independence by investing in tractor electrification. However, many farmers in the Netherlands (and beyond) have expressed concerns about the future profitability and ability to produce at reasonable costs. The Netherlands is also in a so-called ‘nitrogen crisis’, which further causes policy uncertainty about the introduction of more environmental regulations for nitrogen abatement. We conducted a best-worst scaling survey experiment to elicit preferences for electric tractor attributes and measured attitudes towards environmental regulation using motivational posture theory. The ranking of and correlations across estimated preferences and the purchase intention show that the 156 dairy and arable farmers surveyed evaluated an investment in an electric tractor as not feasible. Another conclusion is that the breakthrough of electric tractors is affected by negative anticipated emotions and feelings concerning the current environmental policy and regulatory context.

Exploring drivers of within‐field crop yield variation using a national precision yield network

Abstract While abiotic drivers of yields represent important limiting factors to crop productivity, the role of biotic drivers that could be directly managed by farmers (e.g. agri‐environment schemes supporting key ecosystem services) remains poorly understood. Precision yield mapping provides an opportunity to understand the factors that limit agricultural yield through the interpretation of high‐resolution cropping data. This has the potential to inform future precision agricultural management, such as the targeted application of agrochemicals, promoting increased sustainability in modern agricultural systems. We used precision yield measurements from a network of 1174 fields in England (2006–2020) to identify drivers of within‐field yield variation in winter wheat and oilseed rape. Potential drivers included climate, topography and landscape composition and configuration. We then explored relationships between in‐field yield patterns and local landscape context, including the presence of features associated with ecosystem benefits. Proximity to the field edge was associated with reduced yields in 85% of wheat and 87% of oilseed fields. This translating to an approximate reduction of 10% in wheat and 18% in oilseed yields lost due to field edge effects. We found evidence that reduced yields at the field edges were associated with biotic features of the surrounding landscape, including the occurrence of semi‐natural habitats. Specifically, agri‐environment scheme (AES) presence increased the rate at which yields at field edges approach those of the field centres. This suggests that AES occurrence within a landscape (rather than field adjacent) may increase edge effects. However, these trends are unclear and suggest interactions between drivers and the spatial and temporal scale of investigation. Synthesis and applications. While we found evidence of landscape context mitigating against field edge effects, these were counterintuitive. For example, AES at a landscape scale appeared to increase the severity of edge effects. This study highlights a lack of environmental data at sufficiently high spatiotemporal resolution to match that of precision agriculture data. This mismatch is hindering the effective integration of precision agriculture data in an environmental policy and/or management context and potentially leading to unnecessarily poorly informed decisions related to AES deployment. This may limit environmental and economic benefits.

How do female CEOs affect corporate environmental policies?

AbstractHow do female Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) affect corporate environmental policies? This study develops a theoretical argument by incorporating the role of gender into the context of corporate environmental policies. Specifically, we differentiate corporate environmental policies into sustainable and unsustainable environmental policies. We also hypothesize a positive relationship between female CEOs and corporate sustainable environmental policies because women possess communal qualities and tend to be more stakeholder‐oriented compared with men. Moreover, we also propose a negative relationship between female CEOs and corporate unsustainable environmental policies because of women's risk aversion. We further predict that female CEOs with in‐group members will enhance the behavioral preferences of female leaders. Thus, we propose that the presence of in‐group members strengthens the relationship between female CEOs and corporate environmental policies. Using a longitudinal data set of Chinese listed firms from 2008 to 2018, we found strong empirical support for our predictions. Implications for the literature on gender and corporate environmental policies are also discussed.

Sustainable Development According to Resource Productivity in the EU Environmental Policy Context

The constant rise in the consumption of resources puts the environment under pressure. Most resources are non-renewable in nature, which is why they must be utilized with great care. For this reason, the European Union devotes increasingly more attention to their efficient use. It deals with these aspects, making an effort to maintain the long-term competitiveness and to secure sustainable development in line with all of the related environmental impacts. In this context, several goals have been set out, to which the individual EU member states are bound. A method for monitoring resource efficiency was developed, consisting of indicators, the aim of which is to assess the efficiency of the use of soil, water, energy, with the most fundamental one being resource productivity. The results of the efficiency of use of the individual resources in the member states greatly differ, even without further investigating the links and correlations between the indicators. Research on the interrelationships of the individual indicators in terms of mutual influence has not yet been completed. The aim of our study was to define the correlation between the main indicator, resource productivity, and the other indicators at the level of the EU and its member states. For this purpose, we prepared a database with data which, for the sake of uniformity, were obtained from the publicly available Eurostat database. Subsequently, the data were analyzed and evaluated using the statistical software JMP 15 by a regression and correlation analysis. By using the multiple regression analysis, we created a model describing the significance of the impact of the observed variables on the resulting resource productivity of the EU member states. Generally, there is a positive correlation between the resource productivity and the Eco-Innovation index, as well as the utilization rate of recycled materials. For the sake of comparison, we developed a regression model at the level of the V4 countries, with the aim of evaluating the impact of the historical background of the countries on their contemporary ability to reach the goals set out by the environmental policy. The V4 countries are lagging far behind in meeting all of the environmental policy objectives, not only in tracking the main indicator (resource productivity) on which the multiple regression analysis is based. It was interesting to find that the multiple regression model at the V4 level does not include the indicators defined by the EU level model, the key ones, in this case, being water productivity, energy dependence, energy productivity, and environmental tax. This finding may also, after further analyses, be the key for other countries joining the EU in the future, in defining the weaknesses of the newly acceding states in terms of the EU’s move towards a circular economy.

Champions and Traditional Technocrats: The Role of Environmental Value Orientation in Stormwater Management

AbstractThe paper examines relationships between stormwater control measure (SCM) priorities and environmental value orientations among stormwater managers in Cleveland, Ohio and Denver, Colorado, metro regions with contrasting environmental conditions and policy contexts. While studies show that governance explains differences in broad SCM priorities, less is known about what motivates individual “street level bureaucrats” who influence decisions at the project level. Drawing from cognitive social science perspectives, this study surveyed stormwater professionals (n = 185) about primary and co‐benefit SCM priorities and environmental value orientation. Results revealed different primary SCM priorities by region: Cleveland and Denver respondents prioritized quantity and quality goals, respectively, reflecting regional context. Co‐benefit priorities correlated to two environmental value orientation clusters — “Traditional Technocrats” with relatively anthropocentric orientations and “Champions” with relatively ecocentric orientations — who were equally abundant in both regions. Findings suggest that environmental value orientation influences co‐benefit priorities, which may have implications for project level articulation of policy.

Assessment of Waste Treatment in Urbanized Areas in the Environmental Policy Context: National Experience

The environmental challenges of today worsen the life conditions and create threats for a human. An issue of special concern in the environmental security context are urbanized areas characterized by heavy environmental pollution. Analysis of the impact of waste generation and treatment in Ukraine on the environmental performance of urbanized areas and its conformity with the principles for decision-making on setting priorities and strategies on the basis of comparable information has significant importance in elaborating urgent measures for environmental stabilization in urbanized areas.Principal component analysis was used for estimating the correlations between the factors of pollution in urbanized areas,their meaningful interpretation and modeling of the complex factor impact. The factors were selected, characterizing the environmental effects, which is waste generation from economic activities of stationary pollution sources in urbanized areas:burnt waste of all the hazard categories; total accumulated waste per 1 square km; capital investment and current expenses ontreatment of waste of I–III hazard categories; capital investment and current expenses on treatment of waste of IV hazard category; capital investment and current expenses on waste disposal in specially designated places or waste objects of wasteof ІV hazard category; capital investment and current expenses on monitoring and laboratory tests for the objective: waste treatment (except for radioactive waste).The results of assessment confirmed the impact of these factors on the environmental performance of Ukrainian cities.

Rapid Evaluation of the Effects of Policies Corresponding to Air Quality, Carbon Emissions and Energy Consumption: An Example from Shenzhen, China

Efficient environmental policies are necessary in the improvement of air quality and reduction in carbon emissions, and the interactions between policy, activity, emissions, and environment comprise a cycle allowing the evaluation of the effects of implemented policies. Based on the establishment of the connection between environmental parameters and policy context using a quantifiable methodology, in this study, we formulated a rapid and simplified pattern for the evaluation of the effects of policies concerning the atmospheric environment, and applied it to the evaluation and improvement of policies for Carbon dioxide (CO2) reduction and air quality enhancement in the sample city of Shenzhen. The Response Surface Model-Visualization and Analysis Tool (RSM-VAT) in the Air Benefit and Cost and Attainment Assessment System (ABaCAS) was applied as the core tool. The required reductions in Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and Sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions for 2014–2019 are expected to be achieved; however, the expected reductions in Nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions (mainly from road mobile sources) and Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emissions (mainly from secondary industry and road mobile sources) are less certain. According to the simulated concentration of PM2.5 in 2019, it is necessary to reduce the concentrations of air pollutants, both within and outside Shenzhen. The background weather conditions may be the main reason for the increased concentrations of Ozone (O3) in October compared to those in July. Reductions in NOx and VOCs tend to be the main factors driving changes in O3 concentrations. Policies have been formulated and implemented in a wide array of areas. According to the quantitative comparative analysis of the policies, and the relevant activities, the greatest challenge in reducing NOx and VOCs emissions is presented by the oil-powered vehicles in the road mobile sector and organic solvent production in the secondary industry sector. Therefore, in an effort to achieve better air quality and ensure that CO2 emissions reach a peak in Shenzhen by 2025, we propose key improvements in policies based on interdisciplinary cooperation, involving not only atmospheric and environmental science, but also governance and urban planning.

Drawing on Subjective Knowledge and Information Receptivity to Examine an Environmental Sustainability Policy: Insights from the UK's Bag Charge Policy

Drawing on the notions of subjective knowledge (what someone thinks he/she knows about a topic) and receptivity (someone's ability, inclination, and willingness to take in information, ideas, impressions or suggestions), we extend the knowledge‐attitudes‐practice (KAP) model within an environmental sustainability policy (ESP) context: the UK's single‐use bag charge policy, specifically. Based on a cross‐sectional survey with 568 British participants, we illustrate the key role of objective knowledge for ESP compliance/behavioural intentions, whilst subjective knowledge is key for ESP information receptivity. The need for different marketing tactics to promote ‘policy products’ for sustainable success is illustrated by identifying three distinct segments: the Knowledgeable and Compliant (first to comply, need to maintain information receptivity); the Unknowledgeable But Compliant (need to reduce subjective knowledge); and the Unknowledgeable, Non‐compliant, but Receptive (need objective information the most). Contributing to current and future ESP making, this paper provides multiple avenues for future research.

Dealing with the epistemic-democratic tension in policy-making. Institutional design choices for multi-layered democratic innovations

ABSTRACT This study analyses a particularly auspicious and seemingly thriving kind of democratic innovation in terms of its potential to deal with epistemic and democratic demands to policy-making at the same time. In focus are highly complex, multi-layered arrangements of policy deliberation, consultation and advice that combine an array of input channels and actor groups in a shared quest for a joint, consensual solution to a policy problem. The study asks under which conditions these democratic innovations manage to deal with the double challenge of delivering reliable expertise and providing for substantive participation of all affected viewpoints. Two cases from the German environmental policy context are analyzed in-depth, i.e. the committee on the final storage of nuclear waste and the dialogue on the government’s climate action plan. The comparative case analysis is guided by an assessment framework that builds on input-oriented democratic theory, participatory governance research as well as sociological and epistemological debates of expertise and knowledge in the policy context. Based on the case analyses, the study traces favourable institutional design conditions for striking a balance between the multiple normative demands at play.

Adaptive Governance: The proposed port expansion in the Cayman Islands and its impacts to coral reefs

Increasingly, governments are implementing infrastructure modernization projects that expand shallow water ports adjacent to coral reefs. Preliminary evidence suggests port expansion causes significant coral mortality. Supporters argue that without such projects, economic competitiveness, job numbers, and revenue streams will decline. The Cayman Islands are proceeding with a controversial port expansion project that has escalated into a major environmental policy dispute, triggering an unprecedented people’s-initiated referendum. This paper analyzes this policy dispute, asking how coral reef governance is changing because of the proposed port expansion in the Cayman Islands? This research finds evidence for adaptive Caymanian governance occurring in four ways. First, the port dispute is causing Caymanian institutions to be significantly changed by both pro- and anti-port stakeholders. Second, because of institutional changes, space for private companies to impact decision-making is increasing, contested by civil society. Third, non-state actors, such as civil society and the private sector, are significantly shaping public discourse. Fourth, participatory democratic processes, led by civil society, are emerging in new ways. In environmental policy contexts, changes in governance can include changing institutions and expanded participation opportunities for stakeholders. There is a tacit assumption that such changes are positive normative transformations in government. The Cayman Islands port dispute shows that increased stakeholder participation in decision-making may unintentionally allow outsized roles for private interests to erode institutions and undermine public policy. A robust and active civil society can contest these changes, unlocking democratic inroads to influence decision-making.

How Do Energy Use and Climate Change Affect Fast-Start Finance? A Cross-Country Empirical Investigation

To promote the sustainable development of developing countries through the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and the impact of anthropogenic activity on the atmosphere, for some decades, developed countries and international institutions provided an increasing amount of climate financing tools, allocated through multiple channels. After the Copenhagen Conference of the Parties (COP15) held in 2009, developed country parties pledged to provide new and additional resources, including forestry and investments, approaching USD 30 billion for the period 2010–2012 and with balanced allocation between mitigation and adaptation. This collective commitment has come to be known as “Fast-start Finance” (FSF). To assess the key factors contributing to the amount and distribution of funding supporting projects using FSF, in this paper, we investigate the relationship between FSF, energy use, and greenhouse gas emissions. To this aim, two main analyses were carried out: (i) a qualitative examination of donor’s funding strategies and (ii) a quantitative analysis deepening the relationship between climate finance and greenhouse gas emissions by beneficiaries through a quantile regression model. Findings indicate a need to redesign the current aid scheme, and suggest an increasing need for financed projects to support sustainable economic innovation patterns of developing countries while paying close attention to the environmental policy context. The purpose was to provide useful feedback to policymakers to assess the effectiveness of the flow of funding for environmental plans and to avoid excessive aid dispersal and consequently a reduction of the FSF benefits.

Solar Photovoltaic Optimal Tilt Angles in Public Building

Abstract The reduction of the consumption of fossil fuels that cause climate change and the encouragement of the use of cleaner renewable sources, appears to be a fundamental objective for achieving the climate aims agreed in Paris. Moreover, the sustainability of the implementation of solutions for energy efficiency in public administration buildings has played a fundamental role in recent years, strengthened also by the regulatory context of energy and environmental policies of European countries. The research fits into this context and it intends to promote a methodology that is able to evaluate the economic and environmental performance of a photovoltaic system applied in a school located in Italy when only the roof inclination angle changes. The economic and environmental performances are evaluated respectively through Life Cycle Cost Analysis and the avoided CO2 emissions. The results show that although the case study does not present the optimal roof inclination angle, there are economic and environmental advantages. Furthermore, the research notes that, considering the characteristics of the photovoltaic system concerned, the optimal roof inclination angle is equal to 40 degrees from an economic and environmental point of view. This methodology could easily support the decision-making process of designers and administrators to make the energy upgrading choices for the promotion of renewable sources. It was applied to a case study, that is a school located in Italy, in the Abruzzo region, in the province of L’Aquila, but it could be easily replicated in other existing public buildings in different locations.

Life Cycle Inventory of technologies for stone quarrying, cutting and finishing: Contribution to fill data gaps

Italy is among the major producers of dimension stones and a world leader in terms of technologies for stone quarrying, cutting and finishing. In the current context of European Environmental and Raw Material policies, the stone sector is expected to enhance its overall sustainability and circularity. Previous studies have used Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to evaluate the environmental performance of stone production, along the supply chain. Nevertheless, despite the fairly high level of maturity in terms of methodology, previous LCA studies have highlighted the scarce availability of Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) datasets related to stone sector technologies, which inevitably required the introduction of heavy simplifications. The present paper contributes to fill these gaps by providing detailed LCI datasets of the most common technologies and tools for stone quarrying, cutting and finishing. Datasets have been developed on the basis of primary data provided by three major Italian producers of cutting tools, complemented with secondary data from literature, where necessary. Moreover, modelling parameters have been set to enable the datasets update or their adaptation to specific production chains of the stone or other sectors. “Supplementary Material” provides details on the analysed technologies and on the related datasets (data sources, functional unit, system boundaries, Life Cycle models, parameters and uncertainty). Finally, LCI datasets are provided in file format as well.

Comment on "Next-Generation Ice Core Technology Reveals True Minimum Natural Levels of Lead (Pb) in the Atmosphere: Insights From the Black Death" by More et al.

Over the past four decades numerous studies of lake sediment, marine sediment, and peat from sites in close proximity to mining or metallurgical centers and in remote locations have detailed local and regional histories of lead (Pb) pollution in Europe. Contrary to More et al.'s (2017, https://doi.org/10.1002/2017GH000064) claim that “previous assumptions about preindustrial “natural” background lead levels in the atmosphere have been misleading,” these studies have clearly shown that true natural background conditions occurred more than 2,500 or even 3,500 years ago, and Pb pollution has proceeded uninterrupted since. The implications of this have been discussed within the context of environmental policy, for example, European Water Framework Directive. Though these records reflect a common European narrative of mining, metallurgy, and pollution, each reflects a combination of local and regional events, leading to differences in the timing and intensity of changes in each Pb record. No one record—ice or otherwise—fully represents the three millennia Pb pollution history in Europe. While the resolution of the ice record is impressive, there are questions about its interpretation. First, the authors discount local and regional Pb sources, whereas there is a close connection between the mining history in an area 40 km from the glacier and changes in a nearby lake Pb record; second, significant changes in ice chemistry cooccurring with the lowest Pb values are overlooked. A sharp increase in Ca/Fe ratios occurs precisely with the steepest Pb declines during the Black Death and mid‐1400s, suggesting additional processes influencing the Pb record.

Dilemmas of State-Led Environmental Conservation in China: Environmental Target Enforcement and Public Participation in Minqin County

ABSTRACTThis paper examines the acute socioecological crisis in the Minqin region of China’s Gansu province beginning in the 1980s and the multilevel, governmental response to that crisis in the first two decades of the 21st century. Drawing on extensive field research and interviews in the area, supplemented by analysis of available data, the paper presents a detailed case study of the development and implementation of the Shiyang River Watershed Restoration Plan in the period 2007–15. The case illustrates how conflicting policy objectives of the central state-led conservation project shaped patterns of interaction between local government officials, cadres, and farmers in Minqin County as well as ensuing outcomes and challenges in policy implementation. The study finds that top-level declaration of ecological and social issues in the watershed as a national security issue incentivized local government officials and cadres to overlook the Plan’s provision for local consultation, in favor of meeting binding ecological and economic targets. It contributes to scholarship on environmental authoritarianism, illuminating structural factors and institutional constraints that shape local government officials’ and cadres’ behavior in a centrally administered environmental policy context.

Making rewilding fit for policy

Abstract Rewilding, here defined as “the reorganisation of biota and ecosystem processes to set an identified social–ecological system on a preferred trajectory, leading to the self‐sustaining provision of ecosystem services with minimal ongoing management,” is increasingly considered as an environmental management option, with potential for enhancing both biodiversity and ecosystem services. Despite burgeoning interest in the concept, there are uncertainties and difficulties associated with the practical implementation of rewilding projects, while the evidence available for facilitating sound decision‐making for rewilding initiatives remains elusive. We identify five key research areas to inform the implementation of future rewilding initiatives: increased understanding of the links between actions and impacts; improved risk assessment processes, through, for example, better definition and quantification of ecological risks; improved predictions of spatio‐temporal variation in potential economic costs and associated benefits; better identification and characterisation of the likely social impacts of a given rewilding project; and facilitated emergence of a comprehensive and practical framework for the monitoring and evaluation of rewilding projects. Policy implications. Environmental legislation is commonly based on a “compositionalist” paradigm itself predicated on the preservation of historical conditions characterised by the presence of particular species assemblages and habitat types. However, global environmental change is driving some ecosystems beyond their limits so that restoration to historical benchmarks or modern likely equivalents may no longer be an option. This means that the current environmental policy context could present barriers to the broad implementation of rewilding projects. To progress the global rewilding agenda, a better appreciation of current policy opportunities and constraints is required. This, together with a clear definition of rewilding and a scientifically robust rationale for its local implementation, is a prerequisite to engage governments in revising legislation where required to facilitate the operationalisation of rewilding.

Сучасні проблеми законодавчого забезпечення використання й охорони природно-ресурсного потенціалу України в контексті державної інноваційної й екологічної політики

Сучасні проблеми законодавчого забезпечення використання й охорони природно-ресурсного потенціалу України в контексті державної інноваційної й екологічної політики

Dilemmas of State-Led Environmental Conservation in China: Environmental Target Enforcement and Public Participation in Minqin County

This paper examines the acute socio-ecological crisis in the Minqin region of China’s Gansu province beginning in the 1980s and the multilevel, governmental response to that crisis in the first two decades of the 21st century. Drawing on extensive field research and interviews in the area, supplemented by analysis of available data, the paper presents a detailed case study of the development and implementation of the Shiyang River Watershed Restoration Plan in the period 2007–15. The case illustrates how conflicting policy objectives of the central state-led conservation project shaped patterns of interaction between local government officials, cadres, and farmers in Minqin County as well as ensuing outcomes and challenges in policy implementation. The study finds that top-level declaration of ecological and social issues in the watershed as a national security issue incentivized local government officials and cadres to overlook the Plan’s provision for local consultation, in favor of meeting binding ecological and economic targets. It contributes to scholarship on environmental authoritarianism, illuminating structural factors and institutional constraints that shape local government officials’ and cadres’ behavior in a centrally administered environmental policy context.

China's water environmental management towards institutional integration. A review of current progress and constraints vis-a-vis the European experience

In recent years, China has launched ambitious measures to tackle water pollution. As political commitment and public investment soared, Chinese environmental scientists and practitioners have engaged in a substantial debate on the reorganization of the country's water management system. Domestic discussion has largely revolved around best practices adopted abroad, particularly in the European Union (EU), where the Water Framework Directive (WFD) has introduced an integrated management model based on the core concept of unity of the water cycle. This paper seeks to contribute to this debate, by appraising the regulatory, administrative, monitoring, and public participation dimensions of China's water environmental management. Related progress and constraints are discussed in the evolving context of Chinese environmental policies, against the background of the relevant EU experience. Regulatory and administrative coordination and integration, and the adoption of a watershed-based management model, appear at present as essential prerequisites to overcome the fragmentation of China's water environmental management. Despite recent efforts in this direction, institutional rationalization is still hampered by the persistence of conflicting interests and attributions among government bodies concurring to law making and implementation.