Environmental Action Research Articles

Can a relational cross-scalar approach to management improve environmental disaster responses? A case study of an unprecedented flood in New South Wales, Australia

ABSTRACT Human societies face planetary crises of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. Conventional command-and-control approaches to manage these existential challenges have failed due to limited comprehension of relationships in social-ecological systems. To address this problem, we study the complex case of the disaster response to unprecedented floods in the Northern Rivers Region, New South Wales, Australia, in 2022. We apply a novel relational-systems model that identifies management structures, processes, functions and contents interacting at and across scales. The model helps identify the root causes in the inadequate disaster response that ensued in the Northern Rivers Region flooding. The root causes are a lack of systems-thinking competence, poor collaborative capacity, vulnerabilities in environmental management and deficient governance systems. The relational complexity concepts of self-organisation and socio-cultural organisation may further help explain variation in response to disasters in different socio-ecological contexts. Such understanding can inform individual and collective environmental action.

A social identity approach to understanding sustainability and environmental behaviours in South Africa

ABSTRACT In recent years, change in behaviour towards the environment has gained prominence as a policy tool to influence positive environmental value. Simultaneously, the role played by social identity in promoting pro-environmental action is gaining recognition. Within this work, the intersection between collective group identity and environmental behaviour has received very little attention. Group norms are considered a strong predictor of pro-environmental behaviour, yet the influence of social identity and collective action on environmental action has not been adequately investigated in a multi-ethnic setting. Within this context, this study examines the affective component of social identity influence on pro-environmental action. More succinctly, this study demonstrates how outgroups and in-groups’ relations and broader sociocultural structures, values, interest, and norms impact environmental and sustainability transitions behaviours. Through interviews with participants across the four dominant social groups in South Africa, this study provides compelling evidence that country-wide expressions of social identity and ingroup dynamics shapes the individual behaviour regarding environmental and sustainability concerns and further strengthen the individual’s perspective for social environmental transformation. This study advances the need for a social-identity centred approach to foster pro-environmental and sustainability outcomes. Highlights The influence that social contexts and social group memberships have on individual perception and behaviour provide important insights to build an empirical base for an inclusive environmental and sustainable action. We applied the theory of social identity to explore these processes and how normative group values and group interest shape environmental behaviour.

A Green Moment to Share: A Theatrical Laboratory to Explore Climate Crisis Possibilities within Single Moments

Many youth experience distress around the climate crisis. However, mainstream environmental messages ignore youth concerns, blame individuals, and suggest techno-fixes rather than addressing root causes. Young people need a way to productively process and collectively engage with their complex feelings about the climate crisis. During the spring of 2023, a group of university students facilitated a Research-based Theatre project to explore their relationship to climate and environmental justice as part of a biannual performance festival of student new work. Specifically, we used Theatre of the Oppressed techniques to slow down and embody participants’ struggles with environmental action. We argue that this process allowed participants to explore how and why they made sense of mainstream environmental messaging about the climate crisis. This paper offers a case study exploring how the interwoven themes of power, positionality, and agency emerged through embodied investigations during the early development of our Research-based Theatre performance. The paper concludes by discussing how Research-based Theatre can embrace a post-activist lens that supports the complexity of sense-making and troubles the over-emphasis on solution as the only response to environmental/climate crisis. Further, we argue for the kin-making possibilities that crisis can teach us when engaged through embodied exploration.

From Guilt to Shame: Ecocide Responses East and West

Abstract The chapter begins with the idea that fostering emotions that acknowledge one's role, whether direct or indirect, in causing harm to the environment can encourage eco-friendly behavior. In Western environmental discussions, guilt is often emphasized, whereas Eastern perspectives lean towards shame when addressing responsibility for environmental damage. While guilt discourse is prevalent, ecoshame remains unexplored in the context of environmental ethics. Hence, the chapter draws on Chinese texts to offer an exploration into the potential of this affect to promote responsible environmental actions. This exploration enables a reevaluation of what it means to live on a planet that experiences ecocide.

Containing alien plants in coastal dunes: Evidence from a soil manipulation experiment

Biological invasion is recognised as one of the major threats to biodiversity, particularly in disturbance-prone ecosystems such as costal dunes. Many studies have associated alien plant invasion of dune ecosystem to human disturbances, but less is known about the role of soil properties in invasion after disturbance. Soil properties are crucial filters during plant succession and soil-related changes in the initial stage of species colonization might shape the final success of the invaders.We performed a manipulative experiment aimed at elucidating the effects of soil properties on plant colonization processes in highly invaded dune systems, as a proxy for plausible management actions to curb the success of exotic plant species over native ones, which was measured through species richness and abundance.In a barrier island of the Marano and Grado lagoon, Northern Adriatic Sea, we mechanically removed all the native and alien vegetation present in the back dune (also known as secondary dune), triggering a new ecological succession and further altered, for the following three months, soil properties by adding salt, nitrogen, and organic matter in a full factorial design with randomized blocks.The soil treatments reduced the overall species richness and abundance of alien plants. Further, soil treatment interactions strongly shaped community evenness and species richness. Soil salinity had a positive effect on native cover while decreasing the overall number of alien species, especially in soil with added organic matter.Our findings suggest that soil salinity, and its interplay with organic matter, might significantly reduce the initial success of alien species propagule pressure (i.e. alien plant germination), with likely implications for the trajectories of future plant communities. This study highlights that alien plant containment should be focused on early stages of succession, giving new perspective on future environmental management actions for dune restoration and conservation.

THE ROLE OF ESG BUSINESS REPORTING IN WATER MANAGEMENT

The rational use of water resources by business structures requires the development of appropriate strategies and their adherence to the chosen policy in terms of management of these objects: drawing up programs and plans, introducing environmental protection actions, displaying the economic effect and documenting all transactions, minimizing negative impacts on the environment and presentation of the positive and negative consequences of the use of natural resources in the format of ESG reporting, which discloses information about the activities of companies in the field of Environmental aspects, Social responsibility and Corporate Governance. This practice positions companies as an active participant in sustainable development and allows them to increase their own ratings, which makes it possible to have advantages in attracting investments and targeted financing, increasing one's own competitiveness due to improved trust in such companies, etc. Improving the quality of information in ESG reporting on water resources management and related processes allows stakeholders to receive complete and reliable information when making management decisions. On the basis of the study of ESG reporting of 8 corporations from Ukraine in terms of the use of water resources during the implementation of the strategy of sustainable development, positive and problematic practices of companies were identified when preparing the necessary data for reporting. During this analysis, the experience and legislative guidelines on the exploitation of water resources and the use of ecological and economic accounting of water in the countries were taken into account. In addition, approaches to applying the level of materiality in ESG reporting were analyzed when reporting in this format. The results of the study made it possible to rank the elements of water resources management of economic entities according to the rule of materiality of data in ESG reporting and to propose an algorithm for compiling ESG reporting in the part of water resources management, taking into account the level of materiality. The article substantiates the directions of providing companies with adequate information on water resources management measures and reflecting such practices in ESG reporting to meet the needs of internal and external users. The directions of further scientific research in the field of reporting on the use of water resources by various business entities are also outlined. A critical analysis of the peculiarities of ESG reporting in the area of water resources management can provide an opportunity for top managers of domestic companies to improve the quality of financial and non-financial information, which, in turn, will contribute to the improvement of the corporate governance system on the one hand, and on the other hand, improve the satisfaction of information users. requests of all stakeholders when making their own management decisions.

Water At School: Environmental Actions

Objective: Implement environmental education actions as an educational and integrative space for environmental education actions and activities covering social actors in the southern region of the state of Tocantins. Theoretical Framework: Part of the theoretical contributions on environmental education activities in schools, meaning that water education must be approached from a spatial and temporal dimension as a local approach based on river basins as a unit of study. Method: It was developed in stages: 1st leveling meetings between the executing team and the agents involved, 2nd stage: diagnosis/mapping and 3rd stage: Proposing and executing actions. Results and Discussion: It was observed that the subjects, when participating in the actions, transform gestures, ideas and emotions that allow an opening to the understanding of Environmental Education as care and promotion of life. Research Implications: The school environment is considered a favorable space for the study of issues related to rational water consumption, as it is an environment that forms the character of citizens, who, among other knowledge, must be aware of the importance of preserving the environment, as well as the relevance of sustainable use. Originality/Value: It differentiates itself by being multidisciplinary involving several areas of human knowledge, such as biology, chemistry, ecology, social sciences, among others, and involves various segments of society, namely: prefectures, schools, universities, federal institutes, basin committees hydrographic agencies and the state water resources secretariat and has a defined scope and resources.

Social Media, Psychological Distance, and Environmental Collective Action in Peru

This research aims to analyze the chain-mediated effect of the different types of psychological distances (social, temporal, spatial, and probability) and the variables of the Social Identity Model of Collective Action (SIMCA) on the relationship between the use of social media and violent environmental collective action. The study sample consisted of 650 university students ( M = 20.8, SD = 2.74) aged 18–35 years from Lima. Analyses were conducted by means of structural equation modeling (SEM) using the AMOS SPSS software, where a statistical model was performed for each type of psychological distance. The findings revealed two statistically significant paths that go from social media to violent environmental collective action, mediated, first, by each of the psychological distances and, second, by social identity and negative emotions (anger and fear). In addition, it was observed that only probability distance on its own acted as a mediator in the relationship between social media and violent environmental collective action. It was also observed that a path from social media to violent environmental collective action was mediated, first, by three types of distances (probability, spatial, and temporal) and, second, by participative efficacy.

Razumijevanje vedske ekoduhovnosti kroz prizmu etike okoliša

Eco–spiritualism is not a new idea; in fact, it has a long history in the Vedic tradition. ‘Vasudhaiva Kuṭumbakam’ in the mantra of Mahā–Upaniṣad of the Sāmaveda tradition presents us with a thought–provoking message, namely, that every being or entity on this earth is one family [अयं बन्धुरयं नेति गणना लघुचेतसाम् ।उदारचरितानां तु वसुधैव कुटुम्बकम् ॥७१॥]. In the Vedic civilization the realm of ethical thinking was extensive. The Vedic science of ecology addresses eco–spiritualism from the perspective of the cosmological and the ontological unity of nature. However, the ethics of natural laws, such as ṛta, satya and dharma, plays a very vital role in the human being’s environmental actions. Firstly, this paper intends to trace and identify the ecological divinity of the Vedas. Secondly, the paper shall endeavour to apply and evaluate ancient scriptures and their understanding of the environment in terms of its intrinsic value and its relation to human beings. We conclude with the discussion on the problems of eco–spiritualism in the contemporary world.

Understanding the impact of climate change on Bhutanese school communities: Challenges and responses

Climate change is intensifying the risks faced by children’s lives, as well as impacting their learning and education. How school communities in Bhutan are dealing with issues related to climate change is largely uncharted. This study examined how Bhutanese schools have been affected by the changing climate and how they were responding to it. The data sources included interviews with school principals, teachers, and district education officers, as well as observations, and document analysis. The global comprehensive school safety framework, along with a whole school approach to climate action framed the results of this study. Findings included that schools experienced multiple climate impacts and shocks affecting their children’s health, education, and the school system itself. Adaptation and mitigation measures including climate change education have yet to gain traction at the sector and school’s level. Schools, however, have attempted some actions such as through disaster management, and participatory environmental conservation and green school initiatives. Social capital was critical in filling the resource gap for initiating environmental and climate change actions, carried out through collective school, community, and student-based activities. Human capacities, policy and institutional structures, technical capacities, and capital (cultural and economic) constraints as well as slow mainstreaming into local development processes impeded efforts to build climate-resilient schools, including practices to contribute to greenhouse gases reduction. This study not only shed light on how climate change was affecting schools and children but also provided strong evidence for policymakers and relevant agencies to scale up interventions to enhance adaptation and mitigation practices.

Experience-based environmental education and significant life experiences that influence environmental action among Filipinos

Experience-based environmental education and significant life experiences that influence environmental action among Filipinos

Legal provisions for the facilitation of the transition to a circular economy in the Polish legal system

The transition to a circular economy (CE) is a priority objective for European Union (EU) Member States. Specifically, this goal is stated in the 8th Environmental Action Programme (which outlines a programme until 2030), the European Green Deal, European Commission communications, and the Waste Framework Directive 2008/98/EC as amended by Directive 2018/851. As a member of the EU, Poland is obliged to align its waste management practices with the CE; this work is reflected in legislative changes related to waste, packaging, and the municipal maintenance of cleanliness and order. This article presents the legal status of the transition to a CE in Poland, including the established legal instruments. The Polish legal system has developed measures to protect the environment, life, and human health by preventing and reducing waste and improving the efficiency of raw material use. Waste management is consistent with the waste hierarchy, with a focus on maximising recovery (material and organic recycling, energy recovery), an extended producer responsibility system, and strict requirements for recovery and recycling rates, with a particular focus on plastic packaging. In Poland, the CE Roadmap—which includes a legislative toolkit on sustainable industrial production, sustainable consumption, bioeconomy, new business models, and CE implementation and monitoring – has been developed for the transformation toward a CE. Poland’s priorities in this regard include: (1) innovation, strengthening cooperation between industry and the scientific sector, resulting in the implementation of innovative solutions in the economy; (2) creating a European market for secondary raw materials, where their movement would be easier; (3) ensuring the high quality of secondary raw materials that results from sustainable production and consumption; and (4) developing the service sector.

Pengaruh Implementasi Akuntansi Lingkungan terhadap Kinerja Perusahaan: Systematic Literature Review

Environmental accounting, also known as “Green Accounting” or “Evironmental Accounting”, refers to the process by which businesses or companies incorporate environmental costs into their accounting procedures. Environmental costs are the result of actions that have an impact on the quality of the environment, whether financially or not. The aim of this research is to look at the function, application and impact of environmental accounting on environmental and business sustainability. This research method was carried out using a Systematic Literature Review (SLR). This approach is used to examine and review all research. A total of 52 articles were analyzed in this research. Research Results Environmental accounting has a positive impact on a number of factors related to the sustainability of a business entity, especially company performance through the use of social responsibility as a mediator. Research on environmental accounting Even though Indonesia is a strong country, it still needs improvement because there is not much research there and the topics discussed are limited. The results of this research have consequences for environmental management initiatives and actions that are based on green innovation or environmentally friendly principles and can develop further.

Revisiting the strategy for marine litter monitoring within the european marine strategy framework directive (MSFD)

Marine litter and non-degradable plastic pollution is of global concern. Regular monitoring programs are being established to assess and understand the scale of this pollution. In Europe, the goal of the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) is to assess trends in Good Environmental Status and support large-scale actions at the regional level. Marine litter monitoring requires tailored sampling strategies, protocols and indicators, that align with specific objectives and are tailored for local or regional needs. In addition, the uneven spatial and temporal distributions of marine litter present a challenge when designing a statistically powerful monitoring program. In this paper, we critically review the existing marine litter monitoring programs in Europe. We discuss the main constraints, including environmental, logistical, scientific, and ethical factors. Additionally, we outline the critical gaps and shortcomings in monitoring MSFD beaches/shorelines, floating litter, seafloor litter, microplastics, and harm. Several priorities must be established to shape the future of monitoring within the MSFD. Recent developments in analytical approaches, including optimizing protocols and sampling strategies, gaining a better understanding of the spatiotemporal heterogeneity of litter and its implications for survey design and replication, and the inclusion of newly validated methodologies that have achieved sufficient technical readiness, must be considered. Although there are well-established methods for assessing beaches, floating and seafloor litter, it will be necessary to implement monitoring schemes for microplastics in sediments and invertebrates as robust analytical methods become available for targeting smaller particle size classes. Furthermore, the inclusion of indicators for entanglement and injury to marine organisms will have to be considered in the near future. Moreover, the following actions will enhance the effectiveness of monitoring efforts: (1) creating an inventory of accumulation areas and sources of specific types of litter (e.g., fishing gear), (2) monitoring riverine inputs of litter, (3) monitoring atmospheric inputs including microplastics, (4) accidental inputs during extreme weather events, and (5) studying how species at risk may be transported by litter. We provide recommendations to support long-term, effective, and well-coordinated marine litter monitoring within the MSFD to achieve a comprehensive and accurate understanding of marine litter in EU waters. This will allow the development of measures to mitigate the impacts of marine pollution and eventually to evaluate the success of the respective measures.

SYSTEMATIC ANALYSIS OF EUROPEAN ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY THROUGH THE PRISM OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND ECONOMIC INDICATORS

The main objective of the article is to study the anthropogenic impact on the state of environmental quality by using ecological and economic indicators to further determining the level of necessary environmental protection actions. A systematic analysis of the indicators that identify the dynamics of changes in environmental quality in the current conditions of transformation of the European economy under the globalisation processes is carried out. It is determined that the sustainability of modern production depends on the efficiency of resource use, which provides economic growth and prevents increased pressure on the environment. It is proved that the rate of carbon dioxide emissions in highly developed countries is constantly decreasing, which is associated with the flexible environmental policy and transformation of the energy sector. It is established that in order to achieve the status of a climate-neutral country, Ukraine needs to use a modern system for monitoring greenhouse gas emissions, optimise the СО2 tax and implement a more intensive decarbonisation policy. When introducing organic farming mechanisms, it is necessary to take into consideration the effect of all exogenous and endogenous factors and the potential benefits of using inorganic fertilisers in the short term. The level of phosphate pollution of rivers in European countries and their influence on water quality are determined, and effective mechanisms for reducing this harmful effect are proposed. The reasons that cause eutrophication of water bodies, the consequences of its influence on the state of water and living organisms are investigated, and the areas of marine areas with eutrophic waters are established. The influence of the energy factor on the state of environmental quality is determined by analysing the indicator of final energy consumption by households per capita in oil equivalent. The efficiency of the European waste management policy is analysed and the level of waste packaging recycling in the Scandinavian countries is determined. The algorithm for calculating the gross value added of the environmental goods and services sector and its place in the GDP structure is identified. It is recommended that Ukraine implement the experience of the EU countries in fundamental approaches to resource conservation and sustainable development.

Arachnids: between fear and financial support for environmental education projects

Arachnids contribute to socioenvironmental development by acting as bioindicators of environmental quality and providing essential ecosystem services, highlighting the need for public awareness to conserve these potentially umbrella species. The aim is to evaluate the willingness to pay for informal education programs about arachnids in the central Brazilian savanna using the contingent valuation method (CVM). For this purpose, a preliminary analysis was conducted with 407 residents of a Brazilian municipality with a small population and significant incidents involving arachnid species. The respondents' profiles (gender, age, and education level), knowledge, perceptions of arachnids, and willingness to pay were collected. Quantification, average/total willingness to pay, and Pearson's correlation were performed using R software. Most respondents were women (75.43%), had a high school education and were aged between 35 and 65 years. We observed that most had some level of knowledge about the morphology, ecological characteristics, and importance of arachnids, especially for the environment. However, the results also indicate that older people, men, and those with lower education levels have a greater willingness to pay for educational events about Cerrado arachnids (IEPAs). Only a portion of the respondents were willing to pay for informal education programs in favor of arachnid awareness and conservation. The total willingness to pay was US$ 4,441.28, preferably managed by the state's public education institution. It is concluded that there is significant and necessary potential for environmental education actions to promote the conservation of arachnid megadiversity.

Lenders’ Environmental Monitoring: Evidence From Environmental Covenants in Private Loan Contracts

We investigate the role of covenants in private loan contracts that place requirements or limitations on borrowers’ environmental actions (hereafter, “environmental covenants”). Utilizing a machine learning algorithm, we find that environmental covenants are highly prevalent, appearing in 54% of loan contracts in our sample. The use of these covenants is significantly associated with borrowers’ environmental risk exposure, borrower–lender information asymmetry, and key contract terms, such as collateral and loan maturity. The association between environmental risk and environmental covenants is more pronounced when borrowers face greater financial distress, lenders have a stronger reputation, and there is a higher risk of regulatory enforcement. Additional analysis shows that the presence of a board committee overseeing environmental matters reduces lenders’ demand to contractually address the borrower’s environmental risk. Collectively, our results provide novel insights into the contractual mechanisms addressing environmental risk and the factors shaping lenders’ environmental monitoring demand.

Temporal and Cross-Regional Variance in Environmental Protest Activity of Russians (2007–2021)

The environmental movement in Russia has been a most institutionalized form of collective action. Originating from the Soviet period and gaining momentum in late 1980s, it survived the 1990s’ dramatic transformations as well as the changes in political opportunity structure in the 2000–2010s. Extant scholarship on environmental activism in Russia has been largely focused on case-studies of regional mass-mobilization, such as environmental campaigns at Shiyes station in Archangelsk. The paper represents the first systematic study of cross-regional variance in environmental collective action in Russia. Drawing on three datasets, we trace the general evolution of environmental protests in the period from 2007 to 2021 and provide a typology of Russian regions. The latter allows us to classify Russian regions by intensity and sustainability of eco-mobilisation. We demonstrate that, despite narrowing opportunities, the intensity of environmental protests during the last decade has been on the rise. The typology allows us to describe the existing variance and suggest new questions on the nature and factors of environmental protest activity in Russian regions.

Networked sustainable lifestyle activism: growth and limits of zero waste movement in urban China

ABSTRACT How do citizens express environmentalism and lead sustainable change in an authoritarian country like China, where contentious political civic actions have limited saliency? Can we re-imagine what forms of citizen action build ’environmental movement’ in this socio-political context? Based on 41 in-depth interviews and seven months of participant observations in China’s zero waste community, this article proposes networked sustainable lifestyle activism as an important form of environmental movement in China’s socio-political context. Drawing on lifestyle movement (Haenfler et al. 2012) and sustainable materialism (Schlosberg 2019) theories, I analyze the growth, characteristics, and limitations of the zero waste movement in China. It consists of sustainable lifestyle activism that adopts lifestyle change for broader sustainability, pursues anti-consumerism authentic identity and well-being as a site of change, and grows through social media and informal networks. Meanwhile, the movement goes beyond individual lifestyle change as networks of secondhand material flow and collective, non-contentious environmental actions. Difficulties to promote widespread, thorough sustainable lifestyle change and constrained political engagement are important factors that limit the movement’s effects. My research contributes to the literature on new environmental movements, theoretical discussion of environmental movements in China, and empirical understanding of civic environmental actions in this socio-political context.

Testing the simple model of environmental citizenship in a sample of adolescents

Environmental citizenship and education for environmental citizenship have been identified as important areas to address, yet there is no simple way of studying either environmental citizenship or how effective is the education for it. In order to address this gap in the literature and to provide a practical model for future studies of environmental citizenship, especially in educational contexts, a Simple Model of Environmental Citizenship (SMEC), consisting of environmental (self-)education, abstract and concrete environmental knowledge, environmental awareness, pro-environmental attitudes, need for learning about environmental issues, need for environmental action, environmental literacy, and environmental citizenship was tested in a sample of adolescents. The objective of the study is to test the SMEC in a sample of adolescents in order to investigate its structure and functioning. The current sample consists of 236 adolescents from two schools in Lithuania recruited through convenience sampling. Structural equation modelling with DWLS estimation was used to test the SMEC. The SMEC, after small adjustments that are consistent with previous research, fit the data well. The SMEC provides a good starting point for future interventional and longitudinal studies with adolescents as well as other age groups.