Provision Of Environment Research Articles

Non-trade issues in preferential trade agreements and global value chains

How do labor and environmental provisions (also known as non-trade issues) that are increasingly part of preferential trade agreements (PTAs) affect investment patterns within global value chains (GVCs)? In this article, we explore how the design of these provisions and the local regulatory environments of trading partners influence the geography of production. By employing a difference-in-difference analysis of quantitative data on the design of non-trade issues in 478 PTAs and mergers and acquisitions between 1948 and 2018, we assess the influence of labor and environmental provisions in PTAs on GVCs. Building on the legal and business studies literatures, we expect and empirically find that when countries join PTAs, enforceable non-trade clauses interact with domestic regulatory environments and induce changes in GVCs, especially in Global North hosts. Our findings provide nuance to our current understanding of the interconnections across trade agreement design, domestic regulations, and vertically integrated multinational production.

Is greener always healthier? Examining the nonlinear relationships between urban green spaces and mental health in Wuhan, China

Though much evidence demonstrates the benefits of urban green spaces (UGS) for mental health, it remains uncertain if a greener living environment necessarily leads to better mental health. This study makes up this gap by exploring the potential non-linear effects of UGS provision (availability, accessibility, visibility, quality) and utilization (frequency, duration) on mental health, focusing on their nonlinear patterns and thresholds. Using geospatial and social survey data from Wuhan, China, and controlling for socioeconomic, built, and social environmental factors, we find that: (1) Both UGS provision and utilization have significant nonlinear effects on mental health. (2) Inverted-U-shaped relationships exist between mental health and both UGS availability (measured by Normalized Difference Vegetation Index, NDVI) and accessibility (distance to nearest park), with peak benefits observed at an NDVI of 0.25 or a distance of 0.24 km. A similar L-shaped relationship is observed for UGS visibility, suggesting that higher visibility does not necessarily translate to improved mental health. The positive health effects of UGS quality exist, yet offer marginal benefits. (3) UGS utilization plays a crucial mediating role, explaining up to 47 % of the relationship between visibility and mental health. This highlights the importance of active engagement with UGS for realizing mental health benefits, supporting the ‘environmental provision→individual behavior→mental health’ pathway. These findings provide urban planners with valuable dosage references for UGS allocation, emphasizing the need to consider both provision and factors promoting utilization to maximize mental health benefits within urban environments.

An Analysis of Welfare Standards Within Tiger (Panthera tigris) Facilities in Thailand.

In Thailand, tigers are more numerous in captivity than they are in the wild, with 51 facilities housing approximately 1962 tigers. As charismatic fauna, tigers are popular with tourists, and the majority of facilities offer a variety of entertainment activities with controversial reports towards the animals' welfare. The aim of this research was to investigate tiger welfare in Thai zoos to identify specific welfare issues. We assessed 34 tourism facilities holding tigers in Thailand in 2019 using a 25-point welfare assessment that utilizes the Five Domain model (incorporating all five domains: nutrition, physical environment, health, behavioural interactions and mental state). The mental domain score was derived from the scores of the other four domains. Additional data were collected from each facility, including the number of tigers, any colour variants, types of human interaction and admission cost. Welfare scores for each domain were calculated by totalling the scores per domain and dividing by the number of points allocated to that domain. A multiple regression was used to identify any significant predictors of mental domain score. The results revealed that the provision of a suitable physical environment scored the lowest, while nutrition scored the highest though this was still a low score overall. The multiple regression showed that 45.4% of the variance for the mental domain score was significantly affected by the number of colour variants housed and the types of human interaction available with facilities, with more of both these factors contributing to a more negative score. Our results demonstrate the need for urgent, comprehensive infrastructural, species-appropriate environment and design and animal management improvements to increase animal welfare. Informed institutional change toward the breeding and use of tigers for public interactions is also required. This is the first assessment completed of captive tiger welfare of tiger facilities in Thailand and shows that the welfare concerns encountered are within a high proportion (67%) of Thailand's facilities. This supports the need for the creation and enforcement of effective and clear captive wildlife operational standards to provide a sustained solution for captive tiger welfare and can provide a considered approach to ex-situ tiger management that, in conjunction with in-situ efforts, can improve much needed conservation efforts of this species.

The role of digital arbitration in the resolution of electronic commerce disputes between the necessity of application and the imperative of confrontation

The world has recently undergone a major shift in international information technology, software and communications, which has been regarded as a global revolution in many areas. and transformed traditional means of commercial transactions into electronic means of communication through the promotion, exchange and completion of transactions of goods using modern telecommunications and information exchange technology without the parties meeting in one place, Whether mutual commitments can be implemented electronically or require concrete physical implementation which created for us e-commerce that has become a reality of a real pension, It is also one of the economic pillars of the State and an important mechanism for raising productivity. This necessitates the provision of the appropriate legal environment and the search for means to ensure that they are controlled within a systematic and regulated legal framework, In particular, contracts involving international parties via the Internet require delving into private international law, the determination of the judicial area for the resolution of electronic commerce disputes and the determination of applicable law was a major burden on parties and States, which prompted their clients to seek alternative electronic mechanisms to replace traditional courts to settle disputes resulting from the use of electronic media in their commercial transactions, so-called ODR dispute resolution. s electronic teleconference, this has made recourse to electronic or digital arbitration as a virtual judge system a requirement of many international organizations and associations. The forms raised: how effective is digital or electronic arbitration in resolving e-commerce disputes? We therefore divide our research into two sections, dealing with section I: the conceptual framework for electronic commerce as well as digital electronic arbitration, and section II: the role of digital arbitration in the termination and resolution of e-commerce disputes.

Assessing Residential Satisfaction Among The Residents In Ogbomoso Urban Centre, Nigeria

The importance of residents’ satisfaction with housing cannot be over-emphasised as it contributes to the quality of residents’ life. This study assess residential satisfaction among residents in Ogbomoso Urban Centre. Multistage sampling techniques and simple random sampling were applied, with the aid of questionnaire administration among 430 residents in twenty political wards but only 378 copies were properly filled, returned, and analysed. The population of the study area was collected from the National Population Commission to determine the population trend and the number of copies of the questionnaires to be administered in each of the political wards. Residential satisfaction was obtained through factors that contribute to the residents’ satisfaction and satisfaction level. At the beginning of the analysis, a factor analysis was applied to reduce the data set and to group various variables as factors. This is to present the magnitudes of residential satisfaction among the residents. Descriptive analysis with the use of frequency and percentage, cross-tabulation, regression analysis, mean index, residents’ relative satisfaction index, and relative importance satisfaction index were explored to assess residential satisfaction among the residents. The results revealed that the residents are not satisfied with the house and neighbourhoods. Their current demographic status has constrained them to continue staying within their residential neighbourhoods. The authors believe that, there is a need for a realistic and vigorous approach towards the provision of better housing and environment that enhance better living. This will invariably improve residents’ quality of life and reduce the socio-spatial divergence among various social groups.

The Impact of Facility Management Practice on Business Performance in Selected RETAIL Markets in Port Harcourt, Rivers State

The need to contribute to a deeper understanding of the multifaceted impact of facility management practices on retail business performance in Port Harcourt, Rivers State Nigeria necessitated this study. The aim is to ascertain the impact of facility management on the overall performance of the retail markets. The research endeavours to evaluate the prevailing facility management practices within selected retail markets using a mixed methods research methodology to ensure a thorough exploration of the subject matter. The study population comprised various stakeholders within the retail market sector, including retail market owners, housekeepers, porters, vendors, and facility managers. A sample size of 161 respondents was selected to represent the diverse perspectives and experiences within the retail sector. Data collection involved a combination of qualitative and quantitative techniques. Qualitative data were gathered through interviews, allowing for in-depth exploration of participants' perceptions and experiences. Meanwhile, quantitative data were collected via structured surveys. The study finds that facility management practices has not improved customer satisfaction or employee productivity in selected retail market as respondents were very dissatisfied or dissatisfied with the current level of facility support provided for various operational aspects of the supermarket. Findings indicate that facility management practices such as provision of safe environment, standard of cleaning in facility management, relevance of provided equipment, high performance/ productivity risk mitigation, responsiveness of the facility management team in addressing customer issues, effective utilization of space can impact the overall performance of the retail market. The study concludes that effective facility management practices is a determinant of success in the competitive landscape of the retail market and recommends the setting up of clear standards for facilities management practice in the supermarkets, effective communication with the users/owners, implementation of preventive maintenance, adoption of smart technologies in retail market facility management plan, and the establishment of a facility management department to coordinate uses and services of facilities in the retail market buildings.

“If you’re struggling, you don’t really care” – what affects the physical health of young people on child and adolescent mental health inpatient units? A qualitative study with service users and staff

BackgroundPhysical health inequalities of people with serious mental illness (SMI) have been labelled an international scandal; due to the 15–20-year reduction in life expectancy associated with poor physical health. This occurs at an early stage and evidence shows young people with and at risk for SMI are a particularly vulnerable group requiring intervention and support. However, most work has been conducted with adults and little is known about what affects physical health for young people, specifically those receiving inpatient care.MethodsWe conducted semi-structured qualitative interviews with 7 service users and 6 staff members (85% female, age 14–42) on a generic mental health inpatient unit for children and adolescents. Interviews aimed to identify how young people viewed theirphysical health and factors affecting physical health and lifestyle and identify any support needed to improve physical health. Thematic analysis was conducted. .ResultsThematic analysis revealed the main factors affecting physical health and lifestyle for young people. Three main themes were individual factors (subthemes were mental health symptoms, knowledge, attitudes and beliefs), environmental factors (subthemes were opportunities in a restricted environment and food provision), and the influence of others (subthemes were peers, staff, family members). These factors often overlapped and could promote a healthy lifestyle or combine to increase the risk of poor physical health. Young people discussed their preferences for physical health initiatives and what would help them to live a healthier lifestyle.ConclusionsPromoting physical health on inpatient units for young people is an important, yet neglected area of mental health research. We have identified a range of complex factors which have an impact on their physical health, and there is a pervasive need to address the barriers that young people experience to living a healthy lifestyle. There is an increasingly strong evidence base suggesting the benefits of physical health interventions to improve outcomes, and future work should identify ways to implement such interventions considering the barriers discussed in this article. Further collaborative research is needed with young people, clinical teams, caregivers, and commissioners to ensure improvements are made to clinical care provision and optimisation of the inpatient environment.

Associations between parent and child latent eating profiles and the role of parental feeding practices

Previous research employing the person-centred approach of Latent Profile Analysis (LPA) with parent-reported data of their child's eating behaviour identified four distinct eating profiles in 3-6-year-old children: typical, avid, happy, and avoidant eating (Pickard et al., 2023). In this follow-up study, the same parents were asked to self-report their own eating behaviour (N = 785) and LPA was conducted to determine the latent eating profiles of the parents/caregivers. The LPA showed that a four-profile solution best represented the sample of parents, termed: typical eating (n = 325, 41.4%), avid eating (n = 293, 37.3%), emotional eating (n = 123, 15.7%) and avoidant eating (n = 44, 5.6%). Multiple mediation analysis was then conducted to examine both the direct associations between parents' eating profiles and the child's probability of eating profile membership, as well as the indirect associations through the mediatory role of specific parental feeding practices. The results suggested direct links between parent and child eating profiles, with the 'avid eating' and 'avoidant eating' profiles in parents predicting similar profiles in their children. Feeding practices, such as using food for emotional regulation, providing balanced and varied food, and promoting a healthy home food environment, mediated associations between parent and child eating profiles. This research provides novel evidence to reinforce the need for interventions to be specifically tailored to both the parent's and child's eating profiles. The work also provides an interesting avenue for future longitudinal examination of whether the parents' provision of a healthy home food environment could protect against intergenerational transmission of less favourable eating behaviours.

Associations between natural blue and green space and preschool children's movement behaviours

Abstract Natural outdoor environments provide important settings for children to engage in physical activity. It is unclear if these relationships also exist in preschool aged children. We examined associations between amount and type of neighbourhood vegetation and blue space, proximity to the beach and preschooler's device‐measured movement behaviours. Accelerometer data from 1081 preschool children were processed into physical activity and sedentary behaviours using a machine learned random forest physical activity classification model specifically developed for children under five. High‐resolution aerial imagery data and Geographic Information Systems were used to identify total percentage of neighbourhood vegetation and vegetation components (grass, shrubs and trees) and presence and total percentage of blue space (ocean, riverways and lakes and swamps) for 500, 1600 and 5000 m service areas around children's residences. Distance to the closest beach, patrolled beach, and dog beach were also calculated. Amount of neighbourhood vegetation was inversely associated with boys sedentary time in the 500 m (β = −0.91 min/day, p = 0.006, 95% CI [−1.55, −0.33]) and 1600 m (β = −1.30 min/day, p = 0.001, 95% CI [−2.08, −0.53]) service area, and positively associated with walking time in the 1600 m (β = 0.12 min/day, p = 0.045, 95% CI [0.02, 0.22]) service area. The presence of local riverways was positively associated with girls walking time in the 1600 m (β = 2.34 min/day, p = 0.009, 95% CI [0.59, 4.09]), and 5000 m (β = 1.67 min/day, p = 0.019, 95% CI [0.27, 3.06]) buffer. Distance to dog beach was positively associated with boys sedentary behaviours. Presence of lake and swamps were negatively associated with boys walking, and presence of riverways was negatively associated with girls moderate‐to‐vigorous activities and games and boys running in the 5000 m service area. These findings suggest higher amounts of neighbourhood vegetation and certain types of blue space such as riverways and dog beaches could facilitate positive movement behaviours in young children. Our findings that natural outdoor environments are associated with preschool children's movement behaviours add to evidence which could contribute to policy implications for urban planning and the provision and protection of natural environments within cities. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.

Study of Vizag–Chennai Industrial Corridor Conceptual Development Plan

Abstract: Infrastructure Development is critical for economic growth. It plays a significant role in setting upof an enabling platform for sustainable economic development. India must continue to create economicopportunities for its labor force, which is increasing by about 12 million a year. One urgentchallenge is to create more high value added and well-paying jobs in the manufacturing sector,which has been limited to 17% of GDP versus 21-29% in East and Southeast Asia. In a bid toenhance India’s manufacturing sector share, several initiatives were launched by thegovernment including its flagship Make in India campaign, which aims to make India a globalmanufacturing hub. Under the Make in India initiative, economic corridors will serve as abackbone of an internationally competitive manufacturing sector. Through provision of world-class infrastructure and favorable business environment, economic corridors are expected toattract foreign investment and facilitate the establishment of manufacturing centers. VCIC is a coastal corridor, ports play a significant role in the infrastructure strategy, as well as other industrialization enablers such as power and water supply. While their availability is a necessary condition for building a corridor, other critical elements include institutional frameworks, policies, and regulations that create a favorable investment climate, and the ease of doing business for investors, both domestic and foreign

Protection of the Environment in Polish Constitutional Law in the light of the Jurisdiction of the ECHR

Over the past decades, a global trend of constitutionalising environmental protection has been observed in connection with the attribution to this issue of key importance and value deserving special legal status. This practice has not bypassed the Republic of Poland; the current constitution provides an extensive range of environmental provisions. The aim of the paper is to review the Polish constitutional law in terms of provisions guaranteeing environmental protection. The article presents the specific legal framework and analyses the role of the Polish Constitutional Court in interpreting constitutional provisions. Based on the legal analysis, the author aims to identify best practices and solutions included in the Polish Constitution, as well as to indicate existing shortcomings of environmental regulation with some remarks de lege ferenda. An important part of the paper provides an assessment of the impact of the ECtHR’s case law on the practice and jurisprudence of Polish courts dealing with violations of the right to the environment. In this regard, attention is given to civil cases involving violations of personal rights in the form of health, privacy, and the ability to enjoy life in an uncontaminated environment. The outcome is a consideration of the connections between the construction of the right to the environment and the subjective rights guaranteed by the Polish Constitution.

Comparative Analysis of Environmental Protection Provisions in Construction Procurement: A Case Study of Nepal's Projects Funded by National and International Agencies

This study investigates the environmental protection provisions embedded in procurement processes of construction projects in Nepal, funded by various national and international agencies. The research aims to compare and analyze the environmental safeguarding measures outlined in bidding documents from different funding sources, along with examining relevant legal frameworks and policies governing environmental protection in construction projects. Through a qualitative approach and content analysis methodology, the study delves into the scope, limitations, and significance of environmental considerations in construction procurement. Findings reveal diverse approaches across funding agencies, highlighting the emphasis on contractor responsibilities, safety measures, and project management. While Nepal's standard bidding documents establish foundational environmental provisions, projects funded by international agencies demonstrate a higher commitment to environmental sustainability. The study underscores the importance of comprehensive environmental measures in construction projects to mitigate ecological impact and promote long-term environmental conservation.

Addressing Environmental Protection Gaps in Sino-African Bilateral Investment Treaties

Abstract This article examines the scope and depth of environmental protection in Sino-African BITs. Chinese investment in Africa and the steps taken to include or enhance environmental concerns in these Sino-African treaties are comparatively discussed to show that they are generally as inadequate as other investment treaties to provide the necessary protection. Lessons drawn from the coverage of environmental provisions in nearly 125 BITs, some involving African states, are presented to give context to the key argument in this article. Written in the context of the ‘Africanization’ of international investment law, this article argues, taking into account Africa’s overall capacity as well as the amount of Chinese investment in Africa and its environmental impact, that this concern is best addressed through the adoption of aggressive national reform processes that are built into regional and finally a continental policy for ensuring sustainable development and environmental protection in relation to investments in Africa.

Domestic chickens solving mirror-mediated spatial location tasks uncovering their cognitive abilities

The increasing demand on adapting modern livestock farming to higher animal welfare standards requires a thorough understanding of a species’ cognitive abilities to determine their adaptability. With the chicken being the world’s most numerous birds in animal production, it is mandatory to identify its cognitive abilities and limitations in order to meet its needs. We investigated if chickens are able to use and understand the reflective properties of a mirror that is the correlation of reflections of food rewards and their real location. In total, 18 female chickens of two different breeds were tested in a mirror-mediated spatial location task. Eleven out of eighteen hens solved the task successfully and thus, possibly exploited the correlation between the reflection in the mirror and the real food reward. We found differences on a breed and on the individual level, with different amounts of time needed learning the association of reward and mirror image. The results imply sophisticated cognitive abilities in chickens, assuming they may be able to understand how mirror images represent objects in the real environment, and to make use of it during foraging. The chicken’s cognitive ability might lead to a new understanding and provision of animal welfare-compliant production environments.

Do environmental provisions in regional trade agreements help to increase environmental innovation?

ABSTRACT Assessing the effectiveness of environmental provisions in regional trade agreements (RTAs) on environmental outcome is important. This paper calculates the RTA strength with environmental provisions and RTA strength without environmental provisions. Then we explore the effect of environmental provisions in RTAs on environmental innovation using panel data for 77 countries from 1995 to 2013. The empirical results show that the overall RTA intensity signed by a country has no significant impact on environmental innovation. However, there are some differences when considering the presence of environmental provisions. Specifically, the RTA intensity with environmental provisions has no significant effect on its environmental innovation. However, a significant negative relationship exists between RTA intensity without environmental provisions and environmental innovation. Our conclusion provides policy insights for policymakers considering incorporating environmental provisions into RTAs.

Unintended Consequences of Special Education and Consideration of Change

This scholarly review presents a case for transforming special education rather than reauthorizing special education law in its present form and, in doing so, reconceptualizing the inclusion movement to recognize marginalizing influences. A comprehensive review of research, policy reviews, and observations of praxis is undertaken to examine current special education law. Three unintended consequences are identified: (a) the least restrictive environment provision; (b) incremental successes of the inclusion movement’s emphasis on placement; and (c) the effort to promote racial integration in current special education policy. While unintended consequences cannot be foreseen, the structure of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEIA) has changed little since the 1970s despite evolving praxis and understandings of social justice. This article is intended to facilitate a conversation about a path forward for special education, including whether IDEIA should be reauthorized in its present form, or what form might be taken under alternative policy.

Environmental Constitutionalism in China: A Constitution without Constitutionalism?

Abstract There is a long tradition of constitutionalising environmental protection in the People's Republic of China ('China'). This is illustrated, for example, by the constitutionalisation of the need to construct ‘ecological civilisation’ – a set of values and development concepts included in 2018 as part of constitutional amendments. Yet, the Constitution of China is often described as a constitution without constitutionalism. This article examines the constitutional environmental provisions in China, as well as the underpinning constitutional theories, to demonstrate how China enjoys environmental constitutionalism. This version of constitutionalism, however, is absent of rights and overwhelmingly enforced through state-based approaches, which means that it is distinct from the rights-based and courts-centred versions of liberal constitutionalism. This study thus exemplifies how constitutional practices may adopt different formulations and environmental constitutionalism exists without being committed to liberal principles.

Synergizing trade and sustainability: advancing SDG 14 through international trade dynamics

This paper explores the intricate relationship between international trade and the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 14 (Life Below Water), focusing on the potential of trade to contribute positively to marine conservation and sustainable use of ocean resources. By examining the intersection of economic, social, and environmental dimensions, the study delves into how trade policies and practices can be aligned with environmental objectives, particularly concerning marine ecosystems. A principal challenge identified is the tension between economic growth driven by international trade and the sustainability of marine ecosystems, exacerbated by practices such as overfishing and pollution from maritime transport. Another significant challenge is the lack of robust enforcement mechanisms for existing environmental provisions in trade agreements. To address these challenges, the paper recommends the integration of stringent and enforceable environmental clauses in trade agreements, coupled with the promotion of sustainable trade practices through international cooperation and capacity building. Furthermore, the study suggests the adoption of innovative trade mechanisms, such as eco-certification and the implementation of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), to enhance the protection of marine life, support sustainable fisheries, and reduce ocean pollution. The paper concludes with specific policy recommendations for leveraging international trade as a tool for the sustainable management of marine resources, ultimately contributing to the broader agenda of sustainable development.

Enhancing employee performance through motivation: the mediating roles of green work environments and engagement in Jakarta's logistics sector.

This study aims to analyze the mediating role of employee engagement and the green work environment in the relationship between motivation and the performance of logistics company employees in Jakarta, Indonesia. Employing a causal quantitative research approach, we distributed 222 questionnaires among logistics employees from four surrounding cities in Jakarta, namely Bogor, Depok, Tangerang, and Bekasi. These questionnaires were adapted from past studies. The data were processed using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) with Partial Least Squares. The results showed that employee performance in logistics companies was positively and significantly influenced by motivation. Furthermore, a green work environment and employee engagement were found to significantly mediate the relationship between motivation and performance. These findings underscore the importance of a green work environment and employee engagement in enhancing motivation and performance in logistics companies. The study implies that employee performance in logistics companies can be elevated through the provision of a green work environment, alongside fostering employee motivation and engagement.

Информационная среда для индустриального и научно-познавательного туризма с применением ГИС

The subject of the stated research is conditioned by the need to develop modern methods and technologies of information support of the tourism industry of the regional profile taking into account its specifics and features. Awareness and comfortable conditions of tourist service are the key factors of successful promotion and sustainable development of this sphere. In the near future, domestic tourism has great prospects, it concerns many territories of the country, and the Southern Urals is no exception. The article is a continuation of research work related to the collection and analysis of geodata, as well as the visualization of the information environment. This study shows how to graphically visualize information on the basis of the development of an interactive scheme project with the possibility of overlaying it on a scalable satellite map in the field of industrial, scientific-cognitive tourism and architectural tourism on the example of a separate layer "Country of Cities" for the objects located in the South Urals. In the research on the basis of the program utility "Grid cartogram of reference archaeological objects" the design concept of the interface functionality of utility "KROT-1.0" ("Cartogram of reference objects of tourism. Version 1.0") is developed and tested as an interactive cartogram on Internet platforms. Methodology wise, the research process consists of 2 stages: pre-project or data collection with the formation of a database catalog and design and research, with the implementation of results, consisting in the development of the design concept of the utility and its integration with a web resource developed on the platform of non-commercial CMS; analysis and comparison of the results obtained on different platforms, publication or placement of the developed interactive schemes on internal servers and Internet platforms with further prospects for the development of mobile applications for the provision of information environment in different spheres of regional tourism.