In Australia, volunteers represent a ubiquitous-and critical-feature of organised sport. Sporting events, be they the Olympic Games or a grassroots football match, require the services of a human resource whose engagement, in turn, necessitates consideration from a legal and governance standpoint. For the organisations administering sporting activities, however, volunteers represent an anomaly in an hierarchical sport system. Volunteers are often subject to the whim and caprice of institutions deficient in processes for engaging an unpaid workforce. Issues concerning employment terms and volunteer rights have proved contentious, especially in the community sport sector. Although volunteer numbers have fluctuated, legal problems ensue, resulting in various "injuries" and other considerations relating to the treatment of sport volunteers. There is a dilemma for sport organisations: the governance model for community sport is flawed due to the paradox between top-down policy edicts and the ability of volunteers to manage themselves by virtue of their non-professional roles. By way of a narrative literature review, this paper identifies issues impacting sport organisations and points to the irony that volunteers are unlikely to be able to fulfil expectations based on existing governance structures.

Abstract The Mumbai Climate Action Plan (MCAP) outlines pathways for the city of Mumbai to address climate vulnerability and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Developed through participation in the international C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group and written by the Mumbai office of the World Resources Institute India (WRI), the MCAP suggests making ‘climate action’ a routine part of urban planning and governance. Despite political instability, WRI staff worked with municipal officials on governance‐focused implementation, surpassing similar efforts in India and internationally. I consider the factors that contributed to this unlikely progress. Based on two years of ethnographic research, I outline how WRI staff, positioned at the intersection of the global field of urban climate action and the local field of Indian urban governance, acted as brokers between the urban government and C40, translating C40 best practices into locally amenable implementation steps. I argue that by layering novel climate policies derived from global norms atop existing governance structures, WRI staff encouraged the formalization of a climate‐focused agenda within an otherwise intransigent governance setting. While longer‐term outcomes of the MCAP remain uncertain and deeper change is still needed, this case demonstrates the possibility of establishing a foundation that could eventually make climate a routine aspect of urban governance.

This paper examines Indigenous community-led water governance at Star Blanket First Nation, emphasizing the critical role of traditional land-based knowledge, cultural teachings, and decolonial frameworks in advocating for Indigenous water governance and self-determination. Through collaborative research, Indigenous Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and youth outline culturally embedded water protection practices that ceremonial responsibilities, land-based learning, and relational governance. Following decolonial and relational learning responsibility, this study explores systemic barriers, including challenging western water policies and industrial contamination. It highlighted the adaptions in Indigenous water protection methods and the transformative potential of integrating these practices within existing governance structures. This participatory study used collective sharing circles and storytelling methods with Elders, Knowledge Keepers, water protectors, and youth. Our study suggests that sustainable water governance must prioritize Indigenous self-determination, community-driven monitoring, and intergenerational knowledge transfer to address ongoing water insecurity. This research highlights the need for policy reforms that honor Indigenous treaties, traditional land-based practices, and environmental stewardship.

Nigeria has historically struggled with gender and socio-economic disparities that continue to hinder sustainable and equitable development. Despite numerous policy reforms and development initiatives, progress remains uneven, with persistent exclusion of marginalized communities. Existing approaches to inclusive development focus narrowly on economic growth or sector-specific interventions, neglecting the structural drivers of exclusion embedded in Nigeria?s socio-political systems. These include disparities in resources, power, and access, which shape opportunities across communities. There is often a lack of critical reflection on implementation, which is essential for building equitable and sustainable communities. In response, this paper examines the shortcomings of existing development models and proposes an alternative, context-specific framework tailored to Nigeria?s socio-political realities. Using a theoretical and comparative policy analysis approach, the paper develops the Inclusive Development Framework for Nigeria (IDFN), drawing on global examples from Rwanda, India, and Brazil and situating the framework within Nigeria?s unique institutional context. No primary data were collected; the methodology relies on qualitative synthesis of secondary literature and policy reviews. The IDFN introduces four pillars: participatory governance, digital access, gender equality, and infrastructure parity. It proposes a three-tiered executive implementation mechanism operating within existing governance structures: a National IDFN Coordination Council (N-ICC), State Inclusive Development Units (SIDUs), and Local Implementation Hubs (LIHs). The paper's original contribution is the design of an implementable framework that emphasizes inclusion as a systemic capability. IDFN is a comprehensive guide for civil society actors, policymakers, and government institutions to collaborate in addressing the drivers of exclusion, positioning Nigeria for measurable, inclusive development.

Achieving policy change in complex governance systems remains a persistent challenge, particularly where transformative integration is needed but institutional resistance is strong. This paper introduces policy fit as a novel approach comprising three dimensions: structural compatibility, shared understanding, and systemic responsiveness. Through analysis of Australia’s attempts at integrated ocean management (IOM); Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) and Australia’s Oceans Policy (AOP), we demonstrate how policy fit serves as both a diagnostic tool for identifying barriers to effective change and a design principle for achieving meaningful integration within existing constraints. These cases reveal that ambitious policies lacking alignment across the three dimensions inevitably encounter insurmountable resistance from entrenched institutions, cognitive fragmentation, and veto points. Policy fit offers practitioners a strategic incrementalist pathway that works with, rather than against, existing governance structures, enabling sustainable integration through calculated alignment rather than wholesale institutional restructuring. This approach represents a vital alternative to transformative policies that encounter insurmountable institutional resistance, offering instead a pragmatic path toward sustainable policy change in complex systems.

ABSTRACT Successful implementation of environmental policy and governance highly depends on the capacity to know about, build new and utilize existing governance structures. However, the theoretical tools and available methods to assess the complexity of emerging or existing structures are rather limited. This paper responds to this knowledge gap through the development of a theoretical framework, called the MiGov model, that enables us to understand and analyze the structure and functioning of governance processes on the micro level. Studying governance approaches on the micro level means assessing the complex interplay of involved social, institutional and environmental factors that continuously affect individual decisions and finally aggregate into (non‐)success of implementation. The micro governance framework therefore includes a variety of actor‐based (e.g., individual character, financial capacity), societal (e.g., launch of a policy, peer group influence) and ecological factors (e.g., local ecological characteristics) that typically influence the overall success of implementation. To facilitate the huge amount of data input demanded by research on the micro‐level of governance, we present agent‐based modeling (ABM) as a suited tool for operationalization. The use of agent‐based modeling enables the combination of fragmented and non‐compatible data with proxy data or theoretical assumptions from existing literature. ABM therefore also is an efficient research strategy in the face of lacking data, which is a severe and persistent problem in assessments of environmental policy implementation success. Once an agent‐based model has been established it is possible to experiment with different scenarios or threshold values, enabling a reality check to (partially) known micro structures. To exemplify the use of ABM for micro governance we present the case of ecosystem‐based soil management (EBM) in the Dutch agricultural sector as a typical case for micro governance. This case resembles the micro structure and dynamic interaction of a high variety of decision‐makers with dynamic, multi‐level interactions activated to increase the implementation of organic residues in the agricultural sector. The results of our ABM reveal that the agent‐based model is suited to identify case‐specific mechanisms that increase governance success. In particular, activities that decrease individually perceived uncertainty about implementation practices and effects increase implementation success whereas financial support like subsidies is, to our surprise, less effective.

The European Union (EU) has been at the forefront of advocating global social and environmental governance through its sustainable supply chain initiatives under the ambit of the EU Green Deal. The Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) is a unilateral policy initiative that aims to mitigate potential adverse human rights and environmental impacts of companies’ global supply chain operations. Noting that the CSDDD may be streamlined in European Commission President Ursula Von Der Leyen’s second term, this study examines the potential implications of CSDDD as currently framed for India’s textile and clothing (T&C) value chains and their existing governance structures. The study findings demonstrate that the directive raises serious concerns related to the privatization of regulatory and compliance costs, consolidation of suppliers, higher investment requirements for due diligence compliance, development of information and data management systems, risk of supply chain networks’ restructuring, coordination costs, and technical capacity constraints.

This study investigates the effect of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) performance on firms' cost of capital and examines the moderating role of audit committee independence in an emerging market context. The sample consists of 95 companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) during the period 2016–2023, resulting in 760 firm-year observations in a balanced panel dataset. Using panel data regression with a moderating approach, the findings indicate that ESG performance has a negative and significant effect on the cost of capital, with a one-point increase in ESG score reducing the weighted average cost of capital (WACC) by approximately 13.6 basis points. Audit committee independence also exhibits a negative effect on the cost of capital. However, the interaction analysis reveals that audit committee independence significantly weakens the negative relationship between ESG performance and the cost of capital, suggesting that the financial benefits of ESG practices are less pronounced when governance oversight is already strong. Theoretically, this study extends signaling theory by demonstrating that the credibility of ESG signals depends on existing governance structures; empirically, it provides evidence from an emerging market where governance and sustainability disclosures are evolving. The findings offer practical insights for managers and investors in aligning ESG strategies with governance mechanisms to enhance financial efficiency.

ENERGY EMERGENCIES AND ENERGY FEDERALISM

The rapid integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into financial systems has transformed core financial functions, including credit allocation, fraud detection, algorithmic trading, and regulatory compliance. While AI-driven financial technologies promise enhanced efficiency, predictive accuracy, and financial inclusion, they also introduce significant ethical, legal, and systemic risks that challenge existing governance structures. These risks ranging from algorithmic discrimination and opacity to accountability gaps, privacy violations, and threats to financial stability are amplified by the scale, interconnectedness, and high-stakes nature of financial decision-making. Current ethical AI frameworks and regulatory responses, although valuable, often rely on principle-based or uniform governance approaches that fail to account for the heterogeneous risk profiles of financial AI applications. Moreover, compliance-oriented regulatory regimes typically establish minimum standards and may lag behind technological developments, limiting their effectiveness in managing emerging ethical risks in real time. This paper advances a finance-specific, risk-based framework for ethical AI governance that aligns the intensity of oversight with the likelihood and severity of potential harm. By embedding ethical considerations within established financial risk management and operational resilience practices, the proposed framework provides a structured and scalable approach to identifying, assessing, and mitigating ethical risks across the AI lifecycle. The framework emphasizes proportionality, accountability, transparency, and continuous monitoring, addressing both individual-level harms and system-wide stability concerns. Ultimately, the study argues that ethical AI governance in finance must move beyond compliance toward responsible innovation that sustains trust, resilience, and legitimacy in increasingly AI-driven financial systems.

The recent advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), and data science more broadly, have led to a proliferation of new methods and tools, such as machine learning (ML), that are used in all kinds of scientific research, from biomedical research through to environmental and education research. Research ethics review bodies are increasingly required to review AI research protocols that cover these different fields of enquiry. Questions have been raised regarding the appropriateness of existing ethics governance principles, practices, and processes to deal with the ethical challenges that AI and data science are introducing to research. Universities and research institutions across the world are trying to understand how to translate and practically implement broad AI ethical principles into research ethics governance guidelines and processes. In this article, we report on an expert stakeholders’ workshop organised at the University of Oxford as part of the process of reviewing its ethics governance for AI research. We describe the workshop and present the reflections and recommendations that emerged from it. The aim of the article is to share the approach taken by the University of Oxford CUREC in reviewing its ethics governance processes, and the insights gained with the broader research community, as a way of contributing to this scarce body of literature, facilitating further dialogue, promoting debate and collaboration on this important issue.

EP2.2, e-Poster Terminal 2, September 3, 2025, 13:05 - 14:00AimClimate change and related forced migration is an increasingly important theme both in Europe and in Africa. Facilitating dialogue on climate change related impact on migrant health across the regions is one of the aims of an initiative from the Health and Migration field.MethodsThe Center for Health and Migration, Austria (CHM) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM UN-Migration), in cooperation with stakeholders at international, national, and sub-national level organize Health and Migration online courses. By 2024, 5 courses have been implemented and a community of 332 experts who work for and with migrants and refugees, in policy making, program development, and health and social care in the East and Horn of Africa region has been built up. The topic of climate change gained increasing attention, now being discussed in a dedicated training module and additional webinars.ResultsDiscussants from Africa reported to encounter climate change effects on health and migration in their professional practice. In their experience, climate change aggravates issues of health and migration by fueling forced migration and displacement, increasing health care needs, and deteriorating access to health care. Migration is described as an important mitigation strategy vital for survival. Answers on questions raised for European colleagues, e.g. how Europe does experience and handle migration movements related to climate change within Europe, and how Europe does experience the impact of climate change on general dissatisfaction and mistrust in existing governance structures, are yet to be formulated.ConclusionsCollecting knowledge and experiences from practice experts is crucial because they offer firsthand insights into challenges faced in practice, strategies in place, and related needs. A dialogue between experts from the Global North and South on the climate change impact on health and migrant can contribute to mutual learning and joint formulation of research questions.

A nature-based solutions (NBS) approach to integrated urban water management is increasingly being recognized as offering an ecological and cost-effective alternative to gray infrastructure and additional co-benefits. However, despite growing support, the upscaling of NBS remains limited. Using a case-based approach, we examine how existing governance structures and financial mechanisms are supporting this shift toward an NBS approach in the Belgian city of Genk. Our findings highlight the importance of aligning existing financial mechanisms with alternative funding options to support NBS scaling. We propose three strategies for urban NBS planners to navigate the existing financial landscape: bridging the knowledge gap on public financing mechanisms, mapping the outcome of financial mechanisms early in the planning process, and adjusting NBS planning adaptively to fit current mechanisms and fill gaps. This underscores the need to reevaluate existing governance and financing frameworks to effectively scale-up and ensure projects progress beyond the pilot stage.

Bangladesh faces an increasingly complex landscape of transnational security threats including drug trafficking, human trafficking, money laundering, terrorism, and cross-border smuggling that undermine national stability and strain existing governance structures. These evolving threats also impede progress toward selected Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), although SDG considerations remain a secondary analytical dimension. This study employs a mixed-methods approach combining survey data (N = 200), focus group discussions, and document review to assess public perceptions of threat severity and identify key institutional weaknesses within Bangladesh’s security governance framework. Findings indicate that drug trafficking and human trafficking are perceived as the most significant transnational threats, followed by financial crimes and terrorism. Respondents widely emphasized governance gaps, including weak inter-agency coordination, limited border and maritime surveillance capacity, and insufficient cyber-financial intelligence capabilities. The study argues that addressing these challenges requires a targeted Security Sector Reform (SSR) agenda oriented toward institutional restructuring, improved coordination mechanisms, and enhanced operational readiness, with SDG alignment serving as a complementary development lens. Key recommendations include establishing an integrated transnational crime command, enhancing maritime and border surveillance, and improving regional intelligence cooperation. Overall, the findings contribute to the evolving discourse on national security governance in Bangladesh and highlight the urgency of institutional reform in mitigating transnational threats.

This study investigates the preservation challenges confronting Jassan Hill, a historic site in southern Iraq characterized by vernacular mud-brick architecture and a rich cultural narrative extending back to the early Islamic period. The primary purpose is to develop a robust, integrated framework that addresses the site’s structural vulnerabilities, environmental pressures, and socio-cultural dimensions. A mixed-methods design underpinned the research, involving qualitative and quantitative techniques. The study employed site surveys, GIS mapping, and physical assessments (e.g., non-destructive testing) to document and analyze the state of Jassan Hill’s architectural fabric. In parallel, semi-structured interviews and archival research provided insights into community perceptions, historical development, and existing governance structures. Advanced digital tools such as AutoCAD Recap for 3D modeling and ArcGIS for geospatial analysis enabled detailed visualization of risk zones and correlations between environmental factors and structural decay. Key findings reveal acute deterioration in several structures due to water infiltration, inadequate maintenance, and unregulated urban growth. Additionally, limited policy support and insufficient resource allocation hamper comprehensive conservation efforts. Stakeholder interviews confirm community interest in preserving the hill’s cultural identity and highlight the potential for heritage tourism as an economic driver. These results underscore the importance of an integrated preservation strategy. By combining technical interventions with community engagement and informed policy measures, heritage managers can formulate sustainable solutions tailored to Jassan Hill’s unique context. The adoption of advanced documentation techniques and collaborative governance models has broader implications for protecting similar cultural and environmentally vulnerable sites, ensuring their continued relevance and resilience for future generations.

BackgroundDespite evidence of the benefits of multisectoral nutrition programmes in reducing undernutrition among vulnerable groups such as pregnant women, implementation is not as expected for reasons that are not well understood. This study aimed to explore the challenges, opportunities, and strategies of a multisectoral nutrition programme in improving undernutrition among pregnant women in Ethiopia.MethodsA phenomenological qualitative study was conducted in four rural districts of Sidama Region, Ethiopia, in 2023. Thirty-six in-depth interviews and four focus group discussions were conducted with programme coordinators, sector office leaders, and nutrition specialists from governmental and non-governmental organizations. Data were audio-recorded, transcribed, translated, and thematic analysis was carried out using qualitative data analysis software, MAXQDA version 2022.ResultsThe study identified key challenges and opportunities for a multisectoral nutrition programme aimed at addressing undernutrition among vulnerable groups such as pregnant women. Challenges include a lack of operational structure, poor integration of sectoral activities, inadequate budgeting, and low commitment from collaborators and staff. However, opportunities exist in the form of existing government structures, positive attention from global organizations, its principles and existance of community centers. Optimal strategies to strengthen the programme include improved coordination, integration, communication, innovative financing, advocacy, capacity building, and community engagement.ConclusionDespite many challenges, the multisectoral nutrition programme is a promising start in addressing undernutrition in general and among pregnant women in particular, using existing government structures with greater community and partner involvement and integration.

Despite evidence of the benefits of multisectoral nutrition programmes in reducing undernutrition among vulnerable groups such as pregnant women, implementation is not as expected for reasons that are not well understood. This study aimed to explore the challenges, opportunities, and strategies of a multisectoral nutrition programme in improving undernutrition among pregnant women in Ethiopia. A phenomenological qualitative study was conducted in four rural districts of Sidama Region, Ethiopia, in 2023. Thirty-six in-depth interviews and four focus group discussions were conducted with programme coordinators, sector office leaders, and nutrition specialists from governmental and non-governmental organizations. Data were audio-recorded, transcribed, translated, and thematic analysis was carried out using qualitative data analysis software, MAXQDA version 2022. The study identified key challenges and opportunities for a multisectoral nutrition programme aimed at addressing undernutrition among vulnerable groups such as pregnant women. Challenges include a lack of operational structure, poor integration of sectoral activities, inadequate budgeting, and low commitment from collaborators and staff. However, opportunities exist in the form of existing government structures, positive attention from global organizations, its principles and existance of community centers. Optimal strategies to strengthen the programme include improved coordination, integration, communication, innovative financing, advocacy, capacity building, and community engagement. Despite many challenges, the multisectoral nutrition programme is a promising start in addressing undernutrition in general and among pregnant women in particular, using existing government structures with greater community and partner involvement and integration.

Abstract The global governance of high-risk technologies—including nuclear technology, artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing, biotechnology, and gene editing—faces mounting challenges due to geopolitical tensions, regulatory gaps, and institutional barriers. Drawing on sociopolitical theories such as Beck’s Risk Society , Giddens’ Runaway World , and Perrow’s Normal Accidents , this paper examines the complexities of regulating rapidly advancing technologies within a fragmented global landscape. Unlike previous industrial revolutions, today’s technological transformations are unfolding at an unprecedented pace, outstripping existing governance structures and exacerbating regulatory asymmetries and geopolitical rivalries. The national securitization of technology and the absence of binding international frameworks hinder effective cooperation, fueling an unregulated “technological race.” Addressing these governance challenges requires multilateral collaboration, legally binding treaties, and independent regulatory bodies with enforcement capabilities. Without coordinated global efforts, unchecked technological proliferation may heighten security risks, deepen global inequalities, and erode trust in regulatory institutions. This paper critically evaluates current governance deficiencies and explores pathways toward more effective and inclusive global cooperation in managing high-risk technologies.

This paper examines the development, implementation and challenges of participatory budgeting (PB) in various cities in China, including Beijing, Jiaozuo, Shenzhen and others. It explores the diverse origins, sustainability, depth, and breadth of citizen engagement in PB initiatives, as well as institutional and political factors influencing their effectiveness. The study highlights key challenges such as transparency and institutionalization of PB and its integration into existing governance structures. It also discusses the role of digital technologies in enhancing participatory processes, improving fiscal transparency and broadening citizen involvement. The paper concludes with a discussion on the future of PB in China, emphasizing the need for policy reforms, digital innovations and international comparative research to ensure its long-term viability and impact on public governance.

Abstract The 2023 Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement) encompasses regimes concerning marine genetic resources (MGR s), area-based management tools (ABMT s), and environmental impact assessments (EIA s). The Arctic high seas regime is characterised by fragmentation. Applying Oran Young’s theory of regime interplay, this article explores how the BBNJ Agreement interacts with the Arctic high seas regime, creating functional and political linkages across horizontal and vertical dimensions. Legal obligations on marine scientific research related to MGR s in the Arctic high seas could influence existing governance structures. The ABMT s regime may limit the freedom of marine scientific research and conflict with commercial fishing activities in Arctic high seas. EIA provisions and high environmental standards will shape both the types of scientific research and future fisheries management arrangements in Arctic high seas.