Fair Distribution Of Benefits Research Articles

Equality, diversity and inclusion and gendered analysis for place-based hydrogen solutions

A global endeavour to accelerate reduction of the carbon dioxide emissions (‘decarbonisation’) of the economy and to encourage the use of diverse non-fossil-fuel energy vectors, including hydrogen, is underway. Hydrogen transitions are mainly driven by technological specifications and centred on the adoption of new specialised skills. Limited attention is given to other social aspects such as workforce diversity and existing local skills sets, which are also critical to enabling such transitions. There is strong evidence that the energy sector is male-dominated. However, there is growing consensus that gender diversity in energy sector workforces can bring about socio-economic and environmental benefits. Place is also increasingly gaining recognition as a key driver of social, economic and environmental benefits from energy transition. This paper reviews 26 national and regional hydrogen strategies, through a gendered analysis and a place-based perspective, to evaluate the extent to which developing hydrogen solutions in a range of locations is furthering equality, diversity and inclusion towards a just transition – a fair distribution of benefits and opportunities across genders. The paper aims to open up a discussion with engineers, decision makers and hydrogen industry professionals about applying gendered and place-specific analysis to emerging decarbonisation technologies.

Sustainable Tourism in Uttarakhand: A Blueprint for Environmental Conservation and Community Welfare

This study explores the concept of sustainable tourism development in Uttarakhand, India, situated amidst the picturesque Himalayas. With its stunning natural landscapes, Uttarakhand has become a magnet for tourists, yet the surge in visitors has led to concerns about environmental deterioration. The research evaluates the complexities of sustainable tourism, examining efforts by the state government and local communities to balance economic growth with environmental conservation. It highlights successful strategies such as eco-tourism zones and community-driven tourism projects, shedding light on the factors contributing to their effectiveness. Additionally, the study examines the socio-economic impacts of tourism, emphasizing the importance of community engagement, fair distribution of benefits, and the preservation of indigenous cultures. It explores the role of technology and innovation in promoting sustainability, offering insights on leveraging digital platforms for responsible tourism practices. Ultimately, the paper advocates for a comprehensive approach to sustainable tourism in Uttarakhand, stressing the need to consider various factors at play. It also proposes policy recommendations to support this holistic approach. By sharing its findings and recommendations, the research aims to enrich the global dialogue on sustainable tourism and provide guidance for other regions grappling with similar challenges.

Benefit sharing model of hydropower development based on input perspective: a case study of Xiluodu project in China

Hydropower provides important support for achieving dual-carbon goal, but problems such as reservoir resettlement conflicts are common in developing countries, which have become a bottleneck of sustainable hydropower development. Fair distribution of benefits is the key to solve this dilemma. While the concept of benefit sharing as the fundamental guarantee for the sustainable livelihood of landless resettlers is gradually reaching consensus, the amount of benefit distribution has always been an outstanding issue. In order to quantify the amount of benefit sharing scientifically and reasonably, this paper constructs a benefit sharing model of hydropower development from the perspective of stakeholder input, and carries out a case analysis. The results indicate that the main stakeholders of hydropower projects include governments, development enterprises and reservoir resettlers. Their inputs are water or environmental resources, capital, and land resources, which produce hydropower resources. The net present value method can be used to construct the benefit sharing model. In this model, sharing amount of resettlers and other major stakeholders is the product of the sum of the present value of the net cash flow of hydropower projects and the proportion of their respective input. In view of many uncertainties, the grey prediction method and Monte Carlo simulation method are used to solve the model. The case of the Xiluodu hydropower station in China proves the rationality and operability of the model. The study also shows with reference to the model’s calculation results, a shared development fund can be established by drawing money from electricity generation income to ensure long-term benefits for resettlers, while considering the reasonable benefit of other stakeholders. The two are connected. It is expected to achieve a new pattern of mutual benefit and multi-win outcome, which are characterized by stable power station revenue, prosperity and stability of the reservoir area, and increased benefit and common wealth of resettlers. This paper may provide a convenient and novel analysis tool for benefit sharing systems.

A Multi-Subject Game-Based Operation Strategy for VPPs Integrating Wind-Solar-Storage

Along with the continuous development of renewable energy sources (RES) such as wind power and photovoltaic, a large proportion of RES were connected to the power grid. However, the volatility and intermittency of RES threaten the safe and stable operation of the power system. Virtual power plants (VPPs) were introduced to solve such problems. In order to study the cooperation mode of integrating wind-solar-storage for multi VPPs, this paper established multi-objective individual and joint dispatching model for single VPP and multi VPPs with wind-solar-storage, respectively. Then, this paper analyzed the cooperation and the fair distribution of benefits between VPPs. By establishing the competitive strategies of the participating subjects and integrating the Shapley value to effectively distribute the benefits, the cooperative game theory was applied to effectively enhance the benefit in the VPP, to maximize the economic benefits, and to reduce the RES uncertainty risks and carbon emissions, which provided new ideas for the subsequent research on the optimal operation of RES and their engineering applications. NSGA-II was adopted to solve the multi-objective optimization problem. The strategy achieved a 10.1% reduction on the original peak load. It could effectively reduce the peak load of the VPP and ensure the accuracy of load regulation, to reach 12% of the total capacity of the VPP.

ЗАБЕЗПЕЧЕННЯ РОЗВИТКУ ТРАНСПОРТНОГО ПІДПРИЄМСТВА НА ЗАСАДАХ СТАЛОГО РОЗВИТКУ

The article is concerned with studying the theoretical and methodological aspects of development of a transport enterprise on the basis of sustainable development. The relevance of the issue is due to the acceleration of changes in the external environment of economic activity of transport enterprises, which necessitates adjustments to the management system. Climate change, a decrease in the amount of available resources, changing societal requirements and the need to ensure energy efficiency are increasing the relevance of a sustainable development strategy in the modern economy. The issue of phasing out fossil fuels and developing sustainable closed supply chains is a critical issue. At the same time, the transportation sector is one of the largest sources of pollution and energy consumption. An obstacle to sustainable development is the widespread belief that development should be defined primarily as economic growth. This is the frame-work that has been used for many years by developed countries to achieve their current levels of material well-being. The problem with this approach is that, firstly, economic growth does not always guarantee social justice, and secondly, natural resources are depleting in terms of both quality (environmental pollution) and supply (oil reserves). The concept of sustainable development of a transport company is based on achieving a reasonable balance between environmental, economic, social and cultural needs of people. The economic component of sustainable development is focused on the efficient use of limited resources, energy savings, and the use of environmental and material-saving technologies. It includes the use of costeffective routes, combined transportation, ensuring fair prices for services and quality assurance to consumers, increasing the competitiveness of the enterprise, striving for higher added value. The socio-cultural component involves maintaining the sustainability of cultural and social systems, and fair distribution of benefits. It includes social responsibility of enterprises, competence of employees, ensuring occupational safety, as well as good and ergonomic working conditions for employees, and reducing road accidents. The environmental component is aimed at maintaining the integrity of natural systems for current and future generations. It includes the use of renewable energy sources, energy saving, reduction of air emissions and the use of environmentally friendly vehicles. The sustainable development of a transport enterprise is first of all its harmonious development, that is, one that involves the harmonization of all three components.

ТРУД КАК ЭНЕРГИЯ, ФАКТОР ПРОИЗВОДСТВА И МАТЕРИАЛЬНЫЙ ИСТОЧНИК ПРАВА В ОБЩЕСТВЕ СОЛИДАРНОСТИ

Despite the obvious interconnection of physical, economic and legal processes, there is still a huge gap in the sciences, the areas of study of which are the corresponding areas. Contradictions are observed in the social and physical sciences. Ignoring the achievements of natural physical sciences by the social sciences leads to the emergence of concepts that do not have objective grounds. One of the manifestations of such ignoring and, accordingly, a factor in the crises of economic theories is the ignoring of production as the material basis of the economy. The economy begins with human labor. It is labor that underlies all social formations and production in any formation. The category of labor is the base for fthe physical nature of labor and the possibility of measuring it in physical quantities is practically not studied by economists. In the legal sphere, this problem is reflected in the sphere of determining and reflecting personal labor income, as well as the implementation of the constitutional principle of economic, political and social solidarity (Article 75.1). Respect for human labor underlies the fair distribution of benefits and constitutes the legal basis for the legal regulation of the distribution of personal income (personal finances) of individuals.urther construction of economic theory and legal regulation of economic activity. However,

Sustainable recreation and tourism: Making sense of diverse conceptualizations and management paradigms

Sustainability in the context of visitor management in protected areas is a notion that is widely employed and variously defined. Most definitions of sustainable recreation/tourism employ variations of the three pillars (ecology, economy, social equity) introduced in the 1987 Brundtland Report. In a survey of 217 recreation and tourism professionals and researchers, respondents provided working definition of sustainable recreation or sustainable tourism . Qualitative responses were systematically coded and analyzed to unearth common themes. Results suggest that notions of sustainability vary based on geography and institutional affiliation, reminding us that sustainability is a fluid construct that can be deployed to achieve agency objectives or in response to internal or external forces. Definitions of sustainable recreation and tourism are becoming more multi-faceted, nuanced, and layered – moving away from a vantage point that privileges environmental objectives to a socio-ecological systems framework that recognizes the interconnected web of socio-cultural, local-global, institutional, and relational, processes. Managerial capacity and resource governance are of increasing relevance for sustainable development. The following key questions are crucial for the protected area management in the context of recreation and nature-based tourism: - How can it be designed to enhance healthy ecosystems and meet conservation goals? - How can it contribute to healthy communities and social institutions? - How can it enhance cultural revitalization and protection of cultural elements? - How can it contribute to poverty alleviation, equal job opportunities and a fair distribution of benefits? - How can it be conducted in a reasonable, cost effective and efficient way for management agencies? - How can it foster partnership and collective capacities? - How can it promote divers visitor experiences, visitor awareness and learning?

Skills deployment for a ‘just’ net zero energy transition

A ‘Just Transition’ seeks to protect the rights of the workforce throughout transition away from high carbon industries and towards sustainable economic sectors. This includes reskilling where appropriate and a fair distribution of benefits, alongside recognition and participation of affected communities.Drawing on a systematic literature review and a case study delineated by the 38 English Local Enterprise Partnerships we analyse the variety of skills required to support a just transition to more decentralised and smart low carbon energy systems (defined as ‘smart local energy systems’) in England.We found that more attention is required in assessing skills provision, alongside upskilling the workforce, or risk the transition being unjust. Regional disparities in skills availability could be mitigated through a local skills provision system whereby stakeholders can review training opportunities, identify emergent skill-gaps and leverage investment. In addition, greater devolution to local authorities would enable them to support stakeholders more effectively.

The sixth major IPCC assessment report and its implications: 15 September 2021

The sixth major <scp>IPCC</scp> assessment report and its implications: 15 September 2021

Importance of equitable cost sharing in the Convention on Biological Diversity's protected area agenda

Establishing systems of protected areas (PAs) and other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs) is a key strategy to reversing biodiversity loss (CBD SBSTA, 2021; Maxwell et al., 2020). As part of its mandate to safeguard biodiversity, the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) provided clear international targets on establishing PAs and OECMs in 2010. Aichi Target 11 called for the protection of 10% of marine and 17% of terrestrial areas globally (CBD, 2010). These percentages were interim targets to encourage ambition while ensuring tractability and not necessarily based on conservation needs (Woodley et al. 2019). There is general consensus that the percentages behind Target 11 were insufficient to protect all important aspects of Earth's biodiversity. Proposed replacement percentages range from 28% to 80%, depending on the desired outcome (Butchart et al., 2015, Dinerstein et al. 2019, Woodley et al. 2019, Jones et al., 2020). As the CBD finalizes its post-2020 strategic plan - the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) - there is consensus that it must include more ambitious area-based targets paired with stronger implementation mechanisms (Visconti et al., 2019; Maxwell et al., 2020). Most lessons learned from the outcomes of Aichi Target 11 relate to the suitability of its environmental targets, potentially obscuring how it affected social equity (the absence of avoidable and unfair cost and benefit distributions) (McDermott et al., 2013). The power to implement CBD targets lies with countries through their national biodiversity strategic and action plans (NBSAPs). Whether targets are achieved equitably depends on decision-makers within national borders. However, global conservation is inherently a transboundary pursuit; costs of environmental degradation and benefits of conservation spill over borders (Mason et al., 2020; Roberson et al., 2020). Geopolitical states have high variability in the numbers of threatened species and habitats within their borders and varied abilities to conserve based on financial capacities, conflict, and collective attitudes toward conservation. These realities require consideration of equity beyond the local scale to equity among geopolitical states in global conservation efforts (Sarkki & Garcia, 2019). To date, the CBD has emphasized equitable benefit sharing, or the fair distribution of benefits from the harvest or study of biological resources (Nagoya Protocol). There has been less emphasis on equitable cost-sharing, which includes direct costs of establishing and managing PAs and opportunity costs of not undertaking certain economic activities (e.g., agriculture) in PAs (Naidoo & Iwamura, 2007). Costs pose significant short-term barriers to halting biodiversity loss (Waldron et al., 2013; Maxwell et al., 2020). Once adequate financing and equitable cost-sharing are achieved, long-term revenues and ecosystem services of most PAs are projected to exceed implementation and opportunity costs (Waldron et al., 2020). However, interventions are still needed to alleviate the short-term costs certain groups may bear. Although the CBD does not legally require that countries implement equitable cost-sharing, finalization of the GBF presents an opportunity to apply social equity concepts to its revised area-based conservation strategy for just and effective implementation. We highlighted this opportunity by identifying lessons learned from Aichi Target 11 through the lens of social equity theory. We then devised recommendations on how to approach equitable cost-sharing among countries for PAs in the post-2020 GBF.

Unintended health and societal consequences of international travel measures during the COVID-19 pandemic: a scoping review.

Background/ObjectiveInternational travel measures to contain the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic represent a relatively intrusive form of non-pharmaceutical intervention. To inform decision-making on the (re)implementation, adaptation, relaxation or suspension of such measures, it is essential to not only assess their effectiveness but also their unintended effects.MethodsThis scoping review maps existing empirical studies on the unintended consequences, both predicted and unforeseen, and beneficial or harmful, of international travel measures. We searched multiple health, non-health and COVID-19-specific databases. The evidence was charted in a map in relation to the study design, intervention and outcome categories identified and discussed narratively.ResultsTwenty-three studies met our inclusion criteria—nine quasi-experimental, two observational, two mathematical modelling, six qualitative and four mixed-methods studies. Studies addressed different population groups across various countries worldwide. Seven studies provided information on unintended consequences of the closure of national borders, six looked at international travel restrictions and three investigated mandatory quarantine of international travellers. No studies looked at entry and/or exit screening at national borders exclusively, however six studies considered this intervention in combination with other international travel measures. In total, 11 studies assessed various combinations of the aforementioned interventions. The outcomes were mostly referred to by the authors as harmful. Fifteen studies identified a variety of economic consequences, six reported on aspects related to quality of life, well-being, and mental health and five on social consequences. One study each provided information on equity, equality, and the fair distribution of benefits and burdens, environmental consequences and health system consequences.ConclusionThis scoping review represents the first step towards a systematic assessment of the unintended benefits and harms of international travel measures during COVID-19. The key research gaps identified might be filled with targeted primary research, as well as the additional consideration of gray literature and non-empirical studies.

Understanding societal approval of the fishing industry and the influence of third‐party sustainability certification

AbstractCommercial fisheries are increasingly interested in greater social acceptance of their operations and practices. For harvesters, achieving acceptance is complex because expectations arise from many societal groups who can differ greatly in their perceptions. Historically, third‐party certification programmes assisted industry in gaining market acceptance (from consumer and investor groups) by improving the ecological sustainability of fishing practices. This focus is diversifying as societal expectations expand beyond ecological concerns to encompass, for instance, equal access and fair distribution of benefits as well as fisheries management and ethical aspects. In this study, we draw on theoretical work from the social acceptance and social licence literature to create a conceptual model that includes eight variables, representing different aspects of societal approval of fisheries. We applied this model to examine the influence of third‐party certification on societal approval of fisheries in Western Australia (WA). Based on study respondents' perceptions, third‐party certification had a statistically significant influence on facilitating government and regulatory approval of industry. Most respondents perceived certification to facilitate industry acceptance from stakeholders, but this was less so for the local community and general public. Contrary to expectations, but perhaps specific to WA because seafood is mostly sold without the ecolabel, certification was less influential on domestic and export market acceptance. Our findings, in WA, highlight certification was not equally influential on all societal approval aspects. Additionally, the conceptual model is sufficiently flexible to assist other fisheries (and industries) in understanding the influence of certification (and other factors) on different societal approval aspects.

Ocean resource use: building the coastal blue economy.

Humans have relied on coastal resources for centuries. However, current growth in population and increased accessibility of coastal resources through technology have resulted in overcrowded and often conflicted spaces. The recent global move towards development of national blue economy strategies further highlights the increased focus on coastal resources to address a broad range of blue growth industries. The need to manage sustainable development and future exploitation of both over-utilised and emergent coastal resources is both a political and environmental complexity. To address this complexity, we draw on the perspectives of a multi-disciplinary team, utilising two in depth exemplary case studies in New Zealand and within the Myanmar Delta Landscape, to showcase barriers, pathways and actions that facilitate a move from Business as Usual (BAU) to a future aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the UN International Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development 2021–2030. We provide key recommendations to guide interest groups, and nations globally, towards sustainable utilisation, conservation and preservation of their marine environments in a fair and equitable way, and in collaboration with those who directly rely upon coastal ecosystems. We envision a sustainable future driven by conflict mitigation and resolution, where:(i)Change is motivated and facilitated(ii)Coastal ecosystems are co-managed by multiple reliant groups(iii)Networks that maintain and enhance biodiversity are implemented(iv)Decision-making is equitable and based on ecosystem services(v)Knowledge of the marine realm is strengthened—‘mapping the ocean of life’(vi)The interests of diverse user groups are balanced with a fair distribution of benefits

РОЗВИТОК СОЦІАЛЬНОГО ОБЛІКУ: ПЕРСПЕКТИВИ ТА ВИКЛИКИ

The article considers the relationship between the concept of corporate social responsibility and the concept of sustainable development. The three most important components of enterprises under conditions of sustainable development, economic, social and environmental, have been identified. Emphasis is placed on the peculiarities of the formation of the maximum flow of total income in the economic approach. It is outlined that from the ecological point of view, sustainable development should ensure the integrity of biological and physical natural systems. The social component of the stability of the development of the economic entity is focused on people and is aimed at maintaining the stability of social and cultural systems, in particular, to reduce the number of destructive conflicts between people. It is generalized that an important aspect of this approach is the fair distribution of benefits. It is stated that social responsibility involves maintaining social records, preparing and publishing non-financial statements, which allows you to document the implementation of social tasks, which is indirectly or incompletely reflected in the accounting system. The types of social accounting (Social Responsibility Accounting (SRA), Aggregate Impact Accounting (SEA), Socio-Economic Accounting (SIA), Social Performance Accounting (SA)) are presented and their characteristics are given. The norms of international standards (AA1000, ISO 26000) regulating the international practice of social responsibility of business are given. The evolution of the formation of social responsibility reporting is outlined. The dynamics of the number of business entities of Ukraine that submit reports in accordance with the GRI is given. The peculiarities of the formation of the components of social accounting in economic entities are outlined. It is expedient for large enterprises to distinguish stages: planning (identification stage), accounting (determining the scope and setting up a social accounting system), reporting and auditing (collecting and providing information to an independent audit company). For medium and small enterprises it is advisable to distinguish the following steps: scope of activities (study of key elements of the enterprise), accounting (design and maintenance of social accounting system), reporting (reporting to interested users).

Taxation of personal income in the context of issues of social fairness

The subject. The leading position of the personal income tax in most countries is due to a number of circumstances. First, it is a personal tax, the object of which is the income actually received by the payer, and not the estimated average income that could be received in specific economic conditions. Second, income tax allows to maximize the implementation of the basic principles of taxation - universality and uniformity. In recent decades, national regimes of personal income taxation regimes have been actively developed both in foreign countries and in Russia. Purpose of the study. The article shows the results of analysis of the framework of personal income taxation in the Russian Federation in the context of the principle of the social fairness. Dealing with selected provisions of the national legislation of European countries and Russia the article shows that elements of progressive taxation can be applied only in particular aspects. The proposals of taxation of rich taxpayers are also brought into light. Methodology. The research was carried out with the application of the formally legal interpretation of legal acts as well as the comparative analysis of Russian and European legal literature. Structural and systemic methods are also the basis of the research, The main results. After studying the European experience of personal income taxation the authors come to the conclusion that some of the ideas described can be transferred to the Russian tax legislation, but this should be done with caution. It is not necessary to introduce a progressive tax system in its pure form in the Russian Federation, but it is worth considering options for switching to a dualistic system. The authors believe that the elements of borrowing foreign experience should be aimed rather at a fair distribution of benefits, for example, through rules that fix tax benefits. Conclusions. The following proposals can be formulated to improve the legal regulation of personal income taxation in the Russian Federation: the distinction between taxation of taxpayers with ultra-high incomes and those with minimal incomes should be based not on the income criterion, but on the expenditure criterion; to establish a non-taxable minimum in the amount of the minimum wage, which will ensure tax fairness for taxpayers with lower-average incomes; to review the criteria of taxation of luxury vehicles, raising the border separating the mass and premium segments of the Russian car market by at least two times - up to 6 million rubles. The best solution would be to abolish the vehicle tax and impose an increased excise tax on fuel and lubricants for personal transport.

Marine conservation may not deliver ecosystem services and benefits to all: Insights from Chilean Patagonia

Gains in biodiversity from marine conservation might not correlate with a fair distribution of benefits, situation that has been narrowly documented. We analyzed how different social actors perceived changes in ecosystem services (ESs) and benefits from marine conservation and explored barriers preventing access to benefits, based on the Marine Protected Area of Multiple Uses (MUMPA) Almirantazgo Sound located in the Chilean Patagonia. We applied a semi-structured interview to artisanal fishers, tourism operators, State representatives and researchers (n = 86) and analyzed the data through frequency analysis and Covariance Analysis. Interviewees identified various ESs but prioritized food provision, maintenance of genetic diversity, and information for cognitive development, and among several benefits, they prioritized basic materials for a good life. Fishers were the most dependent on ESs and benefits, (i.e., food provision and employment/nutrition, respectively). Social actors’ general perception was that the MUMPA will not change wellbeing homogeneously, which can be explained by specific access barriers, such as reduced fishing entree. Most interviewees, despite personal attributes, recognized tour operators as the main ‘winners’ of the MUMPA creation and fishers as the main ‘losers’. For an inclusive governance, managers face the challenge of ‘reshaping’ the disparate images actors have on what the MUMPA is and does.

Assessment of Work Conditions in a Production Enterprise—A Case Study

A commonly used strategy in production enterprises is the idea of sustainable development. For an idea to be effectively implemented, it is essential to have competent and well-informed staff. This condition is necessary, but not sufficient. Still, the introduction of changes in the enterprise—including rational management of resources, as well as fair distribution of benefits and social development—requires acceptance on the part of employees. The implementation of this idea entails the need to introduce organizational changes, new technologies and innovative products. Currently, this direction in development is gradually beginning to determine the competitiveness of an enterprise. The present article discusses the results of a questionnaire survey in one production enterprise; the survey aimed at assessing work conditions. The research results were to show how the current changes related to the idea of sustainable development being implemented in this enterprise are assessed by the employees in the production sector. The obtained results are also to serve as a basis for developing a strategy for introducing further changes in this enterprise. The quantitative research included an evaluation of 24 research variables, which were divided into nine thematic groups relevant to work conditions in the enterprise. The research covered three basic groups of factors: work characteristics, human resource management policies and the social context of work. A global assessment of the enterprise’s performance was also undertaken. The research therefore focused on the practical aspects of the activity carried out by the enterprise. The results obtained should provide a basis for assessing the potential for introducing innovative solutions in line with the idea of sustainable development as well as improvements in human resource management. This basis is also particularly important for implementing such solutions in the enterprise which are in line with changes related to the concept of Industry 4.0.

How to regulate access and benefit-sharing: Stakeholder insights on provider country legislation

The over-arching aim of the access and benefit-sharing (ABS) of genetic resources under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Nagoya Protocol is to enable fair distribution of benefits between the users (such as universities and biotech companies) and providers (such as biodiversity-rich countries) so as to both open the doors for innovation and create incentives for biodiversity conservation. Access to genetic resources is crucial not only for research related to conservation of genetic resources, but essential to many different research disciplines in general. Therefore, access to genetic resources in general as well as benefit-sharing from that access is a key element of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 15 Target 6 of the and in order to secure research as well as environmental sustainability and resource availability. ABS is a rapidly developing and evolving field that is shaped by the implementation of the Parties. This means that the national implementation of the Parties determines how ABS goals are realised and how ABS principles find form within regulatory mechanisms. These principles are found in international legal documents such as the CBD as well as the Nagoya Protocol. Additionally, decisions and guidelines drafted by the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity shape these principles that are then to be fulfilled by the Parties when drafting their ABS laws by means of implementing these principles into their national legal systems. This article reviews a portion of these national ABS laws, implemented by provider countries throughout the world with the aim of describing the different types of regulatory mechanisms provider countries use. This descriptive approach is then followed by an empirical comparative analysis through semi-structured stakeholder interviews in order to identify the most beneficial regulatory mechanisms according to ABS experts that belong in four different stakeholder groups (provider countries, academic users, industrial users and collections).

Revisiting reciprocity in international volunteering

This article critically examines reciprocity in international volunteering. It first highlights tensions and unintended consequences that can emerge when pursuing reciprocal relationships between host-country partners and international volunteers or volunteer-sending organizations. It then reconsiders how to determine equal or fair distribution of benefits between stakeholders when some benefits are material and some are intangible. It then presents a typology of different modalities of reciprocity practiced or aspired to by contemporary international volunteer organizations. The article aims to provoke more nuanced consideration of when, if or under what conditions different forms of reciprocity may be possible or even desirable.

Extractive industry in the Dominican Republic: A history of growth, regression and recovery

The evolution of the mining sector in the Dominican Republic has been a slow and tortuous one. The last 100 years are characterized by the country’s search for a way of using its non-renewable resources in a more sustainable manner. The Dominican Republic has a very favorable geology and displays world class deposits. In the near future, the mining sector should become a relevant pillar of the Dominican economy by contributing directly to its diversification and also to local development. Throughout time the Dominican Republic has acquired experience in dealing with mining companies. The positive elements of its experience must be preserved in order to build a relationship based on a fair distribution of benefits at all levels: national, local and investor. The country must be institutionally prepared to benefit from its mining potential in the most favorable way to protect its interests, and thus make a very positive impact on the welfare of all Dominicans.