Governance For Sustainable Development Research Articles

Territorial Governance for Sustainable Development: A Multi-Level Governance Analysis in the Italian Context

The United Nations’ 2030 Agenda is known for its holistic and global dimension, as demonstrated by the saying “no one left behind”. However, local governments still struggle to take tangible actions and to reallocate resources for implementing Sustainability Strategies. With the aim to improve multi-level governance for sustainable development with complex and cross-sectoral policies, the research investigates how much Regional Sustainable Development Strategies (RSDS) and public authorities’ structures are mutually consistent. Starting from the existing governance framework at the regional and local levels (Province and Metropolitan City), the study analyzes: the organizational structures/functions of the public institutions and the integration between their competences and the RSDS targets. The case study is the Lombardy Region in Italy. The analyses were conducted through a review of key legislations and regulations, and the introduction of a homogeneous reading grid that identifies the principal “Invariant Functional Macro Areas” (IFMA) of local authorities. The paper highlights the structural weakness in implementing and localizing EU strategic Agendas and examines the extent to which public offices are currently structured to adequately address the RSDS challenges. The research shows how sectoral fragmentation of competence can collide with the holistic layout of sustainability: new integrated approaches are needed to strengthen cross-sectoral dialogue and cooperation within and between public institutional bodies.

OTT플랫폼 성장에 따른 스크린 투어리즘(screen tourism) 활성화 방안

The OTT platform is distributed worldwide and allows tourists of various forms, including language and race, to reach tourist destinations. Those contribute to the success of the content leading to an interest in the filming location. This phenomenon increased the interest of foreign tourists in Korean culture and had a ripple effect on the selection of tourist destinations for Korean tourists who had slowed down due to the pandemic. In this study, four activation measures were suggested as follows through preliminary research data and case analysis, such as the growth of the OTT industry and screen tourism cases. First, developing various Korean cultural contents (K-culture) is necessary. Second, it is necessary to come up with a solution to over-tourism. Third, policies and administrative support related to the OTT platform are needed. Fourthly, the development of a Barrier-Free tourism sector is needed. Fifth, it is necessary to establish a sustainable tourism development governance system. In this study, we tried to analyze how the growth of the OTT industry affects consumers’ choice of tourist destinations and to derive implications for ways to revitalize tourist destinations exposed to the platform. With this study as an opportunity, a continuous activation plan and policy for the occurrence of screen tourism through the growth of the Korean OTT platform should be prepared.

The role and challenges of governments in promoting sustainable development

This paper provides a review of the existing research on governments’ role towards sustainable development. The paper applies a literature review method and focuses first on general issues of sustainable development, followed by a more in-depth review on governments’ role in promoting sustainability. Finally, the study addresses the assessment of governments’ challenges and proposes actions towards sustainable goals. The paper also highlights the connection between sustainability and sustainable development. This study finds that governments are the main actors that can create and successfully promote a sustainable society. Governments, however, face many challenges in attempting to achieve this goal. One of the main challenges is the coordination between different actors that are part of the implementation of SDGs. These obstacles are of environmental, social, economic, and institutional in nature. Yet, governments are one of the main driving forces that organize and motivate all other responsible factors in promoting a sustainable society. Regardless of the enormous attention in academia towards sustainability and sustainable development, studies on governments’ role and challenges towards SDGs are still limited. In this context, this paper provides an overview of the role of governments in sustainable development, and it also describes the challenges to be overcome in achieving sustainable goals. Finally, suggestions on future research areas are presented.

Implementation of Agile Governance In Optimizing The Potential of Sekapuk Village, Gresik District

Sekapuk Village, Ujungpangkah District, Gresik Regency is the poorest village that has succeeded in becoming a billionaire village through the management of BUMDesa for setigi tourism. This success was able to increase the original income of the village and the economy of the community. This research will validate the application of agile governance in Sekapuk Village to be able to find out the application that has been carried out by the village government in sustainable development. This study aims to describe the application of agile governance in the management of setigi tourism which was previously a former limestone mine excavation and landfill into a tourist attraction of high economic value. This research uses a descriptive type of qualitative research with data collection techniques carried out through observation techniques, interviews, documentation and previous research. Keywords: Sekapuk Village, Village Owned Enterprises, Agile Governance, Setigi Tourism, Tourism. The results showed that BUMDesa Sekapuk has applied the principle of agile governance in managing setigi tourism properly. First, good enough governance, setigi tourism management has included the division of labor, management structure, and has the purpose of tourism development. Second, business driven, it is shown by the sale of tourist shares to the public. Third, human focused, the contribution of the community to the sale of shares in the development of setigi tourism. Fourth, based on quick wins, there is an increase in the original income of the village every year.

Talepakemalai: Lapita and Its Transformations in the Mussau Islands of Near Oceania. Patrick Vinton Kirch, ed. Monumenta Archaeological 47. Los Angeles: UCLA Cotsen Institute of Archaeology Press, 2021. xxvi + 558 pp., 337 figures, 90 tables, bibliography, index. Hardback US$120, ISBN 9781950446179

Asian Perspectives, Vol. 62, No. 2 © 2023 by the University of Hawai‘i Press. Talepakemalai: Lapita and Its Transformations in the Mussau Islands of Near Oceania. Patrick Vinton Kirch, ed. Monumenta Archaeological 47. Los Angeles: UCLA Cotsen Institute of Archaeology Press, 2021. xxvi + 558 pp., 337 figures, 90 tables, bibliography, index. Hardback US$120, ISBN 9781950446179. Reviewed by Christophe SAND, New Caledonia Government and French Research Institute for Sustainable Development (IRD-Noumea) What a book! In its nearly 600 pages, contained within a hard black cover with only the “Lapita God” as front illustration, Patrick V. Kirch has granted Pacific archaeologists with a long awaited synthesis of the unique finds of the Lapita sites of the Mussau Islands in the Bismarck Archipelago that were excavated in the mid-1980s. This book has been published 20 years after what was then presented as the first of a three-volume synthesis on the excavations fulfilled in the Mussau Islands (Kirch 2001). While it might look like a surprise to some archaeologists, this book is the first to publish up-to-date results from one of the major Lapita sites in Island Melanesia in a single volume, Talepakemalai (ECA). Numerous data on various aspects of dentate-stamped decorated pottery, associated lithic artifacts and shell ornaments, or remains of shells and bones have been published by colleagues over the past decades on specific sites across the Lapita region, but only the Lapita sites excavated on a small scale have been published completely (e.g., Anson et al. 2005; Clark and Anderson 2009; Specht and Attenbrow 2007). This volume thus sets the stage for what could be achieved for other important sites in the Bismarck Archipelago, southeast Solomons, Vanuatu, and New Caledonia. Aside from a preface and acknowledgements, this edited volume contains 18 chapters, more than half of them authored or co-authored by Kirch, including the introduction and conclusion. The long introduction sets the scene by presenting an overview of Lapita archaeology and the context of the Lapita Homeland Project organized by Jim Allen in 1985, of which the Mussau Project was one component. Kirch addressed a series of major themes on Mussau, including Lapita origins, economy, long-distance exchange, society, and Late Lapita transformations. Three field seasons (i.e., 1985, 1986, 1988) were dedicated to excavations of the Talepakemalai site and other Lapita sites located in surrounding islands. The main phases of each season are presented in this book, as well the outcomes of the first laboratory studies. Chapter 2 summarizes the main natural characteristics of the Mussau Islands, focusing especially on the small uplifted outer islands that dot the southern end of Mussau in a reef and lagoon environment. To address the forthcoming analysis of the unique stratigraphic fills excavated, a section is devoted to coastal geomorphology and sea-level fluctuations during the Holocene. The next two chapters detail the excavations completed over the three seasons in Mussau. Chapter 3 focuses exclusively on the excavation at the main Lapita site of Talepakemalai, labelled ECA, located on a mid-Holocene sandfill on Eloaua Island, where the local air strip was built. The chapter details the archaeological strategy of the 1985 field season, which had as its main goal to clarify initial results from investigations in the 1970s. The discovery of a well-preserved waterlogged Lapita deposit containing adjoining decorated sherds as well as preserved wooden posts of stilt houses was the main justification for the two follow-up field seasons. The chapter presents in great detail the stratigraphic observations and the spatial layout of the remains in the in situ layer, before proposing an interpretation of the chronological process of deposition over the more than 500 years that constitutes the Lapita chronology at Talepakemalai. The three main excavated areas of the site revealed the construction of two stilt houses during this phase. Early online release of article in press. Chapter 4, co-authored by Marshall I. Weisler and Nick Araho, summarizes the other excavations fulfilled during the program. Most were located on Elaoua Island and the small uplifted islands surrounding it; only five excavations were positioned on the largest island, Mussau. In an effort to clarify long-lasting debates about the antiquity of...

China- A strategic Economic Player in Africa

Africa possesses substantial economic potential, boasting significant reserves of global oil (12%) and mineral wealth (over 30%). However, it grapples with various impediments for development encompassing deficient education, healthcare, infrastructure, and governance. The traditional approach of relying on the World Bank or the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has been hindered by complicated political dynamics and high levels of corruption. This has led to African countries increasingly seeking financial and investment support from China, especially through BRI and FOCAC initiatives. This paper advocates for a nuanced strategy, where African nations synergistically blend intergovernmental aid and Chinese investments to catalyze sustainable growth and facilitate human development. China's particular proficiency in infrastructure development aptly aligns with Africa's imperative requirements, which encompass job creation and the diversification of economic prospects. However, it is vital to exercise discernment and acknowledge that while China's investments have played a pivotal role in Africa's development trajectory, they are not a universal panacea. The bedrock of sustainable development rests upon the pillars of education, infrastructure, and proficient governance. To encapsulate, the symbiotic partnership between Africa and China harbors substantial potential. Nevertheless, this partnership should be a constituent element of a comprehensive strategy that underscores the primacy of sustainable development, economic expansion, and responsible governance. Effective collaboration between African governments and international counterparts assumes paramount importance in unlocking Africa's latent prowess on the global stage. Through a proactive embrace of their developmental strategy, African nations can pave the way for a brighter future and emerge as pivotal global actors.

Problems and prospects of economic growth in the context of the environmental component of sustainable development in the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation

The article examines the perceived drivers of economic growth and the corresponding implications for proactive, evidence-based policies, discusses national issues and shapes a shared vision for the future among key interested parties. The authors highlight the main drivers of change and economic growth in the Arctic, including energy security, climate change, and transportation development, which have a huge direct impact on the Arctic region across all three dimensions of sustainable development: economic, social, and environmental. The authors consider the following as the problems facing the creation of conditions for economic growth in the Arctic region of the Russian Federation, in terms of sustainable development: environment, problems of the Arctic population, management problems in the changing Arctic, and the adaptation of technologies and production processes to the Arctic climate. In conclusion, the authors deduce that the creation of a joint group consisting of relevant private, public, governmental and non-governmental organizations would be the best strategy for considering effective mechanisms for multinational and multilateral governance of sustainable development in the Russian Arctic zone. The authors also believe that in order to create conditions for economic growth in the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation and to facilitate further transition to sustainable development, the authorities at the first stage should provide economic support measures for doing business, especially in two key areas for the Arctic: the development of animal husbandry and the development of various types of tourism.

Addressing Transformative Education and Governance Through the Sustainable Development Goal 4: A Case Study

The United Nations 2030 Agenda designed the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which were adopted in 2015 with the primary aim of achieving sustainable development by 2030. One of these goals is SDG 4, which aims to ‘Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all’. Implementing SDG 4 calls for initiatives that instill knowledge, attitudes and skills as clearly indicated in Target 4.7. This requires a change in mindset, where transformative ideologies fused in both sustainability governance and education are required to encourage behavioural change. This research presents a case study regarding an exhibition, which toured Maltese schools and the community, in the form of a large Rubik’s cube possessing 17 cubicles in which an artifact about each SDG is presented. This case study aims to examine how this exhibition contributes to SDG 4, specifically Target 4.7. It also seeks to explore whether the case study contributes towards transformative approaches in tandem with education and governance for sustainable development. The methodological framework presents two innovative approaches – a visual qualitative analysis of each artifact and a matrix that attributes scores reflecting the effectiveness of each exhibit vis-à-vis the main components of Target 4.7. Qualitative and quantitative findings, supported by reflexivity, are garnered to examine the implications of this case study, which acts as a good springboard to emanate the SDGs within the community by creating a link between formal and non-formal learning spaces. Drawing upon such insights, a Transformative Education-Governance model is proposed where a number of action points are delineated. This provides a fertile terrain in reconceptualising education and governance, useful for researchers and practitioners in the fields of sustainability and education.

Theoretical aspects of the formation of anti-corruption policy from the perspective of public administration (based on the experience of developing countries)

The article examines in detail issues related to the formation of anti-corruption policies and strategies aimed at preventing corruption, as well as establishing relationships with the public sector and management reforms. At the same time, the fight against corruption is defined as an integral part of the national anti-corruption policy and as such, which is a preventive mechanism for fighting corruption. The study is based on the examples of developing countries: Georgia, Indonesia, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Tanzania and Zambia, etc. These countries were selected based on the following criteria: the existence of a clear national anti-corruption policy or strategy; supporting efforts to fight corruption by international development partners. It is noted that anti-corruption measures should be included in a coordinated policy, and not carried out in isolation, and approaches to the fight against corruption cannot be limited only to technocratic solutions aimed at solving certain systemic problems. The article emphasizes the sphere of public policy and thus recognizes the political nature of anti-corruption work. In addition, the emphasis is on a strategic approach, which is becoming more evident, and the prevention and fight against corruption is not an end in itself, but promotes integrity and accountability, as well as the proper management of public affairs, which are key components of effective governance and important prerequisites for sustainable development. The authors prove that the development of anti-corruption policy does not follow a linear model, where implementation is a simple implementation of government documents in practice, and failures are mostly explained by the lack of political will, resources or understanding of the nature of the problem. The article examines the advantages and disadvantages of legislative directions for the formation of anti-corruption policy in developing countries.

Challenges of effective governance for sustainable development at subnational government levels: introduction to this thematic issue of Public Sector Economics

Challenges of effective governance for sustainable development at subnational government levels: introduction to this thematic issue of Public Sector Economics

An urban experiment in small town sustainability in the UK: the case of Cittaslow

Member towns of the international network of slow cities are recent examples of the working out of development approaches that aim to involve local communities in the maintenance of the unique environmental and cultural heritage of individual locations. Formalised as Cittaslow, over the last two decades these towns are having to respond to a range of issues brought on by the increasing pace of life associated with globalisation and, conversely, stagnation due to being by-passed by footloose capital. The charter requirements of Cittaslow offer a means by which third-tier towns may address sustainable development. Having bought into the ideas for action promoted by Cittaslow International, ten towns in the UK have worked towards developing support in the community for a package of complex, connected technical measures. They have done so over a period marked by a shift from government to governance, and in an economic climate characterised by austerity. Evidence from local government officers points to the challenges of maintaining support for a view of sustainable development formulated elsewhere and which many people find hard to grasp. Quality of life and local uniqueness are nonetheless broad goals, around which communities can be anticipated to continue to organise in processes of governance for sustainable development.

Multi-scale governance and data for sustainable development.

Future societal systems will be characterized by heterogeneous human behaviors and data-driven collective action. Complexity will arise as a consequence of the 5th Industrial Revolution and 2nd Data Revolution possible, thanks to a new generation of digital systems and the Metaverse. These technologies will enable new computational methods to tackle inequality while preserving individual rights and self-development. In this context, we do not only need data innovation and computational science, but also new forms of digital policy and governance. The emerging fragility or robustness of the system will depend on how complexity and governance are developed. Through data, humanity has been able to study a number of multi-scale systems from biological to migratory. Multi-scale governance is the new paradigm that feeds the Data Revolution in a world that would be highly digitalized. In the social dimension, we will encounter meta-populations sharing economy and human values. In the temporal dimension, we still need to make all real-time response, evaluation, and mitigation systems a standard integrated system into policy and governance to build up a resilient digital society. Top-down governance is not sufficient to manage all the complexities and exploit all the data available. Coordinating top-down agencies with bottom-up digital platforms will be the design principle. Digital platforms have to be built on top of data innovation and implement Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven systems to connect, compute, collaborate, and curate data to implement data-driven policy for sustainable development based on Collective Intelligence.

Implications of zero-deforestation palm oil for tropical grassy and dry forest biodiversity.

Many companies have made zero-deforestation commitments (ZDCs) to reduce carbon emissions and biodiversity losses linked to tropical commodities. However, ZDCs conserve areas primarily based on tree cover and aboveground carbon, potentially leading to the unintended consequence that agricultural expansion could be encouraged in biomes outside tropical rainforest, which also support important biodiversity. We examine locations suitable for zero-deforestation expansion of commercial oil palm, which is increasingly expanding outside the tropical rainforest biome, by generating empirical models of global suitability for rainfed and irrigated oil palm. We find that tropical grassy and dry forest biomes contain >50% of the total area of land climatically suitable for rainfed oil palm expansion in compliance with ZDCs (following the High Carbon Stock Approach; in locations outside urban areas and cropland), and that irrigation could double the area suitable for expansion in these biomes. Within these biomes, ZDCs fail to protect areas of high vertebrate richness from oil palm expansion. To prevent unintended consequences of ZDCs and minimize the environmental impacts of oil palm expansion, policies and governance for sustainable development and conservation must expand focus from rainforests to all tropical biomes.

Adaptive water governance research in social sciences journals: a bibliometric analysis

Abstract Adaptive water governance plays an increasingly important role in sustainable urban development and water governance response to global climate change. To comprehensively understand the research situation and development trend of adaptive water management, this study conducts a systematic literature review of articles published in International Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI) journals based on bibliometric analysis. The results show that adaptive water governance as an emerging topic of water governance has an overall growth trend in published articles. The articles on adaptive water governance mainly concentrated on the disciplines of environmental science and environmental studies. Developed countries are a hub for water governance research, and China has the sixth largest number of articles from around the world. The adaptive water governance research has formed a preliminary global collaborative network, but the authors' collaboration needs to be strengthened. The most popular topics of adaptive water governance include South Africa, adaptive management, groundwater, principal component analysis, scenario planning, the analytic hierarchy process, resources, basins, computer experiments, and technology development. This finding suggests that adaptive water governance is a critical driver for sustainable urban development and represents a critical direction in the future research of water governance.

Water Policy Evaluation Based on the Multi-Source Data-Driven Text Mining: A Case Study of the Strictest Water Resource Management Policy in China

The strictest water resources management (SWRM) policy is a critical policy to address China’s severe water shortage and pollution problems, and aims to promote sustainable water development and water governance. Based on data mining from multiple sources, including policy text from the strictest water resource management policy from 2011 to 2021, the reports of major media websites, and the Baidu Index, this study used the ROST-CM6 text-analysis tool to analyze the policy content, public opinion, and public perception of the strictest water resources management policy quantitatively and visually. The results found that the policy text and public-opinion are given high attention to the water resources assessment, water control management, and water resources protection, but the policy text focuses on the macro level, and pays more attention to national development and long-term planning. The public opinion belongs to the micro level and is more economic, and there is a certain degree of media bias. With notable regional disparities, the general public’s opinion of the harshest water resource management policy has been rising every year. This research adds to the global body of knowledge on water governance, and serves as a guide for Chinese and other governments looking to improve their water resource management strategies.

Sustainability of Floodplain Wetland Fisheries of Rural Indonesia: Does Culture Enhance Livelihood Resilience?

Preserving small-scale fisheries is the main concern of governments in sustainable growth development because more than 90% of fishers and workers make a living in this business including in floodplain wetlands currently affected by external shocks. Applying the sustainable livelihoods approach (SLA) and framework, this research aimed to analyse the impact of environmental changes on fishing livelihoods in South Kalimantan, Indonesia. Questionnaire administration and in-depth interviews were employed as data collection methods, and structural equation modelling was tested on samples of 550 fishers. We found that environmental changes in natural conditions and human activities had adverse effects on the sustainability of fishing livelihoods. Fishers found massive development disruptive to their fishing activities, putting their livelihoods at risk and making them vulnerable. The findings further acknowledge cultural significance with livelihood resilience. Since The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) defines culture as “the entire and distinguishing way of society life”, this dimension is integrated into the study’s well-recognised framework. The government is recommended to re-evaluate its approach to balancing economic, social, environmental, and cultural factors.

Barriers to the adoption of integrated sustainable-green-lean-six sigma-agile manufacturing system (ISGLSAMS): a literature review

PurposeScarcity of resources, ecological imbalance, global warming, rising energy prices and the ever-changing need for variety have attracted the government and manufacturers for sustainable development of the industries. The integrated sustainable-green-lean-six sigma-agile manufacturing system (ISGLSAMS) provides a solid platform for meeting both the customers’ variety needs and business sustainability requirements. Many organizations opted for ISGLSAMS, but still due to various barriers organizations are not able to fully implement ISGLSAMS. The purpose of this paper is to identify the barriers to the ISGLSAMS, so that a more sustainable industrial manufacturing system and industrial symbiosis can be developed.Design/methodology/approachA literature review, from the Web of Science and Google Scholar database, has been carried out to identify the various barriers to the implementation of ISGLSAMS in the entire value chain. A total of 168 research papers have been reviewed for identifying the ISGLSAMS barriers.FindingsThis paper elaborates the concept of the ISGLSAMS, its attributes and various barriers and contributes to a better understanding and successful implementation of ISGLSAMS to meet business’ sustainability and market performance goals in the entire value chain. The paper also projects the future research framework and directions for the ISGLSAMS, integrated sustainable-green-lean-six sigma-agile (ISGLSA) product and ISGLSA supply and value chain.Practical implicationsThe study contributes to a better understanding of ISGLSAMS’ barriers. The government, stakeholders and policymakers may plan the policy, road map and strategies to overcome the ISGLSAMS’ barriers. In-depth knowledge of subclauses of ISGLSAMS’ barriers will help the practitioners to overcome the ISGLSAMS’ barriers strategically. By overcoming the ISGLSAMS barriers, a more sustainable 7 Rs based market focused manufacturing system can be designed. This will also increase the opportunities to enhance the industrial ecology, industrial symbiosis and better recovery of the product, process and supply chain residual value. This will reduce the waste to the ecosystem.Originality/valueThis work has been carried out in search of a more sustainable manufacturing system, i.e. ISGLSAMS (which is 7 Rs based, i.e. 6 Rs of sustainability with 7th R, reconfiguration) to meet the customer variety needs along with sustainability in the ever-changing customer market. This study adds value to the practitioners to identify and prioritize the ISGLSAMS’ industry-specific barriers and design the solution for the more sustainable development of (1) industries, (2) the industrial symbiosis system and (3) the ISGLSA product, process, system and supply value chain with minimum resource consumption and environmental impact. The research also contributes to the (a) ISGLSAMS (b) ISGLSA supply chain (c) reconfigurable, sustainable and modular products and (d) redesign, recovery and refurbishing of the product to increase the product life cycle.

Multi-Variable Governance Index Modeling of Government’s Policies, Legal and Institutional Strategies, and Management for Climate Compatible and Sustainable Agriculture Development

Agriculture has a very strong nexus with water and energy sectors due to their complex interdependence and interplay in the context of adaptation, resilience, mitigation, and low carbon development to cope with the increasing effects of a changing climate. The situation demands a comprehensive response in terms of policies, legal instruments, institutional strategies, and management in the national, sub-national, and local contexts of the governance for climate compatibility, environmental security, and sustainable agriculture development; particularly in developing countries, as they are at the forefront of a high vulnerability risk and severe environmental insecurity due to a business-as-usual complex and weak governance. Therefore, the present study aimed to assess the adequacy of the climate response vis-à-vis policies, legal and other appropriate arrangements in place for agriculture governance by reviewing the high vulnerability case of Pakistan. Considering the need, the assessment model was developed using the first climate principle, nine criteria, and 43 composite indicators. A multi-criteria decision analysis method along with Simple Multi Attribute Rating Technique (SMART) on a ratio scale, combining qualitative and quantitative data and employing rule-based and rights-based governance approaches were adopted to collect and analyze a dataset of 357 observations from 17 locations, which were validated through Pearson Correlation, Regression, and KW H-Tests. The findings reveal significant gaps at the federal, provincial, and district levels in policies, legal and institutional strategies to step forward the climate agenda in Pakistan’s agriculture sector. However, the inadequacy is not homogenous at all levels of governance. The overall situation is similar to what has been reported in developing countries in the United Nations Report on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2020. Provincial climate strategies are required along with enhanced coordination and capacities for execution at all tiers of constituencies.

Environmental and Resource Impacts from an Aggressive Regionalized Carbon Peak Policy.

When and how to achieve a carbon peak is a concern for provincial regions within China under the context of achieving carbon neutrality in 2060. This study investigates the overall carbon peak environmental and resource impacts under current national targets and Shanghai's latest more aggressive carbon peak policy by using a dynamic multiple-region computable general equilibrium (CGE) model for the year 2030. Results show that (1) the national carbon peak and the more aggressive regional policy in Shanghai will result in energy consumption and carbon emissions decreases when compared to the business-as-usual scenario in most provinces; (2) although some cobenefits in water use reduction may occur in most provinces under the carbon policy scenarios, the results show positive and negative variations; (3) provincial level environmental and resources in transport, electricity, metal smelting and pressing, and agricultural production sectors are most influenced by Shanghai's aggressive carbon peak policy; and (4) the outsourced environmental and resource impacts from Shanghai to other provinces are very significant under Shanghai's aggressive carbon policy. These relevant results provide insights to facilitate broader governance decision-making for environmental resource nexuses while seeking an improved understanding of global sustainable development and climate governance.

Identifying evolving priorities in national river governance from Parliamentary Questions

Abstract Rivers and their surrounding land provide resources and services that result in trade-offs requiring legislative and institutional interventions, for which the perspectives of law-policymakers and their societal values and political expediencies play a major role in decision-making. This study critically evaluates the evolving land–river governance in large democratically elected governments with complex developmental priorities and how law-policymakers’ recognition of emerging issues of river management influences common pool environmental resources governance. We selected an emerging economy – India – and analysed Parliamentary Questions (PQs) between 1999 and 2020 using a mixed method approach. Conflicting priorities over economic development, pollution management, socio-cultural values and inter-state–centre issues shape the evolving priorities of land–river governance. A declining focus on large-scale dams coupled with increasing attention on inter-basin water transfers, river conservation and pollution abatement, demonstrates an evolution away from the earlier narrow view of rivers for irrigation and hydropower. Our analysis demonstrates how the priorities of law-policymakers and political expedience play a critical role in river governance and thereby provide important insights into common pool environmental resources governance for sustainable development while also identifying important knowledge gaps and suggesting scopes for interdisciplinary studies.