National Management Strategy Research Articles

Quantifying Impacts of National-Scale Afforestation on Carbon Budgets in South Korea from 1961 to 2014

Forests play an important role in regulating the carbon (C) cycle. The main objective of this study was to quantify the effects of South Korean national reforestation programs on carbon budgets. We estimated the changes in C stocks and annual C sequestration in the years 1961–2014 using Korea-specific models, a forest cover map (FCM), national forest inventory (NFI) data, and climate data. Furthermore, we examined the differences in C budgets between Cool forests (forests at elevations above 700 m) and forests in lower-altitude areas. Simulations including the effects of climate conditions on forest dynamics showed that the C stocks of the total forest area increased from 6.65 Tg C in 1961 to 476.21 Tg C in 2014. The model developed here showed a high degree of spatiotemporal reliability. The mean C stocks of the Cool forests and other forests increased from 4.03 and 0.43 Mg C ha−1, respectively, to 102.43 and 73.76 Mg C ha−1 at a rate of 1.82 and 1.36 Mg C ha−1 yr−1 during the same period. These results imply that, although the total Cool forest area of South Korea occupied only about 12.3% (772,788 ha) of the total forest area, the Cool forests play important roles in C balances and forest ecosystems in South Korea. Annual C sequestration totals are projected to decrease at a low rate in the near future because the overall growth rate of a mature forest decreases as the stand ages. Our results quantified forest C dynamics in South Korean forests before and after national reforestation programs. Furthermore, our results can help in development of regional and national forest management strategies to allow for sustainable development of society and to cope with climate change in South Korea.

Informing the management of acute malnutrition in infants aged under 6 months (MAMI): risk factor analysis using nationally-representative demographic & health survey secondary data.

BackgroundTackling malnutrition is a global health priority, helping children both survive and thrive. Acute malnutrition (wasting) in infants aged under 6 months (u6m) is often neglected. Worldwide, some 8.5 million infants u6m are affected yet recent World Health Organization malnutrition guidelines highlight numerous evidence gaps on how to best manage them. To inform future research, policy and programming, we aimed to identify risk factors associated with infant u6m wasting.MethodsWe did secondary data analysis of nationally representative, cross sectional Demographic and Health Surveys conducted in the last 10 years. We compared wasted infants u6m (weight-for-length <−2 z-scores) vs. non-wasted (weight-for-length ≥−2 z-score). We used simple and adjusted (for infant age, sex, socio-economic status) logistic regression to calculate odds of wasting associated with risk factors spanning three broad categories: household-related; maternal-related; infant-related.ResultsWe analysed 16,123 infants u6m from 20 countries. Multiple risk factors were statistically associated with wasting. These included: poverty (Odds ratio, OR 1.22 (95% CI [1.01–1.48], p = 0.04)); low maternal body mass index (adjusted OR 1.53(1.29–1.80, p < 0.001); small infant size at birth (aOR 1.32(1.10–1.58, p < 0.01)); delayed start of breastfeeding (aOR 1.31(1.13–1.51, p < 0.001)); prelacteal feed (aOR 1.34(1.18–1.53, p < 0.001)); recent history of diarrhoea (aOR 1.37(1.12–1.67, p < 0.01)); mother disempowered (experiences violence; does not make decisions about health issues; does not engage with health services such as antenatal care, does not give birth in a health facility). ‘Protective’ factors associated with significantly decreased odds of infant u6m wasting included: educated mother (OR 0.64(0.54–0.76, p < 0.001)); mother in work (OR 0.82(0.72–0.94, p < 0.01)); currently breastfed (aOR 0.62(0.42–0.91, p = 0.02)), exclusively breastfed (aOR 0.84(0.73–0.97, p = 0.02).DiscussionInfant u6m wasting is a complex, multifactorial problem associated with many risk factors; knowing them will help shape international and national management strategies. Whilst our observational study cannot prove causation, many factors identified are biologically plausible and/or socially important. They should be considered when assessing and managing infants u6m. Although supporting breastfeeding is core to future interventions, this alone is unlikely to be sufficient; strategies should involve multiple sectors, beyond just health and nutrition. By noting our results, future intervention studies could focus resources and maximise chances of achieving impact.

Assessing Freshwater Provision and Consumption in the Alpine Space Applying the Ecosystem Service Concept

A key challenge in the sustainable management of freshwater is related to non-stationary processes and transboundary requirements. The assessment of freshwater is often hampered due to small-scale analyses, lacking data and with the focus on only its provision. Based on the ecosystem service (ES) concept, this study aims at quantitatively comparing potential water supply with the demand for freshwater in the European Alps and their surrounding lowlands. We propose an easy-to-use combination of different mapping approaches, including a large-scale hydrologic model to estimate water supply and the downscaling of regional data to the local scale to map demand. Our results demonstrate spatial mismatches between supply and demand and a high dependency of the densely populated lowlands from water providing mountain areas. Under expected climate variations and future demographic changes, our results suggest increasing pressures on freshwater in the south of the Alps. Hence, sustainable water management strategies need to assure the supply of freshwater under changing environmental conditions to meet the increasing water demand of urbanized areas in the lowlands. Moreover, national water management strategies need to be optimally concerted at the international level, as transboundary policies and frameworks can strengthen future water provision.

Biogeographic traits of the bryophyte flora of Serbia

The biogeography of bryophytes present in Serbia is analysed for the first time in this paper. Bryophyte spectra in different regions and units within the country are compared with each other, as well as with the Southeast European spectrum. The obtained results show similarities and differences in comparison with Southeast European bryophyte spectra, reveal certain biogeographical peculiarities of Serbia?s bryophytes and indicate regions of the country with an under-recorded bryoflora. The biogeographical characteristics of bryophytes also suggest a strong overlap with local climate types. These results should be taken into consideration when preparing a national strategy for conservation and management of bryophyte diversity.

Screening of probable neuropathic pain in patients with diabetes in Derna, Libya

Background: Neuropathic pain (NeP) is one of the most frequent complications of diabetes. There is a need to obtain data about the prevalence of NeP among patients with diabetes in Libya to plan appropriate national pain management strategies. Aim: The aim of this study is to estimate the prevalence of NeP in patients with diabetes and to determine the demographic factors associated with NeP. Methods: The linguistically validated Arabic version of the Self-completed Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs (S-LANSS) questionnaire was used to screen for probable NeP. Patients with diabetes were asked to fill the questionnaire while in the diabetic center from May 2015 to October 2015. Pain intensity was measured using a visual analog scale. Results: A total of 418 patients (mean ± standard deviation [SD] of age = 56.8 ± 11.8 years) participated in this study with more women (n = 248, 59.3%) taking part than men (n = 170, 40.7%). The overall prevalence of probable NeP among patients with diabetes in this sample, classified as S-LANSS positive with a score of ≥12, was estimated to be 28.5% (95% confidence interval = 24.3%–32.9%). The proportion of females in participants with NeP was 33.5%. The mean pain intensity ± SD was 5.67 ± 2.96. No statistically significant difference was found between different age groups with regard to the presence of NeP. Conclusion: NeP is a common complication associated with diabetes in Derna, Libya. There is a need to improve the assessment and management of NeP in this population.

Modelling potential distribution of a pine bark beetle in Mexican temperate forests using forecast data and spatial analysis tools

Accurate and reliable predictions of pest species distributions in forest ecosystems are urgently needed by forest managers to develop management plans and monitor new areas of potential establishment. Presence-only species distribution models are commonly used in these evaluations. The maximum entropy algorithm (MaxEnt) has gained popularity for modelling species distribution. Here, MaxEnt was used to model the spatial distribution of the Mexican pine bark beetle (Dendroctonus mexicanus) in a daily fashion by using forecast data from the Weather Research and Forecasting model. This study aimed to exploit freely available geographic and environmental data and software and thus provide a pathway to overcome the lack of costly data and technical guidance that are a challenge to implementing national monitoring and management strategies in developing countries. Our results showed overall agreement values between 60 and 87%. The results of this research can be used for D. mexicanus monitoring and management and may aid as a model to monitor similar species.

Health care reform in Belgium: contracting for co-creating integrated care as change management strategy

Introduction: The Belgian Health Care Reform: “Integrated Care for a better health” was approved by all competent ministers in 20151. This Plan is based on the principles of Triple Aim2, together with equity and job satisfaction for the care providers. The core strategy of the plan is to drive change in a ‘mixed or guided bottom-up approach’, with large-scale locoregional change piloting projects implemented on and by the field, and government as facilitator. Over the past year, field actors of pilot regions worked together to elaborate an actionplan with local collaborations and initiatives in order to achieve integrated care. Different stakeholders from health care as well as social care are involved including patients and citizens. In the course of the co-creation process between the wide variety of field actors and government several difficulties surfaced, both from the projects and policy perspective. Description of policy context and objective: Belgium has an accessible health care with a national, compulsory health insurance (covering 99% of the population). Fee for Service, fragmented services and lack of coordination and communication make the system inefficient and unsustainable for dealing with multimorbidity. A legislative basis is created to allow pilot regions to test new organizational structures (integration management), work across silo’s and operate in a system of shared savings. Predicted expenditure, for the determined target population is guaranteed as revenue: by increasing efficiency, gains can be reassigned by the project. Target Population: The Plan targets the whole Belgian population with a focus on people with a chronic disease. 14 projects (2.584.824 inhabitants) are selected for implementation as from 1.1.2018. Highlights: Facilitators/barriers for implementation: - Anchoring visionary leadership in governance supported by stakeholder leadership on a national level - A national strategy for ICT system and data management is a priority and prerequisite for projects to be operational (national eHealth plan), and needs specific investment. Needs are identified in co-creation. - Close interaction between authorities and pilots - Dealing with institutional and legal hurdles between regional and federal authorities and the wide range of fractionated competencies in health and social care. - The projects are multi-stakeholder consortia with a mix (of conflicting) interests of partners. The uncertainty of achieving the triple aim makes projects hesitant to take risk for pre-financing innovative actions. Uncertainty on the impact on revenue challenges the confidence so hardly needed in the shift towards integrated care. - Need of social entrepreneurship with a population management scope conflicts with traditional social profit service delivery. Comments on transferability and conclusion: From a healthcare policy perspective, each country system is faced with the same complex process of changing the existing structures and cultures. The Belgian approach combines stimulation of bottom up ideas and entrepreneurship with guidance from the policymakers by setting out the framework for innovation, creating a safe environment for setting down sustainable system change. This takes time: uniting different stakeholders around the same vision, the will to embrace the complexity and to take the plunge.

THE SUSCEPTIBILITY OF LANDSLIDE HAZARD MANAGEMENT &amp; MITIGATION MEASURES VIA MALAYSIAN PWD OPERATIONAL CAPABILITIES &amp; NSMP 2009-2022

In recent years Malaysian government has started to pay more attention to the landslide issues, as public outcries grew louder. Some local authorities that are at the front line of public anger whenever major landslides occurred have yet to provide better services while others utilized guidelines and relevant acts to act against errant developers and land owners. As a consequence of this, Public Works Department (PWD) and its Slope Engineering Branch (CKC) will require training, not only in the procedures themselves, but also in regards to the basis of landslide mechanisms, landslide risk assessment and dealing with geotechnical reports at best professional manner. In addition to the success of implementing for the National Slope Master Plan NSMP 2009-2023 would depend on every stakeholder and relevant authorities that includes the public residents and most of all the political parties of the Malaysian government and it is therefore local government and other regulators must establish strong internal procedures for dealing with land use and development proposals on land situated within a landslide susceptibility. Hence, the significance to further examine and assess the value of Malaysian NSMP as being comprehensive national disaster management strategy and a constitution of landside mitigation measures

The status of African elephant Loxodonta africana populations in South Africa

AbstractWith an increase in poaching of elephants Loxodonta africana across Africa, it is vital to know exactly how many elephants remain and where they occur, to ensure that protection and management are planned appropriately. From a nationwide survey we provide current population and distribution data for elephants in South Africa. We consider the viability of elephant populations in the country, as well as some of the management techniques implemented and how effective these are in controlling elephant numbers. According to our surveys there were 28,168 elephants in South Africa as of December 2015, with 78% of these occurring in Kruger National Park and reserves bordering and open to the Park. Of the country's 78 discrete reserves that host elephants, 77% have populations of &lt; 100 elephants, which could mean they are not genetically viable. We discuss our findings in terms of the conservation value of South Africa's elephant reserves, and the animal welfare implications. We recommend that the fragmentation of elephant habitat in the country be addressed through a national elephant management strategy that promotes wildlife corridors between existing, neighbouring elephant reserves.

What factors affect national-scale deer population dynamics in the Republic of Ireland?

ABSTRACTResearch into deer population dynamics has mostly focused on community or landscape scales in the Republic of Ireland. However, in order to propose national deer management strategies to confront the increasing deer populations in recent years, a larger scale analysis of deer populations is necessary. In this inter-county, national study, generalised linear mixed models were utilised to examine the relationship between the harvest rate (defined as the numbers harvested per 100 ha in this study) data and factors identified in past research as contributing to deer population dynamics on a county basis, where annual county-level deer harvest records were used to reflect deer populations by species. The procedures were repeated for each species and significant factors and their impacts were identified for each county. The results suggested that multiple factors affect deer population dynamics; for instance, increases in forest cover tended to result in increases in deer populations of all species, and the presence of red and sika deer populations in a county had a positive influence on hybrid deer populations. National migration maps for each deer species were produced, as well as predictions of future population trends. The outcome of this study can be used to guide the development of a national deer management strategy and the prioritisation, on a regional basis, of deer control measures.

Introduced alien signal crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus) in Finland − uncontrollable expansion despite numerous crayfisheries strategies

In Finland, massive signal crayfish introductions started towards the end of 1980s, with an estimated total of 2.2 million signal crayfish been stocked before year 2016. During that period, Finnish fisheries authorities have implemented three national management strategies setting guidelines for the crayfish introductions. The main aims of the strategies have been conservation of native noble crayfish stocks and a controlled spreading of the alien signal crayfish within a designated region. In this study, we report the current distribution of signal crayfish in Finland in comparison to the guidelines set in these three national strategies. The present distribution area of the signal crayfish covers most of the Southern Finland. The signal crayfish has been introduced with a stocking permits to over 480 water bodies. In addition, there have been numerous stockings without permits, which are often next to the region designated for the signal crayfish. Based on the results, we conclude that crayfish management strategies adopted in Finland have only had limited effect on the spread of signal crayfish. We presume that main causes for the uncontrolled spreading of the signal crayfish in Finland have been lack of strict official supervision and general lack of awareness about the risks associated with the alien species spreading.

The summer flounder chronicles III: struggling with success, 2011–2016

The summer flounder or fluke, Paralichthys dentatus, supports the most important commercial and recreational flatfish fisheries of the U.S. Atlantic coast. The stock and fisheries range from Massachusetts to North Carolina. The assessment and management of the summer flounder has been contentious since 1989, when a joint Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission/Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council Fishery Management Plan was implemented. Two previous papers recounted how fishing mortality on the summer flounder stock had decreased by 2010 to its lowest level in over 30 years, with stock biomass at its highest since the stock assessments began in the 1960s. Since 2010, the most important issues and controversies for summer flounder have included: (a) debate over the nature and causes of the observed changes in the spatial distribution of summer flounder and potential impacts for science and management, (b) the re-emergence of retrospective error in the assessment modeling results affecting the evaluation of stock status and the reliability of catch forecasts, (c) scientific and political debate over the necessity of including sex structure in the summer flounder assessment, and (d) the ongoing changes in the ‘tools’ used for catch regulation and allocation that attempt to effectively control fishing mortality while accounting for changes in spatial distribution. This work chronicles how summer flounder serves as a case study of the increasing ‘politicalization’ of fishery science and management, as the actions for summer flounder taken in response to the media commentary and ensuing political pressure have influenced U.S. national fisheries science, management strategy, and law.

Collecting Artifacts on Holocaust Sites: A Critical review of Archaeological Research in Ybenheer, Westerbork, and Sobibor

Following the author’s involvement in archaeological research projects at different Nazi camps, this article provides a critical analysis of the collection, selection, and analyses of artifacts. Firstly, this paper argues that the effect of national heritage management strategies is decisive and asks for evaluation and co-operation with historians. Secondly, this research was carried out on behalf of a memorial center. It is argued that due to the different perspectives of memorial centers and archaeologists this relationship should be reconsidered. The client-contractor relationship should be avoided and replaced by a different relationship, namely that of partners in a joint undertaking.

Waste-to-energy policy in China: A national strategy for management of domestic energy reserves

ABSTRACTDependence on natural gas and oil as the main energy carriers has led to serious economic crisis and climate changes, especially in developing countries like China. Among the different renewable biomass materials currently available for power generation, agricultural residue is one of the feedstocks receiving more attention from researchers in the field of energy and agricultural science, probably due to its availability, low price, and socioeconomic advantages. In this work, a detailed study of various scenarios for electricity production such as combustion, pyrolysis, and gasification was carried out. After a detailed comparison, it was found that the gasification process is a better energy system for electricity production because of its total cost and environmental problems are lower than those of other methods.

Modelling of Climate Conditions in Forest Vegetation Zones as a Support Tool for Forest Management Strategy in European Beech Dominated Forests

The regional effects of climate change on forest ecosystems in the temperate climate zone of Europe can be modelled as shifts of forest vegetation zones in the landscape, northward and to higher elevations. This study applies a biogeographical model of climate conditions in the forest vegetation zones of the Central European landscape, in order to predict the impact of future climate change on the most widespread tree species in European deciduous forests—the European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.). The biogeographical model is supported by a suite of software applications in the GIS environment. The model outputs are defined as a set of conditions - climate scenario A1B by the Special Report on Emission Scenarios (SRES) for a forecast period, for a specified geographical area and with ecological conditions appropriate for the European beech, which provide regional scenarios for predicted future climatic conditions in the context of the European beech’s environmental requirements. These predicted changes can be graphically visualized. The results of the model scenarios for regional climate change show that in the Czech Republic from 2070 onwards, optimal growing conditions for the European beech will only exist in some parts of those areas where it currently occurs naturally. Based on these results, it is highly recommended that the national strategy for sustainable forest management in the Czech Republic be partly re-evaluated. Thus, the presented biogeographical model of climate conditions in forest vegetation zones can be applied, not only to generate regional scenarios of climate change in the landscape, but also as a support tool for the development of a sustainable forest management strategy.

Beehive fences as a multidimensional conflict-mitigation tool for farmers coexisting with elephants.

Increasing habitat fragmentation and human population growth in Africa has resulted in an escalation in human-elephant conflict between small-scale farmers and free-ranging African elephants (Loxodonta Africana). In 2012 Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) implemented the national 10-year Conservation and Management Strategy for the Elephant in Kenya, which includes an action aimed at testing whether beehive fences can be used to mitigate human-elephant conflict. From 2012 to 2015, we field-tested the efficacy of beehive fences to protect 10 0.4-ha farms next to Tsavo East National Park from elephants. We hung a series of beehives every 10 m around the boundary of each farm plot. The hives were linked with strong wire. After an initial pilot test with 2 farms, the remaining 8 of 10 beehive fences also contained 2-dimensional dummy hives between real beehives to help reduce the cost of the fence. Each trial plot had a neighboring control plot of the same size within the same farm. Of the 131 beehives deployed 88% were occupied at least once during the 3.5-year trial. Two hundred and fifty-three elephants, predominantly 20-45 years old entered the community farming area, typically during the crop- ripening season. Eighty percent of the elephants that approached the trial farms were kept out of the areas protected by the beehive fences, and elephants that broke a fence were in smaller than average groups. Beehive fences not only kept large groups of elephants from invading the farmland plots but the farmers also benefited socially and financially from the sale of 228 kg of elephant-friendly honey. As news of the success of the trial spread, a further 12 farmers requested to join the project, bringing the number of beehive fence protected farms to 22 and beehives to 297. This demonstrates positive adoption of beehive fences as a community mitigation tool. Understanding the response of elephants to the beehive fences, the seasonality of crop raiding and fence breaking, and the willingness of the community to engage with the mitigation method will help contribute to future management strategies for this high human-elephant conflict hotspot and other similar areas in Kenya.

The Rate of Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis in Korean Children and Adolescents Since 2007.

The incidence of drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) in pediatric populations is a critical indicator of national TB management and treatment strategies. Limited data exist regarding the rate of pediatric DR-TB. In this study, we aimed to analyze the status of DR-TB in Korean children from 2007 to 2013. We analyzed specimens submitted to the Korean Institute of Tuberculosis using Mycobacterium tuberculosis culture and drug susceptibility tests (DSTs) from January 2007 through December 2013. Specimens from patients ≤ 19 years of age were included. Among the 2,690 cases, 297 cases were excluded because of insufficient data, leaving 2,393 cases for the final analysis. In total, resistance to one or more TB drugs was 13.5%. The resistance rates of each of the drugs were as follows: isoniazid (INH) 10.2%, rifampin (RFP) 5.1%, ethambutol (EMB) 3.7%, and pyrazinamide (PZA) 3.1%. The resistance rate of multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) was 4.2%, and that of extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB) was 0.8%. The overall drug resistance rate demonstrated significant increase throughout the study period (P < 0.001) but showed no significant difference compared to previous study from 1999 to 2007. The drug resistance rate of PZA in ≤ 15 years of age group was significantly greater than that of > 15 years (P < 0.001). The drug resistance rate has increased throughout the study period.

Phosphorus recovery potential in Sofia WWTP in view of the national sludge management strategy

In view of the vital importance of phosphorus and its increasing scarcity as a natural resource, phosphorus recovery has recently gained significant scientific and technical interest. The aim of this study is to support the implementation of the Bulgarian national sludge management strategy, particularly its objective to achieve more efficient resource management of phosphorus in waste water treatment plants (WWTPs). The study estimates the potential for phosphorus recovery from the municipal WWTP at Sofia, the largest in Bulgaria, serving some 14% of the Bulgarian population. The phosphorus content of five process streams (thickener supernatant, dewatering centrate, sludge before digestion, sludge after digestion and ash) is analysed on the basis of one year of measurements. It is estimated that 170–250t phosphorus could be recovered annually from the WWTP from digested sludge or ash, depending on the phosphorus recovery technology used.

패널모형을 이용한 자연재해 피해의 결정요인에 관한 고찰

자연재해 피해를 결정하는 요인을 도출하고자 227개 시군구를 대상으로 2001년부터 2012년까지의 패널데이터를 구축하여 패널회귀분석을 실시하였다. 분석 결과와 정책적 시사점은 다음과 같다. 첫째, 연 강수량이 자연재해 피해에 가장 큰 영향력을 행사하고 있음을 확인하였다. 기후 요인이 통제가 불가능한 점을 고려할 때, 기존의 복구 중심의 자연재해 관리 및 정책을 유지한다면 예측불가능한 상당한 규모의 자연재해 피해를 겪을 수 있음을 시사한다. 둘째, 개인의 소득수준 향상은 자연재해 피해를 증가시키는 반면, 지방정부의 재정적 상황이 양호하면 자연재해 피해를 감소시킬 수 있음을 확인하였다. 셋째, 불투수면 면적을 증가시키는 토지이용의 변화가 자연재해 피해를 가중시킬 수 있음을 확인하였다. 결론적으로 본 연구는 기후변화에 대한 적응 능력을 향상시키는데 도시계획 및 관리 정책이 중요한 역할을 할 수 있으며, 투수층을 늘리는 방향으로 추진하여 사전적으로 자연재해 피해를 저감하려는 노력이 필요함을 시사한다. The purpose of this paper is to identify the determining factors of natural disaster damage using Panel Regression Analysis and developing panel data of 227 local governments from 2001 to 2012. The results and their policy implications are as follows. First, annual precipitation is identified as the strongest factor increasing natural disaster damage. Considering the uncertainty of climate change, it implies that we may face unexpected big damage costs if we holds a current natural disaster management policy focusing on ex-post reconstruction. Second, it turned out that high financial independence of the local government can reduce damage cost while high personal income seems to increase the cost. This result shows indirectly that role of local government is important as a key player for natural disaster management. Third, it appeared that land-use change increasing impervious surface area can aggravate natural disaster damage. Thus, it is essential to try to reduce natural disaster damage preliminarily through urban planning minimizing impervious surface area. In conclusion, this paper suggests that national level strategy for natural disaster management should consider the change in precipitation trend in terms of climate change and urban planning method minimizing impervious surface area is required.

Techno-economic performance evaluation of building cooling systems: A study of snow storage and conventional chiller systems

The residential building sector in Canada consumes 17% of the total energy and contributes to 15% of the total greenhouse gas emissions. Predominantly, the energy demand for cooling in the residential sector is increasing due to large occupancy floor area and high usage of air-conditioning. Minimizing energy use and associated emissions is one of the highest priority goals set for national energy management strategies in developed countries, including Canada. In this research, a probabilistic feasibility evaluation framework is developed to: i) evaluate the techno-economic performance of different snow storage systems, namely conventional snow storage, watertight snow storage, high-density snow storage, and ii) compare the performance of snow storage systems with the conventional chiller system. The technical and economic performances of all the building cooling system alternatives are evaluated in terms of the coefficient of performance and the total cooling cost per kilowatt-hour at the facility, respectively. Monte-Carlo simulations were performed to address the uncertainties involved in the techno-economic parameters. The framework has also been implemented on a low-rise residential building in Kelowna (British Columbia, Canada) to appraise its practicality. The study results verified that overall snow storage systems are more energy efficient and cost effective options for building cooling systems. This research will support decision-makers in future for selecting sustainable options for building cooling systems.