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| 2. |
- Borgström, S., et al.
(author)
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Developing law for the bioeconomy
- 2016
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In: Journal of Energy and Natural Resources Law. - : Taylor and Francis Ltd.. - 0264-6811 .- 2376-4538. ; 34:4, s. 373-406
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Development of a bioeconomy is seen to offer significant possibilities to address the challenges faced by a world with a growing population, resource scarcity, environmental degradation and climate change. The technical potential for a bioeconomy is impressive. It has been estimated that over 90 per cent of oil-based products could be replaced by bio-based alternatives. However, there are several challenges, uncertainties and concerns related to the development of a bioeconomy. These include potential negative effects of increased use of biomass on biodiversity and food production, as well as health and environmental risks associated with new biotechnologies. The urgency of the problems that a bioeconomy may provide solutions to and the new sustainability challenges emerging in a growing bioeconomy indicate the need to develop regulatory regimes that make the transition to a bioeconomy more rapid, controlled and sustainable. This article discusses the key issues in developing a bioeconomy that call for regulatory intervention. Further, it explores the need for development in regulatory approaches, strategies and structures for enabling the transition to and sustaining a bioeconomy and explains why, in theory, regulatory systems based on integrative, adaptive and proactive law approaches are a promising way to meet that need. © 2016 International Bar Association.
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| 3. |
- Ding, X., et al.
(author)
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From environmental soundness to sustainable development : Improving applicability of payment for ecosystem services scheme for diverting regional sustainability transition in developing countries
- 2019
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In: Sustainability. - : MDPI AG. - 2071-1050. ; 11:2
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In developing and emerging countries, rapid urbanization at an unprecedented pace and degradation of ecosystem services at an alarming rate have caused many regions, especially those in environmentally sensitive areas (ESAs), to encounter the "regional development dilemma" (RDD), in which regions can hardly divert their current development pattern to achieve a transition to sustainability. The main research focus of this study is to introduce-by means of a case study-a payments for ecosystem service (PES) scheme as a policy instrument that incorporates an ecosystem services (ES)-based baseline for payments and a spatial-targeting-based allocation plan to address that dilemma and to bridge, as well as achieve, sustainable development goals simultaneously at a regional scale. The water source areas of the Middle Route Project in the South-to-North Water Diversion Project in China were used as the case study. Land Use/Land Cover Change (LUCC) of this area between 2002 and 2010 was detected by adopting remote sensing and spatial analysis technologies. The ecosystem services value (ESV) variation was then estimated and the eco-compensation plan was determined through comprehensively applying equivalent weighting factors of the ecosystem service of terrestrial ecosystems in China and the adjustment coefficient of the ecosystem service based on the notion of willingness to pay for ecosystem services. Results show that rapid urbanization has substantial impacts on the spatial dynamics and quality of ecosystems in the research area. From 2002 to 2010, the total ESV declined by CNY 6 billion. Therefore, the baseline eco-compensation from the benefit zone to the research area was CNY 1.1 billion under the assumption of commensurability. Responsibility ought to be shared by Henan and Hebei provinces, and Beijing and Tianjin, with payment of CNY 422.3, 388.5, 110.9, and 133 million, respectively. We drafted the allocation plan of eco-compensation based on the spatial pattern of ESV variation, and suggested policy tools tailored for subregions in the research area defined by LUCC change categories. Such an integrated study can lead to a more comprehensive understanding of regional PES schemes and provide a set of policy instruments with upgraded spatial-targeting and better cost-efficiency, particularly as blueprints for regional governments in developing and emerging countries that aim at leveraging regional sustainability through bridging and achieving SDGs.
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| 4. |
- Dudley, N., et al.
(author)
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Natural solutions for water management of the future : freshwater protected areas at the 6th World Parks Congress
- 2016
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In: Aquatic conservation. - : John Wiley and Sons Ltd. - 1052-7613 .- 1099-0755. ; 26, s. 121-132
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Freshwater biodiversity continues to decline. Protected areas are recognized as critical tools in its conservation. Concurrently, despite global efforts to ensure water supplies, billions of people remain without access to pure water. Conversely, flooding kills tens of thousands of people each year. While designated primarily for nature conservation, protected areas supply a range of other ecosystem services to human society. The natural infrastructure they protect should be seen as a key component of water security and improved conservation of ecosystems, and recognized and invested in as a critical tool for water provision and regulation in the landscape. At the 2014 World Parks Congress delegates identified actions needed to maximize the potential of protected areas to contribute to water services: iKnowledge and capacity building: strengthening technical expertise and capacity building with respect to the role of protected areas in water security. iiValuation: to drive positive change in protected area management. iiiPolicy frameworks: covering legal, institutional, economic and social factors that produce a good synergy between protected area management and water security. ivPricing policy: integrating all the information from valuation of the role of protected areas in terms of water supply, regulation and quality. vWater security: considering natural infrastructure as a key investment in addressing water related risks and a legitimate component of water security strategies. viPartnerships: strengthening these across sectors with a wider group of stakeholders to promote the conservation and management of freshwater ecosystems in protected areas. viiLearning lessons from successful water management: by identifying knowledge requirements for legal, institutional, economic and social factors that synergize protected area management and water security management. None of these steps is technically impossible. Providing the right mixture of policies, legislation, economic and social approaches remains the main challenge for their achievement. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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| 5. |
- Elbakidze, Marine, et al.
(author)
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Legal framework for biosphere reserves as learning sites for sustainable development : A comparative analysis of Ukraine and Sweden
- 2013
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In: Ambio. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0044-7447 .- 1654-7209. ; 42:2, s. 174-187
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The Biosphere Reserve (BR) concept aims at encouraging sustainable development (SD) towards sustainability on the ground by promoting three core functions: conservation, development, and logistic support. Sweden and Ukraine exemplify the diverse governance contexts that BRs need to cope with. We assessed how the BR concept and its core functions are captured in national legislations. The results show that the core functions are in different ways reflected in legal documents in both countries. While in Ukraine the BR concept is incorporated into legislation, in Sweden the concept is used as a soft law. In Ukraine managers desired stronger legal enforcement, while in Sweden managers avoided emphasis on legislation when collaborating with local stakeholders. Hence, BR implementation have adapted to different political cultures by development of diverse approaches. We conclude that a stronger legal support might not be needed for BRs, rather SD needs to be recognized as an integrated place-based process at multiple levels. © 2013 The Author(s).
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| 6. |
- Essl, I., et al.
(author)
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Opportunities for mutual implementation of nature conservation and climate change policies : A multilevel case study based on local stakeholder perceptions
- 2018
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In: Journal of Cleaner Production. - : Elsevier Ltd. - 0959-6526 .- 1879-1786. ; 183, s. 898-907
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This paper assesses EU nature conservation and EU climate protection policies within the context of their local implementation in Vienna/Austria in order to gain insights into the decision-making process as well as to show the extent of achievements and experienced difficulties. In this connection, this paper also investigates based on published knowledge and the perceptions of stakeholders the awareness of nature conservation measures as climate-change adaptation and possibly ways of improvement. In order to address these issues, additionally to an in-depth literature review, 16 experts working in Vienna in the field of either nature conservation or climate protection were interviewed. The transcriptions of these interviews were then used in a qualitative content analysis. The findings show that the vast majority of the interviewed stakeholders see EU climate policy and nature conservation policy separately. Furthermore, the implementation of EU climate and nature conservation policy in Vienna is indicated as a “learning by doing” process. There the currently limited cooperation between stakeholders can be improved. Our study also finds that the awareness of different stakeholder groups of the possibility to use nature conservation as a measure against climate change is limited.
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| 7. |
- Gallo-Cajiao, Eduardo, et al.
(author)
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Implications of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine for the governance of biodiversity conservation
- 2023
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In: Frontiers in Conservation Science. - : Frontiers Media S.A.. - 2673-611X. ; 4
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Maintaining peace and conserving biodiversity hinge on an international system of cooperation codified in institutions, but Russia’s invasion of Ukraine brings recent progress to a crossroads. Against this backdrop, we address some implications of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine for the governance of biodiversity conservation both within and beyond Russia. The Russian invasion of Ukraine threatens the governance system for biodiversity conservation, as it pertains to Russia and beyond, due to three interacting factors: (i) isolation of Russia from the international system, (ii) halt and delay of international cooperation, and (iii) changes in international and domestic policy priorities. We recommend making the existing international system of governance for conserving biodiversity more resilient and adaptable, while aligning security agendas with biodiversity conservation goals.
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| 8. |
- Haller, Henrik, 1977-, et al.
(author)
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Restoration & Liability Duties for Environmental Damages "from the past"? : The interplay of EU’s environmental liability, habitat & birds directives and Swedish fiber banks
- 2022
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In: PROCEEDINGS of the 28th Annual Conference, International Sustainable Development Research Society. - Stockholm : Södertörns högskola. - 9789189504172 ; , s. 1261-1261
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The contribution concerns Directives of the European Union related to environmental liability and the restoration of environmental damages caused by Fiber Banks in Swedish coastal waters. Fiberbanks and fiber-rich sediments are legacies of the previously unregulated wastewater discharge from the pulp and paper industry. Large quantities of this toxic waste material have accumulated in the Baltic Sea floor and on the bottom of rivers and lakes. The Environmental Liability Directive, the Habitats Directive and the Birds Directive of the EU addresses the liability against and restoration of damages of soil, water and biological diversity. The contribution aims to identify – based on the first results of an ongoing project -the potential to establish a liability for restoration measures also for cases of ongoing damages even if the discharges have been lawfully emitted prior to the release of these Directives. An in-depth literature review is applied as well as hermeneutic methods, such as comparative legal analyses and different types of text interpretation (e.g. historic, wording, rational).The results show the kind of scientific evidence that exists for negative causal effects by Fiber Banks on soil, water and biological diversity respectively. Furthermore, the legal framework as well as the related judgement at EU-level will be presented which are relevant to establish the duty to restore and the liability of particular stakeholders to do so. Finally, first answers to questions about the level of evidence required to establish causality of negative effects by Fiber Banks as well as to questions about the burden of proof in such procedures will be presented.The first results on this ongoing project show based on Swedish costal Fiber Banks the high potential of the interplay among the three Directives to effectively mitigate even past and ongoing environmental damages that have their origin in a time prior to the entering into force of these Directives. Such an institutional interplay can provide a blueprint for other restoration activities beyond the case study presented, in wider EU and globally. The presentation has its focus on SDG 16 as it particular guides SDG 16.3. “16.3 Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all” as well as 15.5 “Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity and, by 2020, protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species”. It relates to the conference topic through its call for liability for and restoration of environmental damages that have been caused by past human culture of ignoring nature.
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| 9. |
- Huang, B., et al.
(author)
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Analysis of existing building energy saving policies in Japan and China
- 2016
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In: Journal of Cleaner Production. - : Elsevier Ltd. - 0959-6526 .- 1879-1786. ; 112, s. 1510-1518
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Building sector accounts for a large percentage of the total national energy consumption in most of the countries, thus it is critical to formulate and implement appropriate energy saving policies in the building sector. This paper focuses on energy saving policies in the building sector by conducting a comparative study between Japan and China. The exiting Building Energy Saving (BES) policies, actual effectiveness of policy implementation and obstacles to the effective policy implementation are compared in sequence. Related policies are categorized into four groups: control and regulatory instruments; economic/market-based instruments; fiscal instruments and information and voluntary actions. Policy effect analysis identifies that BES policies have promoted building energy saving in both Japan and China. Obstacles comparison reveals that Japan and China shared many obstacles including high transaction costs and lack of applicable methodology. Compared with Japan, China is suffering more obstacles such as inefficient enforcement, insufficient levels of information and awareness and immature financial regulation system. Based on the previous findings, common suggestions for overcoming these obstacles of BES policies in Japan and China are presented, such as the accurate methods of baseline identification and emission accountings, innovative incentives, and more capacity building activities. Distinct suggestions for Japan and China are also added by considering their own situations so that both countries can further improve their BES policies. © 2015 Elsevier Ltd.
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| 10. |
- Huang, B., et al.
(author)
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Life cycle sustainability assessment of ground source heat pump in Shanghai, China
- 2016
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In: Journal of Cleaner Production. - : Elsevier Ltd. - 0959-6526 .- 1879-1786. ; 119, s. 207-214
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The growing worldwide demand for Greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction has led to a new age of energy saving. Besides the energy saving extent, the costs of energy saving measures as well as the environmental and social impacts are also necessary to be evaluated in order to make sure that the application of these measures can also meet sustainable development requirements. Thus, a sustainability evaluation method based on Life Cycle Theory is innovatively designed in this study. We present its new aspects, describe its working steps in detail and also test this new method by means of a case study on Ground Source Heat Pump (GSHP), which is a renewable technology that is widely applied in the building sector in China. Data for the case study is collected by literature review and site investigation. Results show that the energy consumption of the investigated GSHP cases has an energy saving rate as around 40.2%.The main environmental impacts of GSHP are found to be global warming, acidification and eutrophication in the production process, and soil temperature change in the operation process. The prevention cost of the environmental impacts is around 15.84 RMB/m2 in the production process, and 5 RMB/m2 in the operation process. The payback time of our cases is around 4 years, and it will rise to 4.29 years if accounting the environmental prevention cost. We conclude based on the case study that our assessment method proofs to be useful as it can demonstrate comprehensive characteristics of sustainability for energy saving measures in the whole life cycle. © 2015 Elsevier Ltd.
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