| 1. |
- Ahlberg, Erik, et al.
(författare)
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"Vi klimatforskare stödjer Greta och skolungdomarna"
- 2019
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Ingår i: Dagens nyheter (DN debatt). - 1101-2447.
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Tidskriftsartikel (populärvet., debatt m.m.)abstract
- DN DEBATT 15/3. Sedan industrialiseringens början har vi använt omkring fyra femtedelar av den mängd fossilt kol som får förbrännas för att vi ska klara Parisavtalet. Vi har bara en femtedel kvar och det är bråttom att kraftigt reducera utsläppen. Det har Greta Thunberg och de strejkande ungdomarna förstått. Därför stödjer vi deras krav, skriver 270 klimatforskare.
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| 2. |
- Alpizar, Francisco, 1974, et al.
(författare)
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Global Chemicals Outlook II. From Legacies to Innovative Solutions: Implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
- 2019
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Rapport (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- 1. The size of the global chemical industry exceeded United States dollars 5 trillion in 2017. It is projected to double by 2030. Consumption and production are rapidly increasing in emerging economies. Global supply chains, and the trade of chemicals and products, are becoming increasingly complex. 2. Driven by global megatrends, growth in chemical-intensive industry sectors (e.g. construction, agriculture, electronics) creates risks, but also opportunities to advance sustainable consumption, production and product innovation. 3. Hazardous chemicals and other pollutants (e.g. plastic waste and pharmaceutical pollutants) continue to be released in large quantities. They are ubiquitous in humans and the environment and are accumulating in material stocks and products, highlighting the need to avoid future legacies through sustainable materials management and circular business models. 4. The benefits of action to minimize adverse impacts have been estimated in the high tens of billions of United States dollars annually. The World Health Organization estimated the burden of disease from selected chemicals at 1.6 million lives in 2016 (this is likely to be an underestimate). Chemical pollution also threatens a range of ecosystem services. 5. International treaties and voluntary instruments have reduced the risks of some chemicals and wastes, but progress has been uneven and implementation gaps remain. As of 2018, more than 120 countries had not implemented the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals. 6. Addressing legislation and capacity gaps in developing countries and emerging economies remains a priority. Also, resources have not matched needs. There are opportunities for new and innovative financing (e.g. through cost recovery and engagement of the financial sector). 7. Significant resources can be saved by sharing knowledge on chemical management instruments more widely, and by enhancing mutual acceptance of approaches in areas ranging from chemical hazard assessment to alternatives assessment. 8. Frontrunner companies – from chemical producers to retailers – are introducing sustainable supply chain management, full material disclosure, risk reduction beyond compliance, and human rights-based policies. However, widespread implementation of these initiatives has not yet been achieved. 9. Consumer demand, as well as green and sustainable chemistry education and innovation (e.g. though start-ups), are among the important drivers of change. They can be scaled up through enabling policies, reaping the potential benefits of chemistry innovations for sustainable development. 10. Global knowledge gaps can be filled. This can be achieved, for example, by taking steps to harmonize research protocols, considering health or environmental impact information and harm caused to set and address priorities (e.g. emerging issues), and strengthening the science-policy interface through enhanced collaboration of scientists and decision-makers.
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| 3. |
- Axelsson, Anna, et al.
(författare)
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Policy SEA: lessons from development co-operation
- 2012
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Ingår i: Impact Assessment and Project Appraisal. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1461-5517 .- 1471-5465. ; 30:2, s. 124-129
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This professional practice report reflects upon lessons learned from piloting and evaluating an innovative approach to policy strategic environmental assessment (SEA) in developing countries. The primary analytical focuses of the approach are institutions and governance characteristics, plus it places strong emphasis on learning. The piloting provides valuable insights about the conduct of SEA at the policy level and in socio-political where there is limited experience with SEA. From our observations we reflect upon the importance of appropriate ownership of an SEA; the practical implications of working in contested political environments; the challenges in using SEA as a tool to promote good governance; and the centrality of a long-term perspective to environmental and social mainstreaming.
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| 4. |
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| 5. |
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| 6. |
- Carney Almroth, Bethanie, 1974, et al.
(författare)
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Circular economy could expose children to hazardous phthalates and chlorinated paraffins via old toys and childcare articles
- 2022
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Ingår i: Journal of Hazardous Materials. - : Elsevier BV. - 0304-3894 .- 2772-4166. ; 7
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The European waste framework directive encourages reuse, refurbishment and recycling of products and materials in order to reduce plastic waste. However, thousands of chemicals are used in plastic materials. Many of these are potentially toxic, and may cause hormonal and developmental disruption in children. This includes phthalates and short chain chlorinated paraffins, which are used as plasticizers and flame-retardants. European legal frameworks regulate the amounts of these substances in toys in an effort to protect children's health and safety. Currently, limits are set to 0.1% for phthalates and 0.15% for SCCPs. Here, we have investigated levels of these compounds in toys and childcare products that were purchased prior to and after legislation on stricter exposure levels was implemented (total of 157 items, 54 and 103 new and old, respectively). We found that a larger portion of older toys and items (83.5%) contained amounts that exceed legal limits, compared to newer toys and items (29.6%). Concentrations of DEHP, BBP, DIDP, and SCCPs were significantly higher in old items, and both DEHP and DINP were found at concentrations exceeding 400,000 mg/kg in several old balls, which is approximately 40% of the weight of the toy, and 400 times above the legal limit. These findings indicate that old toys have the potential to pose a greater risk to children, and that regulations can be useful tools to protect children from exposure to toxic chemicals. We also stress that the waste framework directive, which urges reuse and repurposing of objects such as second hand items used for dress-up play, can lead to continued exposure via chemicals in older items. We conclude that movement towards circular economy threatens to expose children from legacy compounds already restricted on the market if efforts are not made to remove these items from circulation.
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| 7. |
- Coria, Jessica, 1979, et al.
(författare)
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Kemikalieskatter bidrar till en giftfri miljö
- 2015
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Ingår i: Svenska Dagbladet - Debatt. - 1101-2412. ; :2015-07-01
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Tidskriftsartikel (populärvet., debatt m.m.)abstract
- Förslagen om att beskatta kemikalier är ett steg i rätt riktning. Den lagstiftning som finns idag är alltför svag, särskilt när det gäller så kallade blandningar av olika kemikalier. Det skriver en grupp forskare på Göteborgs universitet som arbetar med styrning av miljöeffekterna från kemikalier. Olika slags kemikalier hamnar i avloppsvattnet, och skribenterna varnar för just blandningen av olika ämnen, en så kallad cocktaileffekt.
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| 8. |
- Coria, Jessica, 1979, et al.
(författare)
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What drives the substitution of hazardous flame retardants in electronic appliances in Sweden?
- 2023
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Ingår i: Cleaner Waste Systems. - 2772-9125. ; 6
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Chemical substitution can mitigate risks from chemical substances for individuals and the environment. This study investigates the preferences of companies regarding the adoption of safer alternatives to hazardous flame retardants in electronic appliances in Sweden. Through a choice experiment, we assess the relative importance of four key factors determining firms’ preferences for chemical substitution: health and environmental hazards, the likelihood of chemical regulations, product pricing, and the presence of a label indicating the use of safer alternatives. Our findings indicate that the avoidance of health and environmental hazards is the primary motivator for firms to pursue chemical substitution. Our study also shows that companies are hesitant to accept tax policies that may result in price increases for their products. However, we propose that this reluctance could be mitigated through the implementation of a label that informs consumers about the utilization of less hazardous chemicals in the products. Such a label would not only serve as a means of product differentiation but also discourage consumers from opting for cheaper alternatives offered by competitors.
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| 9. |
- Groh, Ksenia J, et al.
(författare)
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Overview of known plastic packaging-associated chemicals and their hazards.
- 2019
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Ingår i: Science of the Total Environment. - : Elsevier BV. - 0048-9697. ; 651:Pt 2, s. 3253-3268
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- Global plastics production has reached 380 million metric tons in 2015, with around 40% used for packaging. Plastic packaging is diverse and made of multiple polymers and numerous additives, along with other components, such as adhesives or coatings. Further, packaging can contain residues from substances used during manufacturing, such as solvents, along with non-intentionally added substances (NIAS), such as impurities, oligomers, or degradation products. To characterize risks from chemicals potentially released during manufacturing, use, disposal, and/or recycling of packaging, comprehensive information on all chemicals involved is needed. Here, we present a database of Chemicals associated with Plastic Packaging (CPPdb), which includes chemicals used during manufacturing and/or present in final packaging articles. The CPPdb lists 906 chemicals likely associated with plastic packaging and 3377 substances that are possibly associated. Of the 906 chemicals likely associated with plastic packaging, 63 rank highest for human health hazards and 68 for environmental hazards according to the harmonized hazard classifications assigned by the European Chemicals Agency within the Classification, Labeling and Packaging (CLP) regulation implementing the United Nations' Globally Harmonized System (GHS). Further, 7 of the 906 substances are classified in the European Union as persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic (PBT), or very persistent, very bioaccumulative (vPvB), and 15 as endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDC). Thirty-four of the 906 chemicals are also recognized as EDC or potential EDC in the recent EDC report by the United Nations Environment Programme. The identified hazardous chemicals are used in plastics as monomers, intermediates, solvents, surfactants, plasticizers, stabilizers, biocides, flame retardants, accelerators, and colorants, among other functions. Our work was challenged by a lack of transparency and incompleteness of publicly available information on both the use and toxicity of numerous substances. The most hazardous chemicals identified here should be assessed in detail as potential candidates for substitution.
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| 10. |
- Harring, Niklas, 1979, et al.
(författare)
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Public acceptability of policy instruments for reducing fossil fuel consumption in East Africa
- 2024
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Ingår i: Climate Policy. - : Taylor & Francis. - 1469-3062 .- 1752-7457.
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In recent decades, there has been increasing research interest in individuals’ support of and resistance to climate and environmental policy instruments. However, there is an empirical bias in the literature, as few studies have been conducted in low-income countries. Based on a survey with 4,766 respondents we identify the level of public acceptability for climate policy instruments and their determinants in East Africa (Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda). While our sample is not fully representative of the East-African population, we capture highly educated individuals in urban areas, who are likely to have a large influence on policy processes. In line with previous studies in other contexts, we find that higher education and climate change concern are linked to the acceptability of policies aimed at reducing fossil fuel consumption. Specifying how the revenue from a climate tax or subsidy removal would be used, almost doubled the support for these policy instruments. In contrast to earlier studies, we find that investments in social programmes, not environmental programmes, was the revenue specification that increased the acceptability the most. One possible explanation would be that in a context where poverty is more prevalent, social issues are more salient to people. We also find weak associations between trust in government and the acceptability of climate policy instruments in East Africa and large heterogeneity across the five focal East African countries. Besides establishing an empirical foundation for future research on climate policy support in East Africa, the study provides essential policy insights: Investing in education and improved information, contributing to increased awareness and understanding of climate concerns, can potentially increase support for climate policy proposals also in the East African context. Earmarking revenues from climate policy instruments for social programmes may also significantly boost support. However, as our study is not fully representative of the population in the five countries and relies on stated preferences, which may be subject to different biases, the results should be interpreted with caution.
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| 11. |
- Harring, Niklas, et al.
(författare)
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Public opinion on carbon pricing and revenue uses in East Africa
- 2024
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Rapport (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Climate investments and environmental reforms run a high risk of failure if acceptance is low. As African countries develop their climate action plans under the Paris Agreement, it is therefore important that governments, donors and other stakeholders have a good understanding of public support for different climate policy instruments.There is very little knowledge about acceptance of green transition in low- and middle-income countries. This study contributes new knowledge about public support for carbon taxes and the removal of fossil fuel subsidies in the three East African countries of Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, where widespread poverty and corruption contribute to low trust in political institutions.
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| 12. |
- Jepsen, M. T., et al.
(författare)
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Protective practices against tick bites in Denmark, Norway and Sweden: a questionnaire-based study
- 2019
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Ingår i: BMC Public Health. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1471-2458. ; 19:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background Tick-borne infections are of emerging and increasing concern in the Scandinavian countries Denmark, Norway and Sweden. Only few studies have investigated protective practices against tick bites in the general population. The aim of this multi-country study was to assess the use of protective practices and the perception of the efficacy of them. Methods We surveyed the extent of using protective practices against tick bites, using the same questionnaire in three local languages. In addition, we surveyed perceptions of how good a protection the different practices provide. Altogether 783 individuals from Denmark, 789 from Norway and 1096 from Sweden participated in the study by completing an extensive online questionnaire in October 2016. Results Altogether 1011 respondents (37.9%) reported using at least three different protective practices either often or always when in areas where there are ticks, while 522 (19.6%) reported using none. Female gender was among the factors identified as positively associated with using several of the specific practices often or always when in areas where there are ticks. The gender-difference in extent of using protective practices against tick bites was particularly pronounced in Sweden. Based on a multivariable logistic regression model, being female, being from Sweden, and having experienced one or more tick bites were positively associated with using at least three different protective practices against tick bites either often or always when in areas where there are ticks (odds ratios 1.90, 1.87 and 1.88, respectively). Conclusions The results of our study, especially the observed differences by country and by gender, can be useful in targeting future information to the public. In particular, our results suggest that men across all ages should be considered a specific target group for this information.
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| 13. |
- Jore, S., et al.
(författare)
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Spatial tick bite exposure and associated risk factors in Scandinavia
- 2020
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Ingår i: Infection Ecology and Epidemiology. - : Informa UK Limited. - 2000-8686. ; 10:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Tick-borne diseases are emerging and re-emerging threats causing public health concerns in Europe and North America. Prevention and control requires understanding of human exposure and behaviour. The aim was to measure exposure to tick bites across Scandinavia, its spatial distribution and the associated risk factors. Methods We sent a web-based survey to a randomly chosen population and analysed answers by Principal Component Analysis and Chi-Square. Individual responses were aggregated at the municipality level to assess the spatial distribution of bites. Results Nearly 60% of adults reported bites at low levels (1-5 bites); however, the majority were not in their resident municipality. We found two spatial profiles: In their home municipalities, people were most often bitten in less, but not the least, urbanized areas. When visiting other municipalities, people were most frequently bitten in peri-urban areas. Running/walking in the forest, gardening, and paddling/rowing were activities most strongly associated with bites. Conclusion Tick bites affect the entire Scandinavian population, with a higher risk in Sweden compared to Denmark and Norway. The frequency of observation of ticks in the environment or on pets might be used as a proxy for the actual risk of exposure to tick bites.Our results indicates that urban-dwelling outdoor enthusiasts and inhabitants of rural areas must be equally targeted for prevention campaigns. © 2020, © 2020 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
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| 14. |
- Knaggård, Åsa, et al.
(författare)
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Researchers’ approaches to stakeholders: Interaction or transfer of knowledge?
- 2019
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Ingår i: Environmental Science and Policy. - : Elsevier BV. - 1462-9011 .- 1873-6416. ; 97, s. 25-35
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Stakeholder interaction is important for enabling environmental research to support the societal transition to sustainability. We argue that it is crucial to take researchers’ approaches to and perceptions of stakeholder interaction into account, to enable more clarity in discussions about interaction, as well as more systematic interaction approaches. Through a survey and focus group interviews with environmental researchers at three Swedish universities, we investigate the effects of two models of stakeholder interaction, as well as high and low levels within each. The ‘transfer model’ implies that interaction is understood as communication and should be separated from research. The ‘interaction model’ implies that interaction happens throughout the research process. Our study shows some significant differences between researchers in the two models, but also between high and low levels of stakeholder interaction regardless of model. The result indicates that the transfer model needs to be considered in studies and practice of stakeholder interaction, but also that the low levels of the interaction model consists of a number of different types of approaches. The major difference between the two models was about how large researchers understood the benefits and risks with stakeholder interaction to be. Transfer researchers saw interaction as a threat to the integrity of research, whereas interaction researchers saw it as enabling research. © 2019 The Authors
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| 15. |
- Rudén, Christina, et al.
(författare)
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Framtidens kemikaliekontroll - Hantering av kombinationseffekter och gruppvis bedömning av ämnen : SOU 2019:45
- 2019
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Rapport (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Det är mer än 50 år sedan den första kemikalielagstiftningen på EUnivå infördes; 1967 trädde direktivet om farliga ämnen i kraft. Direktivet fastlade regler för klassificering och märkning av kemikalier baserade på deras inneboende farlighet. Under de följande decennierna tillkom fler riskbaserade regler, som också blev föregångarna till REACH-förordningen. Införandet, tillämpningen och utvecklingen av dessa nya regelverk har över tid bidragit till att minska koncentrationerna av många klassiska gifter i människor och ekosystem i Europa, vilket måste ses som en betydande framgång, och som också bekräftar nyttan av att ha en adekvat kemikalielagstiftning för att långsiktigt skydda människors hälsa och ekosystemen. Men parallellt med lagstiftningens tillkomst och utveckling har även kemikalieindustrins och samhällets användande av kemikalier utvecklats och växt i snabb takt. Enligt Eurostat används i dag mer än 200 miljoner ton farliga kemikalier per år i Europa, och fler än 22 000 olika kemikalier är registrerade bara i REACH. Föga överraskande hittar miljöövervakningen fortfarande en blandning av kemikalier i så gott som alla prover som tas från människor eller miljön. Det beror på att det typiska exponeringsscenariot har ändrats under de senaste decennierna – från lokala punktkällor med utsläpp av höga koncentrationer av ett fåtal ämnen, till en diffus exponering för en mängd komplexa och variabla blandningar av olika miljögifter. Var och en ofta i relativt låga koncentrationer. I denna rapport presenteras elva rekommendationer om hur europeisk kemikaliekontroll kan utvecklas för att bättre hantera denna komplexitet. Förslagen fokuserar på två centrala områden: 1. Riskbedömning och hantering av kemiska blandningar, i syfte att göra kemisk riskbedömning och riskhantering mer relevant för målet att skydda människors hälsa och ekosystemen. 2. Gruppvis utvärdering av kemikalier, för att underlätta identifiering av problematiska ämnen och stödja processen att byta ut farliga kemikalier mot säkrare alternativ. Kapitel 1 sammanfattar utredningens uppdrag och hur vi arbetat. Kapitel 2 innehåller en bred överblick av frågeställningarna samt förklaringar till centrala begrepp och definitioner. I kapitel 3 sammanfattas relevanta delar av svensk och europeisk kemikalielagstiftning och internationella konventioner. Den vetenskapliga bakgrunden till våra förslag beskrivs därefter i kapitlen 4 och 5. Kapitel 6 innehåller våra elva rekommendationer. Varje rekommendation inleds med en introducerande problembeskrivning. Syftet med detta är att kapitlet ska kunna läsas separat. Kapitel 7 innehåller en konsekvensanalys, och i kapitel 8 ges en översikt över våra interaktioner med avnämare. Sist i rapporten finns referenser och först en lista som förklarar de akronymer och förkortningar som förekommer i texten. Sammanfattningsvis visar vår analys att det behövs betydande förändringar och förbättringar av det nuvarande systemet för kemikaliekontroll om det ska hålla jämna steg med innovationer i kemikalieanvändningen och utvecklingen inom vetenskapen. Att regelverket utvecklas parallellt med dessa är en förutsättning för att uppnå det övergripande målet med EU:s kemikalielagstiftning att säkerställa en hög skyddsnivå för hälsa och miljö, och det svenska miljömålet att den totala exponeringen för kemiska ämnen via alla exponeringskällor inte ska vara skadlig för människor eller biologisk mångfald.
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| 16. |
- Slunge, Daniel, 1968, et al.
(författare)
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Assessment of safeguarding systems for the use of pesticides within Swedish financed programmes in Tanzania
- 2015
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Rapport (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Increasing the agricultural productivity among small-holder farmers is an important objective of several programmes in Asia and Africa supported by Swedish development cooperation. In several of these programmes, increasing farmers’ access to agricultural inputs, including pesticides, play an important role. This study departs from a concern that paraquat and other hazardous pesticides were used by farmers participating in Swedish supported programmes in Tanzania. Based on a desk review and interviews in Tanzania and Sweden, the purpose of the present study has been to review safeguard mechanisms for the use of pesticides in three Swedish supported programmes in Tanzania and to provide input to methodological development on how Sida can contribute to responsible use of pesticides in supported programmes.
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| 17. |
- Slunge, Daniel, 1968, et al.
(författare)
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Burden of Tick-Borne Encephalitis, Sweden
- 2022
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Ingår i: Emerging Infectious Diseases. - : Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). - 1080-6040 .- 1080-6059. ; 28:2, s. 314-322
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In recent decades, the incidence of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) in Sweden has increased. To calculate the burden of disease over a 17-year period, we analyzed data from the Swedish National Health Data Register for TBE cases diagnosed during 1998-2014. We compared healthcare use and sick leave associated with 2,429 persons with TBE with a referent cohort of 7,287 persons without TBE. Patients with TBE were hospitalized for signifi cantly more days during the fi rst year after disease onset (11.5 vs. 1.1 days), logged more specialist outpatient visits (3.6 vs. 1.2 visits), and logged more sick leave days (66 vs. 10.7 days). These diff erences generally increased over time. The case-fatality rate for TBE was 1.1%. Our calculated cost of TBE to society provides a baseline for decisions on immunization programs. Analyzing register data, our study adds to clinical studies of smaller cohorts and model-based studies that calculate disease burden.
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| 18. |
- Slunge, Daniel, 1968, et al.
(författare)
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Can Strategic Environmental and Social Assessment of REDD+ Improve Forest Governance?
- 2011
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Rapport (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The Forest Carbon Partnership Facility has recently proposed the application of strategic environmental social assessment (SESA) for incorporating environmental and social considerations in the preparation of REDD+ initiatives. This paper discusses the potential contribution of SESA to REDD+ initiatives drawing on experiences from earlier attempts to large scale forestry sector reforms and a recent World Bank pilot program on strategic environmental assessment. The paper suggests that SESA can be a useful approach for strengthening institutions and governance needed for managing diverse environmental and social impacts related to REDD+. More specifically, SESA can enhance policy making and governance through raising attention to environmental and social priorities, strengthening constituencies for policy change and improving social accountability. In order for SESA to contribute to these outcomes it needs to be assured that broad national “ownership” is achieved and that it becomes part of a long-term policy learning process with repeated and sustained stakeholder interaction. Through strengthening constituencies in policy reform SESA can potentially reduce the risk of regulatory capture of REDD+ by vested interests and make institutional checks and balances more effective. An analysis of Kenya‟s process of preparing a national REDD+ strategy is used to illustrate our case in the paper.
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| 19. |
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| 20. |
- Slunge, Daniel, 1968, et al.
(författare)
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Challenges to institutionalizing strategic environmental assessment: The case of Vietnam
- 2014
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Ingår i: Environmental impact assessment review. - : Elsevier BV. - 0195-9255. ; 48, s. 53-61
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Building on new institutional theory, this paper develops an analytical framework for analyzing constraints to the institutionalization of strategic environmental assessment (SEA) at four different institutional levels. The framework is tested in an empirical analysis of the environmental assessment system in Vietnam, which is a frontrunner among developing countries regarding the introduction and use of SEA. Building on interviews with Vietnamese and international experts, as well as an extensive literature review, we identify institutional constraints which challenge the effective use of SEA in Vietnam. We conclude that commonly identified constraints, such as inadequate training, technical guidelines, baseline data and financial resources, are strongly linked to constraints at higher institutional levels, such as incentives to not share information between ministries and severe restrictions on access to information and public participation. Without a thorough understanding of these institutional constraints, there is a risk that attempts to improve the use of SEA are misdirected. Thus, a careful institutional analysis should guide efforts to introduce and improve the use of SEA in Vietnam and other developing countries. The analytical framework for analyzing constraints to institutionalization of SEA presented in this paper represents a systematic effort in this direction.
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| 21. |
- Slunge, Daniel, 1968, et al.
(författare)
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Circular Economy – a Conceptual Review and Analysis of Implications for Swedish Development Cooperation
- 2021
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Rapport (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Circular economy is increasingly discussed in Swedish, European and international public policy making. This report provides a review of the circular economy concept and discusses its potential implications for Swedish development cooperation. There is no standard definition of a circular economy. While it was originally perceived as primarily a strategy for reducing waste, the use of the circular economy concept is considerably broader today. An indicative example is the European circular economy action plan from 2020, which is envisioned to make a “decisive contribution to achieving climate neutrality by 2050 and decoupling economic growth from resource use, while ensuring the long-term competitiveness of the EU and leaving no one behind”. The Swedish action plan on circular economy from 2021 also covers a broad agenda, including product design, sustainable consumption, non-toxic and circular flows, innovation and circular business models. Resource efficiency, recycling, changes in consumption patterns and other key circular economy issues have been discussed extensively for a long time. Rather than bringing attention to entirely new issues, the circular economy agenda connects the growing climate and environmental crisis with innovation, employment and economic growth. The booming literature on circular economy is largely technically and business oriented. Most of the surprisingly optimistic macro-economic prognoses on the growth and employment creation potential of the implementation of circular economy policies are based on consultancy studies. Larger studies on social, political and other contextual factors shaping the incentives and obstacles to a more circular economy are lacking. There are relatively few studies on the challenges and opportunities that a transition to a more circular economy may bring about for low and middle-income countries. But as most supply chains are highly international, the implementation of circularity policies in EU and other large economies will have global implications. Countries with low labour cost can have a competitive advantage in disassembly, repairs and remanufacturing on the growing international market for secondary goods and materials. In agriculture, housing and transports, recent studies indicate that there may be large potential benefits from more circular approaches in developing countries. However, there are no comprehensive studies of these potential benefits and estimates are often based on smaller case studies. These potential benefits risk being outweighed by the significant health and environmental impacts associated with recycling and waste management. Such activities are often performed by poor men and women in informal employment and networks without possibilities to protect themselves from hazardous substances in used electronics and other used products and waste categories. If not managed carefully, European circular economy policies can incentivize export of secondary materials and products, which can only be recycled at high environmental and social costs to countries with less stringent environmental standards and technological capacity. The large illegal shipping of e-waste and plastic waste containing hazardous substances are worrying examples. Another risk is that a proliferation of new product standards for durability, recyclability and traceability will become trade barriers for countries with a limited capacity to adapt. Consequently, the role of trade policy and the Basel Convention on transboundary movements of hazardous wastes in relation to circular economy policies is increasingly discussed. A key issue is the development of harmonised standards and procedures to verify the quality of secondary materials and what distinguishes such materials from being classified as waste. Without such standards and procedures, it will be difficult to scale up a legal international trade in secondary materials. Circular economy also plays an increasingly important role in development cooperation. Especially the focus on circular economy in the new EU development cooperation strategy for 2021-2027, and priorities in the new NDICI instrument, will be important for Sweden and other member states as a coordinated “Team Europe” approach is promoted. Policy dialogues on circular economy pursued by the Commission with the African Union, South Africa, China, India, Colombia and other countries can also be important for the development cooperation of EU member states. The increasing use of the circular economy concept by several UN organisations, OECD and the Multilateral Development Banks also indicate that circular economy will play an important role in development cooperation policy during the coming years. Circular economy and closely related concepts are included in several of the key policy documents for Swedish development cooperation. The policy framework concludes that Sweden should contribute to “…a transformation to a resource-efficient, non-toxic, circular and bio-based economy with low emissions of greenhouse gases”. A review of Sida’s guiding documents and contributions show that Swedish supported initiatives in this area have many names and forms. So far green economy, rather than circular or biobased economy, has been the broader term used by Sida in dialogues and contributions linking environment and economic issues. Through an analysis of the Swedish development cooperation portfolio, the study finds that few contributions have been explicitly labelled as circular economy initiatives, but that many existing Swedish contributions are highly relevant for addressing real “circular economy issues” and a broader green transition. Notably, Sweden is an important financier of several international organisations and networks influencing global policy discussion on green and circular economy. While the emerging circular economy agenda has the potential to engage a broad set of actors in a dialogue on sustainable economic development, introducing new concepts also involves costs for donors and partner countries for studies, trainings, the development of action plans etc. There is a risk that too much effort is devoted to discussing the visionary aspects of a circular economy at the expense of addressing the very real health and environmental problems caused by industrial pollution and improper waste management. A way to operationalise circular economy in Swedish development cooperation would be to identify a set of priority circular economy issues. Ideally, these should be issues where there is a solid experience and knowledge among the Swedish resource base and where there is a strong demand in partner countries for collaboration. Based on the review, the following issues are proposed: •Policy instruments for pollution prevention and resource efficiency. •Non-toxic material cycles through proactive chemical management. •Social inclusion and just transition to a circular economy. •Circular business models in specific value chains. •Policy coherence on circular economy, including environment, trade, and development cooperation policy. The proposed priority issues are not new to Swedish development cooperation as there are many interesting and relevant contributions in the existing portfolio. The idea is rather to outline potential priority issues where Swedish contributions can add value to, and benefit from, the circular economy agenda.
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| 22. |
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| 23. |
- Slunge, Daniel, 1968
(författare)
-
Economic instruments to incentivise substitution of chemicals of concern - a review
- 2023
-
Rapport (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The study provides an overview of economic instruments used in chemicals management and in other environmental domains that governments could consider to incentivise substitution of chemicals of concern. Building on the lessons learned from the use of economic instruments for environmental and chemicals management, five broad sets of instruments with potential to incentivise substitution of chemicals of concern are discussed: • Fees on producers and importers of chemicals to incentivise information provision. Fee-based registries contribute indirectly to substitution by providing information to market actors and authorities. A key challenge is that the information submitted to the authorities often is of low quality. This could be counteracted by increasing default costs, through imposing (increasing) penalties and enhancing quality controls. • Taxes or fees on chemicals of concern with a possibility to use revenues for toxic use reduction programmes. A tax or fee could be introduced on all substances identified as substances of concern. To avoid “regrettable substitution”, a tax or fee system could in principle be extended to also cover chemicals with a similar chemical structure as listed chemicals of concerns. Revenues from fees could finance toxic use reduction programmes, including research, education, technical support as well as grants to small businesses to support transitioning to safer alternatives. • Risk based taxation on substances of concern in products articles and processes. Evaluations indicate that risk-based taxation – which links taxation more closely to specific environment and health risks – can be effective in reducing the environmental and health effects of chemicals. However, the limited information about substances of concern in articles is a key constraint to broader application. • Hybrid schemes combining fees and subsidies in collaboration with industry sectors. By returning revenues from fees on chemicals of concern to the regulated sector in the form of a subsidy or technical assistance, strong incentives for substitution can be generated in sectors where substitution is challenging. An important feature of these type of hybrid schemes is their potential to create policy support within the regulated industry. • Permit systems with trading possibilities. Tradable permit systems have been used in relation to lead, CFCs and fluorinated greenhouse gases. Similar systems could be designed to incentivise the substitution of other groups of substances of concern or specific uses. One could also envision broader permit markets as all chemicals put on the market occupy a piece of a shared pollution space.
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| 24. |
- Slunge, Daniel, 1968, et al.
(författare)
-
Environmental Fiscal Reform in East and Southern Africa and its Effects on Income Distribution
- 2010
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Ingår i: Rivista di Politica Economica. - 0035-6468. ; July-September 2009:VII-IX, s. 91-120
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The paper reviews the current use of instruments for environmental fiscal reform (EFR) in selected East and Southern African countries and analyzes the effects on income distribution from fuel taxes. Theoretical arguments for introducing taxes on environmental and fiscal grounds as well as potential trade-offs between environmental and fiscal objectives are discussed. While most African countries have introduced several environmental taxes, our analysis indicates there is a considerable potential to improve both revenue generation and environmental benefits. Building on detailed case studies of fuel consumption, we find that fuel taxes appear to be progressive and not regressive as often claimed.
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| 25. |
- Slunge, Daniel, 1968
(författare)
-
Essays in Environmental Management and Economics: Public Health, Risk and Strategic Environmental Assessment
- 2017
-
Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Abstract Current large-scale environmental and climate change leads to the emergence of new and potentially dramatic risks for individuals and societies. The welfare costs associated with these risks largely depend on our ability to take them into account in decision-making and adapt to new circumstances. By analysing how people perceive and manage risks individually and collectively, this thesis aims to improve the understanding of how these environmentally related welfare costs may be reduced. Papers 1–3 focus on risk perceptions and decision-making at the individual level and concern how people perceive and manage risks in relation to the increasing incidence of Lyme borreliosis (LB) and tick-borne encephalitis (TBE). The empirical analysis is based on a survey with 1500 randomly selected respondents in Sweden. Papers 4 and 5 focus on risk assessment and decision-making at the collective level and concern how strategic environmental assessments are used to manage environmental risks in low- and middle-income countries. The empirical analysis is based on interviews with stakeholders involved in environmental assessments of policy reforms. Paper 1: Learning to Live with Ticks? The Role of Exposure and Risk Perceptions in Protective Behaviour Against Tick-Borne Diseases We analyse the role of risk perceptions and exposure for five protective measures against tick bites and the related diseases TBE and LB. We find a strong positive association between exposure and checking the skin for ticks, but no or weak associations between exposure and the use of protective clothing, tucking trousers into socks, the use of repellent or avoidance of tall grass in areas with ticks. Paper 2: Valuation When Baselines Are Changing: Tick-borne Disease Risk and Recreational Choice We estimate willingness to pay to avoid recreational areas with ticks, LB and TBE risk. In northern Sweden, where the presence of ticks is relatively new, the willingness to pay to avoid risk is significantly higher than in southern Sweden, where ticks are endemic. We also find that TBE-vaccinated respondents have a lower willingness to pay. These differences in willingness to pay for risk reduction between groups with different baseline risk should be taken into account when estimating welfare costs of the spread of disease vectors to new areas due to environmental and climate change. Paper 3: The Willingness to Pay for Vaccination against Tick-Borne Encephalitis and Implications for Public Health Policy: Evidence from Sweden We estimate the TBE-vaccination rate to 33% in TBE-risk areas and analyse the role of vaccine price, income and other factors influencing the demand for vaccination. We project that a subsidy making TBE vaccines free of charge could increase the vaccination rate in TBE risk areas to around 78%, with a larger effect on low-income households, whose current vaccination rate is only 15% in risk areas. Paper 4: Greening Growth through Strategic Environmental Assessment of Sector Reforms Based on an evaluation of a World Bank programme, we analyse whether strategic environmental assessments can contribute to greening sector reforms in low- and middle-income countries. We find that the institutional context plays a crucial role for the performance of environmental assessments and suggest that increased attention to institutional aspects could improve effectiveness. Paper 5: Challenges to Institutionalising Strategic Environmental Assessment: the Case of Vietnam We develop a conceptual framework for analysing constraints to the institutionalisation of strategic environmental assessments at four different institutional levels. The framework is tested in an empirical analysis of the environmental assessment system in Vietnam.
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| 26. |
- Slunge, Daniel, 1968, et al.
(författare)
-
Farliga kemikalier måste fasas ut snabbare
- 2016
-
Ingår i: Svenska Dagbladet. - 1101-2412. ; :2016-04-21
-
Tidskriftsartikel (populärvet., debatt m.m.)abstract
- Avvecklingen av giftiga och cancerframkallande ämnen är orimligt långsam. Det visar erfarenheterna av lösningsmedlet TRI som idag blir förbjudet i Europa. Kemikaliepolitiken i EU måste bli mer ambitiös, skriver forskare i nationalekonomi och ekotoxikologi vid Göteborgs universitet.
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| 27. |
- Slunge, Daniel, 1968, et al.
(författare)
-
Fiscal incentives to advance sound management of chemicals and sustainable chemistry. Review Paper for the Global Chemicals Outlook II
- 2019
-
Rapport (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Fiscal incentives are governmental policies that change the relative price of a given activity or input, either encouraging or discouraging its use. They can be created through the removal of existing price distortions that generate perverse incentives for overuse, or through the implementation of new market-based instruments such as taxes, charges, deposit-refund systems, subsidies and tradable permits. This paper discusses the use of market-based instruments within the broader array of policy instruments for chemical management and analyses factors that facilitate or impede their deployment in different institutional contexts. We also discuss the main challenges in using market-based instruments in the particular context of chemicals, and outline key policy options. The two main arguments in favour of market-based instruments is that they can be more cost-effective and better at promoting innovation than bans, use restrictions and technology standards. By allowing firms with different substitution costs to reduce their use of harmful chemicals at different levels of intensity and time scales, price-type instruments can incentivise a cost-effective reduction in the use of the targeted chemical. Moreover, by increasing the cost of using a specific chemical, market-based instruments can provide strong incentives to innovate in the search for cheaper alternatives. However, there are many situations where the use of market-based instruments for chemicals management is less appropriate, including when the health or environmental costs from exposure to a hazardous chemical are very high, when effects are location specific and when threshold effects are likely. Market-based instruments should be seen as complementing rather than replacing bans and use restrictions in chemicals management. In practice, we find a limited but increasing use of market-based instruments for managing hazardous chemicals. Examples in the agricultural sector include taxes on pesticides and inorganic fertilisers. Similarly, taxes have been used to phase out the use of chlorinated solvents in industry. Lately, taxes have been used to encourage substitution of phthalates and brominated flame retardants in products. Refund systems are increasingly used for products containing hazardous chemicals such as batteries, electronic equipment and vehicles. Although the use of market-based instruments is mainly found in high-income countries, a number of low- and middle-income countries are using such instruments for hazardous waste management. Good knowledge about context-specific factors, such as price elasticities, market structure, availability of substitutes and exposure characteristics for the targeted hazardous chemical, is essential for the design of market-based instruments. Importantly, because market-based instruments can be deployed at different stages of the life cycle of a given chemical, information on the relation between the use of the chemical and its damage function in all those stages is needed. However, in many cases, there is a lack of data, and assessments based on existing data are often surrounded by considerable uncertainties. Hence, there is a need for careful data collection and monitoring and evaluation of the performance of different policy instruments for chemicals management. Flexibility to adjust tax levels after observing market reactions is also necessary. Promising policy options for scaling up the use of market-based instruments in chemicals management include: -Expanding the use of risk-based taxation of hazardous chemicals. Learn from the recent implementation of risk-based taxation of pesticides in Denmark, Norway, France and Mexico. -Evaluating and addressing the effects of subsidies and other policies generating perverse incentives for increased use of hazardous chemicals in agriculture and other sectors. -Using charges to speed up the phasing out of substances of very high concern. -Evaluating the use of market-based instruments for groups of chemicals, such as taxes on flame retardants and phthalates. -Using legal requirements on extended producer responsibility, environmental liability and access to information to incentivise sound chemicals management in line with the polluter pays principle.
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| 28. |
- Slunge, Daniel, 1968, et al.
(författare)
-
Greening Growth through Strategic Environmental Assessment of Sector Reforms
- 2012
-
Ingår i: Public Administration and Development. - : Wiley. - 0271-2075. ; 32:3, s. 245-261
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Climate change and escalating degradation of ecosystem services place the need for greening economic growth on the international policy agenda. To make growth greener and more inclusive, it is crucial to change the institutions and incentive structures in national sector reforms and to involve poor and vulnerable groups in decision making. The article analyses the role that strategic environmental assessment (SEA) of sector reforms can play in greening growth in developing countries and discusses implications for public administrations.We suggest that SEA can contribute to greening growth if it draws attention to environmental priorities when the sector reform agenda is set, fosters policy learning processes through repeated and sustained stakeholder interaction and facilitates access to information and empowerment of environmental constituencies. The empirical basis for the article is drawn from a recent World Bank pilot programme involving SEAs of different sector reforms (mining, forestry, urban planning, infrastructure) in Africa (Kenya, Malawi, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Liberia) and Asia (China, Bangladesh and Pakistan). Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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| 29. |
- Slunge, Daniel, 1968, et al.
(författare)
-
Learning to live with ticks? The role of exposure and risk perceptions in protective behaviour against tick-borne diseases
- 2018
-
Ingår i: PLOS ONE. - : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1932-6203. ; 13:6
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The purpose of this study is to analyse the role of risk perceptions and exposure for protective behaviour against tick bites and the related diseases Lyme borreliosis (LB) and tickborne encephalitis (TBE), both of which are growing health concerns. We use data from a national survey in Sweden with respondents in geographical areas with substantial differences in both abundance of ticks and incidence of LB and TBE. We find that the share of respondents who frequently use protective clothing (64%), perform tick checks (63%) or avoid tall grass while in areas with ticks (48%) is relatively high. However, the use of protective measures is uneven and a considerably lower share tuck their trousers into their socks (18%), use repellent against ticks (16%) or use a combination of protective measures. Thirty-one per cent of the respondents report one or more tick bites in the last year and 68% report one or more lifetime tick bites, indicating that it is difficult to protect oneself from tick bites. There is a strong positive association between exposure and checking the skin for ticks, but exposure is only weakly associated with other protective measures. Tick bites are perceived as a serious health risk by as many as 43% of the respondents. The perception that a single tick bite is serious is negatively associated with actual exposure to ticks, while the opposite is true for the perception that tick bites constitute a serious lifetime health risk. This indicates a learning effect in relation to risk perceptions and the performance of tick checks, but not in relation to other protective measures. Recommendations include informing people of the risks associated with tick bites, the efficacy of various protective measures and the importance of combining multiple types of protection. Given the high exposure to tick bites, the growing incidence of TBE and LB, and the difficulties in preventing tick bites, other preventive measures should be further discussed, including vaccination programmes. DALLA CW, 1990, WATER RESOURCES BULLETIN, V26, P451
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| 30. |
- Slunge, Daniel, 1968, et al.
(författare)
-
Market-based instruments for managing hazardous chemicals: A review of the literature and future research agenda
- 2019
-
Ingår i: Sustainability. - : MDPI AG. - 2071-1050. ; 11:16
-
Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- © 2019 by the authors. We take stock of the lessons learned from using market-based instruments in chemicals management and discuss the potential for increased use of risk-based taxation in the management of pesticides and other hazardous chemicals. Many chemical substances cause significant diffuse emissions when emitted over wide areas at individually low concentrations. These emissions are typically very difficult and costly to control. The targeted chemical may exist in many products as well as in a wide variety of end uses. However, the current regulatory instruments used are primarily bans or quantitative restrictions, which are applied to individual chemicals and for very specific uses. Policy makers in the area of chemicals management have focused almost solely on chemicals with a very steep marginal damage cost curve, leading to low use of price regulations. The growing concerns about cumulative effects and combination effects from low dose exposure from multiple chemicals can motivate a broader use of market-based instruments in chemicals management.
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| 31. |
- Slunge, Daniel, 1968, et al.
(författare)
-
REACH authorisation and the substitution of hazardous chemicals: The case of trichloroethylene
- 2022
-
Ingår i: Journal of Cleaner Production. - : Elsevier BV. - 0959-6526. ; 364
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Through a survey with European companies and expert interviews we study how REACH authorisation affects the phase-out of hazardous chemicals focusing on trichloroethylene, a well-studied solvent used in metal parts cleaning. We find that most of the firms have substituted trichloroethylene by perchloroethylene, which has similar chemical characteristics. This allows them to continue to use the same machines and routines at low costs. Although perchloroethylene is only classified as a suspected rather than a proven carcinogenic substance in Europe, the “improvement” as the result of much regulatory effort must be considered fairly limited, particularly in the light of less hazardous alternatives being used on the market for a long time. Our survey shows that the REACH authorisation process has some effect. Many firms cited as their main reason for substitution that they wanted to avoid the renewed application process. Still, the fact that many firms report using old machines reinforces the impression that some firms are not feeling enough pressure to modify routines and engage in a more fundamental substitution process. The results illustrate the limited effectiveness of a substance by substance approach in chemical risk management. When companies can substitute chemicals of concern to substances with similar chemical characteristics, the health and environmental objectives of chemical regulation are not achieved. An important policy conclusion is that additional incentives need to be introduced in order to realize the ambition of a non-toxic environment in the European Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability. Increased use of measures targeting broader groups of structurally similar hazardous chemicals, in combination with fees that incentivize substitution, are promising avenues for a more sustainable European chemicals strategy.
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| 32. |
- Slunge, Daniel, 1968, et al.
(författare)
-
Stakeholder Interaction in Research Processes - A Guide for Researchers and Research Groups
- 2017
-
Rapport (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- In many research projects, stakeholder interaction is ad hoc rather than strategic and systematic. This guide provides advice on good practice, strategies and tools for researchers and research groups interested in finding effective ways to involve stakeholders in their research and have an impact on society.
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| 33. |
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| 34. |
- Slunge, Daniel, 1968, et al.
(författare)
-
Substitution of trichloroethylene in metal parts cleaning in the European Union: A survey-based study on the effects of the authorisation requirements in REACH
- 2021
-
Annan publikation (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Trichloroethylene (TCE) has been a very common solvent used in metal parts cleaning in the European Union. While several hundreds of European companies were involved in applications for authorised use of TCE after the REACH sunset date in 2016, no applications for renewed authorisation after 2020 have been made. This implies that the legal use of TCE for metal parts cleaning in the European Union has ended. The purpose of this study is to identify what solvents and methods have replaced TCE in metal parts cleaning in the EU and to analyse the role played by the REACH authorisation requirements and other factors in the companies´ substitution decisions. Based on a literature review, interviews with stakeholders and industry experts, and an industry survey, the main findings of the study are: A large share of the companies that have used TCE in metal parts cleaning under the previous authorisation is instead using perchloroethylene (PERC). As PERC has similar chemical characteristics as TCE, companies can continue to use the same machines after making minor modifications. Some companies have combined the shift to PERC with the introduction of other solvents or methods, mainly modified alcohols. In some cases, companies continue to use older types of machines (open top) in metal parts cleaning with PERC. This is surprising since the REACH authorisations for the use of TCE only covered closed metal cleaning systems. Older types of machines increase exposure risks. The costs for substituting TCE with PERC are low. The annualised investment cost to modify machines from TCE to PERC use is around 1900 EUR on average for the surveyed companies. There are no clear trends in terms of changes in overall operating costs when substituting from TCE to PERC. The substitution from TCE to PERC may at best have created some marginal health benefits. TCE is within the European Union classified as a substance which “may cause cancer” and PERC is classified as “suspected to be carcinogenic”. As the substitution process in most cases has not involved major changes in metal cleaning machines or processes, larger health and environmental benefits have not been achieved. The main reason for substituting TCE has been to avoid the cost of having to renew the application for authorisation. The majority of the surveyed companies stated that a longer review period would not have influenced their substitution decision. The inclusion of TCE in the REACH authorisation list incentivized substitution. As the two TCE authorisations for metal parts cleaning covered several hundreds of downstream users, but only 38 companies made actual use of the authorisation, a large share of the companies must have substituted TCE between the years of application (2014) and the years of granted authorisation (2017 and 2018). The study focuses on those European companies that have been the slowest in substituting TCE. Companies who substituted TCE prior to the sunset date have not been surveyed. The late substitution of TCE among the companies that participated in the survey may partly be explained by industry-specific requirements in for example the aerospace industry. Based on the survey responses in combination with interviews with industry experts, we believe the findings of this study to be representative of the companies under the previous TCE authorisation.
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| 35. |
- Slunge, Daniel, 1968, et al.
(författare)
-
Swedish Bilateral Support toEnvironmental Capacity Development – Overview of Key Results and Lessons Learned
- 2012
-
Rapport (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The purpose of this study is to document and analyse key results and lessons learned from Swedish bilateral support to environmental capacity development. The study is based on a review of evaluation reports and programme documents for eleven Swedish-supported programmes in Vietnam, Lao PDR, China, Kenya, Tanzania, Burkina Faso, Serbia and Western Balkan (Albania, Macedonia and Serbia). Interviews with Sida staff and technical advisors, a literature review and a lessons learned seminar at Sida have also been conducted as part of the study.
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| 36. |
- Slunge, Daniel, 1968, et al.
(författare)
-
The implementation of the substitution principle in European chemical legislation: a comparative analysis
- 2023
-
Ingår i: Environmental Sciences Europe. - : Springer. - 2190-4707 .- 2190-4715. ; 35
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: The substitution of hazardous chemicals with safer alternatives is an important objective in European chemical policy, but implementation has been slower than expected. We conduct a comprehensive analysis and comparison of the implementation of the substitution principle in European regulations for pesticides, biocides, and industrial chemicals. Specifically, we examine and compare the criteria and processes associated with the identification of candidates for substitution and the assessment of alternatives. Results: We find only minor differences in the criteria applied to identify candidates for substitution amongst pesticides, biocides, and industrial chemicals, but larger differences concerning the processes used. While all substances that are to be approved as a pesticide and biocide are systematically evaluated against the established criteria for substitution, the substitution process for industrial chemicals only focuses on those substances identified as substances of very high concern. The main reason candidates for substitution remain on the market is the lack of identified safer chemical alternatives and the insufficient consideration of non-chemical alternatives, caused, at least to a large extent, by the comparatively weak incentives provided by current regulations. Conclusions: The systematic approach for the identification of industrial substances of very high concern (SVHC) under ECHAs “Integrated Regulatory Strategy” is much welcome. However, no final conclusion on SVHC properties or the need for regulatory action has been drawn for approximately 90% of the REACH-registered substances, as often even basic hazard and exposure data are missing. Hence, at least a screening-level evaluation of SVHC properties should become a mandatory part of the substance registration under REACH. To reduce the risk of strategic behaviour in the search for alternatives to industrial chemicals identified as SVHC, a setup in which regulatory authorities play a larger role as information and knowledge brokers should be considered. Investments in innovation as well as improved sharing of information and a better distribution of the workloads amongst European authorities might also improve the identification of safer alternatives. However, without stronger incentives, making it more costly for companies to continue using hazardous substances relative to safer alternatives, initiatives to promote substitution are likely to have limited success.
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| 37. |
- Slunge, Daniel, 1968
(författare)
-
The Willingness to Pay for Vaccination against Tick-Borne Encephalitis and Implications for Public Health Policy: Evidence from Sweden
- 2015
-
Ingår i: PLoS ONE. - : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1932-6203. ; 10:12, s. 1-12
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The increasing incidence of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) in Sweden and several other European countries has sparked a discussion about the need for a public vaccination strategy. However, TBE vaccination coverage is incomplete and there is little knowledge about the factors influencing vaccination behavior. Based on a survey of 1,500 randomly selected respondents in Sweden, we estimate vaccination coverage in areas with different TBE risk levels and analyze the role of vaccine price and other factors influencing the demand for vaccination. First, we find that the average rate of TBE vaccination in Sweden is 33% in TBE risk areas and 18% elsewhere. Income, age and risk-related factors such as incidence of TBE in the area of residence, frequency of visits to areas with TBE risk, and experience with tick bites are positively associated with demand for TBE vaccine. Next, using contingent valuation methodology, we estimate the willingness to pay for TBE vaccination among the unvaccinated respondents and the effect of a possible subsidy. Among the unvaccinated respondents in TBE risk areas, we estimate the mean willingness to pay for the recommended three doses of TBE vaccine to be 465 SEK (approximately 46 euros or 40% of the current market price). We project that a subsidy making TBE vaccines free of charge could increase the vaccination rate in TBE risk areas to around 78%, with a larger effect on low-income households, whose current vaccination rate is only 15% in risk areas. However, price is not the only factor affecting demand. We find significant effects on vaccination behavior associated with trust in vaccine recommendations, perceptions about tick bite-related health risks and knowledge about ticks and tick-borne diseases. Hence, increasing knowledge and trust, as well as ease of access to vaccinations, can also be important measures for public health agencies that want to increase the vaccination rate.
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| 38. |
- Slunge, Daniel, 1968, et al.
(författare)
-
Valuation when baselines are changing: Tick-borne disease risk and recreational choice
- 2019
-
Ingår i: Resources and Energy Economics. - : Elsevier BV. - 0928-7655. ; 58
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Understanding how changes in baseline risk influence preferences for risk reduction is important when valuing the welfare effects of environmental change, including the spread of disease. We conduct a survey-based choice experiment among respondents residing in areas with different prevalence of ticks and incidence of Lyme borreliosis (LB) and tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) in Sweden. Respondents face a trade-off between risk and travel cost when choosing between visiting recreational areas differing in prevalence of ticks and disease incidence. Our study indicates that the presence of ticks and the associated risk of tick-borne diseases significantly influence the choice of recreational area and have substantial welfare effects. The mean willingness to pay (WTP) per trip to avoid areas with different levels of ticks, LB risk and TBE risk ranges from 12 to 78 EUR. The WTP for risk reduction is significantly lower among respondents residing in risk areas compared to respondents in emerging risk areas. Explanations for these differences in WTP for risk reduction between groups with different baseline risks include differences in reference point utility, knowledge and learning, leading to adaptation of behaviour and preferences.
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| 39. |
- Slunge, Daniel, 1968, et al.
(författare)
-
Who is afraid of ticks and tick-borne diseases? Results from a cross-sectional survey in Scandinavia
- 2019
-
Ingår i: BMC Public Health. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1471-2458. ; 19
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- © 2019 The Author(s). Background: In Scandinavia, the distribution of ticks is expanding and tick-borne diseases constitute growing health risks. While the probability of getting a tick-borne disease after a tick bite is low, the health impacts can be large. This, as well as other characteristics of these diseases make tick-related risks difficult for laypeople to assess and perceived risk may differ substantially from actual risk. Understanding risk perceptions is important since it is the perceived risk, rather than actual risk, that determine behaviour and even more so for new and emerging risks. The aim of this study is to investigate knowledge and risk perceptions related to tick bites and the tick-borne diseases Lyme borreliosis (LB) and tick-borne encephalitis (TBE). By analysing risk perceptions and knowledge, the study helps inform the development of public health strategies in response to the increasing incidence of these diseases in Scandinavia. Methods: Two thousand, six hundred sixty-eight respondents in Denmark, Norway and Sweden answered an online questionnaire with 48 questions, including 7 questions on risk perceptions and 9 knowledge questions. Chi-squared tests were used to analyse statistical differences between country sub-samples, gender and age groups. A multivariate regression model was used to analyse factors associated with risk perceptions. Results: Risk perceptions were on average high in comparison with scientific estimates, with respondents grossly overrating the probability of contracting LB or TBE if bitten by a tick. Also, the average perceived seriousness of a single tick bite and of getting LB or TBE was high. Knowledge on the other hand was low, especially among men and the youngest age group (18-29 years). Higher levels of knowledge about tick-borne diseases were associated with lower perceived seriousness of tick bites and LB and higher perceived seriousness of TBE. Also, having been diagnosed with LB was negatively associated with the perceived seriousness of LB. Conclusions: Our results indicate that informing about ticks and tick-borne diseases would be a relevant public health strategy as it could make risk perceptions better aligned with actual risk. Should the TBE virus spread further in Denmark and Norway, increasing knowledge about TBE vaccination would be especially important.
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| 40. |
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| 41. |
- Wingqvist, Gunilla Ölund, 1966, et al.
(författare)
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Governance Bottlenecks and Policy Options for Sustainable Materials Management - A Discussion paper
- 2013
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Rapport (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Growing volumes and complexities of material flows pose serious risks to human health and ecosystems during different stages of the materials’ life-cycle. The gradual shift of base for manufacturing and chemical industries to developing countries has contributed to growth and employment but also lead to serious pollution of water, air and soil. Poor people tend to be most adversely affected by pollution and the health impacts from water and air pollution or dumping of hazardous waste is often dramatic. Managing mounting waste streams is currently one of the biggest challenges for rapidly growing urban centers in developing countries. Poor waste collection and dumping of waste in water bodies and uncontrolled dump sites is a major sanitation problem. Waste management is also an issue of global concern since the decay of organic material in post consumer solid waste contributes to about 5 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. The growing flow of materials also includes a growing flow of chemicals in different products making waste streams more complex. It is increasingly recognized that a technical focus on end-of-pipe solutions is not sufficient to address these problems. A shift towards more upstream approaches that can assure cleaner and more resource efficient materials flows is necessary. The traditional focus on technical solutions needs to be combined with strengthening institutions and governance systems since the way national and local authorities govern, regulate and control material flows have profound impacts on human health, environmental sustainability and economic growth. Policy design for sustainable materials management is embedded in a political context with multiple actors and interests. In many cases, measures that strengthen important human rights principles such as the rule of law, transparency and public participation may be equally or more important than specific environmental policies or projects in order to improve materials management. The purpose of this paper is to describe how and in what way governance matters to achieve a sustainable materials management that contributes positively to development. The paper introduces key concepts, and discusses key governance mechanisms to achieve a more sustainable materials management in a developing country context.
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- Wingqvist, Gunilla Ölund, 1966, et al.
(författare)
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The Role of Governance for Improved Environmental Outcomes
- 2012
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Rapport (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Climate change and escalating environmental degradation is becoming key constraints to a sustainable development. Managing the environmental challenges is important for the well-being of all citizens, particularly for the least well-off. There has been some progress in terms of policies and creation of environmental authorities and international environmental commitments. There is however, a growing gap between the commitments made and the actual implementation to improve environmental outcomes. It is increasingly recognised that technical solutions to environmental problems are not sufficient to obtain sustainable development. Measures that strengthen important human rights principles such as the rule of law, transparency and public participation may be equally or more important than specific environmental policies or projects in order to improve environmental outcomes. The purpose of the report is to explore the linkages between governance and the implementation of environmental legislation (including multilateral environmental agreements) and other environmental measures. The report is intended as a source of information and inspiration to individuals and organisations working with environment and development.
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