| 1. |
- Amars, Latif, et al.
(författare)
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The transformational potential of Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions in Tanzania : assessing the concept’s cultural legitimacy among stakeholders in the solar energy sector
- 2017
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Ingår i: Local Environment. - : Taylor & Francis. - 1354-9839 .- 1469-6711. ; 22:1, s. 86-105
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- While energy-sector emissions remain the biggest source of climate change, many least-developed countries still invest in fossil-fuel development paths. These countries generally have high levels of fossil fuel technology lock-in and low capacities to change, making the shift to sustainable energy difficult. Tanzania, a telling example, is projected to triple fossil-fuel power production in the next decade. This article assesses the potential to use internationally supported Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMAs) to develop solar energy in Tanzania and contribute to transformational change of the electricity supply system. By assessing the cultural legitimacy of NAMAs among key stakeholders in the solar energy sector, we analyse the conditions for successful uptake of the concept in (1) national political thought and institutional frameworks and (2) the solar energy niche. Interview data are analysed from a multi-level perspective on transition, focusing on its cultural dimension. Several framings undermining legitimacy are articulated, such as attaching low-actor credibility to responsible agencies and the concept’s poor fit with political priorities. Actors that discern opportunities for NAMAs could, however, draw on a framing of high commensurability between experienced social needs and opportunities to use NAMAs to address them through climate compatible development. This legitimises NAMAs and could challenge opposing framings.
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| 2. |
- Andersson-Sköld, Yvonne, et al.
(författare)
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Sustainable decisions on the agenda – a decision support tool development and its application to climate change adaptation
- 2016
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Ingår i: Local Environment : the International Journal of Justice and Sustainability. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1354-9839 .- 1469-6711. ; 21:1, s. 85-104
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- A decision support tool aiming to facilitate discussion and transparency in land-use planning processes has been developed. It includes process steps initiating with an analysis of the current situation, identification of relevant actions and sustainability analysis steps. The sustainability was subdivided into human health and environment, resources, and social and economic impacts. The main difference between this risk analysis tool and others is the allowance of comparisons of present risks and consequences of measures early in the process. It also includes assessments from short- and long-term perspectives, such as taking into account climate change. It combines classic risk analysis with life-cycle assessment procedure. It has been developed and tested in co-operation with municipalities. The tests show that the tool is applicable and can be relevant in the planning process. It offers an iterative discussion framework that is systematic, condensed and yet a simplistic way of describing consequences. The criticism is that it is regarded as time demanding, but this can be managed by preparatory work
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| 3. |
- Evans, James, et al.
(författare)
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Smart and sustainable cities? : pipedreams, practicalities and possibilities
- 2019
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Ingår i: Local Environment. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1354-9839 .- 1469-6711. ; 24:7, s. 557-564
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Smart cities promise to generate economic, social and environmental value through the seamless connection of urban services and infrastructure by digital technologies (Hollands 2008, Viitanen and Kingston 2014), but there is scant evidence concerning their ability to enhance social well-being, build just and equitable communities, reduce resource consumption and waste generation, improve environmental quality or lower carbon emissions (Cavada et al. 2015). This special issue addresses the gap between the pipedream and the practice of smart cities, focusing on the social and environmental dimensions of real smart city initiatives, and the possibilities that they hold for creating more equitable and progressive cities. We argue that social equity and environmental sustainability are neither a-priori absent nor de-facto present in technological designs of smart city initiatives, but have to be made, nurtured and maintained as they materialise in particular places. This is the ‘possibility’ alluded to in our title, and where the focus of the Special Issue on the gap between the pipedreams and practicalities of smart cities leads. In this introduction we unpack this argument in greater detail and situate our six contributions within it.
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| 4. |
- Fenton, Paul David, 1981-, et al.
(författare)
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Stakeholder participation in municipal energy and climate planning – experiences from Sweden
- 2016
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Ingår i: Local Environment. - : Taylor & Francis. - 1354-9839 .- 1469-6711. ; 21:3, s. 272-289
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This article analyses the factors influencing stakeholder participation in municipal energy and climate planning, together with stakeholder experiences of participation in such processes. The article presents findings from a survey of 60 Swedish municipalities and detailed case studies of energy and climate planning in five Swedish municipalities to explore which stakeholders are involved, how and why they are involved, and the impacts of participation on both stakeholder experiences. The results of this study provide insight into the role of stakeholders in municipal energy and climate planning.The study proceeds as follows: the Introduction is followed by a discussion of theoretical perspectives on stakeholder participation and energy and climate planning. The Methods used to conduct the study are presented, followed by Results and Analysis. In the subsequent Discussion, the authors propose a conceptual approach that may assist municipalities in development of energy and climate strategies. The Analysis and Discussion inform Conclusions in which the authors advocate early and active stakeholder engagement in energy and climate strategy planning and emphasise the possible utility of their conceptual approach in supporting stakeholder participation.
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| 5. |
- Guinea Barrientos, Héctor Estuardo, 1980-, et al.
(författare)
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Stakeholders' views towards flood risk management in the Paz River catchment area of Guatemala and El Salvador
- 2015
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Ingår i: Local Environment. - Abingdon, Oxon : Routledge. - 1354-9839 .- 1469-6711. ; 20:8, s. 892-907
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The river Paz is a transboundary river that flows through Guatemala and El Salvador. Its frequent floods endanger the lives and livelihoods of downstream communities. Attempts have previously been made to develop flood management programmes for this watershed. However, these approaches were generally made by high-level governmental institutions with few if any contributions from floodplain communities and other stakeholders. Recognising that public consultation is a key aspect in flood management programmes, we intend in this work to extract different stakeholders' views regarding current and future flooding and flood management programmes in the Paz River basin. This is achieved using Future Scenarios Workshops with a projected time horizon of 30 years. The exercise was expected to identify consensual short- and medium–long-term flood management strategies for the Paz River basin that draws on input from inhabitants of flood-prone areas and other stakeholders.
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| 6. |
- Hebinck, Aniek, et al.
(författare)
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Capturing change in European food assistance practices : a transformative social innovation perspective
- 2018
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Ingår i: Local Environment. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1354-9839 .- 1469-6711. ; 23:4, s. 398-413
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The food system's decreasing ability to deliver food security has led to the emergence of food assistance initiatives. Food assistance is highly contested; as some argue, it is a failure of the state, while others regard food assistance to be an extension of the welfare state. Either way, research suggests that actors within food assistance are rethinking their role in the food system. In this paper, we study three food assistance initiatives, in the Netherlands, Italy and Ireland, that perform new food assistance practices while embedded in specific institutional contexts, and analyse their potential to transform the food system, drawing on Transformative Social Innovation theory. Building on transition and social innovation theory, this recently developed theory distinguishes different levels within systems, named shades of change, that are associated with societal transformation. By exploring these shades of change in the analysis, we describe aspects of the initiatives' novel practices, and in relation to the initiative and institutional relations their motivations and expectations. We compare the three cases and discuss how food assistance practices relate to and change (or do not change) the food system. In particular, we elaborate on how these three food assistance initiatives contribute in various ways to local food and welfare system innovation. In doing so, we offer a novel perspective on food assistance initiatives. We argue that they show dynamics that have the potential for more substantial transformation towards food security over time, by building momentum through small wins.
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| 7. |
- Hjerpe, Mattias, 1972-, et al.
(författare)
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“There is nothing political in it” : triggers of local political leaders' engagement in climate adaptation
- 2015
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Ingår i: Local Environment. - : Routledge. - 1354-9839 .- 1469-6711. ; 20:8, s. 855-873
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Local government is attributed a vital role in climate-change adaptation. Previous studies contend that conflicting priorities, insufficient institutional incentives and knowledge of risks, and inadequate resources all impede local climate adaptation. Though the importance of local political support in enabling climate adaptation is widely acknowledged, the views of local politicians have rarely been analysed. Drawing on semi-structured interviews with local politicians in Sweden, we explore what affects their engagement in climate adaptation. The study claims that climate adaptation contrary to mitigation is not viewed as political beyond directing attention and sanctioning guidelines set by officials. A limited number of interviewees claim a more strategic political role in adaptation. The combined effect of institutional incentives (e.g. fragmented national guidelines, unappealing goals, and lack of funding), relative weight in local politics, and ability to exercise political leadership (e.g. campaign value, public and media pressure, and lack of ideology) is perceived as too insignificant to trigger strong political engagement. In less-populous municipalities, adaptive measures were highly valued for demonstrating political action.
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| 8. |
- Holmgren, Lina, et al.
(författare)
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Protected area governance in Sweden : new modes of governance or business as usual?
- 2017
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Ingår i: Local Environment. - : Taylor & Francis. - 1354-9839 .- 1469-6711. ; 22:1, s. 22-37
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This paper explores whether ambitions to open up the traditional Swedish model of top-down conservation methods to local influences are indicative of an actual transition in governance of Swedish national park policy (NPP), and examines whether such a shift entails an increase in local influence over local interests and needs. Methodologically, we analyse a combination of governance types and incorporate theoretical definitions of power and accountability. The establishment of new governance arrangements – where power is shared, interactions promoted and accountability is directed downwards – indicates that Sweden's NPP is undergoing a change in its mode of governance. This change also seems to include ceding some influence to local interests, and the possibility of combining conservation with the utilisation of certain natural resources. The results of our research also provide valuable insights into when the establishment of shared-governance arrangements are likely to succeed; in short, this seems more likely when there are established sectors sited in a robust legal framework and where strong international commitments potentially play a role. In conclusion, we contend that when seeking diversified governance arrangements it is not enough simply to take local practices and customs into consideration – they have to be strengthened.
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| 9. |
- Jansson, Märit
(författare)
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Children's perspectives on playground use as basis for children's participation in local play space management
- 2015
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Ingår i: Local Environment. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1354-9839 .- 1469-6711. ; 20, s. 165-179
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Implementing children’s perspectives into playground management could be a way of improving play possibilities for children in the local public space and supporting sustainable development, but it requires adults’ understanding. Children’s perspectives on playground use were studied through group interviews in two Swedish towns and were also compared with the understanding among the local park workers. Children described their playground use through challenges, manipulation and place-making, something which was partly recognised by the park workers. The results indicate that children’s perspectives on playground use, particularly manipulation, should be implemented more fully into management work. Children’s participation in on-site management activities is discussed as a way of making playgrounds more adapted to children’s use and perspectives.
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| 10. |
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