http://hdl.handle.net/1842/3642 Wed, 19 Jun 2013 18:46:02 GMT 2013-06-19T18:46:02Z http://hdl.handle.net/1842/6405 Title: Effectiveness and Impacts of Ecological Fiscal Transfers and Payments for Environmental Services: A Case Study of Shengnongjia National Nature Reserve Authors: Li, Mingmei Abstract: The use of economic instruments (EIs) for conserving ecosystem services is gaining increasing attention. However, the literature available on the analysis and assessment of EIs’ effectiveness and impacts focuses mostly on the experience in developed countries. In recent years, there is growing interest among developing countries, including China, in applying EIs in conserving biodiversity and other ecosystem services. Specific challenges faced by developing countries are not the same with those by the developed world. So far, not much has been done in analysing and assessing EIs effectiveness and their interaction with the specific challenges in the developing context, such as poverty alleviation. This dissertation looks into the performance of two EIs, i.e. Ecological Fiscal Transfers (EFT) and Payments for Environmental Services (PES), in achieving conservation effectiveness and their economic and social impacts, through a case study on the Shengnongjia National Nature Reserve in China. It is found that the conservation effectiveness (like additionality and leakage), economic impacts (like income, jobs, and fiscal revenues) and social impacts (like distributive fairness) fall short of devised goals to some extent. The case study also found that ignoring economic and social dimensions of EIs application may lead to unexpected negative consequences on conservation effectiveness. Besides, the paper discusses some open questions related to institutional preconditions for applying EIs and PES in developing context which deserve further research in the future. The findings drawn from this case study provide a test and confirmation of the academic proposal that equity and poverty issue should be taken into account in the process of designing and using EIs, in particular in developing countries. Thu, 29 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/1842/6405 2012-11-29T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/1842/6404 Title: Sustainable Transport Development for Accra: Critiquing Ideologies and Unraveling Priorities Authors: Anyetei-Anum, Dzifa Abstract: It is questionable whether decentralization or economic liberalization policies form good foundations for good governance in a developing country. Ghana’s first National Transport Policy was drafted in 2008. A prominent theme in this policy document is ensuring sustainable development of urban public transportation, through, among other things, good governance. The document, however, is built within the contextual frameworks of Ghana’s Poverty Strategy Papers, which espouse decentralization and economic liberalization policies. It is argued that these policies are incompatible with the transport policy agenda for sustainable development as they are not fertile ground for breeding good governance. However they are conducive to ensuring the premier priority within Accra’s public transportation system is met – which is maintaining employment and thus upholding livelihoods. Thu, 01 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/1842/6404 2012-11-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/1842/6370 Title: Developing a Local Food Program at the College Level: Lessons from Farm-to-College Programs in the USA Authors: Roe, Jennifer Abstract: As the modern-day food system becomes increasingly industrialized on a global scale, the negative consequences for both human health and the environment are accelerating. Advocates for local production and distribution, leading to healthier consumption patterns, are increasingly vocal as the benefits of more sustainable food systems are acknowledged. Large public and private organizations, including local governments, NGOs, and educational systems are at the forefront of this sustainable food trend. In the US, the number of universities implementing sustainable food programs is growing rapidly, creating a new food services concept known as the “farm-to-college” movement. In Scotland, sustainable dining programs in large institutions are beginning to emerge. The University of Edinburgh will be the first university in Scotland to implement the Food for Life program as it hopes to achieve the Soil Association’s Bronze Catering Mark, a program with many features mirroring US farm-to-college schemes. In an attempt to better inform future dining programs that launch local, sustainable initiatives, such as the University of Edinburgh, this study examines a number of U.S. universities farm-to-college programs. The research evaluates the following for each program: motivations, goals, common barriers, best practice strategies, and evaluation and education programs. In-depth semi-structured interviews were held with leaders experienced in all phases of designing and implementing a diverse set of US universities. Thu, 29 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/1842/6370 2012-11-29T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/1842/6369 Title: Placing farmer preference for new farming techniques in a social context: A case study of maize farming and resilience in Central and Southern Malawi Authors: Kistler, Lisa Abstract: Smallholder maize farming is the backbone of rural livelihoods in Malawi, but increasing droughts and floods combined with deteriorating soil fertility have placed that system in a precarious position from which to face climate change. Adopting new farming techniques that replenish soil nutrients and are more resistant to drought is thus an important process to understand because of its potential to build resilience amongst smallholders and protect food security. This project sought to conceptualize the processes by which farmers in Malawi adopt new farming techniques for their maize crops with the hopes of generating information that could be used in an Agent Based Model. The project used mixed methods to quantify farmer preference for the inherent qualities of different farming techniques, and qualitative methods to examine the contexts within which those preferences are formed and changed. A special focus of the analysis was on the process of using two epistemologically different methods and examining the strengths and weaknesses of that process. Farmers were interviewed in Central and Southern Malawi, and their preferences for new techniques were statistically relevant for yield and inputs but not labor. Qualitative work identified emergent themes among smallholders paying particular interest to participation and the role of local structures. Conclusions recommend mixed methods and advocate for searching for ways to use ABM techniques to incorporate ideas of shifting social context into models for resilience. Sun, 01 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/1842/6369 2012-01-01T00:00:00Z