Showing papers in "Journal of Environmental Planning and Management in 2013"
TL;DR: In this paper, it has been suggested that integrating the two approaches would tap into various levels of knowledge of sustainability and thus, be a better way of assessing sustainability, but little is known of whether these integrated sets of sustainability indicators work in practice, or indeed reflect the local perspectives, values and understandings of sustainability which they aim to represent.
Abstract: Measuring sustainability is not only a contentious issue, but one which has captured the attention of both academics and politicians since the late 1980s. A plethora of methods and approaches have been developed over the last decades or so, from rapid measurements as inputs to specific projects, to longer-term processes of research, monitoring and wider learning. Indicators have been, however, the most influential measuring tool of all and despite the fact that the tensions between expert-led and citizen-led models in their development have fuelled much debate in the literature. It has been suggested that integrating the two approaches would tap into various levels of ‘knowledge’ of sustainability and thus, be a better way of assessing sustainability. However, little is known of whether these ‘integrated’ sets of sustainability indicators work in practice, or indeed reflect the local perspectives, values and understandings of sustainability which they aim to represent. This paper aims to fill this gap. Fi...
272 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a GIS-based multi-criteria decision-making land suitability analysis was performed, in which several suitability factors including soils, climatic conditions, and water availability were evaluated, based on expert knowledge from stakeholders at various levels.
Abstract: In our research we investigated the optimal utilization of land resources for agricultural production in Tabriz County, Iran. A GIS-based Multi Criteria Decision Making land suitability analysis was performed. Hereby, several suitability factors including soils, climatic conditions, and water availability were evaluated, based on expert knowledge from stakeholders at various levels. An Analytical Hierarchical Process was used to rank the various suitability factors and the resulting weights were used to construct the suitability map layers. In doing so, the derived weights were used, and subsequently land suitability maps for irrigated and dry-farm agriculture were created. Finally, a synthesized land suitability map was generated by combining these maps and by comparing the product with current land use SPOT 5 satellite images. The resulting suitability maps indicate the areas, in which the intensity of land use for agriculture should increase, decrease or remain unchanged. Our investigations have reveal...
244 citations
TL;DR: In this article, an extended approach based on the introduction of micro-and meso-vegetative SUDS systems into a wider green infrastructure framework is advocated to effectively address on-site and catchment urban surface water issues.
Abstract: Based on the analysis of impervious surface cover and water balance studies, it is argued that conventional, separately-sewered first-generation and alternative second-generation sustainable drainage systems (SUDS) cannot provide a fully sustainable surface water management approach for urban catchment planning. An extended approach based on the introduction of micro-and meso-vegetative SUDS systems into a wider green infrastructure (GI) framework is advocated to effectively address on-site and catchment urban surface water issues. The approach is based on the integrated planning implementation of street ‘greening’, with optimisation of existing biofiltration SUDS solutions, together with green roofs, downspout disconnection and sub-catchment riparian corridors to achieve a minimum 25–30% canopy cover level. A ‘leaf-out’ inventory procedure using GIS and satellite imagery can be employed to assess potential vegetative SUDS locations and types, and their likely impact upon the urban water cycle and receivi...
146 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, an evaluative tool developed from a plan of action proposed in the early stages of green infrastructure development is applied to a contemporary case study in England, revealing a mismatch between policy aims and the potential on the ground for creating GI.
Abstract: The potential of green infrastructure (GI) development has been recognised in a number of countries. In the UK, planning policy has identified GI and brought it into the legislative framework. It is assumed that it has a value for landscape enhancement for multifunctional aims: for increasing the adaptive capacity of the environment for climate change and long-term sustainability whilst protecting its ecological and social values. This paper uses an evaluative tool developed from a plan of action proposed in the early stages of GI thinking by applying it to a contemporary case study in England. This assessment reveals a mismatch between policy aims and the potential on the ground for creating GI. The study reveals ‘institutional schizophrenia’, a fragmented approach to the delivery of GI that affects stakeholder collaboration and confidence. The findings suggest a possible decrease in the level of GI creation because of restrictions placed upon local authorities and important repercussions for GI developm...
126 citations
TL;DR: This paper explored the perspectives of local citizens affected by a proposed high voltage overhead transmission line (HVOTL) to connect new nuclear power at Hinkley Point in Southwest England, using deliberative focus group methods to explore perceptions of environmental and social impacts, risks, governance arrangements and technology choices.
Abstract: The siting of high voltage overhead transmission lines (HVOTLs) is often subject to public opposition where affected communities seek to protect local places. This study explores the perspectives of local citizens affected by a proposed HVOTL to connect new nuclear power at Hinkley Point in Southwest England. A two-day public workshop was held with 38 participants in an affected line-site community, using deliberative focus group methods to explore perceptions of environmental and social impacts, risks, governance arrangements and technology choices. The findings show how potential health effects from electric and magnetic fields (EMF) and visual impacts are perceived to industrialise rural places, disrupt place attachments and provoke local opposition. The findings challenge the ‘not-in-my-back-yard’ assumption that citizens are selfish place-protectionists that lack the technical sophistication necessary to take a strategic viewpoint on transmission system development. They also reveal how decision maki...
101 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the medium-term effects of a carbon tax on growth and CO2 emissions in Ireland, a small open economy, were analyzed and it was shown that most of the effect on the economy is due to changes in the competitiveness of the manufacturing and market services sectors.
Abstract: This paper analyses the medium-term effects of a carbon tax on growth and CO2 emissions in Ireland, a small open economy. We find that a double dividend exists if the carbon tax revenue is recycled through reduced income taxes. If the revenue is recycled by giving a lump-sum transfer to households, a double dividend is unlikely. We also determine that a greater incidence of the carbon tax falls on capital than on labour. When combined with a decrease in income tax, there is a clear shift of the tax burden from labour to capital. Finally, most of the effect on the economy is due to changes in the competitiveness of the manufacturing and market services sectors.
91 citations
TL;DR: The application of Q methodology has been useful in identifying shared discourses between different stakeholder groups, and providing insights into how stakeholders ‘frame’ or understand policy issues; and recommendations are made for ongoing research priorities.
Abstract: Q methodology was used to enable the identification of discourses among stakeholders to the environmental and resource dimensions of sustainability policies and to gain an understanding of the usefulness of Q methodology in informing sustainability policy development. The application of Q methodology has been useful in identifying shared discourses between different stakeholder groups, and providing insights into how stakeholders ‘frame’ or understand policy issues; and recommendations are made for ongoing research priorities. These insights, in turn, informed the choice of scenarios for an in parallel process of policy evaluation using Ecological and Carbon Footprinting.
74 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined governance arrangements for green roofs as a "no-regrets" climate adaptation measure in five cities and found that hierarchical and market arrangements co-exist in the various stages of the policy process.
Abstract: Green roofs are an innovative solution for urban stormwater management. This paper examines governance arrangements for green roofs as a ‘no-regrets’ climate adaptation measure in five cities. We analysed who governs green roofs, why and with what outcome. Our results show that hierarchical and market arrangements co-exist in the various stages of the policy process. Cities with a higher prevalence of hierarchical arrangements have substantially higher implementation rates for green roofs. Although private sector involvement is crucial for raising efficiencies, a significant level of public responsibility taken by local governments appears to be salient for unleashing the potential of green roofs.
72 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the determinants of household recycling in Italy are analyzed, with particular emphasis on social behaviours, based on two waves (1998 and 2000) of the Multipurp survey.
Abstract: The paper analyses the determinants of household recycling in Italy, with particular emphasis on social behaviours. The econometric analysis is based on two waves – 1998 and 2000 – of the Multipurp...
67 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors explored the way in which Swedish water professionals have opportunities to influence stormwater planning and the barriers that limit their participation in this process, and concluded that water professionals had unique opportunities to integrate stormwater management approaches within wider urban planning practice and hence, were able to encourage the use of alternative systems.
Abstract: Urban planning is widely advocated as an important way to encourage the more sustainable management of urban stormwater, using alternatives to piped systems. This paper explores the way in which Swedish water professionals have opportunities to influence stormwater planning and the barriers that limit their participation in this process. Empirical evidence has been obtained from in-depth semi-structured interviews with urban water professionals from nine Swedish municipalities. The paper shows that there is a perception of the legal requirements related to the provision of drainage services that inhibits the utilisation of non-piped solutions. There are also reservations about a dichotomy that inhibits actions – is stormwater an issue for the planning department or for the water department? It is concluded that water professionals have unique opportunities to integrate stormwater management approaches within wider urban planning practice and, hence, are able to encourage the use of alternative systems tha...
67 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a case study, set in a wildfire management context in Australia, sought to explore how community members and NRM staff defined trust and described trustworthiness, and whether explicitly differentiating between trust and trustworthiness is useful in an NRM context.
Abstract: Few natural resource management (NRM) studies discriminate between trust and trustworthiness. However, this approach, which combines the attitude of one actor with the characteristics of another actor, is common in the organisational management literature. Our case study, set in a wildfire management context in Australia, sought to explore: (1) how community members and NRM staff defined trust and described trustworthiness; (2) how these trust definitions did, or did not, reflect conceptualisations in the literature; and, (3) whether explicitly differentiating between trust and trustworthiness is useful in an NRM context. Our findings suggest that participants defined trust in three main ways: as ‘having a good relationship’; as ‘being able to rely on others’ in a one-way manner; and, as ‘a relationship where parties rely on one another’ in a reciprocal manner. Our findings also suggest that participants differentiated these trust definitions from trustworthiness, that is, from the characteristics and act...
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors use the concept of multifunctionality to investigate the role of hunting beyond its traditional function of supplying meat, and explore the institutional change brought about by such arrangements.
Abstract: In many contemporary societies, multiple functions are connected to hunting. Here, we use the concept of multifunctionality to investigate the role of hunting beyond its traditional function of supplying meat. Hunting may contribute, for example, to biodiversity conservation, recreation and the preservation of economies and cultures in rural areas. Our comparative analysis of hunting in eight study sites in Europe and Africa examines the tensions and trade-offs between these ecological, economic and social functions of hunting, and investigates the interplay between the institutions regulating these functions to better understand conflicts over hunting. Based on this analysis, we present institutional arrangements that have developed to address these challenges of multifunctionality, and explore the institutional change brought about by such arrangements. Finally, we discuss the implications of this study for policy and institutional design.
TL;DR: In this paper, the Surface Energy Balance Algorithm for Land (SEBAL) method has been applied to Landsat Enhanced Thematic Mapper (ETM+) imagery for Maraqeh County in north-western Iran (East Azerbaijan Province), in order to model the spatial variation of LST and to determine its quantitative relationship with land cover.
Abstract: North-western Iran experiences high surface temperatures – a situation that is likely to become increasingly severe due to both climate change and the growing area of sealed surfaces as a result of socio-economic development. Land surface temperature (LST) is a key parameter with respect to land use and land cover (LULC). In this study, the Surface Energy Balance Algorithm for Land (SEBAL) method has been applied to Landsat Enhanced Thematic Mapper (ETM+) imagery for Maraqeh County in north-western Iran (East Azerbaijan Province), in order to model the spatial variation of LST and to determine its quantitative relationship with LULC. The LST was found to be low for orchards and water bodies, while pasture lands and areas currently under cultivation had moderate LSTs. The results suggest that LST can be significantly increased by urbanisation, desertification, and any other processes that result in an increase in non-vegetated surfaces. High LST values were found to be associated with rural and urban settl...
TL;DR: The authors investigated how people frame the risks of prescribed burning, the certainty of its outcomes and what values they evoke in order to justify their views, and found that differences do not necessarily arise from divergent priorities about nature, people or assets, but instead from contrasting views about whether humans or nature are voluntarily or involuntarily exposed to wildfire risk.
Abstract: Following the unprecedented series of bushfires in Victoria (Australia) over the past decade, public debate is fierce over the use of prescribed burning to reduce wildfire hazard. These deliberations are full of uncertainties over effectiveness and consequences, reflecting a lack of high level evidence-based debate, and appear polarised between people prioritising asset protection and others prioritising biodiversity. Using a textual analysis of submissions to a parliamentary inquiry, we investigate how people frame the risks of prescribed burning, the certainty of its outcomes and what values they evoke in order to justify their views. We find that differences do not necessarily arise from divergent priorities about nature, people or assets, but instead from contrasting views about whether humans or nature are voluntarily or involuntarily exposed to wildfire risk.
TL;DR: For almost two decades, community Landcare groups and supporting institutional bodies were the focus of agri-environmental policy in Australia as mentioned in this paper, and despite the successes of Landcare, the programme faces challenges securing funding in an era of economic mechanisms such as market-based instruments for devolving funding.
Abstract: For almost two decades, community Landcare groups and supporting institutional bodies were the focus of agri-environmental policy in Australia. Despite the successes of Landcare, the programme faces challenges securing funding in an era of agri-environmental policy that preferences economic mechanisms, such as market-based instruments, for devolving funding. This longitudinal study examines how Landcare group activity and membership in one catchment have changed over the last decade. Community Landcare groups in the study area were in ‘sleeper mode’ or had ceased to exist, partially as a result of funding and structural arrangements and several other factors that undermined both community Landcare groups and the regional Landcare network.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present a multiple criteria decision-making (MCDM) approach to solve the problem of construction method selection for green building projects, which yields a comprehensive and systematic structure that employs quantitative assessments for priority construction method for each green building project and also aids construction companies with regard to their practical application.
Abstract: Environmental pollution is a challenge being faced by construction companies. They attempt to solve these problems in order to improve the environmental sustainability of their green building projects by using different construction methods. However, the selection of the construction method for building projects involves a complex decision-making process. To solve this problem of construction method selection, this investigation presents a Multiple Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) approach. The study yields a comprehensive and systematic structure that employs quantitative assessments for priority construction method selection for each green building project and also aids construction companies with regard to their practical application.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors provide insights in relation to implementing sustainability into corporate strategy, and provide an answer about whether it can lead to higher than average market valuation, using extensive data of Standard & Poor's (S&P) 500 companies covering the years 2006-10, 85 companies were selected as meeting corporate sustainability criteria.
Abstract: The goal of this study is to provide insights in relation to implementing sustainability into corporate strategy, and provide an answer about whether it can lead to higher than average market valuation. Using extensive data of Standard & Poor's (S&P) 500 companies covering the years 2006–10, 85 companies were selected as meeting corporate sustainability criteria. An investment strategy that bought companies with corporate sustainability would have earned abnormal returns of 7.4% per year during the sample period. We find that companies with balanced financial, social and environmental activities had lower revenues growth, lower growth volatility and lower stock price volatility. These results are consistent with the idea that companies benefit from investing in corporate sustainability and that these practices are reflected in their stock prices. The results also indicate that investment in sustainable companies does not show anti-cyclical patterns within the usual stock market cycle, but it is connected ...
TL;DR: In this article, the potential uncertainties in environmental management decision-making procedures and explores how uncertainty analysis in the framework of MCDM can address some of these uncertainties. But the application of uncertainty analysis has been examined in 16 Australian case studies to determine how uncertainty has been addressed in practice.
Abstract: Multi-criteria decision-making techniques have become increasingly widespread in strategic environmental decision making. In Australia, these techniques are used to integrate both conservation and development aspects of natural resource use. MCDM can also evaluate the effects of uncertainties at each stage of the decision-making process and examine the sensitivity of results to the inputs. This paper reviews the potential uncertainties in environmental management decision-making procedures and explores how uncertainty analysis in the framework of MCDM can address some of these uncertainties. It then examines the application of MCDM in 16 Australian case studies to determine how uncertainty has been addressed in practice. Results demonstrate that appropriate use of MCDM can address uncertainties associated with decision-makers’ preferences and from using different techniques (epistemic uncertainty). Results also highlighted the need for incorporating visualising techniques, such as GIS and simulation algor...
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors assess the importance of some general characteristics of the respective political-institutional systems to explain differences in WFD implementation in four EU countries: Denmark, France, England/Wales and the Netherlands.
Abstract: Reading the available evidence on the implementation of the European Water Framework Directive (WFD), one gets the impression that some countries anticipate implementation problems by starting off pragmatically and with relatively low ambitions, while others make a quick and ambitious start and tend to slow down in later phases of the process. Inspired by Lundqvist's classical study of air pollution policy in the USA and Sweden, we assess the importance of some general characteristics of the respective political-institutional systems to explain differences in WFD implementation in four EU countries: Denmark, France, England/Wales and the Netherlands. We conclude, among other things, that visibility of the policy process, accountability of politicians and policy makers vis-a-vis their stakeholders and the EU, division of responsibilities for policy formulation vs. implementation and the involvement of the public explain the level of ambition in EU implementation to a considerable extent. Thus, the Lundqvis...
TL;DR: The New Zealand Department of Conservation (DOC) is an early adopter of a place-based approach to implementing regional conservation management strategies (CMS) as mentioned in this paper, but there are few signposts for guidance.
Abstract: The New Zealand Department of Conservation (DOC) is an early adopter of a place-based approach to implementing regional Conservation Management Strategies (CMS). As a new approach, there are few signposts for guidance. The present DOC process relies on a top-down, deductive approach using expert judgement by agency staff. In this study, we examine an alternative approach that uses inductive, public participation GIS (PPGIS) methods to delineate places of significant conservation value. We compare and evaluate the agency's deductive approach with places identified as significant using PPGIS. We discuss the results and present a proposed hierarchy of places framework for use in future place-based conservation management.
TL;DR: In this paper, the relationship between economic development and environmental pollution was explored by using panel data for 97 countries for the period 1950-2003, and various econometric techniques were applied to a sample of European Union (EU) countries and to a full sample including both EU and non-EU countries.
Abstract: This paper explores the relationship between economic development and environmental pollution by using panel data for 97 countries for the period 1950–2003. Various econometric techniques are applied to a sample of European Union (EU) countries and to a full sample including both EU and non-EU countries. For the full sample, cross-country variation in the estimated slopes is observed with extremely heterogeneous parameters, making aggregation not useful. These findings do not hold for the EU countries, implying that policies to control pollution must consider both the specific economic situation and the structure of the industrial and the business sectors of each region.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present the results of a vulnerability assessment of ports in Australia to climate change and reveal variable vulnerability in ports in the short and long term in relation to their exposure to climate changes.
Abstract: Climate change is anticipated to have a significant impact on coastal infrastructure, including navigational aids and ports. This paper presents the results of a vulnerability assessment of ports in Australia to climate change. Results reveal variable vulnerability in ports in the short and long term in relation to their exposure to climate change. However, this is offset by inherent adaptive capacity both in current climate change initiatives driven by ports, and in the self-confidence of the industry to be able to adapt. We conclude with a reflection on the implications of these results for future ports analyses.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined the concerns for environmental issues and purchase behaviours of a sample of 1173 young consumers in England, Germany, Portugal and Spain; countries which represent different realities in terms of economic development, social context and cultural issues.
Abstract: Environmental issues have become more prominent internationally and are increasingly featured in discussion by governments, business and academics. This paper presents the results of a study which examines the concerns for environmental issues and purchase behaviours of a sample of 1173 young consumers in England, Germany, Portugal and Spain; countries which represent different realities in terms of economic development, social context and cultural issues. An analysis of the differences between the respondents from the four countries regarding concepts such as man-nature orientation, generativity, environmental concern, consumer perceived effectiveness, conservation behaviour and environmentally-friendly buying behaviour is presented. The results obtained confirm the existence of significant differences between countries for almost all variables.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors used satellite images and GIS to quantify changes in land use/land cover (LULC) from 1989 to 2006 in this area, and a Markov projection model to simulate the impact of different management scenarios through to 2057.
Abstract: Land use change is one of the main stress factors on ecosystems near urban areas. We analysed land use dynamics within Xochimilco, a World Heritage Site area in Mexico City. We used satellite images and GIS to quantify changes in land use/land cover (LULC) from 1989 to 2006 in this area, and a Markov projection model to simulate the impact of different management scenarios through to 2057. The results show an alarming rate of urbanisation in 17 years. LULC change runs in one direction from all other land use categories towards urban land use. However, changes from wetland or agricultural LULC to urban LULC frequently occur through transitional categories, including greenhouse agriculture and abandoned agricultural land. While urbanisation of natural land is often indirect, it is also effectively permanent. Active management aimed at protecting ecologically valuable habitats is urgently needed.
TL;DR: In this article, the structural change in the energy system in Germany is analyzed and the role of public expenditures for research and development is investigated, and no evidence is found for the structural break.
Abstract: This study analyses the structural change in the energy system. By focusing on different green technology industries in Germany, it is of particular interest how policy-induced demand stimulates innovation. Taking the market size as well as the change in the market size as a proxy for increasing demand and patent counts as a proxy for innovation, there is support that the presence of institutions enabling diffusion of green technologies (GTs) is correlated with innovative activity. However, when the different GTs are treated separately remarkable differences can be observed. We also investigate the role of public expenditures for research and development. It is controlled for a structural break by comparing the two institutional settings incorporated into the legal system in Germany, namely the Electricity Feed Law and the Renewable Energy Sources Act. We find evidence for the role of public expenditures for research and development, and no evidence is found for the structural break.
TL;DR: This article explored green operational practices associated with both self-regulatory and voluntary environmental standards and their impacts on firms' performances in China under different operating conditions (i.e. with internal EM programmes or supply chain-wide EM programs).
Abstract: The aim of this paper is to identify the critical enablers to high performance environmental management (EM). Using empirical data, we explore green operational practices associated with both self-regulatory and voluntary environmental standards and their impacts on firms’ performances in China under different operating conditions (i.e. with Internal EM Programmes or Supply-Chain-Wide EM Programmes). Our data show that both self-regulatory (e.g. adopting environmentally conscious operations) and voluntary environmental standard (e.g. adopting ISO 14001 guidelines) approaches positively related to the overall performance of the firm. Voluntary environmental standards seem to be more highly associated with the overall performance of the firm. A major reason for this is the awareness and understanding of environmental sustainability. Applications of voluntary environmental standards, such as ISO 14001, thus offer and open up continuous improvement opportunities to impose greener standards for organisations i...
TL;DR: This article explored the Australian public's perceptions of climate change impacts on the Great Barrier Reef and segmented respondents into homogenous groups based on their environmental attitudes and profiles the emergent segments using managerially-relevant indicators.
Abstract: Climate change and associated environmental impacts are increasingly important issues. Effective communication with residents of coastal communities is critical to mitigate and adapt to changing conditions; however, this can be a challenging feat without an understanding of attitudes toward pro-environmental behaviour. Drawing on three dimensions of the Theory of Planned Behaviour, this paper: (1) explores the Australian public's perceptions of climate change impacts on the Great Barrier Reef; (2) segments respondents into homogenous groups based on their environmental attitudes; and (3) profiles the emergent segments using managerially-relevant indicators. Study findings illustrate that respondents can be organised into five distinct segments according to their attitudes toward pro-environmental behaviour that could potentially stem climate change-related impacts. These segments perceive a variety of threats to the health of the Great Barrier Reef ecosystem, underestimate the performance of behaviours that help to mitigate impacts and face a variety of internal and external constraints on behavioural engagement.
TL;DR: In this paper, a review of the different agri-environmental mechanisms and their relative scale and performance is presented, with a focus on the Single Farm Payment (SFP).
Abstract: Governments are seeking to reduce levels of expenditure. In the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) it will be important to deliver the environmental objectives of agricultural policy more cost-effectively. This paper reviews the different agri-environmental mechanisms and their relative scale and performance. Likely reductions in the Single Farm Payment (SFP) imply a need to shift resources from payments for the reduction of intensity towards payments to prevent abandonment. More cost-effective policies may be achieved by shifting funds from the SFP into more targeted mechanisms, changing standards currently achieved by cross-compliance into regulations, and increasing targeting and competitive allocation mechanisms.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors describe the flows of chemical risk information up-and downstream in an international textile supply chain and show that the main communication between retailers and suppliers is through a list of restricted substances.
Abstract: In the textile industry, a large number of potentially harmful chemicals are used during production. This raises the importance of communication about chemical risks between different actors in the supply chain and therefore this study aims at describing the flows of chemical risk information up- and downstream in an international textile supply chain. The outcomes show that the main communication between retailers and suppliers is through a list of restricted substances. Information most often only reaches the next tier up- or downstream in the supply chain. However, different approaches exist, of which one is described in further detail.
TL;DR: The authors explored local environmental conflict over a pollution hazard (municipal solid waste) to further decipher the process(es) that may perpetuate environmental injustices, emphasizing important deficits in, and experiences of, public participation throughout the environmental assessment process.
Abstract: While a number of studies have shown that blacks, Hispanics and the poor are disproportionately exposed to pollution hazards, particularly in the United States, there are much fewer that focus on the processes contributing to environmental injustices. This paper contributes to the environmental justice literature by exploring local environmental conflict over a pollution hazard (municipal solid waste) to further decipher the process(es) that may perpetuate environmental injustices. Through a Canadian qualitative case study involving in-depth interviews with residents, we emphasize important deficits in, and experiences of, public participation throughout the environmental assessment process. We do this by recounting the experiences of black residents from a small rural community near two landfills in Eastern Canada. We find that there are subtle processes – linked primarily to public participation – that create and sustain environmental injustices by ultimately denying residents the opportunity to say “no...