The wentworth group of concerned scientists
01 Jan 2015-
About: The article was published on 2015-01-01 and is currently open access. It has received 2 citations till now.
Citations
More filters
Journal Article•
TL;DR: In this paper, a preliminary exploration of the health of NRM governance across Northern Australia, with a focus on the catchment scale, is presented, and the authors explore potential reforms in catchment governance across this increasingly contested landscape.
Abstract: Northern Australia covers vast and diverse landscapes comprising largely public and Indigenous tenures. Long-term Aboriginal and pastoral management, isolation and a challenging terrain and climate have shaped a landscape of national, if not international, conservation value. Northern Australia, however, also has a fragile economy, and there is tension amongst Indigenous, economic and conservation interests. Managed poorly, emerging conflicts could damage the real opportunities that each presents, resulting in major land and natural resource-use conflicts or unsustainable development. As healthy governance systems are the key to effective natural resource management (NRM), this paper presents a preliminary exploration of the health of NRM governance across Northern Australia, with a focus on the catchment scale. We analysed three focal catchments; the Fitzroy in the Kimberley region of Western Australia, the Daly in the top end of the Northern Territory and the Gilbert in north-western Queensland. We find that the governance of each catchment has different strengths and weaknesses depending on history and context. Common challenges, however, include shifting national and state/territory policy frameworks, fragmented funding of science and limited consensus building via spatial decision support. From this analysis, we explore potential reforms in catchment governance across this increasingly contested landscape.
20 citations
References
More filters
Book•
15 Jan 2007TL;DR: The Stern Review as discussed by the authors is an independent, rigourous and comprehensive analysis of the economic aspects of this crucial issue, conducted by Sir Nicholas Stern, Head of the UK Government Economic Service, and a former Chief Economist of the World Bank.
Abstract: There is now clear scientific evidence that emissions from economic activity, particularly the burning of fossil fuels for energy, are causing changes to the Earth´s climate. A sound understanding of the economics of climate change is needed in order to underpin an effective global response to this challenge. The Stern Review is an independent, rigourous and comprehensive analysis of the economic aspects of this crucial issue. It has been conducted by Sir Nicholas Stern, Head of the UK Government Economic Service, and a former Chief Economist of the World Bank. The Economics of Climate Change will be invaluable for all students of the economics and policy implications of climate change, and economists, scientists and policy makers involved in all aspects of climate change.
10,097 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors analyze the expansion of these private regulatory efforts in the coffee sector and argue that certifications that seek to raise ecological and social expectations are likely to be increasingly challenged by those that simply uphold current standards, highlighting the need for private regulation to work in tandem with public regulation in enhancing social and environmental sustainability.
Abstract: Certification and labeling initiatives that seek to enhance environmental and social sustainability are growing rapidly. This article analyzes the expansion of these private regulatory efforts in the coffee sector. We compare the five major third-party certifications – the Organic, Fair Trade, Rainforest Alliance, Utz Kapeh, and Shade/Bird Friendly initiatives – outlining and contrasting their governance structures, environmental and social standards, and market positions. We argue that certifications that seek to raise ecological and social expectations are likely to be increasingly challenged by those that seek to simply uphold current standards. The vulnerability of these initiatives to market pressures highlights the need for private regulation to work in tandem with public regulation in enhancing social and environmental sustainability.
359 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors identify and analyse the beliefs of value-chain intermediaries regarding the production and marketing of food products conforming to environmentally sustainable standards, and find that consumers do not perceive these products as offering any special benefits; customers distrust the claims made by organisations; these products are much more expensive than traditional products; and the implementation of environmental standards is expensive.
Abstract: Purpose – To identify and analyse the beliefs of value-chain intermediaries regarding the production and marketing of food products conforming to environmentally sustainable standards.
Design/methodology/approach – The methodology was in-depth, semi-structured, face-to-face interviews with senior managers of food companies across the value chain.
Findings – In Australia, the demand for foods that are produced under environmentally sustainable standards has been slow to take-off because customers do not perceive these products as offering any special benefits; customers distrust the claims made by organisations; these products are much more expensive than traditional products, and the implementation of environmental standards is expensive.
Customers claim that the use of different terminologies such as organic, green and environmentally friendly in promoting food products is confusing.
Research limitations/implications – Findings are not generalisable because the study is based on a small sample.
Practical implications – Value-chain intermediaries are unlikely to voluntarily adopt environmental standards because of low demand for such foods and the high costs of adopting and monitoring environmentally sustainable production and marketing regimes.
Originality/value – The story supports previous research findings from the USA and EU.
190 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, economic returns (net present value, NPV) were calculated spatially across the cleared land area in Australia for 'environmental carbon plantings' and a total of 105 scenarios were run by.
Abstract: The theoretical potential for carbon forests to off-set greenhouse gas emissions may be high but the achievable rate is influenced by a range of economic and social factors. Economic returns (net present value, NPV) were calculated spatially across the cleared land area in Australia for 'environmental carbon plantings'. A total of 105 scenarios were run by
78 citations