Article
Biodiversity Conservation
John M. Anderies, Graeme S. Cumming, Hayley S. Clements, Steven J. Lade, Ralf Seppelt, Sivee Chawla, Birgit Mueller
Summary: As conservation biology has evolved, it has become apparent that conservation problems are closely tied to human interactions. However, there is a lack of models that accurately capture the complexities of human-nature interactions. To address this, the authors propose a simple yet versatile modeling framework that combines ideas from economics, social sciences, and ecology.
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Winfried Osthorst
Summary: This article discusses the dynamics of urban climate policy change, emphasizing the importance of local policy research and power relationships between levels of governance and relevant domains within cities. It proposes a research approach focusing on local climate policy arrangements to understand the complexities and contradictions within local constellations.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Patrick Meyfroidt, Ariane de Bremond, Casey M. Ryan, Emma Archer, Richard Aspinall, Abha Chhabra, Gilberto Camara, Esteve Corbera, Ruth DeFries, Sandra Diaz, Jinwei Dong, Erle C. Ellis, Karl-Heinz Erb, Janet A. Fisher, Rachael D. Garrett, Nancy E. Golubiewski, H. Ricardo Grau, J. Morgan Grove, Helmut Haberl, Andreas Heinimann, Patrick Hostert, Esteban G. Jobbagy, Suzi Kerr, Tobias Kuemmerle, Eric F. Lambin, Sandra Lavorel, Sharachandra Lele, Ole Mertz, Peter Messerli, Graciela Metternicht, Darla K. Munroe, Harini Nagendra, Jonas Ostergaard Nielsen, Dennis S. Ojima, Dawn Cassandra Parker, Unai Pascual, John R. Porter, Navin Ramankutty, Anette Reenberg, Rinku Roy Chowdhury, Karen C. Seto, Verena Seufert, Hideaki Shibata, Allison Thomson, Billie L. Turner Ii, Jotaro Urabe, Tom Veldkamp, Peter H. Verburg, Gete Zeleke, Erasmus K. H. J. zu Ermgassen
Summary: The paper synthesizes 10 important truths in land use, which help explain the challenges of achieving sustainability in land use and point toward solutions. These facts have important implications for guiding scientists, policymakers, and practitioners in meeting sustainability challenges in land use.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Robert Coates
Summary: This paper uses the case of the Brazil flood disaster to discuss the governance of disaster events, narratives, and the potential of infrastructures in mitigating urban futures. The author argues that addressing urban disaster risk requires reframing disasters as infrastructural events and challenging dominant natural hazard narratives.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DISASTER RISK REDUCTION
(2022)
Article
Geography
Minsi Liu, Kevin Lo
Summary: This study examines how the modernization of urban governance in China affects eco-cities and eco-experimentation. It highlights conflicts between financial prudence and resource demands in eco-city projects, the importance of international collaborations, and the impact of an authoritarian political framework on urban governance.
Article
Management
Giovanni Esposito, Andrea Terlizzi, Nathalie Crutzen
Summary: This article examines how policy narratives created by supporters and opponents of infrastructure megaprojects lead to controversies that influence project implementation. Based on the Lyon-Turin high-speed railway case, the study argues that implementing megaprojects is a complex public management task marked by non-linear processes involving stakeholders with divergent interests. The study highlights the importance of allowing opponents' voices to be heard in decision-making processes to facilitate conflict resolution.
PUBLIC MANAGEMENT REVIEW
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Qinhua Wang, Yongping Wei, Le Chen, Huijuan Pei, Penglong Wang, Bao Wang, Taibao Yang
Summary: This study evaluated the impact of ecological policies in the national key ecological functional areas (NKEFAs) since 1990, using Tianzhu County as a case study. The impact of policies on agriculture, animal husbandry, population, and the overall ecosystem was analyzed using quantitative analysis and the partial least squares (PLS) method. The results showed that policies have a direct impact on specific industries and population, as well as an indirect impact on the overall ecosystem. This research highlights the importance of evaluating the impact of ecological governance policies on ecosystems in NKEFAs and provides guidance for policy making.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Sameh Shamout, Paola Boarin, Suzanne Wilkinson
Summary: This article explores the growing use of sustainability and resilience concepts in policies in a developing country in the Arab world, with Jordan as a case study. The results indicate that these terms are often used ambiguously, and policymakers' interest is shifting from sustainability to resilience. However, the focus of policies is not changing significantly, but rather it is a superficial exchange of buzzwords.
SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION AND CONSUMPTION
(2021)
Review
Development Studies
Teun Wolters
Summary: This paper investigates various conceptual barriers to ecological sustainability, including weak sustainability, eco-efficiency, ecological modernization, and neoliberalism. Despite some positive effects, previous environmental goals and programmes have not fulfilled their promises. Strong governmental roles are necessary for achieving ecological sustainability, and the influence of neoliberalism and market fundamentalism has had unsatisfactory outcomes in social and ecological domains.
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Sina Leipold, Anna Petit-Boix, Anran Luo, Hanna Helander, Machteld Simoens, Weslynne S. Ashton, Callie W. Babbitt, Alba Bala, Catharina R. Bening, Morten Birkved, Fenna Blomsma, Casper Boks, Alessio Boldrin, Pauline Deutz, Teresa Domenech, Navarro Ferronato, Alejandro Gallego-Schmid, Damien Giurco, Kersty Hobson, Roope Husgafvel, Cynthia Isenhour, Mait Kriipsalu, Donato Masi, Joan Manuel F. Mendoza, Leonidas Milios, Monia Niero, Deepak Pant, Keshav Parajuly, Stefan Pauliuk, Marina P. P. Pieroni, Jessika Luth Richter, Michael Saidani, Marzena Smol, Laura Talens Peiro, Stijn van Ewijk, Walter J. V. Vermeulen, Dominik Wiedenhofer, Bing Xue
Summary: The current enthusiasm for the circular economy offers an opportunity for research on sustainability transitions. However, diverse interpretations and assessments of its potential benefits hinder progress. This study synthesizes policy-relevant lessons and research directions for a sustainable circular economy and identifies three narratives that underpin the ambiguity in assessments.
JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
T. Santarius, L. Dencik, T. Diez, H. Ferreboeuf, P. Jankowski, S. Hankey, A. Hilbeck, L. M. Hilty, M. Hojer, D. Kleine, S. Lange, J. Pohl, L. Reisch, M. Ryghaug, T. Schwanen, P. Staab
Summary: The relationship between digitalization and environmental sustainability is uncertain. While digital technologies have the potential to slow down environmental degradation, the production and use of digital hardware and data-intensive applications also have significant resource and energy demands. Currently, there is a lack of comprehensive regulation addressing the opportunities and risks of digital technology for sustainability. This perspective article calls for a Digital Green Deal that includes green digitalization policies across sectors and levels of governance, aiming for greater policy coherence and integration of environmental goals with digital initiatives.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & POLICY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Studies
Johan Niskanen, Jonas Anshelm, Simon Haikola
Summary: Sweden has ambitious climate goals but faces difficulties in achieving them in the transport sector. A diverse coalition consisting of business, trade unions, environmental experts, and green-left politicians has emerged, advocating for strategic governance in Swedish transport planning. Their claims focus on fiscal rules, lack of political courage, and slow-moving environmental legislation as reasons for the slow transition in the transport system. It is debated whether these claims are a politicization or a new iteration of the depoliticized climate policy discourse.
TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH PART D-TRANSPORT AND ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Studies
Fahimeh Mofrad, Maria Ignatieva
Summary: Canberra, a rapidly developing garden city, faces challenges in maintaining and developing urban green spaces due to urban compaction. This research aims to understand the discourse surrounding ecosystem services in Canberra's green infrastructure and the challenges in applying them in planning and governance.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Peter Bradley
Summary: Institutional economics plays a crucial role in achieving sustainable economic solutions, but there are shortcomings such as the neglect of classical institutional economics and the lack of emphasis on the end consumer in existing frameworks.
SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION AND CONSUMPTION
(2022)
Article
Environmental Studies
Sushma Bhattarai, Bimal Raj Regmi, Basant Pant, Dharam Raj Uprety, Tek Maraseni
Summary: Although EbA helps reduce climate vulnerability and enhance socio-ecosystem resilience, it often lacks innovativeness in addressing climate risk. Despite being outlined in Nepal's climate change policies, EbA faces sustainability issues due to low priority, lack of proper institutional mechanisms, and inadequate budget provisions.
Article
Political Science
Michael Howlett, M. Ramesh
Summary: Policy tools must be chosen and used with the expectation of long-term effectiveness, but the constantly changing nature of policy problems and contexts makes this challenging. Robust policy mixes are needed to adapt to changes and respond to feedback. This can be achieved through static robustness, where policy means adapt while goals remain unchanged, or dynamic robustness, where both goals and tools change. The latter requires agility and the ability to make substantial changes in policy design.
PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
(2023)
Article
Hospitality, Leisure, Sport & Tourism
Loretta Bellato, Niki Frantzeskaki, Christian A. Nygaard
Summary: This study critically examines the issues with the sustainable tourism development agenda and introduces a new approach called regenerative tourism. Through analyzing the theoretical and practical dimensions of regenerative tourism, the paper proposes a conceptual framework consisting of five design dimensions and seven practice principles, providing practical guidance for tourism stakeholders.
TOURISM GEOGRAPHIES
(2023)
Article
Political Science
Andrea Migone, Alexander Howlett, Michael Howlett
Summary: Large-scale military platform procurement is an understudied but essential part of policy studies. The study highlights the importance of policy alignment between governments and service providers for successful megaproject procurement. Strategies identified in this study can also be applied to nondefense-related projects, such as hydroelectric dams and high-speed railway development.
POLICY AND SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Public Administration
Andrea Migone, Michael Howlett
Summary: This paper focuses on policy analytical capacity and measures the distribution of policy professionals in different levels of Canadian government. The study develops two measures to assess policy analytical capacity and confirms their utility and robustness in evaluating different agencies' analytical capabilities.
AUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Christopher M. Raymond, Richard Stedman, Niki Frantzeskaki
Summary: Discussions on just transitions and nature-based solutions often focus on a fixed sense of place, emphasizing connections and continuity between sites and subjectivities. In contrast, we argue for a progressive understanding of place that recognizes the fluidity of place meanings at different scales, enabling a new understanding of place transformation and just urban transitions. We propose four transformation modalities and provide case examples to demonstrate their relevance to nature-based solutions planning. We conclude by offering two overarching principles for fostering just transitions through nature-based solutions: purposefully activating structural and emotional transformations for procedural justice, and considering the dynamic interplay between recognition and distribution justice to engage multiple senses of place.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & POLICY
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Loretta Bellato, Niki Frantzeskaki, Emma M. Lee, Joseph Cheer, Andrew Peters
Summary: There is a growing interest in the potential of regenerative tourism approaches to address sustainability challenges, which draw from an ecological worldview that combines Indigenous and Western knowledge systems. Current tourism research methodologies, driven by Western scientific paradigms, may be insufficient for regenerative tourism research. A scoping review and consultations with practitioners identified nine research gaps, suggesting the need for additional and new approaches in tourism scholarship to keep pace with the evolution of regenerative tourism.
JOURNAL OF SUSTAINABLE TOURISM
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Melissa Pineda-Pinto, Niki Frantzeskaki, Christopher M. Raymond
Summary: Ecological injustices refer to systemic acts and processes that result in misrepresentation, misrecognition, maldistribution, and destruction of fundamental capabilities for both human and nonhuman beings. This study examines ecological (in)justices in Metropolitan Melbourne, Australia, using embedded case studies and a framework that incorporates the senses of self, others, and the environment in sense of place. The findings highlight disempowerment, unrecognized environmental work, societal disconnect, and the anonymity of nonhuman others as key factors contributing to these injustices. The study also introduces the concept of 'ecological injustice' as a bridge between sense of place and justice, emphasizing the importance of visibility, collectivity, reciprocal nurturing, and contestation in human-nonhuman interactions.
SUSTAINABILITY SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Shahryar Sarabi, Niki Frantzeskaki, Johanna Waldenberger, Oscar Alvarado, Dorrine Raaimakers, Hens Runhaar, Charlotte Stijnen, Helen Toxopeus, Ema Vrinceanu
Summary: Renaturing urban environments is a transformative pathway for urban sustainability, aiming to reverse the degradation of ecosystems. Reinforced people-nature connections and improved understanding and perception towards nature are critical for the successful implementation of urban renaturing practices. This paper discusses the cultivation of human knowledge and values of nature through urban renaturing, as well as the necessary transitions in urban planning processes to support such practices.
URBAN FORESTRY & URBAN GREENING
(2023)
Review
Environmental Studies
Clare Adams, Niki Frantzeskaki, Magnus Moglia
Summary: Nature-based solutions are gaining attention in urban sustainability discussions, particularly in climate adaptation and increasing resilience. However, there are barriers to their adoption and a lack of clarity around the concept of mainstreaming. This article proposes a new framework and definition for mainstreaming nature-based solutions in cities, helping to operationalize these processes and transform urban planning practices.
Editorial Material
Political Science
Giliberto Capano, Michael Howlett, Leslie A. Pal, M. Ramesh
Summary: This article reviews the existing literature on policy advice and highlights key themes such as legitimacy, values, and politics. The papers in this issue shed light on the delegitimization of knowledge providers, the problem of normative basis of experts' advice, the politicization of expertise, and the influence of political context on the acceptance and implementation of experts' advice.
POLICY AND SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Regional & Urban Planning
Clare Adams, Niki Frantzeskaki, Magnus Moglia
Summary: Australia is facing an increasing rate of climate-related extreme weather events, requiring nature-based solutions for urban areas. However, the governance of such solutions is currently fragmented in Australian cities. This study examines the creation and evolution of institutional spaces and highlights the importance of relational, learning-oriented, collaborative, and empowering spaces for mainstreaming nature-based solutions in cities.
AUSTRALIAN PLANNER
(2023)
Article
Public Administration
Dayashankar Maurya, M. Ramesh, Michael Howlett
Summary: Mandated service delivery networks are common globally, but our understanding of their functioning is limited. This study examines network arrangements within India's National Health Insurance Programme and finds that dependency relationships and interactions among network members impact network performance. Ineffective management of dependency relationships can lead to conflict and opportunistic behaviors.
ASIA PACIFIC JOURNAL OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
(2023)
Article
Public Administration
Sahar Zaman, Michael Howlett, Andrea Migone
Summary: Globally, the increased reliance on consultants and contract employees has raised concerns about their displacement of traditional advisors in government business and the quality of services provided. This has led to calls for better regulation of consultants, who currently operate in an unregulated manner. This article examines the situation in Canada, where policy and management consultants lack regulation, and discusses prospects for reform.
CANADIAN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION-ADMINISTRATION PUBLIQUE DU CANADA
(2023)
Article
Political Science
Ching Leong, Michael Howlett, Mehrdad Safaei
Summary: This paper uses Natural Language Processing machine-learning sentiment analysis to examine the relationships between blame and credit communication strategies in government during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study found that political leaders acted according to theoretical expectations to some extent, but did not solely rely on blame or scapegoating when the situation deteriorated.
POLICY AND SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Area Studies
Azad Singh Bali, Michael Howlett, M. Ramesh
Summary: Recent interest in policy design has been hindered by a lack of theorization on the purposes of policy tools in mixes, as well as a failure to recognize the complexity of contemporary policy tool combinations. A revised framework is proposed to distinguish between different levels of instruments used in policy mixes and underscore the importance of procedural tools within them.
JOURNAL OF ASIAN PUBLIC POLICY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Eva Boon, Jurian Vincent Meijering, Robbert Biesbroek, Fulco Ludwig
Summary: This article introduces a global Delphi study, which presents a widely supported definition for successful climate services. The definition emphasizes the importance of user satisfaction and highlights the need for climate service developers to consider climate change uncertainties, build trust and capacity with users, and tailor interactions based on user needs.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & POLICY
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Zhiqi Zhang, Xiangyu Jia, Zeren Gongbu, Dingling He, Wenjun Li
Summary: This study conducted research in two villages on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau of China and found that the village with interactive and supportive government involvement achieved better outcomes compared to the village with forceful government intervention. This highlights the importance of congruence between government actions and community demands in developing self-governance institutions for natural resource management.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & POLICY
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yolanda L. Waters, Kerrie A. Wilson, Angela J. Dean
Summary: This study found that climate messages centered around the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) are more effective in strengthening intentions to adopt energy reduction behaviors. However, they are limited in motivating more impactful civic and social behaviors, including those seeking to influence climate policy support. Messages emphasizing collective efficacy can enhance message effect and influence the uptake of a broader range of behaviors. Emotions related to distress played a significant role in this effect. This research offers an alternative for expanding beyond traditional climate communication strategies.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & POLICY
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Daniel A. Potts, Emma J. S. Ferranti, Joshua D. Vande Hey
Summary: This study investigates the barriers to integrating satellite data into air quality management and proposes the creation of a network of experts to facilitate collaboration and knowledge exchange between scientific research and air quality management.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & POLICY
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Amber W. Datta, Carina Wyborn, Brian C. Chaffin, Michele L. Barnes
Summary: Extreme climate events are changing social-ecological systems and challenging environmental governance paradigms. This study explores governance actors' perspectives on the future of reef management after a crisis and finds that multiple and conflicting visions are shaping the trajectory of coral reef governance.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & POLICY
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ranjan Datta, Prarthona Datta
Summary: This paper discusses the importance of learning climate change solutions from the activities of cross-cultural children, and introduces reflective learning, Indigenous Elders land-based teaching, music and arts learning, and positive interactions with cross-cultural children in a cross-cultural community garden.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & POLICY
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Julie Lydia Stounberg, Karen Timmerman, Karsten Dahl, Maurizio Pinna, Jon C. Svendsen
Summary: To combat biodiversity loss, the European Union established the Natura 2000 network. However, some sites are still not mapped, and habitats remain undefined. This study compared the definitions of blue mussel reefs in different EU member states and identified significant variations in parameters and limits used for reef identification. The study also highlighted the need for compatible and justified habitat definitions to ensure a consistent level of protection.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & POLICY
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Shilpi Kundu, Edward A. Morgan, James C. R. Smart
Summary: Climate change impacts in low lying coastal areas, like Bangladesh, are negatively affecting food and livelihood security, necessitating adaptation measures to build resilience. However, the effective implementation of these measures is hindered by a lack of local-level knowledge.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & POLICY
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Theodore Tallent, Aiora Zabala
Summary: This study explores how pluralism and social equity are incorporated into the governance of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) in the field of conservation. Using a conceptual framework of social equity, the researchers analyze five exemplary cases to understand how practitioners assimilate these principles into their practices and governance processes. The findings highlight a strong commitment to participation and involvement of local communities, along with practices that aim to foster actor participation, build local capacity, and strengthen ownership. The study emphasizes the importance of considering diverse voices, perspectives, and forms of knowledge in conservation governance.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & POLICY
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Natalie Sampson, Carmel Price, Melanie Sampson, Mary Bradshaw, Bianca Freeman
Summary: The Title V program of the Clean Air Act provides opportunities for public participation in permit-related decisionmaking, but there is a lack of substantive changes prioritizing environmental justice in overburdened communities. Increasing the use of plain language can improve public participation by enhancing access, transparency, and accountability. Analysis of public notices revealed poor writing quality and a lack of attention to writing strategies for improved understanding and addressing environmental health and justice. Suggestions for improving public notices are provided, emphasizing the need for plain language and environmental health literacy.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & POLICY
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Karabi Bezboruah, Amruta Sakalker, Michelle Hummel, Oswald Jenewein, Kathryn Masten, Yonghe Liu
Summary: This study examines the role of a rural, community-based nonprofit organization in addressing coastal flooding. Through an analysis of the Ingleside on the Bay Coastal Watch Association (IOBCWA) in Texas, the study finds that the organization has improved the community's adaptive capacity through activities such as community organizing, advocacy, data collection, resident capacity building, and regional communication networks. However, more policies, partnerships, and inclusion of socially vulnerable groups are needed.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & POLICY
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Heli Saarikoski, Suvi Vikstrom, Lasse Peltonen
Summary: This paper examines the cormorant conflict in Finland, highlighting the frame conflict resulting from different scales of analysis. The study finds that knowledge co-production processes have the potential to address environmental conflicts and generate practical and contextually appropriate knowledge. Key factors include participants' control over information and third-party facilitation of dialogue.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & POLICY
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Naomi Terry, Azucena Castro, Bwalya Chibwe, Geci Karuri-Sebina, Codruta Savu, Laura Pereira
Summary: The practice of envisioning the future has deep roots in African traditions, but is not widely used in conventional futuring methodologies. To achieve a decolonial approach to futuring, it is important to consider diverse pasts and storytelling forms. Stories can serve as mechanisms of power, healing, and diversification, leading to more just and ecologically sustainable futures.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & POLICY
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Priya Chetri, Upasna Sharma, P. Vigneswara Ilavarasan
Summary: Previous studies have overlooked the role of information in farmers' capacity to adapt to weather and climate variability. This paper examines the relationship between farmers' access to weather information and the uptake of farm-level adaptation strategies, and highlights the potential of information in improving farmers' adaptive capacity. The paper also emphasizes the moderating effect of farmers' social ecosystem on this relationship.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & POLICY
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Baker Matovu, Floor Brouwer, Raimund Bleischwitz, Firas Aljanabi, Meltem Alkoyak-Yildiz
Summary: This paper proposes a novel framework for sustainable sand mining based on Ecosystem Service Assessment. It analyzes the case of Kerala, India to demonstrate the impacts of sand mining on local ecosystems and livelihoods. The article also highlights seven key steps that can guide sustainable sand mining and promote integrated governance systems.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & POLICY
(2024)
