Sustainable development - Sustainable development in developing countries

Title

Agriculture—a key element for conservation in the developing world

Reference

Conservation Letters
DOI: 10.1111/j.1755-263X.2011.00208.x

Author(s)

Hugh L. Wright, Iain R. Lake, Paul M. Dolman

Study type

Peer Review Journal   

Abstract

Conserving biodiversity through supporting or mimicking traditional management of anthropogenic habitats is a paradigm in the developed world, particularly Europe. It is rarely applied in developing countries where forest biota are more common foci. We quantified the numbers of globally threatened bird species using anthropogenic habitats and examined scientific literature to identify those that are dependent on low-impact agriculture in the developing world. Such dependency is distinct from species using farmland to supplement or move between their remnant natural habitats. We show that low-impact agriculture is important to a number of threatened open-habitat species in a variety of farming systems. However, these systems are expected to undergo widespread transformation due to economic change. Conservation must identify valuable farmed landscapes and seek new mechanisms to maintain or mimic important land-management techniques in developing countries. A suite of policy instruments should be considered to provide incentives or development benefits that encourage farmers to manage landscapes for wildlife. The land sparing approach to balancing biodiversity conservation and agricultural production will be detrimental to those open-habitat bird species dependent on agriculture; a mix of agricultural land-use types may offer the best compromise.

Policy theme(s)

Agriculture >> Agricultural management >> Agri-environment schemes
Biodiversity >> Habitats >> Habitat management
Sustainable development and policy assessment >> Sustainable economic development >> Sustainable development in developing countries

Keywords

High nature value farming; land sparing; low-impact agriculture; rural livelihoods;
seminatural habitat; traditional land management; wildlife-friendly farming

Entry Source:

Shortlisted for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

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http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1755-263X.2011.00208.x/abstract
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hugh.wright@uea.ac.uk

Title

Reference

June J Cheng, Corinne J Schuster-Wallace, Susan Watt, Bruce K Newbold and Andrew Mente

Author(s)

Environmental Health 2012, 11:4 doi:10.1186/1476-069X-11-4

Study type

Peer Review Journal    

Abstract

Water and sanitation access are known to be related to newborn, child, and maternal health. Our study attempts to quantify these relationships globally using country-level data: How much does improving access to water and sanitation influence infant, child, and maternal mortality?

Data for 193 countries were abstracted from global databases (World Bank, WHO, and UNICEF). Linear regression was used for the outcomes of under-five mortality rate and infant mortality rate (IMR). These results are presented as events per 1000 live births. Ordinal logistic regression was used to compute odds ratios for the outcome of maternal mortality ratio (MMR).

Under-five mortality rate decreased by 1.17 (95%CI 1.08-1.26) deaths per 1000, p < 0.001, for every quartile increase in population water access after adjustments for confounders. There was a similar relationship between quartile increase of sanitation access and under-five mortality rate, with a decrease of 1.66 (95%CI 1.11-1.32) deaths per 1000, p < 0.001. Improved water access was also related to IMR, with the IMR decreasing by 1.14 (95%CI 1.05-1.23) deaths per 1000, p < 0.001, with increasing quartile of access to improved water source. The significance of this relationship was retained with quartile improvement in sanitation access, where the decrease in IMR was 1.66 (95%CI 1.11-1.32) deaths per 1000, p < 0.001. The estimated odds ratio that increased quartile of water access was significantly associated with increased quartile of MMR was 0.58 (95%CI 0.39-0.86), p = 0.008. The corresponding odds ratio for sanitation was 0.52 (95%CI 0.32-0.85), p = 0.009, both suggesting that better water and sanitation were associated with decreased MMR.

Our analyses suggest that access to water and sanitation independently contribute to child and maternal mortality outcomes. If the world is to seriously address the Millennium Development Goals of reducing child and maternal mortality, then improved water and sanitation accesses are key strategies.

Policy theme(s)

Environment and health >> Health risks >> Water safety
Sustainable development and policy assessment >> Sustainable economic development >> Sustainable development in developing countries
Water >> Water quality >> Water pollution and safety

Keywords

Water; Sanitation; Maternal health; Infant health; Child health; Millennium development goals

Entry Source:

Shortlisted for Science for Environment Policy News Alert 

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http://www.ehjournal.net/content/11/1/4
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june.cheng@medportal.ca

Title

Future productivity of fallow systems in Sub-Saharan Africa: Is the effect of demographic pressure and fallow reduction more significant than climate change?

Reference

Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
Volume 151, Issue 8, 15 August 2011, Pages 1120-1130

Author(s)

Thomas Gaiser, Michael Judex, Attanda Mouinou Igué, Heiko Paeth, Claudia Hiepe

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

In this century climate change is assumed to be the major driver for changes in agricultural systems and crop productivity at the global scale. However, due to spatial differences in cropping systems and in the magnitude of climatic change regional variations of climate change impact are expected. Furthermore, the recent climate projections are highly uncertain for large parts of West Africa. In particular with respect to annual precipitation and variability the projections vary between trends with decreasing precipitation and trends with slightly increasing precipitation within the next decades. On the other hand, the extensive fallow systems in this region suffer from increasing population pressure, which compromises soil fertility restoration. In the Republic of Benin, the demographic projections for the first half of this century indicate a continuous growth of the population with a narrow interval of confidence. Thus, in the absence of an adequate soil fertility management with judicious use of mineral fertilizers, the soil degradation process with decreasing crop yields is expected to continue. The objective of this paper was, therefore, to quantify the regional effect of future population growth on crop yields in West Africa and to compare it with the potential effects of climate change scenarios. Three land use scenarios (L1, L2 and L3) for the Upper Ouémé catchment where derived from different demographic projections combined with assumptions regarding future road networks and legal frameworks for forest protection using the CLUE-S modeling approach. The fallow-cropland ratio decreased in the three scenarios from 0.87 in the year 2000 to 0.66, 0.48 and 0.68 for L1, L2 and L3, respectively in 2050. Based on the projected ratio of fallow and cropland, trends of maize yield for the three land use scenarios were calculated using the EPIC (Environmental Policy Integrated Climate) model coupled with a spatial database. Maize yields followed the decreasing trend of the fallow-cropland ratio and estimated yield reductions amounted to up to 24% in the period 2021–2050. This trend was compared with the impact of the SRES climate scenarios A1B and B1 based on the output of the GCM ECHAM5 downscaled with the REMO model and the A1B scenario output of the GCM HADC3Q0 downscaled with the RCMs SMHIRCA and HADRM3P. The yield reductions due to the projected climate change in the three models accounted for a yield decrease of up to 18% (REMO A1B scenario) in the same period. Taking into account the smaller uncertainties in the scenario assumptions and in the model output of the land use scenarios, it is concluded that, in low input fallow systems in West Africa, land use effects will be at least as important as climate effects within the next decades.

Policy theme(s)

Agriculture >> Agricultural management >> Crop management
Climate change and energy >> Climate change adaptation >> Agricultural adaptation        
Sustainable development and policy assessment >> Sustainable economic development >> Sustainable development in developing countries

Keywords

Entry Source:

Shortlisted for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

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http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0168192311001122
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tgaiser@uni-bonn.de

Title

Using Small-Scale Adaptation Actions to Address the Food Crisis in the Horn of Africa: Going beyond Food Aid and Cash Transfers

Reference

Sustainability2011, 3, 1510-1516;
doi:10.3390/su3091510

Author(s)

Richard Munang  and Johnson N. Nkem

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

The countries Kenya, Uganda, Somalia, Ethiopia and Djibouti are facing the worst food crisis of the 21st century as a result of devastating droughts. The crisis is causing starvation and leading to a lack of access to clean water and sanitation for over 12 million people. Not only are the direct drought effects endured now by the population, but they have weakened response capacity and created diminished prospects of ever achieving future water and food security. Over the coming decades, temperatures in this region will continue to rise and rainfall patterns will change. This will create major problems for food production and availability. Thus, building resilience in communities is indispensable as we adapt our farming systems to the challenges of climate change. This will require practical solutions that can build on processes involving adaptation to climate change. The lessons learned from the UN-led project in Uganda, demonstrate the value of small scale innovative interventions, carried out using democratic approaches to help support adaptation to climate change whilst progressing to achieve food security and chart a new Path to eliminate hunger. These lessons should be our guiding vision as we address the current droughts plaguing the Horn of East Africa and elsewhere.

Policy theme(s)

Agriculture >> Agricultural management >> Food security
Climate change and energy >> Climate change adaptation >> Agricultural adaptation        
Sustainable development and policy assessment >> Sustainable economic development >> Sustainable development in developing countries

Keywords

climate change adaptation; small scale solutions; food security

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Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

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http://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/3/9/1510/
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richard.munang@unep.org

Title

Bridging the gap between forest conservation and poverty alleviation: the Ecuadorian Socio Bosque program

Reference

Environmental Science & Policy
Volume 14, Issue 5, August 2011, Pages 531-542

Author(s)

Free de Koning, Marcela Aguiñaga, Manuel Bravo, Marco Chiu, Max Lascano, Tannya Lozada and Luis Suarez

Study type

Peer Review Journal 

Abstract

The Socio Bosque program is a national conservation agreement scheme of the government of Ecuador. Socio Bosque consists of the transfer of a direct monetary incentive per hectare of native forest and other native ecosystems to individual landowners and local and indigenous communities who protect these ecosystems, through voluntary conservation agreements that are monitored on a regular basis for compliance. Two years after its creation, the program now includes more than half a million hectares of natural ecosystems and has over 60,000 beneficiaries. The characteristics of Socio Bosque make it a good example of a national conservation agreement scheme from which important lessons can be drawn: it is part of a clear government policy, combines ecosystem conservation with poverty alleviation, incentivizes and monitors local socio-economic investment, is transparent and straightforward, and has generated nation-wide participation of local and indigenous communities and farmer households. Socio Bosque furthermore sheds light on how benefit sharing mechanisms for national REDD+ strategies could work in practice.

Policy theme(s)

Biodiversity >> Ecosystem services
Environmental economics >> Ecosystem services
Forests >> Forest governance and management
Sustainable development and policy assessment >> Sustainable economic development >> Sustainable development in developing countries

Keywords

Forest conservation; Conservation agreements; REDD+; Poverty alleviation; Ecuador

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Selected for Science for Environment Policy Thematic Issue

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N/A

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f.dekoning@conservation.org

Title

Complexities of Decentralization in a Globalizing World

Reference

Environmental and Resource Economics
Volume 50, Number 2, 157-174, DOI: 10.1007/s10640-011-9466-x

Author(s)

Stefanie Engel and Charles Palmer

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

In many developing countries, decentralization programmes for natural resource management aim to induce incentives for sustainable resource management at the local level. The effectiveness of such programmes has, however, suffered from weak property rights to the resource and by the presence of externalities. Growing economic integration among countries has exacerbated these problems by increasing the exposure of local user groups to commercial actors interested in resource extraction. In this paper, the interplay of decentralization and globalization in affecting environmental outcomes and community welfare is analysed through a game-theoretic model of community-firm interactions. The results highlight the complexities of policy design. First, by raising the extractive value of the resource, globalization may lead to communities negotiating resource extraction agreements with firms. Second, with a lack of effective state enforcement of community resource rights, communities may be unable to assume de facto ownership over the resource, while commercial actors succeed in exploiting resources without community consent. No single policy option provides a panacea to counteracting these negative effects. Instead, a mix of policies, combining incentive payments along with the provision of more secure property rights and poverty alleviation is shown to have the potential to improve both environmental outcomes and community welfare.

Policy theme(s)

Sustainable development and policy assessment >> Sustainable economic development >> Sustainable development in developing countries
Sustainable development and policy assessment >> Sustainable economic development >> Trade and environment

Keywords

Bargaining; Decentralization; Globalization; Natural resources; Poverty; Property rights; Self-enforcement

Entry Source:

Shortlisted for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

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N/A

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http://www.springerlink.com/content/x3r177n36v622451/
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Stefanie.engel@env.ethz.ch

Title

Agricultural success from Africa: the case of fertilizer tree systems in southern Africa (Malawi, Tanzania, Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe)

Reference

Source: International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability, Sustainable intensification: increasing productivity in African food and agricultural systems , pp. 129-136(8)

Author(s)

Authors: Ajayi, Oluyede Clifford; Place, Frank; Akinnifesi, Festus Kehinde; Sileshi, Gudeta Weldsesemayat

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

In response to the declining soil fertility in southern Africa and the negative effects that this leads to, such as food insecurity besides other developmental challenges, fertilizer tree systems (FTS) were developed as technological innovation to help smallholder farmers to build soil organic matter and fertility in a sustainable manner. In this paper, we trace the historical background and highlight the developmental phases and outcomes of the technology. The synthesis shows that FTS are inexpensive technologies that significantly raise crop yields, reduce food insecurity and enhance environmental services and resilience of agro-ecologies. Many of the achievements recorded with FTS can be traced to some key factors: the availability of a suite of technological options that are appropriate in a range of different household and ecological circumstances, partnership between multiple institutions and disciplines in the development of the technology, active encouragement of farmer innovations in the adaptation process and proactive engagement of several consortia of partner institutions to scale up the technology in farming communities. It is recommended that smallholder farmers would benefit if rural development planners emphasize the merits of different fertility replenishment approaches and taking advantage of the synergy between FTS and mineral fertilizers rather than focusing on `organic vs. inorganic' debates.

Policy theme(s)

Agriculture >> Agricultural management >> Food security
Agriculture >> Agricultural management >> Soil management
Sustainable development and policy assessment >> Sustainable economic development >> Sustainable development in developing countries

Keywords

agricultural innovation; agroforestry; development partnership; research for development; soil fertility; southern Africa

Entry Source:

Shortlisted for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

Referred to in EC doc:

N/A

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http://earthscan.publisher.ingentaconnect.com/content/earthscan/ijas/2011
/00000009/00000001/art00015
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o.c.ajayi@cgiar.org

Title

Agricultural investment and international land deals: evidence from a multi-country study in Africa

Reference

International Institute for Environment and Development

Author(s)

Lorenzo Cotula, Sonja Vermeulen, Paul Mathieu and Camilla Toulmin

Study type

Report

Abstract

Recent spikes in world food and energy prices have fostered renewed momentum for agricultural investment in lower and middle-income countries. Governments in some food-importing countries are promoting the acquisition of land overseas as a means to ensure long-term national food security. Businesses are recognizing new opportunities for strong returns from international investments in agriculture for food, fuel and other agricultural commodities. Dubbed 'land grabs' in the media, land-based investments have kindled much international debate, in which strong positions are taken on the impacts of such investments on environment, rights, sovereignty, livelihoods, development and conflict at local, national and international levels. Depending on how they are structured, agricultural investments may deliver local benefits and include small-scale producers in value chains, or carry environmental and social risks that fall disproportionately on local people. Vigorous public debate in recipient countries, effective screening of proposed investments, including robust environmental and social impact assessments, secure local land and resource rights, local voice in decision-making, skillfully negotiated and regulated contracts and effective policy incentives for business models that favor working with local farmers over large plantations can help make the renewed momentum in agricultural investment work for development.

Policy theme(s)

Agriculture >> Agricultural management >> Food security
Sustainable development and policy assessment >> Sustainable economic development >> Sustainable development in developing countries

Keywords

N/A

Entry Source:

Shortlisted for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

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N/A

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http://pubs.iied.org/pdfs/12561IIED.pdf
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info@iied.org

Title

Reference

Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change
Volume 16, Number 5, 567-584, DOI: 10.1007/s11027-011-9281-2

Author(s)

Robert K. Dixon

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

Stratospheric ozone depletion threatens human health and the global environment. In 1987, the Montreal Protocol on Substances That Deplete the Ozone Layer (Montreal Protocol) set aggressive timelines for countries to phase-out products and organic chemicals that were causing rapid ozone depletion in the Antarctic stratosphere. The Global Environment Facility (GEF), established in 1991, is the largest multilateral funder of environmental protection projects and provides financial support for implementation of the Montreal Protocol. This paper summarizes GEF investments to address ozone-depleting substances (ODS) in Countries with Economies in Transition (CEITs), presents case studies from representative countries, and discusses lessons learned. Complementing the work of the Multilateral Fund that supports developing country Parties of the Montreal Protocol, the GEF provides financial support to CEIT's to address ODS phase-out targets and timelines. These investments include technology development and transfer, outreach and training, institution building, and programs to phase-out ODS. Working with partners in the public and private sectors, the GEF has allocated approximately US 210million leveraging another US 250 million in co-financing, for 28 ODS phase-out projects in 18 CEITs. GEF ODS project investments in CEITs have contributed to Protocol success by phasing-out 20,000 ozone depletion potential (ODP) Megagrams (Mg) of consumption and 29,000 ODP Mg of production. Among the GEF's most significant efforts to eliminate ODS are projects that transfer technologies and strengthen institutional capabilities of partner countries. These projects have enabled the installation of non-ODS technologies, adoption of best practices by the private sector, and provided CEITs with the legislative and policy framework necessary to sustain ODS phase-out. Almost 25 years after its establishment, the Montreal Protocol with support from financial mechanisms such as the GEF, is a successful model for addressing global environmental challenges.

Policy theme(s)

Air pollution >> Impact of emissions >> Ozone layer impacts
Sustainable development and policy assessment >> Sustainable economic development >> Sustainable development in developing countries

Keywords

Countries with economies in transition . Global environment facility .
Montreal Protocol . Stratospheric ozone

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Shortlisted for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

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N/A

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http://www.springerlink.com/content/337x410l65g06543
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rdixon1@thegef.org

Title

Methods and tools for integrated assessment of land use policies on sustainable development in developing countries

Reference

Land Use Policy
doi:10.1016/j.landusepol.2010.11.009 

Author(s)

Pytrik Reidsma, Hannes König, Shuyi Feng, Irina Bezlepkina, et al

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

For stimulating sustainable development in developing countries, land use patterns and land use changes are considered critical, and therefore effective and efficient land use policies are needed. In this paper we present a methodological framework that has been developed in a joint European and developing countries project (LUPIS - Land Use Policies and Sustainable Development in Developing Countries), to assess the impact of land use policies on sustainable development in developing countries. An illustrative application is presented for a case study in China, where water pollution due to agriculture in Taihu Basin is a major problem.
We argue that an integrated assessment is required, considering multiple drivers and indicators that determine the objectives and constraints of the stakeholders involved. Therefore, the sustainability impact assessment (SIA) is based on the concept of Land Use Functions (LUFs), and impacts on these LUFs are discussed with stakeholders based on a multi-criteria analysis. LUFs comprise economic, environmental and social indicators relevant for stakeholders at multiple scales. Instead of focusing only on the indicators that determine the problem (e.g., nutrient leaching in the Chinese case study), we take a broader perspective (considering also social, economic and institutional objectives and constraints), such that feasible policy options can be recommended. Stakeholders have a large role in discussing the selection of indicators and policies (pre-modelling), evaluating the impacts on indicators (modelling), and the weighing of indicators and LUFs (post-modelling). For the assessment of impacts on indicators (modelling), quantitative and qualitative approaches are combined. We present and discuss an impact assessment of policy options in Taihu Basin, for the current situation and towards 2015. The methodological framework as presented here proved to be useful to guide a sustainability impact assessment in China and six other case study regions.

Policy theme(s)

Land use >> Land use change
Sustainable development and policy assessment >> Sustainable economic development >> Sustainable development in developing countries

Keywords

Policy impact assessment, Multi-scale, Science-policy interaction, Agro-ecological relationships, Sustainable agriculture, Nutrient management

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Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

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N/A

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http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0264837710001201
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pytrik.reidsma@wur.nl

Title

Ecosystem Services and Food Security: Economic Perspectives on Environmental Sustainability

Reference

Sustainability 2010, 2(11), 3520-3548
doi:10.3390/su2113520

Author(s)

Robert B. Richardson

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

Abstract: Food security in developing countries depends in part on the sustainable use of natural resources. Food security is usually examined through three dimensions, namely the availability, access, and utilization of food. Ecosystems directly and indirectly support each of these dimensions through the provision of critical ecosystem services that facilitate agricultural production, create income-generating opportunities, and provide energy for cooking. However, in some cases, household uses of natural resources undermine particular elements of food security, hindering national poverty reduction strategies and threatening the sustainability of critical ecosystem functions. I examine the role of ecosystem services in rural food security through the lens of its three dimensions, and highlight the tensions that stem from household-level interactions and uses. In some cases, uses of resources and services that support the access and utilization dimensions may undermine the ecosystem functions that support food availability. The conclusions underscore the importance for the integration of ecosystem services into food security plans and poverty reduction strategies in developing countries.

Policy theme(s)

Agriculture >> Agricultural management >> Food security
Biodiversity >> Ecosystem services
Environmental economics >> Ecosystem services
Sustainable development and policy analysis >> Sustainable economic development >> Sustainable development in developing countries

Keywords

food security, ecosystem services, environmental sustainability, international
development

Entry Source:

Shortlisted for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

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N/A

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http://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/2/11/3520/pdf
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rbr@msu.edu