Trade and Environment

Title

The European phosphorus balance

Reference

Resources, Conservation and Recycling
Volume 60, March 2012, Pages 159–172

Author(s)

Christian Ott & Helmut Rechberger

Study type

Peer Review Journal    

Abstract

Phosphorus (P) is considered a potentially critical resource because reserves are limited; it is required by all creatures, and it cannot be substituted. In this paper a substance flow analysis of phosphorus for the former 15 member states of the European Community (EU15) is presented. In order to consider the heterogeneity of the database with regard to quantity and quality all data are considered with uncertainty ranges. Error propagation and data reconciliation are performed applying the software STAN. Comparing basic and reconciled data shows that the result is reliable enough to allow the following conclusions: the system of the EU15 is largely dependent on imports of phosphorus. Net per capita consumption in the EU15 is 4.7 kgP/yr of which only 1.2 kgP/yr reach the consumer. The main losses are a net accumulation in agricultural soils (2.9 kgP/yr), followed by losses to landfills (1.4 kgP/yr) and to the hydrosphere (0.55 kgP/yr). Only 0.77 kgP/yr are recycled. Optimizing phosphorus fertilization, collecting and recycling of phosphorus-rich wastes, increasing the connection of households to sewer systems, and implementing tertiary wastewater treatment comprehensively could reduce Europe's import dependence on phosphorus significantly.

Policy theme(s)

Agriculture >> Agricultural management >> Crop management
Sustainable consumption and production >> Sustainable production >> Sustainable business and industry
Sustainable development and policy assessment >> Sustainable economic development >> Trade and environment

Keywords

Data reconciliation; Error propagation; Europe; Phosphorus; Substance flow analysis

Entry Source:

Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

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http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0921344911002540
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Contact the study author at:

christian.ott@tuwien.ac.at

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

Referred to in EC doc:

N/A

View this study at:

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

Title

Biodiversity and food – the WTO TRIPS negotiations

Reference

Journal of Human Rights and the Environment
Volume 2, Number 2, September 2011, 217-234

Author(s)

Joseph A McMahon

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

This article examines the review of Article 27.3(b) of the WTO's TRIPS Agreement which deals with the patenting of plants and animals and the protection of plant varieties. The review began in 1998 and was expanded by the 2001 Doha Declaration into negotiations on the relationship between the TRIPS Agreement and the Convention on Biological Diversity and two issues in the area of Geographical Indications; the multilateral register for wines and spirits and the extension of the treatment offered to wines and spirits to other products. These negotiations have given rise to differences between the Members on a North-South basis on the nature of the TRIPS-CBD relationship and on an old World-New World basis on the Geographical Indications. The negotiations have also raised important issues relating to biodiversity and food and it is to be regretted that after twelve years the negotiations have yet to yield a positive outcome.

Policy theme(s)

Sustainable development and policy assessment >> Sustainable economic development >> Trade and environment

Keywords

TRIPS, CBD, geographical indications, Doha Development Agenda negotiations

Entry Source:

Shortlisted for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

Referred to in EC doc:

N/A

View this study at:

http://e-elgar.metapress.com/content/91731738j58812w1/
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Title

Tracing distant environmental impacts of agricultural products from a consumer perspective

Reference

Ecological Economics, Volume 70, Issue 6, 15 April 2011, Pages 1032-1040

Author(s)

Thomas Kastner, Michael Kastner and Sanderine Nonhebel

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

Globally, trade flows of agricultural products are increasing. While value is typically added along the whole production chain, certain environmental impacts, such as land and water use, biomass appropriation, and soil degradation, are intrinsically linked to where the primary products originate from. When taking a consumer oriented approach on environmental problems, bilateral trade statistics can help in providing a clearer picture about the location of impacts caused by consumption elsewhere. However, in today's increasingly globalized world, consumer goods are often imported from countries other than where the primary product originated from. For instance, soybeans are transported from Brazil to the Netherlands, where they are processed into soy oil, which is shipped to Austria, where it is consumed. Utilizing bilateral trade matrices and matrix algebra, we present a method that allows to clearly link consumption patterns to the origin of primary products. In this, the method can help to provide information about consumption related, distant environmental impacts. We employ the case of land and water use linked to Austria's soy product consumption to demonstrate the approach's relevance. Finally, we outline some possible applications of this method to show its potential in enhancing understanding for informed consumer based environmental decision making.

Policy theme(s)

Sustainable consumption and production >> Sustainable consumption >> Consumption behaviour
Sustainable development and policy assessment >> Sustainable economic development >> Trade and environment

Keywords

Consumer perspective, Environmental impacts, Agricultural products, Trade

Entry Source:

Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

Referred to in EC doc:

N/A

View this study at:

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S092180091100019X
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Contact the study author at:

t.kastner@rug.nl

Title

Emissions Embodied in Trade (EET) and Land use in Tropical Forest Margins

Reference

CGIAR policy brief

Author(s)

Minang, P.A., van Noordwijk, M., Meyfroidt, P., Agus, F., Dewi, S.

Study type

Report

Abstract

Increasing proportions of land use change responsible for emissions from deforestation, forest degradation and agriculture in developing countries is associated with commodities meant for export, hence the concept of Emissions Embodied in Trade- EET. As many corporations, countries and consumers embrace carbon footprint labelling and advocate for “greener” commodities, there is potential for reducing emissions from land use change in the humid and sub-humid tropics. Yet, current debate on Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation - REDD+ has not considered the potential implications of EET. In this brief, we present and briefly reflect on (a) how emission reductions may induce cross-border land use displacements; (b) how market demand for “greener” commodities and consumer pressure on some tropical commodities can shape behaviour of land use agents and influence emissions; and (c) the policy implications that result from EET.

Policy theme(s)

Climate change and energy >> Greenhouse gas emissions >> Terrestrial emissions
Forests >> Forest protection >> Deforestation and degradation
Sustainable development and policy assessment >> Sustainable economic development >> Trade and environment

Keywords

N/A

Entry Source:

Shortlisted for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

Referred to in EC doc:

N/A

View this study at:

http://www.asb.cgiar.org/PDFwebdocs/PB17_final.pdf
This study is free to view

Contact the study author at:

asb@cgiar.org