LARGE-SCALE COLLECTIVE ACTION OVER WILDLIFE AND NATURAL RESOURCES. Prospects in reaching compliance with conservation rules by resource users: The Case of Kavango Zambezi Conservation Area

Many of today’s global environmental problems could be mitigated through large-scale collective action between different actors. Still, most theoretical assumptions on how collective action can be reached over natural resources is based on empirical work within small- to medium scale common-pool-resources. Thus, how large-scale collective action is achieved in more large and complex commons such as transfrontier conservation areas over wildlife and natural resources is not that evident. Focusing on the Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area in southern Africa, with the point of departure in theories about collective action and the literature of rule compliance, this study examines to what extent previous theories can explain resource user’s willingness to comply with conservation rules imposed by higher state authorities; an aspect that could be important in reaching large-scale collective action. Using a mixed-method design, the study applies public opinion data from the Afrobarometer on corruption and trust in local authorities and these factors’ effect on a proxy measure for rule compliance – deforestation on a local level. Furthermore, unique qualitative data is applied from interviews with elite officials and key stakeholders and their perceptions on resource users’ motives for following conservation rules. Vertical trust, co-management and deterrence strategies are suggested to be important in generating compliance. Still, transboundary conservation could face other challenges such as incompatible policies as well as slow institutional change which in turn could lower compliance

Vilken påverkan har kvinnlig politisk representation för utfallet av klimatpolitiken? En studie av hur andelen kvinnliga ledamöter påverkar svenska kommuners utsläpp av växthusgaser

During recent decades several studies have investigated how different social roles and socialization processes between women and men affects our attitudes, values and priorities to environmental problems. Many empirical studies among the general public, indicates that women tend to show a greater environmental concern than men, because of women’s different health- safety- and risk perception. Even though the results are well established among the general public, when investigating if elected women in public offices tend to express a higher environmental concern, than do men, the results are not that clear. By using a dataset covering all the 290 municipalities in Sweden, this study aims to investigate if there is any correlation between the amount of female representatives in the municipality and the amount of emissions of CO2e per capita. The hypothesis is that women in public offices tend to express a higher environmental concern and thereby make different decisions concerning climate strategies witch in the long could generate decreased CO2e emissions. The results from the multivariate regressions models reveals that the expected negative effect of female representatives in the municipality on the CO2e per capita emissions is not statistical significant. If we want to better understand the correlation between gender, environment and governance, further research is needed

Kartläggning av SGLT2-hämmares effekt på HbA1c vid uppföljning

Background and Objective: According to national and regional treatment guidelines, metformin is the first choice and SGLT2-inhibitors may be added in case of insufficient effect of metformin or other comorbidities. SGLT2 inhibitors as add-on to metformin lowers HbA1c further 5-9 mmol/mol. The aim of this study was to map the effect of SGLT2 inhibitors on HbA1c at follow-up and map how many patients that remains on SGLT2 inhibitors with insufficient effect. Study design: A retrospective study in which patients with diabetes type 2 who received a prescription for SGLT2 inhibitors from Visby Norr or Visborg health care center during the period 2018-06-30 to 2020-06-30 was identified. HbA1c, kidney function and weight were registered in an Excel-file at insertion of the SGLT2 inhibitor and at the first follow-up after insertion. Setting: Visby Norr and Visborg health care centers in Gotland. Main outcomes measures: The change in HbA1c after insertion of SGLT2 inhibitors and the proportion of patients who had insufficient effect (HbA1c reduction < 5 mmol/mol) at follow-up. Results: A total of 102 patients was included in the analyze. Following SGLT2 inhibitors was prescribed empagliflozin (91%) and dapagliflozin (9%). Mean follow up visit was within five months after insertion of the SGLT2 inhibitor. The mean decrease in HbA1c was 10 mmol/mol (95% confidence interval 7-13 mmol/mol). There were 21 individuals (21%) who achieved an HbA1c decrease < 5 mmol/mol (mean decrease in this group was 3 mmol/mol), 61 (60%) achieved an HbA1c decrease > 5 mmol/mol (average decrease in this group was 18 mmol/mol) and 20 subjects (19%) had increased HbA1c. Conclusion: In summary, the study shows that five months after insertion of SGLT2 inhibitor resulted in a decrease in HbA1c by 10 mmol/mol. At follow-up 40% of the population had an insufficient effect on HbA1c after insertion of the SGLT2-inhibitors

Compliance dynamics in transboundary governance of natural resources

The extent to which resource users abide by rules is a fundamental question in the governance of conservation efforts, such as national parks, often challenged by poaching. While a large literature studies the factors fostering regulatory compliance in national settings, we know less about these processes in transboundary conservation areas, an increasingly common type of park that straddles the borders of several countries. This study aims to explore how the previously identified dynamics associated with achieving compliance play out in transboundary settings. Focusing on the world’s largest transboundary conservation area – the Kavango Zambezi Tranfrontier Conservation Area – the study uses interviews with elite actors involved in the management of the area to provide in-sights in the process of fostering compliance in transboundary conservation areas. As in nationally governed parks, it appears crucial that efforts in sharing the benefits from conservation and involv-ing stakeholders in management are successful. Yet, the empirical analysis reveals that transnational settings provide even further challenges: the governance of such parks depends critically on trust-building efforts among a larger number of actors positioned at different levels. It also involves the need for harmonizing policy between the involved states, both in terms of the design of regulations and as regards the sanctions imposed on rule violators