204 research outputs found
Determinants of the capacity to adapt to climate change in multi-level governance systems - a meta-analysis of case study evidence
Determinants of the capacity to adapt to climate change in multi-level
governance systems Determinants of the capacity to adapt to climate change in
multi-level governance systems - a meta-analysis of case study evidenceBackground: Current literature about climate change adaptation provides a
broad range of factors influencing the adaptive capacity. Furthermore, a
frequent tenor is that “scale matters”. However, the effects of institutional
interplay across governance levels on adaptive capacity and the effects of the
interaction of institutions with other variables such as technology and
information remain largely subject of debate. Therefore synthesizing the
diverse findings of empirical studies in a methodologically coherent and
integrative manner may provide theoretical foundations for answers on how to
organize enhanced adaptive capacity within and across governance levels.
Method: 1\. Against this background we develop a comprehensive multi-tier
framework of variables that systematically influence adaptive capacity. This
is done by adopting the conceptual groundwork of the Institutional Analysis
and Development framework (Ostrom 1990; Ostrom/Gardner/Walker 1994; Ostrom
2005) and with special focus on cross-level variable interactions. 2\. We
apply this framework of variables to the case of urban areas and conduct a
model-centered meta-analysis of empirical studies in order to identify
patterns in which urban adaptive capacity is determined by institutional
interplay and variable interactions within and across governance levels.
Results: The main results are: 1\. The study provides a comprehensive and
coherent multi-tier framework of variables determining adaptive capacity. 2\.
The analysis of urban adaptive capacity indicates that the level of urban
adaptive capacity is attributable to the congruence of multiple variables. 3\.
Specific patterns of conjoint causation are identified for financial,
informational, and institutional multi-level-interactions of determinants of
urban adaptive capacity. Conclusions: This multi-tier framework seems to be
very promising for a better understanding of adaptive capacity and thereby for
influencing vulnerability to climate change. It provides a meaningful
background for future studies and may foster cumulative research on adaptive
capacity. Moreover, it offers a tool for further investigations of level- and
cross-level-dynamics
Avenues of archetype analysis: roots, achievements, and next steps in sustainability research
Recent years have seen a proliferation of studies that use archetype analysis to better understand and to foster transitions toward sustainability. This growing literature reveals a common methodological ground, as well as a variety of perspectives and practices. In this paper, we provide an historical overview of the roots of archetype analysis from ancient philosophy to recent sustainability science. We thereby derive core features of the archetype approach, which we frame by eight propositions. We then introduce the Special Feature, “Archetype Analysis in Sustainability Research,” which offers a consolidated understanding of the approach, a portfolio of methods, and quality criteria, as well as cutting-edge applications. By reflecting on the Special Feature’s empirical and methodological contributions, we hope that the showcased advances, exemplary applications, and conceptual clarifications will help to design future research that contributes to collaborative learning on archetypical patterns leading toward sustainability. The paper concludes with an outlook highlighting central directions for the next wave of archetype analyses
Beyond Certification: A Typology of Instruments of Private and Community-Based Sustainability Governance in Agri-Food Value Chains
Beyond Certification: A Typology of Instruments of Private and Community-Based Sustainability Governance in Agri-Food Value Chains
Governing spillovers of agricultural land use through voluntary sustainability standards: A coverage analysis of sustainability requirements
Voluntary Sustainability Standards (VSS) are prominent governance instruments that define and verify sustainable agricultural land use at farm and supply chain levels. However, agricultural production can prompt spillover dynamics with implications for sustainability that go beyond these scales, e.g., through runoff of chemical inputs or long-distance migrant worker flows. Scientific evidence on the governance of spillovers through VSS is, however, limited. This study investigates the extent to which VSS regulate a set of 21 environmental and socio-economic spillovers of agricultural land use. To this end, we assessed the spillover coverage in 100 sustainability standards. We find that VSS have a clear tendency to cover environmental spillovers more extensively than socio-economic spillovers. Further, we show how spillover coverage differs across varying types of standard-setting organizations and VSS verification mechanisms. Finally, we discuss the role and limitations that VSS can have in addressing the revealed gaps
The (In)Ability of a Multi-Stakeholder Platform to Address Land Conflicts—Lessons Learnt from an Oil Palm Landscape in Myanmar
Oil palm landscapes are often characterised by land conflicts. Multi-stakeholder platforms (MSP) may be a promising means to contribute to conflict resolution. However, the merits of MSPs are limited in contexts with strong power imbalances and entrenched conflict histories. This study analyses an MSP from Myanmar. We developed an analytical framework based on literature on MSPs and social learning and used qualitative methods such as participatory observation and interviews. The study investigates how the MSP was designed and governed and whether it was effective in addressing the land conflicts around oil palm concessions. The study discusses several promising factors of the MSP for being effective, such as adequate inclusion of stakeholders, secured resources, or effective facilitation. However, the analysis also reveals how hindering factors such as lack of a clear mandate, goal, and decision-making competences of the MSP, insufficient communication, or lack of legal and land governance expertise contributed to only limited effectiveness of the MSP. Further, we discuss whether the MSP was a suitable approach in the given context of nontransparent land governance mechanisms, persisting power disparities, and longstanding conflict history. We conclude that designing and governing an MSP in such a context needs to be done very cautiously—if at all—and recommend paying special attention to ten specific points
Transforming institutional quality in resource curse contexts: The Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative in Myanmar
Many resource-rich countries face the paradoxical situation that their wealth in natural resources coincides with low economic and human development rates. To address this so-called resource curse, academics and practitioners turn their hopes to institutional quality. Yet whether, how and with what consequences institutional quality is transformed in resource curse contexts remains poorly understood, especially so at subnational levels. The most widely implemented initiative that seeks to address the resource curse through enhanced institutional quality is the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI). This article analyses to what extent and how the EITI transforms institutional quality at national and subnational levels in Myanmar, focusing on transparency, civil society participation and accountability. We show that many transformations go beyond the official EITI process and report. While the EITI report itself is not heavily used by civil society organisations (CSOs), the EITI process motivated CSOs to gather data and organise themselves both around and beyond EITI-related issues at subnational levels. Such participatory processes of constituting transparency improved relations between the (regional) government, CSOs and private companies, but also created new forms of in- and exclusion among civil society. While avenues opened up for CSOs to demand accountability regarding the impacts of resource extraction, the extent to which they are able to trigger action of extractive industry actors in their region remains limited. In conclusion, we argue that transformations in institutional quality are not characterised by a linear trajectory from transparency in the form of the EITI report to accountability, facilitated by civil society participation in EITI multi-stakeholder groups, as the EITI standard posits. Rather, transformations in institutional quality are characterised by spin-offs, dynamic interlinkages, trade-offs, limitations and a reinforcing cycle between participation and transparency within and beyond the EITI
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