Hvordan ikke hugge ned et tre : en sammenliknende studie av skogpolitikk, levebrød og arealbruk i Vietnam

This thesis focuses on the role of forests and forest management in providing global environmental and climate services. The study analyzes multiple dimensions of forest-sector policy development, with a special focus on interactions between policies, livelihoods and land-use processes at sub-national levels in Vietnam. The Lam Dong and Bac Kan provinces are considered to be representative of the variations in forest-cover dynamics in the country, namely those of a frontier (deforestation) zone, and a forest mosaic (reforestation) zone. The study applied interdisciplinary conceptual frameworks, including institutional theory, political ecology and livelihoods theory, to investigate the research objectives. It also used Forest Transition (FT) theory as a narrative framework to understand the trajectories of forest-cover dynamics and policy processes. An interdisciplinary methodological approach was applied to respond to the research objectives of the study. The results may have important implications for emerging forest and environmental policy frameworks such as payments for environmental services (PES) and Reduce Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation (REDD+). The findings reveal that ‘second-generation’ policy approaches, such as PES and REDD+, are unlikely to represent a paradigm shift in the history of forest management in Vietnam. As a result of institutional reproductions and ‘path dependency’, there is a rather high risk of prolonging existing approaches. Larger and more fundamental policy reforms, such as independence, the collectivization processes after the Second World War, and the market liberalization and decentralization reforms from the late 1980s onwards, were identified as fundamental explanatory factors for land-use dynamics in the contemporary history of the country. Furthermore, one-dimensional and reductionist land-use change explanation models, inherent to many of the emerging policy schemes such as PES, REDD+ and forest enhancement, risk overlooking the complexities of land use, livelihoods and underlying dimensions of the drivers of change. Complex institutional factors and the interests of more – or less – powerful actors, in the process of creating institutional bricolages, contribute to modifying and transforming policy programs and schemes into local adaptations. The thesis presents four individual but interrelated papers that address different aspects and scales of policy development processes and impacts. Paper 1: Analyzing the transformation of forest PES in Vietnam: Implications for REDD+ The paper analyzes the transformation of market-resembling environmental policy processes, exemplified by the implementation of forest PES in Vietnam. The paper applies a critical institutional path dependency framework to analyze the processes of institutional reproduction in PES encounters with actors and institutions at multiple levels, from the national to the local. PES policies did not enter an institutional vacuum, but instead were transformed through a process of reproducing existing institutional structures. This reflects not only established norms and values about ‘best-ways’ of organizing forest management, but also existing structures of power, tenure and the control by some groups over forest resources. In this sense, from a path dependency perspective, new and ‘innovative’ market-based approaches, such as PES, do not at all represent ‘critical junctures’. The findings of this study may have important implications for the prospects of implementing similar initiatives, such as REDD+, both in Vietnam and beyond. Thus future PES and REDD+ schemes should take into account the limitations and challenges of institutional reproduction, interplay and path dependency, to a higher degree in their planning and implementation. Paper 2: Sub-national forest transitions in Vietnam This paper compares forest transitions (FT), policy reforms and forest cover change in the Bac Kan and Lam Dong provinces of Vietnam. The country has seemingly been able to shortcut the perceived FT stages by quickly moving to the reforestation phase, which makes it an interesting case country. Provincial level forest cover and socio-economic trends are, however, not necessarily comparable and compatible within a FT analytical framework. Bac Kan is one of the poorest provinces, but has experienced forest regrowth and expansion of forest cover during the past couple of decades. In contrast, Lam Dong province has both higher GDP and population levels, but has had higher levels of deforestation, particularly linked to the expansion of perennial crops. This is quite contrary to what could be expected from a conventional FT hypothesis. The FT turnaround and land use dynamics were found to be linked to the overall and all-encompassing policy shift related to de-colonization, state-control and collectivization, and the new shift of “market-led socialism”, decentralization and land tenure reforms. The findings demonstrate that policies can trump typical FT patterns linked to general development trends. This provides a sense of relief in the way that the FT-trajectory is not unavoidable. Policies can make a difference. Yet, these policies have not primarily been guided by forest conservation concerns, but have rather been a side-effect of economic development and political objectives. Paper 3: Livelihoods and land uses in environmental policy approaches: The case of PES and REDD+ in the Lam Dong Province of Vietnam This paper explores assumptions about the drivers of forest cover change in a PES and REDD+ context in the Lam Dong Province in Vietnam. In policy discourses, deforestation is often linked to ‘poor’ and ‘ethnic minority’ households and their unsustainable practices such as the expansion of coffee production (and other agricultural activities) into forest areas. The paper applies a livelihood framework to discuss the links between livelihoods and land use amongst small-scale farmers in two communities. The findings of the livelihood survey demonstrate no clear linkages between poverty levels and unsustainable practices. In fact, the poorest group of households was found to deforest the least. The ways in which current PES and REDD+ approaches are designed do not provide appropriate solutions to address the underlying dimensions of issues at stake. The paper criticizes one-dimensional perspectives of the drivers behind deforestation and forest degradation often found in public policies and discourses. We suggest more comprehensive analyses of underlying factors encompassing the entire coffee production and land use system in this region. Addressing issues of land tenure and the scarcity of productive lands, and generating viable off-farm income alternatives seem to be crucial. Sustainable approaches for reducing deforestation and degradation could be possible through engaging with multiple stakeholders, including the business-oriented households in control of the coffee trade and of land transactions. Paper 4: Cultivating forests: Exploring the productive values of forest land in a reforestation zone of northern Vietnam The paper challenges the predominant forest-agriculture dichotomy perception in policy-making and research in Vietnam. Such dichotomies are not endemic to Vietnam, but permeate the whole climate and forest debate globally. This standpoint encompasses a perception that forests are of higher value kept standing and that agricultural practices, forest conservation and the sustainable use of forests are mutually exclusive activities. This study is based on a survey carried out in the province of Bac Kan in northern Vietnam, and applies a livelihoods framework (LF) to investigate the multiple values of forest lands in household economies. The case demonstrates the complexities of adaptations to forest-sector policies, namely that households in different institutional and agro-ecological locations create and use landscapes differently along a forest-agriculture continuum. The findings on the multipurpose uses of forests may have important implications for climate-related forest policies, such as REDD+ and reduced emissions from all land uses (REALU). Policy makers need to engage with people and local communities, their social institutions and agricultural practices, and consider context-specific approaches for integrating the objectives of conserving trees, increasing carbon stocks, and enhancing the total productivity and total outcomes and values of landscapes. The study recommends inter-sectoral and multi-stakeholder policy approaches to integrate and mainstream multiple objectives, including forestry, agriculture, energy, and environmental services such as food production, carbon capture and storage, water provision, and biodiversity conservation. The study concludes that predominant REDD+ discourses, such as those of ecological modernization and green governmentality, encompass presumptions and risks of one-dimensional and reductionist explanation models of the drivers of land-use change processes. In other words, there is an inherent logic – and need – to identify actors of change who must to be compensated for refraining from cutting down trees, and supported in planting new ones. In reality, however, developing and implementing forest conservation and enhancement policies are highly complex processes, influenced by multiple sets of institutional and agro-ecological factors. Policy implementation and land-use change linked to livelihood processes are multifaceted and dynamic imperatives, influenced by multiple institutional structures and actors, with different interests and agendas. The need to act for more sustainable management of tropical forests seems to be indisputable; however in order to make REDD+ policies more efficient, effective and equitable, the institutional complexity and interests of multiple stakeholders need to be taken into account.NMBU; Nansen Fund/UNIFOR - University of Osl

Kirkesteder og kirkebygninger i Troms og Finnmark før 1800

I avhandlingen kartlegges alle kjente og mulige kirkesteder i de to nordligste fylkene, og kirkebygningene som har stått her. Arbeidet tar utgangspunkt i sagalitteratur og eldre topografiske beskrivelser, kirkeregnskaper fra 16- og 1700-tallet, eldre tegninger og foto, arkeologiske registreringer og egne befaringer. Særlig har den systematiske gjennomgangen av det geistlige arkivmaterialet fra 16- og 1700-tallet gitt ny kunnskap om kirkearkitekturen i landsdelen forut for 1800. Kirkeetableringens sammenheng med den generelle bosetningshistorien understrekes og undersøkes. Et hovedpoeng i avhandlingen er hvordan bosetningshistorien, med en norrøn befolkning i Sør-Troms i yngre jernalder, kolonisering av Nord-Troms i høgmiddelalderen, og av det ytre kystlandskapet i Finnmark i senmiddelalderen, virker på kirkeetableringen. Dette førte senere til at tre ulike kirkelige instanser hadde kontroll over kirkene og forsvarte sine økonomiske interesser i høg- og senmiddelalderen: Domkapitlet i Trondheim kontrollerte Sør-Troms gjennom kollegiatkirken på Trondenes, den kongelige kapellgeistligheten satt med Nord-Troms med utgangspunkt i det kongelige kapellet på Tromsøya, og erkebiskopen kontrollerte Finnmark gjennom fiskeværskapellene. Ettersom avviklingen av disse forholdene i etterreformatorisk tid også skjedde på forskjellige tidspunkt, er det mulig å se resultatene av den tidlige bosetningsutviklingen – også i selve kirkearkitekturen – så sent som på 1700-tallet

Dynamic Analysis of Large-Scale Transfer Operations for Liquid Hydrogen

Transfer operations from onshore tanks to ship are a crucial component that needs to be understood and optimized to allow for large-scale seaborne transport of liquid hydrogen (LH2). In this work, we present a dynamic model that includes the main components required for loading operations of LH2. An important aspect for scaling-up is to quantify the effect of heat ingress in the pipelines. We implement a detailed pipeline model that we use to compare different insulation alternatives. Due to the nature of loading operations, the dynamic analysis, control strategy and controller tunings play an important role in the dynamic behaviour of the system. Here, we systematically analyse the dynamic behaviour of the system and develop a control strategy for LH2 loading operations. We implement this control strategy in the simulation model for LH2 loading. Keywords: Liquid hydrogen, Dynamics, Process control, Loading, Transfer operations, PID controlDynamic Analysis of Large-Scale Transfer Operations for Liquid HydrogenacceptedVersio

Low-pressure liquid CO2 terminal - a model study of the loading of a liquid CO2 tanker

Low-pressure liquid CO2 terminal - a model study of the loading of a liquid CO2 tankeracceptedVersio

Hydrogen re-liquefaction Process for Boil-off Gas Handling on a Large-scale Liquid Hydrogen Carrier

With the recent focus on hydrogen, seaborne shipping is considered an option for the large-scale transport of liquid hydrogen (LH2). For efficient shipping, boil-off gas (BOG) from the cargo tanks needs to be optimally utilized. This work suggests a BOG handling system (BHS) producing fuel for an LH2 carrier and liquefying excess BOG in a hydrogen Claude cycle. The process offers a simple configuration that does not require a refrigerant makeup facility. The simulation results of the BHS also show relatively low specific power consumption (5.7 to 2.6 kWh/kgLH2) with a good utilisation of cold energy in BOG. The sensitivity analysis with the BOG to fuel (BtF) ratio shows that a higher BtF gives a simpler configuration and a smaller size liquefier, saving capital costs. However, the optimal capacity of the BHS needs to be determined based on the techno-economic performance of the entire system of the LH2 carrier. Keywords: Hydrogen, Liquefaction, Liquid hydrogen carrier, Transport, Boil-off gas, Claude cycleacceptedVersio

Poverty among Households with Children: A Comparative Study of Lone Parents and Couples with Children in Norway and Germany

The purpose of this paper is to compare poverty among lone parents households and couples households with children in Norway and Germany measuring income poverty, material deprivation and receptions of social assistance with some separate numbers for formerly West and East Germany. As expected, the rates of income poverty and material deprivation are generally higher in Germany than Norway, and among lone parents households than among couples with children. However, focusing on receptions of social assistance the results become more complex, with Norwegian lone parents being the household group most frequently receiving social assistance. The results show that the different dimensions of poverty are not independent of one another but at the same time as they are not totally overlapping. Besides the impact of household characteristic and welfare regime, poverty also seems to be related to labor market factors

Medium scale distribution chains for hydrogen

acceptedVersio

Prepared for the worst? Emergency preparedness in Norwegian fish farming – Status and further improvements

Norwegian fish farming has traditionally taken place in open net pens at the coast and in the fjords. With the aim of utilising new areas, innovative farm designs for open ocean locations have emerged in recent years. The government is developing a regulatory framework for operating in these areas. Increased distance to shore will require a robust emergency preparedness for personnel, fish, environment, food safety and material assets. This article provides new knowledge regarding the status of emergency preparedness in the Norwegian salmon fish farming industry, describes the risk picture for coastal versus offshore production sites and suggests improvements for establishing emergency preparedness. Methods include document studies, interviews, workshops and dialogue meetings with fish farmers, suppliers and authorities. Findings support that preventive work and learning from accidents are seen as important, but also that emergency response plans may become too extensive and that more can be done when it comes to cooperation across companies. Key improvements include performing systematic emergency preparedness analysis, standardizing emergency preparedness performance requirements, and working together across companies. For offshore fish farming, synergies with other industries are key for the quality of emergency preparedness in the future.publishedVersio

Temperature independent snow production

Both the reliability of natural snow and the number of potential snow production days with traditional snowmaking equipment are decreasing due to a warmer climate. This is especially the case at lower altitudes. To maintain conditions suitable for winter sports close to cities and highly populated areas in the future, it may be necessary to use snow storage and temperature independent snow production. These techniques are already in use by several ski resorts, but they are both expensive and energy demanding. It is therefore necessary to develop a new approach to snowmaking that allows snow to be made in an energy efficient and environmentally friendly way at temperatures above 0 °C. Utilization of the heat produced in TIS machines, or the use of waste heat for snow production are among the proposed methods to achieve this. This report begins with a brief description of the currently most used methods for snow production. This is followed by a description of ice production technologies that can be used in temperature independent snow machines, a review of existing TIS systems, and a comparison of these. A summary of two master theses about TIS systems and utilization of the produced surplus heat written in cooperation with the "Snow for the future" project is then given. The report ends with a discussion and conclusions regarding TIS systems.Temperature independent snow productionpublishedVersio