China is now the second largest economy in the world after the United States of America and is deemed to be the most influential member of the group of leading emerging economies, the so called BRICS partnership consisting of Brazil, the Russian Federation, India, China and South Africa. According to the latest World Investment Report published by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development ("UNCTAD"), China is also the second largest recipient of inward foreign direct investment ("IFDI") and the third in terms of outward foreign direct investment ("OFDI"). In this context, Africa is emerging as an important destination for China's FDI outflows. Through an interdisciplinary approach, this article seeks to further our understanding of the economic, political and, more importantly, the legal framework that underlies these current developments. The article first of all provides an overview of China's current Africa policy with regards to investment. Also, the role of BRICS is scrutinized in this context. In its main part, the article then refers to the international law governing FDI. A special emphasis is put on bilateral investment treaties that have been concluded between China and Africa. Finally, this article evaluates the political and legal framework of the Sino-African investment relations, taking into account various aspects ranging from environmental concerns to human rights aspects, labour issues, and economic development. Again, the bilateral investment treaties are analysed in more detail.
Worldwide emphasis has been placed on designing approaches with regard to the needs of sustainable development. Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) is one key agricultural development approach aimed at sustainably increasing productivity and resilience, while also reducing/removing emissions of greenhouse gases. Although many countries will be expected to adopt this approach, its applicability in an African context is not very clear, well studied nor has its sustainability been assessed. We used the Sustainability Assessment of Energy Technologies Framework to assess the applicability of CSA in combating climate change, desertification and improving rural livelihood in an African context. We also assessed the opportunities and constraints to the adoption of this approach in Northern Nigeria. Data was collected using key informant interviews and field observation to assess the current status of agriculture in Northern Nigeria. The results showed that CSA is strong in aspects such as participation and sustainable use of resources but weak in aspects of compensation and equal distribution of benefits and costs. Many small-holder farmers have inadvertently practiced CSA as part of the traditional farming system. While the existence of CSA in current practice is a major element in its favour, the lack of a coherent climate mitigation approach and poor institutional structures are both detrimental. Sustainable agriculture will require a wider societal change towards appreciating the balance between agriculture and environmental change. We suggest four main areas in need of urgent change: political commitment, human and financial investment, incentives and information.
PurposeThrough a comprehensive literature review and data analysis, the purpose of this paper is to adopt a multi‐perspective interrelation of different dimensions of existing theory to eventually bridge the fields of political and business marketing, identify the underlying causes of voter behaviour, and distil the critical factors of small political parties' (SPPs') strategic marketing communications (MCs) success. The research finally develops a preliminary conceptual strategic MCs model for SPPs that fits the context of developed countries and concentrates on the strategic aspects of MCs.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is largely conceptual and is based on an extensive literature review and secondary data; strengthened through additional and focused quantitative and qualitative data.FindingsThe findings indicate an increasing association between business and political marketing, an environmental context that stimulates and nurtures a symbiotic relationship between parties and voters, an enhanced role of "perception management", and substantial divergence of SPP reality from classical theory.Research limitations/implicationsFurther and focused primary research is required towards model testing.Practical implicationsA scientific basis is provided for practical strategic implementation of MCs by SPPs.Originality/valueThe research value stems from its focus on SPPs, its contribution to the generic discussion on business marketing theory applicability to politics; its reinforcement of existing research on the subject through further data and analyses; and additionally to existing researches' focus, its concentration on the strategic aspects of the subject and its contribution to literature of an analogous strategic political marketing model.
The increased interconnection among local and global players induced by globalization, as well as the need for a complete application of the 'subsidiarity principle', calls for a re-thinking of the 'corporate social responsibility' concept. This new concept broadens the perspective of the single company interacting with its own stakeholders in relation to specific social and environmental impacts, to a network of organizations, with different aims and natures, collaborating on relevant sustainability issues. In this paper, the authors will provide a definition of 'Territorial Social Responsibility', sustaining the multi-stakeholder approach as a driver toward local sustainable development. Firstly, theoretical approaches to sustainable development at the territorial level will be examined, identifying the most innovative ideas about governance, network relation and development theories. The idea of development focuses not only on the economic aspects, but on the structural and institutional factors. The existence of cooperative territorial networks is essential to fulfil the creation of tangible and intangible assets at the local level. At the same time, the effectiveness of the decision-making and rules' system can stimulate and empower territorial networks to tackle sustainable development. An analytical framework, scheme-shaped, will be set in order to identify the main aspects, indicators and practices characterizing the territorial social responsibility concept. It will represent a first attempt to create a feasible instrument aimed at understanding how cooperative social responsible actors, operating in the same territory, could direct the path toward sustainable development.
The institutions of the Andean Community have been working on consolidating a multidimensional integration by strengthening their social, political, environmental and institutional aspects, independently the successes and failures in its economic-commercial aspects and despite the disputes between the governments of its member countries. In this process, the European Union support has been instrumental, through the redesign of its pro-integrationist strategy developed in Latin-America. Explain how was the process o/ consolidation o/ the Andean multidimensional integration and what role it has played the development cooperation o/ the European Union, are the objectives o/ this article.Key Words: Andean Community, regional integration, multidimensionality strategy agenda, international cooperation, European Union. ; Las instituciones de la Comunidad Andina, han venido trabajando en la consolidación de una integración multidimensional a través del fortalecimiento de sus aspectos sociales, políticos, ambientales e institucionales, al margen de los logros y fracasos en sus aspectos económico-comerciales ya pesar de las disputas entre los gobiernos de sus países miembros. En este proceso, el apoyo de la Unión Europea ha sido fundamental, gracias al rediseño de su estrategia prointegracionista aplicada en América Latina. Explicar cómo ha sido el proceso de consolidación de la integración multidimensional andina y qué papel ha jugado en esto la cooperación para el desarrollo de la Unión Europea, son los objetivos del presente artículo.Palabras clave: Comunidad Andina, integración regional, multidimensionalidad, nueva agenda estratégica, cooperación internacional, Unión Europea.
PurposeThe purpose is to report on a Danish nano‐science and nano‐technology foresight project carried out in 2004.Design/methodology/approachThe foresight process had the following key elements: review of international technology foresight projects on nano‐technology; mapping of Danish nano‐science and nano‐technology; broad internet survey among interested parties; expert reports; workshops related to the expert reports; analysis of the dynamics of innovation within nano‐technology; survey on hazards and environmental and ethical aspects; group interviews with members of the public.FindingsThe article reflects on the following methodological issues: domain classification and its influence on conclusions; the use of statements or hypotheses; trustworthiness of the foresight process and its recommendations.Practical implicationsRecommendations from the project have already been used in decision‐making on R&D funding and in strategic deliberation in publicly funded institutions conducting R&D. Others are expected to be used for decision‐making, and some are being discussed in research councils and ministries or are being investigated and developed further. Moreover, the foresight process has created broader awareness of, and debate especially about, the hazardous aspects of nano‐technology among researchers and decision makers.Originality/valueThe article contribute the to the European experiences with national level foresight exercises. The case and the findings are of value for science and innovation policy makers, foresight practitioners and scolars within the field.
AbstractDoes the rise of new social movements (NSMs) represent a challenge for the traditional political parties in Quebec? Though this question can be answered from many perspectives, this study focuses on the programmatic aspect of this challenge that encompasses both a number of new societal issues and adherence to new values promoted by the NSMs. More precisely, it addresses the following questions: have the issues of environment and the respect of women's rights been already integrated into the political platforms of the two mainstream political parties in Quebec, the Liberal Party of Quebec and the Parti Québécois? Can the activists of those political parties be distinguished from the members of environmental and women's rights movements with regard to their values? On the one hand, both the Liberal party and the Parti Québécois have for a long time incorporated into their platforms issues linked to the defence of the environment and to the promotion of gender equality. On the other hand, the authors observe that the adherence to postmaterialist values is stronger in the NSMs than in the parties. One main conclusion is that one cannot compare adherence to the new values in the parties and the NSMs as two homogeneous blocs. Instead, the authors see four distinct organizations. They encourage further research to examine other dimensions of the problem such as the organizational aspect of the political challenge posed by the rise of NSMs.
This thesis addresses the association of industrial and environmental performances with a continuous improvement approach oriented toward sustainable development, and particularly seeks for the identification and elimination of Lean and Green "wastes" in manufacturing processes. The major issue lies in the deployment of L&G tools within manufacturing firms with various processes and cultural characteristics. Based upon a thorough state of the art and industrial surveys on best practices, the research includes several assessments and observations on manufacturing sites. The development of an adaptable roadmap of deployment highlighting social concerns through the involvement of employees in improvements is therefore completed with a selection model of environmental indicators, a "L&G House" and a maturity model for the strategy's implementation. ; Ces travaux de thèse s'intéressent à l'association des performances industrielles et environnementales avec une démarche d'amélioration continue orientée vers le développement durable et ciblent l'élimination conjointe des « gaspillages » Lean et Green dans les processus de fabrication. La problématique majeure réside dans la mise en place des outils L&G au sein d'entreprises manufacturières possédant des processus et caractéristiques culturelles variés. Basés sur une analyse suivie de l'état de l'art et d'enquêtes de bonnes pratiques, les travaux de recherche incluent plusieurs évaluations et observations sur sites industriels. La mise au point d'une roadmap de déploiement adaptable, mettant en valeur les aspects sociaux par le biais de l'implication et de la valorisation des employés, est ainsi complétée par un modèle de sélection d'indicateurs environnementaux, une « Maison du L&G » et un modèle de maturité particularisé pour le niveau d'implémentation de la stratégie.
International audience ; Two major transformations are affecting humanity. The rapidly increasing mastery of information, that allows control to penetrate all spheres from society to biology, and the contemporary loss of domination humans have over their environment's behavior. Both consequences of technological development, the digital revolution and global warming have opposite impact in terms of control. Will the former help recover what the later is challenging? How governments are going to cope with technologies and planetary boundaries that evolve faster than they are themselves able to? What will be the role of autonomous intelligent systems and machines? Those are probably some of the most fundamental questions of our epoch. If it is hard to make predictions , there is a rising fear that the anthropocene could lead to digital authoritarian regimes. Interestingly though, while Western countries seem to mainly address these issues in each activity sector independently, various holistic models emerge in East-Asia. Technologies are integrated to serve global coherent political objectives. This paper considers some aspects of the related cyber-strategies in China and Japan.
Although organic agriculture in Brazil targets mainly local consumers, there is growing demand for research related to commercializing this sector abroad. A study was done in Europe on the perception of entities related to this theme, specifically on Participatory Guarantee Systems (PGS), the feasibility of equivalence between the countries, and control procedures. An exploratory study was conducted through interviews with five organic certification bodies, two in Switzerland, three in Italy, and with a producer association in Italy. PGS is little known in Europe in general and it is suggested that it be better disseminated in the member countries. PGS has been evaluated positively for reducing certification costs and promoting benefits from a social aspect, but it can fail in organic compliance and in large scale production. There are significant differences that must be overcome in order to establish equivalence, such as the lack of homogeneity among European countries on control procedures, the existence of PGS in Brazilian legislation, lack of wild crop products in Europe, different conversion periods, and the requirement of a higher number of inspections in Brazil. Equivalence is seen as beneficial to both Europe and Brazil, and it would therefore be appropriate to promote its viability. The Brazilian law on organic agriculture is taken as very restrictive and complex. ; Although organic agriculture in Brazil targets mainly local consumers, there is growing demand for research related to commercializing this sector abroad. A study was done in Europe on the perception of entities related to this theme, specifically on Participatory Guarantee Systems (PGS), the feasibility of equivalence between the countries, and control procedures. An exploratory study was conducted through interviews with five organic certification bodies, two in Switzerland, three in Italy, and with a producer association in Italy. PGS is little known in Europe in general and it is suggested that it be better disseminated in the member countries. PGS has been evaluated positively for reducing certification costs and promoting benefits from a social aspect, but it can fail in organic compliance and in large scale production. There are significant differences that must be overcome in order to establish equivalence, such as the lack of homogeneity among European countries on control procedures, the existence of PGS in Brazilian legislation, lack of wild crop products in Europe, different conversion periods, and the requirement of a higher number of inspections in Brazil. Equivalence is seen as beneficial to both Europe and Brazil, and it would therefore be appropriate to promote its viability. The Brazilian law on organic agriculture is taken as very restrictive and complex. ; Embora a agricultura orgânica no Brasil atinja principalmente aos consumidores locais, há uma crescente demanda por pesquisas relacionadas à comercialização com o exterior neste setor. Uma pesquisa foi realizada na Europa sobre a percepção de entidades relacionadas a este tema, especificamente sobre Sistemas Participativos de Garantia (SPG), a viabilidade da equivalência entre os países e os procedimentos de controle. Um estudo exploratório foi realizado através de entrevistas com cinco organismos de certificação orgânica, dois na Suíça, três na Itália e uma associação de produtores na Itália. O SPG é pouco conhecido na Europa em geral e é sugerido divulgar melhor nos países membros. O SPG foi avaliado positivamente para reduzir os custos de certificação e promover os benefícios de um aspecto social, mas pode falhar na conformidade orgânica e na produção em grande escala. Existem diferenças significativas para estabelecer equivalência, como a falta de homogeneidade entre os países europeus em procedimentos de controle, a existência de SPG na legislação brasileira, a falta de produtos do extrativismo vegetal na Europa, diferentes períodos de conversão e a exigência de um maior número de inspeções no Brasil. A equivalência foi considerada benéfica para ambos e seria apropriado fazer esforços para torná-la viável. A legislação brasileira sobre agricultura orgânica é considerada muito restritiva e complexa.
The issues that increasingly dominate the 21st century cannot be solved by any single country acting alone, no matter how powerful. To manage the global economy, prevent runaway environmental destruction, reign in nuclear proliferation, or confront other global challenges, we must cooperate. But at the same time, our tools for global policymaking - chiefly state-to-state negotiations over treaties and international institutions - have broken down. The result is gridlock, which manifests across areas via a number of common mechanisms. The rise of new powers representing a more diverse array of interests makes agreement more difficult. The problems themselves have also grown harder as global policy issues penetrate ever more deeply into core domestic concerns. Existing institutions, created for a different world, also lock-in pathological decision-making procedures and render the field ever more complex. All of these processes - in part a function of previous, successful efforts at cooperation - have led global cooperation to fail us even as we need it most. Ranging over the main areas of global concern, from security to the global economy and the environment, this book examines these mechanisms of gridlock and pathways beyond them. It is written in a highly accessible way, making it relevant not only to students of politics and international relations but also to a wider general readership.
To establish and operate reliable Solid Waste Management (SWM) systems, efficient technologies, stable organizational structures, skilled personnel, sound operational management and appropriate financing concepts are required. In order to sustain such systems, the implementation of suited legal framework conditions and economical instruments are considered as key success factors. Proper financial management allows to determine the real costs of SWM and to design local policies that provide the needed mechanisms to conduct Solid Waste Management on community level and to formulate rules and user fees that are not only acceptable by residents and users but likewise secure participation of stakeholders and transparency for the public [1, 3]. As in other developing countries, financing SWM remains a severe issue also in the Philippines. Cost recovery is an important requirement for sustainable waste management, but it does not always correspond with political priorities, the willingness of the population or the capacities of the administration to implement it. Fees to cover SWM costs are either not asked for, or existing fee mechanism are not effectively implemented or being utilized by the authorities in charge. However, policies that address cost recovery will directly affect the capacity and willingness of service recipients to pay as well as the maximum level of refinancing that can be achieved. The lower the level of cost recovery, the higher the resulting risk of poor services rendered or ultimately service interruptions. Hence, sustainable financing of SWM by local means is imperative. In Bayawan City, Philippines the local government recognized the opportunities arising with establishing a new SWM system as required by national waste legislation [5]. During SWM planning various issues surfaced that were taken up by the local authorities to design 'taylor-made' new local policies that integrate cost recovery mechanism through user fees and revenues for material recovery. Main positive effects of cost recovery resulted from introduction of a prepaid sticker system that requests to pre-pay a fee for collection of residual waste and bio-waste. Besides, the introduction of an environmental fee claimed with the regular water bill propelled cost recovery from initial 3% to more than 15% of annual SWM budget after only 3 years operation of the new system whereas income for the latter is mainly used for cleaning of septic tanks and processing of recovered sludge at the newly established municipal waste management center. Results of this case underline that enhancing SWM systems is possible also in developing countries with innovative technologies and approaches that integrate local conditions and provide suited mechanism to enhance motivation and ownership of local decision-makers and users likewise [2-4].
Funding: This study was financed by the Operational Programme Mar2020, MAR-02.01.01-FEAMP-0052, "Newcumber – Avanços para o cultivo sustentável de pepinos do mar". It received further financial support from Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (projects UIDB/04292/2020, UIDB/00006/2020, CoastNet – PINFRA/22128/2016, AB with the Scientific Stimulus Programme – CEECIND/00095/2017 and FA with the individual research grant 2020.09563.BD). This publication was financed by Portuguese national funds through FCT – Fundação IP under project reference UIDB/04292/2020, and by the European Union's Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Program under grant agreement N810139: Project Portugal Twinning for Innovation and Excellence in Marine Science and Earth Observation – PORTWIMS. ; There is an increasing demand for sea cucumbers, for human consumption, mainly from Asian markets and, as a consequence, NE-Atlantic species are now new targets for exploitation and exportation. Holothuria mammata is one of the most valuable species in Europe. However, the lack of historical economic interest in this species in most European countries has also led to a lack of studies concerning biological and ecological aspects on wild populations and this is a major issue for stock management. This study aims to determine the temporal and spatial patterns of distribution of H. mammata, considering its abundance and demographic structure in a NE-Atlantic area, SW Portugal, as a function of environmental conditions. For that, a population from a marine protected area was followed for 1 year at 1.5-month intervals. Throughout the coastal area, six sites were selected and at each sampling campaign three random transects per site and substrate (rock and sand) in which all H. mammata individuals were counted and measured. For each site and survey several environmental parameters of interest, from the water column, the sediment and substrate cover, were also measured. Generalized Linear Models were used to model the spatial and temporal distribution of the species according to environmental conditions, to determine the species' habitat preferences. The distribution models indicate that abiotic and biotic parameters of the water column are not the main drivers shaping the distribution of H. mammata. The species has a patchy distribution, and its habitat preferences depend on environmental stability, the presence of shelter and habitat complexity, which is more important for smaller, more vulnerable, individuals, while bigger size classes tend to venture more into less stable environments in an opportunistic fashion. The knowledge of these population traits is determinant to develop stock management measures, which are now urgent to prevent the depletion of commercial sea cucumber populations in the NE-Atlantic. Sustainable fisheries policies should be developed and start by considering to delimit fishing areas and periods, considering the species spatial and temporal distribution patterns. ; Publisher PDF ; Peer reviewed
"Through much of 2020 and into 2021, nations throughout the world locked down because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Before then, the most pressing global anxiety for many people was climate anxiety. However, these phenomena are in many ways interconnected. Many of the elements in the global economic and logistical systems cause both ecological problems and vulnerability to pandemics. When pandemics happen, they influence ecological problems-for better or worse. In turn, ecological dynamics shape pandemics"--
Southern Africa's maritime interests are considerable: its oceans and ports are essential to the wealth of the region, are crucial for trade and are an important source of employment, food and energy. However, regional governments do not place sufficient attention on the Blue Economy and its potential to stimulate economic growth. Of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals, goal Number 14 (Life Below Water) is the least funded. Less than 1% of Official Development Assistance goes toward this goal, and even private investment and funding from philanthropic organizations is grossly inadequate to meet Africa's blue economy needs. It is vital for the international community to face up to the challenges of Africa's Blue Economy and start working on solutions and for southern Africa's Blue Economy policies and goals to be expanded. Just as sustainable development green initiatives show promise, so too could Blue Economy projects and activities. Southern Africa's rich coastal and marine resources need to be managed on both a national and regional level if they are to be used in a long-term, sustainable way. This book provides, for the first time, a concise study of the constraints and opportunities that the Blue Economy offers for southern Africa and the role that the Southern African Development Community (SADC) could play in fostering a sustainable use of its ocean and coastal resources.
