Policies
Environmental governance and its implications for conservation practiceBackgroundEnvironmental governance is a growing field that expands conservation practice beyond traditional management approaches. Managers make operational decisions to achieve specific conservation outcomes, while governance involves the broader processes and institutions through which societies make decisions that affect the environment. Unlike management, governance incorporates diverse views, fosters networks, and supports hybrid partnerships among state and non-state actors, creating opportunities for shared learning. Open access copy available |
Promises and potentials do not grow trees and crops. A review of institutional and policy research in agroforestry for the Southern African regionBACKGROUND:Agroforestry has been recognized for its potential to address land management challenges, improve food security, and support rural livelihoods, but its widespread adoption remains limited. Institutional and policy barriers, including weak coordination among sectors and inadequate incentives, hinder its integration into national and local frameworks. Strengthening policies, institutions, and research on the social and economic dimensions of agroforestry is essential for its successful implementation and long-term impact. Open access copy available |
Expanding forest carbon sinks to mitigate climate change in AfricaBACKGROUND:Forests play a crucial role in climate change mitigation by acting as carbon sinks that sequester atmospheric CO2. African forests, covering 22% of the continent, provide substantial benefits but are under threat from deforestation and degradation. A comprehensive strategy that integrates social, economic, and environmental aspects is essential to preserve their ability to capture carbon effectively. The authors seek to examine the relationship between forest loss and increased CO2 emissions in Africa. Open access copy available |
Why environmental impact assessments often failBackgroundEnvironmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) aim to mitigate the environmental costs of development, particularly in biodiversity-rich developing nations. While governments and corporations claim EIAs as safeguards against environmental harm from roads, dams, mines, and housing, many are ineffective or even worthless. Weak assessments fail to prevent projects that destroy habitats and endanger species. Key shortcomings include insufficient funding, narrow focus on immediate project areas, conflicts of interest among consultants, and poor governance that grants developers undue influence over policy decisions. Open access copy available |
What works in tropical forest conservation, and what does not: Effectiveness of four strategies in terms of environmental, social, and economic outcomesBackgroundOpen access copy available |
The 10 Elements of Agroecology: enabling transitions towards sustainable agriculture and food systems through visual narrativesBackgroundAgriculture and food systems around the world are failing to deliver the desired outcomes for food security and nutrition, creating an urgent need for transformative change to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. Addressing this challenge requires stakeholders to adopt holistic approaches that integrate population, diet, and food production, moving beyond a narrow focus on technological advancements and productivity. Agroecology, which incorporates social, political, and economic dimensions, provides a promising pathway to build sustainable and equitable food systems. Open access copy available |
The contradiction of the sustainable development goals: Growth versus ecology on a finite planetBackgroundThe Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), adopted by the United Nations in 2015, promote a holistic vision of development that recognizes the interconnectedness of poverty, underdevelopment, and environmental concerns. Comprising 17 goals and 169 specific targets, the SDGs reflect a shift in development theory, emphasizing that human flourishing depends on addressing ecological degradation. However, the framework reveals a fundamental contradiction. Goals 6, 12, 13, 14, and 15 advocate for environmental protection and “harmony with nature,” while Goal 8 emphasizes the pursuit of continued global economic growth. Available with subscription or purchase |
Livelihoods, Forests, and Conservation in Developing Countries: An OverviewBACKGROUND:Poverty is a huge challenge, with 2.8 billion of the world’s 6 billion people living on less than $2 a day. The paper highlights the alarming extent of poverty in developing countries and addresses the rapid deforestation, which compromises ecological integrity and exacerbates social inequities. The authors focus on exploring whether poverty alleviation and forest conservation can be aligned as complementary rather than conflicting objectives. Available with subscription or purchase |
Rural Women, Poverty and Natural Resources: Sustenance, Sustainability and Struggle for ChangeBackgroundAvailable with subscription or purchase |
Environmental Rights are a Human Right to a Healthy Environment: A Brief ReviewBACKGROUND:Environmental rights constitute a legal field dedicated to protecting and preserving the environment. This area of law governs the interactions between humans and nature through a comprehensive set of regulations. The paper delves into the intrinsic link between environmental protection and human rights, highlighting the evolution and significance of environmental rights within legal frameworks. It particularly focuses on developments in the Americas and explores how environmental rights have been increasingly integrated into broader human rights agendas. Open access copy available |
