ABSTRACT This paper is a conceptual analysis of how “green” Integrated Water Resources Management... more ABSTRACT This paper is a conceptual analysis of how “green” Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) can be the key to sustainable social and economic development under the regime of climate change. The prevailing IWRM principles developed by the Dublin and Rio statements (1992), the Millennium Assembly (2000) and the WSSD (2002) attach a narrow, technical and single purposive orientation to IWRM, which are inadequate in fighting against the impact of climate change. Standing on the brink of irreversible impacts of climate change, it is now most urgent to secure the water sector from the devastating impacts of climate change by appropriate responses through policies and acting accordingly. Integrating a climate-proofing approach to IWRM policies is termed as “green” IWRM. Analysis emphasizes that only “green” IWRM can promote water security under the changing climate. The paper outlines the strategies that should be taken to make the IWRM “green”, which will further ensure sustainable use of freshwater, participation, gender balancing and equitable and efficient management fostering sustainable development. KeywordsAdaptation-Climate change-Greening-IWRM-Policies
ABSTRACT During the last two decades, many higher education institutions have become involved in ... more ABSTRACT During the last two decades, many higher education institutions have become involved in embedding sustainable development into their academic systems. The research for this paper was built upon discussions on declarations, charters, and other initiatives designed to commit their institutions to education for sustainable development. It analyses if such commitment leads to more sustainable development implementation within the academic institution. The research was performed using a survey, based upon a literature review of 60 peer-reviewed papers. The survey was divided into eight categories: background; institutional framework; campus operations; education; research; outreach and collaboration; on-campus experiences; and assessment and reporting. The survey was answered by 84 respondents from 70 institutions, worldwide. The responses were analysed via descriptive analysis, grounded theory, and inferential statistics. The results revealed that there were many examples of sustainable development implementation throughout the system; however, generally the efforts tended to be compartmentalised. The analyses also highlighted strong linkages between the institution's commitment to sustainability, implementation, and signing a declaration, charter, or initiative. The findings suggested that academic leadership's commitment was a leading cause for signing a declaration, charter, or initiative, and implementing sustainable development. The research team provided recommendations for higher educational leaders, including acknowledge that the higher education institution system is comprised of several inter-related elements; commit to sustainability by integrating it into policies and strategies; show the commitment by signing a declaration, charter, or initiative; establish short-, medium-, and long-term plans for its institutionalisation; and ensure that sustainable development is implemented throughout the system.
The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) is one of the flexible instruments of the Kyoto Protocol de... more The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) is one of the flexible instruments of the Kyoto Protocol designed to combat climate change so as to bring advantages to developing countries and developed countries alike. Indeed, CDM projects have a two-fold objective: to offset greenhouse gas emissions and to contribute to sustainable development in the host country. However in many cases, the latter objective appears to be marginalized. This is at least partly due to the difficulties surrounding the definition and the measurement of sustainability, in particular in a developing country context. To assess CDM projects’ contribution to sustainable development in the host country, scholars and practitioners need adapted indicator sets. A set of indicators were developed by way of an iterative Delphi approach amongst selected Vietnamese experts. The Delphi approach allowed a systematic collection of the experts’ judgements on the sustainability indicators through a set of sequentially applied questionnaires, interspersed with feedback from earlier responses. This exercise resulted in the selection of a set of 36 indicators, which emphasise economic efficiency, public health and pollution issues. The exercise yielded a locally supported and context-specific set of sustainability indicators that will allow Vietnamese decision-makers to enhance the sustainability of the approved CDM projects. In the future this set should be continually improved through real-life application and further participation from local stakeholders. This study is a first step in a long-term process towards developing an adapted toolkit for sustainability assessment of CDM projects in Vietnam.
Environmental Modeling & Assessment - ENVIRON MODEL ASSESS
Sustainable development is a widespread concept. Indicator selection and sustainability assessmen... more Sustainable development is a widespread concept. Indicator selection and sustainability assessment are basic methods to analyse the sustainable development process. This study aims to develop a software application to select indicators and to allocate weightings to the indicators and the sub-indexes, so that they can be listed in a sustainability assessment. The Visual Basic software is used to develop a software package based on Delphi, analytic hierarchy, normalization and combination processes. Software for sustainability assessment was developed. Thirty-five indicators are selected as a first step of which eight health indicators and eight environmental ones and their sub-indexes are given weightings. The indicators are normalized. Sub-indexes are combined into a composite sustainable development index. The model is validated showing the ‘main features’ of the sustainability situation on health and environmental aspects in the Quang Tri province during the period 2000–2005. The results support the decision-making process of the competent authorities.
Despite their alleged comprehensiveness and the many linkages between poverty and environment, mo... more Despite their alleged comprehensiveness and the many linkages between poverty and environment, most Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers have until now insufficiently acknowledged the importance of environmental sustainability. To tackle this shortcoming, participative processes were initiated to 'green' PRSPs (meaning the integration of environmental sustainability as a cross-cutting issue). This supposes a process-approach to decision-making and implies opening up the policy process to a wide range of societal actors. This approach is conceptualised as a sustainability assessment. A brief descriptive analysis of the Benin PRSP-greening initiative will be presented, based on interviews and on literature research. Subsequently, issues of importance in appreciating the wider, substantive impact of PRSP-greening are suggested. Besides the quality improvements of the PRSP itself, greening contributes to a gradual change in the way decision-making is perceived and contributes to social learning. Furthermore it is a promising approach that contributes to the institutionalisation of environmental sustainability in Africa and to a strengthening of democratic participation, as confirmed by the involved stakeholders.
International Journal of Environment and Pollution, 2009
ABSTRACT Policy Integration for Complex Environmental Problems: the Example of Mediterranean Dese... more ABSTRACT Policy Integration for Complex Environmental Problems: the Example of Mediterranean Desertification, [edited] by Helen Briassoulis. Aldershot, Ashgate, 2005. 371 pp. ISBN 0-7546-2324-7
ABSTRACT This paper is a conceptual analysis of how “green” Integrated Water Resources Management... more ABSTRACT This paper is a conceptual analysis of how “green” Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) can be the key to sustainable social and economic development under the regime of climate change. The prevailing IWRM principles developed by the Dublin and Rio statements (1992), the Millennium Assembly (2000) and the WSSD (2002) attach a narrow, technical and single purposive orientation to IWRM, which are inadequate in fighting against the impact of climate change. Standing on the brink of irreversible impacts of climate change, it is now most urgent to secure the water sector from the devastating impacts of climate change by appropriate responses through policies and acting accordingly. Integrating a climate-proofing approach to IWRM policies is termed as “green” IWRM. Analysis emphasizes that only “green” IWRM can promote water security under the changing climate. The paper outlines the strategies that should be taken to make the IWRM “green”, which will further ensure sustainable use of freshwater, participation, gender balancing and equitable and efficient management fostering sustainable development. KeywordsAdaptation-Climate change-Greening-IWRM-Policies
ABSTRACT During the last two decades, many higher education institutions have become involved in ... more ABSTRACT During the last two decades, many higher education institutions have become involved in embedding sustainable development into their academic systems. The research for this paper was built upon discussions on declarations, charters, and other initiatives designed to commit their institutions to education for sustainable development. It analyses if such commitment leads to more sustainable development implementation within the academic institution. The research was performed using a survey, based upon a literature review of 60 peer-reviewed papers. The survey was divided into eight categories: background; institutional framework; campus operations; education; research; outreach and collaboration; on-campus experiences; and assessment and reporting. The survey was answered by 84 respondents from 70 institutions, worldwide. The responses were analysed via descriptive analysis, grounded theory, and inferential statistics. The results revealed that there were many examples of sustainable development implementation throughout the system; however, generally the efforts tended to be compartmentalised. The analyses also highlighted strong linkages between the institution's commitment to sustainability, implementation, and signing a declaration, charter, or initiative. The findings suggested that academic leadership's commitment was a leading cause for signing a declaration, charter, or initiative, and implementing sustainable development. The research team provided recommendations for higher educational leaders, including acknowledge that the higher education institution system is comprised of several inter-related elements; commit to sustainability by integrating it into policies and strategies; show the commitment by signing a declaration, charter, or initiative; establish short-, medium-, and long-term plans for its institutionalisation; and ensure that sustainable development is implemented throughout the system.
The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) is one of the flexible instruments of the Kyoto Protocol de... more The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) is one of the flexible instruments of the Kyoto Protocol designed to combat climate change so as to bring advantages to developing countries and developed countries alike. Indeed, CDM projects have a two-fold objective: to offset greenhouse gas emissions and to contribute to sustainable development in the host country. However in many cases, the latter objective appears to be marginalized. This is at least partly due to the difficulties surrounding the definition and the measurement of sustainability, in particular in a developing country context. To assess CDM projects’ contribution to sustainable development in the host country, scholars and practitioners need adapted indicator sets. A set of indicators were developed by way of an iterative Delphi approach amongst selected Vietnamese experts. The Delphi approach allowed a systematic collection of the experts’ judgements on the sustainability indicators through a set of sequentially applied questionnaires, interspersed with feedback from earlier responses. This exercise resulted in the selection of a set of 36 indicators, which emphasise economic efficiency, public health and pollution issues. The exercise yielded a locally supported and context-specific set of sustainability indicators that will allow Vietnamese decision-makers to enhance the sustainability of the approved CDM projects. In the future this set should be continually improved through real-life application and further participation from local stakeholders. This study is a first step in a long-term process towards developing an adapted toolkit for sustainability assessment of CDM projects in Vietnam.
Environmental Modeling & Assessment - ENVIRON MODEL ASSESS
Sustainable development is a widespread concept. Indicator selection and sustainability assessmen... more Sustainable development is a widespread concept. Indicator selection and sustainability assessment are basic methods to analyse the sustainable development process. This study aims to develop a software application to select indicators and to allocate weightings to the indicators and the sub-indexes, so that they can be listed in a sustainability assessment. The Visual Basic software is used to develop a software package based on Delphi, analytic hierarchy, normalization and combination processes. Software for sustainability assessment was developed. Thirty-five indicators are selected as a first step of which eight health indicators and eight environmental ones and their sub-indexes are given weightings. The indicators are normalized. Sub-indexes are combined into a composite sustainable development index. The model is validated showing the ‘main features’ of the sustainability situation on health and environmental aspects in the Quang Tri province during the period 2000–2005. The results support the decision-making process of the competent authorities.
Despite their alleged comprehensiveness and the many linkages between poverty and environment, mo... more Despite their alleged comprehensiveness and the many linkages between poverty and environment, most Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers have until now insufficiently acknowledged the importance of environmental sustainability. To tackle this shortcoming, participative processes were initiated to 'green' PRSPs (meaning the integration of environmental sustainability as a cross-cutting issue). This supposes a process-approach to decision-making and implies opening up the policy process to a wide range of societal actors. This approach is conceptualised as a sustainability assessment. A brief descriptive analysis of the Benin PRSP-greening initiative will be presented, based on interviews and on literature research. Subsequently, issues of importance in appreciating the wider, substantive impact of PRSP-greening are suggested. Besides the quality improvements of the PRSP itself, greening contributes to a gradual change in the way decision-making is perceived and contributes to social learning. Furthermore it is a promising approach that contributes to the institutionalisation of environmental sustainability in Africa and to a strengthening of democratic participation, as confirmed by the involved stakeholders.
International Journal of Environment and Pollution, 2009
ABSTRACT Policy Integration for Complex Environmental Problems: the Example of Mediterranean Dese... more ABSTRACT Policy Integration for Complex Environmental Problems: the Example of Mediterranean Desertification, [edited] by Helen Briassoulis. Aldershot, Ashgate, 2005. 371 pp. ISBN 0-7546-2324-7
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Papers by Jean Hugé