C.S.A. (Kris) van Koppen

Resource, Arcadia, Lifeworld. Nature Concepts in Environmental Sociology

In environmental sociology three strands of nature conceptualization can be distinguished: the resource, the ‘Arcadian’ and the constructionist approach. In the resource approach, the instrumental values of nature as a sustenance base are central, and social theory focuses on the way society can be geared to the conditions of sustainability as they are determined by natural science. In the ‘Arcadian’ approach, non-instrumental, aesthetic and ethical values are central, and social theory focuses primarily on the defense of these values.In the constructionist approach the values of nature, whether instrumental or non-instrumental, are investigated and criticized as social constructions. The article offers a tentative framework for bridging the gap between constructionism and the other nature approaches. As far as non-instrumental nature valuation is concerned, this framework puts an emphasis on lifeworld experiences of nature.

'Your View of Nature is Not Mine!': Learning about pluralism in the classroom

This paper describes a multidisciplinary action research project that aimed to develop a theoretical framework and four exemplary teaching modules for elementary and secondary school that promote a pluralistic view on nature. In a 2-year study, researchers from three disciplines (pedagogy, sociology and philosophy) collaborated with curriculum developers and textbook authors. This paper presents the theoretical framework that was developed during the project. The teaching modules are described, and one of the modules is delineated. Finally, the results are discussed.

Greening consumption at the retail outlet: the case of the Thai appliance industry

Over the decades, the Thai appliance industry has developed into a strong and export-oriented industry with rigorous strategies to improve the environmental performance of products and production. Leading producers have recently begun to develop greening strategies targeting the consumption behavior of consumers, materialized through the provision of green appliances, environmental information, and sustainable images and storylines. However, communication regarding green provision in the retail setting has been found to be passive and to not correspond with the orientation of Thai consumers. Consequently, it has been found to be difficult to empower and activate citizen-consumers to buy more sustainable appliances. For this situation to change, green communication strategies of providers must become more proactive by adopting environmental labels to discern green appliances from general appliances and by improving the environmental content of communications in a way that (re)establishes stagnant or even absent consumer trust in green providers.

The effectiveness of socially responsible investment: a review

Over the past two decades, an increasing number of shareholders have begun to consider non-financial criteria, such as social and environmental criteria, in making investment decisions and executing shareholders rights. Investing based on such criteria is often labelled socially responsible investment (SRI). This article reviews the actors in SRI, the motives for SRI, relevant theoretical frameworks and the effectiveness of SRI in changing environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) performance of public companies. Various actors with different motives engage in SRI through distinct strategies. Although the effects of SRI strategies are difficult to identify and quantify, overall, SRI does not yet play a major role in changing ESG performance. Several factors can be identified that impede SRI in improving ESG performance, together forming an action agenda for SRI researchers and practitioners. The research agenda for SRI studies should include examining poorly studied engagement strategies; identifying the factors that govern SRI effectiveness; elucidating the relationship between shareholders and other actors, such as NGOs, governments and media; and building theoretical frameworks to understand and analyse SRI, for which the theory of stakeholder salience and ecological modernisation theory provide promising starting points.

Biocultural diversity in the Netherlands: from ecologically noble savages towards biocultural creatives

Biocultural diversity is usually associated with traditional ways in which local or indigenous people interact with the natural environment. This chapter deals with biocultural diversity practices in a highly modernised society, the Netherlands. It introduces the concept of ‘biocultural creatives’: groups of people who, driven by an engagement with society and nature, create new cultural models and practices for interaction with biodiversity. Biocultural creativity aims to reconnect people with nature and is sought for in this chapter within the domains of recreation (use of nature) and financial support and volunteer activities (nature protection). Within recreational practices, creativity is found in the application or rejection of technology and the world of fantasy or contemplation; within financial support, creativity is found in traditional economic instruments applied to the world of nature conservation; and within volunteer work, creativity is found through the modernisation of traditional volunteer activities and new styles of citizen governance in the planning, design and management of conservation areas and landscapes. We conclude that although none of the biocultural creative initiatives have been adopted by large groups of Dutch citizens, they are important to the conservation of biodiversity because they re-create a constant awareness of the cultural roots of nature conservation and remind us that these roots link up to the dynamics in society and because they enrich our cultural connectedness with the natural environment. Therefore, we encourage policy-makers and nature managers to see biocultural diversity as an opportunity for the emergence of new perspectives and ideas, which can be meaningful for nature conservation. We also recommend researchers to do further studies into the dynamic and creative aspects of biodiversity that we touch upon in this chapter.

The contribution of systems analysis to training students in cognitive interdisciplinary skills in environmental science education

Professionals in the environmental domain require cognitive interdisciplinary skills to be able to develop sustainable solutions to environmental problems. We demonstrate that education in environmental systems analysis allows for the development of these skills. We identify three components of cognitive interdisciplinary skills: (1) the ability to understand environmental issues in a holistic way, taking into account the interplay of social and biophysical dynamics; (2) the ability to connect both the analysis of environmental problems and the devising of solutions with relevant disciplinary knowledge and methodologies; and (3) the ability to reflect on the role of scientific research in solving societal problems. Environmental systems analysis provides tools, methods, and models to assist in framing complex environmental issues in a holistic way and facilitates the integration of disciplines. Systems analysis also supports reflection by making students aware that a system always represents a simplified model and a particular perspective. Through the analysis of a collection of bachelor of science students’ “reflection papers”, we identify two major challenges in teaching these cognitive skills: (1) to train students to not just follow a systematic approach but acquire a systemic view and (2) to train students to be reflexive about systems analysis and the role of science. We recommend that training in cognitive skills starts early in a study program.

The significance of meaning : Why IPBES needs the social sciences and humanities

The term “biodiversity” is often used to describe phenomena of nature, which can be studied without a reference to the socially constructed, evaluative, or indeed normative contexts. In our paper, we challenge this conception by focusing particularly on methodological aspects of biodiversity research. We thereby engage with the idea of interdisciplinary biodiversity research as a scientific approach directed at the recognition and management of contemporary society in its ecological embedding. By doing this, we explore how research on and assessments of biodiversity can be enhanced if meaning, aspiration, desires, and related aspects of agency are methodically taken into account. In six sections, we substantiate our claim that the discourse on biodiversity (including the IPBES (Intergovernmental science-policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services) debate) is incomplete without contributions from the social sciences and humanities. In the introduction, a brief overview of biodiversity’s conceptual history is provided showing that “biodiversity” is a lexical invention intended to create a strong political momentum. However, that does not impede its usability as a research concept. Section 2 examines the origins of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) by way of sociological discourse analysis. Subsequently, it proposes a matrix as a means to structure the ambiguities and tensions inherent in the CBD. The matrix reemphasizes our main thesis regarding the need to bring social and ethical expertise to the biodiversity discourse. In Section 3, we offer a brief sketch of the different methods of the natural and social sciences as well as ethics. This lays the groundwork for our Section 4, which explains and illustrates what social sciences and ethics can contribute to biodiversity research. Section 5 turns from research to politics and argues that biodiversity governance necessitates deliberative discourses in which participation of lay people plays an important role. Section 6 provides our conclusions.

Environmental Pollution Liability Insurance in China: In Need of Strong Government Backing

Environmental pollution liability insurance was officially introduced in China only in 2006, as part of new market-based approaches for managing environmental risks. By 2012, trial applications of pollution insurance had been launched in 14 provinces and cities. More than ten insurance companies have entered the pollution insurance market with their own products and contracts. Companies in environmentally sensitive sectors and high-risk industries bought pollution insurance, and a few successful compensation cases have been reported. Still, pollution insurance faces a number of challenges in China. The absence of a national law weakens the legal basis of pollution insurance, and poor technical support stagnates further implementation. Moreover, current pollution insurance products have limited risk coverage, high premium rates, and low loss ratios, which make them fairly unattractive to polluters. Meanwhile, low awareness of environmental and social liabilities leads to limited demand for pollution insurance products by industrial companies. Hence, the pollution insurance market is not yet flourishing in China. To improve this situation, this economic instrument needs stronger backing by the Chinese state.

Land Use and Biodiversity in Unprotected Landscapes: The Case of Noncultivated Plant Use and Management by Rural Communities in Benin and Togo

To contribute to the development of strategies for sustainable agricultural land use and biodiversity conservation in landscapes without formal protection status, we investigated the local use and management of noncultivated plants as important ecosystem functions of inland valleys in south Benin and Togo, and local perceptions on changes in plant biodiversity and causes for these changes. Local users of noncultivated plants perceived agriculture and construction as major factors contributing to the reduction of (noncultivated) plant biodiversity. However, they also collect many useful species from agricultural fields and the village. A small community forest reserve and a 2-ha community garden were the only organized forms of conservation management. Observed ad hoc conservation initiatives were selective harvesting of plant parts, preserving trees during land clearing, and allowing useful weed species in the field. Future development and conservation efforts in unprotected landscapes with multiple ecosystem functions should acknowledge knowledge, interests, and needs of local communities.

Ecological modernisation theory and the changing dynamics of the European automotive industry: the case of Dutch end-of-life vehicle policies

In this article, we use ecological modernisation theory to analyse environmental changes in the car chain. We do not intend to cover all environmental aspects of car production and consumption. The focus will be on the handling of cars in the waste phase. We are interested in the interaction between technology and policy. We argue that some technological developments in handling end-of-life vehicles trigger policy questions. But also the other way around: some policy styles favour some development paths of end-of-life vehicle technologies and foreclose others. By this combined treatment of technological and political issues, we hope to contribute to the discussion on the overall organisation of the ELV-dimension of car chains in the future. We have chosen to deepen our understanding of the basic characteristics of the ecological modernisation process in car chains by looking in some detail at the Dutch ELV-economy in the period 1970–2000 and beyond.