Giuseppina Siciliano

Integrating adaptive governance and participatory multicriteria methods: a framework for climate adaptation governance

Climate adaptation is a dynamic social and institutional process where the governance dimension is receiving growing attention. Adaptive governance is an approach that promises to reduce uncertainty by improving the knowledge base for decision making. As uncertainty is an inherent feature of climate adaptation, adaptive governance seems to be a promising approach for improving climate adaptation governance. However, the adaptive governance literature has so far paid little attention to decision- making tools and methods, and the literature on the governance of adaptation is in its infancy in this regard. We argue that climate adaptation governance would benefit from systematic and yet flexible decision-making tools and methods such as participatory multicriteria methods for the evaluation of adaptation options, and that these methods can be linked to key adaptive governance principles. Moving from these premises, we propose a framework that integrates key adaptive governance features into participatory multicriteria methods for the governance of climate adaptation.

The Livelihood Challenges of Resettled Communities of the Bui Dam Project in Ghana and the Role of Chinese Dam-Builders

Emerging issues from Bui hydro-power project are suggesting that the experiences of two earlier hydropower projects in Ghana failed in preventing challenges related to resource access and livelihoods. This paper examined the nature of the challenges, their causes, why they were not avoided and the role of the Chinese builders. Forty-three interviews and eleven focus group discussions were conducted and qualitative data analysed by themes using narrative analysis. Our findings show that the livelihoods of the resettled communities on balance are negatively impacted by the construction of the dam. While Chinese dam-builders played a major role in financing and enabling the dams construction, the Ghanaian governance arrangements were found to be more important in addressing the livelihood challenges.

Insights and participatory actions driven by a socio-hydrogeological approach for groundwater management: the Grombalia Basin case study (Tunisia)

Sustainable groundwater management strategies in water-scarce countries need to guide future decision-making processes pragmatically, by simultaneously considering local needs, environmental problems and economic development. The socio-hydrogeological approach named ‘Bir Al-Nas’ has been tested in the Grombalia region (Cap Bon Peninsula, Tunisia), to evaluate the effectiveness of complementing hydrogeochemical and hydrogeological investigations with the social dimension of the issue at stake (which, in this case, is the identification of groundwater pollution sources). Within this approach, the social appraisal, performed through social network analysis and public engagement of water end-users, allowed hydrogeologists to get acquainted with the institutional dimension of local groundwater management, identifying issues, potential gaps (such as weak knowledge transfer among concerned stakeholders), and the key actors likely to support the implementation of the new science-based management practices resulting from the ongoing hydrogeological investigation. Results, hence, go beyond the specific relevance for the Grombaila basin, showing the effectiveness of the proposed approach and the importance of including social assessment in any given hydrogeological research aimed at supporting local development through groundwater protection measures.RésuméLes futurs processus de prise de décision ont besoin d’être guidés par des stratégies de gestion durable des eaux souterraines dans les pays à faibles ressources en eau, en considérant simultanément les besoins locaux, les problèmes environnementaux et le développement économique. L’approche socio-hydrogéologique nommée « Bir Al-Nas » a été testée dans la région de Grombalia (Péninsule du cap Bon, Tunisie) afin d’évaluer l’efficacité de la complémentarité des études hydrogéologiques et hydrogéochimiques avec la dimension sociale de l’enjeu (qui, dans ce cas, est l’identification des sources de pollution des eaux souterraines). Dans le cadre de cette approche, l’évaluation sociale est effectuée par une analyse du réseau social et de l’engagement public des utilisateurs finaux de l’eau. Elle a permis aux hydrogéologues de connaître la dimension institutionnelle de la gestion locale des eaux souterraines, d’identifier les sujets à enjeux, les potentiels écarts (tels que les faiblesses de transfert de connaissance parmi les acteurs concernés) et les acteurs clés susceptibles de soutenir la mise en œuvre de nouvelles pratiques de gestion fondées scientifiquement et résultant des études hydrogéologiques en cours. Les résultats vont par conséquent au-delà de la pertinence spécifique pour le bassin de Grombalia. Ils montrent l’efficacité de l’approche proposée et l’importance d’inclure l’évaluation sociale dans toute recherche hydrogéologique ayant pour objectif de soutenir le développement local par des mesures de protection des eaux souterraines.ResumenLas estrategias de gestión sostenible del agua subterránea en los países con escasez de agua deben orientar los procesos de toma de decisiones en el futuro de forma pragmática, considerando simultáneamente las necesidades locales, los problemas ambientales y el desarrollo económico. En la región de Grombalia (Península de Cap Bon, Túnez) se ha puesto a prueba el enfoque socio-hidrogeológico denominado ‘Bir Al-Nas’, para evaluar la eficacia de complementar las investigaciones hidrogeoquímicas e hidrogeológicas con la dimensión social de la cuestión de interés (en este caso, es la identificación de las fuentes de contaminación del agua subterránea). Dentro de este enfoque, la evaluación social, realizada a través del análisis de la red social y el compromiso público de los usuarios finales del agua, permitió a los hidrogeólogos familiarizarse con la dimensión institucional de la gestión local del agua subterránea, identificando problemas, brechas potenciales (como una débil transferencia de conocimiento entre las partes interesadas) y los actores clave que probablemente apoyen la implementación de las nuevas prácticas científicas de manejo basadas en los resultados de la investigación hidrogeológica en curso. Los resultados, por lo tanto, van más allá de la relevancia específica para la cuenca de Grombaila, mostrando la efectividad del enfoque propuesto y la importancia de incluir a la evaluación social en cualquier investigación hidrogeológica destinada a apoyar el desarrollo local a través de medidas de protección del agua subterránea.摘要缺水国家的可持续地下水管理策略需要同时考虑当地需求、环境问题和经济发展来指引未来决策过程。在古兰巴利耶地区试验了被称为“Bir Al-Nas”的社会-水文地质方法,以评估在社会问题(在本研究案例中,问题就是地下水污染源的确定)岌岌可危的情况下补充水文化学调查和水文地质调查的有效性。在这个方法中,通过社会网络分析进行的社会评估及水最终用户的公共参与可以使水文地质工作者认识当地地下水管理的组织层面、需确定的问题、潜在的差距(如相关的利害关系人)及关键的活动者有可能支持在进行的水文地质调查中实施基于新科学的管理实践。因此,结果超出了古兰巴利耶流域特定的相关性,显示出了所提出方法的有效性及在任何旨在通过地下水保护措施支持当地发展的特定水文地质研究中的重要性。RiassuntoNei Paesi caratterizzati da problemi di scarsità idrica è necessario che le strategie di gestione sostenibile delle acque sotterranee influenzino i processi decisionali tenendo in considerazione, allo stesso tempo, i bisogni locali, i problemi ambientali e lo sviluppo economico. L’approccio socio-idrogeologico ‘Bir Al-Nas’ è stato testato nella regione di Grombalia (Penisola di Cap Bon, Tunisia) con il fine di determinare se sia utile integrare le indagini idrogeochimiche e idrogeologiche con la dimensione sociale relativa all’oggetto di studio (nella fattispecie l’identificazione delle fonti inquinanti delle acque sotterranee). Tramite tale approccio, lo studio della dimensione sociale, realizzato attraverso l’analisi delle reti sociali e l’attività di partecipazione pubblica degli utenti finali della risorsa idrica, ha permesso agli idrogeologi di familiarizzare con la sfera istituzionale relativa alla gestione locale delle acque sotterranee, identificandone le problematiche, le potenziali lacune (ad esempio il limitato scambio di informazioni tra gli stakeholder) e gli attori chiave, in modo da contribuire all’implementazione di nuove pratiche di gestione basate su analisi scientifiche derivanti da studi idrogeologici. I risultati, quindi, non riguardano solamente la situazione specifica del bacino di Grombalia ma dimostrano, in generale, l’efficacia dell’approccio proposto e di quanto sia importante includere la dimensione sociale in ogni ricerca idrogeologica al fine di contribuire allo sviluppo locale attraverso pratiche di tutela delle acque sotterranee.ResumoAs estratégias de gestão sustentável das águas subterrâneas em países com escassez de água precisam orientar os processos decisórios futuros de forma pragmática, considerando simultaneamente as necessidades locais, os problemas ambientais e o desenvolvimento econômico. A abordagem socio-hidrogeológica chamada ‘Bir Al-Nas’ foi testada na região de Grombalia (Península do Cabo Bon, Tunísia), para avaliar a eficácia da complementação das investigações hidrogeoquímicas e hidrogeológicas com a dimensão social da questão em jogo (que, neste caso, é a identificação das fontes de poluição das águas subterrâneas). Dentro desta abordagem, a avaliação social, realizada através da análise da rede social e do engajamento público dos usuários finais da água, permitiu aos hidrogeólogos conhecer a dimensão institucional da gestão da água subterrânea local, identificando questões, lacunas potenciais (como a fraca transferência de conhecimento entre as partes interessadas) e os principais intervenientes susceptíveis de apoiar a aplicação das novas práticas de gestão baseadas na ciência, resultantes da investigação hidrogeológica em curso. Os resultados, portanto, ultrapassam a relevância específica para a bacia de Grombaila, mostrando a eficácia da abordagem proposta e a importância de incluir a avaliação social em qualquer pesquisa hidrogeológica destinada a apoiar o desenvolvimento local através de medidas de proteção de águas subterrâneas.

China’s dam-builders: their role in transboundary river management in South-East Asia

Abstract This article investigates China’s role as the world’s largest builder of and investor in large dams, focussing on the Greater Mekong Sub-Region in South-East Asia. It addresses the role Chinese actors play in dam-building as well as the environmental, social, economic and political implications by drawing on case studies from Cambodia and Vietnam. The article finds that China’s dam-building is perceived very differently in different countries of South-East Asia. In Cambodia, the dams in the Greater Mekong Sub-Region are considered instruments of economic growth and development, whereas downstream in Vietnam the dams are seen as potentially undermining national growth, development and security.

The stocks and flows of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium across a 30-year time series for agriculture in Huantai county, China

In order to improve the efficiency of nutrient use whilst also meeting projected changes in the demand for food within China, new nutrient management frameworks comprised of policy, practice and the means of delivering change are required. These frameworks should be underpinned by systemic analyses of the stocks and flows of nutrients within agricultural production. In this paper, a 30-year time series of the stocks and flows of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) are reported for Huantai county, an exemplar area of intensive agricultural production in the North China Plain. Substance flow analyses were constructed for the major crop systems in the county across the period 1983-2014. On average across all production systems between 2010 and 2014, total annual nutrient inputs to agricultural land in Huantai county remained high at 18.1kt N, 2.7kt P and 7.8kt K (696kg N ha-1; 104kgP ha-1; 300kgK ha-1). Whilst the application of inorganic fertiliser dominated these inputs, crop residues, atmospheric deposition and livestock manure represented significant, yet largely unrecognised, sources of nutrients, depending on the individual production system and the period of time. Whilst nutrient use efficiency (NUE) increased for N and P between 1983 and 2014, future improvements in NUE will require better alignment of nutrient inputs and crop demand. This is particularly true for high-value fruit and vegetable production, in which appropriate recognition of nutrient supply from sources such as manure and from soil reserves will be required to enhance NUE. Aligned with the structural organisation of the public agricultural extension service at county-scale in China, our analyses highlight key areas for the development of future agricultural policy and farm advice in order to rebalance the management of natural resources from a focus on production and growth towards the aims of efficiency and sustainability.

Rural change and multidimensional analysis of farm’s vulnerability: a case study in a protected area of semi-arid northern Nicaragua

This paper presents an empirical research in a protected area of northern Nicaragua, aimed at: (a) classifying predominant narratives surrounding present and future pathways of the local rural system, drivers of change, features of livelihoods’ vulnerability; (b) understanding current functioning of local metabolic patterns of rural systems by developing a typology of farms and (c) comparing types’ vulnerability to current drivers of change. To achieve these objectives, we integrated qualitative and quantitative analytical approaches. The different visions of rural spaces, which emerge from the analysis of the narratives, and the five types of farms, characterized by specific land-time budget and energy and monetary flows, suggest two emerging dynamics of local restructuration in protected areas: (1) a dominant land re-concentration process which is generating increasing inequality in access to resources and a progressive marginalization of the self-sufficient economy of landless and subsistence households; (2) an emergence of a paradigm of ‘environmentalization’ of rural spaces together with a valorization of small and medium-scale diversified economies. Moreover, the vulnerability assessment focuses on multidimensional features of types’ sensitivity to crisis, i.e. risk unacceptability, production instability, economic inefficiency, food and exosomatic energy dependency, as well as capacity to buffer and adapt to change, i.e. access to assets, including labour for men and women, social safety nets and degrees of economic diversification. The discussion highlights the occurrence of trade-off between the solutions adopted by farms within different development paths, suggesting the relevance of the proposed framework of analysis at the interface between science and policy.

Green transformations in Vietnam's energy sector

Abstract Vietnam has experienced rapid economic growth over the past few decades, as well as growing environmental pressures. The country is therefore pursuing strategies for green transformations, which are the processes of restructuring to bring economies and societies within the planetary boundaries. This article addresses the opportunities, barriers, and trade‐offs for green transformations in Vietnams energy sector and examines them from an energy justice perspective. The article draws on in‐depths expert interviews with representatives from government agencies, private firms, academic institutions, and multilateral institutions in Vietnam. The article finds that Vietnam is undergoing efforts to move away from business as usual by promoting renewable energy and energy efficiency, as well as aligning energy and climate plans with national development priorities such as energy security and economic growth. Yet there is a need for more coordinated, integrated approaches and policies that span across the 3 areas that address green transformations in Vietnam: green growth, sustainable development, and climate change. Finally, although key actors seem to be aware and may be critical of major trade‐offs such as land grabs for energy projects, the impacts on affected people need to be better understood and mitigated.

Socio-Hydrogeology to address groundwater pollution in rural areas: the Bir-Al Nas approach in the Grombalia Basin (Tunisia).

The study concerns part of the plain sector of Aosta Valley (NW Italy). The investigated area is located between the cities of Sarre-Gressan and Pollein-Saint Christophe and is characterized by the presence of hexavalent chromium in the main shallow unconfined aquifer. The pollution is probably related to the negative environmental effects induced by the industrial steel production that since 1915 is present over the area. Since 1990 the industrial area was subjected to a number of direct investigations aimed to assess the contamination intensity. A preliminary remediation activity has been developed in last decades but the contaminants have been still observed in the groundwater monitoring network. This study highlights the set-up of a groundwater conceptual and numerical model of the shallow aquifer aimed to better understand and analyze the transport dynamics of hexavalent chromium in the local aquifer. The simulation is performed using the specific finite element software Feflow for groundwater flow and mass transport modeling. The hydrogeological setting of this area is related to the different sedimentary glacial, lacustrine and fluvial processes which characterized the bottom of the Aosta valley during the Quaternary. The shallow 80m-width aquifer is constituted by sandy to gravelly deposits and presents rare silty lens while its bottom is characterized by a decametric lacustrine silty level. The main aims of the numerical model are to give a more unequivocal explanation of the origin of the contamination and to support the predictive analyses in order to design an efficient site remediation for soil and groundwater. This represents a fundamental task in order to preserve the safety of the public water uses supplied by the aquifer. The preliminary hypothesis about the source of contaminations are still uncertain and referred to different scenarios that have to be further investigated by comparing monitoring data and transient flow simulation conditions.