Tor Hundloe

Economic performance indicators for fisheries

An outline of the concept of sustainable development is followed by a definition of the term ‘economics’ and a brief review of attempts to use economic principles to construct an integrated indicator to replace gross domestic product. Arange of proxy indicators is described; these are based on what is possible in countries that have minimal fisheries data and where fishers are making decisions on the crudest economic information.

The role of expenditure studies in the (mis)allocation of access to fisheries resources in Australia

Economic benefits are often the main reasons put forward for changing fisheries access and allocation arrangements between commercial and recreational fishers. An analysis of several case studies in Australia identifies that the purported economic benefits from reallocating access to fisheries resources from commercial to recreational fishers are based on inappropriate approaches to economic valuation including the “revenues argument” and the “cumulative-value argument”. The allocating of fisheries resources (on an economic basis) in an area between recreational and commercial fishers should not be based on simple but erroneous comparisons between recreational fishing expenditure and the gross value of production of commercial fishing. Rather, it should be based on comparing the benefit of an extra fish, or extra few fish, to each sector. If one sector is found to have a higher benefit, a small change in access should be made in its favour and, if necessary, a further series of small changes until the extra benefit gained by that sector is equal to the benefit gained (or lost) by the competing sector. However, any allocation decisions should not just focus on economic issues, but should also consider the ecological impacts and social costs and benefits attributable to both fishing sectors.

Ecologically sustainable development and the better cities program

As part of the appraisal of the Building Better Cities Program, the Commonwealth conducted a multipurpose and retrospective evaluation of the 26 project program, including its contribution to the achievement of Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD). The program included projects as diverse as urban consolidation, public transport, waste treatment, housing and inner urban redevelopment. This article reports the results of that evaluation. The article defines substantive and decision-making process criteria for ESD evaluation, based largely on the National Strategy for ESD, and applies them to each of the projects. Some of the projects contribute directly to ESD objectives for example to achieve energy use efficiency through encouraging public transport and increasing urban densities or to reduce environmental pollution by better waste management. No project was judged to be negative in an ESD sense although for many of the projects the links between expected project outcomes and ESD are much more tenuous, such as “improving the quality of life”, “improving urban amenity” or enhancing the “sense of community”. All projects made a commitment to improved integration between planning agencies involved in urban management and to involving the community which are important ESD objectives.

Green and blue trade policy in the context of sustainable development

Some economists tend to argue that calls to link environmental and labour market issues to trade liberalization are a backdoor method to retaining protectionism. Such a perspective overlooks economic principles pertaining to externalities as well as human capabilities for altruism. Argues that if sustainable development is to be treated seriously the links need to be made.

How China is adopting market mechanisms to foster soil and water conservation

Soil erosion is a major environmental concern in China; it not only causes significant environmental damage, but also undermines the national economy. In the last half century, a series of soil conservation policies has been employed to combat soil erosion. During the period of the planned economy, government mobilization of a massive labour force to build soil conservation engineering works and plant trees in degraded land was a primary strategy to control soil erosion, while in the present era economic incentives like the Household Contracting Watershed (HCW) scheme have been introduced to encourage farmers to implement soil conservation. The market-oriented economic regime views this approach to be more effective. Nevertheless, an increase in government investment in soil conservation is playing a significant role in areas where soil erosion is most severe. Also in recent years, soil conservation laws and regulations have been introduced to deal with soil erosion generated by massive and rapid urbanization in China. Because of a history of state ownership of land, it is easier in China than in market economies to require farmers to control soil erosion, particularly as they are being given property rights at the same time.