International Journal of Climate Change Strategies and Management

Shaping sustainable development strategies in Chile through CDM : Table of Contents

Charikleia Karakosta, Haris Doukas, John Psarras — Sat Oct 24 08:00:20 BST 2009

Abstract:
Purpose – Sustainable development (SD) in developing countries is mentioned as one of the main aims of the Kyoto protocol's clean development mechanism. However, in the present context, uncertainty prevails to whether the (CDM) is actually procuring its aims in terms of achieving SD and to what extent. Chile, which has an open market economy, could risk becoming “locked” into a carbon intensive future, due to the recently discovered coal reserves and plans of large utilities to move to coal technology and not necessarily clean-coal technology. The aim of this paper is to assist Chile in finding ways of encouraging technology transfer of energy technologies that would contribute to a low-carbon sustainable energy development. Design/methodology/approach – In order to be able to identify potential CDM projects facilitating SD in developing countries, through technology transfer from developed ones and, thus, to formulate a series of possible investment strategies with a SD component, it is crucial to establish a clear understanding of the host country's needs and priorities and the suitable energy technologies to meet these needs. Findings – This paper presents results obtained from an elaborated stakeholders' assessment on Chile's high priority energy needs, sustainable energy technologies fulfilling these needs and opportunities and barriers related with the implementation of these technologies in the particular market. Originality/value – The paper provides useful results that could facilitate Chile's designated national authority as well as future project investors to put on the map the most suitable sustainable energy technologies, based on the country's SD needs and priorities, to transfer and implement via CDM. The above is particularly important for Chile since recent coal discoveries could risk becoming “locked” into a carbon intensive future.

Emissions trading: what makes it work? : Table of Contents

Julien Chevallier — Sat Oct 24 08:00:20 BST 2009

Abstract:
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to critically discuss the main advantages of introducing environmental regulation tools such as tradable permits markets. Design/methodology/approach – Current climate policies, the negotiations under way at the international level, and past experiences with emissions trading in the USA and Europe are critically reviewed. Findings – The creation of emissions trading schemes such as the European Union emissions trading scheme plays a key role in the preservation of the global public good that constitutes the climate. Research limitations/implications – This paper calls for the wider development of emissions trading schemes in climate change policy, given a careful design and regulatory appraisal from past experiences. Originality/value – This paper reveals that the introduction of a tradable permits market (such as in Europe on 1 January 2005) which provides incentives to take early abatement measures, may be seen as a decisive first step to fight climate change.

Climate change mitigation through reforestation in Godavari mangroves in India : Table of Contents

Raghavendra G. Rao — Sat Oct 24 08:00:20 BST 2009

Abstract:
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to emphasise mangrove reforestation as a countermeasure for climate change mitigation and adaptation in the Godavari Delta in India. Design/methodology/approach – Restoration of the mangrove forest in the Godavari Delta near Kakinada town in the south-eastern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh is carried out with participatory involvement of local communities depending for their livelihood on the mangrove forest. The extent of habitat restoration through reforestation in this area is explored. The possible contribution of restored mangroves in minimising the impacts of sea-level rise due to climate change is highlighted. Reforestation information from 1999 to 2006 is collected from available published work and the Forest Department of the Government of Andhra Pradesh. Findings – The positive result of reforestation since the past few years is seen as an increase in mangrove vegetation. The changing landscape due to restoration could stop erosion and salt water incursion up to some extent and help in maintaining the biodiversity of this place. Practical implications – A long-term monitoring with ethnobiological study is required for managing such projects in future. Originality/value – The Godavari Delta mangroves are rich in biodiversity and offer a wide range of ecological services. Adding to habitat degradation, predicted sea-level rise is likely to affect the local human communities. The role of mangroves as an economically viable barrier against sea-level rise has been recognised in other Asian countries. The results from this case study too could be disseminated to various stakeholders involved in sustainable development. The focus of the paper on India is particularly relevant, as the country is going to be integral in climate change debates.

Assessing local land use planning's awareness, analysis, and actions for climate change : Table of Contents

Zhenghong Tang, Christopher M. Hussey, Ting Wei — Sat Oct 24 08:00:20 BST 2009

Abstract:
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to extend the previous larger-scale climate policy studies to the local jurisdiction level to evaluate local land use planning capacity for climate change. Design/methodology/approach – This paper evaluated 53 recently developed local comprehensive land use plans in California and analyzes how well these plans recognized the concepts of climate change and prepared for climate change mitigation and adaptation. Findings – The descriptive results show that local land use plans reflect very low awareness and little analysis for climate change; however, the actions for climate change varied widely in scope and content in their plans. Originality/value – This paper provides policymakers important empirical evidence to improve local land use planning capacities for climate change.

Communicating climate change in regional news media : Table of Contents

Mikkel Fugl Eskjaer — Sat Oct 24 08:00:20 BST 2009

Abstract:
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate regional variations in the international news coverage of climate change by comparing news reporting in two regional media systems. Design/methodology/approach – A case study of how COP14 and a European union (EU) summit on climate change are covered by three Middle Eastern and one Danish newspaper. Findings – The paper shows significant regional differences in the media coverage of climate change both in terms of quantity (numbers of news articles) and quality (editorial variations, sources, framing, use of graphics). Overall, the study suggests that regional differences in climate change coverage can be traced back to the financial resources, institutional practices and journalistic fields of different regional media systems. Research limitations/implications – The paper is a pilot project designed to test the analytical significance of regional variations in international media coverage of climate change. Originality/value – Whereas global variations in climate change coverage have mostly been documented by (quantitative) content analysis, less research has been devoted to qualitative differences on how the media approach and frame climate change. Numerical analysis only tells half the story as qualitative differences, such as editorial priorities, or journalistic practices, can either increase or decrease the significance of quantitative variations. By acknowledging the importance of regional differences in international news reporting, this paper emphasises the role and function of regional media systems in conditioning media coverage of climate change.

Framing climate change solutions: get the numbers right : Table of Contents

Christie M. Manning, Elise L. Amel, Britain A. Scott, Jacob Forsman — Sat Oct 24 08:00:20 BST 2009

Abstract:
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to use goal setting theory to examine the efficacy of two current messages advocating carbon cuts to address climate change. There is anecdotal evidence that the common message, “We must cut carbon 80 percent by 2050” does not inspire people to take personal action or endorse policy change. Other groups offer an alternative and potentially more motivating message: cutting carbon 2 percent per year until the year 2050. Design/methodology/approach – A survey study with 300 adults attending a regional expo and two urban street festivals compared the two messages by embedding them within two versions of a text that differed only in the phrasing of the goal (“80 percent by the year 2050” vs “2 percent per year until the year 2050”). Findings – Participants reading about “carbon emissions cuts of 2 percent per year until the year 2050” are significantly more likely to agree with the statement “I feel like I can be a part of the solution” than participants reading “carbon emissions cuts of 80 percent by the year 2050.” Research limitations/implications – The generalizability of these findings should be tested among different samples of people and will be extended by a number of studies that further examine the parameters of framing and goal setting in the context of climate change messages. Practical implications – These results indicate that people are drawn to climate change solution messages that have both an overall, effective roadmap and manageable, concrete steps. Originality/value – Groups advocating for steep cuts in carbon emissions can apply the results of this research to craft more effective messages.