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Natural Resources Management and Conflicts in the Context of Sustainability Transformation

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A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Sustainability in Geographic Science".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (10 November 2020) | Viewed by 29206

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dimitrios Zikos

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Guest Editor

Department of Economics, Hochschule Technik und Wirtschaft Berlin - University of Applied Sciences, 10313 Berlin, Germany
Interests: Institutions; Political Economy; Sustainability; Development; Natural Resource Management; Environmental Conflicts; Water; Mixed Methods

Dr. Ourania Papasozomenou

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Guest Editor

Centre for Development, Environment and Policy (CeDEP), SOAS University of London, London WC1H 0XG, UK
Interests: Institutions; governance; natural resources; islands and adaptation; distant peripheries; climate change adaptation; water; economics; philosophy

Dr. Matteo Roggero

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Guest Editor

The Resource Economics Group, Faculty of Life Sciences, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, 10099 Berlin, Germany
Interests: Institutions, regulations and natural resources; organization, governance and cooperation; climate change mitigation and adaptation; urban climate action; green infrastructure; water; social and environmental sustainability

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Prominent institutional economists argue that the failures in reforming dysfunctional economies and notional states worldwide are due to a missing causal link between the suggested measures (imposed institutional change) and the expected result (strong economies). In the quest for economic development in a sustainability frame, natural resources emerge as a vital locus to promote economic development, wealth, equality, and political and social stability, especially where resource scarcity is a particularly pressing issue. In such settings, conflicts between users, sectors or whole countries hamper attempts to utilize the full potential of natural resources as a key element for sustainable development.

The study of conflicts, though, is neither governed by a coherent set of theories nor limited by strict disciplinary boundaries. Rather, it encompasses a multitude of conceptions grounded within a wide array of disciplines, epistemological assumptions and schools of thought concerning the links between scarcity and competition, often concluding in contradictory proposals.

Critical literature, although departing from different ontological standpoints, reaches a consensus regarding the paramount role of institutions in the frame of natural resource management, conflict resolution, and sustainability transformations. Nonetheless, understandings of what institutions are, how they regularize behavior and interactions between people, and how they are formed, replaced or changed constitute not only vague areas within the sustainability sciences or human geography, for instance, but are also a point of contention within institutional economics, which forms the basis for this Special Issue.

In this frame, the Special Issue is divided into three sections with the overall aim of contributing to the discussion on the interplay between natural resources, conflicts, and sustainable transformations.

The objective of the first section is to conceptually unpack conflicts on natural resources. By doing so, we will unravel the economic, social, and environmental factors leading to such conflicts. This is a crucial and necessary step towards the sustainable management of resources, particularly in transformative settings.

Section two empirically explores the spatial dimension of transformations and juxtaposes sustainability pathways of varying and diverse spatial localities. The objective here is to draw attention to the physical dimension of transformations and to the subtle but decisive role of space.

Section three explores several methodological opportunities to investigate conflicts beyond their idiosyncratic dimension. This section focuses specifically on the comparative method to achieve a better understanding of the many contextual factors shaping conflicts and their outcomes. Particular emphasis will lie on analytical methods such as qualitative comparative analysis, cluster analysis, and the newly emerging approach of archetype analysis.

Prof. Dimitrios Zikos
Dr. Ourania Papasozomenou
Dr. Matteo Roggero
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

conflicts
natural resources
sustainable management
transformations
institutions
analytical methods

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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21 pages, 1413 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Role of Common-Pool Resources’ Institutional Robustness in a Collective Action Dilemma under Environmental Variations

by Ana Alicia Dipierri and Dimitrios Zikos

Sustainability 2020, 12(24), 10526; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su122410526 - 16 Dec 2020

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2566

Abstract

Extreme environmental variations, as a phenomenon deriving from climate change, led to an exacerbated uncertainty on water availability and increased the likelihood of conflicts regarding water-dependent activities such as agriculture. In this paper, we investigate the role of conflict resolution mechanisms—one of Ostrom’s acclaimed Design Principles—when social-ecological systems are exposed to physical external disturbances. The theoretical propositions predict that social-ecological systems with conflict-resolution mechanisms will perform better than those without them. We tested this proposition through a framed field experiment that mimicked an irrigation system. This asymmetric setting exposed farmers to two (2) dilemmas: (i) how much to invest in the communal irrigation system’s maintenance and (ii) how much water to extract. The setting added a layer of complexity: water availability depended not only on the investment but also on the environmental variability. Our findings confirmed the theoretical proposition: groups with stronger ‘institutional robustness’ can cope with environmental variations better than those with weaker robustness. However, we also found that some groups, despite lacking conflict-resolution mechanisms, were also able to address environmental variations. We explored potential explanatory variables to these unexpected results. We found that subjects’ and groups’ attributes might address uncertainty and avert conflict. Thus, social-ecological systems’ capacity to respond to external disturbances, such as environmental variations, might not only be a question of Design Principles. Instead, it might also be strongly related to group members’ attributes and group dynamics. Our results pave the way for further research, hinting that some groups might be better equipped for mitigation measures, while others might be better equipped for adaptation measures. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Resources Management and Conflicts in the Context of Sustainability Transformation)

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25 pages, 1841 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sustainability of the Energy Sector in Jordan: Challenges and Opportunities

by Serena Sandri, Hussam Hussein and Nooh Alshyab

Sustainability 2020, 12(24), 10465; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su122410465 - 14 Dec 2020

Cited by 41 | Viewed by 7837

Abstract

The acceleration of economic development and rising standards of living have made energy security a top priority for policy makers worldwide. The issue of securing energy is particularly challenging for Jordan, which suffers from scarcity of natural resources, combined with the regional instability and conflicts. Based on desk research and on experts’ interviews, this study discusses the status quo of the energy sector in Jordan, its main challenges, and future aspirations. It thus contributes to the debate on how Jordan can ensure environmental, economic, social, and political sustainability of its energy sector. Jordan’s energy security has been historically linked to its relations with the neighboring countries and thus vulnerable to external shocks and outside political events. Notwithstanding reform efforts to reduce dependency from imports and some progress in diversifying the energy mix, energy security remains critical: the country imports around 94% of its energy, which represents approximately 10% of GDP. The growing domestic demand, which increases at a yearly rate of 3%, further adds to the pressure to envision strategies towards a more sustainable energy sector. These strategies will need to include investment in renewable energy, the reduction of energy consumption via increasing energy efficiency, and also synergic agreements with other countries. The interviewed experts highlighted the importance of governance for the successful implementation of these strategies. The creation of an enabling environment should go hand in hand with the involvement of all key stakeholders from energy and related sectors, into the development of a future vision of a sustainable energy sector. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Resources Management and Conflicts in the Context of Sustainability Transformation)

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21 pages, 1172 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A New Look at the Natural Capital Concept: Approaches, Structure, and Evaluation Procedure

by Margarita Ignatyeva, Vera Yurak and Oksana Logvinenko

Sustainability 2020, 12(21), 9236; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su12219236 - 06 Nov 2020

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2918

Abstract

This article considers the concept of natural capital as a basic construct of sustainable development. However, after numerous studies, a number of aspects of accounting and valuation of natural capital remain unspecified. The relevance and imperfection of the guidelines used to assess natural capital make relevant the development of such issues as the conceptual apparatus and methods to natural capital assessment. Therefore, the core objectives of the paper are: (1) to substantiate the structure of natural capital, taking into account the natural resources and ecosystem approaches; (2) to clarify the concepts of “function” and “services” in relation to abiotic and biotic components of the environment; (3) to generalize and analyze the classifications of ecosystem services, and to develop the authors’ classification; (4) to identify the most common methods for the economic assessment of natural capital’s components, and to implement these methods within a specific territory. These methods have been tested on the Khanty–Mansi Autonomous Okrug (KhMAD, Russia). The most typical ecosystems of the region and their inherent ecosystem services have been identified. Assessment results are presented for (1) forest ecosystems, (2) mountain ecosystems, and (3) ecosystems of swamps, lakes, and rivers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Resources Management and Conflicts in the Context of Sustainability Transformation)

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20 pages, 591 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Revisiting the Role of Institutions in Transformative Contexts: Institutional Change and Conflicts

by Dimitrios Zikos

Sustainability 2020, 12(21), 9036; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su12219036 - 30 Oct 2020

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3326

Abstract

The study of conflicts over natural resources is neither governed by a coherent set of theories nor limited by strict disciplinary boundaries. Rather, it encompasses a multitude of conceptions grounded within a wide array of disciplines and epistemological assumptions concerning the links between institutional change and conflicts, often concluding in contradictory propositions. This article aims at providing conceptual guidance for the special issue, by reviewing institutional research with a particular focus on institutional change and associated conflicts and drawing some implications from transformative settings. More specifically, the paper explores certain propositions and concepts utilised by institutional economists to explain why conflicts persist despite institutional reforms explicitly or implicitly introduced to resolve them. The author revisits diverse cases from different regions to investigate key concepts related to institutional change and its implications on environmental conflicts associated to transformations, complementing this view from a political science perspective. The paper concludes by offering an overview of factors identified as instrumental in understanding the institutional change and conflict–cooperation continuum. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Resources Management and Conflicts in the Context of Sustainability Transformation)

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22 pages, 602 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The “Green on Green” Conflict in Wind Energy Development: A Case Study of Environmentally Conscious Individuals in Oklahoma, USA

by Claire Burch, Rebecca Loraamm and Travis Gliedt

Sustainability 2020, 12(19), 8184; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su12198184 - 04 Oct 2020

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3081

Abstract

Development in wind energy technology and deployment of infrastructure reduces reliance on fossil fuels and can further energy security goals. Wind energy, however, can conflict with other green interests. The goal of this research was to examine the perceptions of environmentally conscious individuals at the intersection of wind energy development and biodiversity conservation interests. A majority of respondents identified that they cared very much about both renewable energy development as well as biodiversity conservation. We found that while participants were aware of the shifting causes of mortality of bird populations, they were less aware of the implications of wind energy on bat populations. In addition, attitudes towards biodiversity conservation as well as wind energy development were statistically significant when looking at the identification of some impacts. Most participants were willing to support wind energy development considering trade-offs related to factors such as visual impacts or economic benefits if it had no impacts on biodiversity conservation. Our research shows that environmentally conscious individuals are well-informed on only some impacts of wind energy development. Results also suggest that biodiversity conservation impacts are prioritized by environmentally conscious individuals when gauging support for wind energy development. As sustainable development continues, it is important to consider this green on green conflict, as renewable energy development is not only confronted by general issues of public opposition, but also specific environmental complaints. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Resources Management and Conflicts in the Context of Sustainability Transformation)

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Review

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20 pages, 2151 KiB

Open AccessReview

Sustainability Considerations in Water–Energy–Food Nexus Research in Irrigated Agriculture

by Ahmad Hamidov and Katharina Helming

Sustainability 2020, 12(15), 6274; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su12156274 - 04 Aug 2020

Cited by 48 | Viewed by 8452

Abstract

Irrigated agriculture is essential to satisfying the globally increasing demand for food and bio-based products. Yet, in water scarce regions, water-use for irrigation aggravates the competition for the use of water for other purposes, such as energy production, drinking water and sanitation. Solutions for sustainable food production through irrigated agriculture require a systemic approach to assess benefits and trade-offs across sectors. Here, the water–energy–food (WEF) nexus has become an important concept in natural resource management. It has been conceptualized to analyze linkages and trade-offs between the three sectors, across temporal and spatial scales. However, the concept has so far mainly been conceptual, with little empirical evidence or proof of concept in real world cases. The objective of this paper was to take stock of the rapidly advancing literature on the WEF nexus in irrigated agriculture, and to analyze how the concept was actually implemented in research studies, and how the nexus between water, food and energy was actually dealt with. The study period ranges from 2011 to 2019, and includes 194 articles. Results showed that the WEF nexus is indeed very relevant in irrigated agriculture, and the respective literature makes up one third of all WEF nexus papers. Modeling and empirical research have caught up with conceptual synthesis studies during the last four years, thereby indicating that the WEF nexus concept is indeed increasingly operationalized. However, most studies addressed the WEF nexus from a perspective of either socioeconomic, technological or environmental categories, and they place one of the dimensions of water, food or energy into the foreground. To address sustainable development, there is a need to fully integrate across research disciplines and thematic dimensions. Such studies are only starting to emerge. These findings are an important evidence-base for future WEF nexus research on irrigated agriculture, in support of sustainable solutions for water scarce regions, especially in settings undergoing transformations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Resources Management and Conflicts in the Context of Sustainability Transformation)

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