Research Articles (Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural Development)

Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://hdl.handle.net/2263/1745

This collection contains some of the full text peer-reviewed/ refereed articles published by researchers from the Department of Agricultural Economics Extension and Rural Development

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Perceptions of communal farmers on extension support services accessibility in the Port St Johns, Eastern Cape Province
(South African Society for Agricultural Extension, 2024) Gwala, L.; Yusuf, F.S.G.; Loki, Olwethu; Bontsa, N.V.; Mdiya, L.; Rani, Z.T.; o.loki@up.ac.za
Communal farming is mainly practised in most rural areas of South Africa, and agricultural production plays a significant part in rural livelihoods. Lack of access to adequate resources has led to high vulnerability. Farmers' understanding, awareness, and experience of extension services are important. Extension services are vital in supporting farmers in acquiring information, gaining knowledge and skills, and engaging in agricultural production to solve farming-related problems. Therefore, the paper seeks to determine farmers' perceptions of extension services accessed. The study used a cross-sectional research design to collect data using a 5-Likert scale questionnaire. A snowball sampling method was used to select 115 communal farmers from Ntsimbini village in Port St Johns Local Municipality. Descriptive statistics and principal component analysis were used to analyse the collected data. The study's findings revealed that production challenges associated with limited access to support services affect crop and livestock production. Findings on farmers' perceptions revealed poor access to production inputs and infrastructural support. Therefore, extension services accessibility affects production inputs and infrastructural support. The study recommends that access and use of extension support services be improved through communication strategies conducive to all stakeholders involved in communal farming, as this will help improve access to support services for farmers.
Impact of smallholder irrigation revitalisation programme on the exchange irrigation scheme in Kwekwe District, Zimbabwe
(South African Society for Agricultural Extension, 2024) Ndige, T.; Loki, Olwethu; o.loki@up.ac.za
The Smallholder Irrigation Revitalisation Programme (SIRP), a seven-year programme which started in 2016 and ended in 2023,is one recent initiative rolled out in Zimbabwe to improve smallholder irrigation in arid to semi-arid areas. The main goal of the SIRP was to help rural households become resilient to the effects of climatic change and economic volatility while simultaneously achieving food and nutrition security. This study aimed to assess the impact of SIRP on the Exchange irrigation scheme in Kwekwe District, Zimbabwe. Quantitative and qualitative data collection instruments, namely a structured questionnaire and focus group discussions (FGDs), were used to obtain responses from the participants. A multistage cluster sampling method was used, and 134 irrigators, or 13.6% of the irrigators, were sampled from a sampling frame of 982 scheme beneficiaries. A purposive sampling method was used to select25 critical stakeholders for FGDs. Data was processed using SPSS software. Bar charts and tables were utilised to display the frequency distributions of responses graphically. Also, frequency distributions were used to summarise the response counts and percentages for each survey question. Results obtained established that while not without difficulties, smallholder irrigation has the potential to dramatically increase the incomes and quality of life for low-income rural communities in developing countries like Zimbabwe. The study concluded that despite the current challenges, SIRP is bringing about poverty alleviation and improving the livelihoods of the Exchange irrigation scheme households and the irrigation scheme's water use efficiency and profitability.
Communication channels and information sources utilised by agricultural extension practitioners to communicate agricultural-related information to farmers in the Eastern Cape Province
(South African Society for Agricultural Extension, 2024) Makamane, A.; Swanepoel, J.W.; Loki, Olwethu; o.loki@up.ac.za
Using a random sampling technique, the channels used by extension practitioners to communicate agricultural-related information to farmers were investigated from a sample of 126 practitioners and managers. Research activities included a formal survey, and data were collected using a structured questionnaire. The Pearson's Chi-square (χ2) test of independence with α = 0.005 as a criterion for significance and the binary regression method were used to analyse the data. Findings from descriptive statistics reported that52.4% of the respondents comply with the Norms and Standards of Extension and Advisory Services, which prescribe that all practitioners in South Africa should have a four-year bachelor's degree as a minimum qualification requirement. Many Extension practitioners (60.3%) preferred visiting farmers in person; however, logistical issues such as transport to the field (38.9%) posed a barrier to farm visits and information sharing. The binary logistic regression model results showed that information sources and the frequency of farm visits were among the variables that influenced the channels extension practitioners used to communicate agricultural information. The study concludes that extension officers still prefer in-person farm visits despite the emergence of ICT and digital technologies. This study recommends that in-person farm visits be utilised with ICT and other digital technologies to address agricultural-related information delivery challenges.
WTO must complete an ambitious fisheries subsidies agreement
(Nature Research, 2024-02-02) Sumaila, U. Rashid; Alam, Lubna; Abdallah, Patrizia R.; Aheto, Denis; Akintola, Shehu L.; Alger, Justin; Andreoli, Vania; Bailey, Megan; Barnes, Colin; Ben-Hasan, Abdulrahman; Brooks, Cassandra M.; Carvalho, Adriana R.; Cheung, William W.L.; Cisneros-Montemayor, Andres M.; Dempsey, Jessica; Halim, Sharina A.; Hilmi, Nathalie; Ilori, Matthew O.; Jacquet, Jennifer; Karuaihe, Selma Tuemumunu; Le Billon, Philippe; Leape, James; Martin, Tara G.; Meeuwig, Jessica J.; Micheli, Fiorenza; Mokhtar, Mazlin; Naylor, Rosamond L.; Obura, David; Palomares, Maria L.D.; Pereira, Laura M.; Rogers, Abbie A.; Sequeira, Ana M.M.; Sogbanmu, Temitope O.; Villasante, Sebastian; Zeller, Dirk; Pauly, Daniel
No abstract available.
Disponibilité en eau et orientation des agriculteurs : facteurs d’adoption de pratiques écologiquement intensives dans les oasis de Kébili en Tunisie
(EDP Sciences, 2024-04) Mansour, Nada Ben; Hanafi, Anissa; Faysse, Nicolas; Jourdain, Damien
FRENCH : Dans le gouvernorat de Kébili au sud de la Tunisie, les zones irriguées se sont fortement développées ces 30 dernières années. Le système oasien traditionnel, fondé sur des cultures organisées sur trois étages et sur les complémentarités entre agriculture et élevage, a été fragilisé. De nombreux agriculteurs se sont limités à la production de dattes, à la fois dans les oasis traditionnelles et dans les nouvelles zones irriguées. Le présent article mesure l’influence de la disponibilité en eau et de différents facteurs relatifs aux orientations des agriculteurs, sur leur décision de mettre en œuvre des pratiques agricoles écologiquement intensives. Les principales pratiques étudiées sont la culture d’arbres fruitiers sous les palmiers et l’utilisation du fumier comme fertilisant. Cinquante agriculteurs, qui ont obtenu au début des années 2000 la gestion de terres agricoles dans la municipalité de Jemna, ont été interrogés. La disponibilité en eau est un facteur majeur facilitant les pratiques écologiquement intensives. Ces pratiques sont aussi favorisées par le fait que le revenu familial soit avant tout tiré de la parcelle dans la zone d’étude. Un autre facteur important est l’intérêt pour une gestion durable de l’exploitation agricole – au contraire d’une gestion visant une rentabilité à court terme. Des agriculteurs de Kébili, qui veulent faire de l’agriculture un projet économique et un projet de vie, sont ainsi prêts à mettre en œuvre des pratiques écologiquement intensives. La baisse de l’agrobiodiversité observée dans les oasis traditionnelles du Sud tunisien n’est pas inéluctable, si l’accès à l’eau est amélioré et si de tels projets de vie fondés sur l’agriculture sont plus aisément réalisables.
Does quantity matter for distance decay? Evidence from two choice experiments on urban green
(Elsevier, 2025-02) Welling, Malte; Jacobsen, Jette Bredahl; Olsen, Soren Boye; Lundhede, Thomas Hedemark
The value of environmental goods to individuals often depends on spatial features such as distance. The most common approach of accounting for distance decay is to model utility as some function of distance. It has been suggested to instead model the value as a function of the quantity of an environmental good within a certain distance. We develop three novel quantity-within-distance models that may be more suited for evaluating quantity changes in an environmental good. We argue that these models could capture spatial patterns better than distance-based models when i) secondary benefits are a relevant source of welfare, ii) the environmental change is spatially scattered, iii) the distribution of the endowment, i.e. the present availability of the environmental good, matters. Using data from choice experiments on the extension of green space and trees in two urban areas, we compare required assumptions, model fit, and size and precision of aggregated welfare estimates. Our results indicate limited differences in model fit. However, the quantity-within-distance models consistently produce aggregate welfare estimates roughly half of common distance decay models and have narrower confidence intervals. While it is not possible to infer which is more accurate, the large differences can have considerable policy implications. HIGHLIGHTS ● Common distance decay models require strong assumptions in many applications. ● We develop new quantity-within-distance (QWD) spatial models. ● Comparable model fit between common distance-based and new QWD models. ● The QWD models yield lower aggregate welfare estimates than common models. ● Empirical evidence suggests two QWD models as viable alternatives to common models.
Transparency in aquaculture subsidy reporting urgently needed
(American Association for the Advancement of Science, 2024-10-16) Sumaila, Ussif Rashid
Aquaculture-producing countries should prioritize transparent reporting of the subsidies they provide to the sector.
Does the urban productive safety net programme alleviate food insecurity and improve education? Evidence from Tigray, Ethiopia
(MDPI, 2025-05) Gebresilassie, Yibrah Hagos; Tesfay, Gebremeskel Berhane; Abay, Tekeleweyni Hadush; Mpungose, Sakhile
This study examines the effects of the urban productive safety net programme (uPSNP) on urban households’ food insecurity (FIN) and children’s school attendance in Tigray, Ethiopia. Data were collected from 333 urban households between August and September 2020. The FGT index was used to compute households’ food insecurity intensity level, while the propensity score matching (PSM) technique was employed to examine the effect of the uPSNP on the food insecurity of urban households. The results indicated that approximately 56.7% of uPSNP beneficiaries were food-secure and able to consume an average of 2469.964 kcal per adult equivalent. Most importantly, uPSNP beneficiaries headed by women (50.8%) were more food-secure than non-beneficiaries headed by men (5.9%). Furthermore, the children of beneficiaries of the uPSNP attended school more often than the children of non-beneficiaries. This study highlights the need to scale up the uPSNP to address household food insecurity.
Public perceptions of biodiversity and the value of its conservation
(Elsevier, 2025-10) Uggeldahl, Kennet; Olsen, Soren Boye; Lundhede, Thomas Hedemark; Jacobsen, Jette Bredahl
Nature and biodiversity are in an unprecedented decline. One of the main policy solutions for reversing this trend involves putting a monetary value on biodiversity impacts. However, one of the concerns about valuing changes in biodiversity using economic valuation methods revolves around the methodological assumption that the public accurately and adequately understands and perceives this inherently abstract and complex concept. Yet, few studies have investigated what the public actually perceives as biodiversity, and what their perceptions of its value are. We use Q-methodology to explore this. We find that the public's perceptions of biodiversity to a large degree align with the main elements of the scientific definitions of the concept, and also include concepts linked to biodiversity, such as naturalness, connectedness and balance. Further, we find perceptions of the value of biodiversity conservation to include instrumental as well as intrinsic values, with specific arguments such as a human responsibility to protect nature and biodiversity playing an important part. Our findings suggest that using more comprehensive representations of changes in biodiversity in stated preference studies, rather than the commonly used simplifying indicators, better aligns with people's underlying perceptions of the good being valued.
Gender and food systems in six African countries : aligning research, policies and research funding
(Institute for African Alternatives (IFAA), 2024-10) Mkandawire, Elizabeth; Du Toit, Andrea; Gandidzanwa, Colleta; Mutsvangwa-Sammie, Eness Paidamoyo; Van der Berg, Esley; Abusbaita, Hanan Abdallah Mahmoud; Eyadat, Anwar Mousa Mohammad; Mukombwe, James Shabiti; Gondwe, Kaboni Whitney; Dressel, Anne
Research plays a fundamental role in achieving food systems outcomes but research funders and researchers often set agendas that are not necessarily informed by policy needs. This analysis explores synergies between research publications, funding and policy priorities using a gender and food systems lens. In this article the authors argue that gender research is not being adequately leveraged to investigate food systems challenges that are considered national priorities. They call on research funders, researchers and policy-makers to collaborate to define research agendas that address policy needs.
Prospects for improving the food and economic security of smallholder maize-based farming systems : a farmer typology approach in Zimbabwe
(Frontiers Media, 2025-03) Manyanga, Mark; Gerard, Francoise; Pedzisa, Tarisayi; Jourdain, Damien; Belard, Amandine; Hanyani-Mlambo, Benjamine; Coquereau, Adrien; Affholder, Francois
INTRODUCTION : Approximately 70% of communal farmers in Zimbabwe live in poverty, struggling to meet basic needs and provide for their families. These farmers face significant challenges in accessing essential services and resources. This situation makes them a critical subject for study, particularly in the context of smallholder farming systems in sub-Saharan Africa. This study aims to enhance the existing body of knowledge by incorporating a participatory approach and statistical analysis to characterize smallholder farmers and examine their economic and food security status. METHODS : We employed principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) to classify farmers based on various factors such as cultivated land, livestock ownership, family labor availability, off-farm activities, and remittance receipt. Data was collected from 248 randomly selected households across three purposively chosen wards in the Murehwa district, Zimbabwe. RESULTS : The analysis identified four distinct farm clusters: Cluster 1: Highly resource-constrained households, Cluster 2: Moderately resource-endowed households without off-farm income, Cluster 3: Moderately resource-endowed households with access to off-farm income, Cluster 4: Highly resource-endowed households All clusters primarily cultivated maize, their main food source, but showed significant variations in their economic and food security status. The clusters also differed in their levels of resource access, with notable distinctions in the availability of family labor and off-farm income. DISCUSSION : These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions that provide essential inputs, such as affordable seeds and legumes, to promote crop diversification. Additionally, the study advocates for promoting alternative income sources, such as small livestock and beekeeping, which can enhance food and economic security by reducing the reliance on crop production alone, particularly in the face of uncertain agricultural conditions. These strategies are crucial for improving the livelihoods and resilience of smallholder farmers in Zimbabwe and similar contexts in sub-Saharan Africa.
Farmers’ willingness to adopt precision agricultural technologies to reduce mycotoxin contamination in grain : evidence from grain farmers in Spain and Lithuania
(Springer, 2024-10) Owusu-Sekyere, Enoch; Hatab, Assem Abu; Lagerkvist, Carl‑Johan; Perez‑Ruiz, Manuel; Sarauskis, Egidijus; Kriauciuniene, Zita; Almoujahed, Muhammad Baraa; Apolo‑Apolo, Orly Enrique; Mouazen, Abdul Mounem; Carl‑Johan
PURPOSE : This study examines the willingness of Spanish and Lithuanian grain farmers to adopt a combined approach of preventive site-specific spraying (PSSS) and selective harvesting (SH), two precision agricultural technologies (below referred to as PSSS-SH) aimed at mitigating the risk of mycotoxin contamination in barley and wheat. METHODS : Data were collected from 190 commercial grain farmers using a choice experimental survey. The empirical analysis relied on the estimation of mixed logit and integrated latent class models. RESULTS: The surveyed farmers were heterogeneous in their preference for the PSSS-SH technology, with a majority (81%) reporting that they were willing to adopt and pay for the PSSS-SH technology. Furthermore, the farmers’ willingness to adopt PSSS-SH technology was influenced by the trade-offs between the potential production, economic and environmental changes. CONCLUSION : Profit maximization is not the only motivation for a farmer’s decision to adopt PSSS-SH, there are also important non-financial benefits that align with the observed choices. Furthermore, the perceived usefulness of the technology, the willingness and readiness to use the technology, and the farmer characteristics (e.g. cooperative membership, employment status, share of household income from grain production and past experience with precision farming technology) were positively associated with uptake of the PSSS-SH technology. Therefore, extension programmes should have a special focus on the perceived usefulness of the technology, the willingness and readiness of farmers to use it, and its unique characteristics.
Role of exposure in adoption and intensity of tree planting practices among smallholder households in Rwanda
(Springer, 2025-06) Kegode, Hilda; Jourdain, Damien; Woldeyohanes, Tesfaye; Hughes, Karl; Karuaihe, Selma Tuemumunu; u20487623@tuks.co.za
Agroforestry, widely promoted across Sub-Saharan Africa to restore degraded landscapes and improve livelihoods, has the potential to positively impact Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), specifically SDG15 (life on land) and contribute towards the achievement of SDG2 (food security) and other SDGs. However, despite substantial investment in agroforestry programs, evidence of program effectiveness in enhancing adoption is inadequate. This paper employed the augmented inverse probability weighting method to analyze the impact of exposure to agroforestry practices on the adoption and intensity of tree planting using panel household data from Eastern Rwanda. The findings show that exposure increased the probability of adoption by 7% (p = 0.03). A higher probability of adoption (15%, p = 0.01) was observed in households that were exposed both before and after the baseline period, suggesting cumulative effects of exposure over time. Exposure modestly enhanced the diversity of trees and the number of trees in cropping fields, but farmers tended to adopt more exotic than indigenous species. A higher probability of adoption and higher tree numbers were observed when male household members were exposed, and seedling provision enhanced tree numbers and species among adopters. Our findings underscore the need for continuous engagement of farmers and targeted gender-sensitive interventions. We also recommend a more structured approach to training and information dissemination, and a focus seedling availability and a suitable policy environment.
Constraints to the value chain activities of bambara groundnut, cowpeas and orange-fleshed sweet potatoes in Mpumalanga, South Africa
(African Scholarly Science Communications Trust, 2025-04) Oloyede, Waliyat O.; Jordaan, D.; u16273720@tuks.co.za
There is a renewed interest in integrating underutilized crops (UC) into the food market to ensure access to nutritious and affordable food. Underutilized crop species are still recognized in the local, national and international communities. Still, they are out of reach due to challenges facing the value chain activities of the crops. Current research in South Africa has mainly been at the production level with limited focus on constraints to the value chain activities of underutilized crops. There is enough literature on the qualitative perceptions of the challenges along the value chain activities of underutilized crops. The quantitative understanding of challenges facing value chain activities of underutilized crops in South Africa remains unknown. This study analysed the constraints to value chain activities of underutilized crops (Bambara groundnut, cowpeas and Orange-fleshed sweet potatoes (OFSP)) in Mpumalanga, South Africa. One hundred and fifteen (115) value chain actors were selected for the study using the snowballing technique. The study employed the Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to identify important constraints facing the value chain activities of the selected underutilized crops. The PCA results revealed that the most critical constraints to Bambara groundnut, cowpeas and OFSP production were low-quality inputs, storage facilities and adverse weather conditions. The PCA results showed that farmers' most important constraints to UC marketing were poor storage and processing techniques, high cost of processing, high cost of transportation and lack of contractual agreement. The PCA results for constraints to Bambara groundnut, cowpeas and OFSP marketing by traders were improper stall structures, lack of vehicular access to the market, poor marketing channels and irregular/insufficient crop produce. These constraints were evident in the fragmented nature of the selected underutilized crop value chain activities. The absence of other actors like processors and distributors made the constraints obvious, and there is a need for all relevant stakeholders to address these barriers to the value chain activities of the underutilized crops. District, provincial and national governments should invest in raising awareness and promoting the usage of underutilized crops to address food insecurity in the country. Farmers and other value chain actors are encouraged to form cooperatives to strengthen their bargaining power, enhance access to credit and improve their influence on government policies.
A comprehensive analysis of forest restoration practices across Europe : ecological, economic, social and policy dimensions
(Elsevier, 2025-04) Menéndez-Miguélez, M.; Rubio-Cuadrado, A.; Bauhus, J.; Cañellas, I.; Crowther, T.; De-Miguel, S.; Erdozain, M.; Hoffmann, J.; Kremer, K.; Sotirov, M.; Lapin, K.; Lundhede, Thomas Hedemark; Jacobs, S.; Schatzdorfer, E.; Werden, L.; Alberdi, I.
Scaling up ecosystem restoration is essential to halt and reverse land degradation and biodiversity loss and ensure future functionality and resilience. However, the implementation of concrete restoration initiatives will present many challenges, such as setting appropriate and realistic goals, selecting or developing the most effective and efficient restoration practices, as well as carrying out effective short- and long-term monitoring of success. Furthermore, there is a lack of information to facilitate the implementation of effective restoration interventions. To address this knowledge gap we gathered information on the ecological, economic, social and policy challenges faced by restoration practitioners across Europe using a widely distributed online survey. Based on the 398 responses received from practitioners working in 31 countries we assessed how practical and scientific knowledge form an integral part of restoration initiatives. The focus of more than 40% of respondents from restoration projects was on increasing the population of species (plant species) and promoting their regeneration. Two common elements emerged across the wide diversity of responses: 1) a prevalent belief that restoration enhances multiple ecological aspects simultaneously, and subsequently, 2) the importance of developing monitoring frameworks that holistically evaluate restoration effectiveness, given the difficulty in defining a single, exclusive indicator of restoration success, as this could oversimplify the outcomes in complex ecosystems. Furthermore, respondents emphasized the importance of taking a holistic approach to restoration design, encompassing not only ecological aspects but also social, economic, and policy dimensions. The findings from the analysis of this survey provide, for the first time, a comprehensive view of the ecosystems and restoration activities that European countries are prioritizing, along with evaluation by the stakeholders involved.
Evaluating the impact of fodder purchase as a drought mitigation strategy for smallholder cattle holdings in South Africa
(University of Brawijaya, 2024-07-31) Nketiah, Prince; Ntuli, Herbert; Tetteh, Bright K. D.; nketiah.prince@tuks.com
The study set out to investigate how fodder-purchase as a drought response strategy impacts smallholder cattle farmers' (SCF) cattle inventory during drought years. Information on self-financed fodder purchasing as a drought mitigation strategy is thin in the literature. We used pooled survey data from the National Income Dynamics Study (NIDS) collated in the years 2015 and 2017 in South Africa. The nationally representative data was comprised of smallholder cattle households that experienced 2015 to 2017 sustained drought events in South Africa. Propensity score matching method (PSM) was used for the analysis. Factors that influence SCF's decision to adopt fodder purchasing as a drought mitigation strategy include age, income, market participation, crop farm ownership, recipients of secondary off-farm income, social support beneficiaries and land ownership. The PSM result shows that fodder-purchase significantly and positively impacts smallholder cattle production during drought.
Quantifying risk in the South African Customs Union
(Routledge, 2025) Mlipha, S.S.B.; Kalaba, Mmatlou W.
Most of the risk literature provides evidence on the impact of individual risk events on trade from the perspective of North–North (N–N) and North–South (N–S) regional trade blocs. Given the numerous risks facing South–South (S–S) regional trade agreements (RTAs), there is a need for a framework that will identify and quantify the risk in an S–S trade bloc. Such a framework should present a more holistic approach to risk identification, assessment, and management. The analysis has to explore interdependencies and spill-over effects between events that initiate impact flows between otherwise unrelated events. The Southern African Customs Union (SACU), with a good mixture of lower- and upper-middle-income countries, was used as a case study in this paper. The more developed countries, i.e. South Africa, Botswana, and Namibia, had the least risk and the risk indices of the more developed countries in the bloc also show a downward trend over time.
Multi-stakeholder collaboration framework for post-harvest loss reduction : the case of tomato value chain in Iringa and Morogoro regional in Tanzania
(SpringerOpen, 2025-02) Izdori, Fides John; Mkwambisi, David; Karuaihe, Selma Tuemumunu; Papargyropoulou, Effie
Globally, one-third of the food produced for human consumption globally is wasted, a figure projected to rise with increased food production. Collaborative efforts across food supply chains can mitigate post-harvest losses, playing a crucial role in enhancing food security. However, frameworks for multi-stakeholder collaborations remain underdeveloped, particularly in developing countries. We address this gap by focusing on the case study of tomato food supply chain in Tanzania. Using value chain analysis with farmers, traders, and transporters in the Iringa and Morogoro regions, findings reveal that 28% of post-harvest losses stem from climate and weather conditions, followed by limited market knowledge (12.5%) and inadequate storage facilities (11%). The results further show that only a small proportion of the tomato is transported to the market due to bad roads and there is limited number of processing industries, exacerbating the issue. Farmers have no knowledge as to how much they will produce or where they will sell in the next season. Building on these findings, the study revises Bhattacharya and Fayezi’s (Ind Mark Manag 93: 328–343, 2021) framework to propose a tailored multi-stakeholder collaboration framework for the Tanzania food supply chain context. This framework aims to empower smallholder farmers to reduce losses and increase incomes while fostering sustainable collaborations applicable to other value chains and regions.
Protecting everyday nature
(Oxford University Press, 2024-08) Layard, Antonia; Marshall, Adam; De Vito, Laura; Few, Roger; Hatzisavvidou, Sophia; Mabon, Leslie; Selomane, Odirilwe
‘Everyday nature’, understood as people’s ability to access nature nearby, should be protected in law and planning policy, facilitating three key benefits: (1) human health and wellbeing; (2) intrinsic and extrinsic ecological advantages; and (3) supporting the UK’s 30by30 nature conservation commitment. Yet there are three obstacles to the protection of everyday nature: (1) the prioritisation of ‘special’ and ‘priority’ nature conservation habitats; (2) the lack of protection for Local Wildlife Sites; as well as (3) counter-intuitively, the rise of biodiversity as a preferred governing concept. Addressing these obstacles, the paper develops the concept of everyday nature, making four proposals for change: (1) improved conceptual analysis; (2) confirming current policy on Local Wildlife Sites; (3) implementing the concept of everyday nature in legislation and planning policy; and (4) implementing the Government’s target that everyone lives within a 15-minute walk from a green or blue space.
Assessing the ecological and economic transformation pathways of plastic production system
(Elsevier, 2025-02) Issifu, Ibrahim; Dahmouni, Ilyass; Sumaila, Ussif Rashid
Plastic's incredible versatility drives its continuous production growth, contributing to 4.5% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. With an unsustainable 4% annual production growth rate, plastics' environmental impact is significant. Our study, using climate and economic models, assesses the effects of a voluntary plastic levy imposed on the top 100 resin producers. The results suggest a potential 70% reduction in global plastic production emissions by 2050, lowering emissions from business–as–usual levels to 1.62 Gt CO2e. The proposed USD 82.5 billion levy over 25 years could fund recycling initiatives, increasing recycling rates by 73%. To align with the Paris Agreement target of 1.5 °C, plastic production growth would need to drop to approximately 2.9%–3.1% annually, achieving a 25% decrease by 2050. Implementing this levy could significantly enhance recycling and reduce emissions, mitigating climate change.

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