scholarly journals Just transition? Strategic framing and the challenges facing coal dependent communities

2018 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 298-316
Author(s):  
Sally A Weller
Keyword(s):  
Clean Energy ◽  
Multilevel Governance ◽  
Perceived Injustice ◽  
Policy Action ◽  
Power Stations ◽  
Policy Interventions ◽  
Strategic Issue ◽  
Public Scrutiny ◽  
Governance Committee ◽  
Strategic Framing

Policies designed to hasten the closure of high-emissions coal-fired power stations routinely include reference to the need for a ‘just’ transition in affected communities. But the detail of what a just transition might entail is rarely specified. This article examines how policy interventions in Australia in 2012–2013, as part of the Gillard government’s Clean Energy Future package, approached the problem of a just transition in the case of Victoria’s coal dependent Latrobe Valley. It describes how policymakers framed the issue as transition, adopted a regional scaling, and expanded the territorial arena of policy action. A stakeholder-based multilevel governance committee shrouded this top-down decision-making from public scrutiny. These moves made it possible to conjure a narrative of benign transition governed by market processes. The paper explains how these strategic framings sidelined local interests, misrepresented the issues, exacerbated local disempowerment, and enabled the redirection of re-distributional funding to communities that were not directly affected by the impending closure of coal-fired power stations. The perceived injustice of this process exposes the limitations of climate policy-related strategic issue, scale and place framing.

scholarly journals CO2 Emissions Forecast and Emissions Peak Analysis in Shanxi Province, China: An Application of the LEAP Model

2022 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 637
Author(s):  
Xin Zou ◽  
Renfeng Wang ◽  
Guohui Hu ◽  
Zhuang Rong ◽  
Jiaxuan Li
Keyword(s):  
Co2 Emissions ◽  
Emission Reduction ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Thermal Power ◽  
Clean Energy ◽  
Shanxi Province ◽  
Time To Peak ◽  
Policy Interventions ◽  
Abatement Policy

Shanxi Province, an important source of coal resources in China, has consumed a large amount of fossil fuels in the past few decades. The CO2 emissions of Shanxi Province have been increasing annually, reaching 541.8 million tons in 2018, 54.6% higher than the national mean. This will have a negative impact on China’s ability to meet its target of peaking CO2 emissions by 2030. To assist China to achieve this target and reduce CO2 emissions in Shanxi Province, this study used the Long-range Energy Alternatives Planning (LEAP) model to analyze the CO2 emissions and peaks in Shanxi Province from 2019 to 2035 under different scenarios. Furthermore, this study analyzed the time to peak CO2 emissions under different emission reduction measures through a sensitivity analysis. The results show that in the absence of other mitigation policy interventions, CO2 emissions in Shanxi Province will increase annually, reaching 1646.2 million tons by 2035. Furthermore, this study shows that if shares of industrial gross domestic product (GDP) in Shanxi, energy intensity reduction in the industrial and transport sectors compared to the base scenario, thermal power, and relative clean energy consumption reach 25%, 30%, 50%, and 50%, respectively, by 2035, then CO2 emissions of Shanxi would peak at 801.2 million tons in 2029 and GDP per capita would increase to USD 2000 by 2035. Finally, according to the results of this study, we have made some recommendations for emission reduction in Shanxi Province. The limitation of this study was that the implementation cost of the abatement policy was not considered.

scholarly journals Solar Sharing for Both Food and Clean Energy Production: Performance of Agrivoltaic Systems for Corn, A Typical Shade-Intolerant Crop

Environments ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (6) ◽  
pp. 65 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takashi Sekiyama ◽  
Akira Nagashima
Keyword(s):  
Energy Production ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Clean Energy ◽  
Production Performance ◽  
Corn Yield ◽  
Low Density ◽  
Land Resources ◽  
Land Occupation ◽  
Power Stations ◽  
Control Configuration

The purpose of this research was to examine the performance of agrivoltaic systems, which produce crops and electricity simultaneously, by installing stilt-mounted photovoltaic (PV) panels on farmland. As PV power stations enjoy remarkable growth, land occupation with the purpose of establishing solar farms will intensify the competition for land resources between food and clean energy production. The results of this research showed, however, that the stilt-mounted agrivoltaic system can mitigate the trade-off between crop production and clean energy generation even when applied to corn, a typical shade-intolerant crop. The research was conducted at a 100-m2 experimental farm with three sub-configurations: no modules (control), low module density, and high module density. In each configuration, 9 stalks/m2 were planted 0.5 m apart. The biomass of corn stover grown in the low-density configuration was larger than that of the control configuration by 4.9%. Also, the corn yield per square meter of the low-density configuration was larger than that of the control by 5.6%. The results of this research should encourage more conventional farmers, clean energy producers, and policy makers to consider adopting stilt-mounted PV systems, particularly in areas where land resources are relatively scarce.

Understanding the Impacts of Local Policies on Distributed Photovoltaic Market Development

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Doris ◽  
Sarah Booth ◽  
Joseph Chavez ◽  
Vitaliy Krasko ◽  
Sherry Stout
Keyword(s):  
Policy Development ◽  
State Level ◽  
Clean Energy ◽  
Market Development ◽  
Local Policy ◽  
Policy Action ◽  
Policy Environments ◽  
National Market ◽  
Policy Impacts ◽  
Local Policies

A growing body of literature discusses the impacts of state-level policies on the development of distributed photovoltaic (PV) markets both in the implementing jurisdictions and spilling into others. Localities (municipalities and counties) are also increasing their involvement in policy development to support clean energy markets. There is a barrier to knowing the impacts of the policies within a jurisdiction as well as how the patchwork of local policies interacts to contribute to national PV market developments. This barrier can result in an inability for localities to implement effective and efficient local policies. This paper aims to reduce this barrier by (1) summarizing local activities related to solar in 151 localities as a means of determining trends in local PV policy action, (2) looking critically at several local policy environments in two states to determine if successful policy strategies or interesting observations warrant further investigation on the impacts of local policy, and (3) outlining the challenges of and opportunities for developing improved data for supporting an understanding of local policy impacts on the national market.

scholarly journals Is it time to drop the term ‘prostitution’ from policy discourse?

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 385-393 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natasha Mulvihill
Keyword(s):  
Social Justice ◽  
Criminal Justice ◽  
Sex Work ◽  
Sexual Exploitation ◽  
Policy Discourse ◽  
Sex Industry ◽  
Policy Action ◽  
Survival Sex ◽  
Policy Interventions ◽  
Loaded Term

In this paper, I wish to explore whether it is time to drop the use of the term ‘prostitution’ in English policy discourse. I argue here that ‘prostitution’ is a culturally loaded term and is insufficiently precise in describing the different contexts in which the exchange of sex for money or other resources between adults takes place. This lack of clarity has implications for policy action, which in turn materially affects the lives of those involved in the sex industry. I draw on MacKinnon’s (1989) thesis of the eroticisation of dominance as a productive framework for explaining why violence, harm and coercion are possible within the exchange of sex for money (or other resource), though not inevitable. I propose that we distinguish four categories: sex entrepreneurship, sex work, survival sex and sexual exploitation. For some scholars, such categorisations overlook how disparate practices are connected (Jeffreys, 2009), most obviously by patriarchy or economic inequality. However, I believe we need to see both the connections and the distinctions: if we conflate different practices, we lose the particularity of the contexts of practice and weaken the rationale for policy action. Worse, policy interventions may be harmful. I suggest these four categories can help us identify and distinguish between structural and interpersonal harm and structural and interpersonal coercion and help to formulate attendant criminal justice and social justice measures.

scholarly journals Enhancing the Role of SMEs in the Arab World—Some Key Considerations

Policy Papers ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (040) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vahram Stepanyan ◽  
Gohar Abajyan ◽  
Anta Ndoye ◽  
Marwa Alnasaa
Keyword(s):  
Arab World ◽  
Job Creation ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Business Environment ◽  
Inclusive Growth ◽  
Policy Action ◽  
Access To Finance ◽  
Employment Opportunities ◽  
Policy Interventions

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are a cornerstone of Arab economies, accounting for over 90 percent of all businesses and providing a major source of new job creation. Governments across the Arab World recognize the important role that SMEs can play in delivering higher and more inclusive growth. Many have rightly placed SME development at the center of growth and jobs strategies to meet the needs of young populations. Authorities have initiated policy interventions and schemes to support SME development. But progress so far has been patchy, and more comprehensive policy action is needed. Fostering vibrant and competitive SMEs that contribute to employment opportunities and high value-added output requires various stakeholders to deliver on a broad range of factors. Arab governments need a holistic policy approach that addresses the gaps in access to finance, creates an enabling business environment, and upgrades human capital and infrastructure. The approach should also promote an entrepreneurial mindset.

scholarly journals Transforming Access to Clean Energy Technologies in the Global South: Learning from Lighting Africa in Kenya

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (14) ◽  
pp. 4362
Author(s):  
David Ockwell ◽  
Robert Byrne ◽  
Joanes Atela ◽  
Victoria Chengo ◽  
Elsie Onsongo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Innovation System ◽  
Clean Energy ◽  
Global South ◽  
Technical Innovation ◽  
Local Economies ◽  
Economic Implications ◽  
Energy Technologies ◽  
Policy Interventions ◽  
Depth Analysis ◽  
Future Policy

As SDG7-related interventions seek to transform access to clean energy, this paper presents an analysis of both a previous transformative intervention (Lighting Africa) and a theoretical approach to understanding how such transformations can be achieved in the Global South (socio-technical innovation system, STIS, building). The paper makes four contributions. First, it tests the extent to which the STIS-building concept is useful in understanding and conceptualising how Lighting Africa transformed the market for solar lanterns in Kenya from an estimated market size of 29,000 lamps in 2009 to one where 680,000 Lighting Africa certified lamps were sold in Kenya by the end of the Programme in 2013. Second, it presents the most in-depth analysis of Lighting Africa that we are aware of to date. Third, it presents a conceptual framework that illustrates the Lighting Africa approach, providing a framework for future policy interventions aiming to transform access to clean energy technologies in the Global South. Fourth, it reflects on weaknesses in the STIS approach. In particular, these include a need to better attend to: the gendered implications of interventions (and social justice more broadly); implications of different scales of technologies; value accumulation and the extent to which interventions benefit indigenous actors and local economies; and the political and economic implications of any intervention and its distribution of benefits.

Systematic review examining the evidence for impact of school policies on physical activity

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
K Volf ◽  
L Kelly ◽  
E García Bengoechea ◽  
A Gobis ◽  
J Lakerveld ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
School Environment ◽  
School Setting ◽  
Public Health Intervention ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Research Network ◽  
Policy Action ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Policy Interventions ◽  
Legislative Changes

Abstract Background Epidemiological evidence has demonstrated that physical activity can have substantive health benefits for children and young people. The 'Policy Evaluation Network' is a multi-disciplinary research network across 7 European countries and New Zealand aimed at building capacity and evaluating the level of impact of policy interventions for promoting healthy lifestyles. The Toronto Charter identified 'whole-of-school' programmes as one of seven key investments for promotion of PA. This paper presents results of a SLR, designed to assess the level of evidence for policies within the school setting that contribute directly or indirectly to increasing PA. Methods Researchers searched six online databases for scientific literature regarding PA policy interventions in the school setting using key concepts of policy, school, PA and evaluation. Risk of bias will be assessed with tools appropriate to the design of the studies considered. Evidence of actual or potential positive PA outcomes arising directly or indirectly from policy actions will be catalogued. Results Preliminary searches identified 2327 unique scientific articles. 1938 (83.3%) were excluded on first reading and 189 (8.8%) were included for full text analysis. Initial findings suggest that organisational policies, for example avoiding overcrowding in playgrounds during school breaks, may be a promising policy action. Detailed analysis revealing other potential policy actions supported by evidence will be presented (SLR in progress). Conclusions Preliminary findings suggest that few studies link policy actions in the school setting to PA outcomes. However, studies that have investigated the effects of changes to the school environment on PA levels may provide evidence for policy actions. Preliminary recommendations include strengthening the evidence base for school-based PA policy by supporting studies into the effects of particular policy or legislative changes on PA outcomes. Key messages School physical activity policies are an underappreciated public health intervention. More studies should link policy changes to physical activity outcomes.

Safety Performance Evaluation of Nuclear Power Station Containment

2014 ◽  
Vol 672-674 ◽  
pp. 418-421
Author(s):  
Yu Lan Wang
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Power Station ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Clean Energy ◽  
Safety Performance ◽  
Power Station ◽  
The Public ◽  
Power Stations ◽  
The World ◽  
Nuclear Events ◽  
The Impact

Nuclear energy as an economical, safe and clean energy is being increasingly concerned, and nuclear power stations have also been widely built in the world. However, because of the impact from nuclear events, the safety of nuclear power station has been suspected by the public. First, the development situation of the nuclear power station in the world is described. Then the nuclear power station containment is introduced. Meanwhile, the safety performance of nuclear power station containment under external events are analyzed. Some advices on guaranteeing the security work of nuclear power station containment are given.

scholarly journals Assessment of survival potential of four grid-connected solar photovoltaic power stations in Jiangsu Province, China

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chong Li
Keyword(s):  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Clean Energy ◽  
Jiangsu Province ◽  
Electricity Production ◽  
Emissions Reduction ◽  
Solar Photovoltaic ◽  
Positive Correlation ◽  
Power Stations ◽  
Photovoltaic Power ◽  
Survival Potential

Abstract The aim of this study is to analyze the feasibility of the construction of 1-MW grid-connected solar photovoltaic (GCSPV) power stations at four locations of Jiangsu province, China. The economic, emission, sensitivity and risk analyses of the proposed systems are all performed using the RETScreen clean energy management software. The GCSPV system in Xuzhou is more economically viable than those in other regions under consideration, while this system in Nanjing is relatively less economically viable. The GCSPV power stations in Xuzhou have the largest annual Greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions reduction due to its largest electricity production from the proposed system. The sensitivity analysis results on NPV show significant variations due to the variations of electricity export rate (EER) and initial costs (ICs) parameters. The NPV of the proposed system increases from 707,589 $ to 2,046,766 $ with the increase of the EER, while the NPV of the system decreases with the increase of the ICs at the same of EER. The risk analysis shows the largest influence on the NPV of the project is the change of the EER with positive correlation, while the least impact on the NPV is the debt term with positive correlation.

scholarly journals Out of the Vortex

2010 ◽  
Vol 132 (04) ◽  
pp. 22-27 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Bernitsas
Keyword(s):  
Clean Energy ◽  
Hydroelectric Power ◽  
Science And Engineering ◽  
Aquatic Life ◽  
Vortex Induced Vibration ◽  
Power Stations ◽  
Simple Machine

This article presents an overview of the Vortex Induced Vibration for Aquatic Clean Energy (VIVACE) converter. Unlike typical hydroelectric power stations, the VIVACE converter does not need to impound water behind a dam to create a head. Water is allowed to flow freely over the cylinders. Also in contrast to many hydrokinetic technologies that have been proposed in the last decade, the converter does not use a turbine, making it safer for aquatic life that swim past or through it. Another advantage of the VIVACE technology is its scalability. Not only can the technology be deployed in few watt-, kilowatt-, megawatt-, or even gigawatt-scale installations, but also the science and engineering is basically the same at every scale. The VIVACE converter is a clean and simple machine that promises to provide cheap and plentiful electricity. There is certainly work that needs to be done to optimize the system, but there is no reason to doubt that the converter can operate as expected.

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