Debating the UK impact agenda

This chapter builds on the debates presented in chapters 1 and 2, providing a more in-depth assessment of critiques of the research impact agenda. This includes concerns expressed in the Stern review and debates regarding the possibility of applying ‘metrics’ to impact. It then considers how the impact agenda has been defended and amended in the context of these critiques.

Can Money Transfers Serve to Offset Ecological Harms?

Having argued in Chapter 4 that there are ecological constraints on economic growth, this chapter starts by showing that ecological change in turn can exacerbate financial instability, thereby compounding the problem. So proposals of liberal environmentalism, which, like the Stern Review, highlight the economic benefits of environmental policies, may overstate the scope of win–win solutions. The idea that ecological costs and benefits can be expressed in economic terms depends on assumptions about the stability and predictability of prices. Yet radical uncertainties underlie the non-reliability of money as a medium for transferring value over time as well as across geopolitical space. Accordingly, proposals for providing funds for compensation or adaptation in relation to ecological harms are called into question, and attempts to determine appropriate future discount rates are rendered radically uncertain. Meanwhile, the monetization of ecological goods does provide opportunities for short-term business profits that may tend to fuel the underlying problem.

The Real-Time REF Review: A Pilot Study to Examine the Feasibility of a Longitudinal Evaluation of Perceptions and Attitudes Towards REF 2021

The UK first introduced a national research assessment exercise in 1986, and methods of assessment continue to evolve. Following the 2016 Stern Review and further rounds of technical consultation, the UK higher education community is now preparing for the next Research Excellence Framework – REF 2021.Despite its importance in shaping UK research cultures, there is limited systematic and nuanced evidence about how academics across the sector view the REF, and which aspects are viewed favourably or unfavourably. The aims of this pilot study were twofold: first, it was designed to gather initial data to address this evidence gap; second, it was aimed at testing the feasibility of conducting a longitudinal study into academic and managerial attitudes towards the REF. We argue that further research to better understand the effects of the REF on research cultures, institutions, and individuals should be part of the evidence used to inform the development of future iterations of the exerciseThe Real Time REF Review Pilot Study was developed and delivered by a research team from Cardiff University and the University of Sheffield, in collaboration with Research England.

Stern review on the economics of climate change: implications for Bangladesh

Purpose The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of climate change on economic development in Bangladesh. More specifically, the research aims to figure out the influence of climate change on gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate related to different sectors such as agriculture, forest, water, health and infrastructure. It also attempts to explore the effect of climate change on the coastal economy of Bangladesh. Design/methodology/approach A set of statistical and econometric techniques, including descriptive and correlation analysis and time series regression model, was applied to address the objective of the research. Sector-wise time series economic data were collected from the World Bank for the period between 1971 and 2013. Climate data were received from the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council online database for the period between 1948 and 2013. Findings The results from the statistical analysis show that climate variables such as temperature and rainfall have changed between 1948 and 2013 in the context of Bangladesh. The econometric regression analysis demonstrates that an increase by 1°C of annual mean temperature leads to a decrease in the GDP growth rate by 0.44 per cent on average, which is statistically significant at the 5 per cent level. On the other hand, the estimated coefficients of agriculture, industry, services, urbanization and export are positively associated with GDP growth rate, and these are statistically significant at the 1 per cent level. Sector-wise correlation analysis provides statistical evidence that climate change is negatively associated with various sectors, such as agriculture, forest, human health and arable land. In contrast, it has a positive relation to water access and electricity consumption. Analysis of coastal regions shows that climate change negatively affects the local economic sectors of the coastal zone of the country. Originality/value Although this study has received significant insight from the world-renowned research publication “The Economics of Climate Change: The Stern Review”, there is a dearth of research on the economic impact of climate change in the context of Bangladesh. The findings of the paper provide deep insight into and comprehensive views of policy makers on the impact of climate change on economic growth and various sectors in Bangladesh.

Consideraciones acerca de la implementación de las acciones sobre el cambio climático y los acuerdos internacionales para la cooperación bajo la perspectiva del Informe Stern

El Informe Stern sobre la Economía del Cambio Climático (Stern Review on the Economics of Climate Change) es un documento redactado por el economista Sir Nicholas Stern, antiguo miembro del Banco Mundial por encargo del Tesoro Británico, sobre el impacto del cambio climático y el calentamiento global sobre la economía mundial al afirmar que se necesita de una inversión equivalente al 1% del PIB mundial para mitigar los efectos del cambio climático; caso contrario, el universo estaría expuesto a una recesión que podría alcanzar al 20 % del PIB. Se trata de un informe político riguroso que logró conseguir la atención de la opinión pública sobre las implicancias y consecuencias del cambio climático, dejándonos conclusiones claras y contundentes sobre una pronta actuación. Su discusión trata sobre cómo mitigar el cambio climático y si estamos preparados para este proceso desde el enfoque económico. El informe presenta un análisis sobre la economía del cambio climático, utilizando resultados de estudios científicos publicados y evaluados. Se encuentra estructurado en 6 partes que contienen 27 capítulos. La parte VI International Collective Action, que abarca desde el capítulo 21 al 27, trata, entre otros temas, de la coordinación de la acción colectiva internacional frente al cambio climático, que supone la existencia de un planificador central preocupado por el bienestar mundial y de la conveniencia de frenar la deforestación. Las consideraciones de este artículo se basan en la Acción Internacional Cooperativa, desarrollada en el Capítulo VI del Informe Stern, orientada a la implementación de las acciones necesarias para atenuar los efectos del cambio climático. Las acciones para afrontar los efectos adversos del cambio climático consisten en una amplia gama de actividades de distintos niveles y dimensiones para las cuales se requiere de un único marco de referencia internacional para reducir de manera efectiva la emisión de gases de efecto invernadero. Es así que los acuerdos internacionales para el cambio climático son la base fundamental para la cooperación; no obstante, existen retos inherentes en este aspecto debido a la naturaleza de la problemática, como son la provisión de un bien público como el clima y la atmósfera, el costo de la implementación de las acciones para el cambio climático, la transición de la economía global del carbono hacia una economía global limpia y la difusión pública de la importancia de participar en este proceso. La inversión, investigación e implementación de tecnologías para afrontar el cambio climático requieren de una planificación estratégica gubernamental adecuada que incluya reglas del juego firmes y que promuevan la adopción privada de acciones que reduzcan las emisiones de gases de efecto invernadero.

Creation of National Strike Force Center of Expertise: U. S. Coast Guard Deployable Specialized Forces “Stem-to-Stern” Review

The United States Coast Guard conducted a review of the National Strike Force’s alignment with the Coast Guard organization following direction from Admiral Papp, Commandant of the Coast Guard, for a “Stem to Stern” review of all Deployable Specialized Forces. The Deployable Specialized Force program and its support structure has made significant progress building and sustaining a highly specialized community. Some of these successes include the Incident Management Assist Team. The full purpose and integration of all Deployable Specialized Force units has still not completely achieved full operational capability. One of the recommended courses of action for Coast Guard Deployable Specialized Forces is to maintain proficiency and provide value across the Coast Guard’s mission spectrum included: Establish Centers of Expertise for disaster/incident response with functionality to include standardization teams, external assessment, and Tactics, Techniques and Policy integration. The review concluded that a separate unit should be established to conduct third party assessment of the National Strike Forces’ three Strike Teams. As a result, the National Strike Force Center of Expertise was created under the oversight of the Coast Guard Force Readiness Command. This paper will review the reasons for creation of the National Strike Force Center of Expertise and why it was placed under the Coast Guard Force Readiness Command as a detachment of Training Center Yorktown. Several functional statements of the National Strike Force Center of Expertise will be presented regarding managing environmental response and equipment standardization among the Strike Teams and how the National Strike Force Center of Expertise concept of operations will support future progress for the NSF mission.

How can education help in climate management- A contemporary review

This paper demonstrates that, by enhancing learning, imparting values, encouraging convictions and moving dispositions, training has impressive energy to help people reexamine ecologically unsafe ways of life and conduct. In this way, training ought to frame part of the arrangements proposed from the COP. The fruition of more elevated amounts of instruction does not naturally interpret into more mindful conduct towards the earth. Be that as it may, as the persuasive Stern Review on environmental change noted: 'Instructing those as of now at school about environmental change will shape and manage future approach making, and an expansive open and worldwide level headed discussion will bolster today's strategy producers in making solid move now'.