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Extract or conserve? The Hartwick-rule and sustainable environmental governance
No full textThe legal safeguards for sustainable environmental governance are often inadequate, inefficient, and amenable to political maneuverings. Australia recently approved the Carmichael coal mine, rail, and expansion of the Abbot Port projects. These projects, along with many others in the region, have dire consequences for the groundwater system (Currell et al., 2017) [5], the Great Barrier Reef (Kroon et al., 2016; Grech et al., 2016) [6,7], and climate change (Taylor and Meinshausen, 2014) [8]. Here we show that incorporating the Hartwick-rule in economic analysis renders many of these projects unviable with or without the opportunity and externality costs. The Hartwick-rule dictates that exhaustible resource extraction can ensure weak sustainability if resource rents can be invested in such a way that the produced capital outweighs the consumed natural capital (Hartwick, 1977) [9]. We put forward two main arguments; one, resource rents belong to the society and many projects are only viable when these rents are invested with a certain growth rate; second, economic analysis shall incorporate the Hartwick-rule and shall be applied prior to recourse to the legal safeguards. Our analysis can be applied to any non-renewable natural resource extraction decision making
CASAR Public lecture: ‘The U.S. Civil Rights Experience and the Freedom Riders’
Get PDFCASAR Public lecture titled: ‘The U.S. Civil Rights Experience and the Freedom Riders’ In celebration of Black History Month, join us in an intriguing discussion about U.S. history with Ms. Joan Trumpauer-Mulholland , an American civil rights activist and one of the Freedom Riders, a group of black and white activists who challenged the legally segregated buses and bus stations of the South by refusing to travel separately. This event was a collaboration between the Public Diplomacy Section at the U.S. Embassy in Cairo and the Prince Alwaleed Center for American Studies and Research (CASAR), School of GAPP, The American University in Cairo Wednesday February 7th, 2024 from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm – GAPP Executive Room P090 – Aljameel/BEC buildinghttps://fount.aucegypt.edu/events_and_performances/1045/thumbnail.jp
Exploring the Potential of E-Government in Reducing Corruption – Case of Egypt
Get PDFMany countries have recognized the significance of electronic work transition to application, frequently known as e-government, with the purpose of improving their bureaucratic performance and reducing corruption. From an economic standpoint, transparency may boost government efficiency as it increases the government capacity and, eventually, fosters good governance by reducing corruption and inefficiency. As a result, this study aims to analyze the correlation between e-government and corruption, as well as whether e-government reduced the detrimental effects of corruption on public trust. To accomplish this objective, the thesis focuses on in-depth interviews with citizens of all ages, socioeconomic and educational backgrounds, as well as policy experts and scholars. The study\u27s findings reveal that respondents recognize the importance of the e-portal in helping them save time, effort, and even money when completing any official form. This, however, applies only to people who are technologically literate. People with no access to the internet or even a basic comprehension of this digital tool, on the other hand, are unable to use the e-portal and consider it a burden
Investigating Perceptions on Gender Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace: A Case Study on the Banking Sector in Egypt
Get PDFThis thesis aims at providing an understanding of the perceptions of middle and senior managers on gender diversity and inclusion in the sector, and more importantly the factors leading to those perceptions. The main research question is: What are the perceptions of middle and senior level banking sector employees on gender diversity and inclusion in the sector? The researcher used a qualitative approach. A total of 13 semi-structured interviews were conducted, 10 interviews with middle and senior managers in the banking sector and 3 interviews with HR managers or directors in the sector. The analysis demonstrates organizational culture as a factor shaping perceptions through showing cultural differences between different types of banks. In line with social identity theory and stereotype threat theory, stereotypes emerged as another factor, these included: women being emotional, toxic managers, and fit for certain roles in the sector. The role of women as caretakers was also a factor which led to discussions around cost effectiveness of hiring women, as well as maternity leave and mid-career gaps. Finally, through feminist institutionalism lens the researcher analyzed policies related to gender diversity and inclusion and perceptions of them which were also a contributing factor. There is a limited understanding of gender diversity and inclusion where interviewees perceive the notion through representation lens rather than an empowerment one. Based on these findings, it is recommended that the way forward should be addressing those factors. To change perceptions and gender norms, it is suggested that a business case should be built for employers to drive gender inclusion in their respective organizations through proving its economic yield. Moreover, maternity leave policy as existing policy might unintentionally hinder women’s careers. Finally, real behavioral change is important to establish a true understanding of gender diversity and inclusion
Comparative Performance Analysis of Green Bond Issuers to their Conventional Counterparts
Get PDFThis thesis conducts a comparative performance analysis of green bond issuers versus their conventional counterparts. In the context of the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement, which underscores the financial sector\u27s role in promoting environmental sustainability, green bonds have emerged as crucial instruments for financing eco-friendly projects. This research investigates the financial performance of firms issuing green bonds using metrics such as sales growth, return on assets (ROA), and total debts through Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression analysis. The analysis covers 54 publicly traded bonds issued in North America between 2018 and 2022. Despite the growing popularity of green bonds, there are conflicting views regarding their financial benefits. While some studies suggest that green bonds lead to superior financial performance due to heightened investor demand and enhanced brand recognition, others argue that the high costs and stringent regulations associated with green bonds may negate these benefits. This thesis aims to contribute to this ongoing debate by providing a comprehensive comparative analysis of green bond issuers and traditional bond issuers. The findings of this study are significant for investors, shareholders, and policymakers interested in sustainable finance and its potential to foster long-term economic growth and environmental stewardship. By examining the financial impacts of green bond issuance, this research seeks to provide deeper insights into the viability and benefits of green bonds as a tool for promoting sustainable development
The Implications of COVID-19 Pandemic on Indoor Environments: Balancing Environmental Considerations and Wellbeing in Higher Educational Facilities
No full textIn this dissertation, the evolving problems concerning Indoor Air Quality (IAQ), and Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) in learning environments are examined. The topic is inspired by the COVID-19 pandemic and aspires to document the lessons learned via a vast set of investigations for enhanced IAQ management and control. Specifically, within educational buildings, the challenge remains to better inform the design and management of educational facilities to foster healthier and more sustainable learning environments. There are emerging research topics related to IAQ post the COVID-19 – including but not limited to: architectural design considerations of university classrooms, increase in carbon footprint of buildings, thermal discomfort in learning spaces, energy (in)efficiencies as a result of dependence on mechanical ventilation systems, as well as ample room for innovating tools to better manage IAQ in large scale facilities. This prompts us to identify the significance of such research topics, analyse their impacts, and start on the research journey to better understand them.
The manuscript-based dissertation adopts a multifaceted approach to examine the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic on IAQ in higher educational buildings. Each chapter relied on its own set of qualitative and/or quantitative methods – including focus groups, surveys, energy simulation, field measurements and statistical analysis - to generate actionable recommendations for stakeholders involved in the design, operation, and management of educational facilities.
The research yields several key interesting findings that shed light on the complex interplay between IAQ, environmental sustainability, and occupant well-being in educational settings. With no particular order, such findings include: (1)There is perceived difficulty in benchmarking carbon footprint reporting across regional university campuses to accurately reflect campuses\u27 scale, population, geography, and nature of operations, which questions the type of metrics used for benchmarking. (2) Universities represent a potential strong key-player in accelerating the carbon footprint reporting culture on a city scale. (3) By implementing low-carbon strategies, such as improving fan efficiencies, and giving occupants control over the thermostat; thermal comfort can be greatly improved in learning classrooms. (4) There are changing needs for both students and educators on what to consider for the design of a university classroom which was inspired by the COVID-19 experience. Such identified needs are due to evolving pedagogical needs of the learning process, necessitating the incorporation of collaborative learning spaces, flexible seating arrangements, personalized control of the indoor environment, as well as areas for individual study There is ample opportunity for architects to design healthy learning spaces while checking-off multiple considerations: architectural components, educational requirements, technological channels, human aspects prerequisites, as well as contextual factors. (5) There are significant correlations observed between IAQ parameters, including carbon dioxide (CO2) levels, total volatile organic compounds (tVOC), occupancy rates, and particulate matter (PM) concentrations. These findings underscore the interconnected nature of indoor environmental factors and highlight the importance of holistic IAQ management strategies. (6) A predictive equation – model - could be used to better estimate the mechanical ventilation energy within university classrooms based on classroom configuration, occupancy and window location. This would enable facility managers in the future to better to translate such estimations into fiscal values and save on operational costs while maintaining acceptable IAQ levels within classrooms. Finally, (7) it is viable to balance IAQ environmental considerations and well-being of occupants in the built environment via specialized indoor monitoring systems and communication tools. Among the practical tools to achieve this balance is to utilize an enhanced IAQ dashboard for monitoring different spaces within an educational facility, and appropriating a Classroom Index to compare IAQ, IEQ and Thermal Comfort conditions in selected learning spaces.
Based on such research findings, several key actionable recommendations emerge addressing environmental researchers, architects, designers, policymakers, IAQ industry experts as well as facility managers. The key message is: by adopting a holistic approach to IAQ management and embracing sustainable practices, educational institutions can create healthier more resilient learning environments that support academic success and environmental stewardship
Identifying the Challenges that Hinder Research Productivity in Academia: Evidence from Somaliland and The Way Forward.
Get PDFIn any nation, research is the primary force behind innovation and progress. It contributes to the Economic growth, global competence, and social progress. Research productivity is highly valued in the scientific community. Scientific community research is regarded as the key factor determining academic recognition, financial support, and academic recognition. Nonetheless, the output of research faces difficulties in many sub-Saharan African nations. This study aims to understand what limits the research publication in Somaliland. The study adopt a mixed methods approach to understand and analyze the main reason behind the research and publication limitations in Somaliland’s higher education. Individuals from various research and university settings who have experienced a wide range of working conditions and academic accomplishments are interviewed and surveyed. The findings reveal that precarity, lack of funding, limited number of Ph.D. holders, difficulty of data and literature accessibility, and obstacles in technology are the main reasons that contribute to the limitation of the country’s research output. In the findings, there is a clear alignment between quantitative and qualitative data. Increasing the number of Ph.D. holders, developing contractual agreements that reduce precarity, and prioritizing funding mechanisms are some of the recommended interventions of this study
What Follows the Fall? Investigating The Shifting Landscape of Political Violence in the Wake of Regime Breakdown
Get PDFWhile it is commonly argued the prior regime type influences regime breakdown outcomes during contested transitions of power, the observed disparity between two countries with identical prior regime types and distinct post-breakdown results poses a significant challenge to the existing theories. This thesis navigates into the complexities inherent in the post-breakdown sphere by examining how different modes of regime breakdowns can impact the level and duration of state violence instigated by the incoming regime after the breakdown. Developing a theoretical model that compares and contrasts the political environments created after military coups and popular uprisings, this thesis argues that regimes arising from a military coup are more prone to perpetuate violence in the short and long term compared to regimes emerging from a popular uprising. It then tests the argument using cross-sectional data between 1900 and 2013. Regimes that emerge after breakdowns facilitated by military coups are found to exhibit higher levels of violence compared to those emerging from popular uprisings when the level of state violence is assessed one year after the breakdown. This pattern is consistent even when the level of state violence is assessed five years post-breakdown. However, the analysis reveals that the impact of the mode of breakdown on state violence diminishes over time, becoming less pronounced when tested ten years after the breakdown. Through a lens of realpolitik, this thesis provides a contextualized perspective on the quantitative findings by illustrating the sequence of events surrounding the 2011 popular uprising and the consequential 2013 military coup in Egypt and examining the different levels of violence instigated by the Morsi regime following the uprising and the El-Sisi regime in post-coup Egypt
Bridging the Gap between Neuroscience and Education: What are Teachers’ Perceptions of Applying “Neuropedagogy” to High School Classrooms?
Get PDFTeachers can use neurobiological explanations to evaluate students\u27 behavior and performance and create more supportive learning settings in their school environment. There is a growing interest among educators regarding the potential benefits of incorporating neuroscience into teaching practices. However, there is a lack of comprehensive understanding of how to effectively integrate cognitive neuroscience into teacher education programs to maximize its impact on student learning and teacher development. This study focuses on understanding teachers\u27 views on the integration of neuroscience principles in educational settings by utilizing a questionnaire and interviews to gather data from participating teachers. The findings reveal that the teachers hold a positive perception of the connection between neuroscience and education. The teachers also emphasize the value of studying the brain and gaining insights into cognitive functions such as attention, memory, and motivation. The teachers\u27 perspectives highlight the importance of integrating neuroscience principles into educational practices to create more effective and personalized learning experiences. This research underscores the transformative potential of integrating neuroscience and education. The positive perceptions of teachers resonate with the need for informed and dynamic teaching methodologies that align with the intricacies of the human mind. By embracing neuroscience principles, educators can unlock new frontiers in education, empowering both teachers and students to reach unprecedented levels of knowledge and achievement