1,721,015 research outputs found
Addressing sustainable development issues in integrated development plans in the Western Cape Province
No full textIncludes abstract.Includes bibliographical references (leave 110-114).The integrated development plan (IDP) has been described as a key tool to ensure the incorporation of sustainability considerations at the local planning level within government. In the South African context this suggests a linking of planning and environmental management functions within local level government. Various theoretical studies have been conducted regarding the incorporation of environmental and sustainability concerns in the integrated development planning process. Evidence from these studies indicates that consideration of the environment and sustainability issues is largely inadequate. Furthermore, the need to consider the environment as a cross-cutting issue has not been realized at the local government level, subsequently the environment is still considered as a separate sector or as an add-on after plan and project formulation. These findings are further indicative of the fact that a gap exists between policy and practice at the local government level. In terms of sustainability concerns and the integrated development plan, there are few empirical studies that provide evidence to support these claims. The broad aim of this study has been to determine to what extent sustainability concerns are being incorporated into Integrated Development Plans (lOP) at the metropolitan, district and local municipal authority level within the Western Cape Province of South Africa. To address the aim of this study, four main methods were employed. Firstly, a literature review was carried out to provide the theoretical and conceptual basis for the research. Secondly, the legislative and policy context in South Africa in terms of integrated development plans, environmental management and planning was examined. Thirdly, an analytical framework was developed based on a set of environmental and sustainability questions that need to be taken into consideration during each phase of the IDP process. Fourthly, this analytical framework was used to review and analyse a sample of lOP documents within the Western Cape Province. Lastly, interviews were conducted with various key officials at all three levels of government involved in different aspects of the IDP in the Western Cape
Exploring the adoption rationales and effects of off-grid renewable energy access for African youth: a case study from Tanzania
Get PDFIn addition to being one of the poorest countries in Africa, Tanzania is considered the 13th most vulnerable nation in the world to climate change and climate variability. Currently over 63% of Tanzanians have no access to the national power grid. Instead they rely on biomass and kerosene lamps to provide energy in their homes. In addition, rural youth in Tanzania have limited occupational pursuits other than subsistence farming (both formal and informal). Utilizing a case study approach, this research qualitatively explores the effects of energy access in the form of solar PV for those seeking to secure this public good at a household-level. Face-to-face interviews conducted in the coastal region of Tanzania concentrated on understanding rationales for adopting off-grid energy (adoption rationales), particularly respondent's 'Awareness', 'Motivation' and selected 'Pathways' (the AMP Framework). High rates of rural poverty highlight systemic lack of energy access in Tanzania. In contrast, livelihood transformations through solar PV were observed in the case to couple with energy access. Indicators of improvement in living standards were observed to have cascading influence on other adopters which, in turn, encouraged further uptake. This innovative adoption lead to decreased pressure on the surrounding ecosystems, but environmental factors did not influence initial adoption rationales. Reflecting on the findings, the author develops a framework for better understanding of the role private actors take in transitions from to off-grid energy access in Africa. Reflecting on the case observations, particularly how respondents sought shape the flow of events independent, and sometimes in spite of, the State, the framework extends current understandings of nodes of change in rural communities and provides a more extensive exploration of behavioural theories (the AMP Framework and Diffusion Theory). Novel connections are made conceptually with emerging nodes of change and decision-making theories of change to provide fresh extension of these approaches to understanding poverty arrangements in Africa and what researchers and decision makers might need to consider for targeted interventions towards universal energy access on the continent. The thesis concludes with a range of principles for energy access in Africa distilled from the observations and framework developed. They include environmental principles of sustainable resource management and socioecological balance, social principles of equality and participation, and economic principles of access and stability
Marine Protected Areas in Kenya: perceptions of local communities of costs and benefits of MPAs and their governance
Get PDFThis study aimed to examine the perceptions of two local communities living adjacent to Mombasa Marine National Park and Reserve (MMNP&R) and Kuruwitu community closure (tengefu) in Kenya regarding the benefits and impacts of the MPA on their livelihoods. A secondary aim was to compare the perceptions of these two communities in relation to the MPA management models employed at the two study sites. The research employed a case study approach and undertook focus group meetings and key informant interviews at each case study site and with relevant organisations. Key findings from the research revealed that both sites experienced diversification of livelihoods, however the diversification was for different reasons. The Bamburi community members stated that the park generated benefits such as new forms of employment linked to tourism, beach security, increased variety of corals and fish species as well as improved infrastructure. The Kuruwitu community perceived the closure to have resulted in various benefits but in particular social benefits, such as women empowerment, ownership of resources, co-existence among resource users and community exchange visits were highlighted. However, both cases also identified various negative impacts including tensions due to an increase in migrant fishers, illegal access and poaching and the use of unsustainable gear. Furthermore, the direct resource users (fishers) in both case study sites felt that their fishing grounds had been drastically reduced due to the establishment of the park and tengefu which negatively affected their fish catches and livelihoods, leading to decreased support for the conservation initiatives. Therefore, the fishers in both study sites were more negative about the protected areas compared to the other resource users. Kuruwitu, in particular, identified perceived fear of the loss of their marine area to privatisation, inequitable sharing of benefits by their leadership group and limited involvement of women in decision- making as primary negative concerns. On the other hand, concerns about minimal involvement in management decisions during and after park inception were expressed by participants at the Bamburi study site. In addition, the lack of transparency in the management and use of revenue derived from the state- run MMNP&R further aggravated tensions between the state and the adjacent communities as well as severe penalties set for transgressions on locals by marine park authorities at MMNP&R. With the introduction of co-management through the Beach Management Units (BMUs) in Kenya in the year 2007, it was expected that stakeholder participation would be increased, however, the Bamburi community lamented over lack of proper representation within the BMUs which they claimed gave outsiders more power. While both communities, especially Kuruwitu identified a number of nongovernmental organisations (NGOs) that aided in fulfilling the community’s socio- economic and ecological objectives, they were much more central to achieving socio-ecological objectives at Kuruwitu than at Bamburi. These NGOs and other stakeholders, however, became much more engaged at MMNP&R after the inception of the BMUs. Based on the findings, it was evident that the community- based co-management conservation approach at Kuruwitu generated more social benefits to the community than the state-centred co- managed conservation approach at MMNP&R. Loss of access to traditional fishing grounds, perceived loss of benefits and increased social costs triggered illegal access into the state park, therefore, fuelling conflicts and exacerbating tensions between the community and the state as well as tensions between various management institutions regarding overlapping mandates. Implementing genuine co-management approaches are key to fostering inclusivity, accountability, legitimacy and support for marine conservation initiatives
The contribution of tourism to coastal livelihoods in Ponta do Ouro, Southern Mozambique
No full textTourism is increasingly seen as a panacea for the problems of rural areas, especially in developing countries. It is promoted by governments and international development organizations as a vehicle for achieving development, poverty reduction and economic growth. However, tourism has resulted in many unwanted economic, social, cultural and environmental consequences for local communities. Through a case study conducted in Ponta do Ouro, Southern Mozambique, this research sought to investigate the contribution of tourism to coastal livelihoods. The research assessed the extent to which tourism contributes to livelihoods of coastal communities of Ponta do Ouro, and their perception of benefits and negative impacts associated with tourism. Qualitative methods were used to collect data and included five focus group meetings, 46 key informant interviews, and participant observation. Findings of this study reveal that despite providing employment and other economic benefits to the livelihoods of the community of Ponta do Ouro, tourism also resulted in negative impacts on community livelihoods. These included overcrowding during high tourism seasons, loss of access to public land, rising prices of properties, goods and services, and an increase in crime, alcohol use and pollution. Therefore a pro-poor tourism approach is recommended as an attempt to ensure that benefits of tourism are better distributed and serve the needs of the local and broader community in terms of infrastructure development and improvement of social services and facilities
Examining the mechanisms for and factors affecting benefit sharing in two South African aquaculture projects
Get PDFThe Blue Economy, that gained traction at the Rio + 2012 Earth Summit hosted by the United Nations, has been put forward as a concept to fast-track socio-economic development in the ocean space in a way that integrates marine conservation and social equity. Aquaculture is one of the key sectors of the Blue Economy and is seen as a frontier for driving economic growth, enhancing food security, and relieving the pressure of capture fisheries. What remains uncertain is the extent to which these high-level policy interventions translate into benefits for people on the ground who are directly and indirectly affected by them. The aim of this study was to contribute to a better understanding of the perceptions of benefits marginalised individuals and coastal communities in South Africa derive from involvement in Blue Economy projects linked to aquaculture as well as the key factors enabling and inhibiting benefit sharing. In contexts where local people perceive that they benefit from Blue Economy activities, the study unravels whether the distribution of those benefits is seen as fair and equitable. The study used two aquaculture projects implemented in Doringbaai and Saldanha Bay on the West Coast of South Africa as a lens. These aquaculture projects were implemented with the aim of creating jobs, enhancing food security, building skills, and benefiting individuals and the wider community. Findings revealed that despite positive impacts through employment, skills development, and the establishment of aquaculture enterprises, several factors influenced the effectiveness of benefit sharing for individuals and coastal communities leading to negative perceptions regarding these interventions. Unequal power relations, flawed benefit sharing arrangements, and the COVID-19 pandemic had a major impact on benefit sharing outcomes envisaged for both projects. 3 Moreover, while the South African government made considerable effort to support individual and wider coastal community participation in the aquaculture sector, the level of postimplementation support from the state for these projects was lacking. Based on an enhanced understanding of how the projects were executed as well as individual and community perceptions of benefit sharing, this study argues that the nature of benefit sharing arrangements, the institutional arrangements, and power dynamics amongst actors involved in the aquaculture projects can significantly influence the extent to which people benefit. Other factors such as power dynamics, participation, transparency, transfer of skills, post-implementation support, robust institutions, and effective benefit sharing arrangements must be considered in the planning and implementation of Blue Economy projects and programmes. This is vital in order to ensure that aquaculture projects involving individuals and communities can be financially viable, sustainable, and achieve equitable social benefits
Community-based resource use monitoring at the Olifants River Estuary
No full textIncludes bibliographical references.Small-scale fisheries are increasingly seen as complex socio-ecological systems, requiring alternative management approaches. These new approaches to natural resource management advocate the inclusion of resource users in all aspects of management, including monitoring. Research suggests that involvement of local resource users in resource monitoring is beneficial as it promotes local empowerment, community stewardship and contributes to social and resource sustainability. This study aims to contribute knowledge about the nature and effectiveness of a community-based fisheries monitoring system at the Olifants River estuary in South Africa and documents lessons learned. This research reports on the revision and revitalisation of an existing community monitoring program operating at the Olifants River estuary and presents the results of data gathered from this one year monitoring program. It also compares these results with data gathered from previous years when the monitoring system was operational. Finally, the strengths and weaknesses of the community monitoring system are discussed. A participatory research approach was followed by employing members of the Olifants River community as catch monitors and working closely with the fishers and monitors to better understand their perceptions of the strengths and weaknesses of the monitoring system. Findings of this research suggest that despite weaknesses in the community monitoring system, the data gathered provided useful information about the catch effort trends for the fishery for the year under consideration and also enabled some comparisons of selected fisheries indicators with previous data to be made. These comparisons suggest that catch per unit effort for the target species, harder (Liza richardsonii) is stable and there is no indication of overexploitation of this resource. A key weakness of the monitoring is that it is ad hoc and funding is insecure. Due to poverty levels in the community, local monitors may take up short-term employment opportunities in the community and thus neglect their monitoring responsibilities. This means that the data sets are not comprehensive. Key strengths include the fact that it is simple, cost effective and can be implemented by community members. Furthermore, local involvement in resource monitoring builds capacity and skills as well as local empowerment. Finally, this research contributes to knowledge that can inform the implementation of community monitoring programs proposed by the recently published Small-scale fishing policy of South Africa. Key Words: Small-scale fisheries; natural resource management; participation, community monitoring, local empowerment
Thesis
No full textWater is an essential resource in everyday life and if managed properly can help alleviate the day to day struggles that most South Africans face. The transition to democracy in South Africa required a process of law reform that saw old acts abolished to make way for new legislation that encapsulate the principles of equity, sustainability, and efficiency. In terms of the National Water Act (NWA) strategies including the national water resource strategy (NWRS) have been developed to facilitate the proper management of water resources. South Africa has been divided into nineteen water catchment management areas, identified in the strategy, and new water management institutions have been designed to help address the problems of water provision, management, conservation and participation by stakeholders in these processes (DWAF, 2004b). This project seeks to analyse and evaluate these new water management arrangements, especially relating to the water user association (WUA). A key focus will be the role that socio-cultural issues, particularly the role of traditional leadership and cultural and religious practices play in determining water management outcomes
A proposed approach to the formulation of an integrated coastal zone management policy for the Erongo zone in Namibia
No full textBibliography: pages 89-92.As a follow-up to the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) which was held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, the Danish Co-operation for Environment and Development (DANCED) was established in 1993. DANCED was established with the overall objective of contributing to the restoration of the global environment in accordance with the recommendations of Agenda 21. The DANCED programme is managed by the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. To support the DANCED programme in the Southern African region, a DANCED office has been established at the Royal Danish Embassy in Pretoria. In the Southern African region, activities were initiated in 1995 with South Africa, Namibia and Botswana as target countries. In February 1995, a DANCED programme formulation mission assessed institutional and organisational issues in relation to the future DANCED programme in Namibia. During this process, the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR) requested assistance from DANCED with an environmental management plan for Walvis Bay and surrounding areas. This concept fitted with DANCED's identification of integrated coastal zone management (ICZM) as one of its key areas of support. After discussions with the Ministry of Environment and Tourism (MET), and other key stakeholders, the project proposal was broadened into developing an integrated management plan for the Erongo coastal zone in Namibia. The mission for this project was carried out from September to November 1995. In November 1995, DANCED contracted the 1995/96 masters students from the Environmental and Geographical Sciences Department, at the University of Cape Town, to collect baseline information which would contribute to the development of an ICZM plan for the Erongo coastal zone in Namibia. 'Ibis exercise was initiated in November 1995. Information was gathered, synthesised and compiled into a baseline report which was submitted to DANCED at the end of March 1996. This dissertation focuses particularly on the policy aspects of an ICZM plan and draws on the information contained in the baseline report
Examining the mechanisms for and factors affecting benefit sharing in two South African aquaculture projects
Get PDFThe Blue Economy, that gained traction at the Rio + 2012 Earth Summit hosted by the United Nations, has been put forward as a concept to fast-track socio-economic development in the ocean space in a way that integrates marine conservation and social equity. Aquaculture is one of the key sectors of the Blue Economy and is seen as a frontier for driving economic growth, enhancing food security, and relieving the pressure of capture fisheries. What remains uncertain is the extent to which these high-level policy interventions translate into benefits for people on the ground who are directly and indirectly affected by them. The aim of this study was to contribute to a better understanding of the perceptions of benefits marginalised individuals and coastal communities in South Africa derive from involvement in Blue Economy projects linked to aquaculture as well as the key factors enabling and inhibiting benefit sharing. In contexts where local people perceive that they benefit from Blue Economy activities, the study unravels whether the distribution of those benefits is seen as fair and equitable. The study used two aquaculture projects implemented in Doringbaai and Saldanha Bay on the West Coast of South Africa as a lens. These aquaculture projects were implemented with the aim of creating jobs, enhancing food security, building skills, and benefiting individuals and the wider community. Findings revealed that despite positive impacts through employment, skills development, and the establishment of aquaculture enterprises, several factors influenced the effectiveness of benefit sharing for individuals and coastal communities leading to negative perceptions regarding these interventions. Unequal power relations, flawed benefit sharing arrangements, and the COVID-19 pandemic had a major impact on benefit sharing outcomes envisaged for both projects. 3 Moreover, while the South African government made considerable effort to support individual and wider coastal community participation in the aquaculture sector, the level of postimplementation support from the state for these projects was lacking. Based on an enhanced understanding of how the projects were executed as well as individual and community perceptions of benefit sharing, this study argues that the nature of benefit sharing arrangements, the institutional arrangements, and power dynamics amongst actors involved in the aquaculture projects can significantly influence the extent to which people benefit. Other factors such as power dynamics, participation, transparency, transfer of skills, post-implementation support, robust institutions, and effective benefit sharing arrangements must be considered in the planning and implementation of Blue Economy projects and programmes. This is vital in order to ensure that aquaculture projects involving individuals and communities can be financially viable, sustainable, and achieve equitable social benefits
Assessing the contribution of interim relief measures to food security and income of small-scale fishers of Ocean View, Western Cape
No full textABSTRACT The overall aim of this study is to understand the contribution made by small-scale fisheries to food security and income of fisher households. The study also investigated the characteristics of Ocean View small-scale fishers and their dependence to marine resources for food and livelihood. The study further examined the international and regional instruments as well as domestic legislations managing small-scale fisheries and promoting food security and fishers' participation in management and decision-making. The study focused only on interim relief permit holders from Ocean View. Data were collected by means of literature review of research papers, government documents and reports as well as articles in the press. Group discussions and semi-structured interviews were held with Ocean View interim relief permit holders to assess fish consumption patterns, income earned from fishing, fishing nature, participation in management and decision-making to document fisher perceptions on management of resources they harvest. Informal discussions were also held with key informants from the community. The Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism introduced interim relief measures in 2007 and consequently 2008 for traditional small-scale fishers who hold no fishing rights to harvest marine resources for household consumption as well as to sell their catch. Based on the study findings, IRMs contributed significantly to fisher household food and livelihood needs particularly, during the period when fishers were harvesting both West Coast Rock Lobster and line fish species of snoek and hottentot. The consumption of fish increased significantly in fisher households as fish was the most consumed meat protein in the households. The study also showed that households with limited sources of income were selling a large proportion of their line fish catch compared to better-off households. Although there was a positive contribution by IRMs, there is a concern about the sustainability of the harvested resources during inconsistent monitoring and enforcement by officials. Furthermore, the study showed that management decisions on marine resources in South Africa are still centralised and rely mostly on scientific inputs as the rights and livelihood needs of small-scale fishers are seldom considered in decision-making. The study further indicated that participation of fishers in management and decision-making is lacking due to little interest shown by government officials. ii In conclusion, this study highlights the need to adopt an integrated and inclusive approach to small-scale fisheries management and ensuring that livelihood needs of small-scale fishers are taken into consideration to enhance and sustain their food and livelihoods
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