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Princeton University Undergraduate Task Force on Sustainable Development

Princeton University Undergraduate Task Force on Sustainable Development. A Selection of Case Specific Implementation Techniques. About the Task Force. Composed of eight undergraduate students of public policy at Princeton University

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Princeton University Undergraduate Task Force on Sustainable Development

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  1. Princeton University Undergraduate Task Force on Sustainable Development A Selection of Case Specific Implementation Techniques

  2. About the Task Force • Composed of eight undergraduate students of public policy at Princeton University • Consisted of one semester of research and collaboration on the topic • Informed by individual research and presentations from outside experts • Focused primarily on sustainable development projects in Africa

  3. Objectives of the Task Force • Address the question: How can the WSSD commitments be successfully implemented? • Explore implementation techniques by focusing on discrete projects • Use case study findings to inform broader policy recommendations

  4. Making Type II Partnerships Effective Preserving Biodiversity in Forest Ecosystems Water Resources Management HIV/AIDS Prevention Combating Diarrhoea in Children Reducing Indoor Air Pollution Photovoltaic Market Development Reducing CO2 in the U.S. Transportation Sector Structure of the Presentation • Presentation of Selected Case Studies • Conclusions and Questions

  5. Effective Type II Partnerships Thomas Hale

  6. Benefits A way around diplomatic gridlock Flexibility of approaches Multi-sectoral strength Speed of implementation Dangers Imbalance of power among partners Failure to engage small, poorer groups “Green-washing” and “blue-washing” Replace or detract from Type I agreements Possible Benefits and Dangers of Type II Partnerships

  7. Trends Six Months After Johannesburg • The private sector is largely not involved • Most partnerships lack sufficient transparency guarantees • A few countries account for most government participation • Developing countries are largely not involved in leadership • Some sectors have very few partnerships (technology transfer, finance, forests)

  8. Toward a Development-Maximizing Regime • A committee to evaluate correspondence between Type I priorities and Type II initiatives • A learning network to encourage information exchange and strengthen partnerships • A system of accountability built on transparency • The obligation to report information • The right to receive information

  9. Preserving Biodiversity in Forest Ecosystems Karim Thomas

  10. Forest Biodiversity • Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) • Rapid global deforestation and effects on biodiversity • Economic, social and environmental functions of forests • Importance of forests as repositories of biodiversity • Potential for technology transfer as an instrument for conserving biodiversity

  11. Three Case Studies • Sumatra, Indonesia • Illicit logging (50%) with local involvement • Community based conservation • Education and reorientation of local economy • International Model Forest Network (IMFN) • Clearinghouse mechanism • Framework for multisectoral approach • Facilitation of technology transfer • Merck-INBio Agreement • Provision of technology and funding to preserve biodiversity • Sharing of patent rights • Foundation for future cooperation

  12. Recommendations • Assist key countries with monitoring and enforcement • Support education and alternative livelihood programs • Provide resources for technology and knowledge transfer mechanisms to preserve biodiversity, such as IMFN • Consider impacts on biodiversity in investments, loans, and grants • Designate ODA to biodiversity preservation

  13. “Some, For All, Forever” Water for Sustainable Development: Examining South Africa Priscilla Delgado

  14. Water Scarcity • “The challenge before all delegates at the Johannesburg Summit is to find ways to maximize social and economic benefits from available water resources while ensuring that basic human needs are met and that the environment is protected.”– UNEP Executive Director Klaus Toepfer • Global water demand has risen at estimated 2.4% per annum • High population growth and arid climate create additional pressure on water resources in Sub-Saharan Africa

  15. Case Study: South Africa and the National Water Act (NWA) • South Africa implemented an innovative approach to deal with impending water scarcity through integrated water resources management (IWRM) legislation • NWA addresses three major goals: • Achieving environmental sustainability through the Environmental Reserve • Achieving equity through the Basic Human Needs Reserve • Increasing efficiency of system through water pricing

  16. Recommendations for IWRM policies include: • Allocation of water for environmental needs and basic needs of the poor • Full-cost pricing for commercial users of water • Management of water resources at the local catchment level that allows for broad participation • Investment in more efficient irrigation technology, as well as intensification of rain-fed agriculture • A mechanism for international cooperation and information sharing among countries in a region

  17. Combating Diarrhoea in Children Nina Jenkins-Johnston

  18. The Global Burden of Diarrhoea • In 2000, approximately 1.3 million children under the age of five died from diarrhoea • Prevention mechanisms are key • Access to clean drinking water • Sanitation • Hygiene and health education • Treatment can save lives • Nutrition • Oral rehydration therapy

  19. Making Rural Water and Sanitation Facilities Sustainable • Rural versus urban disparity in access to safe drinking water and sanitation • The inefficiencies of the supply-driven approach • The demand responsive approach • Engaging communities • Service providers • West Africa Water Initiative (WAWI)

  20. Policy Recommendations • Differentiate between “community participation” and “community management” • Educate communities about the causes of diarrhoea and the importance of ORT, hygiene and breastfeeding. • Focus on the key role of women in hygiene education • Create committees to distribute responsibilities and ensure accountability. • Financial Committee • Training Committee • Establish evaluation criteria to measure WAWI’s success

  21. AIDS Prevention in Countries with Low PrevalenceExtending Lessons from Senegal to Niger Michelle Hemmat

  22. Senegal First AIDS case 1986 2001 prevalence rate 0.5% Credited with stemming the epidemic through successful prevention efforts Niger First AIDS case 1987 2001 prevalence rate 0.87% Minimal prevention activity Potential for epidemic to explode Country Comparisons

  23. Strong tradition of government and community action in the health sector Home to world renowned HIV/AIDS scientists Sexual education in schools and youth groups Prostitution is legal and monitored Blood screening and STD services are integrated into health system Support and care for people living with HIV/AIDS Senegal’s Success in HIV/AIDS Prevention

  24. Policy recommendations for Niger • Pursue a multi-sector approach involving government, NGOs and community groups • Increase surveillance of epidemic • Educate population through schools and media campaigns; target high risk groups • Ensure safe blood supply and access to condoms • Provide protection, treatment and care of people living with HIV/AIDS and STDs

  25. Reducing Indoor Air Pollution in Africa Shena M. Elrington

  26. Traditional Stoves • Approximately ½ of the world’s population depends on unprocessed biofuels for cooking, heating, and lighting • Biofuel is burned indoors in traditional stoves which are inefficient and emit high levels of pollutants • Use of traditional stoves has negative health, environmental, and socio-economic effects

  27. Kenya: Two Case Studies • The Kenya Ceramic Jiko (KCJ) stove • An adaptation of the ‘Thai Bucket Stove’ • Three-tiered approach including research, training, and production and distribution • The ITDG Smoke and Health Project • Integrated intervention program • Not only stove dissemination – also smoke-hoods, eaves spaces, and windows

  28. Lessons Learned and Policy Recommendations • Participatory Intervention Framework • Focus Groups, baseline assessment, and Women’s Groups • 3 tiered intervention approach • Research and development, training and demonstration, production and dissemination • Inclusion of quality control measures • Partnerships between women’s groups, NGOs, private sector/local artisans • Role of NGOs, governments and the private sector • No subsidies other than start-up costs • Sustained and detached support • Private sector, not government, involved in actual production

  29. Photovoltaic Technology in Rural Africa Ashley D. Collins

  30. Reasons to Offer Photovoltaic (PV) Technology in Rural Africa: • Rural Africa has high levels of solar insolation and a highly dispersed population • Provide electricity to the large portion of Africans currently off-grid • Increase the standard of living • Aid in the development of the region • Decrease reliance on biomass • Decrease greenhouse gas emissions and indoor air pollution

  31. Case Studies of Photovoltaic Technology Initiatives • Kenya: Harold Burris’ contribution to the PV market • Demand increases, training programs and wide technology dispersion facilitated success • Obstacle of governmental instability • Zimbabwe: The GEF Solar Project • Involvement of all actors, addition of a financial program, and establishment of governmental standards led to success • Heavy subsidation attracted many “fly-by-night” companies offering faulty products • Ghana: The Ghana Renewable Energy Services Project • Built technical capacity in design, installation and maintenance through training of technical staff • Lack of government support distorted market value, making fossil fuels and biomass more appealing

  32. Recommendations • Evaluate and Address Market Barriers for Successful Market Development • Technical barriers – through research and development and technology transfer • Financial barriers – with flexible financing options • Governmental barriers – through incentives such as taxes and tariffs • Institutional barriers – through market research and improved access to resources • Consumer confidence barriers – through increased technological efficiency and quality signaling

  33. Sustainable Development in the United States Reducing CO2 Emissions in the Transportation Sector Elyse Kovalsky

  34. WSSD and U.S. CO2 • Final Report of the WSSD: • “we commit ourselves to undertaking concrete actions and measures…taking into account…the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities” • “All countries should promote sustainable consumption and production patterns, with developed countries taking the lead…” • US is largest CO2 emitter, accounting for 25% of global emissions; per capita emissions are 7 times those of China, the 2nd largest emitter • Environmental, national security, and economic incentives for taking action

  35. Targeting Transportation • Why the transportation sector? • Transportation emissions increasing • Requires public awareness and involvement • Wide range of possibilities for addressing problem • Policy guidelines • Simultaneously pursue short- and long-term solutions • Encourage public awareness in order to promote demand for change • Sustained federal government commitment to increasing vehicle efficiency and decreasing vehicle miles traveled vehicle carbon emissions vehicle miles traveled (VMT) * fuel carbon content (lb. C/gal) vehicle efficiency (mpg) =

  36. CO2 emissions reductions in the transportation sector • Increasing vehicle efficiency • Short-term: Strengthening of current CAFE standards • Long-term: Investment in hydrogen fuel cell technology and planning • Decreasing vehicle miles traveled (VMT) • Short-term: Changing price signals -- elimination of indirect subsidies to private transportation • Long-term: Land use planning and development of public and alternative transportation systems

  37. Conclusions

  38. Overall Recommendations • In the spirit of Johannesburg, implementation of sustainable development commitments must be a priority of the international community • Community involvement and capacity-building are essential to progress at the grass-roots level • Type II Partnerships may provide a vehicle for involving a diversity of actors in implementation efforts • Greater integration of top-down and bottom-up approaches will translate into improved implementation

  39. Overall Recommendations • Short-term and long-term goals must be addressed simultaneously, with emphasis on long-term considerations • Awareness, through media and education, is crucial to advancing sustainable development • Social and environmental concerns must be integrated into economic decision-making for long-term benefits and sustainability

  40. www.wws.princeton.edu/~step/step.info/JP.PTFHome.htmlfor an online version of this presentation and copies of complete student reports

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