IUCN's encounter with 007: safeguarding consensus for conservation

This second edition of the book, “Green Web-II: Standards and Perspectives from the IUCN Program / Policy Development in Environment Conservation Domain- with reference to India, Pakistan, Nepal, and Bangladesh” investigates the IUCN’s role in global biodiversity conservation policy as well as in national program development in India, Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh. It explores how nature protection priorities and approaches are promoted or addressed by IUCN, and how environment conservation policies are created and maintained in states of South Asia with different capacities. It also evaluates IUCN's competency in biodiversity, climate change, nature conservation and environmental policy formulation at the global, regional and country levels.This book adds to our knowledge firstly by contributing to a small but growing body of work on the sociology of international organizations. International Governmental Organizations (IGOs), have previously been mainly the subject of political science. Secondly, it critically explores one of the largest and most active nature conservation organizations in the world. Thirdly, it also explores how IUCN actually goes about building protectoral programs with individual member nations. Finally, the research also shows the historical development of global institutions and IUCN’s activities with member nations in helping to define or redefine the concept of global governance. The outcomes of this research will also be beneficial for global collaboration, networking, and for the identification of common concerns among the many environmental and conservational organizations at the international and national level. In this broader sense, the research outcomes might be beneficial to constituencies of the global North as well as global South because of the nature and coverage of IUCN and its role in conservation policy formation. This effort may serve as a model for additional research on international organizations.Technical topics discussed in the book include: The Motivation for Environmental Conservation- How personal efforts make a difference The Role of International Environment Conservation Organizations The Political Economy of Organizations, Network theory, Institutional theory, Stakeholder theory, Governance theory Governance performance and Competitiveness  Popularity indices Knowledge creation and diffusion Conservation commons

During the past two and a half decades, community-based conservation has been introduced in Nepal under the influence of global biodiversity and conservation policies. This develop - ment was spurred by the emergence of ‘Indigenous Peoples’ and Community Conserved Territories and Areas (ICCA)’ (see Dudley, 2008; Borrini-Feyerabend et al., 2010; IUCN/ CEESP, 2010) and urged to take actions for the recognition and promotion of Sacred Natural Sites (SNS) (see Schaaf, 2003; Wild and McLeod, 2008; Verschuuren et al., 2010). Both gained legitimacy through various international decisions and programmes that helped create the legal foundations for the recognition of diverse conservation practices in Nepal (see IUCN, 2003a, 2003b, 2004, 2008a, 2008b, 2012, CBD, 2004, 2009, 2010).

Implementation research to catalyze advances in health systems strengthening in sub-Saharan Africa: the African Health Initiative

Plants are one of the sessile components of the forest canopy, and consequently quantitative studies of plant components are more widely available than for some of their mobile counterparts. From a global perspective, several exciting and innovative canopy access tools have been designed over the past few decades that have facilitated the expansion our understanding of canopy plants. These include a network of canopy cranes, the development of the French luge (or sled), and the construction of walkways and platforms for access into different levels of the canopy on a permanent basis. At the recent international forest canopy conference in Sarasota, Florida (Forest Canopies 1998: Global Perspectives, November 4–8, 1998), many canopy plant studies were presented that illustrated the achievements in this field. As co-chair at this event, I present here some reflections based on my observations of the development of canopy research between the first and second international conferences. A selection of case studies from the conference presentations are cited in this review, including: tree crown respiration studies from the crane in Panama; epiphyte ecology from walkways in Peru; insect-plant relationships in tree crowns of the USA using platforms; experimental studies of epiphytes in cloud forests using single rope techniques; and epiphyte diversity surveys in Africa. Ideas for the future are also mentioned such as the novel concept of canopy farming of orchids in Costa Rica, the linking of canopy processes to forest floor activities, and the construction of canopy walkways to provide a sustainable forest economy instead of the conventional practice of logging. The integration of research with sustainable use of forests provides a conservation theme for future canopy studies. Such new approaches to studies of canopy plants are important, as scientists increasingly play a role in global conservation policies.

The 2022 Global Biodiversity Framework aims to bring 30 per cent of the earth under protected areas (PAs) and ‘other effective area-based conservation measures’ by 2030 to halt the biodiversity crisis. The steady expansion of PAs since 1960 has not hindered the crisis from intensifying, however, while it has been achieved against strong scholarly and indigenous critiques. Why, then, do (neo)protectionist ideas remain so powerful in global conservation policy? This paper argues that an ignored element in critiques is (neo)protectionism's rootedness in biological fieldwork and the emotional-institutional power this carries in conservation circles. This further fuels an enduring ‘great conservation tragedy’.

Urban design and planning require collaborative processes that integrate diverse user perspectives. Tactical urbanism involves small, temporary interventions in public spaces to meet daily needs through the collaboration of various stakeholders. This paper aims to foster tactical urbanism in vacant lots, emphasising the significance of incorporating diverse perspectives. The study, based on participatory action research, discusses the individual viewpoints of young city planner candidates assuming diverse roles across three themes: belonging, aesthetics, and usefulness, and to evaluate the results of two-method exercises applied in the Karşıyaka case study in İzmir. Participants, consisting of students from various universities in Türkiye, expressed their individual opinions and collective viewpoints through the techniques of photovoice and six thinking hats, respectively. Comparing two methods for evaluating vacant lots within three themes of tactical urbanism demonstrated that the photovoice technique enabled students to search for meanings of spaces and express their thoughts through photos. Meanwhile, the six thinking hats technique facilitated empathy towards diverse perspectives. The findings underscore the essentiality of adopting a holistic approach to urban design that encompasses aesthetics, functionality, and inclusivity, integrating diverse opinions. Young planner candidates in this study acknowledged the importance of collaboration and diverse perspectives in urban design and planning.

This special issue provides insight into global conservation science by analyzing a 5-year, $12.5 million global marine conservation science and policy program that included over 50 studies in four priority regions involving over 100 scientists and numerous partners. In doing so, it provides reflections on critical challenges for any conservation science program that is intended to inform policymaking, including how to (1) ensure that science process and products influence conservation actions, (2) build global learning from a network of site-based projects, (3) strengthen in-region capacity, and (4) manage relationships across scales among scientists, conservationists, headquarters, and field-based staff. Information is presented on the development and progress of the program as a whole in addition to specific articles covering each of four focal geographic areas: Belize, Brazil, the Eastern Tropical Pacific Seascape, and Fiji.

ABSTRACTGlobal responses to climate change vary across ecosystems. Identifying coral reefs that can persist despite extreme warming is crucial for guiding research, policy, and management. Resilience frameworks recommend protecting potential reef sanctuaries with specific attributes, including climate avoidance, rapid recovery, or resistance. However, climate‐avoidant reefs are dwindling, and recovery times are lengthening. We propose that resistance should be the cornerstone of reef resilience planning. A literature synthesis reveals that the definition and application of “reef resistance” are highly variable, limiting its effectiveness in management and policy. Over 85% of sources suggest that evolutionary processes contribute to resistance, but there is considerable variability in other cited ecological factors. We highlight a mismatch between implied mechanisms and actual data, with only ∼25% of studies linking resistance to relevant coral adaptation or acclimatization data. To address this, we propose a standardized definition of heat‐resistant reefs based on adaptation and acclimatization principles: reefs characterized by corals whose underlying genetics enable survival beyond previous thermal limits. This approach will enhance the effective allocation of limited resources for measuring, protecting, and managing reefs, as we strive to halt the human‐induced emissions driving their decline.

Despite widespread consensus on the importance of meeting the basic human rights of all people for safe water and adequate sanitation, the debate on the role of the private sector is loud, and at times destructive. In South Africa the gross inequalities inherited with the end of apartheid in 1994 drive the strategies of the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF). Government policy has deliberately avoided adopting a particular stance on privatization, preferring to focus on the goal rather than the instrument. Nevertheless it has been recognized that a strong public sector is needed. Experience is showing that there are roles for a wide variety of public, private and civil society partners. South Africa could not have achieved what it has since 1994, were it not for a well developed private sector capacity. However, criticism of private sector operation has been noisy. Protest against ‘commoditization’ and pricing of water has been particularly vociferous. In the attempt to enter into dialogue with the critics, the importance of consensus in society has been highlighted. South Africa's inequalities are mirrored on a global scale and its experience is thus relevant to the global water policy debate. The involvement of the private sector should not be forced through global agreements such as GATS or loan conditionality, and international finance should put the poor first. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

BackgroundCurrent Universal Health Coverage (UHC) considerations confirm the need for strong governance in improving health sector performance. However, empirical evidence on the effects of decentralized health system governance remains limited in Low-and-middle-income countries (LMICs). This paper assesses the de facto health governance policies and practices of the decentralized health system of Ghana and its implications, for better policy formulation and implementation. Material and methodsThe study employed a cross-sectional design, comprising of systematic literature review (SLR) and in-depth interviews on health governance components. The literature review (n=103) was performed to document the factors that affect health governance management and policy uptake. A total of 32 purposively sampled key health system actors were individually interviewed face-to-face between January and February, 2018. Thematic content analyses of literature and interviews were done. ResultsTension regarding power relationships exists between the policies governing the health sector of Ghana, which has rendered the decentralization reform effort in health governance policies and practices uncoordinated, incoherent and sometimes contradictory. Implication of the de facto decentralized health governance policies and practice include: limited involvement of sub-national level in policy development; weak interaction between policy formulators and implementers; and political interference in policy implementations compromising evidence-based policy formulation. Originality/valueDrawing on diverse literatures and opinions of key health actors, this paper contributes to knowledge on health governance practices in a decentralized and resource constrained health system, and offers practical accounts of the implications of the de facto health governance system of Ghana for health policy formulation and implementation.

Strengthening protected areas to halt biodiversity loss and mitigate pandemic risks

An integrative and participatory coastal habitat mapping framework for sustainable development actions in the United Arab Emirates

In accordance with global energy conservation policies such as MEPS(Minimum Energy Performance Standard), electric motor industry is moving to super-high-efficiency machines and research to develop IE4 (International Energy Efficiency Class4) motors has been launched. In this situation, SynRM (Synchronous Reluctance Motor) has been attracting attention in place of induction motor which hardly provides super premium efficiency. As a result, much research on SynRM is being performed at home and abroad. Also, some products have already been appearing in the market. Compared to induction motor, SynRM has better efficiency per unit area and wider operating range. Although the utilization of control system in synchronous motor results in higher prices, we still need to concentrate on developments of SynRM so as to comply with the new policies. This study demonstrated the electromagnetic design methods of super-premium SynRM while maintaining the frame of existing IE3 induction motor for blower . We documented the design procedures for generating high saliency which is the most essential and mechanical stress analysis is also treated. In conclusion, we proved the validity of our design by manufacturing and testing our SynRM models.

The growing access to Earth Observations and processing capabilities have stimulated the production of global and regional products that are commonly used to assess tree‐covered habitats and their changes. The popularity of these products has led to their use for defining baselines and to assess progress in conserving natural habitats, in particular, in the context of the conservation targets to 2020 set by the UN Convention on Biological Diversity. In this paper, we reviewed three tree cover products commonly used over Sub‐Saharan Africa: (1) MODIS Vegetation Continuous Field percent tree cover map, (2) Global Forest Change map and (3) TREES product. Over a systematic sample of 2045 map subsets, each having a size of 10 × 10 km², we calculated the extent and change of tree cover from each product for the period between 2000 and 2010. Our statistical and spatial comparison shows noticeable discrepancies between the three products, which lead to uncertainties when assessing tree cover across varying ecosystems. These differences are highest in habitats where tree cover is fragmented or reaches medium density levels and overlap with areas of high economic development potential, where habitat changes are likely to occur in the near future. We discuss these findings in the context of using these remotely sensed tree cover products to support current global biodiversity conservation policies.

This article provides a critical analysis of the internalization of the values and objectives of the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 4 on Quality Education, within the human resource development policy framework as articulated in the 2021-2026 Regional Medium-Term Development Plan. Employing a normative legal research method grounded in literature review and political policy analysis, the study examines the characteristics of policy integration, the vertical and horizontal relationships among levels of government, and the dynamics between global development standards and local policy needs. The research draws upon official planning instruments, academic literature, and development reports, which were analyzed through thematic and discourse analysis to identify narrative constructions, policy rationalities, and the coherence between global objectives and regional policy orientations. The findings indicate that the incorporation of Quality Education objectives into regional planning documents remains predominantly administrative in nature, with a strong emphasis on quantitative indicators such as the provision of educational facilities and the qualifications of teaching personnel. In contrast, substantive dimensions at the core of the global agenda including equitable access to education, improvements in learning outcomes, inclusive pedagogical environments, and context-responsive capacity development for educators have not been positioned as central priorities in policy formulation. Furthermore, references to local cultural values appear merely declaratory and are not supported by operational or implementable frameworks. This article underscores the importance of adopting a glocalization-based approach that does not merely replicate global policy templates but instead reconstructs them through local values, empirical needs, and institutional capacities. Such an approach offers the potential to produce educational policies that are more responsive, equitable, and aligned with transformative human development objectives.