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Mariel P, Demel S, Longo A. Modelling welfare estimates in discrete choice experiments for seaweed-based renewable energy. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0260352. [PMID: 34843549 PMCID: PMC8629263 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0260352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
We explore what researchers can gain or lose by using three widely used models for the analysis of discrete choice experiment data-the random parameter logit (RPL) with correlated parameters, the RPL with uncorrelated parameters and the hybrid choice model. Specifically, we analyze three data sets focused on measuring preferences to support a renewable energy programme to grow seaweed for biogas production. In spite of the fact that all three models can converge to very similar median WTP values, they cannot be used indistinguishably. Each model is based on different assumptions, which should be tested before their use. The fact that standard sample sizes usually applied in environmental valuation are generally unable to capture the outcome differences between the models cannot be used as a justification for their indistinct application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petr Mariel
- Department of Quantitative Methods, University of the Basque Country, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Simona Demel
- School of Biological Sciences, IGFS, Gibson Institute, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom
| | - Alberto Longo
- School of Biological Sciences, IGFS, Gibson Institute, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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Wang X, Wang Z, Wang Y, Zhang Q, Zhang T, Yao J. Integration of residents' experiences into economic planning process of coastal villages: Evidence from the Greater Hangzhou Bay Rim Area. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0240125. [PMID: 33035227 PMCID: PMC7546495 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0240125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Public value is gaining prominence from both academics and politicians with regards to China’s rural development. However, rural planning authorities and practitioners showed limited confidence on public, which manifests as few public perceptions were integrated into the planning documents. This study explores the potential role of residents’ experiences in illustrating local economic development within the context of coastal villages in which economic and industries are rapidly transforming. Two case studies from within the locale of the Greater Hangzhou Bay Rim Area are used in this article to examine the gap between residents’ experiences and the actual economic development that has occurred. The main findings suggest that rural residents can directly reflect upon both current and historic trends of local economic development. Moreover, household income satisfaction (HIS) is a comprehensive notion of residents’ experiences, and indicates social and economic sustainability of industrial transformation, or “thriving business”, that have been highlighted in coastal villages. Public experiences could therefore act as a valid and accessible evidence for planners in rural economic planning in China and other developing countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinkai Wang
- School of Design, Ningbo Tech University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Geography and Planning, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Zhirong Wang
- School of Design, Ningbo Tech University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, People’s Republic of China
- * E-mail:
| | - Yao Wang
- School of Design, Ningbo Tech University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, People’s Republic of China
| | - Qianqian Zhang
- School of Design, Ningbo Tech University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, People’s Republic of China
| | - Tengyue Zhang
- School of Design, Ningbo Tech University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jia Yao
- School of Design, Ningbo Tech University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, People’s Republic of China
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Norrman J, Söderqvist T, Volchko Y, Back PE, Bohgard D, Ringshagen E, Svensson H, Englöv P, Rosén L. Enriching social and economic aspects in sustainability assessments of remediation strategies - Methods and implementation. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 707:136021. [PMID: 31865072 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.136021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2019] [Revised: 12/06/2019] [Accepted: 12/07/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Over the last decade, there has been rapid development in promoting and implementing sustainable remediation. It is now common to include at least some sustainability considerations in remediation projects. Specific challenges that have been highlighted often relate to economic and social aspects not receiving enough attention: broadening the social aspects, community and meaningful stakeholder engagement, understanding stakeholders' risk perception, and a need for better estimates of site-specific economic costs and benefits. This study presents an application of the Sustainable Choice of REmediation (SCORE) framework with special focus on (1) demonstrating the working process for a broad sustainability assessment and (2) sharing the lessons learned from its application. Specific objectives are to describe (a) the types of stakeholders involved in the assessment, (b) the methods for collection of social and economic sustainability data, (c) residents' perception of risks, (d) the use of the sustainability assessment results in the decision-making process, and (5) possibilities for improving the methods and working process. SCORE was applied and evaluated with input from, and together with, stakeholders at the BT Kemi industrial site in the village of Teckomatorp, south Sweden, a former pesticide production site associated with the most infamous Swedish environmental scandal. A questionnaire (n = 78) was used to collect input from residents regarding local acceptance and economic externalities of the remediation alternatives. Alternatives with a high degree of removal of contaminants received a high ranking in the assessment, primarily due to social and economic effects. The working process can be improved, specifically regarding workshop preparation and workshop structure. A broad representation of stakeholders and early establishment of communication channels to residents is key for robust assessment of social aspects. The information from the sustainability assessment was used in the decision-making process, not least for revising remediation options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenny Norrman
- Chalmers University of Technology, Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering, SE-412 96 Göteborg, Sweden.
| | - Tore Söderqvist
- Anthesis Enveco AB, Barnhusgatan 4, SE-111 23 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Yevheniya Volchko
- Chalmers University of Technology, Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering, SE-412 96 Göteborg, Sweden
| | - Pär-Erik Back
- Swedish Geotechnical Institute, SE-111 27 Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Eva Ringshagen
- NIRAS Sweden AB, Västra Varvsgatan 19, SE-211 77 Malmö, Sweden
| | | | - Peter Englöv
- Sweco Environment AB, Drottningtorget 14, SE-211 25 Malmö, Sweden
| | - Lars Rosén
- Chalmers University of Technology, Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering, SE-412 96 Göteborg, Sweden
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De Marchi E, Cavaliere A, Bacenetti J, Milani F, Pigliafreddo S, Banterle A. Can consumer food choices contribute to reduce environmental impact? The case of cisgenic apples. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 681:155-162. [PMID: 31103653 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.05.119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2019] [Revised: 05/08/2019] [Accepted: 05/08/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
In the last decade, cisgenic breeding emerged as a valuable alternative to transgenic genetic modification. Cisgenesis allows to obtain disease-resistant crops, thus reducing the need of chemical pesticides in the fields. This would imply a reduction of the environmental impact deriving from agricultural production. To concretely exploit the potential deriving from such biotechnology application, consumers' willingness to buy and consume such food is an essential matter. In this study we explore consumer choice behavior for cisgenic vs conventional apple alternatives through a hypothetical Choice Experiment, meanwhile examining attribute non-attendance behaviors. The Latent Class Model estimates reveal considerable differences across population segments in terms of choice behavior and preferences. In fact, while some consumers choose based on this attribute, a sizable segment of the population ignores it, suggesting that there may be room on the market for these products with potential implications in terms of environmental and food policy formulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa De Marchi
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy (ESP), University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
| | - Alessia Cavaliere
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy (ESP), University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
| | - Jacopo Bacenetti
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy (ESP), University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
| | - Francesca Milani
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy (ESP), University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
| | - Silvia Pigliafreddo
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy (ESP), University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
| | - Alessandro Banterle
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy (ESP), University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
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Li P, Bennett J. Understanding herders' stocking rate decisions in response to policy initiatives. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 672:141-149. [PMID: 30954812 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.03.407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2019] [Revised: 03/24/2019] [Accepted: 03/25/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Overgrazing is widely accepted to be the main driver of grassland degradation. However, policies designed to reduce overgrazing are poorly understood in terms of their political acceptability and their effectiveness in improving the sustainability of grassland management. This study was conducted to explore herders' preferences across a range of policies aimed at reducing stocking rates and how those policies impact on their stocking rate decisions. Choice Modelling and Contingent Behavior methods were used in a survey distributed to a sample of Inner Mongolian herders. It was found that while increasing the extent of loan payments and subsidies were popular amongst the herder respondents; these policy options are predicted to have no significant effect on stocking rates. In contrast, less preferred policies such as increasing the probability of being caught exceeding stocking rate limits and increasing the financial penalties associated with such breaches would be effective in reducing grazing pressure. Only the policy of increasing pension payments was shown to be both popular amongst respondents and effective in reducing stocking rates. The results from this research provide useful information to policy makers in their consideration of new policy initiatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Li
- Institute of Grassland Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hohhot 010010, China.
| | - Jeff Bennett
- Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University, Canberra 0200, Australia
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O'Connor D, Hou D. Targeting cleanups towards a more sustainable future. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. PROCESSES & IMPACTS 2018; 20:266-269. [PMID: 29327742 DOI: 10.1039/c7em00518k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
A tension arises between society's disposition to protect people at risk from environmental pollution, and an aversion towards the potential harmful side-effects associated with cleanup activities. Here we explore how setting different cleanup standards may influence some of the environmental, social, and economic side-effects of remediation, and how they can be quantified for incorporation into cleanup target setting; these include (1) secondary environmental impacts, assessed by life cycle assessment (LCA); (2) fatalities and injuries, assessed by actuarial risk analysis; and (3) the cost effectiveness of stringent cleanup standards, assessed by the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER). We argue that only by using optimal cleanup standards that integrate quantified remediation side-effects with health risk assessment (HRA) can the green and sustainable remediation (GSR) movement maximize its potential. Together, the combined approaches may provide a more holistic management of risks for a more sustainable future.
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Affiliation(s)
- David O'Connor
- School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.
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