32 INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

Peerzada Raouf Ahmad

epgp books
   

    CONTENT: –

–   Introduction

 

–   Institutions Involved

 

–   Inter-governmental

 

–   Research oriented

 

–   Environment interest groups

 

 

LEARNING OUTCOME

    . Explain the role of institutions in resource management

. Discuss the role of environment interest group in resource management

. Discuss the conflict between environment interest groups and the state

 

 

KEYWORDS

 

resource management, natural resource, institutions, environment interest groups

 

INTRODUCTION

 

For the working of any institutions or organization a set of rules that would guide the conducts of people working together in the institutions are prescribed. Similarly, the institutional arrangements are sets of rules and conducts that provides structures for the performance of a specific task to which the institution is concerned. In the field of resource management institutions play a dynamic role in fulfilling the sustainable development goals. Institutions bring together all the stakeholders so as to facilitate the process of resource appraisal and management. Institutions by far are the converging point of the technical and indigenous know how of people and the state agencies. But in recent years, the unequal distribution & control over the resources have undermined the human welfare aspect involved in resource appraisal. One of the many reasons for such condition is the lack of people’s friendly institutions which could determine the divergent interests involved in the conservation of resources. Further the corporate cum state monopoly over the resources have snatched the people’s agency in resource appraisal. The need is to build such institutions which would cater to the growing needs of sustainable oriented resource management.

 

The cause of ecosystem degradation is the exploitation of natural resources by the present means of production([WRI] 2003). The rising and expanding extent of commodification has brought havoc to the resource management approach of the traditional population.

 

Management is increasingly becoming an act of resource appropriation in disguise of ‘national development’. Under these circumstances the need is for the resource management through the aid of an institution that is against the imperial capital expansionism and which works to establish the regional control and management of the resource. There should be an assertion of claim by the interest groups as to establish the correct and efficient means to frame resource management programs. Institutional making has to be done at the local level and at regional or state level to implement the SDG goals of UN. The institutions need to be equipped with the modern technology so as to be capable to assure the implementation of climate friendly programs. The capacity to lead a holistic approach integrating all the sectors have to be given importance in the programs of resource management which should be in opposition to the one sectoral analysis of resource management. For example, institutions in countries like Ethiopia are competing with the state to seek more administrative power so as to ensure the implementation of its resource management policies. The institutional power can be an effective tool to ensure compliance by the local population on the resource management agenda set up by the institution. Such institution need to have cross linkage of its interest with several other organizations working on not only on resource management field but also on climate or any other social political issues. But there should be conflict resolving mechanism to settles disputes and decide the rights of several stakeholders involved. “Will-power and morality affect the degree to which people really act accordingly”(Keizer 2008). The absence of institution assigned the task of resource management can cause the loss of several species of living organism the depletion of forest cover in the third world countries is also the reflection of the inability of the institutions in the management fields. Besides the loss of biodiversity, the absence of such institutions would hamper the economic growth of the country as resource depletion is the depletion of source of capital formation. For example, “Rapid integration of global agricultural markets and subsequent cropland displacement in recent decades increased large-scale tropical deforestation in South America and Southeast Asia. Growing land scarcity and more stringent land use regulations in these regions could incentivize the offshoring of export-oriented commodity crops to sub-Saharan Africa” (SSA)(Elsa M Ordway 2017). But it is worth noting that the institutions are not class neutral they represent the interest of a particular class of people, if it is being controlled by corporations or by the imperial capital agents then they would control the resource management process and could be in a position to determine the distributional pattern and would thus make up the institutional power hierarchy in the country fir the interest of imperial capitalist. For example, in Bangladesh various NGO work on the issue of poverty reduction on the basis of resource distribution on equitable basis but these are the proxy work of the multi-national corporation that works to create a particular form of resistance that would support the cause of corporations. In addition to this the lack of coordinating activities among the various institutions involved and the lack of proper access to the technology to the institutions genuinely involved in management of resources is also an impediment to integrate sustainable resource management techniques. The interest of the local community should be the top priority of any resource management group this approach would also help in proper implementation of the SDG programs. World Resources Institute (WRI) has in its vision document stated that “to have sustainability, making actors (e.g. communities) accountable through provision of access to environmental information and encouraging broad participation is vital”. There is a great lack of institutions dedicated solely to the cause of bringing equitable management of resources. There is a lack of institutions capable of engineering the various socio-economic and political attributes of the society with the natural resources (Ostrom 2007).

 

Institutional arrangement is done in a hierarchical manner in the governmental as well as non-governmental agencies as shown in the figure below: –

 

There should be a symbiotic relation between the institutions at different level. Failing which the institutional arrangements in resource management would be a futile exercise.

 

 

INSTITUTIONS INVOLVED

 

Several institutes at the various spatial level are involved in resource appraisal and management. These institutions have inter-political agendas which ensures that the wider human interest attached to the resources are taken care of. The institutions at various levels are discussed in the following order:

 

Resource management is done at 3 levels: –

 

A) Inter-Government Organizations

 

It involves governments from different states which works in co-ordination with their local state apparatus to implement the management-oriented programs. The stake-holders at this level are the states and their concerned population represented by their respective bureaucrats and ministers. Following are the major institutions involved in the task: –

 

   1)  ECNC-European Centre for Nature Conservation is a NGO that work for the conversation of biodiversity of the Europe and sustainable use of Europe’s natural resources. It was established in 1993 and since then its vision document states that “ECNC provides its expertise to national and regional governments, intergovernmental organizations such as the United Nations, the European Commission, the European Environment Agency and the Council of Europe, and to institutions working in financing, land use and research. It works closely together with the NGO community” (Conservation n.d.). ECNC makes programs in five major thematic fields namely, “1) Nature and Society, 2) Interaction between Business and Biodiversity, 3) Green Infrastructure, 4) Ecosystem Services and Biodiversity Assessment and 5) Ecosystem and Species Management”

 

2)   The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is a unique union of non-governmental organizations and state actors. It provides tool to its various components for better management of natural and human resources in a manner as to ensure the sustainable development models highlighted in the SDGF program of UN. The vision and introductory document of the organization states that the organization which was “created in 1948, IUCN has evolved into the world’s largest and most diverse environmental network. It harnesses the experience, resources and reach of its 1,300 Member organizations and the input of some 16,000 experts. IUCN is the global authority on the status of the natural world and the measures needed to safeguard it. Its experts are organized into six commissions dedicated to species survival, environmental law, protected areas, social and economic policy, ecosystem management, and education and communication. The ability to convene diverse stakeholders and provide the latest science, objective recommendations and on-the-ground expertise drives

 

IUCN’s mission of informing and empowering conservation efforts worldwide. It provides a neutral forum in which governments, NGOs, scientists, businesses, local communities, indigenous peoples groups, faith-based organizations and others can work together to forge and implement solutions to environmental challenges. By facilitating these solutions, IUCN provides governments and institutions at all levels with the impetus to achieve universal goals, including on biodiversity, climate change and sustainable development, which IUCN was instrumental in defining. Combining its knowledge base and diverse membership IUCN is an incubator and trusted repository of best practices, conservation tools, and international guidelines and standards. As the only environmental organization with official United Nations Observer Status, IUCN ensures that nature conservation has a voice at the highest level of international governance. IUCN’s expertise and extensive network provide a solid foundation for a large and diverse portfolio of conservation projects around the world. Combining the latest science with the traditional knowledge of local communities, these projects work to reverse habitat loss, restore ecosystems and improve people’s well-being. They also produce a wealth of data and information which feeds into IUCN’s analytical capacity. Through their affiliation with IUCN, Member organizations are part of a democratic process, voting Resolutions which drive the global conservation agenda. They meet every four years at the IUCN World Conservation Congress to set priorities and agree on the Union’s work program.

 

   IUCN congresses have produced several key international environmental agreements including the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), the World Heritage Convention, and the Ramsar Convention on wetlands. It continues to help these conventions strengthen and evolve so that they can respond to emerging challenges. Member organizations are represented by the IUCN Council – the governing body. Headquartered in Switzerland, IUCN Secretariat comprises around 900 staff in more than 50 countries”(IUCN n.d.).

 

3)   UNITED NATIONS – UN as the sole representative of the world’s human population, it shares a chunk of responsibility w.r.t. natural resource management. Various treaties & agreements at UN has helped in wise and judicious management of our scarce resources. Following are the major UN organizations involved in the task related to resource appraisal and management: –

 

i)  The Division for Sustainable Development (DSD) as maintained in its vision document it seeks to provide leadership and catalyze action in promoting and coordinating implementation of internationally agreed development goals, including the seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Among other mandates, it hosts the secretariat for the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF), the central platform within the United Nations system for the follow-up and review of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by Heads of State and Governments in September 2015. The 2030 Agenda is a new plan of action for people, planet and prosperity, with 17 SDGs and 169 associated targets at its core. The work of the Division translates into six core functions: “(1) Support to UN intergovernmental processes on sustainable development; (2) Analysis and policy development; (3) Capacity development at the request of Member States; (4) Inter-agency coordination; and (5) stakeholder engagement, partnerships, communication and outreach; and (6) Knowledge management”(SDG n.d.).

 

ii)  The United Nations Environment Program World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC) works with people from divergent nationalities to see that biodiversity of the globe is maintained. As mentioned in its website the center has “100-strong international team are recognized leaders in their field and have unrivalled understanding of the institutional landscape surrounding biodiversity policy and ecosystem management”. Based in Cambridge, UK, UNEP-WCMC is a collaboration between UN Environment and the UK charity, WCMC. Using its significant experience of supporting the biodiversity information needs of decision makers across a variety of sectors, linkages to the UN system and thereby intergovernmental environmental processes, the lists of services that it provides to various nations includes delivering and developing capacity on:

 

“-Biodiversity information systems addressing data access, data management, data processing, including: Identifying data sources

 

-Data management, standards and analysis, including the capacity of national statistics offices to respond to international requirements

 

  -Ecosystem assessments and natural capital accounting, tools to measure the state of the natural environment and its ability to provide services, and to evaluate the impact of public and private sector management/investment in natural capital and green infrastructure”(NEP n.d.).

 

B) Research-Oriented Organizations

 

These are non-governmental management oriented bodies that combines intellect with the stake-holders’ interest. The programs in such organizations are mostly research based which has some semblance of practical utility in an empirical manner. Following are the major research groups active in the area: –

 

1)  European Conservation Institutes Research Network (CONNECT) – This is the network of researchers that looks into the environmental matters from a political economical perspective. As stated in their website they work to “Address environmental problems on an international basis; develop and enhance international collaborative research programs in priority areas of ecology and nature conservation; provide scientific underpinning for action on European and global problems in the field of environment and nature conservation” (CONNECT n.d.).

 

2)  International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) it is a policy and action orientated research organization. It works to provide a sustainable means of development that caters to the livelihood needs of every being. It specializes in linking local priorities to global challenges. IIED is based in London and works in Africa, Asia, Latin America, the

 

Middle East and the Pacific, with some of the world’s most vulnerable people. It works with them to strengthen their voice in the decision-making arenas that affect them from village councils to international conventions. Focus areas includes -:

 

“1) Reduction in Greenhouse gas emissions to the atmosphere from the use of fossil fuels for air travel and other transport;

 

2) Reduction in Greenhouse gas emissions to the atmosphere from the use of fossil fuel-based energy and the consumption of electricity in the offices in London and Edinburgh” (IIED n.d.).

 

C) Environmental Interest Groups

 

These are the groups of organization concerned mainly with environmental protection. Their approach towards resource management is basically of two types: – 1. Nature oriented 2. Building a symbiotic human and nature relation. Major organizations in this field are: –

 

1)  Greenpeace: -As the website says, “Greenpeace exists because this fragile earth deserves a voice. It needs solutions. It needs change. It needs action.” Greenpeace is an independent body that work to promote environment conservation and for global peace and prosperity this is done through: – “a) Catalyzing an energy revolution to address the number one threat facing our planet: climate change; b) Defending our oceans by challenging wasteful and destructive fishing, and creating a global network of marine reserves; c) Protecting the world’s ancient forests and the animals, plants and people that depend on them; d) Working for disarmament and peace by tackling the causes of conflict and calling for the elimination of all nuclear weapons; e) Creating a toxic free future with safer alternatives to hazardous chemicals in today’s products and manufacturing; f) Campaigning for sustainable agriculture by rejecting genetically engineered organisms, protecting biodiversity and encouraging socially responsible farming” (GREENPEACE n.d.).

 

Greenpeace is present in more than 55 countries across Europe, the Americas, Asia, Africa and the Pacific. To maintain its independence, Greenpeace does not accept donations from governments or corporations but relies on contributions from individual supporters and foundation grants. Greenpeace has been campaigning against environmental degradation since 1971 when a small boat of volunteers and journalists sailed into Amchitka, an area north of Alaska where the US Government was conducting underground nuclear tests. Greenpeace has been able to expose the connection of state with the corporates it has also exposed the comprador role of third world state like India in facilitating resource exploitation by the imperial capital (Pillai 2012).

 

Greenpeace speaks for 2.8 million supporters worldwide, and encourages many millions more than that to take action every day. As one of their longest banners ever made summed things up, “When the last tree is cut, the last river poisoned, and the last fish dead, we will discover that we can’t eat money”(GREENPEACE n.d.).

 

 

2)   ECOLOGIA: – It has developed out of the cold war between the US and Soviet bloc. The website of the organization states the objective and history of the organization, it states that “Our founding board members and staff grew up during this era, struggling with its threats and its realities. In the late 1980s, when the Soviet Union opened up, the opportunities for peaceful citizen diplomacy energized our earliest work. ECOLOGIA (ECOlogists Linked for Organizing Grassroots Initiatives and Action) was founded by grassroots environmental activists from the United States, in 1989, in order to support grassroots environmental initiatives across the Soviet Union and eastern Europe. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs), especially environmental ones, were playing an important role in the political, social, and economic transitions of the time. ECOLOGIA recognized that environmental NGOs in the Former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe were able to establish their credibility by providing high quality independent expertise and by advocating scientifically grounded policies. By contrast, Americans tend to approach environmental activism from a distinctly political perspective, viewing broad public participation as the key to success. ECOLOGIA brought these perspectives together, into an organizational strategy combining professional quality environmental science with effective public participation mechanisms. For example, starting in 1992, ECOLOGIA’s Citizens’ Environmental Monitoring Network provided NGOs in eleven countries with equipment and training to check for and publicize water pollutants, as a step toward changing industrial practice and public policy.

 

Working within the framework of the Local Agenda 21 process for sustainable development planning, which grew out of the 1992 Rio Earth Summit, ECOLOGIA’s “Sustainable Development in Nuclear Regions” (1999-2004) program worked with Russian and Lithuanian communities to reduce energy needs, to create new job opportunities and thus to reduce dependency on nuclear power and nuclear weapons production. The main goal of the organization is, “Replacing international conflict with environmental cooperation contributes to the solution of global environmental problems, encourages face-to-face encounters of people from different cultures, and thereby increases the possibility that future generations will live in peace”(ECOLOGIA n.d.).

 

 

SUMMARY

  • – In the field of resource management institutions play a dynamic role in fulfilling the sustainable development goals. Institutions bring together all the stakeholders so as to facilitate the process of resource appraisal and management. Institutions by far are the converging point of the technical and indigenous know how of people and the state agencies.
  • – There should be a symbiotic relation between the institutions at different level. Failing which these institutional arrangements in resource management would be a futile exercise.

 

Greenpeace an organization for environment conservation and sustainable development has been able to expose the connection of state with the corporates it has also exposed the comprador role of third world state like India in facilitating resource exploitation by the imperial capital.

 

 

 

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References

  • [WRI], World Resources Institute. 2003. ” Decisions for the Earth: Balance, Voice, and Power. Washington D.C.”
  • CONNECT. n.d. https://www.uia.org/s/or/en/1100028043.
  • Conservation, ECNC-European Centre for Nature. n.d. https://www.ecnc.org/about-ecnc/.
  • ECOLOGIA. n.d. http://www.ecologia.org/about/index.html.
  • Elsa M Ordway, Gregory P Asner and Eric F Lambin. 2017. “Deforestation risk due to commodity crop expansion in sub-Saharan Africa.” Environmental Research Letters.
  • GREENPEACE. n.d. http://www.greenpeace.org/international/en/about/.
  • IIED. n.d. https://www.iied.org/iieds-environmental-policy.
  • IUCN. n.d. https://www.iucn.org/about.
  • Keizer, P. 2008. The Concept of Institution: Context and Meaning. Utrecht: Utrecht University School of Economics.
  • NEP. n.d. https://www.unep-wcmc.org/about-us.
  • Ostrom, E. 2007. ” A diagnostic approach for going beyond Panaceas. .”
  • Pillai, Priya. 2012. Priya Pillai: why am I being singled out? (January 12).
  • SDG, UN. n.d. https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/about.