scholarly journals Public and Private Governance in Interaction: Changing Interpretations of Sovereignty in the Field of Sustainable Palm Oil

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 4811 ◽  
Author(s):  
Greetje Schouten ◽  
Otto Hospes
Keyword(s):  
Palm Oil ◽  
Value Chains ◽  
Transnational Governance ◽  
Private Governance ◽  
Public Authorities ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
Governmental Organizations ◽  
Non Governmental Organizations ◽  
Regulatory Capacity ◽  
Sustainability Standards

Since the 1990s, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and businesses have gained prominence as architects of new forms of transnational governance creating Voluntary Sustainability Standards (VSS). The legitimacy and effectiveness of VSS are dependent on interactions with public authorities and regulation. While studies suggest that the (perceived) gain or loss of sovereignty by a state shapes public–private interactions, we have little understanding on how states use or interpret sovereignty in their interactions with VSS. In this paper, we explore what interpretations of sovereignty are used by states at different ends of global value chains in interactions with VSS. Based on a comparative and longitudinal study of interactions of Indonesian and Dutch state actors with the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil, we conclude that states strategically use different and changing notions of sovereignty to control the policy and debate regarding sustainable palm oil. When interactions between public and private governance are coordinative in nature, notions of interdependent sovereignty are used. However, when interactions are competitive, domestic and Westphalian notions of sovereignty are used. Our results show conflicting interpretations and usages of sovereignty by different states, which might negatively impact the regulatory capacity within an issue field to address sustainability issues.

scholarly journals Transnational sustainability certification for the bioeconomy? Patterns and discourse coalitions of resistance and alternatives in biomass exporting regions

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Vogelpohl
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Studies ◽  
General Pattern ◽  
New Paradigm ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
Governmental Organizations ◽  
Non Governmental Organizations ◽  
Political Economies ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Sustainability Standards ◽  
Discourse Coalitions

AbstractThe bioeconomy is nowadays widely proclaimed by governments and corporations around the world as a new paradigm for a sustainable economy. Essentially, it broadly denotes the promotion, development and establishment of the use of biogenic resources in diverse kinds of industrial technologies, production processes and products. Yet, in order for the bioeconomy to be sustainable, it has to be assured that these biogenic resources are sourced sustainably. In the last 30 years, transnational sustainability certification (TSC) has established itself as a popular instrument in this context, for example in the case of European biofuels sustainability regulation. In the last decade or so, however, TSC initiatives in several biomass production sectors like palm oil, soy, fruits, aquaculture or fisheries—mostly initiated by non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and corporations from the Global North—are increasingly met with resistance from actors from the resource-producing countries, mostly located in the Global South. Issues brought up in this context concern their lack of legitimacy and respect for national regulatory sovereignty and conflicting priorities in terms of sustainable development. Consequently, governmental and corporate actors from the resource-producing countries have developed sustainability standards that now at least partly compete with TSC. Against this background, this contribution investigates this apparent dilemma of biomass certification by taking stock of existing TSC initiatives and territorial responses to them in several sectors of the bioeconomy in order to discover general patterns and dynamics of transnational biomass sustainability certification. This analysis is based on a review of existing empirical studies on these issues as well as on conceptual literature on discourse coalitions and transnational hybrid governance for the classification of the different aspects and developments in the individual sectors. Results show that TSC is indeed challenged in all sectors around story lines of sovereignty and sustainability, employed by closely associated state and industry actors in the specific context of the prevalent state-industry relations and the practices and institutions of the respective international political economies. Beyond this general pattern, these alternative systems take on different shapes and complex relations between transnational and territorial sustainability governance emerge that are not always antagonistic, but also exist in parallel or even complementarily and involve various hybrid configurations of public and private actors. Overall, this casts some doubt on the potential of TSC as an instrument to safeguard the sustainability of the bioeconomy and shows one of its potential pitfalls, which is reflected upon in the conclusion.

scholarly journals The ambiguities of Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil certification: internal incoherence, governance rescaling and state transformation

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shofwan Al Banna Choiruzzad ◽  
Adam Tyson ◽  
Helena Varkkey
Keyword(s):  
Palm Oil ◽  
The State ◽  
Private Governance ◽  
State Transformation ◽  
Governmental Organizations ◽  
Non Governmental Organizations ◽  
Global Environmental ◽  
Certification Standard ◽  
Sustainability Governance ◽  
Governance Models

AbstractThere are persistent tensions of both a technical and political nature between Southeast Asia’s two major palm oil producers, Indonesia and Malaysia, and the sustainability governance mechanisms shaping global environmental and trade standards emerging from Europe. The establishment of the national Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil (ISPO) certification standard in 2011 is a sign of discontent with the transnational Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) regime, sparking debate about the legitimacy of private governance models initiated by non-governmental organizations and companies in Europe. This article questions whether the adoption of sustainability norms by Indonesia signals normative convergence or the emergence of rival governance structures that challenge the state. Evidence suggests that elements of norm adoption and rival governance coexist in Indonesia and that ISPO certification is an ambiguous policy with degrees of internal incoherence. The ambiguous nature of ISPO certification gives rise to unresolved disputes over power and authority between various actors. This article shows how these disputes came into being by framing these dynamics as part of a long historical process. Novel insights are gained by employing the state transformation framework and the concept of governance rescaling. Within this framework, we argue that the ambiguous nature of the ISPO results from complex interrelated processes of fragmentation, decentralization and the internationalization of the Indonesian state.

scholarly journals THE CONTRIBUTION OF NGOS IN ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION: AN EVALUATION OF STAKEHOLDERS' PERCEPTION

2016 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 47-66 ◽  
Author(s):  
VIRGÍNIA TALAVEIRA VALENTINI TRISTÃO ◽  
JOSÉ AMÉRICO MARTELLI TRISTÃO
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Education ◽  
Teaching Method ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
Contemporary World ◽  
Governmental Organizations ◽  
Non Governmental Organizations ◽  
The Social ◽  
Private Sector Organizations ◽  
Social Environmental ◽  
Public And Private Sector

Abstract Environmental education practiced by non-governmental organizations (NGOs) presents itself as a new teaching method directed at changing habits, attitudes and social practices seeking solutions for the social-environmental degradation afflicting the contemporary world. This work seeks to identify the perception and expectations of stakeholders regarding the contribution of NGOs in environmental education. The research was guided by the Delphi method and, as a result, verified that the involved stakeholders understand that environmental education practiced by NGOs must be ample, free, professionalized and directed towards all the segments of society via partnerships with public and private sector organizations.

Non-State Actors and the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention in Asia: Achievements, Problems, and Prospects

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 461-489 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessandro CHECHI
Keyword(s):  
World Heritage ◽  
Private Companies ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
World Heritage Convention ◽  
Private Interests ◽  
Governmental Organizations ◽  
Non Governmental Organizations ◽  
Outstanding Universal Value ◽  
State Actors ◽  
The One

AbstractThe philosophy underlying the UNESCO World Heritage Convention of 1972 [WHC] consists in promoting a system of international co-operation in the context of which the States Parties commit to preserving the cultural treasures of “outstanding universal value” located within their territories. However, it is a fact that today many properties inscribed on the List set under the WHC are endangered. This paper will focus on the role played by “non-state actors” in the enforcement of the WHC. It will thus dwell upon the relationships between public and private interests, on the one hand, and between international and domestic legal orders, on the other. Its purpose is to map out and discuss the most salient problems about the involvement of non-state actors—particularly non-governmental organizations [NGOs] and private companies—in the monitoring and implementation of the WHC.

Part IV Normative Development, Ch.26 Private and Quasi-Private Standards

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott Joanne
Keyword(s):  
International Law ◽  
Palm Oil ◽  
Trade Unions ◽  
Normative Development ◽  
Environmental Domain ◽  
Governmental Organizations ◽  
Non Governmental Organizations ◽  
Private Standards

This chapter discusses the concept of private and quasi-private standards in the environmental domain. While many of these standards involve the labelling of compliant products, others do not. The chapter begins by defining the concept of private and quasi-private standards, examining their rise and the reasons for this. A standard is considered to be private when the document in question is adopted by one or more non-governmental entities, including for example firms, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and trade unions. Private standards may be firm- or sector-specific, or they may focus on a particular commodity such as sugar, palm oil, or soy. Meanwhile, the concept of a quasi-private standard is less clear and needs to be carefully defined. The chapter then looks at how these standards interact with international law in a variety of important ways. It also assesses the effectiveness and legitimacy of private and quasi-private standards.

scholarly journals Biodiversity Protection through Networks of Voluntary Sustainability Standard Organizations?

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 4379
Author(s):  
Luc Fransen ◽  
Jelmer Schalk ◽  
Marcel Kok ◽  
Vivek Voora ◽  
Jason Potts ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Policy Making ◽  
Analysis Data ◽  
International Institute ◽  
Biodiversity Hotspots ◽  
Private Governance ◽  
Biodiversity Protection ◽  
Governmental Organizations ◽  
Biodiversity Policy ◽  
Support Policy ◽  
Sustainability Standards

This paper explores the potential for voluntary sustainability standards (VSS) organizations to contribute to policy-making on biodiversity protection by examining their biodiversity policies, total standard compliant area, proximity to biodiversity hotspots, and the networks and partnerships they have in place that can support policy-making on biodiversity protection. The analysis undertaken is based on Social Network Analysis data, in combination with information from the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) Standards and Biodiversity Review and the International Trade Centre (ITC) Standards Map on the focus and operation of VSS organizations. The significance of agriculture-focused private governance for global biodiversity policy and their relationship towards other forms of nongovernmental, governmental, and inter-governmental biodiversity policy are examined and described. We argue that, at present, a number of key agriculture-focused VSS organizations are important policy actors to address biodiversity because of their elaborate biodiversity policies, total compliant areas, and proximity to biodiversity hotspots. However, at present, most of these VSS organizations have relatively few ties with relevant governmental and inter-governmental biodiversity policymakers. The actor composition of their inter-organizational networks currently reflects a focus on nongovernmental rather than governmental organizations while substantively they focus more on development than on environmental protection issues.

scholarly journals Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on food supply chain: An overview

2021 ◽  
Vol 854 (1) ◽  
pp. 012007
Author(s):  
T Baltic ◽  
S Rajic ◽  
J Ciric ◽  
I Brankovic Lazic ◽  
V Djordjevic ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Food Supply ◽  
Health Care Systems ◽  
Food Sector ◽  
Food Supply Chain ◽  
Public Authorities ◽  
Governmental Organizations ◽  
Non Governmental Organizations ◽  
Rapid Spread ◽  
Care Systems

Abstract Since 2020, the rapid spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus has caused the global pandemic COVID-19, generating health, economic and social impacts. The rapid spread of the infection in the human population required an accelerated adaptation to the new circumstances to protect human health and mitigate financial losses. As the ongoing pandemic has caused reported cases in the multi-millions, all stakeholders need to prevent further outbreaks and mitigate associated risks. Hence, besides government, health care systems, business stakeholders, public authorities, non-governmental organizations, and other socially responsible associations, the food sector has a crucial role in combating COVID-19. The food sector in this context is referred to as every actor in the food supply chain. This paper explores the difficulties in the entire food supply chain’s reactions to the pandemic crisis and underlines the meat sector’s response.

Application of Social Network Analysis to Major Petrochemical Accident: Interorganizational Collaboration Perspective

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Marzieh Abbassinia ◽  
Omid Kalatpour ◽  
Majid Motamedzade ◽  
Alireza Soltanian ◽  
Iraj Mohammadfam
Keyword(s):  
Social Network ◽  
Social Network Analysis ◽  
Network Analysis ◽  
Crisis Management ◽  
Interorganizational Relationships ◽  
Fire Department ◽  
Provincial Government ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
Governmental Organizations ◽  
Non Governmental Organizations

ABSTRACT Objective: Crisis management in major accidents requires the collaboration among different organizations. One of the most important problems of crisis management is the lack of coordination between executive organizations. The aim of this study was to examine the structural characters and problems of interorganizational network during crisis in the petrochemical industry and provide solutions to achieve the highest performance in crisis management. Methods: The organizations involved in crisis management were identified through interviews and questionnaires. Gephi (0.9.1) software was used to examine interorganizational relationships. Results: In this study, the crisis management team consisted of 25 public and private organizations and non-governmental organizations. The highest betweenness centrality was observed in Crisis Management of Provincial Government (CMPG) (142.16) and Fire Department of Petrochemical Complex (FDC) (89.3). The highest closeness centrality was observed in FDC (0.77), CMPG (0.7), Shazand Governorate (0.7), and Crisis Management of University of Medical Sciences (0.7). Conclusions: Coordination between organizations plays an important role in crisis and emergency management, and social network analysis helps identify strengths and weaknesses of organizations involved in crisis management, overcome those weaknesses, and consequently achieve the best performance in crisis management.

Solid Waste Management in the Context of Public Policies and Private Sector Participation

2019 ◽  
pp. 229-247
Author(s):  
Gamze Yıldız Şeren
Keyword(s):  
Waste Management ◽  
Private Sector ◽  
Solid Waste ◽  
Local Governments ◽  
Solid Waste Management ◽  
Public Policies ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
Governmental Organizations ◽  
Non Governmental Organizations ◽  
Important Position

Public policies have undoubtedly a very important position in the economy. The environmental economy is a phenomenon that requires intervention in the market through public policies. This is because environmental problems need to be intervened with public policy tools because they have the characteristics of externalities and are public goods. Accordingly, waste management is a subject of environmental economics, at which point public policies come into play particularly at the level of local governments and gain importance. However, this is not only a matter of public policies but also requires the active involvement of the private sector and social participation. The participation of society and non-governmental organizations, as well as public and private partnerships plays a pivotal role in the effective management of this process because it is difficult to understand the significance of solid waste management for a society that has not completed its intellectual and cultural education.

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