scholarly journals Applying Roadmapping and Conceptual Modeling to the Energy Transition: A Local Case Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 3683
Author(s):  
Gerrit Muller
Keyword(s):  
Conceptual Modeling ◽  
Energy Transition ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Combined Use ◽  
Local Case ◽  
Transition Policy ◽  
Climate Crisis ◽  
Global Transition

The climate crisis requires a global transition toward sustainable practices. In this transition, policy makers face the challenge to take along a wide variety of stakeholders with own interests, needs, and concerns. This research explores the combined use of conceptual models and roadmapping to facilitate understanding, communication, reasoning, and decision-making between a large heterogeneous set of stakeholders. We apply these methods, in the form of action research, in several smaller research projects at a small town in the Netherlands. We find that the combination of conceptual modeling and roadmapping facilitates discussions between heterogeneous stakeholders on complex transition problems, such as the energy transition, at a local scale. However, we see a significant gap in the way of thinking and communicating between experts and decision-makers, which requires additional means to connect them.

scholarly journals Resilience–Vulnerability Analysis: A Decision-Making Framework for Systems Assessment

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (22) ◽  
pp. 9306
Author(s):  
Nikolaos A. Skondras ◽  
Demetrios E. Tsesmelis ◽  
Constantina G. Vasilakou ◽  
Christos A. Karavitis
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Complex Systems ◽  
Forest Fire ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Added Value ◽  
Initial Assessment ◽  
Analysis Framework ◽  
Current Effort ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Combined Use

The terms ‘resilience’ and ‘vulnerability’ have been widely used, with multiple interpretations in a plethora of disciplines. Such a variety may easily become confusing, and could create misconceptions among the different users. Policy makers who are bound to make decisions in key spatial and temporal points may especially suffer from these misconceptions. The need for decisions may become even more pressing in times of crisis, where the weaknesses of a system are exposed, and immediate actions to enhance the systemic strengths should be made. The analysis framework proposed in the current effort, and demonstrated in hypothetical forest fire cases, tries to focus on the combined use of simplified versions of the resilience and vulnerability concepts. Their relations and outcomes are also explored, in an effort to provide decision makers with an initial assessment of the information required to deal with complex systems. It is believed that the framework may offer some service towards the development of a more integrated and applicable tool, in order to further expand the concepts of resilience and vulnerability. Additionally, the results of the framework can be used as inputs in other decision making techniques and approaches. This increases the added value of the framework as a tool.

scholarly journals Assessing Socioeconomic Vulnerability after a Hurricane: A Combined Use of an Index-Based approach and Principal Components Analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 1452
Author(s):  
Neiler Medina ◽  
Yared Abayneh Abebe ◽  
Arlex Sanchez ◽  
Zoran Vojinovic
Keyword(s):  
Census Data ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Small Island ◽  
Socioeconomic Vulnerability ◽  
Combined Use ◽  
Assessment Approach ◽  
Components Analysis ◽  
Neighbourhood Scale

Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are vulnerable to sea-level rise and hydro-meteorological hazards. In addition to the efforts to reduce the hazards, a holistic strategy that also addresses the vulnerability and exposure of residents and their assets is essential to mitigate the impacts of such hazards. Evaluating the socioeconomic vulnerability of SIDS can serve the purpose of identification of the root drivers of risk. In this paper, we present a methodology to assess and map socioeconomic vulnerability at a neighbourhood scale using an index-based approach and principal component analysis (PCA). The index-based vulnerability assessment approach has a modular and hierarchical structure with three components: susceptibility, lack of coping capacities and lack of adaptation, which are further composed of factors and variables. To compute the index, we use census data in combination with data coming from a survey we performed in the aftermath of Irma. PCA is used to screen the variables, to identify the most important variables that drive vulnerability and to cluster neighbourhoods based on the common factors. The methods are applied to the case study of Sint Maarten in the context of the disaster caused by Hurricane Irma in 2017. Applying the combined analysis of index-based approach with PCA allows us to identify the critical neighbourhoods on the island and to identify the main variables or drivers of vulnerability. Results show that the lack of coping capacities is the most influential component of vulnerability in Sint Maarten. From this component, the “immediate action” and the “economic coverage” are the most critical factors. Such analysis also enables decision-makers to focus their (often limited) resources more efficiently and have a more significant impact concerning disaster risk reduction.

EVALUATING NANOTECHNOLOGIES FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF NATIONAL AGRICULTURE INDUSTRY

2013 ◽  
Vol 10 (02) ◽  
pp. 1340004 ◽  
Author(s):  
PISEK GERDSRI ◽  
DUNDAR F. KOCAOGLU
Keyword(s):  
Technology Policy ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Research Strategies ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Expert Opinions ◽  
Agriculture Industry ◽  
Hierarchical Decision ◽  
Hierarchical Decision Model ◽  
Four Levels

This research demonstrates a systematic approach to evaluate nanotechnologies. A case study of applying nanotechnologies to the development of Thailand's agriculture industry is given as an example. A hierarchical decision model is built and qualified expert opinions are used as measurements. There are four levels in the hierarchy: mission, objectives, technological goals and research strategies. Three panels are formed based on their background and expertise in order to minimize and balance any possible biases among the members. The research results provide decision makers with a ranking of technological goals and research strategies in terms of their support for specific goals. The outcome of this research should help technology policy makers to evaluate technologies and research strategies on the basis of their contributions to the national mission.

scholarly journals MetaConnect, a new platform for population viability modelling to assist decision makers in conservation and urban planning

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sylvain Moulherat ◽  
Elvire Bestion ◽  
Michel Baguette ◽  
Matthieu Moulherat ◽  
Stephen C.F. Palmer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Landscape Connectivity ◽  
Population Viability Analysis ◽  
Main Tool ◽  
Biodiversity Loss ◽  
Population Viability ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Viability Analysis ◽  
The Impact

AbstractIn a context of global change, scientists and policy-makers require tools to address the issue of biodiversity loss. Population viability analysis (PVA) has been the main tool to deal with this problem. However, the tools developed during the 90s poorly integrate recent scientific advances in landscape genetics and dispersal. We developed a flexible and modular modelling platform for PVA that addresses many of the limitations of existing software. MetaConnect is an individual-based, process-based and PVA-oriented modelling platform which could be used as a research or a decision-making tool. Here, we present the core base modelling of MetaConnect. We demonstrate its potential use through a case study illustrating the platform’s capability for performing integrated PVA including extinction probability estimation, genetic differentiation and landscape connectivity analysis. We used MetaConnect to assess the impact of infrastructure works on the natterjack toad metapopulation functioning.

Managing expectations with emotional accountability: making City Hospitals accountable during the COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (5) ◽  
pp. 889-901 ◽  
Author(s):  
Istemi Demirag ◽  
Cemil Eren Fırtın ◽  
Ebru Tekin Bilbil
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Value For Money ◽  
Political Decision ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Infrastructure Investments ◽  
Audit Reports

PurposeThis paper explores the role of the COVID-19 pandemic in the financial and parliamentary accountability mechanisms of public-private partnership (PPP) “City Hospitals” in Turkey. Diverse and changing accountability mechanisms are explored regarding budgetary, affordability and emotions during the COVID-19 pandemic.Design/methodology/approachThis is a case study of City Hospitals in Turkey. Empirical data are collected and analyzed qualitatively from publicly available government and related sources, Turkish National Audit reports (Sayistay), strategic healthcare investment plans, relevant laws, decrees and NGO reports and news articles.FindingsExisting accountability mechanisms for arranging and/or delivering value-for-money (VfM) in Turkish PPP hospitals are weak. This provided policy makers with more flexibility to manage expectations of its citizens in dealing with COVID-19 pandemic. Political decision makers, through PPPs, created political capital for themselves by engaging in emotional accountability at the expense of better financial and parliamentary accountability.Originality/valueThis article contributes to the literature by articulating how roles of accountability change in crisis and introduces the concept of emotional accountability during a period of heavy infrastructure investments in City Hospitals in Turkey.

scholarly journals Mapping and interpretation of field data for evaluation and mitigation of groundwater arsenic contamination in Bangladesh

2006 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-36
Author(s):  
S. Shams ◽  
P. Bhattacharya ◽  
S. Langaas ◽  
G. Jacks ◽  
K. M. Ahmed ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Base ◽  
Field Data ◽  
Arsenic Contamination ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Cultural Behavior ◽  
The People ◽  
Exposed Population ◽  
Arsenic In Groundwater

Problems of arsenic contamination have been reported from a large number of aquifers in various parts of the world. Especially in Bangladesh, the presence of arsenic in groundwater has been the major environmental health catastrophe that has affected the source of safe water not only for drinking but also for irrigation purposes. The unavailability and inaccessibility of data and dissemination of proper and rapid information has further reduced the accessibility to safe drinking water for nearly 95% of the population of the country. The development of solutions for the arsenic problem and the allocation of resources for mitigation are information-oriented activities. This paper focuses on the mapping and interpretation of field data (based on a case study area) through the application of GIS for presenting and assessing the scope of the arsenic problem in Bangladesh. The mapping and interpretation is done taking into consideration the geophysical characteristics, socio-economic conditions and socio-cultural behavior of the people living in the study area. The mapping and interpretation technique is aimed at assisting planners and policy makers at the district level to make an assessment about the extent and magnitude of the arsenic problem based on an estimation of the exposed population and the extent and severity of groundwater contamination. In addition, it will enable decision-makers to select possible options and give recommendations based on users' responses. The advantages of this interpretation technique are that the knowledge base is easy to build and any updated information or modifications can be quickly incorporated into the knowledge base.

Determinants and barriers of PV self-consumption in Spain from the perception of the installers for the promotion of distributed energy systems

2020 ◽  
pp. 153-169
Author(s):  
José Ángel Gimeno ◽  
Eva Llera Sastresa ◽  
Sabina Scarpellini
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Energy Transition ◽  
Legal Framework ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Distributed Energy ◽  
Sustainable Solutions ◽  
Highly Sensitive ◽  
Transition Scenario

Currently, self-consumption and distributed energy facilities are considered as viable and sustainable solutions in the energy transition scenario within the European Union. In a low carbon society, the exploitation of renewables for self-consumption is closely tied to the energy market at the territorial level, in search of a compromise between competitiveness and the sustainable exploitation of resources. Investments in these facilities are highly sensitive to the existence of favourable conditions at the territorial level, and the energy policies adopted in the European Union have contributed positively to the distributed renewables development and the reduction of their costs in the last decade. However, the number of the installed facilities is uneven in the European Countries and those factors that are more determinant for the investments in self-consumption are still under investigation. In this scenario, this paper presents the main results obtained through the analysis of the determinants in self-consumption investments from a case study in Spain, where the penetration of this type of facilities is being less relevant than in other countries. As a novelty of this study, the main influential drivers and barriers in self-consumption are classified and analysed from the installers' perspective. On the basis of the information obtained from the installers involved in the installation of these facilities, incentives and barriers are analysed within the existing legal framework and the potential specific lines of the promotion for the effective deployment of self-consumption in an energy transition scenario.

Empowering Women Entrepreneurs Through Microfinance - A Case of Rural Bangladesh

2017 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 7
Author(s):  
Saida Parvin
Keyword(s):  
Women's Empowerment ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Women’S Empowerment ◽  
Case Study Method ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Theoretical Contribution ◽  
Donor Agencies ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
The Impact

Women’s empowerment has been at the centre of research focus for many decades. Extant literature examined the process, outcome and various challenges. Some claimed substantial success, while others contradicted with evidence of failure. But the success remains a matter of debate due to lack of empirical evidence of actual empowerment of women around the world. The current study aimed to address this gap by taking a case study method. The study critically evaluates 20 cases carefully sampled to include representatives from the entire country of Bangladesh. The study demonstrates popular beliefs about microfinance often misguide even the borrowers and they start living in a fabricated feeling of empowerment, facing real challenges to achieve true empowerment in their lives. The impact of this finding is twofold; firstly there is a theoretical contribution, where the definition of women’s empowerment is proposed to be revisited considering findings from these cases. And lastly, the policy makers at governmental and non-governmental organisations, and multinational donor agencies need to revise their assessment tools for funding.

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