Academic literature on the topic 'Sustainable development – Zambia – Case studies'

This research reports on two action research case studies of participatory materials development in two rural community contexts in Zambia, namely Chiawa and Nalusanga. It aims to explore and articulate the relationships between community-based environmental education and participatory materials development in the WWF Zambia Education Project context; clarify participatory materials development processes by identifying the roles of different ‘actors’ in these processes and identify and analyse the contextual and other factors that may influence development and use of environmental education materials in rural communities. These aims were explored by means of a number of action research cycles of inquiry in the two communities. The study also articulates the significance of considering ambivalent globalising influences such as international conferences, debates, overseas development aid, national policies and how these shape and influence materials development work in a local context. In order to gain more insight into the local contexts, I developed contextual profiles on the two communities. These capture the contextual factors that influenced the participatory materials development processes. They include issues such as language, ethnicity, literacy, power relations and the local social economy, amongst others. Although this study has been predominately guided by the socially critical orientation to research and education, I have drawn on aspects of other research orientations. I have also explored some of the emerging critiques of the socially critical orientation. The findings of this study reveal the different roles participants can play in participatory materials development; participatory materials development processes as a learning process; the dynamics of participation in an African context; the role of language and literacy in materials development; the need for open-ended process models of learning amongst adult learners and the importance of merging expert and local knowledge in participatory materials development. This study opens up possibilities for further exploration of participatory materials development processes within the WWF ZEP context and beyond.

Water resources management is high on the agenda both locally and globally because of its important role in social, economic and environmental development. For example, as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, all United Nations Member States adopted 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015 that covered thematic issues including water, energy, climate, oceans, urbanization, transport, science and technology. Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) no.6, which targets universal access to safe and affordable drinking water for all by 2030, is of particular interest in this study. The mining industry contributes to socio-economic development; however, it has also contributed to declining water quality in rivers and lakes in many regions globally. In this study, the status and governance of water resources within the Copperbelt province of Zambia over the period 2000 to 2020 was examined. The study investigated population and economic growth within the region and its correlation with changes in water quality and quantity. The research also focused on understanding the ways copper mining is affecting local water resources. The study also investigated challenges faced by regulators and institutions in the water sector, and considered how these challenges could be addressed. Secondary data was obtained from government institutions within Zambia such as National Water Supply and Sanitation Council (NWASCO), Water Resources Management Authority (WARMA) and Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA), which are the key institutions in the water sector and the environment. Semi-structured interviews were also conducted with the three key institutions in the water and pollution control sectors. The results showed that the total population in the Copperbelt province has increased by 20% since 2000 to a total of 1 972 317 in 2010. The population is projected to be 2 669 635 in 2020, representing about 27% increase from 2010. The rural population is projected to be 423 511 in 2020, representing about 11% increase from 2010 while the urban population will be 2 246 124 in 2020 representing about 29% increase from 2010. The majority of this growth has occurred in urban areas, which grew by about 30% from 2000 to a total of 1 595 456 in 2010. Rural population has increased by 8% since 2000 to a total of 376 861. The results also showed increased economic activities driven mainly by copper mining. Water abstraction has generally declined since 2000 mainly due to decrease in mining activities. In 2000, about 1 million m3 /day was abstracted in the Copperbelt province and about 600 000 m3 per day in 2005. The reduction in 2005 could be attributed to reduction in mining activities and institutional changes in the water sector. Water production and consumption from commercial utilities has generally been in decline from 2000 to 2017. This is also the case with water consumption per capita and water production per capita. For example, water consumption per capita per day in 2001 was 203 liters and reduced to 113 liters in 2017, representing a 44% reduction in consumption. The results showed that water consumption from 2004 to 2008 averaged 100 million m3 while the production averaged 160 million m3 per year. NWASCO attributed the general downward trend in water production and consumption in the province to maintenance and rehabilitation of water infrastructure, and investment in new infrastructure, thereby reducing the unaccounted-for water. The other reason could be that new housing developments prefer to use groundwater sources rather than utility water (supplied by water companies). The reduction could also be attributed to the cost of water and that consumers needed to adjust from the background where utility services such as water supply and sanitation were the sole responsibilities of the mines (ZCCM), prior to privatization. In terms of water supply and sanitation coverage, there has been an increased coverage since 2000. In 2001, the population that had access to water supply and sanitation was 81% and 46%, respectively. Therefore, roughly 50% of the population had no access to sanitation. However, in 2017 the population with access to water supply and sanitation was 91% and 75%, respectively. This represented only 25% of the population in serviced areas that had no access to sanitation. Between 2007 and 2008, the sanitation coverage had seen a reduction compared to the year 2006. This was due to institutional changes on the Copperbelt province, and the 2008 economic recession – the mine townships that were previously serviced by an asset holding after privatization of the mines were taken over by other utility companies. Consequently, the service delivery in the province initially dropped, but then started increasing again in 2009.

Roles of various constituent elements of Strategic Leadership address deep and continuing issues relating to the creation and development of any organization. What is required to help firms successfully navigate the dynamics and uncertain environment in which they compete today to be successful is addressed. The founding in July 1991 of The Post, a privately owned Zambian newspaper, provided a unique opportunity to investigate the roles that various constituent elements of strategic leadership have played in its success. This is largely because much is already known about how state-owned media are managed, financed, and sustained by the state itself, which is fully involved in their re-capitalization and operating costs. The themes identified are at the heart of current debates about the capacity of private organizations to respond to new expectations, market realities, no state funding, globalization, technology, and a long list of other challenges so as to become market driven enterprises. The case of The Post is seen to present a story of an enduring publication in times of political, financial, social and other adversities and the research participants have no illusions about the success of the publication. The case study of The Post also gives useful insight into the many challenges and obstacles faced by the newspaper. It offers examples of determination, focused courage and innovation, complemented by strategic leadership. This was done by means of what emerged from the insight and experiences of the six research participants that were part of the founders of the newspaper and those associated with the development of the newspaper since its inception.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin--Stevens Point.<br>Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the degree Master of Science in Natural Resources Management, College of Natural Resources. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 140-152).

This thesis complements and extends understanding of the contribution of new approaches to development to the goal of achieving sustainable rural livelihoods. This is achieved by critically evaluating the concepts of agricultural sustainability and rural livelihoods. This study examines the use and management of natural resources by smallholder farmers in central Malawi. Development interventions by PROSCARP, a development project running nationally in Malawi and funded by EU, within the case study area were evaluated. This thesis has focused on land degradation and critically evaluates the new participatory or bottom up development paradigm in light of large-scale project interventions for land husbandry. A multidisciplinary approach, utilising a range of qualitative and quantitative methods provided a sound empirical basis for assessing the complexities of rural poverty and development interventions. This thesis identified a wide range of interlinked rural problems and opportunities. This clearly indicates that a single issue, such as soil conservation, cannot be separated from other aspects of sustainable rural livelihoods. This thesis therefore argues, on the basis of empirical evidence, as well as a critical review of the literature, that agricultural sustainability must encompass all aspects of rural livelihoods. The response of farmers to development interventions is highest for technologies that directly cater to their needs or which are based on local knowledge and technologies. This thesis highlights the need to identify and target appropriate interventions for individual households. Analysis of livelihood strategies also revealed a wide diversity of income sources within the case study area. The potential for increasing agricultural production is limited by landholding size and the potential for farmers to further diversify their income or food sources should be investigated in more detail. The evidence from the literature shows that participatory development processes have achieved successes in small-scale projects. This research concludes that it is also possible incorporate and change the type of participation in a pre-existing large-scale project. The analyses in this thesis suggests that unless interactive participation or self-mobilisation is achieved there is a strong possibility that introduced technologies will not be sustained and the community may not feel the long-term benefits of the project. The main obstacle to achieving interactive participation in a large-scale project is the empowerment of the beneficiaries. Finally, in light of the results of this research a number of recommendations are discussed which include a suggested focus on individual households or marginalized groups within a community, and a clear strategy for passing control of the project to the beneficiaries to ensure long term benefits after project withdrawal.

Thesis (M.C.P.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Urban Studies and Planning, 2001.<br>Includes bibliographical references (leaves 112-117).<br>Industrial ecology (IE) is an emerging paradigm for environmental control. IE offers a framework for altering industrial activities so that they more closely reflect a closed loop cycle, rather than a linear flow of extraction and disposal. Implementation of IE is occurring through the eco-industrial park (EIP) model. An EIP is a group of businesses that are implementing IE principles, through cooperation between one another and/or other organizations. This Thesis examines the current practice of implementing IE through the EIP model. The research methodology includes assessing the Kalundborg, Denmark EIP example, surveying North American EIPs, and studying a case of implementing an EIP in Londonderry, NH. Findings from the research indicate that there is currently a taxonomy of IE practices being implemented through the EIP model. The taxonomy includes practice in land stewardship, green building design, individual firm environmental practices, and byproduct exchange. Each of the four areas of practice have characteristics with implications for how implementation should occur through an EIP. EIP planners and developers should craft implementation strategies in accordance with their IE objectives. Additionally, the management entity of an EIP should have the capacity to implement all IE objects. Finally, a community education process on IE is necessary during the implementation of an EIP.<br>by Shanna E. Wasserman.<br>M.C.P.

Environmental conservation in many parts of Africa has for a long time been a centralized matter in which resource management was dominated by the application of the fortress conservation model which posits a sharp divide between people’s livelihoods and conservation. This highly centralised approach confined environmental decision making to bureaucratic circles and excluded local actors who live within or around conservation areas from participating in the resource governance process. In addition, environmental conservation was concentrated in areas designated as protected areas while human dominated landscapes were assumed to be of marginal ecological value. Over the past three decades, however, the rise of sustainable development as a new construct for environment and resource management has seen the emergence of new conservation strategies that challenge the dominance of the fortress conservation model. In Zambia, in contrast to the exclusionary discourse associated with fortress conservation, the embracing of policies derived from the sustainable development discourse has resulted in the adoption of new conservation strategies that emphasise local actors’ participation in resource management and extend conservation policy and practice to agricultural environments. In this regard, this thesis examines the changing nature of environmental conservation in Africa, using the case of Zambia. In particular, the research questions the way in which the new strategies are being contextualized and translated into practice at the local level. It examines the extent to which the new strategies represent the realities and interests of local actors who interact with environmental resources on a day-to-day basis. Drawing on political ecology and livelihoods’ perspectives, the research uses two local level studies from Chongwe district of Zambia to examine this shift in the direction of natural resource policy and practice. By combining insights from political ecology and livelihoods thinking, it links a critical review of conservation discourse and policy with field level studies and thus provides an enhanced understanding of processes of society-environment interactions. While the findings show a definitive shift in policy rhetoric from fortress conservation to sustainable development, the translation of sustainable development initiatives into practice is fraught with both conceptual and practical difficulties, such that the initiatives are far from representing the realities and interests of local actors.

Mining-induced resettlements, and local impacts from mining activities, are often associated with a variety of negative outcomes. At the same time, there is a notable growth of ethical guidelines for businesses and an increasing incorporation of international best practices within corporate operations. A resettlement of displaced villages within the Kalumbila area in Zambia was carried out by a multinational mining corporation, which reportedly invested heavily into the creation of an ethically sound resettlement procedure. Yet, a number of issues connected to this resettlement have been continuously reported after its implementation. This study has aimed to investigate two main themes relating to the  resettlement in Kalumbila. First, a comparative examination was done in order to explore differences and similarities in terms of social sustainability between two different resettlement communities in the area. Second, the current status of social sustainability was explored within the two resettlements by applying an analytical framework for strategic social sustainability. The methods consisted mainly of primary research through interviews in the studied area, but was also complemented with qualitative text analysis when suitable. The findings indicated both similarities and differences between the two resettlements in terms of social sustainability-related issues, which were identified through the application of universal social sustainability principles. Policy recommendations were also derived by conducting a backcasting procedure in the analysis of the findings. The study found that there is a presence of the mining company in almost every issue identified within this study. This presence has both positive and negative characteristics. It was concluded that future studies should keep this nuanced view in mind, as well as the complex interrelations in the studied system. As such, it was argued that policy implementors ought to investigate targeted issues with suitable analytical tools before taking any action in order to not create new problems elsewhere within the social system.

Thesis (M.B.A.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sloan School of Management, 2002.<br>Includes bibliographical references (leaves 146-149).<br>Firms in all industries must respond both to the changing dynamics of markets and to the expectations of stakeholders within those markets. Within the last two decades, nongovernmental organizations and other parts of the public have been increasingly active in shaping public expectations for firms to conduct their activities in ways that minimize undesired social and environmental impacts. These expectations for firms to balance their short terms goals of profitability with the long-term needs of the society and environment can be broadly referred to as corporate "Sustainable Development." The current day debate surrounding SD as applied to global corporations is complicated for many reasons, as this document explains. Large global oil and gas firms that are in the business of exploiting non-renewable yet strategic natural resources are by no means immune to these changing stakeholder expectations. These companies deal with the commodities that fuel both development and pollution. As a result, the debate surrounding SD affects their corporate strategy. Increasing global connectivity via the Internet has provided concerned citizens with the ability to apply pressure in a collective and immediate way. In the last decade, negative media has highlighted the impact these public pressures have had on oil and gas firms' image. It has also highlighted the potential scale to which these pressures can impact a company's future as a, profitable firm. We studied two oil and gas firms, Shell and BP. Both have re-positioned and re-branded themselves by taking proactive measures to meet and even exceed the expectations of their various stakeholders. By entering into dialogue with their constituencies, they have increased innovation toward sustainable practices, and in so doing, have boosted public trust. By analyzing live cases, we reveal their approaches in bringing the ambitious ideals of sustainable development into practice. Each case was successful due to its project-specific approach which catered to local needs. Additionally, each firm's history, organization and culture dictates its SD strategy - i.e, there is no universal approach. However, regardless of individual styles, "transparency" and "engagement with stakeholders" are vital ingredients to success in SD. But these must be learned through practice.<br>by Clare Ruth Mendelsohn & Anirundha Pangarkar.<br>M.B.A.