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Climate change and urbanization have been identified as major challenges that will have an increasingly significant impact on the well-being of children in coming decades, particularly on the poorest and most vulnerable children (UNICEF 2016). This is nowhere more so than in Uganda, which is already frequently affected by droughts and where the rate of urbanization is high. Uganda has made great strides in reducing poverty in recent decades. However, child poverty remains high with more than 50 per cent of children aged under five living in poverty. Children represent more than half of the population and, as such, the country’s vision of becoming a middle-income country by 2040 remains highly contingent on government’s ability to safeguard the rights of its children.

La réalisation des objectifs de développement durable (ODD) nécessite d'équilibrer les demandes en terres entre l'agriculture (ODD 2) et la biodiversité (ODD 15).La production d'huiles végétales, et en particulier d'huile de palme, illustre ces demandes concurrentes et ces compromis.L' huile de palme représente ~40 % de la demande annuelle mondiale actuelle d'huile végétale pour l'alimentation humaine, animale et pour le carburant (210 millions de tonnes (Mt)), mais le palmier à huile planté couvre moins de 5 à 5,5 % de la superficie totale des cultures oléagineuses mondiales (environ 425 Mha), en raison des rendements relativement élevés du palmier à huile.L' expansion récente du palmier à huile dans les régions boisées de Bornéo, de Sumatra et de la péninsule malaise, où plus de 90 % de l'huile de palme mondiale est produite, a suscité de vives inquiétudes quant au rôle du palmier à huile dans la déforestation.La contribution directe de l'expansion du palmier à huile à la déforestation tropicale régionale varie considérablement, allant de 3 % en Afrique de l'Ouest à 47 % en Malaisie.Le palmier à huile est également impliqué dans le drainage et la combustion des tourbières en Asie du Sud-Est.Les impacts environnementaux négatifs documentés d'une telle expansion comprennent le déclin de la biodiversité, les émissions de gaz à effet de serre et la pollution atmosphérique.Toutefois, le palmier à huile produit généralement plus l'huile par superficie par rapport aux autres cultures oléagineuses, est souvent économiquement viable sur des sites inadaptés à la plupart des autres cultures, et génère une richesse considérable pour au moins certains acteurs. La demande mondiale d'huiles végétales devrait augmenter de 46 % d'ici 2050. Répondre à cette demande par une expansion supplémentaire du palmier à huile par rapport à d'autres cultures d'huile végétale entraînera des effets différentiels substantiels sur la biodiversité, la sécurité alimentaire, le changement climatique, la dégradation des terres et les moyens de subsistance. Notre examen souligne que, bien que des lacunes importantes subsistent dans notre compréhension de la relation entre les impacts environnementaux, socioculturels et économiques du palmier à huile, et la portée, la rigueur et l'efficacité des initiatives visant à y remédier, il y a eu peu de recherches sur les impacts et les compromis des autres cultures d'huile végétale. Une plus grande attention de la recherche doit être accordée à l'étude des impacts de la production d'huile de palme par rapport aux alternatives pour les compromis à évaluer à l'échelle mondiale. El cumplimiento de los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible (ODS) requiere equilibrar las demandas de tierras entre la agricultura (ODS 2) y la biodiversidad (ODS 15). La producción de aceites vegetales, y en particular el aceite de palma, ilustra estas demandas y compensaciones competitivas. El aceite de palma representa aproximadamente el 40% de la demanda anual mundial actual de aceite vegetal como alimento, pienso y combustible (210 millones de toneladas (Mt)), pero la palma aceitera plantada cubre menos del 5-5,5% del área total de cultivos oleaginosos mundiales (aprox. 425 Mha). debido a los rendimientos relativamente altos de la palma aceitera. La reciente expansión de la palma aceitera en las regiones boscosas de Borneo, Sumatra y la Península Malaya, donde se produce más del 90% del aceite de palma mundial, ha generado una preocupación sustancial sobre el papel de la palma aceitera en la deforestación. La contribución directa de la expansión de la palma aceitera a la deforestación tropical regional varía ampliamente, desde el 3% en África occidental hasta el 47% en Malasia. La palma aceitera también está implicada en el drenaje y la quema de turberas en el sudeste asiático. Los impactos ambientales negativos documentados de dicha expansión incluyen la disminución de la biodiversidad, las emisiones de gases de efecto invernadero y la contaminación del aire. Sin embargo, la palma aceitera generalmente produce más. aceite por área que otros cultivos oleaginosos, a menudo es económicamente viable en sitios inadecuados para la mayoría de los otros cultivos y genera una riqueza considerable para al menos algunos actores. Se proyecta que la demanda mundial de aceites vegetales aumentará en un 46% para 2050. Satisfacer esta demanda a través de una expansión adicional de la palma aceitera frente a otros cultivos de aceite vegetal conducirá a efectos diferenciales sustanciales en la biodiversidad, la seguridad alimentaria, el cambio climático, la degradación de la tierra y los medios de vida. Nuestra revisión destaca que, aunque quedan brechas sustanciales en nuestra comprensión de la relación entre los impactos ambientales, socioculturales y económicos de la palma aceitera, y el alcance, la rigurosidad y la efectividad de las iniciativas para abordarlos, ha habido poca investigación sobre los impactos y las compensaciones de otros cultivos de aceite vegetal. Se debe prestar mayor atención a la investigación para investigar los impactos de la producción de aceite de palma en comparación con las alternativas para las compensaciones que se evaluarán a escala mundial. Delivering the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) requires balancing demands on land between agriculture (SDG 2) and biodiversity (SDG 15).The production of vegetable oils, and in particular palm oil, illustrates these competing demands and trade-offs.Palm oil accounts for ~40% of the current global annual demand for vegetable oil as food, animal feed, and fuel (210 million tons (Mt)), but planted oil palm covers less than 5-5.5% of the total global oil crop area (ca.425 Mha), due to oil palm's relatively high yields.Recent oil palm expansion in forested regions of Borneo, Sumatra, and the Malay Peninsula, where >90% of global palm oil is produced, has led to substantial concern around oil palm's role in deforestation.Oil palm expansion's direct contribution to regional tropical deforestation varies widely, ranging from 3% in West Africa to 47% in Malaysia.Oil palm is also implicated in peatland draining and burning in Southeast Asia.Documented negative environmental impacts from such expansion include biodiversity declines, greenhouse gas emissions, and air pollution.However, oil palm generally produces more oil per area than other oil crops, is often economically viable in sites unsuitable for most other crops, and generates considerable wealth for at least some actors.Global demand for vegetable oils is projected to increase by 46% by 2050.Meeting this demand through additional expansion of oil palm versus other vegetable oil crops will lead to substantial differential effects on biodiversity, food security, climate change, land degradation, and livelihoods.Our review highlights that, although substantial gaps remain in our understanding of the relationship between the environmental, socio-cultural and economic impacts of oil palm, and the scope, stringency and effectiveness of initiatives to address these, there has been little research into the impacts and trade-offs of other vegetable oil crops.Greater research attention needs to be given to investigating the impacts of palm oil production compared to alternatives for the trade-offs to be assessed at a global scale. يتطلب تحقيق أهداف التنمية المستدامة (SDGs) موازنة الطلب على الأراضي بين الزراعة (SDG 2) والتنوع البيولوجي (SDG 15). يوضح إنتاج الزيوت النباتية، ولا سيما زيت النخيل، هذه المطالب والمقايضات المتنافسة. يمثل زيت النخيل حوالي40 ٪ من الطلب السنوي العالمي الحالي على الزيوت النباتية كغذاء وعلف حيواني ووقود (210 مليون طن متري)، لكن نخيل الزيت المزروع يغطي أقل من 5-5.5 ٪ من إجمالي مساحة محصول النفط العالمي (حوالي 425 مليون هكتار)، بسبب غلة نخيل الزيت المرتفعة نسبيًا. أدى التوسع الأخير في نخيل الزيت في مناطق الغابات في بورنيو وسومطرة وشبه جزيرة الملايو، حيث يتم إنتاج أكثر من 90 ٪ من زيت النخيل العالمي، إلى قلق كبير حول دور نخيل الزيت في إزالة الغابات. تختلف المساهمة المباشرة لتوسع نخيل الزيت في إزالة الغابات الاستوائية الإقليمية اختلافًا كبيرًا، حيث تتراوح من 3 ٪ في غرب إفريقيا إلى 47 ٪ في ماليزيا. كما يتورط نخيل الزيت في تصريف الأراضي الخثية وحرقها في جنوب شرق آسيا. وتشمل الآثار البيئية السلبية الموثقة من هذا التوسع انخفاض التنوع البيولوجي وانبعاثات غازات الدفيئة وتلوث الهواء. ومع ذلك، ينتج نخيل الزيت عمومًا المزيد من المتوقع أن يزداد الطلب العالمي على الزيوت النباتية بنسبة 46 ٪ بحلول عام 2050. وستؤدي تلبية هذا الطلب من خلال التوسع الإضافي في محاصيل نخيل الزيت مقابل محاصيل الزيوت النباتية الأخرى إلى آثار تفاضلية كبيرة على التنوع البيولوجي والأمن الغذائي وتغير المناخ وتدهور الأراضي وسبل العيش. وتسلط مراجعتنا الضوء على أنه على الرغم من استمرار وجود فجوات كبيرة في فهمنا للعلاقة بين الآثار البيئية والاجتماعية والثقافية والاقتصادية لنخيل الزيت، ونطاق وصرامة وفعالية المبادرات الرامية إلى معالجتها، إلا أنه لم يتم إجراء سوى القليل من الأبحاث حول تأثيرات ومقايضات محاصيل الزيوت النباتية الأخرى. ويلزم إيلاء اهتمام بحثي أكبر للتحقيق في آثار إنتاج زيت النخيل مقارنة ببدائل المقايضات التي سيتم تقييمها على نطاق عالمي.

Circular economy (CE) is a sustainable substitute for the current linear model of economy, and its adoption within the Omani built environment is increasing due to resource depletion and increased waste generation. The construction industry in Oman is one of the first among countries in the Arab states to pursue sustainable development. However, understanding the implementation challenges associated with CE is important to this region, as it attempts to diversify its economies beyond oil and gas, which is vital to the success of the country. The main challenges identified within the literature in relation to CE include a lack of knowledge of the concept, unclear financial implications, misaligned regulations and a lack of transparent technical data. The aim of this study was to explore such challenges within the context of Oman, and an exploratory study consisting of ten interviews and 80 survey responses was undertaken. Factor analysis results revealed that the critical challenges of CE ultimately begin with government barriers such as the absence of a clear vision and legislation supporting CE. This was followed by a lack of government funding for research, innovation and investment, as well as technical barriers such as a lack of qualified professionals in the field.

This paper examines the success of small-scale farming livelihoods in adapting to climate variability and change. We represent adaptation actions as choices within a response space that includes coping but also longer-term adaptation actions, and define success as those actions which promote system resilience, promote legitimate institutional change, and hence generate and sustain collective action. We explore data on social responses from four regions across South Africa and Mozambique facing a variety of climate risks. The analysis suggests that some collective adaptation actions enhance livelihood resilience to climate change and variability but others have negative spillover effects to other scales. Any assessment of successful adaptation is, however, constrained by the scale of analysis in terms of the temporal and spatial boundaries on the system being investigated. In addition, the diversity of mechanisms by which rural communities in southern Africa adapt to risks suggests that external interventions to assist adaptation will need to be sensitive to the location-specific nature of adaptation.

Fossil fuel (FF) combustion emissions account for a large, but uncertain, amount of the soot in the atmosphere, play an important role in climate change, and adversely affect human health. However, historical estimates of FF contributions to air pollution are limited by uncertainties in fuel usage and emission factors. Here, we constrained FF soot emissions from southeastern China over the past 110 years, based on a novel radiocarbon method applied to sedimentary soot. The reconstructed soot accumulations reflect the integrated effects of increased FF use caused by economic development and reductions in emissions due to pollution controls. A sharp increase in FF soot started in 1950 as southeastern China industrialized and developed economically, but decreased FF soot fluxes in recent years suggest that pollution controls reduced soot emissions. We compare FF soot history to changes in CO2 emissions, industrial and economic activities, and pollution controls and show that FF soot fluxes are more readily controlled than atmospheric CO2. Our independent FF soot record provides insights into the effects of economic development and controls on air pollution and the environmental impacts from the changes in soot emissions.

The identification of the forces that drive stock returns and the dynamics of their associated volatilities is a major concern in empirical economics and finance. This analysis is particularly relevant for determining optimal hedging strategies based on whether shocks to the volatilities of returns of oil companies stock prices, relevant stock market indexes and oil spot and futures prices are high or low, and positively or negatively correlated. This paper investigates the correlations of volatilities in the stock price returns and their determinants for the most important integrated oil companies, namely Bp (BP), Chevron-Texaco (CVX), Eni (ENI), Exxon-Mobil (XOM), Royal Dutch (RD) and Total-Fina Elf (TFE). We measure the actual co-risk in stock returns and their determinants "within" and "between" the different oil companies, using multivariate cointegration techniques in modelling the conditional mean, as well as multivariate GARCH models for the conditional variances. We focus first on the determinants of the market value of each company using the cointegrated VAR/VECM methodology. Then we specifiy the conditional variances of VECM residuals with the Constant Conditional Correlation (CCC) multivariate GARCH model of Bollerslev (1990) and the Dynamic Conditional Correlation (DCC) multivariate GARCH model of Engle (2002). The "within" and "between" DCC indicate low to high/extreme interdependence between the volatilities of companies' stock returns and the relevant stock market indexes or Brent oil prices.

Abstract This paper has two key objectives. Firstly, using the findings from case study research undertaken in Colombo (Sri Lanka), Faisalabad (Pakistan) and Dar es Salaam (Tanzania), the paper seeks to demonstrate the importance of an appropriate regulatory framework and effective mechanisms of enforcement for sustainable urban transport systems in developing countries. Secondly, the paper highlights the critical importance of communication and co-ordination between stakeholders (defined here as transport users, providers and regulators) if regulation is to be effective. The views of poor and disadvantaged passenger groups—women, children, the elderly and disabled—are used in the paper to illustrate the importance of transport systems to their livelihoods, such as work, education, health and social pursuits. The case studies suggest that in the context of the failure of both the fully regulated public transport sector and the completely deregulated sector self regulation is a potentially useful alternative. In practice, self regulation has been achieved in the case study locations through the formation of cooperatives or associations of stakeholders such as users and operators. In the conclusion, the paper makes two key points. Firstly, that regulation must be open, honest and effective, but not so detailed or ‘heavy’ that it incites the potential for corrupt practices. Secondly, communication and co-ordination between stakeholders is critical if any form of regulation is to be effective—owners', employees' and passengers' associations have a vital role in this regard, as do Transport Forums consisting of all stakeholders. The participation of stakeholders and real and effective consultation are more important in the case of self regulation of public transport service provision than in other regulatory regimes.