Not quite paradise: Inadequacies of environmental impact assessment in the Maldives

Zubair, Shahida; Bowen, David; Elwin, James

doi:10.1016/j.tourman.2009.12.007

Cited by 55 publications

(40 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…Therefore increased numbers of tourist arrivals can put pressure on limited resources such as water and land availability, beyond the carrying capacity threshold limits of islands, thereby jeopardizing sustainability (Holden, 2000;UNEP, 1999). Moreover, on small islands there is often a high degree of endemism and biodiversity but, conversely, relatively small species numbers, and consequently a high risk of extinction among flora and fauna (Zubair, Bowen & Elwin, 2011).…”

Section: Length Of Stay and The Environmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

An Application of the CHAID Algorithm to Study the Environmental Impact of Visitors to the Teide National Park in Tenerife, Spain

Díaz-Pérez

Bethencourt-Cejas²

2017

IBR

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The significant and complex relationship between visitor numbers to a national park and the environment calls for appropriate policies to be adopted. This paper analyzes the relationship from the perspective of visitors to the Teide National Park (TNP) in Tenerife, aiming to establish strategies to reduce visitors' environme ntal impacts. This is particularly important as the TNP, with over 3,000,000 visitors in 2015, is the most visited park in Spain and one of the most visited in Europe. An empirical study was conducted during 2016 resulting in 805 valid questionnaires. A CHAID algorithm was then applied to segment visitors according to criterion variables. Findings show the first segmenting variable is transport type, with the car being the most frequently used by visitors. Specifically, the visitor segment coming by car is also associated with the longest stays in the TNP. Regarding the practical and social implications, it is assumed the longer the stay, the greater the environmental impact. These results highlight the need for new transport strategies for the park with improved, less polluting vehicles.

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Section: Length Of Stay and The Environmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

An Application of the CHAID Algorithm to Study the Environmental Impact of Visitors to the Teide National Park in Tenerife, Spain

Díaz-Pérez

Bethencourt-Cejas²

2017

IBR

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“…This indicates that stakeholder engagement could be used as an assessment technique, even if combined with other techniques, throughout the full assessment and not only in specific SEA stages, such as after the issuing of a draft SEA report. Furthermore, evidence from this research point to an easier integration of participatory approaches in Azores, which has already inputs from different stakeholders, but less in Orkney C A N there should be government-level provisions for the development of these types of approaches, as argued by Bass and Dalal-Clayton (1995) and Zubair et al (2011) .…”

Section: Cross-case Integrated Analysis and Discussionmentioning

confidence: 82%

“…In particular, the international community understands the urgent need for sustainability-led approaches in the islands decision-making system (Bass and Dalal-Clayton, 1995;Deschenes and Chertow, 2004). Several authors still discuss how this can be done, since sustainability may be paradoxical in these territories and demand different approaches (Bass and Dalal-Clayton, 1995;Kerr, 2005;Zubair et al, 2011). As shown by Polido et al (2014), SEA has the potential to fill this gap since it links the three key arguments found to enhance sustainability in small islands: (a) change in decision-making paradigm, (b) good governance and community empowerment, and (c) resilience.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Strategic Environmental Assessment practices in European small islands: Insights from Azores and Orkney islands

Polido

João

Ramos

2016

Environmental Impact Assessment Review

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The literature concerning Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) often refers to the importance of context-specific approaches. However, there is a lack of systematised and consistent studies that enhance tailor-made SEA practices and procedures. Small islands are bounded units of study which may help explore SEA theory and practice in special territories. Small islands present particular features and unique values, such as, small size and population, geographic isolation, limited resources and vulnerable ecosystems. Hence, the main goal of this research was to profile SEA practices and procedures in European small islands and provide a background for future research aiming to improve context-specific SEA applications. To achieve this goal, an exploratory case study was developed using Azores (Portugal) and Orkney (Scotland) archipelagos. An analysis of the corresponding mainland was also carried out to contextualise both case studies. The data collection was achieved through a qualitative content analysis of 43 Environmental Reports. The research found that there is not an SEA context-specific approach used within these European small islands, including guidelines, assessment topics, assessment techniques, follow-up and stakeholders engagement. The debate concerning specific approaches to small islands must be re-focused on the enhancement of SEA capacity-building amongst different stakeholders (including decision-makers), on the development and implementation of collaborative approaches, and on the exchange of knowledge and experiences between small islands networks.

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“…Bass and Dalal-Clayton, 1995;Crossley and Sprague, 2014;Fernandes et al, 2015;Griffith and Oderson, 2011;Kelman et al, 2015;Kerr, 2005;Pelling and Uitto, 2001;Polido et al, 2014;van der Velde et al, 2007;Zubair et al, 2011. 2. Enhancement of small islands SEA This set of questions introduced issues considered as priority areas for small islands by international community.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Also, SEA facilitates cooperation and coordination between different stakeholders (Bina, 2007), providing a framework for good governance and community empowerment, as stressed for the development of small islands sustainability (Bunce, 2008;Herbert, 1998;Tran, 2006). However, it is yet unclear what sustainability means for these territories, due to its complexity and in some cases can even be paradoxical (Kerr, 2005;Zubair et al, 2011). Nonetheless, these territories may provide an opportunity to influence the debate on SEA and sustainability (Bass and Dalal-Clayton, 1995;Crossley and Sprague, 2014) as they have international community interest and attention, as highlighted by different initiatives for the case of Small Island Developing States (see UNCED, 1992;United Nations, 2014, 1994, and specifically in the case of European small islands (see CPMR, 1980;CPRM Islands Commision, 2015;ESIN, 2007).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploring experts' views and perspectives on the enhancement of Strategic Environmental Assessment in European small islands

Polido

João

Ramos

2016

Environmental Impact Assessment Review

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This version is available at https://strathprints.strath.ac.uk/55926/ Strathprints is designed to allow users to access the research output of the University of Strathclyde. Unless otherwise explicitly stated on the manuscript, Copyright © and Moral Rights for the papers on this site are retained by the individual authors and/or other copyright owners. Please check the manuscript for details of any other licences that may have been applied. You may not engage in further distribution of the material for any profitmaking activities or any commercial gain. You may freely distribute both the url (https://strathprints.strath.ac.uk/) and the content of this paper for research or private study, educational, or not-for-profit purposes without prior permission or charge. HighlightsExplored the views and perspectives of European small islands experts.Showed the need for cooperation networks while developing SEA in these territories.Encouraged the development of specific guidelines as opposed to more legal frameworks.Highlighted SEA capability for the enhancement of small island sustainability. HighlightsExplored the views and perspectives of European small islands experts.Showed the need for cooperation networks while developing SEA in these territories.Encouraged the development of specific guidelines as opposed to more legal frameworks.Highlighted SEA capability for the enhancement of small island sustainability. AbstractSmall islands have the attention of the international community because they are territories with unique features, and a pressing need for the enhancement of sustainability. Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) has characteristics that may promote the development and improvement of sustainability in these territories: (i) changing the mind-set, and the decision-making and institutional paradigm, (ii) facilitating cooperation and coordination between different stakeholders, and (iii) providing a framework for good governance and community empowerment. The scientific literature suggests that there may be a need for context-specific SEA in these territories. However, SEA studies often do not incorporate local contextual information, including intuitive knowledge and sense of place. Therefore, there is a possible gap between what is found in the literature and what local communities think, including different stakeholders and experts. Hence, the main goal of this research was to gain an insight into the views and perspectives of small islands SEA experts about issues related to SEA in European small islands, including context-specific approaches, as well as the contribution of SEA for sustainability in these territories. To achieve the research aim, exploratory research using a questionnaire-based survey was designed, aimed at experts on SEA in European small islands. Findings showed regional cooperation networks may have a fundamental role when developing SEA-specific approaches in these territories. This is because SEA-specific approaches encourage a joint effort among islands within one region to i...

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Not quite paradise: Inadequacies of environmental impact assessment in the Maldives

Cited by 55 publications

References 9 publications

An Application of the CHAID Algorithm to Study the Environmental Impact of Visitors to the Teide National Park in Tenerife, Spain

An Application of the CHAID Algorithm to Study the Environmental Impact of Visitors to the Teide National Park in Tenerife, Spain

Strategic Environmental Assessment practices in European small islands: Insights from Azores and Orkney islands

Exploring experts' views and perspectives on the enhancement of Strategic Environmental Assessment in European small islands

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