What does UN environment’s GEO-6 mean for INEA?

International Environmental Agreements: Politics, Law and Economics -     

Double Hanging with Single Ligature: An Unusual Method in Suicide Pact

A married casual labor couple was found hanging in their makeshift bedroom with each end of a single chunni (a cloth worn around the neck by Indian women) spread across an iron bar below the roof. They left their two children, daughter, and son of 4 and 3 yrs age, respectively, with their grandmother living separately nearby, and went to attend cremation of one of their relatives. They returned late in the evening and found hanging in their bedroom next morning by neighbors.     

South Africa’s inflation persistence: a quantile regression framework

We study inflation persistence in South Africa using a quantile regression approach (We would like to thank two anonymous referees for many helpful comments. However, any remaining errors are solely ours). We control for structural breaks using a quantile structural break test on a long span of inflation data. Our study includes persistence estimates for headline and core inflation—thus controlling for possible biases emanating from extremely volatile periods. South Africa’s inflation persistence is lowest during the inflation targeting period regardless of the inflation measure. Inflation persistence is also constant over all quantiles during the inflation targeting regime for core inflation. There is a difference between the estimates from headline and core—headline persistence increases in relation to higher quantiles. Thus energy and food price shocks might de-stabilise inflation altogether.     

The Sustainable Development Goals and REDD+: assessing institutional interactions and the pursuit of synergies

This paper analyzes potential synergies between two recent sustainable development initiatives, namely the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD+), a climate mitigation mechanism negotiated under the auspices of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. The paper elaborates a conceptual framework based on institutional interactions and distinguishes core, complementary, and supplementary synergies that may be realized between the SDGs and REDD+. Potential synergies are analyzed at the global level, as well as within two national-level contexts: Indonesia, with its long-standing REDD+ programme, and Myanmar, which is in the early stages of implementing REDD+. Both are now also engaging nationally with the SDG implementation process. Our research draws on literature review and document analysis, direct observations of global policy processes relating to REDD+ and SDGs, as well as extensive engagement (of one author) at national level in Indonesia and Myanmar. Our analysis reveals that there are currently significant opportunities to pursue synergies in the implementation of these international initiatives at the national level, although pro-active interaction management is necessary, especially to achieve complementary synergies.     

Mitigating CH4 and N2O Emissions from the Rice Crop System in IGP Region in India

Abstract

Rice cropping system as an agriculture practices is considered as one of the major emission source of methane (CH₄) and nitrous Oxide (N₂O). In agriculture, man-made activities contribute CH₄ (77%) and N₂O (60%).This article reports on emission measurements from the Indo Gangetic plains (IGP) of India from four different treatment methods. Implementation of biogas spent slurry (BSS) method was most effective in reducing GHGs emissions. The findings should help in regulating and implementing management strategies regarding the reduction of GHGs from the agricultural fields and avoid environmental losses and claims.     

Extent of Groundwater Contamination Due to Leachate Migration Adjacent to Unlined Landfill Site of Delhi

The leachate and groundwater samples were collected from the 2 km radius of Ghazipur landfill site. The high levels of EC, TDS, Chloride, Nitrate, Sodium, Potassium, BOD, and COD were observed in the leachate and groundwater samples. In leachate, metal concentrations were found in the order as – Fe > Zn > Cu > Pb > Ni > Cr > Cd. In groundwater, Zn, Ni, and Cu ranged as 0–0.386 mg/l, 0–0.013 mg/l, and 0–0.027 mg/l, respectively whereas Cd, Cr, and Pb were found in trace amount. The study clearly indicates that the percolation of leachate from the landfill site results in the contamination of groundwater of the surrounding area.     

Does Conditionality Mitigate the Potential Negative Effect of Aid on Revenues?

Abstract

This paper assesses whether conditionality in IMF-supported programmes has helped offset the potential negative effect of foreign aid on tax revenues. The analysis – carried out on panel data covering 1993-2012 for 111 low- and middle-income countries – shows that growing use of revenue conditionality by low-income countries partially offsets the depressing effect of foreign grants on tax revenue, particularly on taxes on goods and services. The impact of conditionality is strong in countries where aid dependence is high and where institutions are strong, suggesting that revenue conditionality cannot substitute for weak institutions in mitigating any negative effect of aid on tax revenue collection.