This discussion paper presents a scan of the current status of water, sanitation and hygiene serv... more This discussion paper presents a scan of the current status of water, sanitation and hygiene services and challenges in remote Australian Indigenous communities. It was conducted to make explicit the challenges requiring attention and to propose questions to stimulate discussion as to how various stakeholders can respond to these challenges. It was guided by examples of initiatives that have improved WASH services and behaviours.
Countries have much work to do to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. But devel... more Countries have much work to do to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. But development projects don’t always go the way you expect. A resettlement project in Laos recently provided taps and toilets as a way to improve hygiene and health outcomes for communities. But on revisiting the resettled village, the project team was dismayed to find that the new brick toilet facilities were instead being used to store rice.
ABSTRACT Social licence to operate (SLO) is the ongoing acceptance or approval for a development ... more ABSTRACT Social licence to operate (SLO) is the ongoing acceptance or approval for a development that is granted by the local community and other stakeholders. From the current media and political attention on Australian wind farms, it appears that many specific wind farms, or indeed the industry as a whole, may not hold an SLO with affected stakeholders. This research was undertaken to examine whether the SLO might be a useful framework to enhance engagement and increase societal understanding of wind farms. Twenty-seven interviews across nine wind farms were conducted with stakeholders representing wind companies, local government authorities, local opposition, local support and turbine hosts. The interviews revealed a complexity of concerns that informed the stakeholders’ perspectives, including “game-changing” issues that may stand to significantly increase wind farm acceptance. The results are presented with practical steps towards the development of a preliminary working model of an SLO for Australian wind farms that addresses identified concerns. The emerging concept of SLO appears to provide a useful framework for wind farm developers to incorporate an improved model of consultation that engages local communities in ways that could enhance transparency and local support, and complement formal regulatory processes.
ABSTRACT Social licence to operate (SLO) is the ongoing acceptance or approval for a development ... more ABSTRACT Social licence to operate (SLO) is the ongoing acceptance or approval for a development that is granted by the local community and other stakeholders. From the current media and political attention on Australian wind farms, it appears that many specific wind farms, or indeed the industry as a whole, may not hold an SLO with affected stakeholders. This research was undertaken to examine whether the SLO might be a useful framework to enhance engagement and increase societal understanding of wind farms. Twenty-seven interviews across nine wind farms were conducted with stakeholders representing wind companies, local government authorities, local opposition, local support and turbine hosts. The interviews revealed a complexity of concerns that informed the stakeholders’ perspectives, including “game-changing” issues that may stand to significantly increase wind farm acceptance. The results are presented with practical steps towards the development of a preliminary working model of an SLO for Australian wind farms that addresses identified concerns. The emerging concept of SLO appears to provide a useful framework for wind farm developers to incorporate an improved model of consultation that engages local communities in ways that could enhance transparency and local support, and complement formal regulatory processes.
Informit is an online service offering a wide range of database and full content publication prod... more Informit is an online service offering a wide range of database and full content publication products that deliver the vast majority of Australasian scholarly research to the education, research and business sectors. Informit is the brand that encompasses RMIT Publishing's online products ...
... Page 3. Action research 8(1) 72 introduction This article documents a Participatory Action ... more ... Page 3. Action research 8(1) 72 introduction This article documents a Participatory Action Research (PAR) project on climate change that I (Nina Hall) initiated with my local citizen-led 'grassroots' group in Sydney, Australia. ...
[Abstract]: To date, the Australian Government admits climate change is a concern that needs to b... more [Abstract]: To date, the Australian Government admits climate change is a concern that needs to be addressed, but has yet to implement policy domestically and internationally that non-government organisations (NGOs) consider to be adequate. Through in-depth interviews, the ...
Non-government organisations (NGOs) make up an important component of social movements. Environme... more Non-government organisations (NGOs) make up an important component of social movements. Environmental issues are currently a dominant theme for NGOs in Australia, where environmental NGOs play an important role in raising the need for policy action on climate change. Climate policy in Australia is considered to be inadequate by many NGOs, and this suggests they have not fulfilled their aim of influencing effective policy action on climate change.
Australasian Journal of Environmental Management, 2015
This case study explored the intentions of farmers to intensify their farming in Australia's high... more This case study explored the intentions of farmers to intensify their farming in Australia's high rainfall zone (HRZ). The zone spans across eastern Australia and small portions of South Australia and south-western Western Australia. The zone supports both high farming productivity and significant biodiversity, and has the potential for future intensification. The research aim was to identify past and future planned changes to farming intensification, the motivations for such changes and the existing approaches for conserving biodiversity. Seventeen farmers were interviewed from across the zone's three regions. These interviews afforded in-depth exploration of intensification from a perspective that was scarce in the literature. The interviews indicated that the majority of farmers had increased cropping over the last five years, whereas both cropping and the grazing of sheep were likely to increase over the next five years. Farmers reflected a strong commitment to biodiversity conservation initiatives, although the ability to carry out these initiatives was reported to be contingent on resources that were constrained during land use change and intensification. Given that such change brings both biodiversity conservation opportunities and threats, these findings can inform agricultural extension and policy that is concerned with the intensification of farming in the HRZ.
ABSTRACT The emergence of the ‘social licence to operate’ concept reflects increasing awareness b... more ABSTRACT The emergence of the ‘social licence to operate’ concept reflects increasing awareness by industries of the need to negotiate with communities and other stakeholders regarding the costs and benefits associated with industrial development. It has been assumed that all industries understand and apply the social licence to operate concept in a similar way, as previous research has tended to adopt a single-industry focus. This article is one of the first known cross-industry examinations of social licence to operate, comparing the use of this concept in four Australian energy industry contexts: mining, wind, carbon dioxide capture and storage, and geothermal. Semi-structured interviews with industry representatives were conducted to provide a comparison of views on the understanding and application of social licence to operate in these industries. The findings identified shared expectations of increasing stakeholder engagement in energy project development, and a view that a social licence to operate could guide this engagement. Yet the duration of use, the maturity of the industry, and the ways in which the industries related to the concept influenced the understanding and application of this concept. This research provides evidence of how the meaning and application of social licence to operate does vary between industries. Further exploration of community and government perspectives on social licence to operate is recommended in order to broaden the findings of this research. Such research will provide an emerging platform for encouraging discerning use of the concept by industries, and also practitioners who may be engaged across multiple industries.
VOLUNTAS: International Journal of Voluntary and Nonprofit Organizations, 2007
This paper compares climate change campaigns conducted by environmental nongovernment organizatio... more This paper compares climate change campaigns conducted by environmental nongovernment organizations (NGOs) in the United Kingdom (UK) and Australia. The NGOs represent a diversity of political access, financial resources, and international connections. Three campaign activities common to both countries undertaken between 2004 and 2006 are analyzed for their effectiveness via interviews and document review. This examination is embedded within an analysis of the political, economic, policy, and social contexts of each country. It is shown that in the UK climate change has been used as a pivotal leadership issue, that the fossil fuel industry's influence is not predominant, and that NGOs enjoy political legitimacy. Whereas, in Australia climate change has only recently emerged as a political priority, the fossil fuel industry has had significant political and financial influence, and NGO advocacy has been marginalized. It is argued that NGOs are embedded in the political and policy contexts of their country, and the greatest campaign traction and NGO influence can only be achieved when these contexts provide favorable conditions.
VOLUNTAS: International Journal of Voluntary and Nonprofit Organizations, 2010
Over the past 20 years, the US Federal Government has been considered to be intransigent in its r... more Over the past 20 years, the US Federal Government has been considered to be intransigent in its response to climate change by many commentators and notfor-profit environmental advocacy organizations (nonprofits). An enduring source of pressure on the US Government has been nonprofit campaigns operating at both a state and federal level. Six US environmental nonprofits representing a diversity of resources and prominence were selected for an in-depth examination of their climate-focused campaigns. Given the resistance at the federal level, these nonprofits have undertaken state-focused campaigns to achieve adequate climate policy development. This research examined some climate campaigns in California by the selected nonprofits that have supported, enhanced, and influenced the Californian Government's efforts to address climate change. The campaigns have gained leverage from existing state competition for economic advancement and political leadership on issues of public concern. In addition, they appear to have benefited from a high level of environmental awareness in the community, a history of progressive environmental legislation, Governor Schwarzenegger's use of climate change to differentiate his political leadership, and strong public trust of nonprofits. Recent climate-related political pledges and legislative changes at a federal level are convergent with the nonprofit-influenced, state-level developments.
This discussion paper presents a scan of the current status of water, sanitation and hygiene serv... more This discussion paper presents a scan of the current status of water, sanitation and hygiene services and challenges in remote Australian Indigenous communities. It was conducted to make explicit the challenges requiring attention and to propose questions to stimulate discussion as to how various stakeholders can respond to these challenges. It was guided by examples of initiatives that have improved WASH services and behaviours.
Countries have much work to do to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. But devel... more Countries have much work to do to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. But development projects don’t always go the way you expect. A resettlement project in Laos recently provided taps and toilets as a way to improve hygiene and health outcomes for communities. But on revisiting the resettled village, the project team was dismayed to find that the new brick toilet facilities were instead being used to store rice.
ABSTRACT Social licence to operate (SLO) is the ongoing acceptance or approval for a development ... more ABSTRACT Social licence to operate (SLO) is the ongoing acceptance or approval for a development that is granted by the local community and other stakeholders. From the current media and political attention on Australian wind farms, it appears that many specific wind farms, or indeed the industry as a whole, may not hold an SLO with affected stakeholders. This research was undertaken to examine whether the SLO might be a useful framework to enhance engagement and increase societal understanding of wind farms. Twenty-seven interviews across nine wind farms were conducted with stakeholders representing wind companies, local government authorities, local opposition, local support and turbine hosts. The interviews revealed a complexity of concerns that informed the stakeholders’ perspectives, including “game-changing” issues that may stand to significantly increase wind farm acceptance. The results are presented with practical steps towards the development of a preliminary working model of an SLO for Australian wind farms that addresses identified concerns. The emerging concept of SLO appears to provide a useful framework for wind farm developers to incorporate an improved model of consultation that engages local communities in ways that could enhance transparency and local support, and complement formal regulatory processes.
ABSTRACT Social licence to operate (SLO) is the ongoing acceptance or approval for a development ... more ABSTRACT Social licence to operate (SLO) is the ongoing acceptance or approval for a development that is granted by the local community and other stakeholders. From the current media and political attention on Australian wind farms, it appears that many specific wind farms, or indeed the industry as a whole, may not hold an SLO with affected stakeholders. This research was undertaken to examine whether the SLO might be a useful framework to enhance engagement and increase societal understanding of wind farms. Twenty-seven interviews across nine wind farms were conducted with stakeholders representing wind companies, local government authorities, local opposition, local support and turbine hosts. The interviews revealed a complexity of concerns that informed the stakeholders’ perspectives, including “game-changing” issues that may stand to significantly increase wind farm acceptance. The results are presented with practical steps towards the development of a preliminary working model of an SLO for Australian wind farms that addresses identified concerns. The emerging concept of SLO appears to provide a useful framework for wind farm developers to incorporate an improved model of consultation that engages local communities in ways that could enhance transparency and local support, and complement formal regulatory processes.
Informit is an online service offering a wide range of database and full content publication prod... more Informit is an online service offering a wide range of database and full content publication products that deliver the vast majority of Australasian scholarly research to the education, research and business sectors. Informit is the brand that encompasses RMIT Publishing's online products ...
... Page 3. Action research 8(1) 72 introduction This article documents a Participatory Action ... more ... Page 3. Action research 8(1) 72 introduction This article documents a Participatory Action Research (PAR) project on climate change that I (Nina Hall) initiated with my local citizen-led 'grassroots' group in Sydney, Australia. ...
[Abstract]: To date, the Australian Government admits climate change is a concern that needs to b... more [Abstract]: To date, the Australian Government admits climate change is a concern that needs to be addressed, but has yet to implement policy domestically and internationally that non-government organisations (NGOs) consider to be adequate. Through in-depth interviews, the ...
Non-government organisations (NGOs) make up an important component of social movements. Environme... more Non-government organisations (NGOs) make up an important component of social movements. Environmental issues are currently a dominant theme for NGOs in Australia, where environmental NGOs play an important role in raising the need for policy action on climate change. Climate policy in Australia is considered to be inadequate by many NGOs, and this suggests they have not fulfilled their aim of influencing effective policy action on climate change.
Australasian Journal of Environmental Management, 2015
This case study explored the intentions of farmers to intensify their farming in Australia's high... more This case study explored the intentions of farmers to intensify their farming in Australia's high rainfall zone (HRZ). The zone spans across eastern Australia and small portions of South Australia and south-western Western Australia. The zone supports both high farming productivity and significant biodiversity, and has the potential for future intensification. The research aim was to identify past and future planned changes to farming intensification, the motivations for such changes and the existing approaches for conserving biodiversity. Seventeen farmers were interviewed from across the zone's three regions. These interviews afforded in-depth exploration of intensification from a perspective that was scarce in the literature. The interviews indicated that the majority of farmers had increased cropping over the last five years, whereas both cropping and the grazing of sheep were likely to increase over the next five years. Farmers reflected a strong commitment to biodiversity conservation initiatives, although the ability to carry out these initiatives was reported to be contingent on resources that were constrained during land use change and intensification. Given that such change brings both biodiversity conservation opportunities and threats, these findings can inform agricultural extension and policy that is concerned with the intensification of farming in the HRZ.
ABSTRACT The emergence of the ‘social licence to operate’ concept reflects increasing awareness b... more ABSTRACT The emergence of the ‘social licence to operate’ concept reflects increasing awareness by industries of the need to negotiate with communities and other stakeholders regarding the costs and benefits associated with industrial development. It has been assumed that all industries understand and apply the social licence to operate concept in a similar way, as previous research has tended to adopt a single-industry focus. This article is one of the first known cross-industry examinations of social licence to operate, comparing the use of this concept in four Australian energy industry contexts: mining, wind, carbon dioxide capture and storage, and geothermal. Semi-structured interviews with industry representatives were conducted to provide a comparison of views on the understanding and application of social licence to operate in these industries. The findings identified shared expectations of increasing stakeholder engagement in energy project development, and a view that a social licence to operate could guide this engagement. Yet the duration of use, the maturity of the industry, and the ways in which the industries related to the concept influenced the understanding and application of this concept. This research provides evidence of how the meaning and application of social licence to operate does vary between industries. Further exploration of community and government perspectives on social licence to operate is recommended in order to broaden the findings of this research. Such research will provide an emerging platform for encouraging discerning use of the concept by industries, and also practitioners who may be engaged across multiple industries.
VOLUNTAS: International Journal of Voluntary and Nonprofit Organizations, 2007
This paper compares climate change campaigns conducted by environmental nongovernment organizatio... more This paper compares climate change campaigns conducted by environmental nongovernment organizations (NGOs) in the United Kingdom (UK) and Australia. The NGOs represent a diversity of political access, financial resources, and international connections. Three campaign activities common to both countries undertaken between 2004 and 2006 are analyzed for their effectiveness via interviews and document review. This examination is embedded within an analysis of the political, economic, policy, and social contexts of each country. It is shown that in the UK climate change has been used as a pivotal leadership issue, that the fossil fuel industry's influence is not predominant, and that NGOs enjoy political legitimacy. Whereas, in Australia climate change has only recently emerged as a political priority, the fossil fuel industry has had significant political and financial influence, and NGO advocacy has been marginalized. It is argued that NGOs are embedded in the political and policy contexts of their country, and the greatest campaign traction and NGO influence can only be achieved when these contexts provide favorable conditions.
VOLUNTAS: International Journal of Voluntary and Nonprofit Organizations, 2010
Over the past 20 years, the US Federal Government has been considered to be intransigent in its r... more Over the past 20 years, the US Federal Government has been considered to be intransigent in its response to climate change by many commentators and notfor-profit environmental advocacy organizations (nonprofits). An enduring source of pressure on the US Government has been nonprofit campaigns operating at both a state and federal level. Six US environmental nonprofits representing a diversity of resources and prominence were selected for an in-depth examination of their climate-focused campaigns. Given the resistance at the federal level, these nonprofits have undertaken state-focused campaigns to achieve adequate climate policy development. This research examined some climate campaigns in California by the selected nonprofits that have supported, enhanced, and influenced the Californian Government's efforts to address climate change. The campaigns have gained leverage from existing state competition for economic advancement and political leadership on issues of public concern. In addition, they appear to have benefited from a high level of environmental awareness in the community, a history of progressive environmental legislation, Governor Schwarzenegger's use of climate change to differentiate his political leadership, and strong public trust of nonprofits. Recent climate-related political pledges and legislative changes at a federal level are convergent with the nonprofit-influenced, state-level developments.
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Papers by Nina Hall