Franziska Meergans, Christina Aue, Christian Knieper, Sascha Kochendörfer, Andrea Lenschow, and Claudia Pahl-Wostl
Publication Date:
01-2020
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS)
Abstract:
Intensive agriculture is characteristic for the region of Weser-Ems and the major source of nitrate pollution in groundwater. The analysis of coordination and cooperation shows that incoherent policies in the water, (bio)energy and agricultural sector have exacerbated the problem situation at hand.
Topic:
Agriculture, Energy Policy, Natural Resources, and Water
German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS)
Abstract:
How can France and Germany develop a vision for an improved collaboration towards the 2030 agenda for sustainable development? This paper compares the French and German development systems to identify barriers and opportunities for a closer cooperation with partner countries.
Topic:
Development, International Cooperation, and Sustainable Development Goals
German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS)
Abstract:
The paper takes stock of the European development finance landscape and the EIB’s role as part of this landscape. It looks at the interactions between different European development stakeholders and assesses the proposed reform and its potential impact on European development policy.
German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS)
Abstract:
Global agreements, such as the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Climate
Agreement, illustrate the need for transnational cooperation to solve complex and interrelated
challenges that affect humanity at large. But how can transnational cooperation be more
successful in times of rapid global changes? This Discussion Paper shows that many of the
premises discussed in the literature on transnational cooperation and on multi-stakeholder
partnerships mirror the praise and concerns brought forward with regard to the Arctic Council as
a case of success. At the same time, it would be possible under the auspices of the Arctic Council
to further transnational cooperation, in particular by advancing its process management.
This study proceeds as follows: It introduces and compares various different approaches in global
governance research that are thought to strengthen transnational cooperation and critically
explores in how far the Arctic Council can be considered an example to learn from in encouraging
transnational cooperation. Moving on from the case of the Arctic Council, the study then expands
further on the premises brought forward in the literature and suggests that more attention be paid
to the dimension of knowledge as particularly in times of rapid global changes a shared
understanding of challenges is an important basis for transnational cooperation.
Topic:
International Cooperation, Treaties and Agreements, and Arctic Council
Babette Never, Jose Ramon Albert, Hanna Fuhrmann, Sebastian Gsell, Miguel Jaramillo, Sascha Kuhn, and Bernardin Senadza
Publication Date:
01-2020
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS)
Abstract:
As households move out of poverty, spending patterns change. This is good news from a
development perspective, but changing consumer behaviour may imply substantially more
carbon emissions. The lifestyle choices of the emerging middle classes are key, now and in the
future. This paper explores the consumption patterns of the emerging middle classes and their
carbon intensity, using unique micro data from household surveys conducted in Ghana, Peru
and the Philippines. We find that carbon-intensive consumption increases with wealth in all
three countries, and most sharply from the fourth to the fifth middle-class quintile due to
changes in travel behaviour, asset ownership and use. In Peru, this shift in the upper-middleclass quintiles translates to annual incomes of roughly USD 11,000-17,000 purchasing power
parity. Environmental knowledge and concern are fairly evenly spread at mid- to high levels
and do lead to more easy-entry sustainable behaviours, but they do not decrease the level of
carbon emissions. To some extent, a knowledge/concern–action gap exists. In our study, social
status matters less than the literature claims. Our results have two implications. First, the
differentiations between developing/developed countries in the global climate debate may be
outdated: It is about being part of the global middle classes or not. Second, a positive spillover
from existing easy-entry sustainable behaviours to a change in carbon-intensive consumption
patterns needs policy support.
Topic:
Climate Change, Development, Class, and Carbon Emissions
Christine Hackenesch, Julia Leininger, and Karina Mross
Publication Date:
01-2020
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS)
Abstract:
This paper reflects on the strategic importance of EU democracy support in sub-Saharan Africa and makes 10 proposals for reform to be better able to address new challenges in a changing global context.
Mirko Eppler, Stella Gaetani, Patrick Köllner, Jana Kuhnt, Charles Martin-Shields, Nyat Mebrahtu, Antonia Peters, and Carlotta Preiß
Publication Date:
01-2020
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS)
Abstract:
There is a great deal of potential for digital tools to help refugees, but there are still major economic and infrastructure hurdles before all refugees are online. Evidence from three sites in Kenya provide evidence that can guide future digitalization efforts for working with refugees.
Topic:
Science and Technology, Communications, Infrastructure, Refugees, Displacement, and Information Technology
German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS)
Abstract:
In recent years, Morocco has implemented far-reaching political reforms of modernisation and liberalisation but these have never reached the stage of a systemic change. The country's political regime is still authoritarian in nature.
Topic:
Politics, Authoritarianism, Reform, Arab Spring, and Liberalization
German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS)
Abstract:
Corporate tax revenue and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) are two key development finance sources. This paper discusses potential trade-offs faced by developing countries, when mobilizing corporate tax revenue and FDI jointly, and provides policy recommendations how to address these trade-offs.
Topic:
Development, Foreign Direct Investment, Finance, and Corporate Tax
German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS)
Abstract:
Monitoring and evaluation to increase evidence and thus aid effectiveness remains a challenge in the development community. This analysis of German bilateral development cooperation projects highlights quality challenges in German reporting and recommends adjustments for a more effective M&E system.
Topic:
Security, Agriculture, Development, International Cooperation, and Rural
German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS)
Abstract:
This paper suggests ways to improve G7 accountability practice so that it better capture learning effects. Better designed commitments and improved follow up would also support G7 legitimacy, because this would make it easier for external stakeholders to check G7 action against its words.
German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS)
Abstract:
Taxation is above all a political rather than a technical issue. But what happens if new digital technologies cause profound power shifts in the relationship between revenue authorities and taxpayers? The paper seeks to lay the conceptual groundwork for the analysis of this interplay.
Stefan Pahl, Clara Brandi, Jakob Schwab, and Frederik Stender
Publication Date:
01-2020
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS)
Abstract:
This paper estimates the economic vulnerability of developing countries to disruptions in global value chains due to the COVID-19 pandemic and reveals that adverse demand-side effects reduce GDP up to 5.4 percent, and collapsing foreign supply generates a drop in GDP of a similar magnitude.
Topic:
Developing World, GDP, Economy, Global Value Chains, and COVID-19
German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS)
Abstract:
Addressing human mobility in the context of land and forest degradation and desertification (LFDD) in global and national policy and legal frameworks remains essential for improved management of population movements related to slow onset processes.
Topic:
Environment, Population, Mobility, Land, and Forest
Anna Pegels, Stefanie Heyer, David Ohlig, Felix Kurz, Lena Laux, and Prescott Morley
Publication Date:
01-2020
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS)
Abstract:
How can recycling in developing countries be shaped to be socially, environmentally, and economically sustainable? Our research synthesizes the ideas and expectations of a diverse set of actors in the recycling sector of Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Negotiations on the adoption of the multi-annual financial framework 2021-2027 and the "Next
Generation EU" recovery fund continue. Although hope of an agreement allowing deployment from
1 January 2021 has not yet been lost, there are still many sticking points. This is illustrated by
the strong tensions that have recently emerged between the European Parliament and the Council
of the European Union, but also between Member States, themselves reluctant to question the
precarious balance of the 21 July agreement.
Topic:
Budget, European Union, Finance, and Economic Recovery
Europe has an excess of savings and its companies lack equity capital. This diagnosis was made
a long time ago and the crises the continent has been going through over the last 10 years have
accentuated this gap. European growth companies are rapidly falling prey to large non-European
firms that benefit from a deep and liquid stock market. Thus, despite the existing arrangements,
Europe is unable to impose world champions that would allow it to build its sovereignty against the
United States and China. The creation of a new category of UCITS funds open to all EU savers, the
European Sovereign Funds, would help us respond to this challenge by providing medium-sized
companies with the fresh capital they need to ensure their development and independence.
Topic:
Financial Crisis, European Union, Economic Growth, and Capital
The European Union is one of the main promoters of free trade agreements (FTAs). This position is not
new: since the mid-2000s, and even more so in the decade now ending, the Commission, supported
by the Council and the European Parliament, has constantly sought to negotiate and conclude new
trade agreements. This strategy has paid off. In 2018, almost a third of trade between Europe and
the rest of the world was covered by the preferential provisions of an FTA, a figure that is expected
to increase significantly in 2020, following the entry into force of the agreement with Vietnam, and
to rise in the coming years to more than 40% if the agreements currently being negotiated with
Mercosur, the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries and possibly the United Kingdom come
into force.
Topic:
International Trade and Finance, European Union, Free Trade, and Trade
The United Kingdom officially left the European
Union on 31 January 2020 following the signing
of the exit agreement. This departure went hand
in hand with the opening of a transitional period
until 31 December 2020, during which the rules of
the internal market continue to govern relations
between the two sides. However, negotiations have
not yet been completed, since the framework for
the future relationship between the United Kingdom
– which has now become a third country – and the
27 Member States of the European Union has yet
to be established. The joint political declaration of
30 January 2020 accompanying the exit Agreement
provides for : "an ambitious, broad, deep, flexible
partnership in trade and economic cooperation
– with a comprehensive and balanced free trade
agreement at its centre –, law enforcement and
criminal justice, foreign, security and defence
policy, as well as broader areas of cooperation"[1].
Initiated in February 2020 the negotiations on the
future Agreement have been hampered by the
Covid-19 pandemic. The 27 Member States decided
that the defence of their positions would, as with
the exit Agreement, be entrusted to the European
Commission represented by a single negotiator,
the Frenchman Michel Barnier. On the British
side, former diplomat, David Frost, is in charge of
defending the positions of the British government
led by Boris Johnson, however the former will be
called to another post as Government Adviser for
National Security from September 2020. Although
face-to-face negotiations resumed in Brussels at
the end of June 2020, in substance they have made
very modest progress. Hence a legitimate question:
can an agreement on the future relationship
between the United Kingdom and the European
Union be reached by 31 December 2020, while
Boris Johnson's government has refused to make
use of the possibility offered of extending the
transition period and thus the negotiations until 30
June 2020? Is there a risk of ending the year 2020
without a no deal and to have economic relations
between the United Kingdom and the European
Union governed by the common law of the World
Trade Organisation?
The protests against Belarusian President Alyaksandr
Lukashenka, which have continued beyond the August
9 presidential election, have been surprising in terms
of their scale and level of politicization. The protest
promises to be long-lasting bringing together people
of all ages and professions, but the authorities are
refusing to recognize it and are not satisfying any of
its demands: to organize new this time democratic
elections, to stop repression, to release detainees and
political prisoners, to investigate crimes committed
by the representatives of law enforcement agencies.
Quite the opposite is happening: the crackdown
orchestrated by Lukashenka’s regime, after a certain
lull between August 12 and 16, is intensifying with
hundreds of arrests per day, the repression against
the emerging leaders and journalists (from the private
media) who report the facts. What are the scenarios
of the development of this crisis which seems to
have reached an impasse? Can Belarus emerge from
it without resorting to foreign mediation? What role
could the European Union play?