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- All Subjects: Sustainable development
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Research shows that many water governance regimes are failing to guide social-ecological systems away from points, beyond which, damage to social and environmental well-being will be difficult to correct. This problem is apparent in regions that face water conflicts and climate threats. There remains a need to clarify what is it about governance that people need to change in water conflict prone regions, how to collectively go about doing that, and how research can actively support this. To address these needs, here I present a collaborative research project from the dry tropics of Guanacaste Province, Costa Rica. The project addressed the overarching questions: How can water be governed sustainably in water-contested and climate-threatened regions? And, how can people transition current water governance regimes toward more sustainable ones? In pursuit of these questions, a series of individual studies were performed with many partners and collaborators. These studies included: a participatory analysis and sustainability assessment of current water governance regimes; a case analysis and comparison of water conflicts; constructing alternative governance scenarios; and, developing governance transition strategies. Results highlight the need for water governance that addresses asymmetrical knowledge gaps especially concerning groundwater resources, reconciles disenfranchised groups, and supports local leaders. Yet, actions taken based on these initial results, despite some success influencing policy, found substantial challenges confronting them. In-depth conflict investigations, for example, found that deeply rooted issues such friction between opposing local-based and national institutions were key conflict drivers in the region. To begin addressing these issues, researchers and stakeholders then constructed a set of governing alternatives and devised governance transition strategies that could actively support people to achieve more sustainable alternatives and avoid less sustainable ones. These efforts yielded insight into the collective actions needed to implement more sustainable water governance regimes, including ways to overcoming barriers that drive harmful water conflicts. Actions based on these initial strategies yielded further opportunities, challenges, and lessons. Overall, the project addresses the research and policy gap between identifying what is sustainable water governance and understanding the strategies needed to implement it successfully in regions that experience water conflict and climate impacts.
ContributorsKuzdas, Christopher Paul (Author) / Wiek, Arnim (Thesis advisor) / Childers, Daniel (Thesis advisor) / Vignola, Raffaele (Committee member) / Eakin, Hallie (Committee member) / Basile, George (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2014
Description
Recent trends show that consumers are starting to prioritize sustainability when they go out to eat now more than ever. Tarbell's, a family-owned restaurant based in Phoenix, Arizona, aims to become a leader in sustainable food service but requires additional expertise in prioritizing and showcasing their sustainability efforts. Founded by Mark Tarbell in 1994, Tarbell’s portfolio includes the main restaurant- Tarbell’s, The Wine Store and Tavern, their catering business, and The Tavern at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport., Tarbell’s has partnered with the Tarbellas, a group of Master of Sustainability Solutions (MSUS) students at Arizona State University (ASU), to pursue larger impact goals, including conducting a materiality assessment and drafting a sustainability plan of action.
To begin the project process, the Tarbellas completed a landscape analysis. We researched the following categories: restaurant vendor practices; small, international restaurants; small, national restaurants; corporate food retailers; and restaurant-related sustainability certifications. This analysis informed our other research methods, including a best practices assessment and TOWS analysis, ultimately leading us to develop four initial priorities that informed our next steps: 1) hire a staff member to manage all sustainability initiatives and reporting, 2) focus on sustainable procurement across the restaurant, 3) complete the Food Made Good online audit, and 4) work towards and obtain Green Restaurant Association Certification.
With support from Tarbell’s, we developed a job description for a Sustainability Program Manager and a Sustainable Purchasing Policy. We created both by researching existing job postings and purchasing policies, and then adapted them to fit Tarbell’s needs and goals. Tarbell’s also completed the Food Made Good online audit.
Finally, the Tarbellas completed a materiality assessment. In order to do this, we developed an internal stakeholder survey and collected data on Tarbell’s annual spend from 2022. We plotted the results on a materiality matrix and used the results to inform how to prioritize the next steps. This prioritization will help Tarbell’s inform their sustainability strategy in the future.
Going forward, we recommend the following to Tarbell’s: 1) Hire a Sustainability Program Manager, 2) Utilize the Sustainable Purchasing Policy (SPP) we developed, 3) Obtain Green Restaurant Association Certification, and 4) routinely revisit their material impacts. Our report takes the format of a sustainability plan of action, enabling Tarbell’s to continue pursuing sustainability while being a leading example and guide for other small, independent restaurants on their paths to pursuing sustainability.
ContributorsAntidormi, Rachel (Author) / Martin, Azita (Author) / Ouellette, Kelsey (Author) / Queen, Sarah (Author)
Created2023-04-26