Conference Agenda

Problem Statement and Purpose

1. Problem statement

Global climate warming has become a consensus around the world. How to deal with climate change and mitigate its impact has become one of the biggest challenges in the field of global environmental governance. As one of the highest altitude and largest inland saltwater lakes in the world, Qinghai Lake has been affected by climate change and other factors. Since 2000, the area of Qinghai Lake has increased from 4256.04 square kilometers to 4625.6 square kilometers in 2022. The regional biodiversity is facing serious threats, posing a huge challenge to the survival and development of human beings.

2. Purpose

This study attempts to analyze the impact of climate change on the biodiversity of Qinghai Lake Basin, and propose relevant countermeasures and suggestions, providing scientific basis for effectively dealing with global climate change and protecting biodiversity of Qinghai Lake.

Methodology

This study focuses on the practice of biodiversity protection in Qinghai Lake. Using an ecological perspective, it investigates the main practices and effectiveness of biodiversity protection in the Qinghai Lake basin. By analyzing the changes in biodiversity in the Qinghai Lake basin in recent years, it provides countermeasures and suggestions for further responding to global climate change.

Findings

Firstly, we promote the construction of national parks, propose the ecological protection red line system, and clarify the priority areas for biodiversity conservation. Secondly, we increase the efforts of ecological protection and restoration, coordinate the integrated protection and systematic management of mountains, rivers, forests, fields, lakes, grasslands, sand, and ice, and continuously improve the quality and stability of the ecosystem. Thirdly, we attach importance to biological safety, gradually establish a prevention and control mechanism for the invasion of alien species, and continuously strengthen the protection and supervision of biological genetic resources.

Proposals

Firstly, biodiversity conservation should be taken into priority in economic and social development, so as to ensure the ecological and biological security of Qinghai Lake. Secondly, we should establish and improve a long-term mechanism for biodiversity conservation led by the government, with the participation of enterprises and the public, and build a new pattern of biodiversity conservation and governance. Thirdly, we should adhere to strengthening international cooperation. We should work together to respond to global biodiversity challenges, and play a greater role in realizing the beautiful vision of harmonious coexistence between human and nature.

References

X. Yuan, Y. Wang, P. Ji, P. Wu, J. Sheffield, and J. Otkin, 2023. A global transition to flash droughts under climate change. Science, 380, 187-191.

Ombadi, M., Risser, M., Rhoades, A. and Varadharajan, C. 2023. A warming-induced reduction in snow fraction amplifies rainfall extremes. Nature, 619, 305–310.

Woolway, R.I., Kraemer, B.M., Lenters, J.D. et al. Global lake responses to climate change. Nat Rev Earth Environ 1,2020, 388-403.

Problem Statement and Purpose

Despite the NFMIP's intention to guide municipalities in developing their indigent policies, there remains a significant gap between the NFMIP's intention and how it is implemented across municipalities (ABS 2018). According to Fuo (2020), although the NFMIP is a guiding tool offering a structured approach to indigent policy development, the effectiveness of the NFMIP in ensuring that municipalities develop policies that alleviate poverty remains a subject of concern. Moreover, according to Mosehla (2022), municipalities often encounter challenges in utilising the NFMIP, resulting in inconsistencies and inefficiencies in developing and implementing indigent policies. Additionally, even though the NFMIP compels all municipalities to develop and implement indigent policies, 25 municipalities still do not have indigent policies (StatsSA 2022). Despite the NFMIP (2003) indicating that it seeks to eradicate poverty and ensure that all the indigents benefit from indigent support, In the selected municipalities, there seem to be a lot of discrepancies as several indigents are left behind in accessing Free Basic Services in accordance with the NFMIP. This study employed the World Systems Theory to examine variations in the adoption of the National Framework for Municipal Indigent Policies (NFMIP) in different municipal categories in South Africa. The goal is to contribute towards the strengthening of the adoption of the National framework for municipal indigent across municipalities to ensure improved access to free basic services at the municipal level.

Methodology

The study employed a qualitative approach, an interpretivism paradigm and a multiple case study design. The population for the study are all the employees within the selected municipalities. The study used a purposive sampling technique, and the sample size was 30 participants, though only 21 participated in the study. Data was collected using both primary and secondary sources, including policy analysis and in-depth interviews, the study elucidates the multifaceted obstacles hindering the effectiveness of the NFMIP. Data was analysed following the six steps to thematic analysis identified by Braun and Clark. The researchers have followed the four criteria to determine the trustworthiness of the study, which include transferability, dependability, confirmability, and credibility. The ethical clearance was obtained from the University of Pretoria, and permission to collect data was granted by the selected municipalities. The researchers ensured that confidentiality was maintained through the use of pseudo names; participants were debriefed about the purposes of the research, and they signed informed consent forms.

Findings

The study revealed significant variations in how the NFMIP is adopted and implemented in different municipal categories. These variations are identified as follows: revenue management, indigent targeting options, indigent service levels, the financial framework, the indigent validity period, appeal discrepancies in the NFMIP, and qualification criteria.

Proposals

This study proposes the use of conditional grants to finance indigent policies; municipalities should only use household income as a targeting option, and it also proposes that municipalities should provide 12000kl of potable water and 200khw of electricity per household per month. This study contributes to the ongoing discourse on transformative policy intervention for inclusive social welfare and equitable development.

References

Accounting for basic services. 2018. Key Challenges, Gaps and opportunities from policies and Practices in three local communities. Available at www.za.boell.org (Accessed on 10 March 2023).

Fuo, O. 2020. Nativism in South African municipal indigent policies through a human rights lens. Law, Democracy and Development, 1 (24): 271- 311.

Braun, V. & Clarke, V. 2012. Thematic analysis. American Psychological Association, 3(1): 51–71.

Mosehla, L. G. 2022. The implementation of the indigent policy in the Greater Tzaneen Municipality in Limpopo Province, South Africa. Unpublished Masters Dissertation. Polokwane: University of Limpopo.

Stats SA, 2022. Non-financial census of municipalities for the year ended 30 June 2020. Government Printers. Pretoria, https://www.statssa.gov.za/publications/P9115/P91152020.pdf. Accessed on 14 February 2023.