Livelihoods and Policy

Theme leader: Adam Drucker

Poverty, environmental damage, the loss of biodiversity and climate change are major issues of global concern driven by economic forces beyond the influence of those affected. In most countries in south-east Asia and elsewhere in the tropics many people are forced by poverty to overexploit natural resources in order to survive. In tropical Australia, and particularly in the Northern Territory, the landscape remains relatively intact, but economic pressures are forcing people off their land, which suffers from their absence. In both instances research on livelihoods and policy can play a major role in improving people’s lives while at the same time enhancing environmental sustainability. It is particularly important that the research be carried out in partnership with those whom it is meant to benefit, combining their tacit knowledge with the empirical knowledge that can be obtained through the application of research expertise.

We recognise that supportive policy environments are required to encourage entrepreneurship and allow sustainable livelihoods to prosper.

Livelihoods and Policy Research

The aims of the Livelihoods and Policy group are:

To undertake high quality research that will enhance the livelihoods of indigenous and local communities while maintaining long-term environmental values.
To support research on the use of indigenous knowledge and natural products for income generation that is sustainable, economically viable and gives people the option of remaining on their land.
To provide advice that will encourage and facilitate active management of biodiversity and other natural resources in tropical and desert regions of Australia and other parts of the world.
To employ a multi-skilled research team with ecological, economic, social and policy development expertise.
To collaborate with other themes in the School for Environmental Research, other schools in the Institute for Advanced Studies and other faculties within the university to develop partnerships that will maximize community benefit from the university’s skill base.
To enhance, through analysis of legislation and policy, creation of a supportive policy environment that will encourage entrepreneurship and allow sustainable livelihoods to prosper.
To maximize the uptake of our research findings by working closely with policy-makers throughout project design and implementation phases, as well as through dissemination of findings via a range of media, from high quality international journals to policy briefs and targeted workshops.
To contribute to public debate and policy development through partnership with government.
To engage research students in transdisciplinary research projects that equip them to deal with the complexity of livelihoods research and development.

The theme employs a multi-skilled research team with ecological, economic, social and policy development expertise. The team works closely with regional administrative institutions and with Indigenous communities and organisations.

Research

The research activities within the theme fall into four distinct but interwoven threads:

Economic and Social Values of Natural Resources

Examining the goods and services provided by natural systems and how these can be enhanced through active management. Issues related to the development of conservation incentive mechanisms in order to capture such values. Such mechanisms include but are not limited to the use of payment for environmental services (PES) schemes and market-based instruments (MBIs).

Natural Resource-Based Livelihoods

Projects and training programs identifying and promoting Indigenous enterprises based on wildlife and other natural resources. Working with Indigenous communities, this research examines the sustainability of such enterprises as well as investigating issues related to markets and policy. The latter includes identifying pathways that overcome barriers to Indigenous enterprise development, as well as contributing to policy development that will encourage and facilitate Indigenous enterprise engagement in the formal economy.

Climate Change and Scenario Modelling

Using participatory modelling techniques, explore future options and strategies to manage social-ecological systems, adapt to changing landscapes, and examine trade-offs between economic development and the conservation of nature. This research focus also examines the implications of climate change on social, economic, and natural capital.

Policy, Government and Empowerment

Review of policies and legislation affecting natural resource exploitation and Indigenous enterprise development. Modelling and analysis of the economic and environmental impacts of current development pathways, as well as the impacts of alternative natural resource management regimes, including for biodiversity conservation, fire management, water use and invasive species control.