Using integrated assessment to develop policy options – trade, land use and biodiversity. A case study of the sugar industry in Jamaica
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/20425961211247770 |
| Published date | 01 February 2012 |
| Pages | 170-182 |
| Date | 01 February 2012 |
| Author | Anthony Clayton,K'adamwe K'nIfe,Andrew Spencer |
| Subject Matter | Public policy & environmental management |
Using integrated assessment to
develop policy options – trade,
land use and biodiversity
A case study of the sugar industry in Jamaica
Anthony Clayton
Institute for Sustainable Development, University of the West Indies,
Kingston, Jamaica, and
K’adamwe K’nIfe and Andrew Spencer
Department of Management Studies, University of the West Indies,
Kingston, Jamaica
Abstract
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to repor t on the application of integrated assessment (IA)
methods to examine the impact of policy changes on Jamaica’s sugar industry; also the potential
implications for the economy, employment, society, environment and biodiversity.
Design/methodology/approach – The project applied the integrated assessment (IA) methodology
described in the United Nations Environment Programme UNEP-WCMC/ETB 2009 document
“Biodiversity in Integrated Assessment of Trade Policies in the Agriculture Sector”.
Findings – Jamaica’ssugar industry has survivedbecause of European Union subsidies,which are now
being phased out. The Government therefore decided to divest the industry and refocus it on ethanol
production to reduce oil imports. The plan failed, becauseit depended on factors which were not under
the Government’s control; specifically, external trade regimesand tariffs. The applicationof IA identified
severalpossible future scenarios for the industryand developed a solutionthat would achieve a range of
goals, moving away from extensive, low-value forms of agriculture to intensive, high-value forms,
increasing revenue, profits and skill transfer,while simultaneously reducing environmental impact.
Research limitations/implications – The main limitation is the specific focus on one traditional,
uncompetitive industry, so results have to be generalized with caution to other sectors with different
characteristics.
Originality/value – This paper draws on a much longer technical report titled “The Sugar Industry in
Jamaica” written by Anthony Clayton, K’adamwe K’nIfe and Andrew Spencer for the United Nations
Environment Programme, Division of Technology, Industry, and Economics, Economics and TradeBranc h
in 2009. This paper focuses on the main conclusions with regard to the use of IA, and updates the findings,
demonstrates the utility of IA methods and shows how Governments can use IA to avoid serious, costly
policy failures, and increase the chances of successful outcomes.
Keywords Integrated assessment, Trade,Land, Biodiversity, Government policy, Sugar industry,Jamaica
Paper type Case study
The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), established in 1992, defines biodiversity
as comprising the variety of life on Earth; the combination of diverse life forms and
their various interactions with each other and with the physical environment that has
made the planet habitable for humans (CBD, 2006). In 2002, the Conference of the
Parties of the convention adopted a strategic plan “to achieve, by 2010, a significant
reduction of the current rate of biodiversity loss at the global, regional and national
level, as a contribution to poverty alleviation and to the benefit of all life on Earth”.
In order to assess progress towards the 2010 biodiversity target, the Conference of the
Parties also established supporting goals and targets and identified indicators for
evaluating biodiversity status and trends. Jamaica is a signatory to the CBD.
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available at
www.emeraldinsight.com/2042-5961.htm
World Journal of Entrepreneurship,
Management and Sustainable
Development
Vol. 8 No. 2/3, 2012
pp. 170-182
rEmeraldGroup PublishingLimited
2042-5961
DOI 10.1108/20425961211247770
170
WJEMSD
8,2/3
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