Doctoral Degrees (Environmental Science)

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An assessment of the Giba Gorge special rating area as a biodiversity stewardship practice.
(2015) Chinzila, Chuma Banji.; Ahmed, Fathima.; Bob, Urmilla.
Traditional conservation practices restricted resources to formally Protected Areas leaving biodiversity lying outside Protected Areas with minimal or no formal management. Increasing evidence of significant biodiversity lying outside Protected Areas, even in urban areas has necessitated innovative strategies for conserving biodiversity for human well-being. One such strategy is the use of a ‘Special Rating Area’ (SRA) legislative instrument to raise funds for managing biodiversity on privately owned properties through a pilot project in the Giba Gorge Environmental Precinct (GGEP). The aim of this study is to assess the Giga Gorge SRA as a biodiversity stewardship practice by understanding the processes of open space management and the impact it has had on local communities, ecosystems and adjacent property. The study was conducted involving the GGEP property owners and the Tshelimnyama community members (local community adjacent to the GGEP) comprising the traditional healers and general community members. The study is guided by the political ecology conceptual framework for understanding environmental issues in the GGEP and how socio-political processes at various scales have shaped the GGEP project. In addition, stakeholder theory provides a framework for exploring relationships among GGEP stakeholders and how their interests are managed. The study uses a sequential explanatory mixed methods approach in data collection and analysis. Analysis of data reveals improvement in the quality of ecosystems during the period 2010 to 2012. Secondly, findings reveal unsustainable natural resource uses such as recreational activities and medicinal plant harvesting. Thirdly, the study highlights negative stakeholder perceptions towards management activities resulting from communication breakdown. Fourthly, findings show that majority of the property owners did not find security concerns in the GGEP open space as factors that would restrict their interactions with the open space and other open space users. Lastly, the study reveals that the GGEP project had no impact on property value. This study recommends that the GGEP management develops and implements research based communication strategies for engaging stakeholders in the processes of managing the GGEP project.
Climate change learning in an electricity utility: distribution division case study, Eskom, South Africa.
(2018) Govender, Poobalan Troy.; Bob, Urmilla.
One of the most significant ways in which humans have damaged the environment is the contribution to rapid global warming which causes major changes to the climate on earth, resulting in many negative impacts to humans and the environment. While the world mostly agrees that something needs to be done about climate change, there have been numerous stumbling blocks and setbacks in decisive actions on climate change. Businesses are realising that pro-climate change actions could lead to economic, environmental and health benefits, while also improving the sustainability of the organisation. In order to address climate change, major shifts in public policy and individual behaviour regarding energy, transportation and consumption will have to be made. Improving basic education, climate literacy and public understanding of the local dimensions of climate change are vital for public engagement and support for climate action. This research explored climate change learning in an electricity utility, using the Eskom’s Distribution Division in South Africa. The four objectives of this study included a critical review and assessment of the level of the Distribution Division’s climate change programme and environmental practices, an examination of staff perceptions and attitudes towards climate change and the Distribution Division’s environmental strategies, an examination of the challenges and opportunities presented by the environmental and climate change crisis for business in South Africa and in particular for electricity utilities in Africa, the development of a set of indicators to inform a framework for internal climate change capacity building programmes for electricity utility companies and the formulation of a policy and programme recommendations. Existing literature was reviewed, an online survey was conducted with employees, interviews were held with the key informants and focus group discussions were hosted. The research considered the demographic profile of respondents, attitudes to life and environmental issues, options for managing climate change, who respondents considered responsible for climate change action, who could be trusted to take climate change action and the Distribution Division’s climate change programme and environmental strategies. The findings of this study indicate that the Distribution Division employees considered career, job or employment and education as a higher priority for society. Water pollution was the most important environmental issue that employees experienced or impacted on their lives at present and this issue was also considered the most important issue globally. Furthermore, employees’ selfrated knowledge of climate change was above average and the majority expressed grave concern about climate change. Employees were also of the view that emissions from business or factories were the main cause of climate change. Employees also experienced hotter summers and water shortages which indicated to them that climate change is taking place presently and affects South Africa. The main options for actions that employees put forward were recycling waste and planting of trees. Furthermore, employees trusted themselves the most to take action on climate change and the main choice of format for climate change information that was preferred by employees was talks by experts, using graphs of future trends and pictures of what an area could look like in the future. This research supports the findings of other scholars who indicate that climate change learning and response is generally poor amongst most people, including workers, and that there are some specific interventions that are required to enhance climate change learning in the work environment. A range of options must be considered with the involvement of relevant stakeholders to find practical and meaningful options for climate change learning and response. Hence recommendations were made in this study to address the level of the Distribution Division’s climate change programme and environmental practices, staff perceptions and attitudes towards climate change and the Distribution Division’s environmental strategies, the challenges and opportunities presented by the environmental and climate change crisis for business in South Africa and for electricity utilities in Africa. A set of indicators (Table 6.1) to build the climate change capacity of employees and to minimise business and individual Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions was also developed within the framework for internal climate change capacity building programmes for electricity utilities. The policy and programme recommendations of this study included the prioritising of climate change learning in business with the necessary resources and leadership requirements, as well as a proposal to rebrand climate change to a more impactful, appropriate, relevant and meaningful term linked to human survival.
A comparative assessment of the socio-economic and spatial factors impacting the implementation of renewable energy in marginalised communities: the case of Inanda and Bergville.
(2016) Munien, Suveshnee.; Bob, Urmilla.; Matthews, Alan Peter.
Access to modern, safe and cost effective energy is undisputed in its ability to facilitate development among poor countries, however, achieving energy security is plagued by challenges. Renewable energies and technologies have been described to address multiple needs and is implemented widely in developing contexts. However, the implementation of renewable energy sources and technologies are rarely guided by an understanding of community and household socio-demographic and energy profiles. Although South Africa displays high levels of electrification, many poor communities fail to sustain their use of modern sources such as electricity due to costs. This results in fuel-switching which is associated with the use of fuels such as fuelwood and paraffin, and raises health and safety concerns, in relation to the health of women and children in particular. Similarly, literature establishes the linkages between income, level of education, household size and reliance on specific energy sources. More importantly, studies show that energy profiles and willingness to adopt renewable energy sources is also influenced by factors such as culture, tradition and energy policy. Additionally, there is a dearth of empirically based studies that profile household energy practices, attitudes and perceptions. This study adopted a comparative approach in examining household energy profiles, practices and needs in relation to peri-urban (Inanda) and rural (Bergville) communities in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. A mixed methodological approach was adopted, and 800 households (400 in Inanda and 400 in Bergville) were profiled in relation to socio-economic conditions, energy profiles, and attitudes and perceptions of renewable energy sources. These findings were complemented by two focus group discussions (one in each of the communities), involving specific activities, including participatory mapping exercises. The households for the survey interviews were chosen using a multi-stage, spatially-based random sampling approach. The focus group discussion participants were purposively chosen. Results show that households and respondents from both communities display significant socio-economic and energy-related stressors, however, these effects are more pronounced within Bergville. The differences in household size and income between Bergville and Inanda resulted in significantly different energy behaviours. Households in Bergville show a higher reliance on collected, cheaper energy sources, for example, fuelwood and dung while Inanda households preferred paraffin, gas and electricity. This study also shows that household income and size, and respondents level of education, sex and employment status influenced level of awareness of renewable energy sources. Furthermore, the simulated indicators demonstrate that increases in household income are associated with an upward progression on energy ladders, specifically the increased consumption of and expenditure on modern sources of energy. Although awareness of renewable energy sources was limited, respondents did indicate a willingness to adopt and pay for technologies such as solar panels and cookers. Nevertheless, both groups of respondents associated the use of renewable energies with the idea of being poor. These strong socio-cultural factors may also prevail as potential obstacles in the up-take and use of renewable energy technologies. Additionally, respondents highlighted their reluctance with solar water heaters as they only meet one of their many energy needs. Concern was also raised in relation to the up-take of solar thermal cookers, specifically regarding its size. In this regard, energy policy needs to implement technologies that offer multiple energy services. A key finding of this study is that renewable energy technologies have significant potential in alleviating the energy-related stressors and lived experiences of energy poverty amongst the Bergville and Inanda communities. Moreover, targeted awareness campaigns may also improve the sustained use of these technologies. A key contribution of this study is the establishment of a conceptual model to inform the implementation of renewable energy and associated technologies within the rural and peri-urban contexts of South Africa.
The social, economic and environmental impacts of ecotourism : case studies of the St. Lucia area and the uKhahlamba-Drakensberg region in South Africa.
(2005) Chellan, Noel.; Bob, Urmilla.
The study focuses on two World Heritage sites in KwaZulu-Natal (uKhahlambaDrakensberg Park and the Greater St Lucia Wetlands Park). It sets out to critically examine the social, economic and political aspects of natural heritage in the context of sustainability and contestation. How these heritage landscapes are managed, and in particular how decisions regarding its use and identity are taken, is the central issue under investigation. In particular, this research examines the how an understanding of stakeholder perceptions allows current management strategies to be assessed for their effectiveness and relevance to the stakeholders in the regions and the development of new management strategies which are relevant to stakeholder needs. In this regard, a central concern is to identify and evaluate the degree of participation in resource management, conservation and in direct ecotourism activities links to the heritage sites. Stakeholders will vary in their ability to influence decision-makers and they are also unlikely to gain or lose out equally from particular courses of action. These are all issues which need full consideration in approaches to sustainable tourism management. This study focused on the following stakeholders: neighbouring rural communities, tourists, accommodation personnel and tour operators. Questionnaire surveys were administered to each of the stakeholder groups identified above. Furthermore, participatory exercises (venn diagrams, resource mapping and problem ranking exercises) were conducted with focus groups. The study reveals heterogeneity within and between communities under study in relation to socio-economic aspects and perceptions regarding the Parks and levels of participation in activities linked to the Parks. In relation to heritage sites, the questions of ownership, transparency and accountability are particularly important. The study of ecotourism impacts and their management offers many opportunities to reflect on the importance of sustainability. The impacts, as outlined by the findings of the study, provides the opportunity for the implementation of biodiversity strategies linked to the establishment of conservation priorities, mobilising and establishing partnerships, identifying biodiversity threats and benefits, and providing incentives to conserve.
Stakeholder perceptions of ecotourism impacts and management issues in relation to private game parks : case studies of the Ezulwini Private Park and Tala Private Park in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
(2010) Desai, Sumaiya Amod.; Bob, Urmilla.
Ecotourism has generated great interest from governments, tourism enterprises, tourists, conservation groups, the private sector and other stakeholders in the industry. A reason for this interest is the availability of pristine natural environments, especially in Africa. The need for more rigorous data on economic, environmental and social impacts of ecotourism development from different perspectives and stakeholders is central to unpacking key issues related to sustaining ecotourism in Africa that is both responsive to environmental as well as social and economic needs. There seems to be a need for a better understanding of ecotourism’s impacts, and how those impacts are affected by various developmental needs and management strategies. South Africa is a country which is closely linked with disputes resulting from land claims as a result of apartheid. Thus, this thesis attempts to unpack issues relating to the historical legacy, the proliferation of Private Game Parks in South Africa and related issues of privatised concentration of natural resources, access and affordability as well as potential social, economic and environmental impacts. Research was undertaken in two Private Parks in KwaZulu-Natal: Ezulwini Private Park and Tala Private Park. A fundamental ingredient for stakeholder involvement is collaboration among key players. The specific stakeholders identified for this study were: visitors, local communities, tour operators, Park personnel, Park managers and the Private owner of both the private Parks. The research employed both qualitative (participatory approaches) and quantitative (questionnaires) techniques when collecting data. The study revealed that visitors to Ezulwini Private Park and Tala Private Park listed important factors regarding their own efforts to promote ecotourism such as: conserving nature, limiting the over-utilisation of resources, being environmentally conscious, reducing water consumption, being litter conscious, spreading the conservation message via word of mouth and visiting more ecotourism destinations. There is a good level of interaction between the tour operating company (that carries out tours to Ezulwini Private Park and Tala Private Park) and the community. This is attributed to visitors purchasing from cultural villages and the use of local tour guides. The local communities living near the private Parks indicated that no relationship exists between the community, management and staff of the respective private Parks. Participatory exercises (venn diagrams, mental mapping and problem ranking exercises) were conducted with focus groups. These focus group discussions established heterogeneity within the respective communities and emphasised the need for the involvement of all community members who best understand and have the greatest stake in social, economic and political issues linked to the Parks. According to the Park personnel at Ezulwini Private Park and Tala Private Park local communities were somewhat involved in the activities and decision-making of the private Parks. However, the Park owner of both the private Parks stated that the local communities were not involved in the activities and decision-making of the private Parks. To mitigate social, environmental and economic impacts it is imperative that all stakeholders are consulted as this will reduce conflict and enhance consensus.

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Browsing Doctoral Degrees (Environmental Science) by Author "Bob, Urmilla."