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Abstract: A seeming paradox exists when observing the effects of Multilateral Development Banks’ (MDB) introduction of heightened standards for pre-infrastructure project community consultation and grievance mechanisms in the early 2000s. Intuitively, expanded grievance channels would seem to result in an aggregation of grievances. However, empirical results demonstrate a different reality. Mirroring findings highlighting the significance of procedural justice mechanisms in the US domestic criminal and public law contexts (Tyler, 2003), global multilateral development banks appear to demonstrate a positive consultative “engagement effect” such that with expanded access to prior consultation and community grievance mechanisms, fewer claims are lodged. Statistical findings from a review of the aggregate percent of total grievances lodged out of total funded projects by ten Multilateral Development Banks following the introduction of heightened standards for pre-project consultation through revised environmental and social frameworks (ESFs) between 2010 and 2020, show that the percentage of grievances per project peaks at 15.4% in 2019 then drops significantly in 2021 to 7.1%. While this overall decline in the percentage of grievance cases could be due to a number of intervening factors including project screening through heightened environmental standards or self-help, overall the findings provide measured evidence supporting the development of increasingly robust community consultation and engagement channels, particularly for multilateral and national development banks which have not yet implemented such policies. These engagement channels, far from aggregating complaints during the period examined, conversely appear to serve as a conduit incorporating community concerns into project design such that disputes are avoided. <div> <br> </div> <div> Citation: </div> <div> <br> </div> <div> <span>Ali, S. (2024). The Seeming Paradox of Prevention: Dispute Mitigation by Multilateral Development Banks. <i>Civil Justice Quarterly, 43</i>(2), 142–168. </span><span><a href="https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4746737" rel="nofollow"><span>https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4746737</span></a></span><span></span><span></span> </div> <div> <br> </div> <div> <br> </div>

Abstract: Abstract Three focus group discussions (FGD) were conducted among residents already practising climate change mitigative activities, low-income urban communities and rural residents to identify the behavioural attitudes on climate mitigation in households in the district of Colombo. Eight adult residents aged 18 years or above were purposively selected for each discussion. The principal investigator conducted all discussions with the assistance of a note-taker, using a semi-structured FGD guide. The thematic analysis was carried out to identify the beahvioural attitudes. Of the 24 participants, 14 were men and 10 were women, while 10 were < 40 years of age. Views on the existance of climate change were based on recent increase in temperature and natural disasters. Behavioural attitudes on climate change mitigation were generated under several themes: causes for climate change, perceptions on vulnerability to effects of climate change, negative attitudes towards climate mitigation, new technologies used for climate mitigation, carbon tax, green test and views on government responsibilities towards climate mitigation. The findings showed that behavioural attitudes are more driven by poor scientific knowledge, poverty and cultural beliefs which should be addressed by mitigative actions.

Abstract: Abstract Hydrological disasters pose significant threats worldwide, often resulting in extensive damage to society and the environment. Conventional risk mitigation approaches often overlook complex human-water system interactions, leading to adverse socio-hydrological phenomena, such as paradoxical dynamics and unintended consequences. One notable phenomenon is the safe development paradox (SDP), wherein risk reduction efforts paradoxically increase vulnerability in the long run. Despite theoretical progress, empirical investigations of these phenomena remain fragmented. In this systematic review spanning 2001 to 2023, we analysed 94 studies to synthesize research in this field. Our analysis revealed that most studies provided evidence confirming the existence of the SDP and its sub-phenomena, the levee effect. While quantitative methods (e.g. spatial analysis) are prevalent, a limited number of articles employ qualitative and mixed-methods approaches to investigate these phenomena. Studies often focus on the exposure of communities to hydrological risks, but they fall short of capturing other critical dimensions, such as vulnerability and the psychological effects of feeling safe. A more holistic assessment of the SDP should thus include aspects such as preparedness, vulnerability, and risk perception. This holistic approach would enable a better understanding of the diversity of scenarios where the SDP can manifest, providing policymakers with essential information to prevent adverse effects.