Strategies for Environmental Risk Management: Challenges and Solutions (SERM)

Table of Contents

1. Frontmatter

2. Environmental Policy and Governance

   1. Frontmatter

   2. Challenges to Environmental Sustainability in the Palestinian Jordan Valley

      Abeer Daoud Istanbuli

      Abstract

      The study examines environmental sustainability challenges in the Palestinian Jordan Valley, highlighting threats and risks as perceived by Palestinian development workers from various sectors. It identifies obstacles institutions face in implementing projects aimed at adapting to and mitigating environmental risks. Palestine, like other developing countries, faces significant environmental threats, including climate change, resource exploitation, habitat destruction, and pollution. Climate change, in particular, affects food systems, energy, and water, crucial for livelihoods. The areas of Jericho and Jordan Valley have long been culturally significant and economically vital, known for their fertile agricultural lands and water resources. Despite its distinctive characteristics, it suffers from environmental risks. In the Jordan Valley, environmental degradation is exacerbated by both climate change and Israeli occupation practices, such as land seizure and water control. These actions, alongside settlers’ encroachments and restrictions, threaten water and food security and hinder economic and social development. The study used a descriptive-analytical approach, gathering data from 30 development workers via a structured questionnaire. Analyzed using SPSS program, the results revealed that Israeli occupation violations and weak environmental governance are major challenges. However, opportunities exist to reduce environmental degradation through water conservation technologies, improved agricultural practices, and investment in green economy projects. Recommendations include encouraging green initiatives, developing water harvesting and renewable energy projects, wastewater treatment, and environmental awareness. Policymakers are urged to adopt sustainable resource management practices, transition to organic production, and balance human progress with resource consumption.

   3. The Sources of Environmental Risks Affecting University Education from Instructors’ Perceptions

      Ali Sabah Jameel

      Abstract

      The Times Sustainable Development Classification (TSDC) was issued in the June report, highlighting the number of universities participating in the 2024 edition. This edition features 2152 universities from 125 countries competing, with Iraqi universities ranking first in the Arab world and seventh globally based on their contributions to achieving the seventeen Sustainable Development Goals. This distinction is due to their excellence in educational services, diverse academic programs, and commitment to sustainable development goals. They effectively address challenges, adapt to changes, raise awareness, and provide scientific solutions. This study aims to identify the sources of environmental risks affecting university education from the perspective of university professors at the University of Anbar. The participants were seven male and female university professors from the colleges of the University of Anbar during the academic year 2023–2024. A questionnaire was prepared to collect the data. The results revealed numerous risks threatening the university environment, including old infrastructure, natural disasters, wars and occupation of civilian cities, a weak water and sanitation system, pollution from inadequate waste management of engineering and scientific laboratory activities, a weak waste disposal system, excessive consumption of electrical energy and fuel, lack of green spaces, poor awareness of green education, lack of awareness of health epidemic risks, weak sustainable information technology practices, insufficient university health duties, impact of external pollution, scarcity of waste disposal facilities near classrooms and college buildings, expansion of the university campus at the expense of green areas, and weak cooperation between universities and civil society.

   4. Civil Liability for Air Pollution in the Jordanian Legislation

      Faisal Alabdallat, Mohammed Alqaisi

      Abstract

      This study aimed to reveal the civil liability for air pollution in the Jordanian legislation. Thus, it is necessary to determine the civil liability resulting from air pollution, to ensure that the environment is not assaulted, and that the natural resources are not exhausted, and to impose an environmental balance, hence from this point has emerged the importance of civil liability on air pollution. The descriptive analytical approach was used by describing the available texts of the articles and analyzing them to reach the conclusions, in addition to the use of the comparative approach when it is necessary, to benefit from the Jurisprudence of the courts regarding the subject of civil liability for air pollution. The study reached the prominent results including: Air pollution is considered as one of the most dangerous forms of pollution due to its negative consequences on the climate and of the Ozone layer. It is recommended that the legislator needs to establish specialized courts to take into account the environmental disputes due to their specificity as the elements of civil liability emerge from the environmental pollution, especially the pillars’ fault and damage.

   5. The Role of Social Studies Teachers in Educating Students About Environmental Risks: A Perspective from Al-Karak Directorate of Education

      Majid Mahmoud Al-Soub

      Abstract

      The study aimed at identifying the role of social studies’ male and female teachers in educating their students about environmental risks and its relationship to some demographic variables Al-Karak Governorate. The descriptive approach was followed and a questionnaire was constructed and applied for data collection and its items were distributed on four dimensions. The sample included (116) male and female social studies teachers Al-Karak Governorate for the academic year 2023/2024. The results indicated that social studies teachers’ estimates of their roles in educating their students about environmental risks from their perspective was high and the results also indicated statistically significant differences attributed to gender in participants’ estimates for their role in educating students about environmental risks in favor of female teachers, and attributed also to specialization variable in favor of geography specialization and also these differences are attributed to the effect of experience from 5 to 10 years and above.

   6. Addressing the Challenges of Environmental Civil Liability: Balancing Public and Private Interests

      Mouad Joulid, Moulay Abderrahman Kassimi

      Abstract

      Environmental civil liability faces several challenges. The first challenge concerns the oscillation between two interests: a public interest related to the protection of the environment and a private interest pertinent to the protection of those affected by environmental damage, which raises the question about the possibility of protecting also achieving a balance between the two interests. The second challenge concerns reparation for damage resulting from environmental harm, both in terms of the possibility of reparation for environmental damage and in terms of the difficulty of proving the causal link between such damage and the act. Based on the results of the study, represented in the challenges of environmental civil liability in terms of regulation and in terms of implementation, we have presented recommendations based on the philosophy that the environment is a common of humanity that cannot be reparated for its damage and that the principle of prevention is most appropriate in legislative policy of relevance to the environment also in the programs of the intervening institutions. These recommendations are addressed to all authorities in the modern state, legislative ones, to strengthen the appropriate legal system for the specifics of environmental protection, and executive, through institutions concerned with the environment, and then judicial, about the proper implementation of regulation, along with the hope of judicial protection of public and private interests in environmental litigations.

   7. Assessment of Environmental Pollution at Landfill Sites and Strategies for Remediation and Sustainability

      Salah Adnan Mijwal, Zuhair Jaber Mushref, Ameer Mohammed Khalaf, Saja Ali Barakat, Salah Othman Abed, Mahmood Jameel Khalaf

      Abstract

      This study aims to evaluate the impact of the landfill located in the Al-Jarashi area in Ramadi city, and its contribution to groundwater, air, and soil pollution. The results revealed that the concentration of bicarbonate ion (HCO₃) in the groundwater was 8 mg/L, which is less than the acceptable limits ranging from 25 to 50 mg/L. Carbon dioxide (CO₂) levels recorded 465 parts per million (PPM), exceeding the permissible limit of 250 parts per million. In comparison, the percentage of dissolved salts in the groundwater was recorded at 2850 mg/L, which led to a change in the chemistry of the groundwater in the study area. The soil texture analysis showed that the clay content was 33.5, silt 57.2, and sand 10.4 g/kg. This composition of the soil texture contributed to the leaching of waste juice and its mixing with groundwater. The study concluded that the landfill in Al-Jarashi poses a major environmental challenge due to the high concentrations of pollutants. The study recommended the need to carry out periodic monitoring and analysis by relevant government institutions, enhance waste management practices, and increase vegetation cover around the study area.

   8. Environmental Consequences of Violent Extremism: A Case Study of Conflict in Iraq and Syria

      Zena Kamal Khorsheed Hawezi

      Abstract

      This research aims to clarify the repercussions of terrorist movements and activities on environmental security and the role played by ISIS in Iraq and Syria because of their negative effects, including long-term damage and pollution, as the areas occupied by ISIS since 2014 have suffered in all their vital aspects, and some of them have not yet been addressed. ISSI destroyed the infrastructure of roads and bridges and disrupted transportation, and oil facilities and electric power stations were exposed to the leakage of chemicals and oil, which caused pollution to the environment, and its impact was greater on the forced displacement of the population in those areas. Add to this its destruction of the culture of environmental and historical value (archaeological and historical sites) after stealing the precious from it. It also played a major role in the biological degradation of logging and poaching that accompanied their terrorist operations. The importance of the research came as a result of the large and qualitative negative effects of terrorism (ISIS) and its repercussions on environmental security and its impact on humans as well, and the study ended with some conclusions and recommendations on the need to eliminate the thought of this organization by strengthening cooperation between countries and relevant organization and developing plans for reconstruction and taking into account environmental sustainability while spreading awareness.

   9. Green Environmental Taxes and Their Role in Environmental Protection and Achieving Sustainable Development

      Abbas Moufarrej Fahel

      Abstract

      The alarm bell has begun to ring as the world awakens from its slumber, turning its attention to the preservation and protection of the environment from the pollution affecting both industrialized and developing countries, which has led to the emergence of sustainable development ideas. To achieve sustainable development, important measures must be taken to combat environmental pollutants and preserve natural resources for the well-being and happiness of current and future generations. The world has come to realize that environmental pollution is a direct result of economic development for two reasons: first, the production of materials that cause pollution, and second, the exploitation of natural resources without considering their scarcity and the rights of future generations. A significant number of economists have been instrumental in establishing mechanisms that guide economic policies managed by public authorities to limit and reduce pollution while achieving sustainable development. One of the most important of these mechanisms is the implementation of green taxes (environmental taxes), which have become globally recognized under the principle that “the polluter pays.” Green taxes contribute to environmental protection by imposing deterrents on polluters or offering incentives, such as tax exemptions, to encourage environmentally friendly practices. Many countries around the world have recognized the importance of these taxes for protecting the environment and reducing pollution. The first significant step was taken at the Stockholm Conference in 1972 in Sweden, followed by the publication of the Brundtland Report titled Our Common Future in 1987 by the World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED), which marked a qualitative shift in the concept of development by emphasizing the need to meet society’s needs without endangering the rights of future generations to natural resources. This led to the Earth Summit in 1992 in Rio de Janeiro, where Principle 16 of the Rio Declaration was adopted, reinforcing the “polluter pays” principle, prompting many countries to implement environmental tax reforms without compromising public interests. Examples of green taxes include taxes on services and products that pollute the environment, energy taxes on fossil fuels such as carbon taxes imposed on specific fuels that emit carbon oxides (including oil, gas, and coal), transportation taxes on vehicles that run on diesel, waste taxes to cover the additional costs of waste disposal, and product taxes on economic units that pollute the environment and cause social harm. On the other hand, tax incentives are tax measures implemented by tax authorities, including granting financial benefits such as tax exemptions, deductible expenses, reduced tax rates, and, finally, tax refunds.

3. Climate Change and Sustainability

   1. Frontmatter

   2. Environmental Risks and Their Effects on the Life of the Emirati Society

      Adnan Aldhmour, Asma Hamdan Alsaadi

      Abstract

      The study aims to identify the various environmental risks and the extent of their effects on the quality of community life. The study relies on the descriptive analytical approach by reviewing the theoretical literature and previous studies on same topic. The study finds out several findings, the most important of them are the environmental risks that significantly affect the quality of life of the society. The United Arab Emirates has a clear strategy to confront disasters and environmental risks. This was clearly demonstrated in dealing with torrents and floods caused by rain, which contributes to reduce losses significantly. The environmental risks and their effects on society increase when the infrastructure is not at the required level, and the effects of environmental disasters decrease when the infrastructure and material and human capabilities are at an appropriate level to confront such risks. The necessity of developing modern plans and strategies to review the infrastructure for draining rainwater to prevent its effect on the course of life of the society and reduce losses in general, and the necessity of cooperation between community members through associations and community institutions to be a supporting force for official bodies in confronting disasters and potential environmental risks, finding new and alternative ways to collect more information that helps in predicting the occurrence of a disaster or crisis, developing potential scenarios for the occurrence of natural disasters, and various and diverse crises inspired by previous and future events that are likely to occur according to contemporary scientific, technological, and environmental variables.

   3. Utilizing Carbon Pricing Policies to Achieve Sustainable Development Goals and Confront Global Climate Change: A Reading of the Concepts, Foundations, and Obstacles

      Amal Rahmane, Okba Abdelaoui

      Abstract

      The international community seeks to confront global climate change (GCC) primarily caused by fossil fuels combustion. It also aims to fulfil the sustainable development goals, particularly the seventh and thirteenth ones, which are related to sustainable energy and confronting GCC. Emissions trading, joint implementation, and clean development are flexibility mechanisms that were proposed by employing the Kyoto Protocol. Carbon pricing is done through either direct methods represented by carbon taxes and the emissions trading schemes or indirect methods, such as fuel taxes, raising fuel subsidies, incentives in exchange for reducing emissions, etc. The purpose of the study is to clarify the efficacy of the policies of carbon pricing in confronting GCC and achieving sustainable development goals while commenting on the most important obstacles facing these policies. This is accomplished by relying on the descriptive and analytical approach, where the global situation in this field will be examined. The study concluded that these policies have become necessary to confront GCC and have proven their effectiveness in many countries around the world, but they must be accompanied by other policies to achieve the desired goals.

   4. School Upbringing and Its Impact on Addressing Environmental Pollution Issues

      Najibeh A. Mansour, Fardoos H. El-Sawi

      Abstract

      The current study aimed to identify school upbringing and its impact on addressing environmental pollution issues. It employed the descriptive analytical method and included a sample of secondary school teachers from both public and private schools in Amman, totaling 243 teachers according to the annual report issued by the Jordanian Ministry of Education for the year 2023. The sample was selected using a simple random sampling method. The study results showed that the dimensions of school upbringing among secondary school students in schools affiliated with the capital Amman were moderate. The aspect “Support and Encouragement” came first at an advanced level, pursued by the aspect “Discipline and Organization” with an average level, and in the last place came the aspect “Creativity and Innovation” with an average level. The results also indicated that the level of addressing environmental pollution issues among secondary school students in schools affiliated with the capital Amman was average. The aspect “Environmental Awareness” came first at advanced level, pursued by the aspect “Environmental Practices” with an average level. There were no statistically significant differences in the means of the aspects of school upbringing and addressing environmental pollution issues among secondary school students in schools in Amman attributed to the variables of gender and years of experience of the teachers. There was a positive correlation between school upbringing and addressing environmental pollution issues. The study recommended several recommendations; the need to develop and implement educational programs and initiatives focusing on enhancing creativity and innovation among students, to introduce them to the best practices and methods to encourage innovation in the classrooms.

   5. The Impact of the Participatory Approach on the Urbanization of Cities

      Oumessaad Mekki

      Abstract

      This research paper, titled The Impact of the Participatory Approach in Urban Development of Cities, explores how municipal councils’ adoption of a participatory approach can enhance citizens’ living conditions and safeguard urban development achievements. The focus is on addressing the deteriorating urban environment, visual pollution, and poor living conditions, which have led to growing citizen complaints and paradoxically, made citizens one of the contributors to these issues. Municipal councils, in their efforts to resolve urban problems, need to engage citizens, seeing them as key partners in improving their living framework. The participatory approach allows for an exchange of valuable information between local authorities and citizens, ensuring that development is achieved with their active involvement. The paper argues that involving both municipal councils and citizens in urban projects and their maintenance can prevent decision-making monopolies, foster collective participation in planning, and empower individuals in local development efforts. By mobilizing citizens through neighborhood communication, municipal councils can influence community behaviors, customs, and values, ultimately contributing to a better urban environment and image of cities.

   6. Medical Tourism: A Framework to a Sustainable Industry

      Noura Abdel Maksoud Abdullah Eissa

      Abstract

      This study presents a framework for analyzing the medical tourism industry, offering insights on ensuring its sustainable growth. It defines medical tourism and provides lessons from countries engaged in such activities. Through a qualitative, exploratory study, including literature analysis and case studies, the research identifies factors influencing medical tourists’ willingness to pay and offers policy recommendations to sustain medical tourism development. Key findings highlight indicators for sustainable industry development and recommendations for stakeholders.

   7. Towards the Organization of Green Environmental Courts to Enhance Sustainable Development Goals: Jordan Case

      Shereen Nabil Abu Ghazaleh, Hassan Sami Alabady, Sultan Mahmood Alzubaidi

      Abstract

      This research aims supporting the application of laws, regulations and policies related to the environment to create a culture for the benefit of the Jordanian environment, and to indicate the nature of environmental crimes that are characterized by a special nature. In addition to the possibility of establishing Green (Environmental) Courts in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to ensure the application of environmental laws to achieve global standards for sustainable development approved by United Nations organizations, especially the goals of the environment and the special goal of promoting peace, justice and strong institutions, that is through establishing specialized green courts, or a diverse judiciary for the environment in Jordan. On the other hand, the research address the organizational proposals for the formation and tasks of the Green (Environmental) Court in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and the standards in which it operates, as well as the proposals to organize its work according to the requirements of the Jordanian environment. It is concluded the importance of defining environmental crimes and proposing the formation of green court with special conditions to insure effective and sustainable environment protection.

   8. Tenth Grade Students’ Perception of Environmental Awareness Indicators in the Schools of the Education Directorates of Amman and Al-Jeza Districts in Jordan

      Khalil Abdel Rahman Fayyoumi, Somayyah Khalil Al-Fayyoumi, Osama Khalil Fayyoumi

      Abstract

      The study aimed to assess the awareness of tenth-grade students regarding environmental indicators in schools under the Education Directorates of Amman and Al-Jeza Districts in Jordan. Using a descriptive analytical approach considering gender and residency, researchers employed a questionnaire comprising (34) items across three educational domains: theoretical, affective, and behavioral. The study encompassed (519) tenth-grade students (both male and female) from these districts. Results indicated a moderate level of environmental awareness among students across all three domains. Gender differences were found to be statistically insignificant (α = 0.05).