A lot has been happening in and out of Ecolarge HQ lately!
Economists at Large just got larger!
In July, Rod addressed the environmental economics lectures at Monash and Melbourne Universities, encouraging young, aspiring economists to get involved with some of our projects. It was great to have so many turn up to our later info sessions at our Bevan St office. Thanks to those who’ve already contributed, notably to our work with the Maules Creek Community Council. Thanks also to Dr Edwyna Harris and Professor John Freebairn for their support.
Publication
One of our directors, Simon, has recently had a Issues Paper published on Ecological Economics through the Australian Collaboration which you can read here.
Livestock in disasters
We’re working on a fascinating project with the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) and their Livestock in Disasters programme. This programme aims to improve recovery from natural disasters through livelihoods-based initiatives and improvements in animal welfare. We’re conducting a literature review of the role livestock play in developing economies and the economics of natural disasters which will be released soon.
Sustainable Rattan in Laos
Rod and Tristan will be heading to Laos in Sept-Oct to work with WWF’s sustainable rattan programme. Rattan is commonly used for furniture making and is one of the most valuable non-timber forest products in the Mekong Basin. Unsustainable harvesting practices have been threatening livelihoods and natural resources in the region. WWF’s programme works with communities, processors and retailers to make the industry more sustainable and profitable. This work will build on work Rod has done for WWF in the past, which you can read here and here.
Publish What You Pay (PWYP) Australia
In August, Economists at Large were invited to join Publish What You Pay (PWYP) Australia. PWYP is a global network of civil society organisations that is committed to promoting good governance in natural resource-rich countries, including greater transparency surrounding oil, gas and mining revenues so that citizens are able to hold companies and governments to account and benefit from their resources. PWYP Australia is a coalition of 14 organisations that support increased payment transparency in mining and minerals industries in Australia. Economists at Large are excited to be involved and we look forward to contributing to this important initiative.
The economics of the Lynas Advanced Materials Processing Plant (LAMP)
Between July and August, Economists at Large conducted some preliminary analysis of the Lynas Advanced Materials Processing Plant (LAMP) being constructed in Malaysia. There has been significant press surrounding LAMP, a development by the Australian mining company Lynas Corporation Ltd. Economists at Large decided to look into LAMP with hopes of improving the level of public awareness surrounding the economics of the project. The LAMP is a perfect example of the need for greater transparency in the minerals and mining industry and highlights the importance of the Publish What You Pay (PWYP) campaign. You can read the blog about it here.
