Ibadan Journal of the Social Sciences
Volume 13, No. 2, 2015
DOI: 10.36108/ijss/5102.31.0210
Public-Private Partnership and Environmental Security in the Developing Countries
Chris o. Ikporukpo
Department of Geography, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
Abstract
In spite of the fact that the environment had attracted attention in varying degrees, the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment, held in Stockholm, Sweden, in 1972, marked the formalization of environmental concern. Following this conference and subsequent Earth Summits, various jurisdictions, in varying degrees and in varying inceptions, have attempted to operationalize this concern. The approaches adopted have resulted in various degrees of success and have in many cases resulted in paradigm shift. The emergence of Public-Private Partnership (PPP) is one such example. This work analyzes the potentials of PPP as an environmental management strategy. As a conceptual basis, the concepts of PPP and environmental security are discussed. Based on formal PPP waste management examples from India, Sri Lanka, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Ghana and Nigeria, and national park management in Zambia, it is shown that PPP results in better operational efficiency and financial returns. This is largely because of more effective management, the injection of capital and improved technology. Examples of Environmental NGOs in India, Kenya and Nigeria also indicate that informal PPP also has considerable impact. However; for PPP to be much more effective in the developing countries challenges, such as weak laws, lack of political will and corruption, must be addressed.
Keywords: Public-Private Partnership, Environmental Security, Environmental NGOs, Waste Management, Forest Resources Management