Centre for Development and Environment (CDE)

CDE Working papers

CDE Working Papers present reflections on sustainable development issues of concern to researchers, development experts, and policymakers around the world.

Well-being and ecology through more time?

What’s the impact of reduced working hours on hospital employees? A study by CDE researchers suggests that reducing working hours can be an effective way of at least partially easing the burden on staff and improving working conditions, thus addressing the shortage of skilled labour.

CDE Working Paper 8 (in German) (PDF, 7.2 MB)

Measuring the impact of climate conversations

What effects do to small group conversations about individual climate protection behaviour have on participants’ personal ecological footprint? This report examines this question using the case of climate conversations in Switzerland, a format in which participants exchange views on the topic over the course of six meetings. There is a significant reduction in participants’ climate footprints compared to a control group.

CDE Working paper 7 (in German) (PDF, 9.5 MB)

Less is more - The triple gain of reducing working hours

The constant economic growth in Switzerland fuels more consumption and CO2 emissions. But instead of consuming more, we could reduce working ours – resulting in a triple gain: better quality of life, fairer societies, and reduced CO2 emissions. In this working paper, CDE researchers show how it could work (in German).

CDE Working paper 6 (PDF, 1.0 MB)

Sustainable Regional and Landscape Development in Integrative Large-Scale Protected Areas: What Role for Culture?

Discussions on sustainable regional and landscape development – like those on sustainable development in general – usually distinguish environmental, social, and economic dimensions and goals. Based on literature and document analyses as well as expert interviews in six European large-scale protected areas, the authors of this CDE Working Paper show the benefits of defining an added cultural dimension of sustainability.

CDE Working Paper 5 (PDF, 1.0 MB)

Curbing Illicit Financial Flows in Commodity Trading: Tax Transparency

The 2030 Agenda calls for combating illicit financial flows in commodity trading. The aim is to enable resource-rich countries to secure their corresponding tax revenues. As a major commodity-trading hub, Switzerland has recently taken steps to expand its exchange of relevant data. This study examines whether these steps help to counteract mispricing of commodities.

CDE Working Paper 4.pdf (PDF, 1.4 MB)

CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES IN ASSESSING SUSTAINABLE MOUNTAIN DEVELOPMENT

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the associated Sustainable Development Goals offer a useful framework for assessing sustainable development in mountain regions and devising strategies for its promotion. In this Working Paper, scientists of CDE and the Mountain Research Initiative discuss gaps in data on sustainable development in mountains and propose possible ways of addressing them.

CDE Working Paper 3.pdf (PDF, 4.0 MB)

ECO-DRIVE: REDUCING ROAD NOISE BY PROMOTING A QUIET DRIVING STYLE

Road noise is the most harmful source of traffic noise pollution in terms of the number of people affected. Achieving change in polluters’ behaviour offers a promising complement to existing noise abatement measures. This study examined how promotion of a quiet driving style can help to reduce road traffic noise. (In German)

CDE Working Paper 2.pdf (PDF, 2.5 MB) Annex CDE Working Paper 2.pdf (PDF, 1.4 MB)

EU TRADE AGREEMENTS AND THEIR IMPACTS ON HUMAN RIGHTS

EU trade policy can have a strong influence on the human rights situation in partner countries, particularly in developing countries. Sustainability impact assessments of trade agreements are instrumental in avoiding adverse effects. This Working Paper analyses EU trade sustainability impact assessments and shows how consistent integration of a human rights approach could make them more effective.

CDE Working Paper 1.pdf (PDF, 316KB)