Asia and the Pacific

Decarbonisation in New Caledonia

Project size (& length): 25 or 50

For French speakers, there are a few project ideas in northern Grande Terre, New Caledonia, with a local NGO Environord pushing against a very slow start on decarbonisation in this mineral-rich French territory. They are considering supporting solar installations on customary land, for example, following some examples here in Victoria. Research is on the logistical and governance issues. We have applied for funding, but nothing is yet secured.

A/Prof Simon Batterbury, School of Geography, Earth & Atmospheric Sciences and Melbourne Climate Futures Academy
simonpjb@unimelb.edu.au

How does public participation of China’s “River Chief” system contribute to the local water pollution problem?

Project size (& length): 25 or 50

The River Chief System (RCS) is a new measure introduced to help solve China’s complex water problems and maintain the health of rivers and lakes. Millions of local citizens have been appointed as “civilian river chiefs” in China. How does this new environmental governance initiative contribute to China’s water/river pollution problem? Professor Wang has many local contacts. Research students can conduct fieldwork in China with the local civilian river chiefs.

Professor Mark Wang, School of Geography, Earth & Atmospheric Sciences
myw@unimelb.edu.au

Chinese FDI and Local Engagement in Indonesia: Trends, Interaction and Adaptation

Project size (& length): 25 or 50

Driven in part by Beijing’s ‘going out’ strategy and the Belt and Road Initiative, Chinese companies have actively expanded their global overseas investment footprint. Such projects range from exporting China’s infrastructure abilities (e.g., transport and hydro-dam) to agricultural and natural resources hunting. Despite these developments, there is limited understanding over the various mechanisms underlying such investments. This knowledge gap is particularly problematic considering Chinese foreign direct investment (FDI) has repeatedly triggered concerns over its specific lending and labour arrangements and generated debate over environmental and social impacts. In addition, large Chinese FDI projects tend to focus exclusively on state-to-state negotiation, leaving little room for local communities and NGOs to participate. As such, local engagement is often overlooked resulting in disproportionate consequences for some, ultimately exacerbating social inequality and further marginalising some parts of the local population.

Research students could study a Chinese hydro-dam project or palm oil investment projects in Indonesia. Professor Wang and his team have already completed data collection which was funded.

Professor Mark Wang, School of Geography, Earth & Atmospheric Sciences
myw@unimelb.edu.au

Chinese investment in Australia: Business networking

Project size (& length): 25 or 50

Professor Mark Wang, School of Geography, Earth & Atmospheric Sciences
myw@unimelb.edu.au

How do China’s decarbonisation programs impact local communities? What are the adaptation strategies?

Project size (& length): 25 or 50

China produces the world’s largest carbon emissions, and these emissions are still rising. The Chinese central government has announced its commitment to reaching net-zero carbon emissions before 2060. As a result, local governments have adopted many different de-carbonisation programmes. How has the local population adapted to these programmes? What are the local impacts?

Professor Mark Wang, School of Geography, Earth & Atmospheric Sciences
myw@unimelb.edu.au

Planning village’s “Rural revitalisation” future

Project size (& length): 25 or 50

How a case study village prepares itself for the ‘rural revitalisation’ program? Research students will have access to a case study village to conduct this research project (Chinese language skill is not required).

Professor Mark Wang, School of Geography, Earth & Atmospheric Sciences
myw@unimelb.edu.au

Comparing carbon-zero campuses: Melbourne University vs a selected Chinese university

Project size (& length): 25 or 50

Professor Mark Wang, School of Geography, Earth & Atmospheric Sciences
myw@unimelb.edu.au

Irrigation Dynamics and Crop Water Demand in Southeast Cambodia

Project size (& length): 25 or 50

A research project is underway that aims to develop a better understanding of about the use of groundwater by rural communities for agriculture in the Lower Mekong Region. In so doing, it also aims to identify entry points for the least-visible marginalized and socially vulnerable groups of women and men to gain benefits from improved groundwater access.

One of the case study areas extends over the Mekong River floodplain provinces of Prey Veng and Svey Rieng, situated in Southeast Cambodia. Across these two provinces groundwater level trends have been analysed using field data from a network of observation wells. The analysis shows emerging signs of groundwater over-exploitation, most likely due to high irrigation water demand associated with the wet and dry season rice production characteristic of these two provinces.

The research aims to quantify the irrigated area trends and crop water demand across the two provinces using Remote Sensing techniques over the past two decades (or longer where possible).

It is anticipated that Landsat and MODIS data would be drawn upon. Key indicators would likely include ETa (crop water demand) and IA (irrigated area).

The specific approach used would be determined at the start of the study after a review of the key literature and in consultation with academic and project advisors.

A/Prof Dongryeol Ryu, Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology
dryu@unimelb.edu.au

Using forests to save them?  The sustainability of the local rattan and resin trade in the forests of Palawan Island, the Philippines

Project size (& length): 50

This project involves travel to the Philippines to examine how NGOs and locals aim to leverage the harvest of rattan and resin as the basis of sustainable livelihoods and forest conservation. But how sustainable is the trade? Are locals interested in making a living or is conservation a motive too?

Funding is available depending on the character/ design of the project etc... Knowledge of Tagalog useful but not necessary. High levels of cultural respect and humility is required to work with forest-reliant peoples.

Prof. Wolfram Dressler, School of Geography, Earth & Atmospheric Sciences
wolfram.dressler@unimelb.edu.au

Nature-based solutions? The politics of afforestation, biodiversity conservation, and indigenous land rights in Indonesia

Project size (& length): 50

The project will involve a review of nature-based solutions (NBS) policy and programs in Southeast Asia and Indonesia in particular. It specifically considers the role of big-international NGOs as brokers for implementing NBS between the state and local communities. It considers whose motives, knowledge and power matters in making decisions about where large-scale afforestation project go. Who benefits, who loses and whose rights matter?

The project is ideal for Indonesian nationals or Australian citizens with working knowledge of Bahasa Indonesia. High levels of cultural respect and humility is required to work with forest-reliant peoples.

Funding available depending on character/ design of project etc...

Prof. Wolfram Dressler, School of Geography, Earth & Atmospheric Sciences
wolfram.dressler@unimelb.edu.au