(SIDS): the Impact of Singapore on International Environmental Policymaking (1992-2019)”, for an Academic Study at Northeastern University
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1 MAPPING THE LITTLE RED DOT'S ADVOCACY FOR SMALL ISLAND DEVELOPING STATES (SIDS): THE IMPACT OF SINGAPORE ON INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLICYMAKING (1992-2019) By Mansurah Izzul Bolkiah, MALD, MA, BA A doctoral thesis Presented to the Graduate Faculty of the Doctor of Law and Policy Program at Northeastern University In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Law and Policy Under the supervision of Dr. Golnoosh Hakimdavar And second reader, Dr. Amanda Bradshaw College of Professional Studies Northeastern University Boston, Massachusetts Defense Date: July 5, 2021 2 © Mansurah Izzul Bolkiah, 2021 3 DEDICATION To the most important beacons of light, M.O.A. and P.A.Z., whose support, love, and understanding were all I ever needed to embark on this venture and accomplish what I have done. To my family members who have provided a strong foundation in the past few years and throughout my educational endeavor. To the bibliophile, who has nurtured my lifelong interest in reading, forever placing a book in my hands that allowed me to aspire towards the hopes and dreams that once did not seem achievable. Thank you for always making me feel like family. To my friends, mentors, and colleagues, past and present, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) for continuously being there to offer good advice or lend an ear. I could not have done this without each one of you. To W.S., N.R., L.G.N., L.J.S., E.Y., M.A., S.N., T.B.Y., P.A.H., J.S. and O.P. - All of whom I would like to celebrate this accomplishment with, you have all played a prominent part in this undertaking. To my brothers and sisters of Cohort VIII in Northeastern University's Doctor of Law and Policy (DLP) program, I am grateful for everyone's constant check-ins, motivation, and feedback. Our time together has forged an everlasting bond that I will forever treasure. You all incarnate the saying "friends that become family." 4 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS To my advisor, Dr. Golnoosh Hakimdavar, I am grateful for the constant perseverance, support, and guidance throughout this process. Your comprehensive knowledge of research methods has helped shape the thesis to where it is today. I would also like to thank my second reader, Dr. Amanda Bradshaw, for her time and sage advice. To the faculty and staff of the Doctor of Law and Policy (DLP) program at Northeastern University, the knowledge you provided will prove valuable to me for a long time. Honorable mention to Dr. Alireza Raisi for stimulating our inquisitiveness in class while also making the journey a manageable one. This finished product would not have been possible without Prof. S.P., I am grateful for your guidance and valuable feedback. 5 ABSTRACT This dissertation analyzes the central role of Singapore, as a Small Island Developing States (SIDS) country, in formulating, implementing and advocating for international environmental policy for the period of 1992 to 2019. This study uses qualitative interpretive/ hermeneutic phenomenological analysis to explore the policy-related documents and opinions gathered by members of the policymaking and research community, at the international and domestic level, to understand how their collaboration changed the culture of policy negotiation, policy formulation, and policy implementation in environmental policy. The research investigates how United Nations Member States (UNMS) adopt and implement international environmental policy documents in their own countries from 1992 to 2019. The investigation traced a change over time in participation trends, policy documents, and outcomes to examine a general complex set of factors surrounding a central phenomenon. The research contributes to adaptation-centric literature on environmental policy. In filling gaps in the existing literature, this dissertation highlights the policy negotiation, policy formulation, and policy implementation of SIDS countries regarding the transition from international to national environmental policy. Additionally, few studies have looked at the role of Singapore in SIDS environmental policymaking. By focusing on Singapore's policy documents and interviews with Singaporean and UN representatives, these research findings highlight the importance of mitigation strategy, sustainable financing, training, capacity building in Singapore's environmental policy initiatives, and the country's unique role as a SIDS advocate in international environmental policy. The social constructivist worldview elucidates the understanding of Singapore's environmental policy through a narrative lens that unfolds through interviews with Singaporean-centric representatives, practitioners, and experts. The policy feedback theory allows for investigating 6 Singapore's environmental policy from a domestic, regional and international perspective, looking at how the policies serve as institutions that control policy change. The research distinguishes past, current, and future trends in international environmental policy and informs of the evolution of Singapore's environmental policy regarding what their priorities were, currently are, and will be. The research outcome identifies emerging trends in international environmental policy research and serves as a strong basis for future research, particularly for SIDS countries. Singapore; International Environmental Policy; Case StuDy; Small IslanD Developing States (SIDS); Qualitative Interviews; Document Analysis; Interpretive/ Hermeneutic Phenomenological Analysis; Social Constructivist WorlDview; Policy FeeDback Theory; Policy ADaptation; Policy Implementation; Policy Evaluation. 7 TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter 1: Introduction .............................................................................................................. 16 Background..............................................................................................................................17 Law and Policy Review………………………………………………………………….......23 National Policies Relevant to the Environment.................................................................25 International and Regional Agreements Relevant to the Environment.............................28 Problem Statement…….......……………………………….....................……………….......35 Purpose of the Study…………………………………………………………………………37 Research Questions.......................................................................................………………...37 Theoretical Framework…....................………………………………………………………38 Definitions…………………………………………………………………………………....44 Assumptions………………………………………………………………………………….47 Scope and Delimitations……………………………………………………………………..48 Limitations…………………………………………………………………………………...49 Significance…………………………………………………………………………………..50 Summary……………………………………………………………………………………..51 Chapter 2: Literature Review .................................................................................................... 52 Literature Search Strategy ....................................................................................................... 52 Literature Review Related to Key Concepts and Variables...............................................53 Adaptation..............................................................................................................54 Regional Organizations..........................................................................................55 Organizational Effectiveness, National Participation, and Commitments.............56 Related Research Studies.......................................................................................59 8 Summary……………………………………………………………………………………..67 Chapter 3: Research Methodology ............................................................................................ 69 Research Design and Rationale ............................................................................................... 69 Methodology ............................................................................................................................ 71 Positionality Statement......................................................................................................77 Participant Selection .........................................................................................................79 Procedures for Recruitment and Participation or Access to Data......................................81 Data Collection..................................................................................................................85 Data Analysis Plan.............................................................................................................87 Trustworthiness........................................................................................................................91 Ethical Procedures...................................................................................................................95 Summary..................................................................................................................................99 Chapter 4: Results ..................................................................................................................... 102 Response Rate ....................................................................................................................... 103 Data Collection Procedure.....................................................................................................103 Policy Documents Data Analysis...........................................................................................108