Environmental investment recovery practices and opportunities: Lessons from project RENEWAL

In the Autumn 1994 issue of Total Quality Environmental Management you learned about Project RENEWAL, a cooperative business project to investigate and promote the linkages between ecology, technology, and business economics. Project RENEWAL stands for Resource Efficiency Network to Eliminate Waste and Liability. This collaborative effort focused on equipment and inventory assets, exploring how better capital asset management can benefit profitability and improve environmental protection. Participants in the project included representatives from industry, consulting, local and state government, environmental agencies, trade groups, and academia. This article describes three specific activities conducted by the RENEWAL participants and suggests ways to improve the success of future projects looking to improve the investment recovery of “impaired” capital assets.     

Environmental performance indicators for enhancing environmental management

Traditionally, environmental issues and concerns have been viewed as a constraint to businesses. This has resulted in environmental managers relying heavily on a reactive, compliance-based approach to justify change. Businesses are now recognizing that efficient management in the environmental arena can benefit the entire company and open new opportunities for increased profits. Managers have acknowledged that environmental issues can be integrated into daily business trends and activities. Not only does sound environmental management decrease liability, but also in current markets a “green” image can attract investors and customers. This article shows how one tool that progressive companies are focusing attention on—environmental performance indicators—is being used to convey the current status of environmental issues and improve the management of these issues for the benefit of the company as well as the environment.     

瀑布沟水电站的主要环境问题

本文简要介绍了瀑布沟水电站的工程情况，工程地区的环境特点，以及兴建该工程带来的主要环境影响，包括自然环境，生物环境和社会环境的影响及其评价结论。     

ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF WETLAND RESTORATION ALONG THE ILLINOIS RIVER1

Creating and restoring wetland and riparian ecosystems between farms and adjacent streams and rivers in the Upper Mississippi River Basin would reduce nitrogen loads and hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico and increase local environmental benefits. Economic efficiency and economic impacts of the Hennepin and Hopper Lakes Restoration Project in Illinois were evaluated. The project converted 999 ha of cropland to bottomland forest, backwater lakes, and flood‐plain wetland habitat. Project benefits were estimated by summing the economic values of wetlands estimated in other studies. Project costs were estimated by the loss in the gross value of agricultural production from the conversion of corn and soybean acreage to wetlands. Estimated annual net benefit of wetland restoration in the project area amounted to US$1,827 per ha of restored wetland or US$1.83 million for the project area, indicating that the project is economically efficient. Impacts of the project on the regional economy were estimated (using IMPLAN) in terms of changes in total output, household income, and employment. The project is estimated to increase total output by US$2,028,576, household income by US$1,379,676, and employment by 56 persons, indicating that it has positive net economic impacts on the regional economy.     

修建三江工程对绵阳城环境影响的初步探讨

本文概念了绵阳城附近的自然环境与社会环境，分析了修建三江工程带来的生态效益，经济效益及社会效益，又估计到一些可能产生的不利影响及减免设想，最后，从城市环境保护角度强调环境措施对三江工程成败的意义。     

Poverty Alleviation and Environmental Restoration Using the Clean Development Mechanism: A Case Study from Humbo,Ethiopia

Poverty, hunger and demand for agricultural land have driven local communities to overexploit forest resources throughout Ethiopia. Forests surrounding the township of Humbo were largely destroyed by the late 1960s. In 2004, World Vision Australia and World Vision Ethiopia identified forestry-based carbon sequestration as a potential means to stimulate community development while engaging in environmental restoration. After two years of consultation, planning and negotiations, the Humbo Community-based Natural Regeneration Project began implementation—the Ethiopian organization’s first carbon sequestration initiative. The Humbo Project assists communities affected by environmental degradation including loss of biodiversity, soil erosion and flooding with an opportunity to benefit from carbon markets while reducing poverty and restoring the local agroecosystem. Involving the regeneration of 2,728 ha of degraded native forests, it brings social, economic and ecological benefits—facilitating adaptation to a changing climate and generating temporary certified emissions reductions (tCERs) under the Clean Development Mechanism. A key feature of the project has been facilitating communities to embrace new techniques and take responsibility for large-scale environmental change, most importantly involving Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR). This technique is low-cost, replicable, and provides direct benefits within a short time. Communities were able to harvest fodder and firewood within a year of project initiation and wild fruits and other non-timber forest products within three years. Farmers are using agroforestry for both environmental restoration and income generation. Establishment of user rights and local cooperatives has generated community ownership and enthusiasm for this project—empowering the community to more sustainably manage their communal lands.     

Program efficiency analysis within the environmental landscape

The aim of this paper is to demonstrate the importance of accounting for environmental impacts in project feasibility. Cost–benefit analysis, a germane tool for measuring a project’s feasibility, can be utilized for projects with environmental consequences. This paper first provides a background on cost–benefit analysis as well as a background on environmental cost–benefit analysis. It then provides the steps taken in order to perform this type of analysis. With this cost–benefit analysis and environmental cost–benefit analysis framework in mind, six international case studies are reviewed to demonstrate how cost–benefit analysis is applied to various environmental projects around the world using different methods and from both a public and private sector viewpoint. Recommendations are then put forward to address the need for continued consideration and implementation of environmental impacts on cost–benefit analyses.     

Expanding the benefits of environmental management systems through DFE

Industry's role in environmental protection is changing and growing. Increasing evidence shows that a corporation's understanding and response to environmental issues and concerns can have strategically important consequences for some kinds of businesses.¹ Focusing on concepts of prevention, industry has developed and struggled with a number of environmental approaches, all of which attempt to link the environment with common business practice. Industry has followed and in some cases embraced concepts and approaches like sustainable development, eco-efficiency, green manufacturing, pollution prevention, and extended product responsibility. A particularly timely and promising strategy to reduce the environmental impact of both manufacturing and product use while enhancing business success is the integration of environmental management systems (EMS) with design for the environment (DFE) efforts. A desirable relationship can and should exist between DFE and EMS. This relationship has not been well understood, but is crucial to fulfill the promise of each. In application, the institutionalization of DFE in an organization is difficult and tenuous at best. Some authors suggest that management issues block the implementation of DFE.² Others say that DFE has not been institutionalized to the extent that pollution prevention has.³ This article suggests that through an explicit connection between an EMS and DFE, DFE can extend the promise of EMS to reduce industry's environmental impact and produce business success, and it can do so in an ongoing way. The authors will show the importance of an EMS/DFE linkage, suggest company types that might benefit from investigating these approaches, and then review a series of DFE tool types.     

以他国为例兼论数据促进我国环境部门资源整合与开发

文章介绍并论述了欧美及俄罗斯、日本等国家环境及其相关部门的职责及其工作。其部分工作体现了其综合性、前端性、支撑性、服务性。国情不同,相关事务自然不能一概而论。但他国以环境为资源,用数据科学的思想、方法对环境资源进行统筹、分析、挖掘,其实践思路和实践也许有借鉴的可能。并指出,我国在借鉴之中,或可加强政府部门之间、社会盈利与非盈利组织之间、政府部门与社会组织之间、以及个人之间的合作,通过数据公开、数据共享,从而降低成本,进行数据挖掘、利用,协力解决环境与人和谐共生问题,同时激发新的经济增长点。真正体现数据来源于自然、来源于人;同时形成数据资源这一新资源,保护并服务于自然与人。     

Environmental portfolio analysis: An integrated strategic approach to environmental management

As businesses strive to reduce costs and become more competitive, environmental costs and potential future liability issues continue to raise overhead expenses. The decision process is further challenged by the various interpretations of existing laws and the uncertainty of future applicable regulations and their interpretation. To make more informed business decisions and bridge the gap between the environmental and business perspective, organizations need to be able to see the overall environmental picture and how it affects the current and future business operation. This article presents a systematic approach to developing an organization's integrated baseline “environmental portfolio” with various business risk levels and expected costs. Utilizing computer simulation, sensitivity iterations are performed to show the results of different scenarios. These scenarios can include various probabilities of cost levels, permitting strategies, and litigation, as well as the success of new technologies. Management can then focus attention on the main driving factors and avoid spending too much attention on lesser items. An additional benefit to this process is that communication between the various segments of an organization are enhanced since their perspectives are clearly articulated as part of the analysis. Sensitivity analysis also provides the framework for a sanity check of the process and results. Are projected levels of success reasonable? What levels would be required to change the decision, and how likely are they to occur? What level of overall business risk associated with environmental issues is prudent? In addition this article shows how computer modeling and simulation can bring a valuable perspective to the decision-making process.     

Designing a sustainable facility to improve energy and environmental performance at the women's humane society

Susan Maxman Architects was selected to design a new facility for the Women's Humane Society. The project, located on a disturbed site in Bensalem, Pennsylvania, presented an environmental challenge as a large part of the site is wetlands and the site is home to a large PECO power line. This case study describes the process of designing a facility that incorporates the concerns of environmental responsibility. It will show how the decisions in the design of the built environment can very much influence the well-being of the natural environment. It describes the ways in which the client was convinced that it was of great benefit to create a facility that was energy-efficient and environmentally sensitive. The article also explores the successes and failures of this process. It discusses barriers that exist in comprehensively incorporating sustainable design principles in these facilities and shows how it is applicable for the development of other facilities.     

西部管道通过国家级自然保护区的环保对策研究 ──以通过甘肃省安西极旱荒漠国家自然保护区为例

西部管道工程需要通过安西极旱荒漠国家级自然保护区的试验区,该保护区有中亚荒漠最具代表性的植被类型,为保护试验区的植被,建设单位从源头保护开始做起,在施工组织设计、施工期环境管理和生态恢复上采取了一系列措施,确保了管道施工对区域环境的影响控制在预测的范围内,实现了生产和环境保护双赢。     

OHS风险控制方法在烟气排放控制工程中的应用

介绍了烟气排放控制工程中OHS风险控制的方法，并以香港青山“B”电厂4X680MW机组排放控制工程（CPBEC）为例，阐述了目前国内外环保项目在OHS风险管理方面的差距和改进措施。     

Significance and Effect of Ecological Rehabilitation Project in Inland River Basins in Northwest China

The Ecological Water Transfer and Rehabilitation Project in the arid inland area of northwest China is an important measure in restoring a deteriorated ecosystem. However, the sustainability of the project is affected by many socio-economic factors. This article examines the attitudes of the local populace toward the project, its impact on the livelihood of the people, and the positive effects of water-efficient agricultural practices in Ejina County. Related data were collected through questionnaire surveys and group discussions. The results identified three critical issues that may influence the sustainability of the project in the study area. The first issue relates to the impact of the project on the livelihood of local herdsmen. The potential for the sustainability of the project is compromised because the livelihood of the herdsmen greatly depends on the compensation awarded by the project. The second issue is that the project did not raise the water resource utilization ratio, which may undermine its final purpose. Finally, the compensation provided by the project considers losses in agriculture, but neglects the externalities and public benefit of eco-water. Thus, appropriate compensation mechanisms should be established and adopted according to local economic, environmental, and social conditions. Some recommendations for improving the sustainability of the project are provided based on the results of this study.     

Informing common pool resource problems: a survey of preference for catchment management strategies amongst farmers and the general public in the Ythan river catchment

In principle the protection of environmental resources is in every ones interest, yet it is evident that this is not what often occurs. In some cases there is an identifiable person or corporation, whose environmental impact can be tractably regulated either politically or via market forces. In other cases there is cumulative impact on a commonly held or "common pool" resource, from a variety of users, making establishing rights and responsibilities for resource management more difficult. The water of the Ythan catchment is one such 'Common Pool Resource' (CPR). An intensively farmed catchment also sustaining a sizable population, the consequent nitrate inputs to the water are believed to be the cause of algal matting at the estuary mouth, an internationally designated wildlife reserve. This led to its designation as Scotland's first Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZ). Supported by the EU Life Environment fund, the Ythan Project attempted to foster co-operation between farmers and the wider community of the Ythan catchment to protect and restore the river environment. Throughout the project surveys were undertaken concerning the popularity of the Ythan Project's voluntary approach compared with more individualist or state-organised approaches. Taking CPR theory as a framework, key findings from those surveys are presented and discussed as to their implications for organisational intervention in CPR problems.     

沙漠尾水综合利用模式探讨研究——以群克消纳地尾水处理工程为例

水资源匮乏成为当前世界改善沙漠生态环境面临的凸出问题之一，合理利用企业尾水成为缓解甚至实现改善沙漠环境的一种尝试。研究以群克消纳地沙漠尾水处理工程为例，提出一种针对尾水沙漠综合利用的新型技术模式。通过研究分析尾水对周边水域、土壤以及绿地植物、脊椎动物、水体生物的影响，结合科学的评价方法，对沙漠尾水综合利用进行评价，得出以下结论:群克消纳地尾水沙漠综合利用的规范化技术新型技术工程有利于周边生态环境变好，对动植物、水体、土壤等没有不良影响;水域边上植被盖度增加，对周边活动沙丘固定起到初步积极作用，同时，也为周边动植物提供栖息场所以及生长发育的环境基础;区域生态环境恢复良好，形成了与区域自然水体类似的生态系统结构，群克消纳地尾水处理工程形成的稳定的生态系统表明，在沙漠中采用无害、生态性的尾水处理技术是可行的。     

我国环保产业现状及环保企业商业模式

我国环保产业处于发展的黄金时期,环保企业的商业模式决定其能否建立强大的产业基础甚至成为产业主导。文章从环保产业发展的外部政策环境、环保产业发展历程和细分产业相关企业商业模式等角度探讨了我国环保产业的现状,并分析了环保企业商业模式的发展方向。新的商业模式将培育出综合环境服务商和环境解决方案提供商。     

南美环保与社区事务策略——以厄瓜多尔项目为例

以南美厄瓜多尔项目为例,分析在新的转型石油服务合同模式下,海外项目在环保和社区事务上面临的风险,包括环保许可审批时间长、历史污染处理、保护区内新区块开发审批难、社区补偿和社区冲突等问题。厄瓜多尔项目采用项目管理方法加强环保许可审批,借助审计契机划清历史污染责任,利用合同承诺解决保护区内作业难题,通过与政府沟通、利用政府力量推动工作开展,用法律武器解决社区问题,为项目持续稳定发展奠定基础。     

Can ISO 14063 be a tool to plan the environmental communication strategy of a territorial area?

Over the past two decades, communication on environmental values, actions and performance has become an essential activity of organisations, because of the increased public concern and legislation related to the environment.

Stakeholders put pressure on companies to take environmental responsibility. In this framework, an effective environmental communication can generate value-added on companies' environmental work, and consequently, their competitiveness and profitability can benefit from communicating their environmental responsibility.

In 2006, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) launched a standard for environmental communication, ISO 14063. ISO 14063 should not be used for third-party certification purposes. Instead, it is intended to be used as a guideline and support companies to ensure successful environmental communication. The aim of this paper is to prompt a discussion about the applicability of the standard ISO 14063 not only to single organisations but as a tool to plan the environmental communication strategy of a whole territorial area. This is achieved by performing a case study relating to the Interreg IVC-funded project “Progresland”. The project involved three Italian and one Spanish natural areas and demonstrated that ISO 14063 could be a valid support to define and implement an environmental communication plan for a territorial area.