Methodology to translate policy assessment problems into scenarios: the example of the SEAMLESS integrated framework

Scenario-based approaches in environmental and policy assessment studies are increasingly applied within integrated assessment and modelling frameworks. The SEAMLESS project develops such an integrated framework (SEAMLESS-IF) aiming to assess, ex-ante, impacts of alternative agro-environmental policies on the sustainability of agricultural systems. A particular challenge in this context is the consistent translation of a wide range of policy questions into scenarios that a modelling framework can assess. The present work defines a methodology for scenario-development in integrated policy assessment with specific emphasis on SEAMLESS-IF. After a general overview on scenario concepts for integrated policy assessment the adopted scenario concept and its development procedure is presented. They allow building integrated scenarios capturing the range of drivers of the assessed agricultural system in a consistent way across temporal and spatial scales. Then focus is on the particular procedures to translate the policy assessment questions into scenario parameters and to implement these parameters into SEAMLESS-IF. Two examples targeted at European and regional level combining integrated assessments of policy changes and technological innovations are considered to illustrate the SEAMLESS scenario concept. We conclude that the proposed methodology to translate policy assessment problems into scenarios effectively supports integrated assessment in SEAMLESS-IF or even in other modelling frameworks.     

战略环境评价指标体系框架研究——以流域规划为例

《规划环境影响评价技术导则》（试行）对规划环境影响评价的实践给出了指导,但作为规划环境评价对象之一的流域规划,该导则目前还没有给出其环境影响评价的指标体系。依照DPSIR框架的思路,初步建立了流域规划环境影响评价指标集。但DPSIR框架也不是很完善,因其对因果关系简化过多,难以了解复杂的现实因果关系,所以要达到真实的综合环境评价,需要对现实指标的关系进行深入的研究,需要改进DPSIR思路。     

SAFE—A hierarchical framework for assessing the sustainability of agricultural systems

Sustainable development and the definition of indicators to assess progress towards sustainability have become a high priority in scientific research and on policy agendas. In this paper, we propose a consistent and comprehensive framework of principles, criteria and indicators (PC&I) for sustainability assessment of agricultural systems, referred to as the Sustainability Assessment of Farming and the Environment (SAFE) framework. In addition we formulate consistent and objective approaches for indicator identification and selection. The framework is designed for three spatial levels: the parcel level, the farm level and a higher spatial level that can be the landscape, the region or the state. The SAFE framework is hierarchical as it is composed of principles, criteria, indicators and reference values in a structured way. Principles are related to the multiple functions of the agro-ecosystem, which go clearly beyond the production function alone. The multifunctional character of the agro-ecosystem encompasses the three pillars of sustainability: the environmental, economic and social pillars. Indicators and reference values are the end-products of the framework. They are the operational tools that are used for evaluating the sustainability of the agro-ecosystems. The proposed analytical framework is not intended to find a common solution for sustainability in agriculture as a whole, but to serve as an assessment tool for the identification, the development and the evaluation of agricultural production systems, techniques and policies.     

The significance of information frameworks in integrated risk assessment and management

We present an analysis of frameworks for information on integrated risk assessment and management, focusing on issues related to environmental and health risks of chemicals and their regulation at the EU level. By frameworks we understand the conceptual and procedural constructs within which information is assimilated, processed and given meaning. We examine different aspects of integrated risk information and how these are handled in different frameworks. We mainly address integration in relation to policy, specifically in risk evaluation and risk–benefit considerations, in interaction of assessment and management, and in policy level uncertainties. We show how the policy level influences the frameworks and hence the level and use of integrated assessments, and how they interact with new information and scientific frameworks in EU chemicals control such as the REACH legislation. We conclude that by paying better attention to the nature of the framework it is possible to focus on the most crucial aspects of integration. In this way it is possible to develop appropriate flexible assessments that focus on key complexities and issues without getting entrenched in details of minor significance for the policy problem at hand.     

National forest policy as a platform for biosphere carbon management: the case of community forestry in Cameroon

Little attention has been given to the development of national policies relevant for the uptake, development and implementation of Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) projects. In this paper we examine the compatibility between forestry and related policy provisions in Cameroon and the CDM provisions for Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF). For each CDM requirement such as eligibility, additionality, impact assessment and sustainable development, relevant national forestry policy questions are identified. These relevant policy questions are applied to community forestry policy instruments in Cameroon to analyse the likelihood that they can enhance or inhibit the uptake and implementation of biosphere carbon projects. We found that choosing a single crown cover value (from between 10 and 30%) presented a serious dilemma for Cameroon given its diverse vegetation cover. Adopting any single value within this range is unlikely to optimize national carbon management potential. The current forest institutional and regulatory policy framework in Cameroon is inadequate for promoting carbon forestry under current CDM rules. We conclude that national policy in Cameroon would need to recognise the need for and adopt a pro-active approach for biosphere carbon management, engaging in institutional development, integrated planning, project development support and providing adequate regulatory frameworks to enhance sustainable development through CDM projects. The need for CDM/Kyoto capacity building support for proactive national and local policy development is highlighted.     

美国海岸带管理和环境评估的框架及启示

本文介绍了美国《海岸带管理法案》所反映的海岸带管理的基本问题,包括海岸带管理的目标、重点领域、方法、策略与政策框架;还介绍了美国的海岸带区划,以及海岸环境评估的指标体系和评估标准。在此基础上提出所受启示与借鉴之处。     

基于熵权的区间型多属性决策方法在湖泊水质评价中的应用

针对现有多属性决策方法在水质评价过程中忽视指标在某一等级内效用相同,导致指标间过度补偿,综合评价效果失真的问题,本文考虑将指标时序或空间的多个监测值转化成区间数以降低数据维度,保留时序信息,同时通过定义指标区间到约定等级区间的距离,体现评价强调达标的特点,进而利用熵权法从指标平均水平达标的一致性和变化幅度的趋同性两方面筛选评价作用显著的指标.该方法在指标测度阶段和指标生成阶段压缩决策矩阵维度,简化了评价过程的计算.最后通过对太湖水域的水质数据的评价案例说明了方法的可行性和实效性.     

略论环保新热点——生态系统健康

健康的生态系统是人类赖以生存和发展的必要条件,维护与保持生态系统健康,是关系到人类前途和命运的重大课题。该文介绍了生态系统健康的概念、特征以及与生态学、社会经济和人类健康的关系,最后提出评价方法的框架。今后的目标是,在资源编目、风险评价、环境方案预测的基础上,建立生态系统健康的评价指标和相关工具,并可利用综合性方法,来预测生态系统的行为。     

Dynamic analysis and assessment for sustainable development

The assessment of sustainable development is crucial for constituting sustainable development strategies.Assessment methods that exist so far usually only use an indicator system for making sustainable judgement.These indicators rarely reflect dynamic characteristics.However,sustainable development is influenced by changes in the social-economic system and in the eco-environmental system at different times.Besides the spatial character,sustainable development has a temporal character that can not be neglected;therefore the research system should also be dynamic.This paper focuses on this dynamic trait,so that the assessment results obtained provide more information for judgements in decision-making processes.Firstly the dynamic characteristics of sustainable development are analyzed,which point to a track of sustainable development that is an upward undulating curve.According to the dynamic character and the development rules of a social,economic and ecological system,a flexible assessment approach that is based on tendency analysis,restrictive conditions and a feedback system is then proposed for sustainable development.     

交通规划环境影响评价的指标体系探讨

基于可持续发展的要求与环境管理的发展趋势，分析了制订交通规划环境影响评价的指标体系的原理，探讨了建立交通规划环境影响评价指标体系的基本框架和技术方法；以中国大中型城市为背景，建立了交通规划环境影响评价的DP-SIR可选指标集。     

Evaluating and structuring indicators for wetland assessment

Wetland assessment has been a popular field of research worldwide. However, various indicators have been used in wetland assessment for different purposes and backgrounds and also because of the research limitations. Therefore, a more comprehensive, sound, and efficient indicator system is needed for researchers’ referencing to evaluate wetlands. After an extensive review of wetland assessment literatures, the reported indicators were evaluated using the developed assessment system, based on the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) with three main goals: nature protection, function utilization, and sustainable development. Each indicator was evaluated using two methods. The first method was to study the percentage of the indicator application, and the second was to assess the weighted ratios assigned to the indicators according to principles of comparability, typicality, sensibility, and availability. The results of these two methods were compared to study the commonalities and specialties of the indicators. They also showed that some indicators were widely used, including biodiversity, weather and climate, hydrological change, and the output of wetland. On the other hand, other sustainable indicators were easily ignored, such as environmental carrying capacity and wetland planning. Furthermore, an indicator system for wetland assessment was structured and strategized to discuss how to choose indicators for wetland assessment under different conditions. The proposed approach can be used to guide the process of wetland assessments in the future.     

基于可持续性的城市总体规划环境影响评价指标体系

城市总体规划（简称“总规”）是实施城市可持续性战略的重要载体,战略环境评价（SEA）是连接抽象的、宏观的可持续发展战略与具体的、可操作的建设项目之间的桥梁,是实施可持续发展战略的政策工具;指标体系是SEA工作的核心工作和评价依据。然而,当前存在城市总体规划环境影响评价（总规环评）指标体系与城市规划内容、城市可持续性脱节,指标体系的设计缺乏理论支撑等问题。本文首先归纳出城市可持续性的一般内涵,然后通过逻辑关系分析、影响评价矩阵的方法,识别总规的可持续性影响,构建了可持续性总规环评指标体系框架,最后以太仓为案例说明框架的应用。     

环境影响评价工作中外环境综合调查的概念

本文在总结多年环境评价工作的基础上,提出了一套外环境综合调查的分析框架,试图为繁杂的外环境调查找到一个明确的工作思路。该框架包含二个分析层次:调查系统层次与调查因素层次,同时对各调查因素及其相互关系进行了论述。     

Policy coherence in climate governance in Caribbean Small Island Developing States

Climate governance in Small Island developing States (SIDS) is a pressing priority to preserve livelihoods, biodiversity and ecosystems for the next generations. Understanding the dynamics of climate change policy integration is becoming more crucial as we try to measure the success of environmental governance efforts and chart new goals for sustainable development. At the international level, climate change policy has evolved from single issue to integrated approaches towards achieving sustainable development. New actors, new mechanisms and institutions of governance with greater fragmentation in governance across sectors and levels (Biermann and Pattberg, 2008) make integration of policy in the area of climate change governance even more of a challenge today. What is the Caribbean reality regarding policy coherence in climate change governance? Are the same climate change policy coherence frameworks useful or indeed applicable for environmental governance in developing states more generally and for SIDS in particular? What are the best triggers to achieve successful climate change policy integration in environmental governance—especially as the complex interconnectivity of new actors, institutions and mechanisms make the process of integration even more challenging? What facilitates and what hampers climate policy integration in the regional Caribbean context? This article reviews the debates around policy coherence for climate change governance, creates a framework to test or measure policy coherence and examines how relevant this has been to regional climate change governance processes in Commonwealth Caribbean States. The study found that though at the regional level, there is substantial recognition of the importance of and mechanics involved in climate policy coherence, this has not translated to policy coherence at the regional and national levels. There is a large degree of fragmentation in the application of climate policy in each Caribbean Island with no mechanism to breach the gap. Silos in public environmental governance architectures, unwillingness to share data, insufficient political will; unsustainable project-based funding and lack of accountability among actors are the main challenges to climate policy coherence. The findings fill a gap in the literature on the elements of climate policy coherence from a SIDS perspective.     

Indicators of sustainable production: framework and methodology

This paper presents a new tool for promoting business sustainability — indicators of sustainable production. It first introduces the concept of sustainable production as defined by the Lowell Center for Sustainable Production, University of Massachusetts Lowell. Indicators of sustainable production are discussed next, including their dimensions and desirable qualities. Based on the Lowell Center Indicator Framework, the authors suggest a new methodology of core and supplemental indicators for raising companies' awareness and measuring their progress toward sustainable production systems. Twenty-two core indicators are proposed and a detailed guidance for their application is included. An eight-step model provides a context for indicator implementation. The paper concludes with a summary of the strengths and weaknesses of the methodology as well as recommendations for testing the indicators.     

Sustainability Potential Analysis (SPA) of landfills – a systemic approach: theoretical considerations

Implementing sustainable development (SD) requires operationalizing this rather vague guiding principle in a socio-technological context. This paper refers to a notion of SD that stresses approaching SD from a systemic perspective. We first present the Function-Structure-Context Framework to appraise if and how systemic characteristics are considered in assessments. The latter framework includes a functional, structural, and contextual dimension, as well as the interdependencies of these dimensions. We then analyze four currently applied landfill assessment methods with respect to this framework: i.e., MCEA (Modified Cost Effectiveness Analysis), LCA (Life Cycle Assessment), RA (Risk Assessment), and TVA (Swiss Technical Ordinance Waste). With respect to the analyzed methods, we can reveal that each of them focuses on specific systemic dimensions in its assessment step, whereas none refers to the whole range of dimensions and interdependencies of the framework presented. We then propose the so-called Sustainability Potential Analysis (SPA) as an alternative comprehensive SD assessment approach, which has the potential to integrate the results of the other methods for achieving a systemic SD assessment.     

基于能值分析的大坝生态效应评价——以尼尔基大坝为例

能值分析可提供客观真实的统一量化平台,在自然、经济系统整合分析方面具有显著优越性.将能值分析方法引入大坝生态效应评价,提出基于能值分析的大坝生态效应评价概念框架,绘制库区生态系统能值流图,构建包括生态系统运行效率、生态系统组织结构、生态系统功能维持和生态系统环境安全4方面共9个指标的能值综合评价指标体系.对尼尔基大坝建设前后库区生态系统变化进行对比性评价,结果表明,生态系统的运行效率、功能维持能力有较大提升,组织结构出现不平衡,环境负荷较高,可持续发展能力受损,需减少因流域水土流失与塌岸导致的库区泥沙淤积,以控制不可更新资源能值输入.     

Spatial distribution of ecological security status assessment of West-Liaohe River based on geographic information system

Eco-security assessment is a hot research area in resource and environmental science, which involves data with much spatial, non-linear, and random features. Geographic information system (GIS), as a useful tool to analyze and manage spatial information, has a superior advantage in this field. A case study in the western part of the Liaohe River featuring a method of eco-security spatial differences (ESSD) based on GIS is developed in this paper. The method includes four steps: 1) developing the pressure-state-response (P-S-R) framework with site data; 2) digitizing West-Liaohe River and setting its GRID database of ecosecurity assessment indicators; 3) figuring out the relative membership degree (RMD) of eco-security indicators by using the analytical hierarchy process with the weight of indicator; 4) classifying the security zone and mapping the assessment result of eco-security status in grid by GIS method of assigning and clustering. The visual spatial differences of eco-security based on GIS enables decision makers to know the status of eco-security better in making policies for achieving sustainability. __________ Translated from Environmental Science, 2005, 26(5): 28–33 [译自: 环境科学]     

GE公司EHS绩效变化趋势与内部机制探讨

剖析通用电气Plan(政策/目标)-Do(运营体系)-Check&Act(检查改进)的EHS管理体系框架;通过综合指数法分析各环境、健康和安全绩效指标近年的变化趋势以及采取的管理措施;分析总结GE环境管理和环境质量绩效持续改进的机制与工具:(1)全球统一的EHS管理和运营体系;(2)自上而下的EHS培训与自下而上的沟通;(3)数字化的EHS管理工具;(4)严格的EHS审计保证机制;(5)强烈的企业公民责任意识和EHS文化,为国内企业建立和完善EHS管理和运营体系所借鉴。