The European Commission White Paper on adaptation: appraising its strategic success as an instrument of soft law

The European Union took its first strategic step on the topic of climate adaptation in 2009 with publication of a White Paper on Adaptation. Since its publication, many researchers and analysts have criticized the White Paper for its lack of concrete and enforceable actions. In this paper, we analyse the White Paper as an instrument of soft law. First, we provide background on the theory of soft law, its terms of applicability, and the standards by which to judge its success. Second, we analyse the content and context of the White Paper according to soft law principles. We find that the conditions under which the White Paper was adopted were exactly those suited to a soft law approach and highly determined by the European multi-level governance context. As such, the White Paper has managed to achieve several of the common objectives of soft law in particular in setting up processes allowing information-sharing and subsidiarity. However it has failed to achieve several others especially in fostering the commitment of the states, and in moving the European Union in the direction of binding regulation. Further strategy development will be required to fix these deficiencies.     

Ausbildung und wissenschaftsstandort deutschland

In the ongoing discussions about the qualities of Germany regarding economic activities and especially industrial production in a unifying Europe and with respect to worldwide economic competition, it is important to carefully consider the conditions for innovative and competitive scientific research. Germany as a site for science is dependent not only on the resources of public research institutes, on available research funds and on industrial R&D investment, but just as decisively on the existing framework of conditions for scientific-technological progress. Thus, the whole educational system is of utmost importance since it must form and develop the coming generations of researchers. Their knowledge and their attitudes, as acquired in this educational process, determine not only their future scientific productivity, but also the public acceptance of high-tech production in Germany.     

Environmental impact assessment of total chlorine free pulp from Eucalyptus globulus in Spain

Pulp industry plays an important role in the structure of European economy and society. Paper pulp manufacture, the industrial utilization of plant biomass, is increasing every year. In Spain, Eucalyptus is the dominant raw material and the Kraft cooking and total chlorine free (TCF) bleaching processes lead the procedures of Eucalyptus paper pulp production. This paper aims to identify and quantify the environmental impacts associated to Eucalyptus TCF pulp manufacture by using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) as an analytical tool. The system has been defined using a cradle-to-gate perspective, that is to say from forest activities to the exit gate of the pulp mill. The production of chemicals consumed in the cooking and bleaching stages as well as the on-site energy production system is the elements that contribute the most to all impact categories analyzed (more than 50% of total contributions), except for the eutrophication potential where forest activities and waste treatment play an important roles (about 52% of total). Specific actions associated to the recovery boiler, lime kiln and digestion stage could considerably reduce the environmental impact and improve the environmental performance of the Spanish paper pulp industry.     

城市污水处理厂综合评价指标体系构建与应用研究

为了科学管理城市污水处理厂的运行,使其发挥更大的环境经济效益,本文将生命周期的思想融入到污水厂的综合评价中。采用“演绎与归纳”相结合的方法,构建包含环境释放、资源消耗、经济效益、人体健康和技术性能5个子系统,22个指标的城市污水处理厂综合评价指标体系,并以哈尔滨某城市污水处理厂为例进行应用研究。生命周期思想的融入使得评价体系不仅强调了污水处理厂的治理效能。还充分体现了其环境影响负荷。该指标体系的建立将为制定污水处理厂的总体环境管理政策提供一定的科学依据。     

松华坝水源保护区产业格局初探

在分析松华坝水源保护区产业受限情况、产业结构现状、发展优势的前提下,提出了保护区产业格局的相关建议：①继续对污染大的工业项目实施限制政策;②加强农业面源污染控制;③继续推进保护区生态化、景观化建设;④适度发展不突破环境容量的旅游业,包括生态农业体验区、生态旅游观光区、民族风情体验区、滇文化体验区、＂田园＂生活保护区;⑤适度发展教育科研及房地产业。     

炼铝作业氟化物接触剂量与发病关系的分析

目的 了解炼铝作业氟的危害状况,为工业性氟病的防治提供依据.方法 对氟作业环境作职业卫生学调查.采用剂量患病率寿命表法对866名电解铝作业工人工业性氟病的发病情况进行流行病学调查,并作相关回归分析.结果 该厂接氟工人工业性氟病的总患病率为1.73%,且患病率随累积接氟量的增加而升高,呈高度正相关(r＝0.997,P＜0.01).并据所求得回归方程(y＝10.34InD-18.21)推算出接氟工人控制患病率时的允许连续工作年限和今后的发病趋势.结论 该厂电解铝车间氟危害较重,应加强卫生防护措施,并建议将车间氟最高容许浓度从目前1 mg/m3降为0.5 mg/m3为宜.     

湿式催化氧化法(CWO)处理高浓度有机废水研究

通过引进、消化、吸收日本大阪煤气公司先进的CWO高浓度生化难降解工业有机废水处理技术及对该技术的国产化研究,自主设计、制造、集成建设和运行了一套20m3/dCWO技术工业应用装置,试验结果表明,该装置对造纸黑液和焦化废水等有机废水具有良好的净化处理性能,CODcr、NH3-N等的去除率均达99%以上,且脱色、脱臭效果明显.     

Development of a facility-based environmental performance indicator related to sustainable development

Companies are increasingly interested in environmental performance indicators as a means of managing the degree to which environmental goals and objectives are implemented. Many companies have publicly endorsed goals associated with sustainable development, like the International Chamber of Commerce's (ICC) principles for sustainable development. There is a need for metrics that facilitate implementation of these principles at the facility level and for research metrics that measure management improvement. An existing environmental self-assessment management tool called ESAP by the Global Environmental Management Initiative has been modified to measure a facility's response to the ICC's 16 principles of sustainability. The new tool's focus was shifted to a practical, facility based and easily applied assessment of progress towards sustainable development as represented by the ICC's 16 principles of sustainability. The new tool was called the Green Management Assessment Tool or GMAT, pilot tested and used in a research setting. Such tools have value to companies that are interested in the strategic goals of sustainable development and struggle with shifting corporate goals and objectives to manufacturing operations at the facility level.     

重庆环境保护产业发展战略研究

分析了发展重庆环保产业的产业基础、科技基础和市场条件以及存在的问题，提出了生态环保产业发展的基本目标和任务，阐述了发展的重点领域和重大项目，对应当采取的政策措施提出了建议。     

Coastal flooding,climate change and environmental justice: identifying obstacles and incentives for adaptation in two metropolitan Boston Massachusetts communities

We explored the possible future impacts of increased coastal flooding due to sea level rise and the potential adaptation responses of two urban, environmental justice communities in the metropolitan Boston area of Massachusetts. East Boston is predominantly a residential area with some industrial and commercial activities, particularly along the coastal fringe. Everett, a city to the north of Boston, has a diversified industrial and commercial base. While these two communities have similar socioeconomic characteristics, they differ substantially in the extent to which residents would be impacted by increased coastal flooding. In East Boston, a large portion of residents would be flooded, while in Everett, it is the commercial/industrial districts that are primarily vulnerable. Through a series of workshops with residents in each community, we found that the target populations do not have an adaptation perspective or knowledge of any resources that could assist them in this challenge. Furthermore, they do not feel included in the planning processes within their communities. However, a common incentive for both communities was an intense commitment to their communities and an eagerness to learn more and become actively engaged in decisions regarding climate change adaptation. The lessons that can be applied to other studies include 1) images are powerful tools in communicating concepts, 2) understanding existing cultural knowledge and values in adaptation planning is essential to the planning process and 3) engaging local residents at the beginning of the process can create important educational opportunities and develop trust and consensus that is necessary for moving from concept to implementation.     

基于[火用]分析法的矿区工业生态链物质能量流动研究

从工业生态学角度研究矿区工业生态系统的工业代谢和工业生态链，建立矿区物质循环与能量流动[火用]分析和[火用]效率模型。根据生态效率的理念，矿区发展需要五项关键支撑技术，为合理选择煤炭的产业链延伸途径打下理论基础，促进矿区可持续发展。     

基于(火用)分析法的矿区工业生态链物质能量流动研究

从工业生态学角度研究矿区工业生态系统的工业代谢和工业生态链,建立矿区物质循环与能量流动(火用)分析和(火用)效率模型.根据生态效率的理念,矿区发展需要五项关键支撑技术,为合理选择煤炭的产业链延伸途径打下理论基础,促进矿区可持续发展.     

Metaheuristic multiobjective optimisation approach for the scheduling of multiproduct batch chemical plants

This article introduces a novel framework to deal with the scheduling problem concerning batch chemical plants. The main contribution of this work in comparison with previous approaches relies on the fact that it includes the environmental impact as an objective to be optimised, integrated with other more commonly used as makespan and/or financial performance. To address this problem, an advanced planning and scheduling tool (APS), which includes an environmental evaluation module based on the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) criteria, a temporisation algorithm and a financial module, coupled with a set of multiobjective genetic algorithms allows the computation of a set of non-dominated solutions in terms of the predefined criteria. This set of solutions can be used by the decision-maker in order to select the one that represents the right compromise among the different objectives.     

Impact assessment in the European Commission – a system with multiple objectives

Impact assessment (IA) is an instrument that is gradually making inroads into European Union policy making. Great ambitions are tied to the introduction of a compulsory system of IA as a way to achieve better regulation but also as a tool to improve legitimacy of government and increase unity in European politics. In order to raise the quality of the assessments, which has been questioned, there is a call for application of more evidence-based methods. As a result, there might be a window of opportunity for greater use of scientific support in impact assessment work.However, the EC's IA system has several overlapping and partly contradictory objectives – to produce estimates about possible future impacts is only one of them. The IA system should be understood as a political instrument shaped by its multiple objectives and the political context of permanent negotiations in which it is situated.The arguments put forward emanate from a close reading of EC documents concerning IA procedures and the ambitions they display paired with assessment practices as revealed in interviews with officials in the main EU institutions, trying to perform IAs and to cope with the political balancing act they are embedded in.     

基于典型站位AERONET数据气溶胶类型分析

气溶胶是影响大气环境的重要因素,气溶胶光学厚度（AOD）是气溶胶的重要光学特征参数之一,气溶胶类型分析可以对区域大气研究提供科学依据.基于2015年12月—2019年11月AERONET数据选取的11个典型站位不同波段的AOD进行层次聚类分析,将所选站位最终划分为北京、沿海、太湖、西藏4个区域.然后基于图形分类法划分为6种气溶胶类型（清洁、沙漠粉尘、大陆、次大陆、城市工业和生物质燃烧型）.北京区域主要的气溶胶类型为城市工业型和大陆型,其中冬季主要为大陆型和清洁型、春季为大陆型和城市工业型、夏季和秋季主要为城市工业型气溶胶;沿海区域主要的气溶胶类型为大陆型气溶胶,其中冬、夏和秋季主要为大陆型和清洁型、春季主要为城市工业型和大陆型气溶胶;太湖区域城市工业型气溶胶占比最多,为41.96%,冬、春和夏季主要为城市工业型气溶胶,秋季主要为大陆型气溶胶;西藏区域清洁型气溶胶占比为80.53%,春夏秋冬四季以清洁型气溶胶为主.     

长江经济带生态环境保护的若干战略问题

长江经济带发展是国家区域协调发展的重大战略之一,要保护长江生态环境,走生态优先、绿色发展之路.当前,长江经济带经济增速放缓,产业结构持续优化,城镇化处于快速发展阶段后期;主要污染物排放强度下降,水环境质量改善,但水生态状况堪忧,生态环境质量持续稳定改善进入攻坚期.通过对社会经济和生态环境形势的研判,阐述了长江经济带生态环境保护的战略需求和目标,并提出了四项战略.结果表明:①长江经济带生态环境保护的战略需求从单一要素、单一指标、部分区域转向水生态环境的系统保护和综合修复.②生态环境保护的战略目标由水环境质量改善转向水生态环境安全提升,未来将逐步转向生态环境健康改善.③空间管控战略需要整合多项区域规划,研究构建流域与区域协同、水陆统筹、山海一体的统一的长江经济带生态环境空间单元划分体系.④产业绿色发展战略的核心是在影响水生态环境安全的相关产业领域加强防控.⑤科技创新战略要突出科技平台的作用,推进数据、人才、技术、成果的汇集和创新,实现生态环境保护由投资驱动向科技创新驱动转型.⑥现代治理能力提升战略要求长江经济带建成生态文明先行示范带,率先完善生态文明制度体系,构建生态环境治理体系和提升生态环境治理能力.研究显示,把握长江经济带生态环境保护的战略需求和目标,推行空间管控、产业绿色发展、科技创新和现代治理能力提升战略,能更加有效地支撑长江经济带和长江三角洲一体化的发展.      

工业危险废物在处置过程中的控制与管理

提出中国工业危险废物的现状入手,通过介绍危险废物在处置过程中的控制与管理技术,为中国危险废物处置单位在收集、贮存和处理处置等方面提供一些运行经验。     

Developing benchmarks for consumer-oriented life cycle assessment-based environmental information on products,services and consumption patterns

Life cycle assessment (LCA) has been recognized in the EU in the context of ‘Integrated Product Policy’ (IPP) as providing “the best framework for assessing the potential environmental impacts of products currently available.” A study to promote the use of LCA-based product information was designed, with the following objectives: (a) to develop different benchmarks to which the LCA results of various products can be compared, (b) to study how consumers understand the different benchmarks and what proposals for improvement they have, and (c) to propose a few presentation formats and benchmarks for presenting LCA-based information in communications to consumers. Here we present the final results, i.e., the suggested benchmarks and presentation formats, ‘eco-benchmark’. We also present some lessons derived from the feedback gained from consumers and other stakeholders, and point out future directions for improving the benchmarks and their utilization.     

快速城市化背景下不同建设用地扩张的驱动差异探讨：以浙江省义乌市为例

已有城市扩张文献多将建设用地视为单一对象,而较少考虑不同类型的建设用地可能受差别化的驱动因素的影响。针对此,论文以浙江义乌为例,采用无序多分类Logistic回归模型,分析了2006—2014年间义乌商住用地与工业用地扩张所受驱动力的差异。结果表明：商住用地与工业用地扩张均受到自然环境、社会经济区位、邻域状态及空间政策等多重因素的综合影响,但也存在明显的内部差异：一是驱动商住用地扩张的因素并不必然作用于工业用地,反之亦然;二是作用于两类用地扩张的同一驱动因素,其作用方向也可能截然相反;三是对两类用地扩张具有相同作用方向的驱动因素,其作用强度也往往不同,并形成了义乌“产城分离”的城市发展格局。论文揭示了城市化背景下不同建设用地扩张的驱动差异特征,对现有驱动力研究进行了一定拓展,能够为城市规划和城市用地分类管理提供科学依据和直接参考。     

Chemistry and controversy: the regulation of environmental chromium

The regulation of chromium in drinking water and sludge illustrates some of the challenges of regulating a chemical with complex environmental chemistry in a dynamic regulatory environment. The controversies evoked in setting environmental standards for chromium reflect technical uncertainties and the conflicting values of affected parties including regulators, citizens potentially exposed to chromium pollution, polluting industries, and research scientists. Regulatory limits for chromium in water and sludge recognize the paradoxical nature of chromium chemistry but also illustrate how the use of risk assessment can alter the regulatory approach. The framework of rationality as described by Crawford-Brown is suggested as a useful tool for evaluating regulatory limits for environmental contaminants. Science-based policies are most rational when they reflect the characteristics of rationality with respect to the ends or objectives sought, the means chosen to achieve these ends, and the beliefs that substantiate the chosen means and ends. If scientific research is to be applied to regulatory or environmental policy questions, then the traditional focus on the rationality of empirically based scientific beliefs must be expanded to consider the focus of the research question and the methodologies used.