Absorptive Capacities for Sustainability Technologies： Perspectives from the BRICS and China

For the development process in the rapidly growing economies, knowledge transfer and technology cooperation are becoming important issues. Research and technological competences are key indicators for the absorptive capacity of sustainability technologies and for the ability to export them. These issues are analyzed empirically for Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa （BRICS）. Sustainability related research in BRICS is mostly carried out within broader, more sector oriented programmes. Specialization patterns of international patents and in foreign trade indicate various strengths and weaknesses of the BRICS countries. The differences within the countries imply that the analysis must proceed at a technology specific level. China has considerable capabilities in technologies such as photovoltaics, solar thermal or buildings. There is a strong need for strategic positioning of the countries and for coordination of the various policy fields involved.     

Basic characterization of reference NOM from Central Europe — Similarities and differences

The FA and HA fractions represent 20 to 50% of the DOC of the original samples, depending on the origin, and serve as reference materials. The original aqueous samples and the aqueous solutions of the reference materials were characterized with methods suited for measuring samples at natural concentrations. The DOC normalized values of the spectral absorbances (λ = 254 nm; λ = 436 nm) in the original water samples were highest for the brown water and brown coal water and lowest for the secondary effluents. The FA fractions were similar in the UV-absorbance with the exception of the low-absorbing groundwater FA, reflecting a low density of double bonds. The DOC-normalized proton capacity of the FA fractions (10 to 20 μmol/mg) was highest for the brown coal, brown water, and soil-derived samples and again lowest for the groundwater FA. The high values are due to a higher contribution of the weak acids of phenolic type. Specific data for copper complexation capacity (0.5 to 2.5 μmol/mg) went parallel to the proton capacity. The characterization of the FAs by gel chromatography with organic carbon detection revealed three major fractions. The refractory part at short retention time dominated in the brown water and soil-derived samples, whereas the fractions for the lower molecular mass acids at long retention times were dominant in the secondary effluent and the brown coal isolate. Comparison with UV-detected chromatograms revealed a strong decrease in the specific absorbance of the secondary effluent. Up to 3% of the total mass of the FAs could be identified as hydrolyzable amino acids with the highest yield in the sample from secondary effluent and the lowest one in the groundwater sample. The nitrogen content was always higher in the FAs compared to the HAs of the same origin. The application of gel chromatography fluorescence and fluorescence decay time distribution analysis turned out to be a useful tool to differentiate between the different fractions of NOM, the isolates obtained by different methods (e.g., XAD-8, membrane separation) and the fractions of the samples from different origin and age. This is of special value, for the information can also be obtained for samples with natural NOM concentrations, even though further investigations required for full understanding of the data. This work is part of a multi-disciplinary research program (ROSIG: Refraktäre Organische Säuren in Gewässern), funded by the German Research Association (DFG).     

Study on Management and Control of Nonpoint Source Pollution from Urban Surface Runoff

Urbanization is the dominant form of land-use change in terms of impacts on water quality, hydrology, physical properties of watersheds and their nonpoint source （NPS） pollution po-tential at present. Urbanization has changed the source, process and sink of urban NPS pollution, especially raised the pollution load of urban runoff NPS in receiving water. Urban runoff pollution is a hot spot of research on NPS. This paper analyzed type, source and harm of the NPS pollutants of urban runoff and its influence on the receiving water. Through estimating NPS pollution load of urban runoff and summarizing the law and characteristics of urban runoff NPS systemically, study on management and control of urban runoff NPS pollution was focused on the application of BMPs （best management practices）. It is a fresh methodology that management and control on NPS pollution from urban surface runoff was analyzed by methods of landscape ecology, environmental economics and environmental management. The paper provided a scientific reference for mitigating urban water environment pressure and an effective method for management and control of NPS pollution from urban surface runoff.     

Resource and Environmental Issues in Transitional China： A Perspective from the Interaction Among Market, Government and Society

Along with the rapid growth of economy in the postreform period after 1979,China has faced severe problems of resource overusing and environmental degradation which would threaten the sustainable development of economy and society.This article explores an effective mechanism of managing resource and environment in China.It examines some major resource and environmental issues,and constructs a framework of institution innovation to cover three sectors(government,market and society).In addition,the article analyzes their experience and evaluation in resource management and environmental conservation during the transitional period.We argue that the combination of market regulation,government intervention and public participation is an effective way of allocating resource and protecting environment.Some suggestions are put forward to balance the relationship between them,including coordinating role of government and market,building platform for market operation and creating an atmosphere of public participation.     

Decomposition of Energy-related CO2 Emissions from Shanghai＇s Industries and Policy Implications

This paper quantifies a decomposition analysis of energy-related CO2 emissions in the industrial sectors of Shanghai over the period 1994-2007.The Log-Mean Divisia Index(LMDI) method is applied to this study in terms of six factors:labor force,labor mobility,gross labor productivity,energy intensity,fuel mix,and emission coefficient.In addition,the decoupling effect between industrial economic growth and CO2 emissions is analyzed to evaluate CO2 mitigation strategies for Shanghai.The results show that all labor productivity has the largest positive effect on CO2 emission changes in the industrial sectors,whereas labor mobility and energy intensity are the main components for decreasing CO2 emissions.Other factors have different effects on CO2 mitigation in different sub-periods.Although a relative decoupling of industrial CO2 emissions from the economic growth in Shanghai has been found,Shanghai should keep pace with the industrial CO2 emissions reduction by implementing low-carbon technology.These results have important policy implications:Plan C is the reasonable choice for Shanghai.     

Economic and Political Factors that Lead to the Budget Deficit in Hong Kong from 1998 to 2003

Despite the adverse impact of the budget deficit in Hong Kong has been alleviated since the economic recovery from 2003, the fiscal deficit may return when there is another downturn in the economy if the problem is not handled fundamentally.Based on the economic and political situation from 1998 to 2003,the factors that lead to the budget deficit in Hong Kong are analyzed in four perspectives,including(a)increase in public expenditure;(b)decrease in public revenues;(c)poor management of public money and(d) weak administration.With a better understanding on these factors, possible solutions to the fiscal problem faced by the government may be developed.     

Comparative sediment quality assessment in different littoral ecosystems from Spain (Gulf of Cadiz) and Brazil (Santos and São Vicente estuarine system)

The goal of this work was to establish comparisons among environmental degradation in different areas from Southern Spain (Gulf of Cádiz) and Brazil (Santos and S?o Vicente estuary), by using principal component analyses (PCA) to integrate sediment toxicity (amphipods mortality) and chemical-physical data (Zn, Cd, Pb, Cu, Ni, Co, V, PCBs, PAHs concentrations, OC and fines contents). The results of PCA extraction of Spanish data showed that Bay of Cádiz, CA-1 did not present contamination or degradation; CA-2 exhibited contamination by PCBs, however it was not related to the amphipods mortality. Ría of Huelva was the most impacted site, showing contamination caused principally by hydrocarbons, in HV-1 and HV-2, but heavy metals were also important contaminants at HV-1, HV-2 and HV-3. Algeciras Bay was considered as not degraded in GR-3 and -4, but in GR-3' high contamination by PAHs was found. In the Brazilian area, the most degraded sediments were found in the stations situated at the inner parts of the estuary (SSV-2, SSV-3, and SSV-4), followed by SSV-6, which is close to the Submarine Sewage Outfall of Santos - SSOS. Sediments from SSV-1 and SSV-5 did not present chemical contamination, organic contamination or significant amphipod mortality. The results of this investigation showed that both countries present environmental degradation related to PAHs: in Spain, at Ría of Huelva and Gudarranque river's estuary areas; and in Brasil, in the internal portion of the Santos and S?o Vicente estuary. The same situation is found for heavy metals, since all of the identified metals are related to toxicity in the studied areas, with few exceptions (V for both Brazil and Spain, and Cd and Co for Brazilian areas). The contamination by PCBs is more serious for Santos and S?o Vicente estuary than for the investigated areas in Gulf of Cádiz, where such compound did not relate to the toxicity.     

Transuranic and fission product contamination in lake sediments from an alpine wetland, Boréon (France)

Transuranics and fission products have been measured in lake sediment samples, collected in an alpine wetland, to determine their vertical distribution and calculate inventories. The radionuclides considered are 90Sr, 137Cs, 238Pu, 239/240Pu and 241Am. From the results, a better knowledge of radionuclide accumulation mode and behaviour was obtained. In addition, the origins of the individual pollutants could be deduced from activity ratios. Analyses were made on different sediment cores. The sampling sites were chosen to enable future determination of the mass balances of the radiopollutants. As the selected study area is in a recreational area used by urban populations, a rough estimate was made of the mean external dose from 137Cs for comparison with the French regulation.     

Who is importing forest products from Africa to China? An analysis of implications for initiatives to enhance legality and sustainability

Global forest product value chains are increasingly subject to regulatory requirements, such as legality and sustainability certification. For African forest products, a shift in the export destinations of forest products towards China, the leading timber product manufacturer, has raised concerns that social and environmental product and process standards are declining. Aggregate drivers of this shift have been documented, yet there has been little enterprise-level analysis of Chinese actors in African timber imports based in China. This paper provides an initial analysis, highlighting implications for existing and emerging regulatory initiatives. Data show that although an increasing number of Chinese private enterprises is engaged in African timber imports, import volumes remain concentrated among a small number of geographically clustered private and state-owned firms. Government-led schemes are beginning to address timber legality concerns. But given China’s growing domestic market for finished wood products, sustainability certification requirements driven by the US and EU will not be sufficient to ensure improved sourcing by Chinese firms.     

Government drive,economic induction,and construction of food traceability systems:An empirical study based on supermarket samples from ’first-tier’ and ’Olympic’ cities in China

Food traceability systems are capable of overcoming or alleviating problems caused by incomplete and asymmetric information on food markets.This study conducts an empirical analysis using 308 supermarket samples from China’s Beijing,Guangzhou,and Qingdao to determine the factors that influence supermarket behavior when operating traceability systems.The results show that operating profits(generated from food traceability systems),scale of operation,level of economic development(of a city),and government subsidies will positively affect the decision of supermarkets to use traceability systems.At the same time,government policies promoting food traceability systems should have a long-term role.     

Study on the Relationship between Tourist Influence and Residents’ Sense of Community: An Empirical Study from Changdao County in Shandong Province

Abstract

Residents’ sense of community is an important prerequisite to promote the development of community. Tourism has significant influence on residents’ sense of community. An empirical study from Changdao shows that economy and life conflict caused by tourism can affect neighborhood-friendly and community participation significantly. Culture, environment and social services from tourism can significantly affect community association, community care and place recognition. Therefore, the regional managers should pay attention to allocate revenues in the residents fairly and protect own culture to avoid the negative impact from tourism.     

Can the byssus of green-lipped mussel Perna viridis (Linnaeus) from the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia be a biomonitoring organ for Cd,Pb and Zn? Field and laboratory studies

Concentrations of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) in total soft tissues (ST) and byssus (BYS) of the green-lipped mussel Perna viridis from 11 different geographical locations off the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia were determined. The metal concentrations distributed between the BYS and ST were compared. The results of this study indicated that higher levels of Cd (1.31 microg/g), Pb (38.49 microg/g) and Zn (206.52 microg/g) were accumulated in the BYS than in the total ST (Cd: 0.29 microg/g; Pb: 8.27 microg/g; Zn: 102.6 microg/g). Semi-static and short period controlled laboratory experiments were also conducted for the accumulation and depuration of Cd, Pb and Zn in the total ST and BYS of P. viridis. The ratios (BYS/ST) for Pb and Cd from the laboratory experiments showed that the total ST accumulated more metals than the BYS. Therefore, these laboratory results disagreed with those found for the field samples. However, the laboratory results for the Zn ratio (BYS/ST) agreed with those of the field samples. It was evident that when compared to the ST, the BYS was a more sensitive biomonitoring organ for Zn while it could be a complementary organ for Cd and Pb in the total ST. Since total ST of P. viridis had been reported to have regulative mechanism for Zn, its BYS can be used as a biomonitoring organ for the identification of coastal areas exposed to Zn pollution.     

Evolution and interaction of ecological civilization construction pattern from the perspective of path dependence–based on the panel data of Jiangsu Province,China

Environment, Development and Sustainability - Ecological civilization is an advanced form after industrial civilization. Improving China's ecological civilization system will provide developing...     

Heavy metals in mullet, Liza abu, and catfish, Silurus triostegus, from the Atatürk Dam Lake (Euphrates), Turkey

The distribution of some heavy metals in three different organs of mullet, Liza abu, and catfish, Silurus triostegus, from Atatürk Dam Lake located on Euphrates (Turkey) was studied. Co and Mo concentrations were below limits of detection in all fish organs, whereas Ni was also below limits in organs of mullet. The metal accumulation in the liver and gill of L. abu and S. triostegus was found to be quite high in comparison with the muscle. In general, the concentrations are similar to those previously observed on other fish studied in Atatürk Dam Lake and lower than those determined in Tigris River. The analysed metals (Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni and Zn) were found in fish muscle at mean concentrations under the permissible limits proposed by FAO.     

Distributional dynamic and trend evolution of China’s agricultural carbon emissions – an analysis on panel data of 31 provinces from 2002 to 2011

Researching the dynamic distribution characteristics and trend evolution of agricultural carbon emissions is of considerable significance in formulating an effective agricultural carbon reduction policy. Based on measurement of agricultural carbon emissions of 31 provinces over the period 2002–2011, the study observed regional differences and the dynamic evolution of distribution of agricultural carbon emissions using agricultural carbon intensity as the indicator, accompanied by Gini coefficients and the kernel density estimation method. The results demonstrate first that agricultural carbon emissions for China show an obvious nonequilibrium nature in regard to spatial distribution. According to the differences in agricultural carbon emissions dynamic trends, we divided the 31 regions into four types – continuous decline, fluctuating decline, continuous increase, and fluctuating increase. Further, agricultural carbon emissions intensity showed a downward trend with significant differences in the research areas. Second, the gap in spatial distribution of national agricultural carbon emissions is gradually expanding based on the results calculated by Gini coefficient. From the perception of regional differences in agricultural carbon emissions, the eastern region showed an average level, the gap was more obvious in the central region, while western region showed a trend of fluctuating downward. Third, according to estimation by kernel density, the regional disparity in agricultural carbon emissions had a downward, but limited, trend. In regard to agricultural carbon emissions over the three areas, the regional gap not only tended to decrease but also showed a “four way” differentiation phenomenon in the eastern region. The difference in the central region difference was narrower. On the whole, the gap for the western region reduced steadily over a small range.     

Social sustainability performance indicators – experiences from process industry

Sustainable industrial development can be advanced through the development and application of sustainability metrics. This study addressed the application of social sustainability metrics to the measurement of sustainability performance within process industry and to metal production at the plant level in particular. The applied social sustainability indicators are one part of the overall sustainability index which aims at presenting a balanced and holistic view of plant-level sustainability performance. Application of plant-level indicators can support informed decision-making and fill in potential gaps in corporate-level assessments and reporting initiatives with respect to plant-level social sustainability performance. The social part of the overall index provides information on both in-plant sustainability performance and on the direct and in-direct impacts of plant operations on the surrounding society with special emphasis on the supply chain and emerging social due diligence aspects. The results of pilot implementation of social indicators in Ruukki Lappohja plant indicated a very high level of social sustainability performance with minor areas of improvement such as social risk management auditing covering the whole supply chain, suppliers communication on social responsibility requirements to workers and sub-suppliers, signing of the code of conduct by employees and reporting on policies on local community relations, safety in supply chain covering suppliers and contractors and factory health and safety performance in relation to average field of industry performance in this field.     

Citric and Oxalic Acids Effect on Pb and Zn Uptake by Maize and Winter Wheat

A pot experiment was conducted to investigate the influence of citric and oxalic acids effect on Pb and Zn uptake by corn and winter wheat. The experiment was employed with citric acid (CA) applied at 3 rates (0, 1.5 and 3.0 mmol kg-1 soil), oxalic acid (OA) at 3 rates (0, 1.5 and 3.0mmol kg-1 soil) and citric acid combined with oxalic acid (1.5 mmol citric acid combined with 1.5 mmol oxalic acid kg-1). Two types of soil were chose in the experiment. One was collected from the agricultural soil near a battery-recycling factory in Anhui province, China (site A) and the other was collected from a Pb-Zn mine residues in Hunan province, China (site B). The results showed that soil pH varied with the different treatment of citric and oxalic acids. However, there were no differences in all the treatments. 3.0mmol CA kg-1 soil addition significantly increased the concentrations of the CaCI2-extractable Pb and Zn and other treatments have no significantly increased. The highest shoot concentrations of Pb and Zn     

It's Not Easy Being Green … Or Is It? A Content Analysis of Environmental Claims in Magazine Advertisements from the United States and United Kingdom

As corporations seek to appeal to environmentally conscious stakeholders, advertisements containing environmental claims have become increasingly prominent. A corporation's desire for an enhanced corporate reputation, combined with lenient environmental advertising regulation, has created the perfect environment for corporations to use—and misuse—environmental claims, resulting in “greenwashing.” Defined as the act of disseminating disinformation to consumers regarding the environmental practices of a company or the environmental benefits of a product or service, greenwashing occurs around the world. This study is a cross-national content analysis of 247 print ads from 84 issues of mainstream magazines from the United States and United Kingdom. Three-fourths (75%) of the ads analyzed contained one or more aspects of greenwashing. Firms advertising in US magazines were significantly more likely to employ misleading/deceptive environmental claims than UK firms and magazines. These findings suggest that without increased environmental advertisement regulation, greenwashing will persist as a disingenuous means for corporate reputation enhancement.