Factors influencing perceptions of aquatic ecosystems

While factors influencing perceptions of drinking water have been well studied, those of aquatic ecosystems have been to lesser extent. We conducted a review to improve awareness of these factors. Environmental factors found to influence public perceptions of aquatic ecosystems were presence/absence of water plants and algae, presence/absence of floating debris, the odor, movement (for flowing waters) and clarity/turbidity of the water, and the type, condition, setting, naturalness, and overall aesthetic appeal of the ecosystem. Sociocultural factors found to influence public perceptions of aquatic ecosystems included age, education, gender, and place-based knowledge. We provide perspectives of how managers can better meet the diverse social demands placed on aquatic ecosystems. The importance and benefits of considering these perspectives may be especially beneficial where significant multi-generational and culturally relevant place-based knowledge exist.     

Why bees are critical for achieving sustainable development

Reductions in global bee populations are threatening the pollination benefits to both the planet and people. Whilst the contribution of bee pollination in promoting sustainable development goals through food security and biodiversity is widely acknowledged, a range of other benefits provided by bees has yet to be fully recognised. We explore the contributions of bees towards achieving the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Our insights suggest that bees potentially contribute towards 15 of the 17 SDGs and a minimum of 30 SDG targets. We identify common themes in which bees play an essential role, and suggest that improved understanding of bee contributions to sustainable development is crucial for ensuring viable bee systems.     

Local governance of energy transition: sustainability,transactions and social ties. A case study in Northeast France

This paper tackles the process of energy transition from a transactional perspective. It addresses the governance of energy transition by studying its local actualizations, moving beyond purely technical and normative readings. The paper shows that through the local socio-technological energy systems, sustainability governance filters down to the level of individual, everyday behavior, thus questioning the link between public and private spaces, especially regarding the issue of housing. Going beyond the results commonly yielded by transition studies, which favor large-scale analysis, it details how the discourse of citizen involvement, which often boils down to a mere call to control one’s individual energy consumption, conceals environmental inequalities, confirming the socioeconomic divide materialized in deprived areas such as public housing estates or remote rural areas. From a methodological standpoint, the analysis is based on four case studies in Northeast France, in more or less privileged areas, and in both urban and rural environments: the renovation of a heating network in the public housing estate of Cité de l’Ill, north of Strasbourg; the solar energy systems designed for property owners in Plobsheim, a residential suburb of Strasbourg; the energy-efficient equipment set up in a public housing estate in the city of Saint-Dié, in the Vosges; and citizen participation in a cooperative program to finance wind turbines in the small Alsacian city of Saâles, in a mountain rural area. The paper draws on the results of these sociological investigations, carried out using field observations, questionnaires and interviews.     

The business case for SDGs: an analysis of inclusive business models in emerging economies

In September 2015, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were endorsed by the United Nations and adopted by all 193 Member States. The SDGs integrate the 5P’s: People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace, and Partnership and clearly stress the need for all stakeholders to collaborate to create a sustainable world. Most importantly, the SDGs appeal to the central and diverse role that the business sector can play to deliver on the SDGs. This paper provides an analysis of inclusive business (IB) models as market-based solutions to contribute to the achievement of the SDGs and benefit those at the Base of the Pyramid (BoP). We investigate the IB models and their social impact in 20 organizations from emerging economies across five different sectors. The findings should help increase the uptake and scale of quality IB models and practices among the private sector, development communities, and governments to promote inclusive economic growth and social impact.     

Perceived importance of sustainability dimensions in the Portuguese metal industry

The growing interest of stakeholders regarding the contribution of organizations to Sustainable Development is influencing organizational behavior and strategic planning. The purpose of the present paper is to analyze the perception of the importance of organizational sustainability dimensions in a relevant economic sector: the metal industry. Survey data was collected from a sample of 211 Portuguese industries, and non-parametric statistical tests were used to validate five research hypotheses regarding the importance of the economic, environmental, social and cultural dimensions of sustainability. The results obtained demonstrate awareness of the sampled industries regarding all sustainability dimensions, recognizing that their importance has been increasing over the years, and prospecting that this importance will continue to increase in the future. The industries in this sample revealed different degrees of perceived importance for the different sustainability dimensions: the highest importance was given to the economic dimension, and culture was considered the least important sustainability dimension. However, the perception of the respondents is that these differences will be less relevant in the future. The results also show that companies with certified management systems reveal a higher perceived importance regarding sustainability dimensions. Also, industries with higher values of annual turnover, number of employees and export sales tend to give higher degrees of importance to sustainability dimensions. Considering the economic, environmental and social impacts of metal industries at an international level, the awareness of this industrial sector regarding the importance of sustainability is a relevant step to the commitment towards Sustainable Development.     

瑞典的水环境保护经验及对我国的启示

介绍了瑞典的水环境保护法规政策、水环境保护机构、污水处理体系及其在水环境保护方面的特色做法。结合目前我国水环境管理所处的阶段,从顶层设计、宣传教育、项目管理、污染防治等方面,总结了瑞典经验对我国水环境保护工作的启示。     

滦河流域水资源开发的水文效应及其生态环境响应

通过滦河干流滦县水文站径流的长期演变趋势,分析流域水资源开发利用的水文效应及其生态响应。结果表明,在气候变化和人类活动影响下,滦河流域地表水资源量出现显著的衰减趋势,并引起滦河下游河道系统严重退化、近代滦河三角洲萎缩、下游平原区地下水位下降等若干生态环境问题。提出应加强竞争性用水条件下的河流生态水文调控,以改善滦河下游的生态环境。     

城市污水处理厂控制系统现状及发展趋势

随着我国经济的发展和城市化进程的加快,城市规模不断扩大,城市的人口迅速增长,随之而来的是城市生活污水量不断增加。因此,未来我国应当加大对城市生活污水的处理力度,以改善不断恶化的水环境污染趋势。自动控制系统在城市污水处理系统中至关重要,目前已经逐步应用到污水处理工艺过程及出水水质监测过程当中,并且取得了很好的效果,这样不但节约了能源,而且有着广阔的发展前景。     

活性焦联合脱硫脱硝技术及发展方向

本文介绍了活性焦特点、活性焦联合脱硫脱硝技术的反应机理及工艺流程、活性焦联合脱硫脱硝技术的优缺点及发展方向。指出了活性焦联合脱硫脱硝工艺具有可以实现同时脱除S02、NOx和粉尘,脱除效率高,投资小等优点,通过加热再生活性焦,可获得高浓度的SO2气体,用于生产硫酸、液体二氧化硫或硫磺,有效回收硫资源。该技术具有流程简单、占地面积小、无二次污染、费用低、应用范围广等特点。     

京津冀及周边地区低碳经济发展水平评价

随着应对全球气候变化进程的不断推进,“低碳经济”已逐渐成为世界各国实现经济社会可持续发展的必由之路.京津冀及周边地区社会经济发展较不平衡,整体推进低碳经济发展存在较大的困难,为有效促进低碳经济发展的策略选择,本文通过构建低碳经济发展水平评价指标体系,对京津冀及周边地区的低碳经济发展状况进行评价.结果显示,京津冀及周边地区低碳经济发展水平差异较大：北京低碳经济水平相对较高,其他地区距离低碳经济发展水平尚有较大差距.由此,京津冀及周边地区应根据地区经济发展特点及其低碳经济发展状况,采取不同的低碳发展策略选择,以有效推进低碳经济发展模式的顺利转型.