The Environmental Performance Strategy Map: an integrated LCA approach to support the strategic decision-making process

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a well-known tool for analyzing environmental impacts on a wide perspective with reference to a product system and the related environmental and economic impacts. The need for a novel approach that complements environmental and financial considerations is addressed in this study with the introduction of a new graphical representation: the Environmental Performance Strategy Map. This graphical map allows one to combine the main environmental indicators (footprints) with the additional dimension of cost. The paper defines the Sustainable Environmental Performance Indicator as a single measure for sustainability of a given option. Comparison of different options for strategic decision-making purposes can be enhanced and facilitated by the use of this indicator.     

Collaborative use of geodesign tools to support decision-making on adaptation to climate change

Spatial planners around the world need to make climate change adaptation plans. Climate adaptation planning requires combining spatial information with stakeholder values. This study demonstrates the potential of geodesign tools as a mean to integrate spatial analysis with stakeholder participation in adaptation planning. The tools are interactive and provide dynamic feedback on stakeholder objectives in response to the application of spatial measures. Different rationalities formed by underlying internalized values influence the reasoning of decision-making. Four tools were developed, each tailored to different rationalities varying between a collective or individual viewpoint and analytical or political arguments. The tools were evaluated in an experiment with four groups of participants that were set around an interactive mapping device: the touch table. To study how local decision-making on adaptation can be supported, this study focuses on a specific case study in the Netherlands. In this case study, multiple different stakeholders need to make spatial decisions on land use and water management planning in response to climate change. The collaborative use of four geodesign tools was evaluated in an interactive experiment. The results show that the geodesign tools were able to integrate the engagement of stakeholders and assessment of measures. The experiment showed that decision-making on adaptation to climate change can benefit from the use of geodesign tools as long as the tool is carefully matched to the rationality that applies to the adaptation issue. Although the tools were tested to support the design of adaptation plans in a Dutch setting, the tools could be used for regional adaptation planning in other countries such as the development of regional adaptation strategies (RAS) as required by the European Union or on a national scale to support developing national adaptation plans of action (NAPAs) as initiated by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) for least developed countries.     

A goal oriented indicator framework to support integrated assessment of new policies for agri-environmental systems

The goal oriented framework (GOF) for indicators has been developed as part of a comprehensive research project developing computerised tools for integrated assessment of the effects of new policies or technologies on agricultural systems (SEAMLESS-IF). The ambition has therefore been to create an indicator framework where the environmental, economic and social dimensions of sustainable development can be related to each other in a consistent way. Integrated assessment tools rely on such frameworks to capture and visualise trade-offs (antagonisms or synergies) among indicators between and within the three dimensions of sustainable development. The specific aims of this paper are to (i) present the GOF (ii) present how the GOF can be used to select indicators within the integrated assessment framework SEAMLESS-IF and (iii) discuss the advantages and limitations with the proposed approach. We show that the GOF has several advantages. Its major rewards are its relative simplicity and the possibility to link indicators to policy goals of each dimension of sustainability and thereby facilitate the comparison of the impacts of the new policy on the different dimensions. Another important feature of the GOF is its multi-scale perspective, which will enable the comparison of effects of a new policy between scales. Yet, as typical for all indicator frameworks, the GOF has also biases either instigated by the issues the included models cover or by the stakeholders’ selection of indicators. However, due to the way the GOF and its indicators are technically implemented in SEAMLESS-IF, it can easily be extended and include new indicators to increase and update its policy relevance.     

流域污染负荷水质响应的时空数值源解析方法研究

以目前广泛应用的环境流体动力学模型EFDC为平台,构建时空数值源解析方法,理论上可以得到任意时刻任意空间点位污染物的来源构成.其原理是考虑水质模型的微分方程,直接对每个污染负荷再微分,从而将原来1个微分方程变为关于每个污染源的微分方程组,然后联立以EFDC的水动力模型求解,得到每个源对每个时空点的贡献.概化的抚仙湖模型作为数值案例用以验证方法.时空数值源解析的结果与传统扰动方法的结果几乎重合,验证了时空数值源解析方法的正确性.另一方面,数值案例中存在34个独立的污染源,扰动法则需要35次模拟,而时空数值源解析方法的结果通过单次模拟就可得到,说明时空数值源解析方法具有明显的计算效率优势.而通过对结果的进一步分析可以发现,时空数值源解析方法可以提供更精确的源贡献的动态描述.     

Application of the analytic hierarchy process to select characterization and risk-based decision-making and management methods for hazardous waste sites

Environmental managers at U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) installations overseas are faced with the challenge of managing contaminated sites at these installations with little information on the extent of contamination or the risk posed by the site. In this regard, DoD managers overseas encounter a situation quite similar to the situation faced by decision makers in the U.S. who are managing brownfields. Innovative site characterization and risk-based decision-making methods, which are currently being developed for expeditious application at brownfield sites in the U.S., may also be appropriate for application at overseas DoD sites. In this paper, the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) is used by DoD decision makers to evaluate and rank innovative site characterization technologies and risk-based decision-making and management methods, for use at installations in Korea. Results indicate that for sites with high potential risk the decision makers preferred site characterization technologies that produce data of high quality and a method that can be used to establish credible risk-based remediation goals. This study provides a framework for applying characterization technologies and risk management to poorly characterized contaminated sites in developing countries, where resources for remedial actions may be limited.     

新型两相一体厌氧消化反应器处理餐厨垃圾中试研究

针对餐厨垃圾厌氧消化过程易发生挥发性脂肪酸（VFAs）的积累,系统难以稳定高效运行等问题,本研究设计制造了一套中试规模的新型双环嵌套式两相一体厌氧反应器,采用双环嵌套式结构,在反应器内部将内环的产酸阶段与外环的产甲烷阶段分离.反应器共运行184d,初始负荷为60kg/d,运行阶段阶梯式提高负荷,最高达到180kg/d.结果表明,该新型反应器产气与有机固体去除效率高,稳定性好.在稳定运行阶段,有机负荷为3.0kgVS/（m³·d）,容积产气率平均达到1.69m³/（m³·d）,最高为2.72m³/（m³·d）,平均负荷产气率为0.57m³/（kgVS·d）,有机固体去除率达77.2%;由于内外环相分离作用,外环pH值相比内环高约0.3~0.4,外环挥发性脂肪酸（VFAs）和溶解性化学需氧量（sCOD）平均浓度相比内环分别降低25%和23%.双环嵌套式反应器实现了产酸和产甲烷阶段分离的作用,内环产酸相很好地完成了水解和酸化步骤,同时减轻产甲烷相受到酸积累的冲击,对反应器稳定运行起到关键作用.     

曹妃甸甸头海域溢油行为数值模拟研究

采用三角型网格系统结合有限体积法,建立河北省曹妃甸海域的潮流数值模型,潮位、潮流数值模拟结果与实测值符合良好,在近岸水动力场模拟结果基础上,耦合基于油粒子模式的海上溢油漂移扩散数值模型,对曹妃甸南部甸头航道交汇区域的船舶相撞溢油事故进行了数值模拟研究。研究中拟合了该区域风场与潮流涨落的不利效应的叠加,对该海域船舶相撞溢油事故各响应时间节点处油膜运动可能产生的最大漂移距离、扫海面积及运动趋势等进行了分析。     

An integrated approach to evaluation on ecological service functions for urban green space and its application

This methodological investigation deals with measurement and valuing of ecological service functions for urban green space. Social, economic and ecological dimensions for such types of function are analyzed and a concept " integrated ecological service functions"(IESF) is put forward for evaluation. Based upon this conceptual approach, an index system for measuring IESF for urban green space is established. With a methodological integration of fuzzy mathematics, decision-making analysis and Delphi method, an AHP fuzzy evaluation techniques for IESF for urban green space,called AFIFUG method, is developed. Such a method has beendirectly applied to the land use strategic planning of Tianjin out-ring green belt(TOGB), and its analysis results have been successfully put into operation.     

An integrated approach to evaluation on ecological service functions for urban green space and its application

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Review of water-energy-food Nexus tools to improve the Nexus modelling approach for integrated policy making

The synergies and trade-offs between the water, energy, and food sectors are represented by the Water-Energy-Food Nexus. The Nexus Approach is an integrated decision making practice that can be used by policy makers to optimize these synergies and manage trade-offs. In this paper, the direction of the Nexus Approach regarding the development of modelling tools is explored. The objective of this paper is to review the existing Nexus modelling tools used for integrated policy making to determine and to help policy makers, practitioners, and agencies trying to implement the Nexus Approach to identify a tool that is most suited to their modelling needs. The predominant capabilities of the current tools lie in the understanding of Nexus complexity, consideration of financial elements in the tools, recognition of the importance of multiple Nexus Approach directions, incorporation of different time scales, and enhanced tool accessibility. The main limitations are the extensive data requirements of current tools, and the poor synergy between tools assessing individual Nexus areas. This enhanced overview of the existing tools allows policy makers to maximize the synergies between the Nexus areas, to avoid consumption dilemmas, and to facilitate sustainable development.     

A simultaneous optimization approach for the design of wastewater and heat exchange networks based on cost estimation

A new systematic methodology for designing wastewater and heat exchange networks for process industries involving effluent streams containing multiple contaminants is proposed. A simultaneous optimization approach mathematically combines the problems of wastewater and heat exchanger network optimization into a single step. This process includes two global iterations of a similar two-stage approach and optimizes networks for water and heat exchange simultaneously based on cost estimation. The objective function is to minimize the total annual cost of the wastewater and heat exchange network design which is subject to the mass and energy balance constraints on all the pertinent flows and to constraints related to the concentrations of contaminants. The proposed method employs a strategy to address a mixed integer non-linear programming (MINLP) formulation. Cost estimates for optimized wastewater and heat exchange networks for an oil refinery process are generated, illustrating the effectiveness of the proposed methodology.     

基于群决策的河流允许排污量公平分配博弈模型

为解决河流水质管理中允许排污量的公平分配问题,建立一个由排污者群体决策的博弈模型.其基本原理是在现有被普遍接受的公平分配准则基础上,排污者按照一定的顺序,根据个体利益最大化原则依次选择分配准则并获得相应的允许排污量,同时考虑所有排序方式,求取平均值作为最终分配结果.案例研究结果表明,模型综合考虑了多种分配准则,无需人为给定准则的权重,保证了分配依据和分配过程的公正,由排污者群体决策而得出最终结果,是一种较为公平合理的允许排污量分配方法.模型求解与博弈论的Shapley解法类似,计算量呈随排污者个数阶乘递增趋势.     

A strategic approach to selecting policy mechanisms for addressing coal mine methane emissions: A case study on Kazakhstan

Coal production globally is projected to grow in the foreseeable future. Countries with heavy reliance on coal could reduce methane and other emissions through the capture and utilization of coal mine methane (CMM) in the short and medium term, while they pursue structural and long-term economic changes. Several countries have successfully implemented policies to promote CMM capture and utilization; however, some countries still struggle to implement projects. This paper outlines key factors to consider in adapting policies for CMM mitigation. The authors propose an approach for selecting adequate mechanisms for stimulating CMM mitigation that involves reviewing global best practices and categorizing them functionally either as mechanisms needed to improve the underlying conditions or as CMM-specific policies. It is important to understand local policy frameworks and to consider whether it is more feasible to improve underlying policy conditions or to provide targeted incentives as an interim measure.Using Kazakhstan as a case study, the authors demonstrate how policymakers could assess the overall policy framework to find the most promising options to facilitate CMM projects. Kazakhstan’s emissions from underground coal mines have been increasing both in total and per tonne of coal production, while overall production has been declining. CMM mitigation presents an opportunity for the country to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions in the near and medium term, while the government pursues sustainable development goals. Analysis shows that policymakers in Kazakhstan can leverage existing policies to stimulate utilization by extending feed-in tariffs to cover CMM and by developing working methodologies for companies to obtain emission reduction credits from CMM projects.     

A multi-criteria geographic information systems approach for the measurement of vulnerability to climate change

A flexible procedure for the development of a multi-criteria composite index to measure relative vulnerability under future climate change scenarios is presented. The composite index is developed using the Weighted Ordered Weighted Average (WOWA) aggregation technique which enables the selection of different levels of trade-off, which controls the degree to which indicators are able to average out others. We explore this approach in an illustrative case study of the United States (US), using future projections of widely available indicators quantifying flood vulnerability under two scenarios of climate change. The results are mapped for two future time intervals for each climate scenario, highlighting areas that may exhibit higher future vulnerability to flooding events. Based on a Monte Carlo robustness analysis, we find that the WOWA aggregation technique can provide a more flexible and potentially robust option for the construction of vulnerability indices than traditionally used approaches such as Weighted Linear Combinations (WLC). This information was used to develop a proof-of-concept vulnerability assessment to climate change impacts for the US Army Corps of Engineers. Lessons learned in this study informed the climate change screening analysis currently under way.     

可持续发展评价指标(体系)及其确定方法的探讨

通过对目前已有的可持续发展指标体系的研究,指出现有指标体系忽略了可持续性内涵、环境的限制作用、社会公平性及经济增长的影响作用等主要内容．提出采用离差法来计算可持续发展评价指标．建议采用限制型指标、发展型指标、协调型指标来评价系统的可持续性;标准值或参考值采用反映系统不可持续性状态的底线值以及反映整个人类状况的全球、区域或国家现时平均值．同时还提出了不可持续性标准值、不可持续状态、远离不可持续状态、迈进可持续发展过程等概念．强调单项指标的重要性,指出单项指标离差度对系统可持续性的指示作用．     

典型养殖型湖泊中的重金属含量及健康风险特征——以宿鸭湖为例

为评估典型水产养殖型湖泊中的重金属含量水平及其人体健康风险特征,系统采集并测定了宿鸭湖湖水、周边地下水、沉积物及鱼体中的重金属含量.在此基础上计算了不同重金属在不同介质间(湖水-鱼体、湖水-沉积物及沉积物-鱼体)的转移因子,并通过健康风险指数计算定量分析了宿鸭湖水生态系统中重金属对人体的健康影响,以及不同暴露途径的风险贡献率.结果表明:Zn、Ba和Sr在不同介质体内含量均较高,而Sn和Cd的含量均比较低.Cr和Zn在鱼体中的均值含量超过WHO鱼类产品中重金属的含量限值,具有潜在毒性;湖水和地下水中的所有重金属浓度均低于饮用水标准中的相关限值;部分沉积物样品中Cr、Ni、Cu、Zn、Cd和Pb含量超出环境保护部《土壤环境质量标准》(GB15618—2008)自然背景值,但低于美国华盛顿州沉积物化学标准(WAC 172-204-320)中的含量限值,已构成轻微污染.不同介质间的转化因子分析表明,鱼体对湖水中的Zn、Sr、Ba、Cu、Cr、Ni、Co、Sn和Cd均存在富集作用;但除Zn以外,鱼体对沉积物中的其他重金属无明显的富集作用;宿鸭湖水生态系统中的重金属Cr对人体的HRI值为1.6,其健康危害效应不可忽视;食用鱼类是导致Cr人体健康危害的主要途径,贡献率高达94%;最后,与非养殖型湖泊相比,宿鸭湖水库中鱼体内Pb和Cr的含量明显偏高,且重金属从湖水到沉积物的转移因子明显偏高,而从湖水到鱼的生物浓缩因子相对较低.