Evaluation of the implementation of best available techniques in IPPC context: an environmental performance indicators approach

In this paper an integrated methodological approach is presented for the evaluation of the implementation of the Best Available Techniques (BAT) in facilities operated under Integrated Prevention Pollution and Control (IPPC) Directive, based on the development and application of a set of sub-indices. An aggregated form of sub-indices that could be used as a composite IPPC facility index is proposed. A sector specific index can be derived from facilities composite indices.This approach uses environmental performance data from European Polluting Emissions Register (EPER) reports, environmental permits and BAT Reference Documents, and gives a coherent and interesting picture of the degree of BAT implementation and an indication of IPPC obligations fulfilment.A specific application is demonstrated concerning the paper manufacturing sector in Greece. It is concluded for this sector that there is a measurable discrepancy from the BAT fulfilment obligations and that the most problematic sub-indices are the “Releases to Water” and “Releases to Air”.     

Possibilities and limitations of a comparative assessment of process technologies from a cleaner production point of view

This article presents a method for a comparative assessment of process technologies from a cleaner production point of view as well as the results of testing this method in practice. Based on these results and on an analysis of existing technology information systems, an estimation is made of the general possibilities and limitations of a comparative assessment of process technologies from a cleaner production point of view. Finally, the resulting consequences for the definition of ‘best available techniques' in accordance with the new EC Council Directive Concerning Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC) are discussed. This article argues that apart from the difficulties related to the valuation of different kinds of materials and energy a major limiting factor is caused by the fact that the function of a production has to be defined very precisely to enable a comparison between different types of process technologies in sufficient detail.     

Eco-efficiency of fabric filters in the Italian ceramic tile industry

Italy is an important producer of ceramic tiles, with a high production share in Europe (50%) and worldwide (16%). Since early 1990s, fabric filters have been installed to reduce emissions of dust, lead, fluorine, etc. from firing kilns. Such end-of-pipe technologies can increase energy consumption and production costs. This paper presents a simplified LCA to assess the overall environmental effects of fabric filters in Italian ceramic tiles production. We also calculate the eco-efficiency of such filters, the additional cost per unit reduction of emissions. The results indicate that the environmental drawbacks of the filter are small and that, in comparison to existing eco-efficiency reference values, this air pollution abatement technique can be seen as an eco-efficient technique. These results can be useful in the identification of best available techniques (BAT), which is required under environmental regulations such as EC directive 96/61 (IPPC directive).     

欧盟工业废水污染物排放限值的制定方法

依据欧盟委员会的IPPC指令和水框架指令，欧盟成员国目前在制定废水污染物排放限值时，都以最佳可得技术（BAT）为参考，同时运用反演的方法将污染物排放限值与环境质量标准相结合。阐述了欧盟国家制定废水污染物排放限值的“BAT法”和“质量标准反演法”，并举例分析了“质量标准反演法”。提出了我国借鉴欧盟方法的几点建议。     

Eco-efficiency in the era of electronic commerce – should ‘Eco-Effectiveness’ approach be adopted?

In the 1980s, when PCs were first introduced, a vision arose of the “paperless office.” Yet, it did not yield the anticipated environmental benefits. Nowadays, such optimism about the implications of information technology, and in particular, E-commerce continues to proliferate today. But will E-commerce turn out to be a success story, or another unrealised utopia? Drawing on content analysis and concept development methods, this paper discusses a number of observations of interest in the literature that, taken together, point out that eco-efficiency is not sufficient to be the leadership strategy of choice for forecasting and reducing environmental damage arising from the implementation of E-commerce. Rather, utilizing an emerging concept of eco-effectiveness together with eco-efficiency may offer a model for managing the environmental consequences of E-commerce. Yet, to wield more influence, the current concept of eco-effectiveness needs to be expanded in order to complement – and not to replace – eco-efficiency.     

Integrated pollution prevention and control in large industrial installations on the basis of best available techniques – The Sevilla Process

With respect to emissions from industry, the IPPC Directive is one of the key instruments of the environmental legislation of the European Union. The purpose of this Directive is to achieve integrated pollution prevention and control from large industrial installations. The conditions of required permits have to be based on Best Available Techniques (BAT). In 1997, the so-called Sevilla Process was established to develop these BAT. Since then, 33 Best Available Techniques REFerence Documents (BREFs) were drafted, adopted and published. This Sevilla Process with its actors is described. The BREFs are unique documents containing ambitious consumption and emission levels which cannot be found anywhere else.     

Eco-efficiency in the SMEs of Venezuela. Current status and future perspectives

This paper presents a comparison analysis of eco-efficiency in the small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) of Venezuela. The research can be divided into three parts: the first part reviews similar studies in the literature on the level of eco-efficiency exhibited by the companies of Venezuela and other countries. In the second place, the findings of a survey conducted on Venezuelan SMEs allowed the definition of 54 eco-efficiency profiles. Thirdly, six national experts in cleaner production and eco-efficiency were interviewed. The interview was based on a questionnaire similar to that used in the survey of the Venezuelan SMEs. At a second meeting, the experts were asked to discuss on the similarities and differences between their answers and those of the company's managers.The findings of the survey allow us to conclude that Venezuelan SMEs understand the legal environmental regulations that affect them but they do not perceive the influence of external driving forces like customers demand for green products or institutional incentives. The adoption of eco-efficiency practices is not perceived as an incentive to improve competitiveness so that the environmental strategies adopted generally aim at reducing costs or avoiding non-compliance sanctions and negative effects on the company image. Materials recycling and reuse, especially packaging materials, are common practices; however, other environmental tools or practices have not been implemented yet, e.g. environmental management systems (EMS), process, product and services design tools based on the product life cycle, renewable energy resources or green marketing. There are also differences among the eight industrial sectors analyzed, food and chemical industries having the higher index of eco-efficiency practices, and plastic and wood industries the lower.     

Adapting the European approach of Best Available Techniques: case studies from Chile and China

Best Available Techniques (BAT) are an essential element in European environmental legislation as required by the Directive on Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC 96/61/EG). The technology transfer to industrialising countries, however, requires the adaptation of the underlying criteria, due to differences in economic, legal and technical conditions. Additionally, their prevailing technology standards and different priorities concerning the affected environmental media (air, soil, water) must also be considered. At hand of case studies for VOC emission reduction and prevention for coating applications in Chile, China and Germany, the use of a metric for country-specific determination of BAT is proposed.     

The role of environmental management system on introduction of new technologies in the metal and chemical/paper/plastics industries

Pollution prevention with the use of modern cleaner technologies in industrial sectors is the cornerstone of successful environmental policy certified according to the requirements of the international standard ISO 14001. The analyses were performed with the objective of assessing general aspects of technology modernisation as a result of the ISO 14001 certification in industrial enterprises in order to develop a better understanding whether the ISO 14001 certification can accelerate initiatives for the adoption of new and cleaner technologies within the certified firms on one hand, and, on the other hand, to find out to what extent it helped to upgrade their environmental performance. The research was performed within Slovene metal and chemical (including pharmaceuticals, paper and plastics) manufacturing companies with an additional emphasis on firms which are committed to implementing the IPPC directive. In general, certified enterprises consider ISO 14001 as a very useful tool in promoting and adopting new cleaner technologies. ISO 14001 seems to be particularly important to create better conditions for the technology changes in companies which are committed to the IPPC Directive. Companies in chemical and related industries, to a much higher extent, used predominantly modified technologies to diminish their environmental impacts, while companies in metal industries, to a higher extent, used a combination of existing and new technologies after ISO 14001 certification. It seems that better environmental performance is associated with higher productivity in ISO 14001 certified firms.     

Lignite coke moving bed adsorber for cement plants – BAT or beyond BAT?

The IPPC Directive requires permits which must contain emission limit values and other conditions based on BAT. The BAT are characterised and the terms ‘conditional BAT’ and ‘beyond BAT’ are defined and explained. The borderline between BAT and beyond BAT is explained by means of an outstanding example which is the lignite coke moving bed adsorber for the abatement of the waste gas from a cement plant where waste for co-incineration is fed to a considerable extent is described in detail. Worldwide, this technique has been successfully applied at one cement plant for sixteen years.     

Eco-efficiency evaluation of iron rod industry in Nepal

This paper presents the eco-efficiency of energy intensity, material consumption, water use, waste generation, and CO₂ emission in terms of production value in net sales (US$) per environmental influence using empirical evaluation. Evaluation has been considered only within production process boundary of iron rod industry. Evaluation of eco-efficiency tried to couple the economic and environmental influences of industry to know economic and environmental excellence. Eco-efficiency of iron rod industry was quantitatively analyzed and determined that energy, material consumption, water use, waste generation, and CO₂ emission eco-efficiency have been increased gradually along with increased production during analysis period of five years (2001–2005). It was possible due to installing heat recovery unit along with innovative processes modification. While comparing each year's eco-efficiency of all above-mentioned parameters, eco-efficiencies were increased that indicates less resource use and less waste released. As a general statement of overall comparison and characterization of eco-efficiencies of five years duration, iron rod industry was eco-efficient in all aspects. Eco-efficiency being an emerging trend has not yet been implemented in Nepal. It is further recommended to adopt the eco-efficiency evaluation in other industries. In addition, it is high time to augment the provision of eco-efficiency concepts in industrial policy and legislation concerned.     

基于DEA-Tobit的城市生态效率评价及影响因素研究——以江苏省为例

基于DEA-Tobit两阶段分析框架,利用超效率DEA模型评价了江苏省13个地级市及苏南、苏中、苏北3个区域2009~2013年的工业生态效率,并采用Tobit模型测量了城镇化率、产业结构、环境规制对该效率值的影响。研究表明:江苏省城市工业生态效率整体处于中上水平,但地区间差异较大:苏中优于苏南,苏南优于苏北;工业用水、工业用地消耗过多,工业废气排放过量是目前影响江苏省城市工业生态效率提升的主要原因;提高城镇化率对江苏省城市工业生态效率有积极的影响,产业结构调整对城市工业生态效率有微弱的抑制作用,环境规制对城市工业生态效率影响并不显著。     

工业生态效率对PM2.5污染的影响及溢出效应

针对2004—2016年中国地级市工业生态效率与PM_2.5的时空关联特征和影响作用关系的研究表明：（1）工业生态效率与PM_2.5呈时空交错分布特征,PM_2.5高污染区连片分布于华北平原及长江中下游城市,工业生态效率高等级区集中分布于长三角、珠三角和环渤海经济区等沿海地市及中西部城市群内部分中心地市;（2）工业生态效率对PM_2.5的冲击表现出“U型”变化的负向累积效应,PM_2.5对工业生态效率的冲击则表现为“倒U型”变化的正向累积效应;（3）工业生态效率与PM_2.5呈稳定时空关联演化特征,高高关联类型区集中分布于京津冀城市群、山东半岛城市群和长三角城市群内大部分城市,低低关联类型区多分布于鄱阳湖城市群、关中城市群及西部地市;（4）工业生态效率对PM_2.5总体上具有显著且稳健的正向影响,但表现出明显的空间异质性,工业集聚水平、科技创新及城市绿化率起到显著负向影响,而城市规模、环保监督及产业结构系数影响并不显著。     

生活垃圾分类处理方式的生态效率评价

中国生活垃圾产量大、增速快，若处理方式不当会给环境和社会带来巨大危害，近年来提倡的垃圾分类处理方式是垃圾减量化的关键一环.综合考虑垃圾处理对环境、能源、经济和社会四方面影响，构建适用于垃圾处理的3E+S生态效率评价模型.将垃圾源头分类、末端分类处理方式纳入垃圾处理生命周期中构建4种生活垃圾处理情景.结果表明，混合收运+末端分类的处理情景具有潜在最优生态效率，分类收运+焚烧的处理情景由于源头分类、收运环节更为复杂导致其总环境影响潜值最大，且生命周期成本最高.对比考虑或不考虑社会成本计算得到的生态效率表明，社会成本的加入显著影响生态效率.源头分类是影响生活垃圾分类处理生态效率的敏感性因素，通过降低垃圾源头分类单元过程多余的环境排放和成本或推广使用以末端机械化分类（PGAS）技术为代表的低污染低成本的垃圾分类新技术，都能够提高垃圾处理的生态效率.     

Determinants of eco-efficiency in the Chinese industrial sector

This study measures productive inefficiency within the context of multi-environmental pollution (eco-efficiency) in the Chinese industrial sector. The weighted Russell directional distance model is applied to measure eco-efficiency using production technology. The objective is to clarify how external factors affect eco-efficiency. The major findings are that both foreign direct investment and investment for pollution abatement improve eco-efficiency as measured by air pollutant substances. A levy system for wastewater discharge improves eco-efficiency as measured by wastewater pollutant substances. However, an air pollutant levy does not significantly affect eco-efficiency as measured by air pollutants.     

Determinants of eco-efficiency in the Chinese industrial sector

This study measures productive inefficiency within the context of multi-environmental pollution (eco-efficiency) in the Chinese industrial sector. The weighted Russell directional distance model is applied to measure eco-efficiency using production technology. The objective is to clarify how external factors affect eco-efficiency. The major findings are that both foreign direct investment and investment for pollution abatement improve eco-efficiency as measured by air pollutant substances. A levy system for wastewater discharge improves eco-efficiency as measured by wastewater pollutant substances. However, an air pollutant levy does not significantly affect eco-efficiency as measured by air pollutants.     

循环经济发展评价的生态效率测算模型及应用

生态效率是基于可持续发展的思想,鉴于循环经济发展和实际环境的需求,通过构建循环经济发展评价的生态效率测算模型,针对循环经济中资源和环境2个重要方面,选择实例进行模型的应用。所选择研究对象经过测算,生态效率在"十一五"期间呈现波动上升,在5年时间增长了1.1倍,但仍处于末端治理为主的循环经济发展阶段,较为客观地反映了当地循环经济的发展轨迹。通过相关分析和说明,为循环经济发展评价提供生态效率分析这一方案选择。     

黄河流域资源型城市生态效率时空演变及驱动因素

生态效率是区域发展质量和人地协调程度的综合体现。采用TOPSIS法测度2003—2017年黄河流域37个资源型城市的生态效率,借助泰尔指数、全局空间自相关和热点分析揭示其时空演变规律,利用面板Tobit回归模型探寻关键驱动因素。结果表明：（1）黄河流域资源型城市生态效率总体上以2007年为分水岭,先平稳、后上升;不同城市生态效率的增速和增幅差异较大,下游城市明显高于中、上游城市,再生型城市明显高于成长、成熟和衰退型城市。 （2）城市间生态效率差异大小先略微下降、后持续上升;生态效率空间格局由随机分布向集聚分布演变,低值集聚区从山西、河南交界处向山西中、北部移动,高值集聚区分布具有空间粘性,一直位于下游山东境内。（3）产业转型、科技创新、基础设施完善和区位条件对生态效率改善具有显著正向驱动作用,外向型经济、资源依赖和环境规制抑制生态效率提高,城镇化、工业化和外资利用对生态效率演变的影响不显著;不同类型资源型城市生态效率改善的主要驱动因素存在异质性。     

Eco-efficiency evaluation of the petroleum and petrochemical group in the map Ta Phut Industrial Estate,Thailand

Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate (MTPIE), located in Rayong province, eastern of Thailand, was developed by the state enterprise, Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand, Ministry of Industry, to serve industries that use natural gas as the main raw material development. This research presents the eco-efficiency evaluation of the petroleum and petrochemical group (PP) in the MTPIE. There are 31 factories in the PP group, which can be divided into three categories: upstream, intermediate, and downstream. The eco-efficiency values of the PP group were evaluated according to the World Business Council for Sustainable Development recommendations. The comparison of eco-efficiency values between three industrial categories in the PP group demonstrates that factories in the downstream category obtained particularly good eco-efficiency results concerning material consumption, water use, and hazardous waste generation. The eco-efficiency trends of the PP group were simply analyzed by snapshot graph. With the availability of the data on environmental indicator, the water use indicator was selected to be an example indicator for analyzing the eco-efficiency trends of the PP group. The eco-efficiency snapshot concerning the net sale and water use during the year of 2003–2005 showed that the eco-efficiency trends of the PP group in the MTPIE shifted from half eco-efficient in 2004 to fully eco-efficient in 2005. This research can provide a basic framework on eco-efficiency evaluation for the industrial sector in Thailand, which will feed into strategic development, and would enable public participation in the discussion on branch developments and contributions to national trends.     

环保投资占比最优化:基于生态效率的考量

将生态效率作为综合衡量环保投资效益的指标,利用中国2003~2015年30个省（区、市）的数据,研究生态效率与环保投资的双向影响关系,并估算环保投资占比的最优区间.结果表明：（1）2003~2015年,全国平均生态效率整体呈略微下降趋势,由0.79下降至0.69.（2）环保投资占比对生态效率构成倒"N"型影响,经历"降低-提升-抑制"3个阶段.根据所获数据进行计算和推测,当环保投资占比处于0~1.50%时,环保投资不能有效防止生态效率下降;占比处于1.50%~3.30%时,环保投资能显著提升生态效率,至3.30%时达到最大值;占比大于3.30%时,过多的环保投资投入反而使生态效率下降.（3）省际生态效率具有空间溢出效应,省级政府环保投资策略具有协同性.