The Essence of a Recycling Economy:Circular Utilization of Resources

By analyzing the relationship between a recycling economy and sustainable development theory, this article puts forward the basic concept of a recycling economy as a dynamic economic operational model, and explains the four basic characteristics. It is stressed that the essential element of a recycling economy is the use of resources circularly. In the end, this article analyzes the phenomena of utilizing the recycling economy concept incorrectly, and sets forth a number of problems that should be noted during the process of developing a recycling economy in China.     

循环经济的核心内涵是资源循环利用--兼论循环经济概念的科学运用

本文通过对循环经济与可持续发展相互关系的阐析，提出了循环经济作为一种可持续经济运行形态的基本概念和四个基本特征。并着重指出：循环经济的核心内涵是资源循环利用。最后。本文对国内出现的循环经济概念泛化与误用现象以及发展循环经济应把握的几个相关问题进行了分析说明。     

Prospering Revolution of Resource Efficiency in Northeast Industrial Area in China

Abstract

Despite its strong advantages in resource, technology and human resource, China's Northeast Industrial Area is also experiencing problems of unreasonable industrial structure, environmental pollution, and the degradation of ecological condition, etc., which prevent this area from achieving a sustainable development. Through analyzing the resource problem, the present paper proposed a strategy of circular economy for the prosperity of this are, discussed the theories of circular economy and resource recycling, and finally concluded that improving resource productivity is at the core of circular economy.     

Study on the Circular Agriculture Development in Beijing’s Mountain Areas

Abstract

Circular agriculture is an essential way to realize the positive recycling of ecology and harmonious development of the country construction. The sustainable development of Beijing’s mountain areas depends on the background and orientation of ecological economy. Beijing’s mountain areas bear the responsibility of protecting the ecological safety of the whole Beijing district and also the exploration of circular agriculture in mountain areas is very important to promote the sustainable use of agriculture resources. Beijing’s mountain areas have possessed some practical experience in recycling agriculture development. Through summarizing the development mode and analyzing the development practice, the article puts forward three key segments of promoting Beijing circular agriculture development: strengthen propagate, develop superiority and built management mechanism.     

Environmental and economic benefit of recycling model of packaging waste: a case study on aluminum

Abstract

In order to achieve sustainable utilization of natural resources, save energy and protect environment and ecosystem, it is important for a region or a nation to develop and implement a viable waste recycling model from both theoretical and practical point of view. Some packaging recycling models operated in developed countries are introduced in this article. Aluminium can recovery and recycling is emphasized. Cost effective, economic and environmental benefit of different models are compared and analyzed. The result shows that all recycling models have their characteristics due to the initial purpose of recovery and the situation of the implementing country. However, all the models contribute to the reduction of municipal solid waste disposal and resources conservation.     

Regional Study on Economical Supporting Capacity of Land Resources in Shandong Province

Abstract

Taking the land resources of 17 cities in Shandong Province as the basic data, the article studied on the economical supporting capacity of land resources in terms of the effect of land on economy. The author classified 17 cities of Shandong Province into four types according to the economical supporting capacity of land resources by quantitatively estimating the evaluation indices of the total amount of land resources, the potential of urban and other nonagricultural land, and the integrated economical supporting capacity of land resources, etc. The author proposes the questions requiring further study at the end of this article.     

长江三角洲城市群循环经济发展水平的空间格局分析

开展循环经济,走可持续发展道路是提升长江三角洲城市群全球竞争力的必由之路。在参考大量城市循环经济评价指标体系的基础上,从社会经济发展、减量化、再循环再利用、生态环境质量4个方面,选取18项代表性指标,建立了城市循环经济水平评价指标体系。采用中国城市统计年鉴2006年的统计数据,运用层次分析法（AHP）确定各指标的权重,计算得出长江三角洲城市群各城市循环经济综合指数,并对其空间格局和影响因素进行分析。研究结果表明：①各城市循环经济发展水平差异显著;②各城市循环经济发展水平由城市群外围向中心逐渐递增;③随着人均地区生产总值的上升,循环经济水平呈不规则“W”变化。循环经济发展政策、产业结构、经济发展水平和乡镇企业的规模和数量是影响长江三角洲城市群各城市循环经济发展水平的主要因素。最后,对长江三角洲城市群循环经济发展提出了几点对策建议.     

Towards a Closed-Loop Materials Economy

Abstract

This paper introduces the recent appearance of a circular economy in such industrialized countries as Germany and Japan and outlines its concept and principles. The author emphasizes that a circular economy should become the breakthrough point for sustainable development and will enable a shift to a sustainable society of “doing less with less” away from the current high-consumption society of “doing more with more”     

Sustainable Development and the Basic Value of Natural Environment

Abstract

Contrast with artificial environment, the multi-level self-organizational system of nature has great gain. Sustainable material environment should respect nature: non-rubbish and super-cycle quality of natural ecosystem offers the material source of human development, fractal structure of nature offers new field of space and information source to this high-density and information-based society, dissipative structure of nature links the new system of energy with whole ecosystem organically, and life-chain regulation is the base of sustainable life environment. Nature guarantees the physical healthy environment by its all-dimension healthy factor, constructs the mental healthy environment by its quality of co-ordinate and chaos, so that guarantees the whole emergence of sustainable development on the ‘super-science’ level. In the view of sustainable development, construction, green economy and human health are basic fields. With the concept of ecosystem regulation, we can relate these fields organically and fulfill the task of human health, welfare and sustainable development. Ecosystem regulation is the base of sustainable development’s new paradigm.     

Environmental and economic viability of Alkali Activated Material (AAM) comprising slag,fly ash and spent coffee ground

ABSTRACT

This paper presents a concept of reusing spent coffee ground (CG) as a construction material. Through creating a CG-filled Alkali Activated Material (AAM) with industrial wastes such as fly ash (FA) and slag (S), a strong recycled material was synthesised and found suitable to be used as a road subgrade fill material. Potential groundwater contamination tests were done in accordance to the Australian Standard Leaching Procedure (ASLP). The environmental analysis done on this green material shows that albeit being composed of various industrial wastes and chemicals, CG-filled AAMs in the ground will not cause adverse environmental impacts to surrounding soils and groundwater. Heavy metals and cyanide leached from the AAMs were well below hazardous thresholds. Comparing the carbon footprint of CG, it is found that recycling CG into a construction material would reduce the nett global carbon emission by reducing dependency on quarried material. Cost analyses done on CG-filled AAMs show that these AAMs are expensive to produce relative to traditional construction materials. However, as recycling technology is progressively advancing, in the future the economic value of CG-filled AAM may increase to match those of contemporary construction materials.     

发展循环经济是实现区域可持续发展的战略选择

发展循环经济是实施可持续发展战略的重要举措，本文分析了循环经济的理论进展和实践意义；认为发展循环经济是实现可持续发展的重要途径；指出发展生态工业，推行清洁生产环境管理，培育垃圾产业是循环经济的重点；提出了发展循环经济的主要对策。     

Discussion of Population Modernization Theory and Actuality Analysis of Population Modernization in China

Abstract

This paper discusses the basic concept and connotation of population modernization.

The author briefly analyzes the actuality of population modernization in China, gives some advice and puts forward some measures.     

Analysis of the Difference of the Basic Pension by Regions

Abstract

Nowadays, the disparity of the basic pension in local regions of China can be described as follows: the low level of the unification of the basic pension systems, the large disparity of the level of the basic pension, and unfairness of the enterprises' payment for the basic pension in different local regions in China. These have already brought many negative influences, which have greatly held back the development of the society and national economy. We should build the basic pension system in all local regions of China as a whole, which can cover all people and decrease the disparity in different local regions in China.     

Holistic well-being and sustainable organisations – A review and argumentative propositions

Abstract

This article discusses holistic well-being in a balanced work system theory framework. Holistic well-being is a combination of well-being in both work and non-work domains. Theories of balanced work systems and balanced organisations are retold in light of holistic well-being to show how different individuals in organisations can contribute to achieving desired outcomes at different process levels. Further, this article provides new insights and research challenges to the balanced organisation theory by including a sustainability aspect and by proposing a new concept of balanced value networks.     

Scientific Basis and Technological Path of Regional Strategic Environmental Assessment

Abstract

The study tries to set up a system to extract strategic environmental assessment (SEA) in exploitation of regional development based on the present situation of environmental assessment in China. First, the article summarizes the emphasis and deficiency of international academic community’s SEA research in the past 10 years. Based on this, the article puts forward the concept and evaluation principles of regional strategic environmental assessment (RSEA). Then the article expounds the necessity of carrying out RSEA. After that, the article discusses in detail the process of RSEA, which includes defining evaluation scope, describing regional background, combing strategic behavior, designing development scenarios, predicting the pressure on environment, assessing environmental impact, screening alternatives and proposing regulation and control schemes.     

China’s Total Emission Control Policy: A Critical Review

Abstract

As part of a comprehensive environmental management system, many countries establish emission control targets for mass emissions of a pollutant. Such targets are often the key objective of an environmental policy, such as an emission trading program. In China, however, it is more than just an objective of one particular policy; it has become a concept that has influenced many national environmental policies and activities. The objective of this article is to review the implementation of the total emission control policy in the past 10 years and explore emerging issues in its implementation. The article has three sections: a summary of the implementation experience, issues with the design and implementation of the policy, and policy recommendations.     

Basic Framework and Conception of Promoting the Sustainability of Population,Resources, Environment and Socio-Economic Development in China

Abstract

Population, resources, environment and socio-economic development are four major issues of increasing world attention today and are also four major factors constraining China's development tomorrow. Through an analysis of the international situation and an assessment of China's actual conditions, this article proposes a basic framework and conception of promoting the sustainability of China's population, resources, environment and socio-economic development.     

内蒙古绿色产业体系构建的基本思路

绿色产业是21世纪国际经济的支柱产业，是民族地区的特色产业和优势产业，是实现民族地区经济可持续发展的重要途径，内蒙古地域辽阔，绿色资源丰富，有着巨大的绿色产业开发潜力。因此，必须把绿色产业作为优势产业优先发展，尽快构建绿色产业体系。本文通过对绿色产业概念的界定，首次提出了比较完整的绿色产业体系的概念、绿色经济链条的构成，分析了内蒙古绿色产业体系构建的思路、基本原则，内蒙古绿色产业体系的构成与建设，内蒙古绿色产业体系的支撑系统。     

Trade and the environment: An application of the WIOD database

The new WIOD database allows for improved empirical analysis on a wide range of important environmental research questions.In this paper we demonstrate the scientific power of the WIOD database and analyze very urgent policy questions on the impacts of international trade and structural change on the environment.We apply recent econometric approaches to show the impact of international trade on the environment via its different channels as for instance to increase welfare and potentially affect environmental regulation as well as countries’sector.This approach has become known as the econometric structural decomposition method.In addition to these guidelines by the literature,an econometric panel data approach is offered to shed some light on the impact of structural change and international trade on environmental pressure,where we especially address and solve several endogeneity issues that add further complexity to the analysis.