Development of a facility-based environmental performance indicator related to sustainable development

Companies are increasingly interested in environmental performance indicators as a means of managing the degree to which environmental goals and objectives are implemented. Many companies have publicly endorsed goals associated with sustainable development, like the International Chamber of Commerce's (ICC) principles for sustainable development. There is a need for metrics that facilitate implementation of these principles at the facility level and for research metrics that measure management improvement. An existing environmental self-assessment management tool called ESAP by the Global Environmental Management Initiative has been modified to measure a facility's response to the ICC's 16 principles of sustainability. The new tool's focus was shifted to a practical, facility based and easily applied assessment of progress towards sustainable development as represented by the ICC's 16 principles of sustainability. The new tool was called the Green Management Assessment Tool or GMAT, pilot tested and used in a research setting. Such tools have value to companies that are interested in the strategic goals of sustainable development and struggle with shifting corporate goals and objectives to manufacturing operations at the facility level.     

地方环境管理信息系统的设计原则与开发程序

环境管理信息系统是为环境管理服务的环境数据的收集、传递、存贮、加工、维护的工具和手段。现代的信息系统是由人和计算机组成的复杂体系,它不仅与计算机、环境科学密切相关,还涉及计算科学、运筹学、决策科学等有关学科。     

Green strategy for gaining competitive advantage in housing development: a China study

The promotion of green strategy in housing development has significant contribution to the implementation of sustainable development principles. Why do the housing developers go for green? This paper examines the benefits and barriers in applying green strategies in the process of housing development and facilities management. The examination is conducted from the whole process of developing a housing project, including project plan and design, construction, and operation and management stages. It is considered by the housing developers that the application of certain types of green strategies can help contribute to building up developers’ competitive advantages, such as solar system and optimizing building envelope thermal performance technology. The four case studies suggest that housing developers believe that the application of these green technologies can contribute to reputation gaining, reduction in construction and operation cost, receiving favorable land prices, and more channels available for financing. On the other hand, the major barriers affecting the application of the green strategies in housing development process have also been identified, such as higher cost for green appliance and higher cost in relation to customers’ demand. Data used for analysis are collected from a comprehensive questionnaire survey and four constructive case studies within the Chinese housing development market.     

环境规划中环境资源有价理论的政策研究和实践

随着环境保护意识的加强和环境保护理论的不断拓展,环境资源有价的理念逐步深入到管理层面,环境资源有偿使用也逐步成为重要的环境管理手段。部分省份经过多年的实践探索,取得了积极成效,但也存在一些问题。为了使环境资源有价理论相关内容在环境保护"十三五"规划中更加完善,本文在环境资源有价理论的基础上,通过分析总结,探索适宜的可持续发展的一系列经济政策,并介绍其在山西省的实践应用,期望利用经济手段的调控作用,实现环境保护和经济可持续发展的目的。     

Environmental management accounting in Lithuania: exploratory study of current practices,opportunities and strategic intents

There is a growing consensus among the Lithuanian policy makers, practitioners and industrialists that environmental policy must move from a reactive stance to a more proactive, sustainable development approach. As a result, many companies are increasingly interested in the application of economic incentives at least as supplements or reinforcements of environmental standards.The Institute of Environmental Engineering (EU Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Industrial Development (APINI – SID)) in 1992–2003 has been involved in introduction and implementation of preventive environmental strategy in industry in Lithuania and in other countries. In Lithuania, these efforts resulted in the implementation of more than 200 cleaner production innovations in more than 150 Lithuanian companies. It should be stressed that effective plant maintenance is becoming a higher priority to plant managers. It is important to ensure cost-savings, at all levels, that include maximizing productivity and implementing energy-saving approaches. Effective and efficient maintenance are not just desirable, but fundamental to profitable business operations. Therefore, central to the environmental view of sustainable development is the concept that economic and social systems are sub-systems of the global environment.APINI's experience shows that decision-makers at the company level often fail to recognize the economic values of natural resources as assets as well as the business and financial value of good environmental performance. Therefore, there is a need to upgrade the business decision-making process by including information on material flows and related costs to account for efforts of sustainable development [Staniskis JK, Stasiskiene Z. Promotion of cleaner production investments: international experience. Journal of Cleaner Production 2002;11(6):619–28. ISSN: 0959-6526, Elsevier Science]. Decisions are increasingly affected by environmental costs. Application of environmental management accounting (EMA), which integrates two of the main principles of sustainable development – environment and economics, can help to significantly improve corporate decision-making.EMA is becoming increasingly important not only for environmental management decisions and development of environmental management systems (EMS), but also for all types of routine management activities, such as product and process design, cost allocation and control, capital budgeting, purchasing, product pricing and performance evaluation.Companies, which use EMA as a part of integrated management system, are provided with accurate and comprehensive information for the measurement and reporting of environmental performance.This paper investigates the current state of EMA practices in Lithuanian SMEs that have already been or are being implementing EMS and which have implemented CP innovations. In this case, EMA is analysed as an innovative assessment and evaluation method of EMS and CP innovation's environmental impacts and economic benefits. It should be stressed, that there are obvious differences in case studies from different industries. However, review of the results shows that there are many similarities in what improvements can be suggested for environmentally concerned companies both in terms of environmentally sound operation and for reporting of environmental management accounting information.     

Review on utilization of biochar for metal-contaminated soil and sediment remediation

Biochar is a carbon-neutral or even carbon-negative material produced through thermal decomposition of plant- and animal-based biomass under oxygen-limited conditions. Recently, there has been an increasing interest in the application of biochar as an adsorbent, soil ameliorant and climate mitigation approach in many types of applications. Metal-contaminated soil remediation using biochar has been intensively investigated in small-scale and pilot-scale trials with obtained beneficial results and multifaceted effects. But so far, the study and application of biochar in contaminated sediment management has been very limited, and this is also a worldwide problem. Nonetheless, there is reason to believe that the same multiple benefits can also be realized with these sediments due to similar mechanisms for stabilizing contaminants. This paper provides a review on current biochar properties and its use as a sorbent/amendment for metal-contaminated soil/sediment remediation and its effect on plant growth, fauna habits as well as microorganism communities. In addition, the use of biochar as a potential strategy for contaminated sediment management is also discussed, especially as regards in-situ planning. Finally, we highlight the possibility of biochar application as an effective amendment and propose further research directions to ensure the safe and sustainable use of biochar as an amendment for remediation of contaminated soil and sediment.     

Current status and strategy of hazardous waste management in China

This paper deals briefly with the pollution caused by hazardous wastes in China, the hazardous waste management at present and the strategy that should be taken for hazardous waste management in the future. Hazardous waste problem has become one of the important environmental concerns in China. Hazardous waste have resulted in ecological and environmental destruction, caused damage to human health, and restricted economic development. Although a great effort has been devoted to the management of hazardous wastes, there remain many issues in legislation, experience, technology and finance to be solved. Some recommendations are made on the strategic measures for improving the hazardous waste management in China, particularly relating to legislation, technical development and international cooperation.     

Environmental management and life cycle approaches in the Mexican mining industry

Mexico ranks among the 11 major producer countries of minerals worldwide; its open pit and underground systems are 500 years old. This paper presents an overview of the Mexican mining industry from technological development, historical and economic perspectives. The efforts made by mining companies to address issues of environmental management and sustainable development expressed in national and international frameworks, as well as the Mexican environmental regulatory framework for the mining sector, are analyzed. Since, among others, life cycle assessment (LCA) has been recognized as a key topic to promote sustainable development in the Latin American and Caribbean region, this paper also examines the application of LCA in mining. Two life cycle approaches are presented: a national life cycle inventory for base metals, and an integral life cycle model for the management of mining processes.     

Sustainable development policies in Canada's mining sector: an overview of government and industry efforts

This paper provides an overview of mining sustainable development policy-making in Canada. In addition to documenting the important efforts made by the Canadian government, some of the more recent initiatives undertaken by the Canadian mining industry are highlighted. Following years of sustainable development research and careful planning, the Canadian government finally drafted the national Minerals and Metals Policy of the Government of Canada: Partnerships for Sustainable Development (1996), which sets out the Canadian government's role, objectives, and strategies in areas of jurisdiction for making the concept of sustainable development operational in its mining industry, and seeks to create a legacy that Canadians can pass to future generations. Since its implementation, the primary response of both national mining organizations and selected Canadian mining companies to the challenge of sustainable development has been improved planning, and the development of policies that address key environmental and socioeconomic issues and which build upon the principles addressed in the Minerals and Metals Policy of the Government of Canada. It is concluded that most of the attempts made thus far by both the government and the mining industry to address mining sustainable development through policy-making have been major successes, but further improvements can be achieved if additional industry-government partnerships are formed, more community workshops are held, and selected environmental management practices are researched and developed.     

中国自然资源管理体制与制度：现状、问题及展望

自然资源在国家发展中扮演着重要角色。十九大以来,党和国家对自然资源管理保持高度重视,我国自然资源管理的体制、制度以及理念方法不断变革创新,逐步形成了较为符合我国国情的管理体系和模式。然而,管理实践中仍然存在诸多不足和矛盾。从我国自然资源管理体制和制度建设的现状着手,从管理对象、管理主体和管理保障三个方面,阐明自然资源管理体制和制度建设的发展困因,总结凝练当前制约管理实践发展的突出现实问题,并从构建国家安全视角下的多维自然资源管理体系和建立健全自然资源管理制度体系两个方面,为我国自然资源管理体制改革和制度建设的未来发展提供思考和建议,这将有助于我国可持续发展和生态文明建设的更进一步推进。     

论中国生态农业建设的五个基本问题

在最近的10年间,中国生态农业建设迅速发展,现已成为中国农村发展中一个不可分割的重要部分。生态农业建设利用生态经济学原理及系统工程学方法进行农业规划、设计和管理,寻求农村持续、稳定、协调的发展。本文从资源管理的角度讨论了中国生态农业建设的5个基本问题:经济规模、农民接受程度、市场、资金和可持续发展的方向。     

Environmental Impact Assessment in higher education and training in Portugal

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) education has been a reality for years in many graduate and undergraduate programs worldwide. As EIA has grown as a widely accepted environmental policy tool, several professions have tried to incorporate these skills into their academic training. The main aim of this research was to assess the Portuguese profile of EIA education, measuring the degree of EIA integration in graduate and undergraduate programs. This paper intends to contribute to an understanding of the key factors related to EIA education. A national survey was conducted to obtain data on EIA education programs. More recently, many other programs, both graduate and undergraduate, have established EIA courses. New knowledge, practices, legislation and public policies are fundamental drivers of the application of EIA, which will probably continue to expand to more undergraduate and graduate programs. The association of EIA with other environmental management tools, such as environmental management systems or environmental performance evaluation, and sustainable development initiatives will be a priority challenge for all who are engaged in this domain.     

生命周期评价在企业环境管理中的应用

环境管理对于企业的可持续发展起着决定性的作用,生命周期评价作为面向产品系统的新型环境管理工具越来越多地被企业所采用。文章结合中国企业环境管理实际,对所采用的环境管理工具做了分类,详述了生命周期评价的具体应用以及优势。对生命周期评价在未来企业环境管理中的重要作用做了展望。     

Special issue of the Journal of Cleaner Production, ‘From Material Flow Analysis to Material Flow Management’: strategic sustainability management on a principle level

The process of sustainable development and its goal, sustainability, are difficult to define. Many conflicting interests and preferences are involved. Recently, scientists have attempted a principle-orientated definition of sustainability. Unlike specific, detailed and quantitative thresholds, principles can be general, qualitative, flexible and sufficient to make progress when combined with more detailed and case-specific strategies, approaches, tools and indicators. The Natural Step (TNS) principles have been defined in a consensus process between 10 pioneering sustainability scientists and presented as sustainability principles. We develop criteria for evaluating the TNS principles. The criteria are applied to eco-efficiency (EE) principles that have become, perhaps, the most popular principles in the discourse on sustainability policies and management. EE has also been offered as the general and overall vision and goal for policy and management; increased efficiency in materials and energy use is perceived as desirable. We find that the eco-efficiency principles are not suitable as sustainability principles. The EE principles can be used as practical actions and concrete measures under the overall TNS sustainability principles.     

持续发展与资源对策

持续发展与资源对策李文华（中国科学院国家计划委员会自然资源综合考察委员会北京１００１０１）随着人口迅速增长、消费的增加和人类对地球影响的规模空前加大，在人口、资源、环境与经济发展关系上，出现了一系列的、尖锐的矛盾，引起了人们忧虑与不安。１９７２年在斯...     

Green supplier development: analytical evaluation using rough set theory

Suppliers' development is a critical function within supply chain management. Green supplier development is also necessary for effective green supply chain management. Interestingly, there is a gap in the research on how an organization can effectively manage supplier development programs, and specifically green supplier development. The use of formal models to aid green supplier development management is virtually non-existent. This paper aims to fill this gap by introducing a formal model using rough set theory to investigate the relationships between organizational attributes, supplier development program involvement attributes, and performance outcomes. The performance outcomes focus on environmental and business dimensions. The rough set methodology utilizes an ‘incomplete’ information approach which is more realistic in some data poor environments. A multistage rough set methodology is detailed through an illustrative application. The methodology generates decision rules relating the various attributes to the performance outcomes. Included in the discussion are insights into how these rules for individual and aggregated performance (environmental, business, and joint performance) may be evaluated. Practical and research implications of this work are detailed in the paper.     

国内外城市可持续发展指标体系比较

文章以英国2009年发表的可持续发展指标体系和美国可持续社区指标指南为例,比较了国内外城市可持续发展评估指标体系,列举了各指标体系的大类和分项,从指标体系的选择和评价方法的确定等方面综述了国内可持续发展指标体系,以期为制定和完善中国的城市可持续发展指标体系提供参考。     

Achieving sustainable development: a review of the environmental balancing act in two key clean water act regulatory programs

The goal of achieving “sustainable development” has been embraced by a wide range of stakeholders interested in protecting both the environment and the economy in the United States and globally. The Clean Water Act (“CWA” or the “Act”) includes important regulatory provisions that contemplate the application of sustainable development principles. Yet implementing those programs often raises substantial debate about what sustainable development means, what course of action it requires, and the availability and adequacy of tools to measure or predict whether a given level of use or development is sustainable. Failure to confront those questions can lead to imprudent or wasteful decisions. This paper first will briefly describe the ongoing evolution of sustainable development concepts in the United States, with particular focus on the recommendations of the President’s Council on Sustainable Development. Then, it will examine the applicability of those concepts to two important Clean Water Act regulatory programs — the 4316(b) regulatory program for cooling water intake structures and the state water quality standards program — both of which are now under evaluation.     

建立上海可持续发展指标体系的研究

在可持续发展理论研究中，提出建立多目标的指标体系是实施可持续发展战略的重要环节，阐述了建立上海可持续发展指标体系的５项基本原则是系统性、层次性、主要性、可比性、操作性。据此设计了包括４个领域６０个指标组成的指标体系框架。阐明了从原计划指标体系滚动式过渡到可持续发展指标体系；从第１０个五年计划开始，３个五年计划分３步建立并完善指标体系与国际接轨和建立综合评价指数来表征可持续发展状况等实施可持续发展指     

Impact of ship-Breaking activities on the coastal environment of Bangladesh and a management system for its sustainability

Ship breaking or recycling in Bangladesh has been a catalyst for the economy by supporting the steel, shipbuilding, furniture, building construction, machinery and electrical industries since the 1980s. Although it has generated huge employment and provided 80–90% of the total steel consumption in the country, it has faced a host of challenges due to a number of negative environmental and social impacts that hinder the sustainable development of this blooming sector. The objective of this paper is to focus on how ship-breaking activities in Bangladesh affect the adjacent environment and the health and safety of workers, as well as management’s approach to the sustainability of the industry, by conducting a review of the available scientific literature. We found that grave environmental pollution, such as physiochemical properties, heavy metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyl compounds (PCBs), organotins, oil and grease pollution, asbestos and other atmospheric pollutants, and its impact on marine ecosystems, biodiversity, forestry, fisheries and human health are the main obstacles for the development of a sustainable ship-breaking industry. In addition, labour safety and occupational health problems, social unrest and conflicts have resulted from the development of the ship-breaking industry in Bangladesh. Inappropriate management practices and inadequate plans regarding ship-breaking activities and processes are the main reasons for these challenges. Effective management measures to mitigate the adverse environmental impact of the ship-breaking industry and to improve the health and safety of workers have now become an urgent requirement.