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.     

生命周期评价应用中应注意的问题

生命周期评价起始于20世纪60年代末,主要用于企业产品开发,环境政策制定和环境产品消费。经过几十年的研究,生命周期评价发展迅速,但是仍不成熟。从前期准备到结果解释,针对应用过程中需要注意的问题,进行初步探讨,并提出建议,以促进生命周期评价的发展。     

国内城市环境噪声污染研究进展

城市环境噪声污染是城市四大环境公害之一。是21世纪环境污染控制和人们关注的主要问题，也是环境工作者研究的主要课题之一。本文作者总结了我国学者在城市环境噪声监测点的优化。评价，预测，防治和危害等方面的研究。分析了我国城市环境噪声研究现状和存在的主要问题，并建议城市环境噪声应加强预测，微观单元等方面的研究工作。     

SAFE—A hierarchical framework for assessing the sustainability of agricultural systems

Sustainable development and the definition of indicators to assess progress towards sustainability have become a high priority in scientific research and on policy agendas. In this paper, we propose a consistent and comprehensive framework of principles, criteria and indicators (PC&I) for sustainability assessment of agricultural systems, referred to as the Sustainability Assessment of Farming and the Environment (SAFE) framework. In addition we formulate consistent and objective approaches for indicator identification and selection. The framework is designed for three spatial levels: the parcel level, the farm level and a higher spatial level that can be the landscape, the region or the state. The SAFE framework is hierarchical as it is composed of principles, criteria, indicators and reference values in a structured way. Principles are related to the multiple functions of the agro-ecosystem, which go clearly beyond the production function alone. The multifunctional character of the agro-ecosystem encompasses the three pillars of sustainability: the environmental, economic and social pillars. Indicators and reference values are the end-products of the framework. They are the operational tools that are used for evaluating the sustainability of the agro-ecosystems. The proposed analytical framework is not intended to find a common solution for sustainability in agriculture as a whole, but to serve as an assessment tool for the identification, the development and the evaluation of agricultural production systems, techniques and policies.     

Microbiological parameters and maturity degree during composting of Posidonia oceanica residues mixed with vegetable wastes in semi-arid pedo-climatic condition

The aim of this study was to characterize the biological stability and maturity degree of compost during a controlled pile-composting trial of mixed vegetable residues (VR) collected from markets of Tunis City with residues of Posidonia oceanica (PoR), collected from Tunis beaches. The accumulation in beaches (as well as their removal) constitutes a serious environmental problem in all Mediterranean countries particularly in Tunisia. Aerobic-thermophilic composting is the most reasonable way to profit highly-valuable content of organic matter in these wastes for agricultural purposes. The physical, chemical, and biological parameters were monitored during composting over 150 d. The most appropriate parameters were selected to establish the maturity degree. The main result of this research was the deduction of the following maturity criterion: (a) C/N ratio < 15; (b) NH₄⁺-N < 400 mg/kg; (c) CO₂-C < 2000 mg CO₂-C/kg; (d) dehydrogenase activity < 1 mg TPF/g dry matter; (e) germination index (GI) > 80%. These five parameters, considered jointly are indicative of a high maturity degree and thus of a high-quality organic amendment which employed in a rational way, may improve soil fertility and soil quality. The mature compost was relatively rich in N (13.0 g/kg), P (4.74 g/kg) and MgO (15.80 g/kg). Thus composting definitively constitutes the most optimal option to exploit these wastes.     

战略环境评价中公众参与程序和方法研究

公众参与贯穿于战略环境评价(SEA)的主要过程,是提高SEA质量的一个重要手段.简要介绍了公众参与SEA的内涵和理论依据;解析了公众参与在SEA整个过程中所处的位置和参与内容;对公众参与SEA的具体工作程序和方法及参与方式进行了探讨.将为公众成功的参与SEA提供有效途径和方法,同时也是提高政府决策效率和公众环境意识的重要途径.     

异构环保信息资源整合及归档系统的开发与应用

随着环保信息资源的不断丰富,不同应用系统生成的各种异构数据日益增多,信息孤岛现象十分严重。异构环保信息资源整合及归档系统将分散的信息系统进行有效整合,在异构平台上实现了信息收集、流转及共享利用,全面提升了环保档案的信息化建设水平,为新时期下环保档案信息管理工作提供了一条新途径。     

Life-cycle assessment of four types of floor covering

Four types of floor covering have been investigated with respect to their environmental impact: linoleum, cushion vinyl, tufted carpet with a woollen pile and tufted carpet with a polyamide pile. The analysis relates to all stages in the life-cycle (from ‘cradle to grave’) and focuses on floor coverings for domestic use. The analysis is performed by means of the method for life-cycle assessment (Dutch approach). Each floor covering is assessed with regard to its environmental impact. This impact can be of various type: depletion of raw materials, cumulative energy requirement, global warming, acidification, tropospheric ozone creation, stratospheric ozone depletion, eutrophication, production of waste and human health. The inventory of environmental interventions (materials, energy requirements, waste and emissions to air, water and soil) was fairly complete. Most interventions relating to the processes that make up the life-cycle of the floor coverings in question could be quantified. A large part of the data is associated with the process energy requirement. In general these data are quite reliable. The results of the impact assessment for linoleum differs considerably from those for other types of floor coverings. Linoleum turns out to be the most environmentally favourable floor covering. It was not possible to differentiate between the environmental impact of cushion vinyl, tufted carpet with a woollen pile and tufted carpet with a polyamide pile.     

Solution-oriented global environmental assessments: Opportunities and challenges

This article provides an introduction to the Special Issue dedicated to “Solution-oriented Global Environmental Assessments: Opportunities and Challenges”. In the follow-up to the Paris climate agreement and the adoption and early implementation of the global Sustainable Development Goals involving many synergies and trade-offs, the need to shift the focus from environmental problem analysis towards the exploration of specific solution options can be observed in international environmental governance debates. To remain policy-relevant, credible and legitimate, global environmental assessments (GEAs) must carefully adapt to a rapidly evolving governance landscape. This Special Issue sheds light on the potential utility and implications of increased solution-orientation of GEAs. It builds on the research project “The Future of Global Environmental Assessment Making” that was jointly initiated in 2013 by UN Environment and the Mercator Research Institute on Global Commons and Climate Change. The article collection includes research on the coevolution of GEAs and the increasingly solution-oriented governance context; conditions of success for contemporary GEAs; the treatment of divergent viewpoints, stakes and stakeholders in solution-oriented GEAs; knowledge aggregation; and the enhanced measurement of GEA effectiveness in the emerging governance landscape.     

循环经济理念在环境影响评价中的应用

本文探讨了将循环经济理念应用于环境影响评价工作中的必要性和可行性,论述了在环境影响评价中应用循环经济理念的方式与途径,分析了循环经济与清洁生产的关系,指出循环经济是实现可持续发展的必由之路。     

逆向物流中的环境影响评价

逆向物流具有先天的环保意义 ,但企业往往无法准确估计逆向物流能为环境绩效带来多大改善 ,因而缺乏实施逆向物流的动力。而环境影响评价是解决这个问题的有力工具 ,只是目前在逆向物流上的应用还很少。文中论述了环境影响评价在逆向物流中的应用 ,包括估计逆向物流的环保意义 ,以及控制逆向物流系统的环境绩效。     

石化企业环境风险评价研究

随着环评的不断发展,环境风险这一问题也日益受到关注,细化石化行业的环境风险评价方法和内容也显得十分必要。本研究结合长庆石化500万吨常压蒸馏装置项目对石化企业进行环境风险的工作程序和方法进行论述,介绍了常压蒸馏的工艺流程,对本项目进行风险识别,源项分析,事故后果预测及分析,风险计算和评价,最后得出了最大风险值,该项目事故风险最大值小于化工行业风险统计值,并且提出事故风险的防范措施和对策及应急预案,以期为石化企业进行环境风险评价提供方法依据。     

A proposed Multi Criteria Analysis decision support tool for international environmental policy issues: a pilot application to emissions control in the international aviation sector

Policy making at the level of international environmental problems appears to lack a transparent, multi criteria based, decision support ‘tool’. This is due mainly to the highly political, volatile, and contextual nature of issues at this level. The environmental problem of how to regulate emissions from international civil aviation due to their transboundary nature, and the participation of international and domestic players, makes it a ‘wicked’ international environmental problem where policy making has proved problematic. This problem has been used as the basis for developing and pilot testing a tool for contributing to international policymaking, the Multi Criteria Decision Support System (MCDSS). This tool is based on simplifying and integrating key components of Multi Criteria Analysis with a Decision Support System. A preliminary application of the tool explored three options for progressing the reduction of aviation emissions. Testing was based on the allocation of weights to environmental, social, economic and institutional categories, which were each then internally weighted to reflect key criteria in the policy process. Finally, likely performances of each option, against the criteria, were evaluated against Likert scale measures. The outputs from each of these steps were combined to generate a summed best policy option. Conclusions have been drawn and they indicate that the tool is potentially useful especially in the initial stages of policy development. The MCDSS is not an alternative to the international policy process, but rather complements, and makes explicit key tradeoffs in, that process.     

基于层次分析法的工业园区环境风险评价指标权重分析

针对环境风险评价的特征,从HJ/T 169—2004《建设项目环境风险评价技术导则》、GB 18218—2009《危险化学品重大危险源辨识》等现有环境风险评估技术规范和标准中直接筛选了物质危险性、主要原料最大存量与临界量、原料中有毒有害物质使用量等10项指标;结合工业园区环境风险区域性、复杂性及综合性等特征,提出了行业类别、危险废物处理处置方式、污染物排放方式和污染物排放浓度达标情况等9项指标,共计19项指标作为工业园区环境风险评价指标体系. 在我国东、中和西部地区近20个工业园区的管理者、企业及园区公众发放600份问卷,运用层次分析法(analytic hierarchy process,AHP)构建了工业园区环境风险评价指标权重递阶层次结构模型. 模型结果显示,影响工业园区环境风险等级准则层权重依次为风险源(0.4663)、监管机制(0.3010)和受体(0.2327);累积性环境风险源特征指标中危险废物处理处置方式 (权重居第1位,下同)和污染物排放浓度达标情况(第2位)指标权重较突发性风险源特征指标——物质危险性 (第4位)、原料中有毒有害物质使用量占比 (第9位)、主要原料最大储存量与临界值(第18位)等指标排序优先;对于体现工业园区环境风险预防和监管的指标权重相对较高,如行业类别,园区环境监控情况、环境风险监管机制中日常环境管理制度中的环境监控情况 (第5位)权重也高出了环境风险制度体系中事故应急预案(第8位)指标权重;但是,在对受体关注程度上生态环境质量和安全等指标的权重仍旧很小.      

依法开展规划环评确保经济社会环境的协调发展

长期以来,中国实行的是建设项目环境影响评价制度,但建设项目只处于整个决策链(战略、政策、计划、规划、项目)的末端,无法从源头上保护环境.规划环评是战略环评的重要组成部分,它可从源头上防止环境污染.中国2003年9月1日颁布实施的环评法对规划环评作了明确规定,标志着中国环评制度的发展完成了向全局性战略环评的转变,对促进经济社会环境的协调发展具有重大意义.     

中国石化环保技术评估体系研究

介绍了中国石化环保技术评估体系的5个研究内容:选择适合于中国石化的环保技术评估方法;确立评估体系框架;确定指标权重;分析评价结果;对体系可行性进行验证。     

城市总体规划环境影响评价方法

开发不同类型规划的环境影响评价技术和方法是当前国内的热点研究领域之一.围绕城市总体规划特点,在分析识别规划经济增长和用地布局方案中存在的多种不确定性的基础上,以产业和用地为基本评估单元,综合运用蒙特卡罗随机采样技术和HSY算法,并将其与地理信息系统进行整合,建立了基于结构与空间不确定性分析的城市规划环评方法和系统评估模型.     

Environmental principles applicable to supply chains design and operation

In this paper we deal with the problem of identifying environmental principles for the design and operation of supply chains. The operations that are included in supply chains are briefly described along with the approaches that are applied in order to improve their environmental performance. A background of environmental principles for achieving eco-efficiency and building of environmentally friendly organizational systems is presented and emphasis is put on the application of such principles “from cradle to grave”. Then, environmental principles applicable to particular objects of logistics networks planning are identified and commented upon. In addition, selective case studies from the literature, which show the applicability of the formulated principles and their relevance to practice, are discussed. The paper concludes with some remarks regarding the benefits for companies and societies, in general, that occur as a result of the application of the formulated principles.     

我国工程环境监理的发展态势及建议

工程环境监理在我国刚刚起步,是一种新型的环境管理方式.文章结合工程环境监理工作实践,总结我国现阶段的工程环境监理,从内容、目标、对象、依据等方面对比分析了工程环境监理与工程监理、环境评价的关系,并提出建议,为工程环境监理的发展提供参考.     

Life cycle assessment of spray dried soluble coffee and comparison with alternatives (drip filter and capsule espresso)

This paper aims to evaluate the environmental burdens associated with spray dried soluble coffee over its entire life cycle and compare it with drip filter coffee and capsule espresso coffee. It particularly aims to identify critical environmental issues and responsibilities along the whole life cycle chain of spray dried coffee. This life cycle assessment (LCA) specifically uses foreground data obtained directly from coffee manufacturers and suppliers. Aside from energy consumption and greenhouse gases emissions, water footprint is also studied in detail, including regionalization of water impacts based on the ecological scarcity method 2006. Other impact categories are screened using the IMPACT 2002+ impact assessment method.The overall LCA results for a 1 dl cup of spray dried soluble coffee amounts approximately to 1 MJ of primary non-renewable energy consumption, to emissions of 0.07 kg of CO_2-eq, and between 3 and 10 l of non-turbined water use, depending on whether or not the coffee cultivation is irrigated and wet treated. When considering turbined water, use can be up to 400 l of water per cup. Pouch – and to a lesser extent metal can packaging alternatives – show lower environmental burdens than glass or sticks.On average, about one half of the environmental footprint occurs at a life cycle stage under the control of the coffee producer or its suppliers (i.e., during cultivation, treatment, processing, packaging up to distribution, along with advertising) and the other half at a stage controlled by the user (shopping, appliances manufacturing, use and waste disposal). Key environmental parameters of spray dried soluble coffee are the amount of extra water boiled and the efficiency of cup cleaning during use phase, whether the coffee is irrigated or not, as well as the type and amount of fertilizer used in the coffee field. The packaging contributes to 10% of the overall life cycle impacts.Compared to other coffee alternatives, spray dried soluble coffee uses less energy and has a lower environmental footprint than capsule espresso coffee or drip filter coffee, the latter having the highest environmental impacts on a per cup basis. This study shows that a broad LCA approach is needed to help industry to minimize the environmental burdens directly related to their products. Including all processes of the entire system is necessary i) to get a comprehensive environmental footprint of the product system with respect to sustainable production and consumption, ii) to share stakeholders responsibility along the entire product life cycle, and iii) to avoid problem shifting between different life cycle stages.