The Precautionary Principle and Chemicals Regulation: Past Achievements and Future Possibilities (8 pages)

Background, Aim and Scope

The paper investigates the development of the institutional basis of the present modes of chemicals regulation and management, with special attention to interrelations with the precautionary principle. Main Features: The paper elucidates on how the precautionary principle has been shaped in relation to chemicals regulation and management since Carson's Silent Spring (years before the principle was confirmed as a policy-principle in German and European legislation. Furthermore, it is examined how the precautionary principle interacted with the development of the present chemicals regulatory regime, in a complex interplay within the OECD and Member Countries. The present modes of precaution in the new EU chemical legislation – REACH – are investigated with respect to the precautionary principle, and tested against two contemporary problems; brominated flame retardants and endocrine disrupting substances. Results: The analysis demonstrates the changing character of the integration of the precautionary principle. The main tendencies are from implicit to more explicit precaution and from a closed expert-orientation towards a more deliberative approach to scientific knowledge and uncertainty. The results demonstrate that the precautionary principle is manifest in both the design of the testing strategy and in policy provisions. In particular, the substitution of hazardous substances with less hazardous is important. Discussion: Despite explicit attention to the precautionary principle, is the present reformulation of the European Chemicals policy in danger of falling into loop-holes that equal problems related to the present regulation of existing chemicals? 'Precaution' has been reduced virtually to an abstract concept that is more or less devoid of practical meaning in the regulatory process. Conclusions: It is concluded that the role of the precautionary principle in chemicals regulation will require continued scrutiny in the future shaping of the REACH strategy. Perspectives: Continued development of robust and precaution-based chemicals regulation will have to involve both new data-generation strategies and new forms of political decision-making, with special attention given to transparency and deliberative policymaking.     

Good news for environmental self-regulation? Finding the right link

We investigate the stock market response to firm disclosure of positive environmental information and the link from that information to environmental outcomes. We classify environmental media releases by informational content and value relevance, and assess the abnormal stock returns of each type of event. While announcements of future environmental activities lead to the largest favorable stock market reactions, there is no guaranteed link from this type of information to environmental outcomes. Further analysis of the abnormal returns shows that the magnitude of the stock market reaction depends on firm financial characteristics across all event types rather than on firm environmental performance. Our results indicate that the ability for voluntary environmental information disclosure to induce environmental self-regulation is limited to the extent that firms are able to follow through with their announcements of planned environmental activities.     

Did the Clean Air Act cause the remarkable decline in sulfur dioxide concentrations?

Over the last three decades, ambient concentrations of sulfur dioxide (SO₂) air pollution have declined by approximately 80%. This paper tests whether the 1970 Clean Air Act and its subsequent amendments caused this decline. The centerpiece of this legislation is the annual assignment of all counties to SO₂ nonattainment or attainment categories. Polluters face stricter regulations in nonattainment counties. There are two primary findings. First, regulators pay little attention to the statutory selection rule in their assignment of the SO₂ nonattainment designations. Second, SO₂ nonattainment status is associated with modest reductions in SO₂ air pollution, but a null hypothesis of zero effect generally cannot be rejected. This finding holds whether the estimated effect is obtained with linear adjustment or propensity score matching. Overall, the evidence suggests that the nonattainment designation played a minor role in the dramatic reduction of SO₂ concentrations over the last 30 years.     

论流域水质与水量集成规划

“水量”与“水质”是流域大系统的两个特征,水环境研究偏重于水质,而水资源研究则更偏重水量,但是“质”与“量”是不能截然分开的,它们之间既相互关联,又互影响,相互制约,构成矛盾的统一体,基于这一出发点,本文从规划方法学的历史发展与流域水环境大系统的结构分析入手,系统阐述了提出流域水质与水量集成规划基本概念,目标及其策略与技术路线。     

Secondary metabolism — evolution and function: Products or processes?

Summary The distinguishing characteristics of secondary metabolism and its associated metabolites are outlined. Current theories relating to the function of secondary metabolism in plants and micro-organisms are enumerated and the view that consideration of the processes rather than the products may best explain the origins of secondary metabolism is discussed.     

徐州市景观生态调控途径

从全新的角度提出了城市景观生态调控的概念。在分析了徐州市景观现状和问题的基础上,根据调控理念和调控目标,从空间、技术、政策3个方面提出了4个调控途径10个调控措施,从而可以在一定程度上缓解徐州可持续发展中的景观生态瓶颈问题,并为其它城市解决景观问题提供借鉴。     

锅炉温控炉拱的设计及燃烧技术性能

论述了将小型链条炉排工业锅炉的炉拱设计成在运行中可以全量调节的结构,以适应燃用多种煤种的需要,并减少与固定拱操作有关的意外伤亡事故。这项技术有创新性,适用性和推广价值     

山东半岛可持续发展的主要问题与综合调控研究

山东半岛在我国沿海经济发达地区的可持续发展问题上具有较强的代表性和典型性,本文以山东半岛为例,分析了山东半岛在区域发展过程中存在的问题以及今后可持续发展能力培养的综合对策。     

政府激励企业环境技术创新的初步研究

本文分析了环境技术创新可可持续发发展战略实施的重要作用,提出了政府激励企业环境技术创新的对策建议。     

天然气引射调峰系统的噪声形成及其治理研究

采用天然气引射调峰技术,能使上海某储配站10台天然气高压球罐的储气调峰能率提高68%,大大有助于解决天然气用气高峰时的供需平衡问题,并能节约初投资人民币1亿元.但使用超音速引射器后,当球罐压力下降到某一值时会产生高频噪声,影响管束区操作环境.本文分析了噪声产生的原因,提出了合理的噪声治理方案,并进行了方案的实施.实践证明:噪声治理效果良好,降低了管束区噪声污染,达到了国家"工业企业噪声卫生标准".