Assessing instruments for mixed household solid waste collection services in the Flemish region of Belgium

Instruments to reduce waste can be divided into three groups: first, pecuniary incentives; second, service level; finally, measurements stimulating prevention and waste reduction. Also specific characteristics of the community determine the amount of waste generated. We evaluate whether findings in literature on effectiveness of policy measures are valid for Belgium, specifically for the Flemish region. The policy mix instituted by the Flemish authorities in the ‘implementation plan household waste 2003–2007’ and implemented by local authorities, is assessed. Multiple regression analysis identifies those measurements having the greatest impact on household solid waste.We found an income elasticity of 0.326. Also the provided service level has a significant impact. Pecuniary incentives are effective instruments in reducing waste, with a price elasticity of −0.139. Furthermore, a higher percentage of direct costs, directly attributable to waste services, borne by households, reduces waste. A consequent implementation of the ‘polluter pays’ principle proves to be effective.     

POLITICAL PARTICIPATION AND WATER RATES: A REPLY1

ABSTRACT: Mercer and Morgan provide several valid criticisms of a previous analysis on political influence and water rates. More sophisticated statistical analyses may be justified given the high degree of interdependence among regulated firm variables. Theoretically, there are numerous measures of political activity superior to the one employed in the original analysis; however, data unavailability precludes their use. A better (and yet practical) measure of consumer leverage may be relative dominance by a specific political party. Until relatively easy access is obtained to municipal election data, the possible political variables that can be employed in more elegant analyses are few in number, and each has theoretical limitations.     

Compromising sustainable mobility? The case of the Gothenburg congestion tax

Congestion charging is widely considered an effective policy measure to regulate and reduce car traffic demand and associated environmental and health problems in cities. However, introducing restrictive measures to constrain individual choice and behaviour for the common good has often proven difficult. Using a specific case, the Gothenburg congestion tax introduced in 2013, we study the policy process behind the introduction of the tax and assess to what extent green values were compromised along the way. The tax was made possible by co-financing infrastructure investments, including roads, which seemingly contradicts stated goals of reducing car traffic and emissions. We show how the tax was ‘muddled through’ in a top-down political compromise by a grand coalition where different interests could legitimate their support in relation to the achievement of partially conflicting objectives and projects. However, to declare the regulatory goals fully neutralised would be to underestimate the scheme's direct environmental effects and restrictive potential. Finding a compromise with powerful political and economic interests was necessary to get it off the ground. Once launched, however, it can over time regain its restrictive properties and lead to more profound long-term effects.     

A “RATIONAL” POLICY FOR THE ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL CRISES1

ABSTRACT: The present energy and environmental crises are due to increasing per capita demands as well as increasing populations. The role that traditional pricing policies have played in promoting these demands is discussed. The reduction or stabilizing of per capita demands is advocated through the use of Conservational Pricing mechanisms which charge higher average prices for high consumption. An example of the effect of Conservational Pricing in the water supply industry is given.     

安全科学学科的确立与安全系统学派的形成

经对史实的研究发现,安全科学学科的发展需经历二个不同的历史阶段。第一阶段是学科创立、理论形成和初步发展阶段,“以任务带学科”是这个阶段特点．期间形成了安全系统学派。第二阶段是学科理论丰富、完善和发展阶段．“以理论促事业”是这个阶段特点,向完善发展的标志是理论上形成各种学派．如已形成的“安全系统学派”那样．形成不同学术观点的各种学派,表明安全学科即将进入一个成熟的“百花齐放、百家争鸣”的新阶段．使其理论真正走上“百家争鸣——科学发展必由之路”。     

小水电资源区域开发环境影响回顾性评价案例分析——以海南省为例

在小水电资源区域开发规划环境影响报告书编制中应设置小水电资源区域开发环境影响回顾性评价专题,对规划区域小水电资源开发过程产生的环境问题进行调查和回顾性评价,从中发现小水电资源开发存在的环境问题,并提出规避的对策。海南省小水电资源开发规划环境影响报告书小水电资源区域开发环境影响回顾性评价专题案例。通过遥感影像判读及现场调查发现,选址不当、断流、减水、沙化、景观破坏、植被覆盖率降低及外来物种入侵、水土流失、用水矛盾、影响渔业资源等环境问题普遍存在,主要原因是环境行政管理虚位。主要对策有：在小水电资源开发规划及项目可行性研究报告中,应将环境法规符合性及环保投资列为重要内容;实施工程环境监理;加强竣工环保验收;将水电站下泄生态流量等环保措施执行情况的现场检查纳入常态工作范畴。     

船舶油污损害民事责任若干问题研究

船舶油污侵权是民事侵权行为的一种,针对该种侵权的民事赔偿责任,国际上制订了专门的国际公约,一些国家也制定了自己的有关船舶油污损害的赔偿体系。在船舶油污损害责任制度下,一个核心问题就是责任主体问题,只有明确了责任主体,才能使油污损害赔偿得以顺利进行。但是调整国际油污损害赔偿的冲突规则比较匮乏,各国国内法的规定也不尽相同,如何适用法律,各国司法实践多有不同。立足于中国现行的法律体系,首先明确了各种船舶油污损害应当适用的法律,然后依据所适用的法律具体分析责任主体的确定问题。     

Decision making with option pricing and dynamic programming: development and application

In this study, an option pricing model and a dynamic programming model are developed. These models contribute to the improvement of the decision making process in two respects. First, these models allow for the own growth rate of mining costs to be incorporated into the analysis. Second, these models are developed to estimate the satisfactory gross revenue for investing, so that these models are helpful in analyzing multi-metal mines.The two models are applied to estimate the satisfactory revenue for investing in the Carlin east gold mine, Nevada, USA. The satisfactory revenue estimated by the option pricing model is found to be $42.2M, while that estimated by the dynamic programming model is found to be $44.4M. Since the revenue calculated on the basis of the current conditions is $36M, then the decision by option pricing and dynamic programming is to wait and not to invest now. Despite the difference between the two models in estimating and applying the discount rate, the two models generate the same decision.     

基于热风险理论对道化学评价中物质系数的研究

随着本质安全研究的深入,道化学评价方法中物质系数MF的计算已不能准确描述反应物本身的热风险大小。在道化学评价方法中引入热风险概念,比较热危险性评价方法和道化学评价方法间相异点;以六甲基磷酰三胺工艺为研究对象,用DSC量热仪对反应物进行分析得出放热速率q、反应波峰峰值、单位质量的反应焓Hr,对采集的工艺参数用热力学理论外推法、基因贡献法得出活化能E、比热容CP并以此求出最大反应失效时间TMRad、绝热温升Qad、物质系数MF值以及工艺单元中物料量。得出最大反应失效时间与物质系数MF间具有相关性,道化学评价方法对因失效反应引发二次反应的热风险评估也适用。     

低碳城市建设中不同行为主体的行为模式解析

随着工业化、城市化进程的快速推进,城市要面对能源消费、热岛效应、气候变化等一系列挑战。为了应对这些挑战,我们必须建设低碳城市。具体分析了中国低碳城市建设的困境,基于微观行为主体的视角,构建了＂MOCIC＂分析模型,最后从政府、企业、居民3个层面提出了中国低碳城市建设的对策。