Social-environmental certification: Sustainable development and competitiveness in the mineral industry of the Brazilian Amazon

This article examines the relationship between increased metal mining and sustainable development in the eastern section of the Amazonian state of Pará in Brazil. Since the early 1980s, mining has grown rapidly in Pará and local mining operations have become global leaders in the production of iron, manganese, bauxite, aluminum, gold, copper and — in the near future — nickel. To stay in tune with global standards, these companies have committed themselves to the principles of sustainability and have obtained certification for both social and environmental aspects of their activities. The article looks into whether such certification is linked to sustainable development of the relatively poor regions where these companies operate. The main findings are that: (1) there is a visible association between certification and improved performance by the companies, but not with the development of nearby areas; and (2) social‐environmental certification processes place more emphasis on ecological variables than on social ones.     

Social features of energy production and use in Brazil: Goals for a sustainable energy future

This paper focuses on the social features of ene rgy production and use in Brazil and discusses the role of the energy policy goals of accessibility, affordability and acceptability in defining a sustainable energy future for the country. The major findings are that social inequalities in Brazil regarding energy use continue to be substantial and important. This can be explained by the fact that, although recent decades have seen significant improvements in energy accessibility all over the country, much more needs to be done to provide affordable, and socially acceptable modern energy carriers to all socio‐economic groups in all regions.     

Adoption of renewable soil fertility replenishment technologies in the southern African region: Lessons learnt and the way forward

Low soil fertility is one of the most important biophysical constraints to increasing agricultural productivity in sub‐Saharan Africa. Several renewable soil fertility replenishment (RSFR) technologies that are based on nutrient re‐cycling principles have been developed in southern Africa. Some success stories have been recorded (e.g. nitrogen‐fixing legumes), but the adoption of RSFR technologies has generally lagged behind scientific advances thereby reducing the potential impacts of the technologies. This paper describes the major RSFR technologies being promoted in the region, synthesizes available information regarding their adoption by farmers, and identifies the challenges, key lessons learnt and the way forward for up‐scaling RSFR technologies in the region. The review indicated that farmer uptake of RSFR technologies depends on several factors that can be grouped into broad categories: technology‐specific (e.g. soil type, management regime), household‐specific (e.g. farmer perceptions, resource endowment, household size), policy and institutions context within which RSFR is disseminated (inputs and output prices, land tenure and property rights), and geo‐spatial (performance of species across different bio‐physical conditions, location of village). Adoption of RSFR technologies can be enhanced by targeting them to their biophysical and social niches, facilitating appropriate policy and institutional contexts for dissemination, understanding the broader context and dynamics of the adoption process, a paradigm shift in the approach to the dissemination of RSFR (e.g. expanding RSFR to high value crop systems, exploring synergy with inorganic fertilizer) and, targeted incentive systems that encourage farmers to take cognizance of natural resource implications when making agricultural production decisions.     

Saint Lucia's experience with formulating a national sustainable development strategy

In response to domestic development challenges and calls from the international community for countries to develop and begin the implementation of national sustainable development strategies by 2005, the Government of Saint Lucia initiated a project named Integrated Planning for Sustainable National Development in 2002. Under this initiative, it was intended to articulate a vision for the country's development and use this as the basis for identifying a set of development imperatives through a process that will superimpose identified national development goals and targets on the international sustainable development agenda to arrive at a national strategy and plan for sustainable development. The plan also called for institutional and structural adjustments to move the country away from current sectoral‐based development planning to an environment of dialogue, cooperation and collaboration among development partners in the articulation of development policies, plans and projects. The initiative did not evolve as planned mainly due to inadequate political and financial support and the inability of key institutions to see the bigger picture this initiative tried to paint for the nation.     

Sustainable development in the Mediterranean region

Considering its specific economic, social, environmental and political features, the status and evolution of the Mediterranean have always been of great interest to its countries and concerned partners. From the protection of the sea against pollution, the interest was progressively expanded to land based development and its impacts on environment, to coastal management and finally to sustainable development with the establishment of the Mediterranean Commission on Sustainable Development (MCSD). Cumulated knowledge, coupled with political support and commitment to a common vision, has prepared the ground for the preparation of a regional strategy for sustainable development. Its preparatory process, coordinated by the MCSD Secretariat, has been very interactive, involving various stakeholders. The strategy, adopted in 2005, has raised awareness and induced the preparation of national sustainable development strategies.     

基于绿色GDP核算体系的节能减排政策制定研究

研究介绍了绿色GDP核算的核算框架;阐述了我国开展绿色GDP核算的现实意义,认为我国开展绿色GDP核算是必要且可行的;讨论了将绿色GDP核算体系作为节能减排政策制定依据的应用模式,认为绿色GDP核算能够有效地促进节能减排政策制定.     

丹东地区生态旅游可持续发展策略浅论

根据丹东市生态旅游的现状,分析丹东市旅游业存在的问题,提出丹东市生态旅游走循环经济发展模式的对策。     

我国医疗废物可持续管理措施探讨

回顾了我国医疗废物管理和处置取得的成果,分析了我国医疗废物管理和处置的现状与不足,从生命周期和全过程管理体系的建立、技术研发和技术应用,以及监督和监测、技术培训和经济运行机制等方面提出了实现我国医疗废物可持续管理的对策与措施。     

盘锦芦苇湿地生态系统演替的能值分析

采用奥德姆能值分析理论和方法,以辽宁省盘锦芦苇湿地为例,对1968～2008年间芦苇湿地生态系统演替进行评价分析。提出了优化和保护芦苇湿地生态系统结构的方略,以达到保护芦苇湿地,促进湿地资源有效利用和可持续发展的目的。     

走环境与可持续发展教育之路创建绿色和谐校园——内蒙古自治区绿色学校创建工作的实践与探索

本文从内蒙古自治区绿色学校创建工作的实践情况、存在问题及今后建议几个方面阐述了内蒙古自治区＂中小学绿色行动＂在我区的重要性,从不同的方面阐述了创建绿色学校是环境教育的基础工程,是加强学生素质教育的重要环节,是环境与可持续发展教育的重要内容。