The Improvement of Environmental Performance in the Nonprofit Sector Through Informatics

The purpose of the present chapter is to demonstrate how an econometric application supported by the use of simple software can augment an environmental nonprofit organization’s (ENPO) environmental performance. An ENPO, whose scope of operation is the protection of natural resources, usually deals with the problem of how to reduce its negative environmental impact without sacrificing the positive one resulting from its work. This chapter argues that the application of cointegration analysis on available time series environmental data can offer an indication for the policy decision-making in terms of such a contrast in impacts. If the time series are not cointegrated, then the ENPO can reduce its negative environmental impact without affecting the positive one. If they are cointegrated, then alternative policies have to be designated for dealing with the negative impact.

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Bloques de Tierra Comprimida (BTC) estabilizados con cal y cemento. Evaluación de su impacto ambiental y su resistencia a compresión

Revista Hábitat Sustentable ◽

10.22320/07190700.2020.10.02.05 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (2) ◽

pp. 70-81

Author(s):

Santiago Pedro Cabrera ◽

Yolanda Guadalupe Aranda-Jiménez ◽

Edgardo Jonathan Suárez-Domínguez ◽

Rodolfo Rotondaro

Keyword(s):

Compressive Strength ◽

Environmental Impact ◽

Portland Cement ◽

Life Cycle Analysis ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Santa Fe ◽

Compressed Earth Blocks ◽

Earth Blocks ◽

Negative Environmental Impact ◽

The City

This work presents the evaluation of the environmental impact and compressive strength of Compressed Earth Blocks (CEB) stabilized with hydrated aerial lime and Portland cement. For this, 12 series of blocks stabilized with different proportions of lime and cement were manufactured and the Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) methodology was used. After conducting these assays and simulations, it could be concluded that, using earth and sand typical of the city of Santa Fe (Argentina), stabilized with certain percentages of Portland cement between 5 and 10% in weight, CEB can be produced with sufficient levels of strength for them to be used in load-bearing walls, in this way minimizing the negative environmental impact associated with their manufacturing. It is also concluded that the stabilization with aerial lime does not increase the CEB’s compressive strength and, on the contrary, significantly increases their negative impact on the environment.

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3D Concrete Printing for Sustainable Construction

Energies ◽

10.3390/en13236351 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 13 (23) ◽

pp. 6351

Author(s):

Maria Kaszyńska ◽

Szymon Skibicki ◽

Marcin Hoffmann

Keyword(s):

3D Printing ◽

Environmental Impact ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Rapid Development ◽

Cementitious Materials ◽

Sustainable Construction ◽

Standard Samples ◽

Negative Environmental Impact ◽

Extrusion Printing ◽

Mineral Additives

Despite the rapid development of 3D printing technology for cement composites, there are still a number of unsolved issues related to extrusion printing. One of them is proper mix design that allows for meeting criteria related to the printing of cementitious materials, such as pumpability, buildability, consistency on the materials, flowability and workability, simultaneously incorporating sustainable development ideas. In the case of mixes for 3D printing, the modification of the composition which increases the overall performance does not always go hand in hand with the reduction of negative environmental impact. The article presents the results of tests of eight mixtures modified with reactive and inert mineral additives designed for 3D printing. The mixes were evaluated in terms of their rheological and mechanical properties as well as environmental impact. Initial test results were verified by printing hollow columns up until collapse. Later, the differences between the compressive strength of standard samples and printed columns were determined. In order to summarize the results, a multi-faceted analysis of the properties of the mixes was carried out, introducing assessment indicators for its individual parameters. The article proves that appropriate material modification of mixes for 3D printing can significantly reduce the negative impact on the environment without hindering required 3D printing properties.

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Political economy of free trade agreements in China, Japan, and South Korea: sectoral politics of the FTA wave, 1998–2016

Japanese Journal of Political Science ◽

10.1017/s1468109920000031 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 21 (3) ◽

pp. 145-157

Author(s):

Youngmi Choi

Keyword(s):

Free Trade ◽

Political Institutions ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Positive Impact ◽

Free Trade Agreements ◽

Policy Decision ◽

Trade Agreements ◽

Last Stage ◽

Policy Decision Making ◽

Joint Study

AbstractThe aim of this study is to analyze the different impacts of the determinants of free trade agreements (FTAs) based on the stage of the FTA discussions. By disaggregating the FTA formation process into four stages, this study finds that the influence of industry interest groups has a positive impact on FTA formation in the first stage, when two countries initiate the discussion by establishing a joint study. In contrast, it has a negative impact in the last stage, when signed FTAs need to be ratified in order to enter into force. Political institutions emphasized in the existing studies are likely to be significant in the initial stages, but lose their significance as the process moves forward. The findings of this study collectively support the hypothesis that a given FTA is the result of sectoral politics where interests and the power of industries have a significant influence on trade policy decision-making.

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The potential of environmental impact assessment procedures to enhance public participation in trade policy decision-making

Environmental Impact Assessment Review ◽

10.1016/0195-9255(95)00076-3 ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 15 (6) ◽

pp. 507-515 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Beatrice Chaytor

Keyword(s):

Decision Making ◽

Environmental Impact ◽

Public Participation ◽

Trade Policy ◽

Impact Assessment ◽

Environmental Impact Assessment ◽

Policy Decision ◽

Policy Decision Making ◽

Assessment Procedures

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Ways to improve environmental taxation in Russia

E3S Web of Conferences ◽

10.1051/e3sconf/202124410032 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 244 ◽

pp. 10032

Author(s):

Galina Semenova

Keyword(s):

Environmental Impact ◽

Natural Resources ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Environmental Taxation ◽

State Control ◽

Hazard Class ◽

Tax System ◽

Production And Consumption ◽

The Subject ◽

Negative Environmental Impact

Negative Environmental Impact (NEI) is one of the measures of state control over the level of environmental pollution. The established fee must be paid by all organizations, enterprises and institutions whose activities are associated with a negative impact on nature. Assessing the potential of the tax system that exists today, we have to state that the maximum possible level of the share of revenues from the exploitation of natural resources provided by the tax system as a whole (including direct and indirect taxes) cannot exceed 20%. As for direct taxes on the exploitation of natural resources, they are calculated only by a few percent. The need for reforms in the Russian tax system is obvious. The subject of the study is the types of negative environmental impact. The purpose of the study is to identify ways to improve environmental taxation. Methodology. To study the topic, the rates for emissions of pollutants into the air and into water bodies, and for the disposal of production and consumption wastes according to their hazard class were considered. Results - greening of tax policy is needed, and some of its areas that will completely change the system of waste collection and disposal in Russia are highlighted.

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Effectiveness and Benefits of the Eco-Management and Audit Scheme: Evidence from Polish Organisations

Energies ◽

10.3390/en15020434 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 15 (2) ◽

pp. 434

Author(s):

Alina Matuszak-Flejszman ◽

Beata Paliwoda

Keyword(s):

Environmental Impact ◽

Environmental Performance ◽

Global Economy ◽

Environmental Awareness ◽

Environmental Management System ◽

Iso 14001 ◽

Modern World ◽

Voluntary Programs ◽

Full Study ◽

Negative Environmental Impact

Climate change and environmental pollution are considered to be among the main challenges faced by the modern world. The growth of environmental awareness and the adoption of a pro-environmental approach are considered to be the key megatrends with the greatest impact on the global economy in the upcoming years. According to Eurobarometer, EU citizens are particularly aware of the importance of protecting the environment. Although the negative environmental impact of European industry has improved over the past decades, EU citizens believe that there is further scope in terms of helping companies transition towards adopting more sustainable models. One of the factors contributing to the reduction in negative environmental impact is the participation of enterprises in voluntary programs such as the Environmental Management System (EMS), according to ISO 14001, or the Eco-management and Audit Scheme (EMAS). The whole population of Polish companies registered under the EMAS was included in the study and although the sample size was small, it was a full study, and for that reason allows for the generalisation and conclusion regarding the whole population of EMAS-registered companies in Poland. The results of the study conducted on EMAS-registered organisations in Poland in 2015 suggest that the average effectiveness of the EMAS observed between 2007 and 2014 was 66.4%. The aim of this study was to review the changes in EMAS effectiveness and benefits obtained by participating organisations after five years. The results indicate that the average effectiveness during the period of 2015–2020 increased to 79.1%; nevertheless, registered organisations recognise fewer benefits for participation in the scheme. The study has shown that as EMAS matures in organisations, it becomes more effective. It influences a lot of factors, such as environmental awareness and management commitment, the use of SRDs (including BEMPs), environmental performance indicators for specific sectors, the criteria for the excellence of assessing the level of environmental performance, and the skilful use of indicators in organisations.

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Regulation of the permissible discharges of pollutants into water bodies established by the federal legislation and feasible directions of its improvement

Vodosnabzhenie i sanitarnaia tehnika ◽

10.35776/mnp.2020.06.03 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

А.В. Григорьев ◽

Е.Ю. Васенькина ◽

Е.А. Кравец

Keyword(s):

Environmental Impact ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Water Bodies ◽

Environmental Legislation ◽

Natural Background ◽

Effluent Quality ◽

Water Users ◽

Negative Environmental Impact ◽

Definition Of

Выполнен анализ законодательного обеспечения нормирования допустимых сбросов загрязняющих веществ в водоемы совместно с механизмом платы за негативное воздействие на водные объекты. Выявлена несогласованность в подходе к нормированию допустимых сбросов загрязняющих веществ и начислению платы за них для объектов I–III категорий негативного воздействия на окружающую среду. Также выявлена правовая неопределенность в порядке разработки и утверждения методик и методов нормирования допустимых сбросов и в вопросах учета природного фона, что повлекло за собой актуальные на данный момент проблемы установления нормативов допустимых сбросов для водопользователей. Описаны подходы к совершенствованию природоохранного законодательства для устранения соответствующих проблем. Необходима гармонизация требований к установлению нормативов допустимых сбросов для различных категорий объектов негативного воздействия на окружающую среду в части более четкого определения перечней загрязняющих веществ, подлежащих нормированию, а также соответствия более жестких требований более опасным категориям объектов. Для устранения экономически и технически недостижимых требований к качеству отводимых сточных вод предлагается законодательное обоснование предельных требований к качеству воды в водных объектах – приемниках сточных вод и к качеству сточных вод. The analysis of the legal support for the regulation of permissible discharges of pollutants into water bodies has been conducted together with the mechanism of payment for the negative impact on water bodies. Inconsistency was revealed in the approach to regulating permissible discharges of pollutants and charging the objects of I – III categories of the negative environmental impact. Also, legal uncertainty was identified in the development and approval of methods and techniques of accounting for the natural background in regulating permissible discharges, which entailed the current problems of establishing regulations for permissible discharges for water users. Approaches to improving the environmental legislation to address related issues are described. There is a need to harmonize the requirements for establishing standards on permissible discharges for various categories of objects of negative environmental impact in terms of a more sound definition of the lists of pollutants subject to regulation, as well as the compliance of more stringent requirements with more hazardous categories of objects. To eliminate economically and technically inaccessible requirements to the quality of effluents discharged, a legislative justification of the limiting requirements to the water quality in receiving water bodies and effluent quality is proposed.

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Green and Environment Conscious Manufacturing and Management Techniques

Industrial and Systems Engineering Review ◽

10.37266/iser.2018v6i1.pp10-20 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

pp. 10-20

Author(s):

Luke Askew ◽

Anoop Desai

Keyword(s):

Environmental Impact ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Green Manufacturing ◽

Environmental Issues ◽

Raw Material ◽

Natural Habitats ◽

Context Management ◽

Modern Manufacturing ◽

Negative Environmental Impact ◽

Green Supply Chains

Contemporary industry is beginning to realize the negative impact that they have on the environment in terms of greenhouse gas emissions, destruction of natural habitats, hazardous waste emissions, etc. This new found consciousness has prompted a second look on part of the manufactures at how modern manufacturing practices can be modified so as to be more environmentally friendly. Environmental impact of manufacturing can be minimized in various ways. In this context, management is often called upon to provide active leadership in managing their facilities so as to minimize their environmental impact. Some examples of such activities include green supply chains and design for disassembly. Such activities help to create a closed loop product lifecycle that is required to reduce the amount of raw material used and the amount of waste created by production. Similarly using design for manufacturability principles aid in the minimization of raw material used and waste generated as well. Also, facilities are starting to move away from reactive approaches to environmental issues. They are now using proactive approaches and value seeking approaches where the environmental issues are dealt with before they are created. This paper presents an overview of environment conscious manufacturing practices that seek to minimize the negative environmental impact of manufacturing. Being a literature review, this paper primarily deals with state of the art in current practice pertaining to green manufacturing.

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