scholarly journals Restore: An R of sustainability that can tame the “conundrum”

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eckart Bindewald
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Impact ◽  
Carbon Offsets ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Practical Implementation ◽  
Environmental Benefit ◽  
Feedback Mechanisms ◽  
Rebound Effects ◽  
The Common ◽  
Environmental Causes ◽  
Fourth Component

The environmental benefits of sustainability efforts can be rendered less effective due to economic feedback mechanisms. As a remedy against such rebound effects, a reinvestment strategy towards environmental causes has been suggested. Here, a practical implementation of such a reinvestment strategy is presented. It involves a) estimating the financial savings resulting from sustainability efforts, b) informing the participants that the environmental benefit of the efforts is reduced by economic feedback mechanisms and c) asking them to donate a fraction of the expected savings towards environmental causes. An easy-to-use methodology for estimating rebound effects of sustainability efforts is presented in order to quantify the efficacy of this approach. CO2 emission offsets are used as an example of donations towards environmental causes. It is shown, that donating even a small amount (less than 1% of financial savings obtained from conservation or engineering savings) of donated carbon offsets can more than eliminate the estimated rebound effects. This then leads to the restore principle, that states that the environmental benefit of reducing activities with average environmental impact is dramatically improved if a fraction of the resulting financial savings is applied towards environmental causes. This approach is made practical by augmenting the common reduce, reuse, recycle motto with a fourth component: reduce, reuse, recycle and restore.

scholarly journals Restore: An R of sustainability that can tame the “conundrum”

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eckart Bindewald
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Impact ◽  
Carbon Offsets ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Practical Implementation ◽  
Environmental Benefit ◽  
Feedback Mechanisms ◽  
Rebound Effects ◽  
The Common ◽  
Environmental Causes ◽  
Fourth Component

The environmental benefits of sustainability efforts can be rendered less effective due to economic feedback mechanisms. As a remedy against such rebound effects, a reinvestment strategy towards environmental causes has been suggested. Here, a practical implementation of such a reinvestment strategy is presented. It involves a) estimating the financial savings resulting from sustainability efforts, b) informing the participants that the environmental benefit of the efforts is reduced by economic feedback mechanisms and c) asking them to donate a fraction of the expected savings towards environmental causes. An easy-to-use methodology for estimating rebound effects of sustainability efforts is presented in order to quantify the efficacy of this approach. CO2 emission offsets are used as an example of donations towards environmental causes. It is shown, that donating even a small amount (less than 1% of financial savings obtained from conservation or engineering savings) of donated carbon offsets can more than eliminate the estimated rebound effects. This then leads to the restore principle, that states that the environmental benefit of reducing activities with average environmental impact is dramatically improved if a fraction of the resulting financial savings is applied towards environmental causes. This approach is made practical by augmenting the common reduce, reuse, recycle motto with a fourth component: reduce, reuse, recycle and restore.

scholarly journals Restore: an R of sustainability that can tame the “conundrum”

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Eckart Bindewald
Keyword(s):  
Co2 Emission ◽  
Carbon Offsets ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Practical Implementation ◽  
Environmental Benefit ◽  
Feedback Mechanisms ◽  
Rebound Effects ◽  
The Common ◽  
Environmental Causes ◽  
Fourth Component

The environmental benefits of sustainability efforts can be rendered less effective due to economic feedback mechanisms. As a remedy against such rebound effects, a reinvestment strategy towards environmental causes has been suggested. Here, a practical implementation of such a reinvestment strategy is presented. It involves a) estimating the financial savings resulting from sustainability efforts, b) informing the participants that the environmental benefit of the efforts is reduced by economic feedback mechanisms and c) asking them to donate a fraction of the expected savings towards environmental causes. An easy-to-use methodology for estimating rebound effects of sustainability efforts is presented in order to quantify the efficacy of this approach. CO2 emission offsets are used as an example of donations towards environmental causes. It is shown, that donating even a small amount (less than 1% of financial savings obtained from conservation or engineering savings) of donated carbon offsets can more than eliminate the estimated rebound effects. This then leads to the restore principle, that states that the environmental benefit of reducing activities with average environmental impact is dramatically improved if a fraction of the resulting financial savings is applied towards environmental causes. This approach is made practical by augmenting the common reduce, reuse, recycle motto with a fourth component: reduce, reuse, recycle and restore.

scholarly journals Manejo De Residuos Sólidos Hospitalarios En La Unidad Oncológica Solca-Chimborazo

2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (8) ◽  
pp. 423
Author(s):  
H. Brito ◽  
R. Cazar ◽  
N. Moreno ◽  
J. Quintanilla ◽  
M. Inca ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Impact ◽  
Waste Management ◽  
Solid Waste ◽  
Continuous Improvement ◽  
Solid Waste Management ◽  
Environmental Regulations ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
The Common ◽  
Per Capita ◽  
Health Institutions

It was determined that the handling of the solid waste generated by the SOLCA – Chimborazo cancer hospital was not appropriate, both internally and externally. Because of that, the classification, transport, storage, deactivation, and intermediate disposition are inconvenient. Thus, it was realized that it is important to have the requirements and documents to follow and comply the objectives that are specified within the management, focusing on feedback and continuous improvement. To learn about the nature of the generated residuals, they were characterized in the hospital. Common, infectious, radioactive, organic and sharp residuals were found during the months of September, November and December. The common waste is comprised of cardboard, paper and plastic. The per-capita production of residuals was 0.76 kg/patient/day. The environmental impact caused by the generation of hospital solid waste was 56% severe impacts and 44% moderate impacts, which could elicit health problems in the population surrounding the hospital. For this reason, the appropriate management of solid waste allowed to obtain large environmental benefits and reduce the pollution generated by the hospital solid waste. It is recommended to SOLCA-Chimborazo and other health institutions the implementation of an adequate solid waste management, which will allow them to comply with all the requirements enforced by the environmental regulations.

Allocation of the Environmental Impact in Iron and Steel Industry

2017 ◽  
Vol 898 ◽  
pp. 2413-2421
Author(s):  
Yan Jiao Zhang ◽  
Feng Gao ◽  
Zhi Hong Wang
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Impact ◽  
Steel Industry ◽  
Evaluation Method ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Iron And Steel Industry ◽  
Environmental Load ◽  
Environmental Benefit ◽  
Iron And Steel ◽  
Steel Coil ◽  
Hot Rolled

Life cycle assessment (LCA) can provide technical support for environmental management in China. However, there is no consensus on allocation method in inventory analysis. According to the World Steel Association (WAS), the environmental impact, life cycle environmental load and environmental benefit of China's iron and steel industry should be considerd when investing scrap iron and steel. The results of this study show that according to the different allocation methods, the environmental impact of China's iron and steel industry will be divided into 3 methods: 1) not considering environmental load and environmental benefit of the environment (Cut-off approach); 2) considering the environmental load or environmental benefits (Waste evaluation method) and 3) considering environmental load and environmental benefits (Recycling benefits method). The environmental impact of Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) steel billet is raising by using the waste evaluation method compared with that of basic oxygen furnace (BOF), which are all decreased by using the cut-off approach. Recycling benefits method compared with Cut-off approach that the BOF hot rolled steel coil (HRC) environmental impact, the environmental impact of EAF steel billet all decreased, and leading the BOF hot rolled steel coil environmental impact to a larger proportion of the environmental impact.

scholarly journals Environmental Benefit of Alternative Binders in Construction Industry: Life Cycle Assessment

Environments ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 6
Author(s):  
Girts Bumanis ◽  
Aleksandrs Korjakins ◽  
Diana Bajare
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Life Cycle Assessment ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Environmental Impact ◽  
Co2 Emissions ◽  
Building Materials ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Raw Material ◽  
Environmental Benefit

Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions associated with Portland cement (PC) production is ranked as the highest among the construction materials and it is estimated that 8% of the worlds CO2 discharges is due to PC production. As an average, the production of PC clinker including calcination process generates 0.81 kg of carbon dioxide per one kg of cement. Hence, new approaches which limit the negative environmental impacts of cement production and are aimed at the development of advanced methodologies are introduced. Implementation of lower energy consumption materials in production, which could moderately substitute PC in binders, can be addressed as one of the probable methods in mitigating environmental risks. Therefore, alternative binders fit into the most promising solutions. Present research investigates the environmental impact of the building sector, if an alternative to PC binder is used. Life cycle assessment (LCA) was used in this research to assess the environmental impact of the alternative ternary gypsum-PC-pozzolan binder in the production of mortar, and the environmental benefits were calculated and compared to traditional cement-based building materials. Phosphogypsum was considered as a secondary raw material, as in the current approach it is collected in open stacks bringing environmental concerns. SimaPro LCA software with the Ecoinvent database was used for most of the calculation processes. Results indicate that with alternative binders up to 30% of energy can be saved and 57 wt.% of CO2 emissions can be reduced, bringing positive impact on the construction industries contribution to the environment.

Counting Fish: Environmental Benefits Calculation for Avoided Costs Analysis in Urban Water Use Efficiency Planning

2008 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Katie Shulte Joung ◽  
Mary Ann Dickinson
Keyword(s):  
Water Conservation ◽  
Economic Value ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Urban Water ◽  
Environmental Benefit ◽  
Conservation Programs ◽  
Water Utility ◽  
Water Savings ◽  
Urban Water Use ◽  
Use Efficiency

This report documents a project undertaken for the California Urban Water Conservation Council to create a method to calculate water utility avoided costs and assign economic value to the environmental benefits of raw water savings as a result of implementing urban water conservation programs. It is assumed that water savings associated with implementation of conservation programs can be quantified and represented as a reduction in the demand for water from a particular set of supply sources. This demand reduction may in turn result in a change to the availability of an environmental benefit provided by that source. Environmental valuation, as it is applied here, is relatively new and there are numerous complications, ambiguities, data gaps and differences of opinion in the application of the methodology. For that reason, this report should be considered a pioneering effort to put together all the required elements in a single coherent framework.

scholarly journals Economic Feasibility of Solar Irrigation Pumps: A Study of Northern Bangladesh

2022 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Md. Tawhidul Islam ◽  
Md. Elias Hossain
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Solar Energy ◽  
Food Production ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Economic Feasibility ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Environmental Benefit ◽  
Service Model ◽  
The Government

Bangladesh is the most densely populated country in the world. With a total population of around 165 million, the country has constantly been facing food security challenges and other problems. Therefore, increasing food production is one of the feasible solutions to this challenge, and proper agricultural land use for food production bears critical importance. Adopting sustainable irrigation systems and viable technologies would be vital for ensuring efficient use of agricultural land in Bangladesh to safeguard the country's food security. Solar irrigation pumps (SIPs) can be a reliable option in this regard. However, Bangladesh has experienced a prolonged growth rate of SIP installation in the last decade.  The countryhas set a target to install 10000 SIPs by the year 2027, albeit it is a tiny share of the 1.57 million conventional irrigation pumps operating in the country. This study aims to investigate the economic feasibility of the SIPs operating in the northern region of Bangladesh in terms of estimating financial feasibility and environmental benefits. The study is mainly based on primary data collected from the users of SIPs from two Upazilas of Dinajpur and Rangpur districts. A total of 14 SIPs, categorized into large, medium, and small pumps, are selected randomly from the available SIPs in the study areas. The financial analysis reveals that small SIPs are the most profitable option (20% IRR) for investment. Large SIPs are moderately profitable (10% IRR), and their profitability can be improved (10.50% IRR) by introducing additional uses of solar energy. However, medium SIPs are the worst (5% IRR) option for investment. In the study areas, large and medium SIPs are designed for the 'fees for service model', and small SIPs are designed for the 'fees for ownership model'. It is found that the 'fees for ownership model' is more profitable than the 'fees for service model'. Moreover, the net environmental benefit for all SIPs is found almost equal to the given subsidy for installing them. Also, the net environmental benefit per kilowatt peak (kWp) is highest for the small SIPs. This paper recommends that additional use (e.g., husking, grinding, supply excess electricity to grid, and so on) of solar energy can improve the profitability of investmenton SIPs. Further, the government should continue giving grants for installing SIPs and promote 'fees for ownership model' (small SIPs) for personal use. It would speed up the dissemination rate of SIPs and help increase the country's agricultural production and improve the environmental conditions.

scholarly journals Kazakhstan experience in adopting NEBA within its legal framework

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dinara Amanzholova ◽  
Peter M. Taylor ◽  
Aliya Sadvokassova ◽  
Gulnara Dospayeva
Keyword(s):  
Oil Spill ◽  
Legal Framework ◽  
Practical Implementation ◽  
Environmental Benefit ◽  
Response Options ◽  
Contingency Plans ◽  
Implementation Methodology ◽  
National Industry ◽  
International Experts ◽  
Simulation Exercises

ABSTRACT Kazakhstan's legal framework concerning oil spill issues has been reviewed and updated during 2015–2019, driven by the adoption of good international practice. Ensuring the full response toolkit is available and options are chosen to mitigate the overall impact of an incident were critical principles. The Oil Spill Preparedness Regional Initiative (OSPRI), in conjunction with national industry (North Caspian Operating Company - NCOC and KazMunaiGaz - KMG), shared the net Environmental Benefit Analysis (NEBA) approach and later the Spill Impact Mitigation Assessment (SIMA) with key agencies and authorities as part of this effort. As the first step, workshops and seminars on NEBA were organized at local and national levels. These were facilitated by international experts and national consultants to build awareness and understanding. The second step was to embed NEBA within the legal framework. The legal system has a strong hierarchy including Codes, Laws and Orders. The National Contingency Plan (2015), approved by Order, acknowledged NEBA and gave impetus to develop additional legislation on the NEBA process. To ensure proper legal force, it was suggested to embed NEBA higher up the hierarchy, in the Subsoil Use Code (2017). Practical implementation of NEBA (during simulation exercises) and review by authorities of a draft NEBA report prepared by NCOC, revealed that the process required further clarification. It was not clear how NEBA should be presented in contingency plans, for authorities' review and approval i.e. whether it should be a separate report or incorporated within the plan. It was mooted that proposed amendments to the Environmental Code would aid clarification. In order to support a coherent process of contingency plans' approval, NEBA should be supported by a suitable and recognized implementation methodology. The SIMA methodology has been proposed as an option in Kazakhstan. Work on the Environmental Code's amendments, incorporating suitable clarifications, is expected to be completed in 2020. Based on the experience of NEBA adoption in Kazakhstan, cooperation between industry and authorities, exercises and workshops leads to positive results. The process has taken some years, as capacity building and legislative developments were required, but is reaching a successful conclusion. This will inform the choice of response options for any future incidents, to achieve least overall ecological and socio-economic impacts.

Grey-headed Swamphen (Porphyrio poliocephalus Latham, 1801).

2020 ◽  
pp. 243-247
Author(s):  
Bill Pranty ◽  
Corey T. Callaghan
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Impact ◽  
Geographical Distribution ◽  
Invasion Pathways ◽  
The Common ◽  
Human Use ◽  
Diet Behaviour

Abstract This chapter describes the common terminologies, taxonomy, morphology, geographical distribution, physiology, diet, behaviour, reproduction, habitats, ecology, invasion pathways, environmental impact, control and human use of the grey-headed swamphen (Porphyrio poliocephalus).

Going Biophilic

Urban Health ◽  
2019 ◽  
pp. 369-374 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jie Yin ◽  
John D. Spengler
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Impact ◽  
Water Storage ◽  
Green Building ◽  
Building Design ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Green Building Design ◽  
Environmental Perturbation ◽  
Global Force ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Reducing Energy

Green building design has emerged as a global force, with one green building standard reporting more than 3.5 billion square feet certified worldwide. Green buildings focus on reducing environmental impact through improved water storage, reducing environmental perturbation, and reducing energy usage. Although the environmental benefits of green building design are now well established, it is only more recently that the field has come to appreciate the health benefits of green building design. This chapter discusses the green building movement and the challenges and opportunities it represents, with lessons that can be learned and are generalizable to urban health scholarship and action worldwide.

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