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Tourist events, including major sports events and related infrastructure, comprise one of the fastest growing segments of the world tourism market. Despite the growth and popularity of tourist events, one specific aspect of them that has received limited attention from researchers is the subject of environmental impacts. For this reason, the present research investigates the decision-making in the planning process and the contribution of EIA in the context of major sports events and related infrastructure in Brazil and England. In order to achieve such an aim, the research process firstly involved the establishment of a. theoretical framework which draws upon strands of theories related to the fields of EIA, decision-making and public participation in environmental assessment with the purpose of informing the data collection and data analysis. Secondly, the systems of planning and environmental impact assessment (EIA) in England and Brazil were examined. Thirdly, fieldwork was conducted in both countries, where semi-structured interviews and document analysis were applied in the context of the case studies: Rio 2007 Pan American Games and London 2012 Olympic Games. The results of the research have demonstrated that EIA and other environmental assessment tools still have a long way to go in terms of being fully considered planning and decision-making tools in the context of major sports events. In addition, the results from the case studies also show that decision-makers do not perceive the real potential of EIA and other assessment procedures either as planning and decision-making tools or as vehicles for social learning and sustainable development. Therefore the lessons learnt from the Rio 2007 Pan American Games and from other experiences elsewhere, such as from London 2012, are vital to improve the planning process and the environmental sustainability of the forthcoming major sports events held in Brazil (the Football World Cup in 2014 and the Rio Summer Olympic Games in 2016)

This research aimed to determine how the potential impacts of climate change upon the hydrological cycle in Medak District, Andhra Pradesh, could affect the ability of stakeholders to achieve positive livelihood outcomes and influence human well- being, by affecting the delivery of key provisioning ecosystem services (ES). This was undertaken with reference to two physically similar but hydrologically different study sites that are considered to be hydrologically representative of each other under different climate change scenarios (as predicted by the SWAT hydrological model). Both sites are located at different points along a trajectory between being water scarce and having surplus water (the upstream site having less water). The premise was that by comparing both these sites in relation to their current respective capacities to deliver hydrologically sensitive ES, speculation could be made as to how both sites might function under climate change. By also understanding how the delivery of these ES can influence the ability of stakeholders to achieve positive livelihood outcomes and enhance human well-being, it was also possible to examine how climate change will affect these parameters in the future. A five-tiered strategy involving qualitative, semi-quantitative, quantitative, modelling and theoretical methodologies delivered meaningful understandings of site-specific relationships between stakeholders and key hydrologically sensitive ES, including those surrounding the provision of crops, fish, forest products and water resources. These assessments established that virtually every relationship contrasted to some extent across the two study sites, with downstream stakeholders normally finding it easier to achieve positive livelihood outcomes. When all the assessments were evaluated together within the context of the thesis premise, and based upon the broad assumption that at some point in the future, the overall study area will begin to deliver ES to a similar extent as the current downstream site, it was concluded that climate change will affect specific livelihood components and constituents of human well-being in a predominantly positive way. This finding starkly contrasts with those of many other studies, which predict that climate change will have significantly detrimental and negative impacts upon livelihoods and well-being in India. The overarching thesis conclusion also suggests that climate change may not always be a major obstacle towards achieving a number of the Millennium Development Goals. Furthermore, this research has helped to Increase our understanding of the links between hydrology, ecosystems (and biodiversity) in the study area and the benefits that people enjoy from nature, whilst also demonstrating that these links are both multiple and complex. Consequently, this thesis can help to inform, assist and support policy and decision makers when preparing India for the challenges that its society and economy may face in the future.

Changes to the visual character of the landscape can become a key issue capable of influencing the outcome of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). These changes are commonly referred to as visual impact, and it is recognised, unlike many other aspects of EIAs, that Visual Impact Assessment (VIA) relies less upon measurement than upon experience and judgement (IEATLI, 1995). Currently, there are very few quantitative techniques for the evaluation of visibility and it is mostly assessed qualitatively since it is concerned with the human appreciation of the landscape (Zewe and Koglin, 1995 and Wherrett, 2002). The main problem with qualitative techniques in assessing visual impact is that they may lead to bias due to their inherent subjectivity, hence there is a need for a more structured and consistent approach towards VIA. To reduce the subjectivity currently associated with VIAs, new quantitative techniques have been developed and existing spatial and qualitative techniques have been improved upon. The techniques developed in this research use Computer Graphics (CG) technology, including the field of Virtual Reality (VR). A quantitative method to calculate percentage view change has been developed that allows the accurate determination of the variation in any view, caused by an existing or proposed development. The method uses three dimensional (3D) CG models of an environment and software that has been developed using a scripting language from a 3D modelling software package. A new method has also been developed to create Fields of Visual Influence (FVIs) using standard 3D modelling techniques. The method improves upon the accuracy and efficiency of existing FVI techniques. A novel VR simulation technique has also been developed that attempts to reduce the subjectivity associated with simulations, by integrating quantitative and spatial techniques.

Thesis (MCom. (Accounting)) -- University of Limpopo, 2014 / This study explored the impact of Environmental Management Practices on firm financial performance through a case study of selected JSE SRI South African mining companies. Previous studies focused more on disclosure or international research but none focused on this impact in JSE SRI South African mining firms hence this study attempted to fill this gap. Using a mixed methods approach, the study examined whether the firms’ carbon emissions, energy usage and water usage had any impact on the firms’ return on equity. The study concluded that Environmental Management Practices did impact firms’ financial performance and offers many opportunities for academia, industry, managers, regulators and society to use these findings as a means for more research into and better understanding of these environmental management practices and their potential benefits to society.