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This study explored the attitudes of hotel managers in Phuket, Thailand, in an attempt to identify whether their attitudes influence their utilization of environmental sustainability practices. Due to the increasing number of visitors to Phuket, Thailand, the consumption of natural resources has increased in the region, causing serious environmental problems. A sustainable way forward is needed for the tourism industry in the region in order to maintain quality of service while reducing environmental damage. The data analyzed in this study came from self-administered questionnaires that surveyed hotel managers in Phuket, Thailand, with a sample of 243 respondents. Research results revealed three dimensions of hotel manager attitude toward environmental sustainability practices, including operational management, social obligation, and sustainability strategy and policy. Furthermore, three constraints on the implementation of environmental management practices were identified: lack of support, perceived difficulty, and lack of demand. The attitudes of hotel managers regarding specific factors and barriers are also presented in this study. The results of this study show that hotel managers overall possess positive attitudes toward environmental sustainability practices. Finally, the findings reveal that hotel managers’ attitudes toward sustainability practices depend on their social demographics, the type of hotel they operate, their degree of ownership of the hotel, whether or not their hotel was affected by the 2004 tsunami, and the year their hotel was built. The results of this study suggest that it is necessary for hotel managers to understand the importance of environmental sustainability practices because this understanding can help motivate them in implementing sustainability practices in their hotels. Furthermore, it can guide hotel managers when deciding which environmental policies are suitable for their iv hotels. Lastly, the study demonstrated that in order for hotels to become more sustainable, support is needed from government or hotel associations to provide education and training for the hotel managers.

The very concept of sustainable development calls for a holistic understanding of socio-economic and natural systems in order to help achieve greater sustainability. The complexity characterizing such systems, however, makes it likely impossible for quantified approaches of even isolated problems to account for all relevant factors in a single, robust and deterministic representation of reality – an inherent feature which largely motivates the use of statistical models applied to empirical data. On three independent examples with significant socio-economic and environmental importance, the present dissertation illustrates how econometrical models applied to real-life environmental data can be fruitfully deployed to facilitate the identification and motivation of innovative policies to achieve greater sustainability. Specifically, the first chapter explores the extent to which large-scale irrigation affects local climate by inducing cooler temperatures in areas located downwind from irrigated land, an externality with positive economic consequences quantified in terms of improved crop yields and reduced human mortality. The second chapter illustrates the benefits offered by a family of new differencing estimators (as theoretically derived from a generalization of existing techniques found in the literature) on the example of the nonparametric estimation of error variance in streamflow measurements - a step that is critical for the accurate prediction by hydrological models of extreme flood events. The third chapter investigates the joint effect of traffic speed and acceleration on urban air quality in order to help anticipate the consequences of innovative traffic regulation on the concentration of key air pollutants with detrimental consequences on human health and the economy.

Recent evidence of widespread environmental degradation and global changes resulting from human activities have revived a debate about the sustainability of the progress of human welfare that began at least 200 years ago. In this renewed debate, the seriousness and causes of environmental degradation are subject to widely divergent interpretations. There are many conceivable sustainable futures; the most important differences among them are not technical but political and ideological. The practice of environmental planning is concerned with a wide variety of contexts and situations at the human-environment interface. Because land use is at the root of many of the problems of environmental degradation (e.g., habitat destruction, air pollution, water pollution), land use planning is an appropriate focus for consideration of the role of environmental planning in sustainable development. Planning as a profession, with its inherent future orientation and focus on public values, is well situated to deal with the kinds of problems raised in the discourse regarding sustainability. Examination of mainstream land use planning practices, however, reveals a reactive, reformist incrementalism that responds to environmental degradation caused by growth, but that addresses neither its causes nor its dynamics. Mainstream land use planning approaches have attempted to resolve conflicts between development and environment through spatial solutions at various scales. The need to plan for ecological sustainability is difficult to reconcile with the democratic ideal of local self-determination. Many alternative approaches to land use planning for sustainable development focus on design solutions. The requirements of sustainability are not merely technical, however. There are both emancipatory possibilities and their opposite in sustainability. Implementing sustainability offers planners a number of choices. They can act as mediators, demystifyers of technical information, exposers of hidden ideological assumptions, and advocates. They can strengthen existing authority, or work towards an enlightened self-determination at the local level. / Ph. D.

The need for public participation in the development of policies, programmes or actions has been widely accepted by both government and private sectors because of the benefits of such involvement. Involving the public in the development of any policy, programme or action is, however, a daunting task. Public involvement in the development of a policy or action often leads to protest, legal litigation, criticism and delay in carrying out the project. The main objectives of this research are to examine the process of public participation in the Gautrain project and to interrogate how public involvement in the decision-making processes of environmental concerns can be improved. A quantitative study was conducted to describe and explore the process of public participation in the Gautrain environmental impact assessment procedure. The purposive sampling method was used. Thereafter, the data generated was analysed using statistical tools such as charts, tables and the Wilcoxon Mann Whitney U test to examine the similarities and differences in the response patterns of the public and the project proponent. Cronbach alpha statistical methodology was also used to test the reliability of the measurement. The findings are discussed in relation to the objectives of the study and research hypotheses. The results indicate that (1) the public were not involved early enough during the project planning and design phases; (2) adequate information was not provided to the public; and (3) public input does not have much impact on decisionmaking processes. The study does, however, indicate that the process has enhanced the participants’ learning and that the process of participation has improved in recent time as compared to the 2002-2003 periods. The study concludes by providing relevant solutions and recommendations. / Environmental Sciences / M. Sc. (Environmental Management)

Thesis (MPhil (Sustainable Development Planning and Management))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Given the complexities facing humanity in the light of impending social and environmental collapse, it is the design of sustainable communities at all levels of our society that must be achieved to limit this potential outcome. Attaining such a goal, it is known, requires that humanity ‘consciously evolve’. Furthermore I suggest that Integral Theory, because it is grounded in the evolution of consciousness, provides an important map to help navigate this tremendous journey. In this thesis I use Integral Theory as a lens through which to understand and reflect on my experiences over the past eighteen years of the design and development of the Tlholego Village, one of the early experimental Permaculture and Ecovillage communities developed in South Africa. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Gegewe die kompleksiteite wat die samelewing in die gesig staar as gevolg van die dreigende sosiale en omgewings verval, is die ontwikkeling van volhoubare gemeenskappe op alle vlakke van ons samelewing noodsaaklik om so ‘n uitkoms te verhoed. Om hierdie doel te bereik word dit voorgestel dat die samelewing bewustelik moet ontwikkel (‘consciously evolve’). Verder stel ek voor dat Integraal Teorie (‘Integral Theory’), gegrond in die evolusie van bewustheid, ‘n belangrike roetekaart verskaf om die geweldige reis te navigeer. In hierdie tesis gebruik ek Integraal Teorie as ‘n lens waardeur my ervarings tydens die ontwerp en ontwikkeling van die Tlholego Village (een van die vroee eksperimentele Permakultuur en Eko-dorp gemeenskappe wat ontwikkel is in Suid Afrika oor die afgelope agtien jaar) verstaan en nabetrag kan word.

Thesis (MA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2002. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The complexity of environmental problems and the demands that these make on organisations to create integrated management outcomes in a participative way in a multilevel context with many role-players, have highlighted the search for new innovative organisational forms. Organisations have specific structural characteristics with regard to complexity, formalisation and (de)centralisation, that correspond with their core activities and their external circumstances. The traditional bureaucracy, as an organisational structure, is a rigid and hierarchical system that is based on formal rules, complex management systems and centralised decision-making. The spread of postmodernism highlighted the restrictions of bureaucracies and started a process, throughout the world, that is transforming organisations into flatter, less formal structures. The focus of this study was to determine to which extent organisations in the field of sustainable development adapt to new realities and experiment with innovative organisational forms. Greenpeace, as an international environmental organisation, a Representative Forum, as an Agenda 21 type institutional mechanism for interest groups in the integrated development planning processes at local government level, and Water Catchment Management Agencies, as organisational institutional form for the integrated management of all aspects with regard to water resources, were analysed as case studies. The case studies confirm the increase in and application of multilevel network type organisational forms in the field of natural resources management. It highlights a common vision, processes that work towards reaching consensus and the forming of partnerships. The rise of the network organisation, its advantages and potential problems, are finally discussed with a view to the future. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die kompleksiteit van omgewingprobleme en die vereistes wat dit stel aan organisasies om op 'n deelnemende wyse in 'n multivlak en multi-rolspeler konteks ge·'ntegreerde bestuursuitkomste te bewerkstellig, het die fokus op die soeke na nuwe innoverende organisasievorme laat val. Organisasies het bepaalde strukturele eienskappe in terme van kompleksiteit, formalisasie en (de)sentralisasie wat grootliks aanpas by hulle kernbedrywighede en die eksterne omstandighede waarin hulle hulself bevind. Die tradisionele burokrasie as organisasievorm is 'n rigiede en hierarqiese sisteem wat geskoei is op sentrale besluitneming, formele reels en komplekse bestuurstelsels. Met die koms van postmodernisme het die beperkinge van die reuse burokrasiee aan die lig gekom en is daar, regoor die wereld, 'n proses aan die gang gesit wat talle organisasies in platter, minder formele en losser strukture verander. In die studie is ondersoek ingestel tot watter mate organisasies in die veld van volhoubare omgewingsbestuur by die nuwe realiteite aanpas en met nuwe innoverende organisasievorme eksperimenteer. Greenpeace, as internasionale omgewingsorganisasie, 'n Verteenwoordige Forum as Agenda 21-tipe institusionele meganisme vir belangegroepe in die geYntegreerde ontwikkelingsbeplanningsprosesse op plaaslike regeringsvlak, en Wateropvanggebied-bestuursagentskappe as organisatoriese institusionele vorm vir die qemteqreerde bestuur van aile aspekte wat met waterhulpbronne te make het, is as gevallestudies ontleed. Die gevallestudies bevestig die toenemde voorkoms en aanwending van multivlak netwerk-tipe organisasievorme op die gebied van natuurlike hulpbronbestuur wat die klem laat val op 'n samebindende visie, konsensus-soekende prosesse en venootskapsvorming. Die opkoms van die netwerkorganisasie met sy voordele sowel as die potensiele probleme, word ten slotte in 'n toekomsblik beskou.

Thesis (MPhil)--University of Stellenbosch, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This thesis investigates the case of the Cape Town Central City Provincial Government Revitalisation Initiative (CCPGRI) as a means to further understanding of socio-technical transitions. The departure point for this research is the recognition that the current economic growth and development trajectory is unsustainable. Despite this, deeply institutionalised frames of reference for decision-making reinforce and perpetuate the utilisation of (incumbent) sociotechnical systems which diminish finite resources and deteriorate eco-system services. The theoretical notion of decoupling, however, offers an alternative economic development paradigm. Decoupling has been identified, within this thesis, as the guiding framework through which adaption strategies should be carried out. This was indentified through a comprehensive literature review and an assessment of Cape Town's critical networked infrastructure. Networked infrastructure conveys flows of resources across vast urban spaces, in a linear configuration, thus conditioning resource flows and consumption. The case of Cape Town, however, illustrates that a linear configuration of infrastructure is both financially and environmentally unsustainable. Moreover, the case provides the empirical evidence for decoupling, reinforcing the argument for the adoption of the notion as an alternative development paradigm. Networked infrastructure has furthermore been identified as a socio-technical system, and therefore is considered as the component requiring a system transition and the subsequent intervention point for decoupling economic growth from resource consumption. From an implementation perspective, socio-technical system transitions, achieved through innovation, are the necessary component for realising sustainable urban development. It is argued that innovation, necessary for socio-technical system transitions, should be the product of sustainability-orientated innovation systems (SOIS's). SOIS's are implicitly linked to decoupling through the shared goal of enabling greater sustainability. The Cape Town CCPGRI has been extrapolated onto the multi-levelled perspective (MLP) model and is used to further understanding about how socio-technical system transitions are achieved. Findings indicate that socio-technical systems transitions are possible in urban areas that have multiple niche innovations developing simultaneously. Of significance is the presence of an intermediary, who is able to facilitate and manage the development of niche innovations emerging from SOIS's. It is therefore argued that high quality networking is critical for achieving socio-technical transitions which emerge from SOIS's. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie tesis ondersoek die geval van die "Cape Town Central City Provincial Government Revitalisation Initiative" (CCPGRI) as 'n manier om die begrip van sosio-tegniese oorgange te bevorder. Die vertrek punt vir hierdie navorsing is die insig dat die huidige verloop van ekonomiese groei en ontwikkeling onvolhoubaar is. Ten spyte hiervan versterk en verleng geïnstitusionaliseerde verwysingsraamwerke vir besluitneming die gebruik van (opgelegde) sosiotegniese sisteme wat uitputbare bronne verminder en ekosisteem dienste laat agteruitgaan. Die teoretiese idee van ontkoppeling bied nogtans 'n alternatiewe paradigma vir ekonomiese ontwikkeling. Hierdie tesis identifiseer ontkoppeling as die rigtinggewende raamwerk waardeur aanpassing strategië uitgevoer behoort te word. Dit is geïdentifiseer deur 'n omvattende literatuurstudie en 'n beoordeling van Kaapstad se kritiese infrastruktuur netwerk. Netwerke van infrastuktuur vervoer die vloei van bronne in 'n liniêre konfigurasie oor wye stedelike ruimtes en kondisioneer daardeur die vloei en verbruik van bronne. Die geval van Kaapstad illustreer egter dat 'n liniêre konfigurasie van infrastruktuur beide finansieel en omgewingsverwant onvolhoubaar is. Verder voorsien hierdie geval die empiriese bewyse vir ontkoppeling en versterk daardeur die argument vir die aanvaarding van die idee as „n alternatiewe paradigma vir ontwikkeling. Infrastruktuur netwerke is verder geïdentifiseer as 'n sosio-teniese sisteem en word daarom geag as die komponent wat 'n sisteem oorgang vereis en die gevolglike punt van ingryping om ekonomiese groei van bron verbruik te ontkoppel. Uit „n implemetering oogpunt is die oorgang van sosio-tegniese sisteme, voltrek deur innovering, die noodsaaklike komponent om volhoubare stedelike ontwikkeling te realiseer. Daar word geredeneer dat innovering – noodsaaklik vir sosio-tegniese sisteem oorgang – die produk behoort te wees van volhoubaar georiënteerde innovering sisteme. Hierdie sisteme is implisiet verbind aan ontkoppeling deur die gedeelde doel om groter volhoubaarheid moontlik te maak. Die Kaapstadse CCPGRI is op die meervlakkige perspektief model ge-ekstrapoleer en is aangewend om begrip te bevorder van hoe sosio-tegniese sisteem oorgang bereik word. Bevindings dui daarop dat sosio-tegniese sisteem oorgang moontlik is in stedelike gebiede waar meervoudige niche innoverings gelyktydig ontwikkel. Die teenwoordigheid van 'n tussenganger, wat die ontwikkeling van niche innoverings wat voortspruit uit die volhoubaar georiënteerde innovering sisteme kan fasiliteer en bestuur, is belangrik. Daar word dus geredeneer dat hoë kwaliteit netwerk daarstelling krities is vir die uitvoer van sosio-tegniese oorgange wat uit volhoubaar georiënteerde innovering sisteme voortspruit.

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Achieving the goal of sustainable development (SD) and sustainability has proven to be a difficult task, inter alia, because some definitions of the terms are fuzzy and ambiguous and are interpreted differently depending on the context. The spatial scale, at which sustainability should be addressed, varies from site specific to the global level. The niche area, which has had little attention specifically in the South African context, is the regional scale. Integrated Development Plans (IDPs) are just one means by which sustainability can be mainstreamed into regional development planning within the South African context. IDPs are seen as holistic, multi-sectoral, strategic plans for district, metropolitan and local government, required in terms of national legislation. Legislation and guidelines on IDPs suggest that their purpose should be to contribute to sustainable development, but it is questioned whether this is the case. Sustainability Assessments (SAs) can be seen as instruments to direct decision-making towards sustainability, and the purpose of this literature study was to review current IDP Assessment Frameworks (AFs) used by the national and Western Cape provincial governments to assess IDPs, from a sustainability perspective. A literature review was conducted to establish the meaning of sustainability and sustainable development in the context of regional planning, the challenges facing regional planning, and the issues that need to be addressed in IDPs in order to promote sustainability. The first objective of the literature study was to analyse whether present metropolitan and district IDP assessment frameworks used in the Western Cape address sustainability adequately. The second objective was to develop a Sustainability Assessment Framework (SAF) that addresses relevant sustainability issues, based on new and innovative ways of addressing SD and sustainability at a regional scale. Lessons were also learnt through examining and assessing policies and plans both locally and abroad. The literature review highlighted lessons that can be learnt from systems and complexity thinking, transdisciplinary approach, transition management, resilience and regional innovation. The use of Impact Assessments (IAs) and Sustainability Assessments (SAs) from other countries, as well as South Africa, also proved valuable. A review of existing IDP AFs was performed, to determine where the gaps are and whether the principles of regional sustainability are incorporated into current AFs. It was established that current IDP AFs do not adequately assess sustainability issues in district, metropolitan and cross-border regional plans. Current AFs lack depth from a sustainability perspective, and therefore a new SAF was proposed for metropolitan and district IDPs. This SAF highlights five (5) domains of sustainability that should be used as inputs into IDPs. These are: (1) Environmental Sustainability, (2) Social Sustainability, (3) Economic Sustainability, (4) Built Environment and Technology Sustainability, and (5) Institutional Sustainability. Further inputs into the SAF were four (4) approach-based categories derived from the literature and existing frameworks. These comprise (1) Resilience and Resilient Governance, (2) Transdisciplinary approach, (3) Complexity and Systems Thinking, and (4) Regional Innovation Systems. Different indicators were then developed which were based on these approaches, but are specific to each domain of sustainability. The indicators can be used to rate, weigh and score IDPs based on the scorecard that was developed. The overall ‘sustainability rating’ of the IDP could then be calculated. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Om volhoubaarheid en volhoubare ontwikkeling (VO) te bewerkstellig, is 'n moeilike taak, onder andere omdat sommige definisies vir die verskillende terme vaag en dubbelsinnig is en verskillend geïnterpreteer word, afhangende van die konteks. Die ruimtelike skaal waar volhoubaarheid aangespreek behoort te word, wissel vanaf terrein spesifiek tot by die globale skaal. Die nis-area wat nog min aandag geniet het, veral in die Suid-Afrikaanse konteks, is die streek-skaal. Geïntegreerde Ontwikkelingsplanne (GOPe) is net een metode waarmee volhoubaarheid in die hoofstroom opgeneem kan word in streekbeplanning binne die Suid-Afrikaanse konteks. GOPe word gesien as holistiese, multi-sektorale, strategiese planne vir distriks-, metropolitaanse en plaaslike regerings, wat deur nasionale wetgewing vereis word. Wetgewing en riglyne oor GOPe dui daarop dat hul doel is om by te dra tot volhoubare ontwikkeling, maar dit word bevraagteken of dit wel die geval is. Volhoubare evaluering kan beskou word as metodes om besluitneming in die rigting van volhoubaarheid te stuur, en die doel van hierdie studie was om huidige evalueringsraamwerke wat deur die nasionale en Wes-Kaap provinsiale regerings gebruik word om GOPe te evalueer, te ondersoek vanuit ‘n volhoubaarheids-perspektief. ‘n Literatuuroorsig is gedoen om vas te stel wat die uitdagings is wat streekbeplanning in die sig staar, wat die betekenis van volhoubaarheid en volhoubare ontwikkeling in die konteks van streeksbeplanning is en wat die kwessies is wat aangespreek behoort te word om volhoubaarheid te bevorder. Die eerste doel van die literatuur studie was om te analiseer of die huidige plaaslike GOP assessering raamwerke, wat gebruik word in die Wes-Kaap, volhoubaarheid adequaat aanspreek Die tweede doel van die studie was dus om ‘n Volhoubaarheidseveluaringsraamwerk (VER) op te stel, gebaseer op nuwe en innoverende maniere uit die literatuur om VO en volhoubaarheid op streekskaal aan te spreek, sowel as om bestaande beleid en planne, beide plaaslik en in die buiteland, te ondersoek vir lesse wat daaruit geleer kan word. Die literatuur oorsig het ook beklemtoon watter lesse geleer kan word uit stelsels- en kompleksiteitdenke, transdissiplinariteit, oorgangsbestuur, herstellingsvermoë en streeks-innovering. Die gebruik van Impakstudies en Volhoubaarheid-evaluerings vanuit ander lande, sowel as Suid-Afrika, was ook waardevol. Die hersiening van bestaande GOP Evalueringsraamwerke (ERe) vanuit 'n volhoubare perspektief is ook uitgevoer om te bepaal waar daar leemtes bestaan en of die beginsels van streeksvolhoubaarheid ingesluit is in huidige ERe. Daar is vasgestel dat volhoubaarheid nie voldoende aangespreek is in huidige GOP ERe van distriks-, metropolitaanse en streeksplanne nie en 'n nuwe Volhoubaarheidsevalueringsraamwerk (VER) is dus ontwikkel vir metropolitaanse en distrik GOPe. Hierdie VER beklemtoon vyf (5) domeine van volhoubaarheid wat as insette tot GOPe gebruik kan word. Dit sluit in: (1) Omgewingsvolhoubaarheid, (2) Sosiale volhoubaarheid, (3) Ekonomiese volhoubaarheid, (4) Beboude omgewing en Tegnologie volhoubaarheid, en (5) Institusionele volhoubaarheid. Verdere insette tot die VER was vier (4) benaderings-gebaseerde kategorieë, afgelei uit die literatuur en bestaande raamwerke. Dit behels (1) Herstellingsvermoë en herstelbestuur, (2) Transdissiplinêre benadering, (3) Kompleksiteit en Sisteem denke, en (4) Streeks-innoveringstelsels. Verskillende indikatore is daarna ontwikkel wat gebaseer is op elkeen van hierdie benaderings, maar wat spesifiek was tot elke domein van volhoubaarheid. Die indikatore is gebruik om GOPe te evalueer en om gewigte en tellings toe te ken gebaseer op ‘n telkaart wat ontwikkel is.

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2015. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: About half a million students matriculate from South African high schools each year, with limited environmental education and an underdeveloped capacity to live sustainable lives. This does not seem to be the case in some other parts of the world, where many high school students appear to be receiving education that is relevant to the socio-ecological crisis. The rationale of this thesis was to understand this phenomenon and explore what could be done to improve the situation for South African teenagers. This was a desktop study based upon systematic literature review methodology. The primary research objectives were to describe the local context of the study, explore emerging environmental education theoretical themes and detail a number of practical initiatives from around the world. The research process culminated in the fourth objective, which was to consolidate the work into key learnings for South Africa, with particular reference to South African teenagers. A backdrop to environmental education was provided that included a discussion on the global socio-ecological crisis, development and sustainable development in South Africa. The definition and use of the term “environmental education” was justified. In this instance, it is an inclusive definition that incorporates eco-literacy, ecological learning and education for sustainability. In addition to this, a brief comparative history of sustainable development and environmental education has been tabulated. Key theoretical themes in environmental education cluster around the centrality of place. Six themes are presented, namely space and place, trans-national education and third-culture kids, claims of transformation, principles of environmental education, institutional innovation, and the sustainability researcher. Three kinds of practical initiatives emerged in the literature review. These are “green fields” environmental education (brand new institutions), “moving train” environmental education (adaption of existing organisations) and “plug-in” environmental education. Eight initiatives are described, providing examples for all three of these groups. The key learnings for environmental education in South Africa and South African teenagers conclude this thesis. Among other key learnings, the value of the radical perspective is presented, as well as the benefit of perceiving environmental education through different lenses, including a historical one. The link between environmental education and food is explored. It is suggested that the theory and praxis of place-based education exerts a gravitational pull on many aspects of this work. It seems that place-based education provides a “holding space” for environmental education in South Africa, and a starting point for future research or practical application. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Ongeveer ’n halfmiljoen studente matrikuleer jaarliks aan Suid-Afrikaanse hoërskole. Hierdie leerders beskik oor beperkte omgewingsopvoeding en ’n onderontwikkelde vermoë om volhoubare lewens te lei. Dít blyk nie die geval te wees in ander wêrelddele nie, waar baie hoërskoolleerders oënskynlik onderrig ontvang wat met die sosio-ekologiese krisis verband hou. Die beweegrede vir hierdie tesis was om hierdie verskynsel te verstaan en te bepaal wat gedoen kan word om die stand van sake vir Suid-Afrikaanse tieners te verbeter. Die navorsing het bestaan uit ’n lessenaarstudie op grond van ’n stelselmatige literatuuroorsig. Die hoofnavorsingsdoelwitte was om die plaaslike konteks van die studie te beskryf, ontluikende teoretiese temas op omgewingsopvoedkundige gebied te verken, en ’n aantal praktiese inisiatiewe van oor die hele wêreld te beskryf. Die navorsingsproses het uitgeloop op die vierde doelwit, naamlik om die studieresultate in kernlesse vir Suid-Afrika, bepaald met verwysing na Suid-Afrikaanse tieners, te verwerk. Eerstens word die agtergrond van omgewingsopvoeding geskets, wat onder meer bestaan uit ’n bespreking van die wêreldwye sosio-ekologiese krisis sowel as ontwikkeling en volhoubare ontwikkeling in Suid-Afrika. Die omskrywing en gebruik van die term ‘omgewingsopvoeding’ word ook geregverdig. In hierdie geval word die term inklusief gebruik om ook na eko-geletterdheid, ekologiese leer en onderwys vir volhoubaarheid te verwys. Daarbenewens bied die studie ’n bondige vergelykende geskiedenis van volhoubare ontwikkeling en omgewingsopvoeding in tabelvorm. Die vernaamste teoretiese temas op omgewingsopvoedkundige gebied draai om die kernrol van plek. Ses temas word aangebied, naamlik ruimte en plek, transnasionale onderwys en derdekultuurkinders, bewerings van transformasie, beginsels van omgewingsopvoeding, institusionele innovasie, en die volhoubaarheidsnavorser. Drie soorte praktiese inisiatiewe het uit die literatuuroorsig na vore getree, naamlik “braakland”-omgewingsopvoeding (splinternuwe instellings), “bewegende trein”-omgewingsopvoeding (aanpassing van bestaande organisasies) en “inprop”-omgewingsopvoeding. Agt inisiatiewe word beskryf, wat voorbeelde van ál drie hierdie groepe bied. Die tesis bied ten slotte die belangrikste lesse vir omgewingsopvoeding in Suid-Afrika en vir Suid-Afrikaanse tieners aan. Dit sluit onder andere in die waarde van die radikale perspektief, sowel as die voordeel daarvan om omgewingsopvoeding deur verskillende lense, waaronder ’n historiese een, te beskou. Die koppeling tussen omgewingsopvoeding en voedsel word verken. Die studie kom tot die gevolgtrekking dat die teorie en praktyk van plekgebaseerde onderwys ’n soort ‘beweegruimte’ vir omgewingsopvoeding in Suid-Afrika, sowel as ’n wegspringplek vir toekomstige navorsing of praktiese toepassing, bied.