The diploma thesis is focused on the voluntary tools of environmental protection, those representing a remarkably wide and variable group of tools. The aim of this thesis is to create an integrated and compendious overview of the previously mentioned tools applied not only in the Czech Republic, to outline its basic characteristics, ways of its usage, and its mutual combinations, including the analysis of the legal regulation of the voluntary tools. After the two introductory chapters dedicated to the environmental policy and the system of all tools of environmental protection the following chapter deals with the voluntary tools only, dividing them for the purposes of this diploma thesis into categories of regulatory, informative, and educational tools. Considering the extent of the topic, the author decided on a detailed analysis elaboration of the three chosen tools in the following part of the thesis. In the fourth chapter the diploma theses concentrates on the EMAS according to the Regulation (EC) No 1221/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the voluntary participation by organisations in a Community Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS), which is being compared to the second implementation option of Environmental Management System, that is represented by the internationally...

A ema (Rhea americana), é uma ave nativa da América do Sul, e pertence ao grupo das Ratitas. Considerando a importância comercial desse animal foram implantadas algumas biotecnologias reprodutivas, como coleta e avaliação de sêmen que ajudariam na preservação da espécie, assim como na disseminação de material genético. Nesse estudo utilizou-se 107 animais, dentro e fora da estação reprodutiva, com idade entre 3 e 4 anos, que encontravam-se no Estado de São Paulo, durante os anos de 2001, 2002 e 2003. Observou-se os animais para identificação de dominância. Os machos foram contidos em caixa de madeira adaptada e capuz preto. Após a contenção realizou-se a coleta de sêmen através de massagem digital. Os falos foram analisados quanto ao tamanho e formação de espiral. Alguns parâmetros seminais foram avaliados: volume, motilidade, concentração e número de espermatozóides por ejaculado. Foi coletado sangue da veia metatarsal, de animais dentro e fora da estação reprodutiva para dosagem de nível plasmático de testosterona. Dos 69 animais em estação reprodutiva, 44 apresentaram falos grandes e desses, 26 formaram espiral. A coleta de sêmen através de massagem digital mostrou-se eficiente para esses animais. O sêmen foi analisado quanto ao volume (0,68±0,14), motilidade (61,11±11,54%), concentração (3,29±1,33x109sptz/ml) e número por ejaculado (2,40±1,38x109sptz/ml) e foram descritas algumas patologias espermáticas. Encontrou-se diferença estatística significante (p=0,0161) de níveis plasmáticos de testosterona em animais dentro e fora da estação reprodutiva (53,28±18,41ng/ml e 5,57±3,81ng/ml, respectivamente). Foram relatadas variações de tamanho de falos em animais dentro e fora da estação e animais em estação reprodutiva. Observou-se que animais que apresentavam falos maiores e níveis plasmáticos de testosterona foram os considerados dominantes através de observações comportamentais. Os resultados do presente experimento confirmam a possibilidade de coleta de sêmen de emas e o seu uso em futuras biotecnologias como a inseminação artificial. / The rhea (Rhea americana), a native bird from South America, belongs to the Ratite group. Considering the commercial significance of this animal were standardize some techniques such as semen collection. These techniques aim to optimize the reproductive traits of this animal and to allow the dissemination and preservation of the genetic material of this endangered specie. In this study, 107 male rheas were used. The animals were around 3 and 4 years old and were raised in São Paulo’s State commercial breeding. Semen collections were performed during breeding and non breeding seasons of 2001, 2002 and 2003. Animals were observed in order to detect hierarchic behavior. Contention was performed using a box and a black hood. Semen collection was performed through a digital pressure in the base of the phallus, which were observed in order to detect size and spiral shape. Immediately after collection semen samples were evaluated for volume, motility, sperm concentration and morphology. In a limited number of animals, blood samples were collected by the metatarsal vein in order to measure testosterone levels. Among 69 animals in breeding season, 44 showed larger phallus and among those, 26 showed spiral shape. The method of semen collection showed good results. Semen was then evaluated for volume (0.68±0.14 ml), motility ( 61.11±11.54%), sperm concentration (3,29±1,33x109sptz/ml) and number of spermatozoa per ejaculate (2.40±1.38x109sptz/ml). Morphological abnormalities were analyzed and accounted. Statistical differences (p=0.0161) were found for testosterone levels between animals during breeding and non-breeding season (53.28±18.41ng/ml e 5.57±3.81ng/ml, respectively). It was observed that animals showed variations in phallus size during breeding and non-breeding seasons. A relationship was found between animals with larger phallus and higher testosterone levels and dominant behavior. Results of the present experiment confirmed the possibility of collecting semen from rheas in order to use it in future biotechnologies such as artificial insemination.

Este trabalho tem por objetivo descrever as características anatômicas, macroscópicas e microscópicas, dos órgãos reprodutores femininos da ema (Rhea americana). O material consistiu nos órgãos reprodutores femininos (ovário, oviduto e cloaca) de 24 fêmeas, das quais, 04 filhotes (15 dias) e 20 adultos (12 e 36 meses), oriundas da Cooperativa Emas do Brasil LTDA. Os órgãos foram fixados em formol 10% tamponado e em glutaraldeído 2,5%, PBS 0,1 M, pH 7,4, para microscopia de luz e eletrônica de varredura, respectivamente. Os resultados mostram que o ovário esquerdo ocupa a porção dorsal da cavidade celomática, em contato com a porção cranial do rim e com a glândula suprarenal, sendo sustentado na cavidade pelo mesovário. Na superfície livre do ovário observam-se folículos em diversas fases de desenvolvimento, variando de 1 a 90 mm e atrésicos com 27,6 ± 3 mm de diâmetro (n=10), unidos à superfície ovariana por um pedúnculo folicular e apresentam uma cinta esbranquiçada contornando sua superfície, o estigma folicular. Histologicamente o ovário é constituído de uma medula e um córtex e a parede dos folículos pelas tecas externa e interna, extrato granuloso e zona radiada. O oviduto possuiu comprimento médio de 1,22 ± 0,23m (n=4) e foi composto pelo infundíbulo, magno, istmo, útero e vagina, revestidos por epitélio colunar ciliado com células secretoras recobrindo as pregas luminais. O infundíbulo apresentou uma abertura cranial com fímbrias delgadas e longas. No magno estas pregas são mais espessas e volumosas, preenchidas por glândulas tubulares, representando a maior porção do oviduto. O istmo curto apresentou pregas menos volumosas e com menor quantidade de glândulas tubulares. O útero pregueado em forma de bolsa, teve uma região cranial com pregas delgadas e uma outra caudal com pregas mais ramificadas e com poucas glândulas. A vagina apresentou pregas luminais longas e espessamento da muscular, formando o músculo esfíncter vaginal. O ovário e o oviduto da ema possuem características comuns à morfologia das aves domésticas. A cloaca teve os mesmos compartimentos que outras aves, diferenciando-se pela presença da prega entre o reto e o coprodeu, permitindo separação das fezes da urina / The aim of this work was to describe the morphological characteristics of the feminine reproductive organs of rhea (Rhea americana). The material consisted of ovary, oviduct and cloaca from 24 females, 04 young chick (15 days) and 20 adult ones (12 to 36 months), from Cooperativa Emas do Brasil LTDA. Fragments of each organ were fixed in phormaldehyde 10% and glutaraldehyde 2.5%, 0.1 PBS M, pH 7.4, for light and scanning electron microscopy, respectively. Results demonstrated that left ovary occupied the dorsal portion of the celomatic cavity in contact with the cranial portion of the kidney and with the suprarenal gland, being supported in the cavity for the mesovary. On the free surface of the ovary, follicles in different phases of development were observed measuring between 1 to 90 mm and atresic, measuring 27.6 ± 3 mm of diameter (n=10), linked to the ovarian surface by one follicular stalk and presents a white band surrounding its surface, the stigma folliculare. Histologically, the ovary is constituted by the medulla and the cortex, and the follicular wall by the theca externa and theca interna, stratum granulosum and the zona radiata. The oviduct possess average length of 1.20 ± 0.23m (n=4) and was composed by infundibulum, magnum, isthmus, uterus and vagina, covered by a ciliated columnar epithelium on luminal folds. The infundibulum presents a cranial opening with long and thin fimbriae. The magnum represent the bigger part of oviduct and have a increased thickness of the mucosa with big folds, composed by tubular glands and with a pseudostratifed ciliated epithelium. The isthmus is short with small luminal folds and less tubular glands. The uterus was folded with global form, it had a cranial region with thin folds and a caudal part with folds branched and a few tubular glands. The vagina had long luminal folds and the muscular layer was thicker forming the musculus sphincter vaginae. The ovary and oviduct of the rhea possessed similar characteristics to the one from domestic birds. The cloaca had the same compartments cited in other birds, with the fold between coprodeu and rectum, which make the feces and urine separation, as difference

A ema (Rhea americana), é uma ave nativa da América do Sul, e pertence ao grupo das Ratitas. Considerando a importância comercial desse animal foram implantadas algumas biotecnologias reprodutivas, como coleta e avaliação de sêmen que ajudariam na preservação da espécie, assim como na disseminação de material genético. Nesse estudo utilizou-se 107 animais, dentro e fora da estação reprodutiva, com idade entre 3 e 4 anos, que encontravam-se no Estado de São Paulo, durante os anos de 2001, 2002 e 2003. Observou-se os animais para identificação de dominância. Os machos foram contidos em caixa de madeira adaptada e capuz preto. Após a contenção realizou-se a coleta de sêmen através de massagem digital. Os falos foram analisados quanto ao tamanho e formação de espiral. Alguns parâmetros seminais foram avaliados: volume, motilidade, concentração e número de espermatozóides por ejaculado. Foi coletado sangue da veia metatarsal, de animais dentro e fora da estação reprodutiva para dosagem de nível plasmático de testosterona. Dos 69 animais em estação reprodutiva, 44 apresentaram falos grandes e desses, 26 formaram espiral. A coleta de sêmen através de massagem digital mostrou-se eficiente para esses animais. O sêmen foi analisado quanto ao volume (0,68±0,14), motilidade (61,11±11,54%), concentração (3,29±1,33x109sptz/ml) e número por ejaculado (2,40±1,38x109sptz/ml) e foram descritas algumas patologias espermáticas. Encontrou-se diferença estatística significante (p=0,0161) de níveis plasmáticos de testosterona em animais dentro e fora da estação reprodutiva (53,28±18,41ng/ml e 5,57±3,81ng/ml, respectivamente). Foram relatadas variações de tamanho de falos em animais dentro e fora da estação e animais em estação reprodutiva. Observou-se que animais que apresentavam falos maiores e níveis plasmáticos de testosterona foram os considerados dominantes através de observações comportamentais. Os resultados do presente experimento confirmam a possibilidade de coleta de sêmen de emas e o seu uso em futuras biotecnologias como a inseminação artificial. / The rhea (Rhea americana), a native bird from South America, belongs to the Ratite group. Considering the commercial significance of this animal were standardize some techniques such as semen collection. These techniques aim to optimize the reproductive traits of this animal and to allow the dissemination and preservation of the genetic material of this endangered specie. In this study, 107 male rheas were used. The animals were around 3 and 4 years old and were raised in São Paulo’s State commercial breeding. Semen collections were performed during breeding and non breeding seasons of 2001, 2002 and 2003. Animals were observed in order to detect hierarchic behavior. Contention was performed using a box and a black hood. Semen collection was performed through a digital pressure in the base of the phallus, which were observed in order to detect size and spiral shape. Immediately after collection semen samples were evaluated for volume, motility, sperm concentration and morphology. In a limited number of animals, blood samples were collected by the metatarsal vein in order to measure testosterone levels. Among 69 animals in breeding season, 44 showed larger phallus and among those, 26 showed spiral shape. The method of semen collection showed good results. Semen was then evaluated for volume (0.68±0.14 ml), motility ( 61.11±11.54%), sperm concentration (3,29±1,33x109sptz/ml) and number of spermatozoa per ejaculate (2.40±1.38x109sptz/ml). Morphological abnormalities were analyzed and accounted. Statistical differences (p=0.0161) were found for testosterone levels between animals during breeding and non-breeding season (53.28±18.41ng/ml e 5.57±3.81ng/ml, respectively). It was observed that animals showed variations in phallus size during breeding and non-breeding seasons. A relationship was found between animals with larger phallus and higher testosterone levels and dominant behavior. Results of the present experiment confirmed the possibility of collecting semen from rheas in order to use it in future biotechnologies such as artificial insemination.

The purpose and aim of this study are to examine how quality control and assurance is performed and how it varies in different regions around the world and strive towards international standardization of quality assurance. The foundation to the idea of this study is a Swedish company, called Runway Safe, working with international affairs regarding a safety solution for airport runways. To complete the study, cultural differences and structural differences in organizations comes to consideration.

ABSTRACT Self-supply is widely reported across various contexts, filling gaps left by other forms of water supply provision. This research assesses low-cost household groundwater supply technologies in markets in developing country contexts of sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America, with a focus on the potential for improving Self-supply technology implementation and markets in sub-Saharan Africa. Specifically, a mature and unsubsidized Self-supply market for Pitcher Pump systems (suction pumps fitted onto hand-driven boreholes) is studied in an urban context in Madagascar, EMAS low-cost water supply technologies are assessed in Bolivia, and a technical comparison is completed with manual EMAS Pumps and family versions of the Rope Pump in Uganda. In Madagascar, locally manufactured Pitcher Pump systems are widely provided by the local private sector, enabling households to access shallow groundwater. This market has developed over several decades, reaching a level of maturity and scale, with 9000 of these systems estimated to be in use in the eastern port city of Tamatave. The market is supplied by more than 50 small businesses that manufacture and install the systems at lower cost (US$35-100) than a connection to the piped water supply system. Mixed methods are used to assess the performance of the Pitcher Pump systems and characteristics of the market. Discussion includes a description of the manufacturing process and sales network that supply Pitcher Pump systems, environmental health concerns related to water quality, pump performance and system management. The research additionally considers the potential of EMAS low-cost household water supply technologies in accelerating Self-supply in sub-Saharan Africa, and consists of a field assessment of EMAS groundwater supply systems (handpumps on manually-driven boreholes) and rainwater harvesting systems as used at the household level in Bolivia, focusing on user experiences and the medium/long-term sustainability of the pump (cost, functionality, etc.). The EMAS Pump is a low-cost manual water-lifting device appropriate for use at the household level. Developed in the 1980s, the EMAS Pump has been marketed extensively for local manufacture and use at the household level in Bolivia, and marketed to a lesser extent in other developing countries (mainly in South and Central America). The simple design of the EMAS Pump, using materials commonly found locally in developing countries, allows for it to be fabricated in many rural developing community contexts. Its capability for pumping from significant depths to heights above the pump head makes it quite versatile (e.g. for pumping to household tanks, reservoirs at higher elevations, or for installing multiple pumps on wells). A survey/inspection of 79 EMAS Pumps on household water supply systems in areas of three regions of Bolivia (La Paz, Santa Cruz and Beni regions) showed nearly all EMAS Pumps (78 out of 79) to be operational. 85% of these operational pumps were found to be functioning normally, including 72% that were reported to have been installed eleven or more years earlier. It is shown that rural households in Bolivia are able to maintain EMAS Pumps. The EMAS Pump can be installed and repaired by local technicians, and numerous examples were seen of small groups of local technicians that operate small businesses installing and repairing such systems. The cost of a new EMAS Pump was reported by users to be US$ 30-45. Maintenance and repair costs of the EMAS Pump were found to be reasonable, with pump valve replacement (the repair most commonly reported by users) costing an average of US$9 (materials and labor). The Rope Pump has some similar attributes to the EMAS Pump, in that it is can be made locally from materials commonly available in developing communities, it has a relatively low cost, and is simple to understand. The Rope Pump is well-known among international rural water supply professionals, and thus serves as a good baseline to compare the lesser-known EMAS Pump. A technical comparison completed in Uganda of the EMAS Pump and the Rope Pump considered performance (flow rates and energy expended, pumping from various depths), material costs, and requirements for local manufacture. The study concluded that, based on its relative low-cost (material costs ranging from 21-60% that of the family Rope Pump, dependent on depth and pumping pipe size), similar technical performance to the Rope Pump when pumping from a range of depths, and the minimal resources needed to construct it, the EMAS Pump has potential for success in household water supply systems in sub-Saharan Africa. Combined with the conclusion from the research in Bolivia, it is believed that there is considerable potential for the EMAS Pump as a low-cost option for Self-supply systems in sub-Saharan Africa. Recommendations for further research focus on: (1) improvements to the Pitcher Pump system (focusing on reducing risk of water contamination); (2) formative research to identify factors that have led to the sustainability of the Pitcher Pump market in eastern Madagascar, and (3) development of the Self-Supply Market in Madagascar beyond Pitcher Pump systems.

<p>Denna rapport undersöker hur förutsättningarna ser ut för att främja miljöteknikexporten i Norrköpings kommun, vilka hinder och möjligheter det finns. Rapporten undersöker även hur näringslivet arbetar med de interna miljöfrågorna inom företagen och hur näringslivet uppfattar företagsklimatet är i Norrköping. Undersökningen gjordes med en enkätundersökning som gick ut till 120 näringsutövare, dock var svarsfrekvensen så låg som 36 procent och denna rapport kan endast ses som ett vägledande dokument för vidare undersökningar. I den första delen undersöktes hur företagen arbetar internt med miljöfrågor. Enkäten tog upp frågeställningar såsom vilka eller vilket verktyg som företagen använde sig av i arbetet. 37 procent av de tillfrågade svarade att de använder sig av ett miljöledningssystem, ungefär lika många svarade att de arbetar med ett miljöarbete men använder sig inte av något särskilt verktyg för detta. Den starkaste drivkraften för miljöarbetet var kundkraven, 24 procent uppgav detta. 19 procent uppgav att lagkraven var den främsta drivkraften. 20 procent uppgav att det egna engagemanget varden största drivkraften. Det största hindret för ett fortsatt miljöarbete var tid- och resurs brist, men 37 procent av de tillfrågade uppgav att det inte fanns några hinder. Den främsta motiveringen till miljöarbetet var de miljömässiga fördelarna, 35 procent uppgav detta. 60 procent av de tillfrågade skulle vilja stärka sitt miljöarbete med någon form av samarbete med antingen andra företag, Norrköpings kommun eller Linköpings universitet. 36 procent svarade att de inte hade något behov av samarbete. I den andra delen av enkäten togs frågor som rör miljöteknikexport upp. Detta anses som en stark växande marknad där Sverige anses ha en god möjligheter på den internationella marknaden. Dock var svarsfrekvensen på dessa frågor mycket låg att det inte kan anses som vägledande. En orsak till den låga svarsfrekvensen kan vara att detta är ett ganska nytt begrepp och att företagarna inte visste hur de skulle förhålla sig till det. 9 procent av de tillfrågade företagarna visste inte om de hade en vara eller tjänst som föll inom ramen för det som kallas miljöteknik. Ändock var företagarna utvalda i enkäten efter om de har en vara eller tjänst som faller inom ramen för miljöteknik. Den tredje delen av enkäten upptog frågor som rör företagsklimatet i Norrköpings kommun. Näringslivskontoret har tagit fram olika faktorer som kan påverka näringslivet, såsom vilka hot det finns, möjligheter, styrkor och svagheter med Norrköping. Bland de styrkor som företagarna ansåg vara bra i Norrköping var bland annat det geografiska läget, tillgängligheten, stark storstadsregion och Linköpings universitet. De svagheter som nämndes var bland annat brist på kommunala visioner och målbilder. De möjligheter som företagarna ansåg att Norrköping har är bland annat lanseringen som landets 4:e storstadsregion, och en förstärkt och tydlig marknadsföring av Norrköping. Det största hotet mot kommunen ansåg företagarna vara nedläggning eller utflyttning av företag ochverksamheter.</p>

I denna uppsats diskuteras problematiken kring användandet av miljöredovisningen som ett beslutsunderlag vid leverantörsval. Syftet är att ta reda på om Vattenfall AB Värme Uppsalas miljöredovisning uppfyller de krav som ställs på den av externa intressenter i egenskap av beslutsunderlag. För att uppfylla detta syfte har de externa intressenternas intressen representerats av IASB:s kvalitativa egenskaper. På grund av denna substitution har vi valt att samla in det empiriska materialet genom intervjuer med två anställda på Vattenfall AB Värme Uppsala som arbetar med miljöredovisningen. Empiriskt material har även insamlats genom en källanalys av ”Säkerhet, hälsa och miljö 2006” som är den publikation där Vattenfall AB Värme Uppsalas miljöredovisning ingår. Den teoretiska referensramen består av ISO 14001:s 17 kategorier av miljöledningssystemet, EMAS krav på offentliggörande av information samt de tidigare nämnda kvalitativa egenskaperna. Den slutsats som har uppnåtts genom att ställa empirin mot teorin är att de krav som antas ställas av externa intressenter på Vattenfall AB Värme Uppsalas miljöredovisning till viss del är uppfyllda. Företaget möter dock delvis problem när det gäller att realisera tankar som kan relateras till de kvalitativa egenskaperna.

For standardized environmental management systems (EMS) to be environmentally effective tools, they should affect important environmental aspects related to flows of materials and energy, which for manufacturing companies are closely connected to their products. This paper presents how external environmental auditors interpret and apply important product-related requirements of ISO 14001 at manufacturing companies in Sweden. The results indicate that the link between EMS and products is rather weak. Products are seldom regarded as significant environmental aspects and are therefore not within the main scope of many EMS, which are mainly focused on sites. However, all of the interviewed auditors require that some kind of environmental considerations be incorporated into product development, but these considerations are to large extent site oriented; how they are prioritized in relation to other factors such as economics and other customer priorities appears to be up to the companies. The paper includes some recommendations to strengthen the role of products within the framework of standardized EMS.

Els ports de mar constitueixen una infraestructura molt important en els països costaners, tant des del punt de vista econòmic com social. Però a la vegada són sistemes molt complexes des del punt de vista ambiental, ja que poden crear impactes significatius sobre l'entorn, magnificats sovint per la seva habitual proximitat a nuclis urbans. Per tant, l'equilibri entre la conservació del medi costaner i la continuïtat de les activitats antròpiques en aquesta zona és força difícil d'aconseguir. En aquesta tesi han estat identificats els principals impactes ambientals generats per l'activitat portuària (emissions a l'aigua, a l'aire, soroll, etc.), destacant de forma especial l'impacte ambiental accidental. El primer pas per tal de minimitzar aquests impactes és dur a terme una gestió adequada dels aspectes ambientals. Per això, s'han analitzat les metodologies existents en el camp de la gestió ambiental en ports, i s'ha arribat a la conclusió que existia la necessitat de crear una metodologia específica per avaluar la gestió ambiental en ports de mar. La metodologia desenvolupada consta de dues eines, per una banda el mètode d'autodiagnosi ambiental (SDM) per avaluar l'estat de la gestió ambiental en ports i, per altra, el mètode per a identificar i valorar aspectes ambientals significatius (SOSEA).L'SDM s'estructura en forma de qüestionari i cobreix els principals requeriments dels estàndards ambientals pel que fa a la gestió ambiental (ISO 14001 i EMAS). Permet identificar els punts forts i febles de la gestió que es duu a terme, tenir la referència dels ports europeus i fixar mesures de millora ambiental.El SOSEA es basa en l'aplicació d'una matriu activitats/aspectes, un qüestionari i una llista de comprovació. A partir de la informació obtinguda en aquests apartats es pot identificar els aspectes ambientals més importants i avaluar com s'està duent a terme la seva gestió.Aquestes eines han estat desenvolupades en el marc del projecte europeu ECOPORTS (2002-2005) i, per al seu disseny i prova, s'ha treballat amb estreta col·laboració amb els ports europeus. Finalment, ambdues eines han estat aplicades a un grup de ports (Goteborg, Barcelona, Gènova, Rotterdam, etc.) i s'ha pogut veure que els resultats de la seva aplicació han estat clarament positius, tant pel que fa a la seva acceptació com a la seva utilitat. / The sea ports are very important for the coastal areas, not only from the economic point of view but also from the social one. But at the same time, they are very complex systems from the environmental point of view since the port activities may create significant impacts on the environment and also disturb the nearby urban areas. So, the equilibrium between nature conservation and port activities in this area is quite difficult to attain.The main environmental impacts created by the port activities (water emissions, air emissions, dust, etc.) have been identified in this thesis, stressing in an important way the accidental (environmental) impact.The first step in order to minimize such impacts is to undertake an adequate management of the environmental issues. In this sense, the main environmental management initiatives in port have been described, concluding that it was necessary to develop a new methodology to assess the environmental management in sea ports.The methodology developed consists of two tools, on one hand the self diagnosis method (SDM) to assess the situation of the environmental management in ports and on the other hand the strategic overview of significant environmental aspects (SOSEA) to identify and assess the significant environmental aspects.SDM is a questionnaire where the main sections required for the implementation of an environmental management system are represented. It also follows the main requirements of ISO 14001. SDM feedback allows the ports to identify the strengths and weaknesses, to compare the results with the European Benchmark and to set up measures for the environmental improvement. SOSEA is based on the application of a matrix of activities/aspects, a questionnaire and a checklist. From the information gathered in these sections it is possible to identify the significant environmental aspects and assess their management. These tools have been developed in the frame of ECOPORTS project (2002-2005), funded by the European Union. For the design and test of the tools a very close collaboration with ports has been carried out.Finally, both tools have been applied to a group of ports (Gothenburg, Barcelona, Genoa, Rotterdam, etc.) and the results of their application have been clearly positive, not only for the good acceptance of the tools but also for their utility.