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The aim of this thesis is to test the hypothesis that by increasing the amount of waste material that is reused and recycled, the UK construction industry can become more sustainable. Construction waste reclamation is increasing as a result of demonstration projects, encouraged by the landfill tax and the impending primary aggregates levy. However, much of the recovered material is used for low-grade purposes and there is still a reticence to embrace its widespread use in higher specification applications as a direct substitute for primary materials. Applying sustainability principles to construction waste management requires a lifecycle approach whereby the social, economic and environmental impacts are considered of both the raw and secondary materials chain. Using data from a number of case studies, a lifecycle assessmenmt odel was created within which the impacts from five alternative waste management scenarios were compared. The impacts were evaluated using economic valuation and multicriteria techniques to provide an overall picture of the relative sustainability of the alternative options. Sensitivity analyses were used to test the validity and robustness of the results in the light of data uncertainty and other variations. The results suggest that managing construction waste further up the waste management hierarchy will result in a more sustainableU K construction industry. The financial costs follow a similar pattern, which raises the question of why recycled materials are not more widely substituted for primary materials. It is concluded that there may be additional factors that are difficult to include within an LCA such as market and information failures, the timing of materials supply and demand and industry confidence. Unless addressed, such factors will continue to limit the extent to which secondary materials replace primary materials in the industry and therefore the sustainability benefits that can be realised

The purpose in this thesis was to undertake a bioeconomic analysis of the fisheries of the English Channel. An economic survey of the fishery was undertaken to establish the economic and financial performance of the various fleet segments in the fishery in 1994-95. It was found that the fishery as a whole was producing negligible levels of resource rent, although some boat owners were receiving intra-marginal rents. Long run equilibrium models of sole and plaice were developed and the optimal (profit maximising) level of effort (in beam trawl hours equivalent) was estimated. It was found that the optimal level of effort was substantially lower than the current level of effort expended on these two species. A method for estimating surplus production models which incorporate decreasing returns to effort was also developed and applied to the fishery. A linear programming (LP) model was also developed which incorporate the multi-species and multi-gear features of the fishery. The model was used to estimate the maximum level of profits that could be achieved in the fishery given existing stock conditions. It was found that profits could be increased substantially, but at the cost of a large reduction in fishing employment. A compromise `optimal' was estimate using multi-objective (goal programming) techniques. The LP model was also used to estimate the effects of a restriction on days at sea and reduced total allowable catches of sole and plaice. It was estimated that these policies would impose additional costs on various segments of the fishery, particularly the trawl segments to which they are targeted. Benefits, if any, were likely to be negligible as the policies were estimated to result in increased discarding rather than decreased catch. The model results suggest that the long term level of effort may be more effectively reduced through implementing a charge on access to, or use of, the resource.

Public recognition of the value of wetlands has risen quickly over the past 25 years and numerous policies and programs have been developed to address threats to the quantity and quality of wetlands. However, management of wetland resources located on private land often involves a perceived conflict between social and private interests since landowners usually cannot benefit economically from keeping wetlands on site unless they convert them to alternative uses such as agricultural crops. In order to avoid further degradation and ensure the various environmental benefits wetlands provide, there is a need for government intervention by delivering effective policies. This will be realized through an effective economic valuation process for wetland benefits.<p> This thesis investigates wetland and riparian zones management, with greater emphasis placed on the Prairie Pothole Region (PPR) of Saskatchewan where the majority of the land is privately owned. Using data from a survey of landowners, the perceived cost of conserving wetland and associated riparian zones is quantified through their willingness to accept (WTA) compensation for a proposed 10-year economic incentive-based program. In addition, the role of landowner and farm characteristics on this perceived cost of conservation has also been assessed. As indicated by the results from two probit models that were developed, per acre payment has a significant positive effect on the probability a landowner will accept the program offer; the average payment respondents required being $32.58/acre. Other factors such as the landowners previous experience dealing with the wetland, personal preferences correlated with economic benefits and landowners who have an heir to take over the farm are also found to have significant impact on their participation decision. For those respondents who did not complete the WTA question, past relative experience, knowledge about wetlands, age, and the agricultural region the farm is located are revealed to be factors that affect to the provision of an explicit answer.

Public recognition of the value of wetlands has risen quickly over the past 25 years and numerous policies and programs have been developed to address threats to the quantity and quality of wetlands. However, management of wetland resources located on private land often involves a perceived conflict between social and private interests since landowners usually cannot benefit economically from keeping wetlands on site unless they convert them to alternative uses such as agricultural crops. In order to avoid further degradation and ensure the various environmental benefits wetlands provide, there is a need for government intervention by delivering effective policies. This will be realized through an effective economic valuation process for wetland benefits.<p> This thesis investigates wetland and riparian zones management, with greater emphasis placed on the Prairie Pothole Region (PPR) of Saskatchewan where the majority of the land is privately owned. Using data from a survey of landowners, the perceived cost of conserving wetland and associated riparian zones is quantified through their willingness to accept (WTA) compensation for a proposed 10-year economic incentive-based program. In addition, the role of landowner and farm characteristics on this perceived cost of conservation has also been assessed. As indicated by the results from two probit models that were developed, per acre payment has a significant positive effect on the probability a landowner will accept the program offer; the average payment respondents required being $32.58/acre. Other factors such as the landowners previous experience dealing with the wetland, personal preferences correlated with economic benefits and landowners who have an heir to take over the farm are also found to have significant impact on their participation decision. For those respondents who did not complete the WTA question, past relative experience, knowledge about wetlands, age, and the agricultural region the farm is located are revealed to be factors that affect to the provision of an explicit answer.

京都大学 / 0048 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(農学) / 甲第21823号 / 農博第2336号 / 新制||農||1067(附属図書館) / 学位論文||H31||N5195(農学部図書室) / 京都大学大学院農学研究科生物資源経済学専攻 / (主査)教授 栗山 浩一, 教授 伊藤 順一, 教授 梅津 千恵子 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Agricultural Science / Kyoto University / DGAM

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Serviços Ecossistêmicos (SEco) podem ser definidos, de forma geral, como as funções, estruturas, processos naturais ou outros componentes dos ecossistemas, que fornecem, direta ou indiretamente, bem-estar para a população humana atual e futura, e afetam as pessoas e os serviços de apoio necessários para manter outros serviços. Os SEco são agrupados segundo quatros funções: regulação, provisão, suporte e cultural. As bacias dos rios Itaguaré e Guaratuba drenam uma planície costeira formada por diferentes ambientes de sedimentação (Unidades Quaternárias) de idade pleistocênica a atual. A cobertura florestal é bem preservada e forma um mosaico diversificado e condicionado à distribuição desses ambientes, e cuja associação resulta num conjunto de sub-biomas distribuídos entre a praia e a baixamédia encosta da Serra do Mar. Essas bacias abrigam seis Unidades de Conservação (UC) da natureza e terras indígenas. O presente estudo teve como objetivo principal identificar e valorar, em unidade monetária, os principais SEco existentes nas duas bacias. Para tanto, foi necessário construir abordagens metodológicas específicas para cada SEco identificado, baseadas na literatura disponível e/ou adaptada à área de estudo, mas sempre levando em consideração os dados ambientais e socioeconômicos disponíveis. A base espacial para a caracterização da maioria dos SEco descritos foi o mapa de sub-biomas existente. A valoração econômica dos SEco foi realizada sob a perspectiva da Economia Ambiental. Além dos SEco, foram também valorados o capital natural (recursos naturais) e o valor de existência dos ambientes naturais. Foram identificados e valorados 14 SEco, distribuídos nas seguintes funções e categorias: a) serviços de regulação regulação do clima (global e local temperatura e poluição), proteção da linha de costa oceânica, prevenção de escorregamentos, prevenção de inundações e enchentes; b) serviços de provisão oferta de água, alimentos (palmito e pescado) e matéria-prima; c) serviços culturais recreação (praia, trilhas e pesca desportiva) e ciência e educação. No que se refere ao capital natural, foi valorado o armazenamento de carbono (também conhecido como sequestro de C). O valor de existência foi atribuído para as UC e os manguezais presentes na área de estudo. Os resultados mostram que os ecossistemas das bacias dos rios Itaguaré e Guaratuba fornecem cerca de US$ 71 milhões de dólares em benefícios econômicos a cada ano, valor este 100 vezes maior que o ICMS ecológico atribuído ao município de Bertioga. O total de aproximadamente US$ 10 bilhões em valor presente líquido avaliado para cinco SEco evidencia a importância da manutenção dessas florestas e das áreas naturais protegidas para as gerações futuras, em especial para a regulação do clima e a prevenção de desastres naturais. / Ecosystem services (SEco) can be broadly defined as the functions, structures, natural processes, or other components of ecosystems that directly or indirectly provide wellbeing to the present and future human population, and affect people and support services needed to maintain other services. The SEco are grouped according to four functions: regulation, provision, support and cultural. The watersheds of the Itaguaré and Guaratuba rivers drain a coastal plain formed by different sedimentation environments (Quaternary Units) from the pleistocene to present ages. The forest cover is well preserved and forms a diverse mosaic, conditioned to the distribution of these environments, and whose association results in a set of sub-biomes distributed between the beach and the low-middle slope of the Serra do Mar. These watersheds contain six Protected Area and indigenous lands as well. The main objective of this study was to identify and apply the economic valuation in the main ecosystem services (SEco) in both watersheds. To do so, it was necessary to build specific methodological approaches for each SEco identified, based on available literature and/or adapted to the study area, but always taking into account available environmental and socioeconomic data. The spatial basis for the characterization of most of the SEco described was the map of existing sub-biomes. The economic valuation of SEco was carried out from the perspective of the Environmental Economy. In addition to SEco, the natural capital (natural resources) and the existence value of natural environments were also valued.A total of 14 SEco were identified and rated, distributed in the following functions and categories: a) regulation services - climate regulation (global and local), protection of the ocean coastline, prevention of landslides, flood and flood prevention; B) provision services - supply of water, food (heart of palm and fish) and raw materials; C) cultural services - recreation (beach, trails and sport fishing), science and education. With regard to natural capital, carbon storage (also known as C sequestration) was valued. The existence value was attributed to the Protected Areas and mangroves present in the study area.The results show that the ecosystems of the Itaguaré and Guaratuba watersheds provide about US$71 million in economic benefits each year, an amount that is 100 times greater than the ecological ICMS attributed to the municipality of Bertioga. The total of approximately US$10 billion in net present value assessed for the five SEco highlights the importance of maintaining thes forests and natural protected areas for future generations, especially for climate regulation and natural disaster prevention.

É possível identificar os benefícios socioeconômicos promovidos pela conservação da biodiversidade através dos serviços ambientais que uma Unidade de Conservação pode prover. É exequível traduzi-los em valores econômicos e assim demonstrar, quantitativamente, o papel significativo dessas áreas naturais protegidas. A literatura especializada em Economia do Meio Ambiente aponta a contribuição da valoração econômica ambiental para a formulação de políticas públicas responsivas à essas áreas naturais protegidas, quando os atores envolvidos em um processo decisório detêm informações sobre os bens e serviços ambientais que essas áreas oferecem à sociedade. Neste âmbito, as Unidades de Conservação podem ser consideradas peças-chaves para promover os estudos de valoração econômica ambiental, tais estudos podem contribuir com aportes a uma percepção social sobre a prioridade de criar medidas relacionadas à conservação dos benefícios ambientais contidos nessas áreas. Desse modo, o presente trabalho objetivou apresentar um panorama das iniciativas voltadas para a valoração econômica ambiental em Unidades de Conservação no contexto brasileiro, com ênfase para o Estado de São Paulo. A fim de alcançar este objetivo foram analisadas: i) a inserção da valoração econômica ambiental na agenda de pesquisa sobre as Unidades de Conservação brasileiras e ii) a inserção da valoração econômica ambiental nos Planos de Manejo das Unidades de Conservação estaduais de São Paulo. Para tanto, foi realizado um levantamento das publicações acadêmicas brasileiras sobre a temática, a partir de uma revisão bibliográfica sistemática e da análise qualitativa documental, com base na consulta dos Planos de Manejo das Unidades de Conservação estaduais de São Paulo, assim como, entrevistas com atores e instituições responsáveis pela gerência dessas áreas. O resultado permite traçar um panorama geral sobre a agenda de pesquisa, assim como, a inserção desta temática nos Planos de Manejo das Unidades de Conservação paulistas. Foi possível identificar a incipiência das iniciativas voltadas para a valoração econômica ambiental em Unidades de Conservação em ambos contextos. Em relação à agenda de pesquisa brasileira foi possível revelar a preferência da adoção metodológica de valoração advinda do mainstream neoclássico, assim como a disparidade dos estudos entre as categorias de manejo das Unidades de Conservação e entre os biomas brasileiros, prevalecendo aqueles considerados hotspots mundiais de biodiversidade. No planejamento das Unidades de Conservação paulistas, verificou-se um número ínfimo de Planos de Manejo que fazem menção à valoração econômica ambiental, além disso, não foi identificada nenhuma proposta metodológica para a implementação de programas ou projetos relacionados ao tema nessas áreas naturais protegidas. Ademais, não foi identificada uma ascensão da temática ao longo dos períodos analisados, tanto na agenda de pesquisa brasileira quanto nos Planos de Manejo das UCs estaduais de São Paulo. / The benefits of biodiversity conservation can be identified through the ecosystem services that a protected area may provide. It is feasible to translate such benefits into economic values and thus, demonstrate quantitatively the significant role of these protected natural areas. Economics of the Environment\'s literature points out the economic valuation of the environmental contribution to the formulation of responsive public policies for these protected natural areas when the involved actors in a decision-making process hold information about the environmental goods and services that these areas provide to the society. In this context, the protected areas can be considered key pieces to promote the studies of environmental economic valuation, which may contribute to a social perception about the priority of creating measures related to the conservation of the environmental benefits contained in these areas. Hence, this study aimed to present an overview of initiatives focused on environmental economic valuation of protected areas in the Brazilian\'s context with emphasis on the State of São Paulo. In order to achieve this goal these items were analyzed: i) the incorporation of environmental economic valuation on the research agenda on Brazilian protected areas and ii) the inclusion of environmental economic valuation in state management plans of protected areas of São Paulo. For the sake of this objective, we conducted a survey of Brazilian academic publications on the subject relying on a systematic literature review and documentary qualitative analysis, counting on the consultation of management plans of protected São Paulo\'s state areas, as well as interviews with actors and institutions responsible for the management of these areas. The result allows us to draw an overview of the research agenda as well as the inclusion of this issue in the Management Plans of Sao Paulo protected areas. It was possible to identify the incipient initiatives focused on environmental economic valuation of protected areas in both contexts. Regarding the Brazilian research agenda was possible to reveal the preference of adoption of methodological arising valuation of the neoclassical mainstream, as well as the gap between studies of the categories of management of protected areas, among biomes, prevailing those considered the world\'s biodiversity hotspots. In the of Sao Paulo protected areas, there was a very small number of Management Plans that make mention of environmental economic valuation, moreover, did not identify any methodological proposal for the implementation of programs or projects related to the theme in these protected natural areas. Moreover, it has no obvious rise of the theme over the period analyzed, both on the Brazilian research agenda and in the Management Plans of the state of São Paulo UCs.

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