The purpose of this study was to make a contribution towards decision–making in complex environmental problems, especially where data is limited and associated with a high degree of uncertainty. As a young scientist, I understood the value of science as a measuring and quantification tool and used to intuitively believe that science was exact and could provide undisputable answers. It was in 1997, during the Safety Assessments done at the Vaalputs National Radioactive Waste Repository that my belief system was challenged. This occurred after there were numerous scientific studies done on the site that was started since the early 1980’s, yet with no conclusion as to how safe the site is in terms of radioactive waste disposal. The Safety Assessment process was developed by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to transform the scientific investigations and data into decision–making information for the purposes of radioactive waste management. It was also during the Vaalputs investigations when I learned the value of lateral thinking. There were numerous scientists with doctorate and master’s degrees that worked on the site of which I was one. One of the important requirements was to measure evaporation at the local weather station close to the repository. It was specifically important to measure evaporation as a controlling parameter in the unsaturated zone models. Evaporation was measured with an Apan that is filled with water so that the losses can be measured. Vaalputs is a very dry place and water is scarce. The local weather station site was fenced off, but there was a problem in that the aardvark dug below the fence and drank the water in the A–pan, so that no measurements were possible. The solution from the scientists was to put the fence deeper into the ground. The aardvark did not find it hard to dig even deeper. The next solution was to put a second fence around the weather station and again the aardvark dug below it to drink the water. It was then that Mr Robbie Schoeman, a technician became aware of the problem and put a drinking water container outside the weather station fence for the aardvark and – the problem was solved at a fraction of the cost of the previous complex solutions. I get in contact with the same thinking patterns that intuitively expect that the act of scientific investigations will provide decision–making information or even solve the problem. If the investigation provides more questions than answers, the quest is for more and more data on more detailed scales. There is a difference between problem characterization and solution viidentification. Problem characterization requires scientific and critical thinking, which is an important component but that has to be incorporated with the solution identification process of creative thinking towards decision–making. I am a scientist by heart, but it was necessary to realise that apart from research, practical science must feed into a higher process, such as decision–making to be able to make a practical difference. The process of compilation of this thesis meant a lot to me as I initially thought of doing a PhD and then it changed me, especially in the way I think. This was a life changing process, which is good. As Jesus said in Mathew 3:2 And saying, Repent (think differently; change your mind, regretting your sins and changing your conduct), for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Geography and Environmental Studies))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

The late 1960s witnessed an unprecedented interest in the environment. One of the intellectual characteristics of this period was the rise of ecocentrism, a form of ecological reasoning that challenged the domination of anthropocentric environmental thinking and practice. The thesis briefly reviews the evolution of ecological forms of reason, and then poses two questions. The first question asks: "What is ecological reason and how does the literature conceptualise it?" This leads to a theoretical analysis of the forms of ecological reason discernable in the literature, and results in a 'matrix of ecological reason'. The three primary forms of ecological reason are described as 'Technocentric Ecology', 'Discursive Ecology' and 'Eco-social Ecology'. They differ in respect to different dimensions of ecological reason, the forms of communication employed (drawing here on Habermas), and the level of commitment to anthropocentrism or ecocentrism. This 'matrix' highlights the contested nature of ecological reason in the literature, and demonstrates that there is, yet, no clear agreement on what it means, or should mean. The second question examines the ecological rationality of environmental practice. The 'matrix' is employed in three case studies of environmental decisions that take place under the New Zealand Resource Management Act (RMA), and investigates the forms of ecological reason expressed in these decision processes. The results of this analysis show that Eco-social Ecology barely registers in these case studies, while the other two forms of ecological reason. Technocentric Ecology and Discursive Ecology are both highly visible in the rationality of the RMA, but with two important qualifiers. First, although there is a commitment to Discursive Ecology on the part of many professionals, there is also much concern that this form of reason undermines quality environmental decisions. Thus, there is significant ambiguity as to the role of the community (an important dimension of Discursive Ecology). This leads to the second qualifier. There is an uneasy relationship between these two forms of reason, at both the theoretical and practice level. This tension underpins the competing visions of the RMA as a scientifically driven process and as a community process. This thesis argues that this tension does not provide for a secure marriage of these two visions.

This thesis aims to find out what the role of the Constitutional Court of the Czech Republic in environmental protection is. It should be found out through analysis of the case-law in this field. At first it follows up the characteristics and history of the Constitutional Court of the Czech Republic. It continues by talking about sources of environmental law and the most important chapter contains analysis of the cases. The thesis discusses the right to the favorable environment, the right to environmental information, the EIA procedure, the Aarhus Convention and the collision of the right to a favorable environment with other rights and freedoms as the most important topics. The thesis showed that the Constitutional Court ruled several times during his practice significantly in favor of the environment. But the less positive conclusion of the thesis is that Czech Republic law does not fully comply with the Aarhus Convention despite it is our obligation. The Constitutional Court will surely deal with this topic again. And the praxes will show us whether we are able to move our legislation closer to public participation in the processess related to the environment. Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)

Sustainability thinking and environmental questions are often in the center of news today. Our planet is changing and us humans need to change our lifestyle in order to avoid potentially devastating events. New laws and regulations, along with new sustainability goals, are constantly arriving around the world. Within the maritime industry, multiple emission goals have recently been implemented which puts a lot of pressure on shipping companies around the world. This thesis introduces a new sales-tool, The Ecolometer, which purpose is to support sales-processes within Volvo Penta. The tool uses a Product Environmental Footprint methodology to quantify different environmental impact categories based on the Nine Planetary Boundaries model. Based on the Planetary Boundaries model, some focus categories have been selected which has been set as requirements for the new tool. The tool have been validated and tested on some cases, where different propulsion systems where investigated. The results shows that the method and tool is useful and applicable to the intended purpose. The tool provides an efficient and easy way to quantify and optimize environmental impact throughout the lifecycle of a vessel, while in the meantime making sustainability thinking accessible, and popular within the industry. The thesis also shows how necessary it is for Volvo Penta the implement this tool, in order to ensure that their sustainability investments is going in the right direction. / Miljöfrågor ligger ofta i fokus i dagens debatt, och att tänka miljövänligt och hållbart blir allt mer ett socialt krav. Vår planet förändras, och vi människor måste göra stora förändringar i hur vi lever för att undvika att potentiella katastrofer uppstår. Nya lagar, regler och hållbarhetsmål är konstant uppsatta runt om i världen för hur vi ska leva. Inom den maritima industrin sattes nyligen stora mål upp i hur mycket utsläpp som tillåts för fartyg runt vilket sätter stor press på företag inom branschen runt om i världen. Denna uppsats introducerar ett nytt försäljningsverktyg, Ecolometern, vars syfte är att hjälpa och assistera Volvo Pentas säljprocesser. Verktyget använder sig av en Product Environmental Footprint metodologi för att kvantifiera miljöpåverkan utifrån olika kategorier i Nine Planetary Boundaries modellen. Baserat på modellen, har ett antal kategorier valts ut, som agerar kriterier för det nya verktyget. Verktyget har även blivit validerat och testa mot ett antal case, där olika drivlinor har blivit analyserade. Resultatet visar att metoden och verktyget är användbart för det uppsatta syftet. Verktyget ger ett effektivt men enkelt sätt att visa och optimera miljöpåverkan sett till hela livscykeln av ett fartyg, samtidigt som det gör hållbarhetstänk mer tillgängligt och populärt inom industrin. Uppsatsen visar också på nödvändigheten för Volvo Penta att implementera detta verktyg, för att försäkra sig om att deras hållbarhetssatsningar verkligen går åt rätt håll.

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