Municipal water distribution system (WDS) expansion is often focused on increasing system capacity with designs that best meet hydraulic requirements at the least cost. Increasing public awareness regarding global warming and environmental degradation is making environmental impact an important factor in decision-making for municipalities. There is thus a growing need to consider environmental impacts alongside cost and hydraulic requirements in the expansion and design of WDSs. As a result, the multiplicity of environmental impacts to consider in WDS expansion can complicate the decisions faced by water utilities. For example, a water utility may wish to consider environmental policy issues such as greenhouse gas emissions, non-renewable resource use, and releases to land, water, and air in WDS expansion planning. This thesis outlines a multi-objective optimization approach for WDS design and expansion that balances the objectives of capital cost, annual pumping energy use, and environmental impact minimization, while meeting hydraulic constraints. An environmental impact index that aggregates multiple environmental measures was incorporated as an environmental impact objective function in the multi-objective non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm-II (NSGA-II) optimization algorithm. The environmental impact index was developed to reflect stakeholder prioritization of specific environmental policy issues. The evaluation of the environmental impact index and its application to the WDS expansion problem was demonstrated with a water transmission system example. The environmental impact index and multi-objective non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm-II (NSGA-II) optimization algorithm were applied to the “Anytown” network expansion problem. Preliminary results suggest that solutions obtained with the triple-objective capital cost/energy/EI index optimization minimize a number of environmental impact measures while producing results that are comparable in pumping energy use and, in some instances, slightly higher in capital cost when compared to solutions obtained with a double cost/energy optimization in which environmental impact was not considered. / Thesis (Master, Civil Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2009-08-25 16:08:33.636

In response to growing environmental concerns, policy makers in Canada have been developing climate change mitigation strategies that will enable Canada to meet medium and long-term greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction targets. The water industry is energy- and carbon-intensive, thus the magnitude and long-term uncertainty of proposed carbon mitigation policies could have implications for water distribution system capital planning decisions that are made today. The intent of this thesis was to examine the implications of discount rate and carbon price uncertainty on cost, energy use and GHG emissions in the design/optimization of the Amherstview water distribution system in Loyalist Township, Ontario, Canada. A non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm is coupled with the hydraulic solver EPANET2 in a single-objective optimization approach to identify network expansion designs that minimize total cost as the sum of: i) capital cost of installing new and parallel pipes and of cleaning and lining existing pipes; ii) operation cost of electricity for pumping water; and iii) carbon cost levied on electricity used for pumping water. The Amherstview system was optimized for a range of discount rates and carbon prices reflective of possible climate change mitigation strategies in Canada over the next 50 years. The problem formulation framework was developed according to a “real-world” municipal approach to water distribution system design and expansion. Decision variables such as pipe sizes are restricted to “real-world” commercially-available pipe diameters and parameter values are chosen according to engineering judgment and best-estimates. Parameter uncertainty is characterized by sensitivity analysis rather than the more computationally-demanding and data-intensive Monte Carlo simulation method. The impact of pipe material selection on energy use and GHG emissions was investigated for polyvinyl chloride and cement-mortar lined ductile iron pipes. Results from this first-ever study indicate that the discount rate and carbon prices investigated had no significant influence on energy use and GHG emissions in the Amherstview system. Pipe material selection was also found to minimally affect the amount of GHG emitted in the Amherstview system. / Thesis (Master, Civil Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2010-08-26 15:01:27.174

Environmental Impact Assessment (El A) is a process that is widely practised as it assists in decision-making and also helps to overcome the environmental problems that could result from development activities. However, the focus is still on EIA as a process and less on EIA follow-up. EIA follow-up is taken to mean the activities, such as monitoring and auditing, that are carried out after the Record of Decision has been made, although the importance of establishing EIA follow-up early in the project cycle is emphasised in this thesis. In most countries, EIA follow-up is not legislated and whilst it is generally recognized as important it is not widely practised. This thesis is aimed at assessing the status of EIA follow-up in Lesotho. Nine development projects were selected and their reports; Environmental Impact Assessment Reports (EIRs), Environmental Management Plans (EMPs) and auditing reports were analysed to determine if there was provision for EIA follow-up. Four criteria were utilised in the analysis. These were: the impacts that were predicted and mitigation measures proposed, the provision made for EIA follow-up before the implementation of the project, the impacts that were experienced and the mitigation measures that were put in place and the EIA follow-up process that was undertaken, and the people responsible for it. All projects had undergone an EIA process, except for one which did not have an EIR prepared, viz. C& Y garment factory at the Thetsane industrial site. Of the remainder, four projects contained provision for EIA follow-up, although in most case studies follow-up focused on the construction phase and little was stated about the implementation of follow-up. Generally, an environmental officer was appointed to monitor the impacts that were experienced and to ensure compliance with the EMP. However, in the Butha-Buthe industrial estate case study, the EIA follow-up process was detailed and specific, even giving the frequency with which EIA follow-up should be undertaken, by whom and how it should be done. This is most likely because it is the most recent industrial estate to be developed and that lessons were learned from previous industrial development sites discussed as case studies in this thesis, where problems were encountered due to lack of EIA follow-up. Apart from the assessment of these reports, questionnaires were also administered to nine environmental consultants practising in Lesotho. Monitoring and auditing were identified as EIA follow-up by the majority of consultants (7 or 78%). Only one person identified it as including public participation, while the other person (11 %) identified it as monitoring, which incorporates EMPs and Environmental Management Systems (EMSs). It was interesting to note that only one person included public participation as part of EIA follow-up, in contrast to the general understanding of EIA follow-up internationally, that the public have a role to play in follow-up activities. One person (1 or 11 %) pointed out that EIA follow-up should start at the planning or design stage, while the majority (89%) stated that it should start after the completion of the EIA process and the Record of Decision, the latter group failing to recognise the importance of collecting baseline data early in the EIA process. Of all the projects, only the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP) was observed to implement EIA follow-up, such as monitoring and auditing, on a regular basis. An assessment was also undertaken of the environmental legislation in Lesotho and the provision that it makes for EIA follow-up. Sections 31 and 32 of Part V of the Act specifically give provision for EIA follow-up. It is stated that in order to prevent environmental degradation, environmental monitoring and environmental auditing should be undertaken. Moreover, the Lesotho EIA guidelines (1997) do give guidance and procedures on how EIA follow-up should be undertaken. However, it was found that currently, the Environment Act, 2001 is not operational and that EIA follow-up like the EIA process is undertaken on a voluntary basis. It was therefore recommended that at present, the self-regulatory approach to EIA follow-up is the most suitable one for Lesotho. Recommendations were made to strengthen this approach until such time as legislation is in place or an environmentally aware public can participate in EIA follow-up. Several problems were identified that were hampering the practice of EIA follow-up in Lesotho. These included: the un-operational Environment Act, an environmentally unaware public, few environmentalists and lack of sensitive and dedicated government ministries. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of Natal, Durban, 2003.

The aim of this dissertation is to examine the integration of social issues into the Development Planning Process through environmental assessment procedures. A Case Study of Petrol Filling Stations (PFS) was examined in order to assess the level of integration of the social environment into the development planning process. It is often the case that developments, especially large developments, are conceptualized at a scale that marginalises the needs of local communities. The indirect cost and benefits of these developments on the community is not adequately researched prior to the implementation of these developments. Local concerns from the social environment are often marginalized in the decision making process. The literature in the study indicates that public involvement is often seen as anti-development, reflecting self-interest and being typical of the NIMBY (Not in my backyard) Syndrome. This dissertation comprises two main parts. The first part provides the theory and methodology employed by the researcher to gather data to explore the topic. International and national literature is analysed in relation to the Development Planning Process, Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) and its evolution, Public Participation, The NIMBY Syndrome, Social Impact Assessments (SIA) and relevant case studies are explored. The second part of this research analyses in detail the case study in relation to the development planning process and the EIA process. The intention of the analysis of the case studies was to establish at exactly what point the social environment is included in the development planning process and EIA process. The intention was to further establish if the process and its practice is adequate in ensuring the assessment and inclusion of the social environment into the decision making process. The second part of this research also analyses the interviews that were undertaken in order to assess how practitioners consider and include the social environment into the decision making process. The research confirms that in this particular instance the social environment was not adequately included early enough in the decision making process. Often social concerns are considered by developers to be a mechanism to delay development and are viewed as a “stumbling block” to development. However, the recognition of social issues and good public participation have been recognized as an important factor in ensuring quick decision-making and successful implementation of projects. Social screening is critical at the outset, prior to a development application being lodged with the relevant approval authority. Developers have recognized the importance of SIA and thorough public involvement in projects. Social screening can be used as a tool outside of, or prior to, the formal Development Planning and EIA application processes. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, 2010.

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is one of the most used tools for environmental management since its introduction in 1970s in the United States of America. Being a systematic process that examines the environmental consequences of development actions in advance, it is perceived as one of the tools which can help different nations to achieve sustainable development because of its capabilities to provide necessary information for decision-makers in order to balance economical, social and ecological paradigms of sustainable development in development projects. This research aims to assess the practice of the EIA processes in Rwanda and specifically seeks to identify the major challenges faced by environmental officers in this process. Given the nature of this research, policy review and desktop research methods have been used to study the current EIA procedures in Rwanda while a quantitative survey method was used to collect data and assess the practices of EIA process as well as the challenges faced by environmental officers in Rwanda. All environmental officers (8) who were dealing with EIA in Rwanda before the transfer of the EIA department to the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) and all consultant companies which have been approved and which have at least done an EIA study in Rwanda (19) were targeted and received questionnaires via emails. All the environmental officers and 12 (63%) of the consultants responded to the questionnaire. The data was captured in the Software Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) template after being coded and has been analysed thematically. The policy review reveals that the current procedures are being developed given that the EIA process started in 2005. Like many developing countries, implementation remains a key challenge. Institutional arrangements remain to be finalised. In terms of the survey findings, even if EIA officers are more experienced than EIA consultants both have some skill gaps including using Geographical Information System (GIS) and remote sensing, understanding project management and customer care skills. Additionally, they receive very little training and capacity-building opportunities, although they desire these. The main challenges identified related to insufficient baseline data, funding, shortage of staff, lack of adequate resources, instilling environmental awareness among developers (developers perceive EIA as a barrier) and Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) which is not conducted. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, 2011.

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Diesel engines are commonly used in construction machines, for example excavators. In a diesel engine, the combustion of diesel is a process with a considerable environmental impact, with high amounts of emitted greenhouse gases. The bachelor thesis creates a model that investigates the potential of decreasing the environmental impact when replacing diesel engines with electric motors in the construction phase of the construction process of buildings. The model was made in three steps. In the first step the electric motors’ energy consumption were compared with the diesel engines’ energy consumption. Secondly, the results of the comparison were contrasted against the results of an implemented example as to determine the relevancy of the model. Finally, the carbon dioxide equivalent values of the diesel engines and the electric motors were calculated and compared. The result shows that there is a big potential of decreasing the environmental impact. The reduction is in the order of 63%-99% and it is shown that the share of renewable energy sources in the electricity mix is vital as to make the potential as large as possible.

Forskare argumenterar för att det krävs mer deliberativa kvaliteter i dagensdemokratiska Sverige för att vi dels ska kunna kallas oss för en fungerande demokratioch dels för att vi ska ha en chans att kunna nå något vi nästan alla strävar efter idag –hållbar utveckling. En lagstadgad och därmed vanlig metod som används idag för attutreda en planerad verksamhets miljökonsekvenser är att upprätta enmiljökonsekvensbeskrivning (MKB). Samrådsprocessen i MKB:s för projekt är ettmedel att göra processen mer demokratisk. Syftet med denna studie är att utvärderadetta demokratiska medel för att kunna dra slutsatser kring om det fyller sin funktionoch hur det skulle gå att förbättra för att generera fler positiva utfall. Syftet harbesvarats med hjälp av två litteraturstudier, sex djupintervjuer och enenkätundersökning som alla har kopplats till studiens teoretiska utgångspunkter. En delav uppsatsens teori är relevant bakgrund (d.v.s. avsnitt Miljökonsekvensbeskrivningar)medan andra delar är vetenskapliga och har som syfte att jämföras med resultaten (d.v.s.avsnitt Samtalsdemokrati). Det viktigaste resultatet från de två litteraturstudierna var att kapitlet om MKB imiljöbalken inte har genomgått någon större förändring från det att det skapades tillsidag och att det behövs andra metoder (ex. intervjuer och observationer) för att kunnaavgöra om det som kommer fram på samrådet tas hänsyn till i MKB:n. Det mestframträdande resultatet från intervjuer och enkätundersökning var dels att denvanligaste formen på samråd är antingen skriftligt eller ett stormöte och dels attupplägget på stormöten ofta inleds med att verksamhetsutövaren håller en långpresentation och i slutet blir det en kort frågestund. Resultatet visar också att det verkarvara form och upplägg på samrådsprocessen som skapar de största problemen för att videls ska få ut de kvaliteter som konsulter och verksamhetsutövare själva anser ärviktigast, nämligen synpunkter och dels för att kunna säkra att detta verktyg för att ökademokratin, som samråd just är, inte bara gör det i teorin utan också i praktiken. Det ärkring detta som diskussionen till största del har kretsat och det är detta som äruppsatsens viktigaste slutsats. Resultatet visar också att konsulter ochverksamhetsutövare är medvetna om att de vanligaste formerna för samråd inte äroptimala för att leverera de synpunkter de så gärna vill ha, ändå finns en motvilja till attändra och utveckla formen. Ett förslag för vidare utredning är att gå djupare in på vaddetta beror på för att på sikt kanske finna nyckeln till hur man kan ändra på dennamotvilja att utveckla form och upplägg på samrådsförfarandet. / Researchers argue that it takes more deliberative qualities in today's democratic Swedenboth that we should be able to call us for a functioning democracy but also for us tohave a chance to achieve something we almost all endeavors today - sustainabledevelopment. A statutory and thus a common method used today to investigate whatenvironmental impact a planned activity may cause is to establish an EnvironmentalImpact Assessment (EIA). The consultation process in EIA:s for projects is a means tomake the process more democratic. The purpose of this study is to evaluate thisdemocratic means in order to draw conclusions about whether it fulfills its function andwhether it would be possible to improve in order to generate more positive outcomes.The aim has been answered with the help of two literary studies, six in-depth interviewsand a survey which has been linked to the study's theoretical points. Part of the thesis isrelevant background theory (i.e the Environmental Impact Assessments section) whileother parts are scientific and are intended to be compared with the results (i.e thedeliberative democracy section).The most important result from the two literature studies was that the chapter on EIA inthe environmental code has not undergone any major change from the time it wascreated until today and the need for other methods (e.g. interviews and observations) todetermine whether the comments during the consultation will be considered in the EIA. The most striking result from the interviews and survey were that the most commonform of consultation is either writing or a public meeting and partly that the layup atlarge meetings often begin with the operator holding a long presentation and in the endit will be a short question and answer session. The result also shows that it seems to bethe form and structure of the consultation process that creates the biggest problems forus both to get out the qualities that consultants and operators themselves consider mostimportant, namely observations, and partly to ensure that this tool can enhancedemocracy, which consultation is about, not just in theory but also in practice. It is onthis that the discussion mainly revolved around, and it is this that is the essay's mainconclusion. The result also shows that consultants and operators are aware that the mostcommon forms of consultation are not optimal to deliver the comments they want sobadly, yet there is a reluctance to change and develop shape of the consultation process.A proposal for further investigation is to go deeper into what causes this to be able toeventually find the key to how to change this reluctance to develop the form andstructure of the consultation process.

Bakgrund: Miljöredovisningen är ett sätt för företagen att beskriva sitt miljöarbete. Den har fått allt större betydelse för företagen i takt med att miljöfrågorna blivit allt viktigare hos intressenter och allmänheten. Det gäller för företagen att visa att man tar ett miljö- och samhällsansvar för att skapa trovärdighet och förtroende i samhället.   Syfte:                                  Att ge läsaren en bild över hur och varför miljöredovisningen ser ut som den gör och vad företagen, som associeras med betydande miljöpåverkan, väljer att fokusera på i sina miljöredovisningar.  Metod:                               En kvalitativ studie som grundar sig i legitimitetsteorin och institutionell teori har utförts. Vi har undersökt litteratur, vetenskapliga artiklar, miljöredovisningar samt fört intervjuer med personer som har behörig kompetens.  Slutsats:                             Studien visar på hur viktig miljöredovisningen är för företagen som associeras med betydande miljöpåverkan. Företagen belyser det viktiga i att kunna vara transparent och visa intressenter och allmänheten att man tar miljöfrågor på största allvar. Studien visar även på hur yttre faktorer påverkar utformningen av miljöredovisningen så som förväntningar och institutionella tryck. Studien visar även på vad företagen fokuserar på i sina miljöredovisningar så som; energieffektivisering, minskning av utsläpp, miljökostnader, miljöinvesteringar, upprättandet av miljömål, miljöstrategier och miljöaktiviteter. / Background:                    The environmental reports are a way for companies to describe their environmental efforts. The environmental reports have become increasingly important for the companies, as the environmental issues have become a priority issue to the general population. Companies now have to show that they can take an environmental and social responsibility in order to build credibility and trust of the society.  Purpose:                            In order to give the reader a picture of how and why environmental reports looks like they do and what companies associated with a negative impact on the environment, chooses to focus on in their environmental reports.  Method:                             A qualitative study based on the legitimacy theory and the institutional theory is conducted in this thesis. A review and examination of literature, scientific articles, environmental reports and engaging interviews with people who have qualified skills in the subject was made.  Conclusion:                       This study demonstrates the importance of the environmental reports for the companies associated with significant environmental impacts. It highlights the importance of being transparent and demonstrates to stakeholders and the public the importance of taking environmental issues seriously. The study also shows how external factors like expectations and institutional pressures affects the general design of the environmental reports. The study also shows what companies are focusing on in their environmental reports such as; energy efficiency, emission reduction, environmental costs and the establishment of environmental goals and strategies.