Worldwide, it has been recognised that local governments are uniquely placed to bring about positive environmental change in their areas of jurisdiction. This research was conducted to assess how one South African local municipality, the eThekwini Municipality, Durban, is faring in its efforts to achieve sustainability. Hajer's (1993, 1995, 2003) discourse approach to environmental policy making was used as the key theoretical and methodological basis of the research. This approach recognises the power of discourse in shaping how society's relationship with the environment should be managed and sustained. In global environmental politics, ecological modernisation has emerged as the dominant environmental policy discourse and reflects a weak approach to sustainability. An alternative is the strong sustainability discourse, which argues that sustainability cannot be achieved without giving attention to issues of social and environmental justice and including local communities in environmental policy making. These two discourses are used to structure the assessment of environmental policy discourse in the eThekwini Municipality. A recent municipal project, "eThekwini Catchments 2002: A Strategic Tool for Planning" was used as the research case study. The project provides an assessment of the environmental health of each of the 18 river catchments identified in the municipal area, using environmental indicators. The intention of the project was for this information to be used by municipal planners as a tool for environmental decision-making. Municipal officials, representing several municipal sectors, and the project consultants were interviewed to determine their perspectives on the project. The interview transcripts, as well as the Catchments Project report and other municipal documents, were analysed using Hajer's discourse methodology to uncover the key discourses operating in the municipality that influence environmental policy making. Municipal discourse was then reviewed in terms of the EM and strong sustainability discourses to determine whether the municipality is moving towards stronger sustainability. This research also contributes to an improved understanding of how discourse shapes environmental policy projects and their outcomes. By identifying the environmental discourse dynamics at work, it is possible to stimulate a more deliberate approach to environmental policy making to bring about positive environmental change in the municipality. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2004.

Thesis (MS en S)--Stellenbosch University, 2003. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Public participation has already been a point of discussion from as early as 1960, with Arnstein's presentation of eight levels of participation. Various advantages and disadvantages have been published, but theorists agree that the advantages still overshadow the disadvantages. The United States have started much earlier than South Africa with the studies on public participation. It has been realised that public participation forms an integral part of the formal environmental impact assessment which succeeded the formal legislation of 1996. It is generally accepted that public participation is inseparable from the planning process. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of public participation on the planning of the Gautrain project, which is the intended rapid rail link between Johanesburg and Pretoria. It will be investigated whether the consult firm Bohlweki Environmental, that has been appointed to implement the environmental impact assessment of the Gautrain project, complied with the criteria to ensure public participation, and whether the public process made a difference to the planning of the project. It has been apparent that Bohlweki Environmental used various methods of involving the public - inter alia numerous public meetings that have been advertised in the press and elsewhere. From the public inputs changes have been made to the route of the train. These changes however, have made other people discontented. The research concludes with the finding that the public participation process of the environmental impact assessment had a positive influence on the planning of the project, even though everyone, due to the extend and the nature of the project, could not be satisfied, and that the study has been expensive and time consuming. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Publieke deelname was reeds 'n besprekingspunt van so vroeg as 1960 met Arnstein se voorstelling van agt deelnemingsvlakke. Oor die jare van navorsing is verskeie voordele en nadele van publieke deelname gepubliseer, maar teoretici is dit eens dat die voordele steeds die nadele oorskadu. In Suid-Afrika is daar veel later as in die Verenigde State studies oor publieke deelname begin. Ook hier is daar uiteindelik besef dat publieke deelname 'n onlosmaakbare deel van die formele omgewingsimpakstudie vorm en het die formele wetgewing in 1996 gevolg. Vandag word algemeen aanvaar dat publieke deelname en die beplanningsproses onafskeidbaar is. Die doel van hierdie werkstuk is om die impak van publieke deelname op die beplanning van die Gautrein projek te ondersoek - dit is die beoogde sneltrein tussen Johannesburg en Pretoria. Die vraag is of die konsultant firma Bohlweki Environmental, wat aangestel is om die omgewingsimpakstudie van die Gautreinprojek te loods, voldoen het aan die kriteria om publieke deelname te verseker, en of die publieke proses 'n verskil gemaak het aan die beplanning van die projek? Uit die analise het dit geblyk dat Bohlweki Environmental van verskeie metodes gebruik gemaak het om die publiek te betrek, onder andere talle publieke vergaderings wat goed geadverteer is in die pers en elders. As gevolg van die groot publieke inset is veranderinge aan die roete van die trein aangebring. Hierdie veranderinge het egter weer ander mense ontevrede gemaak. Die slotsom van die navorsing van hierdie werkstuk is dat die publieke deelname proses van die omgewingsimpakstudie wel 'n betekenisvolle positiewe uitwerking op die beplanning van die projek gehad het, alhoewel almal, uit die aard van die omvang van die projek, nie tevrede gestel kon word nie, en dat die studie duur en tydrowend was.

CAPES / Dentre os desafios da sociedade moderna, questões ambientais, destacam-se entre as mais significativas. Contemporaneamente, na onda da globalização, nunca se evoluiu tão rápido na competitividade de mercado, e, as inovações tecnológicas, não deixam de ser um dos fatores, que sustentam a liderança de produtos e serviços. Essa disputa acaba, de certa forma, requisitando mais recursos ambientais, gerando então, um aumento no descarte dos defasados produtos de consumo. A questão dada é, que se incrementa a quantidade de resíduos tecnológicos descartados, muitos dos quais, ainda fabricados com alguns componentes tóxicos, enquanto, inexistem planos efetivos e incentivos para o pós-consumo e uso das tecnologias de reaproveitamento de materiais e componentes. Propõe-se então, nesse estudo, uma ampla análise da logística reversa dos resíduos eletroeletrônicos, o desenvolvimento de um modelo otimizado, para a rede logística reversa dos eletroeletrônicos descartados, bem como, a respectiva avaliação dos impactos ambientais resultantes. Ao mesmo tempo, disponibilizam-se informações estratégicas da rede logística, contribuindo assim, na incorporação de conceitos sustentáveis para projetos de produtos, entre os quais se pode citar o uso de tecnologias, processos e materiais de reduzido impacto ambiental, minimizando, consequentemente, os problemas de contaminação futuros, observados atualmente na pós-vida útil e, favorecendo, a redução dos impactos gerados na extração contínua de materiais. Este trabalho apresenta os dados coletados na região metropolitana de Curitiba, utilizados nos estudos de otimização de rotas e de forma simplificada, na avaliação do ciclo de vida. Como decorrência desta modelagem logística, idealizaram-se cenários, onde se aplicou, técnicas de otimização de rotas e avaliação ambiental das soluções propostas, visando à melhoria das perspectivas de avanço no processo reverso de resíduos tecnológicos e na redução dos impa duos tecnológicos e na redução dos impactos ambientais, da rede logística reversa. / Among the challenges of modern society, environmental issues stand out among the most significant. Contemporaneously, the wave of globalization, never evolved so fast in market competitiveness, and technological innovations do not stop being one of the factors that support the leadership of products and services. This contest ends in a way requiring more environmental resources, then generating an increase in the disposal of outdated consumer products. The question is which increases the amount of waste of electric and electronic equipment, many of whom also made with some toxic components, while there are no effective plans and incentives for post-consumption and use of technologies for reuse of materials and components. It is proposed then this study a comprehensive analysis of the reverse logistics of consumer electronics waste, the development of an optimized model for reverse logistics network of discarded electronics as well as the assessment of environmental impacts. At the same time, provide strategic information to the logistics network, thus contributing to the incorporation of sustainable concepts for product designs, among which we can mention the use of technologies, processes and materials of low environmental impact, thus minimizing contamination problems future, currently observed in the post-life, and promoting the reduction of impacts on the continuous extraction of materials. This study presents data collected in the metropolitan region of Curitiba, used in studies of route optimization and simplified form, in assessment the life cycle. As a result of logistic modeling, idealized scenarios with application route optimization techniques and evaluation of proposed solutions aimed at improving the prospects for advancement in the reverse process of technological waste and reduce environmental impacts of the reverse logistics network.

The increase in global population and high urbanisation rates characterised by high resource consumption and waste generation levels has led to challenges in waste management around the world. Waste management remains one of the most critical challenges faced by local governments in developing countries. Informal business enterprises have come under the spotlight for their high waste production and poor waste management practices. Many arguments have been put forward as to the real environmental impacts caused by informal business enterprises due to their waste practices. This research aimed at assessing the waste management practices in the informal business sector in Olievenhoutbosch Township, Pretoria. Data collection was carried out between March 2016 and September 2016. The research utilised both qualitative and quantitative methods. The methodology employed techniques that included structured questionnaires, structured interviews and field observations. Semi- structured face to face interviews were carried out with key informants. These interviews provided information on the frequency of waste collection, available waste management awareness and challenges faced in delivering the service. The research also involved 230 field observations to study the pattern and frequency of waste collection and waste behaviours by informal business enterprises. Questionnaires were administered to 120 informal business enterprises with a response rate of 84.17%. Data from questionnaires and field observations indicated that waste generated by informal business enterprises (plastic bags, card board, packaging plastics, glass bottles and plastic bottles) was mainly recyclable waste. The most preferred disposal methods were use of refuse plastic bags (31%), open space dumping (20%) and burning (30%). Analysis of the results showed that there was lack of information on waste management and that also influenced waste behaviours. Preferences for waste disposal methods were influenced by many factors including lack of information, shortage of waste disposal facilities and waste collection frequency by the local town council. The research found that waste collection in various sections of the township was done once per week which has led to increased indiscriminate waste dumping and burning of waste. It was recommended that waste management information be provided to informal business enterprises especially on waste separation and recycling. The municipality should increase frequency of waste collection or provide central point waste facilities to business operators. / Environmental Sciences / M. Sc. (Environmental Science)

In the environmental impact assessment (EIA) field, much attention is paid to the process leading up to the granting of an environmental authorization, but very little is given to what happens after the consent decision is granted. This study aimed to address this lack through the implementation of an EIA follow-up procedure in a region of the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. Follow-up focused on assessing the amount of non-compliance with EIA consent conditions as well as the overall impact that projects had had on the environment. The results of this follow-up process were then used to develop a risk screening tool that could be used to screen out new EIA applications that were likely to require follow-up to control default or impact. Projects that showed the greatest amount of default were those submitted by local municipal proponents for basic infrastructure type activities such as sewage treatment works and low-income housing developments. Private companies that compete in the open market presented the lowest default risk. Default with consent conditions ranged between 0% and 100% with an average rate of default of 49%. The overall environmental impact for the majority (58%) of projects followed-up on was low (on a 5 point scale of low to high), with only 1% of projects scoring high on impact. The study found a moderate positive correlation between default and impact (rs = 0.48) although a significant percentage (39%) of projects scored high on default but low on impact. Follow-up appears to have had a positive effect on reducing the average amounts of default and to a lesser extent the degree of impact. The risk screening tool developed is promising with statistically significant matches between predicted and actual default and impact scores for three out of the four test samples. / Geography / D. Phil. (Geography)

[pt] Configurações novas e tradicionais de sistemas de refrigeração comerciais foram comparadas considerando sua operação com fluidos refrigerantes alternativos. Primeiramente, desenvolveram-se modelos termodinâmicos para o ciclo transcrítico de dois estágios com refrigerante CO2 (CO2 booster) e para o sistema indireto com CO2 bifásico operando como fluido secundário (pumped CO2). Tais tecnologias foram, em seguida, comparadas com o ciclo de expansão direta (DX) por meio do COP e do consumo anual de energia. Nessa análise, R404A, CO2, e misturas não-azeotrópicas de baixo GWP foram utilizados como fluidos refrigerantes. Em segundo lugar, desenvolveu-se modelo de parâmetros concentrados para simular a operação em regime permanente do sistema de expansão direta com múltiplos compressores e evaporadores. O método multizona foi utilizado na modelagem dos trocadores de calor tubo-e-aleta, com a consideração de diferentes tipos de aletas e superfícies internas para os tubos. Resultados da simulação foram comparados com dados experimentais e, em seguida, calculou-se o impacto ambiental do sistema operando com diferentes refrigerantes de baixo GWP, por meio da metodologia LCCP. / [en] Comparison of new and conventional commercial refrigeration systems, operating with typical and alternative refrigerants, was performed. First, thermodynamic models for the pumped CO2 and the CO2 booster cycles were developed. The COP and the annual energy consumption of these novel designs were compared to those of the traditional direct expansion system in different geographic locations, to take into account year-round climate data. Refrigerant R404A, CO2 and new low-GWP non-azeotropic blends were considered as working uids in this analysis. Second, a component-based lumped parameter model to simulate the steady-state operation of a multicompressor multi-evaporator direct expansion system was developed. The modeling effort considered a multizone approach for the tube-and-fin heat exchangers, as well as addressing enhanced internal surfaces and different fin patterns. Predicted results were compared with experimental data, and a life cycle climate performance (LCCP) analysis was performed to compare the environmental impact of new low-GWP refrigerants.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:33:20Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2011-12-02Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T18:44:54Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 amorim_jm_dr_rcla.pdf: 3083087 bytes, checksum: e6a847823c969a273f0b67e136ffc1ea (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / O aumento do rebanho de suinos no Brasil, em especial, no Triângulo Mineiro (Minas Gerais), que poderá gerar diversos impactos ambientais nos solos, na água e no ar. Para minimizar os impactos desse processo, foi elaborado a carta de aconselhamento, com vistas à alocação de granjas de suinos em áreas menos vulneráveis aos impactos de seus dejetos (resíduos) percolados na água subsuperficial da bacia do córrego Bebedouro (BCB), afluente do Rio Araguari, no município de Uberlândia - MG. Na carta em questão delimitou-se os locais menos susceptíveis às alterações ambientais geradas por esses empreendimentos, que são áreas de solos argilosos e águas subsuperficiais mais profundas, entre outros atributos, por meio do cruzamento de mapas de declividade, substrato rochoso, materiais inconsolidados e profundidade do nível de água subsuperficial. A qualidade da água subsuperficial da BCB, conforme estudo de caso, foi analisada com vistas a conhecer as possíveis alterações da granja de suínos do Instituto Federal do Triângulo Mineiro – IFTM – Campus Uberlândia – neste corpo hídrico. Os parâmetros de análise da água de subsuperfície foram: nitrogênio amoniacal, nitrito, nitrato, fósforo, cobre, zinco, DBO, sulfeto, coliformes termotolerantes, bactérias heterotróficas, pH e condutividade elétrica. Os parâmetros para a análise química do solo foram: CTC, fósforo, nitrogênio amoniacal, nitrito, nitrato, zinco, cobre, sulfeto, pH, condutividade e matéria orgânica e para a análise física foram: porosidade, permeabilidade e granulometria. Salienta-se que foram verificados alguns impactos em relação aos parâmetros em tela... / The increase in the pork herd in Brazil, especially in the Triangulo Mineiro region (Minas Gerais), will possibly generate several environmental impacts in the soil, water and air. In order to minimize these impacts in the process, a geo-environmental mapping, with the purpose of allocating pork farms in less vulnerable areas to the impacts of its trash (residues) diffused in the sub-superficial water of the basin of Bebedouro stream (BBS), an Araguari River affluent, in Uberlandia – MG. The mentioned map, limited itself to the less tendentious places to environmental changes, caused by these achievements, which are areas with clayey soilsdind deeper sub-superficial water, among other characteristics, through the crossing of the slope maps, rocky substratum, unconsolidated materials and depth of the subsuperficial water level. The quality of the sub-superficial water in the BBS, according to a case of study, was analyzed aiming at knowing the possible changes in the pork farm of the Instituto Federal do Triângulo Mineiro – IFTM – Uberlandia Campus – in this water body. The parameters of the sub-superficial water analysis were: ammoniac nitrogen, nitrite, nitrate, phosphorus, copper, zinc, bio-chemical Oxygen Demands (BOD), sulfide, thermo tolerant coliforms, heterotrophic bacteria, pH and electric conductivity. The parameters for the chemical analysis of the soil were: cation exchange capacity, ammoniac nitrogen, nitrite, nitrate, phosphorus, copper, zinc, sulfide, pH, conductivity and organic matter, and for the physical analysis were: porosity, permeability and granule metric. It is important to mention that some impacts were noticed related to the parameters in screen (BOD, nitrate, phosphorus, conductivity, thermo... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

O uso da Avaliação do Ciclo de Vida (ACV) permite identificar oportunidades de melhoria de desempenho ambiental, gerar aprendizagem sobre produtos e processos e apoiar decisões para alcançar vantagens competitivas. O processo de tomada de decisão baseado nos resultados da ACV envolve, além dos aspectos e impactos ambientais, outros critérios importantes para um processo decisório. Neste sentido, esta tese objetivou desenvolver um modelo multicritério para apoio à decisão baseado em avaliação de ciclo de vida e indicadores corporativos. O modelo desenvolvido possui caráter interativo, pode ser generalizado e foi validado utilizando dados de diferentes cenários do ciclo de vida da produção do painel MDF. O modelo avalia par a par as opções de cenários distintos e identifica a opção mais atrativa de acordo com um índice final. O índice final é composto por dimensões específicas, subdimensões e indicadores. A dimensão ambiental do modelo é baseada em ACV, a qual foi modelada no software Umberto e utilizou a base de dados Eco-Invent 2.2. Para a estrutura decisória do modelo e a construção de escalas cardinais foi utilizado o método MACBETH, através do software M-MACBETH. A validação do modelo ocorreu por meio da avaliação de três situações decisórias da produção do painel MDF (variações no processo produtivo, variações em parâmetros de processo e variações em espessura do produto). Os resultados apresentados contribuíram para avanços acadêmicos em construções de modelos de apoio à decisão baseados em ACV e multicritérios. Permitiram, ainda, interpretar e gerar aprendizados acerca do processo produtivo, do ciclo de vida do produto e da gestão da produção da indústria pesquisada. Neste sentido, concluiu-se que o modelo mostrou-se apto para apoiar e gerar aprendizagem em processos decisórios multicritérios baseados em ACV e em outros indicadores corporativos. / Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) allows identify opportunities to improve environmental performance, providing knowledge about products and processes and supporting decision-making in order to achieve advantages. Decision-making based on LCA results involves, in addition to the environmental aspects and impacts, others important criteria. In this sense, this thesis aimed to develop a multi-criteria model for decision-making based on life cycle assessment and corporate indicators. The model developed has interactive nature and can be generalized. The model was validated using data for different scenarios of MDF panel production life cycle. The pairwise model evaluates the options for different scenarios and identifies the most attractive option in accordance with a final index. The final index is composed of specific, sub-dimensions and indicators. The environmental dimension is based on an LCA, which was modeled in Umberto software and used Eco-Invent 2.2 as database. For the model structure and construction of cardinal scale was used MACBETH method using M-MACBETH software. The model validation was made by evaluation of three decision-making scenarios in MDF panel production (changes in production processes, changes in process parameters and changes in product thickness variations). The results allowed to reach academic advances in order to support decision models structures based on LCA and multi-criteria. The results allowed interpreting and generating knowledge about production process, product life cycle and industrial management. In this sense, it is concluded that the model is able to support and generate knowledge on decision-making processes based on LCA and other corporate indicators.

CAPES / As emissões de gases de efeito estufa (GEE) vêm gerando graves mudanças no clima mundial. Uma das soluções propostas para mitigar o problema é a substituição dos combustíveis fósseis por biocombustíveis. A eficácia dessa medida tem sido questionada, tendo em vista as possíveis consequências indiretas da produção agrícola. A Avaliação Consequencial do Ciclo de Vida é um método de avaliação ambiental de produtos que inclui efeitos indiretos. Diante disso, o objetivo do presente trabalho é aplicar o método para obtenção de um inventário do uso agrícola do solo necessário para incrementar a produção de óleo vegetal visando atender a mudança na demanda de biodiesel no Brasil prevista para o período 2010-2030. Das matérias-primas consideradas (soja, amendoim, algodão, dendê, girassol e canola), o estudo mostra que o óleo de dendê é a matéria-prima marginal e apenas 5% da área potencial para plantio de dendê seria utilizada para atender ao incremento na demanda de biodiesel. A área necessária diretamente pelo dendê seria de 2,1 milhões de hectares na região Norte do Brasil. A torta de amêndoa, co-produto dependente do processo multifuncional do dendê, pode substituir o farelo de soja usado como ração, evitando o plantio de 0,6 milhões de hectares de soja. Assim, o inventário final do uso do solo é um incremento 1,5 milhões de hectares para produção agrícola na região Norte do Brasil. Foram desenvolvidos cenários alternativos: produtividade do dendê constante, mudança no horizonte temporal (2010-2020) e mudança na taxa de crescimento do co-produto determinante. Não houve alteração no resultado do estudo para os cenários considerados. / Greenhouse gas emission has several negative consequences on worldwide climate. Biofuels have been considered one of the solutions to mitigate this problem by substitution of fossil fuel. However, indirect effects should be included in order to produce more reliable results in environmental assessment. In this context, Consequential Life Cycle Assessment is a method that can fill this gap. The objective of this work is to use the method to obtain the agricultural land use inventory to meet the biodiesel demand change in Brazil, considering the period 2010-2030. Only the main feedstock were included (soybean, peanut, cottonseed, palm, sunflower and canola). From these, the study found the palm oil as the marginal one. Around 5% of the potential area for palm would be used to meet the biodiesel demand change. The increased area would be 2,1 million hectares in North region of Brazil. The palm meal, which is a dependent co-product from multifunctional process, can substitute soybean meal as animal feed. The substitution avoids 0,6 million hectares of soybean in North region. Finally, the net land use inventory is 1,5 million hectares in North region of Brazil. Three alternative cenarios were developed: palm productivity unchanged, a different time horizon (2010-2020) and a different increasing rate for the determinant co-product. The same result was found for all cenarios.

CAPES / As emissões de gases de efeito estufa (GEE) vêm gerando graves mudanças no clima mundial. Uma das soluções propostas para mitigar o problema é a substituição dos combustíveis fósseis por biocombustíveis. A eficácia dessa medida tem sido questionada, tendo em vista as possíveis consequências indiretas da produção agrícola. A Avaliação Consequencial do Ciclo de Vida é um método de avaliação ambiental de produtos que inclui efeitos indiretos. Diante disso, o objetivo do presente trabalho é aplicar o método para obtenção de um inventário do uso agrícola do solo necessário para incrementar a produção de óleo vegetal visando atender a mudança na demanda de biodiesel no Brasil prevista para o período 2010-2030. Das matérias-primas consideradas (soja, amendoim, algodão, dendê, girassol e canola), o estudo mostra que o óleo de dendê é a matéria-prima marginal e apenas 5% da área potencial para plantio de dendê seria utilizada para atender ao incremento na demanda de biodiesel. A área necessária diretamente pelo dendê seria de 2,1 milhões de hectares na região Norte do Brasil. A torta de amêndoa, co-produto dependente do processo multifuncional do dendê, pode substituir o farelo de soja usado como ração, evitando o plantio de 0,6 milhões de hectares de soja. Assim, o inventário final do uso do solo é um incremento 1,5 milhões de hectares para produção agrícola na região Norte do Brasil. Foram desenvolvidos cenários alternativos: produtividade do dendê constante, mudança no horizonte temporal (2010-2020) e mudança na taxa de crescimento do co-produto determinante. Não houve alteração no resultado do estudo para os cenários considerados. / Greenhouse gas emission has several negative consequences on worldwide climate. Biofuels have been considered one of the solutions to mitigate this problem by substitution of fossil fuel. However, indirect effects should be included in order to produce more reliable results in environmental assessment. In this context, Consequential Life Cycle Assessment is a method that can fill this gap. The objective of this work is to use the method to obtain the agricultural land use inventory to meet the biodiesel demand change in Brazil, considering the period 2010-2030. Only the main feedstock were included (soybean, peanut, cottonseed, palm, sunflower and canola). From these, the study found the palm oil as the marginal one. Around 5% of the potential area for palm would be used to meet the biodiesel demand change. The increased area would be 2,1 million hectares in North region of Brazil. The palm meal, which is a dependent co-product from multifunctional process, can substitute soybean meal as animal feed. The substitution avoids 0,6 million hectares of soybean in North region. Finally, the net land use inventory is 1,5 million hectares in North region of Brazil. Three alternative cenarios were developed: palm productivity unchanged, a different time horizon (2010-2020) and a different increasing rate for the determinant co-product. The same result was found for all cenarios.