Följande uppsats har utformats som en fallstudie med komparativa inslag för att uppnå en diskussion kring vad en hållbar grundvattenresurshantering kan innebära för Skåne som är ett jordbruksintensivt och tätbefolkat län med utmärkande geologiska och klimatologiska förutsättningar sett ur ett svenskt perspektiv. Genom kvalitativ metod med induktiv logik undersöks vad som ligger bakom utformningen av Skånes grundvattenresurshantering samt vilka utmaningar en hållbar resursanvändning kan innebära i en skånsk kontext i kombination med framtidens utmaningar med ett föränderligt klimat. En litteratur- och intervjustudie tillsammans med ett teoretiskt ramverk ligger till grund för en SWOT-analys vilket behandlar Skånes situation i termer av styrkor, svagheter, möjligheter och hot. Analysen indikerar på att möjligheterna för en mer hållbar hantering ligger i att förändra attityder kring vattnets fulla värde genom att synliggöra den verkliga användningen och dess effekter samt att bättre allokera och återinvestera i resursen för att stärka dess naturliga resiliens, minska resursslöseri och bättre kartlägga status. / This case study with a comparative element has the purpose to achieve a discussion about what a sustainable groundwater resource management may involve for Scania in combination with the challenges of the future in the light of climate change. This southern part of Sweden is a highly intensive agricultural region with a dens population and from a Swedish perspective quite unique in terms of geological and climatological conditions. With a qualitative method and inductive logic, a literature review and an interview study combined with a theoretical framework has provided a SWOT-analysis over Scanias strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. The analysis indicates that the possibilities for a more sustainable groundwater management lies within a change of attitudes towards the groundwaters full value and the visualizing of the actual use with the effects that comes with it. Also, to allocate and better reinvest in groundwater as a natural resource to strengthen its natural resilience, reduce waste of resources and better monitoring.

To curb greenhouse gases and mitigate climate change is one of the biggest challenges human society face today. Carbon dioxide (CO2) has accumulated rapidly in the atmosphere as a consequence of burning of fossil fuels and deforestation. The aim of this study is to explore two methods to store carbon dioxide in geological formations and biological sinks. The aim is also to discuss the two mitigation options from a sustainable perspective and whether it can lead to a better environment and benefits for local and global societies. The research questions are: Which method to store carbon dioxide, geological or biological, is the most effective? Which method to store carbon dioxide, geological or biological, has the greatest potential to promote sustainable development for local communities? The method used is a comparative case study and presents four case studies that explore the potential for CO2 storage offshore in Norway and Brazil; and in tropical forests in Mexico and Brazil. The mitigation options are discussed from two different theoretical perspectives. The principle of the theory of ecological modernisation is that innovation and environmentally friendly technology can solve the environmental problems human societies face today, whereas the theory of common pool resources promotes local communities to govern limited resources in order to manage them sustainably. The findings suggest that ecological modernisation legitimize environmental destruction as carbon dioxide storage in geological formations (CCS) use the technology as a mean to extract more oil and gas; which results in a rebound-effect. Therefore, carbon dioxide capture in geological formations is not a realistic method unless it can prevent further emissions. Protected forest resources can be seen as biological insurance, which safeguard ecosystem services, biodiversity, and the forest potential to hold carbon. Carbon sequestration in tropical forest has the potential to store carbon dioxide given that the forests are protected and local communities have tenure rights, knowledge, and the means to protect the forest and manage them sustainably.