Šiame darbe siekiama ištirti mokslinių tyrimų ir eksperimentinės plėtros (MTEP) veiklą pasirinktose Europos Sąjungos šalyse, skirstant jas pagal išsivystymo lygį į labiau išsivysčiusias (Junginė Karalystė, Prancūzija ir Švedija) bei mažiau išsivysčiusias (Lietuva, Latvija, Vengrija ir Čekija) šalis. Darbe atskleidžiami teoriniai MTEP aspektai, parodoma dabartinė Lietuvos MTEP situacija ES kontekste, keliamos hipotezės apie atskirų MTEP rodiklių pokyčius, MTEP veiklos efektyvumą ir įtaką ekonomikos augimui. Hipotezėms patvirtinti arba paneigti vykdomas trijų etapų tyrimas, kuris parodė, kad, augant išlaidoms MTEP veiklai, kartu vystosi ir ekonomika bei didėja mokslinės veiklos produktyvumas; efektyviausiai MTEP veiklą vykdo Prancūzija, Čekija ir Lietuva; mažiau išsivysčiusios šalys atsilieka nuo labiau išsivysčiusių pagal daugelio MTEP rodiklių absoliučius statistinius duomenis, tačiau šiose šalyse atskirų rodiklių augimo tempai žymiai spartesni, tarp šalių pastebimi konvergencijos požymiai, todėl galima tikėtis, kad ilgainiui besivejančios šalys, tarp jų ir Lietuva, pasieks šalių-inovacijų lyderių lygį. Galiausiai darbe pateikiami atlikto tyrimo apribojimai bei pasiūlymai tolesniems šios srities tyrimams. / This paper aims at assessing the performance of research and development (R&D) in selected European Union countries, distinguished by their level of development into more advanced countries (United Kingdom, France and Sweden) and less advanced countries (Lithuania, Latvia, Hungary and Czech Republic). Firstly, the theoretical approach to R&D is showed, then the current situation of R&D sector in Lithuania is estimated in relation with the EU context and hypotheses about the trends of particular R&D indicators, their effectiveness and contribution to the growth of economics are formulated. In order to affirm these hypotheses, a three-stage research is carried out. The results of the analysis propose that R&D expenditure has a significant impact on the growth of economics and on productivity of R&D. It also shows that France, Czech Republic and Lithuania are among the countries, which performs R&D most effectively, likewise it estimates that less advanced countries are lagging behind at almost all indicators, however they are catching up with the advanced nations because of the rapid growth rate of particular R&D indicators, therefore evidences of convergence between countries can be indicated. Finally, the limitations of this research and proposals for further studies are presented.

The quality of the human experience depends on a dramatic change in how we think about economics and, more specifically, about the relationship between human economic activity and the natural world. The continued pursuit of a growth agenda threatens the health and stability of global ecological systems, jeopardizes the wellbeing of many people, and undermines opportunities for future generations. In an era of sustainability challenges, we must measure the impacts of economic activity and use that information toward designing more sustainable human systems. This dissertation supports an ecological economic worldview by extending biophysical based measures to local scale applications to improve understanding of environmental impact at the urban and sub-regional scale. To account for environmental impact, I test two calculation approaches: one to estimate municipal ecological footprint values and one to measure environmental impact at a neighbourhood level. The novel calculation approaches account for environmental impact at finer scales of resolution than has traditionally been applied. I also explore drivers of environmental impact using Halifax Regional Municipality as a case study. I examine the relationship between direct GHG emissions and socio-economic and wellbeing variables using a multivariate model. Those reporting to be married, young, low income, and living in households with more people have correspondingly lower direct GHG emissions than other categories in respective groupings. Respondents with lifestyles that generate higher GHG emissions did not report to be healthier, happier or more connected to their communities, suggesting that individuals can experience similar degrees of wellbeing largely independent of their GHG emissions. I explored whether where we live influences direct GHG emissions. Findings indicate that individuals living in the suburbs generate similar GHG emissions to those living in the inner city, challenging a widely held assumption that living in the inner city is better for sustainability. These results underscore the importance of understanding the spatial distribution of GHG emissions at the sub-regional scale. The research offers new insights to measure and understand environmental impact at the local level toward supporting ecologically informed decision-making.

The interdisciplinary research project AviClim (Including Aviation in International Protocols for Climate Protection) has explored the feasibility for including aviation’s full climate impact, i.e., both long-lived CO2 and short-lived non-CO2 effects, in international protocols for climate protection and has investigated the economic impacts. Short-lived non-CO2 effects of aviation are NOx emissions, H2O emissions or contrail cirrus, for instance. Four geopolitical scenarios have been designed which differ concerning the level of international support for climate protecting measures. These scenarios have been combined alternatively with an emissions trading scheme on CO2 and non-CO2 species, a climate tax and a NOx emission charge combined with CO2 trading and operational measures (such as lower flight altitudes). Modelling results indicate that a global emissions trading scheme for both CO2 and non-CO2 emissions would be the best solution from an economic and environmental point of view. Costs and impacts on competition could be kept at a relatively moderate level and effects on employment are moderate, too. At the same time, environmental benefits are noticeable.