This study emanates from the worldwide issue of climate change, as well as the need for all nations to make an effort to reduce their carbon emissions and move towards greener economies. It delves into South Africa's current command-and-control environmental enforcement regime and highlights the pitfalls that allow major air polluters to avoid sanction of any form in many instances. This poor environmental enforcement and compliance effectively means that South Africa is unlikely to be capable of meeting targets set under international agreements. The study confirms that environmental enforcement is inadequately addressed in South Africa. This is attributable to the inherent shortcomings of command-and-control approaches, including that they are inflexible and offer few incentives for firms to modify behaviour to reduce emissions. Poor enforcement of environmental legislation results in negative externalities caused by air pollution being borne by people who did not create such pollution. The study therefore advocates the use of market-based mechanisms as an alternative to traditional command-and-control approaches to environmental enforcement. In light of the South African government's recent publication of the Draft Carbon Tax Bill, carbon taxes as a subset of market-based environmental enforcement mechanisms have the potential to better enforce the polluter pays principle. Mexico, arguably the most forward-thinking developing nation in terms of climate change mitigation, has taken numerous steps towards meeting international commitments, including the implementation of a carbon tax. While South Africa's proposed carbon tax does differ from Mexico's in some respects, the basic premise remains the same and some comparisons can be made in this regard, with accompanying lessons to be learned. Such lessons include that it is imperative that the carbon tax must be set at a high enough rate to meet international commitments whilst at the same time avoiding adverse economic effects, maintaining social welfare and stabilising economic output levels. The proposed carbon tax, while unable to achieve this on its own, is a good place to start and should be utilised in conjunction with the Draft Climate Change Bill to effectively and efficaciously bring about the required change. The proposed carbon tax undoubtedly has the potential to better hold major air polluters responsible for their CO2 and other GHG emissions. / Private Law / LL. M.

Vad gäller reglerna om tidigare års underskott utgör koncernbidragsspärren en spärregel till den annars gällande huvudregeln att tidigare års förluster får kvittas mot framtida vinster. Koncernbidragsspärren inträder vid ägarförändringar och innebär förenklat att ett underskottsföretag är förhindrat att, under en period om fem år, kvitta kvarstående underskott mot koncernbidrag som underskottsföretaget mottar från företag som inte ingick i koncernen före ägarförändringen (nya företag). Underskott som uppkommer efter ägarförändringen får dock kvittas mot koncernbidrag från nya företag. Uppsatsen syftar till att analysera och granska reglerna om koncernbidragsspärren ur ett företagsperspektiv, vilket innebär att uppsatsen ser till reglernas bakomliggande syfte och till hur reglerna fungerar vid en praktisk tillämpning. Uppsatsen har ett särskilt fokus kring i vilken turordning koncernbidrag ska beaktas vid avräkning mot befintliga underskott när ett underskottsföretag mottar koncernbidrag både från gamla och nya företag i en koncern. I RÅ 2008 ref. 69 ställdes frågan på sin spets och Högsta Förvaltningsdomstolen befäste en ny turordningsprincip där koncernbidrag från gamla företag ska beaktas före koncernbidrag från nya företag i koncernen. Det har genom uppsatsens analys av reglerna om koncernbidragsspärren påvisats att reglerna är svåra att tillämpa och i många fall råder det osäkerhet om hur reglerna ska tolkas. Det kan konstateras att problematik kvarstår avseende frågan om i vilken turordning koncernbidrag från så kallade gamla respektive nya företag ska beaktas vid avräkning mot befintliga underskott även efter RÅ 2008 ref. 69. En rådande osäkerhet om hur reglerna ska tolkas kan inte anses tillfredsställande ur ett företagsperspektiv och en översyn av reglerna vore välkommen. / According to the Swedish legislation tax losses can normally be carried forward and settled against future profits in the same company unlimited of time. However, a restriction of losses being carried forward may occur in situations where change of ownership is at hand. The restrictive rule prohibits offsetting tax losses in an acquired loss-making company against group contributions received from other group companies. The restrictive rule applies up until, and including, the end of the fifth year after the year when the restriction occurred. However, losses that occur after the change of ownership are possible to offset against group contributions from other group companies. The thesis aims to analyze and review the restrictive rule from a business perspective which means that the underlying purpose of the restrictive rule and how it works in practice is examined. The thesis has a particular focus on in what order group contributions should be considered when being offset against existing deficits when the deficit company receives group contributions from old and new companies in the corporate group. In the Swedish case law RÅ 2008 ref. 69 the Supreme Administrative Court laid down a new principle of order where group contributions from an old company should be regarded before a group contribution from a new company. Through the analysis of the restrictive rule it has been demonstrated that the rule is difficult to conform to and that there is an uncertainty regarding the interpretation of it. Through the analysis of this thesis it is established that, even after RÅ 2008 ref. 69, the complexity of problems remains concerning in what order group contributions from old respectively new companies should be considered when being offset against existing deficits. A such prescribed uncertainty regarding the interpretation of the restrictive rule cannot be considered satisfactory from a business perspective and a review of the rules would be preferable.

Thesis (MScFor)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Kiaat trees in Namibia are threatened by unsustainable harvesting practice. This study’s aim was to estimate the total value of an average Kiaat tree selected for harvesting with a focus on current timber use value, value of an optimally utilised tree, carbon value, and alternative uses of Kiaat trees. To accomplish this aim, the following specific objectives were set: (1) to estimate the total tree volume and optimum utilisable timber volume of an average Kiaat tree; (2) to estimate the amount and value of carbon stored in the above-ground parts of an average Kiaat tree; (3) to determine timber utilisation levels; and (4) to identify alternative use options to reduce timber losses of Kiaat trees. Previous studies on Kiaat in Namibia and elsewhere focused on growth, development and socio-economical aspects of Kiaat trees. A combination of a socio-economic survey and tree volumes and biomass determination was used to collect data. The survey entailed Kiaat products assessment and face-to-face personal interviews with known key-informants in and around Rundu. Loggers with permits to harvest Kiaat trees were asked to harvest 40 Kiaat trees and data collected from each tree before and after felling included: lower-stem diameter, diameter at breast height (DBH), upper-stem diameter, stem length, stump height, recovered merchantable logs lengths and lower-and-upper diameters and lengths of branches greater than 10 cm in diameter. All canopy parts smaller than 10 cm in diameter were directly weighed, sampled and oven-dried at 105°C until constant weight. Volume of different tree parts was calculated and in combination with basic wood density used to calculate the biomass. It was established that a typically harvested Kiaat tree had an above-ground dry volume of 1.63 m3, of which 1.34 m3 (82%) was utilisable timber volume but that only 0.37 m3 (23%) was used and 0.97 m3 (59%) was left behind in the field. Merchantable logs were mainly cut into planks from which finished products - beds, chairs, doors and tables - were made. An average of 10.7 planks were cut per trunk and the local price of planks was N$45.26 at the time of the study. More income is generated from finished products compared to selling loose planks. Canopy parts were mainly cut into woodcrafts – bowls, music drums, and walking sticks. Current timber use value (N$484.73) surpasses carbon value (N$123.74). A further result of the study was that a significantly higher income could be earned for local livelihoods from Kiaat trees in the Kavango Region if trees were optimally used. Carbon trading is a noble conservation initiative, particularly when trees unsuitable for timber are considered. Use of timber trees exclusively for carbon trading is, however, not a viable option in respect of supporting local people’s livelihoods. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Kiaatbome in Namibië word bedreig deur onvolhoubare ontginningspraktyke. Die doelwit van die studie was om die totale waarde van ‘n gemiddelde Kiaatboom, wat gekies is vir ontginning, te bepaal met die fokus op huidige houtwaarde, waarde van ‘n optimaal gebruikte boom, koolstofwaarde en alternatiewe gebruike vir Kiaatbome. Om hierdie doelwit te bereik is die volgende spesifieke sub-doelwitte gestel: (1) bepaal die totale boomvolume en optimale bruikbare houtvolume van ‘n gemiddelde Kiaatboom; (2) bepaal die hoeveelheid koolstof wat in die bogrondse dele van ‘n gemiddelde Kiaatboom gestoor word en bereken die monitêrewaarde daarvan; (3) bepaal die houtgebruiksvlakke en houtvermorsing van Kiaatbome; en (4) identifiseer alternatiewe gebruike om die vermorsing van Kiaatbome te verminder. Vorige studies oor Kiaat in Namibië en elders het gefokus op groei, ontwikkeling en sosio-ekonomiese aspekte van Kiaatbome. ‘n Kombinasie van ‘n sosio-ekonomiese opname en boomvolume en biomassa bepalings is gebruik vir die insameling van data. Die opname het ‘n Kiaat produkbepaling en gesig-tot-gesig persoonlike onderhoude met sleutel informante in en om Rundu behels. Boomkappers met permitte om kiaatbome te ontgin is gevra om 40 Kiaatbome te ontgin en data is versamel van elke boom voor en na ontginning. Die data het ingesluit: lae-stam deursnee, deursnee op borshoogte (DBH), bo-stam deursnee, stamlengte, stomphoogte, herwinde bruikbare stomplengte, bo- en onder- deursnee en lengtes van takke wat 10 cm of groter deursnee het. All kroondele 10 cm en kleiner in deursnee is geweeg en ‘n steekproef versamel wat oondroog gemaak is by 105ºC totdat konstante gewig bereik is. Die volume van verskillende boomdele is bereken en in kombinasie met houtdigtheid gebruik om biomassa te bereken. Dit is bereken dat ‘n tipiese geoeste Kiaatboom ‘n bogrondse droë volume van 1.63 m³ het, waarvan 1.34 m³ (82%) bruikbare houtvolume is. Net 0.37 m³ (23%) van die bruikbare houtvolume is egter gebruik en 0.97 m³ (59%) is agtergelaat in die veld. Bruikbare stompe is meestal opgesaag in planke waarvan finale produkte soos beddens, stoele, deure en tafels gemaak is. ‘n Gemiddeld van 10.7 planke is verkry per stomp en die plaaslike prys van planke was N$45.26 gedurende die studie tydperk. Meer inkomste is verkry van finale produkte as van die verkoop van los planke. Kroondele is meestal opgesaag in houtkunswerke soos bakke, musiekdromme en kieries. Die huidige houtwaarde van N$484.73 is meer as die koolstof waarde (N$123.74) van die bome. ‘n Belangrike resultaat van die studie is dat ‘n beduidende groter inkomste gegenereer kan word vir plaaslike lewensbestaan van Kiaatbome in die Kavangostreek as bome optimaal benut word. Koolstofhandel is ‘n edele bewaringskonsep, veral as bome ongeskik vir houtgebruik is soos in die geval van krom bome en jonger bome. Die eksklusiewe gebruik van houtbome vir koolstofhandel is nie ‘n lewensvatbare opsie om plaaslike mense se lewensbestaan te ondersteun nie.

The pressing global demand to transform to a low-carbon business community, which is required by the urgency of mitigating climate change, significantly alters the operating procedures for carbon emitters and carbon revenue generators alike. Although agricultural activities are not considered as heavy carbon emission source, the increased public focus on climate change has catapulted the exploitation of sustainable agricultural land management mitigating strategies as intervention by the sector. Additionally, the focus on market-based mechanism to address climate change, which has led to the evolution of cap-and-trade schemes, makes the agricultural sector become a source of low-cost carbon offsets. However, the fact that cap-and-trade schemes in the agricultural sector are voluntary has resulted into not only very diverse farming practices but also diverse accounting practices. The consequences of the diversity practices are that, the impacts on financial performance and position are not comparable. Therefore, the overall objective of this study was to investigate the recognition, measurement and disclosure for cap-and-trade schemes in the agricultural sectors This study was conducted through literature reviews and empirical test. A qualitative research approach utilising constructivist methodology was employed. Primary data was collected in Kenya by administering three sets of semi-structured questionnaires to drafters of financial statements, loan officers and financial consultants. Secondary data involved content analysis of financial statements and reports of listed entities across the globe. It was established that proper accounting for cap-and-trade schemes adaptation activities is critical to the success of an entity’s environmental portfolio. Additionally, a model for valuing an organisation's carbon capture potential as suggested by this study enables entities to better report the impact of the adaptation activities on the financial performance and financial position. The outcome of this study enables entities to integrate the carbon capture potential on an entity sustainability reporting framework. / Colleges of Economic and Management Sciences / D. Phil. (Accounting Science)

L'objectif de notre thèse vise à évaluer les résultats engrangés par les marchés du carbone. Afin de pouvoir explorer différents aspects des marchés du carbone à un niveau mondial et en raison de la diversité des instruments qui se cachent derrière ce vocable, nous avons choisi de réaliser une thèse par article. Sur base de nos analyses empiriques nous avons pu vérifier dans quelle mesure les avantages et les limites théoriques des marchés du carbone se sont réalisés en pratique. <p><p>Une hypothèse forte des marchés du carbone dotés d’un système de plafonnement est qu’ils permettraient de garantir le respect des objectifs climatiques. Cette hypothèse ne s’est pas révélée exacte. En générant plus d’un milliard de crédits, dont un nombre important de crédits issus de projets, et en ne parvenant pas à empêcher des défections, le système mis en place par le Protocole de Kyoto n’est pas parvenu à garantir le plafonnement des émissions dans les pays développés. Il en va de même pour les systèmes liés à Kyoto comme le système communautaire d'échange de quotas d'émissions (SCEQE).<p><p>Dans la plupart des configurations des règles ad hoc et peu transparentes ont nui à l’objectif environnemental. La comptabilité commune de différents gaz à effet de serre, malgré des incertitudes importantes sur les pouvoirs de réchauffement globaux a également été néfaste à l'intégrité du système. <p><p>Le lien à des mécanismes de projets trouvant leur légitimité dans une preuve de l’additionnalité souvent floue demeure problématique. Notre analyse a ainsi mis en avant la problématique de l'enregistrement de projets hydrauliques dont la décision de construction est antérieure aux marchés du carbone.<p><p>En théorie, le mécanisme d’échange a pour conséquence que les acteurs confrontés à des coûts de réduction faibles soient encouragés à réduire leurs émissions. Dans la pratique, notre analyse montre que peu d’acteurs connaissent leur coût de réduction marginal, empêchant dès lors la concrétisation de cet idéal d’une réduction au moindre coût. Nous avons aussi mis en avant le fait qu’un prix identique par tonne de CO2 réduite n’est pas adapté au soutien de technologies nouvelles, souvent plus onéreuses au début de leur cycle de développement. <p><p>Finalement, un des principaux mérites des marchés du carbone a peut-être été leur acceptabilité auprès des décideurs politiques et économiques. Il est manifeste que les marchés permettent d'internaliser le carbone à un niveau international sans passer par une difficile harmonisation des politiques fiscales. C'est clairement une des raisons de leur adoption rapide et dans de nombreux pays.<p><p>Les marchés du carbone ont aussi joué un rôle important en matière de sensibilisation aux changements climatiques. Ils ont permis de faire progresser la comptabilité carbone et la compréhension des technologies sobres en carbone. <p><p>L’effondrement récent du prix du carbone montre que ce nouvel instrument qui, en théorie, est efficace pour atteindre un objectif de réduction prédéfini, ne permet pas, dans la pratique, par manque d’ambition ou en raison d’erreurs dans la conception, de financer la transition vers une nouvelle économie sobre en carbone. Il apparaît dès lors nécessaire de réformer cet instrument mais aussi de développer progressivement des alternatives afin de ne pas uniquement faire reposer la réussite de l’atteinte des objectifs climatiques sur les seuls marchés du carbone et ainsi augmenter la résilience des politiques climatiques aux aléas de marchés financiers, par ailleurs eux-mêmes soumis à de nombreux tourments depuis 2008.<p> / Doctorat en Sciences / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished