<p> The objectives of this research effort focused on the oxidative aging of binders with high recycled asphalt materials. A coordinated program of forced-draft oven aging experiments was conducted on eleven sorts of binder blends including three different types of base binders from TX, NH, and NV, two different types of recycled material (RAP/RAS), and two different types of recycling agents (RA). Implementing the Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) and Dynamic Shear Rheometer (DSR) isothermal frequency sweep tests, the oxidation kinetics and rheological performance were determined for the evaluation materials. Results indicated that the oxidative aging rates were influenced by the aging temperature, duration, base binder type, as well as the utilized asphalt modifier, i.e. recycled materials and RAs. It was also noted that the RAs reduced the overall stiffness in the investigated stages of oxidation. However, differential aging rates and hardening susceptibilities were observed between the RA and RAP/RAS additions to each of the three bases, noting that these differences were not consistent with the type of RAS, i.e. MWAS or TOAS. Additionally, the base binder aging properties due to the addition of the recycled material was highly influenced by the RA dosages within each blend.</p><p> Furthermore, the binder blend oxidative aging predictions at binder specific geographical location indicated that using the recycled materials along with the RAs at the optimum dosage, according to the proposed methodology, was able to restore the binder blend properties to the virgin binder.</p><p> The influences of the recycled material and RAs on the PG 64-28P base binder were also investigated through the binder PG grading and mortar testing. Consistent directions for the influence of the evaluation materials were observed within both procedures, suggesting the capability of the mortar procedure in characterizing the effects of RAP and RA materials on virgin binder without the use of chemical extraction.</p><p> The Uniaxial Thermal Stress and Strain Test (UTSST) was also conducted on the PMFC and RPMLC specimens of the NV field project to investigate the influence of the high recycled material and RAs on the asphalt mixtures. Through consideration of the thermo-viscoelastic properties, marked differences in the binder oxidation were noted between the experimental factors. Typically, decreases in the viscous response of the mixtures as well as increases in both the stiffness and brittle behavior were observed with aging and also inclusion of the recycled material. Although the addition of the RAs to the recycled mixtures indicated some extent of properties restoration, crack initiation and fracture were observed to occur in significantly warmer temperatures compared to the virgin mixture.</p><p>

<p> Atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂) concentration has risen since the industrial revolution, reaching record highs year after year, and is projected to continue rising. The global average concentration of CO₂ has risen from 280 parts per million (ppm) to over 400 ppm over the last 150 years alone. CO₂ is sourced from not only fossil fuel use, but also from an increasing population world-wide in combination with a reduction of foliage. Indoor air quality (IAQ) suffers as a result of poor circulation, and buildings have been shown to accumulate air toxics such as CO₂ at greater levels than outdoors. <b></b>Standards permit increases in CO₂ indoors in relationship to outdoor baseline levels, thus permitting an ever-increasing level of CO₂ indoors. Although high concentrations of CO₂ have been associated with perceptions of poor air quality, symptoms of illness, slow work performance, and absence from work or school, such as in cases of sick building syndrome (SBS), these effects have been assumed to be due to other air toxics that accompanied high CO₂ levels in buildings.</p><p> New studies in low-to-moderate CO₂ exposure in the range of 1,000&ndash;2,500 ppm challenge this assumption, and report negative impacts to proof-reading tasks, with further research in the same study series conducted with more sensitive cognitive function tests illustrating an impact on decision-making performance (Allen et al., 2015; Satish et al., 2012). With such broad human-occupied space impacts, IAQ factors such as CO₂ cut across all socioeconomic categories, and cries out for innovative solutions. </p><p> The proposed approach in this thesis provides a framework for assessing IAQ data on the human health impacts of long-term IAQ exposures, both indoor and outdoor, with a sensor network designed to provide accessible real-time data visualizations to building occupants. Only outdoor air quality data is currently available from organizations such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). With a new concept of <i>&ldquo;connected buildings,&rdquo; </i> equipped with IAQ monitoring made available by the proposed air quality sensor network, a new IAQ data stream can be merged with existing outdoor air quality monitoring station data streams such as those from the EPA. </p><p> The goal of this research is to enable IAQ data acquisition on a continuous basis towards better informed decisions for industrial development, enactment of standards, ecological policy for architectural development, and individual&rsquo;s exposures, through consolidation of air quality metrics that combine real0time output from outdoor and indoor built environments that can be reviewed at-a-glance. The indoor distributed wireless sensor network (IDWSN) has been designed and produced to meet the needs of continuous real-time data monitoring while populating a database used to moderate IAQ remediation systems and real-time visualization interfaces to keep human occupants of a building informed.</p><p>

<p> This study aims to explain the process through which organizations adopt practices that are congruent with the need for sustainability of the world to support the existence of economic, social, and environmental systems for future generations. The study used grounded theory for data collection and analysis. Seven organizations that varied by industry, type, size, and number of years in operation participated in this study, representing industries from manufacturing, financial services, education, government, community organizations, faith-based organizations, and consumer products from Northwest Pennsylvania. The data analysis was qualitative in nature. Results from open, axial, and selective coding produced six main categories: sustainability definition/meaning, sustainability practices, sustainability mechanisms, sustainability barriers, sustainability factors, and sustainability learning to-date. Implications of study and future research are discussed.</p><p>

<p> A robust body of research suggests that inclusive and collaborative approaches to ecological restoration, specifically watershed management, are not only successful but also optimal for long-term sustainability. This research is embedded within the context of the EPA regulated Chesapeake Watershed restoration, which spans six states and requires multiple levels of collaboration and engagement. The research used ethnographic methods to explore what motivated community leaders to engage in water resource conservation and restoration initiatives in Havre de Grace, Maryland, a city on the shores of the Upper Chesapeake Bay. The Chesapeake Watershed is a pivotal example of both global and United States trends in degraded water resources. The research questions for the study were: How do community leaders express their understanding of water-related issues through a sense of place, nature connection, and local knowledge? How can community leaders catalyze community engagement in support of water-related environmental restoration, education, and conservation? What are the common points of concern, optimism, and motivation articulated by community leaders to conserve the freshwater and estuarine water resources? Data was collected through in-depth interviews and analyzed using a qualitative coding method. The research contributes to an understanding of how best practices in community leadership and community engagement can be mobilized to conserve and restore critical ecosystems within the context of a broader watershed management initiative. The research results are useful for community organizers and stakeholder institutions with an interest in protecting and restoring degraded natural environments through locally relevant initiatives.</p><p>

Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) are not immune to the global environment problems. An increasing awareness of the environmental responsibilities of HEIs has led researchers to investigate the role of environmental information and Environmental Management Information Systems (EMISs) in HEIs. EMISs play a major role in environmental management and environmental decision making in HEIs. Internationally, an increasing number of HEIs are embracing the concept of ‘sustainable HEIs’ by undertaking green campus initiatives. HEIs often use diverse information systems, some of which are manual systems, proven to be inefficient and this gives rise to redundant and inconsistent databases which result in non-compliance with regulations, confusion and lack of co-ordinated effort. There is therefore need for an integrated, comprehensive software system and framework which can assist with the efficient management of environmental information at South African HEIs. This study fills a gap in the field of environmental sustainability at HEIs as the evaluation of existing sustainability programs has shown common weakness such as: Failure to effectively set baselines, flaws in data acquisition and management and missing documentation. The aim of this study is to propose a framework for Environmental Information Management (EIM) in HEIs. The framework includes guidelines related to the components of the framework which can also be used to perform a gap analysis to facilitate the improved design of effective and efficient EIM processes and data stores. The Design Science Research (DSR) methodology is the research methodology used in the development of the two artifacts of this study namely: The EIM framework for HEIs and an EMIS prototype to serve as proof of concept. Problem identification and motivation was the first activity of the DSR which was done through a rigorous literature review and an investigation and evaluation of extant systems. This resulted in the design of an initial EIM framework for HEIs. Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) was the HEI used as the case study. The EIM framework was applied at NMMU and this enabled the researcher to understand the current As-Is EIM processes at NMMU and this resulted in clear objectives of a solution. The EMIS prototype (data warehouse) was then designed and implemented based on the theoretical framework. Three sets of evaluations were done to determine the acceptance of the EIM framework for HEIs and the performance of the EMIS prototype. The EIM framework was generally positively accepted and minor suggestions were made. An updated version of the EIM framework was proposed and evaluated. The experimental evaluation results showed that the EMIS prototype was efficient and effective. The contribution of this study is an EIM framework for HEIs and an implementation of an EMIS (EnviroDW) at NMMU that could be utilised by other HEIs.

This research project aims to assess development projects in the energy sector with its focus on the shale gas exploration in the Karoo. The assessment is based on a critical analysis of the concepts and principles of sustainability, complexity and the National Environmental Management Act, using a critical hermeneutics methodology to develop an assessment criterion. Critical hermeneutics is the science and art of interpreting texts, challenging the status quo, its influences and assumptions. Hermeneutics is the reaction to enlightenment fundamentalism, which is an over-reliance on rationality and the scientific method as a primary means of obtaining truth. Hence this research has adopted a triangulation of ideas and concepts derived from sustainability and complexity to find the truth about the sustainability of development projects (Cilliers, 1998; Deleuze & Guattari, 1994; Byrne, 1998). The Central Karoo is situated in the North Eastern part of the Western Province. It is characterised by dry, arid conditions with highly environmentally sensitive land. Central Karoo has the smallest concentration of people in the Western Cape (Van Vuuren, 2008). This research project offers an assessment that will help governments determine the feasibility of energy sector projects since it discusses the impact of exploration for shale gas in the Karoo and explains the process, recommendations and the environmental legislature required for any project to take place in South Africa. Further, it highlights the environmental damage caused by the shale gas exploration as well as the positive economic impact that it could have on the country. For this research, hermeneutics has offered a framework rather than a system; it is a research philosophy that places human experience at the forefront as it honours a variety of interpretations.

The goal of the thesis is to find if and how active corporate social responsibility can increase the value of company together with identification of the most impactful activities in this regard. For this purpose, the thesis is structured into three parts. The first part provides overview of theoretical approaches to the company value with specific focus on Corporate Social Responsibility, sustainability and communication. In the second part, initiatives in the area of sustainability in a case company are reviewed. For this purpose, a leader and innovator in the area of CSR has been selected with variety of best practices that have been mapped. Based on the conducted research, the third part summarizes recommendations from both theory, as well as practice on those activities that should be considered by other companies for incorporation.

The thesis studies the case of water quality in Mexico as a crucial factor to prevent water scarcity. This is an important issue for Mexico since more than half of its territory is arid or semi-arid; moreover, the most productive regions are located in areas with significant water resources stress. In this regard, the current situation of water scarcity is studied from the changes in water management derived from the evolution of institutions in the country. The institutional changes were analyzed mostly in the transition from a centralized water supply and sanitation services with strong state intervention to the decentralization of such services that were transferred to municipalities. Decentralization was addressed by analyzing the performance of water supply and sanitation services in urban areas that are expected to continue growing in the near future. The literature shows that the decentralization process has been partial and has not improved as expected the performance of water supply and sanitation services, moreover, due to political reasons, limited human and financial resources it introduced more challenges to the accomplishment of sustainable water management. More importantly, the federal government is still the main agent for the development of the water sector in Mexico. The next part of the analysis consist of a quantitative and qualitative evaluation regarding water quality for the three most productive Hydrological-Administrative Regions (HARs) of Mexico in the period of 2003-2013. The HARs chosen are the HAR VI Río Bravo, HAR VIII Lerma Santiago Pacific and HAR XIII Waters of the Valley of Mexico which are very similar in terms GDP share and water stress degree. Through OLS regression models for each HAR the impacts of demographic, economic, water supply and sanitation services aspects were tested to known their effects on water quality. In order to improve the discussion of the results, additional to the comparison with the results of the literature review, three experts were asked to answer a questionnaire about the regressions outcome. The discussion showed different impacts of the independent variables in the dependent variable of each HAR, sometimes leading to unexpected results. The main conclusions of the thesis relate to the improvement of decentralization of water and sanitation services, to the need to improve data for future analyses and pay more attention to water quality issues. In this regard, decentralization requires to consider contextual differences in order to seize its advantages to improve the performances of water supply and sanitation services, moreover, at the operative level water management decisions must be taken without political interests involved. The statistical analyses stressed the need to develop more reliable data about water management issues to improve the understanding of factors that could potentially affect water quality. In this regard, the creation of useful statistical indicators to assess the evolution towards sustainability in water management. The considerations for future research must consider more seriously water quality issues. This topic has been often ignored, however, it is crucial for water scarcity abatement.

The aim of this research has been to develop an integrated life cycle methodology and assess the sustainability in the UK beverage sector considering environmental, economic and social aspects. The environmental impacts include climate change, resource depletion and emissions to air, land and water. The economic aspects considered are life cycle costs and value added. Social issues include health, labour and human rights and intergenerational issues. The environmental impacts have been assessed using life cycle assessment; economic impacts have been assessed using life cycle costing and value added analysis while social aspects have been assessed using relevant social indicators and social hot-spots analysis. The sustainability of the following beverages has been assessed: carbonated soft drinks, beer (lager), wine (red), bottled water and Scotch whisky. The environmental and economic assessments have first been carried out at the level of individual supply chains. The results have then been extrapolated using a bottom-up approach to the level of their respective sub-sectors and then, combining these results, to the UK beverage sector. This has been followed by the social assessment at the sectoral level. The results of the assessment at the sectoral level show that UK consumption of the five beverages is responsible for over 3.5 million tonnes of CO2 eq. emissions annually, with the carbonated soft drinks and beer sub-sectors accounting for 42% and 40% of the total, respectively. Total annual life cycle costs and value added are estimated at £1.3 billion and £15.8 billion, respectively. Production of packaging and raw materials are the major hot spots in the life cycle of the beverage supply chain for environmental and economic impacts. Strategies such as technological improvements, packaging optimisation as well as organic agriculture would lead to improved environmental and economic performance. The social hot spot assessment shows that China, Colombia and India are the countries likely to pose highest social risks. The findings of this study could help the government and beverage manufacturers to formulate appropriate policies and robust strategies for improving the sustainability in the UK beverage sector. The results could also help consumers to make more informed choices that contribute to sustainable development.

The aim of the study was to analyse possibilities of sustainable use of a recreational lake in the outskirts of the City Plzeň. Long term balance between economic, social and ecological aspects was emphasized. After the analyse was made it resulted that for sustainable economic functioning of the locality several measures should be carried out. The extent of the measures should be appropriate in order not to disturb sustainable maintenance of social and ecological aspects.