As the architecture and construction industry places an increased emphasis on sustainability, building researchers are seeking more comprehensive methods to evaluate and reduce a building's environmental impacts. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) has emerged as one of the most capable tools to aid in this assessment. Presently there are no guiding principles for the use of LCA in the building industry. This thesis aims to provide guidelines to help architects utilize LCA methodology as part of the design process. This study reviews a number of previously-completed whole-building LCA case-studies to understand different LCA scenarios of use in the building industry. In addition, a set of North American and international LCA tools were evaluated for their utility in different scenarios. The state of research was assessed to find answers to some critical issues concerning LCA. Based on these analyses, a number of scenarios of use of LCA were identified and a set of guidelines was proposed to conduct LCA for buildings. It was concluded that the present use of LCA is limited due to limited tool capabilities, deficient databases and lack of a building-specific methodology. The study recognizes these limitations and recommends specific research opportunities for future researchers. However, it is concluded that approximate LCA results obtained from the tools available today can be useful in informing design-decisions, keeping in mind the lack of precision in the results.

published_or_final_version / Real Estate and Construction / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

Thesis (M.Env.St.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Geographical and Environmental Studies, 2001. / Bibliography: leaves 85-91.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hong Kong, 1997. / Includes bibliographical references (leaf 217-247).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hong Kong, 1998. / "1998"--Cover. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 395-414).

The paper identifies three topics in order to evaluate the improvements in the regulation of the National System of EnvironmentalImpact Assessment, looking to benefit the people’s trust in the environmental certification. The first one consists in the gradual transition from the prevention paradigm to the integration one, as the purpose of the different instruments that compose the system; the second involves the enrichment in the evaluation of the Environmental Impact Study (EIS), by incorporating the scoping phase; and the third involves adopting additional measures that reinforce the independence of the teams in charge of the elaboration and evaluation of the EIS. / El artículo identifica tres áreas para evaluar mejoras a la regulacióndel Sistema Nacional de Evaluación de Impacto Ambiental, con miras a favorecer la aparición de confianza ciudadana respecto de la certificación ambiental. La primera tiene que ver con transitar gradualmente del paradigma preventivo al integrativo como finalidad de los instrumentos que componen el sistema; la segunda, con enriquecer la evaluación del estudio de impacto ambiental (EIA) incorporándole una etapa de scoping a cargo del Estado; y la tercera, con adoptar medidas adicionales que refuercen la independencia de los equipos de elaboración y evaluación del EIA.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T20:01:03Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 DissCMM.pdf: 1152867 bytes, checksum: 285bcaac4403e13affd7a9ae146f523c (MD5) Previous issue date: 2005-10-26 / This work intented to realize a study about the situation of process of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) in São Paulo State, with emphasis in the monitoring pos-EIS (Environmental Impact Statment) phase, that it is essencial for the efficiency and efficacy of EIA. The purpose was to evaluate the frequency that the monitoring is realized, which are the methods used, what the efficiency, the negative points and the difficults to execution of this system. For that, it was realized a bibliography revision about national and internacional practices of EIA, with research at libraries of Secretaria de Meio Ambiente do Estado de São Paulo (SMA), Companhia Estadual de Saneamento Ambiental (CETESB), Departamento de Avaliação de Impacto Ambiental (DAIA) and USP, and researches on data base. It were made interviews with technicals directors of DAIA/SMA and was also elaborated a questioner, that approach some points of EIA practices in São Paulo State. This questioner was sent to professionals of area. The results evidenced that despite of monitoring pos-EIS is very impotant in the context of EIA, it is not executed in the most of the cases. Many failures are pointed out in the process, which results in the non aplication of monitoring pos-EIS. The lack of engagement with the environmental quality and the sustainability, the lack of structure in the environmental agencies, the bureaucratic and consequent slowness of the process, the little participation of community, the difficulty in getting material about the topic, and others are some of factors mentioned. If the procedure were not improved, for assure the accomplishment of terms and commitments defined, as well as the learning with mistakes and the rights of each case, a powerfull instrument of Environmental Policy would be discredited and turn on in one of numerous bureaucratic obstacles that difficult the access on natural resourses of the country, but are not efficient to assure that the improvement happens in benefit of society. / Este trabalho teve como objetivo realizar um estudo da situação do processo de Avaliação de Impacto Ambiental (AIA) no estado de São Paulo, enfatizando a fase de monitoramento pós-Estudo de Impacto Ambiental (EIA), que é essencial para a eficiência e eficácia da AIA. Pretendeu-se avaliar com que freqüência o monitoramento é realizado, quais os métodos utilizados para sua realização, qual sua eficiência, seus pontos falhos e quais as dificuldades de operacionalização deste sistema. Para tanto, foi realizada uma revisão bibliográfica sobre práticas nacionais e internacionais de AIA, com consultas às bibliotecas da Secretaria de Meio Ambiente (SMA), Companhia Estadual de Tecnologia de Saneamento Ambiental (CETESB), Departamento de Avaliação de Impacto Ambiental (DAIA) e da USP e pesquisas em banco de dados. Foram feitas entrevistas com diretores técnicos do DAIA/SMA e também foi elaborado um questionário, que aborda alguns pontos de práticas de AIA no Estado de São Paulo. Este questionário foi enviado para profissionais da área. Como resultado, foi constatado que, apesar de muito importante no contexto da AIA, o monitoramento pós-EIA não é praticado na maioria dos casos. Muitas são as falhas apontadas no processo, que acabam culminando na não aplicação do monitoramento pós-EIA. A falta de comprometimento com a qualidade ambiental e a sustentabilidade, a falta de estrutura dos órgãos ambientais, a burocratização e conseqüente lentidão do processo, a baixa participação da sociedade, a dificuldade em se conseguir material sobre o assunto, entre outros, são alguns dos fatores mencionados. Se os procedimentos não forem aperfeiçoados, de modo a garantir o cumprimento dos termos e compromissos definidos, bem como o aprendizado com os erros e acertos de cada caso, um poderoso instrumento de política ambiental poderá ficar desacreditado e converter-se em apenas mais um dos já numerosos entraves burocráticos que dificultam o acesso aos recursos naturais do país, mas não são eficazes para assegurar que seu aproveitamento se dê em benefício da sociedade.

According to Swedish law municipalities have to assess if detailed development plans may lead to a significant effect on the environment, a screening. In this the- sis  we have investigated how municipalities present their assessment in the de- tailed development plan brief. We have examined all plans that came into legal force in 2012 in the county of Stockholm 259 plans in total. Of all the plans, 223 include a screening in the detailed development plan brief. We have studied the municipalities explanations, why they make a screening on detailed development plans, if the municipalities provide a statement whether a significant environmental impact may occur or not, and if the municipalities justi- fied their statement. Furthermore, we have studied whether municipalities state that consultations have taken place and if they refers to environment-related doc- uments in their screening. We also have classified the explanation and the justifi- cations as clear or unclear. Finally, we investigated what impact the acreage of the plan has on the screening. Almost all plans with a screening in the detailed development plan brief make statement. About a quarter of the plans making a statement lacks justifications. For more than half of the plans with statement and justification, the justification is unclear. We have observed that plans prepared in a simplified way have poorer screenings. Furthermore, the result implies that the quality of screenings is higher for plans concerning national interest and/or shore protection and for plans primarily con- cerning green land. We can see that the number of plans that may lead to signifi- cant environmental effects increases with larger plan areas, as does the amount of clear justifications. Out of all plans, only 3.5 percent was considered being able to cause such a significant effect on the environment that an environmental impact assessment was conducted. Finally, we suggest a law enforcement that the screenings must be presented in the detailed development plan brief. Additionally, we think that the legislation con- cerning screenings has to be clearer, simpler and more specific. / Vi tycker slutligen att det ska lagstadgas att kommuners bedömning av detaljpla- ners miljöpåverkan ska redovisas i planbeskrivningen. Vidare anser vi att lagtex- ten på området måste förtydligas, bli mer specifik och förenklas. Enligt gällande rätt ska kommuner göra en bedömning av om planer kan medföra betydande miljöpåverkan, en så kallad behovsbedömning. I detta examensarbete har  undersökts  hur  kommuner  redovisar  sin  bedömning  i  planbeskrivningen. Samtliga detaljplaner som vann laga kraft år 2012 i Stockholms län studerats, to- talt 259 planer. Av samtliga planer har 223 stycken en behovsbedömning i plan- beskrivningen. Vi har studerat om kommunerna förklarar varför de behovsbedömer detaljplaner, om kommunerna gjort ett ställningstagande till om en betydande miljöpåverkan kan uppkomma och om kommunerna motiverat sina ställningstaganden med skäl. Vidare har studerats om kommunerna redovisat att samråd enligt förordningen om miljökonsekvensbeskrivningar ägt rum och om kommunerna hänvisar till miljöre- laterade dokument i bedömningen. Vi har även klassat förklaringen och skälen som tydliga respektive otydliga. Därtill har vi studerat hur planområdenas storlek påverkar behovsbedömningen. Nästan alla planer med en behovsbedömning i planbeskrivningen har ett ställ- ningstagande. Cirka en fjärdedel av planerna med ställningstagande saknar skäl och mer än hälften av planerna med skäl har otydliga skäl. Vi har observerat att planer som upprättas med enkelt planförfarande har behovs- bedömningar av lägre kvalité. Vidare talar resultatet för att kommunerna genom- för  behovsbedömningarna bättre när planer berör riksintresse och/eller strand- skydd samt när planer främst avser grönmark. Vi kan se en ökning av antal miljö- bedömningar och andelen tydliga skäl ju större planareorna blir. Av samtliga pla- ner ansågs endast 3,5 procent kunna medföra en betydande miljöpåverkan.

Public participation is an integral part of the environmental impact assessment (EIA) process, as it provides opportunities for interested and affected parties (I&APs) to participate in the decision making process. The objective of public participation is to accomplish social and environmental justice and to promote informed decision making. Concern however exists that public participation is seen and implemented as a rigid “one size fits all” process and that the inputs by I&APs are limited to the pre-authorisation phases i.e. the I&APs are not involved in the environmental management of the full life cycle of the activity. The problem appears to stem from the fact that the implementation of the public participation process is associated with a number of shortcomings and may be seen as a paper exercise to satisfy the requirements of the National Environmental Management Act. The aim of the research is to determine the effectiveness of public participation in EIA processes, using a group of selected South African case studies. A structured, survey-based research study was conducted with I&APs, environmental assessment practitioners (EAPs) and officials from relevant decision making bodies (competent authorities). The main aim of the research has been achieved and all research objectives answered. The study concludes that public participation in EIA processes is not purely a paper exercise, but does in fact enhance decision making. However, there are widespread concerns regarding the selection of alternatives and the alignment of public participation processes in other environmental assessments. / M (Environmental Management), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Compliance monitoring is a continuous process used to ensure that conditions stipulated in an environmental authorisation are adhered to. Compliance monitoring is a key component of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and EIA follow-up. The aim of this research was to critically assess EIA follow-up conditions formulated for Environmental Authorisations in Mpumalanga Province. The practicability of conditions set out in the authorisation for EIA follow-up are of particular concern. Forty-two (42) environmental authorisations (EAs) issued under the 2010 NEMA EIA regulations were reviewed and assessed to analyse information relating to follow-up practice. In order to synthesise the data effectively and create a comprehensive analysis, the EAs were divided into project type categories rather than listed activity categories. The assessment results on the strengths and weaknesses related to compliance monitoring and enforcement of the authorisation conditions revealed that the EIA follow-up conditions in Mpumalanga do make provision of EIA follow-up. The EAs fulfils the requirements of regulation 37 of the NEMA EIA regulations 2010 by promoting compliance monitoring of impacts. However, some conditions raises difficulty in monitoring due to their impracticability. Another weakness is that conditions focus mainly on the construction phase and very little attention is paid to operational and decommissioning impacts. The analyses results show that the practicability of the authorised conditions for environmental compliance monitoring had the following challenges: conditions intended to mitigate the adverse environmental impacts are generic and do not apply to specific projects or activities being authorised and there are no clearly defined timeframes for conditions requiring repetitive monitoring. Moreover, the study revealed gaps in monitoring of the authorised conditions that included poor clarity of roles of environmental control officers (ECOs) and auditors and a lack of reference to sections to be complied with pertaining to other relevant legislation. The critical assessment of the EIA follow-up conditions formulated for Environmental Authorisations in Mpumalanga Province indicate that the formulation of conditions have implications in ensuring that compliance is effectively implemented. Clearly defined conditions will ensure proper interpretation and correct implementation for compliance purposes. / M (Environmental Management), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015