There are many opportunities for consumers to design their lives more sustainably. While a rapidly growing body of literature has investigated how consumers can reduce carbon footprints in key con- sumption areas, such as food, housing and mobility, an overall framework that allows structuring those options across all consumption areas is still missing. Hence, this paper presents a novel and systematic framework to identify improvement options that promote climate change mitigation and structure them based on their primary mode of impact on GHG emissions. The framework targets consumer practices and focuses on ambitious, but technically and socioeconomically feasible strategies for consumers to lower their carbon footprint. Four major categories for reducing consumption-based emissions form the basic framework, which are then subdivided into behavioural strategies and sub-strategies. The practical application of the framework is illustrated by using food consumption as an example. Systematically identifying improvement options can advance a holistic understanding of the range of behavioural strategies targeting consumer choices that operate at different stages in the supply chain. It thus provides a starting point for addressing critical questions related to the role of consumers in supporting climate change mitigation. (authors' abstract)

This research explores perceptions of the context, contribution, challenges and critical success factors in the adoption of sustainability footprint strategy amongst Scottish SMEs. Critics of sustainability footprint measurement insist that by nature it records historical impact and does not incorporate the views of future generations and are a luxury for most firms except those achieving near monopolistic profits. Recent UK greenhouse gas policy initiatives are specifically targeted at large organisations and do not provide the institutional support required to assist SME's in greenhouse gas emissions reporting. Despite overwhelming evidence as to the benefits of sustainability footprint tools such as carbon footprints very few companies set emissions targets. Surprisingly still there is limited research conducted as to the benefits of sustainability footprint tools to SMEs and their perceptions as to its contribution to business success. Interviewees highlight that case study Scottish SMEs are driven to implement sustainability footprints to pre-empt future GHG legislation, process improvement, cost reduction, senior management commitment, emissions reduction, CSR and waste reduction. However the emphasis on GHG emissions has contributed to “carbon myopia” an exclusive focus on carbon footprint measurement. This research supports the view of senior management commitment as critical to the success of sustainability footprint measurement initiatives but policymakers also have an enabling role by ensuring fair competition, access to grants, mandatory guidelines for SMEs, tax incentives, fines, legislation, emissions league table and carbon reporting as a pre-qualification criteria for government tenders. Scottish SME interviewees adopt a sustainability negative perceptual orientation suggesting barriers to placing sustainability on the agenda such as implementation cost, lack of knowledge, sustainability competing with other issues on the agenda, time constraints, the transience of sustainability, inability to recoup carbon footprint costs, failure to recognise benefits, generational issues and communication Scottish SME case studies however reveal an ambivalent “love hate” relationship amongst interviewees with sustainability which varies depending on the proximity of the individual to the economic, social or environmental issue. Thereby underlining the importance of management's ability to influence stakeholders to remain sustainability positive in orientation through training, instruction and supervision that promotes sustainable behaviour. The Sustainable Strategic Growth Framework is proposed as a solution to the Sustainability/CSR Dilemma and to align employee behaviour with sustainability objectives.

This study evaluates the effect of sustainable business practices on brand perception. Digital marketing is a vital tool for any business, and sustainability is a significant element in brand management and marketing. This study aims to explore how digital marketing using sustainable messaging can help the brands change their brand perception regarding issues of sustainability, ethical branding, and environmentally friendly businesses. This research provides a detailed discussion of brands' sustainability practices and digital platforms more suitable for brands to deliver their sustainability agenda and build trust with the audience. The study evaluates the relationship between sustainability, brand image, and digital marketing.  Overall, qualitative and quantitative methods have been used in this research. The primary medium of the research is the qualitative analysis of sustainability practices of fashion brands, published annual sustainability reports, newspapers, magazines, and social media campaigns. Three European fashion brands have been chosen for the study, each from the category of High-end Fashion brands, Fast Fashion Brands, and Sustainable Fashion and clothing brands. For quantitative data, the survey questionnaire method has been used. The collected data has assisted in identifying the customer's responses towards sustainability and their perceptions and expectation of the brand.  The Sustainability Performance Reports of the selected fashion brands provide information about brands' sustainability strategy, goals, programs, and performance data. The strategy of all these brands revolves around sustainable development goals 2030 where these brands claim to be leading the change, Circular & Climate Positive business, working on renewable energy, providing fair and equal opportunity of employment, without any gender discrimination and reducing inequalities.  Analysing social media platforms indicates that most of the social media material for these fashion firms is about advertising their products, services, and sales. The findings imply that, rather than using digital media just for product advertising, the firm's digital media should raise awareness about sustainability concerns in the fashion sector and promote their efforts toward sustainability and reducing carbon emissions. Efficient use of social media to promote sustainability agendas helps boost the brand image of fashion businesses in terms of sustainability. The findings indicate a positive linkage between sustainability and a positive fashion brand perception. Digital marketing of sustainability initiatives would introduce the brand as a transparent, accountable, and ethical business. The study suggests that brand should utilise multiple social media platforms to promote their sustainability initiatives when it comes to promoting sustainability initiatives. / Denna studie utvärderar effekten av hållbara affärsmetoder på varumärkesuppfattning. Digital marknadsföring är ett viktigt verktyg för alla företag, och hållbarhet är ett viktigt inslag i varumärkeshantering och marknadsföring. Denna studie syftar till att undersöka hur digital marknadsföring med hjälp av hållbara meddelanden kan hjälpa varumärkena att ändra sin varumärkesuppfattning om frågor om hållbarhet, etisk branding och miljövänliga företag. Denna forskning ger en detaljerad diskussion om varumärkens hållbarhetspraxis och digitala plattformar som är mer lämpade för varumärken att leverera sin hållbarhetsagenda och bygga förtroende hos publiken. Studien utvärderar sambandet mellan hållbarhet, varumärkesimage och digital marknadsföring. Sammantaget har kvalitativa och kvantitativa metoder använts i denna forskning. Det primära mediet för forskningen är den kvalitativa analysen av hållbarhetspraxis för modemärken, publicerade årliga hållbarhetsrapporter, tidningar, tidskrifter och kampanjer på sociala medier. Tre europeiska modemärken har valts ut för studien, var och en från kategorin High-end Fashion varumärken, Fast Fashion Brands och Sustainable Fashion och klädmärken. För kvantitativa data har undersökningsmetoden använts. De insamlade uppgifterna har hjälpt till att identifiera kundens svar på hållbarhet och deras uppfattningar och förväntningar på varumärket.  Hållbarhetsrapporterna för de utvalda modemärkena ger information om varumärkenas hållbarhetsstrategi, mål, program och resultatdata. Strategin för alla dessa varumärken kretsar kring hållbara utvecklingsmål 2030 där dessa varumärken påstår sig leda förändringen, Circular & Climate Positive-verksamheten, arbetar med förnybar energi, ger rättvisa och lika möjligheter till anställning, utan könsdiskriminering och minskar ojämlikheter.  Analys av sociala medieplattformar indikerar att det mesta av det sociala mediematerialet för dessa modeföretag handlar om att marknadsföra sina produkter, tjänster och försäljning. Resultaten innebär att företagets digitala medier, snarare än att använda digitala medier bara för produktreklam, bör öka medvetenheten om hållbarhetsproblem inom modesektorn och främja deras ansträngningar för hållbarhet och minskade koldioxidutsläpp. Effektiv användning av sociala medier för att främja hållbarhetsagendor bidrar till att öka modeföretagens varumärkesimage när det gäller hållbarhet. Resultaten indikerar en positiv koppling mellan hållbarhet och en positiv modevarumärkesuppfattning. Digital marknadsföring av hållbarhetsinitiativ skulle introducera varumärket som en transparent, ansvarsfull och etisk verksamhet. Studien föreslår att varumärken bör använda flera sociala medieplattformar för att marknadsföra sina hållbarhetsinitiativ när det gäller att främja hållbarhetsinitiativ.

The way people view development is changing. The world now advocates for a development that also considers future generations. There is a paradigm shift towards sustainable development - a development in today's lifestyle without destroying the resources for tomorrow generations. Sustainable development is a broad concept that addresses how human activities impact on the economic, environmental and social well-being of an ecosystem; however, practical application of the sustainability concept is complex because its objective assessment is elusive. It is often said that the effect of technology on society has never been more profound than today. As mankind develops in science and technology to improve on his well-being, certain impacts are made on the systems that support human existence. Liquefied natural gas (LNG) technology, like gas-to-liquid (GTL) technology, is a latest innovation conceived to 'fight' the problem of gas flaring, and help contribute to the social and economic growth of the people; but it is necessary for man to know if these contemporary technologies are sustainable. This dissertation critically appraises the impact of the LNG project on the community of Bonny Island in Nigeria from a holistic perspective. The approach to the research work is three-fold: an appropriate sustainability framework is selected based on certain criteria; sustainability indicators are developed from the chosen framework; and the sustainability indicators are used to assess the impact of the project on the flora and fauna of the community. To have a clear picture of the impact of Nigeria LNG on its host community, Epe-Waterside is chosen as a control community because of its similar socio-geographical outlook to Bonny Island community. The control community is then subjected to the same set of sustainability indicators for a comparative analysis. The outcome of the research work shows that, though the economic and social conditions of Bonny Island seem much better, its environmental status remains a challenge. In other words, it can be concluded that the present approach to the operation of the LNG technology is not sustainable. / Thesis (M.Ing. (Development and Management))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2009.

The way people view development is changing. The world now advocates for a development that also considers future generations. There is a paradigm shift towards sustainable development - a development in today's lifestyle without destroying the resources for tomorrow generations. Sustainable development is a broad concept that addresses how human activities impact on the economic, environmental and social well-being of an ecosystem; however, practical application of the sustainability concept is complex because its objective assessment is elusive. It is often said that the effect of technology on society has never been more profound than today. As mankind develops in science and technology to improve on his well-being, certain impacts are made on the systems that support human existence. Liquefied natural gas (LNG) technology, like gas-to-liquid (GTL) technology, is a latest innovation conceived to 'fight' the problem of gas flaring, and help contribute to the social and economic growth of the people; but it is necessary for man to know if these contemporary technologies are sustainable. This dissertation critically appraises the impact of the LNG project on the community of Bonny Island in Nigeria from a holistic perspective. The approach to the research work is three-fold: an appropriate sustainability framework is selected based on certain criteria; sustainability indicators are developed from the chosen framework; and the sustainability indicators are used to assess the impact of the project on the flora and fauna of the community. To have a clear picture of the impact of Nigeria LNG on its host community, Epe-Waterside is chosen as a control community because of its similar socio-geographical outlook to Bonny Island community. The control community is then subjected to the same set of sustainability indicators for a comparative analysis. The outcome of the research work shows that, though the economic and social conditions of Bonny Island seem much better, its environmental status remains a challenge. In other words, it can be concluded that the present approach to the operation of the LNG technology is not sustainable. / Thesis (M.Ing. (Development and Management))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2009.

Climate change is regarded as the greatest threat facing the world today. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) concluded that climate change is caused by human activities, as a result of greenhouse gases (GHGs) being emitted into the atmosphere. Scientific literature on the impact of climate change is well documented, especially for the health sector. The mission of the Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) is to “contribute towards the reduction of the burden of diseases in all the communities in Gauteng”. Ekurhuleni Health District is part of GDoH and shares a similar mission. However, this mission is under threat due to the direct and indirect impact of climate change on the public health sector. Therefore, it is essential for Ekurhuleni Health District and Provincial Clinics to take measures to reduce their contribution to climate change in the light of improving the health of their constituent. This study estimates the carbon footprint of the employees of Ekurhuleni Health District and Provincial Clinics and determines the knowledge and perception of climate change among managers and operational employees. The methodologies of the Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHGP) and the Department of Environmental Forestry and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) were used to quantify the carbon footprints of the employees of the Ekurhuleni Health District and Provincial Clinics. A content analysis was applied to determine the knowledge and perception of climate change. The study revealed that Scope 2, indirect emissions (electricity), accounts for 92% (35150 t CO2e) of the total carbon footprints for the period of five years, 2010-2014. Scope 1, direct emission (vehicles), is responsible for 4% (1362 t CO2e) and Scope 3, indirect emissions for ICT, for 2% (862 t CO2e), office paper 1% (181 t CO2e) and air conditioners 1% (458 t CO2e). The majority of employees demonstrated basic knowledge of climate change. However, the concept of GHGs was unfamiliar to most of the employees. In terms of perceptions of climate change, the majority of employees were concerned about the future of the planet and climate change and believed that climate change will impact their job description. The study recommends the following mitigation measures, among others, to reduce carbon footprints: (1) electrical vehicles; (2) substituting personal desktops with laptops; and (3) substituting HFC-23 air conditioner refrigerant with R410A. These recommendations have the potential to reduce the carbon emissions by 2445 t CO2e for the period of five (5) years and save R7 875 089 from fuel and power consumption. Furthermore, the District Office and Provincial Clinics can generate a revenue of R293 400 by registering for a CMD project for five years or R1 173 600 for the duration of the project (20 years). / Environmental Sciences / M. Sc. (Environmental Management)