Thesis (M.Ed. (Education)) - Rhodes University, 2007. / A half thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Education (Environmental Education)

A evolução do setor industrial em todo o Brasil é identificada no Município de Campo Largo, Estado do Paraná, através da indústria cerâmica, a qual é considerada historicamente como uma das principais atividades econômicas da região, devido à disponibilidade de matéria-prima de origem mineral e facilidade na obtenção de insumos necessários ao processo, em especial a água. Muitas destas empresas do município estão localizadas há mais de 50 anos onde hoje é considerada uma área de manancial de abastecimento público, demonstrando a necessidade imediata de estudos que avaliem o desempenho ambiental do processo produtivo e dos produtos cerâmicos, com foco à interferência dos mesmos na qualidade e disponibilidade de água do manancial. Este trabalho resulta de um estudo de campo sobre o processo cerâmico desenvolvido no Município de Campo Largo, onde foram obtidos dados de empresas do setor de cerâmicas brancas - louças de mesa. Os dados apresentados referem-se, essencialmente, ao consumo de matérias-primas, energia, geração de resíduos sólidos, líquidos e gasosos, através da utilização da metodologia de análise de inventário do ciclo de vida. Os resultados obtidos foram agregados na forma de avaliação de aspectos e impactos ambientais que avaliem o desempenho ambiental do setor, para a definição de um plano de ação corretivo para as empresas cerâmicas localizadas na bacia hidrográfica do Rio Itaqui. Os resultados demonstram impactos ambientais significativos associados às emissões atmosféricas, decorrentes dos processos de queima e transporte de matérias-primas. O plano de ação corretivo incluiu propostas de controle ambiental para o setor cerâmico e atividades relacionadas à fiscalização e monitoramento das atividades industriais na bacia do Rio Itaqui, além de atividades voltadas ao planejamento urbano da região e ações de Educação Ambiental. / The evolution of the industrial sector in Brazil is identified in the city of Campo Largo, Parana State, through the ceramic industry, which is historically considered one of the main economic activities in the region, due to the availability of raw materials of mineral origin and ease of obtaining necessary inputs to the process, in particular water. Many of these companies have been located in the city for over 50 years in what is now considered an area source of public supply, demonstrating the urgent need for studies to evaluate the environmental performance of the production process and ceramic products, focusing on the interference of the same quality and availability of water from the spring. This work results from a field study of the ceramic process developed in the city of Campo Largo, where data was obtained from companies of white ceramic - tableware. The data shown is essentially the consumption of raw materials, energy, generation of waste solids, liquids and gases, by using the analysis method inventory life cycle. The results were aggregated in the form of evaluation of environmental aspects and impacts to assess the environmental performance of industry, to define a corrective action plan for companies located in the ceramics River basin Itaqui. The results demonstrate significant environmental impacts associated with air emissions arising from burning processes and transport of raw materials. The corrective action plan included proposals for environmental control for the ceramic sector and activities related to the supervision and monitoring of industrial activities in the river basin Itaqui, and activities geared to urban planning in the region and actions for Environmental Education.

Poon Mei-yan, Pauline. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2000. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 113-118). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Abstract --- p.i / Acknowledgements --- p.iv / Table of Contents --- p.v / List of Tables --- p.viii / List of Figures --- p.x / List of Plates --- p.xi / Chapter CHAPTER 1 --- INTRODUCTION / Chapter 1.1 --- Background --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- The problem: deficiencies of EIA process --- p.2 / Chapter 1.3 --- Necessity of EIA follow-up --- p.4 / Chapter 1.4 --- Objectives and scope of the study --- p.5 / Chapter 1.5 --- Significance of the study --- p.6 / Chapter 1.6 --- Thesis outline --- p.7 / Chapter CHAPTER 2 --- EIA FOLLOW-UP PRACTICES: TRENDS AND FUNCTIONS / Chapter 2.1 --- Introduction --- p.9 / Chapter 2.2 --- EIA follow-up - the conceptual background --- p.9 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Working definitions of monitoring and auditing --- p.9 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Types of monitoring --- p.10 / Chapter 2.2.3 --- Types of auditing --- p.10 / Chapter 2.3 --- Trends of EIA follow-up practice --- p.11 / Chapter 2.4 --- Functions of EIA follow-up --- p.13 / Chapter 2.5 --- Role of EIA follow-up in EIA --- p.16 / Chapter 2.6 --- Ingredients of an effective EIA follow-up system --- p.18 / Chapter 2.6.1 --- Independence of the monitoring and audit team --- p.18 / Chapter 2.6.2 --- Proactive project management --- p.18 / Chapter 2.6.3 --- Clearly defined EIA follow-up programme --- p.19 / Chapter 2.6.4 --- Well-designed monitoring scheme --- p.20 / Chapter 2.6.5 --- Good information flow and feedback mechanism --- p.21 / Chapter 2.7 --- EIA follow-up practice in some countries --- p.21 / Chapter 2.8 --- EIA follow-up practice in Hong Kong --- p.22 / Chapter 2.8.1 --- Necessity of EIA follow-up in Hong Kong --- p.22 / Chapter 2.8.2 --- Characteristics of EIA follow-up in Hong Kong --- p.23 / Chapter 2.8.3 --- How EM&A is implemented in Hong Kong? --- p.23 / Chapter 2.9 --- Conclusion --- p.27 / Chapter CHAPTER 3 --- METHODOLOGY / Chapter 3.1 --- Introduction --- p.29 / Chapter 3.2 --- Selection of the study area --- p.30 / Chapter 3.3 --- The Pak Skek Kok reclamation project --- p.31 / Chapter 3.4 --- The EM&A programme --- p.37 / Chapter 3.5 --- Methods of assessing the EM&A programme --- p.44 / Chapter 3.6 --- Use of the monitoring data --- p.47 / Chapter 3.7 --- Limitations of the study --- p.50 / Chapter 3.8 --- Conclusion --- p.51 / Chapter CHAPTER 4 --- ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE OF THE PROJECT / Chapter 4.1 --- Introduction --- p.52 / Chapter 4.2 --- Impact audit --- p.52 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- Noise impacts --- p.52 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- Dust impacts --- p.58 / Chapter 4.3 --- Compliance audit --- p.68 / Chapter 4.3.1 --- Daytime noise level --- p.68 / Chapter 4.3.2 --- Evening noise level --- p.69 / Chapter 4.3.3 --- 24hr-average TSP level --- p.71 / Chapter 4.3.4 --- 24hr-average RSP level --- p.71 / Chapter 4.3.5 --- 1hr-average TSP level --- p.72 / Chapter 4.4 --- Implementation audit --- p.72 / Chapter 4.4.1 --- Implementation of noise mitigation measures --- p.73 / Chapter 4.4.2 --- Implementation of dust mitigation measures --- p.75 / Chapter 4.4.3 --- Effectiveness of dust mitigation measures --- p.78 / Chapter 4.5 --- Conclusion --- p.83 / Chapter CHAPTER 5 --- EVALUATION OF THE EM&A PROGRAMME / Chapter 5.1 --- Introduction --- p.85 / Chapter 5.2 --- Fulfillment of the stated objectives of the EM&A programme --- p.85 / Chapter 5.3 --- Effectiveness of the EM&A programme --- p.89 / Chapter 5.3.1 --- Independence of the monitoring and audit team --- p.90 / Chapter 5.3.2 --- Proactive project management --- p.90 / Chapter 5.3.3 --- Clearly defined EIA follow-up programme --- p.93 / Chapter 5.3.4 --- Well-designed monitoring scheme --- p.94 / Chapter 5.3.5 --- Good information flow and feedback mechanism --- p.100 / Chapter 5.4 --- Recommendations for improving EM&A in Hong Kong --- p.101 / Chapter 5.5 --- Conclusion --- p.103 / Chapter CHAPTER 6 --- CONCLUSION / Chapter 6.1 --- Summary of findings --- p.104 / Chapter 6.2 --- Discussion of findings --- p.106 / Chapter 6.3 --- Suggestions for further studies --- p.109 / BIBLIOGRAPHY --- p.113

published_or_final_version / Urban Planning and Environmental Management / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

The research was carried out using a participatory action research approach to develop social accounts with Jesmond Swimming Pool (JSP). The original motivation to carry out this project was to see what social accounts would look like and whether it was possible to develop them in this organisation. The experience of doing social accounts is further examined using Gray, et al., (1997) to explore whether these were either ‘ideal’ or ‘good’ social accounts for the organisation. A communitarian philosophical framework is used in order to examine the conceptualisation of ‘good’ social accounts. The first part of the thesis explores the social and environmental accounting (SEA) and accountability literature, with the second part exploring the experience of reaching initial agreement to do social accounts (SAs). The agreement to do the accounts was then followed by two years of social accounts developed with JSP. This empirical data provides a detailed account from the perspectives of insiders and other sources as to the experience of doing social accounts. This experience is then opened up to interrogation from a wider view point. The third part of the thesis examines the experience of JSP using third sector communitarian philosophy and a voluntary accountability framework in order to demonstrate that JSP could provide an example of a ‘good’ or ‘ideal’ social account. This raises the issue of whether or not ‘good’ or ‘ideal’ social accounts for third sector organisations are only possible within a communitarian paradigm. If it is possible to establish what ‘good’ social accounts entail then it may be appropriate to extend this approach to other contexts, for example, the public sector or the corporate world.

Thesis (M.B.A. (Rhodes Investec Business School)) - Rhodes University, 2009. / A dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Business Administration (MBA)

The South African Constitution ensures the right to adequate water, health services and a healthy environment (Government Gazette, 1996: 1251, 1255). Associated legislation and national strategies require that water resources and water services are rendered in a sustainable manner to ensure the rights enshrined in the Constitution are realised (Trialogue, 2010: 34; Government Gazette, 1998(c):11; Department of Water Affairs (DWA), 2003:9). South Africa is the 30th driest country in the world (DWA, 2013: iii), has impounded most of its surface water resources and has utilised 40 percent of the groundwater resource with remaining groundwater water quality uncertain (DWA, 2013:6-7). Despite achieving the basic water and sanitation Millennium Development Goals approximately 2.2 million and 4.5 million households still require access to basic services respectively (DWA, 2013:28-29). South Africa’s ten water boards play a key role in bulk water service provision. They supply 57 percent of the countries domestic water supply (DWA, 2013:19) and are required to provide sustainable water services (Government Gazette, 1997:35). The Department of Water Affairs (Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) as of June 2014) is mandated to monitor the performance of water boards and monitors of water boards through a Share Holders Compact (SHC) (Government Gazette, 1997: 50). The aim of the research is to achieve the following objectives: 1. Describe best practice for sustainability monitoring frameworks for water services. 2. Outline South Africa’s water services mandatory and voluntary requirements with regards to sustainability monitoring. 3. Evaluate South Africa’s current water services performance monitoring framework for water boards against findings from goals one and two. 4. Develop an improved framework for assessing South African water board’s performance in their compliance and sustainability journey. 5. Demonstrate the improved framework functionality with a sample of water boards audited performance data from the 2012/13 financial year. A qualitative normative theory evaluation research method was utilised to achieve first three objectives of the research. The objectives to first understand current best practice for sustainability monitoring frameworks and the mandatory requirements for water services sustainability monitoring frameworks in South Africa was achieved via an extensive literature review. The evaluation research method was used where South Africa’s current water services monitoring framework for water boards was evaluated for its adequacy to monitor sustainability compared with legislated requirements, national and international best practices (Hall et al, 2004: 55). Data collection for the evaluation research was sourced via documentation analysis. The 2012/13 water board audited annual reports, relevant national water services legislation, national and global water service sustainability monitoring best practices were critically reviewed. The review yielded a “thick description” of sustainability performance monitoring framework requirements that was used to evaluate the SHC (Holliday, 2002: 79). Despite the mandatory participation requirement for successful sustainability performance monitoring being met, the SHC was found to have inadequate aspects. It lacks an outcomes based approach, does not include environmental indicators, does not allow water board sustainability performance comparison and cannot indicate where individual water boards are on their sustainability journey. An improved sustainability performance monitoring framework for South African water boards is therefore proposed. This was developed with the assistance of an expert focus group drawn from multiple disciplines and organizations relevant to water board sustainability (Litosseliti, 2003: 8 and Hall et al, 2004: 51). The functionality of the framework is then demonstrated using 2012/13 audited performance data sourced from the annual reports of Overberg, Amatola, Rand and Umgeni Water boards. The proposed Water Services Sustainability Monitoring Framework (WSSMF) quantifies performance in terms of 10 water utility outcomes that are measured with 88 performance indicators that encompass the financial, social, environmental and governance dimensions of sustainability. The WSSMF demonstrated that the legislated intentions and best practice recommendations can be incorporated into an improved version of the SHC. Further refinement of the WSSMF is required. In depth engagement with DWS and all the water boards would promote the refinement of the indicator set, performance thresholds for indicators and indicator weighting. Further testing through a pilot project initiative would allow the WSSMF to be developed into a robust and adequate sustainability performance monitoring framework for South African water boards (Rametsteiner et al, 2011: 64; Muga and Mihelcic, 2008: 438; McAlphine and Birnie, 2005: 247 and van Leeuwen et al, 2012: 2192).

This thesis focuses on the analysis of environmental audit instruments in economic terms. It is primarily aimed at assessing the effectiveness of this tool for entrepreneurs. The first stage of work is focused on the concept and definition of environmental audit and its history. This study then reports an analysis of benefits and costs of the environmental management system which is a prerequisite for setting auditing ISO 14001 and EMAS. The practical part of this thesis contains two case studies of specific examples of audits based on ISO certification.

Since the early 1990’s the number of corporate stand-alone reports produced by various organisations worldwide has increased considerably (Kolk, 2004; Owen, 2006). It is argued that introducing an assurance statement with the stand-alone report may contribute to enhancing the credibility of the reported information (FEE, 2002; Dando and Swift, 2003; ACCA and AccountAbility, 2004). This thesis reports on a multi-level analysis of assurance statements attached to stand-alone reports that were produced by the UK FTSE100 companies during the reporting years 2000-2004. Drawing on a research instrument (which itself has been informed by previous literature, namely O’Dwyer and Owen, 2005) as well as the most recent assurance guidelines and standards (such as FEE, 2002; GRI, 2002, AA1000AS, 2003; and ISAE3000, 2004), this thesis examines the extent to which assurance statements disclose information about crucial elements of the assurance engagement, the amount of disclosure as well as factors associated with the information disclosed. In this context, particular attention is given to issues of independence of the assurance provider; the methodology used to conduct the assurance engagement; the degree to which stakeholders have been engaged and their issues taken account of within the assurance process; and assurance results (namely presentation of the assurance opinion, findings and recommendations). The research results suggest that, despite the increased amount and quality of information disclosed within the assurance statements over the years, engagement of stakeholders and taking adequate account of their issues within the assurance process is still lacking compared to other dimensions of assurance. In the absence of generally accepted stand-alone reporting criteria and assurance standards for this type of reporting, various assurance approaches have emerged and these correspond to the nature of the assurance provider (for example, accountancy, consultancy and certification body). The FTSE100 companies (in almost in two-thirds of the conducted engagements) rely most heavily on consultancy firms for assurance and as a result, this approach dominates UK assurance practice. As a consequence, there are noticeable variations in the assurance methodologies, results of the assurance engagements (findings, opinions and recommendations) and shape of the assurance statements over the study. There are also changes that emerge over time and these are most strongly associated with the standards that are used to govern the assurance engagement and also the type of information being assured. These findings raise concerns about whether it is possible to harmonise assurance practice of the corporate stand-alone reports. This thesis concludes with some practical implications for the assurance of stand-alone reports, as well as recommendations for future research.

Novas concepções de gestão empresarial têm surgido, baseadas no princípio que estabelece uma política de qualidade ambiental, incorporando à atividade industrial as bases da promoção da sustentabilidade do desenvolvimento. Objetivos: Avaliar o processo da certificação ISO 14001 em uma empresa do setor automotivo e o grau de conhecimento e envolvimento dos entrevistados, com relação ao processo de implantação, implementação, certificação e pós-certificação. Metodologia: um estudo de caso, com abordagem metodológica descritiva, quantitativa e qualitativa, de uma multinacional do setor automotivo, localizada no Município de São Bernardo do Campo, São Paulo. Alguns dos critérios para o estudo foram: certificação em conformidade com a ISO 14001; SGA implementado e em funcionamento; liderança na área de meio ambiente em nível nacional e internacional; com participação junto às comunidades do entorno, no exercício da cidadania corporativa e que concordasse e permitisse a realização do estudo, com acesso às informações necessárias. Os dados foram observacionais e obtidos por meio de entrevistas com os indivíduos envolvidos. A análise dos dados foi feita utilizando o Método de Análise de Conteúdo de BARDIN (1995). Resultados: A empresa possui mais de 9.000 funcionários, 21 setores envolvidos no processo de implementação do SGA. A maioria dos entrevistados possui curso superior completo e destes, 68,2 por cento em engenharia. As principais motivações da empresa ao buscar a certificação foram, de acordo com 43,5 por cento das respostas, a preocupação e o comprometimento com o meio ambiente e, para 34,8 por cento dos entrevistados, as exigências de mercado e o controle sobre os impactos causados ao ambiente. Após a certificação, ocorreram mudanças significativas dentro da empresa na opinião de 82,6 por cento dos colaboradores. Com relação à minimização dos riscos de novas e futuras vulnerabilidades legais e à maior conscientização e percepção dos trabalhadores em relação à questão ambiental, 95,7 por cento das respostas foram positivas. Sobre as dificuldades e conflitos encontrados durante o processo de certificação, 52,2 por cento apontaram a conscientização em todos os níveis como sendo a maior delas. Os funcionários do chão de fábrica (47,5 por cento ) sabem dizer que a ISO é relacionada com o meio ambiente. Alguns dos principais benefícios obtidos, após 19 meses da certificação, são a responsabilidade ambiental, com 43,5 por cento , e a melhoria da imagem da empresa, com 21,7 por cento das respostas. A certificação trouxe ganho para a empresa, para os funcionários, para a sociedade em geral e para o meio ambiente, tendo sido considerada a maior conquista de todas a conscientização ambiental adquirida, na opinião de 50,0 por cento dos entrevistados. Conclusões: O SGA, embora não seja a única solução para a resolução de todas as questões ambientais de uma organização, ele é uma ferramenta muito importante para o diagnóstico e gerenciamento destas questões. / New conceptions of environmental management arise all the time, based on the principles that establish an environmental quality policy, incorporating the basis of a sustainable development to the industrial activities. Objectives: To evaluate the certification process in an industry of the automotive sector and how involved the employees of the company are. Methods: ISO 14001 implementation case study, with a descriptive, qualitative and quantitative methodology, in a multinational company located in São Bernardo do Campo - São Paulo. Some criterions used to choose this company were: having an ISO 14001 certificate; an effective EMS; leadership in the environmental issues; social work with the local communities; and, most of all, that would allow this study to happen. Data were obtained through a survey technique, and a questionnaire as the main tool of the research. Data analysis was carried out through contents analysis methods (BARDIN 1995). Results: The company has more than 9.000 employees and 21 internal divisions involved with the implementation process. Most of the employees are engineer (68,2 per cent ). The decision of going after the ISO 14001 certificate was based on the companys environmental commitment (43,5 per cent ), and according to 34,8 per cent of the answers, it was motivated by the attraction of new customers and markets (or at least retain access to customers and markets with EMS requirements) and to prevent pollution and conserve resources. After the certification, 82,6 per cent of the employees said that some significant changes were made inside the company, such as: enhance compliance and reduce/mitigate risks (95,7 per cent ); enhance awareness and involvement of the employee team (95,7 per cent ). You should note, however, that developing and implementing an EMS may have some difficulties. 52,2 per cent pointed out that the environmental education is the most difficult thing to achieve. The answers obtained with the working class show that they do know (47,5 per cent ) the meaning of ISO 14001. Once the system is implemented, it is possible to realize the most relevant benefits obtained through the certification, which are the environmental liability (43,5 per cent ); and enhance image with public, regulators, lenders, investors (21,7 per cent ). The ISO 14001 certification brings improvements in overall environmental performance and compliance. Conclusions: Although the EMS is not the solution for all environmental issues, it can result in both business and environmental benefits. The standard establishes a management framework by which an organizations\' impacts on the environment can be systematically identified and reduced.