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This paper analyses the body of law governing the right to access environmental information in Spain, paying particular attention to law 27/2006, of July 18th, which regulates the right of access to information, public participation and access to justice on environmental issues. The analysis focuses on both the active aspects of access to environmental information (the obligation that the public authorities have to collect and communicate environmental information) and the passive aspects (the right to request access to environmental information). Particular attention is paid to the advances made by this legislation and its possible implications, but no attempt is made to conceal the problems of application that it still has to face and the pending challenges. / Este trabajo analiza el régimen jurídico del derecho de acceso ala información ambiental en España, realizando un análisis minucioso de su regulación, actualmente contenida en la ley 27/2006, de 18 de julio, por la que se regulan los derechos de acceso a la información, de participaciónpública y de acceso a la justicia en materia de medio ambiente. Se analiza tanto la vertiente activa del acceso a la información ambiental (la obligación de recogida y difusión de información ambiental por parte de las autoridades públicas) como su vertiente pasiva (el derecho de acceso a la información ambiental previa solicitud), destacándose los avances que ha supuesto esta legislación y sus virtualidades, pero sin ocultar los problemas de aplicación a que todavía se enfrenta y los retos pendientes.Este trabajo se ha realizado en el marco del proyecto de investigación «Derecho ambiental y libertadde servicios en el mercado interior: nuevos retos, transformaciones y oportunidades» (DER2010-19343), financiado por el Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad de España.

Orientador: Helen de Castro Silva Casarin / Banca: Mariângela Spotti Lopes Fujita / Banca: Daisy Pires Noronha / Resumo: A questão ambiental ocupa um importante espaço na sociedade e vem crescendo cada vez mais em abrangência. Uma das características da área de meio ambiente é que esta apresenta facetas de difícil controle, por ser multi e interdisciplinar. A informação produzida e utilizada nesta área encontra-se dispersa em diversas fontes. Dessa forma, o comportamento de busca da informação ambiental por pesquisadores da área faz-se pertinente. A pesquisa teve como objetivo principal a análise do comportamento de busca e uso da informação ambiental por parte dos pesquisadores de duas instituições vinculados a programas de pós-graduação da área de Ecologia. Objetivou-se ainda caracterizar a informação ambiental, incluindo aspectos históricos e atuais, enfocando o contexto brasileiro, delinear o perfil dos pesquisadores-usuários da informação ambiental, identificar os hábitos de busca e as fontes de informação consideradas fundamentais. Utilizou-se uma metodologia quantitativa e descritiva e os dados foram obtidos através de questionário contendo perguntas abertas, semi-abertas e fechadas. Constatou-se que os pesquisadores da área de meio ambiente, tanto de mestrado, quanto de doutorado, apresentam um comportamento de busca e uso da informação independente, não necessitando necessariamente de intermediários para a realização da busca por informação e estes apresentam aspectos similares e diferentes no que concerne a esse comportamento. Espera-se que este estudo possa trazer significativas contribuições ao campo da Ciência da Informação, em especial a linha de Organização da Informação e que suscite outras discussões sobre este tema. / Abstract: The environmental issue occupies an important place in society and is growing increasingly in scope. One of the characteristics of environment area is that it presents facets difficult to control, to be multi and interdisciplinary. The information produced and used in this area is scattered in various sources. Thus, the study of the conduct of search of environmental information by researchers in the field it is relevant. The research was aimed primarily at examining the conduct of search of environmental information by researchers from both institutions linked to postgraduate programmes in the ecology area. The objective was to further characterize the environmental information, including current and historical aspects, focusing on the Brazilian context, outlining the profile of researchers-users of environmental information, identify patterns of search and sources of information considered essential. We used a descriptive and quantitative methodology and data were obtained through a questionnaire containing questions open, semi-open and closed. It was found that researchers in the field of environment, both master's or a doctorate, presenting a performance of search and use of independent information, not necessarily requiring an intermediary to conduct the search for information and they have similar and different aspects in relation to this behavior.It is hoped that this study could bring significant contributions to the field of Information Science, in particular the line of Organization of information and that raises further discussions on this subject. / Mestre

The city of Kumasi in Ghana struggles with a number of environmental issues, including excessive road traffic, air and water pollution, flooding, and inadequate solid waste management. If there is a group that is directly affected by these issues, it certainly is the city’s population. At the same time, the people of Kumasi—who are the constituents of the local administration, called KMA—have few to none means of obtaining objective information about the state of the urban environment, and therefore no way of holding the city administration accountable concerning environmentally relevant decisions. This case study aims to explore the possibility of alleviating this transparency issue by creating an ‘environmental information system’ (EIS) for the city. The term EIS in this context denotes an information system which can be used to publish environmental information on the web, to be utilised by students, professionals, NGOs, and the general public. The case study seeks to provide answers to two research questions: What are the software requirements for an EIS for Kumasi? And: How can free software be used to satisfy these requirements? The case study takes an approach based on Soft Systems Methodology and agile software development techniques to explore the software requirements. As part of the study, a prototype of the EIS was developed in order to explore the requirements even more, and in order to determine the applicability of currently available free software. The results of the requirements analysis include the following observations: geographical information is essential in presenting the city’s environmental issues, therefore the EIS is based on geographic information system (GIS) software and techniques; the information should be presented to the public in an easy-to-use and easy-to-understand way in order to reach the largest possible percentage of the target group; the environmental information that is available at local institutions (such as the largest local university KNUST, the city administration, and the Environmental Protection Agency) is scarce and semantically and syntactically heterogeneous—therefore, the EIS must be able to consolidate such information in order to present it in an easy-to-understand way; many of the involved actors have no or little knowledge in GIS techniques, therefore the EIS must be usable without such knowledge. In the implementation process, heavy use was made of free software components: GeoServer for publishing geographical data using WMS and WFS; PostgreSQL with the PostGIS extension for data storage; JPA/Hibernate for storing metadata in PostgreSQL; Spring MVC, jQuery UI and many other libraries for creating a user-friendly web application; OpenLayers for displaying and editing geographical data in the web application; GeoTools for handling geographical data on the server-side. During implementation, actual environmental information was entered into the EIS in order to provide a realistic semantic environment for the agile development process. The study concludes that—while the implemented prototype does not include all of the features which were identified as required, and while a ‘full’ soft systems analysis (as opposed to the ‘soft systems perspective’ which was applied) would have led to a more complete picture of the software’s organisational environment—the implementation of an environmental information system for Kumasi, based solely on free software, is viable in the current technical and organisational environment. KNUST is foreseen to be an adequate organisation to manage the development and operation of the system, since the necessary technical knowledge is available. The successful operation of the EIS relies on environmental information being provided by data producers such as the KMA, the EPA, the Ghana Statistical Service, and various departments at KNUST.

objetivo deste trabalho é desenvolver um modelo de gestão ambiental que analise os impactos econômicos identificados em empresas, visando preencher uma lacuna evidenciada na gestão empresarial – a falta de integração entre os aspectos econômicos da gestão ambiental. Tal proposta se justifica em função do entendimento dos aspectos ambientais no contexto empresarial ser uma necessidade para a competitividade das empresas nos mais variados segmentos. Entretanto, a compreensão das diversas variáveis que se relacionam com tais questões não é tarefa simples, tampouco realizada com freqüência pelas organizações. Nesse sentido, o presente trabalho apresenta um modelo econômico de gestão ambiental – MEGA. Com base na realização de um diagnóstico inicial, o modelo realiza análises dos custos operacionais ambientais, sua relação com a contabilidade ambiental e com os custos da qualidade ambiental. Para avaliar a relevância dos investimentos nesta área ou das ações desenvolvidas nesse sentido, o modelo utiliza análises mono e multicriteriais, bem como relações de benefício-custo para a avaliação econômica de tais fatores. A definição de indicadores ambientais e de planos de melhoria igualmente é utilizada. O modelo é aplicado em duas empresas do setor moveleiro. Em função de uma das empresas analisadas considerarem as questões ambientais nas decisões organizacionais a mais tempo do que a outra se observa a existência de uma quantidade mais elevada de análises avaliativas, enquanto que na outra empresa as análises foram propositivas. Contudo, destacam-se em ambas as empresas a limitação na base de dados para a utilização no modelo, onde os dados foram obtidos dos vários subsistemas existentes nas mesmas. Essas aplicações práticas do MEGA mostraram diferenças entre ambas no tratamento das questões ambientais, tanto nos aspectos qualitativos como nas análises quantitativas referentes às variáveis econômicas envolvidas nas análises. / The objective of this thesis is to develop an environmental management model that analyzes the economical impacts identified in companies, in order to fill a gap that is shown in management of many organizations – the lack of integration in the economical aspects of environmental management. Such purpose is justified by the understanding that the environmental aspects in the organizational context are a necessity for the competitiveness in companies of several sectors. However, the understanding of several variables that are related to these questions is not a simple task, and is not made frequently by the companies. In this way, the purpose of this study is to present an economical model of environmental management – MEGA. Based on a preliminary diagnosis, the model analyzes the operational environmental costs, their relationship with environmental accountancy and with costs of environmental quality. To evaluate the relevancy of investments in this area or the actions developed with this purpose, the model uses monocriterial and multicriterial analysis, as well as benefit-cost, for the economical evaluation of such factors. The definition of environmental indicators and the improvement plans are also used. The model was applied in two companies of the furniture sector. Since one of the analyzed companies considers the environmental questions in the corporate decisions for a longer time than the other one, it‟s observed the existence of a higher quantity of evaluating analysis, while in the other company the analysis were proposed. However, it appears on both companies the limitation on their database for use in the model, where de data were obtained in several sub-systems existing on them. The practice applications of MEGA showed the differences between both companies regarding the environmental questions, as in the qualitative aspects, as in the quantitative analysis regarding the economical variables covered in the analysis.

objetivo deste trabalho é desenvolver um modelo de gestão ambiental que analise os impactos econômicos identificados em empresas, visando preencher uma lacuna evidenciada na gestão empresarial – a falta de integração entre os aspectos econômicos da gestão ambiental. Tal proposta se justifica em função do entendimento dos aspectos ambientais no contexto empresarial ser uma necessidade para a competitividade das empresas nos mais variados segmentos. Entretanto, a compreensão das diversas variáveis que se relacionam com tais questões não é tarefa simples, tampouco realizada com freqüência pelas organizações. Nesse sentido, o presente trabalho apresenta um modelo econômico de gestão ambiental – MEGA. Com base na realização de um diagnóstico inicial, o modelo realiza análises dos custos operacionais ambientais, sua relação com a contabilidade ambiental e com os custos da qualidade ambiental. Para avaliar a relevância dos investimentos nesta área ou das ações desenvolvidas nesse sentido, o modelo utiliza análises mono e multicriteriais, bem como relações de benefício-custo para a avaliação econômica de tais fatores. A definição de indicadores ambientais e de planos de melhoria igualmente é utilizada. O modelo é aplicado em duas empresas do setor moveleiro. Em função de uma das empresas analisadas considerarem as questões ambientais nas decisões organizacionais a mais tempo do que a outra se observa a existência de uma quantidade mais elevada de análises avaliativas, enquanto que na outra empresa as análises foram propositivas. Contudo, destacam-se em ambas as empresas a limitação na base de dados para a utilização no modelo, onde os dados foram obtidos dos vários subsistemas existentes nas mesmas. Essas aplicações práticas do MEGA mostraram diferenças entre ambas no tratamento das questões ambientais, tanto nos aspectos qualitativos como nas análises quantitativas referentes às variáveis econômicas envolvidas nas análises. / The objective of this thesis is to develop an environmental management model that analyzes the economical impacts identified in companies, in order to fill a gap that is shown in management of many organizations – the lack of integration in the economical aspects of environmental management. Such purpose is justified by the understanding that the environmental aspects in the organizational context are a necessity for the competitiveness in companies of several sectors. However, the understanding of several variables that are related to these questions is not a simple task, and is not made frequently by the companies. In this way, the purpose of this study is to present an economical model of environmental management – MEGA. Based on a preliminary diagnosis, the model analyzes the operational environmental costs, their relationship with environmental accountancy and with costs of environmental quality. To evaluate the relevancy of investments in this area or the actions developed with this purpose, the model uses monocriterial and multicriterial analysis, as well as benefit-cost, for the economical evaluation of such factors. The definition of environmental indicators and the improvement plans are also used. The model was applied in two companies of the furniture sector. Since one of the analyzed companies considers the environmental questions in the corporate decisions for a longer time than the other one, it‟s observed the existence of a higher quantity of evaluating analysis, while in the other company the analysis were proposed. However, it appears on both companies the limitation on their database for use in the model, where de data were obtained in several sub-systems existing on them. The practice applications of MEGA showed the differences between both companies regarding the environmental questions, as in the qualitative aspects, as in the quantitative analysis regarding the economical variables covered in the analysis.

objetivo deste trabalho é desenvolver um modelo de gestão ambiental que analise os impactos econômicos identificados em empresas, visando preencher uma lacuna evidenciada na gestão empresarial – a falta de integração entre os aspectos econômicos da gestão ambiental. Tal proposta se justifica em função do entendimento dos aspectos ambientais no contexto empresarial ser uma necessidade para a competitividade das empresas nos mais variados segmentos. Entretanto, a compreensão das diversas variáveis que se relacionam com tais questões não é tarefa simples, tampouco realizada com freqüência pelas organizações. Nesse sentido, o presente trabalho apresenta um modelo econômico de gestão ambiental – MEGA. Com base na realização de um diagnóstico inicial, o modelo realiza análises dos custos operacionais ambientais, sua relação com a contabilidade ambiental e com os custos da qualidade ambiental. Para avaliar a relevância dos investimentos nesta área ou das ações desenvolvidas nesse sentido, o modelo utiliza análises mono e multicriteriais, bem como relações de benefício-custo para a avaliação econômica de tais fatores. A definição de indicadores ambientais e de planos de melhoria igualmente é utilizada. O modelo é aplicado em duas empresas do setor moveleiro. Em função de uma das empresas analisadas considerarem as questões ambientais nas decisões organizacionais a mais tempo do que a outra se observa a existência de uma quantidade mais elevada de análises avaliativas, enquanto que na outra empresa as análises foram propositivas. Contudo, destacam-se em ambas as empresas a limitação na base de dados para a utilização no modelo, onde os dados foram obtidos dos vários subsistemas existentes nas mesmas. Essas aplicações práticas do MEGA mostraram diferenças entre ambas no tratamento das questões ambientais, tanto nos aspectos qualitativos como nas análises quantitativas referentes às variáveis econômicas envolvidas nas análises. / The objective of this thesis is to develop an environmental management model that analyzes the economical impacts identified in companies, in order to fill a gap that is shown in management of many organizations – the lack of integration in the economical aspects of environmental management. Such purpose is justified by the understanding that the environmental aspects in the organizational context are a necessity for the competitiveness in companies of several sectors. However, the understanding of several variables that are related to these questions is not a simple task, and is not made frequently by the companies. In this way, the purpose of this study is to present an economical model of environmental management – MEGA. Based on a preliminary diagnosis, the model analyzes the operational environmental costs, their relationship with environmental accountancy and with costs of environmental quality. To evaluate the relevancy of investments in this area or the actions developed with this purpose, the model uses monocriterial and multicriterial analysis, as well as benefit-cost, for the economical evaluation of such factors. The definition of environmental indicators and the improvement plans are also used. The model was applied in two companies of the furniture sector. Since one of the analyzed companies considers the environmental questions in the corporate decisions for a longer time than the other one, it‟s observed the existence of a higher quantity of evaluating analysis, while in the other company the analysis were proposed. However, it appears on both companies the limitation on their database for use in the model, where de data were obtained in several sub-systems existing on them. The practice applications of MEGA showed the differences between both companies regarding the environmental questions, as in the qualitative aspects, as in the quantitative analysis regarding the economical variables covered in the analysis.

The thesis describes an issue of the constitutionally guaranteed right to information on the environment. The aim is to provide an overview of an effective international and especially national legislation, compare both fundamental acts on information and highlight the insufficiency of the Czech regulation. Apart from the introduction and conclusion thesis contains four chapters. Preliminary presentation of fundamentals and principles of the legislation is followed by summary of sources of law. Attention is given to Aarhus Convention and two acts on information. Following chapters deal with the effective legislation and determine differences in the providing general information and environmental information. An overview of selected judicial decisions is included before final chapter. Particular attention is paid to the obligations arising under the Aarhus Convention and its implementation into legislation. Mentioned are main drawbacks of the regulation and related difficulties in application of law; possible legislation de lege ferenda is outlined as well.

The subject of the thesis is right to information on the environment in the context of the free access to information. It is a progressive area of international law and czech law as well. Their common aim is to guarantee right to information to everybody without exceptions and to remove effectively the obstacles in access to the information. Environmental information are useful instrument for establishment and strengthening of civil society. This thesis aims at anaylising the content, importance and position of all the principal sources of law and determines relationship between them. The thesis puts emphasis on the analysis of the czech law and on finding its possible deficiency.

PRÁVO NA INFORMACE O ŽIVOTNÍM PROSTŘEDÍ | 1 Right to information on the environment ABSTRACT The objective of this thesis is to outline a regulation of the right to environmental information. There are many various reasons for ensuring broad access to environmental information. Apart from necessity of open and transparent government and the general right to know condition of the environment people are living in, the access to environmental information is also recognised as one of the regulatory instruments of the environmental policy. The access to relevant information is a vital assumption for public participation in environmental protection activities, as only broad awareness of environmental matters can develop deeper understanding of the issue and influence the future behaviour and decisions of general public. The thesis is composed of four parts which are further divided into chapters and where appropriate also into subchapters. The first introductory part focuses on bases and reasons for legal regulation of the access to environmental information and contains of two chapters. First chapter concerns the general right to information as one of the internationally accepted human right and the second analyses reasons and development of special treatment of information on environment. Part Two of...