The problem addressed in this research was to develop an approach for the simultaneous green design of products and associated manufacturing processes including demanufacturing concerns. We propose a generic approach called Integrated Environmentally Conscious Design and Manufacturing (IECDM) which can be applied to address problems in the ECDM domain. IECDM incorporates environmental considerations into the engineering design process, thereby increasing a product's total life-cycle value (including its end-of-life value) as experienced by the customer, manufacturer, and society, while simultaneously reducing impacts on the environment caused by that product and its manufacturing processes. IECDM is a novel integration of Quality Function Deployment (QFD), Life-Cycle Assessment (LCA), Multiple Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM), and Cost-Benefit Assessment (CBA). The focus is on process, based on modification of the traditional QFD methodology to incorporate environmental issues and green product-design decisions through the life cycle design activities of synthesis, analysis, and evaluation. This dissertation presents a QFD-based IECDM approach, a mathematical CBA model, and an IDDS (Integrated Design Decision-Support) framework with a design-flow-chart application for incorporating environmental criteria into product and process eco-design. The IECDM problem is defined as: given the customer and environmental requirements, develop an integrated approach for green product design that results in maximization of the product's total life-cycle value (TLCV). Initially. through investigation in the field of ECDM, we specified a clear ECDM domain within Industrial Ecology. Then. we proposed various state-of-the-art techniques that were used to implement ECDM in the literature. After we defined the IECDM problem. we developed an integrated approach that led to a generic QFD-IECDM methodology for dealing with problems in the ECDM domain. Finally, for implementing the proposed methodology, we developed a tentative IODS framework to encourage long-term development followed by an example. / Ph. D.

<p dir="ltr">There has been an increased urgency toward mitigating climate change in the past several years. Global warming is causing a climate crisis, affecting ecosystems' ability to reduce extreme events. There is a need for rapid decarbonization while still maintaining healthy economic growth and development. Several nations have adopted various policies and set goals to minimize the impact on human society and mitigate the effects of climate change. While this is a step in the right direction, the rate at which these policies are implemented needs to be accelerated to reach the decarbonization goals that have been set. The prime pillars of decarbonization include adopting renewable energy systems, increasing energy efficiency, industrial electrification, low carbon feedstock, and carbon capture, utilization, and storage.</p><p dir="ltr">There is a pressing need for technological improvements in these areas. Renewable energy sources are not only inexhaustible but also reduce the dependence on fossil-based feedstock and lower air pollution, decreasing the risk of climate change. One of the more significant challenges of adopting renewable energy is the upfront investment required to set up the necessary infrastructure. The first objective of this research is to provide well-researched information on the impacts of the planned renewable energy projects. This research evaluates the effects of expanding offshore wind energy and adopting biobased plastics within the U.S. economy. Using industrial ecology methods, including macroeconomic Input-Output models and Material Flow Analysis through Physical Input-Output Tables, this study assesses the broader economic and environmental impacts of these renewable solutions. A multiregional macroeconomic Input-Output (MRIO) model for the U.S. was developed using the U.S. Industrial Ecology Virtual Laboratory, enhanced with a regional GHG emissions database. This enabled a spatial analysis of economic and emissions impacts from offshore wind energy expansion. Findings show an economic payback period similar to other renewables, with a notably short carbon payback period of less than 6 months. Another objective of this research emphasizes the need for and the effect of implementing circular economy opportunities to boost resource efficiency. It is explicitly designed around the manufacturing of bioplastics from agricultural residue that have the potential to combat the critical environmental issue of plastic pollution. This report elucidates the likely impact of manufacturing these materials on the economy and the environment. Process systems engineering models for polylactic acid (PLA) bioplastics manufacturing were integrated into a national-scale Input-Output model to restructure the U.S. economic model for bioplastics expansion. Results show a potential emissions reduction of up to 35%. It also seeks to evaluate the impacts of replacing different types of plastic packaging with bio-based alternatives using PIOT Hub. This tool demonstrates the potential of replacing pharmaceutical packaging with agro-residue-based bioplastics, supporting a circular economy to mitigate environmental impacts in these sectors. This research highlights bio-based packaging's role in reducing pollution and promoting resource efficiency, showing both environmental and economic benefits of these sustainable materials.</p><p><br></p>

<p dir="ltr">The transportation sector accounts for the most greenhouse gas emissions among all economic sectors. Thus, making our transportation systems sustainable is crucial for achieving the national 2050 net-zero emission goal. This thesis aims to explore the application of cutting-edge technologies for advancing sustainable transportation. A framework that analyzes technologies and their potential applications across different transportation modes and scales is proposed and demonstrated through two case studies.</p><p dir="ltr">The first case study focuses on developing a digital twin-based cooperative driving system for Connected and Automated Vehicles (CAVs) at roundabouts. An experiment conducted in a digital twin simulation environment shows that the cooperative driving system reduces emissions and energy consumption significantly while enhancing safety and maintaining efficiency.</p><p dir="ltr">The second case study proposed a Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP)-based prediction structure to iteratively predict future flight demand with historical data and future population and personal income data. Compared with Terminal Area Forecasting (TAF) projection data, the difference in the year 2050 is only around 8%. Ultimately, the applications of future aviation fuel demand estimation and future Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) distribution strategy exploration are showcased, leveraging the prediction result of the flight demand in 2050.</p><p dir="ltr">Through the two case studies, the thesis demonstrates the effectiveness of the proposed framework and reveals the significant potential of cutting-edge technologies, such as digital twin, CAVs, and SAF, in achieving sustainability in the transportation sector. These findings provide valuable insights for policymakers, industry stakeholders, and researchers to promote innovation and application of sustainable transportation technologies and ultimately achieve the net-zero emission goal.</p>

This research addresses the challenge of integrating ecodesign tools into the digital media industry to reduce the environmental footprint of digital products. Despite increasing awareness of sustainability, many digital media experts struggle to adopt these tools practically. This study investigates experts’ perception of the usefulness and ease of use of ecodesign tools and explores influences on their user experience. The research included two phases: a survey and a user study. The survey involved N=93 digital media experts in Europe and evaluated the perceived ease of use and usefulness of ecodesign tools utilizing the Technology Acceptance Model. It revealed the IBM Checklist for Sustainability and the Sustainable Web Design Guidelines as the most useful and easy to use ecodesign tools. These tools were then examined in a one-week user study, involving N=12 digital media experts. This phase included a diary study and user experience questionnaire. Results indicate that practical guidance, clear understanding, efficiency, trustworthiness, motivation, and innovation influence user experience. While sustainability awareness is rising, integrating ecodesign tools into daily workflows remains challenging for some experts. Comprehensive training and guided integration are needed to address these challenges. Ecodesign tools should fit diverse user needs, enhancing relevance and usability across various roles. Incorporating customizable features, clear guidance, interactive learning resources, and alignment with industry standards better support digital media experts and enhance their user experience. This research highlights the importance of ongoing development and refinement of ecodesign tools within the digital media industry.

<p dir="ltr">In recent years, the world has witnessed a growing trend of record high temperatures, heat waves, and extreme weather events due to climate change. Thus, there is an urgent need to develop technologies that enhance quality of life while mitigating further contributions to climate change. Radiative cooling, a passive cooling technique, offers a promising solution to this challenge. Nature serves as a vast, largely unexplored source of inspiration, with various biological systems utilizing radiative cooling to thrive in extreme environments. This work looks at what can be learned from nature to better develop radiative cooling technologies.</p><p dir="ltr">While nanoparticle-based coatings and biologically-inspired nanocellulose-based structures have shown promise in radiative cooling, each has its limitations. Nanocellulose-based structures exhibit high mechanical strength but lower solar reflectance due to UV absorption. On the other hand, nanoparticle-based coatings require a high volume of nanoparticles, resulting in brittleness. This work introduces a dual-layer system comprising a cellulose-based substrate and a thin nanoparticle-based radiative cooling paint, maximizing both radiative cooling potential and mechanical strength. The relationship is studied between thickness and reflectance of the top coating layer with a consistent thickness of the bottom layer. The saturation point is identified and used to determine the optimal thickness for the top-layer. With the use of cotton paper painted with a 125 microns BaSO⁴-based layer, the cooling performance is enhanced to 149.6 W/m² achieved by the improved total solar reflectance from 80% to 93%.</p><p dir="ltr">Looking at another source of biological inspiration, radiative cooling potential of the white shell of the <a href="" target="_blank"><i>Sphincterochila</i></a><i> zonata</i> desert snail is investigated through experimental techniques, revealing a remarkable 90.8% total solar reflectance and 0.88 sky window emissivity, which is achieved through nanoscale features and layered platelet-like morphologies. This is a record high for a biological system. The porosity, nanostructure, and material composition are analyzed, and compared to relative biological systems in other white shells, including those living in the same Negev desert and highly contrasting ocean dwellers. Structural analysis demonstrates layered platelet-like morphologies that optimize for light scattering in solar wavelengths. We investigate the shell's porosity, nanostructure, and material composition through comparison with other species’ shells in the Negev desert and marine environments. Through this, we gain inspiration from <i>Sphincterochila zonata</i> to develop our own radiative cooling technologies.</p><p dir="ltr">In weight-sensitive applications, thin and lightweight radiative cooling paints are crucial, but achieving high solar reflectance remains a challenge. Using inspiration of the layered structure seen in desert snails, this research introduces ultrawhite <a href="" target="_blank">hBN</a>-Acrylic paints that achieve a remarkable solar reflectance of 97.9% with only 150 µm thickness and 0.029 g/cm² weight. The unique properties of hexagonal boron nitride (hBN), including a high refractive index and nanoplatelet morphology, enable a combination of Mie and Rayleigh scattering, while a 44.3% porosity enhances refractive index contrast. Field tests demonstrate that hBN-Acrylic paints provide full daytime cooling under direct sunlight, reducing temperatures by 5-6℃ below ambient.</p><p dir="ltr">Furthermore, biodegradable chitosan-hBN films are introduced as a promising advancement in sustainable cooling technology. These films, composed of up to 60% hBN nanoplatelets within a chitosan matrix, offer flexibility, mechanical robustness, and significant cooling potential. Preliminary results show that these films achieve high solar reflectance and maintain structural integrity, with further potential for optimization through nanoplatelet alignment techniques like hot pressing. By integrating bio-inspired and synthetic approaches, this work contributes to the broader goal of developing sustainable, high-performance materials for passive cooling.</p>

The thesis deals with the application of green marketing, respectively Green behaviour of retail chains Tesco Stores, Penny Market and Kaufland Czech Republic in the territory of the regional city České Budějovice. The main aim is thus to determine whether these retail chains use green marketing and behaviour to what extent, based on the set of indicators and whether the customers of these chains reflect green marketing and behaviour in their purchasing decisions. The theoretical part is focused on definitions of basic and related concepts such as green marketing, green economy, customer purchasing behaviour and theoretical definitions of selected indicators of green behaviour. The practical part summarizes the information obtained from interviews with representatives of retail chains and analyse customer behaviour through a questionnaire survey. The main finding of the thesis is that although retail chains use green marketing, customer's purchasing decisions is not affected by this type of marketing. Customers prefer a price range and distance to stores from the residence or from the working place. The thesis also found that each chain has its clients, who have the same features of behaviour.

The thesis entitled “New Supramolecular Ion Sensing Probes and their Application in the Detection of Environmentally Relevant Ions” deals with the design and synthesis of several small molecular probes which can specifically sense environmentally relevant ions of (anion or cation) particularly in aqueous or biological medium. The probes have been designed using four different molecular entities which include anthraquinone, oxidized bis-indolyl system, pyrene and rhodamine. The probes afford naked eye detection of a particular ion in the aqueous medium. This work has been divided into six chapters. Chapter 1. Introduction The first chapter gives a brief idea of ion sensor. It provides the description of various approaches used for designing molecular sensors. The chapter further presents an overview of the four different dyes (anthraquinone, oxidized-bis-indole, pyrene and rhodamine) used for designing probes in this work. The properties of these probes, their advantages and disadvantages to use as a signaling subunit have been discussed. This chapter also describes the use of micellar medium for solubilizing different organic dyes in water. Chapter 2. Colorimetric Probes based on Anthraimidazolediones for Selective Sensing of Fluoride and Cyanide ion via Intramolecular Charge Transfer. The second chapter describes the design and synthesis of four different probes based on anthra [1, 2-d] imidazole-6, 11-dione. The anthraquinone part of each molecule has an acceptor moiety whereas substituted nitrogen linked aromatic unit forms the donor site. Each probe acted as strong colorimetric sensor for fluoride and cyanide ion detection and exhibited intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) band which showed significant red-shifts after addition of either the F¯ or CN¯ ion. One of the probes 2 showed selective colorimetric sensing for both cyanide and fluoride ions. In organic medium 2 showed selective color change with fluoride and cyanide, whereas in aqueous organic medium it showed a selective ratiometric response towards cyanide ion. The effect of anionic charge (on the donor moiety) on ICT has been discussed. Among the various donor moieties, the donor site having negative charges on them was found to disperse greater electron density on them. Figure 1. Molecular structures of the sensors Chapter 3 deals with chemodosimetric detection of cyanide ion in water using various oxidized bis-indole based compounds. Chapter 3A. A Chemodosimetric Probe based on a Conjugated and oxidized Bis¬ indolyl System for Selective Naked Eye Sensing of Cyanide ion in Water. The chapter 3A describes the design and synthesis of a new water-soluble bis-indolyl based probe, 5 which possesses two –COOH groups. This probe specifically reacted with the CN¯ ion in pure water at ambient temperature and produced a remarkable change in color from red to colorless. The mechanism of this process was investigated by NMR (1H, 13C and DEPT-135) spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and kinetic studies. The mechanism investigation showed that the cyanide ion reacts with the probe and removes the conjugation of the bis-indolyl moiety of the probe with that of the 4-substituted aromatic ring which renders the probe colorless. Taken together a plausible mechanism of the reaction was presented which showed to operate via a Michael type adduct formation under ambient conditions of pH and temperature in water. The probe gave a detection limit of 0.38 ppm for detection of cyanide ion in water. Figure 2. Molecular structure of the probe 5. Chapter 3B. Micelle Assisted ppb level Detection of Cyanide ion in Water by Chemodosimetry and Visual detection of the Endogenous Cyanide. The chapter 3B deals with the synthesis of a bis-indole based colorimetric probe 6. The probe showed selective detection of the cyanide ion in water at ppb level and a visible detection of endogenous cyanide from cassava (a major staple food in the developing world) by chemodosimetry. The cyanide ion binds with the probe 6 in a chemodosimetric fashion and follows pseudo first-order kinetics in water under appropriate conditions. It showed a highly sensitive detection of the cyanide ion in water with a detection limit of 0.33 ppm. The use of the micellar medium improved the detection limit drastically and a ppb level detection limit was achieved. The probe also showed the detection of the endogenously bound cyanide in cassava both visually and by spectrophotometer. Figure 3. Molecular structure of the probe 6. Chapter 3C. Ratiometric Cyanide ion probe in Water and for the detection of the Endogenously bound cyanide. Chapter 3C presents the synthesis of two new bis-indolyl (7 and 8) based probes for colorimetric detection of cyanide ion in pure water. Compound 8 showed a ratiometric response with cyanide in water and a visual detection of the endogenously bound cyanide ion in cassava. Using compound 8 the selective detection of the cyanide ion in water was achieved with a detection limit of ~ 17 ppb which is almost 13 times lower than the permitted limit as specified by EPA, United States. 7; R = H 8; R = -(OCH2CH2)3CH3 Figure 4. Molecular structures of the probes 1 and 2. Chapter 4 deals with the colorimetric and ratiometric detection of the Cu2+and Hg2+ions using different small synthetic molecular probes. Chapter 4A. Colorimetric Sensors for Ratiometric Detection of Copper and Mercury ions in Biological media and below ppm level in Water. The chapter 4A deals with the synthesis of two novel colorimetric probes (9, 10) using bispicolyl unit as the binding moiety and anthraimidazolediones and bis-indolyl system as a signaling sub-unit. Using the two sensors, Cu2+ion can be detected below the permitted limit (1.3 ppm) in both drinking water and at physiological pH 7.4. Sensor 9 can detect both Cu2+and Hg2+ in water with very low detection limit. It showed specific binding with Cu2+ at physiological pH 7.4 and in presence of serum albumins. Chemosensor 10 can be used for the specific detection of both Cu2+and Hg2in water as well as for the contamination in microorganisms. Figure 5. Molecular structure of the sensors 9 and 10. Chapter 4B. A New Molecular Probe for the Selective Sensing of Cu2+ and Hg2+ ions in Micellar Media and in Live ells.This chapter describes a synthesis of a novel bispicolyl based sensor 11 which can detect Cu2+ ion specifically in water medium and both Cu2+ and Hg2+ ions selectivelyin Brij-58 micellar medium. In micellar medium both the ions can be detected in the ppb level. Using fluorescence spectroscopy these two metal ions can be discriminated.The probe is also be useful for checking metal ion contamination in cellular samples. Figure 6. Molecular structure of the sensor 11. Chapter 4C. Rhodamine based Sensors for Cu2+ and Hg2+ ions in Water and in Biological media. The chapter 4C presents the synthesis and the sensing properties of the three positional isomers of the pyridine end of the rhodamine-pyridine compounds (12-14). The three isomers only differ in the position of nitrogen of the pyridine moiety. Sensor 12, which contains the pyridine nitrogen at the ortho-position showed selective sensing toward Cu2+ ion in both pure water and in buffered physiological media of pH 7.4. It gave a detection limit of ~13 ppb which is 100 times lesser than the EPA permitted limit. The other two sensors 13 and 14, which possessed the pyridine ends with the nitrogen atom at the meta- and the para- positions respectively showed the selective sensing of Hg2+ ion in water and did not show any interaction with the Cu2+ ion. Probes 2 and 3 showed ‘turn-on’ detection of Hg2+ ion both in the UV-vis and the fluorescence emission spectroscopy. Compound 2 and 3 showed a detection limit of ~ 9 and 4 ppb respectively. The NMR titration showed the change in color was due to the opening of the spirolactam ring of the rhodamine. The sensors can also be used for the detection of Cu2+ and Hg2+ ion in real life water samples and in the live cells. Figure 7. Molecular structure of the sensors 12, 13 and 14. Chapter 5. Ratiometric and ppb level Detection of Toxic Transition Metal ions using a Single Probe in Micellar media. This chapter describes the selective sensing of multiple ions using a single probe 15. The probe incorporates pyrene and pyridine as signaling and interacting moiety respectively. The sensor showed different responses towards different metal ions just by varying the medium of detection. In organic solvent (acetonitrile), the probe showed selective detection of Hg2+ ion. In water the fluorescence quenching was observed with three metal ions, Cu2+, Hg2+ and Ni2+. Further just by varying the surface charge of different micellar media, the probe showed selective interaction with Hg2+ ion in neutral micelles (Brij-58). However, in anionic micellar medium (SDS), the probe showed selective changes with both Cu2+ and Ni2+ in the UV-vis spectroscopy. The discrimination between these two ions was achieved by emission spectroscopy, where it showed selective quenching only with Cu2+. Thus using a single probe all the three metal ions Cu2+, Hg2+ and Ni2+ can be detected and discriminated just by varying the surface charge of the micellar medium. Figure 8. Molecular structure of the sensors 15. Chapter 6. Highly sensitive Rhodamine Based Dual Probes for the Visual detection of F¯ and Hg2+ ions in Water. This chapter deals with the design and synthesis of two new rhodamine based probes (16-17) which act as dual probes for the ppb level selective detection of Hg2+ and F¯ ions in water and at physiological pH 7.4. The two probes were synthesized by coupling tert-butyldiphenylsilyl (TBDPS) protected forms of 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde and 2, 4- dihydroxy benzaldehyde with rhodamine hydrazone. The F¯ ion detection is based on the desilylation of the probe, whereas the spirolactam ring opening leads to the detection of Hg2+ ion. The two probes gave turn-on detection of both Hg2+ and F¯ ion selectively in aqueous medium with the detection limit well below the EPA permitted limits. The probes showed detection of both the ions by dual mode with visibly different color and fluorescence under UV-lamp. The F¯ ion interacts with the silyl bond of probe and the cleavage results into yellow color whereas; the addition of Hg2+ ion to the probe solution opened the spirolactam ring and resulted into appearance of pink color. Figure 9. Molecular structure of the probes 16 and 17. (For structural formula pl see the abstract file)

Rapportens syfte är dels att belysa om frisörbranschens miljöpåverkan genom kemikalieutsläpp, att undersöka hur kommunens tillsynsrutiner ser ut på frisörsalonger runt om i Sverige. Samt undersöka hur dessa rutiner skulle kunna förbättras för att minska farliga utsläpp och utifrån ett miljöperspektiv skapa mer hållbara arbetssätt. Det slutgiltiga syftet för rapporten är att den ska fungera som ett informationsunderlag till kommunernas tillsynsmän och även till de myndigheter och organisationer som de samarbetar med. Genom kemikalieutsläpp och otillräcklig avfallshantering har frisörbranschen stor påverkan både i inre och yttre miljöer (K. Boll 2011). En rapport från Stockholm Vatten som utfördes 2012 visar även att rester av aromatiska fenoler och aminer finns kvar i överskottsfärgen i håret efter hårfärgning och spolas därmed ut det kommunala avloppssystemet vid efterföljande hårtvättar när kunden gått från salongen. Om färgämnena inte bryts ned i reningsverket kan de störa reningsprocesserna eller försämra kvaliteten på det utgående avloppsvattnet och slam. Flertalet ämnen som vanligtvis hittas i hårprodukter är förutom hälsoskadligt också giftiga för våra vattenlevande organismer och kan orsaka skadliga långtidseffekter i vattenmiljön (S. E. Tjus 2014 ). Idag är inte frisörverksamheter anmälningspliktiga men de har skyldighet att utföra egenkontroll enligt miljöbalken (1998:901). Läkemedelsverket och kommunerna är operativa tillsynsmyndigheter för kosmetiska produkter och ska enligt miljötillsynsförordningen 2011:13 utföra tillsyn över frisörverksamheter. Trots att det finns relativt lite forskning på miljöskadliga ämnen kopplat till just i hygienprodukter så kan dessa ämnen i många fall hittas genom artiklar där det fokuseras på till exempel industriell verksamhet (Europaparlamentet 2007) (Läkemedelsverket 2003). Kathon är ett exempel på detta då det förutom i hårprodukter också används i färg, lim, skärvätskor, spackel och fogmassor. Ämnet kan vara allergiframkallande och är miljöskadliga (E. Vene 2015) (T. Svensson 2016). Inför denna rapport har jag valt att utföra en nulägesanalys över hur Sveriges kommuners tillsynsrutiner ser ut för frisörbranschen, detta skapades genom att kommunerna svarade på tre öppna frågor. För att få ytterligare underlag valde jag ut några kommuner som fick svara på en mer ingående enkät. Ännu ett perspektiv på frågorna har skapats genom att en enkät till frisörer skickats ut. Sammanställningarna av dessa intervjuer indikerar en tydlig informationsbrist både hos kommunen och frisörerna, de båda parterna skulle behöva en konkret plan för att utföra en mer effektiv tillsyn och därmed skapa en möjlighet för att arbeta mot att minska de miljöskadliga aktiviteterna. / The report's purpose is to shed light on the hairdressing industry's environmental impact by chemical emissions, to investigate how the routines for municipal supervisors look like in the hair salons around Sweden. And investigate if these routines could be improved to reduce the harmful emissions and from an environmental perspective create a more sustainable approach. The final aim of the report is that it should operate as an information base for municipal inspectors and also to the authorities and organizations they work with. Through chemical emissions and inadequate waste disposal hairdressing business has a great influence both on internal and external environments (K. Boll 2011). A report that Stockholm Water conducted in 2012 also shows that residues of aromatic phenols and amines remain in your hair after hair wash and are flushed out through the municipal sewage system. If the dyes are not broken down in the water treatment plant, they can interfere with treatment processes or reduce the quality of the outgoing wastewater and sludge. Most substances commonly found in hair products are in addition to harmful too toxic for our aquatic organisms and may cause long-term adverse effects in the aquatic environment (S. E. Tjus 2014). Today the hairdressing business is not notifiable but they are obligated to perform a self-monitoring system under the Environmental Code (SFS 1998:901). Medical Product Agency and municipalities are operational regulating authorities for cosmetic products and should, according to environmental inspection regulation (2011:13) supervise the hairdressing businesses. Although there is relatively little research on environmentally harmful substances linked to hygiene products, the same substances can often be found through articles which focus on industrial activities (European Parliament 2007). Kathon is an example of this as it except in hair products are also used in paints, adhesives, cutting fluids, putty and sealants. The substance is most likely both allergenic and environmentally harmful (E. Vene 2015) (T. Svensson 2016). Prior to this report, I chose to conduct an analysis of the current situation of how the Swedish municipalities' practices the supervising on the saloons. To obtain additional documentation I chose some municipalities that had to answer a more detailed questionnaire. Another perspective on these issues has been provided by a survey that was sent out to hairdressers in Sweden. The compilation of these interviews indicates a clear lack of information among the municipality and the hairdressers, the two parties would need a concrete plan to perform a more effective supervision, thereby creating an opportunity to work towards the reduction of environmentally harmful activities. / <p>2016-06-29</p>

Iva Zvěřinová PhD Thesis Public Preferences for Environmental Policies and Behavioural Changes Abstract Environmental problems, such as climate change, are generally perceived as serious issues by the public in European countries. However, people tend to assign them a low policy priority and disagree with the introduction of some policy instruments, such as carbon tax. Few people also behave in an environmentally friendly way and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. What are the preferences of the inhabitants of several European countries regarding climate mitigation policies and behavioural changes? What makes these policies more acceptable for the public? Would people from these countries be willing to accept climate mitigation policies or behaviour, and if so, under what conditions? This thesis aims to answer these questions by applying a theoretical framework that integrates attitudes and perceptions with preferences. In the empirical part of the thesis, we analyse data from several questionnaire surveys on public responses to climate policies and climate-related behaviours in several European countries. The thesis contains four empirical studies focusing on: i. public preferences for climate mitigation policies; ii. public preferences for policy instruments to reduce GHG emissions; iii. consumers'...

[pt] Apesar do aumento da consciência e do interesse do consumidor por produtos verdes e de uma pré-disposição para compra de produtos e serviços mais ecologicamente corretos, pode-se notar muitas vezes a falta de correspondência nos consumidores entre seu discurso e suas ações, isto é, uma incoerência entre atitudes e comportamento, também chamada hiato. Pode-se dizer que muitas vezes há uma pré-disposição (atitude) ecológica, porém esta não se transforma em ação (comportamento) de compra favorável ao meio ambiente. Dessa forma, apesar de vários estudos terem sido realizados sobre o comportamento do consumidor, nenhuma explicação definitiva sobre o fenômeno do hiato e nenhum modelo comportamental preciso para sua compreensão foi encontrado. O presente estudo visa contribuir com a literatura para uma compreensão mais profunda deste fenômeno, sob um novo prisma, analisando os fatores influentes no hiato sob a perspectiva de contraste de gerações. O estudo busca compreender os principais fatores influentes que contribuem para aumentar ou reduzir este hiato entre atitude e comportamento ecologicamente consciente que ocorrem nas Gerações Baby Boomers (BB) e Y, bem como suas principais diferenças e semelhanças. Para o desenvolvimento da tese foram realizadas trinta entrevistas em profundidade com consumidores residentes no Rio de Janeiro, sendo quinze pertencentes à Geração Baby Boomers e quinze pertencentes à Geração Y. Para realização da análise de conteúdo das entrevistas se utilizou o software Atlas.ti para facilitar a interpretação dos dados e organização dos resultados. Buscou-se identificar os principais fatores influentes no hiato em ambas as gerações analisando cinco atividades de consumo: produtos ecologicamente corretos, energia, água, transporte e reciclagem/descarte. Os resultados apontam as principais semelhanças e diferenças encontradas entre os comportamentos das gerações Baby Boomers e Y e demonstram uma maior preocupação e comportamento mais consciente por parte dos indivíduos da Geração Y no que tange algumas atividades de consumo. Ao final é proposto um modelo de comportamento ecologicamente consciente para melhor compreensão deste hiato e no qual são evidenciados os principais fatores que contribuem para aumentar ou reduzir o hiato em ambas as gerações. / [en] Despite increased awareness and consumer interest in green products and a pre-disposition to purchase more environmentally friendly products and services, we can often notice the lack of correspondence between consumers speech and their actions. Therefore, there is an inconsistency between attitudes and behavior, also called gap. It can be said that there is often an environmentally friendly pre-disposition (attitude) which does not often turn into action (behavior). Thus, although several studies have been conducted on consumer behavior, not a definitive explanation of the gap phenomenon and not a precise behavioral model for its compreehension was found so far. The present study aims to contribute to the literature for a deeper understanding of this phenomenon in a new light by analyzing the influential factors on the gap from the perspective of different generations. The study seeks to understand the main influential factors that contribute to increase or reduce this gap between attitude and environmentally conscious behavior that occur in members of Baby Boomers (BB) generation and Y generation, as well as their similarities and differences. For the development of the thesis thirty in-depth interviews were conducted with consumers residing in Rio de Janeiro; fifteen belonged to the Baby Boomers generation and fifteen to the Y generation. The analysis of the results used the Atlas ti software in order to facilitate interpretation and data organization. The results show the main influential factors on the gap on both generations (BB and Y), by analyzing five consumption activities: environmentally friendly products, energy, water, transportation and recycling / disposal. The results show the main similarities and differences between the behavior of the BB and the Y generations indicate greater concern and more conscious behavior by individuals of generation Y in terms of some consumption activities. At the end, a model of ecologically conscious behavior is proposed to better understand the phenomenon called gap. The main factors that contribute to increase or reduce this gap in both generations are highlighted.