The purpose of this study was to investigate the frequency and motivations for participation in Shinto rituals in Kyoto, Japan. The study involved both qualitative and quantitative data gathered in July and August of 2009. The principal data consists of 85 surveys conducted in person on the grounds of Yasaka Shrine in Kyoto. Supplemental data from informal interviews with 10 individuals who live in the surrounding area serve to highlight themes and conclusions extrapolated from the data. The primary goal of this study was to discern what, if any, differences in behavior are apparent across age groups. It was found that there are in fact a number of differences including frequency of participation, types of rituals participated in, level of involvement in rituals, and even distance traveled to participate in rituals. This study offers a number of explanations as to why these differences may exist, but these explanations remain highly speculative. As such this study represents an initial investigation in age differences and religiosity in Japan, a topic that has had very little attention in the academic literature thus far. / Historical origins, Shinto and politics -- Theoretical evaluations -- Fieldwork in Kyoto, Japan -- Visitation : motives and frequency -- Ritual behavior -- Identity. / Department of Anthropology

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Over the past twenty years, the cooperation within the European Union (EU) has strengthened and expanded with both more number of Member States and stronger influence on international politics. The unique character of the Union and its ability to enforce peace and humanitarian intervention has attracted attention in political science. This prominent position of the Union is perceived by many scholars who often hold this derived from the Union's influence in international relations. Various terms have been used to define the powers of the Union. The British researcher Ian Manners states that the unique identity of the Union in the international arena is formed by its normative power.    An important policy area within the Union is the environmental cooperation. It is essential to have a global understanding that an increasing cooperation within the environmental policy area is necessary in order to combat environmental degradation and climate change. In this study I have therefore chosen to examine if the Union can be considered a normative power in the area of environmental policy. To fulfill the purpose of my study I choose to examine the Kyoto protocol (2008- 2012). The Kyoto Protocol is an extension of the United Nations Framework on Climate Change and is the dominant global initiative in global environmental activities.   After studying the way towards global cooperation in the battle against climate change I would say that it is obvious that the EU has guided a number of stages of key importance. In international cooperation, states are usually not willing to accept the costs they may incur from taking on greater responsibilities than other parties. The Union’s imprint as a leading party in the global fight against climate change is in many ways tangible.

Since uncertainty and irreversibility are inherent, environmental policy involves the problems of timing of implementation. Environmental policy based on cost-benefit analysis using certainty equivalent presents values can be misleading under the combined effect of irreversibility and uncertainty. Using real options method, the thesis analyzes the timing of early action investment in Canada's Kyoto commitment. Early action investment in emission reductions is irreversible. The thesis uses a simple two-period model, and then lays out a corresponding continuous-time model to show that under technological uncertainty, early action investment should be delayed until more information - the results of R&D - is revealed. In particular, the more uncertain the outcome of research, the more the firm should delay early action investment. The thesis argues that Canada's Kyoto commitment is well intentioned but not wisely implemented: early action investment on emission reductions may not be efficient. The results suggest that a more gradual Kyoto program would be favourable.

Since uncertainty and irreversibility are inherent, environmental policy involves the problems of timing of implementation. Environmental policy based on cost-benefit analysis using certainty equivalent presents values can be misleading under the combined effect of irreversibility and uncertainty. Using real options method, the thesis analyzes the timing of early action investment in Canada's Kyoto commitment. Early action investment in emission reductions is irreversible. The thesis uses a simple two-period model, and then lays out a corresponding continuous-time model to show that under technological uncertainty, early action investment should be delayed until more information - the results of R&D - is revealed. In particular, the more uncertain the outcome of research, the more the firm should delay early action investment. The thesis argues that Canada's Kyoto commitment is well intentioned but not wisely implemented: early action investment on emission reductions may not be efficient. The results suggest that a more gradual Kyoto program would be favourable.

The economic development, environmental sustainability and energy security stay on the top of government agenda, which guarantee the citizen¡¦s standards of living . EU's indigenous energy production is depleting, and each states has different priorities. The European Union push new European energy policies improving security of energy supply ,which are aiming at reducing the risks being dependent on external supply. Those new european energy policies transform Europe into a highly energy efficiency and low CO2 economy,creating an internal energy market and diversifying energy supplies. The EU¡¦s internal policies include enhancing powers and independence of regulatory authorities at Community level, improving the integrated and flexible energy networks,establishing adequate minimum security of gas supply standards and emergency measures and executing the Action Plan for energy efficiency. The EU¡¦s external policies include enhancing energy partnership and continuing energy dialogue with Russia, Central Asia and Mediterranean area, improving investment and growth, developing common trade,transit and environment rules, building the energy supply chain and diversifying energy supplies. In this thesis the security of EU¡¦s energy supply will be examined by the perspective of neo-functionalism.

Since Kyoto Protocol took effect on Feb.16, 2005, Greenhouse gas emission reduction and Energy tax levy become a hot topic immediately. In addition, an action plan has been raised at the second National Energy Conference in 2005, for promoting ESCOs (Energy Service Companies) to improve energy efficiency and achieve energy conservation by conducting Energy Saving Performance Contract(ESPC). Hopefully these results will attain substantial reduction of carbon dioxide emission goals. International ESCO development model involves inter-industry integration, it faces many barriers¡Asuch as financing, insurance, measurement and verification, risk guarantee, tax exemption, small-scale market---etc. The financing barriers are the most importment problem in the development of ESCOs. In the study, Yin case studies are used to collect and analyze national barrier factors in financing. feasible financing mechanisms were explored in this study for ESCO , by participating in TAESCO¡¦s activities and interviewing with key persons in energy service companies, financial institutions and ESCO industry experts. The achievements of this study are¡G(1)ESCO industry prospects is optimistic conservative.(2)The business models have different opinions for localized development.(3)The key barrier factors are consistent with the types of barriers reported in the literatures on ESCO industry in other countries.(4)The industry has a few successful energy saving projects only, and then general business loans and own funds are the main way in ESCO financing.(5)The biggest gap of the financing with financial institutions is that banks do not have experience in ESCO industry.(6)There are three feasible financing mechanisms, which can be promoted on national ESCO industry. Finally, implementation of the results proposed three appropriate localization financing mechanisms(ESCO Credit Guarantee, Firefly Project Fund, Development Fund or Project Best Lending) will be worthy to explore empirically in the future.

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Texte remanié de: Mémoire--Science politique--Strasbourg--IEP. / Bibliogr. p. 159-164.