Academic literature on the topic 'Whole of Society Approach to Sustainability'
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Journal articles on the topic "Whole of Society Approach to Sustainability":
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Trevena, Helen, Jenny Claire Kaldor, and Shauna M. Downs. "‘Sustainability does not quite get the attention it deserves’: synergies and tensions in the sustainability frames of Australian food policy actors." Public Health Nutrition 18, no. 13 (December 29, 2014): 2323–32. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s136898001400295x.
Abstract:
AbstractObjectiveThe development of food policy is strongly influenced by the understanding and position actors adopt in their ‘framing’ of sustainability. The Australian Government developed a National Food Plan (2010–2013). In public consultations on the National Food Plan Green Paper, the government sought stakeholders’ views on sustainability. The present study examined the way in which the food industry and civil society organizations framed sustainability in their submissions to the Green Paper.DesignSubmissions by food industry actors and civil society organizations were analysed using a framing matrix that examined positioning, drivers, underlying principles and policy solutions related to sustainability. Submissions were open coded and subsequently organized based on themes within the framing matrix.SettingAustralia.SubjectsOne hundred and twenty-four written submissions (1420 pages).ResultsWhile submissions from industry and civil society organizations often framed sustainability similarly, there were also major differences. Civil society organizations were more likely to make the link between the food supply and population health, while industry was more likely to focus on economic sustainability. Both viewed consumer demand as a driver of sustainability, welcomed the idea of a whole-of-government approach and stressed the need for investment in research and development to improve productivity and sustainable farming practices.ConclusionsThe meaning of sustainability shifted throughout the policy process. There are opportunities for creating shared value in food policy, where the health, environment and economic dimensions of sustainability can be compatible. However, despite pockets of optimism there is a need for a shared vision of sustainability if Australia is to have a food policy integrating these dimensions.
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Zowada, Christian, Ozcan Gulacar, and Ingo Eilks. "Innovating Undergraduate General Chemistry by Integrating Sustainability-related Socio-Scientific Issues." Action Research and Innovation in Science Education 1, no. 2 (December 17, 2018): 3–8. http://dx.doi.org/10.51724/arise.9.
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Many general chemistry courses in U.S. undergraduate education focus on decontextualized content learning, driven by a structure-of-the-discipline approach. Due to this approach, many students perceive general chemistry to be of low relevance to their educations, their lives, and society as a whole. This paper reflects a process of innovation for the integration of sustainability-related socio-scientific issues into U.S. undergraduate general chemistry courses to make chemistry learning more meaningful and relevant to the learners. The innovation originated from teaching and learning materials developed in Germany. Digital learning environments were created on hydraulic fracturing and phosphate recovery, two hot socio-scientific issues, which were then transferred, adapted, and implemented in the USA. This paper reflects selected students’ feedback and how this process initiated ongoing curriculum innovation.
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Demele, Uwe, Benjamin Nölting, Wibke Crewett, and Georgi Georgiev. "Sustainability Transfer as a Concept for Universities in Regional Transformation—A Case Study." Sustainability 13, no. 9 (April 28, 2021): 4956. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su13094956.
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The research object of this study is the in-depth discourse on the sustainability transfer activities of higher education institutions (HEIs) and their contribution to a regional sustainable transformation. For this purpose, a heuristically-derived concept of sustainability transfer is empirically tested with a mixed-methods approach based on the example of Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development (HNEE). The empirical findings demonstrate that the realization of sustainability transfer depends mainly on the personal initiative of teachers and researchers. Major barriers are a lack of time and financial resources. The observed concept of sustainability transfer is applicable to all study and research areas of HNEE. Involvement in sustainability transfer can include the whole of society, from politics, enterprises, and civil society to education and research institutions. Overall, the empirical testing of the concept offered by this study illustrates its practical suitability to capturing specifically those sustainability transfer activities that are not tapped by third mission approaches. This opens up a novel dimension for transfer potential at universities and their role in regional sustainability transformation. It also highlights that the interdependencies between HEIs and practitioners need to be more contextualized with quality criteria such as the value of the transfer performance or level of ambition.
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Dettori, Angela. "Sustainability as a Matrix of Experiential Marketing." International Journal of Marketing Studies 11, no. 2 (May 23, 2019): 29. http://dx.doi.org/10.5539/ijms.v11n2p29.
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Recent years have highlighted a significant increase in the relevance of environmental protection and sustainability to consumers, firms, and society as a whole. Taking this new situation into account, most organizations are aware of this change and wish to be seen as taking steps to improve behaviors in this regard. This challenge requires managers to make wise strategic choices and for organizations to be more flexible in adapting to changes in the economy, in the environment and in the “whims” of consumers. The aim of the present study is to examine the potential role of sustainability as a matrix of experiential marketing to understand how a memorable, emotional and responsible connection between consumer and sustainable brand can generate customer loyalty and affect the purchase decision. Taking a case study approach, this study analyzes an ecological campaign called “The Fun Theory”, contributing to strengthening this new theory, according to which “fun” is the best way to change the bad habits of people in responsible and sustainable manner.
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Määttä, Senni. "Rethinking collaborative action and citizen empowerment: Characterising a Whole-of-Society approach to the energy transition." Energy Research & Social Science 81 (November 2021): 102277. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2021.102277.
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Lennerfors, Thomas Taro, Per Fors, and Jolanda van Rooijen. "ICT and environmental sustainability in a changing society." Information Technology & People 28, no. 4 (November 2, 2015): 758–74. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/itp-09-2014-0219.
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Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to discuss the role of information and communication technology (ICT) for promoting environmental sustainability in a changing society. Isolated studies exist, but few take a holistic view. Derived from a Marxian tradition, the authors propose Ecological World Systems Theory (WST) as a holistic framework to assess the environmental impact of ICT. The theory is adapted responding to theoretical critiques of absence of change, namely state-centrism and structuralism. Design/methodology/approach – Theoretical study. Empirical examples derived from already published literature. Findings – Ecological WST focuses on the unequal distribution of environmental degradation, sees technological development as a zero-sum game rather than cornucopia and holds that technology is often seen as a fetish in today ' s society. The findings are that popular discourses on ICT and sustainability are since the 1990s becoming increasingly cornucopian, while conditions in the ICT value chain are less cornucopian. Research limitations/implications – Theoretical contributions to Marxian critiques of ICT, with more environmental focus than earlier Marxian critiques, for example Fuchs’ work. Develop a theoretical framework for ICT and sustainability which could be compared with works of e.g. Hilty, Patrignani and Whitehouse. The work is mostly based on existing empirical studies, which is a limitation. Practical implications – This theoretical framework implies that unequal environmental degradation in different parts of the world should be taken into account when assessing environmental impact, for example by means of LCA. Social implications – The framework brings together questions of environmental effects of ICT and global justice. Originality/value – The authors apply a rarely discussed theoretical framework to ICT and environmental sustainability. By doing this the authors suggest how the discourses and the value chain of ICT is intrinsically tied to the world system.
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Ryan, Benjamin J., Damon Coppola, Deon V. Canyon, Mark Brickhouse, and Raymond Swienton. "COVID-19 Community Stabilization and Sustainability Framework: An Integration of the Maslow Hierarchy of Needs and Social Determinants of Health." Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness 14, no. 5 (April 21, 2020): 623–29. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/dmp.2020.109.
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ABSTRACTAll levels of government are authorized to apply coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) protection measures; however, they must consider how and when to ease lockdown restrictions to limit long-term societal harm and societal instability. Leaders that use a well-considered framework with an incremental approach will be able to gradually restart society while simultaneously maintaining the public health benefits achieved through lockdown measures. Economically vulnerable populations cannot endure long-term lockdown, and most countries lack the ability to maintain a full nationwide relief operation. Decision-makers need to understand this risk and how the Maslow hierarchy of needs and the social determinants of health can guide whole of society policies. Aligning decisions with societal needs will help ensure all segments of society are catered to and met while managing the crisis. This must inform the process of incremental easing of lockdowns to facilitate the resumption of community foundations, such as commerce, education, and employment in a manner that protects those most vulnerable to COVID-19. This study proposes a framework for identifying a path forward. It reflects on baseline requirements, regulations and recommendations, triggers, and implementation. Those desiring a successful recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic need to adopt an evidence-based framework now to ensure community stabilization and sustainability.
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Aliyu, Sirajo, Rosylin Mohd Yusof, and Nasri Naiimi. "The role of moral transaction mode for sustainability of banking business." International Journal of Social Economics 44, no. 12 (December 4, 2017): 2238–56. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/ijse-07-2016-0205.
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Purpose The purpose of this paper is to propose the use of Islamic moral transaction mode as a moderator in sustainable Islamic microfinance banks (IMFBs) business model. Design/methodology/approach The paper highlighted the major issues of microfinance banks in Nigeria and presented an integrated model that will suffice the long-term survival of the institution. Moreover, regression analysis is also employed to examine the impacts of financial outreach on the Nigerian economic growth. Findings The authors find that Islamic moral transaction mode will moderate the sustainable Islamic banking business which can influence the sustenance of IMFBs and the well-being of the society through financial outreach. Research limitations/implications The paper has empirically tested the impact of financial outreach on growth, and suggested future studies to investigate the existing relationships among the proposed model components. Therefore, further studies have the opportunity to develop measurements that will guide in testing the model, as well as strengthening its components. Practical implications Implementing this model will enhance the sustainability of IMFBs and socio-economic well-being of the society through financial outreach. Consequently, this study also suggests other policy measures that will improve the sustenance of IMFBs and the society as a whole. Originality/value The paper contributes to the existing literature of microfinance banks by linking the components of the sustainable business model to primary evidence of Sharia coupled with an in-depth link to generosity.
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El Bilali, Hamid, Carola Strassner, and Tarek Ben Hassen. "Sustainable Agri-Food Systems: Environment, Economy, Society, and Policy." Sustainability 13, no. 11 (June 1, 2021): 6260. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su13116260.
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Agri-food systems (AFS) have been central in the debate on sustainable development. Despite this growing interest in AFS, comprehensive analyses of the scholarly literature are hard to find. Therefore, the present systematic review delineated the contours of this growing research strand and analyzed how it relates to sustainability. A search performed on the Web of Science in January 2020 yielded 1389 documents, and 1289 were selected and underwent bibliometric and topical analyses. The topical analysis was informed by the SAFA (Sustainability Assessment of Food and Agriculture systems) approach of FAO and structured along four dimensions viz. environment, economy, society and culture, and policy and governance. The review shows an increasing interest in AFS with an exponential increase in publications number. However, the study field is north-biased and dominated by researchers and organizations from developed countries. Moreover, the analysis suggests that while environmental aspects are sufficiently addressed, social, economic, and political ones are generally overlooked. The paper ends by providing directions for future research and listing some topics to be integrated into a comprehensive, multidisciplinary agenda addressing the multifaceted (un)sustainability of AFS. It makes the case for adopting a holistic, 4-P (planet, people, profit, policy) approach in agri-food system studies.
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Saha, Polin Kumar, Shahida Akhter, and Azizul Hassan. "Framing Corporate Social Responsibility to Achieve Sustainability in Urban Industrialization: Case of Bangladesh Ready-Made Garments (RMG)." Sustainability 13, no. 13 (June 22, 2021): 6988. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su13136988.
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According to both scholars and society, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) plays a controversial role in terms of corporate management towards sustainability. The business has presently become an integrated with the society and takes in a complex form of global demand for sustainability management. Due to the globalization of business, it is difficult to form a common sustainability model for CSR while its approach could be an opportunity for achieving sustainability. Evidently, a strong connection is found between the CSR approach and achieving urban sustainability since a smart urbanization requires a well-planned industrialization process that could be accelerated by the proper application of CSR. However, the CSR concept has already been initiated and developed in Western developed countries. Nowadays, it is being widely practiced by the developing countries as well. The developing country Bangladesh takes CSR issues seriously. Therefore, the study seeks the sustainability prospects of CSR by considering sustainability challenges in the rapid development of the “Ready-made Garments (RMG)” industry and corporate sector in Bangladesh. Finally, this paper explores some strategic paths to initiate sustainable development by framing the conditions and challenges of CSR.
Dissertations / Theses on the topic "Whole of Society Approach to Sustainability":
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Novak, Vera. "Managing Sustainability Value in Design: A Systems Approach." Diss., Virginia Tech, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/49591.
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The aim of the research is to identify core conditions that support increased delivery of sustainability in the built environment. The selected methodology is constructive research, which is distinguished by the dual focus on practical industry perspectives and theoretical knowledge. The first research question examines how Target Value Design (TVD), an integrated design management process, can elicit better delivery of sustainability values. This is developed through case study research of an exemplary design team and project. The findings identify a gap in the capability of the team to adopt a whole systems approach in order to make explicit the values of sustainable prosperity and develop a unified vision. This provides the basis for the second research question - how can design teams gain an understanding of the systemic nature of sustainability, and how can this understanding impact the design process? �The research proposes an intervention method that aligns learning models from the disciplines of experiential learning cycles, design thinking, behavior modeling, systems thinking and unified vision. This integrated approach leverages creative design activities to capture the learning potential for individual skills and team building. �While the research acknowledges the limitations from the testing of a single workshop experiment, post-workshop data suggests the intervention framework is sufficiently robust and versatile enough to adapt to individual workshop circumstances. �The key research outcome is the importance of the people in the process of collaborative design, in their ability to envision a future state of sustainable prosperity and articulate explicit actionable values.Ph. D.
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Davidson, Jaime. "A participatory approach to developing a holistic and interdisciplinary adaptive capacity index for urban livelihoods." Master's thesis, University of Cape Town, 2016. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/23025.
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Evaluating the success of the growing number of climate adaptation initiatives is challenging. Assessment of adaptive capacity has been used to focus, prioritise and track the progress of adaptation interventions as well as to identify key barriers to and opportunities for implementing adaptation. Many adaptive capacity assessments have relied on secondary data and expert judgement. Given the call in climate change research and practice for bottom-up approaches that value communities' insight, it is clear that more participatory approaches for the assessment of adaptive capacity need to be developed. This research aims to address this gap by developing an adaptive capacity index that adopts a mixed methods approach and prioritises input from local stakeholders. Many adaptive capacity assessments have focussed on rural areas where livelihoods are directly exposed to climate variability. There is growing recognition that increasing numbers of people are settling in urban areas and many of these livelihoods are often at the margin. This thesis focuses on urban livelihoods where a more holistic understanding of adaptive capacity is required which recognises that a community's capacity to adjust to climatic stressors is interlinked to its capacity to adjust to environmental, social, economic and political challenges. An adaptive capacity index is developed in this thesis that includes and characterises the more subjective determinants of adaptive capacity, rather than giving precedence to material resources as the key determinant of a community's adaptive capacity. To achieve this richer understanding, the index is informed by a framework that incorporates aspects of individuals' agency and social cohesion. Using a case study of four towns in the Bergrivier Municipality, South Africa, this research develops an index of adaptive capacity that is holistic, collaborative and interdisciplinary. The scores generated by the index are analysed using statistical and regression analyses that are contextualised by stakeholders' inputs to explore the variation in adaptive capacity across socially differentiated groups. Key insights from these analyses relate to the variation in adaptive capacity between the four towns and differences in the adaptive capacity of males and females. Interestingly, the analyses revealed the absence of a positive correlation between schooling level and both adaptive capacity and wellbeing variables which could be attributed to limited economic opportunities in the area, particularly for high-skilled workers. The analyses also highlighted the need to support initiatives that strengthen the social cohesion within the community to improve the inclusion of marginal demographic groups. The thesis reflects on the participatory and collaborative research process, finding that combining quantitative and qualitative data through an interdisciplinary process has the potential to provide an index that is more reflective of subjective capacity. This more holistic understanding of adaptive capacity can align with the field of wellbeing, to offer valuable insight into building adaptive capacity for urban livelihoods that is grounded in both academic and applied fields.
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Rice, Wayne Stanley. "Contextualising the bycatch 'problem' in the Olifants Estuary Small-Scale Gillnet Fishery using an Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries." Master's thesis, University of Cape Town, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/19987.
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Conventional fisheries management approaches have been shown, in many instances, to have been ineffective in dealing with complex conservation concerns such as bycatch. Greater considerations for broader-scale and holistic approaches, as proposed by the 'Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries' (EAF) and the 'balanced harvesting approach', are beginning to challenge some of the negative misconceptions around bycatch, especially in small-scale fisheries. The need for a more holistic approach to fisheries management, particularly in small-scale fisheries, in South Africa is highlighted by its commitment to an EAF and the recent Small-Scale Fisheries Policy, for which the Marine living Resource Act of 1998 provides the legal framework to implement. The case study of the Olifants estuary small-scale traditional gillnet fishing community, located on the west coast of South Africa, provides a particularly relevant example of a complex fishery requiring a holistic approach. Current regulations prohibit the harvesting or retention of any bycatch species. Fisheries management worldwide and in South Africa, generally view gillnet fisheries as destructive, due to the occurrence of bycatch and the fact that many of these bycatch species are considered overexploited, which has led to numerous attempts over the years to phase out the Olifants gillnet fishery. The purpose of this study was to, firstly, use an EAF framework to contextualise the issue of bycatch in the Olifants gillnet fishery, and secondly, to identify the relative contributions of all fisheriy sectors to the four key selected linefish species caught as bycatch by the fishery. An extensive review and analysis of available secondary data, as well as primary data collected for this study, have estimated, with acknowledged limitations, the magnitude of the exploitation by all known fisheries of these species. Key information from small-scale fisher interviews and community-monitoring data highlight the capture rate of key linefish species by this fishery. This is echoed by recent landings for 2012 indicating the relative contribution of the national beache seine and gillnet fishery to the overall catch of (Elf [Pomatomus saltatrix] - 26.94%; Silver Kob [Argyrosomus inodorus] - 0.88%; White Stumpnose [Rhabdosargus globiceps] - 1.05% - excluding the recreational sector). A significant finding of this study is the substantial levels of cross-sectorial exploitation of Silver Kob and White Stumpnose, and to a somewhat lesser extent Elf and White Steenbras.
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Lindner, Patrick, Cynthia Mooij, and Heather Rogers. "Circular Economy in Cities: A Strategic Approach Towards a Sustainable Society?" Thesis, Blekinge Tekniska Högskola, Institutionen för strategisk hållbar utveckling, 2017. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:bth-14486.
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Increasing environmental and social pressure caused by human activity requires action toward a sustainable society. As our population grows and the proportion living in urban areas increases, cities are in a unique position to affect change. This has led to Circular Economy (CE) gaining momentum in municipalities as a tool for their city. Despite this momentum, there is lack of clarity about what CE is, how it can be most effectively implemented, and its relationship to strategic sustainable development (SSD). This research synthesized definitions of CE used in the field and investigated 21 cities worldwide to see how their municipalities have implemented CE practices. Using the Framework for Strategic Sustainable Development (FSSD), the implemented actions were critically examined for their strategic contribution toward a sustainable society. The findings suggest that CE is defined broadly, and interpreted differently by different users. In some cases, this presents challenges for its strategic use. The CE actions examined are concluded to be within the boundaries of a sustainable society, as defined by the FSSD. Their strategic approach is determined to be largely positive, with some exceptions. Depending on its application, CE is concluded to be a useful, albeit insufficient, tool for municipalities working toward SSD.
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Harris, Elizabeth Maria. "'n Ondersoek na die rol van leerderaktiwiteite in opvoeding vir volhoubare lewe / Elizabeth Maria Harris." Thesis, North-West University, 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/10394/2866.
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Environmental Education is widely considered to be indispensable for realizing behaviour which supports sustainable life. Several international declarations and South African policy documents plead for the inclusion of environmental education processes at all levels of formal education. The White Paper for Education and Training (1995) stipulates that environmental education should be presented in accordance with an interdisciplinary, integrated and active approach to learning.
The aim of this study was to investigate the role a learner activity plays in the decisions learners make to live more in the interest of the sustainability of the environment. Three schools that are engaged in the project Build capacity for life were selected. The project aims at implementing an environment management system at the schools by means of which the environment forms an integral part of school management and of the curriculum.
The study is performed as a qualitative case study in which data was collected by means of observation, focus group sessions and interviews. The learner involvement in the staging of an activity that dealt with energy consumption and the influence thereof on the environment was investigated. Firstly, the collected data was organised by means of matrixes and brain charts and then analysed with the help of plotting charts.
The findings indicate that learners are capable of recognising the relationship between electric energy, littering and air pollution. Learners are aware of the impact they as energy consumers have on the environment and could list methods according to which they creatively save energy on the school grounds and at their homes. Their performance is testament to a responsible attitude towards the environment and to the fact that they are convinced of the value of making people aware of environmental issues.
From this, it can be inferred that, should channels and structures exist at schools by means of which learners can gain access to the management of their schools, they would be able to make contributions to promoting the sustainability of the environment.Thesis (M.Ed.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2009.
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Shen, Fujun. "Tourism and the sustainable livelihoods approach : application within the Chinese context : a thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Lincoln University /." Lincoln University, 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/10182/1403.
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Tourism has been increasingly used for, and directly linked with, rural poverty reduction in developing countries. In recent years, it has, however, been criticised by rural developers for its lack of concern for the rural poor and for being too increasingly focused on tourism specifically. Instead, it is argued that these inadequacies can be addressed by the Sustainable Livelihoods Approach (SLA), a widely used organising framework for facilitating poverty reduction. But the application, and to an extent the principles, of the SLA may not fully fit the tourism situation, and vice versa. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding about the relationship between the SLA and tourism needs to be explored. This thesis incorporates a review of the literature on rural and tourism development. Gaps between the SLA and tourism are identified. It is suggested that the SLA cannot fully address the issues when tourism is used as a rural livelihood strategy. New knowledge and thinking are needed. Based on the literature review, a Sustainable Livelihoods Framework for Tourism (SLFT) is proposed as a guiding tool in rural development when tourism is a livelihood strategy. For testing the applicability of the SLFT, a mixed methodology and case study research method was adopted. Three mountainous rural villages, respectively at involvement, development and rejuvenation Tourism Area Life Cycle (TALC) stages, in central China, were examined. Before implementation of the case study, SLFT indicators were firstly developed. Findings show that the SLFT provides an overall organising framework for the consideration of rural development using tourism as a livelihood strategy at all stages of TALC. Revisiting the SLFT, it is argued that an additional attraction capital should be added to the SLFT. Attraction capital includes natural, cultural, and other attractions, and is defined as all resources used to attract tourist arrivals from which local people benefit for better livelihood objectives. Based on the findings, the SLFT and its key elements are revised to offer a more complete insight and understanding of a tourism livelihood system for the purpose of tourism planning and management. Particular attention is drawn to the newly introduced concept of institutional capital, mainly evidenced in community participation practice. Appropriate institutional policies and practices can ensure local people share the benefits from tourism. The implication of a participatory approach is extended to access to tourist markets, benefit sharing, as well as participation in the decision-making. This research indicates that improvement of livelihood assets by tourism enhances local people’s resilience to vulnerability contexts. Institutional arrangements play an important role in mediating this process as well as the impact of vulnerability contexts through the planning portfolio (e.g., planning, policy-making, and legislation). Future research is suggested to evaluate and improve the SLFT’s applicability in multiple development contexts, and to explore ways of further developing SLFT indicators as a means for evaluating the usefulness of the SLFT.
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Daly, Marwa El. "Challenges and potentials of channeling local philanthropy towards development and aocial justice and the role of waqf (Islamic and Arab-civic endowments) in building community foundations." Doctoral thesis, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Philosophische Fakultät III, 2012. http://dx.doi.org/10.18452/16511.
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Diese Arbeit bietet eine solide theoretische Grundlage zu Philanthropie und religiös motivierten Spendenaktivitäten und deren Einfluss auf Wohltätigkeitstrends, Entwicklungszusammenarbeit und einer auf dem Gedanken der sozialen Gerechtigkeit beruhenden Philanthropie. Untersucht werden dafür die Strukturen religiös motivierte Spenden, für die in der islamischen Tradition die Begriffe „zakat“, „Waqf“ oder im Plural auch „awqaf-“ oder „Sadaqa“ verwendet werden, der christliche Begriff dafür lautet „tithes“ oder „ushour“. Aufbauend auf diesem theoretischen Rahmenwerk analysiert die qualitative und quantitative Feldstudie auf nationaler Ebene, wie die ägyptische Öffentlichkeit Philanthropie, soziale Gerechtigkeit, Menschenrechte, Spenden, Freiwilligenarbeit und andere Konzepte des zivilgesellschaftlichen Engagements wahrnimmt. Um eine umfassende und repräsentative Datengrundlage zu erhalten, wurden 2000 Haushalte, 200 zivilgesellschaftliche Organisationen erfasst, sowie Spender, Empfänger, religiöse Wohltäter und andere Akteure interviewt. Die so gewonnen Erkenntnisse lassen aussagekräftige Aufschlüsse über philanthropische Trends zu. Erstmals wird so auch eine finanzielle Einschätzung und Bewertung der Aktivitäten im lokalen Wohltätigkeitsbereich möglich, die sich auf mehr als eine Billion US-Dollar beziffern lassen. Die Erhebung weist nach, dass gemessen an den Pro-Kopf-Aufwendungen die privaten Spendenaktivitäten weitaus wichtiger sind als auswärtige wirtschaftliche Hilfe für Ägypten. Das wiederum lässt Rückschlüsse zu, welche Bedeutung lokale Wohltätigkeit erlangen kann, wenn sie richtig gesteuert wird und nicht wie bislang oft im Teufelskreis von ad-hoc-Spenden oder Hilfen von Privatperson an Privatperson gefangen ist. Die Studie stellt außerdem eine Verbindung her zwischen lokalen Wohltätigkeits-Mechanismen, die meist auf religiösen und kulturellen Werten beruhen, und modernen Strukturen, wie etwa Gemeinde-Stiftungen oder Gemeinde-„waqf“, innerhalb derer die Spenden eine nachhaltige Veränderung bewirken können. Daher bietet diese Arbeit also eine umfassende wissenschaftliche Grundlage, die nicht nur ein besseres Verständnis, sondern auch den nachhaltiger Aus- und Aufbau lokaler Wohltätigkeitsstrukturen in Ägypten ermöglicht. Zentral ist dabei vor allem die Rolle lokaler, individueller Spenden, die beispielsweise für Stiftungen auf der Gemeindeebene eingesetzt, wesentlich zu einer nachhaltigen Entwicklung beitragen könnten – und das nicht nur in Ägypten, sondern in der gesamten arabischen Region. Als konkretes Ergebnis dieser Arbeit, wurde ein innovatives Modell entwickelt, dass neben den wissenschaftlichen Daten das Konzept der „waqf“ berücksichtigt. Der Wissenschaftlerin und einem engagierten Vorstand ist es auf dieser Grundlage gelungen, die Waqfeyat al Maadi Community Foundation (WMCF) zu gründen, die nicht nur ein Modell für eine Bürgerstiftung ist, sondern auch das tradierte Konzept der „waqf“ als praktikable und verbürgte Wohlstätigkeitsstruktur sinnvoll weiterentwickelt.This work provides a solid theoretical base on philanthropy, religious giving (Islamic zakat, ‘ushour, Waqf -plural: awqaf-, Sadaqa and Christian tithes or ‘ushour), and their implications on giving trends, development work, social justice philanthropy. The field study (quantitative and qualitative) that supports the theoretical framework reflects at a national level the Egyptian public’s perceptions on philanthropy, social justice, human rights, giving and volunteering and other concepts that determine the peoples’ civic engagement. The statistics cover 2000 households, 200 Civil Society Organizations distributed all over Egypt and interviews donors, recipients, religious people and other stakeholders. The numbers reflect philanthropic trends and for the first time provide a monetary estimate of local philanthropy of over USD 1 Billion annually. The survey proves that the per capita share of philanthropy outweighs the per capita share of foreign economic assistance to Egypt, which implies the significance of local giving if properly channeled, and not as it is actually consumed in the vicious circle of ad-hoc, person to person charity. In addition, the study relates local giving mechanisms derived from religion and culture to modern actual structures, like community foundations or community waqf that could bring about sustainable change in the communities. In sum, the work provides a comprehensive scientific base to help understand- and build on local philanthropy in Egypt. It explores the role that local individual giving could play in achieving sustainable development and building a new wave of community foundations not only in Egypt but in the Arab region at large. As a tangible result of this thesis, an innovative model that revives the concept of waqf and builds on the study’s results was created by the researcher and a dedicated board of trustees who succeeded in establishing Waqfeyat al Maadi Community Foundation (WMCF) that not only introduces the community foundation model to Egypt, but revives and modernizes the waqf as a practical authentic philanthropic structure.
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Smith, Michael Harrison. "Advancing and Resolving the Great Sustainability Debates and Discourses." Phd thesis, 2010. http://hdl.handle.net/1885/49387.
Abstract:
The focus of this thesis is on whether or not it is possible to decouple economic growth from the physical growth of the economy and its associated negative environmental pressures and pollution. The thesis demonstrates that it is possible to achieve significant levels of decoupling of economic growth from a range of environmental pressures such as greenhouse gas emissions, biodiversity loss and natural resource degradation, freshwater extraction, air pollution, waste and hazardous waste. By clearly differentiating between economic and physical growth and focusing on how to achieve significant decoupling this thesis advances the traditional debates and discourses about “growth”.
This thesis shows that in theory and practice it is possible to achieve significant levels of decoupling, and thus environmental sustainability, whilst maintaining economic growth. This thesis examines the relative costs of inaction versus action on decoupling, concluding that the costs of inaction significantly outweigh the costs of action. It also examines whether a transition to environmental sustainabilty will lead to net job losses or gains, showing that, with effective policy, it can result in net employment gains. As such, this thesis provides a new integration to show that it is possible to reconcile the need to simultaneously achieve environmental sustainability, economic growth and job creation. This result has important implications for other important sustainability debates such as the climate change debates. These are explored in detail in this thesis.
This thesis also demonstrates that many social sustainability goals – reducing poverty, inequality and corruption whilst improving access to education and health –correlate strongly with improved economic growth. Thus this thesis demonstrates that it is possible to create a new form of economic growth that is also environmentally and socially sustainable as called for in the seminal text on sustainable development "Our Common Future" in 1987. Finally, this thesis is a formal defense of and contribution to the academic field of ecological modernization which has hypothesized that it is possible to simultaneously pursue environmental sustainability, social justice and economic growth in ways that mutually re-enforce each other. This thesis provides significant evidence to support this central tenet of ecological modernisation. The research of this thesis has helped inform and contribute to several international book publications all of which show nations how to achieve significant decoupling of economic growth from environmental pressures such as Cents and Sustainability:Securing Our Common Future by Decoupling Economic Growth from Environmental Pressures (Earthscan, 2010).
Note: This thesis was submitted in April 2006 and was awarded in September 2009.
Books on the topic "Whole of Society Approach to Sustainability":
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Vogt, Melissa. Variance in Approach Toward a ‘Sustainable’ Coffee Industry in Costa Rica: Perspectives from Within; Lessons and Insights. London: Ubiquity Press, 2019.
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Kleiterp, Nanno. Banking for a Better World. NL Amsterdam: Amsterdam University Press, 2016. http://dx.doi.org/10.5117/9789462983519.
Abstract:
When we look at all the challenges facing the world, including inequality, population migration, and climate change, we can see a role for development banking in nearly all of them. But will that role be played for good or ill? This book brings together two people who collectively draw on their forty-five years of experience in that world to argue that development banking can-and must-play a constructive role. We only need to read the news to find public outrage at tales of short-sighted greed in the financial world. But what happens when banks invest in long-term sustainability? Readers will find a fascinating example in the journey of the Dutch development bank FMO. At times global in perspective, at other moments intimately personal, Banking for a Better World interweaves candid anecdotes with development history, as well as banking lessons with client interviews, to deliver a powerful argument for a business model that generates profit through impact, and impact through profit. This is an important and accessible must-read for anyone involved in banking, business, policy making, and civil society as a whole. Banking for a Better World challenges us to start finding overlaps between our own lives and global issues and to bridge the distance between our personal needs and those of our planet.
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Tromp, Coyan. Wicked Philosophy. NL Amsterdam: Amsterdam University Press, 2018. http://dx.doi.org/10.5117/9789462988774.
Abstract:
Wicked Philosophy. Philosophy of Science and Vision Development for Complex Problems provides an overview of the philosophy of the natural sciences, the social sciences and the humanities, and explores how insights from these three domains can be integrated to help find solutions for the complex, ‘wicked’ problems we are currently facing. The core of a new science-based vision is complexity thinking, offering a meta-position for navigating alternative paradigms and making informed choices of resources for projects involving complex problems. The book also brings design thinking into problem-solving and teaching, fostering construction of an integrative approach that bridges structure and action amplified by transdisciplinary engagement of stakeholders in society. It is not always easy to set up a succesfull philosophy course for students in other programs. The author of Wicked Philosophy, Coyan Tromp, has experience in designing courses on philosophy of science for various Bachelor programs. You can find two examples here. The first example is for an introductory course to an Interdisciplinary Philosophy of Science, which is specifically suited for programs focusing at complex problems such as sustainability or health issues. The second example is a program for a course on (Philosophy of) Science in a Post-Truth Society. More examples are also available (e.g. a program in which Philosophy of Science is combined with Vision Development and Future Scenarios). In addition to the program, the author can also provide a workbook with lesson plans, both for online and on campus settings as well as additional literature suggestions for Dutch and French programmes. Please contact us at marketing@aup.nl for questions or extra material.
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Goldie, Jenny, Bob Douglas, and Bryan Furnass, eds. In Search of Sustainability. CSIRO Publishing, 2005. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/9780643092112.
Abstract:
What must we do to achieve a sustainable society? There is no one answer. The first steps towards sustainability cover a whole spectrum of economic, social and environmental issues.
In this volume Australian leaders from a wide range of fields discuss the key issues we must address if we are to move towards a more just and sustainable future. They identify the major concerns and challenges for achieving sustainability in the areas of: human health, water resources, land use and natural ecosystems, energy, equity and peace, economic systems, climate change, labour forces and work, urban design and transport, and population.
Achieving sustainability will require major changes in our current approaches. The thought-provoking chapters in this book provide a solid introduction to the issues in the search for a genuine path to sustainability.
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(Editor), Ann Marie Jansson, Monica Hammer (Editor), Carl Folke (Editor), and Robert Costanza (Editor), eds. Investing in Natural Capital: The Ecological Economics Approach To Sustainability (International Society for Ecological Economics). Island Press, 1994.
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Pikaar, Ilje, Jeremy Guest, Ramon Ganigué, Paul Jensen, Korneel Rabaey, Thomas Seviour, John Trimmer, Olaf van der Kolk, Céline Vaneeckhaute, and Willy Verstraete, eds. Resource Recovery from Water. IWA Publishing, 2022. http://dx.doi.org/10.2166/9781780409566.
Abstract:
Abstract Throughout history, the first and foremost role of urban water management has been the protection of human health and the local aquatic environment. To this end, the practice of (waste-)water treatment has maintained a central focus on the removal of pollutants through dissipative pathways. Approaches like – in the case of wastewater treatment – the activated sludge process, which makes ‘hazardous things’ disappear, have benefitted our society tremendously by safeguarding human and environmental health. While conventional (waste-)water treatment is regarded as one of the greatest engineering achievements of the 20th century, these dissipative approaches will not suffice in the 21st century as we enter the era of the circular economy. A key challenge for the future of urban water management is the need to re-envision the role of water infrastructure, still holding paramount the safeguard of human and environmental health while also becoming a more proactive force for sustainable development through the recovery of resources embedded in urban water. This book aims (i) to explain the basic principles governing resource recovery from water (how much is there, really); (ii) to provide a comprehensive overview and critical assessment of the established and emerging technologies for resource recovery from water; and (iii) to put resource recovery from water in a legal, economic (including the economy of scale of recovered products), social (consumer's point of view), and environmental sustainability framework. This book serves as a powerful teaching tool at the graduate entry master level with an aim to help develop the next generation of engineers and experts and is also highly relevant for seasoned water professionals and practicing engineers. ISBN: 9781789060317 (Paperback) ISBN: 9781780409566 (eBook)
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Buscio Olivera, Valentina, and Lluc Canals Casals. 2nd International Congress on Water and Sustainability. Edited by Beatriz Amante García and Francisco Belzagui Elder. OmniaScience, 2021. http://dx.doi.org/10.3926/icws2021.
Abstract:
This Conference is the consequence of the conjunction of the results and progress of the ongoing research on the water treatment ENMA group at the University and the particular social and political moment that water management is facing in Catalonia and, particularly in the city of Terrassa, that locates the INTEXTER (Institute for Textile Research and Industrial Cooperation of Terrassa), venue of the Conference. This congress aims to give space for a scientific debate and reflection on water and its importance with regard to the environment and wider society. We hope that this initiative will consolidate the entire educational, scientific and professional community to respond to the prospective challenges that the development and implementation of new technologies brings together with their impacts in relation to water. Please, enjoy the presentations, posters, sessions and the whole event activities.
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Williams, John. The International Society – World Society Distinction. Oxford University Press, 2018. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/acrefore/9780190846626.013.337.
Abstract:
The English School, or society of states approach, is a threefold method for understanding how the world operates. According to English School logic, there are three distinct spheres at play in international politics, and two of these are international society and world society—the third being international system. On the one hand, international society (Hugo Grotius) is about the institutionalization of shared interest and identity amongst states, and rationalism puts the creation and maintenance of shared norms, rules, and institutions at the centre of international relations (IR) theory. This position has some parallels to regime theory, but is much deeper, having constitutive rather than merely instrumental implications. On the other hand, world society (Immanuel Kant) takes individuals, non-state organizations, and the global population as a whole as the focus of global societal identities and arrangements, and revolutionism puts transcendence of the state system at the centre of IR theory. Revolutionism is mostly about forms of universalist cosmopolitanism. This position has some parallels to transnationalism but carries a much more foundational link to normative political theory. International society has been the main focus of English School thinking, and the concept is quite well developed and relatively clear, whereas world society is the least well developed of the English School concepts and has not yet been clearly or systematically articulated.
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Morel, Nathalie, and Joakim Palme. A Normative Foundation for the Social Investment Approach? Oxford University Press, 2017. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780198790488.003.0013.
Abstract:
The SIA has been criticized for its productivist view of social policy and one-sided emphasis on economic returns. Indeed, it is fair to say that the social dimension of social investment has been paid lip service both in terms of policy developments and in academic research. In fact, it may be that one of the weaknesses of the SIA is its lack of clear normative underpinning or theory of social justice against which to develop a well-founded evaluative framework for assessing the quality of social policies and social arrangements both for society as a whole and from the life perspective of individuals. This contribution discusses the possible relevance of the capabilities approach developed by Amartya Sen, both in developing a normative framework for social investment, but also in developing indicators for assessing social outcomes, and for analysing how different institutional arrangements support or hinder agency and capabilities.
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Patel, Bimal N., and Ranita Nagar, eds. Sustainable Development and India. Oxford University Press, 2018. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780199474622.001.0001.
Abstract:
The three pillars of sustainable development are economic growth, social development, and protection of environment, and an integration of these pillars is required for national planning and policymaking. The greatest drawback of the existing literature in India is an inadequate understanding of the interplay of these three pillars. While dealing with the concept of sustainable development, the focus of the international community is on technical and environmental issues and challenges. Offering a unique integrated approach, which includes both macro and micro analyses, this volume is an interdisciplinary study of the various challenges that shape debates on sustainable development in India. The contributions cover issues like the role of patents in development, conservation of natural resources, protection of the marine environment, poverty, bioremediation, importance of the ocean life along with e-waste management and the role of local governments in attaining sustainability—issues which directly affect the progress of an economy. The theoretical and empirical analyses presented in this volume raise varied questions, yet the integrated whole that emerges reveals the future directions, which will shape the policy and theoretical debates on sustainable development.
Book chapters on the topic "Whole of Society Approach to Sustainability":
1
Motloch, John. "Whole-Systems Approach to Sustainability." In Encyclopedia of Sustainability in Higher Education, 2081–90. Cham: Springer International Publishing, 2019. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-11352-0_401.
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Motloch, John. "Whole-Systems Approach to Sustainability." In Encyclopedia of Sustainability in Higher Education, 1–10. Cham: Springer International Publishing, 2018. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-63951-2_401-1.
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Joyce, Paul. "The Whole-of-Society Approach." In Strategic Management and Governance, 89–114. New York: Routledge, 2022. http://dx.doi.org/10.4324/9781351045797-5.
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Limsuwan, Ekasit. "Integration Concept of Sustainable Engineering." In Sustainable Structural Engineering, 9–24. Zurich, Switzerland: International Association for Bridge and Structural Engineering (IABSE), 2015. http://dx.doi.org/10.2749/sed014.009.
Abstract:
<p>Modern civil engineering mega-projects dealing with buildings, bridges, and infrastructures take sustainable engineering into consideration for the development and execution of their proj-ects. Since sustainable development and sustainable engineering are rather broadly covered as global issues, each individual needs to take personal responsibility for environmental, social, and economic questions whose performance outcomes may impact the life cycle of the struc-ture. An integration concept on sustainable engineering will deal with emerging criteria and concept for a strategic approach to the planning, execution, operation, and maintenance phase of the building process. It can be shown that approaches to and strategies for these issues result from individual consciousness, national policies, and global actions. Current research has been conducted on the sustainability perspective of areas such as global climate changes, CO2 levels, life-cycle assessment (LCA), green design rating, emerging trends in sustainable engineering, and sustainability monitoring and evaluation criteria. However, there may still be more areas requiring further research to apply an integrated concept to emerging strategies for building a process to achieve the goals. Then the methods and procedures appropriate for each community or society can be explored. However, a quantifying performance method also needs to be used as a measure to guarantee satisfactory findings.</p>
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Tang, Wai-yan Ronald. "Education, Whole Person, and the Sustainability of a Society." In Transforming Education in Practice, 119–40. Singapore: Springer Singapore, 2021. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-6871-5_7.
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Hemmer, Ingrid, and Anne-Kathrin Lindau. "Sustainability Concept (Whole-Institution Approach) of the Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt (Germany)." In World Sustainability Series, 305–21. Cham: Springer International Publishing, 2021. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-63399-8_20.
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Martin, F., and A. Pears. "Sustainability Criteria for Housing - a Whole-of-Life Approach." In Smart & Sustainable Built Environments, 200–208. Oxford, UK: Blackwell Publishing Ltd, 2008. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/9780470759493.ch19.
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Nabeshima, Kaoru. "Globalization and Sustainability: De Jure and De Facto Approach." In Sustainable Development Disciplines for Society, 89–105. Singapore: Springer Nature Singapore, 2022. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-5145-9_6.
Abstract:
AbstractThis chapter covers sustainability issues from the industrial development and international trade perspectives. Issues covered can be broadly regarded as Goal 12: “Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns” but touches upon various goals. In pursuing the goal of sustainability in economic activities, the society can take two different approaches. One is based on laws (including international agreements), de jure approach. The other is based more on the market force, such as based on Voluntary Sustainability Standards (VSS), de facto approach. Within the de jure approach, the chapter will cover efforts at global level (international agreements) and efforts at domestic levels. At the international levels, the chapter introduces some of the key areas and the motivations behind these agreements. For the discussions on the domestic levels, the chapter introduces the differences between the production-based environmental regulations and the product-related environmental regulations, and how this has influenced the industrial activities and international trade. In the part for VSS, the chapter will focus mainly on private standards with third-party certification schemes and how these diffuse across countries through trade linkages and implications to producers especially in developing countries. Finally, the chapter touches upon the governance issues related to regulations and private standards.
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Schmitz, Peter M. U., Duarte Gonçalves, and Merin Jacobs. "Mapping Community Vulnerability to Poaching: A Whole-of-Society Approach." In Advances in Cartography and GIScience, 325–40. Cham: Springer International Publishing, 2017. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-57336-6_23.
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Gevaña, Dixon T., Josephine E. Garcia, Clarissa D. Ruzol, Felisa L. Malabayabas, Liezl B. Grefalda, Elizabeth O’Brien, Elsa P. Santos, and Leni D. Camacho. "Climate Change Resiliency Through Mangrove Conservation: The Case of Alitas Farmers of Infanta, Philippines." In Fostering Transformative Change for Sustainability in the Context of Socio-Ecological Production Landscapes and Seascapes (SEPLS), 195–214. Singapore: Springer Singapore, 2021. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-981-33-6761-6_11.
Abstract:
AbstractTransformation, transition, and paradigm shift are increasingly applied concepts in literature on climate resiliency to describe changes in society and the environment. Here, we considered mangroves to be dynamic socio-ecological systems, subject to increasing anthropogenic pressures that present complex challenges for the design of effective coastal governance. Analysing these systems through a participatory approach, we consulted a community who lives in close relationship with mangroves, the Alitas farmers of Infanta, Quezon Province, Philippines. This community has improved decision-making processes for the development of adaptation strategies to climate change. In turn, a sustainably managed and conserved mangrove forest promotes human well-being and resilience, particularly for those households whose livelihoods are dependent on the resources that mangroves provide. This paper examined the importance of mangrove land management that addresses climate change hazards. We synthesised various perspectives on the importance of mangrove conservation for enhancing climate resiliency by: (1) describing the climate-related hazards that affect local communities and mangroves; (2) describing socio-institutional structures influencing effective mangrove conservation and local resilience; and (3) identifying climate change adaptation strategies that promote local development and mangrove conservation. This paper establishes a collaborative management framework for future risk-resilience management that operates alongside coastal communities within the Philippines and across the global stage.
Conference papers on the topic "Whole of Society Approach to Sustainability":
1
Maggioni, Bruno, Francesca Giliberti, and Emanuele Panunzio. "Integrating Sustainability into Material Management Practices." In SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition. SPE, 2021. http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/206056-ms.
Abstract:
Abstract Modern Society followed, and it is still largely following, a linear process for natural resources utilization: raw material extraction, goods manufacturing, use/consumption, waste generation. Such a model is proven to be not sustainable because it cannot go forever considering the limited quantity of available resources on Earth but also because of waste and process by-product management. A multitude of diverse initiatives to change this process started at different levels and within several industries in the last years including the O&G sector. Most of these initiatives share the same principle of "regeneration": waste and materials represent, in this view, the "feedback loop" able to make the production process a circular process, instead of an open-end one. Eni promotes and supports different initiatives to implement the principles of a Circular Economy and the objective of this paper is to describe a process implemented within Eni aimed at reducing the footprint of the Oil and Gas Industry with reference to material usage. Surplus and damaged materials are no more treated as waste, but they are re-engineered or re-conditioned (if necessary) in order to be redeployed to other projects within Eni affiliates all around the world. Nowadays this process is well structured and formalized within Eni and it is extensively applied involving all worldwide affiliates, reducing the overall CO2 footprint. Results achieved within Eni, in the last few years, averages between 6,500 and 17,500 ton of steel of material redeployed among Eni's affiliates for a value ranging between 26 and 71 million USD. The overall average result is 23,000 CO2 equivalent ton not released per year and 242,000 GJ of energy saved (ref. to steel manufacturing estimated impact:1.9 ton di CO2/ton steel cast and 20 GJ/ton steel cast). Extending this process to involve material and equipment manufacturers, it is possible to improve the whole supply process reducing at the "source" the material storage needs, the material surplus and the produced wastes, including the CO2 emission produced in the transport phase. Initiatives like "Just in Time" delivery and material "Buy Back", mainly applied in Countries where Framework Agreements are already in place between Eni and its manufacturers and where manufacturers have their production sites and other facilities, are essential to achieve this target. Eventually, applying the approach to the whole supply chain and operations management will allow to reduce the "last mile" warehousing and transportation needs, including the dimension and capability of the operations fleet.
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McNally, Amanda D. "A Tiered Approach for Evaluating the Sustainability of Remediation Activities at Rail Sites." In 2018 Joint Rail Conference. American Society of Mechanical Engineers, 2018. http://dx.doi.org/10.1115/jrc2018-6163.
Abstract:
Remediation of environmental sites is of concern across the rail industry. Impacted sites may result from releases of chemicals to the environment along active rail lines or in rail yards; historical activities; or through acquisition of impacted property. Management of these liabilities may require investigation, planning, design, and remediation to reduce risks to human health and the environment and meet regulatory requirements. However, these investigation and remediation activities may generate unintended environmental, community, or economic impacts. To address these impacts, many organizations are focusing on the incorporation of sustainability concepts into the remediation paradigm. Sustainable remediation is defined as the use of sustainable practices during the investigation, construction, redevelopment, and monitoring of remediation sites, with the objective of balancing economic viability, conservation of natural resources and biodiversity, and the enhancement of the quality of life in surrounding communities (Sustainable Remediation Forum [SURF]). Benefits of considering and implementing measures to balance the three pillars of sustainability (i.e., society, economics, and environment) may include lower project implementation costs, reduced cleanup timeframes, and maximizing beneficial while alleviating detrimental impacts to surrounding communities. Sustainable remediation has evolved from discussions of environmental impacts of cleanups (with considerable greenwashing), to quantifying and minimizing the environmental footprint and subsequent long-term global impacts of a remedy, and currently, incorporating strategies to address all three components of sustainability — environmental, social, and economic. As organizations expand their use of more sustainable approaches to site cleanup, it is beneficial to establish consistent objectives and metrics that will guide implementation across a portfolio of sites. Sustainable remediation objectives should be consistent with corporate sustainability goals for environmental performance (e.g., greenhouse gas emissions, resource consumption, or waste generation), economic improvements (i.e., reduction of long term liability), and community engagement. In the last decade, there have been several Executive Orders (13423, 13514, 13693) that provide incrementally advanced protocols for achieving sustainability in government agency and corporate programs. Resources for remediation practitioners are available to assist in developing sustainable approaches, including SURF’s 2009 White Paper and subsequent issue papers, ITRC’s Green and Sustainable Remediation: State of the Science and Practice (GSR-1) and A Practical Framework (GSR-2), and ASTM’s Standard Guide for Greener Cleanups (E2893-16) and Standard Guide for Integrating Sustainable Objectives into Cleanup (E2876-13). These documents discuss frameworks that may be applied to projects of any size and during any phase of the remediation life cycle, and many provide best management practices (BMPs) that may be implemented to improve the environmental, social, or economic aspects of a project. Many of these frameworks encourage a tiered approach that matches the complexity of a sustainability assessment to the cost and scope of the remediation. For small remediation sites, a sustainability program may include the selection, implementation, or tracking of BMPs. A medium sized remediation site may warrant the quantification of environmental impacts (e.g., air emissions, waste generation, etc.) during the evaluation and selection of remedial alternatives. Often, only large and costly remediation sites demand detailed quantitative assessment of environmental impacts (e.g., life cycle assessment), economic modeling, or extensive community or stakeholder outreach. However, if a tiered approach is adopted by an organization, components of each of these assessments can be incorporated into projects where it makes sense to meet the needs of the stakeholders.
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Raimi, Lukman, Mirela Panait, and Eglantina Hysa. "Financial Inclusion in ASEAN Countries – A Gender Gap Perspective and Policy Prescriptions." In 2nd International Conference Global Ethics - Key of Sustainability (GEKoS). LUMEN Publishing House, 2021. http://dx.doi.org/10.18662/lumproc/gekos2021/4.
Abstract:
Financial inclusion is an increasingly intense issue that is of concern to the credit institutions and the public authorities. It has become topical and gained new value during this period of Covid-19 crisis. Although financial exclusion cuts across demographic categories, but certain categories of financial consumers such as women, young people, people with disabilities and those residing in rural areas have a low presence in the financial services sector. Previous studies attribute the incidence of financial exclusion of some segment of the society to low income, low level of financial education or difficult access to financial products and services generated by poor development of physical infrastructure. Is this true in the case of ASEAN region? A quantitative research approach was adopted in this study, while relying on the secondary data of the World Bank spanning 2011-2017, the UN Women ASEAN Gender Outlook report (2020 -2021), and enriched by scholarly works. The article focuses on the dimensions of the phenomenon of financial inclusion in ASEAN countries, with emphasis on the gender gap financial inclusion. The analysis of the extracted data reveals multiple differences among the countries in the region, a fact that can be explained by the different levels of financial technology development and the governmental interventions implemented to improve financial inclusion. On the strength of the findings, this paper argues that digitalization and financial innovation can also be solutions through which new consumers can be attracted to the financial system, but with these solutions come new challenges related to the protection of personal data and cyber security. For this reason, we believe that increasing financial inclusion must be approached at several levels and must involve joint efforts by public authorities, credit institutions and other categories of stakeholders.
4
Belu, Radian, Richard Chiou, Tzu-Liang (Bill) Tseng, and Lucian Cioca. "Advancing Sustainable Engineering Practice Through Education and Undergraduate Research Projects." In ASME 2014 International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition. American Society of Mechanical Engineers, 2014. http://dx.doi.org/10.1115/imece2014-38501.
Abstract:
Major challenges such as energy, food, water, environment, health and so many more have never been more prominent than they are today. Engineers and educators, as problem solvers should be addressing these issues and challenges in sustainable ways. They have an enormous opportunity to help create a more sustainable world. Technology problems interconnecting sustainability challenges such as climate change, loss of biodiversity, environmental pollution, economic and social instability are becoming increasingly major concerns for mankind. However, the engineers and scientists have failed on large extend to fully address the sustainability issues. It was also found that engineering graduates do not possess necessary skills to tackle sustainability related problems. Engineering practice and education are changing as social expectations and conditions for engineering practice change too. Students have the responsibility and opportunity to continue improving our life while reducing or even reversing the negative impacts that our industrial society is having on the environment. Current engineering curricula are not equipping them to properly deal with these challenges due to little integration of sustainable and green design strategies and practice. Transforming higher education curricula for sustainable development is a tough challenge, dealing with the complexness of sustainability concepts and integration into engineering education. Teaching students the sustainability principles and equipping them with necessary tools help them to make better choices on materials and energy use, or design. These concepts and methods are still relatively new to engineering curriculum and are not an established practice for most of such programs. Meanwhile, today’s students have a strong desire to improve the world through their work, and sustainability connects with these interest and motivations. However, students’ hunger for knowledge often outstrips what is available in their courses and the experiences of their professors. Furthermore, to make sustainable design compelling to a wider base of engineering students, we need to craft sustainable design in terms of mainstream design problems that are important, cutting-edge, and achievable. Then we need to help them how to effectively deal with environmental and societal needs and constraints as part of their core design process. The paper highlights the process required for embedding sustainability and green design into our programs, curriculum design, implementation and impediments to surmount for sustainability and green design in engineering education. This was done through a project-based approach, developing three new courses and appropriate changes in a number of existing courses. The skill requirements were studied and finally the list of subjects, topics, teaching and learning methods are identified and discussed in this paper.
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Palević, Milan. "RAZVOJ INFORMACIONOG DRUŠTVA U VISOKOM OBRAZOVANjU SRBIJE." In 14 Majsko savetovanje. University of Kragujevac, Faculty of Law, 2018. http://dx.doi.org/10.46793/xivmajsko.737p.
Abstract:
In this paper the author analyzes the issue of the strategy of the development of information society in Serbia in the second decade of the 21st century believing that this element of social relations is vital from the aspect of Serbia’s prospects and the sustainability of its development in the sphere of higher education. The primary methodological approach is based on dogmatic analysis of the the Government Strategy which represents major supporting document, whose results should be expected in upcoming period. How possible they are to be achieved will depend prmarily on the awarness of the public authorities and relevant social organizations, primarely the institutions of higher education as the recipients, but also the conveyors of the achievements of contemporary global information society.
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Fumo, N., V. Bortone, and J. C. Zambrano. "Comparative Analysis of Solar Thermal Cooling and Solar Photovoltaic Cooling Systems." In ASME 2011 5th International Conference on Energy Sustainability. ASMEDC, 2011. http://dx.doi.org/10.1115/es2011-54162.
Abstract:
The Energy Information Administration of the United States Department of Energy projects that more than 80% of the energy consumption of the U.S. by 2035 will come from fossil fuels. This projection should be the fuel to promote projects related to renewable energy in order to reduce energy consumption from fossil fuels to avoid their undesirable consequences such as carbon dioxide emissions. Since solar radiation match pretty well building cooling demands, solar cooling systems will be an important factor in the next decades to meet or exceed the green gases reduction that will be demanded by the society and regulations in order to mitigate environmental consequences such as global warming. Solar energy can be used as source of energy to produce cooling through different technologies. Solar thermal energy applies to technology such as absorption chillers and desiccant cooling, while electricity from solar photovoltaic can be used to drive vapor compression electric chillers. This study focuses on the comparison of a Solar Thermal Cooling System that uses an absorption chiller driven by solar thermal energy, and a Solar Photovoltaic Cooling System that uses a vapor compression system (electric chiller) driven by solar electricity (solar photovoltaic system). Both solar cooling systems are compared against a standard air cooled cooling system that uses electricity from the grid. The models used in the simulations to obtain the results are described in the paper along with the parameters (inputs) used. Results are presented in two figures. Each figure has one curve for the Solar Thermal Cooling System and one for the Solar Photovoltaic Cooling System. One figure allows estimation of savings calculated based the net present value of energy consumption cost. The other figure allows estimating primary energy consumption reduction and emissions reduction. Both figures presents the result per ton of refrigeration and as a function of area of solar collectors or/and area of photovoltaic modules. This approach to present the result of the simulations of the systems makes these figures quite general. This means that the results can be used to compare both solar cooling systems independently of the cooling demand (capacity of the system), as well as allow the analysis for different sizes of the solar system used to harvest the solar energy (collectors or photovoltaic modules).
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Casakin, Hernan, and Yoram Ginsburg. "Whole-to-Part-to-Whole: Co-Evolutionary and Integrative Design Approach." In Design Research Society Conference 2018. Design Research Society, 2018. http://dx.doi.org/10.21606/drs.2018.213.
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Miller, James P., Michael Deru, Kyle Benne, Alexander Zhivov, and Dale Herron. "A Practical Integration Approach and Whole Building Energy Simulation of Three Energy Efficient Building Technologies." In ASME 2010 4th International Conference on Energy Sustainability. ASMEDC, 2010. http://dx.doi.org/10.1115/es2010-90480.
Abstract:
Rising energy costs and the desire to reduce energy consumption dictates a need for significantly improved building energy performance. Three technologies that have potential to save energy and improve sustainability of buildings are dedicated outdoor air systems (DOAS), radiant heating and cooling systems and tighter building envelopes. Although individually applying innovative technologies may incrementally improve building energy performance, more significant payoffs are realized when compatible technologies are integrated into an optimized system. Fortunately, DOAS, radiant heating and cooling systems and improved building envelopes are highly compatible. To investigate the energy savings potential of these three technologies, whole building energy simulations were performed for a barracks facility and an administration facility in 15 U.S. climate zones and 16 international locations. The baseline facilities were assumed to be existing buildings with VAV HVAC systems (admin facilities) and packaged HVAC systems (barracks facilities). The energy simulations were adjusted for each location for optimal energy and humidity control performance. The results show that the upgraded facilities realized total building energy savings between 20% and 40% and improved humidity control when compared to baseline building performance.
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Markopoulos, Evangelos, and Maria Barbara Ramonda. "An ESG-SDGs alignment and execution model based on the Ocean Strategies transition in emerging markets." In 13th International Conference on Applied Human Factors and Ergonomics (AHFE 2022). AHFE International, 2022. http://dx.doi.org/10.54941/ahfe1001511.
Abstract:
Sustainable Development has been introduced in 1987, and it is underpinned by three equally essential pillars: economy, society, and the environment. The adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals in 2015 was a watershed moment in the campaign for sustainable growth. Since then, this set of 17 objectives has steered the private and governmental sectors toward more sustainable, inclusive, and responsible processes. In addition, the ESG Index has recently gained prominence primarily in the financial industry. While ESG Investment Markets in developed nations have proliferated, many emerging market businesses have been marginalized, owing to a lack of human and financial resources for ESG compliance. Considering that the appropriate ESG credentials may result in various advantages, ranging from attracting potential investors to establishing a good reputation and gaining a competitive edge, it is critical for firms in Emerging Markets to employ tactics that will assist them in achieving this.The research conducted involve an extensive literature review on this subject, a survey with 86 valid responses and four interviews with international experts. The results indicate that within different challenges regarding ESG compliance, the unbalanced approach that many businesses adopt is a major one. Societal issues seem to be the aspect that companies primarily focus on, while Environment issues appear to be neglected or forgotten. This is especially true in Emerging Markets because of a lack of data, a lack of interest and a lack of political pressure. Therefore mapping ESG and SDGs requirements can bring significant benefits to organizations that can improve their Corporate Sustainability without harming their economic growth, development and strategy.This research introduces an ESG – SDG mapping model and its execution process to achieve the maximum of this relationship. The prioritization of the SDGs has to be related to the ESG strategy an organization is committed to executing based on its capability and maturity. The proposed model is based on integrating the Blue, Pink and Green oceans and the gradual achievement of SDGs during the transition from one ocean to the other. This Pink Ocean and Green Ocean driven ESG framework is targeted primarily for the Emerging Markets where the need to adapt the SDGs is more significant than other regions. The paper indicates the initial limitations in the strategy and application of the proposed model and areas of further research that can overcome these limitations and wider its areas and regions of adaptation, and improve the scoring parameters and process. Local and international companies can use the proposed model to ignite and boost their Corporate Sustainability by complying with the ESG metrics and align themselves to the Sustainable Development Agenda.
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Bredebach, Christina. "What Role Does Maintenance Play in Achieving Sustainability in Manufacturing? - A Scoping Literature Review." In ASME 2022 17th International Manufacturing Science and Engineering Conference. American Society of Mechanical Engineers, 2022. http://dx.doi.org/10.1115/msec2022-84064.
Abstract:
Abstract Sustainability has become an important topic in society, industry, and academia. It influences decisions on many levels and there are already many approaches to achieving sustainability in everyday life. One of the areas with the greatest impact on sustainability is production. Maintenance is often neglected when considering sustainable development, although it can play an important role in achieving sustainability within the three dimensions economy, ecology and social. This paper is a scoping literature review that identifies and classifies publications on sustainable maintenance in the manufacturing industry for the period 2017 to November 2021 and presents the results organized into categories. The categories include the contribution of maintenance to sustainability, influence of sustainability on maintenance, methods, and tools for sustainable maintenance, and enabling technologies for sustainable maintenance 4.0. A trend can be identified that sustainable maintenance has received increasing attention in recent years. The research takes place mainly in theory. Numerous methods, tools and frameworks have been identified that can increase sustainability in maintenance. Not all outcomes however can be classified as covering all three pillars of sustainability. While many focus on ecology, only few are committed to social sustainability as well. For the future, it is important to consider the three areas of sustainability as a unit rather than separately, and to apply the research conducted in sustainable maintenance in practice.
Reports on the topic "Whole of Society Approach to Sustainability":
1
Hall, Christopher G. Unity of Action Through a Whole of Society Approach. Fort Belvoir, VA: Defense Technical Information Center, March 2011. http://dx.doi.org/10.21236/ada543097.
2
Donovan, Joan, Brian Friedberg, Gabrielle Lim, Nicole Leaver, Jennifer Nilsen, and Emily Dreyfuss. Mitigating Medical Misinformation: A Whole-of-society Approach to Countering Spam, Scams, and Hoaxes. Technology and Social Change Research Project, March 2021. http://dx.doi.org/10.37016/tasc-2021-03.
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Altier, Mary Beth. Violent Extremist Disengagement and Reintegration: Lessons from Over 30 Years of DDR. RESOLVE Network, March 2021. http://dx.doi.org/10.37805/vedr2021.1.
Abstract:
Recent questions surrounding the repatriation, rehabilitation, and reintegration of those who traveled to join the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS), the reintegration of violent extremists in conflict zones including Somalia, Nigeria, Libya, and Mali, and the impending release of scores of homegrown violent extremists from prisons in the United States and Europe have heightened policymaker and practitioner interest in violent extremist disengagement and reintegration (VEDR). Although a number of programs to reintegrate violent extremists have emerged both within and outside of conflict zones, significant questions remain regarding their design, implementation, and effectiveness. To advance our understanding of VEDR, this report draws insights from a review of the literature on ex-combatant disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration (DDR). The literature on DDR typically adopts a “whole of society” approach, which helps us to understand how systemic factors may influence VEDR at the individual level and outcomes at the societal level. Despite the important differences that will be reviewed, the international community’s thirty-year experience with DDR—which includes working with violent extremists—offers important insights for our understanding of VEDR.
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Motel-Klingebiel, Andreas, and Gerhard Naegele. Exclusion and inequality in late working life in the political context of the EU. Linköping University Electronic Press, November 2022. http://dx.doi.org/10.3384/9789179293215.
Abstract:
European societies need to increase the participation in work over the life course to support the provision of qualified labour and to meet the challenges for social security systems under the condition of their ageing populations. One of the key ambitions is to extend people’s working lives and to postpone labour market exit and retirement where possible. This requires informed policies, and the research programme EIWO – ‘Exclusion and Inequality in Late Working Life: Evidence for Policy Innovation towards Inclusive Extended Work and Sustainable Working Conditions in Sweden and Europe’ – aims to push the boundaries of knowledge about late working life and the potential of its inclusive and equal prolongation via a theoretically driven, gender-sensitive combination of multi-level perspectives. EIWO takes a life course approach on exclusion and inequality by security of tenure, quality of work, workplaces, and their consequences. It identifies life course policies, promoting lifelong learning processes and flexible adaptation to prolong working lives and to avoid increased exclusion and inequality. Moreover, it provides evidence for policies to ensure both individual, company and societal benefits from longer lives. To do so, EIWO orientates its analyses systematically to the macro-political contexts at the European Union level and to the policy goals expressed in the respective official statements, reports and plans. This report systematizes this ambitious approach. Relevant documents such as reports, green books and other publications of the European Commission (EC), the European Parliament (EP), the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), as well as those of social partners and research institutions, have been systematically scanned and evaluated. In addition, relevant decisions of European summits have been considered. The selection of documents claims completeness regarding relevant and generally available publication, while relevance is defined from the point of view of EIWO’s interests. It is the aim of this report to provide a sound knowledge base for EIWO’s analyses and impact strategies and to contribute to the emerging research on the connection between population ageing and the European policies towards productivity, inclusiveness, equity, resilience and sustainability. This report aims to answer the following questions: How are EIWO’s conceptual classification and programme objectives reflected in the European Union’s policy programming? How can EIWO’s analyses and impact benefit from a reference to current EU policy considerations, and how does this focus support the outline of policy options and the formulating of possible proposals to Swedish and European stakeholders? The present report was written during early 2022; analyses were finalized in February 2022 and represent the status until this date.
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Hakmeh, Joyce, Emily Taylor, Allison Peters, and Sophia Ignatidou. The COVID-19 pandemic and trends in technology. Royal Institute of International Affairs, February 2021. http://dx.doi.org/10.55317/9781784134365.
Abstract:
Focusing on the dynamics between governments and big tech, on cybercrime, and on disinformation and fake news, this paper examines some of the risks that have been highlighted and aggravated as societies have transitioned at speed to a more virtual way of living. The COVID-19 pandemic has been called the ‘great accelerator’ of digital transformation, with technology at the forefront of countries’ response to the crisis. The experience of the past year has underscored that tech governance must be based on human-centric values that protect the rights of individuals but also work towards a public good. In the case of the development of track-and-trace apps, for instance, a successful solution should simultaneously be both respectful of individual privacy and robust from a cybersecurity perspective, while also effectively serving essential epidemiological goals. Ensuring a sound approach to tech policy has been made all the more complex by the context of the pandemic, as decision-makers have found themselves having to respond swiftly and decisively in a public health emergency. While there is considerable uncertainty as to the long-term consequences of their responses, the paper’s authors emphasize that a whole-of-society approach is needed that will restore and build greater public trust in the ability of governments and public-serving bodies to protect them, respect their rights and ensure the information they receive is solid and reliable.
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Chornodon, Myroslava. FEAUTURES OF GENDER IN MODERN MASS MEDIA. Ivan Franko National University of Lviv, February 2021. http://dx.doi.org/10.30970/vjo.2021.49.11064.
Abstract:
The article clarifies of gender identity stereotypes in modern media. The main gender stereotypes covered in modern mass media are analyzed and refuted. The model of gender relations in the media is reflected mainly in the stereotypical images of men and woman. The features of the use of gender concepts in modern periodicals for women and men were determined. The most frequently used derivatives of these macroconcepts were identified and analyzed in detail. It has been found that publications for women and men are full of various gender concepts that are used in different contexts. Ingeneral, theanalysisofthe concept-maximums and concept-minimum gender and their characteristics is carried out in the context of gender stereotypes that have been forme dand function in the society, system atizing the a ctual presentations. The study of the gender concept is relevant because it reveals new trends and features of modern gender images. Taking into account the special features of gender-labeled periodicals in general and the practical absence of comprehensive scientific studies of the gender concept in particular, there is a need to supplement Ukrainian science with this topic. Gender psychology, which is served by methods of various sciences, primarily sociological, pedagogical, linguistic, psychological, socio-psychological. Let us pay attention to linguistic and psycholinguistic methods in gender studies. Linguistic methods complement intelligence research tasks, associated with speech, word and text. Psycholinguistic methods used in gender psychology (semantic differential, semantic integral, semantic analysis of words and texts), aimed at studying speech messages, specific mechanisms of origin and perception, functions of speech activity in society, studying the relationship between speech messages and gender properties participants in the communication, to analyze the linguistic development in connection with the general development of the individual. Nowhere in gender practice there is the whole arsenal of psychological methods that allow you to explore psychological peculiarities of a person like observation, experiments, questionnaires, interviews, testing, modeling, etc. The methods of psychological self-diagnostics include: the gender aspect of the own socio-psychological portrait, a gender biography as a variant of the biographical method, aimed at the reconstruction of individual social experience. In the process of writing a gender autobiography, a person can understand the characteristics of his gender identity, as well as ways and means of their formation. Socio-psychological methods of studying gender include the study of socially constructed women’s and men’s roles, relationships and identities, sexual characteristics, psychological characteristics, etc. The use of gender indicators and gender approaches as a means of socio-psychological and sociological analysis broadens the subject boundaries of these disciplines and makes them the subject of study within these disciplines. And also, in the article a combination of concrete-historical, structural-typological, system-functional methods is implemented. Descriptive and comparative methods, method of typology, modeling are used. Also used is a method of content analysis for the study of gender content of modern gender-stamped journals. It was he who allowed quantitatively to identify and explore the features of the gender concept in the pages of periodicals for women and men. A combination of historical, structural-typological, system-functional methods is also implemented in the article. Descriptive and comparative methods, method of typology, modeling are used. A method of content analysis for the study of gender content of modern gender-labeled journals is also used. It allowed to identify and explore the features of the gender concept quantitatively in the periodicals for women and men. The conceptual perception and interpretation of the gender concept «woman», which is highlighted in the modern gender-labeled press in Ukraine, requires the elaboration of the polyfunctionality of gender interpretations, the comprehension of the metaphorical perception of this image and its role and purpose in society. A gendered approach to researching the gender content of contemporary periodicals for women and men. Conceptual analysis of contemporary gender-stamped publications within the gender conceptual sphere allows to identify and correlate the meta-gender and gender concepts that appear in society.
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Short, Samuel, Bernhard Strauss, and Pantea Lotfian. Emerging technologies that will impact on the UK Food System. Food Standards Agency, June 2021. http://dx.doi.org/10.46756/sci.fsa.srf852.
Abstract:
Rapid technological innovation is reshaping the UK food system in many ways. FSA needs to stay abreast of these changes and develop regulatory responses to ensure novel technologies do not compromise food safety and public health. This report presents a rapid evidence assessment of the emerging technologies considered most likely to have a material impact on the UK food system and food safety over the coming decade. Six technology fields were identified and their implications for industry, consumers, food safety and the regulatory framework explored. These fields are: Food Production and Processing (indoor farming, 3D food printing, food side and byproduct use, novel non-thermal processing, and novel pesticides); Novel Sources of Protein, such as insects (for human consumption, and animal feedstock); Synthetic Biology (including lab-grown meat and proteins); Genomics Applications along the value chain (for food safety applications, and personal “nutrigenomics”); Novel Packaging (active, smart, biodegradable, edible, and reusable solutions); and, Digital Technologies in the food sector (supporting analysis, decision making and traceability). The report identifies priority areas for regulatory engagement, and three major areas of emerging technology that are likely to have broad impact across the entire food industry. These areas are synthetic biology, novel food packaging technologies, and digital technologies. FSA will need to take a proactive approach to regulation, based on frequent monitoring and rapid feedback, to manage the challenges these technologies present, and balance increasing technological push and commercial pressures with broader human health and sustainability requirements. It is recommended FSA consider expanding in-house expertise and long-term ties with experts in relevant fields to support policymaking. Recognising the convergence of increasingly sophisticated science and technology applications, alongside wider systemic risks to the environment, human health and society, it is recommended that FSA adopt a complex systems perspective to future food safety regulation, including its wider impact on public health. Finally, the increasing pace of technological
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Salavisa, Isabel, Mark Soares, and Sofia Bizarro. A Critical Assessment of Organic Agriculture in Portugal: A reflection on the agro-food system transition. DINÂMIA'CET-Iscte, 2021. http://dx.doi.org/10.15847/dinamiacet-iul.wp.2021.05.
Abstract:
Over the last few decades, the organic agriculture sector has experienced sustained growth. Globally, as well as in the European Union and Portugal, organic production accounts for just under 10% of total Utilised Agricultural Area (UAA) (FiBL, 2019; Eurostat, 2019; DGADR, 2019; INE, 2019; GPP, 2019). This growth has been seen in terms of production, number of producers, amount of retail sales, imports and exports. This article attempts to build on the multi-level perspective (MLP) of the socio-technical (ST) transitions theory by employing a whole systems analysis (Geels, 2018) of organic agriculture in Portugal, which defends an integrated vision of the systems, where multiple interactions occur within and among the niche, the regime and the landscape levels. This approach has been employed in order to develop a critical analysis of the current state of the Portuguese organic agriculture sector, stressing the multiplicity of elements that are contributing to the agro-food system´s transformation into a more sustainable one. In fact, the agro-food system is related with climate change but also has connections with other domains such as public health, water management, land use and biodiversity. Therefore, it is affected by shifts in these areas. This analysis considers developments in increasing domestic organic production, number of producers, amount of retail sales, imports, exports, market innovations, and the sector´s reconfiguration. The organic sector´s increase has been attributed to European regulation, institutionalization, standardization, farmer certification, external (government) subsidy support programs, incremental market improvements (visibility and product access), the emergence of new retailers, the rise of supporting consumers and a shift away from conventional agriculture (Truninger, 2010; DGADR, 2019; Pe´er et al, 2019). However, together with positive incentives, this sector also faces numerous barriers that are hindering a faster transformation. Difficulties for the sector to date have included: product placement; a disconnect between production, distribution and marketing systems; high transport costs; competition from imports; European subsidies focused on extensive crops (pastures, olive groves, and arable crops), entailing a substantial growth in the area of pasture to the detriment of other crops; the fact that the products that are in demand (fresh vegetables and fruit) are being neglected by Portuguese producers; expensive certification procedures; lack of adequate support and market expertise for national producers; the hybrid configuration of the sector; and price. Organic agriculture as a niche-innovation is still not greatly contributing to overall agricultural production. The low supply of organic products, despite its ever-increasing demand, suggests that a transition to increased organic production requires a deeper and faster food system reconfiguration, where an array of distinct policies are mobilized and a diversity of actions take place at different levels (Geels, 2018; Pe´er et al, 2019). This paper will attempt to contribute an overall critical assessment of the organic sector´s features and evolution and will identify some of the main obstacles to be overcome, in order to boost the sustainability transition of the agro-food system in Portugal.
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Wolf, Eva. Chemikalienmanagement in der textilen Lieferkette. Sonderforschungsgruppe Institutionenanalyse, 2022. http://dx.doi.org/10.46850/sofia.9783941627987.
Abstract:
The World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg in 2002 set the goal of minimising the adverse impacts of chemicals and waste by 2020. This goal has not been achieved yet. Therefore, other approaches are needed to prevent, minimise, or replace harmful substances. One possible approach is this master thesis which deals with the challenges that the textile importer DELTEX is facing with regard to a transparent communication of chemicals used and contained in the product in its supply chain. DELTEX is bound by legal regulations and requirements of its customer and must ensure that there are no harmful substances in the garments. For each order, the customer requires a chemical inventory from DELTEX which contains the chemical substances and formulations used (so-called "order-wise chemical inventory"). Currently, the suppliers are not willing to pass this on to DELTEX. As a result, DELTEX is faced with the problem of having no knowledge of the materials used in the garments and is thus taking a high risk. The structure of this study is based on the transdisciplinary "delta analysis" of the Society for Institutional Analysis at the University of Applied Sciences Darmstadt. This compares the target state with the actual state and derives a delta from the difference. Based on this, suitable design options are to be developed to close the delta. The study defines the target state on the basis of normative requirements and derives three criteria from this, which can be used to measure design options. By means of guideline-based interviews with experts, an online survey and literature research, it examines the current state. The analysis shows that the relevant actors are in an unfavourable incentive and barrier situation. The textile supply chain can be seen as a complex construct in which a whole series of production sites (often in developing and emerging countries where corruption and low environmental standards exist) carry out many processing steps. Chemicals are used at almost all stages of processing, some of which have harmful effects on people and the environment. At the same time, factory workers in the production countries are under enormous price and time pressure and often have insufficient know-how about chemical processes. DELTEX is dependent on its main customer and therefore has little room for price negotiations. To close this delta, the study formulates design options on macro, meso and micro levels and measures them against the developed criteria. None of the measures completely meets all the criteria, which is why a residual delta remains. The study concludes that not one, but rather a combination of several design options at all levels can achieve the target state. For DELTEX, an alliance with other textile importers, membership in the Fair Wear Foundation, strengthening the relationship with its suppliers and cooperation with another customer are recommended. Furthermore, the use of material data tools that support proactive reporting approaches such as a Full Material Declaration is recommended. The study is carried out from the perspective of the textile importer DELTEX. The results can therefore only be applied to the entire textile supply chain to a limited extent.
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The COVID Decade: understanding the long-term societal impacts of COVID-19. The British Academy, 2021. http://dx.doi.org/10.5871/bac19stf/9780856726583.001.
Abstract:
The British Academy was asked by the Government Office for Science to produce an independent review on the long-term societal impacts of COVID-19. This report outlines the evidence across a range of areas, building upon a series of expert reviews, engagement, synthesis and analysis across the research community in the Social Sciences, Humanities and the Arts (SHAPE). It is accompanied by a separate report, Shaping the COVID decade, which considers how policymakers might respond. History shows that pandemics and other crises can be catalysts to rebuild society in new ways, but that this requires vision and interconnectivity between policymakers at local, regional and national levels. With the advent of vaccines and the imminent ending of lockdowns, we might think that the impact of COVID-19 is coming to an end. This would be wrong. We are in a COVID decade: the social, economic and cultural effects of the pandemic will cast a long shadow into the future – perhaps longer than a decade – and the sooner we begin to understand, the better placed we will be to address them. There are of course many impacts which flowed from lockdowns, including not being able to see family and friends, travel or take part in leisure activities. These should ease quickly as lockdown comes to an end. But there are a set of deeper impacts on health and wellbeing, communities and cohesion, and skills, employment and the economy which will have profound effects upon the UK for many years to come. In sum, the pandemic has exacerbated existing inequalities and differences and created new ones, as well as exposing critical societal needs and strengths. These can emerge differently across places, and along different time courses, for individuals, communities, regions, nations and the UK as a whole. We organised the evidence into three areas of societal effect. As we gathered evidence in these three areas, we continually assessed it according to five cross-cutting themes – governance, inequalities, cohesion, trust and sustainability – which the reader will find reflected across the chapters. Throughout the process of collating and assessing the evidence, the dimensions of place (physical and social context, locality), scale (individual, community, regional, national) and time (past, present, future; short, medium and longer term) played a significant role in assessing the nature of the societal impacts and how they might play out, altering their long-term effects.