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This study closely examined how oil exploration has caused environmental degradation and untold hardship to the local communities in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Nigeria is known to be the sixth largest producer of crude oil among the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), and thelargest in the African continent. The crude oil that puts Nigeria in this position is being produced in the Niger Delta region of the country. Nigeria’s economy is based on crude oil exports. Despite this enormous wealth coming from the Niger Delta, there is pervasive poverty and despicable environmental damage as a result of crude oil mining activities going on in this region. Suffice it to say that, there is total neglect of the region in terms of infrastructural development and economic empowerment of its local populace by the government and oil companies operating in the region. This has led to youth restiveness and hostage taking in the area. A sound methodological research approach was developed and utilized in this study. Both primary and secondary data were collected from questionnaires, structured interviews, personal observations, relevant literature, documentation from government agencies and oil companies. These data were analyzed, and they synthesized the discussions contained in this study. This study is all about charting a new course in the way the oil companies operating in the Niger Delta region carry out their activities in order to ensure the environmental sustainability of the region, and improve the economy of the rural communities in the region at the same time. It identifies the constraints to effective implementation of Nigeria’s environmental laws and policies especially the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) as it concerns oil prospecting, which has hitherto contributed in hindering her environmental sustainability. It also unveils the critical issues concerning the deplorable state of the economy of the local populace of the region. After identifying the various problems contributing to the environmental woes, and the poor economic growth of the region, this research proffers recommendations that should be conscientiously and vigorously implemented to reverse the trend. Although, the oil companies have made some efforts towards providing the necessary infrastructures needed in the region, they need to do more in the area of capacity building, and use of green technologies to ensure healthy environment of their host communities. The government on her part should strengthen the various Ministries and Agencies vested with the responsibility of protecting the Nigerian environment, by providing them with the necessary incentives for maximum efficiency. This study therefore emphasizes a concerted approach from all the stakeholders in the Niger Delta region for the successful implementation of the recommendations herein to ensure the sustainable development of the region, and Nigeria in general.
Implementation of End-of-Life Vehicle’s Recycling for Developing Countries: Case Study, Mexico
(2008)
Currently, the Directive 2000/53/EC regulates the ELV management in 27 countries in Europe, and for the forthcoming years, more accession countries are foreseen. Since, the international nature of automotive industry, the Directive has affected industries beyond the EU. Hence, countries with important national-based automotive industry are moving towards the accomplishment of this legislation, in order to keep their competitiveness in European markets. The ELV chain in the EU is a complex system, which involves several commercial relationships between different sectors. The generation of ELV in the EU-15 was around 11.4 million units in 2005. The total number of ELV generated, considering the accessing countries, is still unknown. The number of treated ELV in the EU-15 was 7.7 million units. There are some obstacles to be overcome by ELV management already in implementation in the EU. The main difficulties are related to the reluctance of car-manufacture industry to implement Directive’s provisions related to: ban of use of specific substances in automotive applications, and about recycling quotas. Another obstacle is the export of ELV from the EU, which represents a loss in input material for the system. The case of the USA, regarding the ELV management, has very different connotations than the implemented system in the EU. The current ELV management in the USA does not have specific regulations regarding the collection and recycling of ELV. The structure of the ELV chain in the USA is similar to its counterpart in the EU. The main difference lies in dismantling and post-shredder sectors. The 80% of dismantling industry is composed of salvage/scrap yards performing no-standardized operations, and the remaining 20% is represented by high value parts dismantlers. One special feature of the system is the classification of ASR as no-hazardous waste which generates almost no incentives for further treatment. The current system of ELV management in the USA works with relative efficiency. However, there are still items to be improved, e.g. poor dismantling practices in a big number of dismantling facilities (scrap yards), use of hazardous materials in car-manufacture, disposal of ASR as non-hazardous waste, scrap tyres, etc. The ELV problem has different connotation in developing countries like Mexico, than in industrialized countries. Problems, like illegal introduction of used cars from the USA to Mexico and poor practices in the management of ELV, affect the Mexican economy, environment and society. In Mexico, there exists no specific legislation to regulate the Management of ELV. This kind of product, at its End-of-Life stage and wastes generated by its treatment, has been ruled by general laws before the year 2004. More recently a semi-specific law has been addressed to solid wastes, the LGPGIR. The structure of ELV chain in Mexico is similar to its counterpart in the USA and the EU, except for an additional stage. The present work depicts the available information about the number of Mexican operators, at every stage of ELV management. The described evidence presents a deficient management of ELV in Mexico. The current management allows a maximum recycling rate of 75%, which mainly corresponds to the ferrous fraction content in vehicles which enters to the management system. The present work develops a proposal for a suitable system to manage End-of-Life Vehicles (ELV) in a developing country, case study Mexico. This, is divided in three main parts. As a first step, the proposal estimates the future numbers of ELV generated in Mexico, which are estimated in a current ELV generation of around 687,000 vehicles by 2007, and by 2020 in the range of 1.1 to 1.3 million units per year. The second step is to propose a structure for the ELV chain in Mexico. The proposed structure describes the recommended operations, equipment and facilities’ configuration at every stage of the management. The third step of the proposal is the configuration of strategic facility network at every stage of ELV management in Mexico. The system is configured under assumption of three different scenarios, i.e. 100%, 90% and 75% of covered demand for ELV management. The algorithm is identified for this specific problem as a Fixed Charge Facility Location Problem. The algorithm is solved through Facility Location Software SITATION©. The results show the optimal number of facilities at every stage of the management, to cover the demand for ELV management considered in the different scenarios. The fourth part is to propose a model to finance the ELV management in Mexico. The main features of this scheme are explained, as well as its advantages, disadvantages and incentives thought to be triggered into the Mexican ELV chain.
Map-Making for ERM Studies
(2005)
This paper discusses the need for a concept “environmental and resource management” (ERM), and what ERM meaningfully could be. This problem is approached first by an analysis of the environmental and developmental issues. Consequently the hegemonic discourse on sustainability is questioned. Second, the paper uses Kuhn’s “Structure of Scientific Revolutions” as a basis for drafting a scientific field “ERM”. From the perspective of both approaches, different paradigms of environmental management are studied. Based on this analysis a fundamental problem is obtained, namely, how to make individuals and institutions co-operate and under which societal conditions co-operation can be engendered. Subsequently ERM is defined. ERM-Science is being worked out, as being goal-driven, seeking sustainability. It is pointed out that ERM, ERM-Science and its supporting scientific fields are not identical. The major findings following this method are: ERM is stipulated as an inherent social activity. Therefore the scientific field ERM needs to critically focus on the environmental and resource (ER)-manager’s behaviour and her context, that both have indicated and non-indicated environmental influences upon the world. To inquire in that object of interest, the following point of view is developed: “How to make people and society not only speak about environmental problems but implement solutions?” This leads to the discussion of consequences in terms of ethical implications and methodology. Basing on these results, the legitimate problems for the scientific field ERM are illustrated. The developed definition and its consequences are applied on the three ERM-programs at Brandenburg University of Technology (BTU) (Germany) and concludes that a radical reform of the BTU-approach to ERM is required.
While much is known about ISO 14001 and EMAS environmental management systems in general, comparatively little knowledge is about the application of these management instruments in non-industrial sectors, including the municipal waste sector. Consequently, the intention of this paper is to assist municipal waste treatment facilities with the development of environmental management systems in which the continual improvement of environmental performance can be coupled with an increased economic efficiency and quality of delivered services. For this purpose, a manual that provides sample polices, programmes and approaches to the successful realisation of the ISO 14001 environmental management system was written. Due to more stringent requirements for the sound management of municipal solid waste, a growing number of Polish municipal waste treatment facilities have implemented or intend to implement the ISO 14001 system. By the end of 2005, 25% of facilities were formally certified to the ISO 14001 EMS, 60% of which have integrated it with the ISO 9001 QMS. The facilities, despite encountering a number of difficulties, for instance during the identification and assessment of significant environmental aspects, are also gaining numerous benefits, resulting in an improved environmental performance. Ipso facto, 37.5% of municipal waste treatment facilities in Poland have admitted that the environmental-improvement potential of EMSs is higher than economic-human costs related to its introduction and operation. All the presented information, if other sources are not adequately referenced, are based upon the author’s research, encompassing quantitative and qualitative study methods, conducted among municipal waste treatment facilities in Poland in years 2004 – 2006. The response rate of 68% guarantees credibility of the collected data.
This dissertation closely examines industrial pollution along the Atlantic coast of Cameroon. In recent years, there has been the formulation of both governmental initiatives and corporate voluntary practices with the view of curbing industrial pollution along the coast of Cameroon. However, a majority of studies have failed to ascertain the extent to which these initiates and practices have been successful in addressing industrial pollution, which is undoubtedly fundamental to policy makers in the decision making process. Therefore, this thesis attempts to bridge this major gap by examining both governmental and voluntary corporate practices vis-à-vis industrial pollution along the polluted coast of Cameroon. The thesis analysis efforts formulated by the government of Cameroon to mitigate industrial pollution. It identifies constraints to Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) practice in Cameroon. Environmental management system (EMS) initiatives adopted by industries along the coast of Cameroon that has been hitherto ignored is unveiled as well in this thesis. Furthermore, a more compelling case is made by addressing the drivers, benefits and barriers stemming from EMS implementation by these industries. A robust reflexive methodological research strategy is developed and utilized both qualitative and quantitative data collected from unstructured interviews, questionnaire based surveys, personal observations, relevant literature, consultancy reports and documentation form governmental departments. Analysis of these data facilitates detailed discussion of both governmental initiatives and corporate environmental management systems.The thesis contends that there is an urgent need to complement governmental policy and regulations with corporate voluntary environmental management systems. It purports that efforts made by the government of Cameroon to address industrial pollution have had minimal impacts on industrial pollution along the coast of Cameroon and submits that the EMS process in these industries is still at its infancy. Moreover, it is argued that a plethora of barriers still prevail that deter a rigorous implementation of EMS in these industries. On the basis of this, the thesis advances a comprehensive strategy for the effective and efficient management of industrial pollution along the coast of Cameroon and emphasizes that a holistic or concerted approach from all stakeholders is absolutely mandatory for the successful implementation of the recommended strategies.