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Sustainable forest management in 1992 was recognized by the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development as the most important contribution the forestry sector can inject into any sustainable development initiative. The author’s extensive literature review established this as the premise on which Ghana‘s quest for sustainable economic growth and development strategies is being implemented. Since embarking on this endeavour, conscious efforts have been made to define essential components of forest resources against which sustainability assessments could be performed in Ghana. The conceptual framework of the present research rests on FAO’s concept on criteria and indicators as useful tools in monitoring progress towards sustainable forest management and resource-use. In addition, an empirical approach seeks to elicit answers from staffs involved in the management of natural resources as well as from other stakeholder groups in order to address four pertinent questions as; i. the specifics of forest management practices and policies that exist in Ghana‘s high forest zone, ii. interactive forces that come into play with the identification and development of national level criteria and indicators for sustainable forest management, iii. who constitute the stakeholders and lastly, iv. the extent to which progress towards sustainable forest management has been achieved and in which direction it is moving. First a quantum of forest management policy documents were reviewed out of which applicable criteria and measurable indicators, specific to the high forest zone of Ghana, were identified. Together with stakeholder's involvement, performance scores were established for indicators identified within the trio-sectors (forest ecosystem, forest communities and the economy) for sustainability assessments. Based on actual performance scores, measures of successes towards sustainable forest management operations were quantitatively performed with estimated maximum and minimum thresholds levels at which resource-use would be sustainable using the measure of forest resource-use sustainable scale-MoFRUSS. Outcomes of these measurement operations, as depicted on the scale, revealed the actual extent to which stakeholder’s initiatives, towards sustainable forest management have progressed and in which direction they are moving. The study also offers optional policy baskets for resource management interventions from which the Socio-eco-Economy bundle is the most recommendable if the environmental aspect of Ghana‘s Vision 2015 (sustainable development) is to be achieved; with improved societal well-being, improved environmental health and vitality and improved economic growth and development. The study concludes with recommendations to both policy makers and the other vested stakeholders a viable opportunity which could be harnessed to improve on management‘s performance through avoided deforestation.
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.
Der weltweite Anstieg des Bedarfs an Primärenergie und das Wachstum des weltweiten Bruttoinlandsprodukts geht einher mit der Zunahme damit verbundener Emissionen. Aktuellen wissenschaftlichen Studien zufolge beträgt der Anteil des Energiesektors (Energiewirtschaft, Industrie und Verkehr) 83 % der weltweiten Treibhausgasemissionen. Der Klimawandel und die Projektion der Auswirkungen von Treibhausgasemissionen auf die Atmosphäre werden inzwischen auch auf politischer Ebene akzeptiert und weitergehende Maßnahmen diskutiert. Da aber Zugang zu Elektrizität und nachhaltige Entwicklung untrennbar verknüpft sind, stellt sich die Frage, wie diese Aufgabe innerhalb der nächsten Jahre gelöst werden kann. Weiterhin ergibt sich gleichzeitig durch die verbleibende Laufzeit des aktuellen Kraftwerksparks, je nach Szenario, für Deutschland im Jahr 2020 eine Versorgungslücke von bis zu 12.000 MWh. Ein Teil der Lösung dieser Problematik liegt in der nachhaltigen Gestaltung von Kraftwerken. Die Erstellung der Lebenszyklusanalyse eines GuD-Kraftwerks aus Sicht eines Herstellers in höchster Detailtiefe bildet daher den Hauptbestandteil dieser Arbeit. Erst die Darstellung des gesamten Produktsystems sowie der Bilanzierungsergebnisse ermöglichen das Aufzeigen von Verbesserungspotentialen. Die Systemgrenzen für die Ökobilanz umfassen alle Abschnitte des Produktlebenszyklus (Materialien, Fertigung, Transport, Betrieb, Wartung und End of Life). Die Erfassung der Materialmengen und Energiedaten liefert die Sachbilanz für alle Komponenten und Lebensphasen. In der Interpretation der Ergebnisse der Ökobilanz, insbesondere für die Kategorie Globale Erwärmung in kg CO2e überwiegen die Emissionen der Betriebsphase naturgemäß. Die Ergebnisse wurden aber für alle Wirkungskategorien und Lebensphasen erarbeitet. Auf Basis der erarbeiteten Module der Ökobilanz wurden die Umweltprofile verschiedener Konfigurationen und Betriebsszenarien dargestellt und stehen damit als Entscheidungshilfe bereits während der Produktentwicklung zur Verfügung. Die Darstellung der Auswirkungen von Designentscheidungen auf den ökologischen Fußabdruck des Produktsystems in einer aggregierten Form vereinfacht das Verständnis für Kunden und kann damit in die Kaufentscheidung einbezogen werden. Weiterhin wurde die Basis für ein Reporting der Treibhausgasemissionen nach dem GHG Protokoll erstellt. Die Ergebnisse werden außerdem in Form einer Typ II Produktumwelterklärung nach ISO 14021 veröffentlicht und als Referenzwert für die Berechnung der Emissionsfaktoren für den jeweiligen Strommix bereitgestellt.
Learning from the past, designing for the future : sustainability of the Mediterranean vernacular
(2020)
With climate change and the depleting ozone layer, awareness about protecting the environment is increasing and “Sustainable Architecture” is becoming an essential part of the architectural future of cities. However, sustainable buildings of today are being built with high cost, high tech systems which can be reduced by taking advantage of past technologies and systems. The brilliance of vernacular architecture and the way man adapted to his surroundings fascinated me and inspired me to do further research on the sustainable characteristics of vernacular settlements of the Mediterranean area in order to determine if these characteristics can be applied to present and future architecture in an innovative way to create sustainable buildings with least possible energy consumption.
The method of research was based upon a general analysis of the passive design (solar and wind) characteristics of a town or settlement in Mediterranean climate starting from its site elements such as topography, vegetation, water. After that its urban structure, such as the geometry, block and street orientation and dimensions. Following that, the dwelling characteristics like dwelling shape, orientation and dimensions and finally the thermal regulating elements found in these dwellings, such as windows and vegetation. These elements were given a score according to their contribution to energy savings in buildings. Four case studies were chosen: two vernacular case studies from the region of study (the Mediterranean Coasts) and two modern case studies inspired by the Mediterranean vernacular. The analysis was repeated in the same sequence mentioned: Site, Settlement, Dwelling, Element, for the actual performance of each case study. The elements were given a number of points out of the score assigned for each element in the general analysis.
A total score and rating for each case study resulted from this analysis. The objective of these scores were to compare the performance of the vernacular case studies to the vernacular inspired case studies in terms of energy savings. The final scores displayed comparable results between both types of case studies meaning that when these modern settlements were designed with an influence from the Mediterranean vernacular, their performance in energy savings was close to that of a vernacular settlement. That means that it is possible to design settlements which are influenced by vernacular settlements and can even defeat them by following the general guidelines of the vernacular passive design characteristics in addition to modern tools and innovative methods. These guidelines can be reflected in a handbook and rating system which can become a simple step by step guide for architects and planners to design sustainable settlements without the need for expensive and complicated rating systems and consultants.
Der Nutzungsdauer elektronischer Geräte wird in der Debatte um einen zukunftsfähigen, nachhaltigen Konsum eine zentrale Rolle beigemessen, da die Produktion von Geräten mit einer vergleichsweise hohen Umweltlast verbunden ist. Während in der aktuellen Forschung insbesondere das Produktdesign und Geschäftsmodelle fokussiert werden, wird in der vorliegenden Untersuchung die Nutzungsphase in den Blick genommen. Dabei wird den Fragen nachgegangen, welche Bedingungen den Umgang mit Geräten im Alltag prägen und wie soziale Praktiken gefördert werden können, die lange Nutzungsdauern stützen. Theoretisches Fundament bilden Praxistheorien, Narratologie und Bewertungssoziologie.
Das mittels der Grounded Theory entwickelte Modell Doing Value konzipiert die Nutzungsdauer als einen dynamischen, soziotechnischen Prozess, in dem elektronischen Geräten durch den Umgang mit ihnen Wert zugewiesen wird. Zentral für den Wertzuweisungsprozess sind Geschichten über Geräte, die durch den Akt des Erzählens reproduziert und zugleich mit den Narrativen des sozialen Umfeldes abgeglichen werden. Ob diese lebensweltlichen Technik-Narrative Bedarfe, geplante Obsoleszenz oder Reparaturen thematisieren, sie sind sowohl als interpretierte Erfahrungen Resultat der früheren Produktnutzung als auch Referenzmaßstab für die Sinnhaftigkeit zukünftiger Handlungen. Im Rahmen der Untersuchung werden zehn häufig vorkommende und für die Nutzungsdauer bedeutsame Narrative rekonstruiert und systematisiert sowie abgeleitet, wie darauf aufbauend Lebensdauer begünstigende Praktiken gestützt werden können. Basierend auf den Ergebnissen wurde eine Diskursintervention zum positiven Framing langlebiger Geräte (#LangLebeTechnik) konzipiert und in Kooperation mit Akteur*innen aus der Zivilgesellschaft umgesetzt. Parallel wurden berufliche Akteur*innen aus Politik und Verwaltung sowie Verbraucher- und Umweltschutz, die sich mit Kreislaufwirtschaft und Obsoleszenz befassen, dazu befragt, welche Ansatzpunkte sie sehen, um Lebensdauer begünstigende Praktiken im Alltag der Nutzer*innen zu stärken. Basierend auf einem Vergleich mit den Ergebnissen der Nutzer*innen-Befragung werden Empfehlungen für die strategische Nachhaltigkeitskommunikation abgeleitet, um suffiziente Konsummuster im Umgang mit elektronischen Geräten zu fördern. Dabei werden den Ansatzpunkten zugrundeliegende Menschenbilder reflektiert und aufgezeigt, dass Kooperationen zwischen Nutzer*innen bei technischen Anliegen bedeutsam für lange Nutzungsdauern sind.
Den Schwerpunkt des Mixed-Methods-Studien-Designs bilden problemzentrierte Interviews mit Nutzer*innen (In-Homes inklusive Tagebuchmethode und Fotodokumentation) und beruflichen Akteur*innen sowie online gesammelte Geräteschichten. Quantitative Daten (CAPI und CAWI) werden flankierend einbezogen. Die Dissertation wurde angefertigt im Rahmen der inter- und transdisziplinären Forschungsgruppe Obsoleszenz als Herausforderung für Nachhaltigkeit (https://langlebetechnik.de).
Cameroon’s forest is one of the richest ecosystems in the Congo Basin and in Africa as a whole in terms of its biodiversity. These forest types are currently subjected to multiple categories of threats. By enacting a new forestry law in 1994, the government of Cameroon intended to intensify efforts toward the protection and conservation of this rich biodiversity. This study aimed to compare two forest management systems, a state management system (the case of Takamanda National Park) and a community-based management system (the case of Bimbia- Bonadikombo Community Forest), to determine which management system better conserves and protects the forest against biodiversity loss. The study applied a methodological framework that made use of selected indicators and criteria to evaluate the extent of sustainability of the two forest management systems and challenges faced in implementing them. Both quantitative and qualitative results were realized through the administration of questionnaires, semi-structure interview and in-depth contents analysis of Law No.94-1 of 20th January 1994 that lays down forestry, wildlife and fisheries regulations and the 1996 Environmental Management Law that directs Cameroon’s compliance to the international standard of protecting the environment.Results indicated that community-based system of forest management is a much more sustainable approach of forest management than a state management system. Based on the criterion of cultural values attributed to natural resources in the community-based management zone (Bimbia- Bonadikombo Community Forest), 78.2% of the local communities were more willing to protect biodiversity as opposed to 48.3% from state management zone (Takamanda National Park). This study found that the level of participation in the community-based management system was much more inclusive and transparent. On the other hand, in the state management system, a high level of corruption, lack of transparency, delayed and irregular salaries of forest guards and minimal participation of local communities in forest management decision-making was noted and likely responsible for the ineffectiveness and unsustainable management efforts in this system. The study recommends the adoption and implementation of a more inclusive, transparent and accountable management in the state managed system (Takamada national park), particularly the full involvement of respected Elites, Chiefs and Traditional Councils.
Being one of Ukraine’s major sources of economic revenue, the country’s agro-industrial sector proved, at the same time, to be perhaps the most vulnerable branch of economy in the times of political and social turbulence. While the state is searching for the ways of strengthening its positions at the global market, its agricultural potential to a considerable extent remains both under- and misused. Based on comprehensive historic analysis, this research establishes the origins of the current situation and assesses the possibilities of positive change. Utilizing the experience of other European countries’ with regards to making agriculture more sustainable and competitive in the modern world, the author describes the ways of applying these practices against the background of Ukrainian socio-political system. Drawing knowledge from the experience of Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) worldwide, this research aims at harmonizing their methods with evaluation demands in Ukrainian agriculture. It discusses and criticizes the existing assessment approach and suggests measures necessary for making it more comprehensive. The author offers profound analysis of Ukrainian agricultural policies to date, reviews national regulating directives and outlines country-specific challenges as to improving agricultural sustainability. In order to provide Ukrainian decision-makers with a clear and all-round tool for assessing the advances and failures of the acting state policies in the AIS, a set of reliable indices for evaluating agricultural performance has been developed by the author, which is largely based on the widely-acknowledged Driving Force – State – Response framework offered by the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and Human Development Index (HDI) from United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) methodology. At the same time, the newly developed set takes into consideration the peculiarities of Ukrainian socio-political setting. Three major categories of indicators were chosen as a backbone for further elaboration, namely economic, social and political. Therefrom results a list of twelve relevant indices. At the concluding stage of the research, they were processed and transformed to three top-level indices: Economic Development Index, Environmental Situation Index and Social Development Index. These three indices are intended for clear and illustrative presentation of the current situation for high level decision-makers and governmental bodies. Methodology utilized for the purposes of this research with necessary adaptation and fine tuning can also be used with other set of initial data, indicators and indices. Application field can also be downscaled from the highest (national) to the lowest (regional) level by adapting the indicator-indices system to the initial input data. This will considerably simplify the compilation and presentation of regional reports and will provide transparency for interregional comparison within the country.
With the increasing consciousness of the value of wetland ecological and environmental functions and its fast rate of decline in the size of this important and rich ecosystem globally, the Niger Delta ecosystem has been reported to be undergoing tremendous change, hence the need for this research, to identify the challenges and proffer solutions. This study focuses on ascertaining if a change has occurred in the Upper Orashi Forest Reserved wetland, to know and evaluate the policies used in managing the wetland in the region and Nigeria. To ascertain the wetland change, land cover change detection was carried out using Geographic Information Systems and Remote Sensing to produce paradigm or data to detect change occurrence in the wetland area. Supervised classification of land use and land cover change was carried out using LANDSAT data from 2002, 2008, and 2019. Thereafter, the land cover transition was mapped for the period 2002 to 2019 and this was computed for the net land cover change for the period of study. The site was classified into three different classes and each class was analyzed using the land use and land cover change model formula. The result from this part shows that there is a consistent decrease in the wetland area for the period under review and in the other two identified classes, some interchangeable compositions were observed for the period of study. To validate this result, the opinion of experts and the host community is needed. Two sets of questionnaires were designed for experts and local community dwellers to sample their opinion in relation to the wetland and its management. The information collected was analyzed using Microsoft excel and the result shows that changes have occurred in the wetland of Upper Orashi Forest (decrease in size and other challenging issues with respect to policies and regulations). This study has identified critical challenging issues facing wetlands in the region or driving factors of wetland loss in the study area. Thereafter making recommendations that will help address these issues to actualize environmental sustainability and sustainable wetland in the region and Nigeria at large.
Heutzutage ist Nachhaltigkeit in allen Lebensaspekten besonders wichtig. Durch den Klimawandel und den übermäßigen Konsum aufgrund des Bevölkerungswachstums, werden die globalen Trinkwasservorräte in großen Maßen ausgenutzt. Um diese negativen Tendenzen zu unterbrechen, sind entsprechende Maßnahmen zur effizienten Nutzung der Wasserressourcen in den urbanen Räumen weltweit zwingend erforderlich. Diese Masterarbeit beschäftigt sich mit einem Entwurf für einen effizienten und nachhaltigen Teil des städtischen Bereiches, mit besonderer Betrachtung von Systemen zur Wasserwiederverwendung, Regenwasserbewirtschaftung und Low Impact Development sowie deren Abhängigkeit von regionalen Aspekten. Der Entwurf soll eine Grundlage zur Entwicklung und Planung für urbane Räume in Verbindung mit Wassereffizienz und Nachhaltigkeit in bestimmten Regionen bilden. Auf Grundlage der Bewertung anhand der Kriterien der Gebäudezertifizierung wurde nachgewiesen, dass die Integration der oben beschriebenen Methoden sowohl auf regionaler als auch auf globaler Ebene mehrere Vorteile für Gebäude und deren Umgebung bringen. Es wurde eine Tendenz beim nachhaltigen Bauen, das auf natürliche Systeme und Methoden zurückgreift, erkannt. Heutzutage sollen Gebäude in einer Harmonie mit der Umgebung und der Umwelt gebaut werden, was zur Reduktion der menschlichen Einflüsse auf den Klimawandel führt. Durch die Förderung dieser Art der Entwicklung in urbanen Räumen, können zukünftige Städte zur Bewältigung der Wasserknappheit, Verbesserung der Wasserqualität und Regeneration der Wasserressourcen einen Beitrag leisten. Eine gelungene Planung erfordert jedoch Beobachtungen der vielfältigen Wechselwirkungen sowie der verschiedenen sozialen, ökologischen, ökonomischen, rechtlichen und politischen Aspekte.
Rural electrification has been one of the challenges faced by the government of Ghana due to extremely high cost of electricity extension to the rural areas. In order to meet up this challenge, the government of Ghana has been keen with the introduction of renewable energy programs as a solution for rural electrification. However, most of programs are also faced with the problem of being sustainable. After government and sponsors hand-over completed project to local users, they usually last only few years of their life span and are abandoned. This challenge has inspired this study to identify the potential barriers to the sustainability of rural electrification programs through technical and socio-economic evaluation of a solar PV rural electrification project in Ghana.
The approach of this study selected an on-going solar PV project (community solar system-CSS), that has been introduced on a pilot base across the whole of Ghana, which is to be adopted as a standard system for electrification solutions in rural areas in Ghana. This project was subjected to both technical and socio-economic evaluations covering 13 rural communities across the southern part of the country. Stakeholder interviews and review of literature were additional methodologies employed to gather information pertinent to the theme of the study.
The results of the study show that technically, the CSS project has simple design and operational technologies, which gives it high integration potential. However, the project faces the problem of technology misuse by the rural users and frequent failure of its components. The socio-economic barriers identified are: (1) ineffective management of the project due to a long chain of bureaucratic administrative management system, inadequate monitoring and supervision, and inconsistency in standardizing the cash flow of the project, and (2) low electricity capacity of the CSS project and other similar small scale renewable projects to meet the electricity requirements of the rural populates. These problems lead to gradual decline of users’ interest for such small scale renewable energy projects and subsequently result in project abandonment. It was concluded that small scale renewable energy programs lack the capacity to fully meet the energy requirement of rural populates; however, they are crucial as intervening solutions and play key role in rural development.