The characteristics of sustainable development problems in the developing countries is discussed.In order to develop and use decision support system (DSS) for supporting sustainable development problem decision making...The characteristics of sustainable development problems in the developing countries is discussed.In order to develop and use decision support system (DSS) for supporting sustainable development problem decision making in the developing countries,this paper presents a strategy of constructing the DSS for sustainable development.A methodology of representing the model of sustainable development problems and developing a nonprocedural modeling language that is used to define sustainable development problems,a methodology of numeric and non numeric operation based theorem proving is given in this paper.展开更多
Since United Nations adopted the global Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs) for the next15 years(2016-2030), sustainable development will further become a core concept and main principle to guide global and national e...Since United Nations adopted the global Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs) for the next15 years(2016-2030), sustainable development will further become a core concept and main principle to guide global and national economic and social development. According to this background, strengthening the integrative research on the theories and methodologies of sustainable development has been a strategically important mission. This article provided an analytic framework for sustainability science, named the object-subject-process(OSP) framework for examining the key issues encountered during the theoretical research and policy analysis. This study emphasized that, on the object dimension, sustainable development means to seek for economic and social development within biophysical limits of the earth and the relationship of environment, society, and economy should be containing and complementary rather than parallel and substitute; on the process dimension, sustainable development should adopt both the responsive and proactive strategies for the whole process management which employing pressure-state-response(PRS) model rather than dealing with one part of them; on the subject dimension, sustainable development research should involve the key stakeholders who are kind of collaborate governance rather than separate each other. From the perspective of sustainability science, green economy was utilized as a case study to explore the issues of object, process and subject and also the significance of green economy was discussed in this study.展开更多
There is great potential for agriculture in saline-alkali soil area in Songnen Plain, Northeast China. But the sustainable crop production in this area has been restricted by a few of main factors, such as less precip...There is great potential for agriculture in saline-alkali soil area in Songnen Plain, Northeast China. But the sustainable crop production in this area has been restricted by a few of main factors, such as less precipitation, h igher evaporation and frequent drought, high salinity and alkalinity, high excha ngeable sodium content and poor infiltration of the soil, and insufficiency and low availability in nutrition. It is also considered that there are a few of fav orable conditions for agricultural development in this region, such as sufficien t light and heat resources, rich ground water resources, plenty of manure produc ed by livestock, and so on. At the same time, scientific management and measurem ents have been employed; rational irrigation and drainage system has been establ ished; reclamation, amendment and fertilization of soil, and suitable strategies of cropping practices have been made for the sustainable development of agricul ture. Great progress has been made during 1996-2000.展开更多
For the development process in the rapidly growing economies, knowledge transfer and technology cooperation are becoming important issues. Research and technological competences are key indicators for the absorptive c...For the development process in the rapidly growing economies, knowledge transfer and technology cooperation are becoming important issues. Research and technological competences are key indicators for the absorptive capacity of sustainability technologies and for the ability to export them. These issues are analyzed empirically for Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS). Sustainability related research in BRICS is mostly carried out within broader, more sector oriented programmes. Specialization patterns of international patents and in foreign trade indicate various strengths and weaknesses of the BRICS countries. The differences within the countries imply that the analysis must proceed at a technology specific level. China has considerable capabilities in technologies such as photovoltaics, solar thermal or buildings. There is a strong need for strategic positioning of the countries and for coordination of the various policy fields involved.展开更多
As natural ecosystems provide the material basis and fundamental support for regional sustainable devel-opment,the sustainability of natural ecosystems is an important prerequisite and a viable approach for the achiev...As natural ecosystems provide the material basis and fundamental support for regional sustainable devel-opment,the sustainability of natural ecosystems is an important prerequisite and a viable approach for the achievement of regional sustainable development.It is also the final criteria to assess whether sustainable development paradigm is successful.Along with the increasing impacts of human activities on natural ecosystems,the evaluation of regional ecological sustainability has become one of the key issues for research on macro ecology and sustainable development.Based on different unit of indicators,this study firstly groups the evaluation frameworks of regional ecological sus-tainability into three major types:comprehensive index evaluation with dimensionless unit,monetary valuation,and biophysical quantity measurement.We then discuss and compare these types in terms of basic principles,scope of ap-plications,advantages and shortcomings.Finally,drawn on the discussion about characteristics of ecological sustain-ability,we outline the current trend and future directions of regional ecological sustainability evaluation,for instance,transition from sustainable development evaluation to sustainability science,integration of goal-oriented and problem-solving approaches,combination of spatial pattern analysis and ecological sustainability evaluation,and en-hancement of ecological sustainability evaluation at landscape scale.展开更多
As a widespread natural phenomenon, disturbances are considered a discrete event occurring in a natural ecosystem within various spatial and temporal scales. The present paper discusses the types of disturbances and t...As a widespread natural phenomenon, disturbances are considered a discrete event occurring in a natural ecosystem within various spatial and temporal scales. The present paper discusses the types of disturbances and their influence on the ecologic system in nature reserves. It is shown that nature reserves are facing a great challenge dealing with these disturbances. A rational control for disturbances should be improved in order to promote the healthy development of nature reserves this could be done by enhancing the publicity and training of environment protection, coupling management with communities around and other nature reserves, effective management methods, rational planning, and supporting nature servers.展开更多
Traditional farming practices conform to sustainable rural livelihoods, while agricultural modernisation tends to undermine these practices through various perturbations. A case study in Tengchong County (western Yunn...Traditional farming practices conform to sustainable rural livelihoods, while agricultural modernisation tends to undermine these practices through various perturbations. A case study in Tengchong County (western Yunnan, China) shows that transformation of traditional alder (Alnus nepalensis) and dry rice (upland rice) rotational farming to introduced Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata (Lamb.) Hook.) plantations leads to localised water scarcity and soil fertility decline. While farmers are aware of ecological sustainability of traditional farming, they prefer Chinese fir forestry because it is less labour-intensive, has a high market value, and releases time for profitable off-farm work. Farmers adapt to economic liberalization by planting high value crops and trees. However, alternatives to make local agricultural production more profitable through competitive business strategies, cooperative approaches, innovations in integrating high value crops and 'downstream' processingfor sustainable rural livelihoods have been overlooked largely due to poor information availability and lack of organisational framework.展开更多
One of the most important aspects of current economical and social reality of each local and regional territory, and very much determinative for its economic development potential, is the nature of its territorial org...One of the most important aspects of current economical and social reality of each local and regional territory, and very much determinative for its economic development potential, is the nature of its territorial organization of the productive processes, as well as, the characteristics, and sophistication level, of the enterprise strategies that are functioning in it. This paper seeks to contribute to the ongoing discussion on the role of clusters as engines of economic and social development and sustainability of local and regional territories. Based on a study research methodology, we intend to answer to the following research questions: (1) What is the importance of clusters in the increment process of the local and regional conditions of governance and sustainability? (2) How specific models of clusters' governance can contribute to greater territorial setting of enterprises and to increasing the sustainability of its development strategies? (3) To what extent industrial public policies can increase the sustainability of development solutions for local and regional economies?展开更多
The focus of the present research is not on expected developments that are by one means or another linked to the concept of sustainability and to questions, whether current sustainability-models are fit for the future...The focus of the present research is not on expected developments that are by one means or another linked to the concept of sustainability and to questions, whether current sustainability-models are fit for the future, so that they can be employed as corrective or functional factors applicable to the planning and governance of predictable scenarios in the field of ecology, economy, and social issues. But the focus lies on questions like: How does the concept of sustainability relate to the future? How is the future as such affected and conditioned by the concept of sustainability? To what extent is the concept of sustainability open to the future and how can the concept of sustainability conceive of something like the future? The aim of the paper is therefore to clarify and better understand what is at stake when we address a sustainable future, i.e. a future under the conditions of an economy, of a technology, of a science that is supposed to be sustainable. The paper is based on a distinction that has its part in the tradition of ethics with far-reaching consequences for what throughout this tradition was called into question namely: the ethos (the dimension of the human being). It is the distinction between two aspirant principles. In terms of form, the one allows and sustains accomplishment, whereas the other doesn't. As for the former, the reference is mainly to classical ethical positions (on the one hand Plato and Aristotle, on the other hand Kant). As for the latter, on which the focus of this research lies, a phenomenological analysis of the concept of sustainability might help in its comprehension as well as in the understanding of the way in which we, today, by complying with it, conceive of something like an open future.展开更多
This paper aims at analyzing and evaluating investments in rangeland management through the use of the discount rate tool. The most important parameter which is considered when estimating the discount rate is the life...This paper aims at analyzing and evaluating investments in rangeland management through the use of the discount rate tool. The most important parameter which is considered when estimating the discount rate is the lifetime of the investment, which varies depending on the kind of the intervention. An undeniable characteristic of rangelands is their rich biodiversity. However, the fact that not all the flora and fauna has been recorded yet, suggests the need for using the lowest possible discount rate (but not zero), giving thus a high value on the benefits that will arise for future generations always in the light of sustainable development. At the same time, a sensitivity analysis has to be performed in order to determine the upper and lower limit of return on investment, so that the decision-maker in charge can be more flexible on the evaluation Of an investment proposal.展开更多
The purpose of the present study is to determine the reflection of sustainability reporting (SR), which gained momentum considerably during the recent years, on the organizations that are active in Turkey. Turkish b...The purpose of the present study is to determine the reflection of sustainability reporting (SR), which gained momentum considerably during the recent years, on the organizations that are active in Turkey. Turkish businesses that carried out SR during January 1, 2005 and June 1, 2015 were included in the study. Altogether, 186 sustainability reports containing 6,240 pages of a total of 80 businesses were examined. Data obtained from these reports were classified into various categories. According to the results, it was determined that 84% of the reporting businesses reported according to Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) principles and preferred G3 framework (40%); and the maximum number of reporting was published in 2014. The present study is the first research article including all businesses making SR in Turkey with all details.展开更多
Sustainable construction in the future will be influenced significantly by the beliefs and actions of civil engineering students studying at university today. A comparative investigation of the appreciation and attitu...Sustainable construction in the future will be influenced significantly by the beliefs and actions of civil engineering students studying at university today. A comparative investigation of the appreciation and attitudes regarding sustainable construction of civil engineering students at The NUCE (National University of Civil Engineering) in Vietnam, and the Universities of Loughborough and Liverpool in the UK were therefore conducted. Results indicate that students at all three universities appreciate the importance of the development of sustainable construction and have positive attitudes with regards to sustainability. Construction design and appropriate use of materials were two issues generally considered the most important with regards to sustainability, but were also thought to be adequately covered on the courses in all three institutions.展开更多
Lighting design is one of the fastest changing areas in building engineering. It has evolved significantly in recent years due to changing technology and demands for improved quality, better control, reduced energy an...Lighting design is one of the fastest changing areas in building engineering. It has evolved significantly in recent years due to changing technology and demands for improved quality, better control, reduced energy and sustainability. This paper is an overview of what is happening in Europe and elsewhere and examines the literature to find that latest recommendations in the Code for Lighting issued by the SLL (Society of Light and Lighting) in the UK change previous demands for equal illuminance across a working plane to more specific and demanding criteria. There are recommendations for qualitative metrics and better distribution of light so as to enhance the visual appearance of interiors. European standards are also examined and the LENI (lighting energy numerical indicator) has been found to be a better way of reducing energy than installed load. New LED (light-emitting diode) lamp technology is examined and daylight is discussed in the context of these changing demands. It is found that lighting standards and design are changing for the better but that standards will need to evolve further if they are to ensure good quality lighting.展开更多
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China!(No.79990 580 )
文摘The characteristics of sustainable development problems in the developing countries is discussed.In order to develop and use decision support system (DSS) for supporting sustainable development problem decision making in the developing countries,this paper presents a strategy of constructing the DSS for sustainable development.A methodology of representing the model of sustainable development problems and developing a nonprocedural modeling language that is used to define sustainable development problems,a methodology of numeric and non numeric operation based theorem proving is given in this paper.
基金supported by General Program of the National Natural Science Foundation of China"Research on Carbon Productivity and Low-carbon Competitiveness based on Steady-state Economics Theory"(Grant number 71173157)
文摘Since United Nations adopted the global Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs) for the next15 years(2016-2030), sustainable development will further become a core concept and main principle to guide global and national economic and social development. According to this background, strengthening the integrative research on the theories and methodologies of sustainable development has been a strategically important mission. This article provided an analytic framework for sustainability science, named the object-subject-process(OSP) framework for examining the key issues encountered during the theoretical research and policy analysis. This study emphasized that, on the object dimension, sustainable development means to seek for economic and social development within biophysical limits of the earth and the relationship of environment, society, and economy should be containing and complementary rather than parallel and substitute; on the process dimension, sustainable development should adopt both the responsive and proactive strategies for the whole process management which employing pressure-state-response(PRS) model rather than dealing with one part of them; on the subject dimension, sustainable development research should involve the key stakeholders who are kind of collaborate governance rather than separate each other. From the perspective of sustainability science, green economy was utilized as a case study to explore the issues of object, process and subject and also the significance of green economy was discussed in this study.
文摘There is great potential for agriculture in saline-alkali soil area in Songnen Plain, Northeast China. But the sustainable crop production in this area has been restricted by a few of main factors, such as less precipitation, h igher evaporation and frequent drought, high salinity and alkalinity, high excha ngeable sodium content and poor infiltration of the soil, and insufficiency and low availability in nutrition. It is also considered that there are a few of fav orable conditions for agricultural development in this region, such as sufficien t light and heat resources, rich ground water resources, plenty of manure produc ed by livestock, and so on. At the same time, scientific management and measurem ents have been employed; rational irrigation and drainage system has been establ ished; reclamation, amendment and fertilization of soil, and suitable strategies of cropping practices have been made for the sustainable development of agricul ture. Great progress has been made during 1996-2000.
文摘For the development process in the rapidly growing economies, knowledge transfer and technology cooperation are becoming important issues. Research and technological competences are key indicators for the absorptive capacity of sustainability technologies and for the ability to export them. These issues are analyzed empirically for Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS). Sustainability related research in BRICS is mostly carried out within broader, more sector oriented programmes. Specialization patterns of international patents and in foreign trade indicate various strengths and weaknesses of the BRICS countries. The differences within the countries imply that the analysis must proceed at a technology specific level. China has considerable capabilities in technologies such as photovoltaics, solar thermal or buildings. There is a strong need for strategic positioning of the countries and for coordination of the various policy fields involved.
基金Under the auspices of National Natural Science Foundation of China (No.40635028,40801066)State Key Laboratory of Earth Surface Processes and Resource Ecology of China (No.2008-KF-04)
文摘As natural ecosystems provide the material basis and fundamental support for regional sustainable devel-opment,the sustainability of natural ecosystems is an important prerequisite and a viable approach for the achievement of regional sustainable development.It is also the final criteria to assess whether sustainable development paradigm is successful.Along with the increasing impacts of human activities on natural ecosystems,the evaluation of regional ecological sustainability has become one of the key issues for research on macro ecology and sustainable development.Based on different unit of indicators,this study firstly groups the evaluation frameworks of regional ecological sus-tainability into three major types:comprehensive index evaluation with dimensionless unit,monetary valuation,and biophysical quantity measurement.We then discuss and compare these types in terms of basic principles,scope of ap-plications,advantages and shortcomings.Finally,drawn on the discussion about characteristics of ecological sustain-ability,we outline the current trend and future directions of regional ecological sustainability evaluation,for instance,transition from sustainable development evaluation to sustainability science,integration of goal-oriented and problem-solving approaches,combination of spatial pattern analysis and ecological sustainability evaluation,and en-hancement of ecological sustainability evaluation at landscape scale.
文摘As a widespread natural phenomenon, disturbances are considered a discrete event occurring in a natural ecosystem within various spatial and temporal scales. The present paper discusses the types of disturbances and their influence on the ecologic system in nature reserves. It is shown that nature reserves are facing a great challenge dealing with these disturbances. A rational control for disturbances should be improved in order to promote the healthy development of nature reserves this could be done by enhancing the publicity and training of environment protection, coupling management with communities around and other nature reserves, effective management methods, rational planning, and supporting nature servers.
文摘Traditional farming practices conform to sustainable rural livelihoods, while agricultural modernisation tends to undermine these practices through various perturbations. A case study in Tengchong County (western Yunnan, China) shows that transformation of traditional alder (Alnus nepalensis) and dry rice (upland rice) rotational farming to introduced Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata (Lamb.) Hook.) plantations leads to localised water scarcity and soil fertility decline. While farmers are aware of ecological sustainability of traditional farming, they prefer Chinese fir forestry because it is less labour-intensive, has a high market value, and releases time for profitable off-farm work. Farmers adapt to economic liberalization by planting high value crops and trees. However, alternatives to make local agricultural production more profitable through competitive business strategies, cooperative approaches, innovations in integrating high value crops and 'downstream' processingfor sustainable rural livelihoods have been overlooked largely due to poor information availability and lack of organisational framework.
文摘One of the most important aspects of current economical and social reality of each local and regional territory, and very much determinative for its economic development potential, is the nature of its territorial organization of the productive processes, as well as, the characteristics, and sophistication level, of the enterprise strategies that are functioning in it. This paper seeks to contribute to the ongoing discussion on the role of clusters as engines of economic and social development and sustainability of local and regional territories. Based on a study research methodology, we intend to answer to the following research questions: (1) What is the importance of clusters in the increment process of the local and regional conditions of governance and sustainability? (2) How specific models of clusters' governance can contribute to greater territorial setting of enterprises and to increasing the sustainability of its development strategies? (3) To what extent industrial public policies can increase the sustainability of development solutions for local and regional economies?
文摘The focus of the present research is not on expected developments that are by one means or another linked to the concept of sustainability and to questions, whether current sustainability-models are fit for the future, so that they can be employed as corrective or functional factors applicable to the planning and governance of predictable scenarios in the field of ecology, economy, and social issues. But the focus lies on questions like: How does the concept of sustainability relate to the future? How is the future as such affected and conditioned by the concept of sustainability? To what extent is the concept of sustainability open to the future and how can the concept of sustainability conceive of something like the future? The aim of the paper is therefore to clarify and better understand what is at stake when we address a sustainable future, i.e. a future under the conditions of an economy, of a technology, of a science that is supposed to be sustainable. The paper is based on a distinction that has its part in the tradition of ethics with far-reaching consequences for what throughout this tradition was called into question namely: the ethos (the dimension of the human being). It is the distinction between two aspirant principles. In terms of form, the one allows and sustains accomplishment, whereas the other doesn't. As for the former, the reference is mainly to classical ethical positions (on the one hand Plato and Aristotle, on the other hand Kant). As for the latter, on which the focus of this research lies, a phenomenological analysis of the concept of sustainability might help in its comprehension as well as in the understanding of the way in which we, today, by complying with it, conceive of something like an open future.
文摘This paper aims at analyzing and evaluating investments in rangeland management through the use of the discount rate tool. The most important parameter which is considered when estimating the discount rate is the lifetime of the investment, which varies depending on the kind of the intervention. An undeniable characteristic of rangelands is their rich biodiversity. However, the fact that not all the flora and fauna has been recorded yet, suggests the need for using the lowest possible discount rate (but not zero), giving thus a high value on the benefits that will arise for future generations always in the light of sustainable development. At the same time, a sensitivity analysis has to be performed in order to determine the upper and lower limit of return on investment, so that the decision-maker in charge can be more flexible on the evaluation Of an investment proposal.
文摘The purpose of the present study is to determine the reflection of sustainability reporting (SR), which gained momentum considerably during the recent years, on the organizations that are active in Turkey. Turkish businesses that carried out SR during January 1, 2005 and June 1, 2015 were included in the study. Altogether, 186 sustainability reports containing 6,240 pages of a total of 80 businesses were examined. Data obtained from these reports were classified into various categories. According to the results, it was determined that 84% of the reporting businesses reported according to Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) principles and preferred G3 framework (40%); and the maximum number of reporting was published in 2014. The present study is the first research article including all businesses making SR in Turkey with all details.
文摘Sustainable construction in the future will be influenced significantly by the beliefs and actions of civil engineering students studying at university today. A comparative investigation of the appreciation and attitudes regarding sustainable construction of civil engineering students at The NUCE (National University of Civil Engineering) in Vietnam, and the Universities of Loughborough and Liverpool in the UK were therefore conducted. Results indicate that students at all three universities appreciate the importance of the development of sustainable construction and have positive attitudes with regards to sustainability. Construction design and appropriate use of materials were two issues generally considered the most important with regards to sustainability, but were also thought to be adequately covered on the courses in all three institutions.
文摘Lighting design is one of the fastest changing areas in building engineering. It has evolved significantly in recent years due to changing technology and demands for improved quality, better control, reduced energy and sustainability. This paper is an overview of what is happening in Europe and elsewhere and examines the literature to find that latest recommendations in the Code for Lighting issued by the SLL (Society of Light and Lighting) in the UK change previous demands for equal illuminance across a working plane to more specific and demanding criteria. There are recommendations for qualitative metrics and better distribution of light so as to enhance the visual appearance of interiors. European standards are also examined and the LENI (lighting energy numerical indicator) has been found to be a better way of reducing energy than installed load. New LED (light-emitting diode) lamp technology is examined and daylight is discussed in the context of these changing demands. It is found that lighting standards and design are changing for the better but that standards will need to evolve further if they are to ensure good quality lighting.