A Methodology to Develop the Integration of the Environmental Management System with Other Standardized Management Systems

Traditionally the global management system of an organization is frequently split into a number of individual management systems that are defined and implemented according to specific management systems standards (MSSs) as well as managed independently. The individual implementation of MSSs is an option that leads to several inefficiencies and sub-optimization of the global management system of an organization. As referred by ISO [1] the interested parties’ requirements increase. A more effective and efficient option for an organization is to integrate, into an integrated management system (IMS), the implementation and management of requirements of multiple MSSs. Certain difficulties are associated to the structuring process, implementation, verification, evaluation, improvement and progressive development of an IMS in the organizations. Several scholars have proposed various theoretical approaches regarding the integration of individual management systems (MSs) leading to the conclusion that there is not a common practice for all organizations as they encompass different characteristics. This paper aims to present and justify a designed methodology to be used by organizations to support the integration of various MSs. Among them are highlighted: the Environmental Management System (EMS) according ISO 14001 [2], the Quality Management System (QMS) according ISO 9001 [3], and the Occupational Health and Safety Management System (OH & SMS) according OHSAS 18001 [4]. The methodology was designed in the context of a Portuguese company, on sequence of an organizational diagnosis and a research that was performed through a questionnaire. The strategy and the research methods took into consideration the case study.

LCA in Environmental Management Systems—Results of Individual Interviews with Selected Enterprises from Poland and Sweden

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is an analytical tool used for the environmental optimization of products and services within the entirety of its life cycle. ISO 14040 recommends use of the technique in numerous areas of environmental management such as in designing for the environment, eco-labelling, environmental communications and the assessment of the effects of environmental activities. Despite being theoretically feasible, certain applications of the ecological assessment of a life cycle such as the possibility of identification and evaluation of environmental aspects with the use of LCA are, in practice, still new to many environmental managers. With its strong points, the technique seems to be a valuable tool, especially in the context of apparent concepts of Product-Oriented Environmental Management Systems (POEMS). In order to verify the hypothesis, the author decided to verify the level of use of LCA in the area of identification and assessment of environmental aspects in selected organizations. Therefore, questionnaire interviews were conducted with representatives of selected Polish and Swedish enterprises who, at the time of the interview, had certified environmental management systems. The organizations were analyzed with respect to applied methods and techniques used for identification and assessment of environmental aspects as well as the degree of use of LCA both in this respect and in other areas of environmental management. This paper will present the results of this research and conclusions.

Problems on the application of geographic information systems to urban environmental management

Geographic information systems (GIS) are a widely used tool in urban planning and management. More and more cities and decision-makers require its attributes of promptness, precision and visualization. But the application of GIS in urban environmental management is still a new field and relevant researches are getting on tardily. As a subsystem of GIS, an urban environmental management geographic information system (UEMGIS) should be a complex multi-discipline and multi-objective tool to perform quantitative multi-dimension analysis and to transfer the results into an expression legible to an ordinary user. It should be a dynamic system of prompt functions based on upgradable databases, and be composed of many subsystems respectively specialized in items about water, air, waste and noise as well as relative standards and regulations. However, existing UEMGISs mostly rely on the basic GIS too much to design the actual requirements of applications and managements in themselves, and the unavailability of sufficient fundamental data has retarded their improvement. In the design of a UEMGIS, the standardization of data classification should be taken into consideration to make the data exchangeable and shareable among its subsystems and within every subsystem, and the applicable error limits for input data should be defined in accordance with the user抯 required precision of data out. Data acquisition can be easy and quick if remote sensing, global positioning system (GPS) and other technologies are combined with GIS. Rapidly progressing information technologies have been giving a bright prospect for the melioration of UEMGIS that will have great potential and wide application in environmental conservation.

The 3D simulation and optimized management model of groundwater systems based on eco-environmental water demand

Through the study of mutual process between groundwater systems and eco-environmental water demand, the eco-environmental water demand is brought into groundwater systems model as the important water consumption item and unification of groundwater抯 economic, environmental and ecological functions were taken into account. Based on eco-environmental water demand at Da抋n in Jilin province, a three-dimensional simulation and optimized management model of groundwater systems was established. All water balance components of groundwater systems in 1998 and 1999 were simulated with this model and the best optimal exploitation scheme of groundwater systems in 2000 was determined, so that groundwater resource was efficiently utilized and good economic, ecologic and social benefits were obtained.

Study on Environmental Risk and Economic Benefits of Rotation Systems in Farmland of Erhai Lake Basin

This study was designed to find out an optimised planting system of reducing non-point （source） pollution by analyzing the reasons and the factors of influence non-point pollution in farmland of Erhai Lake basin. The results showed that incomes, residual nitrogen in soil, and the loss of nitrogen in surface water in rice-garlic system were higher than those in rice-fava bean system. There were positive correlations between the nitrogen loss of farmland, nitrogen inputs, residual nitrogen in soil, and incomes of farmland. Economic benefits and environment benefits are both appropriate, if the area of rice-garlic system would be reduced to 53% and the area of rice-fava bean system increased to 36% of total cropping area in the investigated watershed. Adjustment of planting structure and introduction of reasonable rotation systems is considered an effective measure of controlling agricultural non-point pollution in watersheds of Erhai Lake.

The alternative saline lake ecosystem states and adaptive environmental management

Our sustainable environmental management must be based on adequate ecological concepts. The question arises: what concept is better to use for understanding and management of ecosystems? To look for an answer, we concentrate our attention on saline lakes. Every ecosystem has several alternative stable states and may demonstrate regime shifts, which are large, abrupt, persistent changes in the structure and function of a system. To understand the dynamics of ecosystems the Concept of Multiplicity of Ecosystem Alternative Stable States as a new ecological paradigm has been developed recently. The author analyzes the emerging paradigm using the case of saline lakes, and discusses how to base our adaptive environmental management on the developing paradigm. Different issues of development of the concept and its application to salinology as a scientific basis of an integrated management of a saline lake and its watershed are discussed. The concept may serve as one of the key theoretical elements of the scientific basis in sustainable environmental management.

Survey on AI and Machine Learning Techniques for Microgrid Energy Management Systems

In the era of an energy revolution,grid decentralization has emerged as a viable solution to meet the increasing global energy demand by incorporating renewables at the distributed level.Microgrids are considered a driving component for accelerating grid decentralization.To optimally utilize the available resources and address potential challenges,there is a need to have an intelligent and reliable energy management system(EMS)for the microgrid.The artificial intelligence field has the potential to address the problems in EMS and can provide resilient,efficient,reliable,and scalable solutions.This paper presents an overview of existing conventional and AI-based techniques for energy management systems in microgrids.We analyze EMS methods for centralized,decentralized,and distributed microgrids separately.Then,we summarize machine learning techniques such as ANNs,federated learning,LSTMs,RNNs,and reinforcement learning for EMS objectives such as economic dispatch,optimal power flow,and scheduling.With the incorporation of AI,microgrids can achieve greater performance efficiency and more reliability for managing a large number of energy resources.However,challenges such as data privacy,security,scalability,explainability,etc.,need to be addressed.To conclude,the authors state the possible future research directions to explore AI-based EMS's potential in real-world applications.

Analysis on the Influencing Factors and Comprehensive Management of Environmental Problems in Dongping Lake

[Objective]We aimed to study the influencing factors and comprehensive management of environmental problems in Dongping Lake.[Method]Based on field investigation and historical data,environmental problems of Dongping Lake and their influencing factors were analyzed,and seven measures about comprehensive management of environmental issues and ecological protection of Dongping Lake were put forward.[Result]During recent years,the content of total nitrogen and total phosphorus in Dongping Lake showed a decreasing trend,but the water was still in the eutrophic state.The environmental problems of Dongping Lake,like flood,drought and pollution,are closely linked to natural and man-made factors,such as regional seasonal precipitation,industrial and agricultural pollution,etc.In order to control the environmental problems of Dongping Lake,we should strengthen the construction and management of wetland nature reserves,develop ecological agriculture,establish an integral system for environmental monitoring and information management,reinforce propaganda and education to improve residents’ environmental consciousness,etc.[Conclusion]The research could provide scientific references for the comprehensive management of environmental problems in Dongping Lake and its basin.

Overview on Environmental Comprehensive Management System Established in Imitation of Biome

Environmental comprehensive management system, called “the bionic community”, can be established in imitation of biome, which can transform the wastes generated in a certain field into the raw materials of other field. The establishment of the bionic community includes two aspects, i.e., the matching technique and the management system. The main matching technique is the preparation of composite materials made of various wastes. This new kind of material can be divided into four types: polymer matrix, silicate matrix, metal matrix and carbon matrix(or ceramic matrix). The environmental comprehensive management system is formed by organizing a trans-trades joint-management business entity with the products of composite material made of wastes at the core.

Integration of Individualized Management Systems （MSs） as an Aggregating Factor of Sustainable Value for Organizations An Overview Through a Review of the Literature

Nowadays, there exist various standards for individual management systems （MSs）, at least, one for each stakeholder. New ones will be published. An integrated management system （IMS） aims to integrate some or all components of the business into one coherent and efficient MS. Maximizing integration is more and more a strategic priority in that it constitutes an opportunity to eliminate and/or reduce potential factors of destruction of value for the organizations and also to be more competitive and consequently promote its sustainable success. A preliminary investigation was conducted on a Portuguese industrial company which, over the years, has been adopting gradually, in whole or in part, individualized management system standards （MSSs）. A research, through a questionnaire, was performed with the objective to develop, in a real business environment, an adequate and efficient IMS-QES （quality, environment, and safety） model and to potentiate for the future a generic IMS model to integrate other MSSs. The strategy and research methods have taken into consideration the case study. It was obtained a set of relevant conclusions resulting from the statistical analyses of the responses to the survey. Globally, the investigation results, by themselves, justified and prioritized the conception of a model of development of the IMS-QES and consequent definition and validation of a structure of an IMS-QES model, to be implemented at the small- and medium-sized enterprise （SME） where the investigation was conducted.

Environmental management system and community＇s spillover behavior

The purpose of this study is to explore how business organizations could effectively promote positive environmental norms among a larger section of the community. This study hypothesized that the development of a feeling of high involvement among employees of organizations implementing the Environmental Management System （EMS） could result in the spillover phenomena of other environmentally responsible behavior in different domains such as, consumer preferences for environment-friendly products. The study also confirms the effects of environmental attitude （EA） and concrete knowledge （CK） as a mediator; acting not only as an axis to the spillover phenomenon but is also found to be the crucial factor in determining the strength of the whole spillover process.

The Use of Life Cycle Management Principles in Biosystems Engineering： A Pragmatic Approach to Solving Agri-industrial Sustainability Problems

LCM （life cycle management） is a systematic approach, mindset and culture that considers economic, social, and environmental factors among other factors in the decision making process throughout various business or organizational decisions that affect both inputs and outputs of a product or service life cycle. It is a product, process, or activity management system aimed at minimizing environmental and socio-economic burdens associated with an organization＇s product or process during its entire life cycle and value chain. LCM＇s application is gaining wider acceptance both in the corporate and governmental organizations as an approach to reduce ecological footprints and to improve the sustainability of human activities. But where and how can it be used in agricultural engineering applications？ This study highlights the potential areas of LCM application in agricultural and allied sectors and how it can be utilized. The study revealed that LCM tools such as design for environment and life cycle analysis can be used to evaluate the environmental impacts of-and to improve the products, equipment, and structures produced by biosystems engineers as well as the processes used to generate them.

Land Use and Forest Dynamics in the Context of Redd+: Pathway to Sustainable Environmental Management*

Reverting to nature as a major arsenals in a universal fight against Climate Change impact and loss of biodiversity, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), views sustainable Land use and Forest (the main crux of the Glasgow declaration 2021) as the way to go. Forest conservation, protection and management in the context of REDD+ would guarantee sustainable ecosystem and mitigate climate change impacts. At National and subnational levels, the Nigerian REDD+ readiness scheme holds out hope for environmental sustainability. This study throws light into the historical background of trends in land use forest change in Nigeria, and places Nigeria on a “red” stage 3 (Low Forest Cover, High Deforestation Rate-LFHD) status while maintaining optimism that with REDD+ properly implemented in Nigeria, Stage 4: Low forest cover, Low Deforestation Rates (LFLD) and Stage 5: Low forest cover, Negative Deforestation Rates (LFND) can be achieved by 2030 and 2050 respectively, if the trio of reforestation, afforestation and natural restoration is practiced as a matter of national policy and subnational implementation within the context of REDD+. Four (4) broad drivers of deforestation and forest degradation were identified as direct, indirect, pre-disposing and planned /unplanned. The paper concludes that a viable pathway to sustainable environmental management is appropriate monitoring and evaluation of land use and forest dynamics in the context of REDD+.

On division management for environmental system of China: lessons from European local sustainable development

The concept of sustainable development, after being brousht forward, has become a shibboleth in the world, at national and local levels. In Europe, this concept is implemented from the local to tha nation, even to the Continent. The local sustainable development mainly consists in two factors： one is the renovating method continually invented by European Secretariot of ICLEI, and the other is that the local authorities towards sustainability are co-operated by the European Sustainable Cities and Towns Campaign. The coo-budget method is the outcome of tbese factors, For our country is a big country, on rapid progression of indastrialization and urbanization, with a large population and scarce resoarces per capita, it is practically significance to study us soon as possible the methodology. Experience from European local sustainable development may help us to resolve the handicap of departraent division in local a, tbority.

A regional environmental management information system for Chinese EPA—the system analysis and design

REMIS is one of key research projects sponsored by the central government. It is recommended to regional EPAs as a main tool of the environmental management. REMIS simulates the functions of the regional EPAs and aimed to improve their management level. The national environmental management information system will base on REMIS.Functional analysis is the kernel of the REMIS system analysis. Data and data flow analysis are used to support the functional analysis.Investigations on the functions of the local EPAs of eight provinces and 12 cities have been taken. The functions were carefully sorted. Modular design method was used in system analysis and system design.The system analysis included functional analysis, data analysis and data flow analysis. The system design is based on the system analysis. HIPO diagram of each modular, data base structure, menu design, selection of hardware and software environment were the main items of the system design.

Participatory Environmental Management and its Framework of Group Decision Support System

Considering some drawbacks of the mainstream approach to environmental management (EM),the conception and basic idea of Participatory EM(PEM) are put forward.PEM possesses some main features and benefits that are superior to the mainstream approach,but also faces the crucial constraint in decision-making.The dilemma can be effectively settled by applying an advanced decision-making support tool-group decision support system(GDSS).On the basis of recognizing the complex decision-making environment of PEM,this paper describes the components of GDSS for PEM(PEM-GDSS) and further discusses the basic requirement of PEM-GDSS.

Discussion of the problems of environmental protection in the city management

Since the reform and opening up, the construction in all aspects of our country has achieved a rapid development, and especially the development of the industrial construction is also more prominent, so that each big city rapidly moves forward. But in the development at the same time, some of the issues are inevitable. The rapid development of the cities has attracted a large population, and there are more and more large factories, so that there is more and more pollution in the life and production, which brings greater security risks to the human life and health, and let the cities more difficult to manage. So how to solve these problems and make the cities develop better is a problem worth pondering.

Watershed environmental management framework based on economic theory

Based on the meaning of economic theory as well as analysis of relevant characteristics of watershed environmental management,a watershed environmental management framework will be created,with building systems of theory,principles,methods,and supporting measures.Through the general structure,the watershed environmental management system design can be explored to optimize the allocation of resources and achieve coordinated development of watershed economic growth and environmental protection.

GIS Database Template for Environmental Management of Mining in Indonesia

Mining sector in Indonesia faces many challenges including needed to support national economy, compliance to central and local government regulations, local community empowerment and environmental impact management. Mining companies are mandatory to perform the environmental management efforts to minimize the negative impact to the environment and pursue sustainability of post-mining land use and as much as possible to restore land to the initial conditions. There are many challenges on management multi parameter and multi temporal spatial data of environmental management. The aim of this research is to design the GIS database template for environmental management in Indonesia’s mining operation. This GIS database is designed using ArcCatalog ArcGIS 9.3 software, through following steps: inventory and assessment government regulations, inventory and assessment environmental quality standards, sorting and grouping parameters, design feature class and attribute, create GIS database, create GIS database dictionary. According to research result, GIS database template has many advantages for environmental management include integrated into a single database, avoid redundancy data, reduce volume data, uniformity data, easy to find and track data, integrated spatial and attribute data, can be used as an input for GIS analysis for decision-making and development strategies.

Coupling trade-offs and supply-demand of ecosystem services(ES):A new opportunity for ES management

The trade-offs and supply-demand relations of ecosystem services(ES)are at the frontier of geographical and ecological studies.However,previous studies have focused on either trade-offs or the supply-demand aspects,while ES conflicts and supply/demand contradictions have not been comprehensively examined.The relation-ship between ES trade-offs and supply-demand is logically valid and studying the coupling of both can provide approaches for simultaneously alleviating ES conflicts and supply-demand contradictions.This study,based on a review of previous analyses of ES trade-offs and supply-demand dynamics,proposes a new analytic framework to couple them.First,we define two types of trade-offs based on the directions of growth or decline of the two ser-vices.We also define the supply-demand balance area and the supply-demand risk area according to the ES flow characteristics.Second,the mechanisms driving ES trade-offs are clarified,and land-use scenarios are set based on the mechanisms.Third,the supply-demand spatial characteristics of ES are analyzed,and supply-demand risk areas are identified.Finally,scenario iterations are performed to minimize the supply-demand risk area at an acceptable trade-offintensity to identify an optimal land use plan,which simultaneously alleviates ES conflicts and supply-demand contradictions.This analytic framework offers new opportunities for improving sustainable ecosystem management.