Ecosystem Management and its Application at the Local Level: APNEP, CAMA and Local Land Use Planning in North Carolina

A fundamental purpose of state-mandated growth management has been to infuse regional environmental concerns into local land use planning. Similarly, collaborative ecosystem planning efforts have attempted to encourage local communities to participate in regional planning efforts, and to adopt regional environmental goals and objectives into local land use plans. This paper presents results from a study of state-mandated local planning and collaborative regional planning, addressing in particular local ability to adopt and implement ecosystem planning initiatives for development management. I found that a state mandate not only achieves plans from communities that would not otherwise plan, but also the plans produced are of higher quality than plans made voluntarily without a mandate. However, while these plans generally acknowledge the need for regional resource protection, local plans are rarely go beyond stating support for State minimum resource protection rules. Conversely, I found that participation in a regional ecosystem planning effort had little effect on local land use policy. Within this context, key factors yielding more environmentally focused planning and implementation included local commitment to ecosystem planning, development pressure, and recent natural hazard impacts. Key factors steering communities away from ecosystem management included poor economic conditions, a desire to maintain local autonomy, and consultant-driven planning processes. Challenges for all communities include the ability to adopt policies that address biodiversity and regionally significant landscapes

Analysing the eThekwini green economy according to its dynamic and complex components for identifying leverage points.

Doctoral Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.It is widely accepted that climate change is taking place as a result of anthropogenic activities. The rapid rate of the current bout of climate change being experienced is unprecedented. Climate change results in disastrous consequences for humankind. However, climate change also offers opportunities which include the potential for developing a green economy. A green economy is a concept that will result in actions for enhancing the growth of an economy, while simultaneously protecting the environment and spurring progress towards social equity. This study was of the position that the eThekwini green economy is not well understood in terms of its dynamic and complex characteristics. Specifically, the core focus of the study was to identify the components that make up the eThekwini green economy, highlight the characteristics of the components, determine the manner in which those components interact, pinpoint leverage points in the system and develop a framework to depict the eThekwini green economy from the findings. Pragmatism was the guiding philosophical worldview for this research, which resulted in a mixed methods approach being adopted. Data collection tools included surveys, focus groups and interviews. The population and sample for this research consisted of sixteen purposely identified individuals for interviews. In addition, four hundred and ninety seven individuals were identified for survey participation and a total of twenty two for focus groups. It was noted during the study that many businesses that provide green related goods and services, do not view themselves as being part of the green economy. It is widely accepted that the eThekwini green economy does exist, albeit it has stemmed as organic growth from the broader economy. A total of seven key components were identified through the research, with a total of forty two sub components. In addition, a total of ten leverage points have been highlighted, the principal of which is that without addressing unemployment, discretionary income, inequality and Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita, the eThekwini green economy will not grow. It was further found that no component operates in isolation. Characteristics of components were broadly found to be made up of similar elements, but to differing degrees. A plethora of indicators were raised and synthesised into a matrix of five core indicator segments. All information gathered through the study resulted in the development of a framework that depicts the manner in which the eThekwini green economy operates

Satellite fixed communications service: A forecast of potential domestic demand through the year 2000. Volume 3: Appendices

Voice applications, data applications, video applications, impacted baseline forecasts, market distribution model, net long haul forecasts, trunking earth station definition and costs, trunking space segment cost, trunking entrance/exit links, trunking network costs and crossover distances with terrestrial tariffs, net addressable forecasts, capacity requirements, improving spectrum utilization, satellite system market development, and the 30/20 net accessible market are considered

Addressing Soil Degradation in EU Agriculture: Relevant Processes, Practices and Policies - Report on the project 'Sustainable Agriculture and Soil Conservation (SoCo)'

Agriculture occupies a substantial proportion of the European land, and consequently plays an important role in maintaining natural resources and cultural landscapes, a precondition for other human activities in rural areas. Unsustainable farming practices and land use, including mismanaged intensification as well as land abandonment, have an adverse impact on natural resources. Having recognised the environmental challenges of agricultural land use, the European Parliament requested the European Commission in 2007 to carry out a pilot project on "Sustainable Agriculture and Soil Conservation through simplified cultivation techniques" (SoCo). The project originated from a close cooperation between the Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development (DG AGRI) and the Joint Research Centre (JRC). It was implemented by the Institute for Prospective Technological Studies (IPTS) and the Institute for Environment and Sustainability (IES). This report presents the findings of a stock-taking of the current situation with respect to soil degradation processes, soil-friendly farming practices and relevant policy measures within an EU-wide perspective. This overview includes the results of the survey on the national/regional implementation of EU policies and national policies, a classification of the described soil degradation processes, soil conservation practices and policy measures, and finally the outcome of the Stakeholder Workshop which took place on 22 May 2008 in Brussels.JRC.J.5-Agriculture and Life Sciences in the Econom

CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY IN ROMANIA

The purpose of this paper is to identify the main opportunities and limitations of corporate social responsibility (CSR). The survey was defined with the aim to involve the highest possible number of relevant CSR topics and give the issue a more wholesome perspective. It provides a basis for further comprehension and deeper analyses of specific CSR areas. The conditions determining the success of CSR in Romania have been defined in the paper on the basis of the previously cumulative knowledge as well as the results of various researches. This paper provides knowledge which may be useful in the programs promoting CSR.Corporate social responsibility, Supportive policies, Romania

The rise of chain pharmacies in India: implications for public health.

Pharmacy retail markets in low and middle-income countries (LMIC) have traditionally been dominated by independently owned pharmacies, but economic growth has spurred the entry of pharmacy chains into these markets. Chains could be argued to have the potential to both improve quality and reduce price in comparison to independent pharmacies, however this has been little studied in LMICs. Using mixed methods, including a standardised patient survey, exit interviews with patients, and key informant interviews, research was undertaken to understand the effect of chain pharmacies, in India, on key public health concerns. The management of childhood diarrhoea and suspected tuberculosis was similarly substandard in chains and independents for most areas of assessment. However, chains sold significantly fewer harmful and prescription-only medicines for the diarrhoea patient. No significant price difference was found between chains and independents for the management of the TB case but the diarrhoea consultation was significantly cheaper at chains. Chains offered discounts on medicines, made possible by bulk purchasing and efficiencies in the supply chain. Customers patronising chain pharmacies were both more educated and relatively wealthier than those using independent pharmacies. In-depth interviews explored a set of hypotheses regarding how being organised in a chain may affect key behaviours relating to quality failures. In practice, few differences were identified: chains did not all have qualified pharmacists; the chain structure was not used to enforce regulation; and chain sales staff faced quite high-powered financial incentives. Chains did exert strong influence over customer service and sales, but the potential to exploit this control to improve quality was not realised. Given that the chains are not currently serving poorer groups, and the impact on quality of care was limited, any attempt to leverage this organisational model for public health improvement would require implementation of appropriate regulatory constraints and incentives

The rise of chain pharmacies in India: implications for public health.

Pharmacy retail markets in low and middle-income countries (LMIC) have traditionally been dominated by independently owned pharmacies, but economic growth has spurred the entry of pharmacy chains into these markets. Chains could be argued to have the potential to both improve quality and reduce price in comparison to independent pharmacies, however this has been little studied in LMICs. Using mixed methods, including a standardised patient survey, exit interviews with patients, and key informant interviews, research was undertaken to understand the effect of chain pharmacies, in India, on key public health concerns. The management of childhood diarrhoea and suspected tuberculosis was similarly substandard in chains and independents for most areas of assessment. However, chains sold significantly fewer harmful and prescription-only medicines for the diarrhoea patient. No significant price difference was found between chains and independents for the management of the TB case but the diarrhoea consultation was significantly cheaper at chains. Chains offered discounts on medicines, made possible by bulk purchasing and efficiencies in the supply chain. Customers patronising chain pharmacies were both more educated and relatively wealthier than those using independent pharmacies. In-depth interviews explored a set of hypotheses regarding how being organised in a chain may affect key behaviours relating to quality failures. In practice, few differences were identified: chains did not all have qualified pharmacists; the chain structure was not used to enforce regulation; and chain sales staff faced quite high-powered financial incentives. Chains did exert strong influence over customer service and sales, but the potential to exploit this control to improve quality was not realised. Given that the chains are not currently serving poorer groups, and the impact on quality of care was limited, any attempt to leverage this organisational model for public health improvement would require implementation of appropriate regulatory constraints and incentives

Systems in transition : from waste to resource : a study of supermarket food waste in Cape Town.

Includes abstract.Includes bibliographical references.This thesis explores the management of supermarket food waste in Cape Town. In doing so it highlights both its underutilisation and its potential transition from waste to resource. Through an extended micro study of a single case study store it traces the management of food waste from the supermarket into the wider systems of waste management in the city. It then explores the barriers and potentials for managing food waste further as a resource. While recycling has increased in the city over the past decade, this thesis demonstrates that at present there does not exist a comprehensive system for the recycling of supermarket food waste, particularly non-edible and animal protein wastes. As a result most of this waste is sent to landfill where it causes environmental damage and endangers human health