Development Scenarios of Sustainability for Golf: The Algarve Case

Golf is becoming a major industry worldwide. The majority of the Portuguese golf courses are located in the Algarve region. Golf tourism has a great economic impact on the Algarve and is regarded by local tourism developers as a vehicle for tackling the seasonal patterns of “mass tourism”. In consideration of the concerns of those involved in regional tourism and golf, the University of Algarve has developed a prospective study on the sustainability paths of this activity, starting from an integrated analysis of the reference conditions of golf in the Algarve, with respect to environmental, economic and social dimensions. This paper presents the sustainability assessment framework developed in this study and the results from its application to the Algarve’s golf courses through the definition and evaluation of three alternative development scenarios and their associated impacts. The application of economic, social and environmental indicators was a key tool for the construction of the “baseline”, “moderate” and “intensive scenarios”. It was concluded that the development of further golf activity in the Algarve should be framed within high service and environmental quality standards. The sustainability area for golf course development should vary between 29 and 41 gold courses (equivalent of 18 holes).

Environmental pressures and impacts of public sector organizations: the case of the Portuguese Military

Progress in Industrial Ecology, An International Journal, nº 4(5), p. 363-381Public institutions are beginning to realise that they must shift their management towards sustainability. Thus, public sector, including defence services, environmental performance evaluation is a growing reality. The main objective of this research was to assess the environmental pressures and impacts profile of the Portuguese defence sector. A questionnaire survey was conducted involving all Portuguese military units that have a person in charge of environmental issues. Respondents generally reported that the majority of their activities have few serious environmental problems. These results could show the respondents’ general perception of the increasing implementation of environmental management practices in military units and probably some lack of knowledge, but also a standard based on compliance with regulations. Many environmental pressures in the Portuguese military are related to primary environmental problems, such as water supply, wastewater and solid waste, showing that the integration of environmental awareness and practices into the Portuguese military is quite new

The state of environmental performance evaluation in the public sector: the case of the Portuguese defence sector

Journal of Cleaner Production, nº 17, p. 36-52The environmental performance evaluation (EPE) of organizations is becoming an autonomous management tool. The main goal of this research was to assess the state of EPE practice in the Portuguese defence sector, as a particular part of public services. A questionnaire survey was conducted involving all Portuguese military units that have a person in charge of environmental issues. The questionnaire was designed to assess: (i) the importance and drivers of EPE; (ii) the ISO 14031 knowledge and implementation; (iii) the knowledge and use of environmental indicators; (iv) the optimal format for indicators; and (v) the advantages and drawbacks of using environmental indicators. Despite various initiatives driving environmental practices in public organizations, most of that experience is only centred on an environmental management system, and EPE is quite a new issue. Nevertheless, general environmental performance evaluation is a growing reality and one in which Portuguese military units are taking an increasing interest. Overall respondents agree on the importance of measuring and communicating environmental performance related to their main missions and activities. The main drivers for EPE in military units are the prevention of health risks and compliance with regulations. However, to date, ISO 14031 and environmental performance indicators are almost unknown in the respondent military units. Among the three military branches, the Navy revealed the worst environmental performance evaluation knowledge, awareness and practice

Contribuição para o fabrico de um veículo guiado automaticamente

Os veículos guiados autonomamente (AGV) são cada vez mais utilizados hoje em dia fruto da sua capacidade de desempenhar tarefas de forma rápida e eficiente. Estes são capazes de lidar com os mais diversos tipos e disposições de carga, desde caixas ou paletes, carrinhos ou até mesmo contentores marítimos e rolos de papel. Estes podem conter diversos tipos de sistemas que lhes permitem fazer a sua navegação, consoante as suas necessidades. Utilizam diferentes métodos de controlo direcional, dependendo da sua aplicação e também podem possuir diferentes tipos de sistemas de carregamento de baterias. Este trabalho teve como objetivo o contributo e melhoramento da produção do AGV Active ONE, desenvolvendo também novos manuais técnicos para auxiliar a sua montagem, bem como a sua manutenção. Além disso, foram também alterados alguns processos de montagem de diversos componentes, de modo a serem mais eficientes e fiáveis através da produção de moldes (JIG) que auxiliam nessas tarefas. Foram também desenvolvidos diversos componentes para integrarem o interior do Active ONE e também uma caixa para realizar o seu transporte

Environmental performance policy indicators for the public sector: The case of the defence sector

The development of environmental performance policy indicators for public services, and in particular for the defence sector, is an emerging issue. Despite a number of recent initiatives there has been little work done in this area, since the other sectors usually focused on are agriculture, transport, industry, tourism and energy. This type of tool can be an important component for environmental performance evaluation at policy level, when integrated in the general performance assessment system of public missions and activities. The main objective of this research was to develop environmental performance policy indicators for the public sector, specifically applied to the defence sector. Previous research included an assessment of the environmental profile, through the evaluation of how environmental management practices have been adopted in this sector and an assessment of environmental aspects and impacts. This paper builds upon that previous research, developing an indicator framework-SEPI-supported by the selection and construction of environmental performance indicators. Another aim is to discuss how the current environmental indicator framework can be integrated into overall performance management. The Portuguese defence sector is presented and the usefulness of this methodology demonstrated. Feasibility and relevancy criteria are applied to evaluate the set of indicators proposed, allowing indicators to be scored and indicators for the policy level to be obtained. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Instrumentos de apoio à gestão do ambiente

Conteúdos acessíveis à comunidade de utilizadores com necessidades especiais - "Projeto Acessibilidades - UAb"info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Instrumentos de apoio à gestão do ambiente

Conteúdos acessíveis à comunidade de utilizadores com necessidades especiais - "Projeto Acessibilidades - UAb"info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Livro de Atas do III Encontro Internacional de História da Enfermagem: a enfermagem na oficina de Clio: perspetivas históricas em torno dos cuidados de saúde

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Os Municípios no Portugal Moderno

Os textos que agora se publicam resultaram do colóquio Os Municipios no Portugal Moderno. Dos Forais Manuelinos às Reformas Liberais, ocorrido em Montemor-o-Novo em Novembro de 2003 que constituiu urna iniciativa conjunta da Câmara Municipal de Montemor-o-Novo e do Centro Interdisciplinar de História, Culturas e Sociedades (CIDEHUS) da Universidade de Évora. Este conjunto de artigos, da autoria de indiscutíveis especialistas na área, ultrapassa, assim, a mera síntese dos temas e materias já conhecidos, procurando inventariar as lacunas e enunciando novos campos de investigacáo para a história do municipalismo em Portugal na época moderna. Pensamos, por isso, que esta obra, além de um roteiro da historiografía do poder local, constituí um verdadeiro ponto de partida para futuras investigações históricas