Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Sustainability objectives'

In a world where almost half of the population lives in poverty, the alleviation of poverty is a serious developmental challenge for many states. Microfinance has grown in popularity as a means for achieving poverty reduction all over the world. Due to the success of microfinance institutions, such as the Grameen Bank, in achieving self-sufficiency and improving the lives of its clients, the expectations for similar institutions are high. MFIs attempt to find a balance between business and development goals. It is not necessarily a contradiction to be a business seeking profit as well as being an institution committed to development. However, the values coupled with these two objectives are sometimes conflicting. Thus it is important to see how equilibrium can be achieved and to note what sacrifices must be made in order to reach a balance. This thesis will focus on examining and assessing the challenges faced by South African MFIs in balancing development goals while at the same time having to be self-sufficient. The Small Enterprise Foundation will be used as a case study to consider the particular experiences of a South African MFI. The evaluation of the unique challenges that the South African landscape presents will provide a context in which to understand microfinance operations and a clearer understanding of the particular problems and challenges faced by the South African micro-finance industry in balancing the achievement of development goals against the imperative to be self sustainable in providing services to the poor. Through that understanding the common conception of what makes a “successful” MFI will also be challenged.

In this thesis, the framework within which long-term goals are set and subsequently achieved or approached is analyzed. Sustainable development and climate change are areas in which goals have tobe set despite uncertainties. The analysis is divided into the normative motivations for setting such goals, what forms of goals could be set given the empirical and normative uncertainties, and how tomanage doubts regarding achievability or values after a goal has been set. Paper I discusses a set of questions that moral theories intended to guide goal-setting should respond to. It is often claimed that existent normative theories provide only modest guidance regarding climate change, and consequently have to be revised or supplemented. Two such suggested revisions or supplements are analyzed in order to determine whether they provide such guidance. Paper II applies the deep ecological framework to survey the extent to which it can be utilized to discuss issues concerning the management of climate change. It is suggested that the deep ecological framework can provide guidance by establishing a normative framework and an analysis of how the overarching values and principles can be specified to be relevant for actions. Paper III is focused on normative political theory, and explicates the two dimensions of empirical and normative uncertainty. By applying recent discussions in normative political theory on ideal/non-ideal theory, political realism, and the relation between normative demands and empirical constraints,strategies for managing the proposed goals are suggested. Paper IV suggests a form of goal that incorporates uncertainties. Cautious utopias allow greater uncertainty than realistic goals (goals that are known to be achievable or approachable, and desirable),but not to the same extent as utopian goals (goals wherein it is highly uncertain whether the goal can actually be achieved). Such goals have a performance-enhancing function. A definition and quality criteria for such goals are proposed. Paper V considers whether a goal that is becoming all the more unlikely to be achievable should be reconsidered. The paper focuses on the two degrees Celsius target, and asks whether it could still be a sensible goal to aspire to. By applying the principle that ‘ought’ implies ‘can’, the role of such obligations is investigated. Paper VI surveys how to treat circumstances in which an already set goal should be reconsidered and possibly revised, and what would evoke doubt in the belief upon which those goals have been set.Two situations are analyzed: (i) a problematic or surprising event occurs, upsetting confidence in one’s relevant beliefs, or (ii) respectable but dissenting views are voiced concerning one’s means and/or values. It is suggested that the validity of doubt has to be considered, in addition to the level in a goal-means hierarchy towards which doubt is raised.

QC 20151204

Thesis (doctoral)--Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 2004.
Appendix includes reprints of four papers and manuscripts co-authored with others. Also issued electronically via World Wide Web in PDF format.

Forests are key providers of terrestrial ecosystem services such as climate regulation, water purification, natural pest control, habitats for biodiversity, as well as different forms of wood based materials and food. Nevertheless forests are dangerously exposed to great pressures from various kinds of societal activities. This report examines the importance of forests for the (i) maintenance of life supporting functions of the biosphere as well as for (ii) providing a flexible resource base for the satisfying of human needs on more and more sustainability-driven markets. How can Swedish forestry be managed such that those two essential roles of forests become mutually supportive? The report also relates the results to three relevant and well-citied protocols for the subject: the Sustainable Development Goals in UN’s Agenda 2030, the Swedish Environmental Quality Objectives, and the Swedish National Forest Program. The approach applied Maxwell’s process design for qualitative research. Data have been collected from literature search and interviews of experts and the analytical instrument for modeling of data was the Framework for Strategic Sustainable Development (FSSD). The report concludes: Sustainable development for forestry relies on a paradigm shift in civilization’s perception of forestry to a practice where planning departures from envisioning a future where natural forest functions to sustain higher life forms and civilization are safeguarded and prioritized before other usages of forestland, and where diversity is enhanced in terms of tree age and species to foster more resilient and high-quality timber forests. When the above points are achieved, the higher diversity of more resilient forests should also have potential to supply markets with various kinds of resources offered to more and more sustainability driven markets. Furthermore, this development of society’s forest use increases the chances for civilization to be sustainable also with relatively smaller forest areas put aside for no forestry at all. In such a situation forestry and society have prioritized forest products and usages with long life spans before such with short. A future sustainable Swedish forest sector has recognized the above, and drawn an essential conclusion from it: the interdependency of forests with society’s overall sustainability performance calls for a cooperative approach that departures from an understanding of basic sustainability principles that are shared across sectors and disciplines. The Sustainable Development Goals, the Swedish Environmental Objectives and the Swedish National Forest Program all fail to take the above broad- systems perspective when it comes to proposing measures for the future, including how to advise further research to explore what the sustainable Swedish forestry could entail. The study arrives at pointing out an overall approach to analyses, planning and further research in those regards, rather than evaluating details on the path towards sustainable forestry.
Skogen är en nyckelresurs i den landbaserade naturen som förser samhället med ekosystemtjänster såsom klimatreglering, vattenrening, naturlig skadedjursbekämpning, habitat för biologisk mångfald, likväl som olika former av träfiberbaserade material och mat. Samtidigt är skogen hotad av kraftigt tryck från olika aktiviteter i samhället. Den här rapporten undersöker skogens betydelse för (i) upprätthållande av biosfärens livsuppehållande funktioner, samt som (ii) flexibel resurs när det gäller att förse mänskliga behov på alltmer hållbarhetsdrivna marknader. Hur bör skogen skötas så att dessa två roller stödjer varandra? Rapporten relaterar också resultaten till tre relevanta och vanligt citerade protokoll: hållbarhetsmålen i FNs Agenda 2030, de svenska miljömålen och det svenska nationella skogsprogrammet. Forskningen har strukturerats med hjälp av Maxwells process-design för kvalitativ forskning. Data har samlats in genom litteraturstudier och från intervjuer med experter. Modellering av data har gjorts genom att använda ramverket för strategisk hållbar utveckling (FSSD) som analysinstrument. Rapporten kommer fram till att: Hållbar utveckling för skogsbruket är beroende av ett paradigmskifte. En skogsskötsel där (i) planering utgår från att föreställa sig en framtid där skogens funktioner för högre liv på jorden är säkrade och satta före annan användning av skogsmark, och (ii) mångfald är främjad gällande trädens ålder och antalet arter så att mer resilienta skogar kan bidra med högkvalitativt timmer. När skogen förvaltas på det sättet så bör de mer diversa och resilienta skogarna ha möjlighet att förse marknader med olika resurser som kan visa sig vara viktiga på alltmer hållbarhetsdrivna marknader. Vidare borde denna utveckling av samhälles skogsanvändning öka chanserna för civilisationen att bli hållbar med relativt mindre ytor reserverade för att skyddas mot skogsbruk. Med en sådan förvaltning har skogsägare och samhället i stort prioriterat produkter och användningsområden med långa livslängder före sådana med korta livslängder. En framtida hållbar svensk skogssektor har insett allt ovanstående och dragit en väsentlig slutsats från det: beroendet mellan skogen och samhällets övergripande hållbarhetsarbete kräver samarbete utgående från grundläggande hållbarhetsprinciper som delas över sektors- och disciplingränser. Hållbarhetsmålen i Agenda 2030, de svenska miljömålen och det svenska nationella skogsprogrammet saknas alla ett tillräckligt brett systemperspektiv när det gäller att föreslå åtgärder för framtiden, inklusive att ge rekommendationer för framtida forskning om hållbart svenskt skogsbruk. Studien pekar snarare ut en övergripande inriktning för analyser, planering och forskning om hållbart svenskt skogsbruk, än utvärderar de exakta stegen på vägen dit.

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This thesis examines the effects of the anti-deforestation programs on Brazil’s economic sustainability goals and the related effects on the objectives for sustainable development of the Strategic Partnership between Brazil and the European Union (EU). Specifically, it asks whether the Kyoto Protocol’s Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), if implemented in Brazil in order to achieve a reduction in greenhouse gases, runs counter to the development and sustainability objectives of the Strategic Partnership with the EU and may, in fact, slow progress on the reduction of poverty. Can Brazil pursue all of these policy objectives at once? Although Brazil produces most of its energy with renewable resources, massive problems in deforestation still occur. The thesis expands in detail on the climatic objectives and the economic relations within the strategic transatlantic relationship. The climatic goals are presented in depth, and the impact on sustainable economy and development are examined through two specific CDM projects and their effects on the economic development objectives of the Brazilian government. In addition, the results of the CDM project comparison are overlaid on the sustainable development objectives of the Strategic Partnership between the EU and Brazil. Are the achievements of the project objectives in line with the objectives of the Strategic Partnership goals concerning the topic of sustainability in climate change, economy, and development?

The sustainable development concept has entered the urban planning agenda of Turkey mainly after Habitat II Conference held in Istanbul in 1996. Turkey is trying to adopt the experiences of developed countries to improve the planning system including the sustainable development criteria. In this study, planning experience of Mugla is selected as a case study to criticize and evaluate on the changing planning process of cities in Turkey in terms of sustainable development criteria, which requires new approaches that are integrative and participative between local and global context. In the case of Mugla, the urban form has shaped according to the development areas declared in the plans as additional districts to the traditional city since 1930s
that is, the result was not sustainable in the long run because of some environmental, socio-economic and political values. In the thesis, the problems of the case related to planning experience through sustainable development objectives are stated and solutions are proposed for a sustainable city.

Trots en låg efterfrågan och ett svagt intresse för miljövänligt resande bland konsumenterna arbetar charterföretagen målmedvetet med miljöförbättringar såväl under flygningen som på destinationen med boende, service och transfer. Denna studie granskar vad charterbolagen ämnar uppnå med sitt miljöinriktade CSR-arbete. Uppsatsen prognostiserar och urskiljer även företagens framtida arbete för miljön. Att arbeta för hållbart resande bidrar till minskade kostnader i form av lägre bränsleförbrukning och leder därmed i förlängningen till ökad avkastning. Högre lönsamhet kan även på sikt uppnås i form av ökad legitimitet och ökat anseende bland konsumenterna vilket bland annat kan bidra till fler sålda resor. Även att attrahera och behålla betydelsefulla intressenter samt god kompetens inom företaget gör att miljöarbetet blir viktigt ur konkurrenssynpunkt. Charterföretagen måste anpassa sig efter en föränderlig omvärld och nästkommande generationers allt högre krav. Företagens ansvarstagande och att verka för en bättre miljö blir då mycket centralt och ses som en del av kärnverksamheten. I framtiden kommer det, i större utsträckning än idag, finnas med i alla handlingar charterföretagen utför. Att verka för miljön är inte enbart en fråga om ekonomisk lönsamhet utan även om långsiktig hållbarhet.

Despite a low demand and a weak interest in environmental travel among consumers the charter travel agencies objectively work with environmental improvements on the flight but also at the destinations with housing, service and transfer. The thesis examines the charter travel agencies’ purposes with environment-oriented CSR and forecast the future work for the corporations. The work for sustainable travel results in lower fuel costs and therefore higher profits. Higher profitability and sales can also be possible in the long run because an increase in legitimacy and reputation among consumers. To attract and retain important partners and staff with high competences makes the environment-oriented work important also through a competition perspective. The charter travel agencies have to adapt to a changeable world and a higher demand from the next generation. The responsibilities of the corporations and to work with environment-oriented CSR is getting more important will be a part of the core business. In the future it will be a part of each activity the corporations are involved in. To work with environment-oriented CSR is not just a question about profitability but also sustainability in the long run.

Bakgrund och problem: I och med en ökad oro för miljöfrågor tvingas företag anpassa sig genom att försöka sänka sin negativa miljöpåverkan. Detta kan åstadkommas med hjälp av att företag tar fram och implementerar lämpliga hållbarhetsstrategier. Hållbarhetsarbetet har blivit ett allt viktigare strategiskt verktyg som kan resultera i en konkurrensfördel. Tidigare forskning belyser varför företag arbetar med hållbarhet, däremot finns det få genomförda studier som praktiskt undersöker hur företag tillämpar styrning av det miljömässiga hållbarhetsarbetet. Syfte: Studiens övergripande syfte är att bidra med en ökad förståelse för hur styrning av miljömässigt hållbarhetsarbete utformas och implementeras i praktiken. Detta görs med hjälp av att undersöka hur företag arbetar med miljömässiga hållbarhetsstrategier, mål och prestationsmått genom att fokusera på planering och uppföljning. Vidare ämnar studien analysera hur strategierna, målen och måtten kommuniceras inom företag för att undersöka hur väl dessa genomsyrar samtliga delar i verksamheten. Metod: Studien har tagit ansats i en kvalitativ forskningsmetod och applicerat en mini-flerfallstudie bestående av sex olika företag där den empiriska datainsamlingen utgjorts av semistrukturerade intervjuer. Forskningsansatsen är deduktiv med induktiva inslag. Vidare har intervjuerna genomförts i syfte att skapa en förståelse om hur företag styr sitt miljömässiga hållbarhetsarbete. Slutsats: Det kan konstateras att det inte finns någon tydlig lösning på hur företag ska arbeta med hållbarhetsfrågor. Vidare ses hållbarheten som en långsiktig process vilken blir alltmer integrerad i företagens mer traditionella ekonomistyrsystem snarare än att ses som ett enskilt styrsystem. Ledningens engagemang avgör huruvida de anställda inspireras samt involveras i hållbarhetsarbetet. Den högsta ledningens engagemang avspeglar således hur hållbarhetsarbetet implementeras och spelar därmed en betydande roll i styrningen mot miljömässig hållbarhet.
Background and problem: With an increased concern for environmental issues, companies are forced to adapt by trying to reduce their negative environmental impact. This can be achieved by developing and implementing appropriate sustainability strategies. Sustainability work has become an increasingly important strategic tool that can result in a competitive advantage. Previous research has examined why companies work with sustainability. However, there are few completed studies that practically consider how companies manage their environmental sustainability work. Purpose: The purpose of the study is to contribute with an understanding of how the management of environmental sustainability work is designed and implemented in practice. This is done by examining how companies work with environmental sustainability strategies, objectives and performance measures by focusing on planning and control. The study intends to analyze how the strategies, objectives and measures are communicated within all parts of the organization. Method: The qualitative study has been made by a smaller multiple case study represented by six different companies using semi-structured interviews. The research approach is deductive with inductive elements. Furthermore, the interviews were conducted in order to create an understanding of how companies manage their environmental sustainability work. Conclusion: It can be stated that there is no clear solution on how companies should work with sustainability issues. Furthermore, sustainability is seen as a long-term process which is becoming more integrated into companies' traditional financial management systems rather than being seen as an individual management system. The management's commitment determines whether the employees are inspired and involved in the sustainability work. The top management's commitment reflects how the sustainability work is implemented and plays a significant role in the management towards environmental sustainability.

“Start with Sustainability” articulates the need to design products sustainably and provides designers with tools that enable them to do so. My thesis argues that a sustainable design practice is achieved by asking critical questions that anticipate social and environmental implications of our design decisions and enable discussion about it. My thesis also argues that by asking these questions early in the design process—at the problem-framing phase, enables them to largely impact the decisions going forward. The “Start with Sustainability” framework combines two models for—the Triple Bottom Line and the Life Cycle Analysis. The framework juxtaposes them to reveal more comprehensive concerns about the social, environmental and economic attributes of product life cycles. The solution then provides a set of critical questions at the intersections of these models, enabling the designer to better recognize the interdependencies between their design and other complex problems. These questions are asked in the form of a deck of cards that also include resources to aid designers to discuss and address these problems. In response to user testing, “Start with Sustainability” also includes a website for further participation and additional resources. The website would serve as a participatory way to build a repository of resources that can be customized towards the needs of different disciplines within product design.

The fundamental objective of this research is to design and propose an appropriate community benefit model that can be implemented by a forestry company in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. De Beer, Rutsch and Eliffe (1998) describe community benefits as a collection of social and economic opportunities through which people are able to improve the quality of their lives or the lives of others. This study proposes a model that can be implemented in a manner that is mutually beneficial to the forestry company concerned and its community stakeholders.

Philosophiae Doctor - PhD (Public Administration)
The significance of small, micro, and medium enterprises (SMEs) development cannot be overemphasized because it plays a considerable role in a nation's economy particularly in developing countries. SMEs' contributions include job creation, expanding the means of sustainable livelihoods and ensuring impartial distribution of wealth amongst citizens. This study evaluates monitoring and evaluation systems, policy and programmes of the Small Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) to develop and transform the informal sector of the economy. The main purpose of the establishment of SMEDAN is to facilitate the promotion and development of a structured and effective small and medium enterprises sector that will provide informal employment for unemployed, and enhance sustainable livelihood and economic development in Nigeria. Unemployment and increased poverty levels are key challenges to the government of Nigeria, which has resulted in socio-economic and political unrest across the nation. Against the background of high unemployment rate, especially amongst the youth and the deteriorating fortunes of small and medium businesses in Nigeria, questions can be asked in relation to current initiatives and policies to support SME sector.

New Zealand's Antarctic research station, Scott Base, is currently 100% reliant on aviation turbine fuel and existing diesel generator sets to produce the heat and electricity necessary to sustain staff activities. Decreasing fuel consumption at Scott Base has benefits economically, politically and environmentally. A method of reducing fuel consumption and increasing base independence that is receiving considerable attention from Antarctica New Zealand is the addition of wind power to the existing energy system. A performance-objective design of a wind-diesel hybrid energy system for Scott Base is proposed in order to determine the most effective hybrid system configuration with the lowest cost within a set of system constraints. A demand side management technique is also evaluated as a measure to further increase potential fuel savings. Modelling is completed using the simulation tool HOMER and results are presented for several different system configurations.

Sustainable approaches have been extensively proposed in product, process and system levels. However, a lack of applicable solutions for these methods is identified in the existing research. This research considers uncertainties affecting sustainable systems and comprehensively discusses the need for the optimal design in product and system levels under uncertainty. Based on the economic, social and environmental requirements of a sustainable product, and uncertainties in engineering systems, two innovative methods are proposed. The methods, including agent-based modeling (ABM) and Big Data, quantify effects of users’ preference changes as a significant uncertainty source in a product design process. The effect of quantified uncertainties on the product sustainability is then evaluated, and solutions to reduce the effects are developed. Through a novel control engineering method, uncertainties are modeled in the design process of a product. Using two mathematical models, the cost and environmental impacts in the design process are minimized under users’ preference changes. The models search for an optimal number of iterations in the design process to achieve a sustainable solution. The methods have been extended to model and optimize the sustainable system design under uncertainties. Design of Eco-Industrial Parks (EIPs) is a practical and scientific solution to achieve sustainable industries. To improve the feasibility of flow exchanges between industries in an EIP under several uncertainties, this research provides a perspective analysis for establishing flow exchanges between industries. The sources of uncertainties in the EIPs are then comprehensively studied, and research gaps are highlighted. Finally, models to optimize flow exchanges between industries are presented and the validity of models is evaluated using real data. A major is including all sustainability pillars in the proposed approach. The research addresses users’ preferences to highlight the role of individuals in the society. Moreover, the economic and environmental objective functions have been considered for optimal decision making in the design process. This research underlines the role of uncertainty studies in the sustainable system design. Multiple classifications, perspective analysis, and optimization objectives are presented to help decision makers with the optimal design of sustainable systems under uncertainties.
February 2017

Sustainability concerns are increasingly shaping customers' behavior as well as companies' strategy. In this context, optimizing the supply chain with sustainability considerations is becoming a critical issue. However, work with quantitative models is still scarce. Our research contributes by revisiting classical inventory models taking sustainability concerns into account. We believe that reducing all aspects of sustainable development to a single objective is not desirable. We thus reformulate single and multi-echelon economic order quantity models as multi-objective problems. These models are then used to study several options such as buyer-supplier coordination or green technology investment. We also consider that firms are becoming increasingly proactive with respect to sustainability. We thus propose to apply multiple criteria decision aid techniques instead of considering sustainability as a constraint. In this sense, the firm may provide preference information about economic, environmental and social tradeoffs and quickly identify a satisfactory solution.

Since the introduction of sustainable development, industries have witnessed significant sustainability challenges. Literature shows that the food industry is concerned about its need for efficient and effective management practices in dealing with perishability and the requirements for conditioned storage and transport of food products that effect the environment. Hence, the environmental part of sustainability demonstrates its significance in this industrial sector. Despite this, there has been little research into environmentally sustainable inventory management of deteriorating items. This thesis presents mathematical modelling based research for production inventory systems in perishable food supply chains. In this study, multi-objective mixed-integer linear programming models are developed to determine economically and environmentally optimal production and inventory decisions for a two-echelon supply chain. The supply chain consists of single sourcing suppliers for raw materials and a producer who operates under a make-to-stock or make-to-order strategy. The demand facing the producer is non-stationary stochastic in nature and has requirements in terms of service level and the remaining shelf life of the marketed products. Using data from the literature, numerical examples are given in order to test and analyse these models. The computational experiments show that operational adjustments in cases where emission and cost parameters were not strongly correlated with supply chain collaboration (where suppliers and a producer operate under centralised control), emissions are effectively reduced without a significant increase in cost. The findings show that assigning a high disposal cost, limit or high weight of importance to perished goods leads to appropriate reduction of expected waste in the supply chain with no major cost increase. The research has made contributions to the literature on sustainable production and inventory management; providing formal models that can be used as an aid to understanding and as a tool for planning and improving sustainable production and inventory control in supply chains involving deteriorating items, in particular with perishable food supply chains.

Eco-labels are increasingly important to certify food that is produced under sustainable conditions. In this paper variables are analysed that are important for consumers’ purchase decisions of eco-labelled food exemplified by the case of Fairtrade products. The focus lies on the distinction between people’s subjective (perceived) knowledge and objective knowledge (actual) about the Fairtrade label. The empirical data for the study was gathered by a survey, which involved a quota sampling of 203 people in Berlin. The results justify the distinction between subjective and objective knowledge. Subjective knowledge proved to be a strong predictor for both attitude and consumption towards the label, whereas objective knowledge did not show a significant influence. Further, attitude in general was confirmed to be a predictor for the consumption of Fairtrade products.

The overall goals of this dissertation are to investigate the sustainability of the built environment, holistically, by assessing its Triple Bottom Line (TBL): environmental, economic, and social impacts, as well as propose cost-effective, socially acceptable, and environmentally benign policies using several decision support models. This research is anticipated to transform life cycle assessment (LCA) of the built environment by using a TBL framework, integrated with economic input-output analysis, simulation, and multi-criteria optimization tools. The major objectives of the outlined research are to (1) build a system-based TBL sustainability assessment framework for the sustainable built environment, by (a) advancing a national TBL-LCA model which is not available for the United States of America; (b) extending the integrated sustainability framework through environmental, economic, and social sustainability indicators; and (2) develop a system-based analysis toolbox for sustainable decisions including Monte Carlo simulation and multi-criteria compromise programming. When analyzing the total sustainability impacts by each U.S. construction sector, “Residential Permanent Single and Multi-Family Structures" and "Other Non-residential Structures" are found to have the highest environmental, economic, and social impacts compared to other construction sectors. The analysis results also show that indirect suppliers of construction sectors have the largest sustainability impacts compared to on-site activities. For example, for all U.S. construction sectors, on-site construction processes are found to be responsible for less than 5 % of total water consumption, whereas about 95 % of total water use can be attributed to indirect suppliers. In addition, Scope 3 emissions are responsible for the highest carbon emissions compared to Scope 1 and 2. Therefore, using narrowly defined system boundaries by ignoring supply chain-related impacts can result in underestimation of TBL sustainability impacts of the U.S. construction industry. Residential buildings have higher shares in the most of the sustainability impact categories compared to other construction sectors. Analysis results revealed that construction phase, electricity use, and commuting played important role in much of the sustainability impact categories. Natural gas and electricity consumption accounted for 72% and 78% of the total energy consumed in the U.S. residential buildings. Also, the electricity use was the most dominant component of the environmental impacts with more than 50% of greenhouse gases emitted and energy used through all life stages. Furthermore, electricity generation was responsible for 60% of the total water withdrawal of residential buildings, which was even greater than the direct water consumption in residential buildings. In addition, construction phase had the largest share in income category with 60% of the total income generated through residential building's life cycle. Residential construction sector and its supply chain were responsible for 36% of the import, 40% of the gross operating surplus, and 50% of the gross domestic product. The most sensitive parameters were construction activities and its multiplier in most the sustainability impact categories. In addition, several emerging pavement types are analyzed using a hybrid TBL-LCA framework. Warm-mix Asphalts (WMAs) did not perform better in terms of environmental impacts compared to Hot-mix Asphalt (HMA). Asphamin&"174; WMA was found to have the highest environmental and socio-economic impacts compared to other pavement types. Material extractions and processing phase had the highest contribution to all environmental impact indicators that shows the importance of cleaner production strategies for pavement materials. Based on stochastic compromise programming results, in a balanced weighting situation, Sasobit&"174; WMA had the highest percentage of allocation (61%), while only socio-economic aspects matter, Asphamin&"174; WMA had the largest share (57%) among the WMA and HMA mixtures. The optimization results also supported the significance of an increased WMA use in the United States for sustainable pavement construction. Consequently, the outcomes of this dissertation will advance the state of the art in built environment sustainability research by investigating novel efficient methodologies capable of offering optimized policy recommendations by taking the TBL impacts of supply chain into account. It is expected that the results of this research would facilitate better sustainability decisions in the adoption of system-based TBL thinking in the construction field.
Ph.D.
Doctorate
Civil, Environmental, and Construction Engineering
Engineering and Computer Science
Civil Engineering

Due to an increasing awareness of the importance of sustainable energy use, multi-objective optimization problems for upper-level energy systems are continually being developed and improved. This paper focuses on the modeling and optimization of the Helsinki district heating system and establishing the basis for modeling the Finnish power network. The optimization of the district heating system is conducted for a twenty four hour winter demand period. Partial load behavior of the generators is included by introducing non-linear functions for costs, emissions, and the exergetic efficiency. A fuel cost sensitivity analysis is conducted on the system by considering ten combinations of fuel costs based on high, medium, and low prices for each fuel. The solution sets, called Pareto fronts, are evaluated by post-processing techniques in order to determine the best solution from the optimal set. Because units between some of objective functions are non-commensurable, objective values are normalized and weighted. The results indicate that for today\'s fuel prices the best solution includes a dominating usage of natural gas technologies, while if the price of natural gas is higher than other fuels, natural gas technologies are often not included in the best solution. All of the necessary costs, emissions, and operating information is provided for the the Finnish power network in order to employ a multi-objective optimization on the system.
Master of Science

Since the term ESG was coined in 2005, the growth of sustainable investments has outpaced the overall asset management industry. A lot of research has been done with regards to the link between sustainability and financial performance, despite the fact that there is a lack of transparency in sustainability of listed companies. This thesis breaks down the word sustainability into two di↵erent categories, and in turn eleven di↵erent parameters. The result is the term Q score which represents a company’s sustainability. The purpose is to increase transparency in the fund selection process for asset managers. Further, a multiobjective optimization problem is solved to analyze the relationships between return, risk and sustainability. The main subject is that accommodating sustainability as a third parameter in addition to return and risk modifies the fund selection process. The result indicates that the relationships between sustainability, return and risk follow the ecient market hypothesis, implying that an investor would have to sacrifice risk and return in order to achieve higher sustainability. With that said, the results indicated that the sacrifice is relatively small, and that there are a number of sustainable portfolios that perform well. Moving on, the reporting of ESG company data is still lacking. For this reason, this master thesis acts as a precursor for any future development within the field.
Sedan termen ESG utvecklades år 2005, har tillväxten av hållbara investeringar vuxit snabbare än den generella förvaltningsindustrin. Mycket forskning har gjorts kring hållbarhet kopplat till finansiell avkastning, men trots detta saknas det fortfarande en transparens rådande hållbarhet av noterade bolag. Detta examensarbete bryter ned termen hållbarhet till två kategorier, vilket i sin tur bryts ner till elva kvantifierbara parametrar. Resultatet blir ett så kallat Q score, som är ett värde på ett företags hållbarhet. Syftet med arbetet är att öka transparensen av fonders hållbarhetsarbete. Vidare löses ett optimeringsproblem med tre parametrar för att undersöka förållandena mellan avkastning, risk och hållbarhet. Resultatet indikerar att dessa förhållanden följer hypotesen om effektiva marknader, vilket innebär att en investerare måste offra avkastning och risk för att uppnå en mer hållbar portfölj. Med det sagt, indikererar resultatet att en investerare inte behöver offra mycket inom avkastning för att uppnå en hållbar portfölj. Vidare kvarstår det mycket arbete inom rapporteringen av ESG data på företagsnivå. Av detta skäl anses detta examensarbete vara en föregångare innan datan utvecklas vidare.

[EN] Bridges, as an important component of infrastructure, are expected to meet all the requirements for a modern society. Traditionally, the primary aim in bridge design has been to achieve the lowest cost while guaranteeing the structural efficiency. However, concerns regarding building a more sustainable future have change the priorities of society. Ecological and durable structures are increasingly demanded. Under these premises, heuristic optimization methods provide an effective alternative to structural designs based on experience. The emergence of new materials, structural designs and sustainable criteria motivate the need to create a methodology for the automatic and accurate design of a real post-tensioned concrete bridge that considers all these aspects. For the first time, this thesis studies the efficient design of post-tensioned concrete box-girder road bridges from a sustainable point of view. This research integrates environmental, safety and durability criteria into the optimum design of the bridge. The methodology proposed provides multiple trade-off solutions that hardly increase the cost and achieve improved safety and durability. Likewise, this approach quantifies the sustainable criteria in economic terms, and evaluates the effect of these criteria on the best values of the variables. In this context, a multi-objective optimization is formulated to provide multiple trade-off and high-performing solutions that balance economic, ecologic and societal goals. An optimization design program selects the best geometry, concrete type, reinforcement and post-tensioning steel that meet the objectives selected. A three-span continuous box-girder road bridge located in a coastal region is selected for a case study. This approach provides vital knowledge about this type of bridge in the sustainable context. The life-cycle perspective has been included through a lifetime performance evaluation that models the bridge deterioration process due to chloride-induced corrosion. The economic, environmental and societal impacts of maintenance actions required to extend the service life are examined. Therefore, the proposed goals for an efficient design have been switch from initial stage to life-cycle consideration. Faced with the large computational time of multi-objective optimization and finite-element analysis, artificial neural networks (ANNs) are integrated in the proposed methodology. ANNs are trained to predict the structural response based on the design variables, without the need to analyze the bridge response. The multi-objective optimization problem results in a set of trade-off solutions characterized by the presence of conflicting objectives. The final selection of preferred solutions is simplified by a decision-making technique. A rational technique converts a verbal pairwise comparison between criteria with a degree of uncertainty into numerical values that guarantee the consistency of judgments. This thesis gives a guide for the sustainable design of concrete structures. The use of the proposed approach leads to designs with lower life-cycle cost and emissions compared to general design approaches. Both bridge safety and durability can be improved with a little cost increment by choosing the correct design variables. In addition, this methodology is applicable to any type of structure and material.
[ES] Los puentes, como parte importante de una infraestructura, se espera que reúnan todos los requisitos de una sociedad moderna. Tradicionalmente, el objetivo principal en el diseño de puentes ha sido lograr el menor coste mientras se garantiza la eficiencia estructural. Sin embargo, la preocupación por construir un futuro más sostenible ha provocado un cambio en las prioridades de la sociedad. Estructuras más ecológicas y duraderas son cada vez más demandadas. Bajo estas premisas, los métodos de optimización heurística proporcionan una alternativa eficaz a los diseños estructurales basados en la experiencia. La aparición de nuevos materiales, diseños estructurales y criterios sostenibles motivan la necesidad de crear una metodología para el diseño automático y preciso de un puente real de hormigón postesado que considere todos estos aspectos. Por primera vez, esta tesis estudia el diseño eficiente de puentes de hormigón postesado con sección en cajón desde un punto de vista sostenible. Esta investigación integra criterios ambientales, de seguridad estructural y durabilidad en el diseño óptimo del puente. La metodología propuesta proporciona múltiples soluciones que apenas encarecen el coste y mejoran la seguridad y durabilidad. Al mismo tiempo, se cuantifica el enfoque sostenible en términos económicos, y se evalúa el efecto que tienen dichos criterios en el valor óptimo de las variables. En este contexto, se formula una optimización multiobjetivo que proporciona soluciones eficientes y de compromiso entre los criterios económicos, ecológicos y sociales. Un programa de optimización del diseño selecciona la mejor combinación de geometría, tipo de hormigón, armadura y postesado que cumpla con los objetivos seleccionados. Se ha escogido como caso de estudio un puente continuo en cajón de tres vanos situado en la costa. Este método proporciona un mayor conocimiento sobre esta tipología de puentes desde un punto de vista sostenible. Se ha estudiado el ciclo de vida a través de la evaluación del deterioro estructural del puente debido al ataque por cloruros. Se examina el impacto económico, ambiental y social que produce el mantenimiento necesario para extender la vida útil del puente. Por lo tanto, los objetivos propuestos para un diseño eficiente han sido trasladados desde la etapa inicial hasta la consideración del ciclo de vida. Para solucionar el problema del elevado tiempo de cálculo debido a la optimización multiobjetivo y el análisis por elementos finitos, se han integrado redes neuronales en la metodología propuesta. Las redes neuronales son entrenadas para predecir la respuesta estructural a partir de las variables de diseño, sin la necesidad de analizar el puente. El problema de optimización multiobjetivo se traduce en un conjunto de soluciones de compromiso que representan objetivos contrapuestos. La selección final de las soluciones preferidas se simplifica mediante una técnica de toma de decisiones. Una técnica estructurada convierte los juicios basados en comparaciones por pares de elementos con un grado de incertidumbre en valores numéricos que garantizan la consistencia de dichos juicios. Esta tesis proporciona una guía que extiende y mejora las recomendaciones sobre el diseño de estructuras de hormigón dentro del contexto de desarrollo sostenible. El uso de la metodología propuesta lleva a diseños con menor coste y emisiones del ciclo de vida, comparado con diseños que siguen metodologías generales. Los resultados demuestran que mediante una correcta elección del valor de las variables se puede mejorar la seguridad y durabilidad del puente con un pequeño incremento del coste. Además, esta metodología es aplicable a cualquier tipo de estructura y material.
[CAT] Els ponts, com a part important d'una infraestructura, s'espera que reunisquen tots els requisits d'una societat moderna. Tradicionalment, l'objectiu principal en el disseny de ponts ha sigut aconseguir el menor cost mentres es garantix l'eficiència estructural. No obstant això, la preocupació per construir un futur més sostenible ha provocat un canvi en les prioritats de la societat. Estructures més ecològiques i durables són cada vegada més demandades. Davall estes premisses, els mètodes d'optimització heurística proporcionen una alternativa eficaç als dissenys estructurals basats en l'experiència. L'aparició de nous materials, dissenys estructurals i criteris sostenibles motiven la necessitat de crear una metodologia per al disseny automàtic i precís d'un pont real de formigó posttesat que considere tots estos aspectos. Per primera vegada, esta tesi estudia el disseny eficient de ponts de formigó posttesat amb secció en calaix des d'un punt de vista sostenible. Esta investigació integra criteris ambientals, de seguretat estructural i durabilitat en el disseny òptim del pont. La metodologia proposada proporciona múltiples solucions que a penes encarixen el cost i milloren la seguretat i durabilitat. Al mateix temps, es quantifica l'enfocament sostenible en termes econòmics, i s'avalua l'efecte que tenen els dits criteris en el valor òptim de les variables. En este context, es formula una optimització multiobjetivo que proporciona solucions eficients i de compromís entre els criteris econòmics, ecològics i socials. Un programa d'optimització del disseny selecciona la millor geometria, tipus de formigó, armadura i posttesat que complisquen amb els objectius seleccionats. S'ha triat com a cas d'estudi un pont continu en calaix de tres vans situat en la costa. Este mètode proporciona un major coneixement sobre esta tipologia de ponts des d'un punt de vista sostenible. S'ha estudiat el cicle de vida a través de l'avaluació del deteriorament estructural del pont a causa de l'atac per clorurs. S'examina l'impacte econòmic, ambiental i social que produïx el manteniment necessari per a estendre la vida útil del pont. Per tant, els objectius proposats per a un disseny eficient han sigut traslladats des de l'etapa inicial fins a la consideració del cicle de vida. Per a solucionar el problema de l'elevat temps de càlcul degut a l'optimització multiobjetivo i l'anàlisi per elements finits, s'han integrat xarxes neuronals en la metodologia proposada. Les xarxes neuronals són entrenades per a predir la resposta estructural a partir de les variables de disseny, sense la necessitat d'analitzar el pont. El problema d'optimització multiobjetivo es traduïx en un conjunt de solucions de compromís que representen objectius contraposats. La selecció final de les solucions preferides se simplifica per mitjà d'una tècnica de presa de decisions. Una tècnica estructurada convertix els juís basats en comparacions per parells d'elements amb un grau d'incertesa en valors numèrics que garantixen la consistència dels dits juís. Esta tesi proporciona una guia que estén i millora les recomanacions sobre el disseny d'estructures de formigó dins del context de desenrotllament sostenible. L'ús de la metodologia proposada porta a dissenys amb menor cost i emissions del cicle de vida, comparat amb dissenys que seguixen metodologies generals. Els resultats demostren que per mitjà d'una correcta elecció del valor de les variables es pot millorar la seguretat i durabilitat del pont amb un xicotet increment del cost. A més, esta metodologia és aplicable a qualsevol tipus d'estructura i material.
García Segura, T. (2016). Efficient design of post-tensioned concrete box-girder road bridges based on sustainable multi-objective criteria [Tesis doctoral no publicada]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/73147
TESIS

Brazil has an active agrarian reform policy program, publicly organized by the federal government and publicly administered at the state level by the National Institute for Colonization and Agrarian Reform. The objective of the agrarian reform policy program is to retitle unproductive and underproductive rural lands to increase agricultural production and land use. Previous agrarian reform researchers have examined quantities of land redistributed, rural technology developments, and the impact of social movements on land redistribution, but a knowledge gap remains regarding the correlation of agricultural production yields in rural municipalities before and after policy program participation. The State of Ceará has undertaken continuous land redistribution efforts between 1975 and 2006. For this longitudinal study, an agricultural production yield t-test analysis was conducted for the Brazilian State of Ceará with the marked time-series data collection for 1990, 1996, 2000, and 2006. The research and evaluation of the agrarian reform policy program used publicly available, secondary data from the Government of Brazil's Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics and the National Institute of Colonization and Agrarian Reform. The correlated analysis was organized by group: municipalities with a high-rate of agrarian reform participation and municipalities with a no-rate level of agrarian reform participation. By marking the point of program participation at 1996, the time-series t test identified marked agricultural production increases as correlated to agrarian reform policy program participation. The results can be used to justify agrarian reform programs, to promote further rural infrastructure development, and to support poverty alleviation efforts.

Mestrado em Desenvolvimento e Cooperação Internacional
A política de cooperação da União Europeia tem uma história de pelo menos 50 anos. Passou por diversas fases marcadas política e historicamente por vários factores como a colonização, as vagas de independência, os alargamentos, a criação das instituições financeiras internacionais, a implementação dos Programas de Ajustamento Estrutural e do Consenso de Washington, um período de fadiga e um reavivar com a viragem do milénio. A partir de 2001, e tendo em conta uma avaliação do trabalho realizado no passado, encontrou nos Objectivos de Desenvolvimento do Milénio a nova linha orientadora para a sua política de cooperação para o desenvolvimento. Esta dissertação procura explorar, no âmbito da parceria União Europeia-África Subsaariana, a importância dos Objectivos, em particular do Objectivo 8 (parceria global para o desenvolvimento). É realizada uma análise da parceria entre estas duas regiões nas principais áreas deste Objectivo: Comércio, Sustentabilidade da Dívida e Ajuda Pública ao Desenvolvimento.
EU’s cooperation policy has a story of at least 50 years. It has passed through different phases, politically and historically marked by factors such as colonization, independencies, enlargements, the development of international financial institutions, the Structural Adjustment Programs and Washington Consensus, a phase of disappointment followed by a turning point with the new millennium. From 2001 on, and having in mind the evaluation of the work done in the past, the EU found in the Millennium Development Goals the new guideline for its development cooperation policy. We will explore, in the field of the EU/Sub-Saharan Africa partnership, the Goals relevance, specifically the 8th Goal (global partnership for development). We will focus on the partnership between these two regions in the main areas of this Goal: Trade, Debt Sustainability and Official Development Assistance.

There are manufacturing systems all over the world and all of them present dif- ferent characteristics. To get close to those manufacturing systems and aid them to analyze data and improve their efficiency, it arises FACTS Analyzer®. The present project concerns the development of a bottleneck analysis using REVERSE- SCORE (Simulation based COnstraint REmoval), feature included in FACTS Ana- lyzer. It is used Simulation-based Multi-Objective Optimization (SMO) to ana- lyze the different variables of a production line and investigate how to best extend previous application of SMO for bottleneck detection to not only consider im- provements of system parameters but also degradations of them. Degrading some system parameters can have many hidden advantages such as reduce power con- sumption, increase material efficiency or lengthen the useful life of the machines or tools, advantages that can draw near sustainability.

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Fundo Mackenzie de Pesquisa
There has been a lot of debate about Sustainability into the organizations recently. Some theorists state the organization should consider in their strategies elements that include the interest of the different stakeholders. This theoretical chain considers that economics, social and environmental systems are integrated, and so the organizations can t implement strategies which consider just one dimension. Other chain affirms the organizations should maximize the long term value and concentrate their efforts and investments on production and competitiveness, so they need to focus in only one objective, which is the long term value maximization of the firm, in this way, according this theory social welfare will be also maximized. In this complex context, sustainability indexes were created worldwide. These indexes in general, evaluate several dimensions and relations between the organization and society, environment and equity holders. In Brazil, was created in 2005 the sustainability index, ISE. Annually the BOVESPA announces to the market the new ISE Group, in which is included the companies that submit voluntarily, the answers to a wide survey about their sustainability practices. The inclusion on such group indicates the companies were evaluated according the rules of BOVESPA s sustainability rules. There are several discussions, if the organizations that make part of ISE group or similar, can capture abnormal returns to their shareholders, and if investments done in sustainability receive special attention by capital markets. This study investigates, using the event study methodology, if the announcement of being part of ISE group, creates value to shareholders. As event period was defined -15 to 120 days from announcement date, and in this period were created several event windows. In this research, the methodology is applied in two different ways: first; comparing the ISE group companies with a traditional Brazilian market index, the Ibovespa; second is the comparison with companies that have most part of their revenues from activities and products categorized in the same sector class (according BOVESPA) as the ISE ones, called in this study as control group. The results indicate the companies included in the ISE group do not capture Cumulated Abnormal Returns (CAR), when compared with the index market, in any event window. Anyhow, there were not found results that infer about lost of value, due the ISE announcement to the firm. By the other way, the results indicated that ISE companies can capture cumulated abnormal returns with statistically significant levels, when compared with the control group, in windows close to the announcement day. These results could be used to support manager s processes of decision, for establishing policies regarding sustainability of organizations.
O tema Sustentabilidade nas organizações tem sido bastante debatido, recentemente. Algumas correntes teóricas afirmam que, para garantir a perenidade, as organizações devem inserir na sua estratégia elementos que considerem o perfeito equilíbrio nas relações com diversos grupos de interesse. Esta linha teórica descreve que, os sistemas econômicos, sociais e ambientais estão integrados, e, portanto, as organizações não podem implementar estratégias que contemplem somente uma das dimensões. Outras correntes afirmam que, as organizações devem criar valor no longo prazo e concentrar seus esforços e investimentos na produção e na busca da competitividade e, para tanto, enfocando em um único objetivo: a maximização de valor da organização no longo prazo e, desta forma, haverá, conseqüentemente, ganhos e bem estar para toda sociedade. Neste contexto complexo, Índices de Sustentabilidade foram criados em escala global. Estes índices, em geral, avaliam várias dimensões das relações da organização com a sociedade, meio ambiente e com os provedores de capital para a empresa. No Brasil, especificamente no ano de 2005, foi criado o Índice de Sustentabilidade Empresarial (ISE). Anualmente, a BOVESPA anuncia ao mercado a nova carteira do ISE, na qual constam empresas que respondem, voluntariamente, um questionário amplo sobre as suas práticas de Sustentabilidade. A participação na carteira indica que estas empresas foram avaliadas de acordo com os critérios de Sustentabilidade da Bolsa. Existe muita discussão se as organizações que fazem parte deste indicador ou de indicadores similares trazem retornos anormais aos acionistas, e se, investimentos em práticas de sustentabilidade são bem vistos pelo mercado de capitais. O presente trabalho investigou, por meio da metodologia de estudo de evento, se a entrada de uma empresa na carteira do ISE, traz valor ao acionista. Foi estabelecido um período de evento de -15 até 120 dias do dia do anúncio e criado, dentro deste período, diversas janelas de evento. Nesta pesquisa, a metodologia foi aplicada de duas formas distintas: a primeira, por meio da comparação das empresas do ISE com um índice de bastante tradição no mercado de capitais brasileiro, o Ibovespa; e a segunda, fazendo-se a comparação com empresas que tem suas atividades principais dentro da mesma classificação setorial (de acordo com a BOVESPA) das empresas pertencentes à carteira do ISE, e que são chamadas, neste trabalho, de Grupo de Controle. Com relação aos resultados encontrados, quando comparadas com o índice de mercado as empresas participantes da carteira do ISE não demonstram retornos anormais acumulados positivos e, estatisticamente significantes, em nenhuma das janelas de evento do estudo. De qualquer forma, não foram encontrados, também, resultados robustos que levem a inferência de destruição de valor devido ao anúncio de entrada da empresa na carteira. Por outro lado, os resultados com Grupo de Controle indicam que, empresas que foram anunciadas como participantes do ISE, conseguem obter retornos anormais acumulados, estatisticamente significantes, em janelas próximas a data de anúncio. Sendo assim, estes resultados podem servir de apoio para os processos de tomada de decisão dos gestores das companhias, no estabelecimento de políticas relacionadas às práticas de Sustentabilidade nas organizações.

Ce travail se concentre sur la conception de systèmes énergétiques distribués en tenant compte des dimensions de durabilité. Le problème de la conception est abordé au moyen d'une stratégie basée sur l'optimisation qui permet d'intégrer différents vecteurs énergétiques et de multiples unités technologiques comme solutions possibles. L'approche de modélisation prend en compte le fonctionnement variable dans le temps des unités de conversion d'énergie ainsi que le comportement saisonnier du système de stockage. Parallèlement, le problème de l'optimisation multi-objectifs aborde simultanément les aspects économiques, environnementaux et sociaux de la conception du système énergétique. Le coût total annualisé, le coût nivelé de l'énergie, les émissions de CO2, la consommation d'eau, la dépendance au réseau et la sécurité inhérente ont été les indicateurs choisis pour évaluer les dimensions de la durabilité. Deux études de cas ont été analysées pour illustrer le cadre proposé. La première étude de cas est en France et correspond à un système énergétique connecté au réseau conçu pour satisfaire les besoins en électricité et en hydrogène d'un quartier de 1500 habitants. La seconde étude de cas est un système énergétique isolé situé dans une région reculée de l'Amazonie colombienne. Dans un tel cas, l'objectif était de concevoir un système énergétique autonome capable de fournir de l'électricité et du méthane à une communauté de 4200 habitants. Dans un premier temps, l'impact des indicateurs de durabilité sur la conception optimale des systèmes énergétiques a été étudié par le biais d'optimisations à objectif unique. En outre, les conditions de fonctionnement variables dans le temps et le comportement saisonnier des unités de stockage d'énergie ont également été analysés. Par la suite, différents problèmes d'optimisation multi-objectifs ont été abordés en combinant les indicateurs de durabilité. De cette manière, le compromis entre les fonctions objectives a été identifié, et les solutions de Pareto obtenues ont été explorées pour élucider les changements dans la conception et les conditions d'exploitation à travers les solutions non dominées. Dans l'ensemble, ces résultats constituent une information précieuse sur les relations entre les dimensions de durabilité en termes de variables de conception et d'exploitation. En conséquence, l'approche proposée représente un outil utile pour les décideurs afin de prendre des décisions éclairées dès les premières étapes de la conception du système énergétique
This work focuses on the conceptual design of distributed energy systems considering the sustainability dimensions. The design problem is addressed by means of an optimization-based strategy that enables to integrate different energy vectors and multiple technological units as possible solutions. The modeling approach considers the time-varying operation of the energy conversion units along with the seasonal behavior of the storage system. Meanwhile, the multi-objective optimization problem simultaneously addresses economic, environmental, and social aspects for the design of the energy system. Total annualized cost, levelized cost of energy, CO2 emissions, water consumption, grid dependence, and inherent safety are the selected indicators to evaluate the sustainability dimensions. Two case studies are analyzed to illustrate the proposed framework. The first case study is in France and corresponds to a grid-connected energy system conceived to satisfy the electricity and hydrogen needs of a neighborhood of 1500 inhabitants. The second case study is an isolated energy system located in a remote region in the Colombian Amazon. In such a case, the objective is to design a self-sufficient energy system with the capacity for supplying electricity and methane to a community of 4200 inhabitants. Initially, the impact of the sustainability indicators on the optimal design of the energy systems is investigated through single-objective optimizations. Besides, the time-varying operating conditions and the seasonal behavior of the energy storage units are also analyzed. Subsequently, different multi-objective optimization problems are addressed considering different combinations of the sustainability indicators. In such a way, the compromise among the objective functions is identified, and the obtained Pareto solutions are explored for elucidating the changes in the design and operating conditions throughout the non-dominated solutions. Broadly, these results constitute a valuable information about the relationships between the sustainability dimensions in terms of design and operation variables. Accordingly, the proposed approach represents a useful tool for decision-makers to make informed decisions from early stages in the energy system design

Les réseaux de chauffage urbain (DHN) sont un moyen efficace de fournir de l'énergie thermique aux consommateurs. L'état actuel de la technique montre que les DHN évoluent vers des réseaux thermiques intelligents dans des systèmes énergétiques intégrés alors que leur conception est basée sur les principes de durabilité. Sur cette base, cette thèse couvre deux domaines de recherche principaux : Fonctionnement et conception des systèmes de chauffage urbain. Dans la partie A de cette thèse, des méthodes avancées pour le fonctionnement de la DHN sont développées à l'aide d'analyses exergétiques et thermoéconomiques. Cela inclut la formulation de bilans de coûts exergétiques pour les modèles de réseau basés sur des graphiques. La partie intrinsèque est le déploiement d'une matrice algébrique, qui détermine les coûts exergétiques pour la modélisation dynamique du système. Une étude de cas d'un réseau réel prouve que la méthodologie proposée offre de nouvelles perspectives sur l'allocation individuelle des coûts, ce qui aide à évaluer la faisabilité de l'intégration par des tiers et l'intégration des sources d'énergie distribuées. Dans la partie B de cette thèse, un nouvel indicateur appelé «load deviation index (LDI)» est proposé pour lier les mesures de la demande (DSM) à la conception durable des systèmes DHN. Pour cela, un cadre de conception axé sur les affaires est proposé, qui prend en compte les influences critiques dans le DHN tout en évitant un trop grand détail. Le comportement du DSM est analysé du point de vue du système et son impact sur la conception du DHN est étudié dans deux études de cas. Alors que l'un se concentre sur les benchmarks pour différentes options de conception en utilisant une métrique de durabilité multicritères, un autre donne des indications détaillées sur l'utilité du cadre proposé pour la conception en évaluant l'impact de DSM sur les améliorations de conception possibles
District heating networks (DHN) arean efficient way of providing thermal energy to consumers. Current state of the art shows that DHNs are developing towards smart thermal networks in integrated energy systems while their design is based upon the principles of sustainability. Based on that, this thesis covers two main research areas: Operation and design of district heating systems. In part A of this thesis, advanced methods for DHN operation are developed with the help of exergetic and thermoeconomic analysis. This includes the formulation of exergetic cost balances for graph-based network models. Intrinsic part is the deployment of an algebraic matrix, which determines the exergetic costs for dynamic system modeling. A case study of areal-existing network provides evidence that the proposed methodology offers new insights into individual allocation of costs which helps to assess the feasibility of third-party integration and the integration of distributed energy sources. In part B of this thesis, a new indicator called “load deviation index (LDI)” is proposed to link demand side measures (DSM) with the sustainable design of DHN systems. For that, abusiness-focused design frameworks proposed which takes the critical influences of DHN into account while avoiding a too high detail. DSM behavior is analyzed from a system perspective and its impact on DHN design is studied in two case studies. While one focuses on benchmarks for different design options using a multi-criteria sustainability metric, another gives detailed insights into the usefulness of the proposed framework for design purposes through assessing the impact of DSM on possible design improvements using a multi-objective optimization approach

Das Thema Nachhaltigkeit gewinnt deutlich an gesellschaftlicher und politischer Relevanz. Evidente naturwissenschaftliche und geisteswissenschaftliche Forschungen belegen die Notwendigkeit zum Handeln, Umsteuern und sofortigen Veränderungen. Dennoch ist Nachhaltigkeit fortlaufend mit Vorbehalten, Widerständen und Einwänden unterschiedlicher Art und Ausmaßes begleitet. Neben der hohen Kunst der Rhetorik kommt immer wieder Kampfrhetorik zur Anwendung, um evidente Forschungsergebnisse und belegbare Fakten auszuhebeln. Anhand der verschiedenen Themen der Nachhaltigkeit wird herausgearbeitet, wie für eine Transformation zur Nachhaltigkeit argumentiert und souverän mit Einwänden umgegangen werden kann. Dabei folgt die hohe Kunst der Kommunikation dem Prinzip Argumentation – Erwiderung – Erwiderung der Erwiderung. Es geht darum, auf selektiv gewählte, jedoch häufige Einwände so souverän wie möglich zu reagieren, gekonnt zu kontern und damit Nachhaltigkeit in der Argumentation stark zu machen. Diese Zusammenstellung bietet einen kompakten rhetorischen Leitfaden im Kontext der Entwicklung zur Nachhaltigkeit.

Notre travail de recherche s’est attaché à clarifier le champ, les caractéristiques et les principes d’une Education aux Changements Climatiques en vue d’un Développement Durable (ECCDD) afin d’élaborer des propositions en vue de son intégration dans la formation de base. Cette problématiques’inscrit dans un double cadre : celui de l’interdisciplinarité (articulation de la science du climat, des sciences économiques et sociales, des sciences de l’éducation) et celui du cycle primaire du système éducatif sénégalais. Notre méthodologie de recherche s’est appuyée sur deux clés d’entrée : la dynamique des systèmes complexes (Forrester, 1969, Morin, 1977, 1980) pour transmettre des connaissances et le modèle REDOC (Représentations, Démarche pédagogique, Outils didactiques et Compétences) pour appréhender les représentations des apprenants. Les résultats de nos recherches nous ont mené à faire émerger deux postulats, facilitant une ECCDD. D’une part, le registre des savoirs qu’il convient de mobiliser pour déterminer le cadre et le champ de l’ECCDD, doit articuler quatre types de savoirs : les savoirs scientifiques, les savoirs institutionnels, les savoirs mesurés et les savoirs pédagogique. D’autre part, l’analyse des représentations des apprenants est une étape nécessaire et indispensable pour mettre en place un ensemble de pédagogies diversifiées et complémentaires, développer des outils didactiques appropriés et proposer un référentiel de compétences contextualisé. Dans notre travail de recherche, les représentations des enseignants sénégalais du cycle primaire ont été analysées sur la base d’un questionnaire. Nous avons ainsi cherché à mettre en relief leurs représentations du développement durable, du changement climatique ou du réchauffement climatique. Dans le cas du Sénégal, nous avons pu constater que la question du changement climatique devait s’articuler avec d’autres enjeux propres au système scolaire : le statut des enseignants, la qualité des infrastructures, la question de l’hygiène et de la santé publique, le problème du manque de cantines scolaires…, une autre manière de rappeler que les objectifs du développement durable font système et que l’éducation de qualité (ODD4) peut constituer une variable clé du changement
Our research has been focused on clarifying the scope, characteristics and principles of Climate ChangeEducation for Sustainable Development (CCESD) in order to implement curricula. This issue is part ofa dual framework : an interdisciplinary approach (linking Climate Science, Economics and EducationSciences) and the integration of CCESD into the primary cycle of the Senegalese education system. Ourresearch methodology was based on two inputs : the dynamics of complex systems (Forrester, 1969,Morin, 1977, 1980) to provide knowledge and the REDOC model (Representations, EducationalApproach, Didactic Tools and Skills) to understand teachers’ representations. The results of our researchled us to identify two postulates, facilitating a CCESD. On the one hand, the register of knowledge thatmust be activated to implement CCESD (four types : scientific knowledge, institutional knowledge,measured knowledge and pedagogical knowledge). On the other hand, the analysis of learners'representations is a necessary and essential step to set up a diversified and complementary set ofpedagogies, develop appropriate didactic tools and propose a contextualised skills referenceframework. In our research, the representations of Senegalese primary school teachers were discussedon the basis of a survey. We highlighted their representations of sustainable development, climatechange or global warming. In the case of Senegal, we observed that the issue of climate change had tobe linked to other controversial issues in the school system : the status of teachers, the quality ofinfrastructure, the issue of public health, the problem of the lack of school canteens, etc. Another wayof reminding us that the goals of sustainable development (SGD) are systemic and that qualityeducation (SDG 4) can be a key driver for change

Research Doctorate - Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
This thesis presents the results of an application of grounded theory research methodology to an area of study not previously tested by this technique. The allocation of land to urban growth impacts on both urban areas and the environment. A group of twenty leading practitioners in the field was interviewed and asked, in a set of structured questions, about their roles, the most important issues confronting them from ongoing urban development of Greenfield sites, how they saw the interaction between the current system of regulation and these issues, and changes they considered to be required. Applying grounded theory identified that the issues which concerned the practitioners fall into the following groupings: urban and environmental sustainability, the inadequate integration of these components yet the need to recognise their interaction, and the decision making process in terms of who is making decisions and how and when decisions are made about the allocation of land for urban growth. The current system is based primarily on the objective of resolving conflicts concerning land use. It was expected that the data obtained during the interviews may confirm the current orthodoxy. Unexpectedly, the data revealed not only a commonality of views but also a set of recommendations which could form the basis of a management framework to achieve greater environmental and urban sustainability. The interviewees pointed to proposals for urban growth in coastal NSW where a number of the recommendations have already been embraced by the NSW Government.

The Johannesburg World Summit on Sustainable Development in 2002 reaffirmed the school as the centre of change and as critical for promoting sustainable education. The purpose of this research was to assess, firstly, how the Eco-Schools Programme can achieve whole school development by implementing sustainability education, and secondly, the feasibility of its incorporation into the formal school system. It examined what impact the South African Eco-Schools Programme, since 2003, has had on the implementation of sustainable education through whole school development. The qualitative evaluation research design was used and data was collected through interviews, questionnaires and narratives that included all role players. It noted the strengths of the programmes already in place and identified the challenges that still need to be addressed. The outcome of the study proves that the Eco-Schools Programme does achieve whole school development by implementing sustainability education and should be incorporated into the formal education system.
Further Teacher Education
M.A. (Education)

Contexte : Pour les programmes sanitaires faits dans les pays à faibles ressources, la non-pérennisation des résultats est un phénomène important (Pluye, Potvin, & Denis, Making public health programs last: conceptualizing sustainability, 2004). Par contre, peu d’études ont été faites pour présenter des solutions à ce problème. Pour trouver des pistes de réponses, nous avons fait une étude de cas du programme national multisectoriel de lutte contre le VIH/SIDA (PNMLS) en République Démocratique du Congo. En 2004, le programme a été implanté avec l’aide de la Banque Mondiale à travers son programme MAP (Multi Aids Program). Le MAP s’est retiré en 2010. Objectifs : Le but de notre recherche était de déterminer, trois ans après le départ du MAP, quel a été le niveau de pérennisation des objectifs atteints. Notre autre objectif était de savoir quels ont été les facteurs qui ont influencé la pérennisation des objectifs atteints. Méthodes : Nous avons fait une revue de littérature sur la pérennisation et ainsi développé un cadre théorique mettant en lien les facteurs qui pourraient influencer la pérennisation des résultats. Nous avons observé le programme PNLMS dans son écosystème pour repérer quels sont les facteurs qui ont influé la pérennisation des résultats. Nous avons passé des entrevues aux acteurs clefs et avons fait une analyse documentaire, pour ainsi trouver des réponses à nos questions de recherche. Résultat : notre recherche supporte le concept qu’une approche multisectorielle aurait un impact positif sur la pérennisation des résultats. Par contre, il est important d’adapter cette approche multisectorielle à l’environnement et l’écosystème dans lequel évolue le programme. Cette adaptation doit se faire dès l’implantation du programme.
Background : For health programs made in developing countries, non-sustainability of the changes and progress is an important phenomenon (Pluyer, Potvin, & Denis, 2004). However, few studies have been conducted to present solutions to this problem. To find possible answers to the issue, we have decided to do a case study on the national program of multi-sectoral fights against HIV/AIDS (PNMLS) in the Democratic Republic of Congo. In 2004, the program was implemented with the help of the World Bank through the MAP (Multi Aids Program). In 2010, MAP stopped its involvement in the program. Objectives : The goal of our research was to determine, three years after MAP stopped its involvement, what was the level of sustainability of the results achieved by the program back in 2010. Our other goal was to detect what were the factors that influenced the sustainability of those results. Methods: We did a review of existing literature on sustainability and developed a theoretical framework that shows the dynamic between factors that could influence the sustainability of results. We have observed the PNLMS in its ecosystem to in order to identify what factors had an influence on the sustainability of results. We had interviews with key players and did a review of all publications that were made on the PNMLS. This method helped us so to find answers to our research questions. Result: our research supports the concept that a multisectoral approach can have a positive impact on the sustainability of results. However, it is important to adapt the multi-sectoral approach to the environment and the ecosystem in which the program operates. This adjustment must be made from the implementation stage of the program.

Dissertação de mestrado integrado em Engenharia Civil
Atualmente, a gestão eficiente de recursos naturais do planeta torna-se cada vez mais urgente e necessária, uma vez que a utilização descontrolada dos mesmos pode conduzir à escassez de alguns, que poderão já não se encontrar disponíveis para as gerações futuras, como é o caso da água potável. Esta é um bem essencial para a Humanidade e fundamental para a saúde, alimentação e para a economia. De modo a satisfazer a sua procura futuramente devem criar-se e desenvolver os meios e as soluções necessárias para o seu uso eficiente, uma vez que na natureza não se encontra água pura, pois esta apresenta capacidade para dissolver diversas substâncias e transportar matérias em suspensão. No âmbito da procura de soluções sustentáveis para a utilização deste recurso, surge o SAAP – sistema de aproveitamento de águas pluviais. De modo a perceber-se melhor a relevância deste tema é elaborada uma pesquisa bibliográfica bem como uma breve síntese histórica sobre esta prática. O objetivo desta dissertação consiste em utilizar a metodologia TRIZ – Teoria para Resolução de Problemas Inventivos na análise de um sistema de aproveitamento de águas pluviais numa unidade hospitalar no distrito de Braga. Procura-se analisar a viabilidade, desenvolver e avaliar novas soluções técnicas para o sistema, de modo a aumentar as vantagens e os benefícios que as mesmas podem trazer para o mesmo. Estudam-se as diferentes componentes do sistema e os requisitos que este deve cumprir para o correto funcionamento, através da aplicação da metodologia TRIZ. A presente dissertação utiliza os princípios e disposições de evolução que se encontram definidas na TRIZ, para avaliar e investigar novas soluções que possibilitem o progresso dos SAAP atuais, de modo a indicar alternativas possíveis no seu desenvolvimento.
Currently the efficient management of the planet's natural resources becomes even more urgent and necessary since the uncontrolled use of the natural resources can lead to shortages in, for example, potable water, which may no longer be available for future generations. Water is an essential commodity and fundamental to one's health, diet, and economy. Therefore, in order to meet its "future demand" there must be an establishment and development of necessary solutions for an efficient use of this priceless commodity, seeing that water, in its pure form, cannot be found in nature. In the search for sustainable solutions for water use, there is the RHS, Rainwater Harvesting System. In order to better understand the relevance of this theme, a literature review on the topic is elaborated, as well as, a brief historical overview of this practice. The aim of this work is to use the TRIZ methodology, Theory of the Resolution of Invention-Related tasks, in the analysis of a rainwater harvesting system for a hospital in the Braga district. This dissertations seeks to analyze the feasibility, and develop and evaluate new technical solutions for the system in a way that increases the system's advantages and benefits. Different components of the system and the requirements they must meet for proper functioning were studied through the application of the TRIZ methodology. This dissertation uses the principles and provisions of evolution that are defined in the TRIZ methodology to evaluate and investigate new solutions that enable the progress of current SAAPs, in order to indicate possible alternatives for its development.

Municipal water distribution system (WDS) expansion is often focused on increasing system capacity with designs that best meet hydraulic requirements at the least cost. Increasing public awareness regarding global warming and environmental degradation is making environmental impact an important factor in decision-making for municipalities. There is thus a growing need to consider environmental impacts alongside cost and hydraulic requirements in the expansion and design of WDSs. As a result, the multiplicity of environmental impacts to consider in WDS expansion can complicate the decisions faced by water utilities. For example, a water utility may wish to consider environmental policy issues such as greenhouse gas emissions, non-renewable resource use, and releases to land, water, and air in WDS expansion planning. This thesis outlines a multi-objective optimization approach for WDS design and expansion that balances the objectives of capital cost, annual pumping energy use, and environmental impact minimization, while meeting hydraulic constraints. An environmental impact index that aggregates multiple environmental measures was incorporated as an environmental impact objective function in the multi-objective non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm-II (NSGA-II) optimization algorithm. The environmental impact index was developed to reflect stakeholder prioritization of specific environmental policy issues. The evaluation of the environmental impact index and its application to the WDS expansion problem was demonstrated with a water transmission system example. The environmental impact index and multi-objective non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm-II (NSGA-II) optimization algorithm were applied to the “Anytown” network expansion problem. Preliminary results suggest that solutions obtained with the triple-objective capital cost/energy/EI index optimization minimize a number of environmental impact measures while producing results that are comparable in pumping energy use and, in some instances, slightly higher in capital cost when compared to solutions obtained with a double cost/energy optimization in which environmental impact was not considered.
Thesis (Master, Civil Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2009-08-25 16:08:33.636

The pandemic spread of the coronavirus is an exogeneous shock to the global economic system. Managers and decision-makers are forced to adapt their strategies to fast-changing environments. Despite the omnipresence of changes and the existence of various strategic frameworks, this crisis may call former research findings on strategic adaptation into question as it looks different from any former ones. At the same time, past crises have shown the benefits of strategic sustainability efforts. Based on evidence from former crises and up-to-date firsthand information from corporate strategists, the thesis aims to analyze the strategic relevance of sustainability in the current context. Applying the format of a qualitative industry research, the emerging trend of strategically rethinking sustainability is analyzed. The findings from interviews with high-level strategy experts provide valuable insights at this early point of strategic adaptation. Given the experienced resilience and the recent focus on social topics, the vast majority of interviewed companies confirms a gain in strategic relevance of sustainability. Despite the fear that the topic may take a backseat, positive effects accelerating an already existing trend are shown. However, this shift of strategic priorities has not yet translated into the formulation of strategies. Overall, the experienced crisis effects seem to leave a lasting impression on many strategy makers - opening up an opportunity to question business as usual and revise strategic orientations. The results highlight the importance of integrating sustainability within core business strategies to ensure not only a sustainable recovery, but also a long-term competitive advantage.
A propagação pandémica do coronavírus é um choque exógeno para o sistema económico global. Gestores e decisores são forçados a adaptar as suas estratégias a ambientes em rápida mudança. Apesar da omnipresença de mudanças e da existência de vários quadros estratégicos, esta crise pode pôr em causa os resultados de anteriores investigações sobre adaptação estratégica, uma vez que parece diferente de quaisquer outras anteriores. Ao mesmo tempo, as crises passadas mostraram os benefícios dos esforços de sustentabilidade estratégica. Com base em provas de crises anteriores e em informação actualizada em primeira mão de estrategas empresariais, a tese visa analisar a relevância estratégica da sustentabilidade no contexto actual. Os resultados das entrevistas com peritos de estratégia de alto nível fornecem conhecimentos valiosos neste ponto inicial de adaptação estratégica. Dada a experiente resiliência e o recente enfoque em tópicos sociais, a grande maioria das empresas entrevistadas confirma um ganho em relevância estratégica da sustentabilidade. Apesar do receio de que o tema possa ficar para trás, os efeitos positivos que aceleram uma tendência já existente são mostrados. No entanto, esta mudança de prioridades estratégicas ainda não se traduziu na formulação de estratégias. Globalmente, os efeitos de crise experimentados parecem deixar uma impressão duradoura em muitos decisores estratégicos - abrindo uma oportunidade para questionar o business as usual e rever as orientações estratégicas. Os resultados sublinham a importância de integrar a sustentabilidade no âmbito das estratégias empresariais fundamentais para assegurar não só uma recuperação sustentável, mas também uma vantagem competitiva a longo prazo.

In recent years, there has been much improvement in the theory and application of mathematical optimisation. Optimisation techniques have now been developed for conditions of uncertainty (fuzzy) and probability (stochastic) and together with existing methodologies, such as linear programming and multiple objectivity, a very powerful set of tools is now available to enable the determination of the ‘best’ solution for most operational scenarios under a variety of uncertain operating conditions. Optimisation techniques are currently available for most scenarios involving conditions of uncertainty, e.g. Fuzzy Optimisation, Stochastic Optimisation and Multi-Objective Optimisation. However, very few techniques exist for combinatorial optimisation scenarios, e.g. Stochastic Fuzzy Optimisation and Multi-Objective Fuzzy Optimisation and only one optimisation technique was discovered that covered three different conditions of uncertainty, i.e. Multisub- objective Stochastic Fuzzy Optimisation. However, in the chemical industry, quite a few production operations exist that would greatly benefit if an optimisation methodology existed that covered four different simultaneous conditions of uncertainty, i.e. Multiple Objectivity, Fuzziness, Stochastics and Minmax (simultaneous maximum and minimum solution). A case in point is the interrelated production of ammonia (NH3) and its downstream nitrogen-derivatives such as nitric acid (HNO3), ammonium nitrate solution (NH4NO3.H2O), ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3) and limestone ammonium nitrate. Such an operation is characterised by conditions of Fuzziness (uncertainty in product demand), Stochastics (probability distribution of hydrogen in coal, one of the ammonia production raw materials), Multi-objectives (e.g. the need to simultaneously maximise production in a number of different plants) and Minmax (e.g. the need to maximise production while simultaneously minimising effluent discharge) In this research project, a 4 – Way (Multi-sub-objective, Stochastic, Fuzzy, and Minmax) Optimisation methodology was successfully derived, based on existing singular optimisation methodologies, and successfully applied to the interrelated ammonia and downstream nitrogen-derivatives production facility. The Holistic Optimisation methodology derived could be easily applied to a wide variety of chemical and operational scenarios.

The study aims to evaluate the Entrepreneurial Seed Fund Programme (ESFP) of the Cape Winelands District Municipality (CWDM). This Programme aims to provide seed funding to emerging and established businesses in order to start and/or grow their businesses. The Programme provides funding through a grant-in-kind by procuring the goods and equipment that the business needs. The businesses qualifying for the funding are not solely focusing on profit-making; they are addressing social issues through business activities in their communities. The population of the study includes five successful and unsuccessful beneficiaries and a questionnaire was designed in order to determine the contributing factors to the success or failure of the business and if the objectives of the Programme was realised. In conclusion, the ESFP can be regarded as a sustainable programme which contributed to job creation and social upliftment. The ESFP should be strengthened with a small business incubation programme in order to enhance its sustainability.
Public Administration & Management
M. Tech. (Public Management)

Thesis submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Mathematics Applied to Economics and Management.
Food rescue and delivery organizations target concurrently the environmental objective of reduc- ing food waste, and the social objective of supporting underprivileged segments of the population. They secure surplus and about-to-waste food items from producers, manufacturers and retailers, and redistribute them through charitable agencies and parish councils to support the population in need of food assistance. Inspired by the case of the Portuguese Federation of Food Banks, the study ad- dresses the redesign of a food bank supply chain from a multi-dimensional outlook on sustainability. Considering an initial network of food banks, strategic decisions include the opening and closing of food banks, as well as the installation or expansion of storage and transport resources, while tactical decisions comprise the selection of served charities and respective assignment to the operational food banks. Moreover, product flows across the network are also to be determined. The supply chain is formulated as a three-layer network involving the donors, the food banks, and the charities, where multiple products flow in vertical and lateral directions. Based on an extensive literature review, and supported by an in-depth field research, the problem is formulated as a dynamic and capacitated tri-objective mixed-integer linear programming model, accounting for environmental indicators such as the volume of food waste and CO2 emissions, and social metrics assessing, among others, equity, inclusion, and proximity. The tri-objective problem is studied for regional and national supply chain instances, developed to depict real-life based cases. Non-dominated solutions are obtained for the regional instances appealing to the lexicographic ordering method. Relevant managerial insights are derived from the analysis of the lexicographic solutions. Three decomposition based heuristics de- veloped in this study proved to be effective in solving the national instances. Trade-offs between the economic, environmental, and social objectives are discussed, and properties of the mathematical programming model are proven.
As organizações de resgate e distribuição "alimentar perseguem paralelamente o objetivo ambiental de redução do desperdício alimentar e o objetivo social de apoio à população carenciada. Estas entidades angariam excedentes alimentares e produtos em vias de deterioração de produtores, indústrias e do comércio a retalho que redistribuem, através de instituições de solidariedade e autarquias locais, a pessoas com carências alimentares. Inspirado no caso da Federação Portuguesa de Bancos Alimentares, este estudo aborda o redesenho de uma cadeia de abastecimento de bancos alimentares numa perspectiva de sustentabilidade multi-dimensional. Considerando uma rede inicial de bancos alimentares, as decisões estratégicas envolvem a abertura e o encerramento de bancos alimentares, bem como a instalação ou expansão da capacidade de armazenamento e de transporte, ao passo que as decisões táticas compreendem a seleção das instituições servidas e a sua afetação a algum dos bancos em operação. Adicionalmente, são também determinados os fluxos de produtos que circulam na rede. A cadeia de abastecimento é formulada como uma rede de três níveis envolvendo os doadores, os bancos alimentares e as instituições beneficiárias. Nesta rede existem fluxos verticais e laterais de produtos. Com base numa extensa revisão bibliográfica e apoiado por um aprofundado trabalho de campo, o problema é formulado como um modelo de programação linear inteira-mista, dinâmico, com capacidades e tri-objetivo. Este problema considera indicadores ambientais como o volume de desperdício alimentar e as emissões de CO2, e como métricas sociais a equidade, a inclusão e a proximidade, entre outros. O problema é estudado para instâncias de cadeias de abastecimento regionais e nacionais, as quais foram desenvolvidas com o objetivo de retratar casos baseados na realidade. São obtidas soluções não dominadas para as instâncias regionais recorrendo ao método lexicográfico, cuja análise revela conclusões relevantes para a gestão. Foram desenvolvidas três heurísticas baseadas em decomposição que provaram ser eficazes na resolução das instâncias nacionais. São discutidos os compromissos existentes entre os objetivos económico, ambiental e social, e provadas propriedades do modelo de programação matemática.
N/A

Dois anos depois do lançamento da Agenda 2030 da ONU, esta investigação procura identificar os níveis de gestão privilegiados por cinco grandes empresas portuguesas na integração dos Objetivos de Desenvolvimento Sustentável, bem como as principais lógicas subjacentes a esta adoção. A pesquisa empírica incluiu a realização de entrevistas a porta-vozes destas empresas e a sua análise de conteúdo usando uma tipologia para os temas-objeto, fundada em considerações teóricas sobre sustentabilidade corporativa. Os resultados revelam que estas empresas estão a privilegiar diferentes níveis de gestão na integração dos ODS. Há ainda diversas lógicas que justificam o envolvimento com a Agenda 2030, e o principal racional não determina o enfoque da integração, em cada caso, embora o possa influenciar. O setor em que cada empresa atua e a natureza do departamento responsável pelo tema oferecem pistas para compreender as dinâmicas do processo, mas essas relações deverão ser exploradas em pesquisas futuras, com um espectro de empresas mais amplo. Os fatores para o enfoque da integração também merecem investigação mais orientada. Fica comprovado que há vários caminhos para a adoção empresarial dos ODS, sugerindo-se ainda a promoção da Agenda 2030 como um contrato ético e social que convoca as empresas, cujas metas e prioridades devem ser claramente definidas pelo governo. Esta investigação recomenda, assim, que a Agenda 2030 seja entendida como uma bússola ética global que pode potenciar a RSE e facilitar a integração do desenvolvimento sustentável nos valores, operações e estratégias empresariais, fomentando soluções conjuntas para desafios sociais e ambientais complexos.
Two years after the launch of UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, this research aims to identify which management levels are being privileged by five large Portuguese companies to integrate the Sustainable Development Goals, as well as the underlying logics for such adoption. The empirical research included interviews with spokespeople of these companies and analysis of their content using a typology for the object themes, founded on theoretical considerations about corporate sustainability. The findings show that these companies are privileging different management levels in the integration of the SDGs. There are also several reasonings that justify the involvement in the 2030 Agenda, and the main rationale does not determine the integration focus in each case, though it can influence it. The sector of each company and the nature of the department responsible for the subject offer clues to understanding the process dynamics, but future investigation is needed to explore these connections, by expanding the scope of companies. Factors for integration focus also deserve more oriented research. It is proven that there are several ways to adopt the SGDs, while also suggesting the promotion of the 2030 Agenda as an ethical and social contract that calls on companies to act, whose targets and priorities must be clearly defined by the government. This investigation therefore advises that the 2030 Agenda be considered a global ethical compass which can potentiate SER and facilitate the integration of sustainable development in corporate values, operations and strategies, fostering joint solutions for complex social and environmental challenges.

Our world is facing a time of tremendous social, economic, and environmental challenges. Addressing these requires action of the people, who need to be equipped with the right knowledge and skills to contribute to sustainable development. Education therefore plays a crucial role in this undertaking. Especially the tertiary education sector and therewith the group of tertiary students promise high potential to promote societal change. Due to the difficulty to transform education systems, other ways of providing education in sustainable development need to be investigated. By means of a social marketing approach, the aim of this dissertation is to introduce the Impacton Academy as an add-on learning solution to the existing curriculum to promote sustainable development through education. To control for its viability, the right customer segment profiles by means of a qualitative survey are defined and the competition examined through a benchmark analysis to elaborate the right marketing mix and identify the market position for the Impacton Academy. Results revealed the optimal customer segment for the Impacton Academy that promises the highest potential to promote sustainable development are students in the age between 19-25 years who want to take action in sustainable development. Deriving from the needs of this target group and considering given competitive threats, the Impacton Academy should position itself in the market as a mobile learning and community platform that delivers educational content in micro-learning format and connects students with sustainable development practitioners, such as NGOs, social businesses and entrepreneurs.
O nosso mundo enfrenta uma época de tremendos desafios sociais, económicos e ambientais. Abordar estes requer acção das pessoas, que precisam de estar munidas com os conhecimentos e aptidões adequados para contribuir para o desenvolvimento sustentável. A educação desempenha, portanto, um papel crucial neste empreendimento. Especialmente o sector do ensino superior e, com este, o grupo de estudantes terciários promete um elevado potencial de promoção de mudanças societais. Devido à dificuldade de transformar os sistemas de educação, outras formas de proporcionar educação no desenvolvimento sustentável precisam de ser investigadas. Através de uma abordagem de marketing social, o objectivo desta dissertação é introduzir a Impacton Academy (IA) como uma solução de aprendizagem adicional ao currículo existente para promover o desenvolvimento sustentável através da educação. Para perceber a sua viabilidade, são definidos os perfis certos do segmento de clientes através de um inquérito qualitativo e a concorrência é examinada através de uma análise de referência para elaborar o mix de marketing certo e identificar a posição de mercado para a IA. Os resultados revelaram que o segmento de clientes ideal para a IA são os estudantes entre os 19-25 anos de idade que queiram tomar medidas em prol do desenvolvimento sustentável, que promete o maior potencial para promover o desenvolvimento sustentável. Derivando das necessidades deste grupo-alvo e considerando as ameaças competitivas, a IA deveria posicionar-se no mercado como uma plataforma móvel de aprendizagem e comunidade que fornece conteúdos educativos em formato de micro-aprendizagem e liga os estudantes a profissionais do desenvolvimento sustentável.

Doctoral Thesis in Civil Engineering
The expansion and quality increase of road infrastructures in developed countries during the last decades is shifting the attention towards their preservation rather than to new construction. Pavements are the most costly road asset. Therefore, their preservation management optimization is important in order to meet quality and safety demands within available budgets that are becoming increasingly limited. More recently, environmental aspects related to the pavements life-cycle have been raising concerns that must be addressed. The present thesis describes the development of an optimization methodology that intends to be a decision support tool for road administrations. In fact, this work emerged within the scope of a highway administration related project, so it has a character of applied research. The developed methodology is capable of suggesting pavement preservation plans at the network level for a certain time period. It considers aspects related to pavement quality, administration costs, as well as user and environmental costs. Genetic algorithms are employed to optimize problems with two or three con icting objectives, either simultaneously or at distinct phases in order to deal with pairs of objectives at di erent levels. Data selection and ltering and the development of Markov based prediction models are also included in the thesis. The methodology is exible, so that other prediction models with better adjustment to the problem to be solved can be implemented. Similarly, preservation operations and the respective costs and e ects on the pavement are also adjustable. The use of European-level standardized performance indicators and the consideration of user costs and costs related to CO2 emissions in a multi-objective optimization are the main di erences of this methodology to existent ones. The methodology is applied in two distinct case studies that complement each other, allowing to demonstrate the features and adaptability of the methodology. The rst case study relies on historical data from an American database, while the second one is based on data provided by a Portuguese highway administration. In the rst case, preservation plans for a group of geographically separated pavement sections are de ned, regarding administration costs and pavement quality at rst, and user and environmental costs at last. The second case study is focused on a pavement segment that is divided in several dozens of adjacent sections. This allows the suggestion of preservation plans indicating the relative segment area that should be a ected with a speci c treatment in a speci c year, in order to meet quality constraints while optimizing administration costs and pavement quality for the analysis period.
O grande desenvolvimento verificado na expansão e na qualidade das infraestruturas rodoviárias nas últimas décadas em países desenvolvidos, faz com que cada vez seja dada mais atenção à sua preservação do que à nova construção. Os pavimentos rodoviários são o ativo mais dispendioso das estradas, pelo que é de extrema importância otimizar a gestão da sua conservação de modo a cumprir com critérios de qualidade e segurança dentro dos limites orçamentais que tendem a ser cada vez mais restritos. Mais recentemente, questões ambientais associadas ao ciclo de vida dos pavimentos rodoviários têm levantado preocupações que devem ser abordadas. Esta tese descreve o desenvolvimento de uma metodologia de otimização que pretende constituir uma ferramenta de apoio à decisão para administrações rodoviárias. De facto, este trabalho surgiu no âmbito de um projeto associado a uma concessionária de auto-estradas, pelo que tem um caracter de investigação aplicada. A metodologia desenvolvida é capaz de sugerir planos de conservação de pavimentos ao nível da rede para um determinado período de tempo, tendo em conta aspetos relacionados com a qualidade do pavimento, custos para as concessionárias, bem como custos para os utentes da estrada e para o ambiente. A metodologia usa algoritmos genéticos para otimizar problemas com dois ou três objetivos conflituantes, quer em simultâneo, quer em fases distintas de modo a lidar com pares de objetivos em diferentes níveis. A tese inclui ainda uma etapa de seleção e tratamento de dados, bem como de desenvolvimento de modelos de previsão baseados em cadeias de Markov. A metodologia é exigível e pode ser alimentada com outros modelos de previsão que melhor se ajustem ao problema em causa. De igual modo, também as operações de conservação, respetivos custos e efeitos no pavimento são ajustáveis. O uso de indicadores de desempenho uniformizados ao nível Europeu, e a inclusão de custos para os utilizadores das estradas e de custos associados a emissões de CO2 numa otimização multi-objectivo são as principais diferenças desta metodologia para outras já existentes na literatura. A metodologia é aplicada a dois casos de estudo distintos que se complementam e permitem demonstrar as funcionalidades e flexibilidade da metodologia. O primeiro caso de estudo baseia-se em dados históricos de uma base de dados Americana, e o segundo em dados fornecidos por uma concessionária de autoestradas Portuguesa. No primeiro caso, são definidos planos de conservação para um conjunto de secções de pavimento separadas geograficamente, tendo em conta custos para a administração e qualidade do pavimento, primeiramente, e custos ambientais e para o utilizador, por último. O segundo caso de estudo foca-se numa extensão de pavimento dividida em várias dezenas de secções adjacentes, permitindo assim definir planos de conservação que indicam percentagens dessa extensão que deverão receber um determinado tratamento em determinado ano, de modo a otimizar a qualidade e os custos para a concessionária, cumprindo com as restrições de qualidade para todo o período de análise.
This research work was nanced by the Ministry of Education and Science of the Government of Portugal and by the European Social Fund of the European Union (ESF/EU) through the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) with the Ph.D. grant SFRH/BD/85984/2012.