Rozprawy doktorskie na temat „Planetary sustainability”

Impacts of human agency have become a major driver in the Earth System, with magnitude comparable to that of natural occurring global processes. Several earth system processes are under substantial pressure.  These human induced pressures are likely to increase, potentially leading to undesirable changes at planetary scale. In that context, the Planetary Boundaries concept has been put forward aiming at defining a “safe operating space” for future endurance of humanity: relevant processes were identified with associated boundaries that, if respected, would avoid large-scale or irreversible change. The present study explores how human driven resource use relates to the Planetary Boundaries concept, through a water-food-energy-climate nexus perspective. It aims at identifying alternatives for the consideration of biophysical constraints in ways resources are modelled, and it presents an account of the current elements that hinder the integration of new constraints. The study found that existing Integrated Assessment Models and conceptual models for exploring Climate-Land-Energy-Water Strategies present important contributions, but further integration is necessary. Furthermore, decision-making support tools in these models were designed to assess mitigation options for climate, but cannot yet be used for multi-goal or multi-constraints studies. Scenario studies were found to be an important and yet underappreciated tool for such integration. The study identified novel techniques for scenario construction that could be applied in this context – they can allow the construction of sets of scenarios to bridge across scales or to connect separate modelling communities. The study suggests that for bridging the current gaps that exist between concepts it is necessary to develop an active interface across research communities involved in global change research, integrated assessment and resource modelling communities. These interfaces need to allow the co-development of concepts, the sharing of data and the confrontation of different perspectives on the shared challenge of exploring potential pathways for sustainability.
Planetary Boundaries research initiative

This thesis explores how the Planetary Boundaries (PBs), as derived from the Planetary Boundary Framework (PBF), and the Sustainability Principles (SPs), as derived from the Framework for Strategic Sustainable Development (FSSD), can be integrated. It presents and discusses how the PBs and SPs intersect and provide additive value, with the purpose to inform the development of strategic guidelines towards sustainability. Agriculture was used as a case context due to its significant contribution to the sustainability challenge. The methods include the development of a matrix, populated with agricultural contributions to SP violations and PB transgressions, and a series of qualitative interviews with sustainability experts to validate the matrix and provide further insight into how an integrated approach can be used in practice. Results show that intersects exist on both driver and impact levels, and that the matrix provides an enhanced understanding of the system. Researchers conclude that there are various benefits from integrating the SPs and PBs, including aspects such as easing communication, informing prioritisation of urgent issues, and the development of strategic transformation approaches. Integrating SPs and PBs provides an enhanced definition of sustainability, from which explicit goals, criteria and strategic guidelines can be developed towards solving the sustainability challenge.

The number of publications on environmental footprint indicators has been growing rapidly, but with limited efforts to integrate different footprints into a coherent framework. Such integration is important for comprehensive understanding of environmental issues, policy formulation and assessment of trade-offs between different environmental concerns. Here, we systematize published footprint studies and define a family of footprints that can be used for the assessment of environmental sustainability. We identify overlaps between different footprints and analyse how they relate to the nine planetary boundaries and visualize the crucial information they provide for local and planetary sustainability. In addition, we assess how the footprint family delivers on measuring progress towards Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), considering its ability to quantify environmental pressures along the supply chain and relating them to the water-energy-food-ecosystem (WEFE) nexus and ecosystem services. We argue that the footprint family is a flexible framework where particular members can be included or excluded according to the context or area of concern. Our paper is based upon a recent workshop bringing together global leading experts on existing environmental footprint indicators.

It is increasingly being recognised that global natural resource consumption levels exceed planetary limits and that the present trajectory of industrial development is not sustainable. To achieve a more viable existence necessitates a fundamental shift in priorities from the prevailing economic growth-centred, consumer driven philosophy to one that marries aspirations for economic growth with long-term environmental and social considerations. This shift in priorities requires significant contributions and action at the global, national and local levels by the primary 'wheels' of sustainability: government, corporations and civil society. Over the past 100 years, corporations have become the most powerful institution on the planet with both the financial resources and institutional capacity to take the lead role in shaping a sustainable future for humankind. Yet, within and between industry sectors and across geographic locations there has been great diversity in the extent and level of corporate commitment and engagement in societal efforts relating to planetary sustainability. Hence, greater understanding of what drives corporate interest and involvement in ecological sustainability will become increasingly critical to promoting corporate engagement in processes and practices to secure a long-term future for humanity. However, there has been limited explanatory research oriented upon developing an understanding of the processes and factors associated with corporate 'eco-change'. In recognition of this shortcoming in the literature, the present study utilised the case of the non-renewable resource extractive sector of Australia to examine corporate engagement with processes and practices for planetary sustainability. Specifically, it sought to construct and evidence an explanation of the external and internal factors that have promoted and/or retarded corporate engagement with planetary sustainability in the non-renewable resource extractive sector (NRRES) of Australia. Guided by grounded theory methodology, an instrumental case study of the NRRES in Australia was undertaken. The NRRES was chosen as this sector's profile, visibility and activities over the past twenty years have meant it has come under mounting pressure to incorporate the concept and principles of planetary sustainability into its ethos and operations. As such, the sector represents the opportunity to study this phenomenon within a dynamic context of sectoral and corporate responses to evolving societal expectations. The research was undertaken in three phases and the principal research method was in-depth key informant interviews with purposively sampled members of the sector's stakeholder groups. Each NRRES corporation is situated at the centre of a web of interconnected interests or 'stakes' necessitating efforts to balance the various stakeholder interests to maintain the institution's license-to-operate and secure a long-term existence. The thesis constructs an explanation of the societal drivers of NRRES corporate engagement with planetary sustainability, organised as the three categories of government, civil society and the corporate sector. These three groupings of stakeholders have been clustered into the broad category or theme of Activating Engagement, which recognises their collective role as the stimuli for NRRES corporation engagement in processes and practices for planetary sustainability. While the theme of Activating Engagement emphasises the importance and interrelatedness of the roles and actions within and between the three primary wheels of sustainability, of particular note is the evident rise of civil society as a more active societal stakeholder and more salient driver of corporate uptake of social and environmental issues. As the identified external drivers play a critical role in motivating NRRES corporation engagement, it is a corporation's particular characteristics that ultimately determine the extent and level of uptake of strategies to demonstrate corporate social responsibility. The thesis develops an explanation of the internal factors mediating NRRES corporate engagement comprising the factors of leadership, resources, structures, culture and understanding. These factors are conceptualised as the theme of Capacity for Engagement, which identifies their collective importance in a NRRES corporation's preparedness, impetus and capability relating to interest and participation in planetary sustainability. While all of the five factors are seen as essential to meaningful NRRES corporate engagement, the thesis identifies leadership as the most critical factor in Capacity for Engagement. Based on the findings of the research, several explanatory frameworks are developed. These frameworks aid in deepening our understanding of the NRRES corporate engagement process, in particular, the interconnections between the factors impeding and facilitating corporate interest and engagement with processes and practices for planetary sustainability. As such, these frameworks will make a substantial contribution to building our understanding of how the various factors and their components or 'pieces of the puzzle' interact and interrelate with each other to generate corporate engagement. The frameworks are the culmination of the research and, coupled with the more detailed explanations of their constituent factors, enhance our knowledge and understanding of the dynamics of NRRES corporation engagement with planetary sustainability. This enhanced understanding is significant and could be of considerable value in informing and targeting efforts to advance the depth and breadth of NRRES corporation engagement with processes and practices for planetary sustainability. To advance the standing of the study's findings, a series of case studies could be undertaken targeting the investigation of NRRES corporate engagement in other geographic locations and within different industry sectors.

It is increasingly being recognised that global natural resource consumption levels exceed planetary limits and that the present trajectory of industrial development is not sustainable. To achieve a more viable existence necessitates a fundamental shift in priorities from the prevailing economic growth-centred, consumer driven philosophy to one that marries aspirations for economic growth with long-term environmental and social considerations. This shift in priorities requires significant contributions and action at the global, national and local levels by the primary 'wheels' of sustainability: government, corporations and civil society. Over the past 100 years, corporations have become the most powerful institution on the planet with both the financial resources and institutional capacity to take the lead role in shaping a sustainable future for humankind. Yet, within and between industry sectors and across geographic locations there has been great diversity in the extent and level of corporate commitment and engagement in societal efforts relating to planetary sustainability. Hence, greater understanding of what drives corporate interest and involvement in ecological sustainability will become increasingly critical to promoting corporate engagement in processes and practices to secure a long-term future for humanity. However, there has been limited explanatory research oriented upon developing an understanding of the processes and factors associated with corporate 'eco-change'. In recognition of this shortcoming in the literature, the present study utilised the case of the non-renewable resource extractive sector of Australia to examine corporate engagement with processes and practices for planetary sustainability. Specifically, it sought to construct and evidence an explanation of the external and internal factors that have promoted and/or retarded corporate engagement with planetary sustainability in the non-renewable resource extractive sector (NRRES) of Australia. Guided by grounded theory methodology, an instrumental case study of the NRRES in Australia was undertaken. The NRRES was chosen as this sector's profile, visibility and activities over the past twenty years have meant it has come under mounting pressure to incorporate the concept and principles of planetary sustainability into its ethos and operations. As such, the sector represents the opportunity to study this phenomenon within a dynamic context of sectoral and corporate responses to evolving societal expectations. The research was undertaken in three phases and the principal research method was in-depth key informant interviews with purposively sampled members of the sector's stakeholder groups. Each NRRES corporation is situated at the centre of a web of interconnected interests or 'stakes' necessitating efforts to balance the various stakeholder interests to maintain the institution's license-to-operate and secure a long-term existence. The thesis constructs an explanation of the societal drivers of NRRES corporate engagement with planetary sustainability, organised as the three categories of government, civil society and the corporate sector. These three groupings of stakeholders have been clustered into the broad category or theme of Activating Engagement, which recognises their collective role as the stimuli for NRRES corporation engagement in processes and practices for planetary sustainability. While the theme of Activating Engagement emphasises the importance and interrelatedness of the roles and actions within and between the three primary wheels of sustainability, of particular note is the evident rise of civil society as a more active societal stakeholder and more salient driver of corporate uptake of social and environmental issues. As the identified external drivers play a critical role in motivating NRRES corporation engagement, it is a corporation's particular characteristics that ultimately determine the extent and level of uptake of strategies to demonstrate corporate social responsibility. The thesis develops an explanation of the internal factors mediating NRRES corporate engagement comprising the factors of leadership, resources, structures, culture and understanding. These factors are conceptualised as the theme of Capacity for Engagement, which identifies their collective importance in a NRRES corporation's preparedness, impetus and capability relating to interest and participation in planetary sustainability. While all of the five factors are seen as essential to meaningful NRRES corporate engagement, the thesis identifies leadership as the most critical factor in Capacity for Engagement. Based on the findings of the research, several explanatory frameworks are developed. These frameworks aid in deepening our understanding of the NRRES corporate engagement process, in particular, the interconnections between the factors impeding and facilitating corporate interest and engagement with processes and practices for planetary sustainability. As such, these frameworks will make a substantial contribution to building our understanding of how the various factors and their components or 'pieces of the puzzle' interact and interrelate with each other to generate corporate engagement. The frameworks are the culmination of the research and, coupled with the more detailed explanations of their constituent factors, enhance our knowledge and understanding of the dynamics of NRRES corporation engagement with planetary sustainability. This enhanced understanding is significant and could be of considerable value in informing and targeting efforts to advance the depth and breadth of NRRES corporation engagement with processes and practices for planetary sustainability. To advance the standing of the study's findings, a series of case studies could be undertaken targeting the investigation of NRRES corporate engagement in other geographic locations and within different industry sectors.
Thesis (PhD Doctorate)
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Australian School of Environmental Studies
Full Text

Thesis (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences, February 2011.
Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 65-69).
In this work we apply the method of two-dimensional time-lapse electrical resistivity tomography (2D time-lapse ERT) for two different problems. In the first problem, we monitor the structural stability of the roof of the Great Hall cavern in the Harrison's cave system, Barbados. We present an interpretation and comparison of two sets of resistivity data collected over the Great Hall: one set collected by us in 2010, the other in 1996. Our results show that fracturing and degradation had progressed since 1996, indicating a gradual weakening of the structural stability of the roof of the Great Hall cavern. In the second problem, we conduct 2D ERT surveys during dry and rainy seasons to evaluate the potential and feasibility of groundwater exploration next to the Thomazo River in the Fond D'Or watershed in Saint Lucia. Interpretation of the ERT data sets reveals a lens of a porous rock that has a high potential to be a productive aquifer. We use the ERT time-lapse approach to evaluate the change in water content between dry and wet seasons in the potential aquifer.
by Yulia Agramakova.
S.M.

Frågor kopplade till ekologisk hållbarhet i företagssammanhang (både i forskning och inom företagsvärlden) har historiskt inte haft speciellt mycket gemensamt med forskning om ekosystem och miljöprocesser. Styrning av affärsverksamhet för att uppnå ekologisk hållbarhet är typiskt fokuserad på linjära företags eller industri-specifika miljöproblem. Forskningen om ekosystem och miljöprocesser har antagit ett holistiskt perspektiv på miljöproblemen vilket erkänner icke-linjära karaktärsdrag i ekosystemens svar på mänsklighetens avtryck i form av miljöförstörande aktiviteter. Denna studie försöker bringa dessa två skilda tillvägagångsätt tillsammans genom att applicera ett holistiskt perspektiv på ekologisk hållbarhet i företagssammanhang. Detta testas genom att undersöka om hur den konceptuella modellen ’planetära gränser’ kan användas i företag för att stödja företagens arbete med ekologisk hållbarhet. Genom tre analytiska och åtta relaterade empiriska frågeställningar söker denna studie svaret på frågan ifall ramverket ’planetära gränser’ är ett lämpligt verktyg för att förbättra företags prestationer inom ekologisk hållbarhet. En fallstudie på företaget ’Sandvik Materials Technology’ som inkluderar intervjuer med nyckelpersoner och en analys av deras verksamhet och processer utifrån perspektivet ’planetära gränser’, samt en strukturerad litteraturstudie har genomförts för att svara på verktygets lämplighet för applicering i företagsverksamhet. Från litteraturstudien konstateras att föreslagna metoder för implementering på andra nivåer än den globala typiskt inkluderar en kombination av ramverket ’planetära gränser’ med ett annat verktyg. Totalt fann litteraturstudien nio föreslagna kombinationer varav tre var testade i fallstudieformat på regional och nationell nivå. Sex kombinationer inkluderar metoder för att skala ner planetära gränser till andra nivåer än den globala. Implementering av ramverket i företagssammanhang kan enligt den studerade litteraturen assistera företag i deras prestationer inom ekologisk hållbarhet genom att användas för prioritering bland miljöproblem. Vidare har ramverket beskrivits som ett starkt utvärderingsverktyg för externa intressenter.  Intervjuerna visade en skepticism mot verktygets möjligheter att förbättra Sandvik Materials Technologys prestationer på (ekologisk) hållbarhetsområdet. Intervjupersonerna tyckte förvisso att det var viktigt att luta sig mot vetenskapen för att ta fram miljömål, men inte bara. Miljömål på företag måste också ta hänsyn till kostnadseffektivitet och/eller affärsmöjligheter. Sandvik Materials Technology´s verksamhet och processer lämpar sig dock väl för en analys utifrån perspektivet ’planetära gränser’ då kopplingar kunde fastställas för alla gränser. Jämfört med företagets nuvarande miljö och klimatstrategi visade analysen utifrån ’planetära gränser’ på några fler möjliga fokusområden (t.ex. biologisk mångfald och påverkan på biokemiska flöden) medans andra förblev desamma (klimatförändringar och vattenanvändning). Det nuvarande huvudfokusområdet, resursanvändning inkluderas dock inte på ngt annat sätt än möjligtvis indirekt. En fullskalig kvantitativ implementering av ramverket ’planetära gränser’ kräver på grund av avsaknaden av robusta metoder starkt engagemang där det ska genomföras. Detta engagemang bedöms saknas på Sandvik Materials Technology, därför konstateras att verktyget ensamt idag inte är moget för implementering på detta företag.
The question investigated in this study is whether the framework ‘planetary boundaries’ can be a suitable tool for improving sustainability performance at companies or not. It does so by investigating three analytical and eight related empirical questions. The methods in this study include; a structural literature review, qualitative interviews with key players at the focal company Sandvik Materials Technology and a qualitative analysis of the steel industry and Sandvik Materials Technology’s relationship to planetary boundaries. From the literature study, it was concluded that as for now, methods for applying the planetary boundary framework lack in maturity. It does not follow from this that there is no scientific relevance in developing methods for application, but more research is needed to confirm a methodological framework for application which is suitable for companies. The interviews revealed a skeptical attitude towards the framework´s ability to improve Sandvik Materials Technology´s sustainability performance. To derive environmental targets from science was viewed as a necessity, however environmental targets in companies must take other aspects (e.g. cost-effectiveness and business opportunity) into account as well.   The qualitative Planetary Boundaries analysis showed that the activities and processes at Sandvik Materials Technology is well suited for an environmental assessment based on a planetary boundaries perspective. Some focus areas remained the same as in their current environmental strategy (e.g. climate change and fresh water abstraction) but others (biosphere integrity and biochemical flows) appeared as new possible focus areas. Sandvik Materials Technology´s main focus, resource use, were however excluded from an environmental assessment based on a planetary boundaries perspective. Due to the lack of mature methods, an implementation of the framework at a company requires a strong commitment at the company. The researcher concludes that such level of commitment is lacking at Sandvik Materials Technology. Therefore, this study reaches the conclusion that the planetary boundary framework is, at least for now, not alone a suitable tool for improving sustainability performance at the focal company Sandvik Materials Technology.

Trabalho Complementar apresentado à Universidade Fernando Pessoa como parte dos requisitos para obtenção do grau de Licenciada em Ciências da Nutrição
Aims: The global food system has strong implications in the depletion of natural resources, biodiversity loss, greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. To face the current challenges, a planetary health diet was recently proposed by the EAT-Lancet Commission, serving as a guide to the implementation of diets aligned with the environmental boundaries of the planet. The aim of this paper is to compare the planetary health diet recommendations with the current consumption of legumes and red meat in Portugal, exploring different policy strategies that promote healthy and environmentally sustainable eating patterns in the country. Methods: Data from the Food and Agriculture Organization’s Food Balance Sheets regarding legumes and red meat supply was used, as well as Statistics Portugal data for production and consumption of red meat, and National Food, Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey concerning consumption of both legumes and red meat. Results: The national consumption of red meat is four times above (68g/day) the recommendations for a healthy and sustainable diet while legumes consumption is three times below (24g/day) what is recommended, reflecting a nutritional transition to a westernized food pattern, both unhealthy and unsustainable. Conclusions: Integrated policies that promote increased information and awareness regarding sustainable diets and effective changes in the food environment that facilitate sustainable food choices by consumers are essential to support a dietary shift in the country towards plant-based diets aligned with the planetary boundaries and sustainable development goals.
Objetivos: O sistema alimentar global tem fortes implicações na degradação ambiental do planeta e alterações climáticas. Recentemente, foi proposta uma dieta de saúde planetária pela EAT-Lancet Commission que serve de referência para a promoção de padrões alimentares alinhados com os limites ambientais do planeta. O objetivo deste estudo é analisar o consumo de leguminosas e de carne vermelha em Portugal no âmbito da recente referência planetária, explorando possíveis estratégias políticas que promovam a transição para uma alimentação ambientalmente mais sustentável no país. Metodologias: Foram utilizados dados das Balanças Alimentares da Food and Agriculture Organization relativos à disponibilidade de leguminosas e carne vermelha, dados estatísticos do Instituto Nacional de Estatística sobre produção e consumo de carne vermelha, e dados do Inquérito Alimentar Nacional e de Atividade Física relativamente ao consumo de leguminosas e carne vermelha. Resultados: O consumo nacional de carne vermelha encontra-se aproximadamente quatro vezes acima (68g/d) das recomendações para uma dieta de saúde planetária enquanto que o consumo de leguminosas se encontra três vezes abaixo (24g/d) do recomendado, refletindo uma transição nutricional para um padrão alimentar mais ocidentalizado, pouco saudável e insustentável. Conclusões: Políticas integradas que promovam a informação e a sensibilização para uma alimentação sustentável e a modificação do ambiente alimentar que facilite escolhas mais sustentáveis pelos consumidores são essenciais para que o padrão alimentar em Portugal se aproxime da dieta planetária, contribuindo ainda para os objetivos de desenvolvimento sustentável e alterações climáticas.
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In the trends of technical improvements and automatization is it important for companies to keep up with the developments to be competitive on the market. SwePart Transmissions AB is a company that manufacture and develop gearboxes for the currently growing robot arms industry and the main task with this study is to investigate how to apply condition based monitoring on a new gearbox from the company. The work considers vibration analysis and testing new ideas in the oil analysis field. The tests that were performed are based on measuring the difference in impedance or magnetic field due to the increasement of wear. The results of the tests are not clear. This thesis is the beginning of a big project and therefore lies the value of this work in the new ideas and suggestions for further work.

Abstract Background The organisations actions are continuing to be disconnected from Earth system research and to what level organisations have an impact, if all to minimize risk of collapse of Earth systems are unknown (Whiteman etl al 2013) this is the problem this paper is seeking to address. By connecting organizations sustainability work with Earth boundaries research by developing the Swedish SIQ business excellence model. Purpose The purpose of this paper is to develop SIQ model so it contains what is necessary to identify organizations impact on Earth 9 boundaries.  Method A qualitative research method has been used and the analysis has been done by using the Planetary Boundaries research and top-down & bottom-up perspective as a lens to identify problem, solution and to analyse the SIQ model, then data has been collected by literature studies. Results The result chapter is the presentation of a model than show the relation between the Earth system and boundaries. This is followed by the analysis of the SIQ model that suggest main development needs in the environmental management criteria. The development should incorporate a top-down & bottom-up perspective in order to effectively consider external criteria’s such as Earth boundaries in the management of the organization at management and activity level. Discussion For organisations to consider external factors such as Earth boundaries the SIQ criteria’s and goals has to interact. And by interacting Earth boundaries with the SIQ model the gap between organizations and environmental science are reduces. By reducing this gap the organizations activities can contribute to minimize the degradation on Earth systems and risk for collapse
Bakgrund Företagens aktiviteter fortsätter att vara särkopplade från vetenskapen om Jordens globala system och till vilken utsträckning företagen motverkar kollaps av Jordens system är oklart (Whiteman et al. 2014) och det är denna utmaning som denna uppsats söker att utforska genom att koppla företagens hållbarhetsarbete med Jordens 9 gränser genom at utveckla SIQ modellen. Syfte Syfte med denna uppsats är att utveckla SIQ modellen så den innehåller det som krävs för att företagen skall identifiera sin inverkan på Jordens 9 gränser. Metod En kvalitativ metod har använts och för att analysera har gjorts genom att använda Jordens 9 gränser och top-down/bottom-up perspektivet som lins för att identifiera problem, lösningar och analysen av SIQ modellen och datainsamlingen har gjorts genom litteraturstudier. Resultat Resultatkapitlet introducerar en modell som visar samverkan mellan Jordens system och 9 gränser ner till företagen aktiviteter. Modellen följs av analysen av SIQ modellen som visar störst utvecklingspotential i miljöledningskriterierna. Utvecklingen bör samverka med top-down/bottom-up perspektiven för att modellen skall på bästa sätt omhänderta externa faktorer såsom Jordens gränser i styrningen av företagen på överordnad och utförarnivå. Diskussion För att företagen skall kunna omhänderta alla externa faktorer såsom Jordens gränser så måste SIQ kriterierna och företagens mål samverka. Genom att integrera Jordens gränser med SIQ modellen så har gapet mellan företagen och miljövetenskapen minskats. Genom att minska detta gap kan företagens aktiviteter bidra till att minimera nerbrytningen och risk för kollaps av Jordens system.

Growing ecological challenges [1][2][3] can be addressed by the media industry through proactive engagement with holistic sustainability transformation that covers all activities within their value-chain. With at least 60% of vertebrate species already lost [1] and 40% of insect species at risk of the same [2], the time for business-as-usual has past [4][5][6][49]. In order to mitigate negative, and accelerate positive, impacts on global biodiversity integrity, media companies need to look beyond direct impacts, carbon, and segmented actions to a more holistic understanding and approach of sustainability transformation. This study focused specifically on the Nordic region (Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland) and the largest incumbent companies within that region (Schibsted, MTG, Bonnier, Egmont and Sanoma) [7][8], to find what actions and pathway are necessary to protect both people and planet [10]. Through understanding the drivers of biodiversity loss, as well as the proposed sustainability transformation roadmaps from the research community, and by quantitatively analyzing how these five companies understand and prioritize sustainability, this study developed a visual Pathway Lens consisting of Seven Focus Areas (SFAs) to enable media companies to look holistically at their activities and value-chain. The SFAs need to be approached holistically, similar to the 17 SDGs (Agenda 2030) [4]. Since incumbent Nordic media companies are not currently looking at impacts on biodiversity integrity, nor focusing on a holistic approach to sustainability, the SFAs of the Pathway Lens are a tool to better understand their unique opportunity to accelerate sustainable lifestyles through their content, marketplaces, products and events, which in turn address impacts on biodiversity integrity. The media industry also shares in the collective opportunity to accelerate sustainable value-chains through prioritizing self-transcendence values, resources, responsible operations, circular business models, iterative stakeholder engagement, and external partnerships. Since the drivers of biodiversity loss are complex and interconnected [3], protecting both people and planet requires complex and interconnected solutions.
Växande ekologiska utmaningar [1][2][3] kan adresseras av medieindustrin genom proaktivt engagemang i holistisk hållbarhetstransformation som täcker alla aktiviteter i värdekedjan. Då minst 60% av arterna bland ryggradsdjur redan har försvunnit [1] och 40% av insektsarterna riskerar att försvinna [2], har tiden för konventionellt företagande (business-as-usual) passerat [4][5][6][49]. För att minska negativa effekter, och accelerera positiva effekter, vad gäller den biologisk mångfaldens integritet, måste företagen se bortom direkta effekter, koldioxidutsläpp, och isolerade åtgärder för en mer holistisk förståelse av och ett mer holistiskt angreppssätt vad gäller hållbarhetstransformation. Denna studie har fokuserat specifikt på Norden (Sverige, Norge, Danmark, Finland) och de största etablerade företagen inom denna region (Schibsted, MTG, Bonnier, Egmont och Sanoma) [7][8], för att ta reda på vilka åtgärder som behövs för att skydda både människor och planeten [10]. Genom att förstå drivkrafterna bakom förlusten av biologisk mångfald, såväl som de föreslagna färdplanerna för hållbarhetstransformation ifrån forskarsamfundet, och genom att kvantitativt analysera hur dessa fem företag förstår och prioriterar hållbarhet, har denna studie utvecklat en visuell lins [Pathway Lens] bestående av sju fokusområden (Seven Focus Areas, SFAs), för att möjliggöra för medieföretag att titta holistiskt på deras aktiviteter och värdekedja. De sju fokusområdena (SFAs) för hållbarhetstransformation måste hanteras holistiskt, likt FN:s 17 globala mål för hållbar utveckling (Agenda 2030) [4]. Eftersom etablerade nordiska medieföretag i dagsläget inte tittar på påverkan på den biologiska mångfaldens integritet, och inte heller fokuserar på ett holistiskt angreppssätt vad gäller hållbarhet, är de sju fokusområdena [SFAs] av den visuella linsen [Pathway Lens] ett verktyg för att bättre förstå deras unika möjlighet att accelerera hållbara livsstilar genom deras innehåll, marknadsplatser, samt produkter och events, vilka i sin tur adresserar påverkan på den biologiska mångfaldens integritet. Medieindustrin delar också den kollektiva möjligheten att accelerera hållbara värdekedjor genom att prioritera värderingar som transcenderar jaget (self-transcendence), resurser, ansvarsfulla verksamheter, cirkulära affärsmodeller, iterativt intressentengagemang, och externa partnerskap. Eftersom drivkrafterna bakom förlust av biologisk mångfald är komplexa och sammankopplade [3], krävs komplexa och sammankopplade lösningar för att skydda både människor och planeten.

Physical customer products have an environmental impact, such as greenhouse gas emissions, due to the use of virgin resources from cradle-to-grave, especially when the origin of the material is from fossil resources. This thesis aims to create a circular business model, by investigating the product ‘stroller’ and place it in a Product Service System, where the user subscribes to the Stroller Service System. This means that the product gets a service function: ‘transportation of a child’, mapped with a user-centered approach. The main objective is to lower the ecological footprint by adopting a modular design including bio-based material and stainless steel, and also include services to address economical and social sustainability goals. The methodology that is used is divided into two parts: Status Analysis – which consists of stroller related literature study, literature review and case study, and the second part is the Design Process – creating the product-, service- and system design. The results are grounded in user insights, life cycle assessment and co-creation with experts, where the conclusions are that a PSS Model Stroller should be used by 4-6 users which translate to about 15-20 years of usage for the steel layer. The way of refurbishing the strollers is done by contract workers that exist where the users exists, i.e. Ease Stroller Hub, who change the bio-based material in-between the use-phases and hands over the refurbished stroller to the next user. Add-on services of access to car pools and grocery delivery is included in the system to ease the stroller user’s everyday life and is a way to designing out the need of owning a car, to lower the overall environmental impact.

This document includes three completed publications to represent Urban Agriculture as a ideal solution to meet the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The first publication (Weaver, 2017a) provided in Chapter Two examines the stormwater Best Management Practices (BMP) modelling parameters for the current EPA Stormwater Management Model (SWMM) as the first step to developing Urban Agriculture BMPs. The second publication (Weaver, 2015) provided in Chapter Three highlights how many high-rated scholars have identified agriculture as a critical driver for the planetary systems impacts we find with community development. The third publication (Weaver, 2017b) provided in Chapter Four breaks down a completely new definition for Urban Agriculture, as the foundational works disagree on meaning, resulting in an ambiguous definition. Together, these publications encourage engineers to model Sustainable Development options with green infrastructure (Weaver, 2017a), distinct from the Planetary Systems impacts of other contemporary options (Weaver, 2015), with a greater understanding of the social capital to engage stakeholders in meeting the UN Sustainable Development Goals (Weaver, 2017b).

Термін «місія» є ключовим у змісті назви Великого Проекту «Сковорода-300 - планетарна місія України в досягненні сталого розвитку і цілей тисячоліття» (далі: Проект - «С-300»). Воно свідчить про те, що Проект - «С-300» має виконати роль генератора і організатора з боку України дій високого призначення, несучі відповідальну роль перед світовою спільнотою в контексті досягнення на планеті сталого розвитку і вирішення проблем III тисячоліття. При цитуванні документа, використовуйте посилання http://essuir.sumdu.edu.ua/handle/123456789/34421

L'implémentation à large échelle de stratégies d’atténuation des émissions dans le secteur de l'agriculture, la forêt et autres usages des sols (AFOLU) pose des questions sur leur durabilité. Par exemple, les bio-fuels de seconde génération menacent la biodiversité et la reforestation d'espaces agricoles augmente le prix de l'alimentation. De plus, ces stratégies d’atténuation des émissions dépendent fortement des conditions socio-économiques décrivant le reste du système alimentaire (libéralisation du commerce agricole, développement économique, augmentation de la population...). Dans cette thèse, nous cherchons à préciser les impacts sur la biodiversité, l'alimentation et les émissions de gaz à effet de serre de différentes stratégies d’atténuation à large échelle dans le secteur AFOLU au regard de différentes situations socio-économiques. Pour cela, nous utilisons la modélisation prospective qui nous permet de simuler des scénarios décrivant l'évolution de l'usage des sols à l'échelle mondiale à l'horizon 2030, 2050 et 2100. Le couplage du modèle d'usage des sols Nexus Land-Use (NLU) avec le modèle de biodiversité Projecting Responses of Ecological Diversity In Changing Terrestrial Systems (PREDICTS) permet d’étudier l’impact de ces stratégies d’atténuation sur différentes composantes de la biodiversité. Le calcul de bilan d’azote permet quant à lui de préciser le lien entre l’intensification et sont impact environnemental.Dans la première partie du manuscrit de thèse, nous testons des scénarios d’augmentation de la production de légumineuse en Europe en évaluant les effets sur les émissions de gaz à effet de serre du secteur AFOLU. Nous montrons que le principal avantage environnemental des légumineuses est de fournir des protéines comme substitut aux produits d'origine animale plutôt que de permettre une réduction de la consommation d'engrais de synthèse par une fixation accrue de l'azote par les légumineuses. La majorité de la réduction d’émission a lieu dans le secteur de production animal et hors de l'Europe. Notons également l'importance des mécanismes indirects qui mène à une réduction des émissions de N2O associées à la fertilisation azotée dans le secteur végétal. La sensibilité de ces résultats à la combinaison du scénario de changement de régime alimentaire avec un scénario de reforestation nous amène à nous intéresser dans la suite aux interactions entre stratégies d’atténuation.Dans la seconde partie, nous étudions les compromis et les synergies entre conservation de la biodiversité et maintien de la sécurité alimentaire pour différents scénarios d’atténuation. La production à large échelle de bioénergie a des effets négatifs à la fois sur différents indicateurs de biodiversité (richesse spécifique et l’indicateur d'intégrité de la biodiversité) et sur la sécurité alimentaire (prix de l’alimentation et coût de production). Bien que présentant un compromis entre protection de la biodiversité et sécurité alimentaire, les combinaisons de changement de régime alimentaire et de scénario de reforestation permettent d’améliorer la biodiversité et la sécurité alimentaire dans de nombreux cas par rapport à une situation sans atténuation des émissions.Dans la troisième partie, nous comparons différentes évolutions de l'usage des sols à l'échelle mondiale en identifiant les scénarios qui permettent de ne pas dépasser les limites de la planète au regard d'indicateurs renseignant le cycle de l’azote, l'intégrité de la biosphère, les émissions de CO2 du secteur AFOLU et la conservation des forêts. Nous montrons que malgré l’incertitude régnant autour de la détermination des limites planétaires, les scénarios environnementaux qui permettent de rester de manière robuste au sein de ces limites planétaires sont constitués majoritairement de reforestation, de changement de régime alimentaire et d’augmentation de l’efficacité de l’utilisation des intrants dans la production végétale
The large-scale implementation of emission reduction strategies in the agriculture, forestry and other land uses (AFOLU) sector raises questions about their sustainability. For example, second-generation bio-fuels threaten biodiversity and the reforestation of agricultural land increases food prices. In addition, these emission reduction strategies are highly dependent on socio-economic conditions describing the rest of the food system (agricultural trade liberalization, economic development, population growth, etc.). For example, an increase in food demand, due to population growth and economic development, can increase pressures on the food system, leading to ecosystem degradation and increased greenhouse gas emissions. In this thesis, we seek to clarify the impacts on biodiversity, food and greenhouse gas emission of large-scale mitigation strategies in the AFOLU sector under different socio-economic conditions. To do this, we used prospective modeling to simulate various global land uses in 2030, 2050 and 2100 under different scenarios. More specifically, to study the impact of different mitigation strategies on biodiversity indicators, we coupled the Nexus Land-Use (NLU) model with the Projecting Responses of Ecological Diversity In Changing Terrestrial Systems (PREDICTS) biodiversity model. A nitrogen balance is also built to specify the link between intensification and environmental impact.In the first chapter, we assessed the impact of scenarios of increased legume production in Europe on greenhouse gas emissions in the AFOLU sector. We found that the main environmental benefit of legumes is to provide proteins as a substitute for animal products rather than enabling a lower consumption of synthetic fertilizer through the increased leguminous nitrogen fixation. Most of the emission reduction takes place in the animal production sector and outside Europe. This first chapter also highlights the importance of indirect mechanisms that lead to a reduction in N2O emissions associated with nitrogen fertilization in the plant sector. The sensitivity of these results to different reforestation scenario led me to then focus on the interactions between mitigation strategies.In the second chapter, we analyzed the trade-offs and synergies between biodiversity and food security for different combinations of mitigation scenarios. Large-scale bioenergy production had negative effects on different biodiversity indicators (species richness and biodiversity intactness index) as well as on different food security indicators (food prices and production costs). Although presenting a trade-off between biodiversity protection and food security, a combination of diet change and reforestation scenarios can improve biodiversity and food security in many cases compared to a situation without mitigation.In a third chapter, we identified global land-use scenarios that ensure to stay within planetary boundaries in terms of nitrogen cycle, biosphere integrity, non-CO2 emissions from the AFOLU sector and forest conservation. We showed that despite the uncertainty surrounding the determination of global boundaries, the most robust environmental scenarios that ensure to stay within these global boundaries are mainly composed of reforestation, dietary changes and increased efficiency in the use of inputs in crop production

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Se, por um lado, o meio ambiente é fundamental para o crescimento econômico no modelo capitalista, as crises ambientais, devido ao não respeito dos limites planetários, representam uma ameaça para humanidade. As empresas são cobradas para contribuir com a solução desse problema, por historicamente terem contribuído para essa situação. Por outro lado, ainda existem poucos estudos que tratam a sustentabilidade empresarial e seus impactos para melhorar a qualidade do meio ambiente (WHITEMAN, WALKER E PEREGO, 2013). Este estudo buscou avaliar se as estratégias de sustentabilidade do setor elétrico estão alinhadas aos principais desafios ambientais da atualidade. Para definir esses desafios, o estudo se baseou, principalmente, na teoria dos limites planetários de Steffen et al. (2015). Além de revisões bibliográficas, também foi realizada uma análise Multi Estudos de Casos, que contou com análises documentais (websites e relatórios de sustentabilidade) e entrevistas com três líderes da estratégia de sustentabilidade de empresas do setor elétrico, que são referências no tema (estão na carteira do ISE). Como resultado desse estudo, observou-se que, dos nove limites planetários (mudança do clima, integridade da biosfera, redução da camada de ozônio, acidificação dos oceanos, uso de água doce, fluxo bioquímico (nitrogênio e fósforo), alteração no território , carga de aerossol atmosférico e novos contaminantes), seis deles (mudança do clima, integridade da biosfera, alteração no território, uso de água doce, carga de aerossol atmosférico e novos contaminantes) tiveram historicamente o setor elétrico como uma de suas principais ameaças. Dois desses temas (mudança do clima e novos contaminantes) são considerados prioritários por todas as empresas estudadas. No entanto, quando se analisa o alinhamento das empresas para enfrentar os principais impactos causados pelo setor nos limítes planetários, observa-se que: I) todos os impactos relacionados ao tema ‘alteração no território’ são geridos por, ao menos, uma estratégia de cada empresa estudada; II) todos os impactos relacionados a uso de água doces e carga de aerossóis atmosféricos são gerenciados por uma ou duas das empresas estudadas; III) um ou mais impactos relacionados aos temas ‘mudança do clima’, ‘integridade da biosfera’ e ‘novos contaminantes’ não são gerenciados pela estratégia de sustentabilidade de nenhuma empresa estudada. Ao final, são sugeridos alguns estudos futuros relacionados aos temas estudados.
The environment is essential for economic growth in capitalism. In contrast, environmental crisis, due to not respecting planetary boundaries, represent a threat to humanity. Corporations are charged to help solving this problem, since historically they were the contributors of this issue. Nonetheless, there still are few studies that deal with corporate sustainability and its impacts to improve environment quality (Whiteman, Walker and Perego, 2013). This paper tried to evaluate if the sustainable strategies within the Brazilian electric Power companies are aligned with the main environmental challenges of current times. To describe these challenges, this research was mainly based on the planetary boundaries theory , done by Steffen et al. (2015). Among several bibliographic reviews, it was done a an Multiple Case Study analysis, that took into account documental reviews (websites and sustainability reports), interviews with three sustainable strategy leaders from benchmark companies of the Brazilian electric power sector (present at ISE portfolio).As a result of this research, it was realized that out of the nine planetary boundaries described (climate change, biosphere integrity, stratospheric ozone depletion, ocean acidification, freshwater use, biochemical flows (nitrogen and phosphorus), land-system change, atmospheric aerossol loading, novel entities) , the electric power sector represents a historically threat over six of them (climate change, biosphere integrity, land-system change, freshwater use, atmospheric aerossol and novel entities). The companies studied consider as a priority two of these boundaries (climate change and novel entities). Notwithstanding that, observing these companies alignment to deal with these main impacts caused by the electric sector Power on the boundaries, we can point that: I) all companies have their own strategies to manage all impacts on land-system change ; II) at least one company manages each freshwater use or atmospheric aerossol loading impacts; III) one or more impacts caused by climate change, biospheric integrity or novel entities are not dealt with any of these companies. It is possible to conclude that sustainable strategies among the Brazilian eletric power sector companies are partially aligned with the main environmental challenges of current times. Lastly, futures studies related to these cases are suggested.

Title: How can circular economy contribute to social sustainability on a district level? Social sustainability is an idea that is key in further developing sustainability programs which highlights the importance of the actions of individuals in society. In the process of determining whether circular economy can contribute to social sustainability on a district level, two important theories were identified; social capital and place-based identity. This was due to the fact that they embody the major aspects that make up social sustainability. The theories will be studied by analyzing literature and an interview to strengthen the facts taken from the studied literature. The thesis concerns the concepts sustainable development, planetary boundaries, Doughnut Economics, regenerative cities and Doughnut Districts that together create a context for the further analysis regarding circular economy, social capital and place-based identity. These theories are the main focus of the study, and will therefore be studied more thoroughly. In this thesis, sustainable development is defined as the kind of development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. The theory of Doughnut Economics encompasses key limiting factors such as the limited natural resources available and the power of social behaviour, which constitutes the boundaries for human living space. Neighbourhoods developed and shaped by the concept of Doughnut Economics are referred to as Doughnut Districts. Regenerative cities can be described as cities that are in harmony with their surroundings, as well as the ecosystem. Circular economy is an economic model which aims for a circulation of resources while achieving economic growth in combination with a minimal environmental impact. Meanwhile, social capital involves the intricate relationships between individuals in society, which allows the society to function more efficiently. This includes organizations and communities that through establishing norms and utilizing their influence produces positive changes. Place-based identity is characterized by an individual’s cultural and emotional connection to a specific place. The unity and pride of individuals within a certain city can be important indicators for how socially sustainable the aforementioned city is. This is a major root for good social relationships within a district, which in effect make individuals feel more welcome and provides a sense of belonging. Combined with the aspects of circular economy, solutions that strengthens circular resource flows, while allowing communities to be used as sharing networks in purpose of maximizing the use of products are suggested. This would create an environment in which a growing ground for innovation comes naturally. This will be achieved by utilizing an accessible compound system and commercial actors, which includes local creative competences. This provides a local anchoring that leads to positive norms and trust by thrust between habitants and their influence on their local environment. The real estate firm Vasakronan is joining forces with Urban Minds to develop a community, Norra Kymlinge, to become a district driven by the aforementioned sustainable principles. This concept can be combined with ideas about the circular economy model. As for the relation between circular economy and social sustainability, the recommendations aim to support the model which constitutes a framework for the district.

Mestrado em Ciências Empresariais
A preocupação com o meio ambiente ganhou importância nos hábitos das sociedades. Enquanto indivíduos e consumidores temos maior consciência do impacto das nossas ações sobre o planeta. Esta consciencialização global levou à mudança de paradigma e ao tipo de gestão dos negócios, assistindo-se ao aumento da preocupação ambiental por parte de governos, empresas, associações e organizações. Atendendo a que os conceitos de "marketing sustentável" e "sustentabilidade" assumem, hoje, um papel decisivo nas empresas, levantou-se a questão - "DE QUE FORMA A SUSTENTABILIDADE TEM INFLUÊNCIA NA AQUISIÇÃO DE UM PRODUTO DE COSMÉTICA?" - com o objetivo de verificar se as empresas ambientalmente responsáveis adquirem ou não, vantagem competitiva. A fim de reunir informação sobre o tema, realizou-se uma extensa pesquisa sobre sustentabilidade, desenvolvimento sustentável, marketing sustentável, vantagem competitiva, empresas sustentáveis, normas, relatórios e programas sobre o meio ambiente, consumidor verde e história da indústria cosmética. A questão central foi direcionada para a indústria de cosmética, sendo a empresa em estudo The Body Shop. A marca é mundialmente conhecida pelo uso de recursos naturais e práticas sustentáveis. Foi pioneira na relação entre as empresas e estratégias sustentáveis para a proteção do planeta. Nesta dissertação foi aplicada uma metodologia quantitativa, a fim de apurar o grau de conhecimento sobre a marca e os conceitos referidos anteriormente. Várias questões emergiram neste processo de pesquisa, sendo sugeridas para investigação futura.
The environment has become an important concern in the societies worldwide. This global awareness led to a change in the social habits and subsequently to a shift of the social paradigm and the type of business management. We can observe an increasing environmental concern by governments, companies, associations and organizations. As the concepts of sustainability in general, and the sustainable marketing in particular seem to assume a crucial role amongst companies in different sectors, a question has been raised: -"HOW DOES SUSTAINABILITY INFLUENCE THE ACQUISITION OF A COSMETIC PRODUCT?". It is intended to understand if environmentally responsible companies and with the domain of the concept of "sustainability" acquire or not, competitive advantage. In order to gather relevant information about this subject it was conducted an extensive research that focused on: sustainability, sustainable development, sustainable marketing, competitive advantage, sustainable enterprises, norms, reports and programs on the environment, green consumer and the history of cosmetics. The main question of this paper targeted the cosmetic industry, and the company under study was The Body Shop. The brand is worldwide known for using natural resources and sustainable practices. It was pioneer in the relationship between business and sustainable strategies for the protection of the planet. In this dissertation, in order to determine to what extend are both the brand and the concepts mentioned above known, it was applied a quantitative methodology. Several questions emerged from this research process and they were suggested for future research.

Yes
Purpose: Circular economy is presented as an approach to economic growth that is in line with sustainable development. However, the recent literature has highlighted the limits of the concept in terms of environmental sustainability. The study examines the relationship between circular economy and conservation of ecosystems, using a case study on the implications of a circular economy for Slovak forests and forest sector. Design/methodology/approach: This study adopts a qualitative methodology through a focused review of the relevant literature on circular economy and sustainable development and primary data gathered through semi-structured interviews with 15 experts and practitioners in the forest sector, forest conservation and circular economy context, both from within as well as outside of Slovakia. Findings: The study finds that the forestry sector has an important role to play in a shift to a circular economy in Slovakia, with significant opportunities for improved efficiency as well as substitution of wood for non-renewable resources. There is also growing potential for ecosystem stewardship and restoration. However, the increased application of biomass could crowd out other needs, including for biodiversity. Safeguarding these services depends ultimately on good governance. Originality/value: The study highlights that circular economy taken in a narrow focus on resource efficiency is insufficient to ensure environmental sustainability but rather needs to be set within the broader environmental and social context.

A utilização de quadros de análise para a identificação, monitorização e compensação de impactos ambientais é uma prática cada vez mais recorrente no meio empresarial. O Modelo de Limites Planetários é um dos muitos quadros de análise já existentes, no entanto ainda nenhuma empresa portuguesa implementou a abordagem deste modelo na sua estratégia. Neste estudo foram analisados os principais desafios para as empresas portuguesas durante uma aplicação hipotética da abordagem do modelo na sua estratégia e as principais oportunidades resultantes dessa aplicação. Foram também analisados os impactos ambientais mais materiais de um conjunto de empresas portuguesas. Para tal, realizaram-se entrevistas a técnicos e/ou especialistas de sustentabilidade de quatro empresas (Hovione, Bondalti, SUMOL+COMPAL, The Navigator Company) e analisou-se o relatório de sustentabilidade mais recente de cada empresa. Concluiu-se que o modelo necessitaria de ser mais desenvolvido para que as empresas o implementassem na sua estratégia, uma vez que existe ainda uma incompatibilidade entre a escala global do modelo e a escala das empresas, sendo esse o principal desafio apontado pelos entrevistados. Estes consideram como principal oportunidade o facto de o modelo, quando plenamente desenvolvido, poder ser muito útil no sentido de avaliar e comparar o impacto ambiental que os países ou as indústrias têm nos limites e componentes do modelo. Concluiu-se também que os impactos ambientais mais materiais das quatro empresas ocorrem maioritariamente ao nível da atividade industrial, sendo estes o consumo de água e energia, a descarga de efluentes, as emissões de GEE e a geração e descarga de resíduos.
The use of frameworks for the identification, monitoring and compensation of environmental impacts is an increasingly common practice in the business sector. The Planetary Boundaries Framework is one of the many existing frameworks, however no Portuguese company has yet implemented this model’s approach in its strategy. This study analyzes the main challenges to a hypothetical application of the models’ approach in the Portuguese companies’ strategy, as well as the main opportunities resulting from that application. The most material environmental impacts of a set of Portuguese companies were also assessed. To this end, interviews were carried out with sustainability technicians and/or specialists from four companies (Hovione, Bondalti, SUMOL+COMPAL, The Navigator Company) and the most recent sustainability report of each company was analyzed. The model would need to be further developed for companies to implement it in their strategy, since there is still an incompatibility between the global scale of the model and the scale of companies, which was the main obstacle/challenge pointed out by the interviewees. The interviewees consider as a main opportunity the fact that the model, when fully developed, can be very useful to assess and compare the environmental impact that countries or industries have on the models’ limits and components. It was also concluded that the most material environmental impacts of the four companies occur mostly at the level of industrial activity. These are water and energy consumption, effluent discharge, GHG emissions and waste generation and discharge.

O presente trabalho corresponde a uma dissertação realizada no âmbito do Curso de Mestrado em Ciências da Educação, especialização em Pedagogia Social, na Faculdade de Educação e Psicologia da Universidade Católica Portuguesa – Porto, sob o título “Sustentabilidade do Planeta e Pedagogia Ambiental – Exigências de Formação Académica – Estudo de Caso”. Reconhecendo-se a importância da Educação Ambiental (EA) no contexto das sociedades contemporâneas, pretendeu-se compreender em que medida esta preocupação se encontra inscrita na formação académica dos educadores em particular dos pedagogos sociais. Neste sentido, para efeitos de fundamentação do quadro teórico recorreu-se à bibliografia científica sobre a problemática da Sustentabilidade do Planeta num quadro de Pedagogia Social, bem como a legislação considerada relevante. Em termos empíricos, optou-se por um estudo de caso, centrado num curso de formação inicial de educadores sociais oferecido por uma instituição de ensino superior. Os dados recolhidos e analisados neste estudo permitiram-nos reafirmar a nossa convicção de que a Educação Ambiental desempenha um papel fundamental na Formação Académica dos pedagogos sociais, sugerindo a necessidade do seu reforço e inclusão nos respetivos planos formativos.
This work is part of the Master's Degree in Educational Sciences, specialization in Social Pedagogy, at the Faculty of Education and Psychology of the Catholic University of Portugal – Oporto. The theoretical study is part of the contribution of Social Pedagogy to the issue of the Sustainability of the Planet and Academic Training Requirements. With a view of this intended to understand to what extent this concern is inscribed in the academic training of educators, particularly social pedagogues. In this sense, for the purpose of grounding the theoretical framework, we resorted to the scientific literature on the issue of the Sustainability of the Planet in a framework of Social Pedagogy, as well as the legislation considered relevant. The empirical study is part of a case study that is based on a documental analysis and on the direct questioning is centered on an initial training course for social educators offered by a higher education institution. The data collected and analyzed in this study allowed us to reaffirm our conviction that Environmental Education plays a fundamental role in Academic Training, suggesting the need for its inclusion in their training plans.

Duas décadas antes da publicação do “Relatório Brundtland”, a sustentabilidade ambiental já recorria a imagens de Observação da Terra (OT), recolhidas por satélites artificiais, úteis para meteorologia, monitorizar a poluição, desertificação, e alterações climáticas. África deu os primeiros passos no Espaço nos anos 70. Os países africanos investiram já mais de 300M de dólares em satélites de OT, e alguns constroem os seus próprios CubeSat. Ao contrário da Europa, nunca se materializou uma Agência Espacial que unisse esforços dos países africanos. Muitos stakeholders de ambiente africanos usam dados espaciais, e era importante perceber porque não fruiu ainda uma iniciativa espacial multinacional, e como poderia semelhante cooperação servir a sustentabilidade ambiental naquela região. A metodologia seguida aliou a pesquisa bibliográfica a um inquérito feito a entidades africanas dos setores de Espaço e de ambiente. Na primeira fase analisaram-se as 24 iniciativas espaciais africanas. Foram classificadas segundo uma escala proposta pelo autor, que dá primazia ao conhecimento, sobre a industrialização e orçamento. Concluiu-se que a África do Sul, a Argélia, a Nigéria, e Egito são os maiores casos de sucesso. Sendo evidente que as aplicações de OT têm impacto positivo na sustentabilidade ambiental, em África e noutras regiões do globo, foi realizado um inquérito (segunda fase) que obteve 95 respostas. Os inquiridos conhecem iniciativas espaciais, sobretudo não africanas, valorizam o Espaço como resposta aos desafios da sustentabilidade ambiental, e creem ser prioritário o conhecimento versus tecnologia. A casuística dos insucessos de iniciativas multinacionais africanas, torna irrealista esse tipo cooperação em Espaço, e impossível de emular o modelo da Agência Espacial Europeia. Propõe-se então, o roadmap para ajudar atores africanos a melhor guiar os seus esforços espaciais para sustentabilidade ambiental. O roadmap abrange boas práticas para iniciativas espaciais nacionais e multinacionais africanas, e o desenvolvimento local de aplicações de OT. São enfatizadas as potencialidades dos drones e das tendências “New Space”. Considera-se que os atores de Espaço africanos poderão alcançar mais sucesso investindo na educação e em políticas de dados abertas para a produção de informação pertinente aos stakeholders do ambiente.
Already two decades before the “Brundtland” Report” was published, environmental sustainability was being served by Earth Observation (EO) images, collected by man-made satellites, and useful for meteorology, monitoring pollution, desertification and climate change. Africa took its first step into space in the 1970s. Over 700M USD have been since invested in EO satellites by African Nations, some building CubeSats on their own. Unlike in Europe, a Space Agency that would have joined African Nations’ forces never materialized. However, many environmental stakeholders in Africa use space data, and it is important to grasp why a multinational space initiative has not come into fruition, and how such cooperation could serve environmental sustainability in the region. The methodology followed combined bibliographic research and a survey made with African entities from the space and environment sectors. In the first phase, the 24 African space initiatives were analysed. This classification was made with a scale proposed by the author, which over emphasizes know-how over industrialisation and budget. Algeria, Nigeria, Egypt and South Africa were graded as the most successful. Evidence showing that EO applications can leave a positive impact on environmental sustainability in Africa and other regions in the world, a survey (undertaken in the second phase) gathered 95 responses, covering 34 of the 54 African nations. The responders were found to be knowledgeable about space initiatives, especially non-African, value space as a response to environmental sustainability challenges, and believe know-how should be a priority over technology. The underlying reasons why multinational initiatives have not succeeded in Africa, makes such type of cooperation unrealistic in space, and impossible to emulate the European Space Agency model. A roadmap is then devised to help African actors guide their space efforts towards environmental sustainability. This roadmap covers best practices for national and multinational African space initiatives, and the development of OT applications. The potential offered by drones and New Space trends are emphasized. It is considered that African space actors can achieve more success by investing in education and open data policies in order to produce information pertinent to environment stakeholders.