Martin O'Connor

Embodied Pollution in Trade: Estimating the 'Environmental Load Displacement' of Industrialised Countries

The vehicle tire chain structure is disclosed, which includes a plurality of cross chains which are arcuately spaced about the tire tread, and held in place by rope connectors, each of which are connected to the successive inboard and outboard ends of the cross chains. The assembly is held in place by an additional spreader rope, and its associated connecting elements, to facilitate the tightening of the assembly, and maintaining same in a taut condition during prolonged periods of use. The tire chain structure is assembled on the vehicle tire without jacking up or movement of the vehicle.

Challenges in the use of science for sustainable development

This paper summarises some of the challenges to science that are posed by the search for sustainability. These challenges are not only technical ones, such as more affordable or reliable equipment for health care, water quality control and refrigeration. There are also fundamental empirical and methodological challenges, such as complexity, irreversibility and uncertainty over the long term, that must be faced for achieving better understanding of our environment and the planets life-support systems. Finally, there are moral and procedural challenges for defining the roles of science-based knowledge and innovations for poverty reduction, for governance of technological and environmental risks, for sustainable ecosystems management, and for effective communication of scientific information to achieve these goals.

Top-down/bottom-up approach for developing sustainable development indicators for mining: application to the Arlit uranium mines (Niger)

Minerals extraction is related to complex sustainable-development issues that are subject to international and local controversies. Debates and decisions need to be based on objective and comparative elements. Defining strong indicators for assessing impacts and performances of mining sites thus appears necessary to inform and support the decision-making process for stakeholders. In recent years, many indicator sets have been developed on an international level based on top-down approaches. But they commonly lack legitimacy for stakeholders and adequacy to specific site issues. They thus need to be complemented by the consultation of local actors concerned by such mining activity, in order to define indicators that are closer to the needs and contexts of the specific sites. This is the goal of the work reported in this paper, undertaken at the Arlit uranium mines in Niger. Our objective was to define indicators that are understood and accepted by all actors, as a basis for robust and transparent assessment of the impacts and performances of mining sites across the four sustainable development dimensions, and at local, regional and national scales.

Transitioning to sustainability: pathways, directions and opportunities

The transition to sustainability requires not only an understanding of the risks that society is facing but the development of pathways that will enable the shift towards sustainability. Such risks include not only resources and global warming but also established economic models and social ethics and values. This paper identifies how the risks facing global societies are being addressed, and outlines methods that are being used to identify and create dialogues with stakeholders. Cities, due to their direct role in ensuring that the needs of their communities are met, are providing leading visions and strategies in achieving sustainability in collaboration with other cities and with companies. Models for identifying stakeholders and enabling multiple perspectives to be integrated into discussions have been developed and are being put into practice. These are being enhanced through use of computer models, geographic information systems, mind mapping and matrix tools to develop visions and strategies for sustainable cities.

EU climate policy: research support for Kyoto and beyond. Policy/research interface workshops series

This paper contains a synthesis report of four research/policy interface workshops organised by the European Commission. The workshops were designed to provide direct and timely support for the development of the European Commissions approach to the Kyoto Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in December 1997, and to its follow-up. The workshops addressed in particular: the issues and the options for greenhouse gases abatement, the assessment of policies and measures, criteria and instruments for flexibility and differentiation, and comprehensive approaches and implementation review issues.

Perspectives on transfer of the Czech experience to other EU Accession countries

This paper evaluates, on the basis of experience in the Czech Republic, the usefulness and prospects for implementation of the GREENSTAMP modular approach to greened national accounting in other Accession countries. It contributes to the appraisal of the feasibility and strategic interest of green accounting implementations for other countries within the European Union and, particularly, in the process of accession to the EU. First, recommendations are developed about prospects for transfer of the Czech study experience to other Accession countries, by considering the methods and implementations on a module by module basis. Then, some general cross-cutting categories are discussed that seem to have high relevance for most, if not all Accession countries. This is followed by a detailed appraisal of policy priorities and green accounting research feasibility for Slovakia. Finally, a framework is presented suggesting appropriate steps for defining priorities and operational green accounting implementation in other EU Accession countries.