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Environmental Performance Indicators as Guidelines Towards Sustainability
... It cannot be admitted that sustainable development is an absolute limitation. In fact, they mean the establishment of certain limits according to the current level of technology and resources and the ability of the biosphere to absorb the effects of human activity (Petrovic et al., 2012). Sustainable development helps maintain a balance between nature and man makes the world safer for all forms of life. ...
... Managing and reporting on environmental performance can lead to significant business benefits as well as benefits for the environment (Petrović, Slović & Ćirović, 2012). IEA analyses and reports (Energy Information Administration, 2006) show it is possible to cut global energy demand by 10% by the year 2030, as well as reduce the industrial emissions of greenhouse gases by 16%, primarily by redirecting investments for energy production towards introduction of projects that replace inefficient equipment with the technology that saves energy. ...
This paper elaborates financial mechanisms for financing energy efficiency with particular emphasis on the resources from financial institutions and equity funds and capital from the companies themselves. By conducting relevant academic research of literature and data from print and electronic sources (statistical reports, laws and regulations, statements of companies and financial institutions), as well as from the practical experience of some countries, it has been observed that the poor representation of adapted financial mechanisms is a major constraint to the emergence of a culture of energy efficiency in most countries, including Serbia. Even where they exist they are not necessarily known to make use of successful experiences. By conducting an analysis of the relevant academic literature and an analysis of practical experiences in the domain of energy efficiency and renewable energy sources it was concluded that energy efficiency is a significant potential for growth of the economic strength of Serbia, and therefore incentives should nfluence a greater use of renewable energy and a reduction in use of the fossil fuels as an energy source.
In the wake of environmental challenges, it becomes questionable whether transfer from linear to a nonlinear or circular economy can be achieved by continuing to employ traditional linear ways of thinking about potential solutions and designing the tools for achieving the desired outcomes that should lead to overall planetary sustainability. Instead, for this important issue, it is necessary to involve a number of stakeholders in the implementation and measurement of circular economy implementation efficiency in practice. In addition to governments and industry, the entire society must participate in this, including higher education institutions. Higher education is necessary because it is a crucial tool for achieving sustainability and sustainable development. The quality of education is very important in economies – in this case, circular economies. Bearing this in mind, the key aspect of this chapter focuses on the scientific research in circular economy education among students of the University of Belgrade, Republic of Serbia. The results obtained can be a useful source of information to other educators, at a time when improving education for sustainability is gaining more and more credibility and scientific ground.KeywordsCircular economySustainabilityHigher educationHigher education for circular economyCurriculum
Este artículo es una revisión de la literatura existente sobre investigaciones que han explorado el vínculo entre las prácticas de recursos humanos (RRHH) y la sostenibilidad ambiental en el contexto organizacional, para identificar con ello las prácticas de RRHH que impactan la estrategia de sostenibilidad ambiental. La contribución de este artículo para fines académicos y prácticos es establecer cuáles son los impactos en las estrategias de sostenibilidad ambiental y cómo pueden alcanzarse a través de la gestión estratégica de RRHH. Los principales hallazgos de esta investigación dan elementos para la construcción de un modelo de diseño e implementación para aquellas organizaciones que tienen la intención de ser más efectivas en su gestión ambiental y marcar el rumbo para futuros investigadores que quieran responder desde el campo de los RRHH a las necesidades globales de preservar y proteger el medio ambiente.
Many sources have been noted that environmental protection measures are economically beneficial as their application allows to increase the efficiency of resource use, reduce operating costs and increase company‘s profit. The aim of the article is to analyze the relevance of the environmental protection component of sustainable development in terms of its expression in the corporate activities. The possibilities to integrate this component into the company‘s developmental strategy are analyzed alongside creation of a model with a set of actions directed towards increasing environmental sustainability. The elements of this model would define not only the environmental actions to be taken, but would also provide structural basis for implementation of these processes. Assessment of actions under the criteria selected will determine and justify the sequence of processes to achieve the best results in the field of sustainability. The application of this model in the company's daily activities would allow to gradually approaching environmental sustainability and successfully manage environmental issues in any corporation. Research was based on the systematic analysis of scientific literature, synthesis of information, modelling actions according to their practical possibilities.
Vienas iš darnios plėtros tikslų – suderinti norą gerinti gyvenimo kokybę su globalinių ekologinių sistemų apribojimais. Įmonės, siekdamos darnios plėtros turi derinti ekonominius interesus su aplinkosauginėmis reikmėmis ir imtis visų galimų priemonių aplinkai išsaugoti. Pastaruoju metu pastebėta, kad aplinkosauginės priemonės yra ekonomiškai naudingos, nes leidžia sumažinti žaliavų suvartojimą ir padidinti energetinį efektyvumą. Straipsnio tikslas–išnagrinėjus darnios plėtros aplinkosaugos komponento aktualumą, raišką realių įmonių pavyzdžiu, galimybes šį komponentą integruoti į įmonės strategiją ir vadybos sistemas, pateikti sudarytą darnios plėtros aplinkosaugos komponento raiškos modelį, kurio taikymas įmonės veikloje leistų palaipsniui artėti prie darnios plėtros.Tyrimui atlikti naudota mokslinės literatūros sisteminė analizė, sintezė.
In the context of growing concern over the global environment and related sustainability issues, the purpose of this research is to stimulate discussion about the Environmental Performance Index (EPI) and its necessary role not only in measuring postgraduate students' attitudes about EPI, and its nine categories underpinned, but also, their important role in the development of appropriate curriculum of programs that are about environmental management and sustainable development as well. Further on, the obtained results of the presented research in the paper broaden the understanding of the opportunities for not only the Republic of Serbia but every country as well, in using the EPI methodology as it has a wide applicability in improving environmental pillars of their future sustainability.
Acknowledgements.- Rethinking Sustainability-Editor's Introduction Marco Keiner.- Sustainability-Quo Vadis?.- Reflections on Sustainability, Population Growth, and the Environment-2006 Albert A. Bartlett.- Sustainable Development-Definitions, Principles, Policies Herman E. Daly.- Sustainability is Not Enough Peter Marcuse.- Challenges to Sustainable Development.- Sustainable Development and Urbanization Marios Camhis.- Sustainable Economies-Local or Global? Helena Norberg-Hodge.- Business and Human Rights Klaus M. Leisinger.- New approaches.- A New Glasnost for Global Sustainability Mikhail Gorbachev.- Tools for the Transition to Sustainability Dennis L. Meadows.- 'Factor Four' and Sustainable Development in the Age of Globalization Ernst Ulrich von Weizsacker.- Ecological Footprint Accounting-Comparing Earth's Biological Capacity with an Economy's Resource Demand Mathis Wackernagel.- Advancing Sustainable Development and its Implementation Through Spatial Planning Marco Keiner.- Sustainability is Dead-Long Live Sustainability Alan AtKisson.- About the Authors. Index.