This paper deals with the development of waste management legislation and its impact on the results of waste treatment. Together with the progress that was achieved in waste management, existing problems and new tools that are needed to meet them are examined. An overview of hazardous waste management regulations in the EU and Lithuania is made. It was found that the tax on waste products encourages recycling of hazardous waste (scrap tires) thus saving money for transport companies and ensures successful operation of waste recycling companies.
This paper deals with the development of waste management legislation and its impact on the results of waste treatment. Together with the progress that was achieved in waste management, existing problems and new tools that are needed to meet them are examined. An overview of hazardous waste management regulations in the EU and Lithuania is made. It was found that the tax on waste products encourages recycling of hazardous waste (scrap tires) thus saving money for transport companies and ensures successful operation of waste recycling companies.
The idea of harmonizing economic growth with the laws of society development and the environment is ex-pressed in the concept of sustainable development. The environmental approach of sustainable development gives most attention to stability of natural systems, links between economic activity and environment health. The present governments and international organizations facing the risk of environmental destruction, have real-ized that environment protection issues are among the main problems to be solved in the 21st century. In the field of economics, these environmental problems have also been recognized as major economic problems. A number of studies have analyzed environment protection instrumentality and possible effects of environmental regulation on economic and social welfare. Both direct regulation and market-based instruments ignoring their defects have positive impacts on environment state. How-ever, the need to achieve environmentally friendly eco-nomic performance requires broadening the range of environment management instruments.
The idea of harmonizing economic growth with the laws of development of society and the environment is expressed in the concept of sustainable development. In the frame of sustainable development an exceptional importance is attached to studying material flows, therefore management of waste flows must not contradict the principles of sustainable development. In agreement with M. Jacobs, it is possible to affirm that waste management in the context of sustainable development means using materials in closed cycles. Investigating socio-economic efficiency of municipal waste management means studying the organizational waste management process and factors disclosing characteristic features of this process, making deep comparative socio-economic analysis of waste management options and studying waste managements acts both on national and local level in order to reveal the ways of increasing socio-economic efficiency in municipal waste management. This study is induced by the necessity of changing the traditional waste management of depositing it in landfills, by recycling using not only national and international funds, but by mobilizing resources of local waste management systems as well. It is natural, that the policy of waste management, in which neither the scale of economic damage nor future waste management expenditure were evaluated, was orientated towards disposal of waste in refuse dumps. This means transferring problems to future generations, and this cardinally contradicts the concept of sustainable development. Therefore the question arises, what waste management systems should be considered to be efficient from the socio-economic viewpoint. Researches made in EU countries show that these are systems resources of which are directed to waste recycling and continuous its development. In Lithuania, the importance of waste management is emphasized in national strategy of environmental protection and waste recycling promotion has become the most significant waste management task in recent years, therefore attention is given to socio-economic waste management results. For establishing regional waste management systems, to cover the expenses of collecting, sorting out and transporting secondary materials, two main sources of funds are foreseen, that is, general tariff (or local levy) and funds from "Program of product and packaging waste management". Fixing general tariff depending on treatment expenses for separate waste flows or setting two-tariff charge on sorted and mixed waste is assigned to most urgent means, not only stimulating collection of secondary material but supporting financially the development of this process as well. However, when increasing general tariff all variables should be evaluated, i. e., tendencies in changes of amount and composition of the waste, distribution of wasteholders, number of waste operators on the market, their internal resources available and efficiency of their usage, etc. Otherwise, increase of tariff may be based neither in a social nor in an economic aspect. In the research, waste management priorities in the context of a sustainable development are revealed (based on socio-economic aspects) and internal reserves of municipal waste management systems due to which socio-economical waste management efficiency can be increased are identified. Research problem. Socio-economic and environmental aspects of waste management as well as the role of waste materials in the system of sustainable development have been more or less investigated in works of foreign scientists, the problems of municipal waste management have been analyzed in publications of international organizations as well as in works by foreign authors. In these studies, most attention is concentrated on the process "exploitation of natural resources – economic growth – waste formation" analysis and feasibility studies for modifying it in order to achieve sustainable development aims. Publications of international organizations contain abundant technical and statistical information on waste formation and management, nevertheless, economic studies are scarce, superficial and usually based on the experience of a separate country. They are important from a practical point of view and are of rather educational than scientific character. Among Lithuanian scientists theoretical aspects of sustainable development most widely have been investigated by R. Čiegis, feasibility researches of sustainable development are being carried out in separate sectors of economy – issues of sustainable transport development are being investigated by G. Paliulis, G. Ignatavičius, V. Oškinis, issues of sustainable development in energetics are studies by V. Jankauskas, D. Štreimikienė, I. Konstantavičiūtė, feasibility studies in sustainable development of industry are researched by J. Staniškis, V. Arbačiauskas, V. Pivoras, sustainable development of tourism is investigated by A. Rondomanskaitė, R. Hopenienė, A. Kamičaitė. And other scientists. Scientists give more and more consideration to studies of relationship between sustainable development and public interests, issues of regional and local sustainability and problems of evaluating sustainable development. Scientific studies on socio-economical aspects of municipal waste management are scanty. Works by A. Spruogis and B. Jaskelevičius, J. Čepinskis, A. Jankauskas, M. Ubartas, A. Lebedis, J. Danys, B. Zigmontienė, S. Vasarevičius and sociological researches carried out by the scientists of Kaunas University and the author of this thesis in cooperation with the scientists of Šiauliai University should be mentioned. So far, little attention has been given to research in efficiency of municipal waste management systems and analysis of the problems of managing and financing these systems. Scientific works on assessment of government policy in the field of waste management are scarce and there are few expert analysis about the effectiveness of regulations and economic instruments applied and their influence on the development of waste treatment methods. Not much research has been carried out in the works by Lithuanian authors on the issue of municipal waste management in the context of sustainable development. The review of research and studies in socio-economic problems of municipal waste management in the context of a sustainable development shows their fragmentariness. Modeling an efficient in socio-economic aspect municipal waste management system in the context of sustainable development requires purposeful theoretical studies and empiric research. The subject of the scientific research is socio-economic aspects of municipal waste management system.
The idea of harmonizing economic growth with the laws of development of society and the environment is expressed in the concept of sustainable development. In the frame of sustainable development an exceptional importance is attached to studying material flows, therefore management of waste flows must not contradict the principles of sustainable development. In agreement with M. Jacobs, it is possible to affirm that waste management in the context of sustainable development means using materials in closed cycles. Investigating socio-economic efficiency of municipal waste management means studying the organizational waste management process and factors disclosing characteristic features of this process, making deep comparative socio-economic analysis of waste management options and studying waste managements acts both on national and local level in order to reveal the ways of increasing socio-economic efficiency in municipal waste management. This study is induced by the necessity of changing the traditional waste management of depositing it in landfills, by recycling using not only national and international funds, but by mobilizing resources of local waste management systems as well. It is natural, that the policy of waste management, in which neither the scale of economic damage nor future waste management expenditure were evaluated, was orientated towards disposal of waste in refuse dumps. This means transferring problems to future generations, and this cardinally contradicts the concept of sustainable development. Therefore the question arises, what waste management systems should be considered to be efficient from the socio-economic viewpoint. Researches made in EU countries show that these are systems resources of which are directed to waste recycling and continuous its development. In Lithuania, the importance of waste management is emphasized in national strategy of environmental protection and waste recycling promotion has become the most significant waste management task in recent years, therefore attention is given to socio-economic waste management results. For establishing regional waste management systems, to cover the expenses of collecting, sorting out and transporting secondary materials, two main sources of funds are foreseen, that is, general tariff (or local levy) and funds from "Program of product and packaging waste management". Fixing general tariff depending on treatment expenses for separate waste flows or setting two-tariff charge on sorted and mixed waste is assigned to most urgent means, not only stimulating collection of secondary material but supporting financially the development of this process as well. However, when increasing general tariff all variables should be evaluated, i. e., tendencies in changes of amount and composition of the waste, distribution of wasteholders, number of waste operators on the market, their internal resources available and efficiency of their usage, etc. Otherwise, increase of tariff may be based neither in a social nor in an economic aspect. In the research, waste management priorities in the context of a sustainable development are revealed (based on socio-economic aspects) and internal reserves of municipal waste management systems due to which socio-economical waste management efficiency can be increased are identified. Research problem. Socio-economic and environmental aspects of waste management as well as the role of waste materials in the system of sustainable development have been more or less investigated in works of foreign scientists, the problems of municipal waste management have been analyzed in publications of international organizations as well as in works by foreign authors. In these studies, most attention is concentrated on the process "exploitation of natural resources – economic growth – waste formation" analysis and feasibility studies for modifying it in order to achieve sustainable development aims. Publications of international organizations contain abundant technical and statistical information on waste formation and management, nevertheless, economic studies are scarce, superficial and usually based on the experience of a separate country. They are important from a practical point of view and are of rather educational than scientific character. Among Lithuanian scientists theoretical aspects of sustainable development most widely have been investigated by R. Čiegis, feasibility researches of sustainable development are being carried out in separate sectors of economy – issues of sustainable transport development are being investigated by G. Paliulis, G. Ignatavičius, V. Oškinis, issues of sustainable development in energetics are studies by V. Jankauskas, D. Štreimikienė, I. Konstantavičiūtė, feasibility studies in sustainable development of industry are researched by J. Staniškis, V. Arbačiauskas, V. Pivoras, sustainable development of tourism is investigated by A. Rondomanskaitė, R. Hopenienė, A. Kamičaitė. And other scientists. Scientists give more and more consideration to studies of relationship between sustainable development and public interests, issues of regional and local sustainability and problems of evaluating sustainable development. Scientific studies on socio-economical aspects of municipal waste management are scanty. Works by A. Spruogis and B. Jaskelevičius, J. Čepinskis, A. Jankauskas, M. Ubartas, A. Lebedis, J. Danys, B. Zigmontienė, S. Vasarevičius and sociological researches carried out by the scientists of Kaunas University and the author of this thesis in cooperation with the scientists of Šiauliai University should be mentioned. So far, little attention has been given to research in efficiency of municipal waste management systems and analysis of the problems of managing and financing these systems. Scientific works on assessment of government policy in the field of waste management are scarce and there are few expert analysis about the effectiveness of regulations and economic instruments applied and their influence on the development of waste treatment methods. Not much research has been carried out in the works by Lithuanian authors on the issue of municipal waste management in the context of sustainable development. The review of research and studies in socio-economic problems of municipal waste management in the context of a sustainable development shows their fragmentariness. Modeling an efficient in socio-economic aspect municipal waste management system in the context of sustainable development requires purposeful theoretical studies and empiric research. The subject of the scientific research is socio-economic aspects of municipal waste management system.
Objective: The objective of the article is to explore the nexus between changes of various globalisation dimensions, defined by either policy (de jure) or outcomes (de facto), and the rise in income inequality in a panel of 27 EU countries during the period 1998-2017. Research Design & Methods: In order to tackle endogeneity issues, the effect is empirically tested applying the appropriate one-step system generalised method of moments (GMM) technique. Globalisation is measured by the de jure and de facto trade, financial, social, and political KOF globalisation indexes. Income inequality is measured by net Gini. To examine the sensitivity of our findings, we apply the decile ratio and quintile ratio as dependent variables. Findings: We have found several significant results. First, de jure trade and de jure financial globalisation exert a big affirmative influence on income inequality and suggest that changes in trade and financial policy have increased inequality in the EU countries. Second, the results testify that de jure and de facto political globalisation influence income inequality in various ways and opposing directions. Finally, the effect of social globalisation on income inequality lacks statistical significance. Implications & Recommendations: De jure trade and financial globalisation measures which are based on tariffs, trade taxes, trade and investment regulations, etc. increase income inequality. Therefore, policymakers need to rethink their approach to trade and financial globalisation policy and ensure that the increasing benefits of globalisation and rising income would be distributed more equally between different groups of the population. Contribution & Value Added: Economic literature has focused on the effect of different single indicators of economic globalisation on income distribution and inequality, while the effect of various globalisation dimensions is almost nonexistent. Contrary to previous studies, we also distinguish between de jure and de facto indicators of various dimensions of globalisation and reveal that they have diverse impacts on income inequality.
Objective: The objective of the article is to explore the nexus between changes of various globalisation dimensions, defined by either policy (de jure) or outcomes (de facto), and the rise in income inequality in a panel of 27 EU countries during the period 1998-2017. Research Design & Methods: In order to tackle endogeneity issues, the effect is empirically tested applying the appropriate one-step system generalised method of moments (GMM) technique. Globalisation is measured by the de jure and de facto trade, financial, social, and political KOF globalisation indexes. Income inequality is measured by net Gini. To examine the sensitivity of our findings, we apply the decile ratio and quintile ratio as dependent variables. Findings: We have found several significant results. First, de jure trade and de jure financial globalisation exert a big affirmative influence on income inequality and suggest that changes in trade and financial policy have increased inequality in the EU countries. Second, the results testify that de jure and de facto political globalisation influence income inequality in various ways and opposing directions. Finally, the effect of social globalisation on income inequality lacks statistical significance. Implications & Recommendations: De jure trade and financial globalisation measures which are based on tariffs, trade taxes, trade and investment regulations, etc. increase income inequality. Therefore, policymakers need to rethink their approach to trade and financial globalisation policy and ensure that the increasing benefits of globalisation and rising income would be distributed more equally between different groups of the population. Contribution & Value Added: Economic literature has focused on the effect of different single indicators of economic globalisation on income distribution and inequality, while the effect of various globalisation dimensions is almost nonexistent. Contrary to previous studies, we also distinguish between de jure and de facto indicators of various dimensions of globalisation and reveal that they have diverse impacts on income inequality.
Objective: The objective of the article is to explore the nexus between changes of various globalisation dimensions, defined by either policy (de jure) or outcomes (de facto), and the rise in income inequality in a panel of 27 EU countries during the period 1998-2017. Research Design & Methods: In order to tackle endogeneity issues, the effect is empirically tested applying the appropriate one-step system generalised method of moments (GMM) technique. Globalisation is measured by the de jure and de facto trade, financial, social, and political KOF globalisation indexes. Income inequality is measured by net Gini. To examine the sensitivity of our findings, we apply the decile ratio and quintile ratio as dependent variables. Findings: We have found several significant results. First, de jure trade and de jure financial globalisation exert a big affirmative influence on income inequality and suggest that changes in trade and financial policy have increased inequality in the EU countries. Second, the results testify that de jure and de facto political globalisation influence income inequality in various ways and opposing directions. Finally, the effect of social globalisation on income inequality lacks statistical significance. Implications & Recommendations: De jure trade and financial globalisation measures which are based on tariffs, trade taxes, trade and investment regulations, etc. increase income inequality. Therefore, policymakers need to rethink their approach to trade and financial globalisation policy and ensure that the increasing benefits of globalisation and rising income would be distributed more equally between different groups of the population. Contribution & Value Added: Economic literature has focused on the effect of different single indicators of economic globalisation on income distribution and inequality, while the effect of various globalisation dimensions is almost nonexistent. Contrary to previous studies, we also distinguish between de jure and de facto indicators of various dimensions of globalisation and reveal that they have diverse impacts on income inequality.
Objective: The objective of the article is to explore the nexus between changes of various globalisation dimensions, defined by either policy (de jure) or outcomes (de facto), and the rise in income inequality in a panel of 27 EU countries during the period 1998-2017. Research Design & Methods: In order to tackle endogeneity issues, the effect is empirically tested applying the appropriate one-step system generalised method of moments (GMM) technique. Globalisation is measured by the de jure and de facto trade, financial, social, and political KOF globalisation indexes. Income inequality is measured by net Gini. To examine the sensitivity of our findings, we apply the decile ratio and quintile ratio as dependent variables. Findings: We have found several significant results. First, de jure trade and de jure financial globalisation exert a big affirmative influence on income inequality and suggest that changes in trade and financial policy have increased inequality in the EU countries. Second, the results testify that de jure and de facto political globalisation influence income inequality in various ways and opposing directions. Finally, the effect of social globalisation on income inequality lacks statistical significance. Implications & Recommendations: De jure trade and financial globalisation measures which are based on tariffs, trade taxes, trade and investment regulations, etc. increase income inequality. Therefore, policymakers need to rethink their approach to trade and financial globalisation policy and ensure that the increasing benefits of globalisation and rising income would be distributed more equally between different groups of the population. Contribution & Value Added: Economic literature has focused on the effect of different single indicators of economic globalisation on income distribution and inequality, while the effect of various globalisation dimensions is almost nonexistent. Contrary to previous studies, we also distinguish between de jure and de facto indicators of various dimensions of globalisation and reveal that they have diverse impacts on income inequality.
The aim of the paper is to disclose the importance of social innovation and generalize innovation promotion policy in the European Union, assessing the actual situation in Lithuania. The need for social innovation is inevitable as different social problems touch modern society. Business, governments, non-governmental organizations have distinct roles and encourage social innovation in different ways, but political will and financial possibilities can lead to great changes. The policy of promoting innovation in Lithuania is in line with the provisions of EU documents, however, in the general innovation system context, little attention is paid to social innovation. Following the evaluation of Lithuania's performance of the research and innovation system, it has been determined that the indicators which were evaluated as weaknesses are primarily related to social problems.
The aim of the paper is to disclose the importance of social innovation and generalize innovation promotion policy in the European Union, assessing the actual situation in Lithuania. The need for social innovation is inevitable as different social problems touch modern society. Business, governments, non-governmental organizations have distinct roles and encourage social innovation in different ways, but political will and financial possibilities can lead to great changes. The policy of promoting innovation in Lithuania is in line with the provisions of EU documents, however, in the general innovation system context, little attention is paid to social innovation. Following the evaluation of Lithuania's performance of the research and innovation system, it has been determined that the indicators which were evaluated as weaknesses are primarily related to social problems.
The aim of the paper is to disclose the importance of social innovation and generalize innovation promotion policy in the European Union, assessing the actual situation in Lithuania. The need for social innovation is inevitable as different social problems touch modern society. Business, governments, non-governmental organizations have distinct roles and encourage social innovation in different ways, but political will and financial possibilities can lead to great changes. The policy of promoting innovation in Lithuania is in line with the provisions of EU documents, however, in the general innovation system context, little attention is paid to social innovation. Following the evaluation of Lithuania's performance of the research and innovation system, it has been determined that the indicators which were evaluated as weaknesses are primarily related to social problems.
The article discusses the importance of regional policy for country's economy and quality of life. Regional policy principles and outcomes are examined using the example of Siauliai region. Considering the fact that regional policy was mandatory condition for Lithuania's integration into the EU, the issues of implementation of regional policy are discussed. The paper deals with regional policy development phases and the aspects of its implementation. The study has shown that regional policy in Lithuania leads to a significant and even increasing regional divergence. The trends of centralization of the country's governance are captured as functions of counties and district municipalities are narrowed. EU financial support for Siauliai region projects (per capita) compared with the Lithuanian average makes 69.3% and is insufficient to reduce existing disparities. A significant differentiation is also observed within the region.
The article discusses the importance of regional policy for country's economy and quality of life. Regional policy principles and outcomes are examined using the example of Siauliai region. Considering the fact that regional policy was mandatory condition for Lithuania's integration into the EU, the issues of implementation of regional policy are discussed. The paper deals with regional policy development phases and the aspects of its implementation. The study has shown that regional policy in Lithuania leads to a significant and even increasing regional divergence. The trends of centralization of the country's governance are captured as functions of counties and district municipalities are narrowed. EU financial support for Siauliai region projects (per capita) compared with the Lithuanian average makes 69.3% and is insufficient to reduce existing disparities. A significant differentiation is also observed within the region.
Straipsnyje analizuojami žmogaus ir gamtos santykio sampratos aspektai, parodant, kad išplečiama nežmogiškųjų gyvųjų būtybių teisių sfera, pripažįstant gyviems ir negyviems gamtos objektams vidinę vertę, nustatomą pagal moralinius, estetinius ir kitokius kriterijus, ypač matant gyvūnų gebėjimą jausti skausmą, taip pat vadovaujantis nuostata, kad individo teisės laikytinos svarbesnėmis nei visos grupės. XVII amžiuje J. Locke'as teigė, kad kiekvienas žmogus, neatsižvelgiant į rasę ir lytį, turi prigimtines teises į gyvenimą, laisvę, sveikatą, laimės siekimą. Plėtodami aplinkosauginę teoriją ir praktiką, XX amžiaus ekofilosofai moralinių teisių teorijà išplėtė iki natūralios gamtos ir jos objektų, gyviems ir negyviems objektams priskirdami prigimtinų, moralinių teisių kategoriją. Jeigu objektas turi moralinį statusą, tai jis turi ir moralines teises. Apžvelgiami du galimi gyvūnų prigimtinių teisių įrodymai: utilitaristinis ir deontologinis. Apibendrinamos gyvūnų teisių gynėjų pozicijos. Reikšminiai žodžiai: prigimtinė (moralinė) teisė, deontologinis požiūris, utilitarizmas, T. Reganas, P. Singeris.
ARGUMENTS ON NONANTROPOCENTRIC ETHICAL NATURE'S RIGHTSJūratė Mackevičiūtė, Skaidrė Žičkienė
Summary In this article the authors explore preconditions of nonantropocentric ethical nature's rights. In the 17th century J. Locke proposed a concept of innate rights, maintaining that every man has innate rights to life, freedom, health, striving for happiness. These rights are different from legal rights, which have legal and moral basis recognized by everybody. However, according to Locke, nature has no innate moral rights. Three centuries later, this theory was expanded to nature and its objects, both animate and inanimate by applying the category of innate moral rights. This was performed by Western ecophilosophers, when they were developing theory and practice of protecting the environment. Nowadays the ecological ethics presents two possible proofs of animals' innate (moral) rights: utilitarianistic and deontological. According to P. Singer, the main representative of the utilitarianistic trend, every live being deserves attention not because of its reason, but because of its ability to feel. The views of T. Regan, the most prominent representative of the deontological trend, are far more radical, as he demands not to reform human's behaviour towards nature but to end the existence of animal farms and to forbid both commercial and sports hunting. In the context of ecological ethics, protectors of animals' rights define their trend as the whole of ideas about moral and legal human's behaviour towards animals. Keywords: innate moral rights, utilitarianistic trend, deontological trend, T. Regan, P. Singer.
