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To reduce the consumption of firewood for cooking and to realise recycling-driven soil fertility management, three projects in Northwest Tanzania aim to provide the local smallholder community with cooking and sanitation alternatives. The present study proposes an integrated approach to assess the sustainability of the small-scale cooking and sanitation technologies. Based on the multi-criteria decision support approach (MC(D)A), we developed a decision-specific, locally adapted, and participatory assessment tool: the Multi-Criteria Technology Assessment (MCTA). Pre-testing of the tailored tool was set up with representatives of Tanzanian and German partners of case study projects. From a methodological perspective, we conclude that the MCTA uses a set of relevant criteria to realise a transparent and replicable computational Excel-tool. The combination of MC(D)A for structuring the assessment with analytical methods, such as Material Flow Analysis, for describing the performance of alternatives is a promising path for designing integrated approaches to sustainability assessments of technologies. Pre-testing of the tool served as a proof-of-concept for the general design of the method. Future applications and adjustments of the MCTA require the inclusion of end-users, a reasonable and participatory reduction of criteria, and an increase of feedback loops and group discussions between participants and the facilitator to support a common learning about the technologies and thorough understanding of the perspectives of participants.

Abstract

Wind energy development contributes substantially to achieve climate protection goals. Unintended side effects, especially on wildlife, have long been discussed and substantial research has evolved over the last decade. At this stage, it is important to identify what we have learnt so far, as well as which predominant uncertainties and gaps remain. This review article aims to consolidate the state of knowledge, providing a qualitative analysis of the main effects of wind energy development on- and offshore, focusing on frequently studied species groups (bats, breeding and resting birds, raptors, migratory birds, marine mammals). We reviewed over 220 publications from which we identified predominant hypotheses that were summarized and displayed in tables. Journal publications, conference contributions, and further studies have been considered. We found that research focusing on offshore wind energy within the last couple of years has increased significantly as well, catching up with the vast amount of onshore studies. Some hypotheses have been verified by numerous publications and a consensus has been reached (e.g., correlation between bat activity and weather factors), while others are still being debated more (e.g., determination of migratory corridors) or remain unknown (e.g., effect on population level). Factors influencing potential effects were mainly related to species characteristics (morphology, phenology, abundance, behavior, and response to turbines) or site characteristics (landscape features, weather, and habitat quality). Consolidating the state of research provides the groundwork for the identification of mitigation measures and advanced planning approaches. However, the quantification of effects remains challenging and uncertainties will always persist.

Erfolgreiche Öffentlichkeitsbeteiligung braucht Information. Dennoch wird der Aspekt der adäquaten Informationsbereitstellung im Kontext der Umweltprüfungen in Deutschland noch wenig diskutiert. Aus demokratietheoretischer Sicht geht es dabei nicht nur um die Verfügbarkeit und leichte Auffindbarkeit von Dokumenten, Informationen und Verfahrensunterlagen. Auch Aspekte wie eine angemessene Bekanntgabe des Projekts oder Plans, hinreichende Zeit zur Vorbereitung und Teilnahme für Dritte sowie die Allgemeinverständlichkeit und Lesbarkeit der Dokumente gelten dabei als weitere Schlüsselpunkte. Motiviert durch einen idealtypischen Zugang zu Dokumenten und Informationen der Umweltprüfung erfolgen zum einen Hinweise auf internationale "Good practice"- Beispiele, zum anderen wird die betreffende Situation in Deutschland charakterisiert. Sicherlich ist der Weg zu komfortablen UVP/SUP-Auskunfts- und Dokumentationssystemen auch international noch nicht konsequent und weit genug fortgeschritten. Der Beitrag zeigt jedoch, dass es durchaus besser geht – und aus demokratischen Gründen gehen muss –, als es die aktuelle Situation in Deutschland ermöglicht. ; Successful public participation requires information. Nonetheless, the issue of adequate provision of information in the context of environmental impact assessments (EIA) and strategic environmental assessments (SEA) is discussed very little in Germany. From a democratic theory perspective, it is not just about the availability and accessibility of documents, information and procedural documentations. Also aspects like fair notice, time to prepare and the readability of documents play an important role. Motivated by a blueprint of the ideal access to EIA/SEA documents and process information, on the one hand examples on international "good practice" are provided while on the other hand the respective practice in Germany is discussed. Certainly, the international examples show that the way to a comfortable EIA/SEA documentation and information system is still progressing and not yet consistent. However, the paper shows that there are indeed better approaches – and, for democratic reasons, have to be – than the current practice in Germany provides.