Suchergebnisse

International Journal of Engineering and Industrial Management, nº 1, p. 195-208 ; Portugal has had a strong public works policy for centuries. In recent years, the largest environmental conflicts were focused precisely on public works. Two case studies are hereby examined. The third crossing of the Tagus at Lisbon should support the high-speed rail link between Lisbon and Madrid, plus suburban and heavy cargo trains; recently, the Government decided to add a road. But Lisbonalready suffers from too much traffic and air pollution; and the cost is too high,because project-finance is not viable; instead, more and better public transportationis needed. A policy for large dams aims to create 12 new dams, supposedly to reduce GHG emissions and improve the balance of the electric network; unfortunately, those dams will hinder regional development in poor regions, destroy the last major wild rivers in Portugal and a number of social infrastructures; they would generate 2 TWh/year of electricity, about 1% of energy demand in Portugal, at a cost of 3 000 M€; in contrast, the same investment in energy-efficiency projects would save at least 8 TWh/year. In both cases, the decision process was aprioristic and disregarding of public opinion. In short, public works in Portugal remain as unsustainable as ever, environmentally, socially and economically.

Environmental Training in Engineering Education (ENTREE 2001) - integrated green policies: progress for progress, p. 329-339 (Florence, 14-17 November 2001; proceedings published as book) ; This paper describes the experience of a joint university-industry effort, under the course "Project on Environmental Management and Auditing", in the Environmental Engineering program at the New University of Lisbon. In this course, students are divided in audit teams and perform environmental audits in operating companies or institutions. The course has shown remarkable success, in all respects. The total number of case studies so far is 50. They have covered many fields of activity, including among others: chemicals, cement, electricity, gas, metalwork, pulp and paper, auto components and assembly, construction works, waste treatment, shopping centres, fuel and chemical storage, public and cargo transportation, an airport, military bases, insurance business, tourism, a natural preserve, zoos and aquariums, and the UNL Campus itself at Caparica. Relations with the audited companies or institutions have been quite positive, by means of carefully drafted protocols that ensure a mutually acceptable methodology and scope of the audit, along with undisclosure clauses. We have found this a very positive experience for all concerned: the students, the companies or institutions and the University.

World Transport Policy & Practice, Vol.6, nº2, (2000) ; The Vasco da Gama bridge over the Tagus Estuary was one of the most polemic projects ever built in Portugal and indeed in the European Union. Benefiting from significant funding from the Cohesion Fund, the project failed to uphold its main declared objectives (decongesting the old bridge and providing a northsouth link around Lisbon), and its location was the worst of three alternatives regarding land management, nature conservation, transportation system and cost. It was nevertheless forwarded by the will of the very powerful Portuguese Ministry of Public Works (against opinions of almost everybody else), aided by the unwillingness of the European Commission to withdraw financing. However, the public outrage raised around the project both in Portugal and in Europe, not only for the sloppy decision but also for illegal impacts during construction, led to several stringent control and compensatory measures, unprecedented in Portugal and rare in Europe.

Management Information Systems 2000, p. 103-111 ; Portugal has an EEZ of 1.6 million square kilometres. The importance of the EEZ is primarily related to economic activities such as fisheries and tourism, and eventually offshore mining; but also to broader issues such as environment, internal security and geo-strategy. Maritime surveillance is a keystone for the control of the EEZ. The authors discuss strengths and flaws of the Portuguese maritime surveillance scheme, plus opportunities for better management of the EEZ. Maritime surveillance has not been a priority in Portugal, hence available means are insufficient; the responsibilities of a maritime authority are distributed among several institutions, relatively low on State hierarchy and with inadequate co-ordination. Although the essential functions of a maritime authority are performed, efficiency is poor and existing means are not used to full capacity. EEZ management exists only as desegregated policies. The authors adopt the twin concepts of the integrated management for the EEZ; and the Command, Control, Communications and Intelligence (C3I) for the maritime surveillance. A model is proposed to integrate such concepts into the new VTMIS (Vessel Traffic Management Information Services) about to be implemented in Portugal. This should improve the VTMIS and the efficiency of other means of maritime surveillance and management. The new system should have a strong geographical information component and the capability to integrate on-line information from many sources (such as land-based radar, port information, satellite imagery, military and police routine surveillance, international databases and mathematical modelling, among others). Such information would then be used for a number of tasks, including environmental protection and natural resources management in the EEZ. The paper discusses the desirable specifications for such a system and its link with existing and future institutional arrangements in Portugal.

Critical Issues in Environmental Taxation: International and Comparative Perspectives: Volume VI, 699-715 ; Land use management is one of the least studied, more diffi cult, but possibly one of the most important fi elds for the application of economic instruments in environmental policy. Present biodiversity loss is a consequence of the decisions of many individual users of environmental products and service fl ows. This is a result of the 'unpriced scarcity' and 'lack of property rights' nature of the environment. The social value of various biodiversity goods and service fl ows is not or is insuffi - ciently refl ected in market prices. As a result, an undesirable level of provision of these goods and services will result in their destruction or degradation

Business Strategy and the Environment nº 15, p. 71–86 ; At an international level, the implementation of environmental management practices in military facilities is now a growing reality, particularly with the implementation of environmental management programmes and/or systems. The main goal of this research was to assess the Portuguese military sector's environmental performance through an index – the MEPE index – in a simplified and useful manner. A second goal was to measure the units' self-assessment against the environmental profile of the military sector as evaluated through the index, to determine how far they match. The index was deeloped on the basis of the data obtained in a national questionnaire, which was carried out to evaluate environmental practices adopted by military units. Results show that the Portuguese military's overall environmental performance is poor, reflecting that this is quite a new issue in military organizations. Among the military branches the Air Force reveals the best environmental results.

Proceedings of the First International Conference on Coastal Conservation and Management in the Atlantic and Mediterranean, p. 193-200 ; Of the numerous problems affecting environmental management, inadequate base legislation is but one. However, it is a key factor that should deserve greater attention both from scientists and policy-makers, since it may severely impair effective management efforts, especially in such dynamic environments as coastal areas. The case of the Tróia peninsula (SW Portugal) is presented to illustrate how (inadequate) legislation effectively impairs management. The need for a new praxis in policy-making is discussed.

Journal of Cleaner Production, nº 16, p. 639-645 ; Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) education has been a reality for years in many graduate and undergraduate programs worldwide. As EIA has grown as a widely accepted environmental policy tool, several professions have tried to incorporate these skills into their academic training. The main aim of this research was to assess the Portuguese profile of EIA education, measuring the degree of EIA integration in graduate and undergraduate programs. This paper intends to contribute to an understanding of the key factors related to EIA education. A national survey was conducted to obtain data on EIA education programs. More recently, many other programs, both graduate and undergraduate, have established EIA courses. New knowledge, practices, legislation and public policies are fundamental drivers of the application of EIA, which will probably continue to expand to more undergraduate and graduate programs. The association of EIA with other environmental management tools, such as environmental management systems or environmental performance evaluation, and sustainable development initiatives will be a priority challenge for all who are engaged in this domain.

Journal of Cleaner Production, nº 17, p. 36-52 ; The environmental performance evaluation (EPE) of organizations is becoming an autonomous management tool. The main goal of this research was to assess the state of EPE practice in the Portuguese defence sector, as a particular part of public services. A questionnaire survey was conducted involving all Portuguese military units that have a person in charge of environmental issues. The questionnaire was designed to assess: (i) the importance and drivers of EPE; (ii) the ISO 14031 knowledge and implementation; (iii) the knowledge and use of environmental indicators; (iv) the optimal format for indicators; and (v) the advantages and drawbacks of using environmental indicators. Despite various initiatives driving environmental practices in public organizations, most of that experience is only centred on an environmental management system, and EPE is quite a new issue. Nevertheless, general environmental performance evaluation is a growing reality and one in which Portuguese military units are taking an increasing interest. Overall respondents agree on the importance of measuring and communicating environmental performance related to their main missions and activities. The main drivers for EPE in military units are the prevention of health risks and compliance with regulations. However, to date, ISO 14031 and environmental performance indicators are almost unknown in the respondent military units. Among the three military branches, the Navy revealed the worst environmental performance evaluation knowledge, awareness and practice.

Progress in Industrial Ecology, An International Journal, nº 4(5), p. 363-381 ; Public institutions are beginning to realise that they must shift their management towards sustainability. Thus, public sector, including defence services, environmental performance evaluation is a growing reality. The main objective of this research was to assess the environmental pressures and impacts profile of the Portuguese defence sector. A questionnaire survey was conducted involving all Portuguese military units that have a person in charge of environmental issues. Respondents generally reported that the majority of their activities have few serious environmental problems. These results could show the respondents' general perception of the increasing implementation of environmental management practices in military units and probably some lack of knowledge, but also a standard based on compliance with regulations. Many environmental pressures in the Portuguese military are related to primary environmental problems, such as water supply, wastewater and solid waste, showing that the integration of environmental awareness and practices into the Portuguese military is quite new.

Proceedings of the First International Conference on Coastal Conservation and Management in the Atlantic and Mediterranean, p. 91-98 ; Over the last two decades, the Tróia peninsula (SW coast of Portugal) has been designated by the Portuguese authorities both as a protected area and as an area of tourism development. The private investor that took over the tourism developments in Tróia asked the Institute of Marine Research (IMAR) to undertake an SEA, to help frame the design and management of the future resort. SEA results were changed by local/central government decisions, granting "more" than stakeholder/owner's proposal, in terms of loads and densities. This process, as well as the main characteristics and results of the SEA, are presented and discussed.