1,721,221 research outputs found
Embedding employability and employer engagement into postgraduate teaching: a case study from ‘environmental management systems’
No full textThis paper investigates whether the practice of embedding employability and employer engagement into the curriculum can lead to beneficial outcomes for students, Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), participant organisations, and employers in general. The practice is evaluated through the case study of a specialist postgraduate module in Environmental Management Systems (EMS) at the University of Southampton. The pedagogical approach is discussed, along with an analysis of the key learning and employability outcomes. The case study demonstrates the viability of developing a specialist employability profile, with a focus on relevant practical experience through a single module, whilst also enhancing core employability skills. Although the process and outcomes relate to a single specialist module approach, many of the findings are applicable across the range of approaches for embedding employability and employer engagement into the GEES curriculu
Editorial. The importance of education to carbon management
No full textThe importance of education to help solve environmental problems is long established, having gained international prominence at the UN Conference on the Human Environment (the Stockholm Conference) in 1972. Principle 19 of the Stockholm Declaration professed environmental education for children through to adults as essential for conduct that protects and improves the environment. Further international agreements such as the Tbilisi International Declaration on Environmental Education of 1997, the Rio Summit in 1992, and Rio+20 in 2012 have strengthened the critical role of education in developing pro-environmental and societal behaviors, although ‘Environmental Education’ has evolved to ‘Education for Sustainable Development’ (ESD). In the 40 years since the Stockholm Conference, many environmental issues have captured the public’s imagination, but recognition that education is central to changing unsustainable behaviors, developing the critical scientific and engineering skills and knowledge to form sustainable solutions, has remained constant. It is this common focus that makes ESD such an important componentof successful carbon management
Environmental (waste) compliance control systems for UK SMEs
No full textWhile the ‘environment’ is often perceived as a heavily regulated area of business, in reality, directly-regulated businesses represent a small proportion of the business community. This study aimed to evaluate and outline potential improvements to compliance controls for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), particularly those involved in the waste sector. Forty-four SMEs from England were interviewed/audited between April-September 2008. Using a UK-based system as a case-in-point, the Environment Agency’s (EA) Operational Risk Appraisal (‘Opra’)/Compliance Assessment Report (CAR) system was analysed. Environmental compliance performance indicators and an initial assessment methodology for SMEs were developed. The study showed:• Compliance with permitting legislation was poor in many areas.• Regulatory authorities are either unable/failing to implement their enforcement policies or unable/failing to identify non-compliances due to the infrequency or limited nature of their inspections.• Improvements are needed to the EA Opra/CAR system – control measures are not fully taken into account when calculating risk.Recommendations to improve SME compliance controls include using internationally applicable general and specific compliance and non-compliance performance indicators, re-designing the Opra system and using an initial assessment methodology based on understanding the hazardousness of SME categories, compliance levels and operator competency.<br/
Combined material flow analysis and life cycle assessment as a support tool for solid waste management decision making
No full textMaterial flow analysis (MFA) and life cycle assessment (LCA) have both widely been applied to support solid waste management (SWM) decision making. However, they are often applied independently rather than conjointly. This paper presents an approach that combines the MFA and LCA methodologies to evaluate large and complex SWM systems from an environmental perspective. The approach was applied to evaluate the environmental performance, focusing on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, of a local authority SWM system and to compare it with alternative systems to assess the potential effectiveness of different waste policy measures. The MFA results suggest that national recycling targets are unlikely to be met even if the assessed policies are implemented optimally. It is likely that for the targets to be met, investigated policies would need to be combined with additional policies that target reductions in waste arisings. The LCA results found landfilling of residual waste to be the dominant source of GHG burdens for the existing system, whilst material reprocessing was found to result in GHG benefits. Overall, each of the alternative systems investigated were found to result in lower GHG impacts compared to the existing system, with the diversion of food waste from the residual waste stream found to be potentially the most effective strategy to reduce GHG emissions. The results of this study demonstrate that the complementary methodologies of MFA and LCA can be used in combination to provide policy and decision makers with valuable information about the environmental performance of SWM system
"I'll take the easiest option please". Carbon reduction preferences of the public
No full textThe depth and breadth of the climate crisis is well known, all sectors, industry, government and the individual have the potential to reduce emissions to slow or stop catastrophic climate change. To determine and evaluate the (revealed) preferences of the public in reducing their personal carbon emissions, a conjoint analysis survey, using the PAPRIKA (Potentially All Pairwise RanKings of all possible Alternatives) method, was distributed to the public in a city in the south of England (Southampton). Knowledge of the deep-seated preferences of the public makes a fundamental contribution to future climate actions because it enables publicly acceptable system change to be developed.Results showed the public were unwilling to make large-scale lifestyle changes, even if they would cause large emission reductions. There was a clear preference for making relatively easy, convenient changes to behaviour rather than making more difficult personal lifestyle changes involving diet and transportation. A significant value-action gap is evident, with the public showing high awareness of the seriousness of climate change but showing an unwillingness to make deep cuts to their personal emissions. Demography and personal factors had a relatively low influence over preferences with trends generally staying the same across demographic groups, aside from income brackets. Participants believed that reductions in emissions should come from a ‘group effort’ from all levels of government, business, environmental groups and individuals. Few participants placed themselves as individual drivers of carbon emission reduction. In order to reduce emissions some form of intervention needs to be made, as the public are not personally willing to make large-scale reductions in carbon emissions, regardless of their environmental awareness or demography
Carbon management at universities: a reality check
No full textWith more than 17,000 institutions worldwide, the carbon dioxide emissions produced by the higher education (HE) sector are globally significant and the need for reduction is apparent. Recent decades have seen the demand for HE expand rapidly. The United Kingdom HE sector, where emission reduction targets have been set, is used to demonstrate that appropriate target setting and legitimate emission reduction strategies are essential for meaningful change on a global scale. This study compares the carbon performance of 20 institutions in the English ‘Russell Group’ of research-intensive universities to their self-set targets, using three key performance indicators: full-time equivalent staff/student numbers, gross internal area and income. It was found that emissions increased for all but two institutions and consequently, targets are extremely ambitious and almost certainly unachievable owing to very high emission growth rates that inhibit future success i.e. London School of Economics’ emissions grew 143% since 2005/06. Observations are supported by a 10-point appraisal that measures the environmental value of each carbon management plan and the ‘reality check’ equation x-10, where x is institutional target and -10 represents a more realistic 2020 institutional target of 10%, to classify them as either pragmatic or ambitious by comparison. A paradox is highlighted: institutions that set realistic but relatively low targets can be penalised in league tables and lambasted for apparent lack of ambition even when they may be more likely to succeed in delivering environmental improvements. Although targets promote environmental measures, the results show that action should be favoured over rhetoric. The University of Southampton is used as a case study and forms the focus of a snapshot staff and student questionnaire, highlighting the range of electricity consuming activities (i.e. computer/laptop usage) increasing electricity demand and subsequent emissions. Increasing staff and student awareness on impacts of energy usage will promote a cultural shift in becoming more energy efficient to reduce emissions. It is clear that current carbon management plans are not a good indicator of future performance and that the English HE sector has underestimated the challenge of carbon emissions reduction. Given current trends, pledged targets seem unlikely to be met by English universities and the likely environmental costs may jeopardise the competitiveness of the sector on the global stage if it is not addressed. Methods for assessing Scope 3 emissions need refining and standardizing given they are likely to the most significant portion of a typical university’s carbon footprint. The use of appropriate key performance indicators to foster action and promote realistic target-setting is required at sector-level to achieve the 2020 goa
Innovating assessment for education for sustainable development
No full textAssessments comprise a major aspect of the learning experience in Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), especially for students. Assessment links to pedagogy, discipline and student progression, supporting learning, upholding standards and preparing learners for graduate roles. Design principles for ESD assessment include future thinking, experiential, collaborative, interdisciplinary, authentic and creative assessment forms. Assessments can be integrated with active learning and flipped classroom approaches. Both formative and summative assessments support learning, with an emphasis on innovation. Many types of assessments are relevant for ESD, including field trips and authentic real-world engagement. Assessments can enable students to work individually or in groups, support active reflective learning, strengthen self-awareness competencies, demand accountability and require students to defend their work in response to questions from different perspectives. Dissertations can be excellent forms of deeper research-based learning, address external sustainability needs, and generate collective celebration of mutual learning. The breadth of assessment can also stimulate interest in sustainable development in students, sometimes shifting their career direction, and can deliver employability and entrepreneurship attributes. There is still a place for the critical essay, but this chapter seeks disruption of traditional assessment approaches and supports wider stakeholder-led assessment approaches befitting the complexities and rewards of ESD
A practical method for predicting road traffic carbon dioxide emissions
No full textResponsibility for roads outside a country’s strategic road network typically lies with Local Government Authorities (LGAs). LGAs have a key role therefore in facilitating the reduction of emissions from road traffic, and must engage in emissions modelling to assess the impact(s) of transport interventions. Previous research has identified a requirement for road traffic Emissions Models (EMs) that strike a balance between capturing the impact on emissions of vehicle dynamics (e.g. due to congestion), whilst remaining practical to use.This study developed such an EM through investigating the prediction of network-level carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions based on readily available data generated by Inductive Loop Detectors (ILDs) installed as part of Urban Traffic Control (UTC) systems. Using Southampton, UK as a testbed, 514 Global Positioning System (GPS) driving patterns (1Hz speed-time profiles) were collected from 49 drivers of different vehicle types and used as inputs to an instantaneous EM to calculate accurate vehicle emissions (assumed to represent ‘real-world’ emissions). In parallel, concurrent data were collected from ILDs crossed by vehicles during their journeys. Statistical analysis was used to examine relationships between traffic variables derived from the ILD data (predictor variables) and accurate emissions (outcome variable). Results showed that ILD data (when used in conjunction with categorization of vehicle types) can form the basis for a practical road traffic CO2 EM that outperforms the next-best alternative EM available to LGAs, with mean predictions found to be 2% greater than observed values
PEMLA development data
Full text linkThe data were collected as part of an investigation into the prediction of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from road vehicles at network-level, based on road traffic data readily available to Local Government Authorities (LGAs) from Urban Traffic Control systems. The data constitute a set of values for traffic variables and emission factors collected from vehicles driving on Southampton's road network. The data were used to develop a road traffic CO2 emissions model (termed PEMLA) that was practical for use by LGAs.
Supporting Data For:
Article: A Practical Method for Predicting Road Traffic Carbon Dioxide Emissions
Thesis: Enhancing Urban Road Traffic Carbon Dioxide Emissions Models</span
A practical model for predicting road traffic carbon dioxide emissions using inductive loop detector data
No full textLocal Government Authorities (LGAs) are typically responsible for roads outside a country’s strategic road network. LGAs play a key role therefore in facilitating the reduction of emissions from road traffic in urban areas, and must engage in emissions modelling to assess the impact(s) of transport interventions. Previous research has identified a requirement for road traffic Emissions Models (EMs) that balance capturing the impact on emissions of vehicle dynamics (e.g. due to congestion) against in-use practicality. This study developed such an EM through investigating the prediction of network-level carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions based on readily available data generated by Inductive Loop Detectors (ILDs) installed as part of Urban Traffic Control (UTC) systems.Using Southampton, UK as a testbed, 514 GPS driving patterns (1 Hz speed-time profiles) were collected from 49 drivers of different vehicle types and used as inputs to an Instantaneous EM to calculate accurate vehicle emissions. In parallel, concurrent data were collected from ILDs crossed by vehicles during their journeys. Statistical analysis was used to examine relationships between traffic variables derived from the ILD data (predictor variables) and accurate emissions (outcome variable). Results showed that ILD data (when used in conjunction with categorisation of vehicle types) can form the basis for a practical road traffic CO2 EM that outperforms the next-best alternative EM available to LGAs, with mean predictions found to be 2% greater than proxy real-world values
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