CEEOL - Search Result

Gender indicators of the United Nations Development Programme

Author(s): Jerzy Śleszyński,Paulina Stachura / Language(s): English / Issue: 4 (40)/2016

Keywords: Human Development Index; gender; inequality

The Human Development Report published by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) introduced new measures to evaluate progress in reducing poverty and empowering women: Inequality-adjusted Human Development Index (IHDI), Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI), Gender Inequality Index (GII), Gender Development Index (GDI). In the paper GDI and GII indicators are presented and analysed, what is supplemented with a detailed analysis of the individual components of these indices for Poland. Additionally, this article wants to evaluate reduction of gender inequality in Poland.

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Circular economy (CE) assumptions in WEEE management: Polish case study

Author(s): Marzena Smol,Anna Avdiushchenko,Joanna Kulczycka / Language(s): English / Issue: 4 (40)/2016

Keywords: circular economy (CE); waste management; waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE)

It is currently emphasised at European level that an essential way to deliver the resource efficiency agenda established under the Europe 2020 Strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth is through moving towards a more circular economy (CE). European Union (EU) documents indicate that greater and sustained improvements of resource efficiency performance can bring large economic benefits. One of the most important advantages of CE systems is to keep the added value in products for as long as possible and eliminate waste. This also applies to the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) regulations. The WEEE regulations are intended to reduce the amount of e-waste being disposed of and require EEE producers to pay for its reuse, recycling and recovery. According to Chief Inspectorate of Environmental Protection (GIOS) data, every Pole generates approx. 14 kg of electronic waste annually (in EU – 17 kg/capita annually) and only 4 kg of these waste is selective selected. This indicates that the recovery of raw materials from WEEE, i.e. cell phones, computers, screens, monitors, household goods is one of the largest potential sources of raw materials, but it is wasted. Currently, the management and recovery of materials from WEEE is on the agenda of the EU and many individual countries as its disposal in an improper manner could have a significant impact on the environment. Efficient WEEE management has become a key goal, due to the pollution that could potentially result from the hazardous substances its components contain, but also because reusing its materials can be an important potential supply of resources. It should be mentioned that action on the circular economy is closely linked with key EU priorities, including jobs and growth, the investment agenda, climate and energy, the social agenda and industrial innovation, and with global efforts on sustainable development. The paper presents the importance of economic actors in Poland, such as business and consumers, which play a fundamental role in moving to a more CE model. Their eco-innovative actions support the CE at each step of the value chain – from production to consumption, repair and remanufacturing, waste management, andsecondary raw materials that are fed back into the economy. The proposed actions should be consistent with the local, regional, national and European level regulations, which are also presented.

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Determinants of the EU sustainable development policy effectiveness. DEA approach

Author(s): Janusz Rosiek / Language(s): English / Issue: 4 (40)/2016

Keywords: sustainable development; effectiveness of the sustainable development policy; DEA approach

In the last decades, sustainable development has become one of the key principles in the European Union policies. Its concept is based three pillars: economic, social and environmental. They are interdependent and mutually reinforcing. Europe 2020 strategy stresses the importance of more sustainable EU development by establishing a long-term approach based on a clear guidance to climate and energy change. The overall aim of the renewed EU Sustainable Development Strategy (SDS) is to identify and develop activity to ensure the EU to achieve continuous improvement of quality of life through the creation of sustainable communities able to manage and use resources efficiently. It should be based mainly on social innovation potential of the EU economy, to form the background for: economic development, social cohesion and environmental protection. The main goal of publication is to estimate the EU sustainable development policy impact on the economies of the EU Member States.Analysis will be based on Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) approach, which will let determine the efficiency of this policy. It should contribute to better understanding of the ongoing processes of the sustainable development, providing possibility for monitoring, forecasting and estimating the impact of particular factors on the EU economy in terms of economic, social and environmental aspects.

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Local sustainable development activities through the example of the Sucha Beskidzka district

Author(s): Agnieszka Gołuszka,Marta Gollinger-Tarajko / Language(s): English / Issue: 4 (40)/2016

Keywords: sustainable development; local activities; quality of life improvement; renewable energy sources; Sucha Beskidzka district

The presented Sucha Beskidzka district situated in the małopolskie voivodeship (province) is an example of many different projects implemented for the benefit of inhabitants: installation of solar collectors, thermal modernization of public facilities, construction of modern waste screening plant as well as initiatives for naturalvalues protection and promoting “small homeland”. The aim of this paper is to present how the sustainable development goals can be achieved at local level bringing ecological, economic and social effects. A financial and economic analysis and environmental effects of completed projects lead to conclusions the activities implemented by the district undoubtedly improved the quality of life in the local community. Reducing emissions of harmful substances into the air fosters both population health and preservation of valuable natural areas in the district such as the Natura 2000 area covering the Babia Góra National Park. The use of renewable energy sources brings not only reduced heating costs but also lowered energy consumption. These activities had also a social dimension. The implementation of the programs undoubtedly increased ecological awareness among local community – the need to take care of the nearesr environment and the sense of regional identity among citizens.

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The e-waste management system in Poland

Author(s): Marcin Cholewa,Joanna Kulczycka,Marzena Smol / Language(s): English / Issue: 4 (40)/2016

Keywords: Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE or e-waste); recycling; waste management system; WEEE management

The Waste Electronic and Electrical Equipment Regulations (WEEE) are intended to reduce the amount of e-waste being disposed of within the EU, and require EEE producers to pay for its reuse, recycling and recovery. It is estimated that 25% of the mass of WEEE produced in the EU-27 is collected and processed, and the remaining 75% is not recorded. In Poland a total of 1.5 kg/person was collected in 2008, and 4.4 kg/person in 2014, but it is not enough at the moment because in 2021 Poland will be obliged to recover 11 kg/person. The paper presents the barriers and challenges of the e-waste management system in Poland including an analysis of the legal, technological, ecological and market aspects, focusing on the recovery of non-energy raw materials. It was shown that the existing system of waste collection with Extended Producers Responsibility (EPR) based on EU regulations required some improvements to boost recovery and recycling of valuable materials and to be in line with the strategy for a circular economy. Despite the fact that there are over 1,500 companies involved in waste collection in Poland and waste is picked up for free from citizens, there are more and more activities promoting proper waste segregation,and waste collection is still the weakest link. The recycling companies are mainly SMEs that already implement the latest technologies and strategies for CSR and ISO 14001 certification and they are able to recover valuable resources. However, the variability of market conditions (low metal price) and regulations, as well as the dominance of the large Organisation of Electrical and Electronic Equipment Recovery (OEEER), results in competition with one another in order to obtain the lowest price, and as a result the recycling companies do not fully exploit their capacities. The consequence of these activities is the development of a grey zone. However, due to the increasing importance of materials recovery from waste and the fact that it is a priority in the most recent strategic documents in Poland, it should undergo dynamic development.

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Contest as the form to acquire most excellent design solution in spatial planning, urban planning and architecture

Author(s): Jarosław Oglęcki / Language(s): English / Issue: 4 (40)/2016

Keywords: balanced city development; architecture; contest

In this article, basing on available studies of public procurement forms of design services in spatial planning, urban planning and architecture, was attested that, with fulfilling high organizational standards, most excellent form is contest. It ensures the choice of studies which in the best way take into the consideration criteria of city development balance and offer the highest quality of design solutions. In the later stadium of realization the design solutions have crucial influence on urban space.

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Rational application of water and wastewater management in the cardboard and paper industry according to sustainability criteria

Author(s): Joanna Boguniewicz-Zabłocka,Andrea G. Capodaglio / Language(s): English / Issue: 4 (40)/2016

Keywords: sustainable water management; industrial wastewater treatment; cardboard industry

The problems of environment protection in the industrial sectors are becoming more and more relevant, with strict legal requirements that imply considerable investments. This encourages researchers to look for new systemic solutions and methodologies to improve efficiency of environment protection while limiting costs. Industrial water and wastewater treatment plants are specific in terms of quantity and quality of treated wastewater, applied technologies and technical solutions and specific operational regime. Thus, the decision about selecting the most appropriate type of treatment technology is not easy. Such decision should be preceded by the analysis of available options based on a set of rules arising from the sustainable development criteria that coherently consider technological, environmental, economic and social issues. The paper presents case studies of rational application of industrial water and wastewater treatment in the paper and cardboard industrial sector, on the basis of sustainable development criteria. The main purpose of this article is to identify the features of sustainable water and wastewater management systems and the main problems in this regard.

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Assessing students’ awareness of environmental hazards and risks in public tertiary educational institutions in Oyo State, Nigeria

Author(s): Oluwole Daramola,Oluwafemi Odunsi / Language(s): English / Issue: 4 (40)/2016

Keywords: environmental hazards; students’ awareness; educational campuses; hazard awareness; risk severity

Environmental hazards occur in any sphere of human environment and at any locations where human activities take place. One of these locations is the educational campus environment where students reside and carry out their daily academic activities. A cursory observation of campus environments in Nigeria showed evidences of environmental hazards with their associated risks while there has been a dearth of studies on the subject. This paper therefore assessed students’ awareness of environmental hazards and risks in public tertiary educational institutions in Oyo State. Questionnaire were administered on 367 students that were selected using probability sampling techniques. Descriptive analysis was used in computing mean Hazard Awareness Indexes (RSI) and mean Risk Severity Indexes (HAI) for the institutions. Findings revealed that students were aware of environmental hazards and the severity of their associated risks in the institutions both in hostels and academic areas. However, the level of awareness was higher in some institutions than the other. It was recommended that the school authorities should create enlightenment programmes and implement policies that could enhance students’ awareness of environmental hazards and risks in the institutions.

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Cost Evaluation of Utilising Building Materials Derived from Agricultural Waste as Sustainable Materials for Lightweight Construction

Author(s): Usman Aliyu Jalam,Abdurrahman Aliyu Jalam,Ibrahim M. Sale,Olorunmeye Fredrick Job / Language(s): English / Issue: 4 (40)/2016

Keywords: Cost; Agricultural Waste; Sustainable Materials; Lightweight Construction

Efforts from laboratory experiments and some practical approaches show that several building materials can be derived from agricultural waste and be used as partial or complete replacement of conventional building materials. These efforts however have not completely provided the solution for the need of alternative buildingmaterials. This is due to the lack of generalised information on the development of the materials, which most often test few properties of the materials, and without any meaningful studies of the economic implication of the innovations. This research work was aimed to establish whether there is cost benefit in utilising building materials derived from agricultural waste or not, and to what extent if any? The cost of utilising Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC), Rice Husk Ash (RHA), and Oil Palm Shell (OPS) in concrete, sandcrete blocks, bonding and plaster mortars was then evaluated. The cost was arrived at by adopting the actual cost of the material by volume and multiplyingit by the actual quantity by volume used. The study discovered that 41% cost reduction in mass concrete is the highest cost saving while 12% in plaster mortar is the lowest. An overall cost saving of about 24% in the total cost of materials recorded. However, the study discovered that overall cost saving is dependent on the distance of the agricultural waste from production or construction site. Lack of readily available appropriate technology for processing some of the agricultural waste to building material was identified as a major challenge.

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Causal implication of Oil Production on Carbon Emission and Economic Growth in Nigeria

Author(s): Afeez Olalekan Jaiyeola,Olufemi Muibi Saibu / Language(s): English / Issue: 4 (40)/2016

Keywords: Energy Resources; Environmental Quality; Crude oil production

The paper investigated the causality among carbon emission, oil production and economic growth in Nigeria’s time series data for the period 1970 to 2013. It estimated an autoregressive distributed lag model and used granger causality mechanism to establish both the effects and causal nexus among the variables. The main finding is that oil production and carbon emission had significant negative effect real per capital growth and a significant causal relationship from crude oil production to carbon emission and economic growth. This finding implied that attempts to quicken real economic growth and enhanced welfare through oil production had led instead to a worsen environment degradation and lower quality of life such that the benefit of oil resources endowment was only seen but not felt by people. Hence, possibly the negative impact of oil resources reported in many previous studies in many oil dependent country might indeed be as a result of induced environmental degradation and health hazard due to higher carbon emission in such countries like Nigeria.

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Environmental Sanitation Practices in Osogbo, Nigeria: An Assessment of Residents’ Sprucing-Up of Their Living Environment

Author(s): Oluwole Daramola,Oluwaseun Olowoporoku / Language(s): English / Issue: 4 (40)/2016

Keywords: environment; environmental sanitation; practices; residents’ Osogbo; Africa

This paper examined residents’ environmental sanitation practices across different residential zones of Osogbo, Nigeria. The stratified residential zones are the traditional zone, the transition zone and the sub-urban zone. A total of 194 residents were selected for survey using systematically sampling technique. The study revealed that residents’ socio-economic characteristics varied significantly with different residential zones. Findings revealed that there is low level of access to environmental sanitation facilities across the residential zones. Similarly, the proportion of residents’ with environmental sanitation facilities in their homes was low. The study established poor environmental sanitation practices among the residents in terms of utilization of available amenities across the residential zones. It recommended the provision of environmental sanitation facilities in homes by residents and communal provision of facilities by government and Community Based Organizations (CBOs), environmentaleducation and also the enforcement of environmental regulations in the city and others with similar setting.

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Cost Disease of Health Care and no Growth

Author(s): Letícia Xander Russo / Language(s): English / Issue: 4 (40)/2016

Keywords: health care costs; Baumol cost disease; no growth

This study examines whether health care is affected by Baumol’s cost disease in a scenario of no growth. Baumol's model implies that stagnant sectors are driven by wage increases in excess of productivity growth. But in a no growth economy the income is constant. It is investigated in two institutional proposals, selective reduction of productivity and reduction of working hours. In both scenarios the cost disease does not affects the health care. However, in the second scenario an important result is found. In this sector, with slow productivity growth, will be necessary a greater number of workers. The relative cost of health care will increase over the years. Therefore, although the cost disease does not affect the health sector in a no growth economy, the relative cost of health should continue to rise.

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Pro-ecological and social actions of enterprises as manifestations of implementing the conception of sustainable development

Author(s): Agnieszka Dembicka-Niemiec / Language(s): English / Issue: 4 (40)/2016

Keywords: Social Responsibility of Business; CSR Strategy; Sustainable Development Strategy; Sustainable Enterpreneurs

The aim of the article is to determine the influence of the conception of sustainable development on entrepreneurs’ behaviors and the process of managing a company. Analysis based on desk research method and survey research. The results shows the meaning of social responsibility in business which is different and depends on awareness of entrepreneur in this theme.

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The changes in financial support for agrienvironmental programme in Poland

Author(s): Karol Kociszewski / Language(s): English / Issue: 4 (40)/2016

Keywords: sustainable agriculture and rural development; Sustainable Agriculture; rural development; rural development measures; agri-environmental programme

The membership in the European Union (EU) created favourable conditions for the implementation of the agri-environmental programme (AEP) in Poland. The AEP is the most important rural development measure in the UE (in terms of financial support). The goal of the paper is to assess the effectiveness related to the absorptionof the funds for the AEP in Poland. That effectiveness was analysed in the context of the scope and the way in which Polish authorities took advantage of opportunities from the EU financial support which was available to be spent on that measure. The Author used descriptive and comparative analysis to show differences in absorption of financial sources in Poland and in the entire EU for three time periods chosen due to the stages of multiannual financial perspectives for the Common Agricultural Policy: 2004-2006, 2007-2013, 2014-2020. The effectiveness of absorption of the AEP is relatively low – especially in comparison to the groups of the EU member states divided due to the date of accession (after or before 2004). The share of expenditures on the AEP in Polish Rural Development Programme (in all discussed time periods) is one of the lowest in the EU. The effectiveness is also low when we take into account the relation of executed expenditures on the AEP to the allocations which were potentially available for it. It especially refers to the first period of the EU membership. In the second period the effectiveness was improved, but it was worsened again in years 2014-2020 as a result of decisions made by Polish authorities. The biggest possible part of funds for rural development was reallocated for direct payments and consequently the possibilities of further development in implementation of the AEP were strongly reduced.

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The influence of development level of different generations on innovative development

Author(s): Zhanar Konys / Language(s): English / Issue: 4 (40)/2016

Keywords: developed generation; education; human capital; innovative development; national innovation system

This paper discusses the influence of development level of generations on innovative development of a country in case of Kazakhstan. Parameters which influence the development level of human capital and innovative development level of a region were determined. Direct influence of human capital on innovative development of a region is proved and the results generalized on national level. Consequently, based on the performed analysis, country’s population was divided into three generations. Using official statistics, the influence of the development level of generation on innovative development of the country was proved.

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The experience of support of innovative start-ups in Poland, Slovenia and Czechia: lessons for Ukraine

Author(s): Olena Kurchenko / Language(s): English / Issue: 4 (40)/2016

Keywords: start-up; SMEs; innovation; program; state support; Poland; Slovenia; Czechia

The article is devoted to the problems of development small innovative enterprises – start-ups. The most successful experience of the creation and development of start-up companies in Poland, Slovenia and Czechia, including the programs of their support are investigated. It was concluded on expediency of the creation of similar mechanisms of organization and development of start-ups, taking into account Ukrainian realities.

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The efficiency of systemic solutions for the removal of asbestos in Poland – current status and prospects

Author(s): Arnold Bernaciak,Anna Bernaciak / Language(s): English / Issue: 4 (40)/2016

Keywords: asbestos; asbestos removal; regional dimension; Poland

The article summarizes the diagnosis of the impact of socio-economic factors on the rate of removal of asbestos in Poland. It presents the basic statistics on the rate of accumulation and removal of asbestos from the territory of the country and an attempt to identify the causes of common patterns in this area. It presents the most important information relating to systemic solutions in the field of asbestos removal. Moreover, the assessment of the effectiveness of functioning of the system has been discussed. Consequently, insufficient progress of implementation of national strategies and the low efficiency of system solutions in this area has been shown.

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Biochar application in the mercury ions adsorption from aqueous solutions

Author(s): Daria Gąsior,Wilhelm Jan Tic / Language(s): English / Issue: 4 (40)/2016

Keywords: sustainable development; biochar; activated carbon; water treatment; contaminants removal; adsorption

Biochar is the carbon-rich product produced by thermal decomposition of organic material in anaerobic conditions or under limited supply of oxygen. The removal of pollutants from water using biochar materials is a low cost, sustainable approach for providing pure water. The adsorption of mercury ions onto pyrolyzed chicken manure, sewage sludge and rye straw was studied and compared with the adsorption of mercury ions onto commercial activated carbons of various origins and grain size. The impact of pH, biochar adsorbents amount and phase contact time on the adsorption efficiency were investigated. Tested biochars were characterized by large, porous surface area and their adsorption potential was comparable with the activated carbons.

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Post-coagulation sludge management for water and wastewater treatment with focus on limiting its impact on the environment

Author(s): Ewelina Łukasiewicz / Language(s): English / Issue: 4 (40)/2016

Keywords: post-coagulation sludge; sludge management; water treatment

Water treatment process produces great amount of sludge. According to growing interest in sustainable development and environment protection, sludge management problem should be taken into consideration.Accordingly, its recovery, recycling and reuse are optimal solutions for Water Treatment Sludge(WTS) management. The conventional Water Treatment Plants (WTP) produce even up to 100 000 ton/year of sludge. The coagulation process produces a huge amount of sludge. This contamination may be recovered and reused. Some amount of coagulants may be recovered and reused during the wastewater treatment process. The Water Treatment Sludge with e.g. iron or alum content, may be also used as a coagulant at a wastewater treatment plant. In the course of this paper, few methods for post-coagulation sludge management are presented.

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Cultivation of microalgae (Chlorella vulgaris) in laboratory photobioreactor

Author(s): Łukasz Biłos,Agnieszka Patyna,Małgorzata Płaczek,Stanisław Witczak / Language(s): English / Issue: 4 (40)/2016

Keywords: algae cultivation; biomass productivity; Chlorella vulgaris; photobioreactor

Algal cultivation fits in sustainable development of natural environment. Their biomass is increasingly regarded as a potential resource with a potential in production of biofuels, electricity and heat. Algae contain a lot of nutrients, so they can be used as food for humans and livestock. Because of their valuable composition (high nutrient content) they are used as supplements of balanced diet, in turn taking into account their biosorption ability they are used to detoxification of human body. Algae cultivation does not require large areas of land to expose cells to sunlight, so their production rate is higher compared to the vascular plants. Moreover, the cultivation in closed photobioreactors leads to high biomass concentration. However, this type of cultivation needs to be performed under strictly observed conditions, which can be evaluated by experiments. This study reports the results of a study involving the development of test stand in which high biomass productivity of Chlorella vulgaris can be achieved.This paper focuses on a study including Chlorella cultivation and the results of an experiment conducted in a laboratory photobioreactor.

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