The Impact of the Economic Crisis on European Environmental Policy


Book Description

The European Union (EU) has sought to establish itself as a global environmental leader but was hit by the combined effects of the economic and financial crisis from 2007-8 leading some to question whether the EU could continue to adopt ambitious environmental policy. This volume brings together leading environmental policy scholars to analyse the impacts of the crisis upon environmental policy in the EU and its member states. Authors analyse whether environmental policy has been dismantled, expanded or stayed the same. If policy has been dismantled, the kind of strategy adopted is analysed (active, symbolic, arena-shifting, or dismantling by default), and at what levels change has occurred. The Index of Policy Activity (IPA) is applied systematically across the cases, which combine quantitative with qualitative analysis. Non-European cases are also included to provide a counterpoint for comparison. The book finds that whilst the EU has not actively dismantled environmental policy, its economic policies have had negative effects upon some Member States, prompting policy dismantling. Climate and energy policies have seen some policy expansion but there are examples, most notably the UK, where there has also been active policy dismantling. The main trend is one of stasis - environmental policy in Europe is judged to have plateaued calling into question Europe's much-vaunted environmental leadership. The book contributes to scholarship on environmental policy and public administration, combining empirical and methodological insights to give an up to date perspective on the impact of crisis upon European environmental policy.




Sostenibilidad energética en el sector de la edificación en España y en la Unión Europea


Book Description

El objetivo principal de este Trabajo de Investigación es proponer una nueva metodología para mejorar la eficiencia energética de inmuebles residenciales, que se adapte a las necesidades y a las demandas reales de sus ocupantes.Actualmente, los técnicos, a través de certificados energéticos, proponen a los propietarios de los inmuebles residenciales medidas energéticas basadas exclusivamente en el retorno de la inversión y disminución de emisiones de CO2 a través de modelos teóricos. Por ello es necesario crear un modelo de mejora basado en los hábitos de consumo, el nivel de concienciación, el nivel de confort de los ocupantes y los sistemas constructivos de los inmuebles residenciales existentes por periodos cronológicos. Este modelo propone medidas de mejora energética idóneas a la zona climática estudiada, ya que se adecuan tanto técnica, como económica, social y medioambiental a la los inmuebles y sus ocupantes. El modelo está basado en la creación de tablas, según mejora de instalaciones, de huecos, de envolvente opaca, y otras mejoras, donde dependiendo de la tipología y antigüedad del inmueble, y de los hábitos de consumo y grado de confort térmico de sus ocupantes se proponen las distintas medidas de mejora energéticas que mejor se adaptan a cada escenario. Para validar el modelo obtenido, se siguen los pasos metodológicos en una vivienda real con tres distintos grados de aplicación de mejoras. Llegándose a la conclusión de que la aplicación total del modelo puede llegar a conseguir ahorros energéticos superiores al 90%. Tras analizar los inmuebles y sus ocupantes, se ha llegado a la conclusión de que son las viviendas existentes las que mayor capacidad de mejora disponen, además de que a la hora de conseguir que los propietarios acometan medidas de mejora, además del factor económico, hay que poner en valor el aumento del valor de mercado, la mejora del confort térmico y la mejora de la estética y de la seguridad.




Rays of Hope


Book Description







Construction and Building Research


Book Description

Many areas of knowledge converge in the building industry and therefore research in this field necessarily involves an interdisciplinary approach. Effective research requires strong relation between a broad variety of scientific and technological domains and more conventional construction or craft processes, while also considering advanced management processes, where all the main actors permanently interact. This publication takes an interdisciplinary approach grouping various studies on the building industry chosen from among the works presented for the 2nd International Conference on Construction and Building Research. The papers examine aspects of materials and building systems; construction technology; energy and sustainability; construction management; heritage, refurbishment and conservation. The information contained within these pages may be of interest to researchers and practitioners in construction and building activities from the academic sphere, as well as public and private sectors.




Climate Change Policy


Book Description

This book presents the research results of an interdisciplinary study on climate change policies by the Enforcing Environmental Policy (EEP) Network, a project supported by the Human Dimension Potential Programme. Contributions are from highly qualified economic and legal specialists based at research institutes across Europe. The book gives answers to several questions related to the implementation of the international rules on climate change, most notably the Kyoto Protocol. It analyses ways and means to facilitate and encourage compliance with the objectives of the Kyoto Protocol. It is addressed to policy-makers, academics, business-sector and stakeholders throughout and outside Europe. Due to its interdisciplinary approach, this work is a distinctive and unique product compared to the existing literature on the subject. The effective implementation of climate protection and clean air policy requires an understanding of the political, legal and economic structures and constraints facing policy makers - and this is exactly what this book offers.




Cities of Tomorrow


Book Description

Cities of Tomorrow is a critical history of planning in theory and practice in the twentieth century, as well as of the social and economic problems and opportunities that gave rise to it. Trenchant, perceptive, global in coverage, this book is an unrivalled account of its crucial subject. The third edition of Cities of Tomorrow is comprehensively revised to take account of abundant new literature published since its original appearance, and to view the 1990s in historical perspective. This is the definitive edition, reviewing the development of the modern planning movement over the entire span of the twentieth century.




The North American Mosaic


Book Description

The North American Mosaic has four overarching features. First, it is, to the extent feasible, based on comparable information on the status and trends of major indicators of the state of the environment in Canada,Mexico, and the United States. Second, the report confirms that these three countries together make up an incredibly complex, dynamic, and interconnected ecosystem in which humans play a dominant and decisive role. Third, the report raises important and sometimes disquieting questions concerning the sustainability of some current trends. Finally, the report is a reminder that our economic, social, and physical well-being are utterly dependent on the life-sustaining services provided by nature. This report emphasizes the importance of developing mutually compatible economic, social, and environmental goals and policies across the three-country region.




Artificial Intelligence in Society


Book Description

The artificial intelligence (AI) landscape has evolved significantly from 1950 when Alan Turing first posed the question of whether machines can think. Today, AI is transforming societies and economies. It promises to generate productivity gains, improve well-being and help address global challenges, such as climate change, resource scarcity and health crises.




Energy Security Strategy


Book Description

Dated November 2012