• Title/Summary/Keyword: Sustainability indices

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Emergy evaluation perspectives on the natural environment and economy of Seoul

  • Kang, Dae-Seok
    • Environmental Sciences Bulletin of The Korean Environmental Sciences Society
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    • v.10 no.S_1
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    • pp.1-10
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    • 2001
  • An emergy evaluation of the natural environment ant economy of Seoul revealed that Seoul used 1.27 E23 sej/yr of emergy in 1997. The emergy input from the Han River accounted for most of the renewable emergy sources. Emergy imported from foreign countries and other parts of Korea accounted for 97% of the total emergy use in Seoul in 1997, revealing that the economy of Seoul is more dependent on outside emergy sources than for the entire Korean economy. The emergy use per unit area(2.09 E14 sej/$m^2$/yr) was higher than that for the entire country or Pusan, whereas the emergy use per capita(1.22 E16 sej/person/yr) was lower than that for the entire country or Pusan. These results reflect the overcrowded conditions in Seoul where about one fourth of the Korean population now live. They also seem to indicate a lower living standard in Seoul than the average in Korea. The quality of living in Seoul could also be judged by a high environmental loading ratio and a low sustainability index. All there indices suggest that people in Seoul live under a higher environmental stress than the average person in Korea.

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A QUANTITATIVE APPROACH FOR ASSESSING THE OVERSEAS BUSINESS CAPABILITIES OF CONSTRUCTION FIRMS

  • Hae Beom Yang;Woosik Jang;Kang-Wook Lee;Heedae Park;Seung Heon. Han;Hyun-woo You
    • International conference on construction engineering and project management
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    • 2013.01a
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    • pp.308-314
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    • 2013
  • Although global construction spending has experienced slow growth due to consecutive economic crises, global contractors have consistently attempted to expand their overseas market share, leading to more intense competition among contractors in the international construction market. In this market environment, owners, clients and financial institutions require reasonable and systematic criteria to effectively assess the business capabilities of international construction firms. However, the existing evaluation methods for construction firms rarely consider overseas-focused business capabilities. To address this problem, this study proposes a quantitative approach to assessing the overseas business capabilities of international construction firms. The limitations of existing approaches are reviewed, and the capabilities required to perform overseas businesses are analyzed through expert interviews. Finally, 18 evaluation indices are suggested in four categories: technology resources, project management, experience and performance, and sustainability. The relative weight of each index is determined according to the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) method, and a preliminary investigation of 11 Korean construction firms is conducted. The proposed method is expected that it will provide the rational criteria for international owners, clients, and financial institutions for decision-making and for evaluating international contractors.

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An Analysis on Landscape Ecological Pattern of the Geumho River Watershed Forest (금호강 유역 산림의 경관생태적 패턴분석)

  • Park, Kyung-Hun;Jung, Sung-Gwan;Lee, Hyun-Taek;Oh, Jeong-Hak;Kim, Kyung-Tae
    • Journal of the Korean Association of Geographic Information Studies
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    • v.7 no.3
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    • pp.22-34
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    • 2004
  • An artificial disturbance like fragmentation in watershed forest has impacted a sustainability of watershed ecosystem, therefore this research quantified the landscape structure in the Geumho river watershed using landscape indices and GIS. Landscape indices were calculated from the forest distributed maps for 24 subwatersheds. Three common factors, which explained about 85% of the variation in the original data, were extracted by a factor analysis. The fragmentation gradient in forest landscape, which was calculated from the factor scores, was correlated with proportion of urban land (r=0.827, p<0.01, $R^2$=0.685), elevation (r=-0.637, p<0.01) and slope gradient (r=-0.593, p<0.01). The result of the study presented that the methodology and the values of landscape indices to assess the structural patterns of forest landscape for the Geumho river watershed management. Future research will be directed towards the detection of impacts of landscape patterns and their changes on the integrity of watershed environments.

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A Study on Developing the Performance Audit Methodology for Performance Evaluation of Transportation Planning Process (교통계획 분야 성과평가를 위한 성과감사 방법론 개발에 관한 연구)

  • Lee, Yong-Taek;O, Chang-Seok
    • Journal of Korean Society of Transportation
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    • v.29 no.2
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    • pp.47-58
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    • 2011
  • Nowaday OECD countries actively introduce the performance audit to evaluate the performance of public policies. Motivated by the current trend in practice, this paper presents performance audit indices and methodology developed for evaluating the transportation investment projects and policies. The main contribution of this study would be twofold:1) key performance indices, 5Es + 4Cs rule, and methodology of performance audit are derived from foreign (GAO, NAO) and domestic (BAI) audit reports; 2) checklists (key issues and focuses) of performance audit are suggested as ranks. It is also suggested that further studies are needed to maintain the indices and the methodology to achieve sustainable performance of transportation projects and policies.

Development and Adaption of Sustainablility Evaluation Indicators for Chungcheongbuk-Do Province - Adopting Quantitative & Qualitive Indicators - (충청북도 지속가능성 평가지표의 개발 및 적용 - 정량적 정성적 지표의 도입 -)

  • Moon, Seok-ki;Yu, Byong-Deuk
    • Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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    • v.19 no.1
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    • pp.85-100
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    • 2016
  • Local Agenda 21 organizations have been founded at the most divisions of local government in Chungcheongbuk-Do, but there has been no methods to monitor the total Sustainable Development trends. For the alternative solution of that problem in the Province, this study purposed (1) to develop Indicators fit to this Province (2) to examine the availability of the developed indicators adopting to each division section. Indicators were developed and examined by fields and Quantity / Quality considerations. As a 1st step, committee-composed with field professionals each-selected and developed Quantitative Sustainable Development Indicators(SDIs) optimized to Chungbuk-Province through critical discussions proposing Qualitative Indicators as a suggestion. In 2nd step, developed Indicators were applied and tested upon each divisions. Statistic data were used to calculate indices. 3rd step is adoption stage of Qualitative Indicators which were tested with questionnaire survey analysis. As a results, SDIs for Chungcheongbuk-Do -38 Quantitative SDIs within 4 provisions of 11 items with 8 Qualitative indicators categorization be put off- is developed. With the application test, 5 Quantitative Indicators- were found to be not adaptable because of lack or none of statistic data. Among the 8 Qualitative Indicators, 3 pairs found to be similar results in each pair which needed to be integrated into one. With them, bio-species related and health related Indicators were proposed to be newly added. Nation wide Sustainability comparison between divisions and Ecological Indicator selection are another themes to be considered.

Development of a Comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment Evaluation by the Emergy Analysis (Emergy 분석을 이용한 환경영향평가의 종합평가 방법 개발)

  • Kang, Seo Hee;Lee, Suk Mo
    • Journal of Environmental Science International
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    • v.26 no.3
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    • pp.335-343
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    • 2017
  • Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is an important policy implemented before starting development projects to estimate and reduce environmental impact. However, the difficulty of quantification on several rating categories has hampered comprehensive analysis. Instead of it, the current EIA just summarizes outcome of investigation. Therefore, EIA fails to definitively ascertain whether the development shold be approved or not. This study aimed at providing the way to comprehensive decision-making by applying Emergy analysis and Emergy indicators to EIA. Production (P), Emergy Yield Ratio (EYR), Environmental Loading Ratio (ELR) and Emergy Sustainability Index (ESI) were selected for indicators. The indicators of range approving the development were set up with comparing before and after development or according to circumstances of which view of average that was classified as region or industry is appropriate to analysis. As a result, the value after development of P should be higher than the value before development. EYR and ESI of the value before development should be higher than region or industry average. On the contrary to these, ELR of the value after development should be lower than region or industry average. To verify applying Emergy indicators to EIA comprehensive analysis, Emergy evaluation was conducted to real case. As a result, applying Emergy analysis could suggest whether the development is appropriate or not. These indices and the result of this research are expected to be applied decision-making on environmental impact for sustainable development.

Sustainability Evaluation for Shellfish Production in Gamak Bay Based on the Systems Ecology 2. Environmental Accounting for the Improvement of the Natural Environment Based on the Emergy Evaluation (시스템 생태학적 접근법에 의한 가막만 패류생산의 지속성평가 2. 가막만 환경개선에 관한 환경회계)

  • Oh, Hyun-Taik;Lee, Suk-MO;Lee, Won-Chan;Jung, Rae-Hong;Hong, Suk-Jin;Kim, Nam-Kook;Tilburg, Charles
    • Journal of Environmental Science International
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    • v.17 no.8
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    • pp.857-869
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    • 2008
  • The objective of this research is to apply more scientific, quantitative methods and procedures of environmental investigation to the development of the natural environment and the improvement of the human environment during the establishment of a sewage treatment plant and special facilities using environmental accounting. This research was performed to develop a method of strategic environmental assessment on the operation of sewage treatment plant and reuse of shellfish seeding areas through the use of environmental accounting based on EMERGY evaluation. The result was applied to marine environment policy in order to evaluate the real wealth of the regional environment and economy for both the present phase and the proposed developed phase. Using results from the comparison of EMERGY indices between the present situation and future scenarios, cost benefit analysis was performed for three different scenarios: (I) construction of a new sewage treatment plant, (2) relocation and recovery of the shellfish seeding area, and (3) relocation and re-seeding of shellfish area and construction of a new sewage treatment plant. Cost-benefit ratios of the three scenarios are 1.88, 0.94, and 1.38, respectively.

Influence of fly ash and GGBFS on the pH value of cement mortar in different curing conditions

  • Shafigh, Payam;Yousuf, Sumra;Ibrahim, Zainah;Alsubari, Belal;Asadi, Iman
    • Advances in concrete construction
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    • v.11 no.5
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    • pp.419-428
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    • 2021
  • The pH of cement-based materials (CBMs) is an important factor for their durability, sustainability, and long service life. Currently, the use of supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) is becoming mandatory due to economic, environmental, and sustainable issues. There is a decreasing trend in pH of CBMs due to incorporation of SCMs. The determination of numerical values of pH is very important for various low and high volume SCMs blended cement mortars for the better understanding of different defects and durability issues during their service life. In addition, the effect of cement hydration and pozzolanic reaction of SCMs on the pH should be determined at initial and later ages. In this study, the effect of low and high-volume fly ash (FA) and ground granulated ballast furnace slag (GGBFS) cement mortars in different curing conditions on their pH values has been determined. Thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) was carried out to support the findings from pH measurements. In addition, thermal conductivity (k-value) and strength activity indices of these cement mortars were discussed. The results showed that pH values of all blended cement mortars were less than ordinary Portland cement (OPC) mortar in all curing conditions used. There was a decreasing tendency in pH of all mortars with passage of time. In addition, the pH of cement mortars was not only dependent on the quantity of Ca(OH)2. The effect of adding SCMs on the pH value of cement mortar should be monitored and measured for both short and long terms.

Higher food literacy scores are associated with healthier diet quality in children and adolescents: the development and validation of a two-dimensional food literacy measurement tool for children and adolescents

  • Park, Dahyun;Choi, Mi-Kyung;Park, Yoo Kyoung;Park, Clara Yongjoo;Shin, Min-Jeong
    • Nutrition Research and Practice
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    • v.16 no.2
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    • pp.272-283
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    • 2022
  • BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Most child and adolescent food literacy measurement tools focus on nutrition and food safety. However, the importance of aspects related to the food system such as food distribution and food waste and their effects on environmental sustainability is growing. We therefore developed and validated a two-dimensional tool for children (8-12 years old) and adolescents (13-18 years old) that can comprehensively measure food literacy. The association of food literacy with diet quality and self-reported health was assessed. SUBJECTS/METHODS: First, we developed a food literacy conceptual framework that contains food system and literacy dimensions through a literature review, focus group interviews, and expert review. After a face validity study, we conducted the main survey (n = 200) to validate the questionnaire. Construct validity and reliability were assessed using exploratory factor analysis (EFA), confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and Cronbach's alpha. RESULTS: As a result of the Delphi study, content validity was confirmed for the remaining 30 items after two items were excluded (content validity ratio = 0.86). Eleven items were excluded from the EFA results, while the CFA results indicated appropriate fit indices for the proposed model (comparative fit index = 0.904, root mean square error of approximation = 0.068). The final food literacy questionnaire consisted of 19 questions and comprised 5 factors: production, distribution, selection, preparation and cooking, and intake. Food literacy was positively associated with diet quality, as assessed by the Nutrition Quotient score, in both children and adolescents and with self-reported health in adolescents.

Sustainable diets: a scoping review and descriptive study of concept, measurement, and suggested methods for the development of Korean version (지속가능한 식이의 개념과 측정방법 및 한국형 식이 지수 개발을 위한 방안 모색: 주제범위 문헌고찰과 기술 연구)

  • Sukyoung Jung
    • Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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    • v.29 no.1
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    • pp.34-50
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    • 2024
  • Objectives: Transformation through a sustainable food system to provide healthy diets is essential for enhancing both human and planetary health. This study aimed to explain about sustainable diets and illustrate appropriate measurement of adherence to sustainable diets using a pre-existing index. Methods: For literature review, we used PubMed and Google Scholar databases by combining the search terms "development," "validation," "sustainable diet," "sustainable diet index," "planetary healthy diet," "EAT-Lancet diet," and "EAT-Lancet reference diet." For data presentation, we used data from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2017-2018, among adults aged 20 years and older (n = 3,920). Sustainable Diet Index-US (SDI-US), comprising four sub-indices corresponding to four dimensions of sustainable diets (nutritional quality, environmental impacts, affordability, and sociocultural practices), was calculated using data from 24-hour dietary recall interview, food expenditures, and food choices. A higher SDI-US score indicated greater adherence to sustainable diets (range: 4-20). This study also presented SDI-US scores according to the sociodemographic status. All analyses accounted for a complex survey design. Results: Of 148 papers, 16 were reviewed. Adherence to sustainable diets fell into 3 categories: EAT-Lancet reference diet-based (n = 8), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) definition-based (n = 4), and no specific guidelines but including the sustainability concept (n = 4). Importantly, FAO definition emphasizes on equal importance of four dimensions of diet (nutrition and health, economic, social and cultural, and environmental). The mean SDI-US score was 13 out of 20 points, and was higher in older, female, and highly educated adults than in their counterparts. Conclusions: This study highlighted that sustainable diets should be assessed using a multidimensional approach because of their complex nature. Currently, SDI can be a good option for operationalizing multidimensional sustainable diets. It is necessary to develop a Korean version of SDI through additional data collection, including environmental impact of food, food price, food budget, and use of ready-made products.