Download EVS case studies 2011

EVS case studies 2011-2012 list
COM - Communicating Strategies for Sustainable Development
University of Luneburg
More than 20 years after Rio, the concept of sustainable development is met by wide
agreement in Europe – if you ask for agreement about the inherent topics. At the same time,
serious surveys tell us that 95% of the world population does not know the term
“Sustainable Development” and that they have never heard anything about the principle of
sustainability. Thus communication strategies seem to be important. In that case study you
should evaluate existing strategies and find strengths and weaknesses of such strategies.
Author case study
Matthias Barth
University of Lüneburg
CAC - Climate Adaptation in Coastal Regions
Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg
Identification of Criteria to Assess the Ability of Coastal Communities to Adapt to Climate
Change
Since the publication of the latest report of the International Panel for Climate Change (IPCC)
in 2007, climate change and its likely impacts are widely discussed. All over the world and for
many regions societies debate on how to adapt to climate change and how to mitigate its
further acceleration in a sustainable way.
Especially in low lying coastal regions the adaptation to the likely consequences of climate
change is crucial. These regions are expected to be threatened by higher storm surges,
higher precipitation or droughts and a changing wind climate. For example, in the southern
North Sea region an appropriate and adequate coastal defence management is necessary to
protect people and property. Accompanied with coastal defence, water management is an
important issue in low lying areas, because agricultural use and other types of land use are
strongly depending on an efficient water management, i.e. a well operating watering and
drainage system. Nevertheless, other types of the use of land and sea and the way of living,
trading and producing will also be affected by the changing climate.
The topic of this case is related to the collaboration of European partners within a set of
projects specific to adaptation strategies. These strategies and related measures have only
been started to be developed recently. They have to implemented both on local and on
regional level. The multiple facets of a comprehensive water management form the core
elements of any strategy and scheme ensuring an sustainable development towards climate
proof coastal areas.
One envisaged result of the case is to identify generic or site specific criteria/indicators
capable to assess the ability of coastal communities to adapt to the likely consequences of
climate change.
Authors of the case
Frank Ahlhorn and colleagues of the
Centre for Environmental and Sustainability Research - COAST
University of Oldenburg
Germany
EEB - Energy efficiency in buildings: indicators
International Sakharov Environmental University
In this case study different international regulations, strategies, programs and other documents
(3 or more) aimed at reduction of heat and energy consumption in the buildings sector shall be
analysed.
According to these documents it is necessary to determine which energy efficiency indicators
should be applied to promote energy efficiency in buildings. One should describe which of the
indicators are the most effective and why in accordance with the practice of different
countries.
Recommendations for the EU on application of separate sets of indicators of energy
efficiency for residential and commercial buildings shall be done.
Author case study
Viktoryia Misiuchenka, International Sakharov Environmental University
DEC - Decoupling of Environmental Pressure from Quality of Life
Charles University in Prague
The overall goal of sustainable economies is to reach a state where the general quality of life
goes up while the environmental pressures go down (i.e. to reach so called decoupling). The
subject of this study is therefore aimed at the phenomenon of decoupling of environmental
pressure from quality of life. Analysis of decoupling is in fact based on the Driving Force
Pressure State Impact Response (DPSIR) framework, which evolved from the OECD Pressure
State Response (PSR) model. Decoupling indicators describe the relationship between the
first two components of the DPSIR model, i.e. a change in environmental pressure as
compared to the change in driving force over the same period. There is a large array of
indicators representing environmental pressures which are suitable for decoupling analysis.
Environmental pressure can be represented, for instance, by consumption of energy or
materials, traffic intensity, released emissions or generation of wastes. As the indicator of
economic driving forces, gross domestic product (GDP) is often taken as a proxy for standard
of living, welfare or quality of life. Level of decoupling differs across various European
countries and various environmental pressure indicators due to the factors such as country
size, population density, natural resource endowments, energy profile, (changes in)
economic structure, consumer behavior, implementation of environmentally sound
technologies etc... Student groups are expected to elaborate a report in which they will
concentrate on comparison of decoupling of several selected environmental pressure
indicators from quality of life in various European countries and discuss the identified
differences.
Authors of the case study
Jan Kovanda, Tomas Hak
Charles University in Prague, Environment Center
Czech Republic
GEO - Geoconservation in Hateg Country Dinosaur Geopark
University of Bucharest
A European Geopark is defined as a territory with a particular geological heritage and which
has a sustainable development plan to help promote economic development. While the
majority of sites within a European Geopark must be geological in nature, European
Geoparks adopt a holistic approach to sustainable tourism and sites demonstrating other
aspects of a territories natural and cultural heritage are also promoted. While supporting
education and promoting sustainable economic development, a European Geopark must
ensure that no geological material from within the Geopark, and under its control, is sold or
destroyed.
A geopark can contribute to the objectives of Agenda 21, highlighting the potential for
interaction between socio-economic development and conservation of the natural
environment. A plan for sustainable development in a geopark territory needs
interdisciplinary studies and cooperation among universities, local authorities and different
stakeholders to be set up and implemented.
The Hateg Country Dinosaur Geopark is located in Southern Transylvania near the main
routes to Hungary, Serbia and Bulgaria. It covers an area of 102.392 ha and comprises 11
mayoralties. The management of the geopark is assured by the University of Bucharest.
Following the European model, having a partnerships at local, national and international
level, the Geopark must become a catalyst for local development in the fields of
environment (nature conservation), cultural patrimony, traditional economic activities,
(agriculture, handicraft), ecotourism, social issues, education and training, raising awareness
on European integration and promotion. The aim of this case study is to come up with
creative ideas the future of the Hateg Country Dinosaurs Geopark in respect to sustainable
development requirements. The student group can relate this vision to situations in other
geoparks or to small projects.
Author of the case study
Alexander Andrasanu
University of Bucharest
RED - REDD and Climate Change: The European Union’s position and concrete
action on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation
FernUniversität Hagen
Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD) has been recognized as a
great opportunity to prevent climate change. The parties of the 13th UNFCC Conference in
Bali, Indonesia in 2007 agreed to develop a mechanism to compensate reduced emissions
from avoided deforestation and degradation. Even though a general agreement has been
made, the exact scope of mechanisms and procedures is still to be agreed upon. Different
possibilities have been discussed, but it seems certain that national-level baselines will be a
focal point for cooperation. Beyond that, project-level implementation and financial
incentives seem to be likely options.
The European Union, like with most environmental issues, is seen as one of the crucial actors
to further concrete action on REDD. In international negotiations the European Union has
pushed binding solutions to support a REDD agreement.
The case study’s aim is to examine the European negotiating position on the international
level and the concrete action undertaken so far. Initiatives like the Forest Law Enforcement
Government and Trade (FLEGT) Action Plan are concrete activities to reduce deforestation.
While negotiations and establishing a framework take place on the international level,
concrete action is undertaken on the domestic level. Therefore you should analyse and
evaluate the European action on REDD which has been realized so far in the European
Union.
Author case study
Daniel Otto
FernUniversität Hagen
STR - Sustainable Tourism and the Region
Karl-Franzens University in Graz
“Sustainable tourism in its purest sense is an industry which attempts to make a low impact
on the environment and local culture, while helping to generate income, employment, and
the conservation of local ecosystems. It is responsible tourism that is both ecologically and
culturally sensitive” (Global Development Research Center, 2009).
The focus will be on a case study where students should research tourism policies,
developments, products, tourist behavior and activities in a tourism region, making
maximum use of their knowledge, and of different national/cultural and disciplinary
backgrounds. The final selection of the case study (the tourism region) will be based upon
the interests and the pre-knowledge of the students in the group.
The goal is that the students
•
analyze the current situation in the case study region,
•
question each other’s contribution (research dialogue),
•
reflect on their own and others contributions,
•
make concrete recommendations on how to implement and develop sustainable
tourism, and
•
finally deliver a research paper as an integrated group report.
Author case study
Univ.-Prof. Dr. Friedrich M. Zimmermann
University of Graz, Austria