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Article
Publication date: 11 April 2016

Nabil Brahmia, Salah Chaab and Aziez Zeddouri

The purpose of this paper is to focus on the assessment of water resources in the Seybouse middle sub-basin. Analyses of water and various current uses are used to draw attention…

506

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to focus on the assessment of water resources in the Seybouse middle sub-basin. Analyses of water and various current uses are used to draw attention to the necessity of implementing water resources integrated management into a plan aiming at a rational exploitation.

Design/methodology/approach

Any sustainable management of water resources is closely dependent on the ability to accurately assess the quantity and quality of available water resources that are used as water supply for the population, agricultural production, industrial or energy. The analyzed and processed available data serve as database for integrated water resources management.

Findings

Analysis shows that the annual water supply is represented by 71 percent of the surface water resources and 29 percent of groundwater. The total volume of water used in the middle Seybouse basin is estimated at 36.22 hm3/yr. The predicted water needs are estimated to 79.19 hm3/yr in 2030. The groundwater of the Guelma alluvial aquifer exhibits a calcium chloride-facies general trend. The evolution of the chemical elements is related mainly to the geological nature of the reservoir lithologies. The heavy metals do not exhibit clear anomalies, but the surface water of the majority of streams is heavily infected with bacterial germs.

Practical implications

The obtained results show that the Seybouse middle sub-basin needs twice as much water by 2030 for the different uses. This requires a better management of water resources for a sustainable development in this specific region of Eastern Algeria.

Originality/value

This paper is devoted to the management of water resources in a specific region (the middle Seybouse basin) which constitutes an interesting example of considerations to be taken for a sustainable development.

Details

Management of Environmental Quality: An International Journal, vol. 27 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1477-7835

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 January 1999

K.C. Roy and C.A. Tisdell

Economic development requires the use of natural resources. Increasing population makes increasing demand on such resources thereby leading to the degradation of the environment…

1889

Abstract

Economic development requires the use of natural resources. Increasing population makes increasing demand on such resources thereby leading to the degradation of the environment. Excessive use of resources can lead to a situation where declining supply can no longer satisfy the demand. Hence, without conservation and prudent management of resources the environment cannot be preserved. This paper examines the case of water supply, which is the fundamental requirement for the sustenance of all life forms on earth. The human population is expected to double to at least 8 billion in the next 30 years and the worldwide demand for water is estimated to increase by a staggering 650 percent. However, the total supply of fresh water in the world is limited as 99 percent of the earth’s water is either saline or frozen. Of the remaining 1 percent most is ground water and soil moisture. The net availability of fresh water for human consumption is one‐hundredth of 1 percent. And not even all of that can be used. Hence, how can the continued availability of fresh water resources to satisfy the growing need of the rising population be satisfied? Conservation of fresh water can be achieved to some extent by reducing the demand by imposing a price/or raising the prevailing price on the use of water. However, while conservation can stretch the supply by reducing demand, for ensuring the long‐run adequacy of supply, it is necessary to apply a prudent environmental management policy which will prevent the destruction of forests and natural resources and apply a policy of active regeneration of forests. While the supplies of water make the forests survive and grow, preservation of forests allows water resources to survive. Forests cannot be preserved unless the destruction of hundreds and thousands of wetlands to make way for human settlement and industrial development is prevented and property rights of landless people are recognised. Thus for a prudent and efficient management of water resources to be effective, the state must adopt the ecologically sustainable approach to development. This paper examines these issues.

Details

International Journal of Social Economics, vol. 26 no. 1/2/3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0306-8293

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 10 April 2017

Ozcan Saritas and Liliana N. Proskuryakova

This paper focuses on the long-term situation with water resources, and water sector in particular, analyzed through a Foresight study. The authors attribute particular attention…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper focuses on the long-term situation with water resources, and water sector in particular, analyzed through a Foresight study. The authors attribute particular attention to implication for Russia, which is relatively better positioned regarding the availability of water resources. However, the country still faces challenges related to the protection of water resources, drinking water supply, water networks, consumption patterns, water discharge, treatment and re-use. The present study aims at identification and analysis of trends, factors and uncertainties in water supply, demand, use and re-use with a particular focus on sustainability of water systems; water use by households and industry; and new water services and products.

Design/methodology/approach

Research methodology in this paper involves a horizon scanning exercise for the identification of the key trends, factors and uncertainties along with the identification of weak signals of future emerging trends and wild cards in the form of future surprises, shocks and other unexpected events that may disrupt the preservation of water resources and the future of the water sector. Trends characterize broad parameters for shifts in attitudes, climate, policies and business focus over periods of several years that usually have global reach. These are usually experienced by everyone and often in similar contexts. Trends may represent threats, opportunities or a mixture of them, identified through underlying processes, possible events and other future developments.

Findings

A key systemic restriction of water use for the next decades both globally and in Russia relates to competition between agriculture, energy, manufacturing and household water use. Given that the amount of renewable water resources is almost fixed and even decreases because of pollution, circular economy solutions for water use will be required. Implications of the global trends identified in the study for Russia are dependent on the overall situation with water resources in the country. Russia has sufficient water supply: the overall intake of water for drinking and economic purposes in Russia amounts to 3 per cent of the total water resources, two-thirds of which are discarded back to water bodies. At the same time, there are substantial problems associated with the extremely uneven distribution of water resources across the country, as well as high “water intensity” of the Russian GDP. The Russian water sector is currently not very attractive for investors. Moreover, it has significantly less lobbying opportunities than other infrastructure sectors, and this complicates its institutional and financial positions. Meanwhile, there have been some positive changes with regard to activities with a short pay-off period.

Originality/value

The paper offers one of the first studies on the future of Russian water resources with a focus on the water supply and sanitation sector. A comprehensive approach to trends identification (not found in other studies on Russian water resources) allowed authors to identify social, technological, environmental, economic, policy and value-related global trends and uncertainties. Moreover, implications of these trends and uncertainties, as well as Russia-specific trends, were outlined.

Details

foresight, vol. 19 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1463-6689

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 3 September 2018

Gabriela Allegretti, Omar Inácio Benedetti Santos, Heinrich Hasenack, Ivandro Xavier Lucas Bauaze, Fabiana Riva, Giana de Vargas Mores and Edson Talamini

The purpose of this paper is to present an alternative viewpoint to better manage the global natural resources using the case of soybean international market as a baseline and…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present an alternative viewpoint to better manage the global natural resources using the case of soybean international market as a baseline and water as the natural resource, although the product and natural resource could be any other.

Design/methodology/approach

The case of Brazilian soya production and the international soybean market was used to illustrate the commodities and agricultural use of water, a global and finite natural resource. The water footprint analysis was applied to balance the international water trade associated to soybean exportation.

Findings

The net water balance indicates that Brazil is more efficient in the water use to soybean production considering water origin (types of water) and availability. That implies a benefit for soybean importers from Brazil who does not internalize this natural input in the cost of their products.

Research limitations/implications

The alternatives proposed and discussed in this essay are far from being complete and definitive. The details of their implications are beyond the scope and purpose of this essay. However, it may be the starting point for a wider academic and political debate.

Practical implications

There are externalities in the soybean market that are generating environmental and social costs. Those costs could be minimized by a fair international market that internalizes the costs of using finite natural resources. For that, adequate public policies should be designed, implemented and maintained. The monetary funds obtained from internalization of costs in water use could be addressed to research devoted to enlarge the water saving practices.

Originality/value

From a discussion about the fundamental role of natural resources in the maintenance of mankind life and the implications of its irrational use, a global governance of natural resources is being proposed. As practical actions for global governance, a green soybean, marketed under a water seal, has been discussed.

Details

Journal of Agribusiness in Developing and Emerging Economies, vol. 8 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2044-0839

Keywords

Abstract

Details

SDG6 – Clean Water and Sanitation: Balancing the Water Cycle for Sustainable Life on Earth
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-78973-103-3

Article
Publication date: 12 March 2018

Mursalim Nohong

This paper aims to investigate the moderating effect of efficiency and non-market capability in the relationship between government involvement and resources to performance of…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the moderating effect of efficiency and non-market capability in the relationship between government involvement and resources to performance of water supply companies (PDAM) in Sulawesi, Indonesia.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is explanatory in nature, i.e. it explains the relationship (causality) between the external environment variables (government involvement), internal environment variables (resources and non-market capabilities) and the performance of taps in Sulawesi through hypothesis testing. The research was conducted in six provinces in the northern peninsula of Sulawesi Island: North Sulawesi Province, Gorontalo Province, Central Sulawesi Province, Southeast Sulawesi Province, South Sulawesi Province and West Sulawesi Province. The research was undertaken from September 2011 to December 2011. The analysis unit in this research was PDAM, while the research population was the regional water company (PDAM) in Sulawesi. A quantitative approach was used for data analysis, i.e. variance-based inferential statistical analysis with structural equation modeling, known as partial least squares, with variable non-market capability acting as a moderating variable.

Findings

Government involvement has a significant and positive effect on the performance, indicating that the higher the government involvement, the higher the performance of a company. Efforts to reduce water loss level for PDAM is a strategic move, as they are associated with PDAM’s stakeholders. Water loss will lead to poor customer service, low contribution to the acceptance of regional governments and failure to meet natural conservation programs. On the other hand, to reduce the water loss level, considerable capital is needed for investment, for example, to finance the installation and repair of pipelines, pumps, mains water meter, customer water meter, the cost of water treatment, fuel costs and the expansion of the water source. In general, PDAM in Sulawesi still has problems in terms of expansion because of the lack of funding sources; hence, the role of regional government as the owner is expected, both in the form of financial aid and the tariff adjustment. The government should be in favor of thorough development of drinking water, as embodied in the form of finance, budget commitment and the commitment to the development of PDAM.

Research limitations/implications

The limitations of this study are that the data used in this study are cross-sectional, so they only describe the condition at a particular time. Also, the sample was limited to Sulawesi taps; therefore, to generalize the findings, a larger sample needs to be considered.

Practical implications

The practical implications of this study are that development of water supply company cannot be separated from the government’s involvement as one of the stakeholders to improve corporate performance, especially through financial assistance. In connection with it, a board of directors or management of PDAM in every department of a company constantly works on government involvement, especially financial aid to fund or investment fund sharing, to improve service to customers. Such activities run a company aimed at achieving efficiency with emphasis on the efficiency of production and distribution capacity by managing the leakage rate, the emphasis on labor costs by keeping the ratio of employees ideal, the emphasis on aspects of the supply and distribution through control of water resources and water meter mains and water customers and an emphasis on the use of raw materials or chemicals with attention to the quality of raw water.

Social implications

The social implications of this study are that government interventions are supported by the availability of resources according to the needs able to create efficiencies that have an impact on improving the performance of taps. Companies performing well can operate optimally in providing drinking water that meets health standards. In addition, the performance achieved allows the taps to embody the organization’s mission as a creator of jobs and local revenue for local governments.

Originality/value

Originality for this paper shows the moderating effect of efficiency and non-market capability in the relationship between government involvement and resources to PDAM. The originality also includes the location of this study (six provinces in the northern peninsula of Sulawesi Island: North Sulawesi Province, Gorontalo Province, Central Sulawesi Province, Southeast Sulawesi Province, South Sulawesi Province and West Sulawesi Province) as no previous research has investigated this relationship in this geography.

Details

International Journal of Law and Management, vol. 60 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1754-243X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 4 May 2021

Xiaowei Ma, Muhammad Shahbaz and Malin Song

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the impact of the off-office audit of natural resource assets on the prevention and control of water pollution against a background of big…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the impact of the off-office audit of natural resource assets on the prevention and control of water pollution against a background of big data using a differences-in-differences model.

Design/methodology/approach

This study constructs a differences-in-differences model to evaluate the policy effects of off-office audit based on panel data from 11 cities in Anhui Province, China, from 2011 to 2017, and analyzes the dynamic effect of the audit and intermediary effect of industrial structure.

Findings

The implementation of the audit system can effectively reduce water pollution. Dynamic effect analysis showed that the audit policy can not only improve the quality of water resources but can also have a cumulative effect over time. That is, the prevention and control effect on water pollution is getting stronger and stronger. The results of the robustness test verified the effectiveness of water pollution prevention and control. However, the results of the influence mechanism analysis showed that the mediating effect of the industrial structure was not obvious in the short term.

Practical implications

These findings shed light on the effect of the off-office audit of natural resource assets on the prevention and control of water pollution, and provide a theoretical basis for the formulation of relevant environmental policies. Furthermore, these findings show that the implementation of the audit system can effectively reduce water pollution, which has practical significance for the sustainable development of China's economy against the background of big data.

Originality/value

This study quantitatively analyzes the policy effect of off-office auditing from the perspective of water resources based on a big data background, which differs from the existing research that mainly focuses on basic theoretical analysis.

Details

Journal of Enterprise Information Management, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1741-0398

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 16 August 2021

Hui-Cheng Yu

This paper aims to use stakeholder theory and the guanxi perspective to examine the determining factors of water resources information disclosure among Chinese enterprises in the…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to use stakeholder theory and the guanxi perspective to examine the determining factors of water resources information disclosure among Chinese enterprises in the context of authoritarian and normative pressures.

Design/methodology/approach

Content analysis is first applied to analyze the environmental sustainability reports of the sample enterprises from 2010 to 2017. Afterward, logistic regression analysis is used to analyze the coded data and examine the proposed hypotheses.

Findings

The empirical evidence shows that having the state as the largest shareholder is positively, but not significantly, related to disclosure of water resources information. Water-sensitive industries are positively and significantly related to the disclosure of water resources information. Guanxi is negatively related to disclosure of water resources information, but not to the level of significance. The effect of the interaction term (Guanxi × Large) on disclosure is negative and also significant.

Practical implications

It is necessary for enterprises to build environmental awareness, increase information transparency for better communication with stakeholders and also establish accountability mechanisms. For effective disclosure and higher information transparency, the Chinese Government should take measures to avoid the disruption of guanxi and ensure effective enforcement of laws.

Social implications

Industrial organizations or supervisory institutions are advised to encourage firms to build awareness of water-related risks and environmental sustainability and to improve how they disclose water resources information to stakeholders.

Originality/value

This study offers evidence of the determining factors of water resources information disclosure, a topic that has been rarely studied before. The evidence sheds light on how firms, especially those in China, have dealt with disclosure of water resources information in the context of authoritarian and normative pressures.

Details

Sustainability Accounting, Management and Policy Journal, vol. 13 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2040-8021

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 6 February 2023

Egemen Sertyesilisik and Mehmet Akif Ceylan

World has started to observe important level of global warming fostered by the industrial growth which resulted in the increase in CO2 emissions and in the environmental pollution…

Abstract

World has started to observe important level of global warming fostered by the industrial growth which resulted in the increase in CO2 emissions and in the environmental pollution (e.g. water and air) affecting total factor productivity growth. Energy is vital for all industries and their growth. Energy generation and energy intensiveness affect carbon emissions. Energy generation relies on water as water is a vital input to the energy generation. Furthermore, water supply is affected by the energy supply and energy dependence. Water is at the core of the industrial growth. It is vital for all productions. Water scarcity problem is becoming more severe due to the climate change. Some regions and countries are more vulnerable to the water scarcity. Middle East countries face significant water scarcity problem. Among these countries Jordan stands out as one of the most vulnerable countries with respect to water scarcity. This chapter emphasises the importance of green and sustainable total factor productivity. Despite of their recent water policies, Jordan started to experience adverse consequences of severe water scarcity problem. The dependence of and relationship between energy and water are vital pillars of economic growth. There is carbon trade-off in their supply. For this reason, conservation capital policies can affect productivity and efficiency. Middle East has scarce water resources and can be affected due to the climate change. Jordan faces most water scarcity among Middle East Countries. This chapter aims to investigate the interaction between industrial growth and climate change as well as their effects to Jordan’s water resources and economy. Furthermore, this chapter emphasises water scarcity problem and water policies in Jordan. This chapter provides recommendations for preventing environmental degradation and mitigating water scarcity problem of Jordan so that its industrial growth can be sustained and its economic growth can become more resilient to the climate change. This chapter is expected to be useful to academics, policy makers, and politics in the relevant field.

Details

The Impact of Environmental Emissions and Aggregate Economic Activity on Industry: Theoretical and Empirical Perspectives
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-80382-577-9

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 30 August 2022

Jorge Alejandro Silva, Dulce María Monroy Becerril and Esteban Martínez Díaz

This systematic review of literature purposes to explore the impact of climate change on Mexico's water resources, exploring the impacts and efforts to address the problem as well…

Abstract

Purpose

This systematic review of literature purposes to explore the impact of climate change on Mexico's water resources, exploring the impacts and efforts to address the problem as well as their effectiveness.

Design/methodology/approach

The researcher relied on several tools to obtain scholarly articles. The primary approach was using preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses. The Journal Impact Factor was an important consideration for the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The work also excluded all journals predating 2009. The work emphasized using journal articles. However, it consulted textbooks and documents from the government and water conservation sources. Contextually the sources with the highest Journal Impact Factor index were selected, paying heed to their relevance to the topic under investigation. Fifty sources out of seventy were included in the systematic review.

Findings

Mexico's already strained water resources have been negatively impacted by climate change, behooving the Mexican government to implement various mitigative strategies. However, scholars reported mixed results on the effectiveness of the various policies and programs implemented by the Mexican government. Key impediments to sustainable implementations entailed the political and social contexts surrounding the conservation policies in Mexico.

Originality/value

Numerous articles have explored the impact of climate change on Mexico's water resources, but many focus on a specific aspect. This work took a holistic approach, synthesizing multiple impacts and providing a sociological perspective on the effects, mitigation efforts, and implementation challenges.

Details

Management of Environmental Quality: An International Journal, vol. 34 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1477-7835

Keywords

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