Environmental Performance Measurement
Environmental Performance Measurement

Author: Daniel C. Esty

Publisher:

Published: 2002

Total Pages: 296

ISBN-13: 9780195152555

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Environmental decision-making has long been plagued by uncertainties and a lack of critical information. The data and analyses needed for thoughtful and systematic action to minimize pollution harms and to optimize the use of natural resources are often unavailable or seem too costly to obtain. As a result, choices are made on the basis of generalized observations and best guesses, or worse yet, rhetoric or emotion. Environmental Performance Measurement: The Global Report 2001-2002 presents a new approach to environmental decision-making based on facts and analytic rigor. It collects in one place the largest amount of environmental data that has ever been assembled at the nation-state scale. Presented here is the first serious attempt not only to measure environmental sustainability in one summary indicator, but also to rank 122 countries on the basis of this index. In addition, country profiles provide detailed information about the environmental performance of these countries across 22 critical environmental indicators. Written by both academics and practitioners, this report is an essential tool for environmental performance decision-making in many realms and in all countries across the world.

Information Systems and the Environment
Information Systems and the Environment

Author: National Academy of Engineering

Publisher: National Academies Press

Published: 2001-09-13

Total Pages: 239

ISBN-13: 0309062438

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Information technology is a powerful tool for meeting environmental objectives and promoting sustainable development. This collection of papers by leaders in industry, government, and academia explores how information technology can improve environmental performance by individual firms, collaborations among firms, and collaborations among firms, government agencies, and academia. Information systems can also be used by nonprofit organizations and the government to inform the public about broad environmental issues and environmental conditions in their neighborhoods. Several papers address the challenges to information management posed by the explosive increase in information and knowledge about environmental issues and potential solutions, including determining what information is environmentally relevant and how it can be used in decision making. In addition, case studies are described and show how industry is using information systems to ensure sustainable development and meet environmental standards. The book also includes examples from the public sector showing how governments use information knowledge systems to disseminate "best practices" beyond big firms to small businesses, and from the world of the Internet showing how knowledge is shared among environmental advocates and the general public.