This unique seminal work is the only book which comprehensively addresses current environmental management in South Africa from an interdisciplinary perspective.

The third edition of Fuggle & Rabie’s Environmental Management in South Africa sheds light on the legal frameworks in regional and international environmental law, administrative law and the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA).

Key themes addressed in environmental management, including agriculture and soils, air quality, biodiversity, climate change, energy, the coast, economics, trade and the role of financial institutions (among others), are covered from both scientific and legal perspectives.

Sustainable development is a long-term solution to how we plan our indefinite progress in the future. The concept covers a broad scope of environmental, social, and economic development, which continues to prove its importance in our lives as it affects all aspects of them. Innovative Economic, Social, and Environmental Practices for Progressing Future Sustainability explores the current practice and implementation of economic, social, and environmental sustainable development. This book offers a reference for a wide number of stakeholders interested in the importance of economic, social and environmental development in sustainable development. New contributions, especially theoretical, practical and managerial, will be discussed in this book. This book is a reference for a wide number of stakeholders interested in the area of sustainable development, especially in the area of economic, social, and environment. This text is an international platform to bring together academics, researchers, lecturers, decision-makers, policymakers, and practitioners to share new theories, research findings, and case studies.

This insightful Handbook brings together the practical guidance of over 50 international practitioners in sustainable tourism. Applying strong research design principles it provides a workable and rational toolkit for investigating practical challenges while accounting for modest timeframes and resources. Expert contributors illustrate how to undertake environmental, socio-cultural and economic assessments that establish the feasibility of new tourism ventures and ascertain their impact over time. Chapters cover fundamentals including how to conduct feasibility studies and business plans, and address key topics such as visitor management and overcrowding. Offering how-to tools and step-by-step guidance, this Handbook combines academic insight with extensive professional experience to outline the best practices for an array of tasks to inform sustainable tourism planning, development and operation. Incorporating concrete solutions employed in numerous contexts, this Handbook is crucial reading for practitioners of sustainable tourism and agencies commissioning sustainable tourism assignments who are in need of innovative methods and up-to-date guidance in the field. It will also benefit tourism scholars, particularly those investigating practical methodologies for creating sustainable tourism experiences.

Sustainable Utilization of Carbon Dioxide in Waste Management addresses all aspects of sustainable use of carbon dioxide in waste management processes and provides best practices and process improvements for carbon sequestration in the management of a variety of waste types, including carbide lime waste, construction waste, and reject brine effluents, amongst others. The book also provides underlying research on the environmental impacts of these wastes and the need for carbon capture to emphasize the importance and need for improvements of these processes. Overall, this information will be key to determining lifecycle benefits of CO2 for each newly improved waste process. This is an important source of information for environmental and sustainability scientists and engineers, as well as academics and researchers in the field who should be trying to achieve increased carbon capture in any form of waste process to reduce environmental impact.

Climate change and the depletion of resources will have a long-lasting effect on the globe. Thus, it is essential that businesses and organizations across the world adopt financial practices and strategies that allow them to continue their service, limit emissions, and preserve resources. However, these practices are only made more difficult to adopt within the context of a turbulent economy. In this context, it is imperative to research financial strategies to protect the environment and support business resilience. Finance for Sustainability in a Turbulent Economy provides international financial strategies to achieve sustainable business practices within a turbulent economy. It highlights the importance of maintaining environmental health in a cost-effective way. Covering topics such as environmental finance, renewable energy frameworks, and social responsibility, this premier reference source is an essential resource for environmental scientists, government officials, engineers, business executives, environmentalists, politicians, students and educators of higher education, researchers, and academicians.

Humanitarian engineering is to provide disadvantaged individuals and communities with engineering solutions that improve lives and livelihoods. The provision of water, energy, food, shelter, energy and information are some of the issues targeted by this "discipline". Humanitarian Engineers could be the key towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Currently, UNESCO is working to strengthen engineering education through curricula development and capacity building. It is also incorporating sustainability topics into engineering education by highlighting the need for green technology in engineering applications. The careful use of resources in a way that does not compromise the environment or deplete the materials for future generations is called sustainable engineering. Both sustainable engineering and humanitarian engineering require a highly interdisciplinary approach since they aim to improve the quality of life for all. The current book looks for the most recent challenges and approaches in the field of humanitarian engineering. A wide variety of topics that fall under the domain are technology-based solutions that tackle humanitarian problems. Pandemics, ageing of population, climate change, social inclusion, extreme poverty and hunger, maternal health and child mortality, education for all, are some indicative topics that could be addressed by technology. Early warning and alerting mechanisms for physical disasters, green engineering approaches, mobile health solutions for remote and underserved populations, are some paradigms that fall under the researched theme. The book is accepting research, real-life case studies, innovative models and approaches, and other work that lies in the presented theme. The proposed collection of chapters will provide an overview of the present thinking and state-of-the-art developments in humanitarian engineering. The book aims at providing latest research findings and their practical implementations, as well as new formulations, solutions, and case studies for tackling humanitarian contemporary issues. The book will give a unique opportunity to stakeholders, researchers and the academic community working in the aforementioned domains to understand the implications and solutions to a variety of topics. The book is anticipated to trigger further research on issues directly related to the proposed humanitarian topics.

Relationship Between Microbes and Environment for Sustainable Ecosystem Services, Volume Two: Microbial Mitigation of Waste for Sustainable Ecosystem Services promotes advances in sustainable solutions, value-added products, and fundamental research in microbes and the environment. Topics include advanced and recent discoveries in the use of microbes for sustainable development. Volume Two describes the successful application of microbes and their derivatives for waste management of potentially toxic and relatively novel compounds. This proposed book will be helpful to environmental scientists, experts and policymakers working in the field of microbe- based mitigation of environmental wastes. The book provides reference information ranging from the description of various microbial applications for the sustainability in different aspects of food, energy, environment industry and social development.

Building Energy Flexibility and Demand Management looks at the high penetration of intermittent renewable energy sources and the need for increased flexibility. Ensuring electrical power systems adapt to dynamic energy demand and supply conditions, the book supports the transition to a renewable energy future with current fluctuating power generation. By facilitating the penetration of renewable energy sources into the building sector, and balancing electricity supply with demand in real-time, this book will provide fundamental concepts, theories, and methods to understand, quantify, design and optimize building energy flexibility. In addition, the book also provides case studies with emerging technologies to enhance building energy flexibility and demonstrate how demand management strategies can utilize energy flexibility for demand reduction and load shifting. It will be useful for all those researchers and engineers working in flexible energy systems and advanced demand side management strategies.

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Smart City Planning shows the reader practical applications of AIML techniques and describes recent advancements in this area in various sectors. Owing to the multidisciplinary nature, this book primarily focuses on the concepts of AIML and its methodologies such as evolutionary techniques, neural networks, machine learning, deep learning, block chain technology, big data analytics, and image processing in the context of smart cities. The text also discusses possible solutions to different challenges posed by smart cities by presenting cutting edge AIML techniques using different methodologies, as well as future directions for those same techniques.

Engineered Nanomaterials for Sustainable Agricultural Production, Soil Improvement and Stress Management highlights the latest advances in applying this important technology within agriculture sectors for sustainable growth, production and protection. The book explores various smart engineered nanomaterials which are now being used as an important tool for improving growth and productivity of crops facing abiotic stresses, improving the health of the soil in which those crops are growing, and addressing stresses once the plant begins to produce food yield. The book includes insights into the use of nanoparticles as bactericides, fungicides and nanofertilizers. In addition, the book includes an international representation of authors who have crafted chapters with clarity, reviewing up-to-date literature with lucid illustrations. It will be an important resource for researchers, nanobiotechnologists, agriculturists and horticulturists who need a comprehensive reference guide.

Assessing Progress toward Sustainability: Frameworks, Tools, and Case Studies provides practical frameworks for measuring progress toward sustainability in various areas of production, consumption, services and urban development as they relate to environmental impact. A variety of policies/strategies or frameworks are available at national and international levels. This book presents an integrated approach to sustainability progress measurement by considering both the frameworks and methodological developments of various tools, as well as their implementation in assessing the sustainability of processes, products and services through a global perspective. Combining methods and their application, the book covers a variety of topics, including lifecycle assessment, risk assessment, nexus thinking, and connection to SDGs. Organized clearly into three main sections --Frameworks, Tools, and Case Studies--this book can serve as a practical resource for researchers and practitioners alike in environmental science, sustainability, environmental management and environmental engineering.

Stochastic Modeling: A Thorough Guide to Evaluate, Pre-Process, Model and Compare Time Series with MATLAB Software allows for new avenues in time series analysis and predictive modeling which summarize more than ten years of experience in the application of stochastic models in environmental problems. The book introduces a variety of different topics in time series in the modeling and prediction of complex environmental systems. Most importantly, all codes are user-friendly and readers will be able to use them for their cases. Users who may not be familiar with MATLAB software can also refer to the appendix. This book also guides the reader step-by-step to learn developed codes for time series modeling, provides required toolboxes, explains concepts, and applies different tools for different types of environmental time series problems.

Thermophysical Properties of Individual Hydrocarbons of Petroleum and Natural Gases: Properties, Methods, and Low-Carbon Technologies is a go-to data source for engineers who need derive property data on everyday components. Providing more precise data improves existing oil and gas processing systems and creates opportunities for more sustainable operations and equipment, such as hydrogen and carbon capture. Covering modern equations of state, this source discusses detailed descriptions of experimental apparatus, methods of measurement, corrections and error estimates as well as results of previous experiments. Generalized predictive methods for calculating viscosity and thermal conductivity are also covered. Rounding out with property databases and lower-carbon technology advances, the book gives today's engineers a detailed study of methods for more sustainable experimental research of thermophysical properties.

In good times, growth and profits are welcome, but in bad times we need resilience, and resilience cannot be spirited up overnight. The economic fallout from the 2008-9 financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic has been considerable. Each required unprecedented measures to prevent the economy from crashing. We can learn from crisis to move beyond the superficial success of growth-based economics to adopt a more robust way to frame economics. The adoption of resilient economics should allow an economic system to evolve that is stable by default. The next crisis could be any number of issues, some very closely aligned with the economy and others related to health and environment, or something else entirely. A truly resilient economy should be able to weather any crisis and bounce back when it abates. We need to recalibrate economics to regain its place as a solid and respected discipline at the heart of policymaking. Resilient economics can do this. It provides a framework that moves away from focusing on expansion and growth, to focusing on security, stability, and sustainability. All societies are different; every economy should be different.

Agricultural Bioeconomy: Innovation and Foresight in the Post-COVID Era presents recent advancements in biotechnology, exploring the optimal utilization of technologies to provide rapid and impactful economic recovery and sustainable resources in a future that will bear the mark of COVID-19. Understanding that there is a necessary balance between risk and reward, this book provides a foundational hypothesis as well as operational direction for addressing the commercialization and regulatory issues in a bio-based economy where agricultural output is at the core. By presenting adaptable practices to successfully establish and progress agri-based global bioeconomies, the book features a new paradigm focused on technological foresight and response to future risks and disasters. Key considerations include assessing and managing the urban bioeconomy, climate change mitigation, biofuels and bioenergy, GMOs, and employment generation. This book provides the solid next step toward future-proofing global economies using a combination of agricultural technologies and economic goals. Professionals and advanced students focused on the production of renewable biological resources and their conversion into value-added products including food, feed, bio-based products, and bioenergy will find this book useful.

Biochar in Agriculture for Achieving Sustainable Development Goals introduces the state-of-the-art of biochar for agricultural applications to actualize sustainable development goals and highlight current challenges and the way forward. The book focuses on scientific knowledge and biochar technologies for agricultural soil improvement and plant growth. Sections provide state-of-the-art knowledge on biochar production and characterization, focus on biochar for agricultural application and soil improvement, discuss the roles of biochar for environmental improvement in farmland to relieve water and waste management as well as climate change, highlight biochar used for boosting bioeconomy and clean energy, and discuss future prospects. This book will be important to agricultural engineers and researchers as well as those seeking to improve overall soil and environmental conditions through the use of biochar.

Architecture is very multi-disciplinary, attracting many different professions. This is reflected in the contributions contained in this volume and that were originally presented at the 9th International Conference on Harmonisation between Architecture and Nature. The included works review the challenges and new opportunities of contemporary architecture as a result of advances in design and new building technologies, as well as the development of new materials. Many of the changes are motivated by a drive towards eco-architecture, trying to harmonise architectural products with nature. Another important issue is the adaptation of the architectural design to the natural environment, learning from nature and traditional construction techniques. Contemporary architecture is at the threshold of a new stage of evolution, deeply influenced by the advances in information and computer systems and the development of new materials and products, as well as construction processes that will drastically change the industry. Emphasis is placed on the minimum use of energy at each stage of the building process, the design by passive systems, life cycle assessment, resources optimisation and rehabilitation. Never before in history have architects and engineers had such a range of new processes and products open to them. In spite of that, the construction industry lags behind all others in taking advantage of a wide variety of new technologies. This is understandable, due to the inherent complexity and uniqueness of each architectural project. Advances in computer and information systems, including robotics, offers the possibility of developing new architectural forms, construction products and building technologies that are just now starting to emerge. Changes have also taken place in the way modern society works and lives, due to the impact of modern technologies. Patterns of work have been disrupted and changed, affecting transportation and the home environment. The demand is for a new type of habitat that can respond to the changes and the consequent requirements in terms of the urban environment. Such topics are dealt with as building technologies, design by passive systems, design with nature, cultural sensitivity, life cycle assessment, resources and rehabilitation and many others including case studies from many different places around the world.

Emerging Contaminants in the Environment: Challenges and Sustainable Practices covers all aspects of emerging contaminants in the environment, from basic understanding to different types of emerging contaminants and how these threaten organisms, their environmental fate studies, detection methods, and sustainable practices of dealing with contaminants. Emerging contaminant remediation is a pressing need due to the ever-increasing pollution in the environment, and it has gained a lot of scientific and public attention due to its high effectiveness and sustainability. The discussions in the book on the bioremediation of these contaminants are covered from the perspective of proven technologies and practices through case studies and real-world data. One of the main benefits of this book is that it summarizes future challenges and sustainable solutions. It can, therefore, become an effective guide to the elimination (through sustainable practices) of emerging contaminants. At the back of these explorations on sustainable bioremediation of emerging contaminants lies the set of 17 goals articulated by the United Nations in its 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all its member states. This book provides academics, researchers, students, and practitioners interested in the detection and elimination of emerging contaminants from the environment, with the latest advances by leading experts in emerging contaminants the field of environmental sciences.

Lean thinking involves more than just eliminating waste; through its five guiding principles-value, value chain, continuous flow, pull production, and perfection-its successful applications are commonly found in the manufacturing sector. Although its application and benefits to companies is no longer contested, it is rare to find works that consolidate applications of lean thinking in sectors that are unconventional, such as healthcare and government. Cases on Lean Thinking Applications in Unconventional Systems allows readers to broaden their view on lean thinking applications and visualize insights for research. It presents case studies and applications of lean thinking within several different industries. Covering topics such as emergency care units, standardized work, and national humanization policy, this case book is an essential resource for engineers, hospital administrators, healthcare professionals, IT managers, government officials, students and faculty of higher education, researchers, and academicians.