JournalTOCs

International Journal of Green Economics

[6 followers] Follow
Full-text available via subscription

Subscription journal
ISSN (Print) 1744-9928 - ISSN (Online) 1744-9936
Published by Inderscience Publishers

[367 journals]

The role of human development on deforestation in Africa: a modelling-based approach
- Authors: Simplice A. Asongu; Brian A. Jingwa
  Pages: 317 - 330
  Abstract: The rate of deforestation in Africa is of paramount concern not only to the future of Africa, but also to the world. This study uses country-level data to model changes in forest area over an 18 year period (1990-2007) in 35 African countries and investigates the role played by important development indicators of human development. The results reveal that the net loss of forests was 0.19% every year between 1990 and 2007. Human development, which involves life expectancy, education and income, is found to have a positive effect on forest growth and conservation, while logging trees for wood fuel is a significant cause of deforestation. Using generalised linear mixed models and generalised estimating equations, it was possible to calculate expected estimates of forest area for 2010, 2020 and 2030 under the assumption that nothing is done to change observed trends.
  Keywords: deforestation|environmental impact|human development index|agriculture|data modelling|Africa|forests|net loss|life expectancy|education|income|forest growth|forest conservation|logging|wood fuel
  Citation: International Journal of Green Economics, Vol. 6, No. 4 (2012) pp. 317 - 330
  PubDate: 2013-01-19T23:20:50-05:00
  DOI: 10.1504/IJGE.2012.051493
  Issue No: Vol. 6, No. 4 (2013)
Happiness and air pollution: evidence from 14 European countries
- Authors: Byron Lew; B. Mak Arvin
  Pages: 331 - 345
  Abstract: The causal relationship between happiness and air pollution is examined using a sample of 14 European countries. Two sets of results are presented using the notion of Granger causality. For individual countries, the existence of a unidirectional or bidirectional causal structure for almost half of the countries can be observed. The panel approach, on the other hand, provides some support for the existence of bidirectional causality between happiness and air pollution for the region taken as-a-whole.
  Keywords: happiness|air pollution|political rights|Granger causality|Europe|air quality
  Citation: International Journal of Green Economics, Vol. 6, No. 4 (2012) pp. 331 - 345
  PubDate: 2013-01-19T23:20:50-05:00
  DOI: 10.1504/IJGE.2012.051492
  Issue No: Vol. 6, No. 4 (2013)
Urban green compensation
- Authors: Elizelle Juaneé Cilliers
  Pages: 346 - 356
  Abstract: Green compensation is an alternative approach towards urban-green-planning. Green-compensation is defined as replacing or relocating 'green space values' in an urban area, an action to ensure quality enhancement and protection of urban green spaces. Due to increasing pressures of urbanisation and population growth, the concept of green-compensation is gaining importance in planning approaches. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the urban green compensation concept within the urban planning perspective. From literature research and case studies conducted it was concluded that green compensation can be successfully realised in qualitative and quantitative ways, but are subject to specific urban green space values which is bounded to the locality. Green-compensation is an approach to guide sustainable planning by ensuring qualitative living spaces, as the practical implementation thereof will lead to integrated development planning where spatial planning and environmental management are interlinked.
  Keywords: green compensation|green planning|sustainable development|sustainability|urban planning|urban green spaces|integrated development planning|spatial planning|environmental management
  Citation: International Journal of Green Economics, Vol. 6, No. 4 (2012) pp. 346 - 356
  PubDate: 2013-01-19T23:20:50-05:00
  DOI: 10.1504/IJGE.2012.051494
  Issue No: Vol. 6, No. 4 (2013)
Validation of green IT framework for implementing energy efficient green data centres: a case study
- Authors: Mueen Uddin; Azizah Abdul Rahman
  Pages: 357 - 374
  Abstract: The research highlighted in this paper is based on the results obtained from a case study performed in different tier level data centres in Pakistan to test the validity, reliability and credibility of proposed green IT framework for implementing green energy efficient data centres. The results clearly indicate that proposed framework is valid, flexible and easy to implement at any tier level data centre. It considers all issues related to green data centres and helps data centre managers to implement proposed framework, to save power consumption and reduce the emission of greenhouse gases to lower the effects of global warming. The framework uses latest energy saving techniques like virtualisation, cloud computing and green metrics to achieve greener data centres.
  Keywords: green information technology|green IT framework|green data centres|global warming|energy efficiency|Pakistan|power consumption|GHG emissions|greenhouse gases|energy saving|virtualisation|cloud computing|green metrics
  Citation: International Journal of Green Economics, Vol. 6, No. 4 (2012) pp. 357 - 374
  PubDate: 2013-01-19T23:20:50-05:00
  DOI: 10.1504/IJGE.2012.051499
  Issue No: Vol. 6, No. 4 (2013)
Green ergonomics and green economics: the effect of feed-in tariff schemes on user behaviours and attitudes towards energy consumption
- Authors: Robin Winslow Morris; Alex W. Stedmon; Alyson Langley
  Pages: 375 - 389
  Abstract: On 1 April 2010 the UK government introduced 'feed-in tariff' (FIT) legislation to provide incentives for small-scale renewable energy generation, particularly by residential home-owners. This paper investigates the existing knowledge base to consider if living in a property with on-site renewable energy generation may affect user attitudes and behaviours. This knowledge is interpreted from an ergonomics/human factors perspective whilst also addressing underlying economic issues. Suggestions are made as to what effects FIT schemes may have on public attitudes and where further research efforts should be focused. A key finding is that FIT schemes are likely to result in a shift in public behaviour, particularly towards reduced energy consumption but only if initiatives address fundamental issues of green ergonomics and green economics.
  Keywords: feed-in tariffs|user attitudes|user behaviour|energy consumption|green ergonomics|green economics|UK|United Kingdom|small-scale renewable energy|residential homeowners|renewable energy generation|human factors
  Citation: International Journal of Green Economics, Vol. 6, No. 4 (2012) pp. 375 - 389
  PubDate: 2013-01-19T23:20:50-05:00
  DOI: 10.1504/IJGE.2012.051495
  Issue No: Vol. 6, No. 4 (2013)
Reduction in carbon emissions in the Brazilian agricultural value chain through a decrease in transported volume
- Authors: André Perusso
  Pages: 390 - 400
  Abstract: Privileged characteristics have helped Brazil to consolidate itself as a leader in agricultural exports. These exports, however, have unique characteristic. They are heavily focused on commodity items, its production areas are relatively far from seaports and its transport matrix is strongly focused on road transportation. This combination of factors brings several environmental impacts. Popular alternatives to reduce them include replacing traditional diesel for green fuels, such as biodiesel, or changing the Brazilian transport matrix, concentrated on roads, to less polluting train and river transportation. There is, however, a third option to be considered. Not broadly discussed yet the focus of this paper: a change in Brazilian agricultural exports currently focused on food commodities to one oriented to the export of value added food products. There, carbon reduction would be achieved through a reduction of transported volume, a natural consequence of the industrial transformation process required to produce value added items.
  Keywords: agriculture value chain|commodities|carbon emissions|Brazil|agricultural exports|value added food products|transport matrix|transported volume|CO2|emissions reduction|decrease|green economics|carbon dioxide|environmental impact
  Citation: International Journal of Green Economics, Vol. 6, No. 4 (2012) pp. 390 - 400
  PubDate: 2013-01-19T23:20:50-05:00
  DOI: 10.1504/IJGE.2012.051496
  Issue No: Vol. 6, No. 4 (2013)
Quantifying of farmers' acceptance and perception in developing kenaf, Hibiscus cannabinus, industry in Malaysia
- Authors: Norfaryanti Kamaruddin; Mohd. Shahwahid Haji Othman
  Pages: 401 - 416
  Abstract: Kenaf is a new crop to farmers in Malaysia. Although kenaf has much potential as an alternative raw material to wood fibre, the cultivation is developing at slow pace. This paper aims to gather farmers' acceptance and perceptions on developing kenaf as a new industry. A survey to registered Kenaf farmers was conducted in the East Coast region of Malaysia through structured questionnaires and personal interviews. Factor analysis result shows that there are five elements that contribute to the farmers' acceptance levels, which are; level of satisfaction and knowledge, kenaf programme's performance and resource availability, availability of land and crop protection, and industrial linkages. Out of these elements, only the first two elements are highly significant to the level of acceptance on developing the kenaf industry. The results contribute to a better understanding of factors that significantly affect farmers' acceptance in developing a new crop in Malaysia.
  Keywords: kenaf industry|farmers|farmer acceptance|authority|green economics|farmer perceptions|Hibiscus cannabinus|Malaysia|new crops|agriculture
  Citation: International Journal of Green Economics, Vol. 6, No. 4 (2012) pp. 401 - 416
  PubDate: 2013-01-19T23:20:50-05:00
  DOI: 10.1504/IJGE.2012.051491
  Issue No: Vol. 6, No. 4 (2013)