DW2RDF4SDG – Ontology modeling from multi-dimensional cubes for Sustainable Development Goals

Multidimensional models and their measures regarding different dimensions are powerful instruments for decision makers. An ontology, in its basic expression as RDF, represents the reality from relationships between classes, and it is the base for linked data of the semantic Web. This work provides a basic methodology to obtain an ontology RDF from a multidimensional model of a data warehouse, capable to be aligned to other ontology of the Sustainable Developments Goals. Specifically, an approaching of alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals Interface Ontology [SDGIO] emerging by the United Nations Environmental Program [UNEP] is included. This methodology labeled as DW2RDF4SDG is instrumented for the SDG 6, aimed to ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.

A Stakeholder Perspective of Sustainable Supply Chain Management

Industrialization leaves no doubt that our planet is suffering from global warming, depletion of natural resources, pollution, waste, and other environmental concerns. Consequently, businesses, communities, and governments have been environmentally conscious and shown growing concern for sustainable development, particularly following the establishment of the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP). This chapter provides further insights into sustainability and supply chain research through adopting a stakeholder perspective to understand drivers and consequences of supply chain sustainability in the United Arab Emirates. The results indicate that pressures enforced by champions and customers are positively related to supply chain sustainability. However, the relationship between government pressures and supply chain sustainability is insignificant. Moreover, the findings provide evidence that the impact of supply chain sustainability on the organizational sustainable performance is significantly positive. Supply managers can learn from these results in developing sustainable initiatives earlier along their supply chain through selecting and evaluating suppliers based on sustainability-related standards. In addition, environmental collaboration with customers and suppliers based on knowledge sharing and application may identify and reduce the total environmental impact.

Addressing Environmental Health Problems in Ogoniland through Implementation of United Nations Environmental Program Recommendations: Environmental Management Strategies

In August 4 2011, United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) submitted an unprecedented, scientific, groundbreaking Environmental Assessment Report (EAR) of Ogoniland, to the Nigerian government. This was the outcome of a 14–month intensive evaluation of the extent of pollution. It was intended that UNEP’s recommendations would be implemented to restore the devastated environment, on the one hand, and on the other, counteract the numerous environmental health issues that have for decades, plagued Ogoniland. However, five years post EAR, and, despite the seriousness of the situation, no significant resolution has occurred, both on the part of the government, and on the part of Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) or Shell. To date, millions of Niger Delta residents, particularly those living in the oil-bearing communities, continue to suffer severe consequences. Although, the assessment was conducted in Ogoniland, other communities in the Niger Delta are also affected. This article explores prevailing issues, using Ogoniland (a microcosm of the Niger Delta) as an example. A multidisciplinary approach for sustainable mitigation of environmental health risks in the Niger Delta is paramount, and Environmental Management tools offer valuable strategies. Adopting UNEP’s recommendations for addressing environmental health problems requires implementing the Environmental Management/Environmental Management System (EM/EMS) model.

Marine birds and plastic debris in Canada: a national synthesis and a way forward

Marine plastic ingestion by seabirds was first documented in the 1960s, but over 50 years later our understanding about the prevalence, intensity, and subsequent effect of plastic pollution in the oceans is still developing. In Canada, systematic assessments using recognized standard protocols began only in the mid-2000s. With marine plastic pollution identified by the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) as one of the most critical challenges for the environment, a greater understanding of how plastics affect marine birds in Canada, along with a national strategy, is timely and necessary. To better understand which and how many marine birds are affected by marine debris, we reviewed reports of plastic ingestion and nest incorporation in Canada. Of the 91 marine bird species found in Canadian waters, detailed plastic ingestion data from multiple years and locations are available for only six species. Another 33 species have incidental reports, and we lack any data on dozens more. Future efforts should focus on characterizing the risk of plastic ingestion among understudied species and on continued monitoring of species that are known indicators of plastic pollution internationally and found in multiple regions of Canada to facilitate comparisons at the national and international levels.

A Stakeholder Perspective of Sustainable Supply Chain Management

Industrialization leaves no doubt that our planet is suffering from global warming, depletion of natural resources, pollution, waste, and other environmental concerns. Consequently, businesses, communities, and governments have been environmentally conscious and shown growing concern for sustainable development, particularly following the establishment of the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP). This chapter provides further insights into sustainability and supply chain research through adopting a stakeholder perspective to understand drivers and consequences of supply chain sustainability in the United Arab Emirates. The results indicate that pressures enforced by champions and customers are positively related to supply chain sustainability. However, the relationship between government pressures and supply chain sustainability is insignificant. Moreover, the findings provide evidence that the impact of supply chain sustainability on the organizational sustainable performance is significantly positive. Supply managers can learn from these results in developing sustainable initiatives earlier along their supply chain through selecting and evaluating suppliers based on sustainability-related standards. In addition, environmental collaboration with customers and suppliers based on knowledge sharing and application may identify and reduce the total environmental impact.

INTERNATIONAL OIL SPILL CONTROL TRAINING PROGRAM

ABSTRACT After viewing the oil spill from the supertanker Metula in 1974 and observing the state of preparedness to deal with oil spills in Chile and other countries, the need for a stronger program was evident. With encouragement from the International Maritime Consultative Organization (IMCO) and others, a training course was developed to complement the IMCO and United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) programs which subsequently has been presented on a regional basis in the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, the West African area, and Brazil. The support the UNEP Regional Seas Program and at the same time ensure that the faculty of the training program has a realistic knowledge of the problems in a given area, a series of reports has been commissioned on the status of oil pollution and oil pollution control in the various regions. The report on the Caribbean has been completed and reports on Southeast Asia and West Africa are in the final stages of preparation. This paper will discuss the format and technical content of the training courses and the format and technical content of the supporting studies. The authors will also discuss trends in international response responsibility and methods evident from their studies and from their interaction with the students in the course.