Environmental management systems in local government bodies : a comparative study of Hita City, Japan and Lampang City, Thailand | |
| Author | Totoki, Yoshiaki |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.UE-05-12 |
| Subject(s) | Environmental management--Thailand--Lampang ISO 14001 Standard--Thailand--Lampang |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science, School of Environment, Resources, and Development |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Abstract | Many cities are facing the major urban management challenges deteriorated by waste, pollution problem, uncontrolled resource consumption, urban decay, and decrease in quality of urban life. Many local authorities have recognized present activities are environmentally unsustainable. Environmental Management Systems (EMSs) are an important tool for local governments to introduce systematic environmental policy and strategy in order to handle the management challenges. EMSs are an aspect of overall management structure that addresses impacts of activities and services on environment and essential to anticipate and ensure compliance with national and international requirements. EMSs can be implemented not only in industrial bodies, but also in local government bodies. In fact, some municipalities in some developed countries have implemented EMS and succeeded in environmental impact reduction while making other achievements. Although current initiatives to develop EMS at the local government level are in developed countries, it is equally suitable for use in developing countries and countries with economies in transition. Thailand is interested in EMS implementation in local government bodies to manage the environmental situation. This study compares ISO 14001 based EMSs implemented in two local government bodies in Japan and Thailand in order to identify the differences of achievements and the constraints encountered in implementation. By referring to few other cases of Japan where EMSs have been implemented without ISO certification, the study proposes recommendation for the local government bodies in developing countries to follow the suit. |
| Year | 2005 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Development and Sustainability (DDS) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Urban Environmental and Management (UE) |
| Chairperson(s) | Perera, L. A. S. Ranjith |
| Examination Committee(s) | Nowarat Coowanitwong;Vilas Nitivattananon |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2005 |