Second International Conference on Environmental Economics and Investment Assessment

pcr2.jpg28 - 30 May 2008
Cadiz, Spain

 Overview

EnvEconomics08.jpgThe second Conference on Environmental Economics and Investment Assessment took place in Cádiz, organised by the Wessex Institute of Technology of the UK (WIT) and the University of Cádiz, in collaboration with the National Technical University of Athens.

The current emphasis on sustainable development is a consequence of general awareness of the need to solve numerous environmental problems resulting from our modern society.  This has led to the need to assess the impact of economic development in the environment.  The Conference addressed the topic of Investment Assessment and Environmental Economics in an integrated way; in accordance with the principles of sustainability, considering the social and environmental impacts of new investments.  The Meeting discussed and proposed a more constructive and progressive approach to ensure sustainability.

The Conference was opened by the Dean of the Human Resources School at the University of Cádiz (UCA), Professor Francisca Fuentes, who welcomed the delegates and expressed her appreciation to WIT for holding this important meeting at her School. Professor David Almorza, Vice Rector of the University described the beauty and special character of the Cádiz region, showing a specially produced animated presentation describing different view of Cádiz.  After this, Professor Nieves Gomez from the School of Management spoke to welcome the delegates as Co-Chairman of the Conference and his talk was followed by that of another Co-Chairman, Professor Konstantin Aravossis from the National Technical University of Athens.  Professor Aravossis referred to the history of the meeting, first held in Mykonos in 2006.  The success of the first meeting led to the conference being reconvened in Cádiz.

economics1.JPGFinally, Carlos A Brebbia, Director of WIT, described the work of this Institute, particularly in the field of environmental and ecological problems.  WIT’s area of expertise is the modelling of complex physical problems and the Institute is renowned throughout the world for its pioneering work on the technique called Boundary Elements.  This expertise can be used to solve a wide variety of problems and the Institute works with many partners around the world.  One of these is the University of Cádiz and over the last few years a number of activities have taken place involving the two institutions, such as exchange of researchers, organisation of conferences and seminars, publications and others.  Professor Brebbia mentioned the commitment of WIT to act as a mechanism for knowledge transfer between different partners.  Finally he stressed WIT’s activities in the area of publishing, particularly eBooks and journals, as well as the industrial research and support carried out at the New Forest Campus.

 Conference Sessions

economics2.JPGThe participants at the Conference came from many different countries all over the world.  The contributions of the authors were classified under the following subject headings:

  • Economy and the environment
  • Environmental policies
  • Planning and assessment
  • Cost-benefit analysis
  • Natural resources management
  • Environmental performance
  • Social issues and environmental policies

 

 Invited Presentations

 

There were a series of invited talks in addition to the excellent papers presented by the other authors:

  • “A study on the corporate social responsibility reports of Greek companies and the use of alternative evaluation methodologies”, by K Aravossis, National Technical University of Athens, Greece
  • "An empirical study of what institutions of higher education in the UK consider to be their corporate social responsibility”, by S O Idowu, London Metropolitan University, UK
  • “Review of on-site and communal water and sanitation systems for remote communities”, by A Perks, RV Anderson Associates Limited, Otttawa, Canada
  • “Assessing the external costs and the economic viability of the Greek steel industry”, by D Damigos, National Technical University of Athens, Greece

 Social Activities

economics3.JPGThe organisers offered complimentary lunches so as to encourage further contact among the participants and ensure the smooth running of the meeting.  This helped to increase social interaction among all the delegates.

 The Conference dinner took place in one of the most famous flamenco schools in Cádiz, where the delegates had a chance to hear some typical music and see some of the dancing for which Cádiz is famous.  They also tasted some local dishes and delicacies.  The standards were particularly high and the delegates had occasion to see some genuine flamenco.

 Publication of Papers

The proceedings of Environmental Economics and Investment Assessment II, 336pp (ISBN: 1-84564-112-2) are available in hard back from WIT Press priced at £110/US$220/€165. Orders can be placed by telephone: +44 (0) 238 029 3223, fax: +44 (0) 238 029 2853, e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or via the WIT Press web site at: www.witpress.com

Papers from the conference will also be hosted online at the WIT eLibrary as volume 108 of WIT Transactions on Ecology and the Environment (ISSN: 1743-3541). For more details visit the WIT eLibrary at: library.witpress.com