An Indicator-based Approach to Environmental and Resource Management in a Globalised World - Implementing Environmental and Resource Management - page 312

Table 23.4. (cont.)

Health / disease control - 2 -

Ecotoxicology - 2 -

Air pollution - 2 -

Renewable energies - 1 4

Forest management - 1 1

Governance - 1 -

Recycling - 1

Tourism - 1 -

Marine pollution - 1 -

Noise abatement - 1 -

Nano technology - 1 -

Clean development mechanisms - - 2

Corporate environmental man-
agement

- - 2

Renewable raw materials - - 2

Ecosystem services - - 1

Nuclear energy - - 1

In 2004 (Schmidt et al. 2004), there was a strong emphasis on theoretical aspects
such as legislation, implementation of laws into policies and programmes, and
planning theory. The latter category comprises papers on assessment and decision-
support methods. In the 2006 book (Schmidt et al. 2006), papers dealing with as-
sessment and decision-making in general were more and more replaced by con-
crete case studies and applications in the real world. In the 2011 book (Schmidt et
al., this volume) almost no theoretical papers can be found. Most papers are based
on own research or practical experience and deal with a variety of environmental
issues. Energy related issues such as energy management, renewable energies and
clean development mechanisms have a definite majority.

23.4.2 Geographical Distribution of ERM Research

In Table 23.5 an overview of the geographical distribution of ERM topics is given.
This distribution is not only reflecting the geographical origin of ERM students,
but is overlaid by current trends.
In 2004 there was still a strong focus on German research issues. Interest in
German topics has declined since then. In 2006 a slight majority of issues related
to German neighbour countries and Central European trans boundary issues can be
observed. In 2010 geographical emphasis has shifted to rising economies (G 20
states) such as Brazil and India, while continent comparisons were also carried
out. Research topics now come from all continents and often take a globalised
viewpoint. This is also indicated by the agenda of the latest self-organized alumni
workshop (ERM Board of Students 2009).