Has the government successfully implemented low carbon refurbishment Dissertation

Has the government successfully implemented low carbon refurbishment of the UK's existing housing stock - Dissertation Example The government’s success or failure to address the problem of upgrading the existing housing stock in the UK was determined in this paper by first establishing a reference point, a time and date when the objectives and targets were communicated. DEFRA (Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs) supported and actually funded a study that led to the updated report on â€Å"Carbon Emission Reduction Efficiency Improvements to the UK Housing Stock†, by L D Shorrock, J Henderson, J I Utley, and G A Walters. This was shown in the BRE Report BR 435, December 2001. The BRE (Better Regulations Executive) is a part of the Dept. of Business, Innovation and Skills, which leads the regulatory reforms agenda across UK. There is a need to know the principles that guide the BRE because those principles can likewise be used as a basis for saying there was a failure or success in addressing the issue of upgrading the present housing stock in the UK. BRE maintains five (5) princip les of good regulation. These are: (1) transparency, (2) accountability, (3) proportionate, (4) consistent, and (5) targeted. And BRE aims to do its role to simplify regulations without having to aggravate business sectors and causing excess additional costs. One other communication coming from the BRE stated a commitment to regulate well, by simplifying and reducing costs as a result of imposing regulations. The more important objectives were to facilitate business growth and economic prosperity. According to Lucas (2009, p.2) BRE has to strike a balance between enforcing legislations and facilitating business. Prioritizing objectives according to value pointed to the more important factors, namely, cost reduction, business growth, and economic prosperity. Meeting the housing needs also has greater value than being accurate with reductions in percentage of carbon emissions per house. Background of the Problem The December 2001 report forecasted that by 2005, there would be a reduct ion in the carbon emission per year by as much as 22 MtC/yr. (million tons of carbon emission per year) if appropriate measures were implemented. But not all measures were cost effective. Granted that only the cost-effective approach were implemented, CO2 emission was forecasted to be reduced by only 9 to 17.5 MtC/yr so that the forecasted reduction in CO2 emission by 2010 was expected to reach only 17.5 MtC/yr. The forecast for 2020 was for a drop by 13.5 MtC/yr. Unfortunately, using only the cost-effective approach could cut down the CO2 emission to a figure between 3.5 and 9.5 MtC/yr. The forecast until 2050 was reached with the assumption that nearly all the potential insulation measures can be utilized effectively. Renewable energy technology use will speed up the reduction of CO2 emissions, making it possible to attain a 29.5 MtC/yr. All these were according to Sharrock, Henderson, Utley, and Walters(2001, p. 7). As of that time, 2001, the number of houses with energy savings potential was estimated. See Table 1. As can be seen in Table I, there are millions of homes in need of renovation. In fact, in 2005, a survey known as the English House Condition Survey, was conducted that led to the news released by the Rethinking Housing Refurbishment (RHR) entity. The RHR is a BRE Demonstration Project. It reported â€Å"almost 6 million homes (28 % of the housing stock) failed the standard†. ( RHR 2010, p. 2 ) Little Done To Address Existing

ARTICLE CRITIQUE - Applied Research Methods class for Public Admin

CRITIQUE - Applied Research Methods class for Public Admin - Article Example The results achieved gave evidence that a joint effort between experts and the community in the project brought forth 8efficiency in the technical arena. The article sheds light on the advantages gained when a community is involved in searching for solutions to particular problems rather than the technical aspect of using questionnaires (Hindy, & Rongfang, 2005). What is the argument of the article? In most cases, administration has frequently believed that decision making can only be achieved through expertise language. The involvement of the public is viewed to lack procedure and cannot deliver the expected results in the cause of problem definition. As a result, some of the community members believe that they should not take part in developing policies that can be implemented in resolving issues at stake. This assumption has limited the chances that a government can offer its citizens. The community is never given opportunity to participate in the crucial stages of defining problems but brought to center stage when policies derived are refined. The article highlights the importance of incorporating the locals at the early stages in problem definition to the final stage when policies are derived. The problem defined in the case study was transit problems. From the initial stage, the input of the citizens towards solutions that could be implemented to resolve transportation issues in the government. Regardless of language limitation faced, communal groups were reached not through questionnaires but by an interactive approach. They were allowed to communicate through their native language to give ideas that could be implemented to solve transportation problems. The technical team was also involved in the process of defining the problem as well as deriving policies. The findings of the author were very encouraging. The positive response of the community in defining the

Measures of Personality Research Assignment Essay

Measures of Personality Research Assignment - Essay Example e and practical rather than the abstract and theoretical, and finally Judgment-Perception (J-P) measuring someones preference for order and rules, rather than spontaneity and flexibility. All participants are tested through a series of questionnaires and their relative position on each of the four axes is mapped to get a complete 4-dimensional map of his or her personality. b. Circumstances under which the test is indicated : The test is used for predicting innate preferences for people for certain types of careers, and is used by recruitment agencies, the government and companies to assess the natural preferences for candidates or workers. In addition the test is widely used in education to assess the natural preferences and suitability of applicants for various courses, and in advising and counselling young people regarding a career choice. In addition, numerous people administer the test to themselves, to discover more about themselves, and it has been used in finding the right psychological type of partner by professional dating and matchmaking agencies. c. Reliability and validity : The MBTI has been studied by numerous researchers with regards to objectivity and validity, and most researchers have found that the eight preference poles correspond in practice to theory for most people. (Hammer, 1996). Tzengs (1984) factor analysis of 125 students confirmed the validity of the four axes based on the MBTI. d. Factors to be considered by user: Users often find that the test is more reliably scored when someone administers it rather than when they self-test it. In addition, the test indicators do not mean that users cannot progress in areas where the test has not shown them to have a natural preference – by training and trying hard, they can still progress. e. My own opinion of the usefulness. The test is essentially a psychological tool for assessing how people prefer things naturally. However its practical utility in the real world is severely limited as

Compare Rule and Act Utilitarians Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Compare Rule and Act Utilitarians Paper - Essay Example It thinks more of the long term goals (Hayry, 2002). There are two forms of Utilitarianism. That is act Utilitarianism and other is rule Utilitarianism. They both are different and opposite from each other. Act Utilitarianism tells us that the basis of utility should be directly applied for each individual situation. In this, there is a point of view that the most happiness is for the greatest number of humans. The humans decide what to do after looking at that from where the most happiness is generated. In rule Utilitarianism it is told that what we should do to achieve the most wanted consequences and then the act that is seen is best for the majority is chosen (Lyons, 1965). In act Utilitarianism first the consequences are taken into sight of an act. The one with the better consequence is chosen. While the rule Utilitarianism looks at the consequence and then decide which rule to follow. Only that rule is selected that has the greatest utility or happiness whether the law is applied with fairness or not. Its aim is to deal people with fairness. It gives great value to justice. While in act Utilitarianism, it is to benefit the majority but sometimes the feelings are also hurt. Rule and Act Utilitarianism have one thing similar that they are interlinked with the prediction of future however; it is also a fact that predictions are not always right. This can lead to abrupt results which does not benefit the people. As act Utilitarianism is mainly concerned with gaining more good. The rights of the individuals are violated for benefiting the majority. But sometimes it happens that the decision taken is good but at the same time, it is thought that it is not beneficial for the people. It is because of the things that are changed (Crisp, 1997). Rule Utilitarianism constrains its usefulness. Rule Utilitarian believes that the rules should be followed as they benefit the majority (Hayry, 2002). While in

Australian Legal Professional Practice Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Australian Legal Professional Practice - Essay Example Further, the education and training of legal practitioners may also be necessary in other areas – where more personal, moral know-how and judgment may be necessary. This may be required – as the operations of the legal framework often will call for informed opinions and in-depth know-how – mainly due to the dynamics of human relations and the modern society, which make up the epicenter of legal practice. One of these areas that really call for legal ethics and professional responsibility from lawyers is that of the nature, dynamics, and the effects of family violence, where areas like sexual assault – found at the center of the family violence context is given critical regard and review. In support of the personal responsibility to be exercised by lawyers in this area, is that consistent definitive meanings of family aggression across the varied legislative schemes – namely the state and regions need to be clearly understood. This is the case, as a common understanding of the types of the varied conduct that constitute or amount to family violence is to be formed or understood. The professional responsibility of the lawyers is also called upon, in the cases where implementation gaps are evident – for example in the area of sexual assault, mainly because written law and the practice in operation often are not in line with each other. Such a case is traceable in the case where some individuals, parties or localities give consideration to myths and misconceptions related to the nature and the dynamics to be considered.... This paper will be a documentation of the justification for this varied approach in the practice of law – which is supposed to provide a more accommodative field of practice, and give reasons and justifications as to why it is not enough for a lawyer to simply follow the guidelines of legal practice. The paper will also explain on what other sources or resources may be useful towards a more effective legal practice – with reference to Australian legal practice (Milne 112)(Zines 130). The basic proposition in question is that lawyers – despite being guided by the Legal practice guidelines, have to employ their ethical and professional sense of responsibility in the making or arriving at distinctive resolutions. This is the case, as the guidelines simply offer a basic framework within which the ultimate decision is to tend – but not any definite resolutions regarding the issues at hand. In this case, the moral and professional judgment of the lawyers is to b e put to use – in defining the appropriate course of action or decision to be taken, for the case at hand. This paper’s argument is fully in agreement with the basic proposition in question – and will be backed up by solid evidence to precisely show how the personal – as well as the moral judgment of the Lawyer are a major requirement in legal practice, if only legal practice is to be completely accommodative of each case and legal situation (Howard 75). Further, the education and training of legal practitioners may also be necessary in other areas – where more personal, moral know-how and judgment may be necessary. This may be required – as the operations of the legal framework often will call for informed opinions and in-depth know-how – mainly due

Marketing Plan for Body Scrub Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Marketing Plan for Body Scrub - Term Paper Example The planning process begins with an attempt by the company to size up its present market situation and the factors responsible for it. Such a plan ensures a systematic approach to developing products and services to meet and satisfy the consumer's needs. Providing strategic option is a key role in the marketing plan. A fast life, with lots of fast food, little time for self-care, sometimes results in adverse impacts on the health and body of the individual. This calls for quick-fix solutions. Therefore, while preparing the marketing plan, we need to keep in mind that it must be suitable enough for the individual with very little spare time and who happens to be always on the move. Analysis of External Market: Role of the external market is of prime importance in devising a marketing plan. Such an analysis in the marketing plan helps in explaining in detail the external challenges and opportunities a business may face in the coming year/s. Such an analysis will help in identifying the competitive strength of Dove while taking cues from competitors' strengths. To analyze the market in a better way PESTLE analysis can also be carried out. PESTLE stands for political, economic, socio-cultural, technological, legal and ecological factors Customer Analysis: With growing consciousness amongst the young ones about their being presentable while attending the board meeting, wedding ceremonies, parties with friends, family functions, or even going to college or marketplace. The female member requires a reliable solution to handle moisture related issues. If we take a cursory look at the market, it is found that there are a variety of solutions on offer, both branded as well as unbranded. For a body scrubber, the basic things which need to be emphasized are; Reliability, No harm to the skin.  

The First Opium War 1 question Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

The First Opium War 1 question - Coursework Example This paper explores the first opium war and the role of the Western powers in spreading and controlling the use of opium in China and other regions in the period. â€Å"During the nineteenth century Great Britain led the Western powers in ‘opening’ China to trade and Christian proselytizing† (Tyner, 2006, p. 25). The trade inequity between the two nations favored China. Britain bought enormous quantities of tea from China, but offered less woolens to the Chinese. This led the Chinese to require transactions to be settled in silver bullion. In a bid to overturn the trade imbalance, Britain started importing opium into China. By 1817, Britain was trading opium for tea in order to offset their trade deficit with China. The Qing government initially permitted the importation of opium by Britain because it encouraged more export of tea from China to England, while creating an indirect tax for the Chinese citizens. Opium was grown in Indian cotton growing regions under the control of British East India Company (Bengal), which traded opium for tea, in China (Ramirez-Faria, 2007). Britain began trading in opium in 1781 with their opium trade growing immensely between 1821 and 1837. The British facilitated the influx of opium in China and other regions by importing large quantities of the commodity to China. In 1834, Free Trade revolutionists ended the monopoly of the British East India Company, which shifted trade into the hands of private merchants and entrepreneurs (Perdue, 2010). Americans brought in Turkish opium, which was of poor quality but cheaper. As such, there was price war leading to low price, but higher sales of opium. Consequently, the Chinese officials stepped in to intercept the transportation of the commodity into China (Tyner, 2006). In order to stop opium from flooding China, a Chinese officer, Lin Zexu, appointed in