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• The usability of a paper mill sludge compost (PMSC) in the brick making is established. • Up to 10 wt% of PMSC was suitable for bricks production as per relevant standards. • It is proved that the products can be used in non load-bearing and infill walls. • TCLP procedure demonstrated the non-hazardous nature of the obtained bricks. This study's focus was to develop a potential pathway for recycling of the paper mill sludge compost (PMSC) in brick making. Composting reduces the paper mill sludge (PMS) moisture content considerably and shredding becomes easier. The addition of PMSC leads to an increase of porosities in bricks and makes them lighter, besides delivering energy to the firing process from burning organics. Lighter construction materials help minimize construction outlay by reducing labour and transportation costs and lesser expense on foundation construction. The variability in the experimental data and the brick properties were investigated for two types of soils, typical in the brick industry of India (alluvial and laterite soil), blended with PMSC in five mix ratios (0%, 5%, 10%, 15% and 20%). The samples of oven-dried bricks were fired at two different temperatures (850 and 900 °C) in an electrically operated muffle furnace representing typical conditions of a brick kiln. Various properties of bricks were analyzed which included linear shrinkage, bulk density, water absorption and compressive strength. Conclusions were drawn based on these properties. It was found that the addition of PMSC to the alluvial and laterite soil by up to 10% weight yield mechanical properties of fired bricks compliant with the relevant Indian and ASTM codes. Toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP) tests showed that PMSC incorporated fired bricks are safe to use in regular applications as non-load-bearing and infill walls. This study is timely in light of the European Green Deal putting focus on circular economy. Besides, it fulfills the objective of UN sustainable development goals (SDG). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural cellulose fibres are proposed as promising components for bioderived photoanodes and polymer electrolytes in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). In particular, TiO 2 -laden paper foils, prepared by simple papermaking, can be applied to several substrates (conductive glass or plastics) instead of the high-temperature sintered traditional commercial pastes. In addition, nanoscale microfibrillated cellulose is used as reinforcing filler in acrylate/methacrylate-based thermo-set polymer electrolyte membranes prepared by means of fast, low-cost and green UV-induced free-radical photopolymerization. The laboratory-scale quasi-solid state paper-DSSCs assembled with cellulose-based electrodes and electrolytes guarantee sunlight conversion efficiencies as high as 3.55 and 5.20% at simulated light intensities of 1 and 0.2 sun, respectively, along with an excellent efficiency retention of 96% after 1000 h of accelerated aging test. The simple, low cost and green approach here specifically developed opens up intriguing prospects in the design of bio-inspired energy conversion devices showing high performance, outstanding durability and truly sustainable characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High Speed Two Limited (HS2 Ltd) has identified that there is a strong alignment between the High Speed Two strategic goals and potential circular economy benefits and has therefore adopted a holistic approach to realising these benefits in the delivery of the UK's new high-speed rail network. This paper describes the work undertaken to date, including establishing, embedding and communicating circular economy principles, coordinating the realisation of opportunities and reporting outcomes, as well as providing lessons learnt for other infrastructure projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The project "Kompetenznetzwerk Digital Edition" (KONDE) is funded by the Federal Ministry of Science, Research and Economy and has been operational since spring 2017. It is committed to the premises of the Open Science Community and aims to create conditions for the establishment of a sustainable publication platform for digital editions (DE). Contributors from the Universities Graz, Innsbruck, Klagenfurt, Salzburg and Vienna, the Graz University of Technology and the University of Arts Graz together with colleagues from the Austrian National Library, the Austrian Academy of Sciences and the Adalbert Stifter Institute of the Province of Upper Austria, have set themselves the goal of establishing a research infrastructure for digital editions and pooling their expertise in this field throughout Austria. This infrastructure should by no means be understood merely as ahardware solution or a collection of technical solutions. It will also approach the topic of DE from a methodological-theoretical point of view and make the work and discussion results available to the scientific community in an interactive white paper on digital editing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents an inclusive approach with focus on energy use and recovery in wastewater management, including wastewater treatment (WWT) and sludge handling. Process data from three Swedish mills and a mathematical model were used to evaluate seven sludge handling strategies. The results indicate that excess energy use in WWT processes counters the potential energy recovery in the sludge handling systems. Energy use in WWT processes is recommended to aim for sufficient effluent treatment, not for sludge reduction. Increased secondary sludge production is favourable from an energy point of view provided it is used as a substrate for heat, biogas or electricity production. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In this study, cement composites were produced with CEN reference sand, cement, water, and waste paper. Waste paper were used as partial replacement 0-0.50 ratios of sand weight which was tagged as CK and WPCK, and the cement-to-sand ratio was kept constant at 1:3. Mix design was based on the standard of TS EN 196-1. The infrared spectra were recorded by accumulating 64 scans each in 4000-400 cm-1 range with a resolution of 4 cm-1 with KBr pellets at room temperature. The linear attenuation coefficients of composites were measured using the gamma spectrometer system containing NaI(Tl) detector. The measurements were performed at 1173 and 1332 keV, which was obtained from 60Co radioactive sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biodiversity markets offer considerable promise but are accompanied by controversies. Here, we map the utilization of native species (NS) from Brazil's biodiversity across eleven industrial sectors: foodstuffs, beverages, textiles, clothing, leather, wood, pulp and paper, biofuels, pharmochemicals, rubber and furniture. We show that there exists a diverse range of NS use in industrial products (48%) and activities (73%). These economic activities represent potential annual exports of approximately USD $50 billion. However, we found that only 1% of the potential business, USD $500 million of annual exports, is consolidated and can be traced to such products. We show that biodiversity markets and larger annual revenues locate in municipalities away from places in which biodiversity products originate. Therefore, the biodiversity business in Brazil remains largely untapped. This prompts a critical examination of the role of biodiversity within the Brazilian industry and its alignment with the Brazilian Biodiversity Law and the Nagoya Protocol. Our study is a pioneering effort that provides strategic recommendations. We suggest that the responsibility for sustainable NS utilization predominantly falls on sectors dominated by major corporations, most notably pharmochemicals and biofuels. These industry sectors possess the potential to lead the transition towards responsible and sustainable biodiversity practices within Brazil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study develops a framework of internal and external factors that influence the adoption of eco-innovation. We studied 80 adoption processes in the Dutch brewing industry and the Dutch paper industry and analysed the relative importance of different factors. We find that internal factors were more important than external factors. The analysis also shows differences between the industries. The financial advantage was important for both industries, but especially for the paper industry. For the brewing industry, ethical responsibility and stakeholders played a more important role in the adoption. The analysis also revealed differences for small and large firms. Ethical responsibility and stakeholders are relatively more often mentioned by small firms, whereas clear objectives and regulations were mentioned more by large firms. Our study highlights that the adoption of eco-innovation is a complex process and the position in the supply chain as well as the size of a firm influence what is important in the adoption of eco-innovation. • Many different internal and external factors influence the adoption of eco-innovation. • Internal factors are more important than external factors. • Ethical considerations and stakeholders seem more important for smaller firms. • The position in the supply chain influences which factors are important. • Firms visible to consumers are influenced by ethical considerations and stakeholders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper presents the application of a comprehensive approach to the design of small scale sustainable distributed generation systems with special focus on energy recovery from paper production process sludge. The methodology integrates a detailed fluid-dynamic analysis tool with preliminary experimental analysis on a laboratory scale to guide the design of a prototype bubbling fluidized bed gasifier in the 85kW power range fitting with small and medium size paper production industries. Preliminary tests show stable operation even for this rather small power scale, and deviation from chemical equilibrium concentration in agreement with literature available data. Energy content in the sludge may be recovered along with a significant reduction of residual volume and mass. The concept may then be used to increase the overall sustainability of paper production. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Evolution is one recurrent phenomenon that affects almost every facet of human endeavour. Libraries have had their own share in many ways. The green library concept, although, a relatively new-sprung initiative, have not been given full attention. The understanding of librarians, and the levels of adoption of the green library concept in Nigeria is reported herein. The descriptive survey approach was used. Results showed that librarians have the right perception about the concept, and have implemented or currently translating their policies, practices, and services in compliance with environmental sustainability objectives. However, much more needs to be done as the libraries also have not sufficiently engaged in climate change sensitization activities with patrons or their immediate community. The libraries do not collect rain water, recycle paper or reduce the use of plastics as stipulated. In implementing the initiative, low awareness, poor funding, lack of collaboration with environmental agencies among others have bedeviled their efforts. The establishment of a Nigerian Green Building Council (NGBC) for building standardisation with the support of the Nigerian Library Association is thus recommended for on-thespot redesigning of already built antique libraries. It is also pertinent to begin inspiring green architectural projects especially for newly proposed library buildings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Integrated sustainability metrics provide an enriched set of information to inform decision-making. However, such approaches are rarely used to assess product supply chains. In this work, four integrated metrics-presented in terms of land, resources, value added, and stability--are applied in a life cycle context, along with industrial process systems assessment and life cycle assessment, to evaluate Bounty paper towels from two manufacturing lines. The results show that the paper towels from the more state-of-the-art manufacturing line and newer facility are marginally more sustainable by the majority of environmental measures. Drivers of impacts from land use, resource use, and externality costs in the product life cycle are largely in the supply chains for raw materials and energy. The integrated metrics point to greenhouse gases, criteria air pollutants, land used for pulpwood, and fossil fuel use as important emissions and resources to manage for improving the sustainability of paper towel production. The metrics employed help to reconcile contrasting results from the life cycle impact assessment, such as water and energy use impacts, and provide a reduced set of practical, yet comprehensive, information to inform product-related decision-making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Huge amounts of waste paper are discarded every year, of which only a minute fraction is recycled and the rest is dumped in landfills. Paper fibres can only be recycled a limited number of times before they become too short or weak to make high-quality recycled paper. This eventually adds to the amount of waste paper being generated and not recycled. It would thus be advantageous to use this waste as a low-cost sustainable construction material and make it a value-added product. In this study, Portland pozzolana cement (fly ash based), waste newsprint paper and water were used to prepare paper concrete cubes. Initially, investigations were performed to determine the optimum soaking time required for softening the paper fibres of the newsprint paper. The study mainly addressed the strength and weight loss of the paper concrete cubes with age. The results indicate that, at 28 d, the paper concrete lost 25-50% of its initial weight and a maximum cubic compressive strength of 5·40 MPa was obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cartographic representations are increasingly used to communicate sustainable mobility topics. Various formats of maps, such as static maps, mobile maps, map-based dashboards, story maps, and 3D map scenes, are created to illustrate mobility planning, traffic status, emissions, and travel behaviors. These maps are rich in cross-disciplinary information, target to diverse audiences, adopt various design technologies, and enable knowledge exchange among stakeholders of sustainable mobility. This paper examines how maps are used as communication tools for traffic and infrastructure to support decision-making and engage people to actively adapt their behavior towards green mobility. In this study, we (1) identified 48 maps that actively communicate sustainable mobility topics, (2) proposed a rigorous approach to assess maps that are created for communicating sustainable mobility topics, and (3) derived design recommendations for map makers to achieve more effective and efficient communication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is important to consider the local people’s evaluation in increasing the effectiveness of the sustainable planning process in urban system planning. In this work, the sustainability of urban system planning in Shu city of Kazakhstan is evaluated according to the defined dimensions, which play a key role in determining the population’s living standard, and the indicators of each dimension are compared. The data are obtained mainly through the household questionnaire survey, field observations, in depth interviews, and focus group discussion. In total, 832 representative respondents were surveyed with five-point Likert scale questions in this paper. The study used 42 indicators based on six dimensions: environmental, social, cultural, economic, religious/spiritual, and institutional dimensions. The results of this analysis show that the sustainability level of urban system planning in Shu city is at a low level in all six dimensions. The results of the indicator analysis show that the people of this region are generally not satisfied with the solution of some environmental, social, and economic problems in Shu city. At the same time, residents rated the indicators of institutional stability as better, on the contrary, they rated cultural and religious/spiritual indicators relatively high. As a result, we initially asserted that the sustainability of the urban system planning in Shu city is not satisfactory considering the existing possibilities. To eliminate this shortcoming, the authorities responsible for planning the urban system should jointly develop a project policy for sustainable development with all interested parties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: While bats are tremendously important to global ecosystems, they have been and continue to be threatened by loss of habitat, food, or roosts, pollution, bat diseases, hunting and killing. Some bat species have also been implicated in the transmission of infectious disease agents to humans. While One Health efforts have been ramped up recently to educate and protect human and bat health, such initiatives have been limited by lack of adequate data on the pathways to ensure their support. For instance, data on the role of bats in supporting different components of human welfare assets would be utilized as a stepping stone to champion conservation campaigns. Unfortunately, these data are limited and efforts to synthesize existing literature have majorly focused on few components human welfare leaving other important aspects. Methods: Here, we analyze benefits associated with bats in the context of welfare economics considering all the asset components. We surveyed scientific and gray literature platforms utilizing particular keywords. We then classified these values using integrated approaches to understand different values across human welfare assets of "health," "material and immaterial assets," "security or safety" and "social or cultural or spiritual relations". Results: We found 235 papers from different countries indicating that bats play fundamental roles in supporting human welfare. These benefits were more prevalent in Asia and Africa. In terms of the use of bats to support welfare assets, bats were majorly utilized to derive material and immaterial benefits (n = 115), e.g., food and income. This was followed by their use in addressing health challenges (n = 99), e.g., treatment of ailments. There was a similarity in the benefits across different regions and countries. Conclusion: These results indicate potential opportunities for strengthening bat conservation programs. We recommend more primary studies to enhance understanding of these benefits as well as their effectiveness in deriving the perceived outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lifestyle- and amenity migration have frequently resulted in socio-ecological changes to places through increased population and development. Where sustainability is often an after-thought to over-development this paper introduces ‘sustainability-led migration’, looking at migration to a newer ecovillage. I first ask how ecovillages fit within a migration framework. Secondly, using a case study of a ‘new’ ecovillage in Norway, I investigate how sustainability-led (voluntary) migration to a rural ecovillage impacts people-place relationships. Analysing in-depth interviews with ecovillagers, municipal authorities and other local residents through the lens of ‘throwntogetherness’, reveals ongoing negotiations of sustainability and place in the process of ‘making’ attractive communities. For some, sustainability-led migration becomes heroic where migration of resourceful people with new ideas helped create a more open-minded society. For others, ‘sustainability’ became the villain of the piece, regarded as a negative or meaningless pejorative, unrepresentative of the place they know. Sustainability-led migration directly and indirectly facilitated changes to place identity, enabling both connection and disconnection to place narratives, implying ‘caution’ when using sustainability as a place-marketing strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The utilization of biofiber in recent years has significantly increased due to its advantages like being environmentally friendly, availability, and low costs. This paper investigates the physicochemical, mechanical, and morphological properties of the yucca fiber extracted by three methods such as water‐retting, traditional, and chemical methods. These analyses are designed to evaluate the extraction methodology and the hypothesis of the influence of harvesting location and growth conditions of the fiber. Various technologies are used, such as SEM, FTIR, XRD, and tensile tests. The fiber extracted by water retting is the strongest in the mechanical analysis with a strength of 690.48 MPa, followed by fiber extracted with the traditional method with 685.48 MPa, also 673.06, 657.94, 373.68 MPa for the fiber extracted by the chemical method using 3%, 5%, 10%NaOH respectively. The fiber obtained by the water retting method also has a higher chemical composition with 80.25% cellulose, 10.45% lignin, and 13.75% hemicellulose. The morphological characteristics are examined using Scanning Electron Microscopy. The crystallinity index ranged from 61.75% to 70.77%, and crystallite size from 1.73 to 2.04 nm is calculated from the XRD analysis. All these results confirm that yucca fiber can be a good sustainable choice for composite reinforcement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractAs the need for changes in transportation grows, the transition to sustainable mobility is being envisioned in varying ways. Shifting from traditional internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs) to electric vehicles (EVs), along with changing mobility habits, will both be necessary. What has been neglected from the study is the role of sport in aiding this transition. Motorsport has long served dual roles of serving as a technological testbed and center for culture formation around street cars. Coupling one of the largest sporting platforms in the world with the missions of climate change awareness and technological advancement, two racing leagues are catalyzing the move to electric mobility. Formula E and Extreme E have released documentary films showcasing their future goals. To understand the role of electric racing in shaping the transition to sustainable mobility, this paper uses a grounded theory approach to identify relevant themes of the EV transition, while a narrative analysis is used to foreground the overall storytelling aspect of the ecocinematic films. The racing EV emerges as a site of collective collaboration: meeting the needs of the future within the framing of traditional motorsport, and merging traditionally masculinist narratives of automotive technology with prototypically feminized environmentalism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The document is a contents list for the journal "Green Chemistry," published by The Royal Society of Chemistry. It highlights the articles and papers featured in the current issue, covering a range of topics related to sustainable chemistry and green technologies. The articles include research on bio-based polymers, nitrogen fixation strategies, carbon aerogels for energy storage, and the use of ionic liquids in new energy and biotechnologies. The journal aims to provide cutting-edge research for a greener and more sustainable future. [Extracted from the article]

The European Green Deal has set a target for Europe to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, necessitating a transition to more sustainable energy sources. Hydrogen gas (H 2) has emerged as a promising solution, with methane pyrolysis presenting a viable method for its production. This study explores the optimization of methane plasma pyrolysis for hydrogen and high-quality carbon production. Employing a statistical approach by a design of experiment software, critical process parameters are systematically analyzed to predict their impact within a defined range. Additionally, the paper conducts comprehensive characterization of the solid carbon produced during pyrolysis using imaging, spectroscopic and elemental analysis, and gas sorption analysis methods. The experimental investigation was conducted using a thermal plasma reactor with several settings of influential parameters including methane gas (CH 4) content in the plasma gas, electric current, and arc length. The DC-transferred plasma arc is formed using a variable gas mixture of argon gas (Ar) and CH 4, with a constant flow rate of 5 Nl/min. Thirteen tests were designed, evaluating responses such as power input, process stability, and H 2 yield. The H 2 yield indicates the hydrogen produced from CH 4 , with 100% representing total conversion. While the process exhibited inconstancy, attributed to reactor design constraints, a high H 2 yield of 67%–100% was achieved. The results indicate that a higher CH 4 content in the plasma gas and extended arc lengths disturb the plasma arc, hence reducing the H 2 yield. Increased power input, achieved through higher amperage levels, and a wider reaction zone eased by extending the arc length both led to an improved H 2 yield. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) revealed microstructural differences, with carbon samples from the filter exhibiting finer textures and carbon samples from the reactor larger sizes and dendritic particles. Raman spectroscopy confirmed crystalline graphitic-like structures with low defect concentrations, a finding supported by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS) analysis confirmed high-purity carbon with slight impurities from initial filter contamination. Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) specific surface area calculations based on gas sorption analysis showed significant variations, with filter-collected samples exhibiting 40–170 m2/g and reactor-collected ones showing 7–30 m2/g. [Display omitted] • This study investigates a unique approach to optimizing the thermal plasma pyrolysis of methane. • A H 2 yield of 67%–100% was achieved utilizing a DC-transferred plasma arc furnace and an Ar and CH 4 mixture plasma gas. • A lower CH 4 content in the plasma gas and an optimized arc length improve the plasma arc and the H 2 yield. • The carbon shows crystalline graphitic-like structures with low defect concentrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The efficient production and sustainable operation of water electrolysis hydrogen production equipment within renewable energy systems, characterized by intermittency and volatility, necessitates dynamic simulation for the development of optimized control systems. This paper proposes the application and modification of a data-driven deep-learning model to simultaneously simulate the thermal and electrochemical responses of an alkaline water electrolyzer (AWE), yielding exceptional performance and versatility. By utilizing 4840 h of comprehensive experimental data, the causal relationships among electrolyzer operating parameters are resolved, classifying them into set values and response values for the proposed dynamic model. The model architecture is based on an attention mechanism and designed with hybrid input. Notable enhancements include embedding flow-leveraged polarization function, creating set-value cross-attention, and adopting probability-sparse attention, all of which are validated through both the validation and simulation results. Extensive exploration of various structural and training parameters leads to the selection of the best-performing model. When applied to simulation across all experimental data, the median mean percentage absolute error of the optimal model in cell voltage is a mere 1.3%, while the error in temperature is only 3.5%. Moreover, under typical operating conditions, the simulation error for both voltage and temperature remain below 2%, highlighting the outstanding dynamic modeling and simulation capabilities. These results demonstrate the potential of the proposed model for future hydrogen energy applications in dynamic control and operational optimization within renewable energy system for higher performance and better conversion efficiency. • Deep-learning model for dynamic thermoelectric simulation of water electrolyzers. • Flow-leveraged polarization function and set-value cross-attention mechanism. • Excellent accuracy, thermoelectric error of 3.5% and 1.3%, respectively. • Insights for optimizing control strategies of electrolyzer for higher efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Worldwide, many production supply chains generate a considerable amount of legume by-products (e.g., leaves, husks, broken seeds, defatted cakes). These wastes can be revalorized to develop sustainable protein ingredients, with positive economic and environmental effects. To separate protein from legume by-products, a broad spectrum of conventional (e.g., alkaline solubilization, isoelectric precipitation, membrane filtration) and novel methodologies (e.g., ultrasound, high-pressure homogenization, enzymatic approaches) have been studied. In this review, these techniques and their efficiency are discussed in detail. The present paper also provides an overview of the nutritional and functional characteristics of proteins extracted from legume by-products. Moreover, existing challenges and limitations associated with the valorization of by-product proteins are highlighted, and future perspectives are proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The adoption of blockchain technology is gaining trends, leading to the need for investigations into the reasons that persuade the intention to adopt it by companies. However, empirical studies in the tourism industry are still scarce. This investigation aims to design a new adoption model that combines Human-Organisation-Technology-Fit (HOT-fit), Technology-Organisation-Environment (TOE) and sustainability dimensions. The model is validated using new empirical evidence in a relatively understudied geographic context, with a sample of 210 Portuguese tourism companies. The information was examined utilising Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM). The outcomes indicate that reasons such as sustainability and competition intensity significantly impact the objective to adopt blockchain. The work provides practical implications for businesses, governments and society. Additionally, this paper offers a pioneering study of blockchain adoption by tourism companies in Portugal, which may help future researchers extend their study of this field to other sectors and regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper argues that the concept of social and environmental sustainability is not a new philosophy in African cultures and can easily be practiced among Africans based on a better appreciation of their indigenous philosophies. It attempts to explore how the Ubuntu philosophy of humanness manifests in the Adinkra symbols to give an in-depth understanding, which shows how African societies share commonality in their concepts and to establish that African indigenous philosophies mirror strongly social and environmental sustainability dimensions of the Sustainable Development Goals. It further attempts to show a purview of Ubuntu extended that illustrates that social and environmental sustainability is inseparable in African philosophies. By method, the research purposefully selected six (6) Adinkra symbols and discursively analysed how they explain the Ubuntu Philosophy and their link to socio-environmental sustainability. From the findings, Adinkra symbols reflected the Ubuntu’s common values, which are compassion, mutuality and solidarity, and metaphorically showed their connection to socio-environmental sustainability and thus creates agency and deep appreciation for acting on the Sustainable Development Goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2022, the authors presented the first stage of implementing a revised climate control strategy at the National Gallery of Victoria, monitoring collection object response in collaboration with the Getty Conservation Institute using acoustic emissions (AE) monitoring. The research and education, motivating factors, and interdepartmental alignment required for adopting the Bizot Green Protocol (BGP) were discussed, as well as the experimental design and set-up of the AE system on a large Flemish altarpiece in an active gallery. This second and concluding paper presents the results of the AE monitoring study along with energy used by the HVAC system for the gallery housing the AE monitoring study, during the transition from traditional environmental parameters through to broadened parameters as defined in the BGP. The project highlights the importance of understanding individual gallery and building behaviour as well as the HVAC system in place. In the case of the gallery housing the AE study, the implementation of BGP parameters resulted in smaller environmental fluctuations than expected. That HVAC energy efficiency could be improved with a relatively low impact on the gallery environment was an unexpected but welcome outcome. This case study describes some common challenges faced when considering such a change operationally, including resourcing and communication needs. Identifying points of resistance, framing problems clearly, and identifying common goals were essential to making progress. In this case, sustainability has compelled many stakeholders into alignment and enabled a shift in institutional culture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biobanks have become an integral part of health and bioscience research. However, the ultra-low temperature (ULT) storage methods that biobanks employ [ULT freezers and liquid nitrogen (LN2)] are associated with carbon emissions that contribute to anthropogenic climate change. This paper aims to provide a 'Roadmap' for reducing carbon emissions associated with ULT storage in biobanking. The Roadmap offers recommendations associated with nine areas of ULT storage practice: four relating to ULT freezers, three associated with LN2 storage, and two generalised discussions regarding biosample management and centralisation. For each practice, we describe (a) the best approaches to mitigate carbon emissions, (b) explore barriers associated with hindering their implementation, and (c) make a series of recommendations that can help biobank stakeholders overcome these barriers. The recommendations were the output of a one year, UK-based, multidisciplinary research project that involved a quantitative Carbon Footprinting Assessment of the emissions associated with 1 year of ULT storage (for both freezers and LN2) at four different case study sites; as well as two follow up stakeholder workshops to qualitatively explore UK biobank stakeholder perceptions, views, and experiences on how to consider such assessments within the broader social, political, financial, technical, and cultural contexts of biobanking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the substantial economic and environmental repercussions of improper E-waste management and treatment, the issue has gained indispensable attention. In recent years, the research has been done about the selection of proper E-waste management methods like site selection, disposal method selection, etc. with fuzzy environments. But in real situations, the major reasons for improper e-waste management are lack of awareness and improper disposal with sustainability. In finding a sustainable awareness-creating program and disposal method for E-waste, the uncertainty and its sustainability of the information make challenges to decision makers, so the problem becomes a two-dimensional problem with uncertainty. This paper uses complex fuzzy terms to illustrate this two-dimensional uncertain information, in which amplitude term represents the uncertainty about alternative and phase term represents the uncertainty about the sustainability of an alternative. First, we present a new framework MULTIMOORA under complex fuzzy structure. Then, in order to solve two-dimensional uncertain information about E-waste, the proposed complex fuzzy-MULTIMOORA method is applied, in which E-waste awareness-creating program and treatment technology selection are done. The sensitivity and comparative analysis are further delivered to validate the effectiveness of the proposed technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The document is a contents list for the journal "Green Chemistry," published by The Royal Society of Chemistry. It highlights the articles and research papers included in the issue, covering topics such as sustainable water treatment, lignocellulose pretreatment, and biomass valorization. The journal aims to promote cutting-edge research for a greener and more sustainable future. [Extracted from the article]

Rising levels of carbon dioxide (CO 2) emissions due to human activities exert a substantial adverse effect on the environment. The conversion of CO 2 into methanol (CH 3 OH) through hydrogenation is a promising way to utilize this greenhouse gas, thus maintaining carbon in the cycle. In terms of sustainability, methanol is of particular interest because of its dual utilization potential as a fuel or base material to produce different chemicals. The versatility of the latter allows it to be used directly as a precursor to produce numerous compounds, including dimethyl ether (DME), olefins, formaldehydes, and hydrocarbon fuels. This paper first reviews the latest developments in catalyst design, focusing on the relationship between catalyst structure and performance. In addition, recent advances in understanding the reaction mechanisms, optimizing catalyst architectures, innovating membrane reactors, and reaction conditions have been discussed. This summarizes the strategies for increasing the efficiency of sustainable methanol production with the help of membranes. This study provides an outlook for future research in this field. [Display omitted] • Developing efficient hydrogen conversion is essential for addressing climate change. • Technological improvements in the synthesis of water selective zeolite membranes. • Latest developments in CO 2 hydrogenation using Cu-based catalysts. • Adapting zeolite membranes in catalytic membrane reactors to increase methanol yield. • Challenges and perspectives of CO 2 hydrogenation in the presence of a membrane. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clinical trials, the empirical discipline of medical experimentation conducted on human subjects, have engendered a paradigm shift in medical research. The need for new clinical studies is paramount in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, with its rising cancer incidence and demand for efficient oncology treatments. This paper comprehensively reviews the challenges, opportunities, and future directions of phase I oncology clinical trials in the MENA region. Early-phase trials are vital in determining drug dosage and assessing toxicity, bridging the gap between preclinical research and clinical practice. Considering the unique landscape of MENA, this review explores regulatory aspects, specific hurdles faced, potential advantages, and areas for improvement in conducting these trials. Various future directions can be pursued to maximize the potential of phase I oncology trials in MENA. While regulatory bodies like the Ministry of Health adhere to the International Conference on Harmonization-Good Clinical Practice guidelines, a unified system meeting high standards would yield better results. Strengthening research infrastructure, establishing research centers, incorporating clinical trial education into the curriculum, and improving access to medical facilities are crucial. Enhancing consumer understanding of research would facilitate increased participation and promote sustainability in trial recruitment. Navigating various funding sources would open the door for more funding opportunities. Collaborations between academia, industry, and regulatory bodies, both international and local, should be fostered to promote knowledge sharing, resource pooling, and harmonization of standards. Such collaborations would contribute to the sustainability of clinical trial activities by leveraging collective expertise, sharing research infrastructure, and distributing the burden of regulatory compliance. By adopting these strategies, the MENA region can advance its capacity to conduct early phases of oncology trials and contribute significantly to the global medical research landscape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban informality is one of the most hotly debated concepts in the fields of geography and urban studies. However, one narrative that has assumed hegemony and dominated conventional scholarship is the view that it is peculiar to the urban poor or subaltern group. In this paper, I contend that little to no empirical attention has been paid to an essential piece of the conceptual mosaic of informality. I reflect on housing informality by elites or upper-income urbanites and highlight its associated Janus-faced governance approach. I argue that the deliberate disregard and legitimization of elite informal developments pose crucial sustainability implications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human dietary patterns are a major cause of environmental transformation, with agriculture occupying ~ 50% of global land space, while food production itself is responsible for ~ 30% of all greenhouse gas emissions and 70% of freshwater use. Furthermore, the global population is also growing, such that by 2050, it is estimated to exceed ~ 9 billion. While most of this expansion in population is expected to occur in developing countries, in high-income countries there are also predicted changes in demographics, with major increases in the number of older people. There is a growing consensus that older people have a greater requirement for protein. With a larger and older population, global needs for protein are set to increase. This paper summarises the conclusions from a Rank Prize funded colloquium evaluating novel strategies to meet this increasing global protein need. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Land is not a commodity, and dominant western society is unsustainable. Examples of unsustainability include severance of peoples from lands and waters; separation of peoples from centers of decision-making; and dispossession of the lands, and traditional territories of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs). IPLCs at the frontlines of the climate crisis are often excluded on vital decisions regarding land management and protection. Taking an emic interpretation by means of lived experiences and auto-ethnographic responses to question prompts, this paper explores the international implications of Anishinaabek Giikendaaswin and Dùthchas nan Gàidheal as concepts that can (re)center IPLC place-based knowledges, sustainable governance, and lands in times of climate crisis. Anishinaabek Giikendaaswin is about the learning from the lands, N'ibi (the waters), and the sky world. It is a lived knowledge that has guided and continues to guide Anishinaabek Peoples. G'giikendaaswinmin informs Anishinaabek interconnectedness and interrelationality to the lands, all beings, and the sky world. Dùthchas is a millenia-old kincentric concept, informing a Gàidheal (Gael) way of life and traditional land governance that predate the formation of the United Kingdom. Dùthchas transmits a sense of belonging to, not possession of the land, and stresses an interconnectedness and ecological balance among all entities. The authors (Anishinaabe and Gàidheal) respond to critical questions, such as How do Giikendaaswin and Dùthchas center knowledges that can ensure collective continuance of life? Through a common theme of interconnectedness and what this means for reconstitutive real-life practice, they demonstrate how Indigenous concepts and science based on the expertise of IPLCs can address continued colonial atrocities and current crises. Giikendaaswin and Dùthchas have international and transnational implications as discourses of resistance not only to the Anthropocene, but also to ongoing processes of dispossession. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Determinants of farmer well-being can be derived from objective and subjective measures of social components, environmental sustainability indicators, and quality of life indices, as well as the multiple scales that farms and farmers operate. Yet, despite multiple frameworks on farmer well-being, the extent to which farmer-expressed values are used in the development of farmer well-being indicators is unclear. Challenges can arise from extracting indicators that are insufficiently grounded in place, or that inadequately incorporate context and biocultural relations and practices. Here in this scoping review, we synthesize the methodologies in the literature on assessing farmer well-being and identify the extent to which farmer well-being domains are derived from values expressed directly by farmers. We consolidated and coded 92 papers to respond to the following questions: (1) What are the most frequent farmer well-being domains in published studies? (2) What methods are used to elicit multidimensional farmer well-being domains? (3) Do well-being domains used in the literature adequately reflect a biocultural context, including place-based influences on well-being? Our results show that economics and social relationships are frequent domains of how farmer well-being is identified and assessed. These domains tend to be measured simultaneously, while less common domains, such as governance and place, are rather isolated. A suite of methods was used to assess well-being domains, ranging from basic surveys to in-depth participant observation. Yet, we identify gaps in the methods for deriving farmer well-being indicators. Specifically, methods that refer to farmer-expressed values were rare and domains identified through a place-based approach were often not recorded, but, arguably, critical in developing multidimensionality of farmer well-being. We show that while the translocal approach is well represented in established well-being frameworks, farmer expression is not foundational in well-being assessments but is needed in order to center farmer values when generating indicators of well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the evolution and role of energy communities in the context of the transition to renewable energy sources. Such communities are presented as an innovative and resilient response to the challenges posed by climate change. Their importance emerges from their ability to decentralize energy production, increasing local security and reducing dependence on non-renewable energy sources and external suppliers. However, despite the obvious benefits, this contribution highlights several challenges, such as the need for significant upfront investment and the presence of regulatory barriers that may hinder the integration of these solutions into existing energy systems. A detailed bibliometric analysis is used, focusing on specific research areas and using tools to map the most relevant keywords and emerging trends. The results of the bibliometric analysis highlight how energy communities are emerging as key players in the sustainability landscape, capable of addressing and overcoming contemporary environmental challenges. The research reaffirms the transformative potential of energy communities in promoting a more sustainable and resilient future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bismuth-based compounds have been regarded as a kind of promising material due to their narrow bandgap, high carrier mobility, low toxicity, and strong oxidation ability, showing potential applications in the field of photoelectrochemical (PEC) activities. They can be applied in sustainable energy production, seawater desalination and treatment, optical detection and communication, and other fields. As a member of the broader family of bismuth-based materials, β-Bi2O3 exhibits significant advantages for applications in engineering, including high photoelectric response, stability in harsh environments, and excellent corrosion resistance. This paper presents the synthesis of β-Bi2O3 thin films utilizing the mist chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method at the optimal temperature of 400 °C. Based on the β-Bi2O3 thin film synthesized at optimal temperature, a PEC-type photodetector was constructed with the highest responsivity R of 2.84 mA/W and detectivity D of 6.01 × 1010 Jones, respectively. The photodetection performance was investigated from various points like illumination light wavelength, power density, and long-term stability. This study would broaden the horizontal and practical applications of β-Bi2O3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper introduces a dynamic model of economic growth and tourism when the environmental dimension is included in the decision‐making process of the agents. In this setup, the economy can be represented by a four‐dimensional dynamic system, which admits a set of four‐dimensional optimal trajectory. Using dynamic programming tools, we aim to study the economic behaviour of a touristic economy in which environmental dimension is considered as a system's component. It is shown that there is a unique non‐trivial equilibrium of all variables. The general results of the study indicate that the variable's dynamic relationships are complex and that the growth guided by the tourism development could exist under the presence of pollution as well as the dynamic of natural resources. The main policy implication of the results is that policy makers should control the main system's variables in order to stay in a desirable path. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, a significant increase in the amount of research published about the application of eggshells for the removal of metal ions from aqueous solutions has been observed. The paper presents different aspects of metal adsorption from aqueous solutions on untreated eggshells. Pretreatment procedures and tested parameters for the adsorption differ significantly across all the reviewed data, providing a source of variance for the results. For untreated eggshells, the range of the reported BET surface area is from 0.07 m2/g to 8.941 m2/g. Correlation between particle size and BET surface area has been highlighted. Reported removal efficiencies for the untreated eggshell have been compared. Reported results show that eggshell is most employed for the removal of Pb(II), Cd(II), and Cu(II) from aqueous solutions. Eggshell capacity to remove metal ions from the main group elements has also been demonstrated. While results look promising, not enough data are present to make reliable conclusions about its efficiency with other (mainly transition) metal ions – which makes it a possible research direction. Based on the reported data, multiple removal pathways are involved. Several eggshell modification methods and possibilities of creating new adsorbents using eggshells only as a part of the raw material have been assessed. Finally reported eggshell modification methods have been assessed and it is clear that to compare different material's effectiveness as an adsorbent, comparing only materials adsorption capacities is insufficient. Certain environmental water pollution removal studies using adsorption demand further study, such as metal ion specification in aqueous solution, in different processing water, and even in wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The healthcare system plays a pivotal role in environmental sustainability, and the operating room (OR) significantly contributes to its overall carbon footprint. In response to this critical challenge, leading medical societies, government bodies, regulatory agencies, and industry stakeholders are taking measures to address healthcare sustainability and its impact on climate change. Healthcare now represents almost 20% of the US national economy and 8.5% of US carbon emissions. Internationally, healthcare represents 5% of global carbon emissions. US Healthcare is an outlier in both per capita cost, and per capita greenhouse gas emission, with almost twice per capita emissions compared to every other country in the world. Methods: The Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) and the European Association for Endoscopic Surgery (EAES) established the Sustainability in Surgical Practice joint task force in 2023. This collaborative effort aims to actively promote education, mitigation, and innovation, steering surgical practices toward a more sustainable future. Results: Several key initiatives have included a survey of members' knowledge and awareness, a scoping review of terminology, metrics, and initiatives, and deep engagement of key stakeholders. Discussion: This position paper serves as a Call to Action, proposing a series of actions to catalyze and accelerate the surgical sustainability leadership needed to respond effectively to climate change, and to lead the societal transformation towards health that our times demand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the past twenty years, higher education institutions (HEIs) including universities, polytechnics, and vocational education providers, have become major conduits for the teaching and dissemination of the sustainable development goals (SDGs). The Times Higher Education Impact rankings, other rankings schemes and external accreditation requirements also pressure HEIs to report their progress towards the SDGs periodically. For large HEIs, reporting requirements can equate to significant resource burdens, and these can be insurmountable. In this paper, we develop a novel approach to measuring SDG content in the course descriptions and learning outcomes of 5461 courses offered by a major Australian university. Our method utilises semantic matching, an AI-based technique that assesses similarities between key terms in the dataset (including course descriptions and course learning outcomes) and those in each SDG. Our results achieve a 75% fit to the data and show that Quality Education (SDG 4) and Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17) are the most common SDGs covered at the case university and that these reflect course learning outcomes that focus on pedagogy. Where SDGs are more domain-specific, there is a much less consistent coverage across the university, and this is observable at the Faculty and School levels. This highlights that it is not possible or desirable to cover all SDG content in all educational offerings consistently. Our algorithm is a potential solution for larger HEIs that seek to capture and report the SDG contributions of their education offerings holistically using existing textual datasets, without the need for excessive resource investments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study surveys circular economy (CE) theoretical building blocks, conceptualisation, and practical implementation within the supply chain. A narrative review synthesises the knowledge and maps research in the CE field. There are six major building blocks: waste management, industrial ecology, bioeconomy, cradle to cradle, green supply chain management, and product-service system. The paper examines their role and their overlapping activity within the supply chain. This study also generates a database containing 43 circular strategies, based on different stages in the supply chain. Each strategy is marked by its contribution towards CE, such as resource conservation, narrowing the loop, slowing the loop, or closing the loop. The database can assist actors to implement possible circular actions and policy makers to formulate supportive legislation. This study contributes to the contention of CE and its implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inadequate and inappropriate e-waste management in developing African countries is harmful to human beings and to the environment. This paper offers a South African industry point of view of four stakeholder groups active in managing e-waste from household consumers. Data were collected via semi-structured interviews with 20 participants representing environmental specialists; governmental bodies; recycling/disposal entities responsible for collection and recycling, and supply chain members producing, distributing, and retailing. ATLAS.ti was used to analyse the transcribed interviews. Industry views and several practical recommendations for effective e-waste recycling and collection from household consumers were offered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]