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At a rhetorical level, the SDGs provide a unified global agenda, and their targets and indicators are believed to drive action for social and environmental transformation. However, what if the SDGs (and their specific goals and indicators) are more of a problem than a solution? What if they create the illusion of action through a depoliticised and technical approach that fails to address fundamental dilemmas of politics and power? What if this illusion continues to reproduce poverty, inequality, and environmental degradation? This paper addresses these questions through a focus on SDG 6.5.1 – the implementation of integrated water resources management (IWRM), measured on a 0-100 scale through a composite indicator. The paper presents an empirical analysis of SDG 6.5.1 reporting in Colombia, Ethiopia, India, Malaysia, and the UK, drawing on research from the Water Security and Sustainable Development Hub. An evidence review and series of expert interviews are used to interrogate the local politics of IWRM measurement, specifically three dilemmas of global composite indicator construction: (1) reductive quantification of normative and contested processes; (2) weak analysis of actually existing institutional capability, politics, and power; and (3) distracting performativity dynamics in reporting. The paper concludes that SDG 6.5.1 is an example of a 'fantasy artefact', and that in all countries in this study, IWRM institutions are failing to address fundamental and 'wicked' problems in water resources management. We find little evidence that these numbers, or the survey that gives rise to them, drive meaningful reflection on the aims or outcomes of IWRM. Instead, they tend to hide the actually-existing political and institutional dynamics that sit behind the complexity of the global water crisis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban Heat Island (UHI) is expected to be a disastrous challenge to human in the following decade as a result of continuous urbanization without appropriate planning and design. The impacts of UHI are even getting worse due to large population density with improper building design especially in dense metropolitan cities. A lot of research has been carried out for UHI phenomenon both in tropical and seasonal climates. There are many factors contributing to the formation of UHI phenomenon that includes increasing rate of urbanization and population density, uncontrollable factors and controllable factors. In a fundamental study, a prolonged exposure to heat impact will significantly contribute to human discomfort and health problems resulting in heat-related illness. The cases of heat related deaths, such as heat strokes, are due to the result of climate changes and further the problem of heat waves will increase year by year. Since the consequences of UHI are considered to be more significant, the severity of the problem should be critically examined and carefully reported. Many research efforts have been implemented for making conceptual design and also a wide range of literature is available for continuing the mitigation strategies. Therefore, this study is emphasized on the critical investigation of the features, factors and impacts of UHI towards evaluating human safety and thermal comfort. Future research direction should also be encompassed on the design and planning parameters as well as assessment of climate change risks and vulnerability for reducing the effects of urban heat island onto human health and safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One way to improve the performance of non-thermal plasma (NTP) reactor for volatile organic compound decomposition is by the introduction of ferroelectric materials into the discharge zone of NTP. This paper is a review of the breakthroughs and the current status of the applications of this technology for the abatement of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). It covers the process of energy generation in NTP, VOCs decomposition processes and the effects of critical factors such as type of packed bed materials, dielectric constant, pellet size and shape on the VOCs removal efficiency. Finally the mechanism of VOCs decomposition process was also presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This investigation compared the performance of Fenton and photo-Fenton oxidation processes in the treatment of sulfidic spent caustic wastewater. Response surface methodology, particularly central composite design was used to investigate the effect of Fe/H2O2 and H2O2/COD in assessing treatment process efficiency. Empirical models were developed to describe the relationship between the factors and responses. The models were validated through analysis of variance and were further used in process optimization. The best solution for Fenton process was found to be at Fe/H2O2 and H2O2/COD ratio of 0.07 and 2.52 correspondingly. On the other hand, lower H2O2/COD ratio of 1.84 was achieved in photo-Fenton process. Removal of COD and sulfide up to 97% and 100% was observed with photo-Fenton process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The views of the public on solid waste bound to be generated in Johor Bahru Malaysia are presented and appraised. This is because of the massive development currently going on to transform the city to an international standing by the year 2025. For this reason, attempts to raise stakeholder awareness on the need to embrace on how best to manage the current problem with reduced impacts to the environment currently and in the future was attempted. Data were collected through contacts and questionnaire survey. Analytical hierarchy process (AHP) technique was used to structure and assess the views and judgments of stakeholders on the environmental impacts of solid waste disposal. SuperDecision software was used to generate and compute results of stakeholder''s judgments. The assessment revealed that fauna and flora, habitat depletion and land use among the criteria are most critical environmental impacts. Landfilling, recycling, incineration and composting were evaluated in terms of the environmental impacts. The choice of incineration is perceived to improve environmental visibility, preserves fauna and flora as well as stream ecology, improves environmental air quality and optimizes land use. Similarly, recycling of waste, is perceived to preserves fauna and flora, stream ecology, habitat depletion, improves air quality as well as land use. Composting is perceived to be the best option in terms of preservation of stream ecology, habitat depletion and land use practice. Landfill generates less noise and vibration but found to be responsible for more than 50% of the environmental impacts created by solid waste in this area. Composting and recycling are mostly preferred to landfilling and incineration and the reason why this is so was provided. The study also identified challenges ahead and highlights that benefits attached to some vital disposal options (such as incineration) are yet to be fully implemented. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]