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Given the increasing concerns about the adverse effects attributable to climate change, two imperatives of the sustainability paradigm are to reduce pollution and CO2 footprint, especially in the energy-intensive mining, mineral processing and beneficiation sectors of industry. Thus, a major challenge in minerals processing is to optimize the energy consumption of unit operations. In principle, this requires the utilization of all data and information that fully characterize the dynamics of all material and physical elements which constitute the organization that operates an ore crushing and screening process. By analyzing available data and information, this paper highlights how the variability in ore quality influences the energy of crushing and screening operations in a case study comminution facility. The empirical findings reinforce the need to apply robust models based on implementation of 4IR technologies to provide better information for decision making; in this case, towards continuous optimization of energy consumption to lower pollution and the CO2 footprint of comminution unit operations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Supply Chain Digital Transformation is urgently needed in light of the profusion of unforeseeable global events, such as political, economic, and climatic changes. Issues like supply shortages, inventory stockouts, supply-demand mismatch, and lack of coordination and transparency are troubling most modern supply chains. This study explores how smart technologies can be better used to accomplish digital transformation across various supply chain stages and stakeholders. In order to provide a comprehensive knowledge base, this paper reviews 210 of the most significant research articles to scientifically examine the relationships between smart technologies and their strategic role in supply chain digital transformation. This is attempted through literature review, bibliometric analysis, descriptive data analysis, and visual representation. The core contribution of this paper is to highlight the untapped potential of supply chain digital transformation, with a special focus on applications of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning technologies. Another novelty of this study is a detailed mind map that facilitates visualizing, comprehending, and simulating the broad range of results obtained from the bibliometric study. Research gaps, consequences, and future research directions are also highlighted as a further point of reference for academicians and practitioners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent times there is a continuous influence by climate change and human activities on the environment giving rise to hydrological focus research. Hydrologic modeling tools are employed to examine various practical issues arising from planning, design, operation, and management of water resources systems. These include physical, empirical, stochastic, distributed models and open-source watershed models such as Info Works River Simulation (IWRS), Stormwater Management Model (XP-SWMM), Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT), Kinematic Runoff and Erosion Model Software (KINEROS), Long-Term Hydrologic Impact Analysis (L-THIA) and River Analysis System (HEC-RAS). From the models mentioned, SWAT is a typical distributed model widely used in analyzing and forecasting several complex hydrologic variables. This paper is aimed at providing an overview of SWAT and its applicability in hydrological modeling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, the Quebec government has highlighted the importance of making decisions that are both sustainable and robust under climate change uncertainties. This paper aims to answer the following question: How to sort the alternatives according to their degree of sustainability achievement while evaluations are uncertain and temporal? The general objective of the paper is to propose a first temporal sorting method under stochastic uncertainty. The proposed method, called TSMAA-Tri, will assign each alternative to a predefined category based on a generalization of SMAA-Tri to a temporal context (multi-period evaluation of alternatives) where alternative evaluations are stochastic. The method starts performing Monte Carlo simulations to generate stochastic evaluation values. Each simulation (scenario of uncertainty) will generate a specific value for each criterion using the corresponding probability distribution. Then, aggregation consists in applying SMAA Tri at each period and performing a triple aggregation: i) uncertainty aggregation; ii) multi-criteria aggregation; and ii) temporal aggregation. Multi-criteria aggregation consists in applying the SMAA-TRI method at each period. Then, two ways of temporal aggregation are proposed, based either on acceptability index or on outranking index of boundary profile. The proposed method is illustrated for sustainable forest management to show its applicability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to human induced global warming, sea levels are increasing globally. From 2006 to 2015, the rate of its increase has more than doubled, from 0.06 inches (1.4 millimeters) per year over the majority of the twentieth century to 0.14 inches (3.6 millimeters) each year. The current reliance on fossil-based socioeconomic system, along with land subsidence and groundwater extraction, are only some of the factors that accelerate the rise of sea levels. Different local governments propose adaption measures to aid cities from the effects of rising sea levels but effective policies to combat climate change have been marginal due to the inability to properly conduct an integrated assessment on the different factors that influence climate change. The complexity and dynamic nature of this issue presents difficulties for policy and decision-making processes. System dynamics modeling has proven to be extremely valuable in a variety of sectors for assisting decision-makers in grasping and projecting the dynamic behavior of complex systems to enable the creation of successful policy initiatives. This paper makes use of a system dynamics model to evaluate different adaptation strategies to determine which information and evidence is seen to be relevant for policymaking. Results show that efforts to reduce carbon emissions depend heavily on the transition of its energy mix from carbon-rich coal to low-carbon natural gas. Temporarily reducing a basin's water stress through various policy changes can also alleviate groundwater activities and further slow down the rise of sea levels. Sensitivity and scenario analyses were also conducted to illustrate "what if" relationships in relation to these policy changes. These results provide relevant information that can be utilized by government bodies around the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research aimed to investigate the impact of passive design techniques on building envelope design. Whereas assessment of the heat transfer rate through building envelopes is frequently done using the OTTV standards worldwide. The research includes two parameters for measuring the thermal performance of the building facade. The first measurement uses a methodical approach to calculate the wall's thermal transmittance (U-values) and then moves on to calculate the OTTV. The OTTV of the case study was computed using the OTTV formula given by the Malaysian Standard. At the same time, building specifications were determined via a site examination. After that, the OTTV was compared with a recommended standard value for the local climate. New building materials and specifications are proposed when the OTTV value exceeds the standard range. The results indicated that the present OTTV value is 55.31 W/sq.m, more significant than the proposed value for a standard commercial building. It recommended considering 6 mm single glazing low e-glass for all windows on the East, West, South, and North elevations. As a result, the OTTV was lowered to 45.34 W/sq.m. Since air conditioning consumes most of the energy in an office building, lowering the OTTV will result in a slightly reduced air-conditioning cooling load. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

People are becoming more aware of environmental issues such as climate change and pollution. As a result, consumers are increasingly becoming more environmentally conscious of their products. The current challenge for every industry today is to find a more sustainable and ethical way to produce goods. Brands must improve their marketing as its elements (people, price, product, and place) are crucial to respond to this challenge. The researchers identify the relationship between green products and packaging to consumers' purchasing behavior in this study. The factors included are environmental concerns/beliefs/values; environmental awareness and knowledge of the environmental impact of products and their packaging; social media influence; availability of a product in location; pricing; and product quality and benefits. The researchers utilized online survey questionnaires and assessed the relationship through Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), using SPSS. The findings indicate that the pricing and product quality, including the benefits, of green cosmetics, personal care products, and packaging affect consumers' purchasing behavior in Luzon, Philippines. The study provides new insights into Filipino consumers' perceptions of the environment. Introducing sustainable solutions to meet consumers' demand in purchasing cosmetic and personal care products will also have a vital impact and opportunities on the industry. The researchers suggest that companies should produce more green products in the market since the customers are more concerned about the ingredients of the product they consume and willing to invest more in sustainable products. Moreover, considering the significant factors of the study proved to be an effective marketing strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The transformation of cities is key to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) in the near future. The worsening climate crisis urges to long-term solutions which orientate the development of cities to be more sustainable and livable spaces. Urban planning remains as a complex task and, therefore, benefits from the use of technology to better assess the actual needs of cities and find the best way to conjugate the already existing resources towards smarter and more accessible places. Hence, this study focuses on the implementation of UrMoAC, a tool developed by the German Aerospace Center, to obtain useful data about the San Francisco Bay Area which in return can be utilized to shape and guide planning processes oriented to promote urban accessibility and the SDG. The results demonstrate that the urban areas of San Francisco Bay Area have good accessibility levels to public primary schools and help to understand the dynamic environment of the cities involved and plan accordingly to create smart mobility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The problem that influences the world on energy is climate change and until we increase our alternative sources the world will continue to face the energy issue. Besides, greenhouse gas emission is a main issue which is related with current energy access. Another global energy issue is hundreds of millions of people lack access to sufficient energy. In addition, depletion of natural resources become other crucial issue due to global energy consumption is growing in tandem with population growth, energy dependent patterns of usage composed with technological advancements. This study aims to focus on alternative power generation from renewable and hybrid sources in techno economic as a countermeasure for current energy sources issue in isolated communities which remote from the existing electricity transmission and distribution infrastructure. HOMER Pro software and RETScreen software are used to analyze best optimization of hybrid renewable energy system and check financial viability. A comparative analysis is done for 4 cases of energy: solar PV, wind, hydropower, and biogas to obtain estimation of Net Present Cost (NPC), Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) and renewable fraction. His work also determines IRR, simple payback and energy production costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]