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Plastic-coated paper straws are insufficient to solve the plastic pollution problem because microplastics are formed during their degradation. In this study, upgraded paper straws were prepared by coating with biodegradable sodium alginate/cellulose nanofiber/stearic acid (SA/CNF/STA) on the surface of paper without additional adhesives. The tensile strength of the paper was enhanced synergistically by the coated SA and CNF after cross-linking with Ca2+ ions, reaching a maximum (26.46 MPa) when the mass ratio of SA to CNF was 4:1. The straws were prepared by spirally winding coated paper into tubes. Subsequent STA modification with different concentration (1–40%) improved the water stability of the paper straws. The paper straws exhibited excellent mechanical properties (including 13.45 MPa of flexural strength, 13.30 MPa of compressive strength) and hydrophobicity (103.67° of maximum water contact angle). After 130 days of soil burial, the paper straws were completely degraded. The comprehensive performance of prepared straws exceeds that of commercially available products in the same category, and they are safe and biodegradable. Paper straw in the work is in line with the concept of green and low-carbon development. [Display omitted] • Processing a paper straw based on biomass resource coatings. • SA/CNF hybrid coating synergistically enhanced the tensile strength of the straw. • The STA imparts satisfactory water stability to the straw. • The comprehensive performance of the straw outperforms commercial straw products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This comprehensive review explores recent advancements in the manufacturing of cellulose nanofiber (CNF)-based cellulose nanopaper (CNP). The analysis delves into customizing CNPs through nanofiber manufacturing, mechanical refining, and chemical treatments. The report underscores the growing interest in CNPs derived from CNF due to their exceptional properties and eco-friendly attributes. CNP strength significantly enhanced through mechanical refining encompassing cellulose nanofibrillation were breaking down of cellulose into nanofibers takes place. Conversely, dense CNF network formed through filtration and casting method. Chemical treatments such as dispersion, functionalization, and coating methods followed by drying and consolidation introduce custom functionalities for diverse applications. These applications span packaging, electronics, energy harvesting, EMI shielding, optoelectronics, nanogenerators, transparent conducting films, water treatment, bioelectronics, and neuromorphic computing. The study conducts an in-depth investigation to assess CNP's effects on promoting sustainability and minimizing environmental waste, making a significant contribution to the circular economy. This investigation underscores the pursuit of innovation and aligns with the principles of progressing toward a more environmentally sustainable future. [Display omitted] • Explores CNF production, refining and chemical treatments for CNP customization. • Remarkable properties of CNP draw academic and industrial interest. • CNP applied in packaging, electronics, energy, and environmental science. • Investigates role of CNP in circular economy. • Emphasizes CNPs as eco-friendly, fostering innovation and sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Collection, as the first stage of the recycling process, and pre-processing to increase waste stream purity constitute key operations for achieving high recycling rates and a closed loop in the circular economy. For wastepaper recycling in Hong Kong, it is the semi-formal-informal recycling (SFIR) sector that plays a central role in both stages. This study analyses the so far little explored SFIR stakeholder network in Hong Kong and sheds light on value chains, recovered waste paper quantities and the impact of policies on the sector. The findings show that SFIR stakeholders reclaim 55.6 t/recycling station/month of wastepaper and thereby achieve about a 5.7 times higher reclaim rate than the formal-private recycling system. Critical to this achievement is the SFIR transaction network, which enables its stakeholders to develop a value chain and thereby generate an added value of around 1900 HKD (243.9 USD/t) for wastepaper. Given limited circular structures in Hong Kong, financial subsidies are critical to sustain the SFIR's operations over the short-term. However, over the long-term legalization and integration of its stakeholders are necessary to ensure an economically and socially sustainable wastepaper recovery system in Hong Kong. [Display omitted] • Qualitative & quantitative analysis of the semi-formal-informal recycling (SFIR) sector. • The SFIR's wastepaper value chain achieves a cumulative added value of 1900 HKD/t. • The SFIR recovered 5.7 times higher capacities than the formal system in 2021. • Financial support can enhance the SFIR sector's recovery capacities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we investigate the market size of all materials and products presently produced from (organic) carbon and we present a method to estimate the intrinsic recycling potential of these materials/chemicals as a function of their respective applications. The method is based on the expert assessment of a number of variables that are important within the different application categories and markets of the carbon-based materials/chemicals. Applying the method, the paper presents the recycling potential of all carbon-based products. Following, an estimation of the amount of new products that can be produced each year through recycling of discarded products is presented and the amount of carbon that needs to come from other sustainable sources to fulfil our demand for new products is calculated. We distinguish nine different categories of (organic) carbon-based materials/chemicals: plastics, textile fibres, thermoset resins, rubbers, surfactants, solvents, fine chemicals, paper/board and wood products. Within these nine categories the most important materials/chemicals types were taken into account. Fossil-based and bio-based materials/chemicals were assessed separately. For each of the materials/chemicals types, the market size in terms of mass (Mt) was calculated for the main applications in which they are applied. Next, for all materials/chemicals types in these applications, the maximum recycling potential, in case mechanical or physical recycling methods are applied, was assessed, using an expert panel. Also, inevitable leakage of materials/chemicals in the different applications was assessed. Finally, the amount of feedstock coming from recycling streams that may be made available for chemical recycling or carbon capture and utilisation technologies was derived. From this, the magnitude of carbon-based materials/chemicals that need to be replaced each year by other renewable feedstock than recycled content in terms of Mton carbon was calculated. The analysis is relevant in view of implementation of a circular economy and reuse and recycling of materials, to combat depletion of raw materials. Next, it is relevant in view of phasing out fossil-feedstock to combat climate change. Our analysis indicates that the recycling potential of carbon-based materials and products through mechanical or physical methods lies around 50%, even in a system that is fully optimised for recycling. Chemical recycling and carbon capture and utilisation may provide another 25% of the renewable-carbon feedstock needed, but they generally require far more energy and other inputs to produce new materials and chemicals than the mechanical and physical recycling methods. The remaining demand for renewable-carbon feedstock thus needs to come from either biomass or CO 2 through carbon capture and utilisation technologies. Based on our findings, we argue that the composition of our present carbon-based products pool needs to be redesigned on a fundamental molecular level, towards material types that contain more oxygen. Carbon-based materials that contain more oxygen generally can be recycled more efficiently, and are also easier to produce from the alternative feedstocks biomass and CO 2 through CCU. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water removal during paper manufacturing is of primary importance to production rate and cost efficiency for the pulp and paper industry. It is crucial to develop methods to reduce energy consumption by increasing the percent solids in the paper web entering the dryers from the presses. This research aimed to develop a fundamental understanding of the effect of bio-chemo-mechanical pretreatments on a bleached softwood fiber matrix and evaluate the impact on the percent solids of the paper web after pressing. Experiments included enzymatic, refining, and cationic polymer pretreatments on the bleached softwood pulps, followed by laboratory papermaking and determining the equilibrium moisture content (EMC) after pressing and the pulp and paper properties. The combined effect of mild refining, controlled enzymatic pretreatments, and cationic strength aids proved to enhance the water removal during wet pressing (up to 35 % reduction) and increase paper strength (up to 60 % increase). The results of increased solids after pressing were used to calculate the potential reduction in drying energy during paper manufacturing. Energy savings of around 10 % for paper drying could be achieved through fiber matrix modification by bio-chemo-mechanical pretreatment. Enzymatic pretreatments have previously been conventionally applied before refining as an energy-saving method. However, this research shows that synergistic actions of enzymes added after refining modify the fibers and create the optimal conditions for enhancement in drainage, press dewatering, and paper properties. [Display omitted] • Enzyme-assisted fiber modifications improve press dewatering and paper strength. • Enzyme blends can enhance fiber cell wall flexibility and fibrillation. • Synergistically, enzymes increased ∼35% press dewatering and ∼60% tensile strength. • Enzymes, mild refining, and cationic biopolymers enhance paper process efficiency. • This research introduces alternative methods for decarbonizing the paper industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Upcycling agroindustry residues into new valuable products is a strategy for mitigating environmental impacts while increasing material circularity. In this study, two sizes of eggshell particles (D 90 = 7.1 μm (ESAJ) and D 90 = 16.3 μm (ESBU)) were obtained and their incorporation as fillers into biodegradable pectin/starch film was evaluated. The effect of the presence of eggshell particles (2–8 w/w%) on the structural and morphological aspects, water barrier, and mechanical, optical, and thermal properties of the biocomposites was evaluated and then the reinforced film was applied on the surface of kraft paper. The release of calcium in an acidic solution was inverse to the size and concentration of particles and the released íon may contribute to the crosslinking of pectin. The incorporation of only 2 % eggshell resulted in 42% lower solubility of the film. The eggshell-reinforced films proved to be more opaque and rigid. The addition of 6% ESAJ significantly improved the tensile strength (an increase of 32%), modulus of elasticity (an increase of 29.7%), and water vapor barrier (59% of improvement). DSC analysis suggests that the calcium from the eggshell interacts with the pectin polymeric structure, reducing the sites available for water molecules, which may have caused more mobility of the chains through the matrix. The reinforced pectin/starch film was very well adhered to the kraft paper in the application test by continuous casting, but the coated paper showed no improvement in oil and water resistance, which means that other coating processes need to be explored. • Eggshell was used as a reinforcing filler material in pectin/starch film. • Eggshell particles were well adhered to the matrix. • The eggshell powder had improved the water resistance of the pectin/starch film. • The addition of 6% eggshell had increased the film's tensile strength in 32%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The production of CaO for lime-based plaster and render generates 1.2 t CO 2 /t CaO, consumes 1.78 t CaCO 3 /t CaO. This research paper examines the environmental and economic performance of upcycling paper mill sludge (PMS) and carbide lime (CL) as replacements for hydrated lime (HL) in lime-based plasters production. For this, a new Cradle-to-Gate industrial-scale inventory is designed, upscaling recent lab-scale innovations, investigating PMS and CL treatment processes, followed by a Cradle-to-Grave scenario analysis. The results show that incorporating CL in the plaster yields better environmental and economic outcomes compared to PMS. The intermediate treatment for CL is cost-effective and has low carbon emissions. The upcycling of CL eliminates 100% of CO 2 emissions, while PMS reduces emissions by 11%. The production of the traditional binder HL is more expensive than upcycling PMS (+69%) and CL (+65%), with carbon taxes accounting for 35%, 44% and 15% of production costs, respectively. The effect of an equilibrated carbon price to ensure fair market competition, considering the natural carbonation of lime (carbon credit) is discussed, and the cost assessment reveals a 47% and 54% reduction for upcycled plasters using PMS and CL, respectively, compared to traditional HL. [Display omitted] • Availability, properties, and treatments of secondary lime resources. • Industrial-scale inventory for upcycling carbide lime (CL) & paper sludge (PS). • Cradle-to-Grave assessment: CL reduces CO 2 most, trailed by PS and hydrated lime. • Key factors for Cradle-to-Grave impact: lime kiln heat consumption (PS) and drying operation (CL). • Cost analysis of carbon taxes and credits across the material's life-cycle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Under carbon cap-and-trade regulation, to control carbon emissions and improve the recycling efficiency of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) from the traditional offline recycling channel, more enterprises attempt to simultaneously combine the online recycling platform with the digital transformation of the supply chain. Based on a closed-loop supply chain (CLSC) with dual recycling channels and considering recycling advertising invested both in offline and online recycling channels, this paper attempts to explore the optimal recycling advertising mode which can both achieve economic and environmental performance under cap-and-trade regulation. Therefore, game models including a manufacturer and above either recycler are established, which are respectively correspond to four recycling advertising modes: manufacturer cooperates with neither recycler (MO mode), manufacturer only cooperates with the offline retailer (MR mode), manufacturer only cooperates with the online recycling platform (MT mode), and manufacturer cooperates with either recycler (MRT mode). Consequently, this paper solves the optimal decisions of the tripartite and focuses on the analysis of the impact of cooperative (competitive) recycling advertising under cap-and-trade regulation. By comparing the profits and total carbon emissions of the whole CLSC under four recycling advertising modes, the results indicate that: cooperative advertising between the manufacturer and two recyclers can achieve economic and environmental performance for the whole CLSC if the free-riding phenomenon occurs in recycling advertising. Otherwise, influenced by competitive recycling advertising, the above mode turns to the suboptimal one for the profits of two recyclers and the total carbon emissions of the CLSC. Moreover, driven by economic benefits, cooperative advertising will eventually become a consensus, but the total carbon emissions may not always be the least. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Ecological Footprint (EF) model is an effective tool for determining the resource consumption demand of human activities and whether natural assets are overutilized. The EF calculation method has certain theoretical and methodological importance for low-carbon campus construction. With the development of science and technology, some parameters in traditional EF calculation methods need to be modified. Based on the definition of fossil energy land and the latest average grain yield, this paper revised the calculation parameters of the EF method in six aspects: absorbed gas, electricity, agricultural products, aquatic products, livestock products, and paper. This paper applied the calculation method before and after improvement to Henan Polytechnic University. The EF of the campus according to calculations was 28,358.41 gha, and the per capita EF was 0.657 gha/person using the improved calculation method. Compared with the unimproved method, the improved method resulted in a substantial decrease in EFs, which can be explained by three reasons. First, the fossil energy land was divided into forestland and pasture land. Second, the average yield was recalculated using the latest statistical database of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization. Finally, the utilization of waste pulp in the paper industry was considered. The calculated results were also analyzed and compared with those of other universities, Worldwide Fund for Nature and Enhancing Universities'Sustainability Teaching and Practices through Ecological Footprint. The improved calculation results can better reflect the actual situation of the campus, improve the rationality of EF calculation, and provide a reference for EF at the campus level. Accordingly, the current situation of campus resource consumption can be explained, further providing a basis for proposing an EF reduction scheme for green campus construction. [Display omitted] • Some parameters have been modified in the improved ecological footprint calculation method. • The fossil energy land was divided into forestland and pasture land in the improved calculation method. • The latest average grain yield used in the improved calculation method. • The calculated results were analyzed and compared with those of WWF and EUSTEPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the transition towards a circular economy (CE) being a significant element in achieving the decarbonisation of the built environment, a clear and common pathway to applying CE principles to building design is still lacking in both industry practice and academia. The integration of Building Information Modelling (BIM) and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) has the potential to enable the identification of feasible pathways to increase circularity. This study aims to investigate its practical use to facilitate the application of circular economy principles at the early stage of building design via using LCA-based BIM plugins. Within this aim, the paper centres on a co-production approach and presents a gap analysis by identifying gaps in knowledge and implementation as well as addressing the pressing needs of the current practice in the UK. A series of semi-structured interviews with expert practitioners in the field were conducted for data collection, contributing to the following phases of the co-production by allowing for an in-depth investigation and reflection of the practice. The findings have revealed that: (a) there is still an insufficient level of contextual awareness and readiness in the implementation of CE principles in the built environment and LCA understanding and (b) the adoption of BIM at the early stages of building design is still limited in the current practice; BIM models with sufficient level of data details and quality to enable circularity assessment are rarely produced. Thus, the paper highlights the need for enabling mechanisms, including the introduction of legislative instruments, the involvement and commitment of the industry and key stakeholders, the support for training and skills improvement, and the establishment of effective communication and implementation process management frameworks. Future research agenda points to the need of formulation of a BIM protocol to enable integration of BIM and LCA to promote CE principles in the building design process. [Display omitted] • Co-production is a promising approach to capture and respond to the industry needs. • Lack of seamless integration between BIM and LCA tools. • Insufficient understanding of how to apply CE principles in the building design. • Lack of systematic guidance and standardised process to implement BIM and LCA integration. • A tailored BIM protocol needed for applying LCA from a CE perspective in the building design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To address the urgent need for sustainability, this paper provides a critical discussion and serves as a pivotal resource for stakeholders in the mining and construction sectors. It advocates repurposing mining waste into concrete aggregate, promoting eco-friendly practices. The paper conducts a thorough review of recent developments, technological innovations, and methodologies to showcase mining waste's potential as a sustainable construction material. Highlighting more than a decade of research, our analysis reveals significant environmental, economic, and practical benefits, such as reduced ecological footprints through waste minimization and resource conservation, alongside cost-effective material alternatives. This investigation offers an in-depth look at these advantages and sparks essential discussions about incorporating advanced recycling technologies into conventional construction workflows. Promoting circular economy principles, the study underscores the dual gains: lessening environmental impact and progressing towards resource efficiency. Aiming to alter industry perceptions and practices, the work encourages a shift towards environmental stewardship and innovation. Ultimately, this paper aims not only to disseminate knowledge but also to motivate action. It provides readers with the necessary insights to lead a transition towards more sustainable industry norms, thus establishing a new benchmark for addressing sustainability challenges with creativity and collective effort. • This paper enhances construction sustainability by repurposing mining waste effectively. • This paper advocates for integrating recycling and circular economy principles in construction. • This paper promotes an industry-wide sustainability shift by leveraging mining waste's potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large-scale concentrated Variable Renewable Energy (VRE) sources pose a challenge to the balance and security of electricity systems. Studies have shown that the demand side may offer a greater responsiveness based on the shiftability of loads. However, there is currently no known literature on the demand response (DR) of large-scale shiftable loads in the residential sector. Firstly, there is no sufficiently large database of residential appliance-level load. Secondly, scheduling a large number of small residential shiftable loads simultaneously is a major challenge. Ultimately, the DR of large-scale residential buildings encounters the challenge of ensuring sufficient backup shiftable load to effectively cope with real-time VRE fluctuations during the response period. To address these issues, this paper proposes an appliance-level load data generation method based on diffusion neural networks. Meanwhile, a clustering method based on Generalized End to End (GE2E) loss neural networks is proposed to solve the complexity obstacles in simultaneous load swarm scheduling. Thirdly, a two-stage scheduling approach is proposed to address the challenges in the large-scale DR period through constructing day-ahead and real-time response models. The simulation results show that large-scale residential shiftable loads have a strong response capability to VRE fluctuations, and their response cost is lower than the conventional fuel-fired-power-plant-based-response within a certain user preference cost range. In practice, the clustering and scheduling methods proposed in this paper can be applied after the non-intrusive load monitoring (NILM) method is deployed to decompose the load data. • This paper addresses the research gap regarding large-scale residential load response to fluctuations in concentrated variable renewable energy sources. • A novel data generation model is proposed to address the issue of insufficient data scale in existing databases. • A novel load clustering algorithm is proposed to address the curse of dimensionality in simultaneous load swarm scheduling. • A novel two-stage response model is proposed is proposed to minimize the response cost and user preference loss. • When the unit user preference cost is lower than a certain boundary, the proposed response method is more cost-effective than conventional methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents an integrated mathematical decision-making model to reduce environmental footprints using process integration. By doing so, we address the research question: How can supplier selection, ergonomic factors, and green practices be integrated into mathematical decision-making models based on the vendor-managed inventory policy ? We use the Branch and Bound method to provide optimal solutions and a metaheuristic optimization approach in computational intelligence for large-scale problems. This paper employs a multi-criteria decision-making method to compare proposed algorithms results based on six criteria. Our findings reveal that integrating the sourcing process with inventory decisions significantly improves cost performance. Furthermore, our results demonstrate that the proposed model effectively balances environmental and economic objectives using a carbon tax. Moreover, sensitivity analysis results indicate that optimizing water and energy consumption can significantly improve carbon footprints. In addition, the study shows that ergonomic factors, including lighting and temperature, have a substantial impact on performance. The primary contributions of this paper include the incorporation of a multi-sourcing strategy, green practices, ergonomic factors, and supplier selection into vendor-managed inventory decision models. [Display omitted] • This paper presents a process integration for sustainable supply chains. • An analytical model is proposed to reduce environmental footprints using a carbon tax. • Water and energy consumption are included in the decision-making processes. • The impacts of ergonomic factors, such as light and temperature, are investigated. • Exact solvers and computational intelligence techniques optimize the proposed model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainable product design (SPD) is instrumental in improving the sustainability of a product throughout its entire life cycle. To attain this goal, decisions related to SPD should consider a spectrum of influential factors. Despite numerous SPD studies, a unified perspective among their findings is lacking, and comprehensive research on SPD factors is still needed. This gap in research affects the ability to comprehensively address the potential economic, environmental, and social impacts associated with each life cycle stage of a product during its design phase. The aim of this study is to provide a comprehensive analysis of the SPD factors available in the literature. To achieve this objective, the methodology involved: (1) conducting a systematic review of literature to explore SPD factors, (2) categorizing the key factors into themes related to product sustainability using an inductive approach, and (3) mapping these factors across the entire product life cycle. In the literature reviewed, a total of 297 factors pertaining to the economic, environmental, and social aspects of SPD were identified. Among these, 219 factors were mentioned only once in the in the articles analyzed, while 43 factors were frequently addressed by at least three papers. These frequently considered factors were categorized into nine primary themes: quality and reliability, manufacturability, costs, and financial gain under the economic aspect; resources, waste and emissions, and end-of-life (EOL) management under the environmental aspect; and functionality and usability, and social well-being under the social aspect. In light of their influence on life cycle-oriented product design, this study mapped the factors across the total product life cycle (TPLC) stages. The results of this paper provide valuable insights into SPD by addressing its impacts on sustainability throughout the life cycle of a product. Future research can capitalize on these results to comprehensively address issues concerning product sustainability. • Identification, categorization, and mapping of sustainable product design (SPD) factors were carried out. • A wide range of factors have been considered for SPD in the literature reviewed. • The SPD factors affect the economic, environmental, and social aspects of sustainability. • The mapping of the SPD factors highlights the need for life cycle-oriented product design. • A framework integrating the SPD factors, triple bottom line, and total product life cycle is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The widespread use of digital technology has driven a huge change in the way payments are made. Based on the micro-data of the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS), this paper explores the relationship between mobile payment and carbon emissions from the consumption side. With the exogenous impact of Alipay's "Collecting Five Blessings" campaign, this paper finds that mobile payment significantly increases household consumption carbon emissions, but the marginal effect is gradually decreasing. Mechanism analysis shows that mobile payment mainly realizes the above impact through promoting the increase of consumption expenditure and upgrading of consumption structure. Further analysis indicates that carbon reduction policies introduced by the Chinese government in the personal consumption sector can mitigate the carbon emissions growth associated with mobile payments. Still, there is a need to strengthen policy measures further to effectively address the issue of rising carbon emissions from household consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explains the evolving role of the local supply chain across different disruption scenarios. A systematic literature review of 91 papers from 33 journals supports definition of the local supply chain and explication of benefits before, during and after COVID-19 disruption. Resilience emerges as the prevalent benefit at each stage, but to varying scales. In the pre-COVID-19 era, where the local supply chain serves as a back-up approach to the more dominant global supply chain, localisation's capacity to absorb change promotes resilience to mitigate low-magnitude disruption. At initial outbreak of COVID-19 disruption the local supply chain was necessitated as an emergency response to the untenability of global operations, demonstrating transformational resilience to survive. As disruption continued, the local supply chain upscaled and adapted to recover. In the post-COVID-19 era, resilience is expected to remain a strategic priority, promoting continued investment in local operations to thrive with embedded resilience. As a result, the COVID-19 pandemic welcomed a point of transition for the local supply chain as capacities and benefits are revaluated and localisation recognised as critical in developing resilient supply networks for the future. This study consolidates this evolution to offer a propositional framework showcasing the local supply chain across different disruption scenarios. This offers long overdue definition and explanation of the local supply chain and its relationship with resilience, addressing an existing lack of academic attention and encouraging alignment of local-versus-global decisions with changing strategic priorities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the battery recycling market in China is still in an embroynic stage, the mechanisms, channels, pricing, and efficiency of battery recycling are shrouded in opacity. Battery recycling in China is currently dominated by electric vehicle manufacturer, supplemented by other market players such as battery producers and electric vehicle retailers. Due to the lack of information, battery recycling lacks cooperation and communication, and the whole market is dealing with "Information Island." Therefore, based on information sharing and channel competition, this paper designs a Stackelberg game model with an electric vehicle manufacturer, an electric vehicle retailer, and a third-party recycler as the primary participants. This study found that effective information sharing can reduce intensified market competition and promote the transformation of market players into "collaboration state". To promote partnership in the battery recycling market, this paper proposes a revenue-sharing contract incentive for the electric vehicle retailer to share demand information about battery recycling. It finds a revenue-sharing contract based on information sharing can help companies and competitors make appropriate behavioral choices in the battery recycling market. This study demonstrates that information sharing benefits the electric vehicle manufacturer and the third-party recycler while offering no advantages to the electric vehicle retailer. The decreasing accuracy of demand signals results in the diminishing value of information sharing for the electric vehicle manufacturer and the third-party recycler. The revenue-sharing contract can incentivize the electric vehicle retailer to share information. [Display omitted] • A battery recycling mode of electric vehicles is constructed. • Effective information sharing would encourage market players to be more collaborative. • A revenue-sharing contract is designed to incentivize the electric vehicle retailer to share information. • Inaccurate information and channel competition reduce the attractiveness of information sharing. • Inter-firm information sharing is beneficial for building an efficient battery recycling system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the challenges for suppliers is to increase their market share due to the limited target market. In other words, in the supply chain, the demand for suppliers' products is limited. Therefore, suppliers produce a determined share of the required amount by producers. However, when it comes to the share in the amount of output among suppliers, the output of suppliers in this indicator is interdependent. In the classical data envelopment analysis (DEA) models, there are no models that assess the suppliers according to the dependence of at least one output on each other. In this paper, a model is presented that can assess sustainable suppliers in the presence of interdependent output among suppliers by using DEA models and their extension. It can also determine the total benchmarks of decision making units (DMUs) in such a way that satisfies the interdependent output constraint. In other words, benchmarks are not determined independently. Ultimately, an approach is presented to determine efficient projections for inefficient DMUs by considering the concept of interdependent output. To represent the applicability of our proposed model, a dataset for two consecutive years including 32 sustainable suppliers with consideration of interdependent output has been implemented using the model presented in this paper. The resulting sustainability has been compared with a classical model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This conceptual study explores the alignment between servitization—a shift from selling products to offering services—and circularity principles. The study introduces institutional confluence—a configuration of institutional pressures that enhance business model legitimacy to stakeholders and facilitate operational success— which can serve as a driver aligning servitization with circular principles. Institutional confluence has the capacity to trigger novel business models, shape resources and processes, enhance value capture, and inhibit unsustainable business models. The study develops the concept and underscores the role of institutional confluence in promoting this alignment and subsequent environmental sustainability. The article utilizes illustrative case examples from servitization and circular business models to develop the concept of institutional confluence serving sustainable servitization. The study offers strategic insights for managers and policymakers, emphasizing the need for a holistic approach that integrates servitization and circularity from the outset of business model design. It advocates for policies that leverage regulatory, normative, and mimetic pressures to foster sustainable business practices. The article contributes to the servitization literature by delineating the mechanisms through which institutional forces facilitate or hinder the integration of servitization and circularity, offering directions for future research to explore these dynamics across different contexts and industries. • Management scholars have tended to view the uptake of servitized circular business model frameworks through an internal business model lens, with firm-level innovation capabilities. We look beyond the focal company and consider how business model development interacts with wider societal development. • This paper utilizes institutional influences as explanatory drivers for this process. • The paper introduces the concept of institutional 'confluence', a mutually reinforcing process of interactivity between institutional pressures, for servitized circularity. • Policymakers are encouraged to enhance normative socio-cultural pressures for servitized circularity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes an integration of waste heat recovery system and exhaust gas recirculation system to break the inherent trade-offs between NOx and carbon emissions of marine low-speed diesel engine. It is significant important to break these trade-offs, because Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index may not be met, though Energy Efficiency Design Index and Tier III can be already achieved for old ships. The waste heat recovery system consists of supercritical carbon dioxide Brayton cycle and Kalina cycle, where the integration of supercritical carbon dioxide Brayton cycle and Kalina cycle is achieved in the parallel style. This paper uses the classical thermodynamics in terms of engineering approach to carry out the parameter analysis of combined system first. The optimization is conducted in terms of efficiency, energy density and techno-economy with the introduction of global optimal policy. The results showed that the highest efficiency of 52.32% at Tier III mode can be achieved, at which the net power, exergy efficiency, area per unit power output and levelized energy cost can be achieved by 1568.57 kW, 45.75%, 0.589 m2/kW and 0.114$/kWh at main engine load of 85%. Further, the net power output of waste heat recovery system can reach 1085.76 kW and 2043 kW at Tier II mode and Tier III mode, while the recovering rate of waste heat recovery system can reach over 5% at Tier III mode. Finally, the Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index of a container ship equipping with such combined system can be reduced from 9.50 to 9.05. • Supercritical carbon dioxide Brayton-Kalina combined cycle is parallelly proposed. • Integration of exhaust gas recirculation and waste heat recovery is proposed. • Above 5% of recovery rate of combined cycle system is obtained. • The 52.32% of overall efficiency is achieved. • Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index decrease from 9.50 to 9.05 is obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper studies examines how a firm's position in the global value chain affects its pollutant emissions. This paper integrates China's firm-level trade data into China's multi-regional input-output tables to provide an index to measure a firm's position in global value chains. Based on a firm-level pollution dataset (2000–2014) in China, this paper conducts an empirical analysis and find that the most-downstream firms on the global value chain have lower pollutant emission intensity. Our results also suggest that the production factor structure effect, the knowledge absorption effect and the abatement investment effect together contribute to the emission intensity gap between the most-upstream firms and the most-downstream firms. These novel results are significant in guiding firms towards reducing their emissions and promoting a green global value chain, with the ultimate goal of achieving multinational environmental protection. [Display omitted] • The most-downstream firms have lower pollutant emission intensity. • A supply chain disruption shock is used as an instrumental variable. • Factor structure, knowledge absorption and abatement investment are channels. • Effects on firms with diverse ownership and trade patterns are heterogeneous. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mindful consumption (MC) has ancient roots, but the scholarship has recently received industry and academic attention. This research examines MC through a hybrid systematic review, including a bibliometric analysis of 41 years with 368 papers from 196 journals and a TCCM analysis to add further depth. Results indicate that the field is still evolving and has been approached by multiple disciplines and methodologies. Further, bibliographic coupling analysis presents six emerging themes in MC research, such as MC conceptualization, responsible consumption, and responsible practices by firms. Finally, the paper proposes future avenues for research for the resultant clusters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main challenge for future sustainable societies is dealing with the high portion of released CO2 throughout smart power transmission systems; consequently, a comprehensive carbon-based framework is required that directly calculates stakeholders' contribution to the network's CO2 emissions. In this case, this paper proposes a mechanism driven by the carbon-tracing (CTR) process to tackle carbon emissions in smart transmission networks. Using the CTR mechanism enables the digitalized independent system operator (ISO) to allocate the total emissions among participants using the real-time data received from smart grid infrastructures. Furthermore, a carbon-based nodal pricing mechanism for gas and power systems is proposed, which reflects the received data from CTR analysis. To reduce carbon emissions in the smart power transmission network, a carbon-based demand response (DR) procedure is suggested, under which consumers will receive higher incentives for reducing their consumption, especially in high-carbon-intensity buses. In addition, in this paper, for effective management of carbon pollution, the uncertainties of wind and loads and leading risks to carbon and operation costs have been modeled. Hence, the conditional value-at-risk (CVaR) method is utilized for modeling the risks related to uncertainties. It can be seen that applying the proposed CVaR-based risk assessment framework and carbon-incentive-based DR programs led to a decrease in daily total carbon and operation costs by 0.66% and 1.02%, respectively. • Distribution of carbon in power systems, aiding stockholders in carbon management. • Introducing environmental impacts to pricing promoting eco-conscious consumption. • Utilizing CVaR to manage risk, leading to significant carbon and cost variation. • Managing client consumption based on distributed carbon flow intensity in network. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Compared to cast-in-situ construction, prefabricated construction reduces the generation of construction waste; however, construction waste cannot be entirely eliminated through prefabrication and can be generated at each stage of its life cycle. This paper generates a system dynamics model, comprising two causal-loop diagrams and one stock-flow diagram, to simulate the effectiveness of policies on decarbonizing prefabricated concrete building waste. The model can predict the annual and total construction waste, along with the associated carbon emissions, under different policy scenarios in China by 2030. This paper focuses on prefabricated concrete buildings in China, with specific attention to the wastage of concrete, bricks, mortar, and metal. In single-factor scenario simulations, increasing landfilling fee is the most effective policy for waste decarbonization, potentially reducing carbon emissions by 31%. Increasing prefabrication rate and enhancing regulation degree at the design phase of prefabrication can directly reduce prefabricated building waste generation, subsequently resulting in an 18% and 7% carbon emissions reduction. Multi-factor scenario simulations demonstrate that the simultaneous application of all four policies is most effective, achieving a 44% reduction in carbon emissions. This research establishes a theoretical framework for prefabricated concrete building waste management and provides the Chinese government with practical insights on optimizing policies for waste decarbonization in the dynamic landscape of prefabrication. • This paper develops the prefabricated building waste generation and disposal systems. • The model predicts the construction waste and associated carbon emissions by 2030. • Raising landfill fee is an effective policy for decarbonizing construction waste by 31.06%. • Prefabrication rate reaching 100% can reduce 18.04% of carbon emissions from waste. • Applying all policies is most effective, achieving a 44.34% carbon emissions reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although product-service systems (PSS) have been in focus in literature and industry for some years, no generically agreed or applied PSS design process exists thus far, in contrast to the neighbouring fields of product development or service design, respectively. This paper presents the evaluation and instantiation of a recently proposed generic process model (GPM) for early-stage sustainable PSS design in capital goods manufacturing companies. The model was applied in three case studies with an aim to quantitatively and qualitatively evaluate the GPM concerning eight criteria, and study its instantiation process actions to a company-specific model while simultaneously identifying and proposing solutions for challenges to instantiation. Based on observation and feedback received from the companies, the GPM shows promise for widespread applicability, aided by proposed guidelines for instantiating the GPM to company-specific contexts, as also described in this paper. These guidelines aim to facilitate the translation of the GPM into pragmatic models for practitioners in the field of PSS design, thus increasing its chances of successful implementation as well as impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the growing global energy demand and limited production of conventional crude oil, the extraction of unconventional heavy and extra-heavy oil is receiving unprecedented attention. China is the fourth largest producer of heavy oil. High viscosity and complex formation environments increase the difficulty of exploiting heavy oil. To alleviate the economic cost and environmental pollution pressure brought by heavy oil production, China has achieved significant advancement in the innovation of heavy oil recovery, including accelerating the transformation of thermal technology to non-thermal technology and the use of new energy technology to achieve the goal of low-carbon economy and green environmental protection. Based on the background of heavy oil in China, this paper recharacterizes the high-viscosity mechanism of heavy oil. From different aspects, including basic principles, main characteristics, applicability, limitations, and challenges, this paper comprehensively reviews existing heavy oil recovery technologies, including thermal recovery, in-situ upgrading, cold recovery, and new energy technologies. Currently, in China, the main target of heavy oil recovery is achieving the "carbon peaking and carbon neutrality" goals, which can be described as low energy consumption, low emission, and low pollution. To facilitate the low-carbon transition in the extraction of heavy/extra-heavy oil and attain environmental sustainability goals, it is essential to increase the proportion of non-thermal factors in thermal recovery technologies, develop efficient in-situ catalysts, adopt clean cold extraction techniques, and advance the development of new energy technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article has been retracted: please see Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal (https://www.elsevier.com/about/policies/article-withdrawal). Post-publication, the editor discovered suspicious changes in authorship between the original submission and the revised version of this paper. In summary, The author names Baohua Shen (new First Author) and Minghai Li (new Corresponding Author) were added to the revised paper without explanation and without exceptional approval by the journal editor, which is contrary to the journal policy on changes to authorship. The editor reached out to the authors for an explanation, but they failed to provide a satisfactory explanation to these changes. In addition, it appears that Navid Bohlooli was claiming an affiliation with Sun-Life Company, Baku, Azerbaijan. When questioned, the author was unable to provide convincing evidence of the existence and nature of this company. Overall, the editor feels that the findings of the manuscript cannot be relied upon and that the article needs to be retracted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article has been retracted: please see Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal (https://www.elsevier.com/about/policies/article-withdrawal). Post-publication, the editor discovered suspicious changes in authorship between the original submission and the revised version of this paper. In summary, the author names Yan Zhang (new First Author and Corresponding Author), Fangmin Yuan, Huipeng Zhai and Chuang Song were added to the revised paper without explanation and without exceptional approval by the journal editor, which is contrary to the journal policy on changes to authorship. The editor reached out to the authors for an explanation, but they failed to provide a satisfactory explanation to these changes. In addition, it appears that Roza Poursoleiman was claiming an affiliation with Sun-Life Company, Baku, Azerbaijan. When questioned, the author was unable to provide convincing evidence of the existence and nature of this company. Overall, the editor feels that the findings of the manuscript cannot be relied uon and that the article needs to be retracted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the domain of global socio-economic dynamics, the pivotal role of food production (FP) cannot be overstated. It constitutes the bedrock of fundamental human necessities while being inexorably linked with critical aspects such as economic expansion, societal equilibrium, and geopolitical interplays. The multifaceted nature of FP appears through its direct impact on macroeconomic indicators and its latent influence on international relations and policy-making. This critical nexus underscores the imperative for a comprehensive understanding and strategic management of food production processes to sustain and enhance global socio-economic stability and growth. Investigating the nexus between green finance (GF) and FP is pivotal for ensuring national security and promoting sustainable economic development. This research thus paper examines GF's impact on FP in China as outlined in the 2017 green finance policies. It employs the difference-in-differences (DID) method and analyzes a balanced panel dataset comprising 282 cities in China from 2009 to 2020. The results show that GF has an inhibitory effect on FP, and this remains valid after a range of reliability checks, including parallel trend assessments and placebo tests. Further findings of transmission mechanism analysis indicate that non-agricultural factors and financial exclusion are critical for GF's inhibitory effect on FP. Heterogeneity analyses show that GF's inhibitory effect on FP is more pronounced in the main food-producing areas, the main food-marketing areas, and cities with better infrastructure. The empirical results of this paper comprehensively illustrate GF's impact on FP and how it contributes to the achievement of food security objectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sustainable and integrated management of resources is a crucial approach to achieving sustainable regional development in the face of limited land and increasingly scarce water resources. This paper proposes a multidimensional optimization model to jointly optimize land use patterns and water resource allocation under the conditions of maximizing economic benefits and minimizing social differences, ecological loads, environmental pollution, and carbon emissions. The optimization model is solved using the affiliation function method and then combined with random forest (RF) and cellular automata (CA) models to further obtain the optimal spatial layout of land use. This paper takes the Mid-Yangtze River City Cluster as an example and optimizes the land use pattern and water allocation in the region in 2020 and 2030. The results of the study show that the optimized water and land resource allocation scheme performs better than the status quo in all dimensions. The optimized economic benefits, social effects, ecological effects, environmental effects, and overall sustainability in 2020 are increased by 45.97%, 22.89%, 10.07%, 24.65%, and 42.73%, respectively. By 2030, overall sustainability reaches 0.69. The developed modeling framework helps to elucidate the internal linkages between land use and water allocation, and it provides decision-makers with diversified approaches to land and water resource management and adjustment for different cities in different periods, which promotes the sustainable development of urban agglomerations. [Display omitted] • The intrinsic relationship between different land use types and water demand is addressed. • A sustainable approach to integrated management of land and water resources is proposed. • The synergistic optimization of the economy, society, ecology and the environment is developed. • The spatial patterns of land use for the balanced development of urban agglomerations are promoted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores consumer green consumption practices and considers a set of factors, including cognitive and behavioural level constructs, that influence green consumption. The paper primarily aims to predict the green purchase intention and classify a consumer as a green or non-green consumer. A total of 310 responses were collected and analyzed using machine Learning techniques like Decision Tree, Random Forest, Gradient Boosting, XGBoost, K-Nearest Neighbour, and Support Vector Machine, and the models were validated using different performance metrics. The paper reveals that the main driving factors for a consumer to consider greener options are green self-identification, followed by environmental knowledge, environmental consciousness, and the impact of social media. The current work will allow better product development and the targeting and positioning of green products/services offerings to customers already classified by the system. • Machine learning techniques were employed to predict green purchase intention (GPI). • Green Self-identification & Environmental Consciousness were the crucial factors in influencing GPI. • Social and health consciousness had less of an impact on influencing GPI. • Perceived personal inconvenience was reported to have no significant impact on GPI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to introduce a new sustainable business excellence model, called Knowledge Management Excellence Model 21 (KMEM21), a theoretical framework that combines Knowledge Management and Business Excellence Models (BEMs), proposing an approach applicable to organizations to directly contribute towards achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The paper through a qualitative-exploratory methodology makes an analysis and benchmarking, emphasizes the integration of Knowledge Management and three specific Business Excellence Models (Management Excellence Model (MEG) from Brazil, Baldrige Excellence Framework, and EFQM). This integration uncovers relationships between organizational concepts associated with Knowledge Management and BEMs, which contributes to new insights in the literature regarding these concepts' interplay. BEMs are presented as tools that can catalyze the power of Knowledge Management towards achieving SDGs. However, it's noted that the existing BEMs might not be adequate, as the goal extends beyond organizational improvement and excellence to encompass sustainable development aligned with SDGs. The article suggests that specific organizational concepts, identified through a literature review and aligned with Knowledge Management and BEMs, can be selected as indicators associated with the constructed KMEM21 and the SDGs. These indicators are intended to form a bridge between the new model and the SDGs. However, given the comprehensive nature of the theory, model development, application, result acquisition, and analysis, the article's primary contribution will be in its focus on elaborating the instrument and technique, demonstrating the creation of a theoretical framework for the SDGs. Future works will showcase the application of the proposed KMEM21 method in five Brazilian organizations, members of Global Compact, to compare the achieved objectives and the results obtained with the organizations' performance and their sustainability reports. [Display omitted] • There is a visible relationship between knowledge management and business excellence models, aided by shared organizational concepts. • Achieving the SDGs in organizations can be done by using the traits incorporated into knowledge management and business excellence models. • The Knowledge Management Excellence Model 21 represents an original approach, acting as a new sustainable business excellence model. • A comprehensive model can be constructed using a methodology that incorporates an instrument, a technique, and a method. • KMEM21 presents a strategic path that aligns with business excellence principles and the sustainable development objectives, offering a framework for organizational success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes the role of Design Thinking (DT) in the context of sustainable development (SD), based on a perceived research need to identify the features which may characterise its deployment, and identify ways via which it may be optimised, especially in the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). The main goal of this study is to examine the connection between DT and SD and showcase examples of what has been done to deploy it, using real-case situations. From a methodological perspective, the paper deploys a set of two methods: bibliometric analysis and case studies. Among other findings, the paper shows that DT can be used to help implement the UN SDGs by providing an approach that emphasizes human-centered design. This includes identifying problems, creating user-friendly solutions, and testing them in order to ensure that they are effective. Also, by using DT, companies, organisations, and governments can create low-cost, high-impact, and sustainable solutions to help achieve SDGs such as SDG8, SDG9, SDG12, and SDG13, among others. Overall, DT provides a framework for combining creative and analytical reasoning, specific mindsets, and diverse hands-on tools and techniques to improve critical thinking abilities towards sustainability challenges. The novelty of the paper relies on the fact that the combined use of the two methods allowed the identification of some useful features of DT, which may facilitate its deployment in sustainability contexts. This may assist future studies since it provides a theoretical basis for the field. • Research gaps in DT prevent its widespread use in SD. • The paper deploys bibliometric analysis and case studies. • DT within a circular economy is an emerging approach. • DT may foster sustainability practices. • A novelty is the identification of pathways to optimise DT in SD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low-carbon calcium sulfoaluminate (CSA) cement can be prepared with industrial by-product phosphogypsum (PG). This paper uses PG to replace natural gypsum in preparing PG-based CSA (PGCSA) cement as a raw material and mineral admixture, and the mechanical properties and hydration mechanism of PGCSA cement are explored. The results showed that the clinker with ye'elimite mineral content of 67.23% was fired at 1250 °C by mixing 19.52% PG into the raw materials. The participation of PG in hydration can accelerate the hardening of paste and improve the compressive strength of cement. The optimum dosage of PG as a mineral admixture was 20%, and the compressive strength reached 88.4 MPa at 28 days. Added PG promoted the early hydration of ye'elimite, and reaching 60% hydration within 1 day. The hydration mechanism was believed that a large amount of Ca2+ released by PG dissolution increased the ion concentration and promoted the hydration of ye'elimite. The PGCSA cement prepared in this study at 1250 °C had low carbon emission and PG utilization was higher than 40%. In addition, the pH and exothermic hydration of PGCSA cement were reduced about 2 and 100 J/g compared to that of CSA cement. This paper provides a feasible solution for PG resource utilization and carbon reduction. [Display omitted] • A novel method for preparing calcium sulfoaluminate cement was proposed using phosphogypsum. • PGCSA cement has stable strength, low alkalinity, and low hydration heat. • A minimum of 0.4 tons of phosphogypsum was consumed for 1 ton of PGCSA cement production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Titanium oxide nanoparticles (TiO 2 NPs) are a semiconductor material widely employed as photocatalysts for environmental remediation owing to its excellent properties. Nevertheless, collecting the nanomaterial once dispersed in the aqueous media is challenging, while the photocatalytic activity is limited mainly to the ultraviolet range of radiation. In this work, we have modified cellulose paper, a sustainable and green support, with a polymer nanocomposite comprising nylon-6 and different nanomaterials, i.e., anatase TiO 2 nanoparticles (NPs) as well as TiO 2 decorated with Ag and Au in form of NPs by means of a simple procedure. The immobilization of the nanocomposite on paper mediated the subsequent recovery of the substrate upon incubation. The presence of nylon-6 enables both the attachment of the NPs on the support as well as the isolation of the pollutant from the contaminated water due to the interactions with the target analyte, i.e., methyl orange (MO). Additionally, the presence of the mentioned polyamide within the substrate triggers the photocatalytic reaction under visible light radiation. The broadening in the range of the light towards the use of sunlight has been also evaluated via modification of the photocatalyst nanoparticles with noble metals such as silver and gold. The kinetic of degradation of MO upon sunlight exposure with the different polymeric nanocomposites followed a pseudo-first-order model, with k constant values of 0.070, 0.083 and 0.120 min−1 for TiO 2 , Ag@TiO 2 and Au@TiO 2 nanocomposites, respectively. The effect of the presence of the polymer on the substrate has been evaluated, observing an increase in the k constant upon addition of the polyamide from 0.036 to 0.069 min−1 for TiO 2. The synergistic effect of sorption/degradation enables the regeneration of the substrates modified with the nanomaterials that can be reused several times, the relative standard deviation of k upon three subsequent photocatalytic cycles being in the range 15.7–37.7%. [Display omitted] • Cellulose paper has been modified with nylon-6 and TiO 2 nanocomposites. • Nanocomposites of TiO 2 modified with Ag and Au nanoparticles have been synthesized. • Photocatalytic properties have been evaluated for the degradation of methyl orange. • Nylon-6 triggers photocatalysis under sunlight and improves degradation rate. • Self-cleaning of the paper nanocomposites enables several cycles of photocatalysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the social implications of servitization and unveils the connections between servitization and social innovation. To substantiate these claims, the research elucidates three core concepts of social innovation, namely processes, instruments, and outcomes. The processual view of social innovation examines how societal changes unfold; the instrumental view focuses on tools and mechanisms driving these changes; and last the outcomes view analyses the resultant benefits. The paper reviews systematically the literature on the social impacts of servitization and, based on the mentioned views uses the literature findings to inductively develop three propositions and demonstrate that servitization can represent a form of social innovation, thus capable of profoundly reshaping industrial societies and contributing to progress and people's well-being. In sum, the paper shows the social implications and benefits related to servitization of manufacturing firms and suggests the research priorities in this domain for servitization scholars. • The paper systematically reviews the literature to identify the social implications of servitization. • The paper uses three views to unveil the connections between servitization and social innovation. • The paper theorizes that servitization is a form of social innovation that contributes to progress and people's well-being. • The paper suggests research priorities in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given that the global fleet of electric vehicles is expanding rapidly, leading to a surge in demand for power batteries, the significance of battery recycling has come sharply into focus. In this paper, we develop a tripartite evolutionary game model coupled with a system dynamics simulation approach to analyze the behavioral mechanisms of stakeholders in electric vehicle battery recycling and to identify the key factors influencing their strategic transformations. The model involves three key stakeholders: local governments, battery cathode manufacturers, and battery pack manufacturers. Through profit analysis and the formulation of a replicator dynamics system, coupled with the application of Vensim for system dynamics modeling, we analyze the effects of ten crucial exogenous variables on stakeholder strategies. Our research highlights the crucial role of government actions, such as subsidies and penalties, in directing corporate strategies. Notably, excessively high subsidies (over 2.1 million Chinese Yuan) lead to dependency among cathode manufacturers. Market factors, including increased battery sales and the preference for low-carbon procurement by electric vehicle manufacturers, are shown to significantly motivate cathode manufacturers to adopt recycling strategies and encourage pack manufacturers to develop recyclable designs. Additionally, the introduction of EU battery regulations and the integration of cathode manufacturers into carbon trading schemes have been identified as positive catalysts for strategic shifts, especially for cathode manufacturers, while exerting minimal influence on pack manufacturers. This paper elucidates the intricate interaction of the behavioral patterns and key motivators affecting stakeholder strategies in electric vehicle battery recycling. [Display omitted] • An evolutionary game model involving local governments, cathode manufacturers, and pack manufacturers is established. • EU battery regulations' impact on the system's evolutionary path is quantified by the sales influence coefficient. • Subsidies over 2.1 million Chinese Yuan lead to path dependency among cathode manufacturers. • When battery sales fall to 4.5 GWh, manufacturers shift from recycling-consistent strategies to opposing strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The biomass porous carbon has recently garnered significant attention in the electrochemical energy storage, which is attributed to the excellent electrochemical performance, cost-effectiveness, abundant and sustainable sources et al. Unfortunately, the inherent physicochemical property deficiencies of biomass-based porous carbons, such as pore structure, electrical conductivity, and surface wettability, significantly limit their electrochemical performance. Therefore, this paper discusses the regulation of pore structure, catalytic graphitization, and modification of carbon surfaces from three different perspectives: activation, the catalytic action of metal compounds, and heteroatom doping. It reviews the controllable regulation of the porous structure and chemical properties of porous carbon by various activators, especially the specific pore-forming mechanisms. Subsequently, it explores the catalytic mechanism by which metal compounds promote the conversion of amorphous carbon to graphite carbon, as well as the impact of the degree of graphitization on the electrochemical performance of carbon-based materials. Lastly, it discusses the unique electrochemical properties induced by doping with different heteroatoms (N, S, P, and B atoms) and the doping mechanisms, summarizing the specific effects of different heteroatom dopings on the pore structure (pore size distribution, specific surface area, etc.). Additionally, the synergistic effects of multi-atom doping on the porous characteristics, electronic structure, and chemical properties of carbon materials are discussed. Furthermore, this paper reviews the enhancing effects of corresponding modification techniques on the electrochemical energy storage performance. This article presents a comprehensive and in-depth theoretical framework for the improvement strategies of biomass-based porous carbon materials. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Product service systems (PSS) are an example of a novel business model billed as having the potential to significantly reduce the environmental burdens of production and consumption processes. However, despite widespread interest in PSS, consensus regarding their actual environmental impacts, particularly with regard to salient issues such as global warming, is lacking. Hence this paper explores existing research to investigate the state of the art regarding the climatic impacts of PSS, alongside the set of factors that influence climatic impacts. The paper comprises a systematic review of peer-reviewed academic literature, quantifying the extent to which different types of PSS have the capacity to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across multiple product categories. Our study shows that significant reductions in climatic emissions are possible, but PSS are in many cases associated with more modest reductions and, in some cases, increased emissions. Further, we observe no clear differences in climatic impacts according to the type of PSS model that is deployed. Rather, differences in climatic impact are influenced by factors such as production and design alongside use-phase impacts and contextual factors such as transportation and the energy mix. The study argues that further research is needed to establish a more robust baseline upon which to draw conclusions regarding the sources of climatic impacts, and outlines fruitful ways for companies to tackle the complexities of climatic emissions that are beyond their control. • In some cases, product service systems can reduce climatic impacts by up to 80%. • In other cases, climatic impacts increase compared to traditional product sales. • Climatic impacts are influenced by use intensity, transportation and production. • Other contextual factors such as the energy mix play a role. • More quantitative assessments are needed with less reliance on estimations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Overlying rock pressure and stored water seepage notably affect coal pillar dam creep and long-term strength in underground water reservoirs. However, the current understanding of the seepage-creep coupling effects on coal pillar dam behavior is unclear, necessitating targeted research. Therefore, This Paper conducted experiments on coal pillar dam samples under various osmotic pressures to study their creep behavior and long-term strength. The results indicate that seepage fluids, with their softening, dissolving, lubricating, and flow carrier effects, significantly notably promote the creep behavior of coal samples. Viscoelastic creep in coal decreases with increasing osmotic pressure, whereas the viscoplastic creep strain increases with increasing time and stress. This Paper proposes employing the critical stress at the steady state viscoplastic creep rate threshold as the long-term strength of coal. These findings indicate an inverse link between long-term strength and osmotic pressure, with osmotic pressure going from 0 to 6 MPa, strength drops from 23.2 to 8.5 MPa. Therefore, when designing and ensuring the long-term stability of coal pillar dams, it is crucial to consider the impact of stored water seepage. • The creep behavior and long-term strength of coal pillar dam samples are studied. • These studies were conducted under various osmotic pressures. • There is an inverse link between Viscoelastic creep in coal and osmotic pressure. • The viscoplastic creep strain increases with increasing time and stress. • It is crucial to consider the impact of stored water seepage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A good risk warning model is an effective way to guarantee the stable operation of the carbon market and exert its emission reduction function. This paper takes the China's pilot carbon market as the research object and measures the carbon market risk by ARMA-GARCH-VaR. Then, influential factors are selected as non-market characteristics from the perspective of causality and incorporated into the risk warning model, and SMOTE and SMOTEENN are introduced to deal with the unbalanced samples. Results show that (1) The risk fluctuations of Beijing and Shenzhen carbon market are large, and the risk fluctuations of Guangdong carbon market are relatively smooth in the early period and larger in the recent period. (2) Air quality, average daily temperature, CSI 300, power coal, natural gas, European carbon market, exchange rate, and Baidu index are all important factors in the risk volatility of carbon market. (3) The Classification Decision Tree (CDT) has the best performance. CDT has the best performance in Guangdong carbon market, SMOTE-CDT has the best performance in Hubei carbon market, and SMOTEENN-CDT has the best performance in Shanghai carbon market, in which SMOTEENN-CDT has a 76% Recall. The non-equilibrium treatment improves the overall Recall, and the risk warning model after non-equilibrium treatment can avoid missing important risk points. This paper can provide a certain degree of reference for the improvement of carbon trading market and risk management. [Display omitted] • A carbon market warning model is constructed. • The average VaR of the carbon trading markets in Shenzhen and Beijing is larger. • CDT performs better in market risk warning. • The model improves 34.8% in the avoidance of risk compared with other models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this research is to show how taxation of intermediate items produced from virgin and recycled materials negatively impacts closed-loop supply chain (CLSC) results (labor, capital, returns, outputs, prices, profits, and dead-weight-loss). It offers remedies to alleviate tax inefficiencies. After formulating upstream and downstream production functions and recycling process, a Stackelberg game framework is analytically solved and data from steel industry and automobile stimulus program in the US are used to obtain numerical results. The results show that an optimum collection channel along with endogenous consumer return behavior can improve outcomes and reduce inefficiencies stemming from output taxation. The principal policy implication is that American, Chinese, Canadian, and German governments' tax incentive programs applied to items produced from recyclables are a sound strategy in the way of spurring their circular economies, improving environmental sustainability, and reducing economic loss. [Display omitted] • Legislators aim to reduce environmental impact of used products and propel sustainable business. • However, governments interventions can distort circular economy outcomes. • This paper proposes remedies to reduce economic and environmental distortions. • The remedies include optimal collection channel and incentive-responsive return program. • The paper quantifies the outcomes in the steel industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural capital accounting plays a pivotal role in the sustainable management and conservation of natural resources. This paper aims to contribute to this field by conducting a bibliometric review of 1409 articles and employing explainable artificial intelligence modeling (XAI) to identify and predict the factors that influence the impact of natural capital accounting (NCA) research, especially in terms of citations to this research. The findings revealed that the Journal of Cleaner Production is the leading publication in this field, with the highest h-index of 37. The XAI found that age of publication and number of references significantly impacted the likelihood of a paper receiving many citations. This study offers an innovative and practical framework for forecasting citation counts and provides effective strategies for authors and editors to enhance the citation impact of their work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel air-carrying energy radiant diffuse terminal is proposed, and the response of the terminal is investigated by field experiment and numerical simulation. This paper explores the dynamic operation characteristics of the new system to guide the optimal operation of the system. A transient simulation method of three factors (conduction, convection, and radiation) with dual-circulation (air-carrying energy zone and occupied zone) is put forward for the radiant diffuse terminal with a fresh air system. This transient simulation sets up the porous baffle model coupling radiation model concurrently, revealing the dynamic thermal performance for the system's response accurately, quickly, and comprehensively. This method avoids the limits for the complexity of mini porous (Pore size of 1 mm–3mm) geometric models and the transient uncertainty in multiple combination models. The results show that the average error between the convective-conductive model and the convective-conductive-radiative model is about 8% at five different heights. This system has high response performance, which can quickly heat the room while maintaining the comfort requirements of vertical temperature. The radiated heat transfer between the radiant diffuse terminal and the occupied zone is greater than the convective heat transfer (Radiation accounts for 74%). This system has a short response time, high energy efficiency, uniform airflow, and eliminates draught rating. Moreover, the indoor non-uniform transient thermal and humid environments, the thermal comfort, and air quality for the response of the terminal with fresh air system under four different diffuser placements are compared using computational fluid dynamic simulation. The results indicate that introducing heating strategies featuring higher-positioned fresh air inlet and lower-positioned recirculation return air outlet for this system leads to a temperature efficiency increase by 5%, velocity uniformity by 8%, and age of air reduction by 16–50% in human-breathed zone and the response time by 25%, which shows substantial potential for energy savings. The transient simulation and experiments in the paper are beneficial to optimize design parameters and carry out energy-saving applications of operation energy consumption for the response of this terminal with a fresh air system in the future. [Display omitted] • Dynamic feature of the new terminal system is explored by experiments and simulation. • The validated porous baffle model simplifies geometry modeling for mini perforations. • A new transient simulation method of dual-cycle three factors is proposed. • High performance of thermal and humid environment for the response of the system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper addresses the significant challenges faced by distribution system operators (DSOs) in competitive electricity markets due to uncertainties arising from electricity markets, electric vehicles (EVs), and conventional loads. To tackle these challenges, this paper proposes a pseudo-local reserve market between the DSO and EVs, which enables the DSO to integrate EV flexibility into the overall market framework while compensating for deviations in the conventional load across the wholesale electricity market. Furthermore, a two-stage framework is developed to facilitate the participation of EVs in electricity markets. In the first stage, the reserve capacity of EVs is integrated into the decision-making process for day-ahead bidding, taking into account uncertainties of the load and electricity. In the second stage, the day-ahead results are coordinated to enable the efficient dispatch of EVs for real-time market participation. To assess the efficacy of the proposed framework, a case study is conducted within a 31-node distribution system situated on a university campus located in Guangdong, China. This paper investigates the economic impact of load deviation constraints on EV reserves, revealing a penalty reduction of 3100 CNY for a daily reservation of 1000 EVs and a net profit increase of 1300 CNY for DSOs utilizing reserves. It further introduces a method for quantifying reserve capacity, enhancing DSO decision-making accuracy. • A pseudo-local reserve market is established considering EV's reserve potential. • Optimal bidding strategy for DSO in China's electricity markets is constructed. • A framework for EV coordinated V2G operation is developed. • The proposed method can limit load deviation cost for more profits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the role of a transmission system operator within a carbon footprint reduction strategy incorporating carbon taxes and renewable energy generation subsidies in the decentralised energy market. This is achieved via an optimisation bi-level model in which a welfare-maximising transmission system operator makes investments in transmission lines at the upper level while considering power market dynamics at the lower level. To account for the deregulated energy market structure, this paper assumes that the generation companies at the lower level make capacity investments as price-takers in perfect competition. Considering alternative transmission infrastructure expansion budgets, carbon emission taxes and monetary incentives for renewable energy generation capacity expansion, the impact of alternative compositions of these factors is analysed against three output factors: the share of renewable energy in the generation mix, total generation amount, and social welfare. The proposed modelling assessment is applied to an illustrative three-node instance and a case study considering a simplified representation of the energy system of the Nordic and Baltic countries. The results highlight that, under certain circumstances, renewable energy generation subsidies may lead to an increase of renewable energy in the generation mix followed by a simultaneous fall in the total generation amount. Nevertheless, when applied together, these three measures demonstrated a positive impact on all output factors within Nordics' and Baltics' energy systems. The experiments additionally suggest that considering the high value of the carbon tax does not have an impact on the output factors while the composition of high values of renewable energy generation subsidies and budget for transmission infrastructure expansion has the strongest effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the past few years, energy communities initiatives have gained traction in Europe as a means to achieve energy transition goals, allowing citizen involvement in energy production, consumption, and distribution. Following the 2018 European directive RED II, these projects have rapidly increased across the continent, showcasing their potential for creating sustainable local energy systems. While studies highlight economic, environmental, and social benefits, barriers such as regulatory challenges, finance access, and low public awareness remain. This paper presents the results of a systematic literature review that explores the state-of-the-art of the academic research on energy communities. The study adopts a systematic approach to examine the body of literature on the topic to provide a comprehensive analysis of the phenomenon on the basis of rigorous and replicable research criteria. The reviewed material consists of 140 articles collected through the Scopus database, evaluated using specific structural dimensions to group the literature into analytical categories. The analysis of scientific papers published between 2018 and 2022 shows a growing attention towards Renewable Energy Communities, particularly those based on solar energy for electricity production, often combined with storage systems and heat pumps, whereas attention towards energy communities based on thermal energy production is still limited. Furthermore, most scholars focused on analysing specific territorial contexts; comparisons between different regions allows to highlight common features and elements characterizing each model. It emerged that the development of energy communities depends mainly on regulatory, financial, and managerial barriers that require an adequate institutional and legal framework capable of promoting their diffusion. Most studies address the topic from an economic perspective, often in association with incentivizing community models. However, a social perspective should be included by introducing the concept of energy sharing and methodologies for its distribution among all members of the community. The scientific community is called upon to continue investigating and supporting the development of community energy initiatives by providing evidence-based recommendations to policymakers, industry stakeholders, and local communities. This can help to overcome existing barriers and facilitate the diffusion of energy communities models, contributing to the achievement of sustainable and inclusive energy transition goals. • Systematic literature review exploring academic research on energy communities in Europe. • Structural dimensions and related analytical categories as framework to review 140 journal articles. • Most studies concern ECs based on renewable energy sources, with solar power being the predominant source. • Most employed technologies are related to the production of electricity from photovoltaic with batteries and heat pumps. • Most studied focus on Renewable Energy Community, while Citizens Energy Community are less considered in academic studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditional business models increasingly less accurately accommodate changes taking place in the market. Growing competition, sharing economy, digital transformation, corporate environmental responsibility, and increasing customer requirements exert pressure on enterprises to change their business mentality. One can easily observe the need for integrated, environment-friendly solutions that generate new value added to customers. To achieve that, we need new business models that would allow to discover new potential in new markets. In the face of dynamic market changes, traditional business models are increasingly less capable of addressing the growing competition, sharing economy, digital transformation, corporate environmental responsibility, and the rising demands of customers. There is a clear need for integrated, environmentally friendly solutions that generate new added value for customers. Achieving this goal requires the development of new business models that enable the discovery of potential in new markets. Therefore, searching for and creating new business models that would stand up to requirements is vital. These problems could be solved by a PSS considered a personalized business model operating in an extended time horizon. PSS is an opportunity to sell product functions and availability, as well as a perspective for multiple uses of products. This paper presents a pioneering attempt to develop a Product-Service System (PSS) business model specifically tailored for the plastics industry. An innovative approach consists in the integration of a machinery and a tool into a production unit and adding an array of services to it. This groundbreaking research, unprecedented in its scale, involved a comprehensive questionnaire-based study conducted across 60 plastics processing plants employing prevalent production techniques. The study is unique in its extensive scope and depth, as such an analysis of PSS business models within the plastics industry has not been previously explored in the open literature. The research methodology applied is thorough, covering a wide range of practical aspects crucial for the effective implementation of PSS in the plastics sector. This paper stands out for its detailed examination of 60 enterprises in the plastics industry, focusing on their interest in 95 services essential for the optimal operation of plastics processing plants and their engagement with representatives from the plastics industry. This extensive study offers valuable insights into the usage of machines and tools in plastics processing, as well as the specific needs, requirements, and challenges faced by businesses in this sector. Results of analyses demonstrate that interest in services differs depending on the size of an enterprise, processing technique, having a toolroom or not, product range, and the duration of breakdowns. A new PSS business model for plastics processing was built based on the analysis of PSS design methods and sectors to which they are addressed, PSS used in practice, plastics processing sector, questionnaire-based studies conducted among plastics processing plants, statistical analyses, advice and consultancy sessions with experts from the investigated industry, finances and trade patterns for machines. Until to date the question of precise design of such a business model for the plastics processing sector has neither been examined nor discussed or evidenced. The paper aims to bridge this gap. The approach to the issue was innovative, based on a questionnaire survey and consultations with experts which allowed to faithfully reproduce the current condition of the investigated sector. In addition, each service added on to the production unit underwent a detailed statistical analysis. The hereto presented business model is extremely comprehensive as it can be used in plastics processing plants of different sizes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Resilience is an important aim of climate adaptation in urban development planning. Since 2015, sponge city (SC) pilot construction in China has highlighted the importance of urban water systems, but has paid insufficient attention to extreme and long-term climate change risks. This paper aims to provide a new method for evaluating the urban water system climate resilience (UWSCR), classify China cities in combination with climate hazards, conduct case studies on SC pilots, and propose ways to improve the UWSCR in SCs. Firstly, Taking heavy rain and drought as hazards, an evaluation index system of UWSCR is established, including engineering resilience (ENR), ecological resilience (ECR) and evolutionary resilience (EVR). A combination model based on the analytic hierarchy process and entropy weight method is used to measure the UWSCR of 27 SC pilot cities and 253 non-pilot cities at or above the prefecture level in China. Secondly, coordinating hazard index and UWSCR index, cities are divided into four types. The results show that the ENR and EVR of SC pilots exhibited an increasing trend from 2010 to 2020 and were greater than those of non-pilots. Among the four types, Resilient Cities and Low Risk Cities with high climate resilience (CR) were mainly distributed in the eastern and central regions of China. High Risk Cities and Vulnerable Cities with low CR were mostly distributed in the central and western regions. Among the cities of high CR, SC pilots accounted for 63.0% of the pilot samples, while non-pilots only accounted for 26.5% of the non-pilot samples. Finally, this paper analyzes the typical cases of SC pilots, and puts forward some suggestions, such as considering the UWSCR systematically and holistically, improving the ECR of UWSCR, making medium-term to long-term adaptation planning and providing differentiated policy support. The originality of this work is to identify four types of cities from the perspective of UWSCR and provide reference for improving the CR of SCs. [Display omitted] • Against climate change, security risks of urban water systems have intensified. • Sponge city pilot projects in China highlighted the importance of urban water system. • The climate resilience of urban water system in China was evaluated and classified. • The proportion of high-resilience cities in the sponge city pilot sample is high. • The evaluation of urban water system climate resilience can guide sponge city constructions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]