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This research develops a relational model between institutional pressures to adopt Cleaner Production and the environmental, economic and operational performance impacts of such practices. Thus, by using a survey with a sample of two hundred and eight (208) Brazilian industrial companies, it was possible to evaluate the principal motivators driving Cleaner Production in these companies, define measures for the levels of adoption of such practices and analyse their contributions to environmental, economic and operational performance. It was concluded that all institutional pressures exert a positive influence on the levels of adoption of such Cleaner Production practices by the companies, with the pressure exerted by the productive chain, of which the companies form a part, particularly standing out, as well as the pressure from internal and external stakeholders. Moreover, it was concluded that the companies' environmental, economic and operational performance is positively impacted by Cleaner Production practices supported by pressure exerted on the organizations. This study fills a gap in theory by advancing the frontier of knowledge in this field and serving as a reference for environmental public policies that support business guidelines regarding the need for investment in clean technology. • A relational model between institutional pressures to Cleaner Production Brazilian industrial performance was developed. • The main motivators for Brazilian industrial companies to adopt Cleaner Production were identified and analyzed. • The main practices of Cleaner Production adopted by Brazilian industrial companies were identified and analyzed. • The main impacts on the environmental, operational and economic performance of Cleaner Production practices were analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Environmental regulations can play a major role in fostering improvements in industrial environmental performance. This potential can be best leveraged when regulatory aspects are tiered by performance criteria in “performance-based” policies. Although recognized as an essential part of incentivizing performance improvements, these polices present a significant challenge for developing countries. This paper presents a definition and the basic elements of performance-based regulations, and a case study in the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil. Starting with a brief discussion of public environmental policy instruments, the performance-based concept is defined and examined, using the experiences of the U.S. to list the most relevant characteristics by which a public policy can help regulators to not only recognize but also to reward and encourage environmental performance improvement. The introduction of performance criteria into the renewable permits in Sao Paulo State, Brazil, is described as an example of these practices. By establishing an innovative permitting model, the state environmental agency encourages continuous environmental performance improvements in industries. Some preliminary results are presented with regard to administrative and environmental benefits, with an example of water reuse and wastewater volume reduction at a petrochemical hub to illustrate the strategy's potential. Finally, the adequacy of the implemented permitting system was evaluated with the performance-based criteria reported in the literature. The results attest to the potential of this model to foster improvements beyond traditional compliance, mainly through the adoption of cleaner production, thereby contributing to environmental quality improvements with low economic, socio and political enforcement costs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Worker health and safety and environmental protection are not always considered simultaneously when attempting to reduce or eliminate hazardous materials from our environment. Cleaner Production-Pollution Prevention (CPPP), as primary prevention, has the ability to shift worker health and safety strategies from control to prevention, where exposure prevention precedes exposure control. This paper evaluates the effect of Cleaner Production-Pollution Prevention in the form of toxics use reduction (TUR) on worker health and safety at three printed wire board facilities covered under the Massachusetts Toxics Use Reduction Act. In-depth case study analysis, including an assessment of each facility’s health and safety status, explores the root causes of the worker health and safety changes attributable to the TUR interventions. By exploring the relationship between worker health and safety and environmental protection within the corporate structure; we can identify the factors driving companies to reduce toxics both inside and outside of their plants, as a single concern. While traditionally there have been divergent paths of practice for worker health and safety and environmental protection, the two are closely connected. It is important, however, to consider the implications of risk transfer/shifting between the general and work environment. In order to avoid this risk shifting, worker health and safety perspectives and goals must be more clearly incorporated into the Cleaner Production-Pollution Prevention/TUR management system. This study opens a dialog around the effects of environmental intervention programs on worker health and safety. We realize now that while CPPP/TUR reduces exposure to toxic substances in the general environment, it also offers unique opportunities to reaffirm primary prevention principles in the work environment. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This special issue of the Journal of Cleaner Production focuses on “Energy for Sustainable Future”. It is designed to mirror the increasing relevance of renewable energy sources and improved efficiency as crucial topics for practitioners in industry, for governmental policy makers, as well as for civic service providers, researchers, and educators. The purpose of this special issue is to serve as a catalyst for dialogue. The global warming related to CO2 emissions, coupled with steeply rising energy prices and the recent global financial institutional melt-down are causing massive societal concerns and give rise to increasing demand for ways to improve societal and individual energy efficiency and for ways to shift increasingly to alternative, low or non-carbon based energy systems. Until recently, industrial energy efficiency improvements have focused on improvements on efficiency rather than on the integration of renewable sources. The aim of this special issue is the identification of policies to support the development and implementation of technologies and management approaches we can employ to make the transition to more sustainable societies. The collection of papers in this special issue provide a foundation for students, researchers, scholars, practitioners and policy makers interested in making sustainable development more than a metaphor. The papers include focus upon ways for: [(a)] Improving industrial process to achieve improvements in energy efficiency. [(b)] Minimising waste disposals and reducing their impact through better management. [(c)] Reducing CO2 emissions by making progress toward lower carbon, renewable energy based systems, [(d)] Improving production of biofuels and hydrogen production systems, facilitated by employing cleaner production and novel LCA tools. [(e)] Improving integration of advanced materials and energy efficient equipment in different industrial sectors. Current and future developments in national and world economies are closely connected to sustainable, efficient and safe usage of raw materials and upon energy based on cleaner production concepts and approaches that are ecologically and economically appropriate for the short and for the long-term future of society. These challenges have received considerable attention in the media and scientific journals over the last several years. The idea of developing a specialised conference focussed upon them was put forward on various occasions. Focus upon them became reality on the 5th and 6th May 2008 in the historic Castle of Veszprém, Hungary, the current premises of the Hungarian Academy of Science which hosted the Workshop. The Workshop was a stimulating event and an overwhelming success, with nearly 100 contributors from Africa, North America, Asia and Europe, representing 28 countries. After a comprehensive selection and thorough reviewing procedure 11 papers were selected for this special issue. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper reports the findings of a study conducted to identify the appropriate policy strategies for cleaner production in Zambia. Through direct consultation with industry and other stakeholders, it was observed that the major constraints that hindered implementation of cleaner production in the industry were financial problems, poor/weak enforcement of environmental laws, lack of knowledge, lack of awareness and lack of technical competence. Similarly, potential motivators for cleaner production in industry were identified and included the macro-economic climate, economic reforms and policies, economic incentives, regulation and environmental leadership. In conclusion, the low levels of cleaner production adoption were mainly due to the lack of environmental standards in some industries, low levels of cleaner production awareness, limited understanding of commercial and economic benefits of utilisation of cleaner production approaches, inadequate institutional arrangements for the promotion and implementation of cleaner production and the lacklustre enforcement of existing environmental laws. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Over the last decade, literature on the “greening” of industry and environmental policy has provided numerous important insights into the determinants of the firm’s innovative behaviour in cleaner technologies. However, this literature still lacks empirically tested theoretical models. This paper contributes to fill this gap proposing a definitional system that enables the testing of hypotheses of dependence between willingness to innovate in cleaner technologies and its determinants, and to explore the conditions under which the firms’ innovative behaviour could be fostered. Regression and simulation outcomes indicate, against the general wisdom, that stringent environmental regulation without consideration to the dynamics of technical change, and environmental and economic risk perceptions in the part of firms would play against the promotion of innovation in cleaner production. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The abundance of agricultural waste (AW) production following rapid population growth and resource constraints has created an urgent need for sustainable agricultural waste management (AWM) for the welfare of rural society. In Ethiopia, open burning of biomass is common practice after harvest and in household cooking, and smoke and improperly discarded AW are also major problems. However, compared with municipal waste management, AWM is poorly addressed. In this study, we seek to assess the current AWM status, farmers' willingness to pay (WTP), and the factors affecting WTP for eco-friendly AWM in the Mirab Gojjam, Amhara region of Ethiopia, which has not been studied previously. Data were collected through a contingent valuation survey of 353 randomly selected farmers in early spring 2018 (February–April). We offered labour days and money as a payment vehicle. The mean annual WTP is 6.84 labour days (eq 273.50 Birr) and 8.20 Birr in monetary value, respectively. The strongly significant WTP factors are age, education, family size, source of income, land, livestock, and perception. The Tobit results indicate that the bid value in labour days, environmental perception, government subsidy, farm shortage, economic conditions, living in harmony with nature, and knowledge of AW strongly influenced the degree of farmers' amount to pay. The results are thus useful for understanding farmers' attitudes towards rural environment quality and WTP for eco-friendly AWM, as well as the need for private and public instruments in AW for developing policies and to turn waste into a resource. • Eco-friendly agricultural waste management (AWM) is an eco-agricultural innovation. • Labour days payment vehicle is higher than cash and chosen as suitable payment method for farmers. • Sustainable AWM helps in resource constraint, environmental goals, rural welfare. • AWM requires the cooperation of various public and private stakeholders. • Government must formulate a rural waste management policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]