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Background: Health care providers worldwide are rapidly adopting electronic medical record (EMR) systems, replacing paper record-keeping systems. Despite numerous benefits to EMRs, the environmental emissions associated with medical record-keeping are unknown. Given the need for urgent climate action, understanding the carbon footprint of EMRs will assist in decarbonizing their adoption and use., Objective: We aimed to estimate and compare the environmental emissions associated with paper medical record-keeping and its replacement EMR system at a high-volume eye care facility in southern India., Methods: We conducted the life cycle assessment methodology per the ISO (International Organization for Standardization) 14040 standard, with primary data supplied by the eye care facility. Data on the paper record-keeping system include the production, use, and disposal of paper and writing utensils in 2016. The EMR system was adopted at this location in 2018. Data on the EMR system include the allocated production and disposal of capital equipment (such as computers and routers); the production, use, and disposal of consumable goods like paper and writing utensils; and the electricity required to run the EMR system. We excluded built infrastructure and cooling loads (eg. buildings and ventilation) from both systems. We used sensitivity analyses to model the effects of practice variation and data uncertainty and Monte Carlo assessments to statistically compare the 2 systems, with and without renewable electricity sources., Results: This location's EMR system was found to emit substantially more greenhouse gases (GHGs) than their paper medical record system (195,000 kg carbon dioxide equivalents [CO 2 e] per year or 0.361 kg CO 2 e per patient visit compared with 20,800 kg CO 2 e per year or 0.037 kg CO 2 e per patient). However, sensitivity analyses show that the effect of electricity sources is a major factor in determining which record-keeping system emits fewer GHGs. If the study hospital sourced all electricity from renewable sources such as solar or wind power rather than the Indian electric grid, their EMR emissions would drop to 24,900 kg CO 2 e (0.046 kg CO 2 e per patient), a level comparable to the paper record-keeping system. Energy-efficient EMR equipment (such as computers and monitors) is the next largest factor impacting emissions, followed by equipment life spans. Multimedia Appendix 1 includes other emissions impact categories., Conclusions: The climate-changing emissions associated with an EMR system are heavily dependent on the sources of electricity. With a decarbonized electricity source, the EMR system's GHG emissions are on par with paper medical record-keeping, and decarbonized grids would likely have a much broader benefit to society. Though we found that the EMR system produced more emissions than a paper record-keeping system, this study does not account for potential expanded environmental gains from EMRs, including expanding access to care while reducing patient travel and operational efficiencies that can reduce unnecessary or redundant care., (©Cordelia Kwon, Lernik Essayei, Michael Spencer, Tom Etheridge, Rengaraj Venkatesh, Natrajan Vengadesan, Cassandra L Thiel. Originally published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research (https://www.jmir.org), 06.02.2024.)

Globally, the carbon footprint (CF) is constantly increasing, contrasting with the decreasing trend observed for decades in the European Union (EU) countries, where EU guidelines are responsibly followed and outlined in its strategic documents. Information and communication technology (ICT) carbon emissions have historically increased in parallel with global emissions, contributing to continuous increases in ICT's CF over time, even when excluding full life cycle emissions. This study examines the impact of ICT on household electricity consumption, aiming to quantify the potential reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through improved household energy efficiency. The methodology includes the data collection on ICT device usage in households within the city of Novi Sad (Republic of Serbia), employing the survey method that queries respondents on device quantities and their usage patterns. This study provides results for decision-makers to recognize concrete benefits from the transition to a circular economy (CE) and low-carbon emissions, which are reflected as benefits for the local community and socio-economic environment., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

More than half of the world's population is nourished by crops fertilized with synthetic nitrogen (N) fertilizers. However, N fertilization is a major source of anthropogenic emissions, augmenting the carbon footprint (CF). To date, no global quantification of the CF induced by N fertilization of the main grain crops has been performed, and quantifications at the national scale have neglected the CO 2 assimilated by plants. A first cradle-to-grave life cycle assessment was performed to quantify the CF of the N fertilizers' production, transportation, and application to the field and the uses of the produced biomass in livestock feed and human food, as well as biofuel production. We quantified the direct and indirect inventories emitted or sequestered by N fertilization of main grain crops: wheat, maize, and rice. Grain food produced with N fertilization had a net CF of 7.4 Gt CO 2 eq. in 2019 after excluding the assimilated C in plant biomass, which accounted for a quarter of the total CF. The cradle (fertilizer production and transportation), gate (fertilizer application, and soil and plant systems), and grave (feed, food, biofuel, and losses) stages contributed to the CF by 2%, 11%, and 87%, respectively. Although Asia was the top grain producer, North America contributed 38% of the CF due to the greatest CF of the grave stage (2.5 Gt CO 2 eq.). The CF of grain crops will increase to 21.2 Gt CO 2 eq. in 2100, driven by the rise in N fertilization to meet the growing food demand without actions to stop the decline in N use efficiency. To meet the targets of climate change, we introduced an ambitious mitigation strategy, including the improvement of N agronomic efficiency (6% average target for the three crops) and manufacturing technology, reducing food losses, and global conversion to healthy diets, whereby the CF can be reduced to 5.6 Gt CO 2 eq. in 2100., (© 2024 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

The energy and environmental policy carried out by the Port System Authority of the Strait (AdSP), in charge of the management of the ports spread along the Strait of Messina, is reported. The Environmental and Energy Planning Document of Port Systems (DEASP, the Italian acronym) is the document explaining the AdSP sustainable strategy to reduce GHG emissions. It defines specific measures, in order to improve energy efficiency in buildings and infrastructures, promote the use of renewable energy in the port area, and confer environmental benefits for the citizens of neighboring territories and port users. The main actions developed are as follows: photovoltaic solar plants and tidal energy systems, electrification of the docks to allow the shore supply of ships, and the construction of a Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) storage plant to replace more polluting marine fuels, together with awareness campaigns on "green" issues, involving the 3 million users of these ports. Starting from the socio-economic and environmental analysis of the territorial context managed by AdSP, the DEASP analyses all the activities carried out inside port areas and reports the energy consumptions of the concessionaries, in the way to calculate the carbon footprint and develop an environmental sustainable strategy to reduce pollutant emissions. The interventions foreseen are assessed through the cost-benefit analysis and allow reducing the GHG emissions in 2030 up to 46%., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Brazil has historically invested few resources in its transport infrastructure, leaving gaps and reducing its efficiency. The country presents a high dependence on road transport, which results in increased operational costs and higher greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Consequently, the performance of cargo transportation in Brazil has been deteriorating, accompanied by a rise in the consumption of fossil fuels and noteworthy levels of GHG emissions. This article assesses the carbon intensity of soybean transport operations within Brazil. Utilizing a network equilibrium model, this study estimated the soybean transportation flows that minimize the total cost of transporting this product across the origins and destinations within the grain handling system. The modeling also calculated the GHG emissions in transportation. The results show that the transportation of soybeans produced 2.74 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent annually, with road transport accounting for 81.7% of these emissions. The state of Mato Grosso, responsible for 44.08 kg CO2 equivalent per tonne of soybeans transported, contributed almost 49% of the total emissions due to the extensive distances involved. In contrast, states like Paraná and Rio Grande do Sul, located closer to southern ports, exhibited the lowest emissions, with rates of 11.55 kg CO2 eq/t and 12.52 kg CO2 eq/t, respectively. The analysis highlights the significant potential for reducing GHG emissions by increasing the use of rail and barge transport, particularly in high-emission regions such as Mato Grosso., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.)

Due to the growing demand for livestock products both within the country and in foreign markets, there is a need to boost the production of maize-based animal feed in Thailand. However, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and the potential for reducing these emissions through the production of various types of animal feed remain ambiguous. Thus, this study is aimed at estimating GHG emissions from broiler, layer, and swine feed production in Thailand and identifying economic advantages of alternative methods to mitigate those emissions. Field surveys were carried out to quantify the input and output of energy and materials in 10 commercial feed mills so as to determine greenhouse gas emissions using proper emission factors. The scope of this study is based on the cradle-to-gate approach. The functional unit used for greenhouse gas evaluation was kg CO 2 -eq/t of feed. Total greenhouse gas emissions from broiler, layer, and swine feed production were found to be 650 ± 20, 706 ± 20, and 466 ± 20 kg CO 2 -eq/t of feed, respectively. Layer feed production created the highest greenhouse gas emissions, 1.09 and 1.52 times that of broiler and swine feed production, respectively. This is because layer feed required intensive fish meal (FM) as protein sources for improving egg quality. In broiler and swine feed production, the most significant emissions are attributed to the use of maize grain (MG) and soybean meal (SBM) as sources of carbohydrate and protein in those feeds. However, animal feed production operation at the existing condition still emits CO 2 to the atmosphere as CO 2 fixation efficiencies of 69.3, 67.5, and 75.9% for broiler, layer, and swine feed, respectively. From the sustainable resource consumption scenarios in broiler, layer, and swine feed production, approximately 39.6, 49.6, and 43.3% reduced carbon emissions could be achieved by using MG rotated with SB in the maize plantation phase and substituting FM, wheat grain and fossil fuel needed in the manufacturing process with SBM, locally-produced tapioca chips and biomass energy. Consequently, the potential cost savings of such replacements were determined to be 54.0, 62.5, and 29.7 USD/t of feed, respectively., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Hospitals in Europe produce approximately 6 million tons of medical waste annually, about one-third of this originating in operating rooms. Most of it is solid waste, which can be recycled if bodily fluids do not contaminate it. Only 2–3% of hospital waste must be disposed of as infectious waste, and this is much lower than the 50–70% of garbage in the biohazard waste stream. In June 2021, at the main operating room of the Department of General Surgery of the University of Turin, we began a separate collection program for materials consisting of plastic, paper, TNT (material not contaminated by bodily fluids), and biohazardous waste. We calculated the number of boxes and the weight of special waste disposed produced every month in one operating room for 18 months. The monthly number of Sanibox and the monthly weight of biohazardous waste decreased during the observation period. The reduction trend was not constant but showed variations during the 18 months. Direct proportionality between number of low-complexity procedures and production of biohazardous waste was found (p = 0.050). We observed an optimization in the collection and filling of plastic, paper and TNT boxes separated and sent for recycling. One of the barriers to recycling hospital waste, and surgical waste in particular, is the failure to separate infectious waste from clean waste. A careful separate collection of waste in the operating room is the first step in reducing environmental pollution and management costs for the disposal of hospital waste. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pioneering step of implementation of GST in India, has brought initial producer's and service provider's and retailers in one tax regime reducing the burden of all other taxes, including the burden of CENVAT and service tax. GST is a Major step designed to streamline the taxation of goods and services. The changes in the tax structure led to the changes in the prices of goods. These changes were significant in few cases and they impacted the consumer behaviour largely. The objective of this paper is to study the consumer behaviour by analysing the impact of GST/Tax policies on automobile industry. The focus of the study is LMV (cars). The purchase pattern of cars is studied before and after the implementation of GST. The hypothesis-based research method is used and tested. The secondary data for the analysis of the production and sales is obtained from Web-based information, literature so far published in the journals is used to analyse the gap. The analysis is carried out using correlations methods such as t-test and paired t-test. This research should add significant value in understanding the implications of GST on purchase behaviour, the paper further tests possibilities of reduction of carbon footprints as an implication of policy change. The reduced number of vehicles will reduce the carbon footprint whereas the increased number of vehicles will increase the carbon footprint. Shift to electric vehicles and achieving green mobility is at the top of the agenda for developed nations. Countries like USA and China are incentivising green mobility through policy changes. India also supports green mobility by no tax and 5% GST. However, the green mobility policies should be enacted in sync with state and centre government. The results should help to understand LMV (Car) sector sales before and after GST and its implications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Digitalization has been increasingly recognized for its role in addressing numerous societal and environmental challenges. However, the rapid surge in data production and the widespread adoption of cloud computing has resulted in an explosion of redundant, obsolete, and trivial (ROT) data within organizations' data estates. This issue adversely affects energy consumption and carbon footprint, leading to inefficiencies and a higher environmental impact. Thus, this opinion paper aims to discuss the challenges and potential solutions related to the environmental impact of file storage on the cloud, aiming to address the research gap in "digital sustainability" and the Green IT literature. The key findings reveal that technological issues dominate cloud computing and sustainability research. Key challenges in achieving sustainable practices include the widespread lack of awareness about the environmental impacts of digital activities, the complexity of implementing accurate carbon accounting systems compliant with existing regulatory frameworks, and the role of public–private partnerships in developing novel solutions in emerging areas such as 6G technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a novel waste-heat-powered, wireless, and battery-less Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) device designed for predictive maintenance in Industry 4.0 environments. With a focus on real-time quality data, this device addresses the limitations of current battery-operated IIoT devices, such as energy consumption, transmission range, data rate, and constant quality of service. It is specifically developed for heat-intensive industries (e.g., iron and steel, cement, petrochemical, etc.), where self-heating nodes, low-power processing platforms, and industrial sensors align with the stringent requirements of industrial monitoring. The presented IIoT device uses thermoelectric generators based on the Seebeck effect to harness waste heat from any hot surface, such as pipes or chimneys, ensuring continuous power without the need for batteries. The energy that is recovered can be used to power devices using mid-range wireless protocols like Bluetooth 5.0, minimizing the need for extensive in-house wireless infrastructure and incorporating light-edge computing. Consequently, up to 98% of cloud computation efforts and associated greenhouse gas emissions are reduced as data is processed within the IoT device. From the environmental perspective, the deployment of such self-powered IIoT devices contributes to reducing the carbon footprint in energy-demanding industries, aiding their digitalization transition towards the industry 5.0 paradigm. This paper presents the results of the most challenging energy harvesting technologies based on an all-silicon micro thermoelectric generator with planar architecture. The effectiveness and self-powering ability of the selected model, coupled with an ultra-low-power processing platform and Bluetooth 5 connectivity, are validated in an equivalent industrial environment to monitor vibrations in an electric machine. This approach aligns with the EU's strategic objective of achieving net zero manufacturing capacity for renewable energy technologies, enhancing its position as a global leader in renewable energy technology (RET). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As global concerns about climate change intensify, the need for effective strategies to reduce carbon emissions, has never been more urgent. This review paper explores the crucial role of digital technologies (i.e., data automation (DA) and decision support systems (DSSs)) in enhancing decision making and achieving a ZERONET initiative (decarbonation efforts) within the realms of solid waste management (SWM), wastewater treatment (WWT), and contaminated soil remediation (CSR). Specifically, the paper provides (a) an overview of the carbon footprint (CFP) in relation to environmental management (EM) and the role of DA and DSS in decarbonization; (b) case studies in areas of SWM, WWT, and CSR in relation to the use of (i) digital technology; ((ii) life cycle assessment (LCA)-based DSS; and (iii) multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA)-based DSS; and (c) optimal contractual delivery method-based DSS case studies in EM practices. This review concludes that the adoption of DA and DSSs in SWM, WWT, and CSR holds significant potential for enhancing decision making and decarbonizing EM processes. By optimizing operations, enhancing resource efficiency, and integrating renewable energy sources, smart EM technologies can contribute to a reduction in GHG emissions and the promotion of sustainable EM practices. As the demand for more effective and eco-friendly solutions grows, the role of DA and DSSs will become increasingly pivotal in achieving global decarbonization goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

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Internet of Things technology is named as a key ingredient in the evolution towards digitization of many applications and services. A deployment based on battery-powered remote Internet of Things (IoT) devices enables easy installation and operation, yet the autonomy of these devices poses a crucial challenge. A too short lifespan is undesirable from a functional, economical, and ecological point of view. This paper presents a unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-based approach to recharge remote Internet of Things (IoT) nodes. An in-depth study of the charging efficiency and optimization of key parameters, and measurements-based verification, is reported on. An actual corresponding design and implementation of the full UAV-based charging system and its proof-ofconcept validation are presented. Finally, the sustainability of the proposed solution is discussed. The results presented in this paper hence confirm that the proposed UAV-based approach and design are functionally successful and efficient charging can be achieved, provided the constraints and challenges coming with the approach are adequately dealt with. Moreover, it comes with an overall reduction in ecological footprint for IoT applications relying on batterypowered nodes in need of medium energy and/or considerable lifetime expectation (5 years or more). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the requirements of the EU EPBD (Energy Performance of Buildings Directive) for counting the carbon footprint (especially in Scope 3) and including it in construction projects from 2030. The obligation to count the carbon footprint will burden mainly designers, who are increasingly using BIM (Building Information Modelling) in the design process. Performing analysis and calculation of the carbon footprint in BIM models is hampered by the lack of non-graphical information on the subject in library components. The paper explains the concept of CO2 in 3 scope, also discusses currently available tools for counting the carbon footprint, and examines how many components available on the Internet already contain non-graphical information on emissions, as well as ideas for implementing this directive. The advantages and disadvantages of these approaches were presented from the perspective of various stakeholders in the planning and investment and construction processes. The aim of the paper was to present possible solutions, ensuring compliance with the EU directive by proposing specific techniques, enabling the calculation of the Scope 3 carbon footprint, using BIM. In addition to a review of existing ideas, an authorial proposal for a national repository of carbon footprint information taking into account all stakeholders was presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The acceleration of global climate change poses enormous challenges to the automotive manufacturing industry, a key sector in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Particularly, Scope 3 emissions, encompassing indirect emissions, often constitute the largest carbon footprint component in this sector, yet their quantification and management remain challenging. This paper proposes an interdisciplinary approach that integrates cloud computing, text analysis, and machine learning, and systematically details its implementation, key benefits, and potential applications. Through this methodology, the paper seeks to provide the automotive industry with innovative and actionable insights to tackle the complexities of Scope 3 emissions. It focuses on enhancing the accuracy of emission quantification and optimizing supply chains, aiming to reduce the overall carbon footprint. Moreover, this paper outlines the future challenges and directions for these technologies and methodologies in sustainable development and environmental management. This work underlines the critical role of interdisciplinary approaches in resolving environmental challenges, setting the stage for the automotive industry to forge paths towards a greener future. Highlights: • The article explores the challenges of managing Scope 3 emissions, emphasizing the importance of strengthened quantitative analysis and strategic oversight. • The research promotes interdisciplinary integration, combining cloud computing, text analysis, and machine learning to establish a comprehensive framework for emission data management and reduction. • The development of a specialized SaaS platform is proposed to refine data collection practices, enhance stakeholder interaction, and streamline emission management workflow. • The adoption of text analysis in supply chain management optimization is advocated to improve operational efficiency and support decision-making processes. • The discussion covers technological, policy, and market developments potentially affecting Scope 3 emissions management strategies, offering a long-term orientation for future research and industry practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study employs a life cycle perspective to analyze the carbon footprints of various waste streams, evaluating 52 cases across 26 types of household waste in Sweden, with a focus on waste prevention and management. It demonstrates that while recycling can reduce carbon emissions, prevention could significantly enhance these benefits, with savings ranging from −36.5 to −0.01 kg-CO2-eq per kg of waste. Notably, Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE), textiles, tires, residual household, and plastic waste are the top five fractions most amenable to prevention on a per mass basis. Further analysis, considering waste volumes, shows that targeted recycling of materials like WEEE, metals, and paper could account for over 80% of potential carbon savings. However, the majority of potential climate impact is attributed to the energy recovery of unsorted (mixed) waste, contributing to more than 90% of total impacts. Redirecting all mixed waste to recycling could triple carbon savings, but focusing on prevention could potentially increase benefits twenty-sevenfold, particularly for waste like WEEE, food, and textiles. This research provides a valuable tool for identifying key areas in waste management to optimize climate benefits and enhance public awareness. However, it advises using local data for precise planning due to inherent uncertainties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper focuses on the integration of Material Flow Cost Accounting (MFCA) and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) or Carbon Footprint (CFP), a Carbon Management Accounting (CMA) method that can incentivize firms to reduce carbon. A literature review was conducted to identify the decision-making situations and limitations that MFCA and LCA (CFP) integration models can support. Twenty-one previous literatures were collected and three types of MFCA and LCA (CFP) integration methods were identified: collaborative, product-based partial integration, and process-based partial integration. Next, the collected prior literature was analyzed based on the CMA decision-making framework proposed and some issues were identified. The common challenge of the three existing integrated models is that they can only provide short-term and past-oriented information. It is difficult to provide incentives for carbon reduction because it does not show the relationship between the physical information of carbon emissions and the cost information. It is also difficult to encourage management to make long-term decisions on green procurement, capital investment, environmentally conscious product design, etc. Another common issue is that the use of MFCA tends to focus on the carbon emissions of material losses rather than all the carbon emissions carried by materials, which may impede product development and capital investment with zero or low carbon emissions in mind. This may inhibit product development and capital investment in consideration of zero carbon and low carbon emissions. The quality of LCA (CFP) information to support internal corporate decision-making is still lower than that of MFCA. Finally, another issue is how to share the information from MFCA among supply chains to extend the process-based partially integrated model to the supply chain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of digital technology in agriculture, such as sensors, satellites, and artificial intelligence, for developing sustainable agriculture and controlling the impacts of climate change, has been enhanced under the European Green Deal. Given the environmental exigencies, the agricultural sector must adapt to new technologies that ensure the sustainable development of the whole agri-food sector. This paper emphasizes the importance of measuring carbon footprints in agriculture as a tool for further improving the sustainability of the sector. Specifically, the research addresses the importance of sustainable technologies and practices, including agriculture, circular economy, and conservation agriculture, which play an important role in reducing carbon emissions from the agricultural sector. Thus, in the framework of the European Green Deal and digitalization, a bibliographic analysis was carried out using the Web of Science database to review the scientific interest on carbon footprint generated by farms. The aim of the paper is to tackle the significance given by the scientific community on the carbon footprint of farms in order to enhance the development of a comprehensive set of measures that can incorporate the sector's social and environmental responsibility, and ensure further the right path towards a sustainable future without affecting the profitability of the small farmers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To review the international literature and assess the ways healthcare systems are mitigating and can mitigate their carbon footprint, which is currently estimated to be more than 4.4% of global emissions., Design: Systematic review of empirical studies and grey literature to examine how healthcare services and institutions are limiting their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions., Data Sources: Eight databases and authoritative reports were searched from inception dates to November 2023., Eligibility Criteria for Selecting Studies: Teams of investigators screened relevant publications against the inclusion criteria (eg, in English; discussed impact of healthcare systems on climate change), applying four quality appraisal tools, and results are reported in accordance with PRISMA (preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses)., Results: Of 33 737 publications identified, 32 998 (97.8%) were excluded after title and abstract screening; 536 (72.5%) of the remaining publications were excluded after full text review. Two additional papers were identified, screened, and included through backward citation tracking. The 205 included studies applied empirical (n=88, 42.9%), review (n=60, 29.3%), narrative descriptive (n=53, 25.9%), and multiple (n=4, 2.0%) methods. More than half of the publications (51.5%) addressed the macro level of the healthcare system. Nine themes were identified using inductive analysis: changing clinical and surgical practices (n=107); enacting policies and governance (n=97); managing physical waste (n=83); changing organisational behaviour (n=76); actions of individuals and groups (eg, advocacy, community involvement; n=74); minimising travel and transportation (n=70); using tools for measuring GHG emissions (n=70); reducing emissions related to infrastructure (n=63); and decarbonising the supply chain (n=48)., Conclusions: Publications presented various strategies and tactics to reduce GHG emissions. These included changing clinical and surgical practices; using policies such as benchmarking and reporting at a facility level, and financial levers to reduce emissions from procurement; reducing physical waste; changing organisational culture through workforce training; supporting education on the benefits of decarbonisation; and involving patients in care planning. Numerous tools and frameworks were presented for measuring GHG emissions, but implementation and evaluation of the sustainability of initiatives were largely missing. At the macro level, decarbonisation approaches focused on energy grid emissions, infrastructure efficiency, and reducing supply chain emissions, including those from agriculture and supply of food products. Decarbonisation mechanisms at the micro and meso system levels ranged from reducing low value care, to choosing lower GHG options (eg, anaesthetic gases, rescue inhalers), to reducing travel. Based on these strategies and tactics, this study provides a framework to support the decarbonisation of healthcare systems., Systematic Review Registration: PROSPERO: CRD42022383719., Competing Interests: Competing interests: All authors have completed the ICMJE uniform disclosure form at www.icmje.org/disclosure-of-interest/ and declare: financial support from the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), Australia, for the submitted work; no financial relationships with any organisations that might have an interest in the submitted work in the previous three years; no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2019. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

Industrial development has resulted in economic progress and the well-being of the society. At the same time, the impact of the industrial complex has disrupted the environment and resulted in climate change related impacts. The purpose of this study was to carry out an exploratory diagnosis and propose a technological change and sustainable industrial development index at the international level. Therefore, a network study was conducted to identify the main nodes and thematic clusters associated with cleaner production. A patent analysis was applied to technologies related three selected/relevant areas of cleaner production, i.e. carbon footprint, wastewater treatment, and renewable energy. Additionally, based on factor analysis, an index including different indicators related to scientific, technological, economic, environmental, and social issues was developed and proposed in this study., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

This study aims to investigate the impact of monetary policy on firms' carbon emissions. The primary focus is on the effect of increasing interest rates on the carbon footprint of companies, both prior to and following the implementation of the Paris Agreement in 2015. The results show that there is a positive relationship between interest rates and carbon emissions indicating that in the face of increasing interest rates, companies are more likely to choose short-term financial stability above long-term sustainability objectives. This positive relationship is less prevalent following the Paris Agreement suggesting that policymakers should continue to strengthen global climate initiatives as a pressure for companies to invest in green activities. Additional evidence suggests that the impact of interest rates on carbon emissions is particularly noticeable in situations characterized by elevated levels of economic and policy uncertainty, weak corporate governance quality, and poor investor protection. These results are robust to endogeneity concerns, alternative measures of interest rates, carbon emission, and alternative samples., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Background: The healthcare sector has an environmental impact of around 4.6% of global CO 2 emissions, contributing to aggravating the climate crisis. However, the impact of the health sector's emissions on human health is not regularly assessed. We aim to estimate the health burden and associated costs of the health sector's carbon footprint within the European Union (EU)., Methods: We calculated disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) and associated costs based on human health damage factors (DALYs/kg-CO 2 e) by considering four scenarios. Three scenarios for shared socioeconomic pathways (S1 - high growth, S2 - baseline, and S3 - low growth) represented variations of global society, demographics, and economics until 2100. A fourth scenario (S4) considered the current EU's 55% reduction goal of greenhouse gas emissions. The healthcare sector's emissions per capita (in CO 2 -equivalent) in 2019 were extracted from the Lancet Countdown, and population data were retrieved from Eurostat for the same year., Results: In the EU, 365,047 DALYs (95%CI: 194,692-535,403) are expected to be caused by the health sector's emissions at baseline (S2). In an S1 scenario, the burden would slightly decrease to 316,374 DALYs (95%CI: 170,355-462,393), whereas a S3 scenario would increase 486,730 DALYs (95%CI: 243,365-681,422). If EU's carbon goals are met, the burden could be substantially reduced to 164,271 DALYs (95%CI: 87,611-240,931). Costs can amount to 25.6 billion euros, when considering DALYs monetisation., Conclusion: CO 2 emissions from the health sector are expected to significantly impact human health. Therefore, it is important to ensure that EU climate policies for public buildings are in line with the Paris Agreement, increase funding for climate mitigation programs within the healthcare sector, and review clinical practices at the local level., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Background: The healthcare system plays a pivotal role in environmental sustainability, and the operating room (OR) significantly contributes to its overall carbon footprint. In response to this critical challenge, leading medical societies, government bodies, regulatory agencies, and industry stakeholders are taking measures to address healthcare sustainability and its impact on climate change. Healthcare now represents almost 20% of the US national economy and 8.5% of US carbon emissions. Internationally, healthcare represents 5% of global carbon emissions. US Healthcare is an outlier in both per capita cost, and per capita greenhouse gas emission, with almost twice per capita emissions compared to every other country in the world., Methods: The Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) and the European Association for Endoscopic Surgery (EAES) established the Sustainability in Surgical Practice joint task force in 2023. This collaborative effort aims to actively promote education, mitigation, and innovation, steering surgical practices toward a more sustainable future., Results: Several key initiatives have included a survey of members' knowledge and awareness, a scoping review of terminology, metrics, and initiatives, and deep engagement of key stakeholders., Discussion: This position paper serves as a Call to Action, proposing a series of actions to catalyze and accelerate the surgical sustainability leadership needed to respond effectively to climate change, and to lead the societal transformation towards health that our times demand., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Grinding, a critical precision machining process for difficult-to-cut alloys, has undergone continual technological advancements to improve machining efficiency. However, the sustainability of this process is gaining heightened attention due to significant challenges associated with the substantial specific grinding energy and the extensive heat generated when working with difficult-to-cut alloys, renowned for their exceptional physical and mechanical properties. In response to these challenges, the widespread application of massive coolant in manufacturing industries to dissipate grinding heat has led to complex post-cleaning and disposal processes. This, in turn, has resulted in issues such as large energy consumption, a considerable carbon footprint, and concerns related to worker health and safety, which have become the main factors that restrict the development of grinding technology. This paper provides a holistic review of sustainability in grinding difficult-to-cut alloys, encompassing current trends and future directions. The examination extends to developing grinding technologies explicitly tailored for these alloys, comprehensively evaluating their sustainability performance. Additionally, the exploration delves into innovative sustainable technologies, such as heat pipe/oscillating heat pipe grinding wheels, minimum quantity lubrication, cryogenic cooling, and others. These groundbreaking technologies aim to reduce dependence on hazardous coolants, minimizing energy and resource consumption and carbon emissions associated with coolant-related or subsequent disposal processes. The essence of these technologies lies in their potential to revolutionize traditional grinding practices, presenting environmentally friendly alternatives. Finally, future development trends and research directions are put forward to pursue the current limitation of sustainable grinding for difficult-to-cut alloys. This paper can guide future research and development efforts toward more environmentally friendly grinding operations by understanding the current state of sustainable grinding and identifying emerging trends. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Transactions of the Chinese Society of Agricultural Engineering is the property of Chinese Society of Agricultural Engineering and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Blockchain technology has brought innovation to supply chain management, particularly in managing carbon emissions in the manufacturing sector. However, there is a research gap regarding the policy tools and the role of local governments in implementing blockchain technology to achieve carbon emissions traceability. Additionally, the strategic relationships and policy implications resulting from the implementation of blockchain technology are not examined systematically. An effective method for examining the strategies used in interactions between supply chain stakeholders and governments is evolutionary game theory, or EGT. This paper employs mathematical modelling and MATLAB 2016 software simulation to examine the decision-making process of manufacturing companies when considering implementing blockchain technology traceability. Specifically, the subjects in the model include product manufacturers (PM), product suppliers (PS), and local governments (LGs). The aim is to examine the decision-making behavior of carbon traceability participants in blockchain technology. This paper analyses the most effective blockchain-based traceability strategies for low-carbon supply chain members under a variety of scenarios by modifying the parameters. The findings suggest the following: (1) Manufacturers and suppliers need to manage the cost of blockchain traceability, collaborate to create an environmentally friendly product certification system, and improve brand image. (2) Local governments should set up efficient reward and punishment systems to incentivize supply chain stakeholders to engage in the blockchain traceability system. The aforementioned discoveries furnish policymakers with guidance to encourage the implementation of blockchain-based carbon footprint traceability technology, thereby establishing a transparent carbon footprint traceability framework across the entire supply chain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Road infrastructure serves as a foundational driver of a nation's economic and cultural growth. Incorporating life cycle cost analysis (LCCA), as well as considerations of availability and environmental impact, enables policymakers to make strategic decisions that not only enhance fiscal efficiency but also support sustainable progress. This paper centers on an in-depth examination of two prevalent pavement technologies: continuously reinforced concrete pavements (CRCP) and jointed plain concrete pavements (JPCP). It specifically delineates the application of these methods to a hypothetical one-kilometer motorway construction in Germany. Employing LCCA for concrete pavements, the paper evaluates long-term fiscal prudence among alternative investment opportunities, factoring in resource utilization—both materials and machinery—and long-term care and upkeep obligations over the pavements' operational lifespans. The analysis extends to appraise agency expenditures associated with the pair of pavement strategies and estimates the concomitant delay durations and costs relevant to the exemplar project. Central to this research is the investigation of road availability and its quantifiable influence on traffic efficacy, parsing through metrics such as the tally of days roads are out of service and the subsequent repercussions on vehicular flow. The investigation also proposes strategies for the reduction of embodied carbon in CRCP and JPCP systems. While accounting for variances in functional performance and vehicular comfort levels, this study contributes scientifically by tackling pragmatic engineering dilemmas involved in pavement selection, with a spotlight on minimizing costs, curtailing traffic interruptions, and mitigating ecological impacts for the duration of the pavement's life cycle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The National Health Service contributes 4%-5% of England and Wales' greenhouse gases and a quarter of all public sector waste. Between 20% and 33% of healthcare waste originates from a hospital's operating room, and up to 90% of waste is sent for costly and unneeded hazardous waste processing. The goal of this study was to quantify the amount and type of waste produced during a selection of common trauma and elective orthopaedic operations, and to calculate the carbon footprint of processing the waste., Methods: Waste generated for both elective and trauma procedures was separated primarily into clean and contaminated, paper or plastic, and then weighed. The annual carbon footprint for each operation at each site was subsequently calculated., Results: Elective procedures can generate up to 16.5kg of plastic waste per procedure. Practices such as double-draping the patient contribute to increasing the quantity of waste. Over the procedures analysed, the mean total plastic waste at the hospital sites varied from 6 to 12kg. One hospital site undertook a pilot of switching disposable gowns for reusable ones with a subsequent reduction of 66% in the carbon footprint and a cost saving of £13,483.89., Conclusions: This study sheds new light on the environmental impact of waste produced during trauma and elective orthopaedic procedures. Mitigating the environmental impact of the operating room requires a collective drive for a culture change to sustainability and social responsibility. Each clinician can have an impact upon the carbon footprint of their operating theatre.

The escalating trend of greenhouse gas emissions presents a dual threat to both food security and the exacerbation of global warming. Addressing this pressing issue demands concerted efforts on local and global scales to champion sustainable food production and foster environmental benefits. In 2015, a pivotal field experiment was conducted in the North China Plain, aiming to delineate the intricate balance between agricultural productivity and environmental stewardship. This study comprised eight meticulously designed treatments, incorporating two key components: the evaluation of economic and environmental parameters encompassing carbon footprint, energy consumption, and the carbon sustainability index. Notably, while the carbon sustainability index exhibited improvement, it also revealed a 9.4% increase in emissions compared to the baseline, underscoring the nuanced trade-offs involved. The findings underscored the efficacy of no-tillage (NT) practices coupled with soybean-based crop rotation, mitigating yield reduction compared to conventional tillage (RT). However, the optimal yield was observed in the RT-MW treatment, amalgamating conventional tillage with minimum tillage practices. Moreover, despite the higher cost associated with soybeans relative to milled wheat, their cultivation yielded a notable increase in net income. These compelling results advocate for the adoption of conservation agriculture as a means to optimize the delicate equilibrium between environmental preservation and economic prosperity. Furthermore, the study underscores the imperative for further research endeavors aimed at devising highly productive agricultural systems that seamlessly integrate environmental sustainability with economic viability, echoing the crucial insights gleaned from analogous contexts., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Food waste is a pivotal contributor to environmental degradation in the modern world. Vast amounts of food are wasted and many individual efforts and collective initiatives being underway to deal with this challenge. Hospitals are institutions that produce and provide food, but at the same time contribute greatly to food waste. The objective of this scoping review is to present available data regarding quantity of food waste generated in public hospitals and summarizes studies that assess and quantify the greenhouse gas emissions (carbon footprint) associated to food service management in hospitals., Methods: A systematic literature research was conducted by two qualified researchers in PubMed, Scopus, ISI Web of Science and Science Direct. The publication date was set to the last ten years, i.e., 2013-2023. All the abstracts retrieved were screened, and the eligible articles were selected after a two-step process. Abstracts from the retrieved full papers' references were also screened for eligibility. The selected papers were included in the final scoping review., Results: Overall, 2870 studies were identified and 69 were included in the review. Most of the studies (n = 33) assessed the causes and quantified the amount of food waste generated in hospitals. A small number of studies (5) estimated carbon dioxide equivalent (CO 2 -eq) produced by food waste. Although several studies suggested strategies and measures to reduce the environmental impact of foodservice operations, none of them implemented a comprehensive foodservice management system., Conclusion: This scoping review suggests that hospital diets contribute to food waste and may have a negative environmental impact. There are several internal and external factors and practices that influence positively or negatively the sustainability of hospital food service systems. Systematic efforts are needed to identify and enhance parameters that could improve the environmental footprint of hospitals in terms of more effective management of food waste., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare they have no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2024 European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Mitigating climate change by sequestering carbon in agricultural soils through humus formation is a crucial component of sustainable agriculture. Humus programs that are designed to incentivize farmers to build more humus are still recent innovations, so current knowledge about farmers' motivation to participate is limited. This study examines the adoption of non-governmental humus programs to promote carbon sequestration by analyzing farmers' willingness to participate in humus programs and influential factors. We specifically investigate behavioral factors underlying farmers' adoption of humus programs using the Theory of Planned Behavior. To this end, we collected data using an online survey with 190 German farmers and applied partial least squares structural equation modeling. The results show that (i) perceived economic benefits, (ii) the actions of fellow farmers, and (iii) farmers' sense of responsibility with regard to climate change have a statistically significant influence on farmers' intention to participate in a humus program. In contrast, the perceived ecological benefits, political pressure, the possibility of establishing humus-building measures, and prior knowledge of humus programs have no statistically significant influence. Our findings suggest that farmers' decision to participate in humus programs is strongly influenced by the financial benefits, but the actions and thoughts of other farmers, as well as their own moral claims regarding climate change, also play a crucial role. We found that farmers lack knowledge about the registration and general functioning of humus programs, which can currently be one of the biggest barriers to participation in such initiatives., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Manure replacing synthetic fertilizer is a viable practice to ensure crop yield and increase soil organic carbon (SOC), but its impact on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is inconsistent, thus remains its effect on CF unclear. In this study, a 7-year field experiment was conducted to assess the impact of replacing synthetic fertilizer with manure on crop productivity, SOC sequestration, GHG emissions and crop CF under winter wheat-summer maize cropping system. Five treatments were involved: synthetic nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fertilizer (NPK) and 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% of manure replacing synthetic N (25%M, 50%M, 75%M, and 100%M). Compared with NPK treatment, 25%M and 50%M treatments maintained annual yield (winter wheat plus summer maize) and sustainable yield index (SYI), but 75%M and 100%M treatments significantly decreased annual yield, and 100%M treatment also significantly reduced annual SYI. The SOC content exhibited a significant increasing trend over years in all treatments. After 7 years, SOC storage in manure treatments increased by 3.06-11.82 Mg ha -1 relative to NPK treatment. Manure treatments reduced annual GHG emissions by 14%-60% over NPK treatment. The CF of the cropping system ranged from 0.16 to 0.39 kg CO 2 eq kg -1 of grain without considering SOC sequestration, in which the CF of manure treatments lowered by 18%-58% relative to NPK treatment. When SOC sequestration was involved in, the CF varied from -0.39 to 0.37 kg CO 2 eq kg -1 of grain, manure treatments significantly reduced the CF by 22%-208% over NPK treatment. It was concluded that replacing 50% of synthetic fertilizer with manure was a sound option for achieving high crop yield and SYI but low CF under the tested cropping system., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

China has a large fastest-aging population, which would reshape household consumption patterns and influence global CO 2 emissions. This study examines global CO 2 emissions driven by household consumption (i.e., household carbon footprints, HCFs) of 34 age groups in China's 30 provinces and uncovers relevant socioeconomic influencing factors. Results show that China's population aging (i.e., the proportion of the elderly population) is conducive to global CO 2 emission reduction during 2011-2014. This trend is mainly due to the relatively lower per capita HCFs of the elderly (1.7 t in 2014). In contrast, the per capita HCFs of the youth group are higher (3.3 t in 2014), mainly affected by the large expenditure on residence and transportation & communication. In addition, the HCFs of all age groups have increased during 2011-2014. Per capita expenditure is the most significant driver of this increase. The decline in CO 2 emission intensity makes the largest contribution to reducing the HCFs of the youth group. For the aged group, expenditure structure change is the largest contributor to HCFs reduction. These findings reveal the differentiated impacts of China's household consumption by age on global CO 2 emissions. This study lays the scientific foundation for deriving amelioration policies and achieving emission reduction targets in the process of population aging., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Industries consume 20% and 50% of global water and energy, contributing 25% of total greenhouse gas emissions. They strive to become more efficient in water and energy usage and reduce carbon emissions. This study analyzed water, energy, and carbon footprints of five manufacturing industries—automobile, cement, chemical, pulp and paper, and steel. Multi‐linear regression was used to analyze the relationship between production, water use, energy use, and carbon emission. The study also explored the potential to reduce carbon emissions by reducing water and energy usage. Among the selected industries, pulp and paper, and steel industries have higher water, energy, and carbon footprints. On average, it takes 5.58 m3 of water and 17.11 GJ of energy to produce a ton of paper, and 4.03 m3 of water and 19.52 GJ of energy to produce a ton of steel. The analysis also shows that water and energy use are closely related to production in all industries. Carbon emission is closely related to the production processes in cement, pulp and paper, and steel, and to reduce the emissions, both water and energy usage have to be reduced. The automobile industry has the highest potential to reduce carbon emissions by reducing water and energy uses, followed by steel and cement industries. By reducing 3% of their water and energy uses, automobile and steel industries, on average, have the potential to reduce 11% and 2.6% of their carbon emissions, respectively. The study explored the existing policies and recommendations for industries to achieve sustainable development goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since retrofitting existing natural gas-fired (NGF) power plants is an essential strategy for enhancing their efficiency and controlling greenhouse gas emissions, this paper compares the carbon footprint of natural gas-fired power generation from an NGF power plant in Brazil (BR-NGF) with and without retrofitting. The former scenario entails retrofitting the BR-NGF power plant with combined-cycle gas turbine (CCGT) technology. In contrast, the latter involves continuing the BR-NGF power plant operation with open-cycle gas turbine (OCGT) technology. Our analysis considers the BR-NGF power plant's life cycle (construction, operation, and decommissioning) and the natural gas' life cycle (natural gas extraction and processing, liquefaction, liquefied natural gas transportation, regasification, and combustion). Moreover, it is based on data from primary and secondary sources, mainly the Ecoinvent database and the ReCiPe 2016 method. For OCGT, the results showed that the BR-NGF power plant and the natural gas life cycles are responsible for 620.87 gCO2eq./kWh and 178.58 gCO2eq./kWh, respectively. For CCGT, these values are 450.04 gCO2eq./kWh and 129.30 gCO2eq./kWh. Our findings highlight the relevance of the natural gas' life cycle, signaling additional opportunities for reducing the overall carbon footprint of natural gas-fired power generation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The world is currently undergoing a transition from a linear economy to a circular one, with the wastewater sector offering numerous opportunities for decarbonization and mitigating the impacts of climate change. Urban wastewater systems are significant sources of greenhouse gas emissions, highlighting the need for a shift towards net-zero carbon states. This paper aims to provide insights into minimizing carbon footprints and achieving net-zero carbon conditions in wastewater systems by examining sources of GHG emissions and exploring effective mitigation strategies. Strategies for decarbonization include operational optimization, energy and resource recovery, source separation systems, and decentralization. Implementing these strategies is crucial for reducing the impacts of climate change and achieving sustainability goals in wastewater systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The integration of blockchain technology with the internet of medical things (IoMT) offers numerous benefits in healthcare data management services. But such system faces storage bottleneck due to the onset of huge volume of medical data through electronic health record. Increased storage and intensive data management protocols escalate the carbon emission by the IoMT system. Traffic adaptive elastic storage and scalable mining prove to be advantageous for the IoMT in terms of efficient storage and low latency. However, the carbon footprint of the adaptive system is yet to be proved. Carbon footprint has become an important quality factor to measure the efficiency of the software systems. In this paper, we propose an efficient technique to measure the carbon footprint of the IoMT system. The assessment framework is modularized to accommodate different IoMT architectures with specific application modules. The proposed system is tested with three different architectures of IoMT applications with varied scale system complexity. The obtained carbon footprint of the systems conforms the logical chronology of the data processing architecture and rightly identifies the most carbon efficient framework. The proposed framework substantiates the inference with data obtained from rigorous experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Healthcare is responsible for 4% to 10% of carbon emissions worldwide, of which 22% is related to transport. Telemedicine emerged as a potential solution to reduce the footprint, for example, by reducing travel. However, a need to understand which variables to include in carbon footprint estimations in telemedicine limits our understanding of the beneficial impact telemedicine might have on our environment. This paper aims to systematically assess the reported carbon footprint and include variables assessed by the literature, comparing telemedicine with usual care. Methods: The systematic review followed the PRISMA guidelines in PubMed, Medline, Embase and Scopus. A quality assessment was performed using a transparency checklist for carbon footprint calculators. Carbon emissions were evaluated based on four categories, including patient travel, and streamlined life cycle assessment (LCA) for assessing included variables relevant to telemedicine. Results: We included 33 articles from 1117 records for analysis. The average transparency score was 38% (range 18%-68%). The median roundtrip travel distance for each patient was 131 km (interquartile range [IQR]: 60.8-351), or 25.6 kgCO2 (IQR: 10.6-105.6) emissions. There is high variance among included variables. Saved emissions are structurally underestimated by not including external factors such as a streamlined LCA. Conclusions: Telemedicine aids in reducing emissions, with travel distance being the most significant contributor. Additionally, we recommend accounting for the LCA since it highlights important nuances. This review furthers the debate on assessing carbon footprint savings due to telemedicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The clothing, footwear, and household textiles sectors play a significant role, providing employment opportunities on a global scale. However, they are also associated with a considerable consumption of natural resources, leading to high levels of water pollution and emissions of greenhouse gases, contributing to climate change. The carbon footprint (CF) of textiles depends generally on fabric types and production processes. Natural fibers such as cotton, wool, and silk, generally have a lower CF when compared to synthetic fabrics such as polyester and nylon, requiring more energy and chemicals during production. In addition, fabrics manufactured through eco-friendly methods, such as closed-loop systems and sustainable production processes, have a significantly lower CF than those produced using conventional means. Accordingly, there is a perceived need for comprehensive studies that investigate the environmental and climate implications of the textile sector. Considering these concerns, a study was undertaken on the topic, encompassing a literature review and data collection so as to present an overview of the environmental impacts and CF associated with the textile sector. The results from the research show that the resource consumption associated with the textile sector, particularly its CF, demands urgent action in order to reduce its impacts. Also, actionable measures are needed so as to reduce the CF of the textile industry. These are described in the paper, along with the obstacles that need to be overcome so as not only to reduce the CF of this sector, but also to pursue the objectives outlined in the sustainable development goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Power Generation Technology is the property of Power Generation Technology Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Advances in New & Renewable Energy is the property of Editorial Office of Advances in New & Renewable Energy and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The paper presents a review of End-of-Life scenarios (EoL) (disposal, incineration, chemical, thermal and mechanical recycling) compared to the production stage of Fibre-Reinforced Polymers (FRPs) of composites regarding global warming potential. Innovative FRP manufacturing technologies (vacuum infusion, ultraviolet curved pultrusion, hot stamping, three-dimensional printing and automatic tape placement) commonly used in the shipbuilding industry were environmentally assessed. The materials, energy flows and waste discharged to the environment over the whole life cycle were collected, identified and quantified based on Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) analysis in the frame of the Fibre4Yards project. The results of LCA calculations show that waste management (the EoL scenario) contributes 5 to 39% of the total carbon footprint for FRP technologies. The highest contribution of the EoL scenario was found for technologies where polypropylene was applied, i.e., 33 and 38% of the total CO2 emissions. Our analysis of the literature and information from industrial partners confirm that the standard and most common waste scenario for FRP materials and compounds is still incineration and landfilling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]