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Giant mud crab (Scylla serrata sp.) shell prepared through pyrolysis at various temperatures without any modification were characterized for physicochemical properties and methyl violet (MV) removal potential. Hence, this paper investigated the performance and mechanism of biochar derived from giant mud crab shell as adsorbent in the removal of methyl violet as well as the potential for regenerating adsorbents via hot water regeneration. The results show that CSB500 (produced through pyrolysis at 500 °C) exhibits a surface area of 59.73 m2/g and mesopore size of 31.3 nm, favorable for methyl violet removal at 3139 mg/g. The equilibrium adsorption data agreed well with Langmuir and Redlich-Peterson isotherm models, indicating a monolayer adsorption of MV. The kinetics data fitted better with both pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order models. The intraparticle diffusion and Boyd's models revealed that both film and pore diffusion may be involved in the adsorption process. In hot water regeneration studies, CSB500 shown superior regeneration performance when using water with temperature of 70 °C rather than 30 °C for 9th regeneration cycles, with retained to achieve >90 % MV removal for 6th regeneration cycles. Biochar derived from giant mud crab shell has shown significant promise as a low-cost, effective, and ecologically friendly with reasonably good adsorption capacity and reusability for dye removal, and it can be considered as an environmental sustainability strategy in wastewater treatment. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the path of industrial eco-efficiency (IEE) needs to be re-examined from a multi-dimensional perspective, this research opens the internal "black box" of China's industrial eco-economic system driven by sustainable development goals (SDGs) and decomposes IEE into industrial production and sustainable development stages. It further divides the industrial production stage into two parallel subsystems of water use efficiency (WUE) and energy efficiency (EE) and derives SDG6 efficiency (SDG 6 E) and SDG7 efficiency (SDG 7 E) in the sustainable development stage respectively. The paper proposes a meta two-stage parallel entropy dynamic DDF-DEA model to re-measure IEE of 30 provinces in China from 2015 to 2021, discusses the relationship between overall efficiency and stage efficiency, and by using the Tobit model explores various types of influencing factors by subregion. The results show that the modified DDF-DEA model can explore China's IEE more accurately under SDGs. China's IEE is more stable from 2015 to 2021, with the efficiency value always fluctuating between 0.59 and 0.64, the overall level is low, and there is more room for improvement. There are significant inter-provincial differences in IEE and efficiency inertia. In more than 75% of the provinces SDG 7 E constrains IEE improvement, while the dynamic evolution of IEE and its subsystem efficiency varies across regions. Environmental regulation is a common factor affecting IEE across the country and in the east, central, and west regions, whereas the level of economic development, openness to the outside world, and urbanization rate are differential factors affecting IEE across the country and in the three major regions. This study offers new perspectives for exploring the path of IEE enhancement and providing empirical references for the collaborative construction of industrial ecological civilization. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper applies computational linguistics learning methods to the banking industry and climate change fields. We introduce our data-driven framework, climateBUG, with the aim of detecting latent information about how banks discuss their activities related to climate change using natural language processing (NLP). This framework consists of an ingestion pipeline, a configurable database, and a set of API's. In addition, climateBUG offers two standalone components, namely a unique annotated corpus of approximately 1.1M statements from EU banks' annual and sustainability reporting and a deep learning model adapted to the semantics of the corpus. When benchmarking on classification performance, our model outperforms other models with similar scopes due to its stronger domain relevance. We also provide examples of how the framework can be applied from a user perspective. • A data-driven framework to detect qualitative information in banks' annual reporting. • Natural language processing is applied to non-financial reporting and sustainability. • Framework developed with an interdisciplinary approach and relevant domain knowledge. • Framework includes annotated data and learning model as standalone components. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bangladesh has encountered several challenges, including issues like overpopulation, energy shortage, and global warming for the last few decades. Addressing the increasing energy demand has become a crucial concern because of rapid increase in population and lack of growth in the economic. The electricity production of a country heavily relies on fossil fuels, particularly natural gas, which makes up approximately 54% of the current installed capacity. Bangladesh is an agrarian nation and biomass stands out as a source of renewable energy having significant potential to mitigate the demand for heat and electricity. Biomass resources in the country mainly comprise animal dung, agricultural crop residuals, solid waste from municipalities and forest residues. The existing biomass resources contribute to producing a high amount of energy and content of around 1574.16 PJ of energy equivalent to 437.28 TWh of electricity in which agricultural residues, animal manure, municipal solid waste, and forest residues impart around 852.32 PJ, 399.04 PJ, 112.16 PJ, and 210.64 PJ of energy respectively. This paper explores the extent, possibilities, and technologies associated with biomass energy conversion. Additionally, the study delves into the several biomass projects that the government, as well as non-governmental groups, are working on for environmental sustainability along with plans, challenges, and methods that are being utilized to encourage biomass technologies across Bangladesh. [Display omitted] • The biomass potentiality in Bangladesh for heat and electricity generation is emphasized. • The energy scenario and necessity of alternative energy sources in Bangladesh are discussed. • The available energy conversion technologies from biomass in Bangladesh are presented. • The existing biomass resource content of around 1574.16 PJ (437.28 TWh of electricity) of energy. • The economic aspects and challenges of biomass conversion into energy are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The evaluation of urban energy internet (UEI) is crucial for the establishment of low-carbon cities. This paper aims to present a hybrid decision-making framework to address UEI evaluation problems from a sustainability perspective. First, the Fermatean fuzzy Aczel-Alsina power aggregation operators are proposed to aggregate evaluation information, and the remarkable properties of these operators are explored. Then, the combined weight of the criteria is determined through the decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory method and the Shannon entropy-based power weighted method within the Fermatean fuzzy circumstance. Moreover, the classic multiobjective optimization by ratio analysis plus the full multiplicative form method is extended using the proposed aggregation operators. Finally, an index system was constructed from a sustainability perspective, and the level of development of the four UEI projects is assessed using the proposed method. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method can provide beneficial guidelines for the construction and development of the UEI. Furthermore, the reliability and effectiveness of the proposed decision-making framework are validated through sensitivity analysis and a comparative study with existing MCDM methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cement is the most important binding agent used in soil stabilization and significantly improves the strength and compressibility of soils. However, owing to the significant environmental and socio-economic impact of cement production, alternative, low-carbon binders are increasingly being sought. Among them, waste-based inorganic additives used in construction provide sustainable soil treatment materials and reduce the need for landfills. Effective mud stabilization depends on the type of stabilizers and their mineralogical setup, as well as an understanding of their water absorption capacity. Therefore, this study investigated the factors influencing the water absorption characteristics of waste-based additives, including paper sludge ash (PSA), palm kernel shell ash (PKSA), rice husk ash (RHA), coal fly ash, hemihydrate gypsum, limestone powder, and basalt rock powder (BRP). The water absorption capacity (W ab) of each additive represents the amount of water absorbed per gram evaluated via the suction filtration method. The long-term water absorption capacities of the waste additives were compared with a conventional additive, blast furnace cement class B (BFCB). Although PSA, PKSA, and RHA absorbed more water than BFCB under short-term curing, BFCB exhibited the highest W ab under long-term curing. PSA, PKSA, and RHA had a water absorption capacity at 4 h (W ab) t = 4h of 74.5%, 107.3%, and 62.9%, respectively, whereas that of BFCB was 37.4%. In contrast, after 168 h, the water absorption capacity of BFCB increased to 126.1%. These evaluated water absorption capacities were categorized into immediate and time-dependent stages. Mercury intrusion porosimetry, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy investigations were conducted to investigate the influence of factors such as porosity and hydration of the different additives on water absorption capacity. The results showed that porosity characteristics affect the immediate water absorption capacity, and hydrate formation contributes to increased water absorption during curing. The waste additives PSA, PKSA, and RHA with irregular surfaces and pores were highly porous and exhibited a high immediate water absorption capacity (W ab) t = 4h , unlike the additives with flat surfaces and less irregularities with lower (W ab) t = 4h. The XRD investigation revealed that the presence of ettringite and calcite contributed to increased water absorption during curing for PSA, PKSA, and BFCB. The generation of needle-like ettringite could promote a denser microstructure in PSA, PKSA, and BFCB, thus further improving W ab during curing. Finally, using cone index strength, we explored the effective application of waste-based additives as soil stabilizers, attempting to predict the effect of water absorption capacity on the properties of treated soil. The stabilizer addition ratio (A) and W ab of the waste additives were found to be essential indicators for predicting the strength development of treated clays. A clear correlation was observed between the cone index (q c) and parameter β (t), which is derived from W ab and A , of the treated clays. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The transition towards sustainable practices and a reliable electricity grid accommodates the rising electrification of the heating and transportation sectors. Aging, environmental factors, and operational conditions of electrical grid infrastructure contribute to a higher likelihood of faults. This leads to a reduced level of reliability, emphasizing the importance of renewing electrical grid infrastructure, particularly underground cables. Optimally replacing cables is essential, taking into account various factors like reducing the fault probability, minimizing the cost of power outages, and enhancing reliability within the budgetary constraint. This paper introduces an innovative methodology to predictive asset management for replacing underground cables using multi-objective optimization approach. Three objective functions are formulated: number of replaced cables, cost of power outages, and interruption-related index, which is determined through metrics like SAIFI, SAIDI, and ASIDI. These objectives are modeled as mixed-integer programming creating a multi-objective optimization problem, which is addressed using the epsilon-constraint approach. The optimization model identifies the cables that should be replaced within the budget constraint, aiming to optimize the objectives. The effectiveness of this approach is assessed using a real Danish distribution grid. The findings indicate that, compared to methods based on the cable age, fault vulnerability, and risk assessment, the proposed method demonstrates superior performance in terms of reliability metrics and power outage cost. • Proposing a novel predictive asset management for distribution networks. • Considering different fault consequences and population density. • Proposing a novel multi-objective optimization model. • Applying proposed method on a Danish distribution network. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wood preservation has gained global prevalence in recent years, primarily owing to the renewable nature of wood and its capacity to act as a carbon sink. Wood, in its natural form, lacks intrinsic resilience and is prone to decay if left untreated; hence, wood preservatives (WPs) are used to improve wood's longevity. The fate and potential hazards of wood preservatives to human health, ecosystems, and the environment are complex and depend on various aspects, including the type of the preservative compounds, their physicochemical properties, application methods, exposure pathways, environmental conditions, and safety measures and guidelines. The occurrence and distribution of WPs in environmental matrices such as soil and water can result in hazardous pollutants seeping into surface water, groundwater, and soil, posing health hazards, and polluting the environment. Bioremediation is crucial to safeguarding the environment and effectively removing contaminants through hydrolytic and/or photochemical reactions. Phytoremediation, vermicomposting, and sustainable adsorption have demonstrated significant efficacy in the remediation of WPs in the natural environment. Adsorbents derived from biomass waste have been acknowledged for their ability to effectively remove WPs, while also offering cost-efficiency and environmental sustainability. This paper aims to identify wood preservatives' sources and fate in the environment and present a comprehensive overview of the latest advancements in environmentally friendly methods relevant to the removal of the commonly observed contaminants associated with WPs in environmental matrices. [Display omitted] • Sources, occurrence, and fate of wood preservatives in the environment are discussed. • Challenges, environmental and health hazards of preservative chemicals are explained. • Understanding of sustainable solutions for the remediation of preservative chemicals. • Adsorption and phytoremediation are promising environmental matrix restoration methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fibre reinforced thermoplastic polymer (FRTP) composites have been used for a wide range of engineering applications (e.g. in transport, construction, energy, etc) due to their excellent mechanical properties and ease of repair and recycling. In recent years, FRTP is increasingly deployed as an alternative to conventional thermoset carbon fibre reinforced epoxy (CF/epoxy) composites, for the purpose of reducing the carbon footprint and contributing to a sustainable manufacturing agenda. Machining of FRTP remains an indispensable process to achieve rapid parts assembly whilst meeting stringent geometric tolerances. However, due to the heterogeneous structure and high thermal sensitivity of FRTP, a range of machining-induced damages (such as matrix smearing, thermal degradation, delamination, burr and surface cavity) often occur, leading to concerns on machined parts quality and reliability. To date, composite machining studies have been mostly focused on conventional thermoset CF/epoxy and there is a lack of an up-to-date, in-depth review of the latest advancement concerning the machining of thermoplastic FRTP. This paper provides a state-of-the-art overview on the recent developments in FRTP machining over the past decade, with a particular emphasis on machining characteristics, damage mechanisms as well as the challenges facing such manufacturing process. The purpose is to present the composite manufacturing community with a timely update, which may guide and inspire further research and development for future FRTP manufacturing. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Additive Manufacturing has revolutionized manufacturing processes, offering design flexibility and advances in various applications. The integration of lattice structures into lightweight designs has attracted attention due to their ability to optimize properties such as stiffness, strength and energy absorption. This paper explores the trade-off between mass reduction and productivity while evaluating the environmental sustainability of lattice structures manufactured with Laser-based powder bed fusion for metals Using Life Cycle Assessment, two design variants for an automotive component are compared: a topologically optimized version with a solid bulk section, and a second design with lattice structures for additional weight reduction. Experimental measurements and a detailed analysis of the laser strategy were performed to build the Life Cycle Assessment inventory. The integration of lattice structures allowed a weight reduction of 6 %, but resulted in a significant decrease in productivity and a higher environmental impact. Surprisingly, lattice geometries, often perceived as green solutions, can have negative sustainability implications due to longer manufacturing times and impact of auxiliary equipment. Successful implementation of environmentally sustainable designs requires a balance between mass reduction and productivity while addressing potential environmental consequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper dives into the complex and often contentious realm of obsolescence within product design, examining its role as both a deliberate design choice and an unintended consequence of evolving external factors. Critically exploring how obsolescence straddles the line between artistic expression and design failure, analyzing its historical evolution, its manifestation in intentional design decisions, and its interplay with unforeseen technological and socio-cultural shifts. Our inquiry reveals the multifaceted impact of obsolescence on product longevity and sustainability, highlighting its potential as a catalyst for strategic innovation but also its significant ethical, environmental, and economic implications. This study underscores the nuanced challenges faced by designers, who must navigate the fine line between the allure of novelty and the sustainable value of durability. Concluding with actionable insights and strategic recommendations, aiming to guide designers toward creating products that seamlessly integrate aesthetic appeal, functional utility, and long-term relevance, thereby redefining the narrative of obsolescence in modern product design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fashion supply chain is a major contributor to global waste generation, with significant environmental and social implications. Addressing waste management challenges in this sector is crucial to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Therefore, this paper proposes an integrated approach for modeling sustainable waste flow management in the fashion supply chain and consequently contributes to reducing the associated environmental impact. Firstly, Waste Flow Mapping (WFM) assessment is used to identify waste production at each stage of the fashion supply chain. Secondly, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is used to quantify environmental impact on resource consumption, waste generation, energy usage, and emissions. Finally, performance metrics and sustainability reporting are established to monitor and track environmental performance. Results show: i) a 25–30% reduction in environmental impacts across product life cycles, ii) a 20–25% improvement in resource efficiency iii) an increase of 15–20% in product's life extensions, and iv) approximately 40–50% of materials can be originated from recycled sources. The model represents a valuable tool for managers to define company strategies from the twin transition (green and digital) perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scientific literature and regulation acknowledge the positive social and economic impacts of local food productions, especially for Geographical Indication products, but their relationship with environmental sustainability remains still to be better investigated. The current European reform of the Geographical Indications system is adopting environment protection as one of the main objectives, in conformity with the European Green Deal and Farm to Fork strategies. In this framework, the present paper is aimed to show how Geographical Indications food products are related to environmental sustainability by the means of a systematic literature review. Firstly, the relevant publications are analyzed and classified referring to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) framework. Results show a contradictory picture regarding the positive and negative implications of Geographical Indications production for the different components of environmental protection (e.g., SDG 9 or SDG 12). Secondly, the literature analysis identifies four features (namely products specification, producers' environmental consciousness, role of institutions and link with the territory) of Geographical Indications that may mitigate environmental pressures, when present. Finally, after the analysis of the current and emerging European Geographical Indications regulation, policy suggestions are advanced. In particular, to enhance the environmental sustainability of Geographical Indication products, explicit environmental objectives should be introduced in Geographical Indication specification, while consciousness of producers, multidimensional cooperation and link with the territory should be strengthened. [Display omitted] • Environmental impacts of GIs are investigated since controversial in the literature. • The SDGs-based classification of the contributions shows a focus on SDGs 2 and 12. • Four drivers to make GIs effective for environmental sustainability are identified. • New explicit criteria in GI specification should be defined accordingly. • GI mark could incorporate environmental features due to the new EU regulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of renewable clean energy is imminent as global warming and environmental pollution become more serious issues today. Hydrogen energy has been widely studied as an ideal green energy source. Among several common hydrogen production methods, hydrogen production by electrolysis of water is considered an efficient, environmentally friendly, and sustainable hydrogen production strategy. Transition metal phosphates have outstanding electrocatalytic conductivity and high catalytic efficiency, thus exhibiting catalytic effects similar to noble metals. To further enhance the catalytic activity of the transition metal phosphates, in this paper, the cauliflower-like Co-W-P-O 4 /NF catalyst based on three-dimensional nickel foam was prepared by the method of element doping. The catalyst exhibited good bifunctional catalytic activity in alkaline solution. The prepared Co-W-P-O 4 /NF has a unique crystalline-amorphous phase structure with abundant active sites at the interface. In addition, W atoms can interact with Co atoms to co-optimise the electronic structure, enabling the Gibbs free energy of hydrogen adsorption (ΔG H*) to be close to 0, which is conducive to improving the performance of water electrolysis. To achieve a current density of 10 mA·cm−2, the Co-W-P-O 4 /NF required overpotentials of 42.1 mV for HER and 348.2 mV for OER in 1 M KOH solution, with the Tafel slopes being 48.0 and 83.6 mV·dec−1, respectively. When Co-W-P-O 4 /NF was used as both cathode and anode for water splitting, the two-electrode electrolyzer could achieve 10 mA·cm−2 with only 1.62 V, along with good stability. [Display omitted] • The cauliflower-like Co-W-P-O 4 /NF with crystalline-amorphous phase structure is prepared. • Co-W-P-O 4 /NF catalyst shows good bifunctional catalytic activity in alkaline solution. • The electron rearrangement and the rough surface structure can improve the performance of catalyst. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Urgent sustainable alcohol production via a photoelectrochemical pathway is studied. • MXene-modified graphene enhances light absorption and expands graphene surface. • Synthesized nanohybrid enables efficient production of methanol and formic acid. • Synergy between MXene and graphene improves charge transfer and utilization. • Results hold promise for ambient alcohol production via methane conversion. In the pursuit of efficient ambient methane (CH 4) conversion, we introduce a novel MXene combining with a nitrogen-doped graphene (MX@NG) hybrid as a photoelectrocatalyst for CH 4 oxidation under ambient conditions with light and external bias. Through electrostatic assembly, graphene nanosheets are incorporated between MXene sheets, effectively preventing MXene nanosheet restacking and increasing interlayer spacing. This enhances ion diffusion of electrolyte, increasing access to electroactive sites. Using Ti 3 CN as MXene and nitrogen-doped graphene (NG) as catalyst supports, our research demonstrates the superior performance of the MX@NG composite over pure NG and MXene for methane oxidation. After a 4-hour reaction with a 2 × 2 cm2, 10 mg sample-loaded carbon paper, it produces 17 µmol/ml of CH 3 OH and 14.5 µmol/ml of HCOOH at 0.8 V vs. Ag/AgCl. This enhanced performance results from the synergy between MXene and graphene, improving charge transfer and promoting efficient utilization of photoexcited charges. Additionally, excellent electrical conductivity of NG facilitates the transfer of photo-generated electrons to surface reaction sites, promoting free radical formation. The incorporation of MXene extends visible light absorption and improves charge separation, thereby enhancing solar energy utilization. Overall, this study highlights the potential of MX@NG composite in solar light-based electrocatalytic methane oxidation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Next generation textiles (NGTs) represent a paradigm shift in the textile industry, incorporating the most recent advances in materials, technologies, and functionalities. The dynamic world of textiles is undergoing an extraordinary transition, ushering in the age of NGTs. This article discusses the mechanisms, difficulties, present advancements, and potential future opportunities associated with these NGTs. This assessment traverses the domains of nanotechnology, 3D printing, recycling, wearable electronics, machine learning, biomimicry, and energy harvesting while focusing on sustainability, functionality, smart integration, advanced manufacturing techniques, and multifunctionality as major factors. The paper highlights the wonderful prospects of improved performance, sustainability, intelligent textiles, and wearable technologies, highlighting consumerization, personalization, safety, and protection enhancements. Furthermore, a key method for overcoming major challenges is discussed which is to adopt open innovation, which encourages collaboration, knowledge exchange, and the integration of external resources, all of which aid in addressing scalability and mass production, costing, and a lack of modern technologies in the NGTs industry. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This commentary is a practice expert essay based on review of scientific papers on phosphorus scarcity that provides a resumé of arguments relating to adequacy of phosphate rock (PR) resources to supply future requirements and an explanation as to why, although we cannot know how much will be available in future, we can say that the static lifetime is much more likely to be of the order of hundreds or even thousands of years rather than decades. Once the knowable facts are established, a case can be made for moving towards increased phosphate recycling and loss-reduction, based on the current inefficient use and the consequential harm done to the environment. Whilst these concerns are understandable, given that phosphate resources are finite and unsubstitutable, it is important to derive a true perspective in order that the most efficient use of financial and human resources can be deployed by governments. An assertion in 2010 that phosphorus mining would begin to be resource-constrained within decades proved false, but continues to be referred to by those advocating resource governance. Such assertions, when proved not to be accurate, run the risk of validating a 'cornucopian' view of mineral resource adequacy and diminish the tenets of ecological economics which, among other things, prescribe a move towards a circular economy, by cutting losses in the supply chain and increasing recycling. The phosphate supply industry has generally been less concerned about potential resource constrains than the academic community. It is true that, apart from a few larger state-owned producers, this lack of concern partly results from the industry's shorter-term economically-driven perspective which tends towards the cornucopian view. This short-term perspective of the commercial industry is at odds with the long-term mitigation of the impacts of mining that is a feature of ecological economics. In the phosphate industry mining and chemical processing has certainly led to major negative environmental legacies and impacts being deferred to future generations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rebound Effects (RE) are systemic responses that are relentlessly hindering the achievement of sustainability actions' intended effects. Despite the wide recognition of RE, the limited understanding of the underlying causal structures sustaining their occurrence hampers the ability to anticipate, prevent, and tackle them. To explore how feedback thinking can explain the occurrence of RE, this paper describes the structure of 26 rebound mechanisms based on qualitative system dynamics (SD) modelling using causal loop diagrams (CLD). Apart from a comprehensive catalogue of mechanisms, the elicitation of two generic rebound mechanisms reveals that RE are either the result of (1) reinforcing loops acting against quick fixes to control local resource consumption or (2) balancing reactions in the opposite direction of attempts to control local resource consumption leading to escalation behaviour. Four contributions highlight how this research supports a systemic view on RE, the natural evolutionary step required to understand and manage its occurrence. [Display omitted] • A systemic view on rebound effects (RE) makes explicit the causality of rebound mechanisms • Feedback-driven structures unconver the fundamental structures of rebound mechanisms • The catalogue of mechanisms represents the state-of-the-art of existing categorisations • The mechanisms' structures make evident leverage points to prevent RE [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aquaculture net pen defects such as biofouling, vegetation, and holes are key challenges to efficient and sustainable fish production in aquaculture. These defects must be monitored to avoid problems with aquaculture net safety as well as fish growth. Recently, deep learning methods have been adopted to solve detection and classification problems in different applications. However, the conventional methods are challenging to meet the demands of high precision and real-time detection of aquaculture net defects in a complex marine environment. Towards this end, this paper proposes an autonomous net pen defect detection system that contains a novel multi-scale semantic segmentation topology for detecting the biofouling, vegetation, and hole problems in the aquaculture environment. In particular, we emphasize fusing the attention maps obtained across different decomposition levels of the network to generate rich feature distributions that enable the accurate extraction of biofouling, vegetation, and holes within aquaculture nets. Moreover, the proposed model is thoroughly tested on two private datasets and two public datasets which were acquired from a real-field fish farms. Across all four datasets, the proposed framework showed remarkable biofouling, vegetation, and hole detection performance, where it outperformed state-of-the-art methods by 6.58%, 3.69%, 6.44%, and 4.78% in terms of mean average precision across LABUST, KU, NDv1, and NDv2 datasets, respectively. • Detection of aquaculture net defects such as biofouling, vegetation, and net holes. • A novel multi-scale encoder–decoder topology. • A new loss function, dubbed L t , can constrain the segmentation networks. • A release of the two highly annotated aquaculture datasets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brazil is the world's leading charcoal producer, mainly used as an energy source and reducing agent for iron ore in the pig iron and steel industry. Despite its vast production, much of the Brazilian charcoal production remains low-tech and inefficient, with limited utilization of by-products. To address potential environmental impacts, promote a circular economy, and reduce energy waste in the charcoal production chain, this study presents the benefits of using wood carbonization by-products through a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). The analysis was performed by comparing four scenarios: i) Current wood carbonization; ii) Wood carbonization with combustion of non-condensable gases; iii) Wood carbonization with energy recovering of non-condensable gases for electricity generation; and iv) Assessing the utilization of insoluble tar and biomass waste for generating additional electricity, and the use of Pyroligneous Extract (PE) in eucalyptus cultivation. The results demonstrate that by-product utilization prevents energy waste, with an estimated potential to generate 0.19–0.26 MWh per ton of charcoal in Scenarios 3 and 4. Furthermore, 3.3 t of CO2 eq./t of charcoal are sequestered from the atmosphere, and Scenarios 2, 3, and 4 can increase this amount by 5.06%, 6.7%, and 0.48%, respectively. This paper introduces an innovative assessment of PE utilization during eucalyptus cultivation, resulting in a 6.16% reduction in greenhouse gas emission and a 46.98% decrease in abiotic resource consumption, attributed to PE's potential to partially reduce pesticide consumption. [Display omitted] • Photochemical Oxidation is the main impact category due to CO emissions in carbonization kilns. • Potential to generate 0.19–0.26 MWh of electricity per ton of charcoal through by-products utilization. • Forest residues and insoluble tar increase electricity generation potential by 36%. • Charcoal by-products offset GHG emissions from 14 to 203 kg/ton of charcoal. • Pyroligneous Extract use leads to 6% lower GHG emissions and 47% decrease in abiotic resource consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With an emphasis on digitalization, distribution, logistics, and transportation, omnichannel retailing is essential in supply chain management (SCM). With this retailing strategy, sustainability and profitability in e-commerce may be addressed in a creative and cooperative manner. This article examines the relationship between digitization and Omnichannel retail and highlights sustainability concerns. The articles from WoS and Scopus between 2017 and October 2023 are included in the study. After excluding conference papers, journals not listed by the ABDC, and non-English publications, the 400 articles first found via a keyword search were reduced to 99. Using a range of criteria, including publication year, journal, nation, ABDC category, citations, and research methods, the content analysis of the chosen articles is part of the systematic literature review. This classification makes it possible to compare things, which shows how digitization and omnichannel retailing can help with sustainability. The results show a few studies relating sustainability with omnichannel retailing. While statistical modelling is used in Omnichannel Retailing to address consumer satisfaction, game theory modelling is commonly used for price decisions. Nevertheless, a few literature address environmental issues with theory and coordinated strategy. To address sustainability concerns and further our understanding of the relationship between digitization, sustainability, and omnichannel retailing, this analysis proposes interesting directions for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to advance research on sustainability within the fashion industry by explaining the combinations of social, environmental, and economic values that form the basis of sustainable business models in the Nordic fashion industry and to identify the main challenges fashion companies face in developing such models, given the limitations in current literature. Through an industry-focused case study of the Nordic fashion industry, recognized for its homogeneity and sustainability leadership, this study investigates how Nordic fashion companies collectively create value through the lens of the value mapping tool. The study adopts an inductive approach through eleven in-depth interviews with experts, managers, and owners. Additionally, it integrates secondary data derived from published information, enhancing the understanding of what sustainable business models in the Nordic fashion industry entail. The analysis enabled the identification of twenty-six elements related to the durability and longevity of products and gender-neutral and timeless design. The results suggest that a more holistic approach to sustainability is needed to facilitate the companies' move from unsustainable business models to more sustainable ones. This article contributes to the literature by identifying broader patterns of value creation, value delivery, and value capture within the Nordic fashion industry. Furthermore, it enhances knowledge of social and environmental actions surrounding and examines barriers to sustainability activities. The practical contribution arises from the provision of a better understanding of the key elements in sustainable fashion business models of Nordic fashion companies, and thus, it is relevant to academia, practitioners, and policymakers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the dynamic landscape of rapid change and the pervasive influence of the digital revolution, the discussion surrounding the impact of digital transformation on the innovation performance of firms has become a focal point of intense debate. This paper aims to contribute to the evolution and advancement of traditional organizations toward high-quality development by addressing this issue through the integration of technology into the framework, leveraging the resource-based theory. The study seeks to explore the influence of digital transformation on innovation performance, specifically examining the role of supplier concentration in this relationship. Additionally, we investigate the moderating effect of CEO financial experience on the association between digital transformation and innovation performance. Utilizing multiple regression methodologies and analyzing data from Chinese listed firms spanning the period from 2007 to 2022, our empirical findings reveal a direct positive relationship between digital transformation and innovation performance. Furthermore, the study uncovers an indirect pathway through which digital transformation enhances innovation performance by mitigating supplier concentration. Notably, the positive impact of digital transformation is amplified by a CEO's background in finance. Finally, the effect of digital transformation on innovation performance is particularly pronounced in sectors such as state-owned entities, advanced technology companies, large-scale businesses, and those in their maturity phase. These insights provide valuable contributions to addressing concerns related to digital transformation, particularly in emerging economies like China. The findings offer essential lessons for navigating the transition to Industry 4.0 and fostering sustainable innovative practices. By emphasizing the role of supplier concentration and the moderating influence of CEO financial experience, this research contributes to a nuanced understanding of how digital transformation can positively impact innovation performance across diverse sectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By 2050, food production's environmental impacts are projected to double without intervention. Crucial changes in dietary habits are needed, and seafood can be pivotal. The focus in calculating burdens using life cycle assessment (LCA) indicators has shifted towards exploring interconnections within the Water-Energy-Food (WEF) nexus. Addressing this evolution, this manuscript has applied an innovative methodology to calculate a WEF nexus index (WEFni). This index seamlessly integrates both environmental and nutritional profiles across diverse case studies involving fisheries, aquaculture, and processing production systems in the European Atlantic area. The results showed that when it comes to fishing, purse seine fishing obtained the highest score (99%). For the aquaculture activities, seafood (>73%) obtained better results than fish farming. About processing treatments, freezing (>79%) has lower environmental loads than canning. In addition, a sensitivity analysis was carried out according to a caloric- and edible-based functional unit as well as the modification of the weighting factors assigned to each footprint, in which important variations were reported in the WEFni of most case studies. Consequently, although the methodological guidelines supporting the WEFni have great potential to serve as an ecolabeling tool, certain aspects need to be re-evaluated. On the other hand, it could be interesting to include the potential biodiversity loss, as well as other socioeconomic indicators, with the purpose of considering a more sustainability criteria. Finally, the contribution of this paper to the food industry literature is of paramount importance, as it represents a first step towards holistic assessments and easy-to-understand ecolabelling processes that can promote sustainable production and consumption. • A joint analysis of environmental burdens and nutritional profiles was carried out. • The functional unit and weighting factors were modified in a sensitivity analysis. • WEFni revealed: purse seine high score, shellfish outperformed fish farming, and freezing had lower burdens. • The procedure followed has potential applicability to other products. • Further indicators are needed if a holistic analysis of sustainability is to be made. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Emulsification of thermochemical fluids (NaNO 2 and NH 4 Cl) to retard the reaction was studied for the first time. • Positively charged, negatively charged, and non-ionic emulsifiers were utilized. • Emulsion characteristics and rheology at various conditions were provided. • Surfactant-A provided superior outcomes in terms of stability and rheology. • Individual emulsification of the thermochemical fluids provided better properties than the mixed emulsification. Emulsification serves various purposes, including controlling the reactivity of highly reactive chemicals. Thermochemical fluids (TCFs), such as ammonium chloride (NH 4 Cl) and sodium nitrite (NaNO 2) salts, have been utilized in diverse applications, including the petroleum industry. The excessive reactivity of TCFs limits their applications and consequently negatively impacts the potential success rates. One of the recent recommendations concerning TCFs is their use for the in-situ generation of foamed fracturing fluids. Controlling the reactivity of TCFs ensures that chemical reactions are optimized, minimizing chemical waste and maximizing efficiency, while the utilization of foamed fracturing fluids conserves water resources and reduces the overall environmental footprint of industrial processes. Both aspects are crucial for achieving sustainability goals by reducing resource consumption and environmental impact. This study examined three distinct emulsifiers, each containing a surfactant and cosurfactant designated as A, B and C for NH 4 Cl and NaNO 2 solutions independently or as a composite mixture in diesel. Laboratory results demonstrated that water-in-oil (WO) emulsions of TCFs in diesel were achieved using the three emulsifiers under examination. The 70 % TCFs/diesel emulsions exhibited pseudoplastic fluid characteristics and generally followed the power-law model. The increase in TCFs volume fraction and emulsifier concentration positively influenced the emulsion properties, including its thermal stability. Emulsifier-A demonstrated the most effective emulsification capability, as evidenced by relatively higher viscosity and smaller droplet size distributions. Emulsifier-B and Emulsifier-C, with low pH values, due to the presence of acetic acid in their compositions, tended to activate the reaction of the TCFs when emulsified as a composite mixture in diesel. Raising the pH levels of the mixed TCFs solutions before the emulsification process enhanced the emulsion characteristics of their emulsions. The paper presents a detailed characterization of WO emulsions of TCS-in-diesel using three distinct emulsifiers and explores their potential contribution towards sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The world is evolving towards sustainability and optimum resource management, with a rapid evolution towards a circular economy (CE). The focus on sustainability in the food and beverage (FoodBev) sector is a priority due to the close association and dependency on natural resources. The evolution of digitalization has accelerated sustainable development of the FoodBev sector and helped preserve sectorial natural resources dependencies. Digital skills are a key component of sustainable development, as skills are used to identify and implement sustainable solutions. Digitalization and the CE in the FoodBev sector are considered critical solutions for food waste and food loss, and potential drivers of sustainability. This study seeks to deploy a smart value chain tool for food waste and food loss management, and a digital mechanism for the sustainability of the FoodBev sector. The research team designs, develops, and demonstrates a python-enabled digital toolset, configured to construct a specific global search for sustainable alternates for waste and other streams of the FoodBev industry. The toolset adopts a combination of Artificial Intelligence techniques including data analytics and Natural Language Processing. The results provide for rapid technological alternatives identification for the sector. The paper provides technological alternatives for 18 FoodBev value streams. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the world struggles to cope with the pressing matters of global warming, rising temperature, and environmental degradation, the need for sustainable practices has become more urgent than ever for individuals and other establishments. Organizations across industries recognize the importance of adopting sustainable practices, not only to meet societal expectations but also to achieve long-term success. This research paper studies the influence of sustainable marketing on customer loyalty, focusing on the consumer electronics sector in India. A mixed-methods approach incorporating descriptive and causal research methods was used; with data collected from 302 participants from India's capital, Delhi and its nearby regions. Structural equation modeling was employed to establish multivariate relationships and Smart PLS 4 was used to analyze the data. The results suggest that sustainable marketing practices positively influence brand image and loyalty. Additionally, brand image acts as an intermediary between sustainable marketing and customer loyalty. These results provide valuable insights for managers aimed at fostering customer loyalty through sustainable practices, particularly in the consumer electronics sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Identifying recent developments in thermal-driven dehumidification technologies. • Evaluating critical characteristics including dehumidification efficiency, energy consumption and cost. • Assessing the desiccant properties for thermal driven dehumidification technologies. • Directing future research to address environmental concerns via innovative sustainable humidity control mechanisms. As we navigate an era marked by significant environmental concerns and technological advancements, the search for energy-efficient and ecological friendly solutions is more critical than ever. One area of growing significance is the control of indoor humidity levels, which not only impacts human comfort and health but also the structural integrity and air quality within buildings. The challenge is to control these levels while lessening energy consumption and environmental impact. A feasible solution lies in the use of thermal-driven dehumidifiers, a promising technology that offers a sustainable approach to humidity control. Thermal-driven dehumidifiers have emerged as promising solutions for humidity control in various applications, owing to their energy-saving and eco-friendly features. Thus, the focus of this review paper is to explore the most recent advancements and enhancements in thermal-driven dehumidification technologies. This includes systems based on solid desiccant, liquid desiccant, and thermoelectricity. The study aims to fill the existing literature gaps, providing a thorough analysis of the current state of these technologies, their performance indicators, and their potential for future development. The study also explores the suitability of these technologies for different ambient conditions and humidity loads. It addresses critical characteristics such as dehumidification efficiency, cooling capacity, regeneration heat, and energy consumption. Each technology is thoroughly examined, including its suitability for various ambient conditions and humidity load scenarios. Specific real-world examples are examined to highlight these technologies' practical importance and possible influence in tackling humidity management concerns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a framework applicable to preliminary building design that cohesively integrates material cost estimation, embodied energy assessment, and the prediction of the thermal demand of a building. At its core is a climate-responsive machine learning model specifically developed using readily accessible early-stage design data. This model forecasts the thermal demand both in the present and in the face of likely climatic shifts. To strike a balance in energy performance goals, material cost estimation is seamlessly incorporated. Building on the gradient boosting machine, the proposed approach showed better performance than other algorithms, predicting thermal demand 25 to 37.5 times faster than conventional energy software without compromising accuracy. The key findings of the presented case studies highlight the significant influence of the Window-to-Wall ratio and floor thermal mass on thermal demand—especially in mitigating cooling demands posed by potential climate change scenarios. By enhancing interior floor types, heating demand can be reduced by nearly 49%. The study further suggests that incorporating climate change considerations into life cycle energy designs is projected to amplify thermal and cooling loads by 32% and 94%, respectively, highlighting the crucial role of early design decisions in shaping sustainable and efficient buildings. • A framework estimates cost, embodied energy, and predict thermal load in pre-design stage. • This framework integrates climate changes for energy forecasting over the life cycle. • Floor thermal mass emerges as a key predictor in temperate climates. • Varied floor materials and types and their impact on thermal demand are detailed. • Slab on the ground and WWR are found to mitigate cooling demand amid climate changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given the significant energy consumption and carbon emissions associated with buildings, there is increasing interest in improving sustainability of building operations to reduce impact on climate change. A common goal is to operate buildings as "net-zero" energy users in which all energy consumed by the building is balanced against renewable energy purchased from the grid or produced on site. To achieve net-zero status, many buildings will require significant retrofit so as to both reduce energy consumption in the absolute sense and provide the remainder without consuming fossil fuels. Thus, multi-year planning is required to ensure that goals can be met on time. In addition, due to the inherent uncertainty associated with energy consumption and generation, actually achieving net-zero energy use may require discretionary curtailment actions to be taken, and deciding whether such actions are necessary can be challenging. To address these challenges, we propose in this paper a design optimization and operational planning strategy to make the decisions needed to achieve sustainability goals in buildings. The strategy can be applied to schedule design changes over a long horizon to meet annual targets, and it can also be applied in closed loop on a shorter horizon to determine whether curtailment is needed to stay on track. We discuss the formulation of the optimization problem, solution methods, and modeling approaches for key parameters. Application of the strategy is illustrated via examples. Overall, this approach will help automate planning that is often done manually, allowing buildings to take a significant leap forward toward achieving their sustainability goals. • Achieving sustainability goals in buildings requires multi-year planning. • The required design and operational decisions can be made via optimization. • Key problem parameters can be obtained from data-driven modeling. • The strategy allows sustainability goals to be met at minimum cost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The modern funeral industry faces many environmental risks and challenges, such as the use of sustainable materials for coffins, the release of potentially damaging materials and organisms to the soil and groundwater, and reduced space available for cemeteries. "Natural burial" proposes an alternative and more sustainable funeral practice, omitting the use of preservatives that inhibit body decomposition, thus proposing to reduce environmental degradation and benefit soil ecosystem services. This study conducted a literature review to identify proposed risks and benefits of "natural" compared to "traditional" burial practices, identifies knowledge gaps, and proposes further research questions. The approach was multidisciplinary, including literature from soil, environmental, forensic, and archaeological sciences, and the Humanities. Results identified that here are some clear environmental benefits to natural burial, such as habitat creation and aboveground biodiversity. However, there is a substantial deficit of research that compares the unseen risks and benefits of natural burial practice. Multiple potential risk factors include: (i) groundwater contaminated with biochemical products of decomposition, pathogens, and pharmaceutical products, (ii) atmospheric emissions, including greenhouse gases (CO 2 , CH 4 , N 2 O). There is also a deficit of information related to the release of cadaver decomposition products to soil ecological processes. More detailed scientific research is required to identify the risks and benefits of funeral options, thus develop fit for purpose regulations and legislation and to describe the cultural incentives for natural burial. This paper identifies key areas of research required to understand and mitigate the potential environmental and cultural implications of human burial practices. • Natural Burial may provide sustainable solutions to the funeral industry. • Potential benefits include increased biodiversity and carbon sequestration. • Risks include potential GHG emissions and groundwater contamination. • Emergent questions are identified for future sustainable burial practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a conceptual framework to guide the transformation of undergraduate economics education, anchored in integrated human flourishing and ecological sustainability. The framework moves beyond the dominant focus on utility and profit maximization to encompass holistic goals of universal human development, social equity, and ecological sustainability within planetary boundaries. It outlines current economic problems and links them to key competencies critical to addressing these issues. Accordingly, educational themes and corresponding anchor topics are developed that align with the key competencies to equip students with pluralistic, transdisciplinary perspectives and solution-oriented skills for catalyzing a just economy that sustains the web of life. The framework is based on the multidimensional concept of prosperity and includes three interrelated dimensions: ecological sustainability, social inclusion and equality, and quality of life. To implement this framework, guiding principles and targeted learning outcomes for economics are defined that emphasize systems thinking, personal development, transdisciplinarity, and collective agency for transformative change. The goal is to provide a coherent structure to transform undergraduate economics education and empower students to become agents of social change who can critique and reorient the current economic system towards justice and ecological stewardship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The implementation of sustainability principles is becoming fundamental for companies, also for creating added value in the production processes. Production managers should not consider only the economic-financial aspects in their decisions, but also the environmental and social implications to extend the benefits to all current and future world populations. This vision requires to develop and apply sustainability-oriented methodologies to compare alternative production strategies. This paper contributes to addressing this problem by proposing a methodology that allows comparing different production strategies by considering their sustainable impact, starting with the definition of their processes. An aggregated sustainability index has been designed for this purpose. Thus, the paper contributes to the literature on the evaluation of sustainability through the development of a methodology, which can be used by the practitioners as a decision support tool to identify the most sustainable production strategy according to the objective of the company and the specific production process considered. Then, the proposed methodology has been applied to compare two different production strategies, i.e., AM-based remanufacturing and the production of new components. A simulation model has been implemented to reproduce the behaviour of the two competing production strategies. Although the results depend on the utilized data, this application showed that it is possible to distinguish different areas of convenience for each strategy. Moreover, findings revealed that the sustainability of the production strategies is strictly connected to the adopted technology and the importance given to the economic, environmental and social aspects by the company. • A sustainability based methodology for comparing production strategies is proposed. • Remanufacturing and new production strategies are considered. • Additive Manufacturing technologies are considered to conduct the assessment. • Remanufacturing is always the best strategy from the environmental perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Population aging and a shortage of medical resources are driving the growth of home health care (HHC). Many HHC studies have focused on developing an optimal routing plan to reduce operation costs; however, few have addressed the attendant long-term sustainability concerns, such as HHC center locations and carbon emissions from transportation. This paper proposes a home health care location-routing problem with a mixed fleet of electric and conventional vehicles that considers battery swapping stations. It aims to simultaneously determine the locations of HHC centers, the scheduling of caregivers with respect to skill requirements, and a routing plan for a mixed fleet under specific time windows, load capacities, synchronized visits, and driving ranges. To address this problem, the paper proposes a novel competitive simulated annealing (CSA) algorithm in which a series of problem-specific effective local search operators expand the solution space of the CSA algorithm, with a competitive mechanism to adaptively adjust these operators to accelerate convergence speed and improve exploration ability. To enhance the exploitation ability, it employs a modified simulated annealing algorithm with a heating strategy and variable neighborhood descent. Comparison experiments are conducted to verify the superior performance of the CSA algorithm in comparison to existing algorithms and the Gurobi solver. Finally, sensitivity analyses are performed on key factors and provide some new managerial insights. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The incorporation of waste tire rubber into asphalt pavement can facilitate the development of sustainable transportation infrastructure. Recently, terminal blend (TB) rubberized asphalt incorporating polymers has gained popularity due to its improved performance and eco-friendliness. However, the crosslinking mechanism between terminal blend (TB) rubberized asphalt and supplemented polymer modifier is not well understood. The present paper aims to investigate the crosslinking mechanism between degraded rubber, styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) polymer and crosslinking agent, and to clarify the effect of crosslinking reaction on the properties and production of eco-friendly rubberized asphalt. In this paper, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), gel permeation chromatography (GPC), dynamic shear rheological (DSR), multiple stress creep recovery (MSCR) and bending beam rheometer (BBR) tests were employed to investigate the chemical and physical properties of TB rubberized asphalt after incorporating various contents of SBS and crosslinking agent. FTIR test indicates that the conjugated olefins released from crumb rubber have the possibility to react with sulfur. However, sulfur alone fails to greatly improve the rheological performance of TB rubberized asphalt, for the level of crosslinking reaction between sulfur and TB rubberized asphalt is weak. Therefore, it is necessary to further add SBS polymer to enhance the crosslinking reaction. Further study showed that there are two types of crosslinking reactions when involving conjugated olefins. Type I is the reaction of sulfur with conjugated olefins provided by the degraded rubber, which helps the conjugated olefins to crosslink themselves, resulting in increase of the amount of trans olefins. Type II is that sulfur bridges the SBS polymer and degraded rubber through the chemical link between the opened trans olefins double bonds located in SBS and opened conjugated olefins from degraded rubber, which leads to reduction of the amount of trans olefins. Type II crosslinking reaction can effectively improve the high temperature performance of TB rubberized asphalt. The findings of this study not only provides valuable insights into the interaction mechanism of eco-friendly rubberized asphalt, but also promote the recycling of waste tire rubber. [Display omitted] • Two types of chemically crosslinking mechanisms are introduced. • Type II chemically crosslinking reaction is an ideal crosslinking reaction. • Binder E is more suitable for the production of high-performance and eco-friendly rubberized asphalt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper moves from the relevance that greenwashing has assumed in recent years and aims to investigate whether the environmental claims made by companies truly reflect their actions. Specifically, it analyzes the relationship between environmental claims and strategic intentionality toward environmental sustainability, proxied by the use and weight of incentives linked to environmental targets in executive compensation plans. By adopting this approach, the study offers a more nuanced perspective on greenwashing, addressing the limitations of the prevalent performance-based view. Based on the analysis of the companies listed on the FTSE Italia All-share index 2021, the paper highlights that companies that draft sustainability plans and declare carbon neutrality goals tend to include environmental targets in their executive compensation plans more frequently and with greater weights compared to other companies. Conversely, merely reporting environmental performance in sustainability (or integrated) reports is not associated with the use of environmental targets in executive compensation plans, suggesting the potential existence of greenwashing practices. The study emphasizes the relevance of considering the executive compensation structure when examining potential signs of greenwashing. It also provides evidence of the need for standardized and transparent corporate compensation disclosure as a significant implication. [Display omitted] • Greenwashing is measured comparing corporate intentionality and environmental claims. • Intentionality is proxied by executive compensation linked to environmental targets. • The diffusion of environmental targets in executive compensation is still limited. • Sustainability plans and carbon neutrality goals signal corporate intentionality. • Nonfinancial reporting alone is not associated with corporate intentionality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The concept of industrial ecology (IE) was defined based on symbiosis theory. • IE was evaluated from the functional and structural dimensions of the IE system. • Evaluation subjects of IES include symbiotic units, patterns, and environment. • The overall IE level in the Area has improved with Inner Mongolia standing out. • The industrial and ecological development remained isolated or mutual restriction. This paper defined regional industrial ecology (IE) to include four connotations: sustainable social-economic-ecological development, the high-quality transformation of the industrial system (IS) and the ecological system (ES), and harmonious symbiosis between IS and ES. Regarding the composition of the symbiotic system, this paper proposed that the IE evaluation be carried out from three aspects: the sustainability of the symbiotic environment, the high-quality development of the symbiont, and the symbiotic pattern between the symbiotic units. Then, the maturity index determined by the symbiont and symbiotic mode and the orderliness index determined by the symbiont and symbiotic environment were measured to determine the IE level from the perspectives of the system's function and structure. Besides, this paper adopted Geodetector and Oprobit model to identify the influencing factors of IE. Taking the π-shaped Curve Area of the Yellow River as the study area, this paper found that the IE systems' structural orderliness of capital cities and resource-based cities was low, while the orderliness level of non-resource-based cities was high. The IE systems' functional maturity level in the northwest Area was better than that of the southeast. The IE level was high in Inner Mongolia while low in Shanxi and Ningxia. Scientific innovation, economic development, openness degree, ecological pressure, industrial structure, urbanization level, and government influence have different influences on the IE systems' orderliness and maturity levels. The findings of this paper provided a basis for realizing IE and promoting the high-quality transformation of the whole basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we critically assess common perceptions of work to inform current debates on work in ecological economics. Work is usually conceived as (1) a productive activity (2) that satisfies consumer demand, (3) is conducive to health and well-being, and (4) ensures social inclusion and personal development. Drawing on the burgeoning literature of postwork or critiques of work, we argue that work may rather be understood as a biophysically intense, consumption-causing, heteronomous institution with ambivalent health impacts that stabilises societies in environmentally and socially unsustainable ways. Therefore, work should be radically reduced and organised differently so that it is no longer the main mechanism for livelihood provisioning and social inclusion. Based on our fourfold critique of work developed in this paper, we sketch out a postwork research agenda for ecological economics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, Indian manufacturing industries have undergone a significant transformation emphasising customer-centric objectives to meet the dynamic market's demands. To achieve this, existing industries must upgrade their existing infrastructure to a smart environment driven by automatic data exchange, transparency, and interconnected digital systems. These are the key enabling elements of Industry 4.0. As a result, many Indian industries are developing various sophisticated implementation strategies for adopting it. However, few research works and strategies contribute to its effective and successful implementation. This paper proposes two types of implementation strategies for implementing Industry 4.0 enabling technologies based on the requirements and adaptability of India's commercial vehicle manufacturing industry. The first strategy identifies various aspects of implementing Industry 4.0 enabling framework elements and categorizes it for developing implementation strategies based on India's commercial vehicle manufacturing industry. The significance of each was determined using fuzzy-AHP analysis and ranked accordingly based on the linguistic responses of the industry experts. The most significant framework element is found to be 'Decision Making and Management Skills'. The second strategy emphasizes long-term sustainable implementation objectives. The framework elements are reconstructed and developed into a novel, customized sustainable framework based on six dimensions of sustainability. Using the Fuzzy-DEMATEL method, the causal relationships among these elements are investigated to determine a sustainable implementation strategy. 'Central Database Server' is determined to be the most significant sustainable framework element, while the maximum number of casual relationships is obtained from the group, 'Skill upgradation of the workforce'. This paper proposes a novel research direction for implementing Industry 4.0 technologies into the existing industry. The findings provide several insights and strategies for technological upgradation in other industries in this geographical region. The findings of the work enhance the implementation process of I4.0 technologies, transitioning it from a conventional approach to a futuristic sustainable implementation that is economical and effective. • Industry 4.0 enabling framework elements for Indian manufacturing industry were identified and categorised. • Significance of each framework element are determined using Fuzzy AHP. • A customised sustainable framework of I4.0 enabling elements is presented. • Fuzzy DEMATEL approach used to examine their causal relationships and significance based on long-term sustainability. • Sustainable implementation strategies and implications are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Circular Economy (CE) builds on the Industrial Ecology (IE) framework by taking a comprehensive approach to reducing waste, pollution, and pressure on natural resources within the broader multi-stakeholder production-consumption loop. Despite the potential benefits of CE, previous research has identified technical, organizational, and institutional challenges that hinder its widespread adoption. In this paper, we investigate how the cultural dimension of CE (e.g., stakeholders, socioeconomic interactions, values, and institutions), as opposed to its technical dimension (e.g., industrial symbiosis, reduce, reuse and repair), were addressed in previous literature, and show how applying Dewey's pragmatist philosophy to CE can facilitate its adoption beyond idealistic aspirations. To do so, we conducted a content analysis of 69 studies focusing on the definition and implementation of CE from technical and cultural perspectives. The findings show that environmental and efficiency motivations alone are insufficient for the successful large-scale implementation of CE. The cultural dimension of CE, encompassing the stakeholders involved in the production-consumption loop, their social and spatial relations, as well as the institutions and policies that govern their economic activities, is also essential to consider for effective CE implementation as it can be impacted by and impact CE. The paper concludes by discussing the contribution of a pragmatist perspective in taking the cultural dimension into account to advance national and subnational CE transition agenda. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This conceptual paper emphasizes the need for considering ethical aspects in developing a sustainable economy that meets the challenges of the historic overuse of the planet in the Anthropocene. The paper argues that a sustainable economy is, at its core, an ethical challenge and requires a new ethical underpinning which considers the ethical dimension of sustainability and insights from sustainability ethics. The tradition of Western economic thought, and specifically the modern conception of the capitalist market economy, are based on rather narrow ethical foundations which are not sufficient to support a sustainable economy. Traditional economic conceptions have mostly focused on the wellbeing of current individuals and societies. There have been no broader systematic economic conceptions that fully integrate the wellbeing of nature, other species, and future beings. A sustainable economy requires a significantly expanded and redefined ethical underpinning that integrates two aspects: First, a broader ethical foundation that systematically considers nature, non-human beings, future beings, and people around the world. Second, a re-definition of individual wellbeing and societal welfare beyond rational utility maximization, efficiency, and growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Integrating nanotechnology into phase change materials (PCMs) has emerged as a novel approach to improving PCM thermal properties and performance in various thermal energy storage applications. Nanofluids, nanoparticle suspensions in a base fluid, have been identified as a promising method of increasing the thermal conductivity of PCMs and thus reducing thermal energy charging and discharging duration. This review paper investigates recent advances in incorporating nanotechnology into PCMs, focusing on their applications in the solar energy sector. Thermal conductivity, specific heat, viscosity, density, and convective heat transfer coefficient of nanofluids are discussed, as are the thermal properties of nano-enhanced PCMs (NEPCMs), including thermal conductivity, latent heat, specific heat, viscosity, supercooling, and phase-change temperature. The paper also gives an in-depth look at the uses of nanofluids and NEPCMs in solar collectors, photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) systems, coolants, and desalination, emphasizing their potential to improve system efficiency. The review also considers the potential environmental and human health concerns connected with using nanofluids and NEPCMs, emphasizing the importance of rigorous evaluation and risk assessment in developing and applying these materials. Overall, the review provides valuable insights into the potential benefits and challenges of incorporating nanotechnology into PCMs and emphasizes the importance of ongoing research and development in this field to further advance the use of thermal energy storage technologies in various applications, including solar energy systems. [Display omitted] • Nanofluids and nanomaterials are considered as innovative heat transfer medium. • Phase change materials (PCMs) for harvesting thermal energy are scrutinized. • Recent developments and properties of nanofluids and nano-enhanced PCM. • Potential applications of nanofluids and nano-enhanced PCM are fully presented. • Environmental impacts and human health risks are comprehensively discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainability leadership (SL) is a complex and relevant phenomenon that can contribute to several types of organisations during the process of becoming more sustainability-oriented. Over the past few years, a considerable number of publications have increased the level of knowledge in this field; however, on the other hand, it also has generated more complexity, literature dispersity and lack of complete understanding of the possible research avenues on SL. This paper aims to address this by complementing and building on previous qualitative and quantitative studies of SL by unveiling and exploring the landscape of the research field. This study differs from prior research in three main ways: (1) explores how the term SL evolved from the leadership theory, (2) explores the research streams that scholars have been conducting in the field by adopting a robust search string revised by specialists and considering a wide range of terms related to formal and informal leadership, as well as sustainability-related terms and (3) understands how the several leadership theories and styles are connected to sustainable development (SD) and corporate social responsibility (CSR). After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, a total of 1,813 well-cited papers published in top journals that directly tackle sustainability leadership were selected. This sample was then used for the bibliometric assessment based on the co-occurrence of terms technique. The results indicate the existence of four main clusters and twelve subclusters, which can be considered research strands. In addition, this study also explores how the selected studies build on several leadership theories in order to understand how leadership aspects can contribute to SD and CSR adoption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

More than having a focus on performance and rational decisions, supply management studies need to emphasise the effects of managers' social relations to implement sustainability. These social relations can be explained by the micro-level analyses and shape managers' behaviours. Therefore, we explore in this paper whether and how local managers experience sustainability decisions through social capital theory. A qualitative research study involving clothing supply players operating in an emerging economy was developed that relied on semi-structured interviews and secondary data as data sources. Data were inductively analysed using NVivo software and organised into three categories: individuals, interrelationship and structure. The results show that the micro level of sustainability implementation is better explained when cognitive and relational capital are related to experience (e.g. awareness of sustainability scandals) and agency elements. However, structure capital as a component of the micro level triggered unexpected opportunistic behaviours (e.g. misconduct and naturalised child labour). This paper contributes to both theory and practice since it shows how micro-level decisions interfere in sustainability implementation based on (1) actions resulting from existing close relational ties and (2) the influence of the operating context. Unlike previous research, this paper is original by showing that a local supply can generate unexpected consequences, such as opportunistic behaviour camouflaged as cultural norms. • The micro-level analysis explains how to implement sustainability. • Relational ties can lead to unsustainable behaviours. • Operating context plays a key role towards sustainability implementation. • Opportunistic behaviours are camouflaged as cultural norms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discussions about the circular economy have taken place in parallel with, but largely independently of, discussions about degrowth. The present paper brings into dialogue the two fields by contemplating what circularity in business could entail in the context of transformations towards degrowth societies. To this end, the paper relates to a recent, holistic reconceptualisation which views degrowth transformations in terms of both less and more on four planes of social being: material transactions with nature, social interactions between people, social structures and people's inner being. These planes signify depth of social being. The paper looks at business through the lens of this reconceptualisation before zooming in on circularity as an important manifestation of a sustainability practice in business. We argue that, in the context of degrowth, implementation of circularity as a principle and a practice should be deep. Relating circularity to each plane of social being, we focus particularly on the plane of people's inner being, the reason being that our mode of relating with the world would need to be significantly different to what it currently is, if deep circularity practices are to become more widespread. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alternative fuels are the subject of growing interest among both researchers and practitioners. In this aspect, to properly handle the problem of proper evaluating alternative fuels, appropriate methods, and tools are undoubtedly needed. Since the evaluation of sustainable alternative fuels similarly, like most sustainability problems, has a multi-criteria character, multi-criteria methods have the potential to be employed here. Analysis of the alternative fuels domain indicates that classical multi-criteria methods are not exactly suitable for use in cases where, instead of a single matrix for evaluating alternatives, we have a set of them collected for particular periods. Therefore, developing a dedicated approach that considers the specifics of a given problem is necessary. For this purpose, the paper proposes a new Temporal Preference Ranking Organization Method for Enrichment Evaluations II (PROMETHEE II) method for multi-criteria temporal evaluation. Hence, the presented method solves the limitations occurring in previously developed multi-criteria methods. In addition to the classical aspect of evaluating the options under consideration, the proposed method makes it possible to accurately grasp the dynamics of the outcomes and put them into an easy-to-interpret result. A practical contribution of the paper is applying the developed method to a multi-criteria temporal evaluation of sustainable consumption of alternative fuels in road transport. For this purpose, an assessment model was built based on the data for 32 European countries acquired from the European Union's statistical office (Eurostat). Preference imprecision modeling and model sensitivity analysis demonstrated the analytical potential of the developed sustainability assessment model and, simultaneously, the Temporal PROMETHEE method's superiority. The comparative analysis of the Temporal PROMETHEE II method clearly shows that the results are robust and reliable, and the developed method is suitable for evaluating various temporal sustainability problems. The research demonstrated that a model alternative fuel mix and its shape as well as progression is maintained by Scandinavian countries such as Norway and Sweden. [Display omitted] • A new temporal method for multi-criteria sustainability assessment. • Public available algorithm and code of method developed. • An evaluation of sustainable consumption of alternative fuels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper a method to learn a similarity metric from expert assessments via questionnaires is presented. The approach employed provides a solution to the modelling of a DPSIR sustainability approach where budgetary resources are limited and thus there is a need to select the most informative variables from the identified possibilities. This paper also shows the proposed approach already implemented by the local council of Las Palmas of Gran Canaria as part of the work to create a sustainability system to better control the impact of human pressure in the local region. The metric is learned using a weakly supervised approach and the expert assessments are modelled through variable triplets. The employment of machine learning approaches in the creation of sustainability models is fairly recent and rare but presents a great opportunity to contribute to one of the main challenges that human societies have to face nowadays. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A novel method for sustainable wastewater purification and P recovery was proposed. • Self-filtering aluminum-air batteries were developed. • Kitchen Al foil was used as an anode and kitchen paper as a separator. • P was recovered in form of AlPO 4 ·2H 2 O flame retardant. • Simultaneous power generation and removal of turbidity, NOM, P were achieved. Sustainable water treatment systems are crucial for water recycling and resource recovery. However, the existing self-powered water treatment technology for metal-air batteries has several challenges. This study proposed a new self-powered water treatment system concept by developing self-filtering aluminum-air (SF Al-air) batteries. The sandwich-shaped flexible air cell comprised an aluminum (Al) scrap anode, an inexpensive hydrophilic separator, and a graphite-coated titanium mesh cathode. By utilizing the capillary action and porous structure of the separator, the autonomous flow and filtration of electrolytes or wastewater were achieved inside the battery. Owing to the high Al purity of 95 % and the ultra-thin structure, the low-cost kitchen Al foil is a promising anode, with the highest power density of 23.02 mW g−1 (anode weight), 4.60 × 10−2 W $−1 (anode cost). Kitchen paper is the preferred separator facilitating electrolyte transfer and automatic renewal inside the battery owing to the strong water storage property. The SF Al-air cell can also efficiently removed 90% of phosphorus at an initial concentration of 100 mg P/L and initial pH = 7. Specifically, the cell converted phosphate pollutants and Al foil waste into a valuable AlPO 4 ·2H 2 O flame retardant coating on kitchen paper, resulting in a first-class flame retardancy of the separators. Lake water treatment results showed that the self-powered SF-Al-air cell purified real surface water and obtained a stable power production of 146.7 mW g−1. Our study demonstrates a promising sustainable water treatment technology for simultaneous power generation, wastewater purification, phosphorus recovery, and waste Al disposal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A retailer-dominated supply chain with corporate social responsibility is modeled. • Impacts of emission reduction on supply chain's sustainability are analyzed. • Motivations of investing in emission reduction technology are proposed. • Supply chains sustainability is proved to be improved by coordination mechanism. • Performance of the coordination contract is tested analytically and numerically. This paper studies a retailer-dominated supply chain including a single upstream manufacturer that produces two substitutable products and a single downstream retailer that undertakes corporate social responsibility activities. The manufacturer is also regulated by a cap-and-trade policy. We first compare two optimization models for a decentralized system, one that does and one that does not incorporate emission reduction technology, to show that the profit of each system member in the former is higher than that in the latter, while the opposite is true for carbon emissions when the technology level invested by the manufacturer is higher than a threshold. To test the performance of the decentralized model that incorporates emission reduction technology, we model a centralized system and reveal that the system profit in the decentralized model is increased and the corresponding carbon emissions generated during production can be reduced. These findings motivate us to propose a revenue and cost-sharing contract to coordinate the decentralized system. The result shows that the economic and environmental sustainability of the decentralized system can be improved. Finally, several managerial implications are derived by conducting a numerical study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Decoupling state of ecological footprint in 30 province of China is analyzed. • There are four decomposition indicators for decoupling. • Technological factors, and economic factors are important factors driving decoupling. • The methods of realizing environmental sustainability are discussed. Nowadays, economic development and ecological environment protection are difficult to synergize, which poses a challenge to global sustainable development. This paper uses the Tapio decoupling model to evaluate the decoupling between ecological footprint and economic growth, and uses the Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index (LMDI) decomposition methods to identify the driving factors of decoupling at national and provincial levels. There are four driving factors: industrial structural, technological innovation, economic development, and population size. It is found that: (1) The ecological footprint of 28 provinces show an upward trend, with an average increase of 40.26%. Among them, the ecological footprint of three provinces in the northwest region increased by more than 100%, and there is an urgent need to reduce natural resource consumption and ensure resource sustainability; (2) The number of provinces with good decoupling show a change of first declining and then rising. Moreover, the spatial distribution characteristics of the decoupling state are obvious, with the northeastern region in negative decoupling; and (3) Technological innovation plays a positive and leading role in decoupling, with a contribution rate of 0.5402. However, economic development inhibits decoupling, with a contribution rate of 0.3829. According to the results, this paper suggests countermeasures and approaches to promote the decoupling of ecological footprint and economic growth, and establishes three key regional concerns. It provides a basis for further analysis of environmental governance in China. Not only that, the regulatory measures and methods proposed in this study will also help promote the decoupling process of other developing countries in the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]