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Eco-conferences like COP26 in Glasgow (UK) in 2021 have brought the debate on energy consumption and climate change to the fore. Given that a third of the energy produced worldwide is consumed in the home, it is pertinent to investigate how households use emerging technologies that allow households to monitor their energy consumption. This paper investigates how Danish households use green IT to monitor and manage their energy use and studies the related meaning householders attach to the green IT. We present qualitative data collected through interviews with 14 households, electric car owners mostly, who have adopted an application to monitor green energy availability – and its derived consumption. The paper highlights these householders' green energy monitoring practices with an emphasis on the meaning they make of the green IT application they used. Our study found that households can use more green energy without interacting continuously with the green IT application. This contrasts with a common assumption in the field of green IT design that consumers must continuously engage with the green IT to consume more green energy. We also posit that including householders in future green IT design is paramount for designing successful green IT applications. Finally, this paper calls for household energy consumption studies to view energy consumption as a service where specific practices are matched to energy sources – rather than viewing energy availability as a solitary incident. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Lake Eyasi Basin in northern Tanzania is among the few key regions in Africa that offer important information about human origins and peopling of the world. Material culture from this region provides significant insight into the origin and development of modern human behavior. It contains dense, stratified, and continuous archaeological records from the Middle Pleistocene to historical periods. The archaeological records of this region offer an opportunity to investigate trends in technological change, past diets, symbolic aspects, and other traits of cognitive thoughts. For a long time, these cultural materials and environmental trajectories were managed through traditionally based non-legislative systems ordered through traditional norms and values. However, such arrangements were interrupted during the colonial and post-colonial periods with emphasis on legislative heritage management systems stressing law enforcement and economic outputs. Strict obedience to heritage law enforcement gradually excluded local communities from mainstream social, economic, and cultural aspects of the archaeological sites in their regions. This paper discusses sustainable solutions and guidelines for managing cultural assets and the surrounding environment through co-management systems. The intention is to develop a highly focused mission for sustainable management and use of cultural assets, reduce vulnerability to climate change, enhance sustainable rural development, and contribute to poverty eradication through tourism. Résumé: Le Bassin du lac Eyasi au nord de la Tanzanie constitue une des régions africaines notables qui réservent des informations importantes sur les origines des humaines ainsi que le peuplement du monde. La culture matérielle exceptionnelle de cette région préserve de manière significative l'origine et le développement de comportement humain moderne. Cette culture porte des vestiges archéologiques denses, diversifiées et interrompues, datant depuis le Pléistocène moyen de nos jours. À cet effet, les réserves archéologiques présentes dans cette région créent une occasion inédite pour l'investissement visant la protection contre le changement climatique, la cuisine ancienne, le patrimoine symbolique ainsi que contre les traits relatifs au développement de la réflexion cognitive. Pendant longtemps, ces matériaux culturels et ces projets environnementaux ont été protégés grâce aux systèmes non législatifs des gestions basées sur les normes et valeurs traditionnelles. Et pourtant, tels plans ont été interrompus par le droit moderne institué au cours de l'ère coloniale et repris au post colonial qui privilégie le gain économique. Ceux-ci mettent l'accent sur le respect strict des lois. En conséquence, ces règlements restreignent la population locale de profiter aux atouts sociaux, économiques et culturelles disponibles dans ces sites archéologiques. Dans le cet article l'auteur présente des solutions durables et propose des lignes directrices pour une gestion des biens culturels et une protection de l'environnement autour à travers la gestion de ces biens de manière coopérative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cities can set in motion sustainability transitions through experimentation and innovation. To invest in and mainstream solutions that contribute to urban transformation agendas, urban planners needs to understand which innovations have transformational potential as well as how these innovations can accelerate sustainability transitions. In order to explore this, existing frameworks of transformative capacity provide the guidance, but they are generic, abstract, and challenging to apply for urban planning. As part of our effort to develop a more operational version of the transformative capacity framework by Wolfram (2016), we conducted a systematic scoping review of the academic literature to determine the characteristics of people-based and nature-based low-carbon innovations that constitutes their transformative capacity. After reviewing 65 records, we identified dimensions indicating each of the transformative capacity components through analysis and synthesis. Besides contributing to the science–policy interface through a knowledge synthesis on low-carbon people-based and nature-based innovations, this paper examines bridging frameworks to inform urban planners in developing practical solutions and actionable elements for low-carbon urban futures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

this paper purpose is aligning innovation indicators regarding Ignacy Sach's sustainability dimensions. The methodology applies multicriteria decision for ordering countries according to the innovation indicators most sustainable founded at Sachs' dimensions alignment. Innovation indicators were considered about their impact as each one of eight Sach's sustainability dimensions impact. Regarding methodology, this paper proposes a hybrid method SMARTS-Choquet with SMARTS-TOPSIS' to use in sensibility analysis. Multicriteria decision aid (MCDA) used considered selection and ordination. Results show eleven countries from 127 sustained their ranking positions using SMARTS-TOPSIS; whilst 126 countries changed completely using SMARTS-Choquet application, provoking a different perspective for investments in these countries; considering MCDA sensibility analysis. The Methodology consider innovation indicators' relevance, strongest indicators from each dimension, where selection for ordering a ranking where the sustainability aligned to innovation promotes a ranking with the countries more innovative but also sustainable countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

this paper purpose is aligning innovation indicators regarding Ignacy Sach's sustainability dimensions. The methodology applies multicriteria decision for ordering countries according to the innovation indicators most sustainable founded at Sachs' dimensions alignment. Innovation indicators were considered about their impact as each one of eight Sach's sustainability dimensions impact. Regarding methodology, this paper proposes a hybrid method SMARTS-Choquet with SMARTS-TOPSIS' to use in sensibility analysis. Multicriteria decision aid (MCDA) used considered selection and ordination. Results show eleven countries from 127 sustained their ranking positions using SMARTS-TOPSIS; whilst 126 countries changed completely using SMARTS-Choquet application, provoking a different perspective for investments in these countries; considering MCDA sensibility analysis. The Methodology consider innovation indicators' relevance, strongest indicators from each dimension, where selection for ordering a ranking where the sustainability aligned to innovation promotes a ranking with the countries more innovative but also sustainable countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this perspective, we present how three initial landmark papers on urban sustainability research contributed to the larger sustainability science scholarship and paved the way for the continued development of urban sustainability research. Based on this, we propose three conceptual innovation pathways to trace the progression of urban sustainability science: First, urban sustainability from a system's perspective, meaning that urban sustainability requires integrative solutions to work in the tripled social-ecological-technological system setting. Second, urban sustainability from a (people and place) relational perspective, meaning urban sustainability is a contested and dynamic social-ecological contract of cities. As a governance mission, urban sustainability requires evidence from research that can inform coordinated action to bridge people, places, meanings, visions and ecosystems. Third, urban sustainability from a transformative science perspective, meaning that for urban sustainability to be achieved and progressed, deep transformations are required in systems, relations, policies and governance approaches. Our proposal for the future of urban sustainability science centres on emphasizing the relevance and policy applicability of systems' thinking, value and place thinking and transitions/transformations thinking as fundamental to how knowledge is co-produced by research science, policy and society and becomes actionable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The introduction of new energy technologies may lead to public resistance and contestation. It is often argued that this phenomenon is caused by an inadequate inclusion of relevant public values in the design of technology. In this paper we examine the applicability of the value sensitive design (VSD) approach. While VSD was primarily introduced for incorporating values in technological design, our focus in this paper is expanded towards the design of the institutions surrounding these technologies, as well as the design of stakeholder participation. One important methodological challenge of VSD is to identify the relevant values related to new technological developments. In this paper, we argue that the public debate can form a rich source from which to retrieve the values at stake. To demonstrate this, we have examined the arguments used in the public debate regarding the exploration and exploitation of shale gas in the Netherlands. We identified two important sets of the underlying values, namely substantive and procedural values. This paper concludes with two key findings. Firstly, contrary to what is often suggested in the literature, both proponents and opponents seem to endorse the same values. Secondly, contestation seems to arise in the precise operationalization of these values among the different stakeholders. In other words, contestation in the Dutch shale gas debate does not arise from inter- value conflict but rather from intra- value conflicts. This multi-interpretability should be incorporated in VSD processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper argues that those who emphasise that designers and engineers need to plan for obsolescence are too conservative. Rather, in addition to planning for obsolescence, designers and engineers should also think carefully about what they could do in order delay obsolescence. They should so this by thinking about the design itself, thinking of ways in which products could be useful and appealing for longer before becoming obsolete, as well thinking about the wider context in terms of the marketing of products, and also the social and legal. The paper also considers objections that these suggestions are unrealistically idealistic, failing to recognise the economic realities. I respond to these objections appealing to research in advertising, psychology, cognitive linguistics, philosophy, history, and economics, as well as drawing on the Statement of Ethical Principles developed by the Royal Academy of Engineering and the Engineering Council. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agriculture is facing increasing innovation challenges to meet current societal expectations, yet very few design science studies are devoted to it. This paper highlights some of the particularities of the objects, reasoning and organization of design in agriculture that may open fruitful scientific dialogue between design scientists and agricultural scientists. We first provide an overview of the broad range of objects that are designed in agriculture and point out their specific characteristics with regard to design. We then identify some particular challenges of design activities in agriculture and review how they have been addressed up to now. Finally, we discuss how design challenges and characteristics in agriculture can contribute to current debate in the field of design science. We propose two main lines of enquiry and debate: enhancing the links between design reasoning and organization and further conceptualizing the status of use situations in design to deal with uncertainties and complexity in design processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors and collaborators have devised innovative technologies that decrease foundry costs, pollution, materials use, and energy. These include: (a) applying advanced oxidation to green sand and haghouse dust to diminish clay, coal, sand, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and costs; (b) replacing phenolic urethane core binders with collagen-alkali silicate binders to diminish VOCs; (c) replacing coke with anthracite fines held together with biomaterial to reduce energy and costs. It is proposed by the authors that if a foundry were to concurrently employ all these innovative technologies (with 50% an-thracite bricks), it could potentially diminish overall costs by 6.6%, life cycle energy costs by 15%, VOC pollution by 57%, sand by 85%, clay and coal by 50%, and iron scrap by 9%. These computations are per full-scale operations for advanced oxidation; and R&D results for replacing binders and coke. This paper also notes that when electricity comes primarily from coal fired power plants, electric induction furnaces consumes more life cycle energy than do cupolas for melting iron. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In late 2006, the New Zealand Government embarked on a series of initiatives to explore how the resources and expertise of eight, small, state-owned science research institutes could be combined efficiently to support science teaching in schools. Programmes were developed to enable students and teachers to access and become involved in local science research and innovation, with the aim being to broaden their awareness of New Zealand science research contexts, adding authenticity and relevance to their school studies. One of these initiatives, known as Science-for-Life, partnered scientists with teachers and students in primary and secondary schools (K-12). A key output from the trial phase of Science-for-Life was the generation of a framework for guiding and coordinating the activities of the eight institutes within the education sector, to improve efficiency, effectiveness and promote sustainability. The framework, based on data gathered from a series of interviews with each institute's Chief Executive Officer (CEO), an online questionnaire, and informed by findings from trial partnership case studies published as institute technical reports and published articles, is presented in this paper. While the framework is developed from New Zealand data, it is suggested that it may be useful for coordinating interactions between multiple small science organisations and the school sector in other small-nation or state contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Backcasting as a scholarly and planning approach is increasingly used in futures studies in fields related to urban sustainability as an alternative to traditional planning approaches and a formal element of future strategic initiatives. It is viewed as a natural step in operationalizing sustainable development within different societal spheres. As a holistic urban development strategy, smart sustainable cities represent a manifestation of sustainable development as a process of change and a strategic approach to achieving the long-term goals of sustainability. Achieving smart sustainable cities represents an instance of urban sustainability, a concept that refers to a desired state in which a city strives to retain the balance of socio-ecological system through sustainable development as a desired trajectory. This long-term goal requires fostering linkages between scientific and social research, technological innovations, institutional practices, and policy design and planning in relevance to urban sustainability. It also requires a long-term vision, a transdisciplinary approach, and a system-oriented perspective on addressing environmental, economic, and social issues. These requirements are at the core of backcasting as an approach to futures studies. Backcasting is a special kind of scenario methodology to develop future models for smart sustainable city as a planning tool for urban sustainability. Goal-oriented backcasting approaches declare long-range targets that lie quite far in the future. Visionary images of a long-term future can stimulate an accelerated movement towards achieving the goals of urban sustainability. The backcasting approach is found to be well-suited for long-term urban sustainability solutions due to its normative, goal-oriented, and problem-solving character. Also, it is particularly useful when dealing with complex problems and transitions, the current trends are part of the problem, and different directions of development can be allowed given the wide scope and long time horizon considered. A number of recent futures studies using backcasting have underlined the efficacy of this scholarly and planning approach in terms of indicating policy pathway for sustainability transitions and thus supporting policymakers and facilitating and guiding their actions. However, as there are a number of backcasting approaches used in different domains, and the backcasting framework is adaptive and contextual in nature, it is deemed highly relevant and useful to devise a scholarly and planning approach to strategic smart sustainable city development. This paper has a fourfold purpose. It aims (1) to provide a comparative account of the most commonly applied approaches in futures studies dealing with technology and sustainability (forecasting and backcasting); (2) to review the existing backcasting methodologies and discuss the relevance of their use in terms of their steps and guiding questions in analyzing strategic smart sustainable city development as an area that is at the intersection of city development, sustainable development, and technology development; (3) to synthesize a backcasting approach based on the outcome of the review and discussion; and (4) to examine backcasting as a scholarly methodology and planning approach by looking at its use in the Gothenburg 2050 Project, as well as to use this case to illustrate the core of the synthesized approach. The synthesized scholarly and planning approach serves to help researchers and scholars in analyzing strategic smart sustainable city development to assist planners, policymakers, and decision-makers in their endeavor to implement smart sustainable cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]