Search

The current study analyzed the high heating values (HHVs) of various waste biomass materials intending to the effective management and more sustainable consumption of waste as clean energy source. Various biomass waste samples including date leaves, date branches, coconut leaves, grass, cooked macaroni, salad, fruit and vegetable peels, vegetable scraps, cooked food waste, paper waste, tea waste, and cardboard were characterized for proximate analysis. The results revealed that all the waste biomass were rich in organic matter (OM). The total OM for all waste biomass ranged from 79.39% to 98.17%. Likewise, the results showed that all the waste biomass resulted in lower ash content and high fixed carbon content associated with high fuel quality. Based on proximate analysis, various empirical equations (HHV=28.296-0.2887(A)-656.2/VM, HHV=18.297-0.4128(A)+35.8/FC and HHV=22.3418-0.1136(FC)-0.3983(A)) have been tested to predict HHVs. It was observed that the heterogeneous nature of various biomass waste considerably affects the HHVs and hence has different fuel characteristics. Similarly, the HHVs of waste biomass were also determined experimentally using the bomb calorimeter, and it was observed that among all the selected waste biomass, the highest HHVs (21.19 MJ kg−1) resulted in cooked food waste followed by cooked macaroni (20.25 MJ kg−1). The comparison revealed that experimental HHVs for the selected waste biomass were slightly deviated from the predicted HHVs. Based on HHVs, various thermochemical and biochemical technologies were critically overviewed to assess the suitability of waste biomass to energy products. It has been emphasized that valorizing waste-to-energy technologies provides the dual benefits of sustainable management and production of cleaner energy to reduce fossil fuels dependency. However, the key bottleneck in commercializing waste-to-energy systems requires proper waste collection, sorting, and continuous feedstock supply. Moreover, related stakeholders should be involved in designing and executing the decision-making process to facilitate the global recognition of waste biorefinery concept. [Display omitted] • The high heating values (HHVs) of biomass waste were assessed with the aim for the sustainable consumption of waste as a source of clean energy. • All the biomass waste were rich in organic matter and fixed carbon content that ranged from 79.39% to 98.17% and 50.64%–54.26% respectively. • The maximum HHVs (21.19 MJkg−1) were recorded for cooked food waste. • The heterogeneous nature of various biomass waste considerably affects the HHVs and hence serve as suitable feedstock for various energy conversion technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Greenhouse production of fruits and vegetables in developed countries is challenged by labour scarcity and high labour costs. Robots offer a good solution for sustainable and cost-effective production. Acquiring accurate spatial information about relevant plant parts is vital for successful robot operation. Robot perception in greenhouses is challenging due to variations in plant appearance, viewpoints, and illumination. This paper proposes a keypoint-detection-based method using data from an RGB-D camera to estimate the 3D pose of peduncle nodes, which provides essential information to harvest the tomato bunches. Specifically, this paper proposes a method that detects four anatomical landmarks in the colour image and then integrates 3D point-cloud information to determine the 3D pose. A comprehensive evaluation was conducted in a commercial greenhouse to gain insight into the performance of different parts of the method. The results showed: (1) high accuracy in object detection, achieving an Average Precision (AP) of AP@0.5=0.96 ; (2) an average Percentage of Detected Joints (PDJ) of the keypoints of PhDJ@0.2 = 94.31%; and (3) 3D pose estimation accuracy with mean absolute errors (MAE) of 11o and 10o for the relative upper and lower angles between the peduncle and main stem, respectively. Furthermore, the capability to handle variations in viewpoint was investigated, demonstrating the method was robust to view changes. However, canonical and higher views resulted in slightly higher performance compared to other views. Although tomato was selected as a use case, the proposed method has the potential to be applied to other greenhouse crops, such as pepper, after fine-tuning. • Accurate 3D pose-estimation of peduncle nodes in a commercial greenhouse. • Combination of colour image and 3D point cloud to estimate 3D pose. • Comprehensive evaluation covering object, keypoints, pose and, viewpoints aspects. • Robust to variations caused by view change. • Canonical and higher views are superior while lateral views should be avoided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rational fertilisation of olive trees, based on adding exclusively the nutrients that are actually needed, is important from both the economic and environmental sustainability points of view. This paper employs UAV-obtained multispectral data collected from five different orchards located in Southern Spain to build a set of models for the prediction of the leaf nutrient content of olive trees using Support Vector Regression. The paper shows the convenience of addressing the problem as a Multiple Instance Regression, and compares two strategies of data aggregation and different choices of feature vectors derived from the raw multispectral data. The models provided good results for N, P and K (r 2 = 0.76, r 2 = 0.87 and r 2 = 0.91, respectively for the Hojiblanca model, and r 2 = 0.79, r 2 = 0.80 and r 2 = 0.80 for the Picual model). The rest of nutrients studied also offered good results for both the Picual and Hojiblanca models, ranging from r 2 = 0.69 for B to r 2 = 0.93 for Cu. The results indicate a robust performance of the models and a potential for improvement with the addition of more data, along with an advantage of considering individual models for each cultivar variety. Overall, these results are very promising for the estimation of the leaf nutrient content of olives trees and the detection of spatial variability in the fertilisation needs of orchards. [Display omitted] • Leaf nutrient content of olive trees is predicted from UAV multispectral data. • Multiple Instance Regression is applied and its benefits discussed. • Models provide good results for N, P and K in the Hojiblanca and Picual models. • The rest of nutrients also show acceptable results. • Results are promising for detecting spatial variability in fertilisation needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper introduces a collection of four articles describing the San Luis Basin Sustainability Metrics Project. The Project developed a methodology for evaluating regional sustainability. This introduction provides the necessary background information for the project, description of the region, overview of the methods, and summary of the results. Although there are a multitude of scientifically based sustainability metrics, many are data intensive, difficult to calculate, and fail to capture all aspects of a system. We wanted to see if we could develop an approach that decision-makers could use to understand if their system was moving toward or away from sustainability. The goal was to produce a scientifically defensible, but straightforward and inexpensive methodology to measure and monitor environmental quality within a regional system. We initiated an interdisciplinary pilot project in the San Luis Basin, south-central Colorado, to test the methodology. The objectives were: 1) determine the applicability of using existing datasets to estimate metrics of sustainability at a regional scale; 2) calculate metrics through time from 1980 to 2005; and 3) compare and contrast the results to determine if the system was moving toward or away from sustainability. The sustainability metrics, chosen to represent major components of the system, were: 1) Ecological Footprint to capture the impact and human burden on the system; 2) Green Net Regional Product to represent economic welfare; 3) Emergy to capture the quality-normalized flow of energy through the system; and 4) Fisher information to capture the overall dynamic order and to look for possible regime changes. The methodology, data, and results of each metric are presented in the remaining four papers of the special collection. Based on the results of each metric and our criteria for understanding the sustainability trends, we find that the San Luis Basin is moving away from sustainability. Although we understand there are strengths and limitations of the methodology, we argue that each metric identifies changes to major components of the system. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This paper introduces a tomography-like method for assessing grape maturation. It analyses inner tissue spectra through point-of-measurement (POM) sensing. A multi-block hierarchical principal component analysis (MHPCA) algorithm was used for the spectral reconstruction of total grapes (skin, pulp, and seed). Two grape cultivars, Loureiro (white; n = 216) and Vinhão (red; n = 205) were measured at 12 dates after veraison (DAV). The reconstructed spectra showed no significant differences (p < 0.001) from the originals for both grapes. Loureiro had better statistical metrics (Person's correlation coefficient (r) values for: total grape: 0.99, skin: 1; pulp: 1, seed: 0.94) than Vinhão (r values for: total grape: 0.92, skin: 0.92; pulp: 0.95, seed: 0.95). Using self-learning artificial intelligence (SL-AI), the following parameters were predicted for both grapes: soluble solids content (%; MAPE <13%), puncture force (N; MAPE <29%), chlorophyll content (a.u.; MAPE <29%), and anthocyanin content (a.u.; MAPE <17%, Vinhão only). When comparing observed values with predicted skin, pulp, and seed spectra, Vinhão showed no statistical differences for most parameters, except pulp chlorophyll on one DAV in the final maturation stage. The same was done with the Loureiro cultivar. Although Loureiro mostly showed no statistical differences in assessed parameters across tissues and dates, variations were found in pulp and skin chlorophyll content and puncture force. This tomography-like approach based on tissue maturation can help viticulturists to access instant data on grape maturation, supporting informed decision-making and promoting more sustainable agricultural practices. [Display omitted] • Bi-directional spectral reconstruction predicts the skin, pulp, seed, and total grape. • Spectral reconstruction works for a white and red grape cultivar. • Reconstructed spectra can estimate SSC, chlorophyll, anthocyanin and puncture force. • Tomography-like can support viticultural decisions based on grape physiology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sewage sludge management is crucial for water utilities to move towards a circular valorisation of resources. The current literature focuses mainly on the technological aspects of sludge management strategies. However, the current discussion of these strategies does not consider possible pressures arising from the utilities' civil society stakeholders and from policymakers. To fill this gap, this paper develops a conceptual framework, based on the current literature, that identifies the utility's key decisions on sludge management strategies (valorisation route, overperformance and vertical integration), and links them to possible pressures arising from civil society and existing regulations. Subsequently, the study validates the framework through a multiple explanatory case study, investigating the empirical relevance of such pressures in six water utilities across Europe. The influence of citizens and municipalities is found to be crucial in the choice of sludge valorisation routes. Economic instruments, command and control instruments and, new to the literature, regulatory uncertainty are found to be key policy features influencing utilities' decisions on sludge management. The paper provides a first-of-its-kind investigation that highlights the mechanisms through which policymakers and civil society stakeholders shape utilities' sewage sludge management strategies. The results complement and extend existing theoretical knowledge on the role of institutional pressures in the implementation of sustainable environmental systems. • Stakeholders' influences on utilities' sludge management choices are conceptualised. • Policymakers and civil society influence utilities' sludge management choices. • Incentives, obligations, regulatory uncertainty shape sludge management choices. • Citizens and municipalities drive utilities' sludge management choices. • Utilities' characteristics moderate the impact of institutional influences on their choices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper addresses the need to understand the structure of sustainability change in the face of the unpredictability of modern civilization. The aim of the paper is to examine the structure of sustainability change in relation to smaller spatial units such as the regions of the European Union and to compare these results with those achieved at the country level. For this purpose, the sustainable development indicators available in the Eurostat database were analyzed. Studies published to date have tended to focus on the performance of national economies or selected regions. In this article, the available data on regions are also analyzed. The study aims to compare the level of sustainable development achieved at the level of EU countries and regions located within them. Methodologically, the study uses advanced methods of comparative analysis, and the synthesis of the data enables the construction of a synthetic measure using taxonomic methods, facilitating the classification of EU countries and regions into clusters. The results highlight significant divergences in sustainability achievements between EU countries and regions. The study reveals the importance of studying sustainable development in smaller geographical cross-sections. The results highlight the need to expand access to data at the regional level (sustainability indicators) to facilitate more comprehensive analyses and inform targeted policy interventions. Looking to the future, the study recommends further research into the inter-linkages between sustainability and other critical areas in EU regions, such as innovation and competitiveness. • A new approach to studying sustainable development from a regional perspective has been proposed. • An in-depth analysis of the current level of sustainability in EU regions was carried out. • The diversity of sustainable development in the countries of the EU has been described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cement industry plays a significant role in global carbon emissions, underscoring the urgent need for measures to transition it toward a net-zero carbon footprint. This paper presents a detailed plan to this end, examining the current state of the cement sector, its carbon output, and the imperative for emission reduction. It delves into various low-CO 2 technologies and emerging innovations such as alkali-activated cements, calcium looping, electrification, and bio-inspired materials. Economic and policy factors, including cost assessments and governmental regulations, are considered alongside challenges and potential solutions. Concluding with future prospects, the paper offers recommendations for policymakers, industry players, and researchers, highlighting the roadmap's critical role in achieving a carbon-neutral cement sector. • Cement industry faces urgent need for net-zero transition due to high carbon emissions. • Roadmap spans phases: foundation, acceleration, net-zero, targeting emissions by 2050. • Innovations like alkali-activated cements offer promise for emission reduction. • Collective action and policy crucial for sustainable transformation of cement sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study delves into the strategies employed by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to embed digital technology into their business models, aiming to reach carbon neutrality. We offer a comprehensive analysis of five high technology SMEs, unveiling an evolutionary process model that highlights their journey toward integrating technology. The integration process is delineated into three progressive stages. Initially, digital technology is seen as an 'enabler' that promotes the birth of an innovative business model, essentially transforming the mechanisms of value creation, delivery, and capture. As SMEs evolve to an intermediate stage, digital technology becomes a 'disruptor', reshaping and reinventing the business model in terms of how value is created, delivered, and captured. Entering the maturity stage, digital technology is elevated to the role of 'expertise', leading to a sophisticated business model that refines and optimizes these aspects of value. The influence of these business model innovations on carbon neutrality is complex and varies distinctly with each stage, reflecting the dynamic interplay between digital technology and business model evolution. • This study explores the unique strategies SMEs implement to weave DT into their business model innovation (BMI) with an aim to achieve carbon neutrality. • The paper presents an evolutionary process model that sheds light on this integration journey, using an in-depth analysis of five high-tech SMEs. • The paper elaborates the relationship between DT and BMI, delving into the integration of DTs and the roles they perform - as enablers, disruptors, and areas of expertise. • The paper provides insights for businesses seeking to leverage digital technologies to drive innovation and growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrogeological effects of climate change will continue to affect water reservoirs worldwide. Some regions are experiencing and will experience severe decline in their water resources due to prolonged periods of drought. Since emergency practices such as the provision of emergency drinking water and forest firefighting depend on regional surface and groundwater resources, the safety of the hydro geosphere's of a region is of fundamental importance, especially in times of crisis. The study uniquely addresses the integration of emergency water management within broader sustainable practices, particularly in the German context where such an analysis has not been previously consolidated. Using the example of emergency drinking water management, the paper elaborates the extent to which measures of emergency response are currently recognised as part of sustainable water management. In an analysis, 79 documents addressing emergency drinking water management of both water supply companies and crisis management authorities in Germany were analysed. The findings revealed a general lack of documents addressing the long-term dependencies between water resources and emergency measures currently applied. Furthermore, the documents do not elaborate on how to implement these measures in a sustainable way recognising the distinctive characteristics of a region. Since response measures can potentially intensify water stress in a region, emergency water management must be consequently included in a holistic water management process to protect landscapes and communities for the future. This paper provides a first comprehensive compilation of essential documents dealing with emergency drinking water management in Germany. It furthermore introduces a new approach to emergency water management and identifies necessary research that could serve as a baseline for future crisis decision making to strengthen national and international initiatives on water resource protection. • Holistic water management must include water intense measures of emergency response. • Procedures of crisis management can intensify processes of regional water depletion. • Performance of emergency response can decline in times of long-term dryness. • The management of water emergencies requires adaptation to regional hydrogeography. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, the increase in the use of services in cloud, fog, edge, and IoT ecosystems has been very notable. On the one hand, environmental sustainability is affected by this type of ecosystem since it can produce a large amount of energy consumption which translates into CO2 emissions into the atmosphere. On the other hand, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of these ecosystems has increased considerably. Thus, it is necessary to apply policies and techniques to maximize sustainability within these ecosystems. Some of these policies and techniques are those based on artificial intelligence. However, the current processing of these policies and techniques can also consume a lot of resources. From this perspective, this article aims to clarify whether the sustainability of cloud/fog/edge/IoT ecosystems is improved by the application of artificial intelligence. To do this, a systematic literature review is developed in this paper. In addition, a set of classifications of the analyzed works is proposed based on the different aspects related to these ecosystems, their sustainability, and the applicability of artificial intelligence to improve them. • The use of cloud, fog, edge, and IoT has increased drastically in the last few years. • It is necessary to apply policies to maximize the sustainability of AI. • This work clarifies whether the sustainability of these environments is improved by AI. • A SLR is performed to achieve this aim. • The application of AI to these environments is a newborn topic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adequate protection of the environment is one of the hot spots of concern for all sectors of society due to severe environmental pollution. The solution to this issue is friendly management of the environment. With the rapid growth of Chinese Manufacturing SMEs for economic development, environmental pollution and abuse of resources are arising. To resolve these issues, Chinese manufacturing SMEs are accelerating the implementation of green innovation in their industries. However, it is a complex task that involves enterprise, government, and social considerations. Therefore, it is essential to identify the green drivers for this implementation. With a focus on China's current situation from previous research and views from experts, this study aims to investigate how Chinese Manufacturing Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) are responding to resource misuse and environmental pollution by implementing green innovation, emphasising the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in improving environmental performance. This study primarily looks into the factors that influence the adoption of green innovations by analysing the growth paths of Chinese SMEs operating in highly polluting industries over a longer time frame than five years. Artificial Intelligence is a valuable tool for solving the issues of ecological degradation. A quantitative method has been implemented for the Chinese companies' samples from the deeply polluting industries for more than five years. The findings of this paper advise that the average board size, the governing board meetings, and organizational performance are positively connected with the Chinese firms' environmental process. Board independence and diversity of gender have irrelevant associations with ecological performance. A convenient threshold regression model has been used to accumulate the respondents' data. It also reveals that larger board sizes and more frequent governing board meetings are positively associated with improved environmental performance among these firms. The findings state the critical implications for the firm executives, policymakers, environmental activists, and regulators. This result supports the insight drained from the resource dependence, stakeholder, firm agency, and legitimacy theories. • The paper tackles severe environmental pollution and the need for eco-friendly management practices. • The paper emphasizes the need for these enterprises to adopt green innovation practices. • Implementing green innovation is a complex task requiring coordination between enterprises, government, and society. • The paper highlights AI's role as a valuable tool in addressing ecological degradation issues. • The research utilized a threshold regression model to analyse respondent data effectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Criticism is mounting that market-led and state-led initiatives for environmental impact disclosure are too limited in scope and that they rest on too strong assumptions about the quality and impartiality of monitoring and enforcement, with resulting insufficient effect on environmental sustainability. It has been proposed that citizen monitoring may contribute to counteract this void. However, to our knowledge, policy analysis in general and economics in particular has not paid much attention to this role of citizen monitoring. This paper aims to bridge that gap from an economics lens, by exploring the dynamics of disclosing local environmental impact and the potential role of citizen monitoring in environmental policy. To this end, the paper addresses monopolistic versus pluralistic environmental disclosure, letting citizen monitoring represent the latter. The study uses the mining industry as an illustrative case, because of that sector's particular transparency challenges in international value chains, typically with strong negative local environmental impact. It is shown how pluralistic information provision such as citizen monitoring can contribute to incentivizing more reliable information provision, especially in countries with weak state institutions, which is particularly important in the case of high-risk environmental impact. The findings should be of use for shaping environmental policy, providing valuable insights for both policymakers and scholars. • Contrasting monopolistic information provision with citizen monitoring. • Applying a media market model to environmental disclosure. • Examining citizen monitoring as a complementary approach: a case study of the mining industry. • The critical role of citizen monitoring in environments with high-risk pollution and weak state institutions. • Extracting insights for improved environmental disclosure in commodity chains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the impact of air pollution control policies targeting key polluting enterprises, highlighting a strategic shift towards precision pollution control that concentrates on high-emission, high-risk businesses. The paper explores the efficacy of these policies and their potential spatial spillover effects, utilizing panel data from 259 Chinese cities from 2013 to 2021. Employing the difference-in-differences (DID) model and spatial Durbin model, the study analyzes both the direct local effects and the broader spatial consequences of these regulatory measures on air quality. The findings indicate a significant reduction in air pollutant concentrations in urban areas, attributing this improvement to factors such as industrial restructuring, increased investment in science and technology, and economic growth. Spatial econometric analysis further reveals a substantial positive correlation in air quality among Chinese cities. However, estimates of the spillover effect indicate that while such policies successfully reduce pollution locally, they could unintentionally degrade air quality in adjacent areas. The study highlights the need for nuanced policy strategies to mitigate unintended spatial spillovers and enhance overall effectiveness. It recommends tailored policies that integrate environmental and socioeconomic objectives, national and regional coordination for consistent enforcement, technology-driven compliance strategies, and incentives for sustainable enterprise practices. • Assessed impact of policies on key polluters in 259 Chinese cities. • Employed DID and spatial Durbin models for in-depth policy impact analysis. • Found significant reduction in urban air pollution from policies. • Revealed spatial spillover effects, aligning with "pollution haven" hypothesis. • Proposed nuanced approaches for local and spatial policy impacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aquaponics is an integrated food production system that intensively produces a diverse array of seafood and specialty crops in one closed-loop system, which is a potential solution to global challenges of food security. While current aquaponics systems are commonly operated with freshwater, marine aquaponics is an emerging opportunity to grow saltwater animals and plants. Although marine aquaponics can reduce the dependence on freshwater for food production, its environmental sustainability has not been systematically studied. This paper presents the first life cycle assessment (LCA) on a marine aquaponic production system growing shrimp and three halophytes. The system assessed covered from shrimp larvae nursery to grow-out. The effects of salinity, carbon/nitrogen (C/N) ratio and shrimp-to-plant stocking density ratio of aquaponics on its midpoint and endpoint environmental impacts were evaluated using a functional unit based on the economic value of the four products. Electricity use for aquaponic operation was the environmental hotspot, contributing ∼90 % to all the midpoint impacts. The system produced higher environmental impacts when operated at higher salinity, but lower C/N ratio and stocking density. Replacing fossil fuel with wind power for electricity generation can decrease the environmental impacts by 95–99 %. Variation in the shrimp price can change the impacts by up to 62 %. This study provides a useful tool to help marine aquaponic farmers improve their production from an environmental perspective, and can serve as groundwork for further assessing more marine aquaponic systems with different animal-plant combinations. • This paper presents the first LCA on marine aquaponics. • Systems with different salinities, C/N ratios and stocking densities were evaluated. • Electricity use contributed ∼90 % to all the midpoint impacts of aquaponics. • High salinity and low C/N ratio and stocking density had high environmental impacts. • Replacing fossil fuel with wind power decreased the environmental impacts by 95–99 %. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Decision-makers are increasingly asked to act differently in how they respond to complex urban challenges, recognising the value in bringing together and integrating cross-disciplinary, cross-sectoral knowledge to generate effective solutions. Participatory modelling allows to bring stakeholders together, enhance knowledge and understanding of a system, and identify the impacts of interventions to a given problem. This paper uses an interdisciplinary and systems approach to investigate a complex urban problem, using a participatory System Dynamics modelling process as an approach to facilitate learning and co-produce knowledge on the factors influencing the use of urban natural space. Stakeholders used a Systems Dynamics model and interface, as a tool to collectively identify pathways for improving the use of space and simulating their impacts. Under the lens of knowledge co-production, the paper reflects how such mechanisms can lead to the co-production of knowledge and social learning. The findings also contribute to identify ways of increasing the value of urban natural space focusing on urban areas undergoing physical and social transformation, such as the Thamesmead case study, London, UK. • Participatory System Dynamics modelling to co-produce knowledge with stakeholders. • Using a holistic approach to describe the dynamics of the use of urban natural space. • The model simulates different impacts on the use of space to inform decision-making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In developing economies, the decarbonization of energy sector has become a global priority for sustainable and cleaner energy system. Biohydrogen production from renewable sources of waste biomass is a good source of energy incentive that reduces the pollution. Biohydrogen has a high calorific value and emits no emissions, producing both energy security and environmental sustainability. Biohydrogen production technologies have become one of the main renewable sources of energy. The present paper entails the role of biohydrogen recovered from waste biomasses like agricultural waste (AW), organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW), food processing industrial waste (FPIW), and sewage sludge (SS) as a promising solution. The main sources of increasing yield percentage of biohydrogen generation from waste feedstock using different technologies, and process parameters are also emphasized in this review. The production paths for biohydrogen are presented in this review article, and because of advancements in R and D, biohydrogen has gained viability as a biofuel for the future and discusses potential applications in power generation, transportation, and industrial processes, emphasizing the versatility and potential for integration into existing energy infrastructure. The investigation of different biochemical technologies and methods for producing biohydrogen, including anaerobic digestion (AD), dark fermentation (DF), photo fermentation (PF), and integrated dark–photo fermentation (IDPF), has been overviewed. This analysis also discusses future research, investment, and sustainable energy options transitioning towards a low-carbon future, as well as potential problems, economic impediments, and policy-related issues with the deployment of biohydrogen in emerging nations. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The escalating environmental concerns arising from soils contamination with heavy metals (HMs) and pesticides (PSTs) necessitate the development of sustainable and effective remediation strategies. These contaminants, known for their carcinogenic properties and toxicity even at small amounts, pose significant threats to both environmental ecology and human health. While various chemical and physical treatments are employed globally, their acceptance is often hindered by prolonged remediation times, high costs, and inefficacy in areas with exceptionally high pollutant concentrations. A promising emerging trend in addressing this issue is the utilization of microalgae for bioremediation. Bioremediation, particularly through microalgae, presents numerous benefits such as high efficiency, low cost, easy accessibility and an eco-friendly nature. This approach has gained widespread use in remediating HM and PST pollution, especially in large areas. This comprehensive review systematically explores the bioremediation potential of microalgae, shedding light on their application in mitigating soil pollutants. The paper summarizes the mechanisms by which microalgae remediate HMs and PSTs and considers various factors influencing the process, such as pH, temperature, pollutant concentration, co-existing pollutants, time of exposure, nutrient availability, and light intensity. Additionally, the review delves into the response and tolerance of various microalgae strains to these contaminants, along with their bioaccumulation capabilities. Challenges and future prospects in the microalgal bioremediation of pollutants are also discussed. Overall, the aim is to offer valuable insights to facilitate the future development of commercially viable and efficient microalgae-based solutions for pollutant bioremediation. [Display omitted] • Bioremediation applications of contaminated soils with HMs and PSTs were reviewed. • Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan exhibit elevated PST usage and HM contamination. • Factors influencing bioremediation of HMs and PSTs were identified. • Mechanisms and evaluation methods of bioremediation on polluted soil were examined. • Further research is needed to advance field applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research paper delves into the intricate interplay between decarbonisation and sustainability, focusing on adopting chemical looping technologies. Deep decarbonisation scenarios necessitate a profound transformation in various sectors to mitigate climate change, and oil refineries, as pivotal players, must adapt to these changes. Employing the BLUES integrated assessment model, we evaluate the evolution of the refining sector in decarbonisation pathways, emphasising its potential for sustainability through repurposing and emissions mitigation. Additionally, we delve into chemical looping technologies, including Solar Thermal Chemical Looping (STCL), Reverse Water Gas Shift Chemical Looping (RWGS-CL), Chemical Looping Reforming (CLR), and Super Dry Reforming (SDR), elucidating their principles and contributions to carbon dioxide (CO 2) conversion. These technologies offer promising routes for CO 2 capture and present opportunities for sustainable carbon loop cycles, potentially revolutionising industries' emissions reduction efforts. In a world of climate change, this research illuminates a sustainable path forward by integrating decarbonisation and innovative CO 2 management strategies. • Chemical looping technologies offer innovative routes for sustainable carbon capture and utilisation. • Oil refineries can play a pivotal role in reducing emissions through asset repurposing. • Integration of the BLUES model provides insights into refining sector evolution for decarbonisation. • Solar Thermal Chemical Looping (STCL) utilises solar energy for CO 2 conversion. • Methane-utilising CO 2 CL processes like CLR and SDR offer promising sustainability solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agriculture is a leading sector in international initiatives to mitigate climate change and promote sustainability. This article exhaustively examines the removals and emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the agriculture industry. It also investigates an extensive range of GHG sources, including rice cultivation, enteric fermentation in livestock, and synthetic fertilisers and manure management. This research reveals the complex array of obstacles that are faced in the pursuit of reducing emissions and also investigates novel approaches to tackling them. This encompasses the implementation of monitoring systems powered by artificial intelligence, which have the capacity to fundamentally transform initiatives aimed at reducing emissions. Carbon capture technologies, another area investigated in this study, exhibit potential in further reducing GHGs. Sophisticated technologies, such as precision agriculture and the integration of renewable energy sources, can concurrently mitigate emissions and augment agricultural output. Conservation agriculture and agroforestry, among other sustainable agricultural practices, have the potential to facilitate emission reduction and enhance environmental stewardship. The paper emphasises the significance of financial incentives and policy frameworks that are conducive to the adoption of sustainable technologies and practices. This exhaustive evaluation provides a strategic plan for the agriculture industry to become more environmentally conscious and sustainable. Agriculture can significantly contribute to climate change mitigation and the promotion of a sustainable future by adopting a comprehensive approach that incorporates policy changes, technological advancements, and technological innovations. • AI-driven Solutions for Green Agriculture: Mitigating Emissions, Enhancing Sustainability. • Navigating the Climate Challenge: Assessing GHG Emissions in Agriculture with Precision. • Cultivating Tomorrow: Balancing Emissions, Carbon Sequestration, and Innovative Technologies. • Sustainable Agriculture in the AI Era: A Holistic View of Emissions Reduction Strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapid economic growth and human activities have seriously damaged the environment and hindered the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Hence, this study aims to explore the impact of economic complexity, uncertainty, and remittance on environmental degradation in 134 countries from 2000 to 2022. In addition, it examines whether uncertainty moderates the relationship between remittance and environmental degradation. Two proxies (ecological footprint and CO 2) were used to measure environmental degradation. The analysis was conducted using a cross-sectional dependency test, second-generation unit root test, and panel quantile regression. The results revealed that economic complexity significantly and positively impacted environmental degradation, while uncertainty and remittance significantly and negatively impacted environmental degradation. Furthermore, uncertainty weakened the negative relationship between remittance and environmental degradation. Accordingly, this paper discusses various recommendations and policy implications regarding economic complexity, uncertainty, remittance, and environmental degradation. • We examined the impact of economic complexity, uncertainty, and remittance on environmental degradation in 134 countries. • Ecological footprint and CO 2 were used to measure environmental degradation. • Economic complexity significantly and positively impacted environmental degradation. • Uncertainty and remittance significantly and negatively impacted environmental degradation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper aims to review and develop a Consolidated Water Security Index (CWSI) as a tool to evaluate water security status within river basins by considering five key dimensions, namely (i) water supply and sanitation, (ii) water demand and socio-economic, (iii) water ecosystem and environment, (iv) water-related disaster and (v) water governance. This index is a holistic assessment since it aims to capture the interconnected and complex nature of water-related issues by considering multiple dimensional aspects which helps stakeholders and policymakers to understand the overall status of water security. This framework uses the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), involving pairwise comparison, normalisation and weighting. Then, a CWSI will be calculated using the Linear Aggregation method. The robustness of this consolidated index is validated using sensitivity analysis by modifying the weight in the linear aggregation formula. By following each step cautiously, a CWSI can be constructed and interpreted correctly, thus, becoming a powerful tool for conveying complex information to the different stakeholders and assessing the status of water security with river basins. The CWSI allows decision-makers to prioritise areas that are most at risk and facilitate sustainable planning and management of water resources. [Display omitted] • Lacking generally applicable approach for measuring water security. • Decision makers address water issues in silos, undermining water security efforts. • Contextualisation needed to acknowledge complex interactions in water security. • Integrating WASH and IWRM principles is crucial for water security assessment. • CWSI reconciles multiple dimensions and indicators for water security assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Improving soil quality without creating any environmental problems is an unescapable goal of sustainable agroecosystem management, according to the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Therefore, sustainable solutions are in high demand. One of these is the use of biopolymers derived from microbes and seaweed. This paper aims to provide an overview of the sources of extraction and use of microbial (bacteria and cyanobacteria) and seaweed-based biopolymers as soil conditioners, the characteristics of biopolymer-treated soils, and their environmental concerns. A preliminary search was also carried out on the entire Scopus database on biopolymers to find out how much attention has been paid to biopolymers as biofertilizers compared to other applications of these molecules until now. Several soil quality indicators were evaluated, including soil moisture, color, structure, porosity, bulk density, temperature, aggregate stability, nutrient availability, organic matter, and microbial activity. The mechanisms involved in improving soil quality were also discussed. [Display omitted] • The study analyses the biopolymer literature studies on soil quality indicators. • Little research on biopolymers concerns their impact on soil quality indicators. • The effects of microbial and seaweed biopolymers on soil are explored. • Studied biopolymers can contribute to sustainable agriculture. • Soil treatment with biopolymers can contribute to achieving SDGs of Agenda (2030. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The escalating threat of plastic pollution necessitates urgent and immediate action, particularly within the food and beverage (F&B) industry, a significant contributor to single-use plastic waste (SUP). As the global population surges, so does the consumption of single-use plastics in the F&B sector, perpetuating a linear economy model characterized by a 'take, make, use, dispose' approach. This model significantly exacerbates plastic waste issues, with projections indicating an alarming increase in plastic outputs by 2050 if current practices continue. Against this backdrop, the circular economy presents a viable alternative, with its emphasis on resource retention, recovery, and the extension of product lifecycles. This study delves into the problems posed by single-use plastics, introduces the circular economy as a sustainable model, and explores effective strategies for the recycling and reuse of plastic waste within this framework. By examining the environmental impact of SUP in the F&B sector and advocating for the adoption of circular economy principles, this paper underscores a critical pathway towards sustainable solutions in the battle against plastic pollution. In conclusion, the transition to a circular economy, underpinned by global collaboration and the proactive implementation of supportive policies, is imperative for reducing the environmental footprint of single-use plastics and fostering a sustainable future. • Urgent need to address single-use plastic (SUP) waste in food & beverage industry due to escalating threat. • Growing global population drives linear 'take, make, use, dispose' model, exacerbating plastic waste. • Alarming predictions for SUP output by 2050 necessitate shift to circular economy approach. • Circular economy emphasises resource retention, recovery, and extended product lifecycles as a solution. • Study advocates for circular economy principles in F&B sector to combat plastic pollution crisis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food systems impact different aspects of sustainability and human life, such as pollution, health, climate change, biodiversity loss, water shortage, and soil infertility. However, in many places, food systems are neither resilient nor sustainable. Integrated planning approaches can help to overcome fragmented strategies and policies in ways that improve the sustainability and resilience of food systems. This study explores such an approach by applying a climate-biodiversity-health (CBH) nexus to local and regional food systems in the Comox Valley region, British Columbia, Canada. The CBH nexus is used as an analytical lens to identify systems relationships among food systems, climate change, biodiversity and health issues and strategies in the region. The employs a place-based approach entailing semi-structured interviews with provincial, regional, and local stakeholders in order to develop a holistic understanding of planning challenges, strategies and their outcomes through the CBH lens. Outcomes of this work include a system map that can be used as a framework for elucidating how various strategies align or conflict with different CBH imperatives and can be used to support integrated community sustainability planning and policy-making efforts. The framework is developed within the Comox Valley context, but it can be adapted to other communities. This paper details the development of this framework, the interconnections between different components, and how this framework can be adopted in other communities. • Applying a context-based lens and place-based approach that engages stakeholders can be beneficial for integrated planning in food systems. • This study applies a Climate-Biodiversity-Health nexus in the Comox Valley's food systems. • Semi-structured interviews and a case study approach are used to elucidate how the nexus can be effectively applied to a particular place and context. • The case study's system maps are developed to illustrate how the research domains impact each other. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review paper explores the acceptance of renewable energy (RE) installations and projects, focusing on the perspectives of local residents and tourists. While previous research has extensively examined community acceptance of RE, limited attention has been given to tourists' acceptance in tourist destinations. Despite extensive research, significant gaps persist, particularly regarding tourists' acceptance of RE installations. The paper stresses the need to identify the determinants of tourists' acceptance and advocates for further investigation comparing residents' and tourists' reactions to RE projects in tourism destinations. It also emphasizes the importance of incorporating new theories and interdisciplinary approaches into future studies. By offering an overview of existing research and providing guidance for future inquiry, this review paper contributes to the body of knowledge on RE acceptance. It underscores the necessity of comprehensively examining the acceptance of both local residents and tourists to ensure sustainable development and the integration of RE projects in tourism destinations. • Limited attention to tourists' acceptance of RE installations persists. • Identifying determinants of tourist acceptance is crucial for sustainability. • The importance of RE installations acceptance becomes a central focus in sustainable tourism research • There exists a notable disparity in the acceptance of RE between residents and tourists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditional techniques for pesticide residues detection and quantification in food using mass spectrometry often require the analysis of standards for each compound, leading to time-consuming and laborious procedures, especially considering that these methods usually involve hundreds of pesticides to be targeted. This paper presents a novel approach to compound quantitation, where multiple target compounds can be accurately quantified using few predictor compounds, significantly reducing the experimental time and minimizing resource requirements. For this purpose, data on detector response which encompassed calibration slopes of a total of 96 pesticide standards on GC-MS/MS and 66 standards on LC-MS/MS, over a period of 4 years, were collected. Two fundamental statistical techniques, Pearson correlation and linear regression, were used to create a predictive model, which accuracy was further evaluated using R-square, adjusted R-square, and Root Mean Square Error (RMSE). Four predicted compounds for the LC dataset and seven predicted compounds for GC dataset were identified, and various predictor combinations were considered. A linear regression model was developed using predictor combinations to estimate the calibration slope of each of the target compound. This model was applied for the quantitation of several pesticide residues in food samples. The results validated the model's high accuracy. [Display omitted] • Four predictive compounds for LC dataset were identified to build the predictive model. • Seven predictive compounds for GC dataset were identified to build the predictive model. • A linear regression model is created to derive predictive slopes. • The accuracy of the model is assessed with R-squared, adjusted R-squared, and RMSE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solid set canopy delivery system (SSCDS), consisting of fixed spray micro–emitters distributed throughout the tree or vine crop canopy, has the potential to reduce off–target spray drift and deposition because they do not use air–assistance for spray delivery. This study evaluated two different SSCDS configurations and a conventional axial–fan air–assisted sprayer for drift potential in a modified vertical shoot position trained vineyard. The application systems were evaluated using 500 ppm solution of Pyranine 10G® as a fluorescent tracer. Spray was captured on mylar cards and water sensitive paper (WSP) samplers downwind the spray row. Samplers were placed above the canopy and on the floor between the vine rows. Spray material collected on mylar cards was quantified by fluorometry, and coverage was estimated by processing pertinent WSP images. Overall, the air–assisted sprayer had significantly higher losses to the ground and airborne spray drift compared to the two SSCDS configurations. The SSCDS had minimal amounts of spray losses to air (<1 ng cm−2). Similarly, off–target spray movement was confined within 4.5 m downwind of the sprayed row. However, no significant difference in ground runoff was observed among the studied spray systems. • Drift was quantified for solid set canopy delivery systems and air-assisted sprayer. • Airborne and ground spray losses were quantified at different downwind distances. • Mylar cards and water sensitive papers were used as drift deposit samplers. • Air-assistance accounted for significantly higher spray losses to air and ground. • Solid set canopy delivery systems had minimal amount of drift losses to air. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Limited research exists on how the transition towards more sustainable eating takes place at the meso-level of family decision-making, or how children and adolescents engage in and possibly influence the process towards more sustainable diets in families. In this paper, we study how public recommendations that encourage reducing the consumption of meat for the benefit of both health and climate are interpreted, negotiated, and acted upon in Danish families with adolescents (aged 15–20) residing at home. We use novel methodological stimuli, including vignettes and a visual sorting task, embedded in qualitative, in-depth interviews to elicit data on parents' and adolescents' everyday meat consumption/reduction behaviours. Findings reveal that a desire to uphold harmony and family cohesion serves as simultaneous drivers and barriers to reducing meat consumption. Further, we identify barriers to change in the gendered work hidden in the tasks of planning the integration of more sustainable, green dishes into the meal repertoires. Implications are drawn for social marketers, marketers, and public policymakers, encouraging these to use insights into family food decision-making processes as a lever to facilitate the needed green transition of diets in family households. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blockchain Technology has garnered significant attention due to its immense potential to transform the way transactions are conducted and information is managed. Blockchain is a decentralized digital ledger that is spread across a network of computers, ensuring the secure, transparent, and unchangeable recording of transactions. However, the energy consumption of certain blockchain networks like Bitcoin, Litecoin, Monero, Zcash, and others has generated apprehensions regarding the sustainability of this technology. Bitcoin alone consumes approximately 100 terawatt-hours annually, contributing significantly to global carbon emissions. The substantial energy requirements not only contribute to carbon emissions but also pose a risk to the long-term viability of the blockchain industry. This study reviews articles from eight reputable databases between 2017 to August 2023, employing the systematic review and preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses approach for screening. Therefore, explore the applications of sustainable blockchain networks aimed at reducing environmental impact while ensuring efficiency and security. This survey also assesses the challenges and limitations posed by diverse blockchain applications regarding sustainability and provides valuable foresight into potential future advancements. Through this survey, the aim is to track and verify sustainable practices, facilitating the transition to a low-carbon economy, and promoting environmental stewardship, with a specific focus on highlighting the potential of sustainable blockchain networks in enabling secure and transparent tracking of these practices. Finally, the paper sheds light on pertinent research challenges and provides a roadmap of future directions, stimulating further research in this promising field. • Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta- Analyses (PRISMA Study). • Identification of Sustainable Blockchain Use Cases. • Sustainable Blockchain Challenges and Opportunities. • Blockchain for Transparent Sustainability Tracking. • Future Research Directions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thermal spraying, an important industrial surface manufacturing process in sectors such as aerospace, energy and biomedical, remains a skill intensive process often involving multiple trial runs impacting the yield. The core research challenge in digitalisation of thermal spraying process lies in instrumenting the manufacturing platform as the process includes harsh conditions, including UV Rays, high-plasma temperature, dusty chemical environment, and spray booth inaccessibility. This paper introduces a novel application of machine learning to the acoustic emission spectra of thermal spraying. By transitioning from the amplitude-time domain to a Fourier-transformed frequency-time domain, it is possible to predict anomalies in real-time, a crucial step towards sustainable material and manufacturing digitalization. Our experimental results also indicate that this method is suitable for industrial applications by generating useful data that can be used to develop Visual Geometry Group (VGG) transfer learning models to overcome the traditional limitations of convoluted neural networks (CNN). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent observations have heightened concerns that the reduced density of coastal water is leading to a decrease in the frequency of basin water renewal in Norwegian sill fjords. There are indications that coastal water is becoming lighter due to climate change. The renewal of fjord basin water constitutes the primary source of oxygenation in these fjords, and many sill fjords naturally undergo stagnation periods lasting up to several years. In this paper, we have mapped alterations in coastal water using time series data from hydrographic measurements along the coastline, utilizing them as input for a simplified two-layer fjord model. We demonstrate that the temperature has risen, salinity has decreased, and consequently, the density of coastal water has declined since approximately 1990. At a depth of 10 m, the rise in temperature and the reduction in salinity made similar contributions to the decrease in density. However, at depths of 50 and 100 m, the increasing temperature emerged as the primary factor. The density exhibited a more substantial decrease in the upper layers compared to the lower layers. Consequently, not only was the water less dense, but the stability of the water column had also increased. The estimated temperature in the fjord basins increased after 1990 in 98 out of 101 evaluated fjords, with an average increase of 0.6 °C. The altered coastal stratification had an impact on the estimated work against the buoyant forces in the fjord basins. In 78 out of the 101 fjords, the work against buoyant forces by diapycnal mixing increased. In most of the fjord basins where the work against buoyant forces increased, the rise was insufficient to compensate for the decreasing density at the coast. Consequently, basin water renewal occurred less frequently in 65 out of the 101 fjord basins along the Norwegian coast. • Coastal monitoring in Norway show altered coastal climate since 1930. • The Norwegian coastal water has decreased in density. • The stratification along the Norwegian coast is intensified. • Both coastal water and fjord basin got warmer after 1990. • Water exchange in fjord basins occure less frequent than before. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Governments globally face increasing pressure from climate advocates and international agreements, such as the Paris Agreement, to enact policies addressing climate change. This paper addresses the imperative for sustainable practices outlined in such agreements, with a specific focus on assessing the drivers of Green Procurement Practices (GPP) within Public Sector Organizations (PSOs). A dearth of research exists in systematically analyzing and prioritizing these drivers, exploring their interdependencies, and elucidating their relative importance. GPP is pivotal in market transformation by promoting environmentally friendly products and endorsing low-carbon, energy-efficient alternatives. This, in turn, contributes significantly to mitigating climate change and fostering a shift towards a greener, more sustainable economy. Identification of the drivers has been performed by an extensive review of the literature combined with the author's viewpoint, while the analysis has been performed using the novel method of Dominance-based Rough Set Approach (DRSA) and Interpretive Structural Modelling (ISM) with Matriced' Impacts Croise's Multiplication Applique'e a UN Classement (MICMAC) analysis. The study's outcome reveals that the Demand for Eco-friendly products is the primary driver for the incorporation of GPP, followed by the drivers' Presence of guidelines support and Government Regulations. Findings of the research also demonstrate that suppliers' propensity to adopt green practices depends on several factors, including sustainable supplier cooperation, degree of commitment to embrace green initiatives, government interventions in the form of incentives and guidelines support, and the presence of a legal framework. The findings of this research will enrich the understanding of policymakers and managers to formulate strategies for advancing GPP structured and sustainable implementation in PSOs. The study's findings will also benefit green technology sector advancement through the widespread adoption of GPP. • Study focuses on assessing the drivers of green procurement practices (GPP) in public sector organizations (PSOs). • Analysis has been performed using the novel DRSA and ISM-MICMAC approach methodology. • Analysis reveals that the demand for eco-friendly products is the primary driver for incorporating GPP. • Other key drivers include the presence of guidelines support and government regulations. • Findings will enrich the understanding of policymakers and managers to formulate strategies for advancing GPP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The circular economy (CE) has been gaining traction in recent years as it promises a change for good, in terms of environmental, social, and economic benefits. The major changes required to implement circular economy business models (CEBMs), can prove to be especially difficult for organisations. This study provides a holistic analysis of the effect of CE institutional policies on the development of CEBMs in organisations, by exploring not only production-oriented policies, which have been the focus of previous research, but also consumption policies. Consumption policies, in the form of regulatory and information policies, are oriented towards consumers and have the potential to affect the demand for CE products, which in turn affects the development of CEBMs in organisations. The paper is framed within the institutional theory and the context of the European Union. Our results reveal that consumption policies have a positive, albeit diminishing, effect on the CEBMs. Our paper finds that regulation is the most impactful policy, having a larger impact than production policies. Our results highlight the important role of institutional policies in fostering consumers' demand for CE products and of consumption policies as tools to be employed by governments in fostering CEBMs and achieving sustainability. • Consumption policies have a positive, albeit diminishing, effect on the CEBMs. • Regulation for consumption is more impactful than production policies. • Institutional policies are crucial in fostering consumers' demand for CE products. • Consumption policies are an essential tool for governments to foster CEBMs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Remediation of lands contaminated with radionuclides and hazardous chemicals provides an ongoing challenge for many countries. It is particularly problematic for remediation of old industrial sites remaining from World War II and the Cold War. Remediating and restoring large sites is often costly, time-consuming, and involves complex planning and sequencing, as well as consideration of future land use policies. The goal of remediation is to reduce contamination, reduce risk to humans and the environment, and restore land to productive land uses, and ultimately, to sustainability. Often reducing risk to people takes precedence over protecting ecological resources in overall planning, characterization, and execution of remediation strategies. This paper examines when and how stakeholders, including anyone interested and affected by remediation on ecological resources, can become involved in the planning, decision-making, and implementation of remediation. There is a formal process under federal law (e.g. CERCLA) in the US for examining risk to resources, including indicator species. However, there are other informal points during the cleanup process when managers should consider the value of ecological resources, the public may express their concerns for particular ecological resources, and ecologists may provide data and expert advice early in the process as critical decisions are being made about remediation that impact ecological resources. The framework presented in this paper for increasing sustainability of ecological resources has three periods of intervention 1) major decision points, 2) process interdiction points, and 3) remediation action points. Major decision points include site and problem identification, regional ecological resource and local land use practice determination, remediation goals and options determination, and other local issues. Interdiction points include examining remediation options, and in-depth assessments of ecological resources on-site. Remediation action points are aimed at reducing risk to ecological resources during remediation, and include defining the remediation site and buffer, understanding the effects of timing and sequencing of remediation, education of all remediation personnel, and specific suggestions for reducing risk during active remediation. While this framework was developed for Department of Energy remediation sites, it is applicable to brownfields and other contaminated lands world-wide. The overall goal is to provide interested and affected parties with a framework for protecting and enhancing ecological resources during the planning and execution of remediation on contaminated lands. fx1 • Reducing risk to humans often takes precedence over reducing risk to eco-receptors. • When and how stakeholders can become involved in remediation decisions is described. • There are 3 decisions phases: major decisions, process interdiction, and remediation actions. • Stakeholders should be involved in all 3 phases to protect ecological resources. • The goal is to provide parties with a framework to protect and enhance ecological resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Depletion of groundwater resources is of increasing concern in many parts of the world; however, farmers' perceptions of resource status and the role these have in influencing decisions about groundwater use are rarely considered and even more rarely analysed. This paper investigates the links between farmers' perceptions of resource condition and drivers of groundwater decline and patterns of groundwater use in the semi-arid highland region of Balochistan, Pakistan. Key factors associated with groundwater over-exploitation in this region, identified by farmers, include: high returns from irrigated fruit and vegetable cultivation; drought; mass installation of tubewells; inefficient irrigation practices; government policies and subsidies that promote groundwater development; and lack of effective groundwater governance. Critically, while a majority of farmers in this study believe that groundwater is a limited resource, there is little evidence to indicate that this then leads to sustainable groundwater use decision making within these communities. Without effective intervention, groundwater resources in this region will potentially suffer the consequences of human behaviour associated with the use of common pool resources identified in Hardin's (1968) seminal 'Tragedy of the Commons' paper. This study exemplifies the importance to the future of rural communities in water scarce regions of effective governance, regulations and economic incentives for sustainable water management. Highlights • We investigated farmers' perceptions in relation to groundwater use in a water scarce unregulated environment. • Multiple factors were found to be associated with groundwater over-use. • Awareness that groundwater is limited did not alter extraction behaviour. • Perverse incentives, maladaptation and policy making on the run were apparent. • We discuss governance options for sustainable resource use in water scarce regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The paper uses data on environmental (management) performance (EP) of industrial goods companies in 14 countries to assess the impact of 3 variables on EP: companies' headquarters location, global spread (GS) & financial performance (FP). No prior study has addressed these questions for the industrial goods sector, a crucial sector in most economies. Hierarchical regression and other methods are used to test pertinent hypotheses. Among other things, the paper finds that EP differ based on regional location of the companies' headquarters. Consistent with prior research for some industries, FP and GS show no impact on EP. An auxiliary finding is that manufacturing firms outperform service firms environmentally. These results have several practical implications. For example, industrial goods companies headquartered outside Europe can learn environmental best practices in Europe, and endeavor to implement them throughout their global operations. Also, firms need not excel financially to excel environmentally. Such firms may focus on environmental excellence, knowing that investments in environmental programs would ultimately pay off. This work bridges the International Management and Sustainability Literatures, provides some guidance to managers about EP improvement and adds to our understanding of EP. It will stimulate related research in the Production and Operations Management and Environmental Management fields. Highlights • Companies Environmental Performance differ based on their headquarters locations. • Financial performance is found to have no impact on environmental performance. • Global spread is found to have no impact on environmental performance. • Manufacturing-oriented firms outperformed service-oriented firms environmentally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the current context of the necessary sustainability transition of the built environment, it is widely recognized that buildings are a major contributor to the energy consumption of fossil fuels and the emission of CO 2 . Most of the debates, policies and research are however dedicated to the sole construction of new very efficient (up to zero-energy) building, neglecting the potential of actions on the existing building stock. In this context, we argue that LCA tools are of a huge interest to objectivise the need to refurbish old buildings, in order to increase their energy efficiency and extend their life span, and to compare this strategy to the demolition/reconstruction of buildings. To achieve this aim, this paper aims at updating an existing tool that enables to carry out the life cycle assessment of buildings, by taking into account demolition and construction phases. Then, the tool is applied to one case study of the low-energy refurbishment of a public office building in Brussels, to compare the impacts of the complete demolition followed by a complete reconstruction (rebuild project) to the retrofitting of the existing building (retrofit project). Our main findings confirm the huge impact of the use phase, highlight the impact (energy and CO 2 emissions) of the construction and demolition phases and show that the in-depth renovation of this building leads to lower environmental indicators compared to its full reconstruction. The tool and results provided in this paper support the development of policies in favour of the retrofitting of the existing building stock and highlight the importance of including the whole life cycle of the building in the analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainable consumption and production are considered to be fundamental ways to solve problems with environmental resources that human beings are facing. There is a broad consensus that promoting sustainable consumption requires the joint efforts of different social actors. This paper aims to define the roles of different stakeholders and the relationships between them, and then establish a modeling framework to analyze those relationships between stakeholders, which include members of government, business, consumer, mass media, environmental non-government organizations, education and research institutions, financial markets, etc. The research found that members of government, business, and consumers make up the core stakeholder network. The modeling framework could be used to evaluate sustainable consumption practices and identify deficiencies that would assist in defining better trajectories. This paper describes the evaluation of sustainable consumption practice in Tianjin, China from a stakeholder perspective to show how the modeling framework can function. According to this analysis, the following six actions may promote sustainable consumption practices in areas like Tianjin: 1) the cultivation of a consciousness of sustainable consumption, 2) the exemplary role of government, 3) a series of laws, regulations, and policies, 4) a thorough sustainable consumption action plan, 5) an insistence on sustainable production and consumption by businesses and consumers, and 6) the concerted efforts of various stakeholders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper builds on the Supply and Use Tables module within the System of integrated Environmental and Economic Accounts - Experimental Ecosystem Accounts (SEEA EEA) developed by the UN. We explore the evolution of Supply and Use Tables from the System of National Accounts (SNA) to the System of integrated Environmental and Economic Accounts - Central Framework (SEEA CF) and then to the SEEA EEA, and we propose a further extension: we propose that ecosystem types should be treated as accounting units able to produce, consume and exhibit changes in regeneration and absorption rates. The implications are first explained in the methodological section and then shown in the application where the water purification service is tested against two major policy issues: sustainability assessment (we show how to assess whether the ecosystem service is used sustainably by comparing the quantification of potential and actual flow) and causality nexus (we quantify the connection between the value of agricultural production and that of the ecosystem service used). The paper highlights how the overall outcomes change when considering different scales. A contrast emerges, for example, between the positive balance at the continental scale, where water purification services appear to be used sustainably (thanks to the high potential flow of Northern European countries) and the negative balance of almost all European countries when considered at a national scale. Taking advantage of the experimental opportunities offered by operating with external satellite accounts, we are able to show how the proposed complementary tables could support policy action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reducing one's consumption of foods containing animal products, or avoiding such foods altogether, has become part of everyday life for many people in the Western world. People's motivations for such "animal product limiting" are well-established, but the ways in which individuals enact and experience dietary change in the initial phase are not well understood. Nor is it clear whether, and how, these people present their dietary changes to others. Through the analysis of interviews with 28 people residing in Denmark who had recently (<9 months) embarked on flexitarian, pescetarian, vegetarian or vegan diets, this paper explores how people, in the initial phase of trying to consume fewer, or no, foods with animal products, (i) engage in the practicalities of daily food activities and (ii) communicate their experiences with, and opinions about, the dietary changes they are making in interpersonal interactions. The findings reveal two very different ways of organising the daily food activities: Foodism and Convenience. They also disclose three different ways of communicating in interpersonal interactions: Ethical advocacy , Plant food demonstration and Anonymisation of diet. The paper offers insights into the variation in practices underlying animal product limiting. It suggests that the plant food sector should cater for people relying on convenient food practices as well as those engaged in more advanced ("foodie") practices. Further, in discussing interpersonal communication in the light of community-based social marketing, we argue that the findings highlight how animal product limiters, in everyday social life, may be able to encourage more people to embark on animal product limiting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water is a fundamental requirement for the survival of human beings. Although water is abundantly available across the globe, access to freshwater still remains a major concern. Most of the water available is saline or brackish, which is not fit for human consumption. Desalination is the optimum solution for production of potable water from saline water. A major shortcoming of conventional desalination technologies is their dependence on fossil fuel that results in environmental degradation, global warming, etc. Therefore, sustainable desalination technology has evolved as a need of hour. Among all renewable energy resources, solar energy is abundantly available and can be potentially harvested. Therefore, solar energy can be used to drive sustainable desalination technologies. A solar still converts saline water into freshwater in a single step using solar energy. But the major drawbacks of solar still are relatively lower efficiency and lower yield. Nanofluids are widely used to overcome these limitations due to their extraordinary and unique properties. This paper critically reviews the recent research performed on the application of nanofluids in solar desalination systems. Methods of nanofluid preparation, their types and properties are also discussed in detail. Application of nanofluids in solar desalination systems is discussed with special attention on performance enhancement of solar stills. Combinations of nanofluids with various other performance enhancement techniques are also considered. The effectiveness of nanofluids in solar stills is found to be dependent majorly on the nature and concentration of the nanofluid used. • SDG-6 calls for sustainable technological development. • Solar desalination is a sustainable desalination technology. • Nano-fluids enhance the performance of solar stills. • Preparation, properties and applications of nanofluids are reviewed. • Future pathways for utilization of nanofluids in desalination are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plastic disposal and their degraded products in the environment are global concern due to its adverse effects and persistence in nature. To overcome plastic pollution and its impacts on environment, a sustainable bioplastic production using renewable feedstock's, such as algae, are envisioned. In this review, the production of polymer precursors such as polylactic acid, polyhydroxybutyrates, polyhydroxyalkanoates, agar, carrageenan and alginate from microalgae and macroalgae through direct conversion and fermentation routes are summarized and discussed. The direct conversion of algal biopolymers without any bioprocess (whole algal biomass used emphasizing zero waste discharge concept) favours economic feasibility. Whereas indirect method uses conversion of algal polymers to monomers after pretreatment followed by bioplastic precursor production by fermentation are emphasized. This review paper also outlines the current state of technological developments in the field of algae-based bioplastic, both in industry and in research, and highlights the creation of novel solutions for green bioplastic production employing algal polymers. Finally, the cost economics of the bioplastic production using algal biopolymers are clearly mentioned with future directions of next level bioplastic production. In this review study, the cost estimation was given at laboratory level bioplastic production using casting methods. Further development of bioplastics at pilot scale level may give clear economic feasibility of production at industry. Here, in this review, we emphasized the overview of algal biopolymers for different bioplastic product development and its economic value and also current industries involved in bioplastic production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Micro-nano plastics (MNPs) are emerging contaminants that can easily enter the food chain, posing risks to both the aquatic ecosystem and human health. Various physical, biological, and chemical methods have been explored to remove MNPs from water, and recently, adsorption technology has gained attention as an effective approach. Among the potential candidates, carbon-based adsorbent has emerged as a promising choice due to their low cost, eco-friendly nature, and sustainability. This paper summarizes recent advancements in MNP removal using carbon-based adsorbents, with a focus on the modification methods and adsorption mechanisms. Additionally, the factors influencing the adsorption performance and the methods for characterizing the adsorption mechanism are analyzed. Finally, the advantages and disadvantages of carbon-based adsorbents over other adsorbents are discussed, along with the current state of sustainable recycling and future research prospects. [Display omitted] • Typical carbon-based adsorbents for MNPs adsorption were carefully overviewed. • Different modification technologies were introduced for enhancing MNPs adsorption. • Adsorption mechanism and corresponding characterization methods were discussed. • Important factors affecting the adsorption performance of MNPs were analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The metal resource crisis and the inherent need for a low-carbon circular economy have driven the rapid development of e-waste recycling technology. High-value waste printed circuit boards (WPCBs) are an essential component of e-waste. However, WPCBs are considered hazardous to the ecosystem due to the presence of heavy metals and brominated organic polymers. Therefore, achieving the recycling of metals in WPCBs is not only a strategic requirement for building a green ecological civilization but also an essential guarantee for achieving a safe supply of mineral resources. This review systematically analyzes the hydrometallurgical technology of metals in WPCBs in recent years. Firstly, the different unit operations of pretreatment in the hydrometallurgical process, which contain disassembly, crushing, and pre-enrichment, were analyzed. Secondly, environmentally friendly hydrometallurgical leaching systems and high-value product regeneration technologies used in recent years to recover metals from WPCBs were evaluated. The leaching techniques, including cyanidation, halide, thiourea, and thiosulfate for precious metals, and inorganic acid, organic acid, and other leaching methods for base metals such as copper and nickel in WPCBs, were outlined, and the leaching performance and greenness of each leaching system were summarized and analyzed. Eventually, based on the advantages of each leaching system and the differences in chemical properties of metals in WPCBs, an integrated and multi-gradient green process for the recovery of WPCBs was proposed, which provides a sustainable pathway for the recovery of metals in WPCBs. This paper provides a reference for realizing the gradient hydrometallurgical recovery of metals from WPCBs to promote the recycling metal resources. • Gentle hydrometallurgy of metals in WPCBs is summarized and analyzed. • Leaching methods for gold, copper and other metals are systematically compared. • A process for clean gradient recovery of multi-metals from WPCBs is proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this paper is to explore how Internet use affects an individual's environmental sustainability awareness. To this end, we adopt data from the 2021 wave of Chinese General Social Survey, measure the environmental sustainability awareness by 14 categories of items, and employ a treatment effect model to identify the relationship. The results reveal that Internet use is significantly associated with an increase in people's environmental sustainability awareness. Our study sheds light on the underlying mechanism of the positive correlation via an information-based channel. Furthermore, we also find that the facilitating effect is more pronounced in economically developed regions. This work provides a new insight into the determinants of environmental sustainability awareness and offers several implications to conduct sustainable development policies in the digital era. • Investigating the impact of Internet use on environmental sustainability awareness. • Estimating a treatment effect model to investigate the relationship between Internet use on environmental sustainability awareness. • Internet use is significantly associated with an increase in people's environmental sustainability awareness. • Revealing the underlying mechanism of the positive correlation via an information-based channel. • The facilitating effect is more pronounced in economically developed regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microalgal-bacterial granular sludge (MBGS) has attached attention for sustainable wastewater treatment, but it remains elusive whether it can adapt to outdoor light-limited conditions. This paper investigated the biological adaptation mechanisms of MBGS to outdoor light-limited diel conditions using real municipal wastewater. The results indicated that MBGS still had excellent pollutants removal performance, and that both the extracellular polymeric substances and glycogen content of MBGS increased significantly. The main functional microalgae and bacteria were revealed to be Leptolyngbyaceae and Rhodanobacteria , respectively. Further analyses indicated that the abundance of genes encoding PsbA, PsbD, PsbE, PsbJ, PsbP, Psb27, Psb28-2, PsaC, PsaE, PsaL, PsbX, PetB, PetA, and PetE increased in photosystem. Meanwhile, the abundance of gene encoding Rubisco decreased but the gene abundance regarding to crassulacean acid metabolism cycle increased. These suggested that MBGS could adjust the photosynthetic pathway to ensure the completion of photosynthesis. This study is anticipated to add fundamental insights for the MBGS process operated under outdoor light-limited conditions. [Display omitted] • Outdoor light-limited weathers were adopted for MBGS to treat real wastewater. • MBGS could maintain excellent sludge property and performance. • Leptolngbyaceae and Rhodanobacteria became the dominant microorganisms. • MBGS adapted to light-limited weathers by adjusting the photosynthetic pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anaerobic digestion (AD) as a waste management strategy for the organic fraction of municipal waste (OFMSW) has received attention in developed countries for several decades, leading to the development of large-scale plants. In contrast, AD of OFMSW has only recently drawn attention in developing countries. This systematic review was carried out to investigate the implementation of AD to treat the OFMSW in developing countries, focusing on assessing pilot and full-scale AD plants reported in the last ten years. Studies that met the selection criteria were analyzed and data regarding operating parameters, feedstock characteristics, and biogas, digestate, and energy production were extracted. As outlined in this systematic review, AD plants located in developing countries are mostly one-stage mesophilic systems that treat OFMSW via mono-digestion, almost exclusively with the aim of producing electrical energy. Based on the analysis done throughout this systematic review, it was noted that there is a large difference in the maturity level of AD systems between developing and developed countries, mainly due to the economic capacity of developed countries to invest in sustainable waste management systems. However, the number of AD plants reported in scientific papers is significantly lower than the number of installed AD systems. Research articles regarding large-scale implementation of AD to treat OFMSW in developed countries were analyzed and compared with developing countries. This comparison identified practices used in plants in developed countries that could be utilized in the large-scale implementation and success of AD in developing countries. These practices include exploiting potential products with high market-values, forming partnerships with local industries to use industrial wastes as co-substrates, and exploring different biological and physical pretreatment technologies. Additionally, the analysis of capital and operational costs of AD plants showed that costs tend to be higher for developing countries due to their need to import of materials and equipment from developed countries. Technical, economical, and political challenges for the implementation of AD at a large-scale in developing countries are highlighted. • Anaerobic digestion (AD) of biowaste is gaining attention in developing countries. • AD plants in developing countries (DC) are mostly one-stage mono-digestion systems. • AD plants costs in DC are high due to their need to import equipment. • The challenges for the implementation of AD at a large-scale in DC were discussed. • Public-private partnerships are imperative to overcome these challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global economy has accelerated the transition to a green, low-carbon economy. An enterprise's green innovation (GI) is directly related to its capacity for sustainable production as a micro-subject of economic development. This study examined the impact of managerial capacity on enterprise green innovation and changes of green innovation targeting. We used data collected manually from 423 Chinese A-share companies from 2010 to 2017. The effect of various external impact signals was then investigated. This study's findings are as follows: (1) Managerial ability stimulated green enterprise innovation. The marginal effect was 0.0696. While quality targeting has focused more on green invention innovation, managerial capacity significantly improved the marginal impact of green substantial innovation by 0.0375; (2) The clean production link targeting analysis confirmed that enterprises focused on end-of-pipe governance innovation (0.0466), along with new energy innovation (0.0495) rather than energy-saving innovation (−0.0227); (3) The multi-period DDD (Difference in Difference in Difference) model revealed that low-carbon city policy promoted green innovation with a diminishing trend; (4) The voluntary environmental regulation signals, ISO14001 certification, displayed a substitute effect for managerial capacity on enterprise green innovation. This paper provides recommendations, including that enterprises should improve the utilization of new and renewable energy while improving and optimizing production processes. The government should also improve innovation incentive policies and strengthen environmental information disclosure. • The marginal effect of managerial ability on enterprise green innovation is 0.0696. • Quality targeting focuses more on green invention innovation. • Link targeting focuses more on end-of-pipe governance innovation. • Low-carbon city policy promoted green innovation with a diminishing trend. • ISO14001 certification displayed a substitute effect in the process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, pure economic supply chain management is not commonly contemplated among companies (especially buyers), as recently novel dimensions of supply chains, e.g., environmental, sustainability, and risk, play significant roles. In addition, since companies prefer buying their needs from a group of suppliers, the problem of supplier selection is not solely choosing or qualifying a supplier from among others. Buyers, hence, commonly assemble a portfolio of suppliers by looking at the multi-dimensional pre-determined selection criteria. Since sustainable supplier selection criteria are often assessed by linguistic terms, an appropriate clustering approach is required. This paper presents an innovative way to implement fuzzy equivalence relation to clustering sustainable suppliers through developing a comprehensive taxonomy of sustainable supplier selection criteria, including supply chain risk. Fifteen experts participated in this study to evaluate 20 suppliers and cluster them in the plastics industry. Findings reveal that the best partitioning occurs when the suppliers are divided into two clusters, with 4 (20%) and 16 (80%) suppliers, respectively. The four suppliers in cluster one are performing better in terms of the capability of supplier/delivery, service, risk, and sustainability criteria such as environment protection/management, and green innovation. These factors are critical in clustering and selecting sustainable suppliers. The originality of this study lies in developing an all-inclusive set of criteria for clustering sustainable suppliers and adding risk factors to the conventional supplier selection criteria. In addition to partitioning the suppliers and determining the best-performing ones, this study also highlights the most influential factors by analysing the suppliers in the best cluster. • Extending fuzzy equivalence relations by using fuzzy AHP to weigh criteria. • Comprehensive identification of sustainable supplier clustering criteria. • Integrating risk criteria into sustainability for clustering suppliers. • Analysing the role of sustainable suppliers in waste management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]