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Less than 65% of wastepaper can be recycled, and the remaining wastepaper may end up polluting groundwater and generating greenhouse gas emissions if disposed improperly by using traditional approaches. The concept of circular supply chain practices, which integrates circular thinking into supply chain practices that aim to reach zero waste by exploring novel business models and supply chain functions, has been proposed to address this issue. However, previous studies implementing this concept lacked appropriate methods for structuring an influential model to guide resource allocation, which caused difficulty in developing circular supply chain practices. Thus, a hybrid method is proposed to integrate factor analysis with fuzzy synthetic and decision-making and trial evaluation laboratory methods to enable visual analysis and boost understanding. The results reveal that awareness and engagement are the most influential factors in attempts to achieve zero waste, rather than the recycling, reuse and reduction practices emphasised by previous studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Furthermore, very complicated multiphase and thermal processes are the corner stone in modern industry, high technology development, energy conversion and utilization, renewable and sustainable energy technologies, just to name a few here. Therefore, it is essential to develop new technology to improve energy utilization efficient, sustainable energy and low carbon/zero carbon technology to reduce carbon footprint. [Extracted from the article]

Based on the Web of Science core database and using bibliometric analysis method, this study analysed 2,680 papers on rice and greenhouse gas topic research till to 22 July 2022, which included 47 highly cited papers and one hot paper, mainly written in English and from 10,116 authors, 2,594 organisations and 111 countries or territories, published in 517 journals and four book series. The top five journals are Science of the Total Environment, Journal of Cleaner Production, Agriculture and Ecosystems Environment, Environmental Science and Pollution Research and Sustainability. The top five countries were Peoples R China, U.S.A., India, Germany and Japan. The top five organisations were the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, CGIAR and Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, each with more than 126 papers. The top four authors were Wassmann Reiner, Pan Genxing, Smith Pete and Cao Cougui. All keywords were separated into 10 clusters with co-occurrence network visualisation using VOSviewer, and the research front was shown by co-occurrence overlay visualisation. The results will help researchers clarify the current research situation, but also provide guidance for future research in rice and greenhouse gases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cryptococcus albidusandSaccharomyces cerevisiaewas used for separate hydrolysis and fermentation of sugar cane bagasse for production of ethanol. Lignocellulolytic enzymes, CMCase (34 U/ml), FPase (3 U/ml), β-glucosidase (2.3 U/ml), laccase (32 U/ml), and xylanase (12 U/ml), were assayed by fungus, however, after optimization of process parameters, an increase of 1.5-fold sugar (375 mg/g) from bagasse and production of lignocellulolyic enzymes were determined. The sugar produced by sugar cane bagasse was subsequently treated bySaccharomyces cerevisiae, indicating enhanced production of ethanol at 40 h was 38.4 g/L, reached to a maximum at 50 h, and then it was decreased. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This document discusses the importance of carbon reduction engineering in combating global climate change. It highlights the role of production and supply chain management in achieving carbon neutrality and reducing carbon emissions. The document presents 20 selected research papers that cover various aspects of production optimization in carbon reduction engineering, including carbon reduction in the production process, low-carbon and sustainable supply chains, assessment and optimization methodologies, and policy instruments. The papers provide insights into topics such as scheduling optimization, renewable energy production, carbon emission efficiency, sustainable consumption, government subsidizing arrangements, and the impact of policy instruments on carbon reduction. The document expresses gratitude to the authors and reviewers for their contributions and acknowledges the support of the International Journal of Production Research. [Extracted from the article]

Political measures during the COVID-19 pandemic forced consumers to cancel flights, resulting in significant decreases of their individual greenhouse gas emissions. This paper introduces the concept of imposed flying sufficiency and asks whether this could lead to a flying rebound. Imposed flying sufficiency describes that external factors, such as political measures during the pandemic, force consumers to reduce their flights. The term flying rebound refers to the gap between the emissions that could be potentially saved due to flying sufficiency and the actualized emissions savings due to adjusted flying behavior. A major contribution of this paper is combining the economic mechanisms with moral-psychological aspects of rebound effects in an experimental study. In a 2 (with/without economic hint) × 2 (with/without ecological hint) between-subjects experimental study, this paper analyzes how the awareness of monetary savings and the awareness of ecological consequences affect consumers' flying intentions. The study reveals an interaction effect of these two aspects: While awareness of the monetary savings will increase flying intentions, awareness of the ecological consequences will buffer this effect. Furthermore, the degree to which consumers feel flight shame, strongly moderates the economic and ecological hints' impact. Finally, the paper provides implications for managers and policymakers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The greenhouse gas emitted due to transportation is the third greatest emitter globally, and its impact has become a threat to the environment, public health, and economic development. Waste transportation is excluded in studies of waste management despite its significant environmental impacts such as global warming and human toxicity. The objective of this study is to develop a quantification model to estimate the carbon footprint of waste transportation and environmental impact assessments in three categories applied in Tehran using IPCC guidelines. In Tehran, light and heavy vehicles ran on diesel fuel. Data on fuel and waste characteristics were provided by Tehran's department of transportation and municipality, respectively. In this study, transportrelated emissions are 8.47 k tonCO2eq/y, and the carbon footprint of waste transportation is 93.57 g of CO2 eq per ton of waste transported (t.km), which is relevant to three main parameters: the amount of waste transported annually, the freight shipped from the temporary station to the disposal landfill site, and fossil fuels consumed. Also, an environmental impact assessment in three categories - human health (global warming, abiotic depletion, and ozone layer depletion), resources (fossil fuels), and ecosystem quality (acidification and eutrophication) - using SimaPro, a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) tool is presented. Global warming (3.49 kg CO2 eq/t MSW), human toxicity (0.95 kg 1,4-DB eq/t MSW), and freshwater aquatic eco-toxicity (0.04 kg 1,4-DB eq/t MSW) have the greatest impact among categories. Sensitivity analysis of the effective parameters allows us to conclude one of the potential implications of this study would be the introduction of natural gas or biogas-based trucks replacing diesel fuel vehicles to improve air quality and mitigate the greenhouse gas emission. Implications: This paper addresses the significant issue of global warming, particularly in Iran, a developing country that ranks among the top contributors to greenhouse gas emissions. The study emphasizes the importance of evaluating emissions across various sectors such as electricity, waste, etc., Specifically, in this paper we focus on developing a model to quantify the environmental impact resulting from the combustion of fossil fuels in vehicles, focus on the metropolitan city of Tehran as a case study. By examining the waste transportation process, we aim to provide decision-makers with effective strategies to mitigate the environmental consequences. In this paper, we develop a simple quantification term of Carbon Footprint to calculate total greenhouse gas emission of waste transportation process. Carbon Footprint is a fraction which, its numerator is total greenhouse gas emission and its denominator is total waste transported in traveled distance. Effective parameters have been investigated and based on parameters and emission factors taken out of IPPC, the carbon footprint model have been developed. The total greenhouse gas emission of this study and the carbon footprint has estimated at 8.47 k tonCO2eq/y and 93.57 g CO2eq/t.km respectively. Furthermore, the paper explores additional environmental impacts beyond global warming, including abiotic depletion, ozone layer depletion, acidification, eutrophication, human toxicity, photochemical oxidation, and freshwater aquatic eco-toxicity. Using SimaPro software these eight impact categories have been estimated. in this study we identify fossil fuel consumption, traveled distance, and mass transported are the primary parameters influencing greenhouse gas emissions and the carbon footprint. To reduce emissions in the waste transportation system, we suggest promoting renewable biofuels, highlighting Iran as a suitable candidate due to its high percentage of biodegradable material in municipal solid waste. Additionally, the study assesses nonrenewable energy and mineral extraction using the IMPACT 2002+ V2.15/IMPACT 2002+ method, revealing that global warming (100 years), human toxicity (100 years), freshwater aquatic eco-toxicity, nonrenewable energy, and mineral extraction have the most significant impacts on the municipal solid waste transportation system. Overall, this research underscores the need for quantifying environmental impacts and recommends strategies to mitigate them in waste transportation processes, particularly in developing countries like Iran. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper addresses two interlinked problems in sustainable development and suggests a methodology to resolve them. The first is the reduction of atmospheric greenhouse gas emissions, especially carbon dioxide. The second is the maintenance of biodiversity. Current carbon financing and environmental stewardship mechanisms underwhelm, often diluting intended positive effects. Most existing carbon credits do not have protection after 40 years, placing projects substantially beneath the C02 radiative forcing cycle. This paper presents the 'Balance' approach to sustainable development, including contractual principles ensuring C02 reduction, biodiversity enhancement and financial accountability. We describe two novel measures: a carbon calculator for commercial entities, and a new metric, the Balance Unit, combining biodiversity creation with carbon credits. A case study, spanning over 20 years at the Forest of Marston Vale, is then presented. It finds an increase in tree cover, CO2 sequestration, reduction in agricultural GHG emissions, sulphur dioxide and particulate matter absorption, and annual local economic benefits totalling £UK12.83 million. Expository detail regarding the 'Planting Principles' practised at Marston Vale is also provided. We argue that the Balance methodology, especially the Balance Unit, enables greater measurement reliability and long-term efficacy for maintaining biodiversity and reducing GHG emissions than current carbon financing approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pursuit of climate action to meet net-zero targets has triggered the call for a global energy transition from fossil fuels to clean energy sources. However, this global energy transition does not entirely recognise all countries' social, economic and technological capacities as well as emission contributions as envisaged under the Common but Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR) principle, which underlies international climate policy. It is concerned more with the outcome of transitioning to clean energy than with justice in the transition process. Recognition justice, an element of energy justice, enables us to identify the inequalities that global energy paradigms (such as the energy transition) can create and how a justice framework can help us understand the implications of energy injustice and address the inequities across energy systems. Recognition justice acknowledges the divergent perspectives rooted in social, economic and racial differences and the varied strengths of developed and developing countries. The energy transition process ought to recognise these differences so that they are reasonably expected to benefit everyone. Implementing the energy transition in the Global South (GS) in the same way as it is being advanced in the Global North will have security, justice, economic, resource-stranding, and sustainable development implications. This issue (of injustice in the energy transition) is aggravated by two dichotomous realities: many countries in the South will be most impacted by climatic changes, yet there remains political and social opposition to climate action through the energy transition. As a solution, this paper relies on the notion of recognition justice with support from the Rawlsian justice concept to argue that a delayed transition represents justice and recognises the peculiar nature and different circumstances of the GS. It identifies that learnings from the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer and the notion of CBDR under international climate treaties can be mainstreamed into energy transition research and policies to achieve justice for countries of the GS. The paper further finds that a delayed transition for the GS will (i) enable the region to address sustainability-related issues of hunger and multidimensional poverty, essential to realising other Sustainable Development Goals, whilst gradually implementing energy transition policies; (ii) present an attractive case against political and social opposition to energy transition in the GS; (iii) advance the goal of CBDR already recognised under international climate treaties and the bifurcated approaches established in such treaties; and, finally, (iv) ensure that developed countries contributing the most to greenhouse gas emissions take the lead now and act while the GS effectuates national contributions sustainably. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Greenhouse Gas Monitoring Instrument (GMI) onboard the Chinese hyperspectral satellite GF5–02 can provide abundant observations of global atmospheric CO2, which plays an important role in climate research. CO2 retrieval precision is the key to determining the application value of the GMI. To reduce the influence of atmospheric scattering on retrieval, we combined the Directional Polarimetric Camera (DPC) data on the same satellite to improve the anti-interference ability of GMI CO2 retrieval and ensure its retrieval precision. To realize the reliability and feasibility of the collaborative use of the GMI and DPC, this paper designs the pointing registration method of the GMI based on coastline observations, the spatial resolution matching method and the collaborative cloud screening method of the GMI and DPC observations. Combined with the DPC, which supplied the spectral data and aerosol product, the retrieval ability of the coupled bidirectional reflectance distribution function CO2 retrieval (CBCR) method developed for GMI CO2 retrieval was improved, with the retrieval efficiency of CO2 products increasing by 27%, and the CO2 retrieval precision increasing from 3.3 ppm to 2.7 ppm. Moreover, collaborative use not only guaranteed the GMI's ability to detect global and area CO2 concentration distribution characteristics, such as significant concentration differences between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres in winter and high CO2 concentrations in urban agglomeration areas caused by human activities, but also extended the GMI's potential for monitoring anomalous events, such as the Tonga volcanic eruption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is an editorial from the journal Maritime Policy & Management, discussing the issue of air emissions from the shipping industry and the need for green port technologies. The article highlights the significant amount of marine fuel consumed by shipping activities and the resulting emissions of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, carbon dioxide, and particulate matter. It emphasizes that most of these emissions occur within 400 km of the coastline, causing severe environmental problems. The editorial also introduces a special issue on "Green Port and Maritime Shipping," which includes research papers on topics such as internal truck renewal, berth and yard allocation, stocks allocation, environmental management systems, marine greenhouse gas emission control, container terminal competitiveness assessment, multi-criteria decision support frameworks, and maritime transportation research capability analysis. The article concludes by emphasizing the importance of improving the environmental performance of ports for their competitiveness and the need for collaborative actions to control marine greenhouse gas emissions. [Extracted from the article]

I Editors' note: i This commentary is part of a series initially presented at the Waste/Economy/Ecology hybrid international symposium at the Institute for Culture and Society at Western Sydney University, Australia in February 2023. Our aim in this paper is to gain a fuller understanding of the possibilities for waste economies by engaging with existing experiments with organic waste in Sydney and the surrounding region. Introduction This paper is concerned with the collaborative design of a reverse logistics supply chain, the important back half of an organic waste circular economy in Sydney, Australia. [Extracted from the article]

Despite the harmonisation process within the EU area, there are many economic and political differences among European countries in promoting energy policies. Moreover, the status of implementation of environmental tax reforms in the new EU countries is very different from that in the old EU countries, and the economic and environmental impacts of such taxation are diverse. The objective of this paper was therefore to investigate whether the role of environmental taxes in reducing final energy consumption is the same in old and new EU countries. The analysis was conducted for 16 old and 11 new EU member states over the period 1995–2020 using Pooled Mean Group (PMG) and Mean Group (MG) estimators. The results indicate that environmental taxes have a negative long-term impact on final energy consumption in both groups of countries. However, this impact is much smaller in the new EU countries. Moreover, economic growth and greenhouse gas emissions increase final energy consumption. These results also suggest that in order to achieve climate neutrality by 2050, the new EU countries need to apply some stringent regulations and introduce further institutional and environmental reforms that support increasing the share of clean energy sources in the energy mix. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainable entrepreneurship is essential for solving the issue of economic and social stability. This paper is about the determinants of entrepreneurship among green innovation and strategic innovation. The research studies the communication and R&D variables that impact entrepreneurship development. The literature shows that green innovation is vital in developing strategic orientation. Entrepreneurship must work on R&D to gain economic and social stability. Entrepreneurship development is a dependent variable, and communication and R&D are independent variables. This paper evaluates the performance of Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) and the Artificial Neural Network Regression (ANN) approach for estimating entrepreneurship development (ED) in China from 2000 to 2021. For this work, nine independent variables related to entrepreneurial development were selected, which include CO2 emissions (CO2), GDP growth (GDP), Total greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), Computer, communications, and other services (CCS), Nitrous oxide emissions (NO2), Personal remittances, received (PRR), Research and development expenditure (R&D), New businesses registered (NBR), and patents in environment-related technologies (PERT). Data were gathered from the World Bank (WB) official data bank portal. The highest correlation (−0.85 and −0.71) with ED was observed with GHG, followed by a strong correlation with R & D. The MLR model generated 0.78 R2 (error = 0.26) whereas the ANN model produces 0.83 R2 (error = 0.01). The results of the ANN showed that the association among parameters is strong. Ten input variables and 15 hidden neurons were used to estimate the dependent variable. The process took 87 steps, and the optimum result had a Sum of Square Error of 0.001.The top 5 essential variables are NO, NBR, GHG, R&D, and CO2. The least essential variables are PPR and CCS, respectively, with the lowest variable importance (VI) score. This work is unique in the sense that it covers the research gap with new advanced techniques (ANN) applied to time series data. We believe the idea that we developed is a novel approach for social scientists, entrepreneurial development, social stability, and a sustainable environment. The findings of this research can benefit entrepreneurs in many different ways. By understanding the effects of social environmental stability on their success, entrepreneurs can better tailor their strategies to ensure they get the best possible results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fe-bearing clay minerals are widely distributed in soils, sediments, and rocks, representing a significant Fe pool in the Earth's crust. The electron transfer (ET) from/to structural Fe in clay minerals is a crucial electron and energy flux in the natural environment, which drives numerous biogeochemical processes and contaminant transformation. Depending on the types and properties of both clay minerals and exogenous reactants as well as aqueous chemistry, the ET processes could involve interfacial ET through edge/basal planes and interior ET inside clay minerals. This paper reviews the important ET reactions between Fe-bearing clay minerals and various reactants, including Fe-cycling microbes, redox-active organic compounds, and heavy metals. Moreover, we discuss the physical-chemical mechanisms of interfacial and interior ET processes and develop models to illustrate the thermodynamic and kinetic constraints on the ET rate and extent. On this basis, we emphasize the environmental implications of ET associated with clay minerals, such as their roles in serving as biogeobatteries for biogeochemical processes and contaminant transformation, coevolution with microbes, and regulation of greenhouse gas formation. Finally, research needs are proposed to advance our molecular-scale understanding of ET processes and utilize them for environmental mitigation and human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There has been much interest in green growth and innovation in recent years. The main idea is that domestic green growth policies can provide 'win-wins' to both the environment and the economy. But we still know very little about the impact of such policies, especially in developing countries—the 'Global South.' The literature remains underdeveloped. This is disappointing since the Global South could leverage green growth policies to enhance competitiveness, 'leapfrog' directly to cleaner technologies, and 'catch-up' economically and environmentally through innovation in environmental technologies. The lack of research is also problematic because greenhouse gas emissions from developing countries are growing rapidly. Without green growth and innovation it will be exceedingly difficult to meet the urgent needs of climate change. Against this backdrop, this paper conducts machine-aided citation, bibliometric, and keyword analyses on green growth research with a particular focus on developing countries, innovation, and environmental technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Engineering structures consume a significant fraction of resources and contribute to greenhouse gas emissions worldwide. A conducted literature review shows that most existing approaches to improve the environmental performance of structures concern the adoption of decisions during the conceptual design stage (e.g. on the choice of material), often in connection with life cycle assessment. However, approaches for addressing environmental objectives in practice are often hampered by economic interests pursuing short-term profit. Moreover, such approaches are rather descriptive and lack criteria for assessing the acceptability of specific solutions. Sustainable development of our built environment requires hence a shift of paradigm on how engineering structures are designed. In this paper it is claimed that this should be approached at the strategical level of structural design codes, which contain the rules that support everyday engineering decisions in regard to structural safety and functionality. The paper discusses the reasons why these rules as conceived do not foster an optimal use of materials and explores possibilities for savings of resources and greenhouse gas emissions through modifications of these rules. The potential of risk-informed decision approaches in this context is highlighted and illustrated by a case study – the design of steel beams in building structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Is elite sport compatible with environmental sustainability? This paper critically investigates elite sports' possible future in a world where cutbacks in resource use, pollution, and greenhouse gas emission are indispensable measures towards environmental sustainability. The paper is a conceptual and pragmatic inquiry that uses the current research literature to explore the logics of elite sport and its dynamics and alignment with paradigms of sustainability. Elite sport's extensive engagement with governments and commercial agents pursuing prestige, growth, and profit has created a current state of overheating and runaway processes that threatens both sport's internal values and nature itself. The situation begs extending the self-imposed constraints in sports practice to the governance of sport in a way that is fully compatible with elite sport. Provided concrete sustainability reforms are substantiated, on the innovation of equipment and technology, on state and commercial financing of elite sport, and on the organizing of competitions and mega-events, elite sport can flourish as a healthier and environmentally friendly social activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Saudi Arabia intends to reduce GHG emissions by 278 million tons of CO2eq annually by 2030 through Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to UNFCCC. Among many policies, mass transit system and transit-oriented development are being developed with the expectation to reduce energy consumption and GHG emissions in Riyadh. To what extent such initiative can reduce energy consumption and GHG emission is an important question. In this paper, a methodology to systematically measure the impact of mass transit and transit-oriented development in Riyadh city on the energy demand has been developed. For Riyadh, a comprehensive travel demand model considering the impact of mass transit and transit-oriented development is still missing. To this end, this paper aims to fill the gap. This methodology considers the state-of-the-art in travel demand analysis and the local context by combining traditional four-step model and activity-based model for modal-shift. This paper describes the methodology and its application for Riyadh by analyzing modal-shift only between car and metro. The results suggest that metro can reduce energy consumption, but the reduction varies with varying accessibility, car, and metro situations. At high urban density and higher car travel cost, we may achieve as high as 13% reduction in fuel demand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For years, transportation and land use integration has been identified as important approaches for planners, engineers, and designers, but to understand more research is needed to understand how it affects people who live around stations. In response, this research builds on a multi-year analysis quantitative and qualitative study of 2323 transit stations in over 350 corridors throughout the U.S. – one of the largest federally funded studies on livability related to transportation. This effort yielded empirical links to transportation and land use integration and quality of life outcomes. This paper concludes that the intersection between successful transportation and land use integration (TLI) depends on people's ability to equitably access opportunities to improve and/or maintain their desired quality of life. Along these lines this paper (a) identifies important characteristics (metrics) of TLI in 2323 transit station areas in the United States, (b) applies these metrics toward the development of a typology of station types (TOD), and then (c) validates these metrics by geo-locating a variety of quality of life outcomes for station area residents. Put simply, this paper finds that opportunity access can be an organising principle for guiding transportation and land use integration strategies. In turn, providing individuals with equitable access to opportunities measurably shows significant potential for achieving many societal and individual quality of life benefits such as lowering auto-dependency, household budget burdens, greenhouse gas emissions, and even poverty and obesity rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China has established three rounds of low-carbon pilot city initiatives. However, a gap exists between policy making and successful implementation, and the effects on greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction were found to be different among pilots. This paper considers the question of how low-carbon policies in cities can be implemented effectively and how policy combinations are adopted for GHG emissions reduction. It uses a mixed research approach, including Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) and field investigation in Pilot Y (situated in the southwest China). The results show that, first, financial support and monitoring systems are necessary conditions, while political leadership is a sufficient condition. This means that the absence of financial support or monitoring systems could lead to increased GHG emissions, while the presence of political leadership always promotes the reduction of GHG emissions but may not be sufficient on its own to achieve them. Second, the target responsibility system (TRS) – a system used by higher government levels to assess the policy implementation of lower government levels – and human resource mechanisms cannot effectively lead to the promotion of GHG emissions reduction. Finally, in the absence of TRS and human resource mechanisms, environmental information disclosure (EID) was found to effectively promote low-carbon urban development by encouraging public participation. This paper reveals the complexity of the implementation of low-carbon policies in cities, identifies the link between city-level and national action, and enriches the theoretical explanation of governance and low-carbon policy implementation gaps in China. Key policy insights China's low-carbon pilot city project is critical for reducing GHG emissions, however, the effects of the low-carbon pilot city programmes varied greatly. Financial support and monitoring systems are necessary conditions, while political leadership is a sufficient condition to achieve cities' GHG emissions reduction goals. Local low-carbon development is limited and not put into practice at the city level in China, in part because of the absence of financial support and limited political attention. This study highlights the key conditions of organizational behaviour at the meso-level, and enriches the theoretical explanation of environmental policy implementation gaps in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper uses a reflective method to gather findings with relation to a collaborative governance approach for the sociotechnical transition to a low carbon society in a regional context. As top-down and bottom-up approaches to sustainable transitions have proven insufficient in bringing about the necessary changes required to meet the demands of climate action, more collaborative approaches between local communities, national public bodies and research organisations are warranted. Within this, there is a need to understand the dynamics of collaborative governance for participants in the process. Through a process of reflective practice, this paper outlines the networks, personal capacities, organisational capacities, benefits and challenges of collaborative governance partnerships for sustainable transitions from the perspective of individuals within a collaborative committee working on a regional transition project on the Dingle Peninsula, Co Kerry, Ireland. Alongside this, some solutions to challenges outlined through reflection are highlighted. This research paper highlights the need for the incorporation of reflective practice within collaborative governance for the socio-technical transition to a low-carbon society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A carbon price is considered the most cost-efficient greenhouse gas emissions reduction tool often used as part of a climate policy. However, Russia and the other countries rich in fossil fuels tend to have weak incentives for proactive climate policies including carbon pricing which may lead to falling revenues in emitting industries. Can the carbon price be implemented as part of the development strategy in fossil fuel exporting countries, including Russia? The paper analyzes the variety of existing approaches to applying the carbon price across various energy exporting economies. The paper contributes to the existing literature with the analysis of challenges and opportunities of carbon pricing in these countries and proposes key principles of a viable carbon pricing system in Russia. These principles are (a) balanced emissions coverage and support of vulnerable industries and social groups, (b) fiscal neutrality, (c) gradualness of implementation and (d) use of carbon offsets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tourism is an important and almost certainly increasing driver of anthropogenic climate change. However, intelligence on the total greenhouse gas emissions related to tourism trips – including travel to and from the destination – is limited, especially at sub-national destination scale. This paper uses an environmentally extended input-output approach to estimate the total greenhouse gas emissions consequent on inbound and domestic tourism trips in Wales, a region of the UK. We use the UN World Tourism Organisation (TSA) concept of visitors and trips to estimate the overall carbon footprint of tourism at around 3.4 megatons in 2019, 8.7% of total territorial emissions. We further compare these results with estimates for 2007 which suggests that there has been a modest reduction of under 2% per annum since 2007, but with significant data issues affecting comparability. Apparently slow progress in decarbonisation, including an increase in intercontinental visits to Wales over the period, suggest tourism here has not yet embarked upon a climate-responsible transformation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes the Hybrid desalination and power generation through parabolic trough collectors. This study aims to examine the feasibility, performance optimization, and economic viability of power-generation plant and hybrid-desalination using multi-stage flash (MSF) and reverse osmosis (RO) technologies assessed by using the parabolic trough collectors (PTC). The objective is to discover the posibilities of this innovative approach in addressing water scarcity and clean energy demands. The studies usually focus on several key aspects. Firstly, it resolves the technical feasibility of integrating MSF and RO technologies with parabolic-trough-collectors to optimize energy efficiency and freshwater production. This involves evaluating the system design, heat transfer mechanisms, and operational parameters.Secondly, performance optimization is a key area of investigation. By optimizing these parameters the aim is to maximize freshwater production while minimizing energy consumption. Thirdly, the economic viability of the hybrid plant will be assessed. This involves considering capital investment, conducting a comprehensive cost analysis, maintenance costs, and operational expenses. The study also evaluates the potential for revenue generation through the sale of excess electricity produced by the system. The potential outcomes of this research include demonstrating the technical-feasibility as well as economic-viability of the hybrid desalination and power generation plant. The findings may indicate that this approach can effectively address water scarcity challenges while contributing to clean energy production. The study may also highlight the environmental benefits of integrating renewable energy sources (RESs) and decreasing greenhouse gas emissions compared to traditional desalination methods.The proposed method is executed in MATLAB platform and compared to various existing approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The usage of high strength steel (HSS) is steadily increasing, primarily driven by the pursuit of weight reduction, leading to a subsequent decrease in greenhouse gas emissions. This paper investigates the impact of various post-weld heat treatment (PWHT) temperatures of 525 °C, 550 °C and 575 °C with a holding time of 2 h on both the microstructure and mechanical properties of weld metal produced using a HSS metal cored wire. The investigation reveals that PWHT does not significantly alter strength but has a more pronounced influence on toughness. The as-welded condition exhibited the highest toughness. Among the samples subjected to the PWHT, the one treated at 575 °C showed the highest impact energy, reaching 69 J at −60 °C. This outcome is attributed to the increased presence of acicular ferrite in the microstructure, surpassing that of samples subjected to PWHT at different temperatures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fire management influences the global carbon balance. This systematic literature review of proactive fire management programs as nature-based climate solutions synthesizes findings into four case studies to bring insight to these programs and their additional benefits. We review 136 papers, mostly from Australia, Brazil, Southern Africa, and the USA, reflecting the relevance of proactive fire management to savanna ecosystems. Four themes emerged: governance and policies; methodologies; reduced wildfire and GHG emissions; and co-benefits. Australia provides most literature on methodologies to account for greenhouse gas emissions abated. Australia and the USA focus on the social co-benefits, typically among Indigenous peoples. Biodiversity outcomes are largely discussed in Brazilian and African studies. Evidence of a shift to proactive fire management is documented in the case studies analyzed, but political, technical, and cultural barriers prevent further implementation at broader scales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Combating global warming-related climate change demands prompt actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, particularly carbon dioxide. Biomass-based biofuels represent a promising alternative fossil energy source. To convert biomass into energy, numerous conversion processes are performed at high pressure and temperature conditions, and the design and dimensioning of such processes requires thermophysical property data, particularly thermal conductivity, which are not always available in the literature. In this paper, we proposed the application of Chemoinformatics methodologies to investigate the prediction of thermal conductivity for hydrocarbons and oxygenated compounds. A compilation of experimental data followed by a careful data curation were performed to establish a database. The support vector machine algorithm has been applied to the database leading to models with good predictive abilities. The support vector regression (SVR) model has then been applied to an external set of compounds, i.e. not considered during the training of models. It showed that our SVR model can be used for the prediction of thermal conductivity values for temperatures and/or compounds that are not covered experimentally in the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Considering the significant importance of environmental sustainability, it is vital to understand the determinants of environmental sustainability and to draw the policy implications for a sustainable environment. This paper examines the impacts of financial development and industrial structure on environmental sustainability in China from 1995 to 2020 using the A.R.D.L. approach. The result indicates that financial development negatively impacts CO2 emissions and greenhouse gas emissions in the long-run. The impact of industrial structure is also enormous. The results also suggest that industrial structure negatively impacts environmental sustainability by decreasing CO2 emissions and greenhouse gas emissions in the long-run. While Internet development accelerates environmental sustainability in Japan in the long run, economic development and energy negatively impact environmental sustainability in the long run. The findings of this study add to the current literature and provide some significant policy implications for improving environmental sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to inequalities of innovation capacity among nations, climate technologies' minimizing greenhouse gas emissions require deliberate interventions for adoption and diffusion in developing countries. Aid projects of international development organizations have long served the function of system builders for climate technologies through demonstration projects or barrier removal activities. Emerging transition literature has come up with theories of how project-level niche experiments gradually affect landscape settings through bottom-up evolution. The activities of the aid projects on climate technologies match the posited roles of niche experiments nurturing with the co-evolution of technology, user practices and regulatory structures. This paper provides insight into how climate technologies, previously supported by aid projects, played a role in familiarizing these technologies in recipient countries. Familiarization in this paper is defined as the non-prioritization of climate technology in a country's Technology Needs Assessment (TNA) document. It was found that increasing project duration lowers the chance of technology's inclusion in TNA, while higher project cost increased the odds of inclusion. Given the time-consuming nature of capacity building over multiple fronts, the effectiveness of future projects depends on donors' ability to commit aid over multiyear periods to sustain scale-up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carsharing is often included in packages of measures to encourage a more sustainable mobility. In this paper we determine the key trends and challenges in European carsharing research and innovation. We assess the status and future potential of European carsharing and identify additional research needs. The results show a steady increase in European funding to support urban carsharing projects. This is true for projects studying Information Technology development (i.e. Apps, websites, connected cars, etc). City authorities should conduct an ex-ante analysis before implementing carsharing schemes to ensure it is coordinated with public transport. Monitoring is crucial since carsharing services should contribute to reducing the overall environmental impact of the transport system. City authorities and private providers should collaborate to provide sustainable carsharing schemes that facilitate multimodal travel, lower greenhouse gas emissions, improve urban air quality and provides accessible mobility for all. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change brings several challenges to BPS practitioners beyond GHG emission mitigation. Adaptation to grid-outage events, caused by both acute and chronic stresses, requires consideration of how building services can be provided to occupants in a time of need. At the moment, we lack both the tools and processes to quantify key metrics such as thermal resiliency in tandem with annual performance indicators. This paper proposes a multi-objective approach using thermal resiliency, annual net-energy, and life-cycle cost to better quantify building performance during grid-outages. The approach can handle a variety of events, using shortened simulation periods, and consider cost-implications of outages by applying the value of the lost load to annual operational costs. The methodology is demonstrated using a case-study and a historical grid-outage from an ice-storm event. Resiliency indicators are improved by two times and the payback of upgrade packages is decreased to 14 years for a single outage event. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The construction industry is responsible for 36% of the European Union's greenhouse gas emissions. The main goal of the EU in the last decade has been to boost energy efficiency and expand the use of renewable energy in buildings. Ground-to-air heat exchangers may be a solution to reduce the use of primary energy in buildings from nonrenewable sources. The study in this paper deals with an evaluation of the heating and cooling energy potential of a ground-to-air heat exchanger (GAHE), serving a pilot energy-efficient building in Romania. The research follows a comparison between the experimental behavior of GAHE, evaluated based on measured outlet temperatures for two full years, and theoretical behavior, assessed using two computational models following EN 15241:2007 (Model 1) and EN 16798-5-1:2016 (Model 2). A comparison is made between the energy potential calculated using temperature measurements and the energy potential determined based on calculated outlet temperatures using the two models. The assessment is performed as well for conventional climate corresponding to the building location. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasing greenhouse gas emissions from the conventional fleet of diesel buses has made Canadian transit agencies explore low-emission alternative fuels. Despite electric buses showing great potential to reduce emissions during their operational phase, the transformation from diesel buses to electric buses would require in-depth analysis pertaining to their economic and social implications. Published literature highlights the importance of developing a comprehensive framework that considers multiple decision parameters over a life cycle perspective for analyzing different fuel options to replace the existing fleet of diesel buses. This paper assesses the triple-bottom-line sustainability of diesel and electric buses in different regions of Canada. Moreover, a framework is proposed to incorporate multiple decision criteria (life cycle environmental, economic, and social impacts) over different perspectives to make the best decisions for transitioning the diesel bus fleet. The results showed that the environmental performance of electric buses highly depended on the electricity grid mix. Despite diesel buses having a low cost of production compared to electric buses, most provinces showed a low life cycle operational cost for electric buses. Electric buses' life cycle social impacts are high during their production stage, whereas diesel buses have the highest social impacts during their operational phase. Overall, electric buses have a high sustainability performance in all provinces and territories in Canada except Nunavut. The proposed framework and findings can aid policymakers and planners in implementing electric buses for public transit systems in Canada and beyond. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Planetary health equity – the equitable enjoyment of good health and wellbeing in a sustainable ecosystem – is under threat from anthropogenic climate change and economic and social inequities. Driving these major challenges is the global consumptogenic system that encourages excessive production and consumption goods and services that are harming human and planetary health. Growth models lie at the core of the consumptogenic system. This paper examines the sources of economic growth in Australia, the coalitions that sustain this approach politically, and the implications of these dynamics for planetary health equity. Australia's consumption-led growth model is underpinned by a combination of rising house prices and a permissive credit regime. This growth model is supported by a dominant growth coalition of producer interests, elements of organised labour, and property owners. The growth coalition has been able to successfully generate growth model policy convergence between the mainstream political parties. In turn this growth model, and associated growth coalition, has undermined the pursuit of planetary health equity in Australia by incentivising and driving excessive consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and economic inequality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper addresses the effects of clients' carbon risk on audit pricing. Using data from 438 EU companies for the period 2013–2019, we find a positive relationship between carbon risk (measured by the level of carbon emissions) and audit fees. Furthermore, we find that participation in the European Union's Emission Trading System, a limited market and regulation scheme to mitigate special industries' Greenhouse Gas emissions, strengthens the positive relationship between carbon risk and audit fees. Insights from additional tests indicate that auditors price carbon risk particularly for large clients that are under greater public scrutiny and that the increase in fees rather stems from a risk premium charged by the auditor than higher audit effort. With interest in climate change developing rapidly across society, practice and research combined with the increasing importance of reducing carbon risk, our findings are timely and should thus appeal to a wide variety of recipients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper highlights the perspectives of defence workers regarding a Just Transition of their industry, one of the most environmentally harmful sectors in terms of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, pollution and use of non-renewable resources. It is based on (i) interviews with defence sector workers in the United States and the United Kingdom (n58); and (ii) focus groups with key representatives of national and international labour unions, defence companies and relevant NGOs (n18). Some of these defence workers and their trade union representatives envisioned a transformational path towards sustainability, including converting the defence sector to more socially useful production. Drawing on Gramsci, we define these as 'counter-hegemonic views', since they challenge the hegemonic 'growth coalition' and 'treadmill of destruction' paradigms. Such views support and echo more radical interpretations of Just Transition, emphasising the necessity of a structural transformation of society to achieve a fair and effective transition to sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Avoiding the worst impacts of climate change requires a transition to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by mid-century, if not before. Urban transport systems are a significant contributor to emissions, so effective mitigation strategies for this sector are needed. This paper starts by outlining a best practice framework for transport decarbonisation based upon a review of the international research literature that entails: shifting passengers to net-zero or low-emission modes; investing in more energy-efficient technology options; and managing the demand for transport through a combination of land-use planning and socioeconomic policies. This best practice framework is then applied to a case study conducted in Brisbane (Australia) to see how the gap between the concepts developed in the research literature and the practice of making a change may be bridged. A policy analysis of three key transport initiatives in the city was undertaken to determine how they measure up against the best practice framework. On the positive side, Brisbane has the advantage of providing a reasonably reliable public transport system, expanding its bicycle/walking paths and engaging local communities in the decision-making and implementation. However, Brisbane faces a high degree of urban sprawl and car dependency, exacerbating its ecological footprint. Urban transport is not sustainable and needs to be decarbonised. This requires a framework of practical solutions to assist transport planners and policymakers in moving towards a more sustainable, low-emission future. The best practice framework for transport decarbonisation entails shifting commuters to low-emission transport options, investing in more energy-efficient vehicles, and managing the demand for transport. Brisbane has geographically extensive and reasonably reliable public transport systems and community engagement processes, but the city is challenged by urban sprawl and car dependency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Newly developed fungal-based materials have promising potential with regard to mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and enabling a shift towards a more circular economy. However, an important step towards their success in the bioeconomy is consumers' acceptance and sustainable consumption of these materials. Highlighting the power of narratives, this paper looks at the symbolic nature of fungi and discusses how common perceptions can be reshaped through narrative structures. We first identify common expectations, hopes and fears of fungi and then focus on how potentially negative beliefs or fears regarding fungal-based materials can be transformed through disseminating and reframing scientific information in a narrative structure. Specifically, we discuss characteristics of a story that can induce changes in attitudes and behaviours among consumers to induce sustainable consumer choices. To adjust and promote these sustainable narratives within the society, we suggest innovative science communication and especially citizen participation formats as adequate tools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Policy makers are under political pressure to adopt policies that achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions. Reaching net zero is a demanding challenge requiring durable policies that last; that is, withstand short-term turbulence. However, there is a lack of clarity in the existing literature on both the conceptual meaning of policy durability and its empirical manifestations. This paper distinguishes between three central dimensions of policy durability and uses them to shed new light on the long-term evolution of EU climate policy. It reveals that the EU has addressed the relationship between policy durability and policy flexibility by working iteratively across and between different policy elements (instruments, programmes, goals, etc.). In revealing these patterns, it addresses a greatly neglected feature of policy design processes: the dialectical relationship between durability and flexibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A paper published by Anagnostopoulos et al. in volume 55 of the Hydrological Sciences Journal (HSJ) concludes that climate models are poor based on temporal correlation between observations and individual simulations. This interpretation hinges on a common misconception, that climate models predict natural climate variability. This discussion underlines fundamental differences between hydrological and climatological models, and hopes to clear misunderstandings regarding the proper use of climate simulations. Citation Huard, D. (2011) A black eye for the Hydrological Sciences Journal. Discussion of ‘A comparison of local and aggregated climate model outputs with observed data’ by G.G. Anagnostopoulos et al. (2010, Hydrol. Sci. J. 55 (7), 1094–1110). Hydrol. Sci. J. 56(7), 1330–1333. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from international shipping have had observable effects on the environment, which have led to an interest in market-based GHG reduction measures for international shipping. International shipping companies place key concerns and interests on exploring the future market-based GHG reduction solutions and the corresponding measures that need to be taken in advance. This paper adds to the existing literature an overview of the impact of the introduction of a Marine Emissions Trading Scheme (METS) on the choice of GHG reduction measures that can be taken by a containership and on the resulting annual net income. Technical and operational aspects are specifically considered and reflected in the alternative measures under the proposed scheme. The results of this paper try to help facilitate policy makers to devise an acceptable METS and help containerships prepare for potential to-be-implemented schemes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Private universities also play a key role in the sustainability debate. But despite their importance, there a shortage of research on how sustainability is being implemented at private universities. Based on the need to address this gap, this paper investigates the nature and diversity of sustainability-based practices undertaken at private universities. It outlines the ways private universities see and perceive sustainability, and examines by means of a survey involving 10 universities from across all geographical regions which educate over 150.000 students, how these universities incorporate sustainability-related practices, as part of their operations. The results suggest that, unlike their public counterparts, about half of the respondents stated that they do not have projects undertaken to promote sustainability in local communities or in their respective regions. Also, some private universities perceive themselves as leaders in sustainability in higher education, while some are still developing a more robust sustainability profile. The conclusions of the paper are that the special features related to sustainable development teaching and research at private universities need to be better identified, in order to involve them more on sustainability efforts. Also, whereas many of them are highly engaged on improving energy efficiency, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, promote sustainable water usage and promote sustainable landscaping, there is a need for them to also engage in other areas. Finally, private universities should engage on further efforts to increase their sustainability activities, which are beneficial to them in financial terms, as well as in respect of their image and their operations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The emission of greenhouse gases is one of the main reasons for climate change, which comes from partially the agricultural production activities, especially livestock and poultry-scale breeding. Massive breeding of livestock and poultry can ensure the safe supply of meat, but it leads to much carbon emission. On the one hand, it is difficult to get zero carbon emissions based on today's technology level. On the other hand, the emission shouldn't be too high. Therefore, it is very necessary to determine appropriate carbon emission criteria and then to ensure the sustainable development of scale breeding farms. In this paper, after modelling resource losses, external environmental costs and carbon emissions, the binary analysis framework of resource losses and external environmental costs of scale-breeding farms was built, and then the relationship between the carbon emission and binary analysis framework was analysed in detail. Then, the criteria for determining moderate carbon emissions have been established. Research studies show that carbon emission decreases with the control of external environmental costs and resource losses. And the appropriate carbon emission can be determined when two subsystems of internal resource usage and external environment are in dynamic equilibrium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Australia would support efforts by the UN system to strengthen human rights mechanisms and remains open to further examination of how existing international human rights law and frameworks can be upheld and applied to these emerging issues (Gyngell, [9], 220-221). These include gender equity initiatives within the UN Secretariat and across the UN system more generally and bolstering youth participation and engagement in UN deliberations (Payne, [14]). A productive way forward would be for Senator Wong to appoint a committee of public servants and experts to prepare a White Paper on Australia's relations with the UN system. In welcoming the I Agenda i Australia's Ambassador to the UN stated: 'Australia remains steadfast in our support for a UN system that is fit for purpose, effective, open, transparent, and accountable to all Member States'.[1] Australia's contributions to the consultations to date suggest careful interest in following developments, albeit unevenly focussed on a rather select set of issues. [Extracted from the article]

Many of the gases released by industrial processes pollute the environment and are largely responsible for climate change. Also, large amounts of low-temperature waste heat are generated by the industrial sector in different production processes. The waste heat can be recovered and reincorporated into the industrial process by means of an Absorption Heat Transformer (AHT), to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, reduce the consumption of fossil fuels, and increase energy savings. Therefore, three important aspects of the AHT are emphasized in this paper: first, the thermodynamics parameters of the AHT that influencing in its performance, second, heat recovery study and third CO2 emissions avoided analysis. For this purpose, a thermodynamic model was implemented for AHT using two working mixtures, namely, LiBr- H2O and Carrol-H2O. Besides, a heat recovery study was carried out considering the Mexican textile industry as a case study, to determine the stages of the textile process in which it is possible to return the recovered heat, as well as the best location to install an AHT. The results show that the Coefficient of Performance values increase when the absorber thermal levels range from 100 to 150°C, source temperatures from 80 to 90°C and condensation temperature from 25 to 30°C. The study of heat recovery in the textile industry describes that it is possible to install an AHT at five states in Mexico, with the potential to recover and return heat in 6 of the 7 stages of the textile process, it was also determined that with the Carrol-water mixture it is possible to obtain higher thermal levels in the absorber and recover more heat than with the water/lithium bromide mixture. The emissions analysis showed that the technology is environmentally sustainable by avoiding up to 119 tonnes of CO2eq per year into the atmosphere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thanks to top-notch vehicle testing and internationally standardized inspections, the modes of transportation are cleaner and more efficient today. Though the development for conventional internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs) has almost saturated today, yet it retains the commercial/heavy-duty (trucks and buses) automobile market. Thus, it becomes of utmost importance to analyze the well-to-wheel efficiency for determining the overall energy consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions while transitioning toward sustainable transportation. Electric vehicles (EVs) do have environmental impacts that are directly related to the country's electricity generation, as they may involve fossil burning where other alternative sources of energy are not adequately present. This paper presents the overall energy efficiencies and GHG emissions from commercial/heavy-duty ICEVs and EVs. The study also briefly compares the other vehicle segments like 2 Wheeler, 3 Wheeler, and cars. Finally, the results show that commercial/heavy-duty ICEVs are advantageous over heavy-duty EVs when the GHG emissions are considered as of today. The commercial/heavy-duty ICEVs emit over 405 g CO2e/km, and counter EVs produce 706 g CO2e/km. The GHG emissions from 2 Wheeler ICEV were 46 g CO2e/km and by the same segment, EV is 13 g CO2e/km. Moving toward the car segment, an ICEV car produces around 158 g CO2e/km and an EV of a similar model emits 67 g CO2e/km. Furthermore, the 3 Wheeler ICEV emits around 99 g CO2e/km and a 3 Wheeler EV produces lesser at 24 g CO2e/km. Moving further on well-to-wheel energy efficiency, ICEVs have a maximum overall energy efficiency of 28%. Since EVs use various sources of energy for charging the battery, the overall efficiency was found to be at least 21% and maximum up to 39%. Thus, on an average EVs presently have a well-to-wheel efficiency of 32% when electricity generation mix is used for charging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To maintain the global temperature, increase below 2°C, efficient bioenergy use is necessary. Many developed countries have successfully adopted biofuel into their energy mix, but sub-Sahara African (SSA), which has a comparative advantage in terms of land, labor, and climatic conditions for energy crops is trailing. Transportation in SSA is petroleum dependent and driven, with diesel fuel being the most used for heavy-duty vehicles, contributing significantly to the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the region. Bioenergy has been identified as one of the energy resources that will play an essential role in reducing GHG emissions. Throughout the SSA region, different energy crops are grown and cashew nuts with shells, in which the waste are used to produce cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL), are cultivated and harvested in an area of 1,157,001–4,704,272 hectares, which is an increase of 406% from 2000 to 2019. As a result, 30,104,678 metric tons of cashew nuts with shell are produced, representing 51% of global production within the years under review, and approximately 6,020,935 metric tons of CNSL agro-industrial waste are generated. The paper discusses cashew nut post-harvest residue suitable for production of CNSL an inedible biodiesel feedstock for diesel engines. It also discusses CNSL extraction procedures, viscosity reduction methods, and fuel characteristics of various blends with additives. The study concluded that utilization of CNSL biodiesel can reduce the dependence of SSA on petroleum diesel while reducing GHG emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Satellites provide global long-time series of spatio-temporal continuous CO2 observations. However, it is difficult to be applied to the study of small-scale carbon cycle because of its low spatial resolution. In this paper, the Greenhouse Gases Observing SATellite (GOSAT) XCO2 data are super-resolution reconstructed using bicubic interpolation, which improved the spatial resolution from 2.5o to 0.5o. CO2 measurements from ten selected TCCON sites are used to compare with the reconstructed GOSAT. Further, the high accuracy Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2 (OCO-2) data analysed by the combination of geographical grid statistics and kriging is used to evaluate the reconstructed data. The results show that compared with the original GOSAT data, the reconstructed GOSAT data not only improves the spatial resolution but also has little loss of the average accuracy. The mean error of original data has significant seasonal fluctuations with a peak from February to March and a trough from June to July [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

These may include community-based ownership of land resources, the increased use of land trusts or pursuing land justice for Indigenous peoples in settler colonial nations. The concentration of land ownership and wider questions of land reform are of critical importance in determining more socially just land policies. As reported by the OECD ([10]), land and buildings on it, constitute by far the most important share of wealth across OECD countries, comprising 86 per cent of total capital stock, broadly split evenly between land and property. [Extracted from the article]