Sustainability

14 pages, 4130 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Monitoring Environmental Quality by Sniffing Social Media

by Zhibo Wang^1,2, Lei Ke¹, Xiaohui Cui^1,*

, Qi Yin¹, Longfei Liao¹, Lu Gao¹ and Zhenyu Wang¹

¹ International School of Software, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430079, China

² School of Software, East China University of Technology, Nanchang 330013, China

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 85; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020085 - 10 Feb 2017

Cited by 53 | Viewed by 6094

Abstract

Nowadays, the environmental pollution and degradation in China has become a serious problem with the rapid development of Chinese heavy industry and increased energy generation. With sustainable development being the key to solving these problems, it is necessary to develop proper techniques for [...] Read more.

Nowadays, the environmental pollution and degradation in China has become a serious problem with the rapid development of Chinese heavy industry and increased energy generation. With sustainable development being the key to solving these problems, it is necessary to develop proper techniques for monitoring environmental quality. Compared to traditional environment monitoring methods utilizing expensive and complex instruments, we recognized that social media analysis is an efficient and feasible alternative to achieve this goal with the phenomenon that a growing number of people post their comments and feelings about their living environment on social media, such as blogs and personal websites. In this paper, we self-defined a term called the Environmental Quality Index (EQI) to measure and represent people’s overall attitude and sentiment towards an area’s environmental quality at a specific time; it includes not only metrics for water and food quality but also people’s feelings about air pollution. In the experiment, a high sentiment analysis and classification precision of 85.67% was obtained utilizing the support vector machine algorithm, and we calculated and analyzed the EQI for 27 provinces in China using the text data related to the environment from the Chinese Sina micro-blog and Baidu Tieba collected from January 2015 to June 2016. By comparing our results to with the data from the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), we showed that the environment evaluation model we constructed and the method we proposed are feasible and effective. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Ecosystems and Society in the Context of Big and New Data)

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23 pages, 1965 KiB

Open AccessReview

Diamondback Moth, Plutella xylostella (L.) in Southern Africa: Research Trends, Challenges and Insights on Sustainable Management Options

by Honest Machekano¹, Brighton M. Mvumi² and Casper Nyamukondiwa^1,*

¹ Department of Biological and Biotechnological Sciences, Botswana International University of Science and Technology, P. Bag 16, Palapye, Gaborone 0267, Botswana

² Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zimbabwe, P.O. Box MP 167, Mt. Pleasant, 00263 Harare, Zimbabwe

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 91; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020091 - 3 Feb 2017

Cited by 30 | Viewed by 13391

Abstract

The diamondback moth (DBM), Plutella xylostella, is a global economic pest of brassicas whose pest status has been exacerbated by climate change and variability. Southern African small-scale farmers are battling to cope with increasing pressure from the pest due to limited exposure [...] Read more.

The diamondback moth (DBM), Plutella xylostella, is a global economic pest of brassicas whose pest status has been exacerbated by climate change and variability. Southern African small-scale farmers are battling to cope with increasing pressure from the pest due to limited exposure to sustainable control options. The current paper critically analysed literature with a climate change and sustainability lens. The results show that research in Southern Africa (SA) remains largely constrained despite the region’s long acquaintance with the insect pest. Dependency on broad-spectrum insecticides, the absence of insecticide resistance management strategies, climate change, little research attention, poor regional research collaboration and coordination, and lack of clear policy support frameworks, are the core limitations to effective DBM management. Advances in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) technologies and climate-smart agriculture (CSA) techniques for sustainable pest management have not benefitted small-scale horticultural farmers despite the farmers’ high vulnerability to crop losses due to pest attack. IPM adoption was mainly limited by lack of locally-developed packages, lack of stakeholders’ concept appreciation, limited alternatives to chemical control, knowledge paucity on biocontrol, climate mismatch between biocontrol agents’ origin and release sites, and poor research expertise and funding. We discuss these challenges in light of climate change and variability impacts on small-scale farmers in SA and recommend climate-smart, holistic, and sustainable homegrown IPM options propelled through IPM-Farmer Field School approaches for widespread and sustainable adoption. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Agriculture and Climate Change)

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14 pages, 592 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Seeing the People’s Republic of China through the Eyes of Montesquieu: Why Sino-European Collaboration on Eco City Development Suffers from European Misinterpretations of “Good Governance”

by Martin De Jong^1,2,3, Helen Stout³ and Li Sun^4,*

¹ Faculty of Technology, Policy & Management, Delft University of Technology, Mekelweg 2, 2628 CD Delft, The Netherlands

² School of International Relations and Public Affairs, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China

³ Erasmus School of Law, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Burgemeester Oudlaan 50, 3062 PA Rotterdam, The Netherlands

⁴ School of Sociology and Social Policy, University of Leeds, Leeds LS29JT, UK

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 151; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020151 - 7 Feb 2017

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 6188

Abstract

China faces a number of impressive challenges in dealing with climate change: rising energy use, growing emission levels of greenhouse gases, dangerous levels of air pollution over cities and low resilience against flood and drought. Sustainable urbanization has been adopted as a keyword [...] Read more.

China faces a number of impressive challenges in dealing with climate change: rising energy use, growing emission levels of greenhouse gases, dangerous levels of air pollution over cities and low resilience against flood and drought. Sustainable urbanization has been adopted as a keyword in handling these challenges. The Chinese central government has undertaken a variety of measures, including the launch of large Sino-European programs to learn from ‘developed nations’. In the wake of these partnerships, a great variety of cross-national and cross-city agreements were signed. Sino-European cooperation does not often run as smoothly as initially hoped because of diverging interests, cultural misunderstandings and practical limitations. In the background, a mismatch in normative conceptions Chinese and European participants have of ‘good governance’ plays a role. In this contribution, insights taken from Montesquieu’s ‘The Spirit of Laws’ regarding checks and balances and trias politica (updated to ‘sextas politica’ for the 21st century) are used to comprehend how the exertion of power is distributed and expected to be distributed differently in Chinese than in European administrative traditions. The article will end with conclusions on how European misconceptions of Chinese governance complicate Sino-European collaboration in sustainable urbanization policies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovation in the European Energy Sector and Regulatory Responses to It)

22 pages, 1149 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Strategic Planning for Sustainability in Canadian Higher Education

by Andrew Bieler¹ and Marcia McKenzie^2,*

¹ Department of Communication Studies & Multimedia, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L9, Canada

² Sustainability Education Research Institute, College of Education, University of Saskatchewan, 28 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, SK S7N 0X1, Canada

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 161; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020161 - 24 Jan 2017

Cited by 60 | Viewed by 14147

Abstract

This paper reviews representations of sustainability in the strategic plans of Canadian higher education institutions (HEIs). A content analysis of the strategic plans of 50 HEIs was undertaken to determine the extent to which sustainability is included as a significant policy priority in [...] Read more.

This paper reviews representations of sustainability in the strategic plans of Canadian higher education institutions (HEIs). A content analysis of the strategic plans of 50 HEIs was undertaken to determine the extent to which sustainability is included as a significant policy priority in the plans, including across the five domains of governance, education, campus operations, research, and community outreach. We found 41 strategic plans with some discussion of sustainability, and identified three characteristic types of response: (i) accommodative responses that include sustainability as one of many policy priorities and address only one or two sustainability domains; (ii) reformative responses that involve some alignment of policy priorities with sustainability values in at least a few domains; and (iii) progressive responses that make connections across four or five domains and offer a more detailed discussion of sustainability and sustainability-specific policies. Accommodative responses were dominant. More progressive responses were typically from institutions participating in the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System (STARS) of the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education. The paper concludes with consideration of the political and economic contexts contributing to this relative prevalence of accommodative responses to sustainability. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Education and Approaches)

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17 pages, 32176 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Decreasing Net Primary Productivity in Response to Urbanization in Liaoning Province, China

by Tan Chen^1,2, Qiuhao Huang^1,2, Miao Liu³, Manchun Li^1,2,4,*, Le’an Qu^1,2,5, Shulin Deng^1,2,4 and Dong Chen^1,2

¹ Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Geographic Information Science and Technology, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China

² Department of Geographic Information Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China

³ Institute of Applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang 110016, China

⁴ Collaborative Innovation Center of South China Sea Studies, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China

⁵ College of Territorial Resources and Tourism, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241000, China

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 162; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020162 - 24 Jan 2017

Cited by 34 | Viewed by 5949

Abstract

Regional ecosystems have been greatly affected by the rapid expansion of urban areas. In order to explore the impact of land use change on net primary productivity (NPP) in rapidly developing cities during the current urbanization process, we quantified land use change in [...] Read more.

Regional ecosystems have been greatly affected by the rapid expansion of urban areas. In order to explore the impact of land use change on net primary productivity (NPP) in rapidly developing cities during the current urbanization process, we quantified land use change in Liaoning province between 2000 and 2010 using net primary productivity as an indicator of ecosystem productivity and health. The Carnegie–Ames–Stanford Approach model was used to estimate NPP by region and land use. We used a unit circle-based evaluation model to quantify local urbanization effects on NPP around eight representative cities. The dominant land use types were farmland, woodland and urban, with urban rapidly replacing farmland. Mean annual NPP and total NPP decreased faster from 2005 to 2010 than from 2000 to 2005, reflecting increasing urbanization rates. The eastern, primarily woodland part of Liaoning province had the greatest reduction in NPP, while the western part, which was primarily farmland and grassland, had the lowest reduction. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Urban and Rural Development)

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9 pages, 211 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Report on the In Vitro Antioxidant Properties of Vachellia karroo Leaf Extract: A Plant Widely Grazed by Goats in the Central Eastern Cape of South Africa

by Emrobowansan M. Idamokoro¹, Patrick J. Masika^1,2 and Voster Muchenje^1,*

¹ Department of Livestock and Pasture Science, University of Fort Hare, Private Bag X1314, Alice 5700, South Africa

² Fort Cox College of Agriculture and Forestry, P.O. Box 2187, King William’s Town 5600, South Africa

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 164; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020164 - 15 Feb 2017

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 4303

Abstract

The polyphenolic constituents and antioxidant activity of aqueous and acetone extracts of Vachellia karroo leaves were determined in order to evaluate its efficacy in scavenging radicals such as DPPH, ferric reducing power and nitric oxide as an antioxidant model. The flavonols and flavonoid [...] Read more.

The polyphenolic constituents and antioxidant activity of aqueous and acetone extracts of Vachellia karroo leaves were determined in order to evaluate its efficacy in scavenging radicals such as DPPH, ferric reducing power and nitric oxide as an antioxidant model. The flavonols and flavonoid and phenolic content of the leaf extracts were also accessed using benchmark phytochemical reaction methods. Results of the phytochemical analyses revealed the presence of flavonoids and flavonol and phenolic compounds in the leaf extracts. The total phenolic content values in the aqueous and acetone leaf extracts were 7.40 and 11.09 mg tannic acid equivalent/g of extract powder, respectively. The total flavonol and flavonoid content values of the aqueous leaf extracts were 9.90 and 53.23 mg quercetin equivalent/g of extract, respectively, while those of the acetone leaf extracts were 1.18 and 5.18 mg quercetin equivalent/g of extract, respectively. At 0.2 mg/mL, the values for the scavenging activities of the acetone and aqueous extracts of the V. karroo leaves were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than that of the ascorbic acid but comparable to BHT against ferric oxide radicals. The findings from the study reveal that the antioxidative potentials of V. karroo leaf extract and could serve as free radical inhibitors, possibly acting as principal antioxidants. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Development Initiatives towards Poverty Alleviation)

17 pages, 252 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Environmental Sustainability: A Case of Policy Implementation Failure?

by Michael Howes^1,*, Liana Wortley², Ruth Potts³, Aysin Dedekorkut-Howes¹

, Silvia Serrao-Neumann⁴, Julie Davidson⁵, Timothy Smith⁶ and Patrick Nunn⁶

¹ Griffith School of Environment and Cities Research Institute, Griffith University, Southport, QLD 4222, Australia

² Australian Centre of Excellence for Local Governance, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia

³ School of Environment, Science, and Engineering, Southern Cross University, East Lismore, NSW 2480, Australia

⁴ CRC Water Sensitive Cities and Cities Research Institute, Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD 4111, Australia

⁵ Discipline of Geography and Spatial Sciences, School of Land and Food, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7005, Australia

⁶ Sustainability Research Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD 4556, Australia

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 165; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020165 - 24 Jan 2017

Cited by 197 | Viewed by 44180

Abstract

For a generation, governments around the world have been committed to sustainable development as a policy goal. This has been supported by an array of new policies ranging from international agreements, to national strategies, environmental laws at many levels of government, regional programs, [...] Read more.

For a generation, governments around the world have been committed to sustainable development as a policy goal. This has been supported by an array of new policies ranging from international agreements, to national strategies, environmental laws at many levels of government, regional programs, and local plans. Despite these efforts, decades of scientific monitoring indicate that the world is no closer to environmental sustainability and in many respects the situation is getting worse. This paper argues that a significant contributing factor to this situation is policy implementation failure. A systematic review of the literature reveals that the failure to achieve the intended outcomes of environmental policies is due to economic, political and communication factors. Conflict between the objectives of environmental policies and those focused on economic development, a lack of incentives to implement environmental policies, and a failure to communicate objectives to key stakeholders are all key factors that contribute to the inability to attain environmental sustainability. Full article

16 pages, 2475 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Demand Forecasting for Heavy-Duty Diesel Engines Considering Emission Regulations

by Yoon Seong Kim, Eun Jin Han and So Young Sohn^*

Department of Information & Industrial Engineering, Yonsei University, 134 Shinchon-dong, Seoul 120-749, Korea

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 166; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020166 - 24 Jan 2017

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 4870

Abstract

Makers of heavy-duty diesel engines (HDDEs) need to reduce their inventory of old-generation products in preparation for the demand for next-generation products that satisfy new emission regulations. In this paper, a new demand forecasting model is proposed to reflect special conditions raised by [...] Read more.

Makers of heavy-duty diesel engines (HDDEs) need to reduce their inventory of old-generation products in preparation for the demand for next-generation products that satisfy new emission regulations. In this paper, a new demand forecasting model is proposed to reflect special conditions raised by the technological generational shift owing to new emission regulation enforcement. In addition, sensitivity analyses are conducted to better accommodate uncertainty involved at the time of prediction. Our proposed model can help support manufacturers’ production and sales management for a series of products in response to new emission regulations. Full article

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18 pages, 736 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Efficiency Allocation of Provincial Carbon Reduction Target in China’s “13·5” Period: Based on Zero-Sum-Gains SBM Model

by Wen Guo^1,2,*, Tao Sun² and Hongjun Dai^2,3

¹ College of Accounting, Nanjing University of Finance & Economics, Nanjing 210046, China

² College of Economics and Management, Research Institute of Financial Development, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing 211106, China

³ College of Economics and Management, Huainan Normal University, Huainan 232038, China

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 167; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020167 - 24 Jan 2017

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 4850

Abstract

Firstly, we introduce the “Zero Sum Gains” game theory into the SBM (Slacks-based Measure) model, and establish the ZSG-SBM model. Then, set up 4 development scenarios for the China’s economic system in “13·5” (The Chinese government formulates a Five-Year Planning for national economic [...] Read more.

Firstly, we introduce the “Zero Sum Gains” game theory into the SBM (Slacks-based Measure) model, and establish the ZSG-SBM model. Then, set up 4 development scenarios for the China’s economic system in “13·5” (The Chinese government formulates a Five-Year Planning for national economic and social development every five years, “13·5” means 2016 to 2020.) period through two dimensions as economic growth and energy consumption structure, and make the efficient allocation in provincial level of carbon reduction target by using the above ZSG-SBM model based on the China’s overall carbon reduction constraint (18%) which is set in “13·5” planning. Finally, we analyze the provincial development path of low-carbon economy by comparing the economic development status with the allocated result of carbon reduction target. Results show that: After the ZSG-SBM model being applied to the efficiency allocation of carbon emission, the input and output indicators of the 30 provinces realize the effective allocation, and the carbon emission efficiency reaches the efficiency frontier. The equity-oriented administrative allocation scheme of government will bring about efficiency loss in a certain degree, and the efficiency allocation scheme, based on the ZSG-SBM model, fits better with the long-term development requirement of low-carbon economy. On the basis of carbon intensity constraint, the re-constraint of energy intensity will force the provinces to optimize their energy consumption structure, thereby enhancing the overall carbon emission efficiency of China. Sixteen provinces’ allocation results of carbon reduction target are above China’s average (18%) in “13·5” period, all the provinces should select appropriate development path of low-carbon economy according to the status of their resource endowment, economic level, industrial structure and energy consumption structure. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Governance in Northeast Asia: Challenges for Sustainable Frontier)

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4 pages, 468 KiB

Open AccessCommentary

New Coal-Fired Plants Jeopardise Paris Agreement

by Mikel González-Eguino^1,2,*

, Antxón Olabe¹ and Teresa Ribera³

¹ Basque Centre for Climate Change (BC3), 48940 Leioa, Spain

² Department of Foundations of Economic Analysis, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 48013 Bilbao, Spain

³ Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relation (IDDRI), 75006 Paris, France

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 168; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020168 - 24 Jan 2017

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 8250

Abstract

Global greenhouse gas emissions need to peak soon and be reduced practically to zero in the second half of this century in order to not exceed the climate targets adopted in the Paris Agreement. However, there are currently numerous coal-fired power stations around [...] Read more.

Global greenhouse gas emissions need to peak soon and be reduced practically to zero in the second half of this century in order to not exceed the climate targets adopted in the Paris Agreement. However, there are currently numerous coal-fired power stations around the world at different stages of construction and planning that could be completed in the next decade. If all these plants are actually built, their expected future emissions will make it very difficult to reach these targets, even in an optimistic scenario with the deployment of carbon capture and storage technologies. Policy makers around the world need to react quickly and help to redirect investment plans for new coal-fired power stations towards low-carbon technologies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Energy Sustainability)

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17 pages, 531 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Industrial Symbiosis, Networking and Innovation: The Potential Role of Innovation Poles

by Raffaella Taddeo^1,*

, Alberto Simboli¹

, Giuseppe Ioppolo² and Anna Morgante¹

¹ Department of Economic Studies, University G. d’Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara, 65127 Pescara, Italy

² Department of Economics, University of Messina, 98122 Messina, Italy

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 169; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020169 - 24 Jan 2017

Cited by 68 | Viewed by 9192

Abstract

In the literature, there is much debate on how to make Industrial Symbiosis (IS) successful and on the factors that may potentially affect its implementation, including networking and innovation. They have so far found limited space for investigation in favor of other technical [...] Read more.

In the literature, there is much debate on how to make Industrial Symbiosis (IS) successful and on the factors that may potentially affect its implementation, including networking and innovation. They have so far found limited space for investigation in favor of other technical and economic aspects, such as the nature of the processes involved, regulatory issues, economic feasibility, and stakeholders involvement. However, in some cases, they may become relevant, especially when considered together and in their synergistic interaction. An interesting context to be considered in this respect is that of the Innovation Poles (IPs), which are government-sponsored consortia, created within EU programs with the objective of stimulating innovation within network of organizations and that promote the competitiveness in specific industries or value-chains at a local or regional level. In the present article, we firstly discuss how these topics have been so far addressed in IS studies, and then we analyze the main features of the IP model with the aim to understand if, and through which mechanisms, it can contribute to the development and spread of IS. A literature overview through desktop analysis and direct research, which particularly focused on the Italian IPs, provided the knowledge basis of the study. The results highlight the positive role that the IP model could play, both for its institutional activity of production and dissemination of knowledge and innovation, and, mostly, if considered as an applicative context for IS. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diverse Dynamics of Industrial Symbiosis: Emergence and Development)

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17 pages, 856 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Value Assigned to Employees Who Preserve the Social and Organizational Environment

by Crisanta-Alina Mazilescu^1,*

and Bernard Gangloff²

¹ Teacher Training Department, Politehnica University Timisoara, Timișoara 300006, Romania

² Laboratoire Parisien de Psychologie Sociale (LAPPS), Université Paris Ouest Nanterre La Défense, Nanterre 92000, France

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 170; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020170 - 25 Jan 2017

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 5468

Abstract

In this study, we were interested in the behaviors of individuals who preserve the social and organizational environment by ensuring sustainability. More specifically, we are interested in allegiant behaviors. Numerous studies have highlighted the normative character of allegiance. Therefore, we questioned the value [...] Read more.

In this study, we were interested in the behaviors of individuals who preserve the social and organizational environment by ensuring sustainability. More specifically, we are interested in allegiant behaviors. Numerous studies have highlighted the normative character of allegiance. Therefore, we questioned the value attributed to allegiance. We questioned 170 employees on social values that they attribute in terms of desirability and utility to a future colleague (subordinate or peer) starting from the responses that these future colleagues were supposed to have submitted to an allegiance questionnaire. It was observed that desirability and utility make reference to two independent dimensions, utility being often more important. It was also noted there is greater severity assigned to endo-group targets (future peers) than to exo-group targets (future subordinates). Finally, it was noted that there was not so much a valuation of allegiant targets, but rather a rejection of rebel targets, which raises the question of the bi-dimensionality of the valuation-devaluation process. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multi-disciplinary Sustainability Research)

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21 pages, 3254 KiB

Open AccessConcept Paper

Technology Innovation and Engineering’ Education and Entrepreneurship (TIEE) in Engineering Schools: Novel Model for Elevating National Knowledge Based Economy and Socio-Economic Sustainable Development

by Mahmoud Abdulwahed

Founding Head of Technology Innovation & Engineering Education (TIEE), Qatar University, P.O. Box 2713, Doha, Qatar

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 171; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020171 - 25 Jan 2017

Cited by 34 | Viewed by 9760

Abstract

The Technology Innovation and Engineering Education (TIEE) is a proposed Unit/Center/Department concept model inside a college of engineering. The TIEE concept has been developed in particular taking in consideration the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and/or Qatar contextual needs and National Vision in the [...] Read more.

The Technology Innovation and Engineering Education (TIEE) is a proposed Unit/Center/Department concept model inside a college of engineering. The TIEE concept has been developed in particular taking in consideration the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and/or Qatar contextual needs and National Vision in the transformation into a Knowledge Based Economy (KBE). The main purpose of such structure is to enable engineering colleges to better respond to these emerging needs of the GCC countries. In this paper, the concept of TIEE is provisioned as an abstract example of organizational structure development for other engineering education institutions that aim to play a key role in innovation and sustainable socio-economic development. The concept is derived from similar global examples and contextualized regionally; it is generic and can be deployed elsewhere with slight modifications. The TIEE concept is in particular vital for engineering institutions in the Middle East and North Africa as a vehicle for economic and technological development. The paper outlines the organizational structure of TIEE, together with its various programs and activities for implementing its stated vision, mission, and strategic objectives. Within this context, the paper also provides a thorough account on advances in engineering innovation, education, scholarship of engineering education, and developments of similar entities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Science, Technology and Innovation Reforms for Sustainable Development of the GCC Countries)

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11 pages, 207 KiB

Open AccessReview

Why Organic Farming Should Embrace Co-Existence with Cisgenic Late Blight–Resistant Potato

by Godelieve Gheysen^1,*

and René Custers²

¹ Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Department of Molecular Biotechnology, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium

² VIB, Rijvisschestraat 120, 9052 Ghent, Belgium

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 172; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020172 - 25 Jan 2017

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 9044

Abstract

The EU regulation on organic farming does not allow the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) which are subject to Directive 2001/18/EC. Mutagenesis using irradiation or chemicals is genetic modification, but the organisms obtained through these techniques are not subject to the provisions [...] Read more.

The EU regulation on organic farming does not allow the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) which are subject to Directive 2001/18/EC. Mutagenesis using irradiation or chemicals is genetic modification, but the organisms obtained through these techniques are not subject to the provisions of the GMO directive. Such mutants can therefore be used in organic agriculture. Derived from its basic principles, organic farming can only use natural substances to control disease and crops should be resilient, which, in the case of disease resistance, means that durable (horizontal) resistance is preferred to vertical (single gene) resistance. Cisgenesis can achieve such a durable resistance by introducing multiple resistance genes in one step. These multiple-resistant plants only contain natural genes that can also be introduced by breeding. In case cisgenic plants are not subject to the provisions of the GMO legislation, they can even be legally used in organic agriculture. In case they are not exempted from the GMO regulation, the question is: why obstruct a cisgenic potato crop that can hardly be distinguished from a potato crop that is the result of conventional breeding? Among the reasons why organic agriculture does not allow the use of GMOs it is mentioned that genetic engineering is unpredictable, it causes genome disruption and it is unnatural. However, our knowledge of plant genome evolution and breeding has increased dramatically. We now know that breeding is more unpredictable and causes more genome disruption than genetic engineering. Recent field trials have shown the efficacy of cisgenic late blight–resistant potatoes carrying multiple resistance genes. Large-scale growing of such durably resistant potatoes would not only be environmentally beneficial by it would strongly reducing the need for fungicide sprays in conventional potato cultivation and it would also reduce the disease pressure in organic potato cultivation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Organic Farming and Gene Manipulation)

15 pages, 440 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Approaches on Correlation between Board of Directors and Risk Management in Resilient Economies

by Daniel Ştefan Armeanu¹, Georgeta Vintilă¹, Ştefan Cristian Gherghina^1,*

and Dan Cosmin Petrache²

¹ Department of Finance, The Bucharest University of Economic Studies, 6 Piata Romana, Bucharest 010374, Romania

² Department of Agro-Food and Environmental Economics, The Bucharest University of Economic Studies, 6 Piata Romana, Bucharest 010374, Romania

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 173; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020173 - 25 Jan 2017

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 6706

Abstract

The recent financial crisis highlighted the need for a strong emphasis on the effectiveness of board risk oversight practices. Good corporate governance upholds effective risk management, which in turn ensures the flexibility to reply to unpredicted threats and take benefit of opportunities. Thus, [...] Read more.

The recent financial crisis highlighted the need for a strong emphasis on the effectiveness of board risk oversight practices. Good corporate governance upholds effective risk management, which in turn ensures the flexibility to reply to unpredicted threats and take benefit of opportunities. Thus, risk management affords corporate resilience that engenders competitive advantage due to the capacity to circumvent, deter, defend, react, and adjust to any kind of disturbance, besides recovering quickly. Guaranteeing that the board is prepared and adequately resilient to deal with a crisis circumstance is a crucial part of good governance. By employing a data set of companies listed in Romania, this paper analyzes whether boards of directors influence risk management. We measure boards by means of size, independence, diversity, establishment of Consultative Committees, as well as CEO duality, gender, age, and tenure. Based on ten financial ratios, we develop two risk indicators regarding shareholders’ wealth and short-term risk, alongside a global business failure risk tool, by means of principal component analysis. Furthermore, the output of the multivariate regression analysis show that CEO gender, the size of the board, and Audit Committee negatively influence business failure risk. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Resilient Economics and the Regional Sustainable Economic Growth)

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13 pages, 7711 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Mapping and Monitoring the Akagera Wetland in Rwanda

by Felix Ndayisaba^1,2,3

, Lamek Nahayo^1,2, Hao Guo^1,2

, Anming Bao^1,*, Alphonse Kayiranga^1,2,3, Fidele Karamage^1,2,3

and Enan M. Nyesheja^1,3

¹ State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, China

² University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China

³ Faculty of Environmental Sciences, University of Lay Adventists of Kigali (UNILAK), P.O. 6392, Kigali, Rwanda

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 174; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020174 - 25 Jan 2017

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 8232

Abstract

Wetland maps are a prerequisite for wetland development planning, protection, and restoration. The present study aimed at mapping and monitoring Rwanda’s Akagera Complex Wetland by means of remote sensing and geographic information systems (GIS). Landsat data, spanning from 1987 to 2015, were acquired [...] Read more.

Wetland maps are a prerequisite for wetland development planning, protection, and restoration. The present study aimed at mapping and monitoring Rwanda’s Akagera Complex Wetland by means of remote sensing and geographic information systems (GIS). Landsat data, spanning from 1987 to 2015, were acquired from different sensor instruments, considering a 5-year interval during the dry season and the shuttle radar topographic mission (SRTM) digital elevation model (30-m resolution) was used to delineate the wetland. The mapping and delineation results showed that the wetland narrowly extends along the Rwanda-Tanzania border from north to south, following the course of Akagera River and the total area can be estimated at 100,229.76 ha. After waterbodies that occupy 30% of the wetland’s surface area, hippo grass and Cyperus papyrus are also predominant, representing 29.8% and 29%, respectively. Floodplain and swamp forest have also been inventoried in smaller proportions. While the wetland extent has apparently remained stable, the inhabiting waterbodies have been subject to enormous instability due to invasive species. Lakes, such as Mihindi, Ihema, Hago and Kivumba have been shrinking in extent, while Lake Rwanyakizinga has experienced a certain degree of expansion. This study represents a consistent decision support tool for Akagera wetland management in Rwanda. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Physical Geography and Environmental Sustainability)

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12 pages, 1335 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Household Livelihood Strategy Choices, Impact Factors, and Environmental Consequences in Miyun Reservoir Watershed, China

by Wenjia Peng¹

, Hua Zheng^1,*

, Brian E. Robinson²

, Cong Li³ and Fengchun Wang⁴

¹ State Key Laboratory of Urban and Regional Ecology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China

² Department of Geography, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 0B9, Canada

³ School of Economics and Finance, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710061, China

⁴ Beijing Water Science and Technology Institute, Beijing 100044, China

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 175; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020175 - 25 Jan 2017

Cited by 36 | Viewed by 18657

Abstract

Household livelihood strategies are embedded in the natural and socioeconomic contexts in which people live. Analyzing the factors that influence household livelihood choice and defining their consequences can be beneficial for informing rural household policies. In turn, this has great significance for fostering [...] Read more.

Household livelihood strategies are embedded in the natural and socioeconomic contexts in which people live. Analyzing the factors that influence household livelihood choice and defining their consequences can be beneficial for informing rural household policies. In turn, this has great significance for fostering sustainable livelihood strategies. We grouped household livelihood strategies based on the income distribution of 756 households and analyzed their influencing factors and possible livelihood consequences in the watershed of Miyun Reservoir, the only source of surface water currently available for domestic use in Beijing, China. Local farmers’ livelihood strategies can be grouped into three types: farming, local off-farm, and labor-migrant. Farming households have the lowest livelihood capitals, other than natural capital, compared with labor-migrant households and off-farm households, the latter having better livelihood capital status. Geographical location, natural capital, household structure, labor quality, and ecological policies are the main factors affecting farmers’ choice of livelihood strategy. Local off-farm households have a significantly lower dependency on firewood, land resources, and investment than that of farming and labor-migrant households, and have the highest reliance on fossil fuel. This household classification can help us understand the livelihood characteristics, impact factors, and consequences of different types of household strategies, which also suggest tailored policy and management options to promote sustainable livelihoods based on different household types. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable River Basin Management)

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12 pages, 584 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Corporate Social Responsibility Actions on South Korean Adolescents’ Perceptions in the Food Industry

by Mi-Hee Lim¹, Yeong Seon Kang^2,* and Yura Kim²

¹ KAIST College of Business, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, 85 Hoegi-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 02455, Korea

² Department of Business Administration, University of Seoul, 163 Seoulsiripdae-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 02504, Korea

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 176; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020176 - 2 Feb 2017

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 5969

Abstract

Our objective in this study is to understand how adolescents respond to the food industry’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities, especially the effects of such activities on consumers’ emotional responses, perceived authenticity, and attitudes toward the company. Understanding which types of CSR actions [...] Read more.

Our objective in this study is to understand how adolescents respond to the food industry’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities, especially the effects of such activities on consumers’ emotional responses, perceived authenticity, and attitudes toward the company. Understanding which types of CSR actions most inﬂuence adolescents is important for managers. This study examines adolescents’ responses to three types of CSR actions (career-related, environment-related, and wellbeing-related) across two types of products (unhealthy and healthy foods). We ﬁnd that CSR actions related to career issues have the greatest effects on adolescents’ emotional responses, perceived authenticity,and attitudes toward a company under the condition of healthy food products. In other words, when a healthy food company offers a career-related CSR program, adolescents have better responses than when an unhealthy food company offers the same CSR program. Full article

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16 pages, 3567 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Extent and Implications of the Microclimatic Conditions in the Urban Environment: A Vienna Case Study

by Milena Vuckovic^*

, Kristina Kiesel and Ardeshir Mahdavi

Department of Building Physics and Building Ecology, Vienna University of Technology Karlsplatz, 1040 Vienna, Austria

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 177; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020177 - 25 Jan 2017

Cited by 23 | Viewed by 6163

Abstract

Recent challenges in the realm of urban studies concern better understanding of microclimatic conditions. Changes in urban climate affect cities at local and global scales, with consequences for human health, thermal comfort, building energy use, and anthropogenic emissions. The extent of these impacts [...] Read more.

Recent challenges in the realm of urban studies concern better understanding of microclimatic conditions. Changes in urban climate affect cities at local and global scales, with consequences for human health, thermal comfort, building energy use, and anthropogenic emissions. The extent of these impacts may vary due to different morphologies and materials of the built environment. The present contribution summarizes the results of a multi-year effort concerned with the extent and implications of urban heat in Vienna, Austria. For this purpose, high-resolution weather data across six locations are obtained and analyzed. This allowed for an objective assessment of urban-level climatic circumstances across distinct low-density and high-density typologies. Subsequently, a systematic framework was developed for identification of essential properties of the built environment (geometric and material-related) that are hypothesized to influence microclimate variation. Results point to a number of related (positive and negative) correlations with microclimatic tendencies. Additionally, the impact of this location-specific weather data on building performance simulation results is evaluated. The results suggest that buildings' thermal performance is significantly influenced by location-specific microclimatic conditions with variation of mean annual heating load across locations of up to 16.1 kWhm⁻²·a⁻¹. The use of location-independent weather data sources (e.g., standardized weather files) for building performance estimations can, thus, result in considerable errors. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Heat Island)

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21 pages, 600 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Providing Appropriate Technology for Emerging Markets: Case Study on China’s Solar Thermal Industry

by Jianghua Zhou¹, Hao Jiao^1,* and Jizhen Li²

¹ Business School, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China

² Research Center for Technological Innovation, School of Economics & Management, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 178; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020178 - 25 Jan 2017

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 6109

Abstract

Building on a case study of five Chinese solar thermal companies and one association, our study aims to understand how the innovator’s choices regarding the use of technology and organizational practices for new product development enable companies to design and diffuse appropriate technology [...] Read more.

Building on a case study of five Chinese solar thermal companies and one association, our study aims to understand how the innovator’s choices regarding the use of technology and organizational practices for new product development enable companies to design and diffuse appropriate technology in emerging markets. The study uncovers two critical factors that enhance the appropriateness of technology: redefining the identity of technology and building a local supply system. Our analysis shows that synergic innovation in both architecture and component leads to the appropriate functionalities desired by emerging markets. Moreover, modular design and the building of a local supply system enhance the process appropriateness of technology. Our study provides an empirical basis for advocating going beyond minor adaptations of existing products to creating appropriate technology for emerging markets, and extends our understandings of the upstream process of designing appropriate technology. Moreover, the emphasis on the local supply system reflects a holistic framework for shaping and delivering appropriate technology, expanding the existing research focus on the perspective of the technology itself. Our research also has managerial implications that may help firms tap into emerging markets. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Governance in Northeast Asia: Challenges for Sustainable Frontier)

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15 pages, 813 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Encouraging Vietnamese Household Recycling Behavior: Insights and Implications

by The Ninh Nguyen^1,*

, Hoang Viet Nguyen², Antonio Lobo³ and The Son Dao⁴

¹ Faculty of Marketing, Vietnam University of Commerce, Ho Tung Mau Road, Hanoi 122414, Vietnam

² Department of Research Administration, Vietnam University of Commerce, Ho Tung Mau Road, Hanoi 122414, Vietnam

³ Faculty of Business and Law, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, VIC 3122, Australia

⁴ Faculty of Economics and Law, Vietnam University of Commerce, Ho Tung Mau Road, Hanoi 122414, Vietnam

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 179; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020179 - 26 Jan 2017

Cited by 53 | Viewed by 9844

Abstract

This research aims to provide new insights into various determinants affecting household recycling. By focusing on Vietnam, this research also extends knowledge about sustainable behavior in emerging markets, which are the major culprits in terms of greenhouse gas emissions. Hypotheses were developed as [...] Read more.

This research aims to provide new insights into various determinants affecting household recycling. By focusing on Vietnam, this research also extends knowledge about sustainable behavior in emerging markets, which are the major culprits in terms of greenhouse gas emissions. Hypotheses were developed as a result of the critical review of relevant studies in the fields of marketing, psychology, and economics, and then tested using a quantitative survey data. Structured questionnaires were administered to Vietnamese respondents which yielded 486 usable responses. Multivariate statistics reveal that all the determinants influenced their recycling behavior except for moral norms. Attitude towards the importance of recycling exerted the strongest influence, followed by subjective norms and warm glow respectively. On the other hand, attitude towards the inconvenience of recycling significantly reduced recycling behavior. The research findings have important implications for strategies aimed at promoting recycling behavior. Communication and education programs should emphasize how household recycling contributes to environmental protection, as well as stress intrinsic rewards when recycling. Public media campaigns should feature opinion leaders and attractive communicators, who can effectively apply social pressure to perform recycling behavior. Organizations should also make every effort to make recycling more convenient. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Economic and Business Aspects of Sustainability)

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17 pages, 523 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Framework for Building Efficient Environmental Permitting Processes

by Nicola Ulibarri^1,*

, Bruce E. Cain^2,3,4 and Newsha K. Ajami⁴

¹ Department of Planning, Policy and Design, University of California, Irvine, 206B Social Ecology I, Irvine, CA 92697, USA

² Bill Lane Center for the American West, Stanford University, 473 Via Ortega Room 173, Stanford, CA 94305, USA

³ Department of Political Science, Stanford University, Encina Hall West Suite 100, Stanford, CA 94305, USA

⁴ Woods Institute for the Environment, Stanford University, 473 Via Ortega, Stanford, CA 94305, USA

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 180; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020180 - 25 Jan 2017

Cited by 21 | Viewed by 14506

Abstract

Despite its importance as a tool for protecting air and water quality, and for mitigating impacts to protected species and ecosystems, the environmental permitting process is widely recognized to be inefficient and marked by delays. This article draws on a literature review and [...] Read more.

Despite its importance as a tool for protecting air and water quality, and for mitigating impacts to protected species and ecosystems, the environmental permitting process is widely recognized to be inefficient and marked by delays. This article draws on a literature review and interviews with permitting practitioners to identify factors that contribute to delayed permit decisions. The sociopolitical context, projects that are complex or use novel technology, a fragmented and bureaucratic regulatory regime, serial permit applications and reviews, and applicant and permitting agency knowledge and resources each contribute to permitting inefficiency when they foster uncertainty, increase transaction costs, and allow divergent interests to multiply, yet remain unresolved. We then use the interviews to consider the potential of a collaborative dialogue between permitting agencies and applicants to mitigate these challenges, and argue that collaboration is well positioned to lessen permitting inefficiency. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Urban and Rural Development)

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15 pages, 819 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Exploratory Study Examining the Joint Impacts of Mentoring and Managerial Coaching on Organizational Commitment

by Hyung Rok Woo

Division of Interdisciplinary Industrial Studies, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul 04763, Korea

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 181; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020181 - 26 Jan 2017

Cited by 22 | Viewed by 11729

Abstract

A number of organizations have adopted coaching and mentoring interventions to discover and foster the potential capabilities of employees. These practices are seen as competitive drivers to cultivate innovation and creativity in turbulent business environments. However, the literature has not investigated the question [...] Read more.

A number of organizations have adopted coaching and mentoring interventions to discover and foster the potential capabilities of employees. These practices are seen as competitive drivers to cultivate innovation and creativity in turbulent business environments. However, the literature has not investigated the question of how coaching and mentoring are interrelated. By examining this connection, this study explores the joint effects of these practices on the organizational commitment of employees. The results from survey data of 247 employees, who were coachees as well as protégés at the same time, from 17 companies in South Korea suggested that mentoring moderates the positive relationship between managerial coaching and organizational commitment. In addition, the moderating effects also depended on the extent of the homogeneity of their coach and mentor. The positive relationship between managerial coaching and organizational commitment strongly increased with conditions of higher mentoring and lower homogeneity of coach and mentor. Conversely, the relationship became negative when both mentoring practice and the homogeneity of coach and mentor were low. These results could provide practical implications to organizations that are concurrently adopting both coaching and mentoring programs by helping managers to better understand their joint effects. Full article

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18 pages, 1509 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Role of Sustainability Resources of Large Greenhouse Gas Emitters: The Case of Corporations in Alberta, Canada

by Marwa Hannouf^1,*

and Getachew Assefa²

¹ Faculty of Environmental Design, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada

² Faculty of Environmental Design, Athena Chair in Life Cycle Assessment in Design, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 182; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020182 - 26 Jan 2017

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 4678

Abstract

With the global challenge of climate change, it becomes crucial to understand the factors that can guide carbon intensive companies to comply with environmental regulations through significant reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Using the natural-resource-based view, the argument in this paper is [...] Read more.

With the global challenge of climate change, it becomes crucial to understand the factors that can guide carbon intensive companies to comply with environmental regulations through significant reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Using the natural-resource-based view, the argument in this paper is that focusing on sustainability-driven resources by companies is a way to meet environmental compliance and reduce GHG emissions while gaining differential competitive benefits. A specific analysis on Alberta case has discussed large GHG emitters’ environmental compliance mechanisms in the context of their sustainability resources. The aim is examining if large GHG emitters in Alberta related to corporations having sustainability resources are complying with the Specified Gas Emitters Regulation (SGER) reduction requirement through cleaner-production driven internal mechanisms. The paper examines the existence of the sustainability resources in the reporting companies related to large GHG emitters responsible for 86% of total GHG reported by facilities with emissions above the threshold of 100 kilotonnes of GHG per year under SGER in Alberta. Corporations are found not using their sustainability resource potential to achieve internal reductions in GHG emissions throughout their facilities. Thus, some recommendations are presented for Alberta case as well as for environmental regulations in other jurisdictions that can potentially help policy makers improve their climate change regulations and achieve their global targets and enable companies to gain competitive advantage while meeting GHG reduction compliance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Economic and Business Aspects of Sustainability)

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17 pages, 1328 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Determinants of Pro-Environmental Consumption: Multicountry Comparison Based upon Big Data Search

by Donghyun Lee¹, Suna Kang² and Jungwoo Shin^3,*

¹ Department of Business Administration, Korea Polytechnic University, 237 Sangidaehak-ro, Siheung-si, Gyeonggi-do 15073, Korea

² Korea Environment Institute, 370, Sicheong-daero, Sejong 30147, Korea

³ Department of Industrial and Management Systems Engineering, Kyung Hee University, 1732 Deogyeong-daero, Giheung-gu, Yongin, Gyeonggi 17104, Korea

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 183; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020183 - 27 Jan 2017

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 6014

Abstract

The Korean government has promoted a variety of environmental policies to revitalize pro-environmental consumption, and the government’s budget for this purpose has increased. However, there is a lack of quantitative data and analysis regarding the effects upon the pro-environmental consumption of education and [...] Read more.

The Korean government has promoted a variety of environmental policies to revitalize pro-environmental consumption, and the government’s budget for this purpose has increased. However, there is a lack of quantitative data and analysis regarding the effects upon the pro-environmental consumption of education and changing public awareness of the environment. In addition, to improve pro-environmental consumption, the determinant and hindrance factors of pro-environmental consumption should be analyzed in advance. Accordingly, herein we suggest a pro-environmental consumption index that represents the condition of pro-environmental consumption based on big data queries and use the index to analyze determinants of and hindrances to pro-environmental consumption. To verify the reliability of the proposed indicator, we examine the correlation between the proposed indicator and Greendex, an existing survey-based indicator. In addition, we conduct an analysis of the determinants of pro-environmental consumption across 13 countries based upon the proposed indicator. The index is highest for Argentina and average for Korea. An analysis of the determinants shows that the levels of health expenditure, the ratio of the population aged over 65 years, and past orientation are signiﬁcantly negatively related to the pro-environmental consumption index, but the level of preprimary education is signiﬁcantly positively related with it. We also ﬁnd that high-GDP countries have a signiﬁcantly positive relationship between economy growth and pro-environmental consumption, but low-GDP countries do not have this relationship. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Big Data and Predictive Analytics for Sustainability)

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21 pages, 2507 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Hybrid Multiple-Criteria Decision-Making Approach for Photovoltaic Solar Plant Location Selection

by Amy H. I. Lee¹, He-Yau Kang^2,*

and You-Jyun Liou²

¹ Department of Technology Management, Chung Hua University, Hsinchu 300, Taiwan

² Department of Industrial Engineering and Management, National Chin-Yi University of Technology, Taichung 411, Taiwan

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 184; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020184 - 27 Jan 2017

Cited by 69 | Viewed by 7524

Abstract

Due to decaying fossil resource and increasing environmental consciousness, the demand of renewable energy resources is escalating these days. Photovoltaic solar energy is one of the most popular renewable energy resources in places where sunlight is abundant. The selection of a desirable location [...] Read more.

Due to decaying fossil resource and increasing environmental consciousness, the demand of renewable energy resources is escalating these days. Photovoltaic solar energy is one of the most popular renewable energy resources in places where sunlight is abundant. The selection of a desirable location for constructing a photovoltaic solar plant is the ﬁrst and one of the most important stages in the plant construction to provide a long-term energy production. In this paper, a comprehensive multiple-criteria decision-making model, which incorporates the interpretive structural modeling (ISM), fuzzy analytic network process (FANP) and VIKOR (VlseKriterijumska OptimizacijaI Kompromisno Resenje in Serbian,meaning multi-criteria optimization and compromise solution), is proposed to select the most suitable photovoltaic solar plant location. The ISM is applied ﬁrst to determine the interrelationships among the criteria and among the sub-criteria,andtheresults are used to construct a decision-making network. The FANP is applied next to solve the network and to calculate the importance weights of the sub-criteria. Finally, the VIKOR is adopted to determine the ranking of the photovoltaic solar plant locations. The proposed model is applied in a case study in evaluating photovoltaic solar plant locations in Taiwan. By applying the proposed model, decision makers can have a better thinking process and make more appropriate decisions justiﬁably. Full article

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14 pages, 3031 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Park Accessibility Impacts Housing Prices in Seoul

by Jin Han Park¹

, Dong Kun Lee^1,2,*, Chan Park^3,*, Ho Gul Kim¹, Tae Yong Jung⁴ and Songyi Kim⁵

¹ Interdisciplinary Program in Landscape Architecture, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea

² Department of Landscape Architecture, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea

³ Department of Landscape Architecture, College of Urban Science, University of Seoul, Seoul 02504, Korea

⁴ Graduate School of International Studies, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Korea

⁵ Tourism Policy Research Division, Korea Culture & Tourism Institute, Seoul 07511, Korea

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 185; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020185 - 27 Jan 2017

Cited by 64 | Viewed by 10218

Abstract

Housing prices are determined by a variety of factors, including the features of the building and the neighborhood environment, and a potential buyer decides to buy a house after reviewing these factors and concluding that it is worth the price. We used Hedonic [...] Read more.

Housing prices are determined by a variety of factors, including the features of the building and the neighborhood environment, and a potential buyer decides to buy a house after reviewing these factors and concluding that it is worth the price. We used Hedonic Price Methods to find the relationship between monetary value of house and access conditions to urban parks. Two meaningful results were discovered in this study: first, as the distance from the park increases, the value of the park inherent in the housing price decreases; second, the greater walking accessibility, to the park, the higher the park value inherent in housing prices. Despite presenting shorter distances to walk and more entrances, poorly accessible zones were deemed as such due to the necessity of crossing an arterial road. This indicates that the results can define accessibility not as the Euclidian distance but as the shortest walking distance while considering crossroads and park entrances. The results of this study have significant implications for urban park economic impact analyses in Seoul. Also, the increase in housing prices closer to parks supports the idea that access is dependent on the residents’ socioeconomic status. Lastly, the results of this study can improve walking accessibility to the park. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Maintaining Ecosystem Services to Support Urban Needs)

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24 pages, 2354 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Critical Review of the Material Criteria of Building Sustainability Assessment Tools

by Jiyoung Park^1,*

, Jungwon Yoon² and Kwang-Hyun Kim^3,*

¹ Department of Architecture, Inha University, 100 Inha-ro, Nam-gu, Incheon 22212, Korea

² Department of Architecture, University of Seoul, 163 Seoulsiripdae-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 02504, Korea

³ Department of Architecture and Architectural Engineering, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 08826, Korea

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 186; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020186 - 26 Jan 2017

Cited by 70 | Viewed by 10078

Abstract

Comparative analysis of the material criteria embedded in building sustainability assessment tools was performed. The material-related issues were identified, classified, and summarized. A framework, the triple bottom line of sustainability (environment, economy, and society), was used to examine the material assessment criteria, evaluation [...] Read more.

Comparative analysis of the material criteria embedded in building sustainability assessment tools was performed. The material-related issues were identified, classified, and summarized. A framework, the triple bottom line of sustainability (environment, economy, and society), was used to examine the material assessment criteria, evaluation parameters, and descriptions. The material criteria were evaluated to identify the current features and weaknesses as balanced material assessments for sustainable development. The criteria showed significant differences in their scopes in covering the social and economic aspects beyond the environmental aspect. For comprehensive sustainability assessment purposes, it is essential that adequate attention be paid to all three dimensions. Finally, this paper proposes the indicators of the sustainable material assessment from an analysis of all the material-related items. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability and Materials)

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18 pages, 16472 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Exploring the Factors Driving Seasonal Farmland Abandonment: A Case Study at the Regional Level in Hunan Province, Central China

by Zhonglei Yu

, Lei Liu, Hua Zhang^*

and Jinshe Liang

School of Geography, Faculty of Geographical Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 187; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020187 - 26 Jan 2017

Cited by 27 | Viewed by 6289

Abstract

Farmland abandonment, including perennial and seasonal abandonment, is an important process of land use change that matters most to food security. Although there is a great deal of studies on farmland abandonment, seasonal abandonment, which is as serious as perennial abandonment, has attracted [...] Read more.

Farmland abandonment, including perennial and seasonal abandonment, is an important process of land use change that matters most to food security. Although there is a great deal of studies on farmland abandonment, seasonal abandonment, which is as serious as perennial abandonment, has attracted little academic attention. This paper takes Hunan Province in central China as its study area and uses a spatial regression model to examine the driving factors of seasonal farmland abandonment at the county level. Our results show that farmland abandonment has striking spatial relativity, and there are two clustering zones with a high index of farmland abandonment (IFA) in the Dongting plain and the basin in south-central Hunan, while a clustering zone of low IFA can be found in the mountains of southwest Hunan. Farmland abandonment at the regional level is negatively affected by the land productive potentialities, proportion of mechanized planting, ratio of effective irrigation, and distance to provincial capital, while it is positively associated with the variables mountainous terrain, per capita farmland area, and labor shortage. Additionally, farmland abandonment is also affected by adjacent areas through its spatial dependence. In short, seasonal farmland abandonment is also driven integratedly by the socioeconomic and environmental dimensions and spatial interaction of farm abandonment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Agriculture and Development)

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17 pages, 976 KiB

Open AccessArticle

An Analysis of the Contribution of Japanese Business Terms to Corporate Sustainability: Learnings from the “Looking-Glass” of the East

by Rodrigo Lozano^1,2

, Masachika Suzuki³, Angela Carpenter^2,4

and Olga Tyunina^5,*

¹ Faculty of Engineering and Sustainable Development, University of Gavle, Gavle 801 76, Sweden

² Organisational Sustainability Ltd., Cardiff CF11 6EQ, UK

³ Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies, Sophia University, Tokyo 102-8554, Japan

⁴ School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK

⁵ Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Chiba 277-8563, Japan

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 188; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020188 - 4 Feb 2017

Cited by 22 | Viewed by 8853

Abstract

During the last decade, there has been increasing research on Corporate Sustainability, whereby most of such research was undertaken in the Western world. This paper is aimed at analysing the contribution of Japanese Business terms to Corporate Sustainability. The paper analyses, using Grounded [...] Read more.

During the last decade, there has been increasing research on Corporate Sustainability, whereby most of such research was undertaken in the Western world. This paper is aimed at analysing the contribution of Japanese Business terms to Corporate Sustainability. The paper analyses, using Grounded Theory, 28 Japanese business terms through a Corporate Sustainability framework based on the four dimensions of sustainability (economic, environmental, social, and time), the company system (operations and processes, strategy and management, organisational systems, procurement and marketing, and assessment and communication), and stakeholders (internal, interconnecting, and external). The underpinning principles of the Japanese business terms provide complementary approaches to Western views on corporate sustainability by offering a more holistic perspective by linking the company system and its stakeholders to the four dimensions of sustainability. The paper proposes that Corporate Sustainability can learn from Japanese business approaches through: (1) the interaction and alignment of the factory, the firm, and inter-firm network; (2) the relationships between management and employees; (3) the inter-linkages between the company system elements; and (4) how Japanese companies remained competitive, even under the stress of a long-term major economic crisis. However, the analysis indicates that the relationship with external stakeholders and communicating with them through assessment and reporting is lacking in Japanese business management practice. Japanese businesses and their management can also learn from the Corporate Sustainability of the West by: (1) considering the four dimensions of sustainability and how they interact; (2) taking a holistic and systemic approach to Corporate Sustainability; (3) engaging in more Corporate Sustainability research; and (4) making Corporate Sustainability part of a company’s culture and activities. Businesses in the East and the West need to recognise that they can both contribute to making the world more sustainable by learning from each other’s approaches on Corporate Sustainability and adapting them to their own contexts. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Economic and Business Aspects of Sustainability)

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20 pages, 1119 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Overall Urban–Rural Coordination Measures—A Case Study in Sichuan Province, China

by Hui Zhu, Fumin Deng and Xuedong Liang^*

The Economy and Enterprise Development Institute, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 189; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020189 - 27 Jan 2017

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 5801

Abstract

Focusing on urban–rural development issues, this paper analyzes the necessity of coordinated development between the narrowing gap and integral development. An overall urban– rural development dynamic model aimed at two major objectives is pointed out. A principal component analysis (PCA)—Grey Entropy measurement model [...] Read more.

Focusing on urban–rural development issues, this paper analyzes the necessity of coordinated development between the narrowing gap and integral development. An overall urban– rural development dynamic model aimed at two major objectives is pointed out. A principal component analysis (PCA)—Grey Entropy measurement model is proposed to evaluate urban–rural coordination from economic development, social security, public services, and environmental quality perspectives. In this model, principal component analysis (PCA) was used to extract the components that explained overall urban–rural coordination. This model was then combined with Grey Entropy to measure the level of urban–rural development coordination. By establishing a scientific measurement model, the coordination value of the rural and urban areas was effectively calculated from a comprehensive perspective, including subsystems and static and dynamic coordination values. Finally, the model was applied to Sichuan Province as an example to show its effectiveness in measuring urban–rural coordination. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Sustainability and Planning Support Systems)

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15 pages, 402 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Forecasting Long-Term Crude Oil Prices Using a Bayesian Model with Informative Priors

by Chul-Yong Lee¹ and Sung-Yoon Huh^2,*

¹ Korea Energy Economics Institute (KEEI), 405-11 Jongga-ro, Jung-gu, Ulsan 44543, Korea

² Haas School of Business, University of California Berkeley, 2220 Piedmont Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 190; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020190 - 27 Jan 2017

Cited by 27 | Viewed by 8139

Abstract

In the long-term, crude oil prices may impact the economic stability and sustainability of many countries, especially those depending on oil imports. This study thus suggests an alternative model for accurately forecasting oil prices while reflecting structural changes in the oil market by [...] Read more.

In the long-term, crude oil prices may impact the economic stability and sustainability of many countries, especially those depending on oil imports. This study thus suggests an alternative model for accurately forecasting oil prices while reflecting structural changes in the oil market by using a Bayesian approach. The prior information is derived from the recent and expected structure of the oil market, using a subjective approach, and then updated with available market data. The model includes as independent variables factors affecting oil prices, such as world oil demand and supply, the financial situation, upstream costs, and geopolitical events. To test the model’s forecasting performance, it is compared with other models, including a linear ordinary least squares model and a neural network model. The proposed model outperforms on the forecasting performance test even though the neural network model shows the best results on a goodness-of-fit test. The results show that the crude oil price is estimated to increase to $169.3/Bbl by 2040. Full article

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7 pages, 1119 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Sustainable Governance in Northeast Asia: Challenges for the Sustainable Frontier

by Yongrok Choi

Department of International Trade and Regional Studies, Inha University, 100 Inha-ro, Nam-gu, Incheon 402-751, Korea

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 191; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020191 - 28 Jan 2017

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 4595

Abstract

This Special Issue consists of selected papers from the 2016 annual international Sustainable Asia Conference (SAC), held on Jeju Island, South Korea, from 28 June to 2 July 2016. SAC 2016 is one of the leading international conferences for presenting novel and fundamental [...] Read more.

This Special Issue consists of selected papers from the 2016 annual international Sustainable Asia Conference (SAC), held on Jeju Island, South Korea, from 28 June to 2 July 2016. SAC 2016 is one of the leading international conferences for presenting novel and fundamental advances in sustainable development issues for Asia. In this special issue, most of the papers emphasize the importance of sustainable governance in harmonizing economic development with a healthier life, while enhancing the quality of all economic activities. The majority of papers in this special issue also deal with problems of urbanization, because the Northeast Asian countries are experiencing the transformation of their economic structure from quantitatively oriented development to the qualitative, highlighting socioeconomic performance. There has been a vast amount of discussion and many ideas put forward on sustainable development, but as the Marrakech Proclamation of COP 22 concluded in November 2016, it is now time to meet the practical challenges of sustainable development. This special edition will shed light on the action plan against global warming and environmental degradation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Governance in Northeast Asia: Challenges for Sustainable Frontier)

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16 pages, 4282 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Socio-Cultural Asset Integration for a Green Infrastructure Network Plan in Yesan County, Korea

by María José Carranza Orantes¹

, Jinki Kim^1,*

and Jiseok Kim²

¹ Department of Landscape Architecture, Kongju National University, 182 Shinkwan-dong, Gongju, Chungcheongnam-do 32588, South Korea

² Department of Regional Development, Kongju National University, 182 Shinkwan-dong, Gongju, Chungcheongnam-do 32588, South Korea

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 192; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020192 - 28 Jan 2017

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 7057

Abstract

Green Infrastructure (GI) can be used as a framework for planning human settlements and guiding development away from natural areas that possess high ecological value and provide important Ecosystem Services for society’s development. In this paper, we present a GI Plan for Yesan [...] Read more.

Green Infrastructure (GI) can be used as a framework for planning human settlements and guiding development away from natural areas that possess high ecological value and provide important Ecosystem Services for society’s development. In this paper, we present a GI Plan for Yesan County (Yesan GI Plan), a small shrinking city in the Republic of Korea. Yesan possesses very rich, but still fairly unexplored natural and cultural resources. Therefore, Yesan’s GI Plan was developed through a multifunctional approach based on the different ecological and socio-cultural characteristics of the region, allowing to connect the core elements that conform the vernacular landscape and get the most out of the Ecosystem Services provided by resources in the area. The plan was defined mainly in two stages: first, applying weights to the different ecological and socio/cultural characteristics; secondly, arranging them through a set of GIS spatial analysis tools using a patch-corridor- matrix model approach. The final outcome is a lean network of ecological value hubs, connected to a set of socio-cultural value assets through a network of water bodies, intrinsic forestry characteristics and wildlife mobility in the area. This was followed in order to connect, facilitate and improve mobility and energy flow in Yesan. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Local Heritage and Sustainability)

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17 pages, 5165 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Temperature Control by Its Forecasting Applying Score Fusion for Sustainable Development

by José Gustavo Hernández-Travieso^1,*

, Antonio L. Herrera-Jiménez¹, Carlos M. Travieso-González¹

, Fernando Morgado-Dias²

, Jesús B. Alonso-Hernández¹

and Antonio G. Ravelo-García¹

¹ Signal and Communications Department, Institute for Technological Development and Innovation in Communications (IDeTIC). University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Campus Universitario de Tafira, 35017 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain

² Madeira Interactive Technologies Institute, University of Madeira, 9020-105 Funchal, Portugal

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 193; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020193 - 28 Jan 2017

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3777

Abstract

Temperature control and its prediction has turned into a research challenge for the knowledge of the planet and its effects on different human activities and this will assure, in conjunction with energy efficiency, a sustainable development reducing CO₂ emissions and fuel consumption. [...] Read more.

Temperature control and its prediction has turned into a research challenge for the knowledge of the planet and its effects on different human activities and this will assure, in conjunction with energy efficiency, a sustainable development reducing CO₂ emissions and fuel consumption. This work tries to offer a practical solution to temperature forecast and control, which has been traditionally carried out by specialized institutes. For the accomplishment of temperature estimation, a score fusion block based on Artificial Neural Networks was used. The dataset is composed by data from a meteorological station, using 20,000 temperature values and 10,000 samples of several meteorological parameters. Thus, the complexity of the traditional forecasting models is resolved. As a result, a practical system has been obtained, reaching a mean squared error of 0.136 °C for short period of time prediction and 5 °C for large period of time prediction. Full article

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16 pages, 3783 KiB

Open AccessArticle

GIS Analysis and Optimisation of Faecal Sludge Logistics at City-Wide Scale in Kampala, Uganda

by Lars Schoebitz¹

, Fabian Bischoff¹, Christian Riuji Lohri¹, Charles B. Niwagaba², Rosi Siber¹ and Linda Strande^1,*

¹ Eawag (Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology), Department of Sanitation, Water and Solid Waste for Development (Sandec), Überlandstrasse 133, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland

² Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology, Makerere University, P.O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 194; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020194 - 29 Jan 2017

Cited by 27 | Viewed by 8864

Abstract

The majority of residents in low- and middle-income countries are served by onsite sanitation. Equitable access to sanitation, including emptying, collection, and transport services for the accumulation of faecal sludge remains a major challenge. Comprehensive information on service coverage by mechanical faecal sludge [...] Read more.

The majority of residents in low- and middle-income countries are served by onsite sanitation. Equitable access to sanitation, including emptying, collection, and transport services for the accumulation of faecal sludge remains a major challenge. Comprehensive information on service coverage by mechanical faecal sludge emptying service providers is lacking. The purpose of this study is to analyse the spatial distribution of service coverage and identify areas without faecal sludge emptying services in Kampala, Uganda. The study uses GIS (geographic information systems) as a tool to analyse real-time data of service providers based on GPS (global positioning system) units that were installed in a representative number of trucks. Of the total recorded 5653 emptying events, 27% were located outside Kampala city boundaries. Of those within Kampala city boundaries, 37% were classified as non-household customers. Areas without service provision accounted for 13% of the total area. Service provision normalised by population density revealed much greater service provision in medium- and high-income areas than low- and very low-income areas. The employed method provides a powerful tool to optimise faecal sludge management on a city-wide scale by increasing sustainability of the planning and decision-making process, increasing access to service provision and reducing faecal sludge transport times and costs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Development of Sanitation, Water Supply and Solid Waste in Low-and Middle Income Settings)

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21 pages, 38775 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Urban Growth and Flood Disasters in the Coastal River Basin of South-Central Chile (1943–2011)

by Octavio Rojas^1,*

, María Mardones¹, Carolina Rojas², Carolina Martínez³ and Luis Flores⁴

¹ Faculty of Environmental Sciences and EULA Chile Centre, Department of Territorial Planning, Universidad de Concepcion, Concepcion 4089100, Chile

² Faculty of Architecture, Urban Planning and Geography, Department of Geography, Universidad de Concepcion, Concepcion 4089100, Chile

³ Faculty of History, Geography and Political Science, Institute of Geography, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 7820436, Chile

⁴ Oceanographic and Hydrographic Engineering (E.O.H.), Viña del Mar 2520000, Chile

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 195; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020195 - 29 Jan 2017

Cited by 46 | Viewed by 9013

Abstract

Urban flooding is an increasing problem in developing countries, thus understanding flood dynamics is necessary to establish guidelines on urban development and flood management. This paper studied the lower reaches of the Andalien River basin, situated on the coast of the Greater Concepcion [...] Read more.

Urban flooding is an increasing problem in developing countries, thus understanding flood dynamics is necessary to establish guidelines on urban development and flood management. This paper studied the lower reaches of the Andalien River basin, situated on the coast of the Greater Concepcion Metropolitan Area (CMA), the second most urbanized area in Chile. This basin experienced a record 21 flood events in the last 50 years. Patterns in the evolution of urban growth were evaluated using a historical analysis (1943–2011) that specifically focused on how these patterns interact with zones that are prone to flooding over different return periods. Our model applied to the CMA, but is sufficiently transversal to be applied in similar areas. It was determined that the built-up area increased by 1457 ha and had an urban form vulnerable to future flooding due to its location on landforms exposed to flood risk, with altitudes of <8 m and slopes of <0.5°. The bankfull channel of the Andalien River lost 18.4% of its area. Upstream, management of the river decreased smaller floods for a return period of two, five, and 10 years; however, for a return period of 500 years, risk remained at high levels. These findings help to rethink and improve urban planning and the response of Chilean cities in relation to flood hazard. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Urban and Rural Development)

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15 pages, 240 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Can Social Comparison Feedback Affect Indicators of Eco-Friendly Travel Choices? Insights from Two Online Experiments

by Rouven Doran^1,*, Daniel Hanss² and Torvald Øgaard³

¹ Department of Psychosocial Science, University of Bergen, 5015 Bergen, Norway

² Department of Social and Cultural Sciences and Social Work, Hochschule Darmstadt—University of Applied Sciences, 64295 Darmstadt, Germany

³ Norwegian School of Hotel Management, University of Stavanger, 4036 Stavanger, Norway

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 196; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020196 - 29 Jan 2017

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 5880

Abstract

Two online experiments explored the effects of social comparison feedback on indicators of eco-friendly travel choices. It was tested whether the chosen indicators are sensitive to the information conveyed, and if this varies as a function of in-group identification. Study 1 (N [...] Read more.

Two online experiments explored the effects of social comparison feedback on indicators of eco-friendly travel choices. It was tested whether the chosen indicators are sensitive to the information conveyed, and if this varies as a function of in-group identification. Study 1 (N = 134) focused on unfavourable feedback (i.e., being told that one has a larger ecological footprint than the average member of a reference group). People who received unfavourable feedback reported stronger intentions to choose eco-friendly travel options than those who received nondiscrepant feedback, when in-group identification was high (not moderate or low). Perceived self- and collective efficacy were not associated with the feedback. Study 2 (N = 323) extended the focus on favourable feedback (i.e., being told that one has a smaller ecological footprint than the average member of a reference group). Neither unfavourable nor favourable feedback was associated with behavioural intentions, self- or collective efficacy. This means that Study 2 failed to replicate the finding of Study 1 that behavioural intentions were associated with unfavourable feedback, given that in-group identification is high. The findings are discussed in light of the existing literature. Suggestions are made for future studies investigating social comparison feedback as a means to motivate people to make eco-friendly travel choices. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Consumer Behavior)

18 pages, 2890 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Comparative Analysis between the Government Micro-Grid Plan and Computer Simulation Results Based on Real Data: The Practical Case for a South Korean Island

by Heetae Kim¹, Jinwoo Bae²

, Seoin Baek², Donggyun Nam², Hyunsung Cho^2,* and Hyun Joon Chang^2,*

¹ Department of Strategic Management, Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials (KIMM), Daejeon 34103, Korea

² Graduate School of Innovation and Technology Management, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Korea

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 197; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020197 - 31 Jan 2017

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 5840

Abstract

Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, which are produced through the combustion of fossil fuels, cause climate change. Unfortunately, South Korea is highly dependent on fossil fuels because of its industrial nature. However, many islands in South Korea have the potential to generate a considerable [...] Read more.

Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, which are produced through the combustion of fossil fuels, cause climate change. Unfortunately, South Korea is highly dependent on fossil fuels because of its industrial nature. However, many islands in South Korea have the potential to generate a considerable amount of renewable energy, which should be studied. KEPCO (Korea Electricity Power Corporation), which runs micro-grid facilities in Gasado Island in Jindo, South Korea, built micro-grid facilities in Mozambique in 2015. The micro-grid construction of Gasado Island is considered one of the most successful micro-grid projects of KEPCO, so KEPCO is hoping to expand energy development overseas and become a top-tier global power company. This study aims to find a more technologically and economically optimal hybrid energy system for Gasado Island that KEPCO should have built. We also compared this optimal solution to the Korean government plan. The Korean government plan is the same as the KEPCO plan because KEPCO is classified as a market-oriented public corporation under the Act on the Management of Public Institutions. In the final section of this paper, both the implications and limitations are discussed in detail. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Energy Policy and Policy Implications—Good Examples and Critical Reflections)

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26 pages, 4914 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Using the Concepts of Green Infrastructure and Ecosystem Services to Specify Leitbilder for Compact and Green Cities—The Example of the Landscape Plan of Dresden (Germany)

by Martina Artmann^1,*, Olaf Bastian² and Karsten Grunewald¹

¹ Leibniz Institute of Ecological Urban and Regional Development, Weberplatz 1, 01217 Dresden, Germany

² State Capital of Dresden, Environmental Office, P.O. Box 120020, D-01001 Dresden, Germany

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 198; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020198 - 1 Feb 2017

Cited by 96 | Viewed by 16781

Abstract

In the light of ongoing global urbanization and the high pace of resource consumption, there is an urgent need to foster compact cities. Currently, however, we lack integrative guidelines on how to manage trade-offs between urban densification and the provision of green space. [...] Read more.

In the light of ongoing global urbanization and the high pace of resource consumption, there is an urgent need to foster compact cities. Currently, however, we lack integrative guidelines on how to manage trade-offs between urban densification and the provision of green space. Against this background, this study applies the concepts of green infrastructure and ecosystem services to develop a guideline for landscape planning to foster compact and green cities. The guideline was tested on the example of the landscape plan of Dresden (Germany), which foresees a compact city in a green network. Results show that the concepts of ecosystems services and green infrastructure can support urban practitioners in structuring the complex interrelations between landscape planning and compact and green cities. The developed guideline provides an integrative framework for modular landscape planning that: (1) reflects the spatial heterogeneity and properties of urban ecosystems and landscapes; and (2) considers cities as integrated socio-ecological systems. The case study indicates that a more comprehensive perspective of cities and their ecosystem is required, one that connects green with grey infrastructure. Further research should focus on how the green infrastructure concept can be refined to incorporate strategic planning for compact cities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Maintaining Ecosystem Services to Support Urban Needs)

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20 pages, 11256 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Ecosystem Services and Ecological Restoration in the Northern Shaanxi Loess Plateau, China, in Relation to Climate Fluctuation and Investments in Natural Capital

by Hejie Wei^1,2

, Weiguo Fan^1,2, Zhenyu Ding³, Boqi Weng⁴, Kaixiong Xing⁵, Xuechao Wang^1,2, Nachuan Lu^1,2, Sergio Ulgiati⁶ and Xiaobin Dong^1,2,7,*

¹ State Key Laboratory of Earth Surface Processes and Resource Ecology, Faculty of Geographical Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China

² College of Resources Science and Technology, Faculty of Geographical Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China

³ Department of Environmental Engineering, Chinese Academy for Environmental Planning, Beijing 100012, China

⁴ Fujian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Fuzhou 350003, China

⁵ Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China

⁶ Department of Science and Technology, Parthenope University of Naples, Centro Direzionale-Isola C4, 80143 Napoli, Italy

⁷ Joint Center for Global change and China Green Development, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 199; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020199 - 1 Feb 2017

Cited by 43 | Viewed by 6290

Abstract

Accurately identifying the spatiotemporal variations and driving factors of ecosystem services (ES) in ecological restoration is important for ecosystem management and the sustainability of nature conservation strategies. As the Green for Grain project proceeds, food provision, water regulation and climate regulation services in [...] Read more.

Accurately identifying the spatiotemporal variations and driving factors of ecosystem services (ES) in ecological restoration is important for ecosystem management and the sustainability of nature conservation strategies. As the Green for Grain project proceeds, food provision, water regulation and climate regulation services in the Northern Shaanxi Loess Plateau (NSLP) are changing and have caused broad attention. In this study, the dynamic pattern of the normalized differential vegetation index (NDVI) and the main drivers of grain production (GP), water yield (WY) and net primary production (NPP) in the NSLP from 2000–2013 are identified by incorporating multiple data and methods, in order to provide a better understanding of how and why ES change during ecological restoration. WY was simulated by hydrological modeling, and NPP was estimated with the Carnegie Ames Stanford Approach (CASA) model. The results show that vegetation restoration continued from 2000–2013, but fluctuated because of the comprehensive influence of climate and human activity. GP and NPP both exhibited significantly increasing trends, while changes in WY occurred in two stages: decline (2000–2006) and growth (2007–2013). Spatially, significantly increasing trends in NPP and WY were detected in 52.73% and 24.76% of the region, respectively, in areas that correspond with the Green for Grain project and high precipitation growth. Correlation and partial correlation analyses show that there were different dominant factors (i.e., natural vs. anthropogenic) driving ES change in the NSLP from 2000–2013. The change in WY was mainly driven by precipitation, while the improvements in GP and NPP can be attributed to investments in natural capital (i.e., chemical fertilizer, agricultural machinery power and afforestation). We also found that vegetation restoration can produce positive effects on NPP, but negative effects on WY by using response analyses of WY or NPP change to NDVI change, demonstrating that additional research on the role of water in vegetation restoration is needed. Our results provide support for ES management and the sustainable development of ecological restoration in the NSLP. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Environmental Sustainability and Applications)

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13 pages, 1173 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Keep on Rockin’ in a (Plastic-)Free World: Collective Efficacy and Pro-Environmental Intentions as a Function of Task Difficulty

by Gerhard Reese^1,* and Eva A. Junge²

¹ Environmental Psychology Unit, University of Koblenz-Landau, Fortstr. 7, 76829 Landau, Germany

² Centre for Sustainability Studies, Lund University, SE 22100, Sweden

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 200; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020200 - 1 Feb 2017

Cited by 60 | Viewed by 11657

Abstract

Collective efficacy—the belief that one’s group is capable of affecting relevant aspects of its environment—has been highlighted as an important predictor of sustainable behavior. It increases people’s collective action tendencies, and is important for fostering environmental behavioral change beyond self-efficacy beliefs. The current [...] Read more.

Collective efficacy—the belief that one’s group is capable of affecting relevant aspects of its environment—has been highlighted as an important predictor of sustainable behavior. It increases people’s collective action tendencies, and is important for fostering environmental behavioral change beyond self-efficacy beliefs. The current study addresses two primary goals. First, we tested whether the difficulty of a task increased collective efficacy, and thereby environmental intentions. Second, we explored how collective and self-efficacy in concert predict such intentions. In a combined field-and-survey study, 165 voluntary participants took part in a plastic reduction challenge that was pretested as easy, moderate, or difficult. After being confronted with the task, participants completed an online questionnaire in which, among other variables, specific and general self-efficacy, collective efficacy, and pro-environmental intentions were measured—both general and plastic-reduction specific. Results revealed that (a) collective efficacy was significantly stronger when task difficulty was moderate rather than easy or difficult; and (b) that through specific collective and self-efficacy perceptions, sustainable intentions were gauged—even when controlling for attitudes and social norms. These findings suggest that collective efficacy beliefs are particularly relevant for attaining environmental goals that are neither too easy nor too difficult, and could thus be valuable for communication and policy strategies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Consumer Behavior)

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17 pages, 2054 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Financing Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City: What Lessons Can Be Drawn for Other Large-Scale Sustainable City-Projects?

by Changjie Zhan^1,* and Martin De Jong^1,2

¹ Faculty of Technology, Policy and Management, Delft University of Technology, Jaffalaan 5, 2600 GA Delft, The Netherlands

² School of International Relations and Public Affairs, Fudan University, 220 Handan Road, Shanghai 200433, China

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 201; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020201 - 1 Feb 2017

Cited by 29 | Viewed by 11239

Abstract

Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City (SSTEC) is currently the best-known and arguably the most successful large-scale sustainable new town development project in China; as such, experiences gathered there are of significant importance for the development of other eco-cities in China and elsewhere. This article focuses [...] Read more.

Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City (SSTEC) is currently the best-known and arguably the most successful large-scale sustainable new town development project in China; as such, experiences gathered there are of significant importance for the development of other eco-cities in China and elsewhere. This article focuses on a thus far relatively understudied aspect of SSTEC, the financial vehicles used to fund SSTEC. The authors find that highly structured and intense collaboration at the national level between China and Singapore plays a catalytic role in attracting many other players to the project by giving them confidence that it is too big to fail. It encourages various preferential policies from lower governmental bodies, broad involvement of the private sector, a market-based operation model and the issuing of bonds in Singapore, which all contribute significantly to Tianjin eco-city’s financial viability. The broad involvement of the private sector relieves part of the financial burden from local governments, while the bonds issued in international markets lower the interest rate for master developers. However, the Sino-Singaporean collaboration at the national level is far less likely to be replicated to other eco-cities, since this requires an enormous willingness on the part of other countries to invest manpower, money, and other resources into the construction of eco-cities in China. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Economic and Business Aspects of Sustainability)

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17 pages, 1511 KiB

Open AccessArticle

LMDI Decomposition Analysis of Energy Consumption in the Korean Manufacturing Sector

by Suyi Kim

College of Business Management, Hongik University, 2639 Sejong-ro, Sejong-si 30016, Korea

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 202; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020202 - 1 Feb 2017

Cited by 50 | Viewed by 6657

Abstract

The energy consumption of Korea’s manufacturing sector has sharply increased over the past 20 years. This paper decomposes the factors influencing energy consumption in this sector using the logarithmic mean Divisia index (LMDI) method and analyzes the specific characteristics of energy consumption from [...] Read more.

The energy consumption of Korea’s manufacturing sector has sharply increased over the past 20 years. This paper decomposes the factors influencing energy consumption in this sector using the logarithmic mean Divisia index (LMDI) method and analyzes the specific characteristics of energy consumption from 1991 to 2011. The analysis reveals that the activity effect played a major role in increasing energy consumption. While the structure and intensity effects contributed to the reduction in energy consumption, the structure effect was greater than the intensity effect. Over the periods, the effects moved in opposite directions; that is, the structure effect decreased when the intensity effect increased and vice versa. The energy consumption by each industry is decomposed into two factors, activity and intensity effects. The increase of energy consumption due to the activity effect is largest in the petroleum and chemical industry, followed by the primary metal and non-ferrous industry, and the fabricated metal industry. The decrease of energy consumption due to the intensity effect is largest in the fabricated metal industry, followed by the primary metal and non-ferrous industry, and the non-metallic industry. The energy consumption due to intensity effect in the petroleum and chemical industry has risen. To save energy consumption more efficiently for addressing climate change in this sector, industrial restructuring and industry-specific energy saving policies should be introduced. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Energy Sustainability)

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21 pages, 276 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Financial Inclusion, Entry Barriers, and Entrepreneurship: Evidence from China

by Zhaobin Fan^*

and Ruohan Zhang

Department of International Business, International Business School, Jinan University, Zhuhai 519070, China

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 203; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020203 - 1 Feb 2017

Cited by 42 | Viewed by 8869

Abstract

This paper aims at investigating the relationship between financial inclusion and the formation of entrepreneurs, both theoretically and empirically. We first construct a theoretical model to examine how the development of financial inclusion affects the formation of entrepreneurs. The model suggests that the [...] Read more.

This paper aims at investigating the relationship between financial inclusion and the formation of entrepreneurs, both theoretically and empirically. We first construct a theoretical model to examine how the development of financial inclusion affects the formation of entrepreneurs. The model suggests that the development of financial inclusion can mitigate credit constraints on entrepreneurial activities by reducing information asymmetry in financial transactions, and in addition this effect is greater in industries with lower barriers to entry. Then, using data from 31 provinces and 19 industries in China during the period 2005–2014, we test the impact of financial inclusion on the formation of entrepreneurs. The estimation results confirm the positive effect of financial inclusion development on the formation of entrepreneurs, and indicate that this effect is heterogeneous across industries. Moreover, the development of financial inclusion is often beneficial to the formations of entrepreneurs in sectors with lower entry barriers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Development of Chinese Economy—In Search of New Sources of Growth: A Sustainable Approach)

17 pages, 1588 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Understanding the Mechanisms behind Changing People’s Recycling Behavior at Work by Applying a Comprehensive Action Determination Model

by Sunita Prugsamatz Ofstad^*, Monika Tobolova, Alim Nayum and Christian A. Klöckner

Department of Psychology, NTNU—Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7491 Trondheim, Norway

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 204; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020204 - 2 Feb 2017

Cited by 83 | Viewed by 12481

Abstract

This study moves toward a better understanding of the mechanisms behind changing people’s recycling behavior at work by mapping out which pathways and variables change in recycling behavior as triggered by interventions. A questionnaire was designed based on the theory of planned behaviour, [...] Read more.

This study moves toward a better understanding of the mechanisms behind changing people’s recycling behavior at work by mapping out which pathways and variables change in recycling behavior as triggered by interventions. A questionnaire was designed based on the theory of planned behaviour, the norm-activation model, habits, and a comprehensive action determination model (CADM). The data was collected in two rounds: before the intervention and after a three-month pilot period with implemented interventions using a sample of n = 1269 students and employees. The CADM model appears to be a good fit with the data. The results from the structural equation modelling indicate the pathways to influencing behavioural change. The most important psychological variables accounting for waste separation behaviour are intentions, perceived behavioural control, personal norms, social norms and habits. No difference in waste separation behaviour was observed in the control building. Interventions targeting the increase in waste separation raised participants’ intentions to engage in such behaviour. Results indicate that waste separation at work must go beyond technical aspects to include various key elements of sustainability to ensure success. Furthermore, understanding human behavior is key in determining the performance and success of an integrated and effective recycling intervention strategy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability in Solid Waste Management)

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16 pages, 941 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Examining Structural Relationships between Work Engagement, Organizational Procedural Justice, Knowledge Sharing, and Innovative Work Behavior for Sustainable Organizations

by Woocheol Kim¹

and Jiwon Park^2,*

¹ School of Liberal Arts and HRD, Korea University of Technology and Education, Cheonan 31253, Korea

² Department of Learning and Performance Systems, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 205; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020205 - 2 Feb 2017

Cited by 230 | Viewed by 20014

Abstract

Despite the importance of the human/social dimension of organizational sustainability, this area of scholastic endeavor has received relatively little attention when compared to the economic and environmental dimensions of sustainability. On the basis of social exchange theory, this study posited the important role [...] Read more.

Despite the importance of the human/social dimension of organizational sustainability, this area of scholastic endeavor has received relatively little attention when compared to the economic and environmental dimensions of sustainability. On the basis of social exchange theory, this study posited the important role that employee work engagement is a key component for improving human performance for organizational sustainability. In order to do so, it suggests the important role that employee work engagement has on the relationships among various factors in the organization, including organizational procedural justice, knowledge sharing, and innovative work behaviors. A total of 400 complete responses from full-time employees in Korean organizations were used for the purpose of data analysis with structural equation modeling (SEM). The results demonstrated that organizational procedural justice is positively related with employee work engagement, knowledge sharing, and innovative work behavior. In addition, work engagement enhances employee knowledge sharing and innovative work behavior, and knowledge sharing enhances innovative work behavior. With regard to the mechanisms of these relationships, work engagement and knowledge sharing acted as significant mediators. Based on the findings, we suggested relevant research implications and recommendations for future research on sustainable organizations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Economic and Business Aspects of Sustainability)

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14 pages, 557 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Directionality across Diversity: Governing Contending Policy Rationales in the Transition towards the Bioeconomy

by Lisa Scordato^1,*, Markus M. Bugge¹ and Arne Martin Fevolden²

¹ Nordic Institute for Studies in Innovation, Research and Education (NIFU), P.O. Box 2815 Tøyen, NO-0608 Oslo, Norway

² Centre for Technology, Innovation and Culture (TIK), University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1108 Blindern, NO-0317 Oslo, Norway

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 206; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020206 - 3 Feb 2017

Cited by 27 | Viewed by 5870

Abstract

Although the bioeconomy has been embraced by many governments around the world as a way of responding to the grand challenge of climate change, it remains unclear what the bioeconomy is and how it can contribute to achieving these broad policy objectives. The [...] Read more.

Although the bioeconomy has been embraced by many governments around the world as a way of responding to the grand challenge of climate change, it remains unclear what the bioeconomy is and how it can contribute to achieving these broad policy objectives. The aim of this paper is to improve our understanding of whether, and how, the bioeconomy includes contending rationales for governance and policy-making. In order to do this, we apply a typology of three bioeconomy visions onto the policy discourse on the bioeconomy. These visions are (1) a bio-technology vision; (2) a bio-resource vision; and (3) a bio-ecology vision. Based on a discourse analysis of 41 submissions to a public hearing on the development of a bioeconomy strategy in Norway, the paper explores the actors involved in shaping the new bioeconomy and analyses their positions on this emerging field. The paper finds that it is possible to categorise the consultative inputs into these three visions, and also that the bio-resource vision is predominant, which reflects the structure of the national economy. Moreover, the paper reflects upon how the contending visions observed imply negotiations and power struggles, which may hamper directionality in the current socio-technical transition. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovation and Sustainable Development for the Bioeconomy)

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12 pages, 643 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Stochastic Differential Equation Models for the Price of European CO₂ Emissions Allowances

by Wugan Cai^1,* and Jiafeng Pan²

¹ School of Economics and Management, Fuzhou University, No. 2, Xueyuan Road, Daxue New District, Fuzhou District, Fuzhou 350108, China

² Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G1 1XH, UK

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 207; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020207 - 4 Feb 2017

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 4368

Abstract

Understanding the stochastic nature of emissions allowances is crucial for risk management in emissions trading markets. In this study, we discuss the emissions allowances spot price within the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme: Powernext and European Climate Exchange. To compare the fitness of [...] Read more.

Understanding the stochastic nature of emissions allowances is crucial for risk management in emissions trading markets. In this study, we discuss the emissions allowances spot price within the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme: Powernext and European Climate Exchange. To compare the fitness of five stochastic differential equations (SDEs) to the European Union allowances spot price, we apply regression theory to obtain the point and interval estimations for the parameters of the SDEs. An empirical evaluation demonstrates that the mean reverting square root process (MRSRP) has the best fitness of five SDEs to forecast the spot price. To reduce the degree of smog, we develop a new trading scheme in which firms have to hand many more allowances to the government when they emit one unit of air pollution on heavy pollution days, versus one allowance on clean days. Thus, we set up the SDE MRSRP model with Markovian switching to analyse the evolution of the spot price in such a scheme. The analysis shows that the allowances spot price will not jump too much in the new scheme. The findings of this study could contribute to developing a new type of emissions trading. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Economic and Business Aspects of Sustainability)

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13 pages, 6338 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Developing a Rating System for Building Energy Efficiency Based on In Situ Measurement in China

by Li Zhao and Zhengnan Zhou^*

School of Architecture, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 208; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020208 - 3 Feb 2017

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 5084

Abstract

Building energy consumption in China recently surpassed the US building consumption, and it is expected to increase significantly in the next decade pushed by the continuous population and urbanization increase. In response to that situation, the Chinese government introduced a series of building [...] Read more.

Building energy consumption in China recently surpassed the US building consumption, and it is expected to increase significantly in the next decade pushed by the continuous population and urbanization increase. In response to that situation, the Chinese government introduced a series of building energy codes and rating systems to assess and enhance the building energy performance. The purpose of this study is to develop a rating system for the building energy efficiency, based on in situ measurement. The system is intended for office buildings in China’s cold zone. An evaluation framework, graphic dominant point, and principle of data collection and processing are illustrated in this paper. Three existing buildings were rated under the new rating system. The authors believe that the new system will contribute to a more accurate and comprehensive understanding for asset holders and occupants, that report on the extent to which energy efficiency buildings have been reached. Rating results are expected to be a reference for the retrofitting of existing buildings and the design of new buildings. In addition, the outlook for the rating system was also discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability Assessments of Buildings)

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19 pages, 2952 KiB

Open AccessDiscussion

Chinese Electric Power Development Coordination Analysis on Resource, Production and Consumption: A Provincial Case Study

by Jiang Zhu¹ and Zhenyu Zhao^1,2,*

¹ School of Economics and Management, North China Electric Power University, Beijing 102206, China

² Department of Economics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3G7, Canada

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 209; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020209 - 4 Feb 2017

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 5750

Abstract

In line with the pressures of energy shortage and economic development, Chinese government has adopted a series of measures and policies to promote the exploitation and utilization efficiency of electric power. China is urgently reconsidering its electric power development level and coordinating between [...] Read more.

In line with the pressures of energy shortage and economic development, Chinese government has adopted a series of measures and policies to promote the exploitation and utilization efficiency of electric power. China is urgently reconsidering its electric power development level and coordinating between power supply and demand sides. Therefore, in this paper, Chinese industrial structure of electric power was constructed according to its production process from resource, production and consumption sides. With the constructed industrial structure, the influencing factors on each side were selected to build a measurable evaluation system. Thirty-one Chinese provinces were chosen to explore their development coordination level based on the projection pursuit model and coupling coordination model. By the projection pursuit model, improved projection directions and best projection vectors of each province were found to describe the development level of each side. The coupling coordination model was adopted to explore the provincial supply and demand relations between electric power industry side via the indexes of coupling degree, coordination degree and relative development degree. By using ArcGIS mapping analysis, the results show the changes in Chinese provincial coupling and coordination development levels from 2011 to 2014. Finally, using the evaluation results, optimal strategies were discussed for improving the coordination of Chinese electric power development from different aspects, such as technical support, project approval and supervision, and demand side management. The findings prove that projection pursuit model and coupling coordination model can evaluate the electric power development level and describe their dynamic changing coordination relations effectively. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Electric Power Systems Research)

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19 pages, 8260 KiB

Open AccessArticle

DEA Efficiency of Energy Consumption in China’s Manufacturing Sectors with Environmental Regulation Policy Constraints

by Xiaoqing Chen^1,2 and Zaiwu Gong^1,2,*

¹ School of Economics and Management, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing 210044, China

² Collaborative Innovation Center on Forecast and Evaluation of Meteorological Disasters, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing 210044, China

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 210; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020210 - 4 Feb 2017

Cited by 36 | Viewed by 7481

Abstract

Because overall energy consumption intensity in China’s manufacturing industry is extremely high, the study of energy efficiency in that industry, with an analysis of the policy impacts of energy intensity reduction and other key factors, will no doubt improve energy utilization in the [...] Read more.

Because overall energy consumption intensity in China’s manufacturing industry is extremely high, the study of energy efficiency in that industry, with an analysis of the policy impacts of energy intensity reduction and other key factors, will no doubt improve energy utilization in the industry and stimulate sustainable development within it. This paper uses 2004–2014 panel data of 28 manufacturing industries and a piecewise linear utility function to construct a data envelopment analysis (DEA) model of energy consumption with environmental regulations constraints. We also examine the DEA evaluation of energy efficiency in manufacturing industries. We integrate environmental regulations as qualitative variables into the energy consumption evaluation model to research the coupling effects on energy consumption intensity of energy consumption structure, opening up, environmental regulations, technological progress, and competition within industries. The research shows that energy efficiency policy intensity is not the major effect on the development of low or moderate energy-consumption industries, whereas low-energy-efficiency policy is very favorable for the development of high energy-consumption industries. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability of Economic and Management Systems: Perspectives of Uncertainty and Data Driven Optimization)

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15 pages, 14807 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Detecting Sustainability of Desertification Reversion: Vegetation Trend Analysis in Part of the Agro-Pastoral Transitional Zone in Inner Mongolia, China

by Jie Lian^1,2,*

, Xueyong Zhao^1,2, Xin Li^1,3, Tonghui Zhang^1,2, Shaokun Wang^1,2, Yongqing Luo^1,2, Yangchun Zhu^2,4 and Jing Feng^1,2

¹ Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China

² Naiman Desertification Research Station, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tongliao 028300, China

³ CAS Center for Excellence in Tibetan Plateau Earth Sciences, Beijing 100101, China

⁴ Jiangsu Province Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing 210014, China

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 211; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020211 - 4 Feb 2017

Cited by 23 | Viewed by 6319

Abstract

Vegetation dynamics are an important topic in the field of global environment change, which is of great significance to monitor temporal–spatial variability of desertification at regional or global scales. Following the reported desertification reversion in the late 1990s in the Horqin Sandy Land, [...] Read more.

Vegetation dynamics are an important topic in the field of global environment change, which is of great significance to monitor temporal–spatial variability of desertification at regional or global scales. Following the reported desertification reversion in the late 1990s in the Horqin Sandy Land, an issue was concerned for desertification control by decreased water availability. To detect the desertification process, MODIS Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) sequences were investigated to analyze the effect on vegetation over the 2000–2015 growing season. Results showed that: (1) NDVI sequences exhibited a positive trend in most of the significant pixels (19.1%–44.7% of the total), particularly in the southeastern part of Horqin, while showing a negative trend of 2.2%–4.3%; (2) NDVI was weakly related to precipitation since 2000, because intensified anthropogenic activities have obscured the impacts of climate variables, with a rapid decrease in grassland, and increase in cropland and woodland; and (3) the improved NDVI was interpreted by expanding cropland and excessive groundwater irrigation, according to the positive effect of grain yield on NDVI all over the Horqin area. For persistent desertification reversion, a land use strategy should be more adaptive to the carrying capacity in this agro-pastoral transitional zone, particularly with respect to water capacity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Development for Sustainability in Water Constrained Regions)

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14 pages, 217 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Experimenting with Law and Governance for Decentralized Electricity Systems: Adjusting Regulation to Reality?

by Imke Lammers^1,*

and Lea Diestelmeier²

¹ Department of Governance and Technology for Sustainability (CSTM), University of Twente, P.O. Box 217, 7500 AE Enschede, The Netherlands

² Department of European and Economic Law, Groningen Centre of Energy Law, University of Groningen, 9700 AB Groningen, The Netherlands

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 212; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020212 - 5 Feb 2017

Cited by 43 | Viewed by 6819

Abstract

Moving towards a low-carbon society calls not only for technological innovation, but also for new modes of governance. However, the current legal framework of the electricity sector, and the modes of governance that it establishes, impede innovation in the sector. To overcome this [...] Read more.

Moving towards a low-carbon society calls not only for technological innovation, but also for new modes of governance. However, the current legal framework of the electricity sector, and the modes of governance that it establishes, impede innovation in the sector. To overcome this obstacle, in 2015 the Dutch government adopted a Crown decree for experiments with decentralized renewable electricity generation (Experimentation Decree) with the aim to generate insights on how to adjust the legal framework. The question remains whether regulation is being adopted to real-life settings, i.e., which lessons can be learned from experimentally acquired results regarding new modes of governance for decentralized electricity systems? To answer this question we apply an interdisciplinary approach: we investigate which modes of governance are established in the Experimentation Decree (legal research) and which ones are implemented in nine projects (governance research). Under the Decree, associations have to carry out all tasks in the electricity supply chain and can engage in collective generation, peer-to-peer supply and system operation. Other modes of governance, new actors for emerging activities and consumer involvement are limited. We conclude that the Experimentation Decree is too restricted regarding new modes of governance for a decentralized electricity system in real-life settings. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovation in the European Energy Sector and Regulatory Responses to It)

22 pages, 5178 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Study on the Evolution Mechanism and Development Forecasting of China’s Power Supply Structure Clean Development

by Xiaohua Song, Xubei Zhang^*, Yun Long and Yiwei Guo

School of Economic and Management, North China Electric Power University, Beijing 102206, China

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 213; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020213 - 5 Feb 2017

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 6157

Abstract

The clean development of China’s power supply structure has become a crucial strategic problem for the low-carbon, green development of Chinese society. Considering the subsistent developments of optimized allocation of energy resources and efficient utilization, the urgent need to solve environmental pollution, and [...] Read more.

The clean development of China’s power supply structure has become a crucial strategic problem for the low-carbon, green development of Chinese society. Considering the subsistent developments of optimized allocation of energy resources and efficient utilization, the urgent need to solve environmental pollution, and the continuously promoted power market-oriented reform, further study of China’s power structure clean development has certain theoretical value. Based on the data analysis, this paper analyzes the key factors that influence the evolution process of the structure with the help of system dynamics theory and carries out comprehensive assessments after the construction of the structure evaluation system. Additionally, a forecasting model of the power supply structure development based on the Vector Autoregressive Model (VAR) has been put forward to forecast the future structure. Through the research of policy review and scenario analysis, the paths and directions of structure optimization are proposed. In this paper, the system dynamics, vector autoregressive model (VAR), policy mining, and scenario analysis methods are combined to systematically demonstrate the evolution of China’s power structure, and predict the future direction of development. This research may provide a methodological and practical reference for the analysis of China’s power supply structure optimization development and for theoretical studies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Electric Power Systems Research)

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21 pages, 7179 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Perceptual Differences among Stakeholders in the Tourism Supply of Xi’an City, China

by Junsheng Liu^* and Yaofeng Ma

College of Tourism and Environment, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an 710119, China

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 214; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020214 - 7 Feb 2017

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 8487

Abstract

The stakeholders’ perceptual evaluations of the supply structure of destination tourism play an important role in promoting the sustainable development of regional tourism. However, the research on the structural perceptions of destination tourism supply is relatively insufficient in current research on the perceptions [...] Read more.

The stakeholders’ perceptual evaluations of the supply structure of destination tourism play an important role in promoting the sustainable development of regional tourism. However, the research on the structural perceptions of destination tourism supply is relatively insufficient in current research on the perceptions of tourism stakeholders. This paper analyzes the perceptual differences among inbound tourists, community residents and tourism practitioners from the core and auxiliary tourism supply dimensions. After having applied the structural equation model in this paper, the advantages and disadvantages of the tourism supply of Xi’an, a famous tourist city in China, were identified. In addition, the findings of this paper are: the inbound tourists have high perceptual sensitivity over the factors of the urban core tourism supply; the community residents have high perceptual sensitivity over the auxiliary tourist supply factors; the tourism practitioners have similar perceptual sensitivity over the factors of urban core and auxiliary tourism supply. The advantageous factors involve tourist attractions, tourist shopping, tourist entertainment, hospitality environment and tourist information. Furthermore, the moderately stable supply factors of Xi’an include tourist transportation, tourist catering, tourist accommodation, marketing as well as safety and security, while the natural environment is the limiting factor. The results support sustainable development and the coordination of different stakeholders in the destinations. Full article

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20 pages, 7352 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Decision Support System for Plant Optimization in Urban Areas with Diversified Solar Radiation

by Heyi Wei¹

, Zhengdong Huang^2,3,* and Mu Lin³

¹ Geodesign Research Centre for Plant, Environment and Human, College of City Construction, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang 330022, China

² Research Institute for Smart Cities, School of Civil Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China

³ School of Urban Design, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 215; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020215 - 6 Feb 2017

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 6252

Abstract

Sunshine is an important factor which limits the choice of urban plant species, especially in environments with high-density buildings. In practice, plant selection and configuration is a key step of landscape architecture, which has relied on an experience-based qualitative approach. However, the rationality [...] Read more.

Sunshine is an important factor which limits the choice of urban plant species, especially in environments with high-density buildings. In practice, plant selection and configuration is a key step of landscape architecture, which has relied on an experience-based qualitative approach. However, the rationality and efficiency of this need to be improved. To maintain the diversity of plant species and to ensure their ecological adaptability (solar radiation) in the context of sustainable development, we developed the Urban Plants Decision Support System (UP-DSS) for assisting plant selection in urban areas with diversified solar radiation. Our methodology mainly consists of the solar radiation model and calibration, the urban plant database, and information retrieval model. The structure of UP-DSS is also presented at the end of the methodology section, which is based on the platform of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Microsoft Excel. An application of UP-DSS is demonstrated in a residential area of Wuhan, China. The results show that UP-DSS can provide a very scientific and stable tool for the adaptive planning of shade-tolerant plants and photoperiod-sensitive plants, meanwhile, it also provides a specific plant species and the appropriate types of plant community for user decision-making according to different sunshine radiation conditions and the designer’s preferences. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Sustainability and Planning Support Systems)

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13 pages, 212 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Critical Factors Affecting the Quality of Industrialized Building System Projects in China

by Yuanyan Gan¹, Liyin Shen¹, Jindao Chen¹, Vivian W. Y. Tam^2,3,*, Yongtao Tan⁴ and I. M. Chethana S. Illankoon²

¹ School of Construction Management and Real Estate, International Research Centre for Sustainable Built Environment, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400045, China

² School of Computing, Engineering and Mathematics, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia

³ College of Civil Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China

⁴ Department of Building and Real Estate, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 216; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020216 - 5 Feb 2017

Cited by 49 | Viewed by 6532

Abstract

Whilst the benefits of applying an industrialized building system (IBS) have been well recognized globally in the construction industry, the application of IBS is particularly limited in developing countries such as China, and quality is considered one of the key issues affecting its [...] Read more.

Whilst the benefits of applying an industrialized building system (IBS) have been well recognized globally in the construction industry, the application of IBS is particularly limited in developing countries such as China, and quality is considered one of the key issues affecting its application. This paper identifies a number of the key quality factors which present barriers to the promotion of IBS within the context of the Chinese construction industry. These include key factors such as “Inaccurate design of the connecting points between core components”, “Lack of design norms and standards for IBS components”, “Lack of quality criteria for IBS components”, “Lack of production norms and standards for IBS components”, “Lack of quality management system in production process”, and “Lack of technical guidelines for the construction of IBS projects”. The data used for analysis are derived from a comprehensive practical survey. The validity of the data is examined by using a statistical method. The findings from the study provide valuable references for formulating effective measures to mitigate the negative effects of these quality factors on IBS application in China, thereby ensuring that practice of the IBS system can be further developed within the country. Full article

17 pages, 7977 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Influence of Road Patterns on PM_2.5 Concentrations and the Available Solutions: The Case of Beijing City, China

by Fang Wang^*, Yaoyao Peng and Chunyan Jiang

Sino-German Joint Laboratory on Urbanization and Locality Research (UAL), College of Architecture and Landscape Architecture, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 217; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020217 - 7 Feb 2017

Cited by 21 | Viewed by 6333

Abstract

With the increase in urbanization and energy consumption, PM_2.5 has become a major pollutant. This paper investigates the impact of road patterns on PM_2.5 pollution in Beijing, focusing on two questions: Do road patterns significantly affect PM_2.5 concentrations? How do [...] Read more.

With the increase in urbanization and energy consumption, PM_2.5 has become a major pollutant. This paper investigates the impact of road patterns on PM_2.5 pollution in Beijing, focusing on two questions: Do road patterns significantly affect PM_2.5 concentrations? How do road patterns affect PM_2.5 concentrations? A land-use regression model (LUR model) is used to quantify the associations between PM_2.5 concentrations, and road patterns, land-use patterns, and population density. Then, in the condition of excluding other factors closely correlated to PM_2.5 concentrations, based on the results of the regression model, further research is conducted to explore the relationship between PM_2.5 concentrations and the types, densities, and layouts of road networks, through the controlling variables method. The results are as follows: (1) the regression coefficient of road patterns is significantly higher than the water area, population density, and transport facilities, indicating that road patterns have an obvious influence on PM_2.5 concentrations; (2) under the same traffic carrying capacity, the layout of “a tight network of streets and small blocks” is superior to that of “a sparse network of streets and big blocks”; (3) the grade proportion of urban roads impacts the road patterns’ rationality, and a high percentage of branch roads and secondary roads could decrease PM_2.5 concentrations. These findings could provide a reference for the improvement of the traffic structure and air quality of Beijing. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Urban and Rural Development)

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21 pages, 769 KiB

Open AccessArticle

An Integrated Approach to Evaluating and Selecting Green Logistics Providers for Sustainable Development

by Chia-Nan Wang^1,2,*, Hong-Xuyen Thi Ho^2,*, Shih-Hsiung Luo^3,* and Tsung-Fu Lin⁴

¹ Department of Industrial Engineering and Management, Fortune Institute of Technology, Kaohsiung 83160, Taiwan

² Department of Industrial Engineering and Management, National Kaohsiung University of Applied Sciences, Kaohsiung 80778, Taiwan

³ Department of Business Administration, Fortune Institute of Technology, Kaohsiung 83160, Taiwan

⁴ Department of Management Information Systems, National Chengchi University, Taipei 11605, Taiwan

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 218; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020218 - 6 Feb 2017

Cited by 31 | Viewed by 8562

Abstract

Balancing economic development with environmental protection has become a critical concern worldwide. However, along with the highly competitively global marketplace, economic factors are known to directly affect an enterprise’s development and its future business. Therefore, selecting the right partner for sustainable collaboration that [...] Read more.

Balancing economic development with environmental protection has become a critical concern worldwide. However, along with the highly competitively global marketplace, economic factors are known to directly affect an enterprise’s development and its future business. Therefore, selecting the right partner for sustainable collaboration that will lead to improved business performance and reduce carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions is a significant problem for many enterprises. In addition, investigating the economic impact of companies that are charged to protect the environment is becoming increasingly problematic. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to evaluate the comparative efficiencies of 16 Green Logistics Providers (GLPs) in the USA from 2012 to 2015, and the projected four-year period of 2016–2019, by means of an integrated approach that combines the grey forecasting model GM (1,1) and Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA). The results show that there are two GLPs, Knight Transportation and the Union Pacific Corporation, that possess a higher efficiency level and are achieving positive technical change. However, this study also determined that Hyster-Yale Materials Handling and CSX Corporation did not reach an acceptable efficiency score; therefore, they should improve technical efficiency to mitigate environmental concerns. This completely integrative methodology has the potential to provide the best decision-making strategies for finding suitable collaborative partners who are able to meet the sustainability requirements in most economic and environmental areas. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability in Manufacturing)

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10 pages, 1138 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Rebound Effect or Induced Demand? Analyzing the Compound Dual Effects on VMT in the U.S.

by Jihye Byun¹

, Sungjin Park^2,*

and Kitae Jang^1,*

¹ The Cho Chun Shik Graduate School of Green Transportation, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Korea

² Department of Urban Design and Planning, Hongik University, Seoul 04066, Korea

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 219; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020219 - 7 Feb 2017

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 5284

Abstract

This research explored the dual influence of fuel efficiency and roadway capacity on vehicle distance traveled. The empirical study was conducted by applying a generalized least square (GLS) analysis to the U.S. state-level panel data of fuel efficiency, roadway lane-miles, and vehicle miles [...] Read more.

This research explored the dual influence of fuel efficiency and roadway capacity on vehicle distance traveled. The empirical study was conducted by applying a generalized least square (GLS) analysis to the U.S. state-level panel data of fuel efficiency, roadway lane-miles, and vehicle miles traveled (VMT) for over three decades (1980–2010). The analysis confirmed the co-existence of rebound effect and induced demand on driving distances over the decades—improved fuel efficiency and expanded roadway capacity caused additional vehicle distance traveled, partially offsetting the benefits of the measures taken. Furthermore, the results showed that the magnitude of each effect would be unjustifiably overestimated if this dual influence was not taken into consideration. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Urban and Rural Development)

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13 pages, 1181 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Healthcare Waste Generation Worldwide and Its Dependence on Socio-Economic and Environmental Factors

by Minas Minoglou¹, Spyridoula Gerassimidou²

and Dimitrios Komilis^1,*

¹ Laboratory of Solid and Hazardous Waste Management, Department of Environmental Engineering, Democritus University of Thrace, Xanthi 67132, Greece

² Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 220; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020220 - 6 Feb 2017

Cited by 105 | Viewed by 13189

Abstract

This paper examines the dependence of the healthcare waste (HCW) generation rate on several social-economic and environmental parameters. Correlations were calculated between the quantities of healthcare waste generated (expressed in kg/bed/day) versus economic indices (GDP, healthcare expenditure per capita), social indices (HDI, IHDI, [...] Read more.

This paper examines the dependence of the healthcare waste (HCW) generation rate on several social-economic and environmental parameters. Correlations were calculated between the quantities of healthcare waste generated (expressed in kg/bed/day) versus economic indices (GDP, healthcare expenditure per capita), social indices (HDI, IHDI, MPI, life expectancy, mean years of schooling, HIV prevalence, deaths due to tuberculosis and malaria, and under five mortality rate), and an environmental sustainability index (total CO₂ emissions) from 42 countries worldwide. The statistical analysis included the examination of the normality of the data and the formation of linear multiple regression models to further investigate the correlation between those indices and HCW generation rates. Pearson and Spearman correlation coefficients were also calculated for all pairwise comparisons. Results showed that the life expectancy, the HDI, the mean years of schooling and the CO₂ emissions positively affect the HCW generation rates and can be used as statistical predictors of those rates. The resulting best reduced regression model included the life expectancy and the CO₂ emissions and explained 85% of the variability of the response. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability in Solid Waste Management)

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18 pages, 3369 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Achieving a Sustainable Urban Form through Land Use Optimisation: Insights from Bekasi City’s Land-Use Plan (2010–2030)

by Rahmadya Trias Handayanto^1,*, Nitin Kumar Tripathi², Sohee Minsun Kim³

and Sumanta Guha⁴

¹ Information Management, School of Engineering and Technology, Asian Institute of Technology, P.O. Box 4, Klong Luang, Pathumthani 12120, Thailand

² Remote Sensing and GIS, School of Engineering and Technology, Asian Institute of Technology, P.O. Box 4, Klong Luang, Pathumthani 12120, Thailand

³ Urban Environmental Management, School of Environment, Resources and Development, Asian Institute of Technology, P.O. Box 4, Klong Luang, Pathumthani 12120, Thailand

⁴ Computer Science, School of Engineering and Technology, Asian Institute of Technology, P.O. Box 4, Klong Luang, Pathumthani 12120, Thailand

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 221; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020221 - 6 Feb 2017

Cited by 34 | Viewed by 8525

Abstract

Cities worldwide have been trying to achieve a sustainable urban form to handle their rapid urban growth. Many sustainable urban forms have been studied and two of them, the compact city and the eco city, were chosen in this study as urban form [...] Read more.

Cities worldwide have been trying to achieve a sustainable urban form to handle their rapid urban growth. Many sustainable urban forms have been studied and two of them, the compact city and the eco city, were chosen in this study as urban form foundations. Based on these forms, four sustainable city criteria (compactness, compatibility, dependency, and suitability) were considered as necessary functions for land use optimisation. This study presents a land use optimisation as a method for achieving a sustainable urban form. Three optimisation methods (particle swarm optimisation, genetic algorithms, and a local search method) were combined into a single hybrid optimisation method for land use in Bekasi city, Indonesia. It was also used for examining Bekasi city’s land-use-plan (2010–2030) after optimising current (2015) and future land use (2030). After current land use optimisation, the score of sustainable city criteria increased significantly. Three important centres of land use (commercial, industrial, and residential) were also created through clustering the results. These centres were slightly different from centres of the city plan zones. Additional land uses in 2030 were predicted using a nonlinear autoregressive neural network with external input. Three scenarios were used for allocating these additional land uses including sustainable development, government policy, and business-as-usual. Future land use allocation in 2030 found that the sustainable development scenario showed better performance compared to government policy and business-as-usual scenarios. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Maintaining Ecosystem Services to Support Urban Needs)

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29 pages, 1891 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Manufacturers’ Closed-Loop Orientation for Green Supply Chain Management

by Shumin Liu¹ and Young-Tae Chang^2,*

¹ School of Business, Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, No. 2, North Baiyun Avenue, Baiyun District, Guangzhou 510420, China

² Graduate School of Logistics, Inha University, 100 Inha Road, Nam-gu, Incheon 22212, Korea

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 222; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020222 - 7 Feb 2017

Cited by 36 | Viewed by 11282

Abstract

The concept of green supply chain management (GSCM) is still in its infancy and has been implemented only to a limited extent. Strategic orientation is an important factor affecting its implementation. No reliable and valid strategic orientation construct has been developed for greening [...] Read more.

The concept of green supply chain management (GSCM) is still in its infancy and has been implemented only to a limited extent. Strategic orientation is an important factor affecting its implementation. No reliable and valid strategic orientation construct has been developed for greening a supply chain. This study proposes closed-loop orientation (CLO) as the appropriate strategic orientation to implement GSCM practices successfully and develops a valid measurement of CLO. Data collected from 296 Chinese manufacturers were analyzed using the structural equation modeling method to examine the relationships among CLO, GSCM practice and environmental and economic performance. The results show that both CLO and GSCM have positive effects on the environmental performance and economic performance and that CLO positively impacts the level of implementation of GSCM. The results also show that GSCM completely mediates the relationships between CLO and environmental and economic performance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Economic and Business Aspects of Sustainability)

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11 pages, 2139 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Extraction of Pressurized Gas in Low Air-Conductivity Coal Seam Using Drainage Roadway

by Shu-gang Li^1,2, Hai-qing Shuang^1,2, Hong-sheng Wang^2,3,*, Ki-Il Song^4,*

and Lang Liu^2,3

¹ School of Safety Science and Engineering, Xi’an University of Science and Technology, Xi’an 710054, Shaanxi, China

² Key Laboratory of Western Mine Exploitation and Hazard Prevention with Ministry of Education, Xi’an 710054, Shaanxi, China

³ School of Energy Engineering, Xi’an University of Science and Technology, Xi’an 710054, Shaanxi, China

⁴ Department of Civil Engineering, Inha University, Incheon 402-751, Korea

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 223; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020223 - 7 Feb 2017

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 4053

Abstract

A drainage roadway was constructed in the fractured zone beside an air-return roadway of a mining site. However, drainage roadways serve only one working face and are discarded after mining, thus weakening sustainable mining practices. To improve the sustainability at mining sites, this [...] Read more.

A drainage roadway was constructed in the fractured zone beside an air-return roadway of a mining site. However, drainage roadways serve only one working face and are discarded after mining, thus weakening sustainable mining practices. To improve the sustainability at mining sites, this paper proposes a new drainage roadway that can serve two adjacent working faces. A schematic layout of the proposed lateral high drainage roadway (LHDR) is presented. The LHDR can be used to extract pressurized gas from two neighboring mining zones. A theoretical study, numerical simulation, and field observations were performed to identify the mining-induced fractures and stress distribution. The layout of the LHDR and the optimal position of the extraction boreholes were derived considering the geological conditions in the Liyazhuang Coal Mine in China. A borehole and LHDR were installed at the specified mining site and the rock displacement of the LHDR and gas concentration at branch pipelines, boreholes of the LHDR, and upper part of the working face were monitored during mining. The performance of the LHDR was validated. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Engineering and Science)

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28 pages, 676 KiB

Open AccessReview

Solid-State Fermentation as a Novel Paradigm for Organic Waste Valorization: A Review

by Noraziah Abu Yazid¹, Raquel Barrena¹, Dimitrios Komilis^1,2

and Antoni Sánchez^1,*

¹ Composting Research Group, Department of Chemical, Biological and Environmental Engineering, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain

² Department of Environmental Engineering, Democritus University of Thrace, University Campus, 69100 Komotini, Greece

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 224; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020224 - 8 Feb 2017

Cited by 210 | Viewed by 29333

Abstract

The abundance of organic solid waste throughout the world has become a common issue that needs complete management at every level. Also, the scarcity of fuel and the competition between food and substance as an alternative to a petroleum-based product has become a [...] Read more.

The abundance of organic solid waste throughout the world has become a common issue that needs complete management at every level. Also, the scarcity of fuel and the competition between food and substance as an alternative to a petroleum-based product has become a major problem that needs to be properly handled. An urge to find renewable substances for sustainable development results in a strategy to valorize organic solid waste using solid state fermentation (SSF) and to manage the issue of solid wastes in a green approach. This paper reviews management of solid wastes using SSF, with regard to its current application, advantages and challenges, downstream processing in SSF, economic viewpoint, and future perspectives. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability in Solid Waste Management)

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14 pages, 3161 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Land Use Change for Crops on Water and Carbon Budgets in the Midwest USA

by Jian Sun^1,2,*, Tracy E. Twine³, Jason Hill⁴, Ryan Noe⁴, Jiancheng Shi²

and Minmin Li⁵

¹ Department of Earth System Science, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA

² State Key Laboratory for Remote Sensing Science, Institute of Remote Sensing and Digital Earth, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 20 Datun Road, Beijing 100101, China

³ Department of Soil, Water, and Climate, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN 55108, USA

⁴ Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN 55108, USA

⁵ Renewable Resources Division, Institute of Remote Sensing and Digital Earth, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 20 Datun Road, Beijing 100101, China

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 225; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020225 - 7 Feb 2017

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 7680

Abstract

Increasing demand for food and bioenergy has altered the global landscape dramatically in recent years. Land use and land cover change affects the environmental system in many ways through biophysical and biogeochemical mechanisms. In this study, we evaluate the impacts of land use [...] Read more.

Increasing demand for food and bioenergy has altered the global landscape dramatically in recent years. Land use and land cover change affects the environmental system in many ways through biophysical and biogeochemical mechanisms. In this study, we evaluate the impacts of land use and land cover change driven by recent crop expansion and conversion on the water budget, carbon exchange, and carbon storage in the Midwest USA. A dynamic global vegetation model was used to simulate and examine the impacts of landscape change in a historical case based on crop distribution data from the United States Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Services. The simulation results indicate that recent crop expansion not only decreased soil carbon sequestration (60 Tg less of soil organic carbon) and net carbon flux into ecosystems (3.7 Tg·year⁻¹ less of net biome productivity), but also lessened water consumption through evapotranspiration (1.04 × 10¹⁰ m³·year⁻¹ less) over 12 states in the Midwest. More water yield at the land surface does not necessarily make more water available for vegetation. Crop residue removal might also exacerbate the soil carbon loss. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Environmental Sustainability and Applications)

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15 pages, 214 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Implementation of Sustainable Tourism in the German Alps: A Case Study

by Ivan Paunović^1,2,*

and Verka Jovanović¹

¹ Department for Tourism and Hospitality Management, Singidunum University, Danijelova 32, Belgrade 11000, Serbia

² Tourism Chair/Center for Entrepreneurship, Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt, Pater-Philipp-Jeningen-Platz 2, 85072 Eichstätt, Germany

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 226; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020226 - 8 Feb 2017

Cited by 75 | Viewed by 15627

Abstract

What are the processes behind efforts for more sustainable mountain destinations in the German Alps and what are the views of different tourism stakeholders on these processes? The research deals both with threats pushing the agenda of sustainable development (such as climate change [...] Read more.

What are the processes behind efforts for more sustainable mountain destinations in the German Alps and what are the views of different tourism stakeholders on these processes? The research deals both with threats pushing the agenda of sustainable development (such as climate change and depletion of resources), indicators of sustainable tourism (to measure the scope of change), as well as cross-border cooperation and stakeholder engagement in the German Alps. The data was collected through 30 interviews with individuals dealing with tourism development and sustainable tourism development in the German Alps. The findings suggest that a holistic approach and collection and dissemination of data and knowledge on sustainability are the basis for developing sustainable mountain tourism. Implementation and monitoring should focus on specific flagship sustainable tourism products, as well as on a destination in a broader sense and the sustainable tourism market. Three themes emerged as important for implementation of sustainable tourism in the German Alps: indicators of sustainable tourism, cross-border cooperation and stakeholder engagement. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Tourism in Mountain Regions)

15 pages, 218 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Malagasy Conservationists and Environmental Educators: Life Paths into Conservation

by Lena M. Reibelt^1,2,*

, Torsten Richter¹

, Antje Rendigs² and Jasmin Mantilla-Contreras¹

¹ Department of Biology, Research Group Ecology and Environmental Education, University of Hildesheim, Universitätsplatz 1, 31141 Hildesheim, Germany

² Madagascar Wildlife Conservation, Lot 17420 bis Avaradrova Sud, 503 Ambatondrazaka, Madagascar

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 227; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020227 - 8 Feb 2017

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 5568

Abstract

In a globally fast-changing world, dedicated conservationists play a central role in societies moving towards the achievement of sustainable development. How do people become advocates for nature? Research suggests that childhood experiences in natural places are core determinants for the development of environmental [...] Read more.

In a globally fast-changing world, dedicated conservationists play a central role in societies moving towards the achievement of sustainable development. How do people become advocates for nature? Research suggests that childhood experiences in natural places are core determinants for the development of environmental stewardship. In many developing countries, however, access to intact natural environments is limited. This study explores formative influences on individuals who actively contribute to nature conservation and environmental education (EE) in Madagascar. We conducted nine semi-structured interviews with participants in a national EE workshop. Formative experiences were reported mainly from university years, and influential persons were researchers and high school teachers, many from abroad. The media also play a considerable role, while negative experiences, familial influences, or experience of natural areas during childhood were rarely mentioned. In contrast to former studies, the results suggest that direct experiences of nature can still be decisive in determining a young person’s path as a dedicated environmental practitioner during young adulthood. Role models who are active in the conservation and sustainable development fields can compensate for a lack of familial models. These findings might require a rethinking of current educational practices in Madagascar because children might not be the only important group to target with educational interventions. Full article

16 pages, 3810 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Synergistic Effects of n-Hexane Fraction of Parkia biglobosa (Jacq.) Bark Extract and Selected Antibiotics on Bacterial Isolates

by Oluwatayo E. Abioye^1,2,3,*

, David A. Akinpelu^2,3 and Anthony I. Okoh^1,2

¹ SAMRC Microbial Water Quality Monitoring Centre, University of Fort Hare, Private Bag X314, Alice 5700, South Africa

² Applied and Environmental Microbiology Research Group, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Fort Hare, Alice 5700, South Africa

³ Department of Microbiology, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife 220, Osun State, Nigeria

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 228; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020228 - 8 Feb 2017

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 5912

Abstract

The incidence of resistance to commonly used antimicrobial agents by microbial pathogens demands increased effort in the development of effective ways of treating infections and diseases. The n-hexane fraction of lyophilized crude bark extract of Parkia biglobosa (Jacq.) was prepared and, in [...] Read more.

The incidence of resistance to commonly used antimicrobial agents by microbial pathogens demands increased effort in the development of effective ways of treating infections and diseases. The n-hexane fraction of lyophilized crude bark extract of Parkia biglobosa (Jacq.) was prepared and, in combination with selected antibiotics, assayed for antimicrobial activity against some selected bacterial pathogens using time-kill assay. Protein leakage analysis of the combined agents was performed using Bradford protein quantification method. Determination of active compounds present in the n-hexane fraction was done using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). While time-kill assay detected 43.33% synergy; 56.67% indifference and no antagonism at 1/2 × minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), 1 × MIC exhibited 55% synergy, 45% indifference and no antagonism. Protein leakages from the cells of selected bacteria ranged from 1.20 µg/mL to 256.93 µg/mL. The presence of a phenyl group, an aromatic ring and phenolic compounds in the n-hexane fraction was confirmed at 2162 cm⁻¹–2020 cm⁻¹, 1605 cm⁻¹–1533 cm⁻¹ and 1438 cm⁻¹–1444 cm⁻¹ spectra peaks, respectively. The observed antibiotic−n-hexane fraction synergistic interaction revealed the improved antibacterial activity of the selected antibiotics. Hence, exploration of a combination of antibiotics with plant secondary metabolites is hereby advocated in the global quest for means of combating infectious diseases caused by multidrug-resistant pathogens. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Development Initiatives towards Poverty Alleviation)

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16 pages, 1157 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Monetary Valuation of Environmental Externalities through the Analysis of Real Estate Prices

by Vincenzo Del Giudice¹, Pierfrancesco De Paola¹

, Benedetto Manganelli^2,*

and Fabiana Forte³

¹ University of Naples Federico II, P.le V. Tecchio 80, 80125 Naples, Italy

² University of Basilicata, Viale dell’Ateneo Lucano 10, 85100 Potenza, Italy

³ Second University of Naples, Via San Lorenzo 31, 81031 Aversa, Italy

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 229; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020229 - 8 Feb 2017

Cited by 70 | Viewed by 7881

Abstract

This paper proposes a theoretical model of evaluation of environmental externalities based on the analysis of real estate prices. This issue is included in regional planning policies which include activities and interventions that produce economic and non-economic effects. The monetary assessment of economic [...] Read more.

This paper proposes a theoretical model of evaluation of environmental externalities based on the analysis of real estate prices. This issue is included in regional planning policies which include activities and interventions that produce economic and non-economic effects. The monetary assessment of economic and non-economic effects can be expressed as a forecast (ex ante) and/or following (ex post) such activities and interventions. The assessment of the economic impact, with particular reference to interventions and infrastructure work, is widely based on procedures which make use of market prices. The proposed model was applied to an actual case, considering the effects of noise pollution, produced by traffic from the Naples Beltway, on residential property. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Decipher the Present to Shape the Future- Rethinking the Urban–Rural Nexus)

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11 pages, 2632 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Impacts of Natural Disasters on Swedish Electric Power Policy: A Case Study

by Niyazi Gündüz^*, Sinan Küfeoğlu and Matti Lehtonen

School of Electrical Engineering, Aalto University, Espoo 02150, Finland

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 230; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020230 - 8 Feb 2017

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 6801

Abstract

The future of climate and sustainable energy are interrelated. Speaking of one without mentioning the other is quite difficult. The increasing number of natural disasters pose a great threat to the electric power supply security in any part of the world. Sweden has [...] Read more.

The future of climate and sustainable energy are interrelated. Speaking of one without mentioning the other is quite difficult. The increasing number of natural disasters pose a great threat to the electric power supply security in any part of the world. Sweden has been one of the countries that have suffered from unacceptably long blackouts. The tremendous outcomes of the power interruptions have made the field of the economic worth of electric power reliability a popular area of interest among researchers. Nature has been the number one enemy against the supply security of the electricity. This paper introduces a recent and thorough electric power reliability analysis of Sweden and focuses on the country’s struggle against climate change-related natural disasters via updating the country’s electric power policy to improve its service quality. The paper highlights the Gudrun storm of 2005 as a case study to demonstrate the severe impacts of extreme weather events on the energy systems. The economic damage of the storm on the electric power service calculated to be around 3 billion euros. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Energy Policy and Policy Implications—Good Examples and Critical Reflections)

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17 pages, 6552 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Mapping the Distribution Pattern of Gentrification near Urban Parks in the Case of Gyeongui Line Forest Park, Seoul, Korea

by Yoonku Kwon¹, Shinha Joo^2,*, Soyoung Han³

and Chan Park⁴

¹ Landscape and Urban Laboratory, © Urban Architecture Team SODO, #619, 415, Heungan-daero, Dongan-gu, Anyang-si 14059, Korea

² Department of Horticulture, Biotechnology & Landscape Architecture, Seoul Women’s University, Seoul 01797, Korea

³ Landscape Architecture Program, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg VA 24061, USA

⁴ Department of Landscape Architecture, College of Urban Science, University of Seoul, Seoul 02504, Korea

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 231; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020231 - 9 Feb 2017

Cited by 51 | Viewed by 13575

Abstract

The objective of this study was to map the distribution pattern of gentrification, showing the adverse effect of urban parks. The study adopted the perspective that urban parks, which have thus far been featured in urban planning without much criticism, may actually bring [...] Read more.

The objective of this study was to map the distribution pattern of gentrification, showing the adverse effect of urban parks. The study adopted the perspective that urban parks, which have thus far been featured in urban planning without much criticism, may actually bring about unintended effects. This study employed a theory of gentrification that has received increasing interest in urban sociology to investigate the other side of the gentrification phenomenon. We identified urban parks as the cause of the gentrification from the start, and verified and visualised the phenomenon in the case of the Gyeongui Line Forest Park. We determined that the area with the higher possibility of gentrification was that within 600 m of the park. Big data accumulated over the past decade were used to prepare a proactive, systematic procedure to address gentrification, which is materialising in diverse forms. Through this study, we contribute to debates on the environmental justice of urban parks. Small changes in urban space can strongly affect our healthy lifestyles and urban sustainability. From this perspective, our study’s research process and its results could provide indications of how to structure and manage new urban planning projects in the future. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Urban and Rural Development)

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11 pages, 2823 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Exploring the Use of Unprocessed Waste Chicken Eggshells for UV-Protective Applications

by Daphne Fecheyr-Lippens^1,*, Asritha Nallapaneni^1,2 and Matthew D. Shawkey^1,3

¹ Department of Biology, the University of Akron, Akron, OH 44325, USA

² Department of Polymer Engineering, Polymer Engineering Academic Center, the University of Akron, Akron, OH 44325, USA

³ Department of Biology, Evolution and Optics of Nanostructures Group, University of Ghent, 9000 Ghent, Belgium

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 232; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020232 - 9 Feb 2017

Cited by 22 | Viewed by 7928

Abstract

Photodegradation causes a steady loss of the useful physical, mechanical and optical properties of materials, necessitating their replacement over time. Because UV (Ultraviolet) light is most harmful in this regard, many materials now contain UV-protective additives. However, these additives are not always effective [...] Read more.

Photodegradation causes a steady loss of the useful physical, mechanical and optical properties of materials, necessitating their replacement over time. Because UV (Ultraviolet) light is most harmful in this regard, many materials now contain UV-protective additives. However, these additives are not always effective and durable, can be expensive, and their natural extraction or synthetic production can be harmful to the environment. Here, we investigated the use of unprocessed chicken eggshells in providing UV protection to two commonly used synthetic polymers: polystyrene and nylon. We show that unprocessed chicken eggshells provide a durable and effective UV protection. Our data sets the stage for future research to find a practical way to use the large amounts of unprocessed chicken eggshell waste as novel, economically appealing and environmentally friendly UV-protective additives. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Environmental Sustainability and Applications)

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26 pages, 4742 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Can Australia Power the Energy-Hungry Asia with Renewable Energy?

by Ashish Gulagi^*, Dmitrii Bogdanov, Mahdi Fasihi

and Christian Breyer

School of Energy Systems, Lappeenranta University of Technology, Skinnarilankatu 34, 53850 Lappeenranta, Finland

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 233; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020233 - 8 Feb 2017

Cited by 59 | Viewed by 11922

Abstract

The Paris Agreement points out that countries need to shift away from the existing fossil-fuel-based energy system to limit the average temperature rise to 1.5 or 2 °C. A cost-optimal 100% renewable energy based system is simulated for East Asia for the year [...] Read more.

The Paris Agreement points out that countries need to shift away from the existing fossil-fuel-based energy system to limit the average temperature rise to 1.5 or 2 °C. A cost-optimal 100% renewable energy based system is simulated for East Asia for the year 2030, covering demand by power, desalination, and industrial gas sectors on an hourly basis for an entire year. East Asia was divided into 20 sub-regions and four different scenarios were set up based on the level of high voltage grid connection, and additional demand sectors: power, desalination, industrial gas, and a renewable-energy-based synthetic natural gas (RE-SNG) trading between regions. The integrated RE-SNG scenario gives the lowest cost of electricity (€52/MWh) and the lowest total annual cost of the system. Results contradict the notion that long-distance power lines could be beneficial to utilize the abundant solar and wind resources in Australia for East Asia. However, Australia could become a liquefaction hub for exporting RE-SNG to Asia and a 100% renewable energy system could be a reality in East Asia with the cost assumptions used. This may also be more cost-competitive than nuclear and fossil fuel carbon capture and storage alternatives. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Renewable Electricity)

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13 pages, 232 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmentally Sound Technology in Endogenous Firm Growth

by Angela C. Chao^* and Zhengning Pu

School of Management and Economics, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 234; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020234 - 10 Feb 2017

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3815

Abstract

We have entered the “New Normal” economy, with more emphasis on economic growth driven by innovation than resource. This paper investigates the impacts of firms considering corporate social responsibility and environmentally sound technology by building a three-stage Cournot competition model with asymmetric cost. [...] Read more.

We have entered the “New Normal” economy, with more emphasis on economic growth driven by innovation than resource. This paper investigates the impacts of firms considering corporate social responsibility and environmentally sound technology by building a three-stage Cournot competition model with asymmetric cost. The sustainable development of economic and endogenous firm growth achieves the win–win result in the theoretical model. Using data from 31 firms in China, this paper empirically researches on the relationships among corporate social responsibility, environmentally sound technology and firm endogenous growth. The results show that: (1) Marginal cost decreased with the increase of innovation, as well as getting government research and development subsidy, which has a positive effect on firm growth. (2) Consumers respond positively to corporate social responsibility initiative, the reputation of the firm can be improved. At the same time, environmentally sound technology objectively reduces the marginal cost of competitors because of the technology spillover. (3) Profit of a firm undertaking corporate social responsibility partly decreases, which has a negative effect on firm growth. The contradiction between corporate social responsibility and profit of firm could be adjusted, such as socially responsible investment fund hosed by institutional investors. Full article

11 pages, 996 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Urbanization and Socioeconomic Development in Inner Mongolia in 2000 and 2010: A GIS Analysis

by Ganlin Huang^1,2,* and Yaqiong Jiang¹

¹ Center for Human-Environment System Sustainability (CHESS), State Key Laboratory of Earth Surface Processes and Resource Ecology (ESPRE), Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China

² College of Resources Science & Technology, Faculty of Geographical Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 235; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020235 - 10 Feb 2017

Cited by 23 | Viewed by 6208

Abstract

Economic indicators and other indices measuring overall development describe local development trajectories differently. In this paper, we illustrated this difference and explored how urbanization is related to development by a case study in Inner Mongolia, China. We calculated the human development index (HDI) [...] Read more.

Economic indicators and other indices measuring overall development describe local development trajectories differently. In this paper, we illustrated this difference and explored how urbanization is related to development by a case study in Inner Mongolia, China. We calculated the human development index (HDI) and compared the temporal and spatial dynamics of the overall development (represented by the HDI) and economic growth (represented by the GDP) in 2000 and 2010. We conducted partial correlation analysis between the HDI and urbanization rate whilst controlling for the effects of the GDP. Our results showed that the spatial pattern of the HDI was little in 2000 and became clearer in 2010 when the western part tended to have higher values and the northeastern part tended to have lower values. The spatial trend for the GDP was obvious in 2000 as the high values clustered in the northwest and the low values clustered in the southeast but became less obvious in 2010 when high values clustered in several counties in the southwest and low values took up almost the entire northeast and some counties in the middle. Furthermore, we found that the HDI of all the city districts were significantly higher than their surrounding rural counties in both 2000 and 2010. Urbanization rates are found to be positively correlated with the HDI even when we controlled the effects of the GDP (p < 0.001). This study illustrated that the HDI and GDP told different stories on local performance in development at the county level. Translating the fast economic growth into an improvement in education and health relies on many other factors and our results seem to suggest that urbanization is one of these factors. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Urban and Rural Development)

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10 pages, 263 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A New Optimization Model for the Sustainable Development: Quadratic Knapsack Problem with Conflict Graphs

by Xiaochuan Shi¹

, Lei Wu²

and Xiaoliang Meng^1,*

¹ International School of Software, Wuhan University, 37 Luoyu Road, Wuhan 430079, China

² Wenlan School of Business, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, 182 Nanhu Avenue, Wuhan 430073, China

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 236; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020236 - 9 Feb 2017

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 4364

Abstract

New information technology constantly improves the efficiency of social networks. Using optimization and decision models in the context of large data sets attracts extensive attention. This paper investigates a novel mathematical model for designing and optimizing environmental economic policies in a protection zone. [...] Read more.

New information technology constantly improves the efficiency of social networks. Using optimization and decision models in the context of large data sets attracts extensive attention. This paper investigates a novel mathematical model for designing and optimizing environmental economic policies in a protection zone. The proposed model is referred to as the quadratic knapsack problem with conflict graphs, which is a new variant of the knapsack problem family. Due to the investigated problem processing a high complex structure, in order to solve efficiently the problem, we develop a metaheuristic which is based on the large neighborhood search. The proposed method embeds a construction procedure into a sophistical neighborhood search. For more details, the construction procedure takes charge of finding a starting solution while the investigated neighborhood search is used to generate and explore the solution space issuing from the provided starting solution. In order to highlight our theoretical model, we evaluate the model on a set of complex benchmark data sets. The obtained results demonstrate that the investigated algorithm is competitive and efficient compared to legacy algorithms. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Ecosystems and Society in the Context of Big and New Data)

17 pages, 3335 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Influence of Household Heterogeneity Factors on the Green Travel Behavior of Urban Residents in the East China Region

by Ranran Yang^1,*,†, Ruyin Long^2,†, Yu Bai^1,† and Lanlan Li^1,†

¹ School of Management, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230009, China

² School of Management, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China

^† These authors contributed equally to this work.

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 237; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020237 - 10 Feb 2017

Cited by 22 | Viewed by 4962

Abstract

A questionnaire survey was conducted with 1475 urban residents in the east region of China to explore the impact of household heterogeneity factors on the green travel behavior of urban residents. The green travel behavior was divided into practice-based and promotion-based green travel [...] Read more.

A questionnaire survey was conducted with 1475 urban residents in the east region of China to explore the impact of household heterogeneity factors on the green travel behavior of urban residents. The green travel behavior was divided into practice-based and promotion-based green travel behavior, and the results showed that variables including gender, age, educational background, household monthly income, amount of cars, professional status, positional tiers and housing ownership were correlated with both of the two types of green travel behavior significantly. Variables that included having elderly family members or not, having children or not, and position level were only correlated with practice-based green travel behavior significantly. Moreover, the study found that the variables female, elderly and young, highly educated, low-income, low professional status, low positional tiers, low positional status, house-renting, not having elderly family members or children and having fewer cars had a significantly positive impact on green travel behavior. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Governance in Northeast Asia: Challenges for Sustainable Frontier)

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11 pages, 3041 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Efficiency of Iron-Based Oxy-Hydroxides in Removing Antimony from Groundwater to Levels below the Drinking Water Regulation Limits

by Konstantinos Simeonidis¹

, Vasiliki Papadopoulou¹, Sofia Tresintsi¹, Evgenios Kokkinos¹, Ioannis A. Katsoyiannis², Anastasios I. Zouboulis²

and Manassis Mitrakas^1,*

¹ Department of Chemical Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece

² Department of Chemistry, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 238; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020238 - 10 Feb 2017

Cited by 24 | Viewed by 5260

Abstract

This study evaluates the efficiency of iron-based oxy-hydroxides to remove antimony from groundwater to meet the requirements of drinking water regulations. Results obtained by batch adsorption experiments indicated that the qualified iron oxy-hydroxide (FeOOH), synthesized at pH 4 for maintaining a high positive [...] Read more.

This study evaluates the efficiency of iron-based oxy-hydroxides to remove antimony from groundwater to meet the requirements of drinking water regulations. Results obtained by batch adsorption experiments indicated that the qualified iron oxy-hydroxide (FeOOH), synthesized at pH 4 for maintaining a high positive charge density (2.5 mmol OH⁻/g) achieved a residual concentration of Sb(III) below the EU drinking water regulation limit of 5 μg/L by providing an adsorption capacity of 3.1 mg/g. This is more than twice greater compared either to similar commercial FeOOHs (GFH, Bayoxide) or to tetravalent manganese feroxyhyte (Fe-MnOOH) adsorbents. In contrast, all tested adsorbents failed to achieve a residual concentration below 5 μg/L for Sb(V). The higher efficiency of the qualified FeOOH was confirmed by rapid small-scale column tests, since an adsorption capacity of 3 mg Sb(III)/g was determined at a breakthrough concentration of 5 μg/L. However, it completely failed to achieve Sb(V) concentrations below 5 μg/L even at the beginning of the column experiments. The results of leaching tests classified the spent qualified FeOOH to inert wastes. Considering the rapid kinetics of this process (i.e., 85% of total removal was performed within 10 min), the developed qualified adsorbent may be promoted as a prospective material for point-of-use Sb(III) removal from water in vulnerable communities, since the adsorbent’s cost was estimated to be close to 30 ± 3.4 €/10³ m³ for every 10 μg Sb(III)/L removed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances for Water and Wastewater Treatment and Reuse with Emphasis in Applications in Vulnerable Communities)

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14 pages, 2182 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Spatial Variability and Ecological Effects of Anthropogenic Activities in a Nature Reserve: A Case Study in the Baijitan National Nature Reserve, China

by Xiaoyang Song¹, Yaohuan Huang^2,3, Jingying Fu^2,3, Dong Jiang^2,3,*

and Guangjin Tian⁴

¹ College of Geoscience and Surveying Engineering, China University of Mining & Technology, Beijing 100083, China

² Institute of Geographical Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China

³ College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China

⁴ School of Government, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 239; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020239 - 9 Feb 2017

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 4733

Abstract

Nature reserves play an essential role in protecting natural resources and maintaining an ecological balance. However, certain nature reserves are increasingly disturbed by human activities in the form of settlements, roads, farmland, etc. How to monitor the status of nature reserves by using [...] Read more.

Nature reserves play an essential role in protecting natural resources and maintaining an ecological balance. However, certain nature reserves are increasingly disturbed by human activities in the form of settlements, roads, farmland, etc. How to monitor the status of nature reserves by using remote sensing methods has been a focus of scholars for a long time. In this study, remote sensing satellite images from 2009 and 2014 were used to extract and analyze the distribution of anthropogenic activities, such as agriculture, industry, residency, traffic, and other human activities. On this basis, the Nature Reserve Human Interference (NRHI) and landscape indices (LI) were calculated to describe the intensity of anthropogenic disturbance; in addition, the slope and aspect were analyzed to describe the regularity in the distribution of anthropogenic activities. The results showed that more than 90% of the anthropogenic activity occurred in the experimental and buffer zones. Likewise, the NRHI increased from 0.0901 in 2009 to 0.1127 in 2014. The NRHI was proportional to the patch density (PD), landscape shape index (LSI), landscape division index (DIVISION), Shannon’s diversity index (SHDI), and Shannon′s evenness index (SHEI), and it was inversely proportional to the contagion index (CONTAG). Moreover, 84.54% of the anthropogenic activity occurred in a range from 0 to 3.6 degrees, and 14.44% of the activity occurred in a range from 3.6 to 7.2 degrees. More than 60% of the anthropogenic activity occurred on sunny slopes because of the human adaptability to the environment and the possibility for humans to fulfill their physical needs (warmth and comfort). Thus, the monitoring of this nature reserve needs to be further strengthened and focused on the area with a range of 0–7.2 degrees and on the sunny slopes. Full article

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15 pages, 733 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Responding to the Drought: A Spatial Statistical Approach to Investigating Residential Water Consumption in Fresno, California

by Chih-Hao Wang^* and Hongwei Dong

Department of Geography and City and Regional Planning, California State University, Fresno, Fresno, CA 93740, USA

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 240; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020240 - 9 Feb 2017

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 5016

Abstract

Using data from the 2015 Residential Water Consumption Survey, this study examines residential water-use behavior and attitudes after the recent drought in Fresno, California. Spatial autoregressive models of residential water consumption were estimated, accounting for the effects of social interactions in communities (i.e., [...] Read more.

Using data from the 2015 Residential Water Consumption Survey, this study examines residential water-use behavior and attitudes after the recent drought in Fresno, California. Spatial autoregressive models of residential water consumption were estimated, accounting for the effects of social interactions in communities (i.e., neighborhood effects), while controlling for indoor and outdoor house attributes, economic conditions, and attitudes toward water uses. The findings show that the spatial autocorrelations do exist. This suggests that the neighborhood effects can be a useful lever to facilitate initiatives aiming at promoting community engagement on water-saving practices. The results also indicate that a larger house tends to incur more water use, so does the presence of pools. Using a drip irrigation system for watering the backyard can help reduce water consumption. Medium income families turn out to use the least amount of water among different income groups, suggesting that water-saving policies may yield different results among residents of various income levels. Interestingly, respondents who considered themselves heavy water users actually used less water. This implies that the awareness of water importance can significantly influence residents’ water-use behavior and therefore the promotion of a water-saving culture can help reduce residential water consumption. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Urban and Rural Development)

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18 pages, 3537 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assessing the Bicycle Network in St. Louis: A PlaceBased User-Centered Approach

by Bram Boettge, Damon M. Hall^*

and Thomas Crawford

Center for Sustainability, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO 63108, USA

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 241; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020241 - 9 Feb 2017

Cited by 25 | Viewed by 5857

Abstract

To transition towards sustainability and increase low-impact transportation, city planners are integrating bicycle infrastructure in urban landscapes. Yet, this infrastructure only promotes cycling according to how well it is sited within a specific city. How to best site bicycle facilities is essential for [...] Read more.

To transition towards sustainability and increase low-impact transportation, city planners are integrating bicycle infrastructure in urban landscapes. Yet, this infrastructure only promotes cycling according to how well it is sited within a specific city. How to best site bicycle facilities is essential for sustainability planning. We review approaches to assessing and siting new bicycle facilities. Following sustainability science, we argue that active cyclists should be consulted to incorporate users’ site-specific knowledge into bicycle infrastructure assessments. We then pilot an approach that surveys cyclists concerning level of stress along routes ridden in St. Louis, MO, USA. Among the active cyclists surveyed (n = 89), we found stress correlates with speed limit, roadway classification, and number of lanes. Although cyclists surveyed in St. Louis prefer roads with bike lanes over roads with sharrows or no infrastructure, the presence of bicycle infrastructure had no correlation with reported levels of stress. The piloted survey and spatial analytic tool are transferable to other localities. For planners, the maps generated by this participant data approach identify high-stress routes as targets of new infrastructure or information to direct cyclists to safer routes. For bicyclists, the maps generated identify low-stress routes for recreation and commuting. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Urban and Rural Development)

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12 pages, 2818 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Examining the Interaction of Taxi and Subway Ridership for Sustainable Urbanization

by Miaoyi Li^1,†, Lei Dong^2,†, Zhenjiang Shen^1,3,4,*

, Wei Lang⁵

and Xinyue Ye^6,*

¹ School of Environmental Design, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa 920-1192, Japan

² School of Architecture, Tsinghua University, Beijing100084, China

³ School of Architecture, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350116, China

⁴ Key Laboratory of New Technology for Construction of Cities in Mountain Area, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China

⁵ Faculty of Construction and Environment, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong 00852, China

⁶ Department of Geography and Computational Social Science Lab, Kent State University, Kent 44242, USA

^† Miaoyi Li and Lei Dong contributed equally to this work.

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 242; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020242 - 10 Feb 2017

Cited by 33 | Viewed by 6709

Abstract

A transit ridership study is an essential part of sustainability, and can provide a deep understanding of people’s travel patterns for efficient transportation development and urbanization. However, there is a lack of empirical studies comparing subway and taxi services, and their interactions within [...] Read more.

A transit ridership study is an essential part of sustainability, and can provide a deep understanding of people’s travel patterns for efficient transportation development and urbanization. However, there is a lack of empirical studies comparing subway and taxi services, and their interactions within a city, that is to say, the interdependent transportation networks. Incorporating new data, this study aims to examine the spatial variation of urban taxi ridership due to the impacts of a new subway line operation opened in 2014 in Wuxi, China. We examine the spatial patterns and interactions of ridership in Wuxi by integrating taxi trajectory from GPS data and subway data from continuously collected fare transactions. The results indicated that the demand for taxi and subway usage is quite elastic with respect to both location and time, and the new subway’s opening had more influence on areas adjacent to subway stations and urban center-suburban travel. Furthermore, increases in travel time and distance would increase the demand for subway, while taxi trips largely represented movements for those locations that the subway could not reach. This paper betters the understanding of travel patterns through large volumes of transportation data for sustainable urbanization policy design. Full article

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14 pages, 1921 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Characterization of the Microbial Communities in Rumen Fluid Inoculated Reactors for the Biogas Digestion of Wheat Straw

by Ke Li^1,2, Haoran Zhu¹, Yajie Zhang¹ and Hongxun Zhang^1,*

¹ College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 101408, China

² Water Affairs Research Institute, North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power, Zhengzhou 450045, China

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 243; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020243 - 10 Feb 2017

Cited by 20 | Viewed by 4382

Abstract

The present study investigated the effect of rumen fluid (RF) concentration on the methane production through anaerobic digestion of wheat straw in batch mode, and compared the microbial communities in RF and RF inoculated reactors by 16S rRNA genes sequencing. Six levels of [...] Read more.

The present study investigated the effect of rumen fluid (RF) concentration on the methane production through anaerobic digestion of wheat straw in batch mode, and compared the microbial communities in RF and RF inoculated reactors by 16S rRNA genes sequencing. Six levels of RF concentration including 1%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20% and 25% (v/v) were used in reactors R1, R5, R10, R15, R20 and R25 respectively. The results revealed that lower than or equal to 5% RF concentrations resulted in reactor acidification and low methane production. The highest methane yield of 106 mL CH₄ g VS⁻¹ was achieved in R10, whereas higher RF concentrations than 10% could not improve the methane production significantly. Methanosarcina barkeri was abundant in the well-working reactors, and Methanobacterium was dominant in the poor-working reactors, implying the archaeal communities in reactors had changed greatly from the Methanobrevibacter-dominated RF. Although the relative abundance of Clostridium and Ruminococcus were greatly different between RF and reactors, the Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes communities were dominant in all the tested samples. The results indicated that the in vitro anaerobic conditions had altered the rumen methanogenic communities significantly and the facultative acetoclastic Methanosarcina was important for the methane production in the RF seeded reactors. Full article

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14 pages, 4099 KiB

Open AccessArticle

H₂O₂ Based Oxidation Processes for the Treatment of Real High Strength Aqueous Wastes

by Maria Cristina Collivignarelli¹

, Roberta Pedrazzani²

, Sabrina Sorlini³, Alessandro Abbà^1,*

and Giorgio Bertanza³

¹ Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture, University of Pavia, via Ferrata 1, 27100 Pavia, Italy

² Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Brescia, via Branze 38, 25123 Brescia, Italy

³ Department of Civil, Environmental, Architectural Engineering and Mathematics, University of Brescia, via Branze 43, 25123 Brescia, Italy

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 244; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020244 - 10 Feb 2017

Cited by 52 | Viewed by 6038

Abstract

This work was aimed at studying the applicability of H₂O₂-based oxidation processes (namely H₂O₂/UV, photo-Fenton, and Fenton) for the treatment of six real aqueous wastes. These wastes derived from chemical, pharmaceutical, and detergent production, and [...] Read more.

This work was aimed at studying the applicability of H₂O₂-based oxidation processes (namely H₂O₂/UV, photo-Fenton, and Fenton) for the treatment of six real aqueous wastes. These wastes derived from chemical, pharmaceutical, and detergent production, and were characterised by high COD (chemical oxygen demand) and, in four cases, surfactant concentrations: overall, about 100 tests were conducted. The H₂O₂/UV and photo-Fenton processes proved to be very effective in COD removal, the efficiency being greater than 70%. The optimal treatment conditions for the H₂O₂/UV process were: 120 min reaction, H₂O₂/COD_initial dosage ratio = 1/2; the radiation intensity (up to 2000 W·L⁻¹) revealed to be a crucial factor, especially in the earlier stage of the process (about 40 min): this aspect can be exploited to reduce the costs related to energy consumption. For the photo-Fenton process the following conditions were chosen: Fe²⁺/H₂O₂ ratio = 1/30; specific power input = 125 W·L⁻¹; H₂O₂/COD_initial = 1/2; reaction time = 240 min. Photolytic reactions and the presence of dissolved oxygen revealed to be crucial factors for COD removal. The Fenton process, while showing a moderate efficiency (25% COD removal) in the treatment of high loaded wastewaters, provided excellent results in the treatment of aqueous wastes with high content of surfactants. An average yield removal of 70% for non-ionic surfactants (TAS) and 95% for anionic surfactants (MBAS) was obtained, under the following optimal conditions: Fe²⁺/H₂O₂ = 1/4, H₂O₂/COD_initial ratio = 1, and contact time = 30 min. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Environmental Sustainability and Applications)

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19 pages, 2258 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Dimensions of Community and Local Institutions’ Support: Towards an Eco-Village Kelurahan in Indonesia

by Nany Yuliastuti^1,*, Hadi Wahyono¹, S. Syafrudin² and S. Sariffuddin¹

¹ Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Faculty of Engineering, Diponegoro University, Semarang 50275, Indonesia

² Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Diponegoro University, Semarang 50275, Indonesia

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 245; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020245 - 11 Feb 2017

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 9799

Abstract

The goal of the Global Eco-village Network (GEN) is to create and promote sustainable human settlements that allow people to live more comfortably. However, an eco-village cannot exist without the support of the local government and the community. A village (kelurahan) [...] Read more.

The goal of the Global Eco-village Network (GEN) is to create and promote sustainable human settlements that allow people to live more comfortably. However, an eco-village cannot exist without the support of the local government and the community. A village (kelurahan) is expected to recognize and implement a settlement’s environmental management by maintaining environmentally friendly behavior in daily activities. Gayamsari is a kelurahan in Semarang City that has been implementing the eco-village concept. This study aims to explain, through quantitative descriptive analysis, the extent at which the eco-village aspects are achieved by local and institutional participation in Gayamsari. The idea of an eco-village is to bring harmony to the three pillars of sustainable development—the social, economic, and ecological components—to create a sustainable living environment. However, the results show that Gayamsari needs improvement, especially in terms of ensuring a safe and comfortable environment, which can be achieved through strengthening the participation of both the community and local institutions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Urban and Rural Development)

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21 pages, 549 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Do Private Sustainability Standards Contribute to Income Growth and Poverty Alleviation? A Comparison of Different Coffee Certification Schemes in Ethiopia

by Fikadu Mitiku^1,2,*, Yann De Mey³, Jan Nyssen⁴

and Miet Maertens²

¹ Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, Jimma University College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, 307 Jimma, Ethiopia

² Division of Bioeconomics, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium

³ Business Economics Group, Wageningen University & Research, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands

⁴ Department of Geography, Ghent University, 9000 Gent, Belgium

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 246; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020246 - 11 Feb 2017

Cited by 71 | Viewed by 14635

Abstract

Private sustainability standards are increasingly important in food trade with developing countries, but the implications for smallholder farmers are still poorly understood. We analyze the implications of different coffee certification schemes in Ethiopia using cross-sectional survey data, and regression and propensity-score-matching techniques. We [...] Read more.

Private sustainability standards are increasingly important in food trade with developing countries, but the implications for smallholder farmers are still poorly understood. We analyze the implications of different coffee certification schemes in Ethiopia using cross-sectional survey data, and regression and propensity-score-matching techniques. We find that: Rainforest Alliance (RA) and double Fairtrade-Organic (FT-Org) certifications are associated with higher incomes and reduced poverty, mainly because of higher prices; Fairtrade (FT) certification hardly affects welfare; and Organic (Org) certification reduces incomes, chiefly due to lower yields. Cooperative heterogeneity importantly shapes these results. Results imply that private standards may not always deliver what they promise to consumers. Full article

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14 pages, 895 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Importance of Accurate Solar Data for Designing Solar Photovoltaic Systems—Case Studies in Spain

by Mirian Jiménez-Torres¹, Catalina Rus-Casas^1,*

, Lenin Guillermo Lemus-Zúiga²

and Leocadio Hontoria¹

¹ Electronic Engineering and Automatic Department, University of Jaén Las Lagunillas Campus, A3 Building, 23071 Jaén, Spain

² Instituto de Tecnologías de la Información y Comunicaciones, Universitat Politècnica de València, Camino de Vera s/n, 46022 Valencia, Spain

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 247; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020247 - 10 Feb 2017

Cited by 28 | Viewed by 6736

Abstract

Renewable energies have experienced a great growth in recent years, and nowadays participate in the set of energies used in developed and developing countries to produce electricity. Among these technologies, photovoltaic energy, which produces clean electricity from the Sun, is the one that [...] Read more.

Renewable energies have experienced a great growth in recent years, and nowadays participate in the set of energies used in developed and developing countries to produce electricity. Among these technologies, photovoltaic energy, which produces clean electricity from the Sun, is the one that has grown faster, and its implementation all over the world is a guarantee of a solid and efficient energy technology. Nevertheless, in order to design very efficient solar energy systems, it is crucial to have a good solar radiation database. There are databases where it is possible to find information on solar radiation, but only for horizontal surfaces. Afterwards, it is necessary to transform the horizontal solar radiation data to tilt solar radiation data. This transformation is not easy, and the application of complex mathematical equations, and expressions, and difficult algorithms must be done. An application called virtual laboratory “OrientSol 3.0” which allows the user to easily obtain the solar radiation for any tilt surface has been developed by us. Thus, our main objectives in this paper are to present the developed virtual laboratory and to explain its main features and core functionalities. In order to point out the difficulties and complexity of the transformation of horizontal solar radiation data to tilt solar radiation data, we will present some examples of the results this application provides and compare the solar radiation data supplied with this application with some other solar radiation data obtained from other databases. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Solar Photovoltaic Electricity)

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14 pages, 592 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Social Capital, Race, and Income Inequality in the United States

by Baodong Liu¹, Yehua Dennis Wei^2,*

and Christopher A. Simon¹

¹ Department of Political Science, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112-9155, USA

² Department of Geography, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112-9155, USA

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 248; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020248 - 10 Feb 2017

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 9146

Abstract

Since the 1980s, the United States has witnessed increasing wealth concentration in the hands of the ultra-rich. Measured at the state level, the top 10 percent of income earners amassed roughly 43% of total income, and economic growth only enhanced this inequality between [...] Read more.

Since the 1980s, the United States has witnessed increasing wealth concentration in the hands of the ultra-rich. Measured at the state level, the top 10 percent of income earners amassed roughly 43% of total income, and economic growth only enhanced this inequality between the ultrarich and the rest of citizens. This paper examines whether social capital plays a positive role in mitigating income inequality at the state level, with an emphasis on racial diversity and its relation to church attendance. The empirical findings demonstrate that social capital, whether measured by Robert Putnam’s state-level social capital index (SCI), or a new measure that improves SCI’s original measurement, fails to improve income equality. In comparison, racial diversity is found to be a consistent contributor of income inequality. In states with a greater proportion of minority population, the ultra-rich tend to share more wealth and social capital potentially facilitates the ultra-rich to enjoy the benefit of economic growth. Full article

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13 pages, 5095 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Exotic Invasive Shrub Glossy Buckthorn Reduces Restoration Potential for Native Forest Herbs

by Caroline Hamelin^1,*, Daniel Gagnon^1,2 and Benoit Truax²

¹ Department of Biology, University of Regina, 3737 Wascana Parkway, Regina, SK S4S 0A2, Canada

² Fiducie de Recherche sur la Forêt des Cantons-de-l’Est/Eastern Townships Forest Research Trust, 1 rue Principale, Saint-Benoît-du-Lac, QC J0B 2M0, Canada

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 249; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020249 - 10 Feb 2017

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 7697

Abstract

Invasive glossy buckthorn could reduce restoration potential for understory native forest herbs by compromising their growth and biodiversity. Few studies of glossy buckthorn’s effects on forest herbs exist, and none were done in early-successional, partially open hardwood forests. This study was conducted in [...] Read more.

Invasive glossy buckthorn could reduce restoration potential for understory native forest herbs by compromising their growth and biodiversity. Few studies of glossy buckthorn’s effects on forest herbs exist, and none were done in early-successional, partially open hardwood forests. This study was conducted in a mature hybrid poplar plantation invaded by buckthorn, located in southeastern Québec. We tested the effect of buckthorn removal on the growth of three forest herb species, whether this effect varied among species, and if canopy type (two poplar clones) influenced this effect. Forest herbs were planted in herbicide (buckthorn removed) and control treatments in the plantation understory, an environment similar to that of early-successional hardwood forests. Over the first two growing seasons, species showed specific reactions to buckthorn cover. Mean relative growth rate (RGR) for Asarum canadense and Polygonatum pubescens was increased in the herbicide treatment (48% and 33%, respectively) and decreased in the control treatment (−35% and −33%, respectively). Sanguinaria canadensis growth was the highest among species, with no difference between treatments. No effects of canopy type were detected. Results suggest that planting forest herbs for restoration purposes may be unsuccessful if buckthorn is present. Important changes in understory flora biodiversity are likely to occur over the long term in forests invaded by buckthorn. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecological Restoration for Sustainable Forest Management)

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19 pages, 10636 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Residential Heat Supply by Waste-Heat Re-Use: Sources, Supply Potential and Demand Coverage—A Case Study

by Wolfgang Loibl^1,*, Romana Stollnberger¹ and Doris Österreicher²

¹ Center of Energy, Austrian Institute of Technology, 1220 Vienna, Austria

² Institute for Structural Engineering, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna, 1180 Wien, Austria

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 250; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020250 - 10 Feb 2017

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 5889

Abstract

This paper deals with climate change mitigation and addresses waste heat reuse as a measure which is until now considered only to a limited extent. The City of Vienna serves as a case study to explore potentials to improve the urban heat supply [...] Read more.

This paper deals with climate change mitigation and addresses waste heat reuse as a measure which is until now considered only to a limited extent. The City of Vienna serves as a case study to explore potentials to improve the urban heat supply using waste heat as an additional energy source. As no observation data about waste heat and detailed heating demand is available, this data is derived from proxy data for estimating waste heat reuse potential and residential heating demand patterns. Heat requirements for manufacturing and service provision is explored and, based on the distribution of the companies within the city, mapped as waste heat sources. Employees per company serves as proxy data to allocate the heat volume. Waste heat share and temperature ranges is reviewed from literature. Heating demand is mapped based on floor space of the buildings by age class and building type. Merging supply and demand maps allows to quantify the residential heating demand coverage through local waste heat in the potential supply areas within different distance ranges and housing density classes. In high density housing areas, only a small share of the demand can be covered by waste heat supply even within 250 m distance from sources due to few companies which could provide waste heat. In medium to low density housing areas in Vienna’s outer districts with more industry, a higher share of residential heating demand near the sources can be covered by waste heat within a 250 m distance. Within a 500 m distance, around half of the residential heating demand can be covered only in low density housing areas near the waste heat sources. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Urban and Rural Development)

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27 pages, 2770 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Equilibrium Strategy Based Recycling Facility Site Selection towards Mitigating Coal Gangue Contamination

by Jiuping Xu^{1,2,*,†,‡}

, Lurong Fan^1,2,‡ and Chengwei Lv^2,‡

¹ Institute of New Energy and Low-Carbon Technology, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, China

² Uncertainty Decision-Making Laboratory, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, China

^† Current address: Uncertainty Decision-Making Laboratory, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, China.

^‡ These authors contributed equally to this work.

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 251; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020251 - 10 Feb 2017

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 4086

Abstract

Environmental pollution caused by coal gangue has been a signiﬁcant challenge for sustainable development; thus, many coal gangue reduction approaches have been proposed in recent years. In particular, coal gangue facility (CGF) construction has been considered as an efﬁcient method for the control [...] Read more.

Environmental pollution caused by coal gangue has been a signiﬁcant challenge for sustainable development; thus, many coal gangue reduction approaches have been proposed in recent years. In particular, coal gangue facility (CGF) construction has been considered as an efﬁcient method for the control and recycling of coal gangue. Meanwhile, the identiﬁcation and selection of suitable CGF sites is a fundamental task for the government. Therefore, based on the equilibrium strategy, a site selection approach under a fuzzy environment is developed to mitigate coal gangue contamination, which integrates a geographical information system (GIS) technique and a bi-level model to identify candidate CGF sites and to select the most suitable one. In this situation, the GIS technique used to identify potential feasible sites is able to integrate a great deal of geographical data toﬁtwithpracticalcircumstances;thebi-levelmodelusedtoscreentheappropriatesitecanreasonably dealwiththeconﬂictsbetweenthelocalauthorityandthecolliery. Moreover,aKarush–Kuhn–Tucker (KKT) condition-based approach is used to ﬁnd an optimal solution, and a case study is given to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method. The results across different scenarios show that appropriate site selection can achieve coal gangue reduction targets and that a suitable excess stack level can realize an environmental-economic equilibrium. Finally, some propositions and management recommendations are given. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Environmental Sustainability and Applications)

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16 pages, 14877 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Plans and Living Practices for the Green Campus of Portland State University

by Yoon Jung Choi^1,*

, Minjung Oh², Jihye Kang³ and Loren Lutzenhiser³

¹ Department of Housing & Interior Design, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Chungbuk 28644, Korea

² Department of Urban Planning & Engineering, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Korea

³ Toulan School of Urban Studies and Planning, Portland State University, Portland, OR 97201, USA

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 252; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020252 - 10 Feb 2017

Cited by 35 | Viewed by 6904

Abstract

This study aims to comprehend Portland State University (PSU)’s green campus strategies, and students’ level of knowledge and living practices relating to green campus. PSU’s sustainable campus plan has been nationally and internationally recognized. A literature review, field investigation, and interviews were conducted [...] Read more.

This study aims to comprehend Portland State University (PSU)’s green campus strategies, and students’ level of knowledge and living practices relating to green campus. PSU’s sustainable campus plan has been nationally and internationally recognized. A literature review, field investigation, and interviews were conducted to ascertain the PSU green campus strategies. This study also used a survey to understand students’ level of knowledge and practices. The survey results were analyzed by SPSS. Green campus projects at PSU were operated by official organizations and funded according to PSU’s long term plans in 12 multilateral categories: administration, energy, water, climate action, green buildings, green purchasing, waste reduction and recycling, food and dining services, transportation, land use, action, and education and student activity. The survey results show that the level of students’ understanding about PSU’s green campus strategies was somewhat low, but the amount of practice of a sustainable lifestyle was higher. Students who had taken courses related with sustainability or were engaged in sustainable activities had more knowledge about green campus strategies than students who had not. Therefore, it would be important to focus more on educating students and developing related programs in order to have more positive effects of green campus projects. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Environmental Sustainability and Applications)

22 pages, 2393 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Scheduling Optimization of Home Health Care Service Considering Patients’ Priorities and Time Windows

by Gang Du¹, Xi Liang¹ and Chuanwang Sun^2,3,*

¹ Department of Business Management, School of Business Administration, Faculty of Economics and Management, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China

² China Center for Energy Economics Research, School of Economics, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China

³ Department of International Economics and Business, School of Economics, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 253; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020253 - 10 Feb 2017

Cited by 40 | Viewed by 7180

Abstract

As a new service model, home health care can provide effective health care by adopting door-to-door service. The reasonable arrangements for nurses and their routes not only can reduce medical expenses, but also can enhance patient satisfaction. This research focuses on the home [...] Read more.

As a new service model, home health care can provide effective health care by adopting door-to-door service. The reasonable arrangements for nurses and their routes not only can reduce medical expenses, but also can enhance patient satisfaction. This research focuses on the home health care scheduling optimization problem with known demands and service capabilities. Aimed at minimizing the total cost, an integer programming model was built in this study, which took both the priorities of patients and constraints of time windows into consideration. The genetic algorithm with local search was used to solve the proposed model. Finally, a case study of Shanghai, China, was conducted for the empirical analysis. The comparison results verify the effectiveness of the proposed model and methodology, which can provide the decision support for medical administrators of home health care. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Governance in Northeast Asia: Challenges for Sustainable Frontier)

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21 pages, 911 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Dynamic Carpooling in Urban Areas: Design and Experimentation with a Multi-Objective Route Matching Algorith

by Matteo Mallus^1,2,*, Giuseppe Colistra^1,2, Luigi Atzori^1,2,3, Maurizio Murroni¹ and Virginia Pilloni¹

¹ Dipartimento di Ingegneria Elettrica ed Elettronica (DIEE), University of Cagliari, 09123 Cagliari, Italy

² GreenShare SRL, 09128 Cagliari, Italy

³ Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Telecomunicazioni (CNIT), Unità di Ricerca di Cagliari, 09123 Cagliari, Italy

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 254; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020254 - 10 Feb 2017

Cited by 32 | Viewed by 7758

Abstract

This paper focuses on dynamic carpooling services in urban areas to address the needs of mobility in real-time by proposing a two-fold contribution: a solution with novel features with respect to the current state-of-the-art, which is named CLACSOON and is available on the [...] Read more.

This paper focuses on dynamic carpooling services in urban areas to address the needs of mobility in real-time by proposing a two-fold contribution: a solution with novel features with respect to the current state-of-the-art, which is named CLACSOON and is available on the market; the analysis of the carpooling services performance in the urban area of the city of Cagliari through emulations. Two new features characterize the proposed solution: partial ridesharing, according to which the riders can walk to reach the driver along his/her route when driving to the destination; the possibility to share the ride when the driver has already started the ride by modelling the mobility to reach the driver destination. To analyse which features of the population bring better performance to changing the characteristics of the users, we also conducted emulations. When compared with current solutions, CLACSOON allows for achieving a decrease in the waiting time of around 55% and an increase in the driver and passenger success rates of around 4% and 10%,respectively. Additionally, the proposed features allowed for having an increase in the reduction of the CO2 emission by more than 10% with respect to the traditional carpooling service. Full article

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19 pages, 996 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluating Resiliency of Supply Chain Network: A Data Envelopment Analysis Approach

by Pourya Pourhejazy^1,2

, Oh Kyoung Kwon¹, Young-Tae Chang^1,*

and Hyosoo (Kevin) Park¹

¹ Graduate School of Logistics, INHA University, Incheon 22212, Korea

² LAMIH UMR CNRS 8201, UVHC, Le Mont Houy, 59313 Valenciennes Cedex 9, France

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 255; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020255 - 11 Feb 2017

Cited by 42 | Viewed by 6965

Abstract

Supply chains can be vulnerable to sudden disruptions, especially when it emphasizes efficient operation. In this regard, supply chain resilience (SCR) has received attention recently to cope with disruptions and improve competitiveness. This paper presents a novel methodology to measure resilience between different [...] Read more.

Supply chains can be vulnerable to sudden disruptions, especially when it emphasizes efficient operation. In this regard, supply chain resilience (SCR) has received attention recently to cope with disruptions and improve competitiveness. This paper presents a novel methodology to measure resilience between different configurations of a supply chain network (SCN), based on a number of influential factors. For this reason, data envelopment analysis (DEA) is employed to identify the best-practice and less-performing SCN configurations among a group of alternatives. On this basis, the extent to which a current configuration can improve its resiliency is also measured. The methodology is applied to the case of E1, a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) company in Korea. Topological and operational measures were used as variables to assess resilience. The results suggest that the LPG supply chain in the case study requires an addition in the number and capacity of supply nodes in its network. Full article

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21 pages, 2960 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Resource Benefits Evaluation Model on Remanufacturing Processes of End-of-Life Construction Machinery under the Uncertainty in Recycling Price

by Qian-wang Deng, Hao-lan Liao^*, Bo-wen Xu and Xia-hui Liu

State Key Laboratory of Advanced Design and Manufacturing for Vehicle Body, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 256; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020256 - 11 Feb 2017

Cited by 24 | Viewed by 4801

Abstract

In the process of end-of-life construction machinery remanufacturing, the existence of uncertainties in all aspects of the remanufacturing process increase the difficulty and complexity of resource benefits evaluation for them. To quantify the effects of those uncertainty factors, this paper makes a mathematical [...] Read more.

In the process of end-of-life construction machinery remanufacturing, the existence of uncertainties in all aspects of the remanufacturing process increase the difficulty and complexity of resource benefits evaluation for them. To quantify the effects of those uncertainty factors, this paper makes a mathematical analysis of the recycling and remanufacturing processes, building a resource benefits evaluation model for the end-of-life construction machinery. The recycling price and the profits of remanufacturers can thereby be obtained with a maximum remanufacturing resource benefit. The study investigates the change regularity of the resource benefits, recycling price, and profits of remanufacturers when the recycling price, quality fluctuation coefficient, demand coefficient, and the reusing ratio of products or parts are varying. In the numerical experiment, we explore the effects of uncertainties on the remanufacturing decisions and the total expected costs. The simulated analysis shows when the quality fluctuation coefficient is approaching to 1, the values of the profits of remanufacturer, the maximal resource benefits and recycling price grade into constants. Full article

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13 pages, 2104 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Energy Consumption Analysis for Concrete Residences—A Baseline Study in Taiwan

by Kuo-Liang Lin, Ming-Young Jan and Chien-Sen Liao^*

Department of Civil and Ecological Engineering, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung 84001, Taiwan

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 257; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020257 - 12 Feb 2017

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 4464

Abstract

Estimating building energy consumption is difficult because it deals with complex interactions among uncertain weather conditions, occupant behaviors, and building characteristics. To facilitate estimation, this study employs a benchmarking methodology to obtain energy baseline for sample buildings. Utilizing a scientific simulation tool, this [...] Read more.

Estimating building energy consumption is difficult because it deals with complex interactions among uncertain weather conditions, occupant behaviors, and building characteristics. To facilitate estimation, this study employs a benchmarking methodology to obtain energy baseline for sample buildings. Utilizing a scientific simulation tool, this study attempts to develop energy consumption baselines of two typical concrete residences in Taiwan, and subsequently allows a simplified energy consumption prediction process at an early design stage of building development. Using weather data of three metropolitan cities as testbeds, annual energy consumption of two types of modern residences are determined through a series of simulation sessions with different building settings. The impacts of key building characteristics, including building insulation, air tightness, orientation, location, and residence type, are carefully investigated. Sample utility bills are then collected to validate the simulated results, resulting in three adjustment parameters for normalization, including ‘number of residents’, ‘total floor area’, and ‘air conditioning comfort level’, for justification of occupant behaviors in different living conditions. Study results not only provide valuable benchmarking data serving as references for performance evaluation of different energy-saving strategies, but also show how effective extended building insulation, enhanced air tightness, and prudent selection of residence location and orientation can be for successful implementation of building sustainability in tropical and subtropical regions. Full article

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26 pages, 17282 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Topographic Correction of Landsat TM-5 and Landsat OLI-8 Imagery to Improve the Performance of Forest Classification in the Mountainous Terrain of Northeast Thailand

by Uday Pimple^1,*, Asamaporn Sitthi², Dario Simonetti³, Sukan Pungkul⁴, Kumron Leadprathom⁴ and Amnat Chidthaisong¹

¹ The Joint Graduate School of Energy and Environment (JGSEE) and Centre of Excellence on Energy Technology and Environment, King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, Bangkok 10140, Thailand

² Department of Geography, Faculty of Social Sciences, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand

³ European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Directorate D-Sustainable Resources-Bio-Economy Unit, 21027 Ispra (VA), Italy

⁴ Royal Forest Department, 61 Phaholyothin Road, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900, Thailand

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 258; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020258 - 12 Feb 2017

Cited by 48 | Viewed by 10434

Abstract

The accurate mapping and monitoring of forests is essential for the sustainable management of forest ecosystems. Advancements in the Landsat satellite series have been very useful for various forest mapping applications. However, the topographic shadows of irregular mountains are major obstacles to accurate [...] Read more.

The accurate mapping and monitoring of forests is essential for the sustainable management of forest ecosystems. Advancements in the Landsat satellite series have been very useful for various forest mapping applications. However, the topographic shadows of irregular mountains are major obstacles to accurate forest classification. In this paper, we test five topographic correction methods: improved cosine correction, Minnaert, C-correction, Statistical Empirical Correction (SEC) and Variable Empirical Coefficient Algorithm (VECA), with multisource digital elevation models (DEM) to reduce the topographic relief effect in mountainous terrain produced by the Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM)-5 and Operational Land Imager (OLI)-8 sensors. The effectiveness of the topographic correction methods are assessed by visual interpretation and the reduction in standard deviation (SD), by means of the coefficient of variation (CV). Results show that the SEC performs best with the Shuttle Radar Topographic Mission (SRTM) 30 m × 30 m DEM. The random forest (RF) classifier is used for forest classification, and the overall accuracy of forest classification is evaluated to compare the performances of the topographic corrections. Our results show that the C-correction, SEC and VECA corrected imagery were able to improve the forest classification accuracy of Landsat TM-5 from 78.41% to 81.50%, 82.38%, and 81.50%, respectively, and OLI-8 from 81.06% to 81.50%, 82.38%, and 81.94%, respectively. The highest accuracy of forest type classification is obtained with the newly available high-resolution SRTM DEM and SEC method. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability in the Mountains Region)

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26 pages, 13203 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Influence of Natura 2000 Sites on Land-Taking Processes at the Regional Level: An Empirical Analysis Concerning Sardinia (Italy)

by Sabrina Lai^*

and Corrado Zoppi

Dipartimento di Ingegneria Civile, Ambientale e Architettura, University of Cagliari, 09123 Cagliari, Italy

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 259; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020259 - 13 Feb 2017

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 5974

Abstract

This article focuses on the role that the provisions of the Natura 2000 Network play in affecting land-taking processes by looking at the Italian region of Sardinia, where strict rules on land development have been enforced since 1993 through regional landscape plans and [...] Read more.

This article focuses on the role that the provisions of the Natura 2000 Network play in affecting land-taking processes by looking at the Italian region of Sardinia, where strict rules on land development have been enforced since 1993 through regional landscape plans and where an extensive Natura 2000 Network, covering nearly 19% of the regional land mass, was established in compliance with Directive 92/43/EEC on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora and Directive 2009/147/EC on the conservation of wild birds. The results and inferences of our study could be easily generalized to other European Union regions, provided that similar geographic datasets are available. By shedding some light on the relation between land take on the one hand, and nature conservation and landscape protection on the other, it is possible to enhance regional planning policies to prevent or hinder land-taking processes, and, by doing so, to help implementing the European Commission recommendation on no net land take by 2050 into the EU regional policies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Decipher the Present to Shape the Future- Rethinking the Urban–Rural Nexus)

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18 pages, 1076 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Financial Crisis and Co-Movement of Global Stock Markets—A Case of Six Major Economies

by Yonghong Jiang^1,2, Mengmeng Yu³

and Shabir Mohsin Hashmi^4,*

¹ Institute of Finance, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China

² Department of Economics, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, 105 Garfield Avenue, WI 53711, USA

³ Finance Department, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China

⁴ International School, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 260; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020260 - 13 Feb 2017

Cited by 38 | Viewed by 6460

Abstract

This paper investigates the impact of recent financial crisis on six major stock markets during the three periods. To measure the impact of the crisis on different stock markets, we have applied a vector auto-regression (VAR) model and conducted Granger causality tests. The [...] Read more.

This paper investigates the impact of recent financial crisis on six major stock markets during the three periods. To measure the impact of the crisis on different stock markets, we have applied a vector auto-regression (VAR) model and conducted Granger causality tests. The data used in this study, consists of time series of daily stock market indices at closing time, in terms of local currency units of the world’s six major stock markets which were affected during the financial crisis, while the sample period was divided into several sub-periods. The main objectives of the research was to discover the degree of interdependence of the six stock markets and trace out the Granger causality relationships and dynamic responses of one market to in another in innovation, and to make a comparison on the degree of the co-movements in three periods, namely, the pre-crisis period, crisis period, and post-crisis periods. The results suggest that the financial crisis has reinforced the interdependence relationship of global stock markets. However, general co-movements of global stock markets persist even after the crisis and still remained stronger in some economies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability of Economic and Management Systems: Perspectives of Uncertainty and Data Driven Optimization)

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17 pages, 2848 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Blueberry Supply Chain in Italy: Management, Innovation and Sustainability

by Cristiana Peano

, Vincenzo Girgenti, Claudio Baudino

and Nicole Roberta Giuggioli^*

Department of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences (DISAFA), University of Torino, Largo Paolo Braccini 2, Grugliasco, 10095 Torino, Italy

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 261; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020261 - 13 Feb 2017

Cited by 38 | Viewed by 14834

Abstract

The growing trend market of fresh products is driven by a consumer oriented to new lifestyles and environmental issues. The berries market in Europe represents a good example of a consumer driven supply chain, due to the capacity to answer all the sequences [...] Read more.

The growing trend market of fresh products is driven by a consumer oriented to new lifestyles and environmental issues. The berries market in Europe represents a good example of a consumer driven supply chain, due to the capacity to answer all the sequences of the system. To explore the process developed by fruit growers’ associated groups in Italy, the research is organized into four stages. The first stage provides a review of the organization of the fresh fruit supply chain (FFSC) and the need to innovate it in light of the driven demand. The second section focuses on the innovation displayed towards storing, managing and maintaining the quality of fruit during the supply. The third section considers the case study. The manuscript concludes by summarising the main results and discussing the implications for future research. The use of a modified active packaging system (MAP) with “green” films has enabled the maintenance of the quality of the fruits for two months, as well as the presence of the company blueberries market for longer periods, and has finally led to improving the exports, thus reaching new European countries, increasing the turnover of the associated group and better remuneration for the fruit growers as a consequence. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue How does Market Demand for Sustainability Shape Business Strategies? Exploring Innovation Paths in Agribusiness)

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18 pages, 1257 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Practical In-Depth Analysis of IDS Alerts for Tracing and Identifying Potential Attackers on Darknet

by Jungsuk Song¹, Younsu Lee¹, Jang-Won Choi¹, Joon-Min Gil²

, Jaekyung Han³ and Sang-Soo Choi^1,*

¹ Department of Advanced KREONET Security Service, Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information, Daejeon 34141, Korea

² School of Information Technology Eng., Catholic University of Daegu, Gyeongbuk 38430, Korea

³ Department of Construction Legal Affairs, Kwangwoon University, Seoul 01897, Korea

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 262; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020262 - 13 Feb 2017

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 5814

Abstract

The darknet (i.e., a set of unused IP addresses) is a very useful solution for observing the global trends of cyber threats and analyzing attack activities on the Internet. Since the darknet is not connected with real systems, in most cases, the incoming [...] Read more.

The darknet (i.e., a set of unused IP addresses) is a very useful solution for observing the global trends of cyber threats and analyzing attack activities on the Internet. Since the darknet is not connected with real systems, in most cases, the incoming packets on the darknet (‘the darknet traffic’) do not contain a payload. This means that we are unable to get real malware from the darknet traffic. This situation makes it difficult for security experts (e.g., academic researchers, engineers, operators, etc.) to identify whether the source hosts of the darknet traffic are infected by real malware or not. In this paper, we present the overall procedure of the in-depth analysis between the darknet traffic and IDS alerts using real data collected at the Science and Technology Cyber Security Center (S&T CSC) in Korea and provide the detailed in-depth analysis results. The ultimate goal of this paper is to provide practical experience, insight and know-how to security experts so that they are able to identify and trace the root cause of the darknet traffic. The experimental results show that correlation analysis between the darknet traffic and IDS alerts is very useful to discover potential attack hosts, especially internal hosts, and to find out what kinds of malware infected them. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced IT based Future Sustainable Computing)

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11 pages, 210 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Perception on the Risk of the Sonora River Pollution

by Juan Ignacio Aragonés^1,*

, César Tapia-Fonllem², Lucía Poggio¹

and Blanca Fraijo-Sing²

¹ Departamento de Psicología Social, Facultad de Psicología, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28223 Madrid, Spain

² Departamento de Psicología y Ciencias de la Comunicación, Universidad de Sonora, Hermosillo 83000, Mexico

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 263; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020263 - 13 Feb 2017

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 4035

Abstract

This study applies the “psychometric paradigm” of risk perception to the heavy mineral spill in the Sonora River (Mexico). A total of 241 inhabitants of the polluted area with a mean age of 46.3 years participated in the study, completing an interview questionnaire [...] Read more.

This study applies the “psychometric paradigm” of risk perception to the heavy mineral spill in the Sonora River (Mexico). A total of 241 inhabitants of the polluted area with a mean age of 46.3 years participated in the study, completing an interview questionnaire at the onset of the disaster. The results allow us to establish a profile of the 18 characteristics comprising the model and a multiple regression analysis shows that some characteristics of the dimensions of dread risk and unknown risk explain a percentage of the magnitude of the perceived risk. In addition, the behaviors recommended by the authorities were classified by the participants according to their estimated usefulness. Significant differences were observed. Avoiding contact with the water was considered the most effective, followed by recommendations on the use of the water, with actions related to the environment and how to avoid pollution being considered the least effective. In sum, the strategy deployed allows us to observe how the victims perceive the disaster and organize the behaviors proposed by the authorities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Environmental Sustainability and Applications)

20 pages, 1743 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Hierarchical Model Predictive Control for Sustainable Building Automation

by Barbara Mayer^1,*, Michaela Killian² and Martin Kozek²

¹ Institute of Industrial Management, FH JOANNEUM, Alte Poststraße 149, 8020 Graz, Austria

² Institute of Mechanics and Mechatronics, TU WIEN, Getreidemarkt 9, 1060 Wien, Austria

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 264; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020264 - 13 Feb 2017

Cited by 21 | Viewed by 5578

Abstract

A hierarchicalmodel predictive controller (HMPC) is proposed for flexible and sustainable building automation. The implications of a building automation system for sustainability are defined, and model predictive control is introduced as an ideal tool to cover all requirements. The HMPC is presented as [...] Read more.

A hierarchicalmodel predictive controller (HMPC) is proposed for flexible and sustainable building automation. The implications of a building automation system for sustainability are defined, and model predictive control is introduced as an ideal tool to cover all requirements. The HMPC is presented as a development suitable for the optimization of modern buildings, as well as retrofitting. The performance and flexibility of the HMPC is demonstrated by simulation studies of a modern office building, and the perfect interaction with future smart grids is shown. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Post Occupancy Evaluation)

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18 pages, 575 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Surplus, Scarcity and Soil Fertility in Pre-Industrial Austrian Agriculture—The Sustainability Costs of Inequality

by Michael Gizicki-Neundlinger^* and And Dino Güldner

Institute of Social Ecology, Alpen-Adria-University, 1070 Vienna, Austria

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 265; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020265 - 13 Feb 2017

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 6087

Abstract

This paper takes a Long-Term Socio-Ecological Research (LTSER) perspective to integrate important aspects of social inequality into Socio-Ecological Metabolism (SEM) research. SEM has dealt with biophysical features of pre-industrial agricultural systems from a largely apolitical perspective, neglecting social relations and conditions of peasant [...] Read more.

This paper takes a Long-Term Socio-Ecological Research (LTSER) perspective to integrate important aspects of social inequality into Socio-Ecological Metabolism (SEM) research. SEM has dealt with biophysical features of pre-industrial agricultural systems from a largely apolitical perspective, neglecting social relations and conditions of peasant production and reproduction. One of the politically and economically most important manorial systems in Early Modern Austria (Grundherrschaft Grafenegg) serves as a case study to reconstruct the unequal distribution of central resources between ruling landlords and subjected peasants. We show that peasant land use systems generated small surpluses only, whereas landlords enjoyed significant economies of scale. Furthermore, we explore what these conditions of landlord surplus and peasant scarcity implied for their respective agro-ecological sustainability. Finally, we argue that within pre-industrial agrarian systems sustainability costs of inequality were severely limiting margins for agricultural intensification and growth of peasant economies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Social Ecology. State of the Art and Future Prospects)

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10 pages, 1964 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Corn Residue Biochar on the Hydraulic Properties of Sandy Loam Soil

by Avanthi Deshani Igalavithana¹, Yong Sik Ok¹

, Nabeel Khan Niazi^2,3

, Muhammad Rizwan⁴

, Mohammad I. Al-Wabel⁵

, Adel R. A. Usman⁵, Deok Hyun Moon⁶ and Sang Soo Lee^1,*

¹ Korea Biochar Research Center, School of Natural Resources and Environmental Science, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Korea

² Institute of Soil and Environmental Sciences, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Faisalabad 38040, Pakistan

³ Southern Cross GeoScience, Southern Cross University, Lismore, NSW 2480, Australia

⁴ Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Government College University, Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan

⁵ Department of Soil Sciences, Saudi Biochar Research Group, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2460, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia

⁶ Department of Environmental Engineering, Chosun University, Gwangju 61452, Korea

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 266; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020266 - 14 Feb 2017

Cited by 76 | Viewed by 8328

Abstract

Biochar has an ability to alter the biological, chemical, and physical properties of soil due to its physicochemical properties such as surface area, porosity, nutrient retention ability, available nutrient contents, aromaticity, etc. The present study was designed to evaluate the impact of physical [...] Read more.

Biochar has an ability to alter the biological, chemical, and physical properties of soil due to its physicochemical properties such as surface area, porosity, nutrient retention ability, available nutrient contents, aromaticity, etc. The present study was designed to evaluate the impact of physical properties and application rate of biochar on the hydraulic properties of a sandy loam soil in the short term. Biochar was produced at 500 °C from dried corn residue (BC500). The BC500 was incorporated at the rates of 0, 2.5%, 5.0%, 7.5%, and 10% (w·w⁻¹) into the sandy loam soil and filled up to a height of 4 cm, in cores having 5 cm diameter and height. Each treatment was performed in triplicate and equilibrated for 30 days. Then saturated hydraulic conductivity (K_sat), water holding capacity (WHC), and bulk density were determined in each sample after four days of saturation at room temperature in a water bath. The BC500 particle size distribution, pores, and surface functional groups were assessed. The K_sat exhibited a highly significant exponential reduction from 0% to 7.5% of BC500 application and approached an asymptote at 10% BC500. Bulk density showed a significant negative correlation to biochar application rate. The WHC and BC500 application rate illustrated a strong positive relationship. Biochar surface was free from hydrophobic functional groups. The addition of BC500 has a positive influence on soil hydraulic properties, primarily due to the increased soil porosity. The BC500 is composed of a microporous structure and hydrophilic surface that retain water in sandy textured soils. The application of BC500 would be a wise investment to maximize the water use efficiency in soils for agricultural production. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Management of Post-Epidemic Mass Carcasses Burial Sites)

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19 pages, 1117 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Impact of a Values-Based Supply Chain (VBSC) on Farm-Level Viability, Sustainability and Resilience: Case Study Evidence

by Teresa Hooks^1,*, Áine Macken-Walsh¹, Olive McCarthy²

and Carol Power²

¹ Rural Economy and Development Programme, Mellows Campus, Teagasc, Athenry, Galway, Ireland

² Centre for Co-operative Studies, Department of Food Business and Development, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 267; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020267 - 14 Feb 2017

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 6086

Abstract

The ‘Agriculture of the Middle’ (AotM) development paradigm emphasises that in order to survive, family farms must transition from a supply chain approach to a values-based supply chain (VBSC) approach, involving amendments to both product type and actor dynamics within the chain. This [...] Read more.

The ‘Agriculture of the Middle’ (AotM) development paradigm emphasises that in order to survive, family farms must transition from a supply chain approach to a values-based supply chain (VBSC) approach, involving amendments to both product type and actor dynamics within the chain. This paper presents a qualitative case study of a beef co-operative integrated to a VBSC. We use an analytical framework of viability, sustainability and resilience to analyse impacts at farm-level. Our analysis highlights a number of positive effects on farm-level viability, sustainability and resilience. These benefits stemmed largely from improvements to market orientation, price stability, and members’ capacities in responding to problems. However, the autonomy of the co-operative was challenged by VBSC chain members, which impacted negatively on the stability of the co-operative. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Environmental Sustainability and Applications)

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13 pages, 222 KiB

Open AccessReview

Political Agroecology in Mexico: A Path toward Sustainability

by Víctor M. Toledo^1,* and Narciso Barrera-Bassols²

¹ Instituto de Investigaciones en Ecosistemas y Sustentabilidad, Autonomous National University of Mexico (UNAM), Morelia, Michoacán 58190, Mexico

² Facultad de Ciencias Políticas y Sociales, Autonomous University of Querétaro, Santiago de Querétaro 76017, Mexico

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 268; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020268 - 14 Feb 2017

Cited by 40 | Viewed by 10445

Abstract

The biocultural richness of Mexico is among the highest worldwide. A history of over 7000 years of agriculture, and a persistent tradition of peasant social resistance movements that climaxed during the agrarian revolution in the early 20th century, continued in the indigenous resistance [...] Read more.

The biocultural richness of Mexico is among the highest worldwide. A history of over 7000 years of agriculture, and a persistent tradition of peasant social resistance movements that climaxed during the agrarian revolution in the early 20th century, continued in the indigenous resistance in Chiapas leading to the Zapatista uprising in 1992, and continues to be expressed in present local and regional confrontations for the defense of territory. Scholars agree that agroecology conceptually includes ecological and agricultural scientific research activity, empirical practices applied for agriculture, and the nuclear goal of numerous rural social movements. What has not been sufficiently established is how these three spheres of agroecology interact with each other and what emergent synergies they generate. Taking as an example the production in Mexico of three key agricultural goods—maize, coffee, and honey—our paper briefly reviews the existing relations between knowledge generation, agroecological practices, and rural social processes. We conclude by reflecting on the role of agroecological research in the context of an agrarian sustainability committed to helping reduce social inequity, marginality, and exploitation, as much as reverting the severe deterioration of the natural environment: both common issues in contemporary Mexico. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agroecology at the Crossroads: Challenges for Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems)

20 pages, 1698 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Quantifying a Financially Sustainable Strategy of Public Transport: Private Capital Investment Considering Passenger Value

by Yunqiang Xue^1,2

, Hongzhi Guan^1,2,*, Jonathan Corey³, Heng Wei³ and Hai Yan²

¹ College of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China

² Beijing Collaborative Innovation Center for Metropolitan Transportation, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China

³ ART-Engines Transportation Research Lab, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45220, USA

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 269; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020269 - 15 Feb 2017

Cited by 20 | Viewed by 6810

Abstract

Releaving traffic congestion by developing public transport as an alternative mode of travel is a common practice all over the world. However, the increasing public transport subsidies have created a financial burden for governments. Encouragingly, private capital supplies an opportunity for public transport [...] Read more.

Releaving traffic congestion by developing public transport as an alternative mode of travel is a common practice all over the world. However, the increasing public transport subsidies have created a financial burden for governments. Encouragingly, private capital supplies an opportunity for public transport in sustainable finance. Previous research mainly focuses on qualitative analysis and money-for-value (MFV) analysis. In this paper, a new investment model is proposed based on the concept ‘passenger value’, and a bi-level programming model (BLPM) is constructed as a quantitative analysis tool. The upper target of BLPM is the total surplus (including the value of time (VOT) of passengers) of the public transport system and the upper constraint is the ticket price. The lower target of BLPM is passenger’s surplus, the lower constraints are service capability and the lowest return rate of the private sector. The public transport of Jinan City, China is taken as a case to quantify the impacts of private capital investment in public transport. Results show that the proposed investment model considering passenger value is superior to the traditional one, and effective private capital investment could increase the total societal benefit of the transportation system. The proposed investment strategy satisfies economic viability and is a financially sustainability strategy. Additionally, travelers should be encouraged to use public transport through improving the service quality and passenger returns. Only in this way can the success rate of the private sector investment in public transport be improved efficiently. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Current and Future Role of Public Transport in Delivering Sustainable Cities)

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17 pages, 6755 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Towards Urban Resilience: A Multi-Criteria Analysis of Seismic Vulnerability in Iasi City (Romania)

by Alexandru Banica^1,*

, Lucian Rosu¹

, Ionel Muntele^1,2 and Adrian Grozavu¹

¹ Faculty of Geography and Geology, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University, Iasi 700505, Romania

² Romanian Academy, Department of Iasi, Geography Group, Iasi 700505, Romania

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 270; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020270 - 15 Feb 2017

Cited by 51 | Viewed by 8930

Abstract

When relating to hazards such as earthquakes, a primary task of a resilience approach is to evaluate vulnerability in an integrative manner by taking into account the most relevant indicators. Focused on Iasi, one of the major Romanian cities which are exposed to [...] Read more.

When relating to hazards such as earthquakes, a primary task of a resilience approach is to evaluate vulnerability in an integrative manner by taking into account the most relevant indicators. Focused on Iasi, one of the major Romanian cities which are exposed to the earthquakes originating in Vrancea area, this study aims to assess seismic vulnerability using a multi-criteria analysis of buildings infrastructure and social vulnerability. Several indicators are taken into account, such as physical (related to the characteristics of buildings and terrain) and social indicators (related to population and economic income), as well as the accessibility from/to emergency services/hospitals. The indicators were processed by standardization (Z score), processed and correlated using the principal components analysis (PCA) and integrated within an Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP). By summing the weighted values of the standardized indicators, a (integrated) seismic vulnerability index was obtained. It is a pre-assessment of the seismic vulnerability in Iasi City and also a prerequisite for the identification of the necessary prevention measures to be taken in compliance with the identified spatial patterns of vulnerability as a part of a resilient approach. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Resilience to Natural and Man-Made Disasters)

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18 pages, 3412 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Adaptation to Climate Change through Spatial Planning in Compact Urban Areas: A Case Study in the City of Thessaloniki

by Athena Yiannakou^*

and Konstantina-Dimitra Salata

School of Spatial Planning and Development, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki 541 24, Greece

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 271; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020271 - 15 Feb 2017

Cited by 58 | Viewed by 10408

Abstract

One of the problems urban areas are facing is the coupled effect of climate change and the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect. This article attempts to demonstrate the potential of spatial planning to reduce the UHI effect and, hence, to contribute to climate [...] Read more.

One of the problems urban areas are facing is the coupled effect of climate change and the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect. This article attempts to demonstrate the potential of spatial planning to reduce the UHI effect and, hence, to contribute to climate change adaptation in compact urban areas. After a brief review of the relevant literature, the article focuses on one case study within the compact urban area of the city of Thessaloniki. The geographical, socio-economic and urban form data of the study area and its subsequent vulnerability to UHI were initially assessed. Based on these features, a local spatial planning strategy is proposed, and the study proceeds to a detailed amendment of the land use plan, within part of the vulnerable zone. This takes into account the existing urban form, the lack of resources and the availability of the spatial planning tools within the Greek spatial planning system. Τhe main purpose of this article is to highlight the fact that, even in urban areas where the potential for intervention seems to be marginal, because of their existing form, the complexities of the local planning system and resource limitations, improvements to the UHI effect and adaptation to climate change can be achieved by better land use planning and urban design. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Heat Island)

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26 pages, 271 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Passive House and Low Energy Buildings: Barriers and Opportunities for Future Development within UK Practice

by Adrian Pitts

Centre for Urban Design, Architecture and Sustainability, University of Huddersfield, Queensgate, Huddersfield HD1 3DH, UK

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 272; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020272 - 15 Feb 2017

Cited by 39 | Viewed by 11198

Abstract

This paper describes research carried out to understand better the current and future emphases emerging from practice for the design and development of “Passive House” and low energy buildings. The paper initially discusses the extant position, particularly with regards to the UK and [...] Read more.

This paper describes research carried out to understand better the current and future emphases emerging from practice for the design and development of “Passive House” and low energy buildings. The paper initially discusses the extant position, particularly with regards to the UK and considers how regulation and assessment systems have changed in recent years, as well as projecting ideas forward taking account of contemporary political situations. Relevant previous research into Passive House and low energy design and construction is then reviewed. The need for greater understanding of professionals and their communication/collaboration with clients were identified as important factors impacting development. Those involved in the design and construction practice therefore have key roles in the process of enhancing energy efficiency. Five industry/practice based professional organizations were interviewed in-depth to gain insights into their experience of current low energy design, and to extrapolate the outcomes to future scenarios. The method employed used a structured interview technique with key question areas to lead the discussion. The anonymized responses discussed are grouped around key themes. Evidence suggests there has been a move towards the adoption of voluntary high level standards because of potential limitations with mandatory regulations and because of perceived additional benefits of higher quality design. This change is now more than previously, being driven by informed clients, design professionals, and the industry, with regulation taking a secondary role. New opportunities and barriers are becoming evident and these require further consideration. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Passive House Development and High Energy Efficiency Sustainable Buildings)

8 pages, 383 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Oil Price and Economic Resilience. Romania’s Case

by Monica Dudian, Mihaela Mosora^*, Cosmin Mosora and Stefanija Birova

The Bucharest University of Economic Studies, Piața Romană 6, 010374 București, Romania

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 273; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020273 - 15 Feb 2017

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 4417

Abstract

The emerging economies that do not face fiscal, monetary and foreign debt pressures can use the savings generated by lower oil prices for investments in order to generate economic growth. Hence, there is no doubt that the oil price affects the economy’s resilience [...] Read more.

The emerging economies that do not face fiscal, monetary and foreign debt pressures can use the savings generated by lower oil prices for investments in order to generate economic growth. Hence, there is no doubt that the oil price affects the economy’s resilience to shocks. The importance of this impact derives from the magnitude of the price change and its diffusion within the economy. Moreover, the sustainability of any company and of the economy as a whole is subject to the availability and the price of the energy resources. The cost of these resources is an important variable used in the majority of the models regarding the assessment of sustainable development. Therefore, this article examines the impact of the oil price changes on industrial production in Romania. We found that, similar to other countries, in Romania, the growth rate of industrial production responds more strongly to a rise in oil prices. Thus, the oil Brent price has an asymmetric effect on the production evolution. This finding suggests that macroeconomic stabilization is more difficult to achieve when the oil price rises. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Resilient Economics and the Regional Sustainable Economic Growth)

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15 pages, 1308 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Decomposition Analysis of Carbon Emission Factors from Energy Consumption in Guangdong Province from 1990 to 2014

by Fei Wang^1,*, Changjian Wang^2,*, Yongxian Su², Lixia Jin², Yang Wang² and Xinlin Zhang³

¹ Xinjiang Laboratory of Lake Environment and Resources in Arid Zone, School of Geography Science and Tourism, Xinjiang Normal University, Urumqi 830054, China

² Guangdong Open Laboratory of Geospatial Information Technology and Application, Guangzhou Institute of Geography, Guangzhou 510070, China

³ School of Geographical Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210046, China

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 274; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020274 - 15 Feb 2017

Cited by 54 | Viewed by 6158

Abstract

Carbon emissions research based on regional perspective is necessary and helpful for China to achieve its reduction targets. This research aims at analyzing the energy-related carbon emissions and finding out the most important driving forces for the carbon emissions increments in Guangdong province. [...] Read more.

Carbon emissions research based on regional perspective is necessary and helpful for China to achieve its reduction targets. This research aims at analyzing the energy-related carbon emissions and finding out the most important driving forces for the carbon emissions increments in Guangdong province. LMDI (Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index) method based on the extended Kaya identity has been used to explore the main driving factors for energy-related carbon emissions in Guangdong province annually between 1990 and 2014. Research results show that the impacts and influences of various factors on carbon emissions are different in the different development stages. Economic growth effect and population size effect are the two most important driving factors for the increased carbon emissions. Energy intensity effect played the dominant role in curbing carbon emissions. Energy structure effect and technical progress effect had different but relatively minor effects on carbon emissions during the five different development stages. Full article

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20 pages, 2704 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Income Driven Patterns of the Urban Environment

by Anibal Gusso^1,2,*

, André Silva³, John Boland^2,4

, Leticia Lenz⁵ and Conrad Philipp^2,6

¹ Institute of Physics, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre 91501-970, Brazil

² Urban Climates Research Project (UCR), University of South Australia (UniSA), Adelaide SA 5001, Australia

³ Graduate Program in Architecture and Urbanism, University of Vale do Rio dos Sinos (UNISINOS), São Leopoldo 93022-000, Brazil

⁴ Centre for Industrial and Applied Mathematics, University of South Australia (UniSA), Adelaide SA 5001, Australia

⁵ Undergraduate Program in Civil Engineering, University of do Vale do Rio dos Sinos (UNISINOS), São Leopoldo 93022-750, Brazil

⁶ Cooperative Research Centre for Low Carbon Living (CRC-LCL), University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney NSW 2052, Australia

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 275; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020275 - 15 Feb 2017

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 5623

Abstract

This study investigates the land surface temperature (LST) distribution from thermal infrared data for analyzing the characteristics of surface coverage using the Vegetation–Impervious–Soil (VIS) approach. A set of ten images, obtained from Landsat-5 Thematic Mapper, between 2001 and 2010, were used to study [...] Read more.

This study investigates the land surface temperature (LST) distribution from thermal infrared data for analyzing the characteristics of surface coverage using the Vegetation–Impervious–Soil (VIS) approach. A set of ten images, obtained from Landsat-5 Thematic Mapper, between 2001 and 2010, were used to study the urban environmental conditions of 47 neighborhoods of Porto Alegre city, Brazil. Porto Alegre has had the smallest population growth rate of all 27 state capitals in the last two decades in Brazil, with an increase of 11.55% in inhabitants from 1.263 million in 1991 to 1.409 million in 2010. We applied the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) theory in order to test the influence of the economically-related scenario on the spatial nature of social-environmental arrangement of the city at neighborhood scale. Our results suggest that the economically-related scenario exerts a non-negligible influence on the physically driven characteristics of the urban environmental conditions as predicted by EKC theory. The linear inverse correlation R² between household income (HI) and LST is 0.36 and has shown to be comparable to all other studied variables. Future research may investigate the relation between other economically-related indicators to specific land surface characteristics. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability of Economic and Management Systems: Perspectives of Uncertainty and Data Driven Optimization)

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17 pages, 2200 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Exergetic Aspects of Hydrogen Energy Systems—The Case Study of a Fuel Cell Bus

by Evanthia A. Nanaki^* and Christopher J. Koroneos

Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Western Macedonia, Bakola and Salviera, Kozani 50100, Greece

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 276; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020276 - 15 Feb 2017

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 7478

Abstract

Electrifying transportation is a promising approach to alleviate climate change issues arising from increased emissions. This study examines a system for the production of hydrogen using renewable energy sources as well as its use in buses. The electricity requirements for the production of [...] Read more.

Electrifying transportation is a promising approach to alleviate climate change issues arising from increased emissions. This study examines a system for the production of hydrogen using renewable energy sources as well as its use in buses. The electricity requirements for the production of hydrogen through the electrolysis of water, are covered by renewable energy sources. Fuel cells are being used to utilize hydrogen to power the bus. Exergy analysis for the system is carried out. Based on a steady-state model of the processes, exergy efficiencies are calculated for all subsystems. The subsystems with the highest proportion of irreversibility are identified and compared. It is shown that PV panel has exergetic efficiency of 12.74%, wind turbine of 45%, electrolysis of 67%, and fuel cells of 40%. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Renewable Electricity)

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17 pages, 1634 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Probabilistic Graphical Framework for Estimating Collaboration Levels in Cloud Manufacturing

by Gilseung Ahn¹

, You-Jin Park²

and Sun Hur^1,*

¹ Department of Industrial and Management Engineering, Hanyang University, Ansan 15588, Korea

² School of Business Administration, College of Business and Economics, Chung-Ang University, Seoul 06974, Korea

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 277; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020277 - 16 Feb 2017

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 6611

Abstract

Cloud manufacturing (CM) is an emerging manufacturing model based on collaboration among manufacturing enterprises in a cloud computing environment. Naturally, collaboration is one of main factors that impacts performance in a variety of ways such as quality, lead time, and cost. Therefore, collaboration [...] Read more.

Cloud manufacturing (CM) is an emerging manufacturing model based on collaboration among manufacturing enterprises in a cloud computing environment. Naturally, collaboration is one of main factors that impacts performance in a variety of ways such as quality, lead time, and cost. Therefore, collaboration levels should be considered when solving operational issues in CM. However, there has been no attempt to estimate these levels between enterprises participating in CM. The collaboration level among enterprises in CM is defined as the ability to produce a manufacturing service that satisfies a customer by means of collaborative production amongst enterprises. We measure it as the conditional probability that collaborative performances are high given collaborative performance factors (e.g., resource sharing, information sharing, etc.). In this paper, we propose a framework for estimating collaboration levels. We adopt a probabilistic graphical model (PGM) to develop the framework, since the framework includes a lot of random variables and complex dependencies among them. The framework yields conditional probabilities that two enterprises will reduce the total cost, improve resource utilization or quality through collaboration between them given each enterprise’s features, collaboration possibility, and collaboration activities. The collaboration levels the proposed framework yields will help to handle diverse operational problems in CM. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability in Supply Chain Management)

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20 pages, 5348 KiB

Open AccessArticle

An Expert-Based Assessment Model for Evaluating Habitat Suitability of Pond-Breeding Amphibians

by Shin-Ruoh Juang¹, Szu-Hung Chen² and Chen-Fa Wu^1,*

¹ Department of Horticulture, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung City 402, Taiwan

² Department of Ecosystem Science & Management, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 278; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020278 - 16 Feb 2017

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 5148

Abstract

Farm ponds are important habitats for amphibians, birds, and other wildlife. In Taiwan, artificial ponds were originally created on farmlands for irrigation purposes and the needs of the domestic water supply. Although pond creation is a typical farming practice, it also provides habitats [...] Read more.

Farm ponds are important habitats for amphibians, birds, and other wildlife. In Taiwan, artificial ponds were originally created on farmlands for irrigation purposes and the needs of the domestic water supply. Although pond creation is a typical farming practice, it also provides habitats for pond-breeding amphibians. Thus, it is essential to understand the current status of habitats and their vulnerability regarding urgent conservation needs for target species. Günther’s frog (Hylarana guentheri), a pond-breeding amphibian, has a high sensitivity towards surrounding environmental changes, and can be used as an indicator species to assess habitat suitability. The purpose of this study is to establish a systematic framework to assess the habitat suitability of pond-breeding amphibians by using Günther’s frog as a pilot-study species. First, we collected frog survey data from Chiayi, Taiwan, from winter 2013 to spring 2015, and investigated the present status of the environmental conditions around the ponds. Next, expert questionnaires and the fuzzy Delphi method were applied to establish the hierarchical evaluation criteria regarding the habitat suitability assessment. Four indicators: the aquatic environments of farm ponds; the terrestrial environments around ponds; landscape connectivity; and the conservation perceptions of the residents, were determined as first-layer factors in the assessment criteria, while ten other indicators were defined as second-layer factors. Based on the established assessment criteria, we performed in situ habitat suitability evaluations on 69 selected sites and surveyed the perceptions of the residents using questionnaires. Results revealed that 19% of locations were rich in frog species with a high habitat suitability. However, 67% of locations showed signs of habitat degradation, which may imply a higher need in practicing habitat improvement or restoration. The Kappa value was 0.6061, which indicated a high reliability of the habitat suitability assessment model. In brief, the proposed method can be applied, not only to assess the sustainability of frog habitats and degradation risks, but also to determine which locations may require future attention regarding conservation implementation. Furthermore, findings in this study provide useful background knowledge to all associated stakeholders when designing and implementing plans of wildlife habitat management and restoration at farm ponds. Full article

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23 pages, 282 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Challenges of Applying Planetary Boundaries as a Basis for Strategic Decision-Making in Companies with Global Supply Chains

by Roland Clift¹, Sarah Sim^2,*, Henry King², Jonathan L. Chenoweth¹, Ian Christie¹, Julie Clavreul², Carina Mueller², Leo Posthuma^3,4, Anne-Marie Boulay⁵, Rebecca Chaplin-Kramer⁶, Julia Chatterton², Fabrice DeClerck^7,8, Angela Druckman¹, Chris France¹, Antonio Franco², Dieter Gerten^9,10, Mark Goedkoop¹¹

, Michael Z. Hauschild¹², Mark A. J. Huijbregts^3,13

, Thomas Koellner¹⁴

, Eric F. Lambin^15,16, Jacquetta Lee¹, Simon Mair¹

, Stuart Marshall², Michael S. McLachlan¹⁷

, Llorenç Milà i Canals¹⁸, Cynthia Mitchell¹⁹

, Edward Price²

, Johan Rockström²⁰, James Suckling¹ and Richard Murphy¹

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¹ Centre for Environment and Sustainability, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XH, UK

² Unilever Safety and Environmental Assurance Centre, Unilever R&D, Colworth Science Park, Sharnbrook MK44 1LQ, UK

³ Department of Environmental Science, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University Nijmegen, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands

⁴ Centre for Sustainability, Environment and Health (DMG), National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), P.O. Box 1, NL-3720 BA Bilthoven, The Netherlands

⁵ CIRAIG, Polytechnique Montreal, Department of Chemical Engineering, P.O. Box 6079, Montreal, QC H3C 3A7, Canada

⁶ Natural Capital Project, Woods Institute for the Environment, Stanford University, 371 Serra Mall, Stanford, CA 94305, USA

⁷ The Earth Institute, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA

⁸ Agrobiodiversity and Ecosystem Services Programme, Bioversity International, Parc Scientifique Agropolis, 34397 Montpellier, France

⁹ Research Domain of Earth System Analysis, Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, Telegrafenberg, 14473 Potsdam, Germany

¹⁰ Geography Department, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Unter den Linden 6, 10099 Berlin, Germany

¹¹ PRé Consultants bv, Stationsplein 121, 3818 LE Amersfoort, The Netherlands

¹² Department of Management Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark

¹³ PBL Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency, Bezuidenhoutseweg 30, 2594 AV The Hague, The Netherlands

¹⁴ Faculty of Biology, Chemistry and Geosciences, BayCEER, University of Bayreuth, Universitätsstr. 30, 95440 Bayreuth, Germany

¹⁵ Georges Lemaître Earth and Climate Research Centre, Earth and Life Institute, Université catholique de Louvain, 3 place Pasteur, B-1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium

¹⁶ School of Earth, Energy & Environmental Sciences and Woods Institute for the Environment, 473 via Ortega, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA

¹⁷ Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry (ACES), Stockholm University, SE-10691 Stockholm, Sweden

¹⁸ Division of Technology, Industry and Economics, UNEP, 1 Rue de Miollis, 75015 Paris, France

¹⁹ Institute for Sustainable Futures, University of Technology of Sydney, P.O. Box 123, Broadway, NSW 2007, Australia

²⁰ Stockholm Resilience Centre, Stockholm University, Kräftriket 2b, 10691 Stockholm, Sweden

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Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 279; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020279 - 15 Feb 2017

Cited by 98 | Viewed by 22797

Abstract

The Planetary Boundaries (PB) framework represents a significant advance in specifying the ecological constraints on human development. However, to enable decision-makers in business and public policy to respect these constraints in strategic planning, the PB framework needs to be developed to generate practical [...] Read more.

The Planetary Boundaries (PB) framework represents a significant advance in specifying the ecological constraints on human development. However, to enable decision-makers in business and public policy to respect these constraints in strategic planning, the PB framework needs to be developed to generate practical tools. With this objective in mind, we analyse the recent literature and highlight three major scientific and technical challenges in operationalizing the PB approach in decision-making: first, identification of thresholds or boundaries with associated metrics for different geographical scales; second, the need to frame approaches to allocate fair shares in the ‘safe operating space’ bounded by the PBs across the value chain and; third, the need for international bodies to co-ordinate the implementation of the measures needed to respect the Planetary Boundaries. For the first two of these challenges, we consider how they might be addressed for four PBs: climate change, freshwater use, biosphere integrity and chemical pollution and other novel entities. Four key opportunities are identified: (1) development of a common system of metrics that can be applied consistently at and across different scales; (2) setting ‘distance from boundary’ measures that can be applied at different scales; (3) development of global, preferably open-source, databases and models; and (4) advancing understanding of the interactions between the different PBs. Addressing the scientific and technical challenges in operationalizing the planetary boundaries needs be complemented with progress in addressing the equity and ethical issues in allocating the safe operating space between companies and sectors. Full article

18 pages, 270 KiB

Open AccessReview

Indirect Consequences of Recreational Fishing in Freshwater Ecosystems: An Exploration from an Australian Perspective

by Shelley Burgin

School of Health and Science, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, South Penrith Distribution Centre, Penrith 2751, Australia

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 280; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020280 - 16 Feb 2017

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 6704

Abstract

Recreational fishing in freshwater ecosystems is a popular pastime in Australia. Although most native fish are endemic, the fauna is depauperate compared to any landmass of similar size. With commercial fishing no longer a major industry in the country’s freshwaters, the future sustainability [...] Read more.

Recreational fishing in freshwater ecosystems is a popular pastime in Australia. Although most native fish are endemic, the fauna is depauperate compared to any landmass of similar size. With commercial fishing no longer a major industry in the country’s freshwaters, the future sustainability of these ecosystems will depend heavily on the actions of recreational fishers. However, there has been limited focus on the consequences of recreational fishing in freshwaters. There is particularly a dearth of information on the indirect consequences of fishers on the waterbodies they depend on for their sport. After outlining the respective trends in commercial and recreational fishing in Australia as a basis for placing the sport in context, the indirect impacts of fishers on water quality, movement (walking, off-road vehicles), the introduction/translocation of fauna (particularly fish), the dispersal of flora and the transmission of fish disease and pathogens are reviewed. It is concluded that with the decline of commercial fishing, the competition between commercial fin-fishing and recreational fishing is negligible, at least throughout most of the country. It is also concluded that each of the issues addressed has the potential to be detrimental to the long-term sustainability of the freshwater ecosystems that the fishers depend on for their recreation. However, information on these issues is scant. This is despite the current and predicted popularity of freshwater recreational fishing continuing to increase in Australia. Indeed, there has been insufficient quantitative assessment of the impacts to even determine what is required to ensure a comprehensive, adequate and representative protection of these freshwater ecosystems. To underpin the sustainability of inland recreational fishing in the country, it was concluded that research is required to underpin the development and implementation of appropriate policies. The alternative is that the integrity and biodiversity loss of these ecosystems will ultimately result in their collapse before the indirect consequences of recreational fishing have been directly assessed and appropriately protected. However, the lack of protection of wetlands is not restricted to Australia; there is a deficit of freshwater protected areas worldwide. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Wildlife Management)

20 pages, 7000 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Hydrological Effects of Vegetation Cover Degradation and Environmental Implications in a Semiarid Temperate Steppe, China

by Lei Sun¹, Lizhe Yang², Lu Hao^1,*, Di Fang¹, Kailun Jin¹ and Xiaolin Huang¹

¹ Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Agricultural Meteorology, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing 210044, China

² Marine Hydrometeorology Centre of North China Sea Naval Fleet, Qingdao 266003, China

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 281; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020281 - 15 Feb 2017

Cited by 20 | Viewed by 7758

Abstract

Studying the impact of vegetation dynamics on hydrological processes is essential for environmental management to reduce ecological environment risk and develop sustainable water management strategies under global warming. This case study simulated the responses of streamflow to vegetation cover degradation under climate variations [...] Read more.

Studying the impact of vegetation dynamics on hydrological processes is essential for environmental management to reduce ecological environment risk and develop sustainable water management strategies under global warming. This case study simulated the responses of streamflow to vegetation cover degradation under climate variations in the Xilin River Basin in a semi-arid steppe of northern China. The snowmelt and river ice melting processes in the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) were improved to estimate the changes in streamflow under multiple scenarios. Results showed that the improved SWAT simulations matched well to the measured monthly streamflow for both calibration (determination coefficient R2 = 0.75 and Nash–Sutcliffe ENS = 0.67) and validation periods (R2 = 0.74 and ENS = 0.68). Simulations of vegetation change revealed that obvious changes occurred in streamflow through conversion between high and low vegetation covers. The reductions in vegetation cover can elevate streamflow in both rainfall and snowmelt season, but the effects are most pronounced during the rainfall seasons (i.e., the growing seasons) and in drier years. These findings highlight the importance of vegetation degradation on modifying the hydrological partitioning in a semi-arid steppe basin. We conclude that in a particular climate zone, vegetation cover change is one of the important contributing factors to streamflow variations. Increases in streamflow in water-limited regions will likely reduce the effective water content of soil, which in turn leads to further degradation risk in vegetation. Therefore, vegetation cover management is one of the most effective and sustainable methods of improving water resources in water-constrained regions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Development for Sustainability in Water Constrained Regions)

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14 pages, 4710 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Simple Technique for Tracking Chloride Penetration in Concrete Based on the Crack Shape and Width under Steady-State Conditions

by Keun-Hyeok Yang¹, Jitendra Kumar Singh²

, Bang-Yeon Lee³

and Seung-Jun Kwon^4,*

¹ Department of Plant Architectural Engineering, Kyonggi University, Suwon 16227, South Korea

² Innovative Durable Building and Infrastructure Research Center, Hanyang University, Ansan 15588, South Korea

³ School of Architecture Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, South Korea

⁴ Civil and Environmental Engineering, Hannam University, Daejeon 34430, South Korea

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 282; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020282 - 15 Feb 2017

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 4734

Abstract

Chloride attack is considered one of the most threatening deterioration mechanisms in concrete. Any cracks or other imperfections on the surface open up additional routes for chloride intrusion. This paper develops existing anisotropic (1-D) and isotropic (2-D) models for chloride diffusion in concrete [...] Read more.

Chloride attack is considered one of the most threatening deterioration mechanisms in concrete. Any cracks or other imperfections on the surface open up additional routes for chloride intrusion. This paper develops existing anisotropic (1-D) and isotropic (2-D) models for chloride diffusion in concrete with cracks by considering the crack shape and roughness. In order to verify the proposed model, concrete samples with crack widths from 0.0 to 0.4 mm were prepared and the chloride diffusion coefficients under steady-state conditions evaluated. The proposed model for a wedge-shaped model with roughness reduced chloride diffusion and provided more reasonable results than previous models based on rectangular shaped cracks with no roughness, which have tended to overestimate the effect. Our results revealed that including roughness in the model produced a 10%–20% reduction in chloride diffusion. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Built Environment of Post-Carbon Era (Sustainable Built Environment 2016 Seoul Conference))

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23 pages, 5706 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Determination of Key Risk Supervision Areas around River-Type Water Sources Affected by Multiple Risk Sources: A Case Study of Water Sources along the Yangtze’s Nanjing Section

by Qi Zhou^1,2,3, Yong Pang^1,2,*

, Xue Wang², Xiao Wang²

, Yong Niu⁴ and Jianjian Wang⁵

¹ Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resources Development on Shallow Lakes, Ministry of Education, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China

² College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China

³ College of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Tongling University, Tongling 244061, China

⁴ College of Hydrology and Water Resources, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China

⁵ College of Hydrometeorology, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing 210044, China

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 283; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020283 - 16 Feb 2017

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 4127

Abstract

To provide a reference for risk management of water sources, this study screens the key risk supervision areas around river-type water sources (hereinafter referred to as the water sources) threatened by multiple fixed risk sources (the risk sources), and establishes a comprehensive methodological [...] Read more.

To provide a reference for risk management of water sources, this study screens the key risk supervision areas around river-type water sources (hereinafter referred to as the water sources) threatened by multiple fixed risk sources (the risk sources), and establishes a comprehensive methodological system. Specifically, it comprises: (1) method of partitioning risk source concentrated sub-regions for screening water source perimeter key risk supervision areas; (2) approach of determining sub-regional risk indexes (SrRI, which characterizes the scale of sub-regional risks) considering factors like risk distribution intensity within sub-regions, risk indexes of risk sources (RIRS, characterizing the risk scale of risk sources) and the number of risk sources; and (3) method of calculating sub-region’s risk threats to the water sources (SrTWS) which considers the positional relationship between water sources and sub-regions as well as SrRI, and the criteria for determining key supervision sub-regions. Favorable effects are achieved by applying this methodological system in determining water source perimeter sub-regions distributed along the Yangtze’s Nanjing section. Results revealed that for water sources, the key sub-regions needing supervision were SD16, SD06, SD21, SD26, SD15, SD03, SD02, SD32, SD10, SD11, SD14, SD05, SD27, etc., in the order of criticality. The sub-region with the greatest risk threats on the water sources was SD16, which was located in the middle reaches of Yangtze River. In general, sub-regions along the upper Yangtze reaches had greater threats to water sources than the lower reach sub-regions other than SD26 and SD21. Upstream water sources were less subject to the threats of sub-regions than the downstream sources other than NJ09B and NJ03. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Environmental Sustainability and Applications)

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20 pages, 1329 KiB

Open AccessArticle

An Evaluation Study of Urban Development Strategy Based on of Extreme Climate Conditions

by Li-Shin Kao¹, Yin-Hao Chiu^2,* and Chi-Yao Tsai¹

¹ Department of Architecture and Urban Design, Chinese Culture University, Taipei 11114, Taiwan

² Department of Urban Development, University of Taipei, Taipei 11153, Taiwan

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 284; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020284 - 16 Feb 2017

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 4351

Abstract

The extreme change of climate has recently influenced numerous cities around the world. This change has resulted in a higher frequency and increased intensity of natural disasters. Habitat and development types even cause complex disaster types. In 2005, the report of Natural Disaster [...] Read more.

The extreme change of climate has recently influenced numerous cities around the world. This change has resulted in a higher frequency and increased intensity of natural disasters. Habitat and development types even cause complex disaster types. In 2005, the report of Natural Disaster Hotspots-A Global Risk Analysis declared that 73% of world population and land area are exposed to more than three types of natural disasters. Ninety-nine percent of the land area and population are exposed to natural disasters worldwide. These above records are much higher than those of other countries worldwide. Taiwanese people face high risks of natural disasters. The present study attempts to look into sustainable development policies that seek to prevent disasters through an expert questionnaire. The results of the questionnaire are further analysed with methodologies of the fuzzy Delphi method (FDM) and analytic network process (ANP). The analyses suggest that disaster prevention strategies should be prioritised in urban planning, accounting for the effects of climate change. In addition to disaster prevention and mitigation, pre-disaster preparation in daily life is critical because it ensures the execution of appropriate emergency responses in the event of a disaster. Although the current mainstream environmental policy emphasises non-structural mitigation, conventional structural mitigation remains imperative. By and large, the priority of disaster prevention strategy in Taiwan must be land use management and planning, as well as the public advocacy and training. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Urban and Rural Development)

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14 pages, 8095 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effective Height of a Floor Splitter Anti-Vortex Device under Varying Flow Conditions

by Hyung-Jun Kim, Sung Won Park

and Dong Sop Rhee^*

Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology, 283, Goyang-daero, Ilsanseo-gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do 10223, Korea

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 285; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020285 - 16 Feb 2017

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 5572

Abstract

A pump station is a crucial flood control facility for mitigating inundation of urban lowland areas. Securing a site to increase the capacity of a pump station or to maximize the discharge capacity of the pump sump in an urban area is difficult [...] Read more.

A pump station is a crucial flood control facility for mitigating inundation of urban lowland areas. Securing a site to increase the capacity of a pump station or to maximize the discharge capacity of the pump sump in an urban area is difficult because of various limitations. Moreover, adding a facility to improve the pump capacity of a pump station may affect flow characteristics, e.g., unexpected increases in flow velocity and vorticity, and cause severe problems in pump station operation. To solve those problems, anti-vortex devices (AVDs) have been developed and adopted according to the appropriate design standards. The Korean design criteria for AVDs are based on experience and the standards of other countries because of the lack of adequate data on AVDs. In this study, flow in the sump was numerically simulated at various AVD heights to obtain data for improving the design and efficiency of a pump station. Consequently, the appropriate height for the AVD and changes in the flow pattern and vortex in the pump sump were determined and compared with 12 cases of inflow conditions with respect to the vertical location. Full article

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20 pages, 3083 KiB

Open AccessCase Report

Solid Waste Management in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam: Moving towards a Circular Economy?

by Petra Schneider^1,2,*

, Le Hung Anh³, Jörg Wagner⁴, Jan Reichenbach⁴ and Anja Hebner⁵

¹ C&E Consulting and Engineering GmbH, Jagdschänkenstraße 52, D-09117 Chemnitz, Germany

² Department for Water, Environment, Civil Engineering and Safety, University of Applied Sciences Magdeburg-Stendal, Breitscheidstraße 2, D-39114 Magdeburg, Germany

³ Institute for the Environmental Science, Engineering & Management, Industrial University of Ho Chi Minh City, No. 12 Nguyen Van Bao, Ward 4, Ho Chi Minh City 00000, Vietnam

⁴ INTECUS GmbH Abfallwirtschaft und umweltintegratives Management, Pohlandstr. 17, D-01309 Dresden, Germany

⁵ Vita 34 AG Business Unit BioPlanta, Deutscher Platz 5a, D-04103 Leipzig, Germany

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 286; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020286 - 17 Feb 2017

Cited by 53 | Viewed by 23192

Abstract

The paper presents the current situation of the waste management system of the megacity Ho Chi Minh in Vietnam, and the options for waste and land recycling in a low income country. Generally, there is a large potential for circular economy in the [...] Read more.

The paper presents the current situation of the waste management system of the megacity Ho Chi Minh in Vietnam, and the options for waste and land recycling in a low income country. Generally, there is a large potential for circular economy in the city as the main proportion of the waste flows are recyclables. Due to the missing selective collection system, this potential is not used in the full extend yet, even if the collection of the entire waste volumes is envisaged in the National Waste Management Strategy by 2025. The waste stocks are the landfill locations in the region of Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), two of them being in operation and two of them already being closed. A special focus is given to the landfill Gò Cát, which was subject to an option analysis in terms of waste and land recycling options. The results indicate that there are several reuse options: the use of the landfill material in a waste-to-energy process after landfill mining, the reuse of the re-gained land in case of landfill mining, the reuse of the capped landfill for energy crop cultivation, and the gasification in a biogas plant in case of a remaining landfill. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Development of Sanitation, Water Supply and Solid Waste in Low-and Middle Income Settings)

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17 pages, 2751 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Elimination Method of Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA): A Simple Methodological Approach for Assessing Agricultural Sustainability

by Byomkesh Talukder^1,*

, Alison Blay-Palmer², Keith W. Hipel³ and Gary W. VanLoon⁴

¹ Parmalat Canada and McGill Centre for the Convergence of Health and Economics (MCCHE), McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 1X9, Canada

² Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, Wilfrid Laurier University, Centre for Sustainable Food Systems (CSFS), Centre for International Governance Innovation, Balsillie School of International Affairs, Waterloo, ON N2L 6C2, Canada

³ System Design Engineering Department, Conflict Analysis Group, University of Waterloo, Centre for International Governance Innovation, Balsillie School of International Affairs, Waterloo, ON N2L 6C2, Canada

⁴ School of Environmental Studies, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 3J9 Canada

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 287; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020287 - 16 Feb 2017

Cited by 41 | Viewed by 8494

Abstract

In the present world context, there is a need to assess the sustainability of agricultural systems. Various methods have been proposed to assess agricultural sustainability. Like in many other fields, Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) has recently been used as a methodological approach for [...] Read more.

In the present world context, there is a need to assess the sustainability of agricultural systems. Various methods have been proposed to assess agricultural sustainability. Like in many other fields, Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) has recently been used as a methodological approach for the assessment of agricultural sustainability. In this paper, an attempt is made to apply Elimination, a MCDA method, to an agricultural sustainability assessment, and to investigate its benefits and drawbacks. This article starts by explaining the importance of agricultural sustainability. Common MCDA types are discussed, with a description of the state-of-the-art method for incorporating multi-criteria and reference values for agricultural sustainability assessment. Then, a generic description of the Elimination Method is provided, and its modeling approach is applied to a case study in coastal Bangladesh. An assessment of the results is provided, and the issues that need consideration before applying Elimination to agricultural sustainability, are examined. Whilst having some limitations, the case study shows that it is applicable for agricultural sustainability assessments and for ranking the sustainability of agricultural systems. The assessment is quick compared to other assessment methods and is shown to be helpful for agricultural sustainability assessment. It is a relatively simple and straightforward analytical tool that could be widely and easily applied. However, it is suggested that appropriate care must be taken to ensure the successful use of the Elimination Method during the assessment process. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Agriculture and Development)

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24 pages, 2625 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Emergency Vehicle Routing Problem with Uncertain Demand under Sustainability Environments

by Jin Qin¹, Yong Ye^1,*, Bi-rong Cheng², Xiaobo Zhao³ and Linling Ni⁴

¹ School of Traffic and Transportation Engineering, Central South University, Changsha 410012, China

² School of Information Engineering, Wuyi University, Nanping 354300, China

³ Guangzhou Port Company Ltd., Guangzhou 510100, China

⁴ Dongfang College, Zhejiang University of Finance & Economics, Hangzhou 310000, China

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 288; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020288 - 21 Feb 2017

Cited by 40 | Viewed by 8805

Abstract

The reasonable utilization of limited resources is critical to realize the sustainable developments. In the initial 72-h crucial rescue period after the disaster, emergency supplies have always been insufficient and the demands in the affected area have always been uncertain. In order to [...] Read more.

The reasonable utilization of limited resources is critical to realize the sustainable developments. In the initial 72-h crucial rescue period after the disaster, emergency supplies have always been insufficient and the demands in the affected area have always been uncertain. In order to improve timeliness, utilization and sustainability of emergency service, the allocation of the emergency supplies and the emergency vehicle routes should be determined simultaneously. Assuming the uncertain demands follow normal distribution, an optimization model for the emergency vehicle routing, by considering the insufficient supplies and the uncertain demands, is developed. The objective function is applied to minimize the total costs, including the penalty costs induced by more or less supplies than the actual demands at all demand points, as well as the constraints of the time windows and vehicle load capacity taken into account. In more details, a solution method for the model, based on the genetic algorithm, is proposed, which solves the problem in two stages. A numerical example is presented to demonstrate the efficiency and validity of the proposed model and algorithm. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability in Supply Chain Management)

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26 pages, 5149 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Integrated Supplier Selection Framework in a Resilient Construction Supply Chain: An Approach via Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Grey Relational Analysis (GRA)

by Ting-Kwei Wang^1,*

, Qian Zhang¹, Heap-Yih Chong² and Xiangyu Wang^2,3

¹ BIM Research Center, School of Construction Management and Real Estate, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400045, China

² School of Built Environment, Curtin University, Perth, WA 6845, Australia

³ Department of Housing and Interior Design, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Korea

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 289; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020289 - 16 Feb 2017

Cited by 151 | Viewed by 19103

Abstract

Construction supply chain management is a unique and problematic issue within the construction industry due to its inevitable external risks and variations. The resilience capability of a supplier is of significance in supplier selection; a supplier selected in the context of a resilient [...] Read more.

Construction supply chain management is a unique and problematic issue within the construction industry due to its inevitable external risks and variations. The resilience capability of a supplier is of significance in supplier selection; a supplier selected in the context of a resilient construction supply chain (RCSC) is referred to in this research as a “resilient construction supplier”. This paper proposes a supplier selection framework tailored to effective information integration for supply chain management. The proposed framework works by integrating building information modeling (BIM) and a geographic information system (GIS) in a RCSC. BIM and GIS together provide highly transparent construction material information, enhanced supply chain status visualization, and workable access information for supplier selection. Supplier performance is evaluated via seventeen resilient criteria under a combined methodology consisting of the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and grey relational analysis (GRA); AHP and GRA weigh the criteria and rank the suppliers respectively. By varying the weightings given to each criterion, sensitivity analysis was conducted to identify the criteria of resilience which impact the selection priorities of suppliers. An illustrative example is also provided to show the overall process of the proposed framework. Full article

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18 pages, 906 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Dynamics of Brokerage Positions in Clusters: Evidence from the Spanish Foodstuffs Industry

by José Antonio Belso-Martínez^1,*, Manuel Expósito-Langa²

, Francisco Mas-Verdú³ and F. Xavier Molina-Morales⁴

¹ Departamento de Estudios Económicos y Financieros, Universidad Miguel Hernández, 03202 Elche, Spain

² Departamento de Organización de Empresas, Universitat Politècnica de València, 03801 Alcoy, Spain

³ Departamento de Economía y Ciencias Sociales, Universitat Politècnica de València, 46022 Valencia, Spain

⁴ Departamento de Administración de Empresas y Marketing, Universitat Jaume I de Castellò de la Plana, 12071 Castelló de la Plana, Spain

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 290; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020290 - 17 Feb 2017

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 6051

Abstract

Shifting away from traditional approaches orientated towards the analysis of the benefits associated with brokerage, this paper provides valuable insights into the dynamics of this network position and the opportunities to innovate that it provides. Using fine grain micro data collected in a [...] Read more.

Shifting away from traditional approaches orientated towards the analysis of the benefits associated with brokerage, this paper provides valuable insights into the dynamics of this network position and the opportunities to innovate that it provides. Using fine grain micro data collected in a foodstuff Spanish cluster, the evolution of different brokerage profiles is analyzed in depth. It was particularly evident how firm-level characteristics (status, former mediating experience and external openness) and their interactions may generate changes in the different brokerage roles over a period of time. The findings of this work partially validate expectations based on the network dynamics approaches. Status and previous mediating experience facilitate the creation of partnerships, fostering brokerage. Conversely, interaction effects demote brokerage activity at the intra-cluster level, suggesting the selective nature of brokers’ relational behavior. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Entrepreneurial Sustainability: New Innovative Knowledge)

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18 pages, 991 KiB

Open AccessReview

Tapping the Potential of Neglected and Underutilized Food Crops for Sustainable Nutrition Security in the Mountains of Pakistan and Nepal

by Lipy Adhikari, Abid Hussain^* and Golam Rasul

International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), Kathmandu 44600, Nepal

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 291; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020291 - 17 Feb 2017

Cited by 66 | Viewed by 13272

Abstract

Neglected and underutilized food crops (NUFCs) have high nutritional value, but their role in achieving nutrition security is not adequately understood, and they do not feature in food and nutrition policies and programs of the countries of the Hindu-Kush Himalayan (HKH) region. Drawing [...] Read more.

Neglected and underutilized food crops (NUFCs) have high nutritional value, but their role in achieving nutrition security is not adequately understood, and they do not feature in food and nutrition policies and programs of the countries of the Hindu-Kush Himalayan (HKH) region. Drawing examples from Pakistan and Nepal, this study investigates the importance of NUFCs in achieving nutrition security in the mountains and identifies key underlying reasons for the decline in their cultivation and use. The study found that the prevalence of malnutrition is significantly higher in the mountains than nationally in both Pakistan and Nepal and identifies the decline in the cultivation and use of micronutrient-rich NUFCs as one of the key reasons for this. The deterioration of local food systems, changing food habits, lack of knowledge about the cultivation, use and nutritional value of NUFCs and lack of attention to NUFCs in programs and policies are the key reasons for the abandoning of NUFCs by mountain communities. There is an urgent need to mainstream these crops into national programs and policies and to integrate them into local food systems. This will not only improve the nutrition security of mountain areas, but also biodiversity and local mountain economies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Agriculture)

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17 pages, 4458 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Energy Saving and Carbon Reduction in the Operation Stage of Cross Laminated Timber Residential Buildings in China

by Haibo Guo¹

, Ying Liu², Wen-Shao Chang², Yu Shao¹ and Cheng Sun^1,*

¹ School of Architecture, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001, China

² Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering, University of Bath, Bath BA2 7AY, UK

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 292; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020292 - 17 Feb 2017

Cited by 39 | Viewed by 12205

Abstract

This paper focused on energy consumption and carbon emission for heating and cooling during a building’s operation stage, and examined the energy effects of using Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) as an alternative building material to reinforced concrete (RC) in China’s 31 key cities [...] Read more.

This paper focused on energy consumption and carbon emission for heating and cooling during a building’s operation stage, and examined the energy effects of using Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) as an alternative building material to reinforced concrete (RC) in China’s 31 key cities located in different climate zones. The authors designed two seven-story residential buildings, which were constructed with RC framed and CLT systems, separately. This was followed by simulating the energy consumption using commercialized software IES^TM under the different climate zones and calculating the carbon emissions. Comparisons were made between RC and CLT systems buildings on the basis of simulation data. The results show that the estimated energy consumption and carbon emission in CLT buildings are much lower than that of RC buildings in all studied cities, which indicates that CLT systems have good potential in reducing carbon emission and saving energy consumption compared to RC. The energy consumptions and carbon emissions in both concrete and CLT buildings are closely related to the climate zones. Buildings in Severe Cold and Cold Regions consumed the most energy and released more carbon. At the national level, the estimated energy consumption at the operation stage, in the studied building with RC frames and CLT system was approximately 465.1 MJ/m² and 332.6 MJ/m² per annum, respectively. Despite vast differences in China’s climate zones, the effects of energy saving and carbon reduction potentials of CLT buildings show little relationship to the climate zone. CLT buildings may result in a weighted 29.4% energy saving, which equals 24.6% carbon reductions, compared with RC buildings at the operation stage at national level, although it may vary in different climate zones. Full article

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14 pages, 388 KiB

Open AccessConcept Paper

Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation—A Sustainable Development Systems Perspective

by Tom R. Burns^1,2,* and Nora Machado Des Johansson²

¹ Department of Sociology, Uppsala University, 75126 Uppsala, Sweden

² Centre for Research in Sociology, University Institute of Lisbon, 1649-026 Lisbon, Portugal

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 293; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020293 - 20 Feb 2017

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 8619

Abstract

This article considers the concepts of sustainability and sustainable development in relation to disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation. We conceptualize sustainability from a social systemic perspective, that is, from a perspective that encompasses the multiple functionalities of a social system and [...] Read more.

This article considers the concepts of sustainability and sustainable development in relation to disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation. We conceptualize sustainability from a social systemic perspective, that is, from a perspective that encompasses the multiple functionalities of a social system and their interrelationships in particular environmental contexts. The systems perspective is applied in our consideration and analysis of disaster risk reduction (DRR), climate change adaptation (CCA), and sustainable development (SD). Section “Sustainability and Sustainable Development” introduces briefly sustainability and sustainable development, followed by a brief presentation of the theory of complex social systems (Section “Social System Model”). The theory conceptualizes interdependent subsystems, their multiple functionalities, and the agential and systemic responses to internal and external stressors on a social system. Section “Case Studies of Response to Stressors” considers disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change adaptation (CCA), emerging in response to one or more systemic stressors. It illustrates these with disaster risk reduction in the cases of food and chemical security regulation in the EU. CCA is illustrated by initiatives and developments on the island of Gotland, Sweden and in the Gothenburg Metropolitan area, which go beyond a limited CCA perspective, taking into account long-term sustainability issues. Section “Sustainable Development as a Societal Development System” discusses the limitations of DRR and CCA, not only their technical limitations but economic, socio-cultural, and political limitations, as informed from a sustainability perspective. It is argued that DRRs are only partial subsystems and must be considered and assessed in the context of a more encompassing systemic perspective. Part of the discussion is focused on the distinction between sustainable and non-sustainable DRRs and CCAs. Section “Concluding Remarks” presents a few concluding remarks about the importance of a systemic perspective in analyzing DRR and CCA as well as other similar subsystems in terms of sustainable development. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Environmental Sustainability and Applications)

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18 pages, 3159 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Research on Energy-Saving Optimization for the Performance Parameters of Rural-Building Shape and Envelope by TRNSYS-GenOpt in Hot Summer and Cold Winter Zone of China

by Shilei Lu^1,*, Xiaolei Tang¹, Liran Ji¹ and Daixin Tu²

¹ School of Environment Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, 92 Weijin Road, Tianjin 300072, China

² Tianjin University Research Institute of Architectural Design and Urban Planning, 192 Anshanxi Road, Tianjin 300072, China

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 294; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020294 - 17 Feb 2017

Cited by 21 | Viewed by 6014

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to optimize the building shape parameters and envelope parameters influencing the rural building energy consumption in cold winter and hot summer climate. Several typical models are established and optimized by integrated TRNSYS and GenOpt. Single-objective optimization has [...] Read more.

The aim of this paper is to optimize the building shape parameters and envelope parameters influencing the rural building energy consumption in cold winter and hot summer climate. Several typical models are established and optimized by integrated TRNSYS and GenOpt. Single-objective optimization has provided guidance to the multi-dimensional optimization. Building shape and envelope parameters are considered simultaneously by multi-dimensional optimization. Results of the optimization showed significant reduction in terms of EC (energy consumption). When O (building orientation) was SW (south by west) 10°, LWR (length-width ratio) was 1.1, WWRS (window-wall ratio in south) with the range of 0.6–0.8, ITE (insulation thickness of exterior wall) and ITR (insulation thickness of roof) was 0.05 m and 0.08 m respectively, the building had minimal energy consumption. The results also indicated that the optimal EWT (exterior window type) was plastic single-frame Low-E insulating glazing filled with inert gas, and the optimal shape of building is Re (rectangle). An effective method was provided to optimize the design of the rural building for the purpose of reducing building energy consumption in cold winter and hot summer climate. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability Assessments of Buildings)

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12 pages, 803 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Conservation Approach of Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS): Improving Traditional Agricultural Patterns and Promoting Scale-Production

by Yongxun Zhang^1,2

, Qingwen Min^1,2,*, Heyao Li^1,2, Lulu He³, Canqiang Zhang⁴ and Lun Yang^1,2

¹ Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), 11A, Datun Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100101, China

² University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 19A Yuquan Road, Shijingshan District, Beijing 100049, China

³ Economics & Management School, Beijing University of Agriculture, 7, Beinong Road, Changping District, Beijing 102206, China

⁴ Research Center for Rural Economy, Ministry of Agriculture of the people’s Republic of China, 56, Xisi Zhuanta Alley, Xicheng District, Beijing 100810, China

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 295; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020295 - 17 Feb 2017

Cited by 47 | Viewed by 6530

Abstract

Heritage conservation is an important recurring research theme on agricultural heritage systems. Improving the income of farmers from agriculture is regarded as an effective conservation approach. This study examined how the improved rice-fish-duck coculture (IRFDC) promotes the protection of the Honghe Hani Rice [...] Read more.

Heritage conservation is an important recurring research theme on agricultural heritage systems. Improving the income of farmers from agriculture is regarded as an effective conservation approach. This study examined how the improved rice-fish-duck coculture (IRFDC) promotes the protection of the Honghe Hani Rice Terraced System (HHRTS) by keeping farmers farming in their hometowns. A semi-structural interview and a questionnaire survey were used to collect data on agricultural input–outputs and household employment in HHRTS. As a result, a fairly large proportion of HHRTS rice terraces were used for the hybrid rice monoculture (HRM) with chemical inputs, and most of these rice terraces were wasted for half a year on account of being left unused; the IRFDC requires considerable time input for farming and breeding, but barely needs any chemical inputs. IRFDC entails a higher cost than HRM, but also has a higher return than HRM. Driving a family to do full-time farming requires extra more than 0.71 ha rice terraces for IRFDC. In conclusion, Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHSs) can be used for protecting terraces from abandonment and destruction by improving agricultural economic benefits for farmers. At present, a shortage of laborers in HHRTS sites is false. Agricultural heritage sites do not actual need so many people if peasant households can do large-scale farming. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Promoting the Sustainability of Agricultural Heritage Systems through Dynamic Conservation)

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14 pages, 1446 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Exploring Change in China’s Carbon Intensity: A Decomposition Approach

by Kerui Du¹, Boqiang Lin^2,* and Chunping Xie³

¹ Center for Economic Research, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, China

² Collaborative Innovation Center for Energy Economics and Energy Policy, China Institute for Studies in Energy Policy, School of Management, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China

³ Birmingham Centre for Energy Storage, School of Chemical Engineering, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 296; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020296 - 18 Feb 2017

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 6412

Abstract

This paper aims to explore the change of CO₂ intensity in China at both national and provincial levels. To serve this purpose, we introduce a decomposition model which integrates the merits of index decomposition analysis and production-theoretical decomposition analysis. Based on the [...] Read more.

This paper aims to explore the change of CO₂ intensity in China at both national and provincial levels. To serve this purpose, we introduce a decomposition model which integrates the merits of index decomposition analysis and production-theoretical decomposition analysis. Based on the decomposition, we also estimate the potential reduction of CO₂ intensity for China and its provinces. Using a panel data set including China’s 30 provinces during the period of 2006–2012, the empirical analysis is conducted and meaningful results are obtained. First, the potential energy intensity change was the dominant driving factor for the decrease of CO₂ intensity, which contributed to a total reduction of 19.8%. Second, the energy efficiency change and the CO₂ emission factor change also play positive roles in the CO₂ intensity reduction for most provinces. Third, provinces in the western area generally showed a relatively large potential reduction in CO₂ intensity, while those in the eastern area only demonstrated a small reduction. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Environmental Sustainability and Applications)

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4 pages, 172 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

A Helicopter View of the Special Issue on Wave Energy Converters

by Diego Vicinanza^1,*

and Mariano Buccino^2,*

¹ Department of Civil Engineering, Design, Building and Environment, Second University of Napoli, via Roma, 29, 81031 Aversa (Caserta), Italy

² Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering, University of Napoli Federico II, via Claudio, 21, 80125 Napoli, Italy

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 297; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020297 - 17 Feb 2017

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 4263

Abstract

This paper intends to provide the reader with an overview of the Special Issue on Wave Energy Converters. Through 16 contributions from authors of 10 different countries, a number of key topics have been tackled, including resource assessment, engineering design, and financial analysis. [...] Read more.

This paper intends to provide the reader with an overview of the Special Issue on Wave Energy Converters. Through 16 contributions from authors of 10 different countries, a number of key topics have been tackled, including resource assessment, engineering design, and financial analysis. As a whole, the Special Issue forms an interesting and helpful compendium on the state of the art of wave energy extraction and exploitation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wave Energy Converters)

17 pages, 2613 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Addressing Wildfire Risk in Forest Management Planning with Multiple Criteria Decision Making Methods

by Susete Marques^1,*

, Marco Marto¹

, Vladimir Bushenkov²

, Marc McDill³ and JoséG. Borges¹

¹ Forest Research Center, School of Agriculture, University of Lisbon, Tapada da Ajuda, 1349-017 Lisboa, Portugal

² Research Centre for Mathematics and Applications, University of Évora, Colégio Luís Verney, Rua Romão Ramalho, 59, 7000-671 Évora, Portugal

³ Department of Ecosystems Science and Management, Pennsylvania State University, 310 Forest Resources Building University Park, State College, PA 16802-4301, USA

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 298; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020298 - 18 Feb 2017

Cited by 32 | Viewed by 8372

Abstract

Wildfires impact the outcomes of forest management plans. Addressing that impact is thus critical for effective forest ecosystem management planning. This paper presents research on the use of multiple criteria decision making (MCDM) methods that integrate wildfire risk in planning contexts characterized by [...] Read more.

Wildfires impact the outcomes of forest management plans. Addressing that impact is thus critical for effective forest ecosystem management planning. This paper presents research on the use of multiple criteria decision making (MCDM) methods that integrate wildfire risk in planning contexts characterized by multiple objectives. Specifically, an a posteriori preference modeling approach is developed that adds wildfire criteria to a set of objectives representing ecosystem services supply values. Wildfire risk criteria are derived from stand-level wildfire occurrence and damage models as well as from the characteristics of neighboring stands that may impact wildfire probability and spread. A forested landscape classified into 1976 stands is used for testing purposes. The management planning criteria include the carbon stock, harvest volumes for three forest species, the volume of the ending inventory, and resistance to wildfire risk indicators. Results show the potential of multiple criteria decision making methods to provide information about trade-offs between wildfire risk and the supply of provisioning (timber) as well as regulatory (carbon) ecosystem services. This information may contribute to the effectiveness of forest ecosystem management planning. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Decision Support for Forest Ecosystem Management Sustainability)

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20 pages, 259 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Reconfiguring Urban Sustainability Transitions, Analysing Multiplicity

by Mike Hodson^*

, Frank W. Geels

and Andy McMeekin

Sustainable Consumption Institute, University of Manchester, Oxford Rd, Manchester M13 9PL, UK

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 299; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020299 - 17 Feb 2017

Cited by 152 | Viewed by 14005

Abstract

Cities, and the networked infrastructures that sustain urban life, are seen as crucial sites for creating more sustainable futures. Yet, although there are many plans, the realisation of sustainable urban infrastructures on the ground is uneven. To develop better ways of understanding why [...] Read more.

Cities, and the networked infrastructures that sustain urban life, are seen as crucial sites for creating more sustainable futures. Yet, although there are many plans, the realisation of sustainable urban infrastructures on the ground is uneven. To develop better ways of understanding why this is the case, the paper makes a conceptual contribution by engaging with current understanding of urban sustainability transitions, using urban sustainable mobility as a reference point. It extends these insights to argue that urban transitions are not about technological or social innovation per se, but about how multiple innovations are experimented with, combined and reconfigured in existing urban contexts and how such processes are governed. There are potentially many ways in which urban sustainable mobility can be reconfigured contextually. Innovation is in the particular form of reconfiguration rather than individual technologies. To make analytical sense of this multiplicity, a preliminary framework is developed that offers the potential to think about urban transitions as contextual and reconfigurational. We argue that there is a need to embrace multiplicity and to understand its relationships to forms of reconfiguration, through empirical exploration and further theoretical and conceptual development. The preliminary framework is a contribution to doing so and we set out future directions for research. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Governing the Transformation of Urban Infrastructures)

21 pages, 4996 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Ecological Land Fragmentation Evaluation and Dynamic Change of a Typical Black Soil Farming Area in Northeast China

by Shuhan Liu, Dongyan Wang, Hong Li^*, Wenbo Li

and Qing Wang

College of Earth Sciences, Jilin University, 2199 Jianshe Street, Changchun 130061, China

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 300; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020300 - 17 Feb 2017

Cited by 27 | Viewed by 6052

Abstract

Ecological land is a land use category provided with considerable ecological value and a vital indicator reflecting regional eco-environmental quality. However, it has experienced severe fragmentation during the rapid urbanization in China which strongly threatened the regional ecological security, land use pattern and [...] Read more.

Ecological land is a land use category provided with considerable ecological value and a vital indicator reflecting regional eco-environmental quality. However, it has experienced severe fragmentation during the rapid urbanization in China which strongly threatened the regional ecological security, land use pattern and human living environment. Therefore, analysis of spatiotemporal change of ecological land use and ecological landscape pattern is particularly essential. In this paper, a case study was made in Nong’an County, which is a typical black soil farming area located in northeast China facing severe conflicts among cultivated land protection, urban expansion and ecological security. A landscape fragmentation evaluation model was proposed to measure the degree of regional ecological land fragmentation. We also determined the land use change features through the methods of dynamic change information exploration and by performing transfer trajectory analysis during the period from 1996 to 2014. The results showed that the ecological land in Nong’an County has experienced increasing fragmentation during the past 18 years. The statistical results showed that the land transition between ecological land and other land categories was quite frequent, and it especially appeared as a dramatic decline of grassland and severe increase of saline-alkali land. In addition, human interferences especially construction activities and cultivated land occupation were still the dominant factors to the fragmentation of ecological land and the frequent transition among the land use categories. The fragmentation degree showed a downward tendency at the end of the study, which indicated noticeable benefits of land use regulation and land protection policies directed towards land ecological value. This study aims to provide a scientific evaluation model for measuring ecological land fragmentation degree, and figure out the regional land use transition relationships to offer suggestions for decision-making and provide a practical case in a typical region. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Environmental Sustainability and Applications)

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14 pages, 12477 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Emission Control in River Network System of the Taihu Basin for Water Quality Assurance of Water Environmentally Sensitive Areas

by Xiao Wang¹

, Yong Pang^2,*, Hua Wang³, Chunqi Shen⁴ and Xue Wang¹

¹ College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China

² Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resources, Development of Shallow Lakes of Ministry of Education, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China

³ College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China

⁴ Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI 53211, USA

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 301; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020301 - 17 Feb 2017

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 5092

Abstract

As pollution incidents frequently occurred in the functional water areas of the Taihu Basin, Yangtze Delta, effective emission control to guarantee water quality in the Taihu Basin became the priority for environmental management. In this study, a new total emission control (TEC) method [...] Read more.

As pollution incidents frequently occurred in the functional water areas of the Taihu Basin, Yangtze Delta, effective emission control to guarantee water quality in the Taihu Basin became the priority for environmental management. In this study, a new total emission control (TEC) method was proposed with an emphasis on the concept of water environmentally sensitive areas (WESAs). This method was verified in Wujiang District and the techniques can be concluded in three steps: (1) a 1-D mathematical model for the study area was established and the model was calibrated using field measurement data; (2) based on an analysis of administrative planning and regulations, WESAs were identified as the main controlling objectives for emission control calculations. The weighting coefficient of local pollution sources was investigated to discuss the effectiveness of TEC on water quality improvement at WESAs; and (3) applying the river network mathematical model, water quality along the river segments was simulated under different pollution control plans. The results proved the effectiveness of TEC in the study area and indicated that a 14.6% reduction in the total amount of ammonia-nitrogen (NH3-N), as well as a 31.1% reduction in the total amount of chemical oxygen demand (CODcr), was essential in order to meet the water quality standard in the WESAs. Full article

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14 pages, 1371 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Feasibility Assessment of Photovoltaic Power Systems in Ireland; a Case Study for the Dublin Region

by Fionnuala Murphy^1,3,*

and Kevin McDonnell^2,3

¹ School of Biosystems & Food Engineering, University College Dublin, Agriculture Building, UCD Belfield, Dublin 4, D04 V1W8, Ireland

² School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Agriculture Building, UCD Belfield, Dublin 4, D04 V1W8, Ireland

³ Biosystems Engineering Ltd., NovaUCD, Belfield innovation Park, University College Dublin, Dublin 4, D04 V1W8, Ireland

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 302; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020302 - 18 Feb 2017

Cited by 31 | Viewed by 11021

Abstract

Photovoltaic (PV) power generation is one of the cleanest sources for producing renewable energy; however uptake on the Irish renewable energy market to date has been low. There is a lack of support for solar PV systems in Ireland; there is currently no [...] Read more.

Photovoltaic (PV) power generation is one of the cleanest sources for producing renewable energy; however uptake on the Irish renewable energy market to date has been low. There is a lack of support for solar PV systems in Ireland; there is currently no solar PV energy feed-in-tariff as there are for other renewable energy systems in Ireland. Despite the current lack of support, the Government has indicated that support for the uptake of solar PV installations will be provided through the provision of a feed-in tariff in the future. The aim of this study was to determine the feasibility of installing PV systems under Irish climatic conditions at a location based in Dublin, Ireland, from a technical, environmental and economic point of view. This was achieved by carrying out a life cycle assessment of potential environmental impacts, and analysis of energy and economic payback times relating to the proposed PV system. Four possible renewable feed-in-tariffs (based on existing feed-in-tariffs for other renewable energy systems) were considered to determine the effect of such tariffs on the overall economics of the proposed PV system. Results show that life cycle GHG emissions are 69 g CO₂-eq per kWh generated by the system, significantly lower than the current electricity grid mix emissions of 469 g CO₂-eq per kWh. It will take 5.23 years of operation of the solar plant to generate the same amount of energy (in terms of primary energy equivalent) that was used to produce the system itself. The economic payback time varies from 19.3 and 34.4 years depending on the rate of renewable energy feed-in-tariff applied. The costs for the production of PV electricity in this study are higher than is usual in countries where the solar PV market is more developed, e.g., Germany, due to constraints with building integration and lack of experienced PV installers. As more PV is deployed, the Irish PV installer base will increase and ‘learning by doing’ effects will allow installers to install projects more efficiently and quickly under Irish conditions, leading to significantly reduced costs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Solar Photovoltaic Electricity)

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13 pages, 1721 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Weight Determination of Sustainable Development Indicators Using a Global Sensitivity Analysis Method

by Wenfei Luan^1,2

, Ling Lu^1,4, Xin Li^1,3 and Chunfeng Ma^1,*

¹ Key Laboratory of Remote Sensing of Gansu Province, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China

² University of Chinese Academy Sciences, Beijing 100049, China

³ CAS Center for Excellence in Tibetan Plateau Earth Sciences, Beijing 100049, China

⁴ Key Laboratory of Inland River Basin Eco hydrology, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 303; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020303 - 21 Feb 2017

Cited by 25 | Viewed by 6661

Abstract

Sustainable development (SD) evaluations have attracted considerable attention from governments and scientific communities around the world. The objective and quantitative calculation of the importance of sustainable assessment indicators is a key problem in the accurate evaluation of SD. Traditional methods fail to quantify [...] Read more.

Sustainable development (SD) evaluations have attracted considerable attention from governments and scientific communities around the world. The objective and quantitative calculation of the importance of sustainable assessment indicators is a key problem in the accurate evaluation of SD. Traditional methods fail to quantify the coupling effects among indicators. This paper presents a weight determination approach based on the global sensitivity analysis algorithm known as the extended Fourier amplitude sensitivity test (EFAST). This method is efficient and robust and is not only able to quantify the sensitivity of the evaluation indictors to the target, but can also quantitatively describe the uncertainties among the indictors. In this paper, we analyze the sensitivity of 18 indicators in a multi-index comprehensive evaluation model and weigh the indicators in the system according to their importance. To verify the feasibility and advantages of this new method, we compare the evaluation result with the traditional entropy method. The comparison shows that the EFAST algorithm can provide greater detail in an SD evaluation. Additionally, the EFAST algorithm is more specific in terms of quantitative analysis and comprehensive aspects and can more effectively distinguish the importance of indicators. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Development for Sustainability in Water Constrained Regions)

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10 pages, 200 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The New Cooperative Medical Scheme and Self-Employment in Rural China

by Baozhong Su^1,*, Gatwaza Hategekimana Thierry¹, Qihui Chen²

and Qiran Zhao²

¹ College of Economics and Management, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100083, China

² Center for Food and Health Economic Research, College of Economics and Management, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100083, China

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 304; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020304 - 22 Feb 2017

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 5602

Abstract

Using panel data from the China Health and Nutrition Survey, this study estimates the effect of the New Cooperative Medical Scheme (NCMS) on self-employment in rural China, based on a difference-in-differences method (combined with propensity score matching). Specifically, we compare employment status of [...] Read more.

Using panel data from the China Health and Nutrition Survey, this study estimates the effect of the New Cooperative Medical Scheme (NCMS) on self-employment in rural China, based on a difference-in-differences method (combined with propensity score matching). Specifically, we compare employment status of the participants and non-participants groups before and after the NCMS was implemented (within the common-support region). We found that the NCMS increased a rural resident’s likelihood of shifting from working for others to self-employed by 38 percentage points and that of shifting from temporarily employed to self-employed by 23 percentage points. These results suggest that apart from reducing uncertainty in future spending for the insured due to catastrophic illness, universal health insurance could also have a positive effect on the labor market, namely, that of increasing rates of self-employment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Development of Chinese Economy—In Search of New Sources of Growth: A Sustainable Approach)

15 pages, 4606 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Suitability of Different Nighttime Light Data for GDP Estimation at Different Spatial Scales and Regional Levels

by Zhaoxin Dai^1,2,3, Yunfeng Hu^1,2,*

and Guanhua Zhao^1,2,3

¹ Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China

² State Key Laboratory of Resources and Environmental Information System, Beijing 100101, China

³ University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 305; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020305 - 19 Feb 2017

Cited by 97 | Viewed by 9808

Abstract

Nighttime light data offer a unique view of the Earth’s surface and can be used to estimate the spatial distribution of gross domestic product (GDP). Historically, using a simple regression function, the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program’s Operational Linescan System (DMSP/OLS) has been used [...] Read more.

Nighttime light data offer a unique view of the Earth’s surface and can be used to estimate the spatial distribution of gross domestic product (GDP). Historically, using a simple regression function, the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program’s Operational Linescan System (DMSP/OLS) has been used to correlate regional and global GDP values. In early 2013, the first global Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership (NPP) visible infrared imaging radiometer suite (VIIRS) nighttime light data were released. Compared with DMSP/OLS, they have a higher spatial resolution and a wider radiometric detection range. This paper aims to study the suitability of the two nighttime light data sources for estimating the GDP relationship between the provincial and city levels in Mainland China, as well as of different regression functions. First, NPP/VIIRS nighttime light data for 2014 are corrected with DMSP/OLS data for 2013 to reduce the background noise in the original data. Subsequently, three regression functions are used to estimate the relationship between nighttime light data and GDP statistical data at the provincial and city levels in Mainland China. Then, through the comparison of the relative residual error (RE) and the relative root mean square error (RRMSE) parameters, a systematical assessment of the suitability of the GDP estimation is provided. The results show that the NPP/VIIRS nighttime light data are better than the DMSP/OLS data for GDP estimation, whether at the provincial or city level, and that the power function and polynomial models are better for GDP estimation than the linear regression model. This study reveals that the accuracy of GDP estimation based on nighttime light data is affected by the resolution of the data and the spatial scale of the study area, as well as by the land cover types and industrial structures of the study area. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability of Economic and Management Systems: Perspectives of Uncertainty and Data Driven Optimization)

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24 pages, 11855 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Long-Term Hydrocarbon Trade Options for the Maghreb Region and Europe—Renewable Energy Based Synthetic Fuels for a Net Zero Emissions World

by Mahdi Fasihi^*

, Dmitrii Bogdanov and Christian Breyer

School of Energy Systems, Lappeenranta University of Technology, Skinnarilankatu 34, 53850 Lappeenranta, Finland

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 306; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020306 - 19 Feb 2017

Cited by 97 | Viewed by 12616

Abstract

Concerns about climate change and increasing emission costs are drivers for new sources of fuels for Europe. Sustainable hydrocarbons can be produced synthetically by power-to-gas (PtG) and power-to-liquids (PtL) facilities, for sectors with low direct electrification such as aviation, heavy transportation and chemical [...] Read more.

Concerns about climate change and increasing emission costs are drivers for new sources of fuels for Europe. Sustainable hydrocarbons can be produced synthetically by power-to-gas (PtG) and power-to-liquids (PtL) facilities, for sectors with low direct electrification such as aviation, heavy transportation and chemical industry. Hybrid PV–Wind power plants can harvest high solar and wind potentials of the Maghreb region to power these systems. This paper calculates the cost of these fuels for Europe, and presents a respective business case for the Maghreb region. Calculations are hourly resolved to find the least cost combination of technologies in a 0.45° × 0.45° spatial resolution. Results show that, for 7% weighted average cost of capital (WACC), renewable energy based synthetic natural gas (RE-SNG) and RE-diesel can be produced in 2030 for a minimum cost of 76 €/MWh_HHV (0.78 €/m³_SNG) and 88 €/MWh_HHV (0.85 €/L), respectively. While in 2040, these production costs can drop to 66 €/MWh_HHV (0.68 €/m³_SNG) and 83 €/MWh_HHV (0.80 €/L), respectively. Considering access to a WACC of 5% in a de-risking project, oxygen sales and CO₂ emissions costs, RE-diesel can reach fuel-parity at crude oil prices of 101 and 83 USD/bbl in 2030 and 2040, respectively. Thus, RE-synthetic fuels could be produced to answer fuel demand and remove environmental concerns in Europe at an affordable cost. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Renewable Electricity)

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19 pages, 1247 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Feasibility Study of the Post-2020 Commitment to the Power Generation Sector in South Korea

by Taesik Yun¹

, Younggook Kim¹ and Jang-yeop Kim^2,*

¹ Decommissioning Engineering Team, Decommissioning & Spent Fuel Technology Center, KHNP Central Research Institute, 70, 1312-gil, Yuseong-daero, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34101, Korea

² Department of Industrial and Information Engineering, Yonsei University, 50, Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 03722, Korea

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 307; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020307 - 20 Feb 2017

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 5475

Abstract

We analyze the economic effects of greenhouse gases (GHG) reduction measures of the generation sector of South Korea to accomplish the 2030 GHG reduction target using a scenario-based approach. We estimate the GHG emission of the South Korean power industry in 2030 based [...] Read more.

We analyze the economic effects of greenhouse gases (GHG) reduction measures of the generation sector of South Korea to accomplish the 2030 GHG reduction target using a scenario-based approach. We estimate the GHG emission of the South Korean power industry in 2030 based on both the 7th Electricity Supply and Demand Plan and the GHG emission coefficients issued by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). We establish four scenarios for reduction measures by replacing the coal-fired power plants with nuclear power, renewable energy and carbon capture and storage, and liquefied natural gas (LNG) combined cycle generation. Finally, the nuclear power scenario demonstrates the most positive measure in terms of GHG reduction and economic effects. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability and Nuclear Power)

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15 pages, 795 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Improving Agricultural Water Use Efficiency: A Quantitative Study of Zhangye City Using the Static CGE Model with a CES Water−Land Resources Account

by Yu Liu^1,*, Xiaohong Hu², Qian Zhang³ and Mingbo Zheng⁴

¹ Institutes of Science and Development, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China

² School of Management and Economics, Beijing Institute of technology, Beijing 100081, China

³ Center for Chinese Agricultural Policy, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China

⁴ School of Economics and Finance, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710061, Shaanxi, China

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 308; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020308 - 21 Feb 2017

Cited by 37 | Viewed by 6727

Abstract

Water resources play a vital role in human life and agriculture irrigation, especially for agriculture-dominant developing countries and regions. Improving agricultural water use efficiency has consequently become a key strategic choice. This study, based on Zhangye City’s economic characteristics and data, applies a [...] Read more.

Water resources play a vital role in human life and agriculture irrigation, especially for agriculture-dominant developing countries and regions. Improving agricultural water use efficiency has consequently become a key strategic choice. This study, based on Zhangye City’s economic characteristics and data, applies a static Computable General Equilibrium (CGE) model with a constant elasticity of substitution (CES) composited water−land resources account to assess the impact of improving agricultural water use efficiency on economy, water conservation and land reallocation. Results reveal that: Zhangye City’s GDP increases by 0.10% owing to an increasing average technical level by improving agricultural water use efficiency; total water consumption decreases by 122 million m³, 69% of which comes from a reduction of surface water use; and land demand increases by 257.43 hectares mainly due to agricultural land demands. With respect to the sectors’ output, export-oriented sectors with higher water intensities in the agricultural sectors benefit most. In contrast, land-intensive sectors contract the most, as the rental price of land rises. Therefore, agricultural water conservation technology should be introduced considering more in surface water. Furthermore, higher demand for agricultural land would reduce land availability for other sectors, thus inhibiting urbanization pace on a small scale. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Economic and Business Aspects of Sustainability)

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15 pages, 1384 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Balancing Disassembly Line in Product Recovery to Promote the Coordinated Development of Economy and Environment

by Jia Liu^1,2,*

and Shuwei Wang^3,4

¹ School of Management and Economics, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, China

² School of Management and Economics, Tianfu College of Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, Mianyang 621000, China

³ School of Economics and Management, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031, China

⁴ School of Information and Technology, Tianfu College of Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, Mianyang 621000, China

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 309; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020309 - 21 Feb 2017

Cited by 50 | Viewed by 6271

Abstract

For environmentally conscious and sustainable manufacturing, many more manufacturers are acting to recycle and remanufacture their post-consumed products. The most critical process of remanufacturing is disassembly, since it allows for the selective extraction of the valuable components and materials from returned products to [...] Read more.

For environmentally conscious and sustainable manufacturing, many more manufacturers are acting to recycle and remanufacture their post-consumed products. The most critical process of remanufacturing is disassembly, since it allows for the selective extraction of the valuable components and materials from returned products to reduce the waste disposal volume. It is, therefore, important to design and balance the disassembly line to work efficiently due to its vital role in effective resource usage and environmental protection. Considering the disassembly precedence relationships and sequence-dependent parts removal time increments, this paper presents an improved discrete artificial bee colony algorithm (DABC) for solving the sequence-dependent disassembly line balancing problem (SDDLBP). The performance of the proposed algorithm was tested against nine other approaches. Computational results evidently indicate the superior efficiency of the proposed algorithm for addressing the environmental and economic concerns while optimizing the multi-objective SDDLBP. Full article

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14 pages, 815 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assessment of Soil Health in Urban Agriculture: Soil Enzymes and Microbial Properties

by Avanthi Deshani Igalavithana¹, Sang Soo Lee¹, Nabeel Khan Niazi^2,3

, Young-Han Lee⁴, Kye Hoon Kim⁵, Jeong-Hun Park⁶, Deok Hyun Moon^7,* and Yong Sik Ok^1,*

¹ Korea Biochar Research Center & School of Natural Resources and Environmental Science, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Korea

² Institute of Soil and Environmental Sciences, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Faisalabad 38040, Pakistan

³ Southern Cross GeoScience, Southern Cross University, Lismore 2480, Australia

⁴ Division of Environment-Friendly Agriculture Research, Gyeogsangnam-Do Agricultural Research and Extension Service, Jinju 52773, Korea

⁵ Department of Environmental Horticulture, The University of Seoul, Seoul 02504, Korea

⁶ Department of Environment and Energy Engineering, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, Korea

⁷ Department of Environmental Engineering, Chosun University, Gwangju 61452, Korea

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 310; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020310 - 20 Feb 2017

Cited by 42 | Viewed by 9142

Abstract

Urban agriculture has been recently highlighted with the increased importance for recreation in modern society; however, soil quality and public health may not be guaranteed because of continuous exposure to various pollutants. The objective of this study was to evaluate the soil quality [...] Read more.

Urban agriculture has been recently highlighted with the increased importance for recreation in modern society; however, soil quality and public health may not be guaranteed because of continuous exposure to various pollutants. The objective of this study was to evaluate the soil quality of urban agriculture by soil microbial assessments. Two independent variables, organic and inorganic fertilizers, were considered. The activities of soil enzymes including dehydrogenase, β-glucosidase, arylsulfatase, urease, alkaline and acid phosphatases were used as indicators of important microbial mediated functions and the soil chemical properties were measured in the soils applied with organic or inorganic fertilizer for 10 years. Fatty acid methyl ester analysis was applied to determine the soil microbial community composition. Relatively higher microbial community richness and enzyme activities were found in the organic fertilizers applied soils as compared to the inorganic fertilizers applied soils. Principal component analysis explained the positive influence of organic fertilizers on the microbial community. The application of organic fertilizers can be a better alternative compared to inorganic fertilizers for the long-term health and security of urban agriculture. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Management of Post-Epidemic Mass Carcasses Burial Sites)

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20 pages, 283 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Causes for Adaptation: Access to Forests, Markets and Representation in Eastern Senegal

by Papa Faye¹ and Jesse Ribot^2,*

¹ Open Society Fellow and Centre d’Action pour le Développement et la Recherche en Afrique (CADRE), HLM Grand Yoff, No. 497, Dakar BP: 17547 Dakar-Liberte, Senegal

² Stanford Center for Advanced Studies in Behavioral Sciences and Department of Geography and Geographic Information Science, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 605 East Springfield, Champaign, IL 61820, USA

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 311; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020311 - 20 Feb 2017

Cited by 19 | Viewed by 5345

Abstract

Adaptation is a means of reducing vulnerability. So, understanding causes of vulnerability should help to achieve adaptation. Why, then, are people vulnerable? Why do expected dry spells turn into hunger? Why do mere droughts become disasters? This article shows some of the multiscale [...] Read more.

Adaptation is a means of reducing vulnerability. So, understanding causes of vulnerability should help to achieve adaptation. Why, then, are people vulnerable? Why do expected dry spells turn into hunger? Why do mere droughts become disasters? This article shows some of the multiscale processes that make the lives of people in the forests of Eastern Senegal precarious; it outlines processes that reduce forest villagers’ access to resources, lucrative markets and political representation. These are the processes that place villagers at risk when exposed to stressors— climate or otherwise. In this case, the Forest Service applies double standards—favoring urban merchants while subordinating forest villagers—through the making, interpretation, implementation and circumvention of laws and regulations. The wealth of the poor is continuously expropriated by a well-adapted extractive apparatus, enriching urban merchants while leaving villagers incapacitated. These people may lack adaptive capacity or capability or assets or social protections, but those lacks have causes. “Adaptation” without identifying and addressing these root causes is palliative at best. Security requires emancipatory transformations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Governance for Sustainability)

17 pages, 14973 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Mapping the Influence of Land Use/Land Cover Changes on the Urban Heat Island Effect—A Case Study of Changchun, China

by Chaobin Yang^1,2

, Xingyuan He¹, Fengqin Yan^1,2

, Lingxue Yu¹, Kun Bu¹, Jiuchun Yang¹, Liping Chang¹ and Shuwen Zhang^1,*

¹ Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130102, China

² University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 312; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020312 - 20 Feb 2017

Cited by 79 | Viewed by 10756

Abstract

The spatio-temporal patterns of land use/land cover changes (LUCC) can significantly affect the distribution and intensity of the urban heat island (UHI) effect. However, few studies have mapped a clear picture of the influence of LUCC on UHI. In this study, both qualitative [...] Read more.

The spatio-temporal patterns of land use/land cover changes (LUCC) can significantly affect the distribution and intensity of the urban heat island (UHI) effect. However, few studies have mapped a clear picture of the influence of LUCC on UHI. In this study, both qualitative and quantitative models are employed to explore the effect of LUCC on UHI. UHI and LUCC maps were retrieved from Landsat data acquired from 1984, 1992, 2000, 2007, and 2014 to show their spatiotemporal patterns. The results showed that: (1) both the patterns of LUCC and UHI have had dramatic changes in the past 30 years. The urban area of Changchun increased more than four times, from 143.15 km2 in 1984 to 577.45 km2 in 2014, and the proportion of UHI regions has increased from 15.27% in 1984 to 29.62% in 2014; (2) the spatiotemporal changes in thermal environment were consistent with the process of urbanization. The average LST of the study area has been continuously increasing as many other land use types have been transformed to urban regions. The mean temperatures were higher in urban regions than rural areas over all of the periods, but the UHI intensity varied based on different measurements; and (3) the thermal environment inside the city varied widely even within a small area. The LST possesses a very strong positive relationship with impervious surface area (ISA), and the relationship has become stronger in recent years. The UHI we employ, specifically in this study, is SUHI (surface urban heat island). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Heat Island)

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19 pages, 2631 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Analyzing Agricultural Agglomeration in China

by Erling Li¹, Ken Coates^2,*, Xiaojian Li³, Xinyue Ye^4,*

and Mark Leipnik⁵

¹ Collaborative Innovation Center on Yellow River Civilization of Henan Province, Centre for Coordinative Development in Zhongyuan Economic Region & Institute for Regional Development and Planning, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China

² Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5B8, Canada

³ Centre for Coordinative Development in Zhongyuan Economic Region, Henan University of Economics and Law, Zhengzhou 450000, China

⁴ Department of Geography, Kent State University, Kent, OH 44242, USA

⁵ Department of Geography & Geology, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX 77340, USA

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 313; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020313 - 20 Feb 2017

Cited by 33 | Viewed by 6941

Abstract

There has been little scholarly research on Chinese agriculture’s geographic pattern of agglomeration and its evolutionary mechanisms, which are essential to sustainable development in China. By calculating the barycenter coordinates, the Gini coefficient, spatial autocorrelation and specialization indices for 11 crops during 1981–2012, [...] Read more.

There has been little scholarly research on Chinese agriculture’s geographic pattern of agglomeration and its evolutionary mechanisms, which are essential to sustainable development in China. By calculating the barycenter coordinates, the Gini coefficient, spatial autocorrelation and specialization indices for 11 crops during 1981–2012, we analyze the evolutionary pattern and mechanisms of agricultural agglomeration. We argue that the degree of spatial concentration of Chinese planting has been gradually increasing and that regional specialization and diversification have progressively been strengthened. Furthermore, Chinese crop production is moving from the eastern provinces to the central and western provinces. This is in contrast to Chinese manufacturing growth which has continued to be concentrated in the coastal and southeastern regions. In Northeast China, the Sanjiang and Songnen plains have become agricultural clustering regions, and the earlier domination of aquaculture and rice production in Southeast China has gradually decreased. In summary, this paper provides a political economy framework for understanding the regionalization of Chinese agriculture, focusing on the interaction among the objectives, decisionmaking behavior, path dependencies and spatial effects. Full article

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19 pages, 267 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A General Micro-Level Modeling Approach to Analyzing Interconnected SDGs: Achieving SDG 6 and More through Multiple-Use Water Services (MUS)

by Ralph P. Hall^1,*

, Shyam Ranganathan² and Raj Kumar G. C.¹

¹ School of Public and International Affairs, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA

² Department of Statistics, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 314; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020314 - 21 Feb 2017

Cited by 25 | Viewed by 8837

Abstract

The 2030 agenda presents an integrated set of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and targets that will shape development activities for the coming decade. The challenge now facing development organizations and governments is how to operationalize this interconnected set of goals and targets through [...] Read more.

The 2030 agenda presents an integrated set of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and targets that will shape development activities for the coming decade. The challenge now facing development organizations and governments is how to operationalize this interconnected set of goals and targets through effective projects and programs. This paper presents a micro-level modeling approach that can quantitatively assess the impacts associated with rural water interventions that are tailored to specific communities. The analysis focuses on how a multiple-use water services (MUS) approach to SDG 6 could reinforce a wide range of other SDGs and targets. The multilevel modeling framework provides a generalizable template that can be used in multiple sectors. In this paper, we apply the methodology to a dataset on rural water services from Mozambique to show that community-specific equivalents of macro-level variables used in the literature such as Cost of Illness (COI) avoided can provide a better indication of the impacts of a specific intervention. The proposed modeling framework presents a new frontier for designing projects in any sector that address the specific needs of communities, while also leveraging the knowledge gained from previous projects in any country. The approach also presents a way for agencies and organizations to design projects or programs that bridge sectors/disciplines (water, irrigation, health, energy, economic development, etc.) to advance an interconnected set of SDGs and targets. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Development of Sanitation, Water Supply and Solid Waste in Low-and Middle Income Settings)

19 pages, 480 KiB

Open AccessReview

Fostering Learning in Large Programmes and Portfolios: Emerging Lessons from Climate Change and Sustainable Development

by Blane Harvey^1,4,*, Tiina Pasanen¹

, Alison Pollard² and Julia Raybould³

¹ Overseas Development Institute, London SE1 8NJ, UK

² United Kingdom Department for International Development (DFID), London SW1A 2EG, UK

³ United Kingdom Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BIES), London SW1A 2AW, UK

⁴ Department of Integrated Studies in Education, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 1Y2, Canada

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 315; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020315 - 21 Feb 2017

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 8176

Abstract

In fields like climate and development, where the challenges being addressed can be described as “wicked”, learning is key to successful programming. Useful practical and theoretical work is being undertaken to better understand the role of reflexive learning in bringing together different knowledge [...] Read more.

In fields like climate and development, where the challenges being addressed can be described as “wicked”, learning is key to successful programming. Useful practical and theoretical work is being undertaken to better understand the role of reflexive learning in bringing together different knowledge to address complex problems like climate change. Through a review of practical cases and learning theories commonly used in the areas of resilience, climate change adaptation and environmental management, this article: (i) reviews the theories that have shaped approaches to reflexive learning in large, highly-distributed climate change and resilience-building programmes for development; and (ii) conducts a comparative learning review of key challenges and lessons emerging from early efforts to promote and integrate reflexive learning processes in programmes of this nature. Using a case study approach, the authors focus on early efforts made in four large, inter-related (or nested) programmes to establish, integrate and sustain learning processes and systems. Eight themes emerged from the review and are considered from the perspective of learning programmes as emergent communities of practice. By investigating how these themes play out in the nested programming, the paper contributes to the limited existing body of evidence on learning in large climate change programmes and identifies areas where future efforts might focus. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Education and Approaches)

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16 pages, 10401 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The MIMOSE Approach to Support Sustainable Forest Management Planning at Regional Scale in Mediterranean Contexts

by Matteo Vizzarri¹

, Lorenzo Sallustio^1,*

, Davide Travaglini²

, Francesca Bottalico², Gherardo Chirici²

, Vittorio Garfì¹

, Raffaele Lafortezza^3,4

, Donato Salvatore La Mela Veca⁵

, Fabio Lombardi⁶, Federico Maetzke⁵

and Marco Marchetti¹

¹ Research Centre for Inner Areas and Apennines (ArIA), Dipartimento di Bioscienze e Territorio, Università degli Studi del Molise, Contrada Fonte Lappone, 86090 Pesche (IS), Italy

² Dipartimento di Gestione dei Sistemi Agrari, Alimentari e Forestali, University of Florence, via San Bonaventura 13, 50145 Firenze, Italy

³ Dipartimento di Scienze Agro-Ambientali e Territoriali, University of Bari, Via G. Amendola 165/a, 70126 Bari, Italy

⁴ Center for Global Change and Earth Observations (CGCEO), Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48823, USA

⁵ Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie e Forestali, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Ed. 4, 90128 Palermo, Italy

⁶ Dipartimento di Agraria, Università Mediterranea di Reggio Calabria, Contrada Melissari, Loc. Feo di Vito, 89122 Reggio Calabria, Italy

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 316; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020316 - 21 Feb 2017

Cited by 21 | Viewed by 7611

Abstract

In recent decades, Mediterranean landscapes have been affected by human-induced drivers, such as land use and climate change. Forest ecosystems and landscapes have been particularly affected in mountainous regions due to limited management and stewardship, especially in remote areas. Therefore, there is a [...] Read more.

In recent decades, Mediterranean landscapes have been affected by human-induced drivers, such as land use and climate change. Forest ecosystems and landscapes have been particularly affected in mountainous regions due to limited management and stewardship, especially in remote areas. Therefore, there is a need to set up new strategies to enhance ecosystem services in forested areas which, in turn, will benefit local communities and economies. In this study, we implemented a new approach—Multiscale Mapping of Ecosystem Services (MIMOSE)—to assess ecosystem services in Mediterranean forests located in a mountainous region of Italy. We spatially assessed timber provision and carbon sequestration according to three forest management strategies: business-as-usual, maximizing economic values, and prioritizing conservation. Sustainable strategies for forest planning were identified at the landscape scale. We found that (i) timber provision is a conflicting service, especially when adaptation strategies are promoted; (ii) the most balanced set of forest ecosystem services is achieved through prioritizing conservation; and (iii) the ecosystem services availability is enhanced by optimizing the spatial allocation of different management strategies. Our approach is suitable to support landscape planning for balancing forest ecosystem potentialities while respecting local community needs and promoting sustainable development goals in the Mediterranean area. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Decision Support for Forest Ecosystem Management Sustainability)

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14 pages, 938 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Continuous Tomato Monoculture on Soil Microbial Properties and Enzyme Activities in a Solar Greenhouse

by Hongdan Fu^1,3,4, Guoxian Zhang², Fan Zhang^1,3,4, Zhouping Sun^1,3,4, Guoming Geng^1,3,4 and Tianlai Li^1,3,4,*

¹ College of Horticulture, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China

² Land and Environmental College, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China

³ Key Laboratory of Protected Horticulture of Ministry of Education, Shenyang 110866, China

⁴ Key Laboratory of Protected Horticulture of Liaoning Province, Shenyang 110866, China

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 317; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020317 - 21 Feb 2017

Cited by 68 | Viewed by 10459

Abstract

Soil-related obstacles resulting from continuous monoculture have limited the sustainable development of the tomato industry in China. An experiment on tomatoes with seven continuous monoculture treatments (the 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th, 11th, and 13th crops, respectively) was conducted in a solar greenhouse, [...] Read more.

Soil-related obstacles resulting from continuous monoculture have limited the sustainable development of the tomato industry in China. An experiment on tomatoes with seven continuous monoculture treatments (the 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th, 11th, and 13th crops, respectively) was conducted in a solar greenhouse, to investigate the influence of monoculture on soil quality. Most soil quality indicators first increased and then decreased with increasing continuous monoculture crops, and significant differences among crops were observed. Indicators at the 13th crop were significantly lower than those at the other crops in terms of average well color development (AWCD), substrate richness (S), the Shannon diversity index (H), and the McIntosh index (U) of the soil microbial community (SMC), soil urease (UR), and neutral phosphatase (N-PHO) activities, and available nitrogen (AN) and potassium (AK). However, fungal abundance (FUN) at the 13th crop was significantly higher than that at the other crops. As principal component analysis (PCA) revealed, SMC functional diversity at the 1st, 11th, and 13th crops were similar, and were obviously distinguished from those at the other crops. Moreover, the tomato yield was significantly and positively correlated with soil-available potassium and SMC functional diversity indexes. Our findings indicated that short-term continuous monoculture, e.g., for fewer than seven or nine crops, was beneficial for soil quality improvement. However, continuous monoculture for greater than 11 crops had adverse effects on soil enzyme activities, soil microbial abundances, soil chemical properties, soil SMC functional diversity, and the tomato yield, particularly at the 13th crop. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Science in Conservation Agricultural Systems)

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13 pages, 1702 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Carbon Dioxide Emission Evaluation of Porous Vegetation Concrete Blocks for Ecological Restoration Projects

by Hwang-Hee Kim¹, Seung-Kee Lee² and Chan-Gi Park^3,*

¹ Research Institute of Technology, Contech Engineering Co. Ltd., 69 Seongnam Road, Seongnam 13636, Korea

² Department of Bio-Industry Mechanical Engineering, Koungju National University, 54 Daehak Street, Yesan 32439, Korea

³ Department of Rural Construction Engineering, Koungju National University, 54 Daehak Street, Yesan 32439, Korea

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 318; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020318 - 22 Feb 2017

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 5427

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to determine the mix proportions that can minimize CO₂ emissions while satisfying the target performance of porous vegetation concrete. The target performance of porous vegetation concrete was selected as compressive strength (>15 MPa) and void ratio [...] Read more.

The purpose of this study is to determine the mix proportions that can minimize CO₂ emissions while satisfying the target performance of porous vegetation concrete. The target performance of porous vegetation concrete was selected as compressive strength (>15 MPa) and void ratio (>25%). This study considered the use of reinforcing fiber and styrene butadiene (SB) latex to improve the strength of porous vegetation concrete, as well as the use of blast furnace slag aggregate to improve the CO₂ emissions-reducing effect, and analyzed and evaluated the influence of fiber reinforcing, SB latex, and blast furnace slag aggregate on the compressive strength and CO₂ emissions of porous vegetation concrete. The CO₂ emissions of the raw materials were highest for cement, followed by aggregate, SB latex, and fiber. Blast furnace slag aggregate showed a 30% or more CO₂ emissions-reducing effect versus crushed aggregate, and blast furnace slag cement showed a 78% CO₂ emissions-reducing effect versus Portland cement. The CO₂ emissions analyses for each raw material showed that the CO₂ emissions during transportation were highest for the aggregate. Regarding CO₂ emissions in each production stage, the materials stage produced the highest CO₂ emissions, while the proportion of CO₂ emissions in the transportation stage for each raw material, excluding fiber, were below 3% of total emissions. Use of blast furnace slag aggregate in porous vegetation concrete produced CO₂ emissions-reducing effects, but decreased its compressive strength. Use of latex in porous vegetation concrete improved its compressive strength, but also increased CO₂ emissions. Thus, it is appropriate to use latex in porous vegetation concrete to improve its strength and void ratio, and to use a blast furnace slag aggregate replacement ratio of 40% or less. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Environmental Sustainability and Applications)

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1 pages, 141 KiB

Open AccessErratum

Erratum: Corrigan, E. and Nieuwenhuis, M. Using Goal-Programming to Model the Effect of Stakeholder Determined Policy and Industry Changes on the Future Management of, and Ecosystem Services Provision by Ireland’s Western Peatland Forests. Sustainability 2017, 9, 11.

by Sustainability Editorial Office

MDPI AG, St. Alban-Anlage 66, 4052 Basel, Switzerland

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 319; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020319 - 22 Feb 2017

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2985

Abstract

n/a Full article

15 pages, 1451 KiB

Open AccessArticle

How to Set the Allowance Benchmarking for Cement Industry in China’s Carbon Market: Marginal Analysis and the Case of the Hubei Emission Trading Pilot

by Fan Dai¹, Ling Xiong^2,3,* and Ding Ma^4,5

¹ College of Environmental Science and Forestry, State University of New York, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA

² Institute for International Studies, CICTSMR, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China

³ Research Center for Climate Chang and Energy Economic (CCEE), Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China

⁴ Research Center for Contemporary Management, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China

⁵ State Grid Energy Research Institute, Beijing 102209, China

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 322; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020322 - 22 Feb 2017

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 5642

Abstract

Greenhouse gas (GHG) benchmarking for allocation serves as rewards for early actions in mitigating GHG emissions by using more advanced technologies. China Hubei launched the carbon emission trading pilot in 2014, with the cement industry represented as a major contributor to the GHG [...] Read more.

Greenhouse gas (GHG) benchmarking for allocation serves as rewards for early actions in mitigating GHG emissions by using more advanced technologies. China Hubei launched the carbon emission trading pilot in 2014, with the cement industry represented as a major contributor to the GHG emissions in Hubei. This article is set to establish a general benchmarking framework by describing and calculating the marginal abatement cost curve (MACC) and marginal revenue and then comparing the different GHG benchmarking approaches for the cement industry in the Hubei Emission Trading Pilot (Hubei ETS) case. Based on the comparison of three GHG benchmarking approaches, the Waxman-Markey standard, the European Union Emission Trading Scheme (EU ETS) cement benchmarking, and the benchmarking approach applied in California Cap-and-Trade program, it is found that; (1) the Waxman-Markey benchmark is too loose to apply in Hubei as it provides little incentive for companies to mitigate; (2) the EU ETS benchmark approach fits the current cement industry in Hubei ETS; and (3) the GHG benchmarking standard in the California Cap-and-Trade Program is the most stringent standard and drives the direction of the future development for Hubei ETS. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selected Papers from 7th Annual Conference of Energy Economics and Management)

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15 pages, 3169 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effectiveness Evaluation for a Commercialized PV-Assisted Charging Station

by Nian Liu^*

and Minyang Cheng

State Key Laboratory of Alternate Electrical Power System with Renewable Energy Sources, North China Electric Power University, Beijing 102206, China

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 323; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020323 - 22 Feb 2017

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 5707

Abstract

The Photovoltaic–assisted Charging Station (PVCS) is regarded as one of the most promising charging facilities for future electric vehicle (EV) energy supplementation. In this paper, the operation mode and profitability of a commercialized PVCS are analyzed under the energy policy of China. In [...] Read more.

The Photovoltaic–assisted Charging Station (PVCS) is regarded as one of the most promising charging facilities for future electric vehicle (EV) energy supplementation. In this paper, the operation mode and profitability of a commercialized PVCS are analyzed under the energy policy of China. In order to evaluate the long-term effectiveness of using the PVCS to provide guidance for the investors of the stations, a set of evaluation indexes is introduced, including the quality of service, the environmental and economic benefits, and the impacts on the grid. Furthermore, an easily-achieved charging strategy which considers the quality of service and the self-consumption of PV energy is proposed. Finally, an effectiveness evaluation for different operational scenarios of the PVCS is completed, based on the actual statistical data. The simulation and evaluation results indicate that the PVCS has the potential to produce satisfactory environmental/economic benefits and to reduce the impacts and dependence of an EV’s charging load on the grid. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Solar Photovoltaic Electricity)

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15 pages, 835 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Restructuring the Vietnamese Rice Sector: Towards Increasing Sustainability

by Matty Demont^*

and Pieter Rutsaert

International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), DAPO Box 7777, Metro Manila 1301, Philippines

Sustainability 2017, 9(2), 325; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020325 - 22 Feb 2017

Cited by 65 | Viewed by 14146

Abstract

Although Vietnam is one of the biggest rice exporters today, there is an urgent need to restructure the sector. To guide the transition from being a quantity-focused producer to a credible supplier of quality rice, this study explores the sector’s opportunities for sustainable [...] Read more.

Although Vietnam is one of the biggest rice exporters today, there is an urgent need to restructure the sector. To guide the transition from being a quantity-focused producer to a credible supplier of quality rice, this study explores the sector’s opportunities for sustainable value chain upgrading. Data was collected through focus group discussions with farmers, stacked surveys with rice value chain stakeholders, and a participatory workshop bringing several value chain actors together. Stakeholders perceive the sector’s capability to grasp opportunities (including growing export and domestic markets) to be higher than its resilience to potential threats (including more stringent food safety regulations and climate change). Three strategies are discussed for making rice value chains more sustainable; embodying sustainability in the product through certified sustainable production labels; internalizing sustainable production standards through vertical coordination (e.g., contract farming); and disembodying sustainability through book and claim certificate trading. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue How does Market Demand for Sustainability Shape Business Strategies? Exploring Innovation Paths in Agribusiness)

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