Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
6.8
3.3
Journals
Sustainability
Editor’s Choice
sustainability-logo

Journal Menu

► Journal Menu

Journal Browser

► Journal Browser
share announcement

Editor’s Choice Articles

Editor’s Choice articles are based on recommendations by the scientific editors of MDPI journals from around the world. Editors select a small number of articles recently published in the journal that they believe will be particularly interesting to readers, or important in the respective research area. The aim is to provide a snapshot of some of the most exciting work published in the various research areas of the journal.

Order results
Result details
Results per page
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
18 pages, 3370 KiB  
Review
Addressing Water Security: An Overview
by Juliana Marcal, Blanca Antizar-Ladislao and Jan Hofman
Sustainability 2021, 13(24), 13702; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132413702 - 11 Dec 2021
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 6120
Abstract
For the last two decades, water security has been in the spotlight as a key concept for sustainable development. However, due to its wide interpretation range, the understanding of what water security is and what it encompasses can change considerably with different perspectives. [...] Read more.
For the last two decades, water security has been in the spotlight as a key concept for sustainable development. However, due to its wide interpretation range, the understanding of what water security is and what it encompasses can change considerably with different perspectives. By means of a review of both academic and grey literature, this paper presents an in-depth global overview of what water security means and how assessment is being carried out. These aspects are put together in the present work with the aim to facilitate access to this complex concept for academics but also policymakers and other stakeholders involved in water management and governance. Aiming to provide a groundwork for water security understanding, we examine definitions, scales of application, frequent approaches and methodologies used to study water security. We also present indicators and aspects being included in water security frameworks. A summary of important actions towards water security improvement is also presented. As a dynamic and multi-faceted concept, water security requires an equally multi-dimensional and flexible interpretation. Understanding and measuring are key to improving water security levels. Bringing attention to how climate change, environmental needs, demographics, economics and governance are linked to water security can boost impact by prompting science, policies and innovation to come together. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Water Security and Resilience)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 4148 KiB  
Article
Implications of Urban Land Management on the Cooling Properties of Urban Trees: Citizen Science and Laboratory Analysis
by Jérôme Ngao, Macarena L. Cárdenas, Thierry Améglio, Jérôme Colin and Marc Saudreau
Sustainability 2021, 13(24), 13656; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132413656 - 10 Dec 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3149
Abstract
Trees participate in mitigating the urban heat island phenomenon thanks to their transpiration and shading. This cooling potential is highly dependent on leaf area. Nevertheless, leaf traits potentially vary across different land management practices in urban settings, thereby challenging the models used to [...] Read more.
Trees participate in mitigating the urban heat island phenomenon thanks to their transpiration and shading. This cooling potential is highly dependent on leaf area. Nevertheless, leaf traits potentially vary across different land management practices in urban settings, thereby challenging the models used to estimate thermal budgets. The present study aims to investigate the variability of leaf area traits of linden (Tilia spp.) urban trees, and their effect on simulated tree transpiration. Reconstruction of the leaf area was undertaken at the tree scale at three different urban land management sites from three cities: London and Birmingham (UK) and Chantilly (France). The reconstruction combined allometric measurements at shoot and leaf scales, and a tree-scale 3D digitization with laboratory analysis using field data collected by citizen scientists. The management practices had a significant impact on leaf area, and on tree allometric relationships, which were propagated through the reconstruction process. Relative differences between the management practices ranged between 12% and 48% according to the city where the variable was considered (e.g., leaf area index, total leaf area, or tree transpiration). Trees in managed sites (i.e., individualized leaf crowns, frequent leaf litter removal, and standard thinning/pruning operations) develop a higher leaf area, thus promoting cooling potential. This study shows that the variability of leaf traits, and their responses to different land management, can be studied by comprehensive data collection through citizen science and lab-based modelling. It also highlights the importance of appropriate, well-designed urban planning, where landscaping using urban trees can play an even better role in climate proofing cities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Citizen Science for Sustainable Cities: Investigating Nature Based Solutions)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 604 KiB  
Review
Twin Transition through the Implementation of Industry 4.0 Technologies: Desk-Research Analysis and Practical Use Cases in Europe
by Juan-José Ortega-Gras, María-Victoria Bueno-Delgado, Gregorio Cañavate-Cruzado and Josefina Garrido-Lova
Sustainability 2021, 13(24), 13601; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132413601 - 9 Dec 2021
Cited by 40 | Viewed by 8767
Abstract
Key Enabling Technologies (KET) support the adoption of Industry 4.0 (I4.0) and are also considered the main drivers of the Circular Economy (CE) transition. In this respect, the guidelines and real use cases to inspire enterprises and industry to lead the twin digital [...] Read more.
Key Enabling Technologies (KET) support the adoption of Industry 4.0 (I4.0) and are also considered the main drivers of the Circular Economy (CE) transition. In this respect, the guidelines and real use cases to inspire enterprises and industry to lead the twin digital and green transition are still poor. This work is aimed at contributing to this matter, with twofold goals: on the one hand, to show a depth desk-research analysis of the key existing policies at European level that foster this twin digital and green transition; on the other hand, to review practical use cases and international projects where CE practices are boosted through the implementation of KET. From the analysis, a set of recommendations are suggested as a guide for policymakers, researchers, and industry managers on how to foster the CE through the implementation of I4.0 technologies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Building Sustainable Industry 4.0: Efficiency, Effectiveness, Evaluation, Development Frameworks)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

20 pages, 1814 KiB  
Article
Smart City Governance Evaluation in the Era of Internet of Things: An Empirical Analysis of Jiangsu, China
by Wei-Ling Hsu, Miao Qiao, Haiying Xu, Chunmei Zhang, Hsin-Lung Liu and Yan-Chyuan Shiau
Sustainability 2021, 13(24), 13606; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132413606 - 9 Dec 2021
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3318
Abstract
With the rapid development of smart cities all over the world, the evaluation of the smart city has become a new research hotspot in the academic circles. Nevertheless, there still exist a series of common problems in current smart city evaluation, including the [...] Read more.
With the rapid development of smart cities all over the world, the evaluation of the smart city has become a new research hotspot in the academic circles. Nevertheless, there still exist a series of common problems in current smart city evaluation, including the cognitive deprivation, lack of experience in planning, low coordination level, etc. Therefore, it is critical to establish a new hierarchy for smart city evaluation indicators, especially in the 5G era. Based on literature review, expert consensus, and the fuzzy analytic hierarchy process, this study developed an innovative smart city evaluation framework. In the framework, an index comprising three dimensions, i.e., smart economy, smart society, and smart environmental protection, as well as several attributes for these dimensions for smart city evaluation were established. Then, taking Jiangsu Province, the fastest-growing province in China, as the research area, the development level of smart city for the cities in Jiangsu was calculated. The results have verified the effectiveness of the framework, which can provide suggestions for sustainable urbanization, and help urban decision-makers to promote the efficient development of smart cities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Smart Sustainable Cities in the Era of Big Data)
►▼ Show Figures

Graphical abstract

22 pages, 3754 KiB  
Article
Estimating Energy Concentrations in Wooded Pastures of NW Spain Using Empirical Models That Relate Observed Metabolizable Energy to Measured Nutritional Attributes
by María Pilar González-Hernández and Juan Gabriel Álvarez-González
Sustainability 2021, 13(24), 13581; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132413581 - 8 Dec 2021
Viewed by 2097
Abstract
Wooded pastures serve as a traditional source of forage in Europe, where forest grazing is valued as an efficient tool for maintaining the diversity of semi-natural habitats. In a forest grazing setting with diverse diet composition, assessing the energy content of animal diets [...] Read more.
Wooded pastures serve as a traditional source of forage in Europe, where forest grazing is valued as an efficient tool for maintaining the diversity of semi-natural habitats. In a forest grazing setting with diverse diet composition, assessing the energy content of animal diets can be a difficult task because of its dependency on digestibility measures. In the present study, prediction equations of metabolizable energy (ME) were obtained performing stepwise regression with data (n = 297; 44 plant species) on nutritional attributes (Acid Detergent Fiber, lignin, silica, dry matter, crude protein, in vitro organic matter digestibility) from 20 representative stands of Atlantic dry heathlands and pedunculate oak woodlands. The results showed that the prediction accuracy of ME is reduced when the general model (R2 = 0.64) is applied, as opposed to the use of the specific prediction equations for each vegetation type (R2 = 0.61, 0.66, 0.71 for oak woodlands; R2 = 0.70 heather-gorse dominated heathlands, R2 = 0.41 continental heathlands). The general model tends to overestimate the ME concentrations in heaths with respect to the observed ME values obtained from IVOMD as a sole predictor, and this divergence could be corrected by applying the specific prediction equations obtained for each vegetation type. Although the use of prediction equations by season would improve accuracy in the case of a Winter scenario, using the general model as opposed to the prediction equations for Spring, Summer or Fall would represent a much smaller loss of accuracy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wood Pastures: Drivers for Ecological Sustainability and Conservation Management)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

30 pages, 2662 KiB  
Article
Leftover Consumption as a Means of Food Waste Reduction in Public Space? Qualitative Insights from Online Discussions
by Larissa Diekmann and Claas Christian Germelmann
Sustainability 2021, 13(24), 13564; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132413564 - 8 Dec 2021
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 13167
Abstract
A considerable amount of food is discarded in canteens every day. This waste has created a countermovement, where groups of mainly students purposefully choose to eat other consumers’ plate leftovers instead of buying fresh meals. This phenomenon highlights two opposing narratives: leftovers as [...] Read more.
A considerable amount of food is discarded in canteens every day. This waste has created a countermovement, where groups of mainly students purposefully choose to eat other consumers’ plate leftovers instead of buying fresh meals. This phenomenon highlights two opposing narratives: leftovers as food waste versus leftovers as edible food resources. Using a thematic analysis, we investigated 1579 comments from German news sites and their corresponding Facebook sites related to this countermovement. Thereby, we aim to better understand what consumers associate with the consumption of other consumers’ plate leftovers. Our study demonstrates that the consumption of plate leftovers is shaped by the regulatory, normative, and cultural-cognitive system. Furthermore, associations with the consumption of plate leftovers depend on whether this food decision is perceived as a collective or individual consumer decision. From a consumer movement perspective, food leftover consumption is associated with a sense of community and food waste reduction for idealistic or environmental and social reasons. From an individual consumer behavior perspective, food leftover consumption is associated with satisfying hunger but considered a threat to health and social order. Our findings can inspire food service organizations to develop targeted interventions for plate leftover reduction. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Decision Making, Branding, and Sustainable Marketing)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 9440 KiB  
Article
Multi-Temporal Evaluation of Quantitative and Phenological Vegetation Dynamics Using Sentinel-2 Images in North Horr (Kenya)
by Velia Bigi, Ingrid Vigna, Alessandro Pezzoli and Elena Comino
Sustainability 2021, 13(24), 13554; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132413554 - 8 Dec 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2422
Abstract
According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the Horn of Africa is getting drier. This research aims at assessing browning and/or greening dynamics and the suitability of Sentinel-2 satellite images to map changes in land cover in a semiarid area. Vegetation dynamics [...] Read more.
According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the Horn of Africa is getting drier. This research aims at assessing browning and/or greening dynamics and the suitability of Sentinel-2 satellite images to map changes in land cover in a semiarid area. Vegetation dynamics are assessed through a remote sensing approach based on densely vegetated areas in a pilot area of North Horr Sub-County, in northern Kenya, between 2016–2020. Four spectral vegetation indices are calculated from Sentinel-2 images to create annual multi-temporal images. Two different supervised classification methods—Minimum Distance and Spectral Angle Mapper—are then applied in order to identify dense vegetated areas. A general greening is found to have occurred in this period with the exception of the year 2020, with an average annual percentage increase of 19%. Results also highlight a latency between climatic conditions and vegetation growth. This approach is for the first time applied in North Horr Sub-County and supports local decision-making processes for sustainable land management strategies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Green: The Best Way for a Sustainable Planet. How Agriculture, Architecture, Biology, Chemistry, Engineering, Food and Forestry Can Help the Survival of the Earth through Plants)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 3147 KiB  
Article
Source Apportionment of Particulate Matter in Urban Snowpack Using End-Member Mixing Analysis and Positive Matrix Factorization Model
by Mikhail Y. Semenov, Natalya A. Onishchuk, Olga G. Netsvetaeva and Tamara V. Khodzher
Sustainability 2021, 13(24), 13584; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132413584 - 8 Dec 2021
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3080
Abstract
The aim of this study was to identify particulate matter (PM) sources and to evaluate their contributions to PM in the snowpack of three East Siberian cities. That was the first time when the PM accumulated in the snowpack during the winter was [...] Read more.
The aim of this study was to identify particulate matter (PM) sources and to evaluate their contributions to PM in the snowpack of three East Siberian cities. That was the first time when the PM accumulated in the snowpack during the winter was used as the object for source apportionment study in urban environment. The use of long-term integrated PM samples allowed to exclude the influence of short-term weather conditions and anthropogenic activities on PM chemistry. To ascertain the real number of PM sources and their contributions to air pollution the results of source apportionment using positive matrix factorization model (PMF) were for the first time compared to the results obtained using end-member mixing analysis (EMMA). It was found that Si, Fe and Ca were the tracers of aluminosilicates, non-exhaust traffic emissions and concrete deterioration respectively. Aluminum was found to be the tracer of both fossil fuel combustion and aluminum production. The results obtained using EMMA were in good agreement with those obtained using PMF. However, in some cases, the non-point sources identified using PMF were the combinations of two single non-point sources identified using EMMA, whereas the non-point sources identified using EMMA were split by PMF into two single non-point sources. The point sources were clearly identified using both techniques. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Water, Air, and Soil Pollution)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 4230 KiB  
Article
Duckweed (Lemna minor L.) Successfully Accumulates Selenium from Selenium-Impacted Water
by Aleksandra Golob, Katarina Vogel-Mikuš, Nina Brudar and Mateja Germ
Sustainability 2021, 13(23), 13423; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132313423 - 3 Dec 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2221
Abstract
The absorption of selenium (Se) from water by Lemna minor L. and the influence of different concentrations and forms of Se on its biochemical and morphological characteristics were studied. Plants were exposed to various concentrations of Se: 1 mg Se L−1, [...] Read more.
The absorption of selenium (Se) from water by Lemna minor L. and the influence of different concentrations and forms of Se on its biochemical and morphological characteristics were studied. Plants were exposed to various concentrations of Se: 1 mg Se L−1, 2 mg Se L−1 and 5 mg Se L−1 in sodium selenite and sodium selenate solutions and in a combination of selenite (2 mg Se L−1) and selenate (2 mg Se L−1). When the Se was added in the form of selenate, plants accumulated higher amounts of Se compared to plants exposed to selenite. Comparisons of the combined addition of selenite and selenate (2 + 2 mg Se L−1) with their individual applications (2 and 5 mg Se L−1) showed that for the combination, the L. minor fronds accumulated more Se than in selenite alone. Plants exposed to any of the concentrations of sodium selenate or sodium selenite, or the combination of selenite and selenate, showed inferior physiological performances, and lower concentrations of photosynthetic pigments, compared to control plants. Consequently, growth was also suppressed under the stress conditions caused by higher concentrations of Se in any form. The efficient absorption of Se from the water by L. minor indicates the potential use of this species in phytoremediation processes for waters polluted with Se. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Aquatic Plants as Bioindicators of Trace Metal Pollution)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

26 pages, 12916 KiB  
Article
Circular Business Processes in the State-of-the-Practice: A Survey Study
by Tanja van Engelenhoven, Ayalew Kassahun and Bedir Tekinerdogan
Sustainability 2021, 13(23), 13307; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132313307 - 1 Dec 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2584
Abstract
Despite increasing global environmental concerns, we continue to consume large amounts of products with little regard to what happens before, during, and after their use. Roughly one-third of the food produced is wasted. Because the world’s population is expected to grow to 10 [...] Read more.
Despite increasing global environmental concerns, we continue to consume large amounts of products with little regard to what happens before, during, and after their use. Roughly one-third of the food produced is wasted. Because the world’s population is expected to grow to 10 billion by 2050, adopting circular economy practices will become essential. The transition towards a circular economy requires adopting business processes that support circular economy practices across supply chains. Currently, the SCOR (Supply Chain Operations Reference) model is the most widely used, and widely known, approach for studying and evaluating supply chain business processes. It is, however, unclear to what extent circular principles are included in the SCOR model. Past studies indicating missing processes for circular supply chain management in the SCOR model have made limited efforts in capturing the current state-of-the-practice. We conducted an online survey of 60 companies engaged in 14 different types of economic activities to study the SCOR level 2 business processes adopted in practice. In addition to the 22 level 2 business processes documented in SCOR, we identified six additional level 2 circular business processes that the respondents recognized as being commonly applied within their businesses. The results clearly show that the current SCOR model does not fully represent circular business processes in the state-of-the-practice. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue System Design and Analysis for Sustainability)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

32 pages, 805 KiB  
Review
Energy-Oriented Production Planning in Industry: A Systematic Literature Review and Classification Scheme
by Hajo Terbrack, Thorsten Claus and Frank Herrmann
Sustainability 2021, 13(23), 13317; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132313317 - 1 Dec 2021
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 2929
Abstract
Scarcity of resources, structural change during the further development of renewable energy sources, and their corresponding costs, such as increasing resource costs or penalties due to dirty production, lead industrial firms to adapt ecological actions. In this regard, research on energy utilization in [...] Read more.
Scarcity of resources, structural change during the further development of renewable energy sources, and their corresponding costs, such as increasing resource costs or penalties due to dirty production, lead industrial firms to adapt ecological actions. In this regard, research on energy utilization in production planning has received increased attention in the last years, resulting in a large number of research articles so far. With the paper at hand, we review the literature on energy-oriented production planning. The aim of this study is to derive similar core issues and related properties along energy-oriented models within hierarchical production planning. For this, we carry out a systematic literature review and analyze and synthesize 375 research articles. We classify the underlying literature with a novel two-dimensional classification scheme and identify three key topics and five frequently found characteristics, which are presented in detail throughout this article. Based on these results, we state several potentials for further research. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cleaner and Sustainable Industry)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 1578 KiB  
Article
Effects of COVID-19 Infection Control Measures on the Festival and Event Sector in Poland and Norway
by Dorota Janiszewska, Vilde Hannevik Lien, Dariusz Kloskowski, Luiza Ossowska, Christian Dragin-Jensen, Marianna Strzelecka and Grzegorz Kwiatkowski
Sustainability 2021, 13(23), 13265; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132313265 - 30 Nov 2021
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 4850
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a strong impact on the functioning of the event industry. This article aims to present the impact of infection control measures on the event sector. In addition, the article compares the infection control measures implemented in Poland and [...] Read more.
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a strong impact on the functioning of the event industry. This article aims to present the impact of infection control measures on the event sector. In addition, the article compares the infection control measures implemented in Poland and Norway. The COVID-19 infection measures analysis is the first stage of a project to build the resilience of the event sector. The study was conducted based on secondary data (analysis of documents and public statistics, with the support of the literature). The research used the descriptive method and comparisons. The results of the study confirmed the following research hypotheses according to which: (1) uncertainty is conducive to overreactions, both of the government and entities from the event sector; (2) mutual trust between government and society reduces the need for restrictions; and (3) the lack of mutual trust between government and society increases uncertainty. Furthermore, the inability to meet people, limited access to culture, and the need to work from home contributed to the deterioration of societies’ quality of life and mental health. This means that the pandemic has an adverse impact on achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 3 and 8). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability of Festivals and Events)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 4654 KiB  
Article
Urban Planning and Residential Segregation in Brazil—The Failure of the “Special Zone of Social Interest” Instrument in Londrina City (PR)
by Eduarda Marques da Costa and Ideni Terezinha Antonello
Sustainability 2021, 13(23), 13285; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132313285 - 30 Nov 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3476
Abstract
The objective of this analysis is linked to the discussion of urban residential segregation marked by the Brazilian urban land structure and perpetuated by urban planning instruments at the municipal level. The spatial focus of the study is the municipality of Londrina (state [...] Read more.
The objective of this analysis is linked to the discussion of urban residential segregation marked by the Brazilian urban land structure and perpetuated by urban planning instruments at the municipal level. The spatial focus of the study is the municipality of Londrina (state of Paraná/Brazil). We aimed to analyze the relationship between urban zoning and the dynamics of residential segregation, unfolding two foci: verify to what extent the objectives presented in the municipal instrument translate the objectives of the instrument at the federal level (the City Statute–CE) and the national program “My Home, My Life” aimed to provide housing to socially vulnerable populations; the second focus, aims to assess how the planning instrument—the Special Zone of Social Interest (ZEIS), contemplated in the Land Use and Occupation Law and in the Municipal Master Plan of Londrina (PDPML, 2008)—materializes in practice the objectives of promoting equity in access to housing. The results show that although the objectives defined at the federal level are transposed to the municipal level, demonstrating a theoretical coherence between the instruments, there are flaws in their implementation. The case study results show that the urban zoning of Londrina has as a guideline a segregationist territorial ordering, leading to a residential segregation of the population with low purchasing power. On the other hand, the planning instrument that could change this reality is the ZEIS that, on the contrary, reinforced social housing in the periphery, conditioning the right to the city and perpetuating the social vulnerability of disadvantaged groups, in a process common to other Brazilian cities. Such constraints make relevant the establishment of land reserves for social housing based on clear roles of a social and functional mix, reinforced by the combat of vacant spaces and the definition of minimal housing and infrastructure densities to allow urban occupation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Socio-Spatial Inequalities and Segregation in Cities: Social Dynamics and Collective Responses)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 491 KiB  
Review
Plant-Based Meat Alternatives: Motivational Adoption Barriers and Solutions
by Steffen Jahn, Pia Furchheim and Anna-Maria Strässner
Sustainability 2021, 13(23), 13271; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132313271 - 30 Nov 2021
Cited by 46 | Viewed by 13416
Abstract
Meat consumption is increasingly being seen as unsustainable. However, plant-based meat alternatives (PBMA) are not widely accepted yet. PBMA aim to imitate the experience of eating meat by mimicking animal meat in its sensory characteristics such as taste, texture, or aesthetic appearance. This [...] Read more.
Meat consumption is increasingly being seen as unsustainable. However, plant-based meat alternatives (PBMA) are not widely accepted yet. PBMA aim to imitate the experience of eating meat by mimicking animal meat in its sensory characteristics such as taste, texture, or aesthetic appearance. This narrative review explores the motivational barriers to adopting PBMA while focusing on food neophobia, social norms and rituals, as well as conflicting eating goals that prevent consumers from switching to a plant-based diet. Based on the key characteristics of these motivational barriers, which are informed by research findings in consumer psychology and marketing, solutions are discussed that can help counter the barriers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Decision Making, Branding, and Sustainable Marketing)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

20 pages, 989 KiB  
Article
Evaluating Attitudes towards Large Carnivores within the Great Bear Rainforest
by Max C. Leveridge, Amélie Y. Davis and Sarah L. Dumyahn
Sustainability 2021, 13(23), 13270; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132313270 - 30 Nov 2021
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2936
Abstract
Cohabitation between humans and carnivores is vital to the continued existence and integrity of ecosystems, often playing a large role in the success of large carnivore conservation. We focus on interactions between humans and carnivores in the world’s largest, relatively intact temperate rainforest—The [...] Read more.
Cohabitation between humans and carnivores is vital to the continued existence and integrity of ecosystems, often playing a large role in the success of large carnivore conservation. We focus on interactions between humans and carnivores in the world’s largest, relatively intact temperate rainforest—The Great Bear Rainforest (GBR), British Columbia, Canada. Specifically, we focus on residents of Prince Rupert, a city within the GBR, and examine its residents’ ecological and relational attitudes towards the surrounding area of protected rainforest and the large carnivores present in the area. We aim to determine the strength of public attitudes and values of the environment and carnivores in the GBR, and to examine whether they differ between First Nations and non-First Nations residents of Prince Rupert, British Columbia. We conducted 28 semi-structured interviews of Prince Rupert residents. At the start of the interview, respondents self-administered a survey consisting of statements from the Social Ecological Relational Value and the New Ecological Paradigm scales. We find no significant difference between First Nations and non-First Nations respondent attitudes. This is possibly due to three factors: (1) cultural influence from the local First Nations, (2) the fact that these carnivores are important for the local economy through tourism, and (3) a strong sense of place associated with the area and the carnivores that inhabit it regardless of positive or negative encounters with these animals. While we find positive attitudes towards carnivores and little evidence of human–wildlife conflict, feelings towards carnivores encountered in town or while hiking tend to be negative, especially when they involve wolves. In order to mitigate these effects in a way that protects these valuable creatures, respondents overwhelmingly clamored for a conservation officer to be assigned to Prince Rupert. We conclude that policy and management might alleviate human–carnivore conflicts in the area should our results be corroborated by studies with larger sample sizes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services in Forest Ecosystems)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

34 pages, 6883 KiB  
Article
Theoretical Framework to Assess Green Roof Performance in Mitigating Urban Flooding as a Potential Nature-Based Solution
by Arunima Sarkar Basu, Francesco Pilla, Srikanta Sannigrahi, Rémi Gengembre, Antoine Guilland and Bidroha Basu
Sustainability 2021, 13(23), 13231; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132313231 - 29 Nov 2021
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 4820
Abstract
Increases in extreme hydro-meteorological events due to climate change and decreases in soil permeability and infiltration due to urbanization have increased the risk of flooding, particularly in cities. The limitation of the expansion of conventional drainage systems to manage excess stormwater leads to [...] Read more.
Increases in extreme hydro-meteorological events due to climate change and decreases in soil permeability and infiltration due to urbanization have increased the risk of flooding, particularly in cities. The limitation of the expansion of conventional drainage systems to manage excess stormwater leads to the application of nature-based solutions (NBS) to control flooding. This study explores potential of green roof NBS for rainfall-fed flood reduction, which can utilize existing roof space for deployment. A detailed literature survey using systematic literature-search procedures was conducted to investigate the performance of extensive/intensive green roofs in runoff reduction using monitoring/modeling approaches. Since limited studies have explored the use of semi-intensive green roofs for flood management, a new simulation study has been developed to compare the effectiveness of semi-intensive green roofs. The performance of different types of vegetation used on green roofs in runoff reduction was investigated using a simulation study, which was validated using a real-world green roof deployed in Dublin. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Geo-computation and Spatial Big Data Application for Sustainable Management of Hydrometeorological Hazards: Methodological Innovations, Mitigation Strategies; Case Studies and Best Practices)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

10 pages, 1069 KiB  
Article
Estimating the Long-Term Reliability of Steel and Cast Iron Pipelines Subject to Pitting Corrosion
by Robert E. Melchers and Mukshed Ahammed
Sustainability 2021, 13(23), 13235; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132313235 - 29 Nov 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1673
Abstract
Water-injection, oil production and water-supply pipelines are prone to pitting corrosion that may have a serious effect on their longer-term serviceability and sustainability. Typically, observed pit-depth data are handled for a reliability analysis using an extreme value distribution such as Gumbel. Available data [...] Read more.
Water-injection, oil production and water-supply pipelines are prone to pitting corrosion that may have a serious effect on their longer-term serviceability and sustainability. Typically, observed pit-depth data are handled for a reliability analysis using an extreme value distribution such as Gumbel. Available data do not always fit such monomodal probability distributions well, particularly in the most extreme pit-depth region, irrespective of the type of pipeline. Examples of this are presented, the reasons for this phenomenon are discussed and a rationale is presented for the otherwise entirely empirical use of the ‘domain of attraction’ in extreme value applications. This permits a more rational estimation of the probability of pipe-wall perforation, which is necessary for asset management and for system-sustainability decisions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Structural Reliability Analysis and Maintenance Management)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

29 pages, 6253 KiB  
Article
Mapping the Energy Flows and GHG Emissions of a Medium-Size City: The Case of Valladolid (Spain)
by Gaspar Manzanera-Benito and Iñigo Capellán-Pérez
Sustainability 2021, 13(23), 13181; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132313181 - 29 Nov 2021
Viewed by 2958
Abstract
Valladolid (Spain) is a medium-size city (~300,000 inhabitants) that established a greenhouse (GHG) emissions reduction target in 2011 of 20% from 2010–2020. However, tracking the evolution of GHG in medium-size cities is challenging due to the general lack of compulsory data collection at [...] Read more.
Valladolid (Spain) is a medium-size city (~300,000 inhabitants) that established a greenhouse (GHG) emissions reduction target in 2011 of 20% from 2010–2020. However, tracking the evolution of GHG in medium-size cities is challenging due to the general lack of compulsory data collection at this scale and issues with boundaries when attempting alternative estimates. Here, we propose and apply a novel method to estimate the evolution of GHG emissions due to energy consumption for the period of 2010–2019 in Valladolid, combining top-down and bottom-up data following a physical energy flows approach. The energy consumption of the city is estimated by main sectors and types of energies. The results show that, throughout the past decade, both total energy consumption and its sector end-use share did not significantly change: final energy consumption remained at around 24 MWh (86.5 GJ) per capita and was still highly dependent on fossil fuels, especially natural gas and oil products (over 70% of total energy supply). The GHG reduction by 2019 was ~11% with relation to 2010 and, thus, had not reached the set objective; in per capita terms, the GHG reduction was lower (~6%) due to population loss during the period. The trend, however, has not been monotone and has instead followed a U-shape strongly correlated with the economic crisis and subsequent recovery, suggesting that transition policies have had, at most, a modest effect on the overall results. The analysis shows, first of all, the limitations of statistical sources at a local level, both for energy and mobility, which do not allow more accurate results in identifying the main energy consumers to be reached; and, secondly, the need for strong decarbonization measures which have to be set urgently at all the relevant institutional levels. Reaching GHG neutrality in the city by 2050 requires reducing the GHG emissions by ~13%/year, which is ~20 times faster than for the 2010–2019 average of 0.6%/year. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Transition towards Sustainable Urban Settlements)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

24 pages, 3602 KiB  
Article
Impact of Decentralization and Rail Network Extension on Future Traffic in the Bangkok Metropolitan Region
by Masanobu Kii, Varameth Vichiensan, Carlos Llorca, Ana Moreno, Rolf Moeckel and Yoshitsugu Hayashi
Sustainability 2021, 13(23), 13196; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132313196 - 29 Nov 2021
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2981
Abstract
In many large cities in developing countries, investments in transportation infrastructure are insufficient for the growing population, resulting in chronic traffic congestion and overcrowding. The urban population of developing countries is expected to increase further toward the middle of this century, and urban [...] Read more.
In many large cities in developing countries, investments in transportation infrastructure are insufficient for the growing population, resulting in chronic traffic congestion and overcrowding. The urban population of developing countries is expected to increase further toward the middle of this century, and urban planning and transportation policies that foresee future population changes and economic growth are necessary to make these cities more sustainable. Bangkok is one of the most congested metropolitan areas in the world, and transport projects such as the extension of the public transportation system are being implemented. However, due to the monocentric urban structure, both road and rail traffic is extremely congested during peak hours, which impedes some economic activities and personal interaction. In this study, we simulate the impact of urban and transportation measures in Bangkok from today to 2050. In addition to the expansion of the planned rail transit network, we evaluate the effects of a land use scenario in which sub-centers are established to develop a polycentric urban structure. The impact of alternative zoning and transportation policies and projects in Bangkok is discussed. Although this study is focused on Bangkok, the findings are assumed to be transferable to other large cities in developing countries. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Urban Design: Urban Externalities and Land Use Planning)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

19 pages, 10943 KiB  
Article
Spatiotemporal Trends and Driving Factors of Urban Livability in the Yangtze River Delta Agglomeration
by Yichen Yang, Shifeng Fang, Hua Wu, Jiaqiang Du, Haomiao Tu and Wei He
Sustainability 2021, 13(23), 13152; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132313152 - 27 Nov 2021
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2710
Abstract
With the development of cities, the relationship between cities is becoming closer, and the study of urban livability based on a single city can no longer meet the guidelines and suggestions for urban agglomerations. A scientific evaluation of livability in urban agglomerations can [...] Read more.
With the development of cities, the relationship between cities is becoming closer, and the study of urban livability based on a single city can no longer meet the guidelines and suggestions for urban agglomerations. A scientific evaluation of livability in urban agglomerations can better help cities to recognize the advantages and disadvantages. However, most studies on urban livability focus on its connotation and history and neglect simulations and analyses of the future. Based on the Yangtze River Delta agglomeration, this paper establishes an index system using data from 2011 to 2019 to simulate urban livability from 2020 to 2025 through the ARIMA model and analyzes the historical and future data by using GIS methods. The results show the following: (1) The ARIMA model has good simulation accuracy when applied to urban livability analysis and can provide a reference for future urban livability development. (2) The urban livability of the Yangtze River Delta agglomeration has obviously changed both on the whole and in subsystems. Cities in the upper ranking of livability have developed rapidly, and the difference in urban livability has increased. (3) The spatial autocorrelation of urban livability in the Yangtze River Delta agglomeration is obvious both on the whole and in subsystems. (4) The influencing factors of urban livability development are diverse. The general public budget expenditure for social security and employment, fixed assets investment in municipal public facilities, total retail sales of consumer goods, and education and medical expenditures have positive effects on the development of urban livability, while industrial SO2 emissions have a negative effect. The results show that cities should strengthen inter-city relationships, promote the coordinated development of inter-regional cities, and formulate relevant policies to improve the level of urban environmental governance in the region. Full article
(This article belongs to the Collection Indicators, Assessment Tools, and Rating Systems for Mainstreaming Sustainability in Urban Planning and Development)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 3001 KiB  
Article
Flow Simulation and Storage Assessment in an Ungauged Irrigation Tank Cascade System Using the SWAT Model
by Koppuravuri Ramabrahmam, Venkata Reddy Keesara, Raghavan Srinivasan, Deva Pratap and Venkataramana Sridhar
Sustainability 2021, 13(23), 13158; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132313158 - 27 Nov 2021
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2198
Abstract
In the semi-arid regions of South Asia, tank systems are the major source of irrigation. In India, the Telangana state government has initiated the Mission Kakatiya program to rejuvenate irrigation tank systems. Understanding the hydrological processes that supply water to these systems is [...] Read more.
In the semi-arid regions of South Asia, tank systems are the major source of irrigation. In India, the Telangana state government has initiated the Mission Kakatiya program to rejuvenate irrigation tank systems. Understanding the hydrological processes that supply water to these systems is critical to the success of these types of programs in India. The current study attempted to comprehend the hydrological processes and flow routing in the Salivagu watershed tank cascade system in Telangana. There are a lot of ungauged tank cascade systems in this region. Soil Water Assessment Tool (SWAT), a physically-based model, was used to simulate flow patterns in the Salivagu watershed with and without tank systems. The geospatially extracted area and volume were used for this study provided by WBIS-Bhuvan-NRSC. Additionally, the Katakshapur Tank Cascade System (KTCS) was chosen to analyze the water availability in each tank using the water balance approach. The Salivagu watershed flow simulation without tanks overestimated streamflow. The volume difference in flow between with and without tank was 606 Mm3, 615.9 Mm3, and 1011 Mm3 in 2017, 2018, and 2019, respectively. The SWAT simulated volumes of the Ramchandrapur and Dharmaraopalle tanks in KTCS were merely satisfied because the tank size was less than 0.7 km2 and the storage capacity was up to 1 Mm3. Due to tank sizes more than 0.8 km2 and capacities greater than 2 Mm3, the Mallampalli and Katakshapur tank simulation findings were in good agreement with WBIS-Bhuvan-NRSC. This research advances our understanding of the hydrological processes in ungauged cascading tank systems in tropical semi-arid regions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Water Management)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

22 pages, 11852 KiB  
Article
Social Capital and Sustainable Social Development—How Are Changes in Neighbourhood Social Capital Associated with Neighbourhood Sociodemographic and Socioeconomic Characteristics?
by Malin Eriksson, Ailiana Santosa, Liv Zetterberg, Ichiro Kawachi and Nawi Ng
Sustainability 2021, 13(23), 13161; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132313161 - 27 Nov 2021
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3192
Abstract
The development of social capital is acknowledged as key for sustainable social development. Little is known about how social capital changes over time and how it correlates with sociodemographic and socioeconomic factors. This study was conducted in 46 neighbourhoods in Umeå Municipality, northern [...] Read more.
The development of social capital is acknowledged as key for sustainable social development. Little is known about how social capital changes over time and how it correlates with sociodemographic and socioeconomic factors. This study was conducted in 46 neighbourhoods in Umeå Municipality, northern Sweden. The aim was to examine neighbourhood-level characteristics associated with changes in neighbourhood social capital and to discuss implications for local policies for sustainable social development. We designed an ecological study linking survey data to registry data in 2006 and 2020. Over 14 years, social capital increased in 9 and decreased in 15 neighbourhoods. Higher levels of social capital were associated with specific sociodemographic factors, but these differed in urban and rural areas. Urban neighbourhoods with a higher proportion of older pensioners (OR = 1.49, CI: 1.16–1.92), children under 12 (OR= 2.13, CI: 1.31–3.47), or a lower proportion of foreign-born members (OR= 0.32, CI: 0.19–0.55) had higher odds for higher social capital levels. In rural neighbourhoods, a higher proportion of single-parent households was associated with higher levels of social capital (OR = 1.44, 95% CI = 1.04–1.98). Neighbourhood socioeconomic factors such as income or educational level did not influence neighbourhood social capital. Using repeated measures of social capital, this study gives insights into how social capital changes over time in local areas and the factors influencing its development. Local policies to promote social capital for sustainable social development should strive to integrate diverse demographic groups within neighbourhoods and should increase opportunities for inter-ethnic interactions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Reviews and Perspectives on Smart and Sustainable Metropolitan and Regional Cities)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 2067 KiB  
Article
Assessment of the Greek National Plan of Energy and Climate Change—Critical Remarks
by Efthimios Zervas, Leonidas Vatikiotis, Zoe Gareiou, Stella Manika and Ruth Herrero-Martin
Sustainability 2021, 13(23), 13143; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132313143 - 27 Nov 2021
Cited by 22 | Viewed by 3636
Abstract
The Greek National Energy and Climate Plan was validated by the Greek Governmental Committee of Economic Policy on 23 December 2019. The decisions included in this plan will have a significant impact on the Greek energy mix as the production of electricity from [...] Read more.
The Greek National Energy and Climate Plan was validated by the Greek Governmental Committee of Economic Policy on 23 December 2019. The decisions included in this plan will have a significant impact on the Greek energy mix as the production of electricity from lignite combustion ceases in 2028, when lignite will be replaced by natural gas (NG) and renewable energy sources (RES). This work presents an assessment of the Greek National Energy and Climate Plan by analyzing its pros and cons. The main critiques made are focused on the absence of risk analysis and alternative scenarios, the proposed energy mix, the absence of other alternatives on the energy mix and energy storage, the low attention given to energy savings (transport, buildings), the future energy prices, and the economic and social impacts. This analysis shows that delaying this transition for some years, to better prepare it by taking into consideration the most sustainable paths for that transition, such as using more alternatives, is the best available option today. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Transition and Climate Change in Decision-making Processes)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 2264 KiB  
Article
Networked Compact City Policy Status and Issues—Hierarchy and Human Mobility in Tokyo, Japan
by Taichi Murooka, Hiroki Shimizu and Mamoru Taniguchi
Sustainability 2021, 13(23), 13107; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132313107 - 26 Nov 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3841
Abstract
As a policy to promote compact cities, Japan formulated the Location Normalization Plan (LNP) in 2014. By this plan, each municipality is promoting the establishment of Urban Function Induction-encouraged Areas (UFIA) in which life service facilities are to be provided. The role of [...] Read more.
As a policy to promote compact cities, Japan formulated the Location Normalization Plan (LNP) in 2014. By this plan, each municipality is promoting the establishment of Urban Function Induction-encouraged Areas (UFIA) in which life service facilities are to be provided. The role of the UFIA in the region might differ depending on the city scale and the UFIA hierarchy. For this study, using the Tokyo Person Trip survey, we specifically examined the mobility of people and clarified differences in the hierarchical nature of UFIA to ascertain the current status and issues of UFIA. Consequently, we obtained the following information for the realization of compactness. (1) The actual conditions of traffic characteristics and facilities differ depending on the UFIA hierarchy. Moreover, considering these hierarchies during the study of UFIA is important. (2) Sub-core UFIA in cities with a large population have a narrow usage area and a high ratio of traffic-sharing between walking and bicycling, which might engender the construction of compact living areas. (3) However, sub-core UFIA in cities with a small population have a high ratio of traffic-sharing of automobiles and a wide usage area, which presents challenges for compact city realization. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Urban Design: Urban Externalities and Land Use Planning)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 1047 KiB  
Article
The Crossroads of Ecotourism Dependency, Food Security and a Global Pandemic in Galápagos, Ecuador
by Adam Burke
Sustainability 2021, 13(23), 13094; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132313094 - 26 Nov 2021
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3751
Abstract
International esteem for Galápagos’ natural wonders and the democratization of travel have contributed to a 300% increase in annual tourist entries to the archipelago from 2000 (68,989) to 2018 (275,817). The attendant spike in tourism-related anthropogenic impact coupled with deficient infrastructure development has [...] Read more.
International esteem for Galápagos’ natural wonders and the democratization of travel have contributed to a 300% increase in annual tourist entries to the archipelago from 2000 (68,989) to 2018 (275,817). The attendant spike in tourism-related anthropogenic impact coupled with deficient infrastructure development has put the archipelago’s natural capital and carrying capacity at risk. The complex nature of Galápagos’ food insecurity is linked to the archipelago’s geographic isolation, its diminishing agricultural workforce, international tourists’ demand for recognizable food, and a lack of investment in sustainable and innovative agricultural futures. Food security is key to the long-term well-being of Galapagueños, who sustain Galápagos’ tourism industry. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has further exposed the vulnerability of human systems in Galápagos, especially the fragility of Galápagos’ ecotourism dependency. Galapagueños’ struggle to endure the tourism sector’s slow rebound following the 2020 travel restrictions points to an urgent need to implement food security measures as an indispensable component of the archipelago’s long-term sustainability plan. This article presents ethnographic data to discuss the tourism sector’s impact on local food systems, Galapagueños’ right to food sovereignty, efforts to increase agricultural production, and why strengthening institutional partnerships is vital to Galápagos’ food self-sufficiency. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Island Tourism)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 3155 KiB  
Article
Different Charging Strategies for Electric Vehicle Fleets in Urban Freight Transport
by Bram Kin, Meike Hopman and Hans Quak
Sustainability 2021, 13(23), 13080; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132313080 - 26 Nov 2021
Cited by 18 | Viewed by 4198
Abstract
The transition from diesel-driven urban freight transport towards more electric urban freight transport turns out to be challenging in practice. A major concern for transport operators is how to find a reliable charging strategy for a larger electric vehicle fleet that provides flexibility [...] Read more.
The transition from diesel-driven urban freight transport towards more electric urban freight transport turns out to be challenging in practice. A major concern for transport operators is how to find a reliable charging strategy for a larger electric vehicle fleet that provides flexibility based on different daily mission profiles within that fleet, while also minimizing costs. This contribution assesses the trade-off between a large battery pack and opportunity charging with regard to costs and operational constraints. Based on a case study with 39 electric freight vehicles that have been used by a parcel delivery company and a courier company in daily operations for over a year, various scenarios have been analyzed by means of a TCO analysis. Although a large battery allows for more flexibility in planning, opportunity charging can provide a feasible alternative, especially in the case of varying mission profiles. Additional personnel costs during opportunity charging can be avoided as much as possible by a well-integrated charging strategy, which can be realized by a reservation system that minimizes the risk of occupied charging stations and a dense network of charging stations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Zero-Emission City Logistics)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 2304 KiB  
Article
Sustainable Urban Delivery: The Learning Process of Path Costs Enhanced by Information and Communication Technologies
by Francesco Russo and Antonio Comi
Sustainability 2021, 13(23), 13103; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132313103 - 26 Nov 2021
Cited by 23 | Viewed by 2547
Abstract
Today, local administrations are faced with the presence of greater constraints in terms of the use of space and time. At the same time, large amount of data is available to fleet managers that can be used for controlling their fleets. This work [...] Read more.
Today, local administrations are faced with the presence of greater constraints in terms of the use of space and time. At the same time, large amount of data is available to fleet managers that can be used for controlling their fleets. This work is set in the context defined by sustainable city logistics, and information and communication technologies (ICTs), to formalize the three themes of the smart city (transport, ICTs and energy savings) in a single problem. Following this, the main purpose of the study is to propose a unified formulation of the basic problem of fleets, i.e., the traveling salesman problem (TSP), which explicitly includes the use of emerging information and communication technologies (e-ICTs) pointing out the learning process of path costs in urban delivery. This research explores the opportunity to extend the path cost formation with a within-day and day-to-day learning process, including the specification of the attributes provided by e-ICTs. As shown through a real test case, the research answers to queries coming from operators and collectivities to improve city liveability and sustainability. It includes both economic sustainability for companies/enterprises and environmental sustainability for local administrations (and collectivities). Besides contributing to reduce the times and kms travelled by commercial vehicles, as well as the interference of freight vehicles with other traffic components, it also contributes to road accident reduction (social sustainability). Therefore, after the re-exanimation of TSP, this paper presents the proposed unitary formulation and its benefits through the discussion of results obtained in a real case study. Finally, the possible innovation guided by e-ICT is pointed out. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Future of Sustainable Urban Mobility)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 1126 KiB  
Article
Typology, Structural Characterization and Sustainability of Integrated Broiler Farming System in Epirus, Greece
by Vassilios Dotas, Dimitrios Gourdouvelis, Lampros Hatzizisis, Ioannis Kaimakamis, Ioannis Mitsopoulos and George Symeon
Sustainability 2021, 13(23), 13084; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132313084 - 26 Nov 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1905
Abstract
The aim of this study was the detailed characterization of the existing zootechnical and financial management applied in broiler poultry farms in the Region of Epirus, Greece. The current situation was captured through the formation of a typology on the structural characterization of [...] Read more.
The aim of this study was the detailed characterization of the existing zootechnical and financial management applied in broiler poultry farms in the Region of Epirus, Greece. The current situation was captured through the formation of a typology on the structural characterization of broiler farming system. The variables were recorded based on data from a stratified random sample according to Neyman’s methodology of 110 poultry farms. In the typology, hierarchical cluster analysis was applied to identify differences between farms and to support most of this differentiation. Chebyshev distance was used to maximize the effect of the cluster elements distance, as well as Ward’s clustering method, which aims to achieve greater homogeneity within the clusters. Bonferroni multiple comparison tests were used to evaluate the differences. Four clusters of different farm types were identified from the hierarchical cluster analysis. In conclusion, the production system of broiler farms in Epirus is intensive, especially in large farms that have made significant investments in fixed capital and implement successful management. However, the poultry sector in Epirus has further margin for improvement in both its productivity and profitability. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Poultry Management)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

10 pages, 473 KiB  
Communication
Fatty Acids and Triacylglycerols Profiles from Sicilian (Cold Pressed vs. Soxhlet) Grape Seed Oils
by Vita Di Stefano, David Bongiorno, Carla Buzzanca, Serena Indelicato, Antonello Santini, Massimo Lucarini, Antonio Fabbrizio, Manuela Mauro, Mirella Vazzana, Vincenzo Arizza and Alessandra Durazzo
Sustainability 2021, 13(23), 13038; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132313038 - 25 Nov 2021
Cited by 16 | Viewed by 2642
Abstract
Among the Sicilian economic productive sectors, that of wine production has today a considerable economic value. However, with the growth of this sector, notable was the increase in the production of waste, which to date is not only an economic damage for companies, [...] Read more.
Among the Sicilian economic productive sectors, that of wine production has today a considerable economic value. However, with the growth of this sector, notable was the increase in the production of waste, which to date is not only an economic damage for companies, but also a threat to the environment. It is known that waste from wine production has properties (e.g., antioxidants) which have potential reuse at cosmetic, pharmaceutical and nutritional levels to obtain economically sustainable applications. A new goal is given by the recovery of added value compounds from agri-food wastes and by-products. Grape seed oil is a promising vegetable fat and cold pressing does not involve the use of chemicals, which are harmful to health. It implies that cold-pressed seed oils may contain phytochemicals, as well as natural antioxidants, more than refined oils. In this context, this works aims at studying the chemical characterization (triglycerides profile and composition in fatty acids) of grape seed oils obtained from Soxhlet and cold pressed extraction from Sicilian red grape seeds and white grape seeds. The possibility of obtaining high yields of triglycerides and fatty acids from the waste of wine production through new extraction methods would open up new perspectives for the reuse of waste in a human and animal food context. The results of this work allow the opening up of new perspectives to reuse and then reduce these wastes, helping not only to reduce the damage to the environment and costs for companies but also to create a new product that is environmentally sustainable and with an important economic value. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Food)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

20 pages, 2435 KiB  
Article
Will Plans to Ease Energy Poverty Go Up in Smoke? Assessing the Hungarian NECP through the Lens of Solid Fuel Users’ Vulnerabilities
by Anna Zsofia Bajomi, Nóra Feldmár and Sergio Tirado-Herrero
Sustainability 2021, 13(23), 13047; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132313047 - 25 Nov 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2754
Abstract
Hungary has one of the highest incidences of energy poverty in the European Union, and a high share of Hungarian low-income households rely on solid fuels. This paper first maps the energy vulnerabilities of Hungarian solid fuel users using six energy vulnerability factors. [...] Read more.
Hungary has one of the highest incidences of energy poverty in the European Union, and a high share of Hungarian low-income households rely on solid fuels. This paper first maps the energy vulnerabilities of Hungarian solid fuel users using six energy vulnerability factors. The mapping underlines that solid fuel users are more exposed to energy vulnerability than average households. This is followed by an analysis of energy-poverty-related objectives and measures outlined in the Hungarian National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP), a key policy document of the green energy transition. The paper outlines that the NECP fails to comply with the requirement of setting energy poverty alleviation objectives. Furthermore, the outlined energy-poverty-related policies and measures fail to provide systematic solutions to energy-poverty drivers, especially those solid fuel users’ vulnerabilities. Hungary’s general antiegalitarian policy environment and the weak design of energy poverty measures in the NECP suggest severe deficiency regarding a just energy transition guarantee. A just energy transition in Hungary is therefore endangered by the fact that EU energy poverty alleviation requirements fall under soft-law coordination mechanisms that make such requirements hardly enforceable in a member state with an antipoor policy bias that is reluctant to tackle energy poverty. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multidimensional Perspectives for Energy Poverty Sustainable Mitigation)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 6458 KiB  
Article
Analysis of Changes in Land Use/Land Cover and Hydrological Processes Caused by Earthquakes in the Atsuma River Basin in Japan
by Yuechao Chen and Makoto Nakatsugawa
Sustainability 2021, 13(23), 13041; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132313041 - 25 Nov 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2057
Abstract
The 2018 Hokkaido Eastern Iburi earthquake and its landslides threaten the safety and stability of the Atsuma River basin. This study investigates land use and land cover (LULC) change by analyzing the 2015 and 2020 LULC maps of the basin, and its impact [...] Read more.
The 2018 Hokkaido Eastern Iburi earthquake and its landslides threaten the safety and stability of the Atsuma River basin. This study investigates land use and land cover (LULC) change by analyzing the 2015 and 2020 LULC maps of the basin, and its impact on runoff and sediment transport in the basin by using the soil and water assessment tool (SWAT) model to accurately simulate the runoff and sediment transport process. This study finds that the earthquake and landslide transformed nearly 10% of the forest into bare land in the basin. The simulation results showed that the runoff, which was simulated based on the 2020 LULC data, was slightly higher than that based on the 2015 LULC data, and the sediment transport after the earthquake is significantly higher than before. The rate of sediment transportation after the earthquake, adjusted according to the runoff, was about 3.42 times more than before. This shows that as the forest land decreased, the bare land increased. Conversely, the runoff increased slightly, whereas the sediment transport rate increased significantly in the Atsuma River basin after the earthquake. In future, active governance activities performed by humans can reduce the amount of sediment transport in the basin. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Land Cover/Land-Use Changes Impacts on Ecosystem)
►▼ Show Figures

Graphical abstract

20 pages, 3963 KiB  
Article
The Potential for Future Shifts in Tree Species Distribution Provided by Dispersal and Ecological Niches: A Comparison between Beech and Oak in Europe
by Maximilian Axer, Robert Schlicht, Rico Kronenberg and Sven Wagner
Sustainability 2021, 13(23), 13067; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132313067 - 25 Nov 2021
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2585
Abstract
(1) Due to global warming, distribution ranges of temperate tree species are shifting northwards and upslope to cooler areas. Shifts in distribution first become visible through changes in regeneration dynamics. However, the future distribution of tree species in the face of rapid climate [...] Read more.
(1) Due to global warming, distribution ranges of temperate tree species are shifting northwards and upslope to cooler areas. Shifts in distribution first become visible through changes in regeneration dynamics. However, the future distribution of tree species in the face of rapid climate change depends not only on the climatic suitability of the tree species, but also on its ability to disperse into new habitats. The aim of the study was therefore to examine how the distribution of European beech and European oak shifts and how species can spread from fragmented seed trees. (2) In order to investigate the shift in distribution of beech and oak, the bioclimatic envelopes of the old trees and different size classes of the natural regeneration were compared. Subsequently, a simulation of the potential distribution for the present climate, as well as for the climate for the reference period 2091–2100, for three different representative concentration pathways (RCP) scenarios was determined. In order to determine which of these areas can actually be colonised, a dispersal potential for the species was determined using a quantile regression, taking habitat fragmentation into account. (3) The results of the present study demonstrate range shifts of the tree species regeneration distribution (B0, B1 and B2) compared to the overstorey distribution (OST). While oak regeneration shows an expansion of its distribution in the cold-wet range, beech regeneration shows a reduction of its distribution in the dry-warm range. As the dispersal potential of oak exceeds that of beech, it is expected that oak will be better able to spread from fragmented seed trees. However, the results also indicate that many areas, despite climatic suitability, cannot be colonised due to too large dispersal distances. (4) For the forest management, this results in an important planning tool for future tree species composition, as climatic suitability, habitat connectivity and dispersal ability are taken into account. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selecting Climate Resilient Tree Species for Forest Restoration – What Is Necessary and What Is Possible?)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

21 pages, 2212 KiB  
Article
Understanding Complex Relationships between Human Well-Being and Land Use Change in Mozambique Using a Multi-Scale Participatory Scenario Planning Process
by Pedro Zorrilla-Miras, Estrella López-Moya, Marc J. Metzger, Genevieve Patenaude, Almeida Sitoe, Mansour Mahamane, Sá Nogueira Lisboa, James S. Paterson and Elena López-Gunn
Sustainability 2021, 13(23), 13030; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132313030 - 25 Nov 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3063
Abstract
The path for bringing millions of people out of poverty in Africa is likely to coincide with important changes in land use and land cover (LULC). Envisioning the different possible pathways for agricultural, economic and social development, and their implications for changes in [...] Read more.
The path for bringing millions of people out of poverty in Africa is likely to coincide with important changes in land use and land cover (LULC). Envisioning the different possible pathways for agricultural, economic and social development, and their implications for changes in LULC, ecosystem services and society well-being, will improve policy-making. This paper presents a case that uses a multi-scale participatory scenario planning method to facilitate the understanding of the complex interactions between LULC change and the wellbeing of the rural population and their possible future evolution in Mozambique up to 2035. Key drivers of change were identified: the empowerment of civil society, the effective application of legislation and changes in rural technologies (e.g., information and communications technologies and renewable energy sources). Three scenarios were constructed: one characterized by the government promoting large investments; a second scenario characterized by the increase in local community power and public policies to promote small and medium enterprises; and a third, intermediate scenario. All three scenarios highlight qualitative large LULC changes, either driven by large companies or by small and medium scale farmers. The scenarios have different impact in wellbeing and equity, the first one implying a higher rural to urban area migration. The results also show that the effective application of the law can produce different results, from assuring large international investments to assuring the improvement of social services like education, health care and extension services. Successful application of these policies, both for biodiversity and ecosystem services protection, and for the social services needed to improve the well-being of the Mozambican rural population, will have to overcome significant barriers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Rural Futures)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

20 pages, 1904 KiB  
Article
Elements of Social Sustainability among Austrian Hay Milk Farmers: Between Satisfaction and Stress
by Anja Scheurich, Alexandra Penicka, Stefan Hörtenhuber, Thomas Lindenthal, Elisabeth Quendler and Werner Zollitsch
Sustainability 2021, 13(23), 13010; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132313010 - 24 Nov 2021
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2458
Abstract
Proponents of hay milk farming claim several benefits on an ecological and economic level, while little about the social aspects has been studied so far. The present study serves as a first exploration of certain aspects of social sustainability from the perspective of [...] Read more.
Proponents of hay milk farming claim several benefits on an ecological and economic level, while little about the social aspects has been studied so far. The present study serves as a first exploration of certain aspects of social sustainability from the perspective of hay milk farmers. The results of an online survey of 284 Austrian hay milk farmers are presented. The statistical analyses included Fisher’s exact tests (contingency tables), Kendall’s rank correlations and a two-step cluster analysis. The sampled farms show positive attitudes toward the work in agriculture (e.g., contribution to the cultural landscape) and are mainly satisfied regarding several job aspects (e.g., occupational diversity), but to a great extent dissatisfied with others (e.g., social recognition, time resources). The critical stressors are the agricultural policy, the economic situation, too little time for partnership or family life as well as bureaucracy and work overload. Multiple medium associations between aspects of well-being are revealed. Obvious and meaningful relationships between farm characteristics and aspects of well-being are scarce. The cluster analysis does little to help explain the characteristics of well-being within the patterns of farms. It therefore seems that the perception of the investigated aspects of well-being on hay milk farms is mostly formed individually and is only associated with the farms’ characteristics to a certain degree. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Challenges to Sustainable Development in Family Farms: Global and Local Context)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 1416 KiB  
Article
Climate Change Scenarios and Their Implications on the Energy Performance of Hellenic Non-Residential Buildings
by Kalliopi G. Droutsa, Simon Kontoyiannidis, Constantinos A. Balaras, Athanassios A. Argiriou, Elena G. Dascalaki, Konstantinos V. Varotsos and Christos Giannakopoulos
Sustainability 2021, 13(23), 13005; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132313005 - 24 Nov 2021
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2139
Abstract
It is important to understand how the climate is changing in order to prepare for the future, adapt if necessary, and, most importantly, take proper precautionary measures to alleviate major negative impacts. This work investigates the potential impacts of climate change on the [...] Read more.
It is important to understand how the climate is changing in order to prepare for the future, adapt if necessary, and, most importantly, take proper precautionary measures to alleviate major negative impacts. This work investigates the potential impacts of climate change on the anticipated energy performance of the existing Hellenic building stock until the end of the century. The assessment considers average climatic projections for two future time periods, one for the near and one for the distant future, following two representative concentration pathways (RCPs). The first one is a baseline scenario (RCP8.5) representing the highest greenhouse gas emissions. The second is an intermediate stabilization scenario (RCP4.5), assuming the imposition of conservative emissions mitigation policies. The future climate data are generated for 62 cities throughout Greece. As a case study, the work focuses on Hellenic non-residential (NR) whole buildings, analyzing available data collected during about 2500 energy audits of real NR buildings. The available data are used to assess the buildings’ heating and cooling demand and energy use. The annual average air temperature for Greece in 2050 is projected to increase by 1.5 K for the RCP4.5 scenario and by 1.9 K for the RCP8.5 scenario. In 2090, the increase is estimated to reach 1.7 K and 4.2 K, respectively. Accordingly, if the existing NR buildings are not renovated, the average heating energy use is expected to decrease by 22–26% in 2050 and by 23–52% in 2090. On the other hand, the average cooling energy use is expected to increase by 24–30% in 2050 and by 28–66% in 2090. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Assessing Vulnerability and Resilience to Climate Change Impacts in the Mediterranean Region)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

26 pages, 6144 KiB  
Article
Farmer Perceptions of Agricultural Risks; Which Risk Attributes Matter Most for Men and Women
by Jamleck Osiemo, Ruerd Ruben and Evan Girvetz
Sustainability 2021, 13(23), 12978; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132312978 - 23 Nov 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2728
Abstract
Analysis of farmer risk perceptions is usually limited to production risks, with risk perception as a function of likelihood and severity. Such an approach is limited in the context of the many risks and other important risk attributes. Our analysis of the risk [...] Read more.
Analysis of farmer risk perceptions is usually limited to production risks, with risk perception as a function of likelihood and severity. Such an approach is limited in the context of the many risks and other important risk attributes. Our analysis of the risk perceptions of farmers extends beyond production risks, severity of the risks, and their likelihoods. We first characterize agricultural risks and identify their main sources and consequences. We then analyze risk perceptions as a hierarchical construct using partial least squares path modelling. We determine the most important risks and risk attributes in the perceptions of farmers, and test for differences in the perceptions between men and women. Results show that severity and ability to prevent a risk are most important in forming risk perceptions. Second, probabilities (ability to prevent) tend to matter more to men (women) for some risks; lastly, low crop yields and fluctuating input prices have greater total effects on the overall risk perception. Our results provide an impetus for risk analysis in agriculture to consider risk attributes that cause affective reactions such as severity and perceived ability to prevent the risks, the need for input price stabilization, and redress of the rampart yield gaps in small-scale agriculture. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Agriculture)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 567 KiB  
Article
A Healthy Metaphor? The North Sea Consultation and the Power of Words
by Haye Geukes, Udo Pesch, Aad Correljé and Behnam Taebi
Sustainability 2021, 13(22), 12905; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132212905 - 22 Nov 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2101
Abstract
The North Sea Consultation was set up to resolve conflicting claims for space in the North Sea. In 2020, this consultation process resulted in the North Sea Agreement, which was supported by the Dutch Parliament and cabinet as a long-term policy; however, the [...] Read more.
The North Sea Consultation was set up to resolve conflicting claims for space in the North Sea. In 2020, this consultation process resulted in the North Sea Agreement, which was supported by the Dutch Parliament and cabinet as a long-term policy; however, the fishing sector felt excluded, left the consultation process, and does not support the agreement. Using semi-constructed interviews and the method of wide reflective equilibrium, this research found that in this conflict the metaphor of ‘health’ has played a decisive role. While all stakeholders want to keep the sea ‘healthy’, they disagree on what a healthy sea actually means, leading to contrastive positions on the desirability of trawler fishing, wind parks, and conservation areas—the North Sea Agreement’s main foci of interest. To prevent the unproductive escalation of such a conflict, it is inevitable to acknowledge the moral connotations of such metaphors, as this allows a decision-making process that can be considered more just. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ethics of Climate Adaptation)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

29 pages, 810 KiB  
Article
Digitalizing Higher Education in Light of Sustainability and Rebound Effects—Surveys in Times of the COVID-19 Pandemic
by Marlen Gabriele Arnold, Alina Vogel and Martin Ulber
Sustainability 2021, 13(22), 12912; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132212912 - 22 Nov 2021
Cited by 17 | Viewed by 3818
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has focused attention not only on health and social issues, but on the issue of digital transformation as well. Within a very short time, universities had to convert their courses to digital formats and university life was reduced to a [...] Read more.
The COVID-19 pandemic has focused attention not only on health and social issues, but on the issue of digital transformation as well. Within a very short time, universities had to convert their courses to digital formats and university life was reduced to a minimum. To shed light on how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected universities, we investigated the following questions: How was this transformation accomplished? What advantages and disadvantages did it bring with it? How sustainable was this transformation? and What can the future of higher education look like? This study is based on the responses to two questionnaires for university staff and students conducted at the Chemnitz University of Technology between mid-July and September, 2020 (n = 369), and between February and March, 2021 (n = 252). Both questionnaires were analysed using descriptive statistics and qualitative content analysis. The results show wide variations in response to digital teaching and learning. Digital teaching and working/learning from home have brought both multiple benefits and multiple challenges at the same time. Working and learning from home was perceived as both enriching and overwhelming—even for the same individual. Respondents appreciated the flexibility associated with digital teaching, even though digital teaching was perceived as imposing excessive demands. This study reveals striking gaps in our knowledge and our actions linking digital transformation and sustainability and highlights how digital teaching can be further developed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exploring Relationships between Digitalization and Sustainability)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 696 KiB  
Review
Thinking Like a Mountain: Exploring the Potential of Relational Approaches for Transformative Nature Conservation
by J. Marc Foggin, Daniele Brombal and Ali Razmkhah
Sustainability 2021, 13(22), 12884; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132212884 - 21 Nov 2021
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 5949
Abstract
Building on a review of current mainstream paradigms of nature conservation, the essence of transformations necessary for effective and lasting change are presented—namely, convivial solutions (or ‘living with others’), in which relationality and an appreciation of our interdependencies are central, in contrast to [...] Read more.
Building on a review of current mainstream paradigms of nature conservation, the essence of transformations necessary for effective and lasting change are presented—namely, convivial solutions (or ‘living with others’), in which relationality and an appreciation of our interdependencies are central, in contrast to life-diminishing models of individualism and materialism/secularism. We offer several areas for improvement centred on regenerative solutions, moving beyond conventional environmental protection or biophysical restoration and focusing instead on critical multidimensional relationships—amongst people and between people and the rest of nature. We focus, in particular, on the potential of people’s values and worldviews to inform morality (guiding principles and/or beliefs about right and wrong) and ethics (societal rules defining acceptable behaviour), which alone can nurture the just transformations needed for nature conservation and sustainability at all scales. Finally, we systematize the potential of regenerative solutions against a backdrop of relational approaches in sustainability sciences. In so doing, we contribute to current endeavours of the conservation community for more inclusive conservation, expanding beyond economic valuations of nature and protected areas to include more holistic models of governance that are premised on relationally-oriented value systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Inclusive Governance and Management of Protected and Conserved Areas)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

11 pages, 1986 KiB  
Article
Sustainable Energy Management Benchmark at Wastewater Treatment Plant
by Andrey Kiselev, Elena Magaril, Deborah Panepinto, Elena Cristina Rada, Marco Ravina and Maria Chiara Zanetti
Sustainability 2021, 13(22), 12885; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132212885 - 21 Nov 2021
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2391
Abstract
Urban wastewater effluents bring large amounts of nutrients, organic matter, and organic microcontaminants into freshwater ecosystems. Ensuring the quality of wastewater treatment (WWT) is one of the main challenges facing the management of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). However, achievement of high-quality standards leads [...] Read more.
Urban wastewater effluents bring large amounts of nutrients, organic matter, and organic microcontaminants into freshwater ecosystems. Ensuring the quality of wastewater treatment (WWT) is one of the main challenges facing the management of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). However, achievement of high-quality standards leads towards significant energy consumption: usually the more intensive WWT process requires additional energies. Energy efficiency at WWTP is actual mainstream on the current sustainable development agenda. The WWTP processes and methods can be considered from the standpoint of material and energy flows according to circular economy paradigm, which offers great possibilities to reuse waste originating from WWT in order to receive renewable energy. The correlation between energy and quality issues to evaluate WWTP efficiency is of a great scientific and practical interest. The main goal of the paper is to check the dependency between these two main issues in WWTP management—WWT quality and energy efficiency—and to determine possible limits of such relation. The municipal sewerage system of Ekaterinburg, Russia was studied within this paper. The total length of centralized sewerage system in Ekaterinburg is over 1500 km of pipes within two main sewerage basins: northern and southern. The methodological framework for the current research consisted of three steps: (i) WWT quality evaluation, (ii) energy efficiency evaluation, and (iii) WWTP Quality/Energy (Q/E) efficiency dependency matrix. For the purpose of research, authors investigated the 2015–2018 period. The results showed that the outputs correlate with the technical conditions of WWTPs and the implementation of the best available techniques (BATs): most of the northern WWTP values are referred to the green zone (good rank), while the southern WWTP values are situated generally in the orange zone (unsatisfactory rank). The proposed methodological approach for Q/E dependency of WWT process creates a strong but simple tool for managers to evaluate the current success of the operation of WWTP and progress towards circular economy practices implementation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Waste Management and Application of the Principles of the Circular Economy)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

25 pages, 14927 KiB  
Article
Harvesting Solar Energy from Asphalt Pavement
by Md Fahim Tanvir Hossain, Samer Dessouky, Ayetullah B. Biten, Arturo Montoya and Daniel Fernandez
Sustainability 2021, 13(22), 12807; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132212807 - 19 Nov 2021
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3963
Abstract
This study aims at designing and developing a new technique to harvest solar energy from asphalt pavements. The proposed energy harvester system consists of a pavement solar box with a transparent polycarbonate sample and a thin-film solar panel. This device mechanism can store [...] Read more.
This study aims at designing and developing a new technique to harvest solar energy from asphalt pavements. The proposed energy harvester system consists of a pavement solar box with a transparent polycarbonate sample and a thin-film solar panel. This device mechanism can store energy in a battery charged over daytime and later convert it into electric power as per demand. A wide range of polycarbonate samples containing different thicknesses, elastic moduli, and light transmission properties were tested to select the most efficient materials for the energy harvester system. Transmittance Spectroscopy was conducted to determine the percent light transmission property of the polycarbonate samples at different wavelengths in the visible spectrum. Finite Element Analysis modeling of the pavement–tire load system was conducted to design the optimal energy harvester system under static load. It was followed by the collection of data on the generated power under different weather conditions. The energy harvesters were also subjected to vehicular loads in the field. The results suggest that the proposed pavement solar box can generate an average of 23.7 watts per square meter continuously over 6 h a day under sunny conditions for the weather circumstances encountered in South Texas while providing a slightly smaller power output in other weather circumstances. It is a promising self-powered and low-cost installation technique that can be implemented at pedestrian crossings and intersections to alert distracted drivers at the time of pedestrian crossing, which is likely to improve pedestrian safety. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Renewable Energy Technologies for Sustainable Development)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 2740 KiB  
Article
Message for Solidarity: A Japanese Perspective on the Payment for Forest Ecosystem Services Developed over Centuries of History
by Ryoko Ishizaki and Shinju Matsuda
Sustainability 2021, 13(22), 12846; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132212846 - 19 Nov 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2683
Abstract
Payments for ecosystem/environmental services (PES) have emerged internationally as a new environmental conservation concept over the past two decades. By contrast, Japan has a centuries-long history of using various forms of PES. These schemes can be understood as solutions to interregional problems with [...] Read more.
Payments for ecosystem/environmental services (PES) have emerged internationally as a new environmental conservation concept over the past two decades. By contrast, Japan has a centuries-long history of using various forms of PES. These schemes can be understood as solutions to interregional problems with forest ecosystem services that have been agreed upon and accepted by the society. This paper aims to consider the significance of PES with respect to cooperative relationships by examining historically formed solutions in Japan. The Japanese experience shows that rather than simply being a demonstration of monetary value, PES in upstream forests were a means of communication across regions, expressing interregional solidarity as a core concept. As connections among communities became less visible, the government artificially created solidarity through payments. The payments gradually shifted from having a socioeconomic meaning to having a psychological meaning. The government sought to substantiate the sense of solidarity by making individual users more aware of the meaning of payments. We can find the significance of this type of PES in the fact that payments can be a way to approach the issue of building solidarity by focusing on the function of payments as messengers rather than them merely having an economic value. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Resources and Sustainable Utilization)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

20 pages, 1281 KiB  
Article
Refugees’ Integration in the Built Environment: The Sweden Case
by Mo Hamza
Sustainability 2021, 13(22), 12812; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132212812 - 19 Nov 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3794
Abstract
The resettlement and integration of a displaced population into a new society faces a plethora of challenges. These range from lack of national legal frameworks to plan and implement planned relocation, to the absence of a long-term vision, inadequate funds, and poor institutional [...] Read more.
The resettlement and integration of a displaced population into a new society faces a plethora of challenges. These range from lack of national legal frameworks to plan and implement planned relocation, to the absence of a long-term vision, inadequate funds, and poor institutional structures. The 3-year EU Erasmus+ funded REGARD Project (REbuildinG AfteR Displacement) set out to address some of these challenges and develop guidance with a focus on the roles and responsibilities of the host and the resettled community in order to understand the needs of both. This paper focuses on the Swedish experience (one of four case studies in the project) in the aftermath of the mass influx of Syrian refugees in 2015. A needs assessment conceptual framework of both host and displaced communities guided the multi-method approach applied in the Sweden case where data was drawn from a scoped literature review on issues related to integration and social cohesion complimented and validated by in-depth interviews with a number of municipalities and non-governmental organizations all working with asylum seekers resettlement. The results of the research indicate that while the Swedish case was a relative success by comparison to others in Europe, there was still systemic shortcomings that needed attention. First, cooperation and coordination between government and non-governmental actors and at different levels up and down the chain of services provided for resettled refugees is still lacking where the reality on the ground is not fully grasped by centrally driven policy and decision-making. Second, what determines the effectiveness of resettlement and integration efforts is focusing on the individuality of each displacee’s needs and circumstances where one-size does not fit all, and recognizing that integration is a two-way process that has to involve both host and guest community and not simply the absorption of one into the other. Finally, the paper concludes that the pressured and often highly politicized situations both host and guest community are put into usually force rapid responses, while long-term visions and sustainable solutions when adequate time is taken to establish trust and build viable networks between the two communities can lead to far better results. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rebuilding Communities Following Disasters and Conflict-Induced Mass Displacements)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

21 pages, 4058 KiB  
Article
Urban Wastewater Treatment in African Countries: Evidence from the Hydroaid Initiative
by Marco Ravina, Sergio Galletta, Augustin Dagbetin, Omama Ahmed Hussein Kamaleldin, Madalitso Mng’ombe, Lameck Mnyenyembe, Alemayehu Shanko and MariaChiara Zanetti
Sustainability 2021, 13(22), 12828; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132212828 - 19 Nov 2021
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 5985
Abstract
This study is based on the evidence collected during the “Technical e-Learning Course on Wastewater Treatment”, an international training project developed in 2020 in Italy by the Hydroaid Association, in collaboration with Turin Polytechnic. This work intended to address the sustainability of urban [...] Read more.
This study is based on the evidence collected during the “Technical e-Learning Course on Wastewater Treatment”, an international training project developed in 2020 in Italy by the Hydroaid Association, in collaboration with Turin Polytechnic. This work intended to address the sustainability of urban sanitation in various African countries, which the world of international cooperation has been looking at in recent years with growing interest. A comparative analysis of the current strategies and technological solutions was conducted. Data and information reported by the project participants were elaborated and verified. Four African countries—Benin, Egypt, Ethiopia, and Malawi—were considered and two relevant case studies among those proposed by the participants were presented. Starting from this analysis, significant elements about the status and coverage of wastewater management were extracted and reported. The analysis of existing wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) allowed evaluating their design features and current status of operation. Considerations about the environmental, economic, social, and technical sustainability of wastewater treatment and management were finally reported. Conducting such an analysis provided support in identifying the best practices and the most recurrent problems linked to the various African contexts, which need to be considered for a complete definition of the planning strategy for accessible, efficient, and sustainable sanitation infrastructures. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Water, Wastewater Treatment, and Sustainable Development)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 796 KiB  
Review
The Role of Children in Tourism and Hospitality Family Entrepreneurship
by Antonia Canosa and Heike Schänzel
Sustainability 2021, 13(22), 12801; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132212801 - 19 Nov 2021
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3325
Abstract
This paper reports on a systematic scoping review of peer-reviewed academic literature in the areas of tourism and hospitality family entrepreneurship. Specifically, it explored how and to what extent existing literature paid attention to the roles of children and how children are constructed, [...] Read more.
This paper reports on a systematic scoping review of peer-reviewed academic literature in the areas of tourism and hospitality family entrepreneurship. Specifically, it explored how and to what extent existing literature paid attention to the roles of children and how children are constructed, including whether their voices and lived experiences are reflected in the studies. The Extension for Scoping Reviews’ approach (PRISMA-ScR) was used to identify appropriate articles included in the review. Findings suggest there is limited research focused, specifically, on the role of children in tourism and hospitality family entrepreneurship. Children are often referred to, in passing, as family helpers, beneficiaries of inheritance, and as recipients of intergenerational knowledge and entrepreneurial skills. The original contribution of this paper lies in highlighting the dearth of research focused on children’s roles, as economic and social actors, in tourism and hospitality, as well as proposing a child-inclusive approach to conceptualising tourism/hospitality family entrepreneurship. This is part of a broader social justice agenda, which is critical in tourism and hospitality research, policy, and planning to privilege children’s rights, their participation, and wellbeing. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Insights into Families in Tourism)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 696 KiB  
Review
Salinity Stress: Toward Sustainable Plant Strategies and Using Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria Encapsulation for Reducing It
by Roohallah Saberi Riseh, Marzieh Ebrahimi-Zarandi, Elahe Tamanadar, Mojde Moradi Pour and Vijay Kumar Thakur
Sustainability 2021, 13(22), 12758; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132212758 - 18 Nov 2021
Cited by 55 | Viewed by 6591
Abstract
Salinity is one of the most important abiotic stresses that influences plant growth and productivity worldwide. Salinity affects plant growth by ionic toxicity, osmotic stress, hormonal imbalance, nutrient mobilization reduction, and reactive oxygen species (ROS). To survive in saline soils, plants have developed [...] Read more.
Salinity is one of the most important abiotic stresses that influences plant growth and productivity worldwide. Salinity affects plant growth by ionic toxicity, osmotic stress, hormonal imbalance, nutrient mobilization reduction, and reactive oxygen species (ROS). To survive in saline soils, plants have developed various physiological and biochemical strategies such as ion exchange, activation of antioxidant enzymes, and hormonal stimulation. In addition to plant adaption mechanisms, plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) can enhance salt tolerance in plants via ion homeostasis, production of antioxidants, ACC deaminase, phytohormones, extracellular polymeric substance (EPS), volatile organic compounds, accumulation of osmolytes, activation of plant antioxidative enzymes, and improvement of nutrients uptake. One of the important issues in microbial biotechnology is establishing a link between the beneficial strains screened in the laboratory with industry and the consumer. Therefore, in the development of biocontrol agents, it is necessary to study the optimization of conditions for mass reproduction and the selection of a suitable carrier for their final formulation. Toward sustainable agriculture, the use of appropriate formulations of bacterial agents as high-performance biofertilizers, including microbial biocapsules, is necessary to improve salt tolerance and crop productivity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Synthesis, Design and Environmental Impact of Green Materials)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 2461 KiB  
Article
Combining Genetic Gain and Diversity in Plant Breeding: Heritability of Root Selection in Wheat Populations
by Johannes Timaeus, Odette Denise Weedon and Maria Renate Finckh
Sustainability 2021, 13(22), 12778; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132212778 - 18 Nov 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1833
Abstract
To increase the resilience of agroecological farming systems against weeds, pests, and pathogens, evolutionary breeding of diversified crop populations is highly promising. A fundamental challenge in population breeding is to combine effective selection and breeding progress while maintaining intraspecific diversity. A hydroponic system [...] Read more.
To increase the resilience of agroecological farming systems against weeds, pests, and pathogens, evolutionary breeding of diversified crop populations is highly promising. A fundamental challenge in population breeding is to combine effective selection and breeding progress while maintaining intraspecific diversity. A hydroponic system was tested for its suitability to non-destructively select root traits on a population level in order to achieve genetic gain and maintain diversity. Forty wheat progenies were selected for long seminal root length (SRL) and 40 for short SRL from a wheat composite cross population grown in a hydroponic system. Wheat progenies were multiplied, and a subset evaluated again in a hydroponic system. Preliminary tests in soil and competition experiments with a model weed were performed. The hydroponic selection for long SRL led to an increase of SRL by 1.6 cm (11.6%) in a single generation. Heritability for selection of SRL was 0.59. Selecting for short SRL had no effect. The preliminary soil-based test confirmed increased shoot length but not increased SRL. Preliminary competition experiments point to slightly improved competitive response of wheat progenies but no improved competitive effect on mustard. These results indicate a heritable selection effect for SRL on a population level, combining genetic gain and intraspecific diversity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Breeding and Seed Sector Innovations for Organic Food Systems)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

25 pages, 1711 KiB  
Review
Are We Satisfying the Right Conditions for the Mobility Transition? A Review and Evaluation of the Dutch Urban Mobility Policies
by Mylène van der Koogh, Emile Chappin, Renée Heller and Zofia Lukszo
Sustainability 2021, 13(22), 12736; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132212736 - 18 Nov 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2808
Abstract
Global climate agreements call for action and an integrated perspective on mobility, energy and overall consumption. Municipalities in dense, urban areas are challenged with facilitating this transition with limited space and energy resources, and with future uncertainties. One important aspect of the transition [...] Read more.
Global climate agreements call for action and an integrated perspective on mobility, energy and overall consumption. Municipalities in dense, urban areas are challenged with facilitating this transition with limited space and energy resources, and with future uncertainties. One important aspect of the transition is the adoption of electric vehicles, which includes the adequate design of charging infrastructure. Another important goal is a modal shift in transportation. This study investigated over 80 urban mobility policy measures that are in the policy roadmap of two of the largest municipalities of the Netherlands. This analysis consists of an inventory of policy measures, an evaluation of their environmental effects and conceptualizations of the policy objectives and conditions within the mobility transitions. The findings reveal that the two municipalities have similarities in means, there is still little anticipation of future technology and policy conditions could be further satisfied by introducing tailored measures for specific user groups. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Governance of Technology in Smart Cities)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

34 pages, 16940 KiB  
Article
Assessing Urban Metabolism through MSW Carbon Footprint and Conceptualizing Municipal-Industrial Symbiosis—The Case of Zaragoza City, Spain
by Antonio Valero, Jorge Torrubia, Miguel Ángel Anía and Alicia Torres
Sustainability 2021, 13(22), 12724; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132212724 - 17 Nov 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2977
Abstract
This paper proposes a holistic vision of the urban metabolism (UM), viewing the city as a subsystem within an industrial ecosystem (IE) in which municipal-industrial symbiosis is essential to achieve sustainability goals. For this purpose, the metabolism of a large Spanish city, Zaragoza, [...] Read more.
This paper proposes a holistic vision of the urban metabolism (UM), viewing the city as a subsystem within an industrial ecosystem (IE) in which municipal-industrial symbiosis is essential to achieve sustainability goals. For this purpose, the metabolism of a large Spanish city, Zaragoza, was studied by analyzing the main fractions of its MSW. A methodology based on carbon footprint (CF) was developed to analyze the environmental impact—in terms of CO2—of the influence of households’ behavior, the City Council’s strategies, and the main MSW fractions. Zaragoza’s IE represents a footprint of 931,250 CO2 tons for the fractions studied, of which 438,000 CO2 tons are due to organic fraction, 180,371 to plastics and 154,607 to paper and cardboard, which are the three most significant contributors. If households selectively separated 100% of their waste, the footprint would drop to 648,660 tons of CO2. Furthermore, monetary savings were quantified through the CO2 emissions price. The proposed methodology accounts for the CF of the whole IE, not just the city. Moreover, it enables the creation of Sankey diagrams to visualize the distribution of emissions of each subsystem, highlighting the importance of cooperation between the city and its recycling industries to reduce its CF. Full article
(This article belongs to the Collection Sustainable Household Behaviors: Consumption and Mobility)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 2451 KiB  
Article
Climate Change, Farming, and Gardening in Alaska: Cultivating Opportunities
by Nancy Fresco, Alec Bennett, Peter Bieniek and Carolyn Rosner
Sustainability 2021, 13(22), 12713; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132212713 - 17 Nov 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 4561
Abstract
Ongoing climate change and associated food security concerns are pressing issues globally, and are of particular concern in the far north where warming is accelerated and markets are remote. The objective of this research was to model current and projected climate conditions pertinent [...] Read more.
Ongoing climate change and associated food security concerns are pressing issues globally, and are of particular concern in the far north where warming is accelerated and markets are remote. The objective of this research was to model current and projected climate conditions pertinent to gardeners and farmers in Alaska. Research commenced with information-sharing between local agriculturalists and climate modelers to determine primary questions, available data, and effective strategies. Four variables were selected: summer season length, growing degree days, temperature of the coldest winter day, and plant hardiness zone. In addition, peonies were selected as a case study. Each variable was modeled using regional projected climate data downscaled using the delta method, followed by extraction of key variables (e.g., mean coldest winter day for a given decade). An online interface was developed to allow diverse users to access, manipulate, view, download, and understand the data. Interpretive text and a summary of the case study explained all of the methods and outcomes. The results showed marked projected increases in summer season length and growing degree days coupled with seasonal shifts and warmer winter temperatures, suggesting that agriculture in Alaska is undergoing and will continue to undergo profound change. This presents opportunities and challenges for farmers and gardeners. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Shaping Tomorrow’s Arctic)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying article 1051-1100 on page 22 of 45.

Go to page    first_page chevron_left 20 21 22 23 24 chevron_right last_page
Back to TopTop