Sustainability

16 pages, 2746 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Climate Change and Ski Tourism Sustainability: An Integrated Model of the Adaptive Dynamics between Ski Area Operations and Skier Demand

by Daniel Scott, Robert Steiger, Michelle Rutty, Marc Pons and Peter Johnson

Sustainability 2020, 12(24), 10617; https://doi.org/10.3390/su122410617 - 18 Dec 2020

Cited by 24 | Viewed by 6701

Abstract

Climate change is an evolving business reality influencing the sustainability of ski tourism worldwide. A new integrated model of the co-evolution of supply (27 ski areas) and demand-side (skier behaviour) climate change adaptation in the ski tourism market of Ontario, Canada is presented. [...] Read more.

Climate change is an evolving business reality influencing the sustainability of ski tourism worldwide. A new integrated model of the co-evolution of supply (27 ski areas) and demand-side (skier behaviour) climate change adaptation in the ski tourism market of Ontario, Canada is presented. Ski area operations are modeled under a high-emission 2050s scenario, with skier responses to altered operations informed by a survey of 2429 skiers. These market adaptive dynamics reveal new insights into differential climate risk, capturing patterns not apparent when considering only operational conditions of ski resorts. A decoupling of ski season length and skier visitation was found at four ski areas, where, despite average season length losses, visitation increased as a result of reduced competition. Simulated skier visit losses were smaller than reductions in season length, contributing to an increase in crowding. Growing the market of skiers was also identified as a critical adaptation strategy that could offset skier visit losses from shortened seasons. Climate change challenges the future sustainability of ski areas in this market in several ways: profitability of ski areas with substantially shorter seasons, increased snowmaking costs, crowding impacts on visitor experience, and potential overtourism at the few most climate resilient destinations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Air, Climate Change and Sustainability)

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16 pages, 4329 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Emergy and Sustainability Ternary Diagrams of Energy Systems: Application to Solar Updraft Tower

by Islam Elsayed and Yoshiki Nishi

Sustainability 2020, 12(24), 10546; https://doi.org/10.3390/su122410546 - 16 Dec 2020

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3445

Abstract

To facilitate sustainable energy development, one has to understand the limited availability of nonrenewable energy resources, and the ability of the earth to renew or recover. Emergy is an instrument that measures environmental loading, ecological economics, and regional sustainable development. In this study, [...] Read more.

To facilitate sustainable energy development, one has to understand the limited availability of nonrenewable energy resources, and the ability of the earth to renew or recover. Emergy is an instrument that measures environmental loading, ecological economics, and regional sustainable development. In this study, emergy indicators are calculated to investigate the sustainability of solar updraft tower (SUT). SUT produces energy from the hot air, utilizing a combination of a solar collector, central tower, and air turbines. The results demonstrate that the sustainability of SUT grew as the size of the plant increased. Further, emergetic ternary diagrams are drawn to facilitate the comparison between SUT and various technologies. The resources-use efficiency of wind energy and SUT, 200 MW is found to be the lowest among all energy technologies presented in this research. Scenario analysis is performed to explore the future optimization directions. The results demonstrate that the development direction of SUT systems should mainly focus on reducing the materials demanded by the manufacturing and construction of its solar collectors. This study aims to demonstrate the value of emergy as a powerful instrument for drawing long-term sustainable strategies in energy markets for a greener tomorrow. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Renewable Energies for Sustainable Development)

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12 pages, 7513 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Design and Implementation of a Co-Simulation Framework for Testing of Automated Driving Systems

by Demin Nalic, Aleksa Pandurevic, Arno Eichberger and Branko Rogic

Sustainability 2020, 12(24), 10476; https://doi.org/10.3390/su122410476 - 15 Dec 2020

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 3329

Abstract

The increasingly used approach of combining different simulation softwares in testing of automated driving systems (ADSs) increases the need for potential and convenient software designs. Recently developed co-simulation platforms (CSPs) provide the possibility to cover the high demand for testing kilometers for ADSs [...] Read more.

The increasingly used approach of combining different simulation softwares in testing of automated driving systems (ADSs) increases the need for potential and convenient software designs. Recently developed co-simulation platforms (CSPs) provide the possibility to cover the high demand for testing kilometers for ADSs by combining vehicle simulation software (VSS) with traffic flow simulation software (TFSS) environments. The emphasis on the demand for testing kilometers is not enough to choose a suitable CSP. The complexity levels of the vehicle, object, sensors, and environment models used are essential for valid and representative simulation results. Choosing a suitable CSP raises the question of how the test procedures should be defined and constructed and what the relevant test scenarios are. Parameters of the ADS, environments, objects, and sensors in the VSS, as well as traffic parameters in the TFSS, can be used to define and generate test scenarios. In order to generate a large number of scenarios in a systematic and automated way, suitable and appropriate software designs are required. In this paper, we present a software design for a CSP based on the Model–View–Controller (MVC) design pattern as well as an implementation of a complex CSP for virtual testing of ADSs. Based on this design, an implementation of a CSP is presented using the VSS from IPG Automotive (CarMaker) and the TFSS from the PTV Group (Vissim). The results showed that the presented CSP design and the implementation of the co-simulation can be used to generate relevant scenarios for testing of ADSs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Collection Sustainable Development of Electric Vehicle)

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20 pages, 1674 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Investigation of the Use of Low Temperature Geothermal Organic Rankine Cycle Engine in an Autonomous Polygeneration Microgrid

by George Kyriakarakos, Erika Ntavou and Dimitris Manolakos

Sustainability 2020, 12(24), 10475; https://doi.org/10.3390/su122410475 - 15 Dec 2020

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2091

Abstract

Low-enthalpy geothermal resources (<150 °C) can be used for electricity generation and are widespread around the world, occurring at shallow depths. At the same time, in many parts of the world, there are existing low-enthalpy geothermal wells that are used for a multitude [...] Read more.

Low-enthalpy geothermal resources (<150 °C) can be used for electricity generation and are widespread around the world, occurring at shallow depths. At the same time, in many parts of the world, there are existing low-enthalpy geothermal wells that are used for a multitude of applications such as for buildings’ heating and agriculture-related applications. The dominant technology to convert low-grade heat (<150 °C) to electricity is the Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC). The autonomous polygeneration microgrid (APM) concept aims to holistically meet in a sustainable way the needs of an off-grid community in terms of electrical loads, space heating and cooling, potable water production through desalination, and the use of hydrogen as fuel for transportation, in the most cost-effective manner possible. Photovoltaics (PVs) and wind turbines have been investigated extensively, since PVs can be installed practically anywhere in the world and wind turbines in areas with sufficient wind potential. The aim of this paper is to investigate techno-economically the potential of utilizing low-enthalpy geothermal resources in small-scale APMs through an ORC engine to fully satisfy the needs of small settlements. In order to accomplish this task with confidence, a case study for the Greek island of Milos has been developed and a typical settlement has been considered. It is worth mentioning that experimental results from a realized low-power (<10 kW_e) ORC engine manufactured to operate at temperatures up to 140 °C are used to add reliability in the calculations. In order to meet the needs of the people, four different APMs based on PVs, wind turbines, and geothermal ORC of different but appropriate configurations were designed and sized through optimization. The optimization process was based on particle swarm optimization (PSO). The comparative examination of the results shows that the use of a low-power, low-temperature ORC engine in an APM is technically feasible; more cost effective than the configurations based on PVs, wind turbines, or combination of both; and has increased environmental sustainability. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Smart Microgrid Systems)

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11 pages, 1935 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

A Study on State of Charge and State of Health Estimation in Consideration of Lithium-Ion Battery Aging

by Woongchul Choi

Sustainability 2020, 12(24), 10451; https://doi.org/10.3390/su122410451 - 14 Dec 2020

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3058

Abstract

Due to rapid development of industries around the world, more and more consumption of fossil fuels was unavoidable, resulting in serious environmental problems. The many pollutant emissions—a major contributor to global warming and weather pattern change—have been at the center of concern. In [...] Read more.

Due to rapid development of industries around the world, more and more consumption of fossil fuels was unavoidable, resulting in serious environmental problems. The many pollutant emissions—a major contributor to global warming and weather pattern change—have been at the center of concern. In order to solve this issue, research and development of electric vehicles and energy storage systems made great progress and successfully introduced products in the market. Nevertheless, accurate measurement of the state of charge (SOC) and state of health (SOH) of the Li-ion battery, the most popular electric energy storage device, has not yet been fully understood due to the nature of battery aging. In this study, ideas to estimate the capacity and ultimately SOC and SOH of Li-ion batteries are discussed. With these ideas, we expect not only to accommodate the issues with battery aging but also to implement an algorithm for an on-board battery management system. The key idea is to chase and monitor internal resistance continuously in a fast and reliable manner in real time. With further investigation of the key idea, we also fully expect to come up with a reliable SOC and SOH measurement scheme in the near future. Full article

(This article belongs to the Collection Sustainable Development of Electric Vehicle)

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15 pages, 250 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Land Fragmentation, Technical Efficiency, and Adaptation to Climate Change by Farmers in the Gamo Highlands of Ethiopia

by Tesfaye C. Cholo, Jack Peerlings and Luuk Fleskens

Sustainability 2020, 12(24), 10304; https://doi.org/10.3390/su122410304 - 10 Dec 2020

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2691

Abstract

Although barley production is vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, households in the Gamo Highlands of Ethiopia rely on barley for their diet and allocate most of their highly-fragmented land to barley production. Moreover, farmers alter land management practices as a strategy [...] Read more.

Although barley production is vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, households in the Gamo Highlands of Ethiopia rely on barley for their diet and allocate most of their highly-fragmented land to barley production. Moreover, farmers alter land management practices as a strategy to adjust to climate change and variability. However, to what extent land fragmentation and land management jointly influence the technical efficiency of barley production is unknown. In addition, it is unidentified whether technical efficiency is uniform across multiple separated plots. In this study, we adapted two stochastic frontier panel models on plot-level cross-sectional data to investigate this. The model results indicate that fragmentation influences the effect of land management practices on efficiency. The study found that efficiency was not uniform across different plots and for different farmers and showed the existence of large yield gaps. To close these gaps, policies designed to address the specific components of inefficiency need to be implemented. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Implications of Climate Change for Ecosystems and Society)

10 pages, 3106 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

A Comparative Study of Initial Cost Recuperation Period of Plug-In Series Hybrid Electric Two-Wheel Vehicles in Southeast Asian Countries

by Woongchul Choi and Seokho Yun

Sustainability 2020, 12(24), 10340; https://doi.org/10.3390/su122410340 - 10 Dec 2020

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2392

Abstract

While pollutant emissions from vehicles are under heavy scrutiny all around the world, small two-wheelers have not been under strict regulations until recently. Especially in the region of Southeast Asia, a tremendous number of old, in-house rebuilt and outdated two-wheelers are in operation [...] Read more.

While pollutant emissions from vehicles are under heavy scrutiny all around the world, small two-wheelers have not been under strict regulations until recently. Especially in the region of Southeast Asia, a tremendous number of old, in-house rebuilt and outdated two-wheelers are in operation and, as a result, pollutant emission problems are one of the most serious concerns of the communities. Since electric grid systems for consistent and stable supply of electricity are not there yet, thus plug-in series hybrid two-wheel vehicles have attracted much attention and are thought to be a meaningful solution for many people in the region. In the current study, an energy simulation tool has been developed to compare the ownership cost of an internal combustion engine (ICE)-based two-wheeler and that of a plug-in series hybrid electric scooter. To estimate annual energy cost (sum of gasoline and electricity cost), gasoline prices and household electricity rates in major Southeast Asian countries were collected. In addition, the nominal initial vehicle prices of ICE-based scooters and those of plug-in series hybrid electric two-wheel vehicles were gathered to estimate the time for the recovery of the initial investment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Collection Sustainable Development of Electric Vehicle)

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28 pages, 675 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Impact of Strategic Cooperation under Competition on Green Product Manufacturing

by Izabela Nielsen, Sani Majumder, Eryk Szwarc and Subrata Saha

Sustainability 2020, 12(24), 10248; https://doi.org/10.3390/su122410248 - 8 Dec 2020

Cited by 24 | Viewed by 2938

Abstract

This study explores the optimal pricing and investment decision for two competing green supply chains, both consisting of a manufacturer and an exclusive retailer. Our focus is to explore, does the strategic integration decision with rivals at the horizontal level or with partners [...] Read more.

This study explores the optimal pricing and investment decision for two competing green supply chains, both consisting of a manufacturer and an exclusive retailer. Our focus is to explore, does the strategic integration decision with rivals at the horizontal level or with partners at the vertical level have any effect on green product types? The results reveal the following insights: retailer-retailer strategic integration at downstream level leads to a sub-optimal total supply chain profit and green quality level for a development-intensive green product. Two competing manufacturers can produce products at a higher level if they are vertically integrated with respective retailers. Manufacturer-manufacturer integration at upstream level sometimes leads to higher profits and product quality level if cross price-elasticity of consumers is high. However, an opposite phenomenon is observed while they are selling for a marginal-intensive green product, horizontal integration can improve green quality levels, but supply chain members will receive a lower profit. Therefore, selection of green product types and strategic integration decision are interrelated to achieve the profit maximization goal along with the aim to offer products at a higher green quality level. Vertical integration strategy can outperform horizontal integration strategy, especially if cross-price elastic for green products remain high. Full article

(This article belongs to the Collection Sustainability on Production and Industrial Management)

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16 pages, 2968 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Decreasing Water Footprint of Electricity and Heat by Extensive Green Roofs: Case of Southern Italy

by Behrouz Pirouz, Stefania Anna Palermo, Mario Maiolo, Natale Arcuri and Patrizia Piro

Sustainability 2020, 12(23), 10178; https://doi.org/10.3390/su122310178 - 6 Dec 2020

Cited by 19 | Viewed by 3059

Abstract

Electrical and energy production have a noticeable water footprint, and buildings′ share of global energy consumption is about 40%. This study presents a comprehensive experimental analysis of different thermal impacts and water consumption of green roofs in a Mediterranean climate. The study aims [...] Read more.

Electrical and energy production have a noticeable water footprint, and buildings′ share of global energy consumption is about 40%. This study presents a comprehensive experimental analysis of different thermal impacts and water consumption of green roofs in a Mediterranean climate. The study aims to investigate the use of water directly for green roofs and reduce the water footprint of energy in summer and winter due to its thermal impacts. The measurements were carried out for an extensive green roof with an area of 55 m² and a thickness of 22 cm, and direct water consumption by a green roof and direct and indirect water consumption by cooling and heating systems were analyzed. According to the analysis, in summer, the maximum roof temperature on a conventional roof was 72 °C, while under the green roof it was 30.3 °C. In winter, the minimum roof temperature on a conventional roof was −8.6 °C, while under the green roof it was 7.4 °C. These results show that green roofs affect energy consumption in summer and winter, and the corresponding thermal requirements for the building have a water footprint regarding energy production. In summer, the thermal reduction in the water footprint by a green roof was 48 m³ if an evaporative air conditioner is used and 8.9 m³ for a compression air conditioner, whereas the water consumed in the green roof was 8.2 m³. Therefore, using water directly in the green roof would reduce the energy consumption in buildings, and thus less water has to be used in power plants to provide the same thermal impact. In winter, green roofs′ water consumption was higher than the thermal water footprint; however, there is no need to irrigate the green roof as the water consumed comes from precipitation. This experimental analysis determines that in the Mediterranean climate, green roofs allow the achievement of the same thermal conditions for buildings in both summer and winter, with a reduction in water consumption. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Evidences of Indoor Thermal Comfort in Residential and Tertiary Buildings: Design and Evaluation Methods)

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21 pages, 2927 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Towards Sustainable Human Resources: How Generational Differences Impact Subjective Wellbeing in the Military?

by Rasa Smaliukiene and Svajone Bekesiene

Sustainability 2020, 12(23), 10016; https://doi.org/10.3390/su122310016 - 30 Nov 2020

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 5176

Abstract

The article analyzes the generational (age cohorts) effect on subjective wellbeing at work. The main aim is to reveal generational differences that lead to subjective wellbeing at work and possible discrepancies between the generations. The article contributes to the literature by creating and [...] Read more.

The article analyzes the generational (age cohorts) effect on subjective wellbeing at work. The main aim is to reveal generational differences that lead to subjective wellbeing at work and possible discrepancies between the generations. The article contributes to the literature by creating and testing a theoretical model of subjective wellbeing at work as a composition of several dimensions that vary among generations, including physical experience, cognitive job performance, and appraisal, as well as social relationships and socio-emotional enablement at work. Using the military as an organization where daily routine creates similar conditions for different generations, we surveyed 890 army professionals representing three different generations: Gen Y, Gen X, and Gen Z. A structural equation modelling (SEM) technique is used to test the research model. The results support the hypothesis that generation has a strong moderating impact on the components of subjective wellbeing at work. Social relationship, as a socio-emotional experience, is the most important component of wellbeing at work for Gen Z, while socio-emotional enablement plays a central role in subjective wellbeing at work for Gen X and Gen Y. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wellbeing in Education, Career, and Work: Current Contributions from Emotional Intelligence and other Non-Cognitive Constructs to the Psychology of Sustainability)

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23 pages, 7081 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Data Centers Optimized Integration with Multi-Energy Grids: Test Cases and Results in Operational Environment

by Tudor Cioara, Marcel Antal, Claudia Daniela Antal (Pop), Ionut Anghel, Massimo Bertoncini, Diego Arnone, Marilena Lazzaro, Marzia Mammina, Terpsichori-Helen Velivassaki, Artemis Voulkidis, Yoann Ricordel, Nicolas Sainthérant, Ariel Oleksiak and Wojciech Piatek

Sustainability 2020, 12(23), 9893; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12239893 - 26 Nov 2020

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2531

Abstract

In this paper, we address the management of Data Centers (DCs) by considering their optimal integration with the electrical, thermal, and IT (Information Technology) networks helping them to meet sustainability objectives and gain primary energy savings. Innovative scenarios are defined for exploiting the [...] Read more.

In this paper, we address the management of Data Centers (DCs) by considering their optimal integration with the electrical, thermal, and IT (Information Technology) networks helping them to meet sustainability objectives and gain primary energy savings. Innovative scenarios are defined for exploiting the DCs electrical, thermal, and workload flexibility as a commodity and Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) are proposed and used as enablers for the scenarios’ implementation. The technology and scenarios were evaluated in the context of two operational DCs: a micro DC in Poznan which has on-site renewable sources and a DC in Point Saint Martin. The test cases’ results validate the possibility of using renewable energy sources (RES) for exploiting DCs’ energy flexibility and the potential of combining IT load migration with the availability of RES to increase the amount of energy flexibility by finding a trade-off between the flexibility level, IT load Quality of Service (QoS), and the RES production level. Moreover, the experiments conducted show that the DCs can successfully adapt their thermal energy profile for heat re-use as well as the combined electrical and thermal energy profiles to match specific flexibility requests. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Decentralized Management of Flexible Energy Resources in Smart Grid)

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39 pages, 3915 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Pandapipes: An Open-Source Piping Grid Calculation Package for Multi-Energy Grid Simulations

by Daniel Lohmeier, Dennis Cronbach, Simon Ruben Drauz, Martin Braun and Tanja Manuela Kneiske

Sustainability 2020, 12(23), 9899; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12239899 - 26 Nov 2020

Cited by 42 | Viewed by 6753

Abstract

The increasing complexity of the design and operation evaluation process of multi-energy grids (MEGs) requires tools for the coupled simulation of power, gas and district heating grids. In this work, we analyze a number of applicable tools and find that most of them [...] Read more.

The increasing complexity of the design and operation evaluation process of multi-energy grids (MEGs) requires tools for the coupled simulation of power, gas and district heating grids. In this work, we analyze a number of applicable tools and find that most of them do not allow coupling of infrastructures, oversimplify the grid model or are based on inaccessible source code. We introduce the open source piping grid simulation tool pandapipes that—in interaction with pandapower—addresses three crucial criteria: clear data structure, adaptable MEG model setup and performance. In an introduction to pandapipes, we illustrate how it fulfills these criteria through its internal structure and demonstrate how it performs in comparison to STANET^®. Then, we show two case studies that have been performed with pandapipes already. The first case study demonstrates a peak shaving strategy as an interaction of a local electricity and district heating grid in a small neighborhood. The second case study analyzes the potential of a power-to-gas device to provide flexibility in a power grid while considering gas grid constraints. These cases show the importance of performing coupled simulations for the design and analysis of future energy infrastructures, as well as why the software should fulfill the three criteria. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Developing Multi-Energy Systems: Technologies, Methods and Models)

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19 pages, 631 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Analysing Consumer Preferences, Characteristics, and Behaviour to Identify Energy-Efficient Consumers

by Janez Dolšak, Nevenka Hrovatin and Jelena Zorić

Sustainability 2020, 12(23), 9870; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12239870 - 25 Nov 2020

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3572

Abstract

This paper investigates preference heterogeneity among Slovenian energy consumers and attempts to ascertain how different consumer groups value various attributes of energy products and services. More specifically, it aims to establish whether a consumer segment can be identified that shows a preference for [...] Read more.

This paper investigates preference heterogeneity among Slovenian energy consumers and attempts to ascertain how different consumer groups value various attributes of energy products and services. More specifically, it aims to establish whether a consumer segment can be identified that shows a preference for additional energy services—in particular services, associated with energy-efficient and green behaviour. A latent class analysis is employed to classify consumers on the basis of their preferences for energy services. Additionally, information about their attitudes and behaviour toward green energy and energy efficiency, energy consumption, and usage of energy services together with socio-economic characteristics is used in the latent class regression to explain differences between latent consumer classes. Three classes are identified: the largest class of regular consumers, energy-efficient consumers, and dissatisfied consumers. In contrast to regular and dissatisfied consumers, energy-efficient consumers show a significantly higher interest in additional services, energy efficiency, and green energy. In line with the found heterogeneity of consumer preferences, suppliers should customise marketing strategies to meet the needs of specific segments. Energy policymakers also need to pay more attention to consumer heterogeneity and behavioural changes to increase the effectiveness of energy efficiency policies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Energy Efficiency and Use)

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14 pages, 635 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Academic Achievement and Failure in University Studies: Motivational and Emotional Factors

by Raquel Gilar-Corbi, Teresa Pozo-Rico, Juan-Luis Castejón, Tarquino Sánchez, Ivan Sandoval-Palis and Jack Vidal

Sustainability 2020, 12(23), 9798; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12239798 - 24 Nov 2020

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 9673

Abstract

Universities are committed to offering quality education; however, a high rate of academic failure is often observed in the first year of studies. Considering the impact that motivation and emotional aspects can have on students’ commitment to study and therefore on their academic [...] Read more.

Universities are committed to offering quality education; however, a high rate of academic failure is often observed in the first year of studies. Considering the impact that motivation and emotional aspects can have on students’ commitment to study and therefore on their academic performance, achievement, and well-being, this study aims to identify the factors associated with academic success or failure in 1071 students entering the National Polytechnic School (Quito, Ecuador). The data were compiled from the existing computer records of the university with the permission of the responsible administrative staff. A predictive model has been used and a binary logistic regression analysis was carried out through the step-forward regression procedure based on the Wald statistic to analyze the predictive capacity of the variables related to emotional intelligence, motivational and self- regulated socio-cognitive skills, goal orientation, and prior academic achievement (measured by university entrance marks and through a knowledge test carried out at the beginning of the university academic year). To determine the cut-off point for the best discriminatory power of each of the variables, a Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC) curve analysis has been used. The results indicate that the variables that are significant in the prediction of academic success or failure are the two academic performance measures: the emotional attention variable, and the performance-approach goals and the motivational self-efficacy variable. Additionally, the highest predictive power is displayed by the prior academic performance measure obtained through the knowledge test conducted at the beginning of the university course. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Academic Motivation, Performance and Student Well-Being)

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14 pages, 707 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Social Isolation and Stress as Predictors of Productivity Perception and Remote Work Satisfaction during the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Role of Concern about the Virus in a Moderated Double Mediation

by Ferdinando Toscano and Salvatore Zappalà

Sustainability 2020, 12(23), 9804; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12239804 - 24 Nov 2020

Cited by 201 | Viewed by 37211

Abstract

From mid-March to the end of May 2020, millions of Italians were forced to work from home because of the lockdown provisions imposed by the Italian government to contain the COVID-19 epidemic. As a result, many employees had to suddenly switch to remote [...] Read more.

From mid-March to the end of May 2020, millions of Italians were forced to work from home because of the lockdown provisions imposed by the Italian government to contain the COVID-19 epidemic. As a result, many employees had to suddenly switch to remote work, experiencing both troubles and opportunities. Social isolation from colleagues and the workplace represents a typical aspect of remote work which increased significantly during the social confinement imposed by the government. This study investigates the correlates of social isolation in terms of stress, perceived remote work productivity and remote work satisfaction, proposing the sequential mediation of stress and perceived remote work productivity, and the moderating role of concern about the new coronavirus. An online survey was conducted, and the responses of 265 employees showed the deleterious role of social isolation in stress, which leads to decreased perceived remote work productivity that, in turn, is related to remote work satisfaction. Furthermore, the results suggest that concern about the virus moderates the relationships between social isolation and remote work satisfaction, from one side, and remote work perceived productivity and remote work satisfaction from the other. This latter result suggests that the indirect sequential effect of social isolation on remote work satisfaction is conditional on concern about the virus. Some conclusions are drawn to support managers and HR officers in the choices to better manage employees’ work during the health emergency. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Working during the COVID-19 Global Pandemic)

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16 pages, 2081 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Measurement and Verification of Zero Energy Settlements: Lessons Learned from Four Pilot Cases in Europe

by Angeliki Mavrigiannaki, Kostas Gobakis, Dionysia Kolokotsa, Kostas Kalaitzakis, Anna Laura Pisello, Cristina Piselli, Rajat Gupta, Matt Gregg, Marina Laskari, Maria Saliari, Margarita-Niki Assimakopoulos and Afroditi Synnefa

Sustainability 2020, 12(22), 9783; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12229783 - 23 Nov 2020

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3602

Abstract

Measurement and verification (M&V) has become necessary for ensuring intended design performance. Currently, M&V procedures and calculation methods exist for the assessment of Energy Conservation Measures (ECM) for existing buildings, with a focus on reliable baseline model creation and savings estimation, as well [...] Read more.

Measurement and verification (M&V) has become necessary for ensuring intended design performance. Currently, M&V procedures and calculation methods exist for the assessment of Energy Conservation Measures (ECM) for existing buildings, with a focus on reliable baseline model creation and savings estimation, as well as for reducing the computation time, uncertainties, and M&V costs. There is limited application of rigorous M&V procedures in the design, delivery and operation of low/zero energy dwellings and settlements. In the present paper, M&V for four pilot net-zero energy settlements has been designed and implemented. The M&V has been planned, incorporating guidance from existing protocols, linked to the project development phases, and populated with lessons learned through implementation. The resulting framework demonstrates that M&V is not strictly linked to the operational phase of a project but is rather an integral part of the project management and development. Under this scope, M&V is an integrated, iterative process that is accompanied by quality control in every step. Quality control is a significant component of the M&V, and the proposed quality control procedures can support the preparation and implementation of automated M&V. The proposed framework can be useful to project managers for integrating M&V into the project management and development process and explicitly aligning it with the rest of the design and construction procedures. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Toward Smart Cities: Zero Energy Buildings)

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30 pages, 3625 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Current (2020) and Long-Term (2035 and 2050) Sustainable Potentials of Wood Fuel in Switzerland

by Matthias Erni, Vanessa Burg, Leo Bont, Oliver Thees, Marco Ferretti, Golo Stadelmann and Janine Schweier

Sustainability 2020, 12(22), 9749; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12229749 - 23 Nov 2020

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3307

Abstract

Wood fuel has become central in environmental policy and decision-making processes in cross-sectoral areas. Proper consideration of different types of woody biomass is fundamental in forming energy transition and decarbonization strategies. We quantified the development of theoretical (TPs) and sustainable (SPs) potentials of [...] Read more.

Wood fuel has become central in environmental policy and decision-making processes in cross-sectoral areas. Proper consideration of different types of woody biomass is fundamental in forming energy transition and decarbonization strategies. We quantified the development of theoretical (TPs) and sustainable (SPs) potentials of wood fuel from forests, trees outside forests, wood residues and waste wood in Switzerland for 2020, 2035 and 2050. Ecological and economic restrictions, timber market situations and drivers of future developments (area size, tree growth, wood characteristics, population growth, exporting/importing (waste wood)) were considered. We estimated a SP of wood fuel between 26.5 and 77.8 PJ/a during the three time points. Results demonstrate that the SP of wood fuel could be significantly increased already in the short term. This, as a moderate stock reduction (MSR) strategy in forests, can lead to large surpluses in SPs compared to the wood fuel already used today (~36 PJ/a), with values higher by 51% (+18.2 PJ) in 2020 and by 59% (+21.3 PJ) in 2035. To implement these surpluses (e.g., with a cascade approach), a more circular economy with sufficient processing capacities of the subsequent timber industries and the energy plants to convert the resources is required. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioenergy and Biofuels)

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22 pages, 843 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Corporate Social Responsibility at LUX* Resorts and Hotels: Satisfaction and Loyalty Implications for Employee and Customer Social Responsibility

by Haywantee Ramkissoon, Felix Mavondo and Vishnee Sowamber

Sustainability 2020, 12(22), 9745; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12229745 - 22 Nov 2020

Cited by 38 | Viewed by 8522

Abstract

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) remains a hot topic in management. Yet, little is known about how well managers, employees and consumers are responding to CSR initiatives to align with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Underpinned by well-established theories, this study develops a [...] Read more.

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) remains a hot topic in management. Yet, little is known about how well managers, employees and consumers are responding to CSR initiatives to align with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Underpinned by well-established theories, this study develops a single integrative model of managers’, employees’ and consumers’ CSR. Data were collected from the LUX* group of resorts and hotels located on three Indian Ocean islands: Mauritius, Reunion and the Maldives. Structural equation modelling was employed. Findings reveal: (1) organizational CSR is positively related to employee social responsibility; (2) organizational CSR is negatively associated with customer social responsibility; (3) employee social responsibility is negatively related to customer social responsibility; (4) employee social responsibility is negatively related to customer delight; (5) customer social responsibility is positively related to customer satisfaction; and (6); customer social responsibility is positively related to customer delight. Strategic CSR initiatives with a multi-stakeholder engagement approach are discussed. Full article

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

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12 pages, 410 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Academic Community in the Face of Emergency Situations: Sense of Responsible Togetherness and Sense of Belonging as Protective Factors against Academic Stress during COVID-19 Outbreak

by Fortuna Procentese, Vincenza Capone, Daniela Caso, Anna Rosa Donizzetti and Flora Gatti

Sustainability 2020, 12(22), 9718; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12229718 - 21 Nov 2020

Cited by 41 | Viewed by 7872

Abstract

In the face of emergency situations, such as a global pandemic, individuals rely on their personal resources, but also on community dimensions, to deal with the unprecedented changes and risks and to safeguard their well-being. The present study specifically addresses the role of [...] Read more.

In the face of emergency situations, such as a global pandemic, individuals rely on their personal resources, but also on community dimensions, to deal with the unprecedented changes and risks and to safeguard their well-being. The present study specifically addresses the role of individual resources and community dimensions with reference to academic communities facing COVID-19-related lockdowns and the changes that these have implied. An online questionnaire was administered to 1124 Italian University students. It detected their sense of belonging and of responsible togetherness with reference to their academic community through community dimensions, their student self-efficacy as an individual resource, and their academic stress—potentially stemming from studying in the middle of a pandemic. A multiple mediation model was been run with structural equation modeling. The results show that both the community dimensions associate with higher student self-efficacy and the sense of responsible togetherness, while also associating with lower academic stress. Moreover, student self-efficacy, in turn, associates with lower academic stress and mediates the relationships between both community dimensions and students’ academic stress levels. From these findings, the protective role that community dimensions can exert on an individual’s life becomes apparent. Building on this, further strategies should be implemented to reinforce personal and community resources in order to strengthen individuals against potentially stressful circumstances. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Academic Motivation, Performance and Student Well-Being)

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19 pages, 2059 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Managerial Strategies for Long-Term Care Organization Professionals: COVID-19 Pandemic Impacts

by Ana Dias, Annibal Scavarda, Augusto Reis, Haydee Silveira and Nelson Francisco Favilla Ebecken

Sustainability 2020, 12(22), 9682; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12229682 - 20 Nov 2020

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3466

Abstract

This paper aims to analyze the strategies that healthcare professionals have adopted during the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) in long-term care organizations in Rio de Janeiro city, Brazil, by investigating their competencies—mainly managerial ones. To reach its goals, this paper performs empirical research and [...] Read more.

This paper aims to analyze the strategies that healthcare professionals have adopted during the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) in long-term care organizations in Rio de Janeiro city, Brazil, by investigating their competencies—mainly managerial ones. To reach its goals, this paper performs empirical research and theoretical research. For the empirical research, the plans of professionals during COVID-19 pandemic in long-term care organizations are observed, and a questionnaire is applied to analyze observed data integrity. The data are analyzed through the Python and IBM SPSS Statistic programming languages, and descriptive analyses use descriptive statistic proportions, rates, minimum, maximum, mean, median, standard deviation, and coefficient of variation (CV). A non-parametric approach performs repeated measure comparisons using Wilcoxon’s test, while the McNemmar test is used to repeat the categorical variables. Statistical significance is assumed at the 5% level. For the theoretical research, a literature review is developed using scientific databases. The results show that for the searched period, the number of deaths and the number of people infected by COVID-19 in these organizations are low when compared to general statistics of Rio de Janeiro city. This paper concludes that these strategical adoptions have brought significant benefits to long-term care organizations, and it might motivate researchers to develop future studies related to long-term care organizations, helping to fill the literature gap on the subject. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Working during the COVID-19 Global Pandemic)

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18 pages, 376 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

How the Covid-19 Pandemic Is Changing Online Food Shopping Human Behaviour in Italy

by Leonardo Salvatore Alaimo, Mariantonietta Fiore and Antonino Galati

Sustainability 2020, 12(22), 9594; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12229594 - 18 Nov 2020

Cited by 156 | Viewed by 21088

Abstract

The advent of the Internet has significantly changed consumption patterns and habits. Online grocery shopping is a way of purchasing food products using a web-based shopping service. The current COVID-19 pandemic is determining a rethinking of purchase choice elements and of consumers’ behavior. [...] Read more.

The advent of the Internet has significantly changed consumption patterns and habits. Online grocery shopping is a way of purchasing food products using a web-based shopping service. The current COVID-19 pandemic is determining a rethinking of purchase choice elements and of consumers’ behavior. This work aims to investigate which characteristics can affect the decision of online food shopping during the pandemic emergency in Italy. In particular, the work aims to analyze the effects of a set of explanatory variables on the level of satisfaction for the food online shopping experience. For achieving this aim, the proportional odds version of the cumulative logit model is carried out. Data derive from an anonymous on-line questionnaire administrated during the first months of the pandemic and filled by 248 respondents. The results of this work highlight that people having familiarity with buying food online, that have a higher educational level and consider food online channels easy to use, appear more satisfied for the food online shopping experience. These findings can be crucial for the future green global challenges as online shopping may help to reach competitive advantages for company sustainability. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Human, Cultural, Social, Political and Environmental Dimensions for a New Vision of the Sustainable Agro-Food System Post COVID-19)

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12 pages, 1171 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Validating the Pro-Environmental Behavior Task in a Japanese Sample

by Florian Lange and Shimpei Iwasaki

Sustainability 2020, 12(22), 9534; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12229534 - 16 Nov 2020

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2695

Abstract

Controlled experimentation is critical for understanding the causal determinants of pro-environmental behavior. However, the potential of experimental pro-environmental behavior research is limited by the difficulty to observe pro-environmental behavior under controlled conditions. The Pro-Environmental Behavior Task (PEBT) was developed to address this limitation [...] Read more.

Controlled experimentation is critical for understanding the causal determinants of pro-environmental behavior. However, the potential of experimental pro-environmental behavior research is limited by the difficulty to observe pro-environmental behavior under controlled conditions. The Pro-Environmental Behavior Task (PEBT) was developed to address this limitation by facilitating the experimental analysis of pro-environmental behavior in the laboratory. Previous studies in Belgian samples have already supported the validity of the PEBT as a procedure for the study of actual pro-environmental behavior. Here, we aimed for a cross-cultural replication of this finding in a sample of N = 103 Japanese college students. Along the lines of previous studies, we found PEBT choice behavior to be sensitive to within-subject manipulations of its behavioral costs and environmental benefits. This implies that participants take these consequences into account when choosing between PEBT options. In addition, we showed, for the first time, that such consequence effects can also be detected in a less powerful between-subjects design. These results support the generality of consequence effects on PEBT choice behavior as well as the validity and utility of the PEBT for use in samples from different cultural backgrounds. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exploring Global Environmentalism: Environmental Identity, Belief, and Pro-environmental Behaviors)

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17 pages, 6601 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Energy Saving of a University Building Using a Motion Detection Sensor and Room Management System

by Jong-Won Lee and Young Il Kim

Sustainability 2020, 12(22), 9471; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12229471 - 14 Nov 2020

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 6491

Abstract

To save electricity consumption in university buildings, we measured and compared the amount of electricity use with and without motion detection sensors and room management systems in underground parking lots, lecture rooms, and dormitories of a university building. The underground parking lots and [...] Read more.

To save electricity consumption in university buildings, we measured and compared the amount of electricity use with and without motion detection sensors and room management systems in underground parking lots, lecture rooms, and dormitories of a university building. The underground parking lots and lecture rooms were measured as sensors were applied and then removed during the semester. University classes are held weekly, so it can be assumed that the number of cars and people’s entering and using conditions are the same. In the university’s underground parking lots, a daily electricity savings of 39.5 Wh/(m² day) of lights was achieved, with a savings rate of 77.6%. In the lecture rooms, these values were 25.0 Wh/(m² day) and 32.4%, respectively. Savings in the use of air conditioning were 55.0 Wh/(m² day), with a savings rate of 27.9%. Dormitories use electrical energy for lighting, heating, and socket outlets. As a reference group, 120 rooms were selected and the room management system was applied to 10 samples. For dormitories, daily electricity savings of 142.4 Wh/(m² day) were achieved, with a savings rate of 28.2%. Thus, this study demonstrated that applying motion detection sensors and room management systems saved significant electrical energy in university underground parking lots, lecture rooms, and dormitories. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Building Information Technologies and Building Energy Optimization)

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21 pages, 3201 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Sustainable Urban Regeneration through Densification Strategies: The Kallithea District in Athens as a Pilot Case Study

by Annarita Ferrante, Anastasia Fotopoulou and Cecilia Mazzoli

Sustainability 2020, 12(22), 9462; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12229462 - 13 Nov 2020

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 4325

Abstract

The current main issue in the construction sector in Europe concerns the energy refurbishment and the reactivation of investments in existing buildings. Guidance for enhancing energy efficiency and encouraging member states to create a market for deep renovation is provided by a number [...] Read more.

The current main issue in the construction sector in Europe concerns the energy refurbishment and the reactivation of investments in existing buildings. Guidance for enhancing energy efficiency and encouraging member states to create a market for deep renovation is provided by a number of European policies. Innovative methods and strategies are required to attract and involve citizens and main stakeholders to undertake buildings’ renovation processes, which actually account for just 1% of the total building stock. This contribution proposes technical and financial solutions for the promotion of energy efficient, safe, and attractive retrofit interventions based on the creation of volumetric additions combined with renewable energy sources. This paper focuses on the urban reality of Athens as being an important example of a degraded urban center with a heavy heat island, a quite important heating demand, and a strong seismic vulnerability. The design solutions presented here demonstrate that the strategy of additions, because of the consequent increased value of the buildings, could represent an effective densification policy for the renovation of existing urban settings. Hence, the aim is to trigger regulatory and market reforms with the aim to boost the revolution towards nearly zero energy buildings for the existing building stocks. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Toward Smart Cities: Zero Energy Buildings)

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19 pages, 7471 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Assessing Private Investment in African Renewable Energy Infrastructure: A Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis Approach

by Kenny Baumli and Tooraj Jamasb

Sustainability 2020, 12(22), 9425; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12229425 - 12 Nov 2020

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 4089

Abstract

Energy poverty remains prevalent in many African countries, hindering economic development and exacerbating social inequalities. Simultaneously, population growth throughout the continent is expected to perpetuate the already high demand for basic energy services into the coming decades. Private sector finance is increasingly regarded [...] Read more.

Energy poverty remains prevalent in many African countries, hindering economic development and exacerbating social inequalities. Simultaneously, population growth throughout the continent is expected to perpetuate the already high demand for basic energy services into the coming decades. Private sector finance is increasingly regarded as a necessary ingredient to remedy Africa’s energy challenges and to stimulate the adoption of renewable energy. However, investments remain insufficient for the burgeoning infrastructure requirements of the African economies. This paper seeks to delineate the financial and non-financial drivers of investment decisions to understand better the barriers to private participation in African renewable energy projects. Using a fuzzy Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) approach, we evaluate country-level characteristics and their influence on investor decisions. Investor confidence in regulatory effectiveness is identified as the primary concern for investors. Local capacity building and policy instruments, designed to overcome institutional rigidities, are among the preferred solutions. The findings indicate that non-financial drivers contribute to understanding Africa’s private energy investment challenges. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy and Environmental Policies)

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13 pages, 592 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Emotion Regulation and Employability: The Mediational Role of Ambition and a Protean Career among Unemployed People

by Chiara Panari, Michela Tonelli and Greta Mazzetti

Sustainability 2020, 12(22), 9347; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12229347 - 11 Nov 2020

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3964

Abstract

Literature on job searching suggests that emotion regulation has an impact on employability, but this relationship is far from being explained; furthermore, most of the studies have been conducted among students or workers. The aim of the current study was to investigate the [...] Read more.

Literature on job searching suggests that emotion regulation has an impact on employability, but this relationship is far from being explained; furthermore, most of the studies have been conducted among students or workers. The aim of the current study was to investigate the relationship between emotion regulation and employability among unemployed people, analyzing the role of ambition and protean career orientation as possible factors in such a relationship. Participants were 228 unemployed subjects who had requested individual counselling for job searching; data were collected by means of a self-report questionnaire. Results confirmed that emotion regulation is related to employability, both through a direct relationship and through an indirect effect of ambition and protean career orientation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wellbeing in Education, Career, and Work: Current Contributions from Emotional Intelligence and other Non-Cognitive Constructs to the Psychology of Sustainability)

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18 pages, 9281 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Power Hardware in-the-Loop Testing to Analyze Fault Behavior of Smart Inverters in Distribution Networks

by Taha Selim Ustun, Shuichi Sugahara, Masaichi Suzuki, Jun Hashimoto and Kenji Otani

Sustainability 2020, 12(22), 9365; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12229365 - 11 Nov 2020

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 1929

Abstract

Deep penetration of distributed generators have created several stability and operation issues for power systems. In order to address these, inverters with advanced capabilities such as frequency and reactive power support the grid. Known also as Smart Inverters (SIs), these devices are highly [...] Read more.

Deep penetration of distributed generators have created several stability and operation issues for power systems. In order to address these, inverters with advanced capabilities such as frequency and reactive power support the grid. Known also as Smart Inverters (SIs), these devices are highly dynamic and contribute to the power flow in the system. Notwithstanding their benefits, such dynamic devices are new to distribution networks. Power system operators are very reluctant toward such changes as they may cause unknown issues. In order to alleviate these concerns and facilitate SIs integration to the grid, behavior studies are required. To that end, this paper presents a power hardware-in-the-loop test set up and tests that are performed to study fault behavior of SIs connected to distribution networks. The details of the software model, SI integration with the real-time simulator, test results, and their analyses are presented. This experience shows that it is not trivial to connect such novel devices with simulation environments. Adjustments are required on both software and hardware fronts on a case-by-case basis. The encountered integration issues and their solutions are presented herein. The fault behavior of the SI with respect to the fault location is documented. It is observed that for faults that are close to SIs, momentary cessation of generation is observed. This needs to be tackled by device manufacturers as this phenomenon is very detrimental to health of a power system under fault conditions. Extensive PHIL test results show that several factors affect the fault behavior of an SI: fault location and its duration, SI mode of operation as well as extra devices housed in the casing. These results and their in-depth analyses are presented for a thorough understanding of SI behavior under fault conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dynamic Protection of Power Systems with a High Penetration of Renewables)

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41 pages, 14239 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

The Complexity of Space Utilization and Environmental Pollution Control in the Main Corridor of Makassar City, South Sulawesi, Indonesia

by Batara Surya, Hamsina Hamsina, Ridwan Ridwan, Baharuddin Baharuddin, Firman Menne, Andi Tenri Fitriyah and Emil Salim Rasyidi

Sustainability 2020, 12(21), 9244; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12219244 - 6 Nov 2020

Cited by 26 | Viewed by 4391

Abstract

Population mobility, increasing demand for transportation, and the complexity of land use have an impact on environmental quality degradation and air quality pollution. This study aims to analyze (1) the effect of population mobility, increased traffic volume, and land use change on air [...] Read more.

Population mobility, increasing demand for transportation, and the complexity of land use have an impact on environmental quality degradation and air quality pollution. This study aims to analyze (1) the effect of population mobility, increased traffic volume, and land use change on air quality pollution, (2) direct and indirect effects of urban activities, transportation systems, and movement patterns on environmental quality degradation and air pollution index, and (3) air pollution strategy and sustainable urban environmental management. The research method used is a sequential explanation design. Data were obtained through observation, surveys, in-depth interviews, and documentation. The results of the study illustrate that the business center and Daya terminal with a value of 0.18 µgram/m³ is polluted, the power plant and Sermani industrial area with a value of 0.16 µgram/m³ is polluted, the Makassar industrial area with a value of 0.23 is heavily polluted, and the Hasanuddin International Airport area with a value of 0.04 µgram/m³ is not polluted. Population mobility, traffic volume, and land use changes have a significant effect on environmental quality degradation, with a determination coefficient of 94.1%. The direct effect of decreasing environmental quality on the air pollution index is 66.09%. This study recommends transportation management on the main road corridor of Makassar City, which is environmentally friendly with regard to sustainable environmental management. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Transportation)

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17 pages, 331 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Differential Efficacy of an Intelligent Tutoring System for University Students: A Case Study with Learning Disabilities

by Rebeca Cerezo, Maria Esteban, Guillermo Vallejo, Miguel Sanchez-Santillan and Jose Carlos Nuñez

Sustainability 2020, 12(21), 9184; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12219184 - 4 Nov 2020

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3004

Abstract

Computer-Based Learning Environments (CBLEs) have emerged as an almost limitless source of education, challenging not only students but also education providers; teaching and learning in these virtual environments requires greater self-regulation of learning. More research is needed in order to assess how self-regulation [...] Read more.

Computer-Based Learning Environments (CBLEs) have emerged as an almost limitless source of education, challenging not only students but also education providers; teaching and learning in these virtual environments requires greater self-regulation of learning. More research is needed in order to assess how self-regulation of learning strategies can contribute to better performance. This study aims to report how an Intelligent Tutoring System can help students both with and without learning difficulties to self-regulate their learning processes. A total of 119 university students with and without learning difficulties took part in an educational experiment; they spent 90 min learning in a CBLE specifically designed to assess and promote self-regulated learning strategies. Results show that as a consequence of the training, the experimental group applied more self-regulation strategies than the control group, not only as a response to a system prompt but also self-initiated. In addition, there were some differences in improvement of learning processes in students with and without learning difficulties. Our results show that when students with learning difficulties have tools that facilitate applying self-regulated learning strategies, they do so even more than students without learning difficulties. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Academic Motivation, Performance and Student Well-Being)

22 pages, 2219 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Sustainable Business Models–Canvas for Sustainability, Evaluation Method, and Their Application to Additive Manufacturing in Aircraft Maintenance

by Gonçalo Cardeal, Kristina Höse, Inês Ribeiro and Uwe Götze

Sustainability 2020, 12(21), 9130; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12219130 - 3 Nov 2020

Cited by 43 | Viewed by 16835

Abstract

The topic of sustainable business models is growing in literature and in the industry, driving companies to search for opportunities to improve their impact on the three pillars of sustainability—profit, people, and planet (economic, social, and environmental). However, the process of developing sustainable [...] Read more.

The topic of sustainable business models is growing in literature and in the industry, driving companies to search for opportunities to improve their impact on the three pillars of sustainability—profit, people, and planet (economic, social, and environmental). However, the process of developing sustainable business models is often complex, due to conflicting objectives from the three dimensions of sustainability. This paper presents a procedure model that supports the design and assessment of business models with a sustainable perspective, by integrating a new business model canvas for sustainability (BMCS) and an evaluation method to assess it. A comprehensive assessment is proposed, performed in a life cycle perspective. The proposed model is applied and validated with a real case study, based on a new business model for an aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul company. The case is based on shifting from traditional maintenance, repair, and overhaul activities to adopting additive manufacturing as an activity that allows manufacturing optimized spare parts with benefits for the costumer. The results show the application of the procedure model on a specific case study, as well as the potential of additive manufacturing as a driver for more sustainable business models in the aircraft maintenance sector. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Product Development and Life-Cycle Management)

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22 pages, 2230 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Does the Environmental Kuznets Curve Exist? An International Study

by Nutnaree Maneejuk, Sutthipat Ratchakom, Paravee Maneejuk and Woraphon Yamaka

Sustainability 2020, 12(21), 9117; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12219117 - 2 Nov 2020

Cited by 56 | Viewed by 8605

Abstract

This study aims to examine the relationship between economic development and environmental degradation based on the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) hypothesis. The level of CO₂ emissions is used as the indicator of environmental damage to determine whether or not greater economic growth [...] Read more.

This study aims to examine the relationship between economic development and environmental degradation based on the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) hypothesis. The level of CO₂ emissions is used as the indicator of environmental damage to determine whether or not greater economic growth can lower environmental degradation under the EKC hypothesis. The investigation was performed on eight major international economic communities covering 44 countries across the world. The relationship between economic growth and environmental condition was estimated using the kink regression model, which identifies the turning point of the change in the relationship. The findings indicate that the EKC hypothesis is valid in only three out of the eight international economic communities, namely the European Union (EU), Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), and Group of Seven (G7). In addition, interesting results were obtained from the inclusion of four other control variables into the estimation model for groups of countries to explain the impact on environmental quality. Financial development (FIN), the industrial sector (IND), and urbanization (URB) were found to lead to increasing CO₂ emissions, while renewable energies (RNE) appeared to reduce the environmental degradation. In addition, when we further investigated the existence of the EKC hypothesis in an individual country, the results showed that the EKC hypothesis is valid in only 9 out of the 44 individual countries. Full article

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

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20 pages, 3084 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Prediction for Overheating Risk Based on Deep Learning in a Zero Energy Building

by Yue Yuan, Jisoo Shim, Seungkeon Lee, Doosam Song and Joowook Kim

Sustainability 2020, 12(21), 8974; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12218974 - 29 Oct 2020

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2889

Abstract

The Passive House standard has become the standard for many countries in the construction of the Zero Energy Building (ZEB). Korea also adopted the standard and has achieved great success in building energy savings. However, some issues remain with ZEBs in Korea. Among [...] Read more.

The Passive House standard has become the standard for many countries in the construction of the Zero Energy Building (ZEB). Korea also adopted the standard and has achieved great success in building energy savings. However, some issues remain with ZEBs in Korea. Among them, this study aims to discuss overheating issues. Field measurements were carried out to analyze the overheating risk for a library built as a ZEB. A data-driven overheating risk prediction model was developed to analyze the overheating risk, requiring only a small amount of data and extending the analysis throughout the year. The main factors causing overheating during both the cooling season and the intermediate seasons are also analyzed in detail. The overheating frequency exceeded 60% of days in July and August, the midsummer season in Korea. Overheating also occurred during the intermediate seasons when air conditioners were off, such as in May and October in Korea. Overheating during the cooling season was caused mainly by unexpected increases in occupancy rate, while overheating in the mid-term was mainly due to an increase in solar irradiation. This is because domestic ZEB standards define the reinforcement of insulation and airtight performance, but there are no standards for solar insolation through windows or for internal heat generation. The results of this study suggest that a fixed performance standard for ZEBs that does not reflect the climate or cultural characteristics of the region in which a ZEB is built may not result in energy savings at the operational stage and may not guarantee the thermal comfort of occupants. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Smart City and Zero Energy House/Building)

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18 pages, 357 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

COVID-19: Risk Factors and Protective Role of Resilience and Coping Strategies for Emergency Stress and Secondary Trauma in Medical Staff and Emergency Workers—An Online-Based Inquiry

by Tiziana Maiorano, Monia Vagni, Valeria Giostra and Daniela Pajardi

Sustainability 2020, 12(21), 9004; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12219004 - 29 Oct 2020

Cited by 48 | Viewed by 7083

Abstract

The COVID-19 crisis has placed a heavy burden on medical staff and emergency workers, who may be at risk of developing psychological distress and secondary trauma. Coping and resilience to stress during a pandemic are protective factors that can mitigate the potential adverse [...] Read more.

The COVID-19 crisis has placed a heavy burden on medical staff and emergency workers, who may be at risk of developing psychological distress and secondary trauma. Coping and resilience to stress during a pandemic are protective factors that can mitigate the potential adverse psychological effects. Here, we investigated the direct and mediated effects of coping strategies and hardiness on secondary trauma among Italian medical staff (physicians and nurses, n = 140) and emergency workers (firefighters, civil protection, and ambulance personnel, n = 100) involved in the first phase of the pandemic. For this purpose, we collected data from participants through online questionnaires to measure emergency stress, coping strategies, hardiness, and secondary trauma. Other variables analyzed were age, sex, direct contact with COVID-19 patients, and use of personal protective equipment (PPE). We performed a correlational analysis, regressions, and a mediation analysis. The results show that nurses and physicians experienced higher levels of emergency stress than emergency workers. Direct contact with COVID-19 patients, female sex, unexpected events, and lack of PPE were risk factors for emergency stress, while resilience and coping strategies played a protective role. Mediation analysis shows that coping strategies and hardiness are protective factors and reduce the effect of stress on secondary trauma. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Working during the COVID-19 Global Pandemic)

12 pages, 221 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Blockchain Technology: Redefining Trust for Digital Certificates

by Guendalina Capece, Nathan Levialdi Ghiron and Francesco Pasquale

Sustainability 2020, 12(21), 8952; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12218952 - 28 Oct 2020

Cited by 36 | Viewed by 5605

Abstract

University certificates can have a significant impact on people’s lives: they can help people get the job they want or allow companies to decide whether a candidate for a job has the appropriate skills. Despite their important social role, current systems for certifying [...] Read more.

University certificates can have a significant impact on people’s lives: they can help people get the job they want or allow companies to decide whether a candidate for a job has the appropriate skills. Despite their important social role, current systems for certifying academic achievements are slow, complicated, expensive, and vulnerable to forgery. In the education field, the Blockcerts project, an open source project launched by MIT and Learning Machine in 2016, seems to have the potential to become a new standard for issuing certificates using the Blockchain technology as a platform. It enables students to quickly and easily get a verifiable, tamper-proof version of their diploma. Additionally, the infrastructure provides permanence, convenience, and a level of security appropriate to the importance of the record, guaranteeing the legitimacy of the diploma. The University of Rome “Tor Vergata” started a pilot program in 2018 adopting the Blockcerts framework to issue digital diplomas. In this paper, we describe the whole process from a technical perspective and analyze the impact that a broad adoption of the Blockcerts standard might have, as compared to the current way of issuing diplomas at the University of “Tor Vergata”. Our aim is that our work might contribute to building momentum for the application of the Blockchain technology to digital certificates and stimulate further discussion with other institutions to fully exploit the potential of the technology. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Digital Innovation in Public Administration: Cultural and Technological Dimensions)

21 pages, 1974 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Social Safety of Society for Developing Countries to Meet Sustainable Development Standards: Indicators, Level, Strategic Benchmarks (with Calculations Based on the Case Study of Ukraine)

by Yurii Kharazishvili, Aleksy Kwilinski, Olena Grishnova and Henryk Dzwigol

Sustainability 2020, 12(21), 8953; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12218953 - 28 Oct 2020

Cited by 145 | Viewed by 6266

Abstract

The paper is devoted to identifying the level of social safety of society, taking into account the indicators of shadow economy, and developing its strategic scenarios as a component of sustainable development of Ukraine by 2030. The authors used the modern methods of [...] Read more.

The paper is devoted to identifying the level of social safety of society, taking into account the indicators of shadow economy, and developing its strategic scenarios as a component of sustainable development of Ukraine by 2030. The authors used the modern methods of normalisation, threshold vector determination, and dynamic weight coefficients in order to identify the level of social safety of society. The authors developed the structure and a list of indicators considering three components of social safety: The standard of living, the demographic component, and the quality of life. This method allows determining the list and severity of threats, comparing the dynamics of integral indices with integral thresholds in one scale, identifying the state of security, and defining strategic goals and strategies. The suggested approach is universal and can be used by any country, region, economic activity, or business to develop evidence-based medium-to-long-term sustainable development scenarios. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Management)

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19 pages, 830 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceReview

Improving Maritime Transport Sustainability Using Blockchain-Based Information Exchange

by Marija Jović, Edvard Tijan, Dražen Žgaljić and Saša Aksentijević

Sustainability 2020, 12(21), 8866; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12218866 - 26 Oct 2020

Cited by 49 | Viewed by 8790

Abstract

In this paper, the authors perform a comprehensive literature review of the positive impacts of blockchain-based information exchange in the maritime transport sector, as well as the challenges and barriers for successful blockchain-based information exchange, considering all three aspects of the sustainability (economic, [...] Read more.

In this paper, the authors perform a comprehensive literature review of the positive impacts of blockchain-based information exchange in the maritime transport sector, as well as the challenges and barriers for successful blockchain-based information exchange, considering all three aspects of the sustainability (economic, environmental, and social). The papers from relevant databases (Web of Science and Scopus) and selected studies have been used. The literature coverage was expanded by using backward snowball sampling. In total, 20 positive impacts and 20 challenges/barriers were singled out. Despite the identified barriers and challenges (such as the slow acceptance of blockchain technology in the maritime transport sector or the high implementation cost), blockchain technology possesses a definite potential to improve the information exchange between all involved stakeholders (for example, by improving the visibility across transport routes and by reducing the paper-based processes), positively affecting all three aspects of sustainability. The authors contribute to the existing research of the economic aspect of maritime transport sustainability by blockchain-based information exchange by expanding it and by researching the environmental and social aspects of sustainability. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Methods for Improving Sustainability of Passenger and Freight Transport)

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24 pages, 1872 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on the Resilience of Sustainable Mobility in Sicily

by Tiziana Campisi, Socrates Basbas, Anastasios Skoufas, Nurten Akgün, Dario Ticali and Giovanni Tesoriere

Sustainability 2020, 12(21), 8829; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12218829 - 23 Oct 2020

Cited by 178 | Viewed by 13189

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in unprecedented measures changing travel habits in many countries. Many users have started to prefer traveling by private cars, which is against the sustainability policies of the European cities. The necessity of gaining a deeper understanding of road [...] Read more.

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in unprecedented measures changing travel habits in many countries. Many users have started to prefer traveling by private cars, which is against the sustainability policies of the European cities. The necessity of gaining a deeper understanding of road users’ travel habit changes, their feelings on public transport use, and their perceptions of using sustainable urban mobility modes has emerged for future transport planning. Considering these facts, the study in this paper aimed to investigate the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on road users’ perceptions, needs, and use of sustainable travel modes (i.e., public transport, walking, and cycling). An online survey was carried out during the period from March to May 2020 in the case study area, Sicily of Southern Italy. Regarding the population of the case study, the survey was representative, with 431 individuals. The survey included variables, namely gender, age, city of residence, private car ownership, walking and cycling frequency before and during the pandemic, public transport use frequency for leisure activities before and during the pandemic, need for remote working, and the stress and anxiety perception of using public transport during the pandemic. The analysis started with descriptive statistics and it was followed by correlation analysis in order to explore the characteristics of the dataset and relationship between variables. It was found that these were not statistically significantly correlated at a 95% confidence level. An ordinal regression model was applied for determining the predictions. The results suggested that women were less likely to walk during the pandemic than men. Participants were more likely to resume remote work even after the second phase in order to reduce their daily travel needs and keep their isolation. Participants have expressed a positive opinion on the use of micromobility during pandemic situations. These results can be considered as a basis for sustainable urban planning and a guide for decision-makers who aim to encourage the use of public transport, walking, cycling, and micromobility. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Vulnerability and Resilience of Transport Systems: How to Manage Unexpected Events)

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18 pages, 931 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Being a Better Neighbor: A Value-Based Perspective on Negotiating Acceptability of Locally-Owned Wind Projects

by Esther C. van der Waal, Henny J. van der Windt, Rixt Botma and Ellen C. J. van Oost

Sustainability 2020, 12(21), 8767; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12218767 - 22 Oct 2020

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2333

Abstract

We pose that instead of problematizing negative attitudes of local stakeholders, such as citizens and NGOs, wind energy implementers should be more focused on scrutinizing the acceptability of their projects. The emphasis in this study is on the potential for representation of local [...] Read more.

We pose that instead of problematizing negative attitudes of local stakeholders, such as citizens and NGOs, wind energy implementers should be more focused on scrutinizing the acceptability of their projects. The emphasis in this study is on the potential for representation of local stakeholders’ values in the project design, including amongst others business model and placement. Informed by value sensitive design literature, we analyzed two contrasting, locally-owned wind projects in the Dutch province of Groningen: the implementation of mini-turbines in a national landscape and a large-scale multi MW wind project in an industrialized area close to a World Heritage nature reserve. The study analyses how the respective farmer-developers and other local stakeholders attempted to resolve or ameliorate inter- and intra-value conflicts regarding livability, economy, landscape, and nature. The value conflicts turned out to be fruitful to identifying key issues and creating more widely shared value conceptualizations and design priorities. Hence, from this study it can be concluded that value conflict can be productive if carefully unpacked and managed. Uneven power distribution among stakeholders in the planning process, overcoming incommensurability of perspectives, and creating intersubjectivity remain challenges. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Communities in the Changing Energy Landscape)

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26 pages, 5047 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Using Experimentally Validated Navier-Stokes CFD to Minimize Tidal Stream Turbine Power Losses Due to Wake/Turbine Interactions

by Federico Attene, Francesco Balduzzi, Alessandro Bianchini and M. Sergio Campobasso

Sustainability 2020, 12(21), 8768; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12218768 - 22 Oct 2020

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3369

Abstract

Tidal stream turbines fixed on the seabed can harness the power of tides at locations where the bathymetry and/or coastal geography result in high kinetic energy levels of the flood and/or neap currents. In large turbine arrays, however, avoiding interactions between upstream turbine [...] Read more.

Tidal stream turbines fixed on the seabed can harness the power of tides at locations where the bathymetry and/or coastal geography result in high kinetic energy levels of the flood and/or neap currents. In large turbine arrays, however, avoiding interactions between upstream turbine wakes and downstream turbine rotors may be hard or impossible, and, therefore, tidal array layouts have to be designed to minimize the power losses caused by these interactions. For the first time, using Navier-Stokes computational fluid dynamics simulations which model the turbines with generalized actuator disks, two sets of flume tank experiments of an isolated turbine and arrays of up to four turbines are analyzed in a thorough and comprehensive fashion to investigate these interactions and the power losses they induce. Very good agreement of simulations and experiments is found in most cases. The key novel finding of this study is the evidence that the flow acceleration between the wakes of two adjacent turbines can be exploited not only to increase the kinetic energy available to a turbine working further downstream in the accelerated flow corridor, but also to reduce the power losses of said turbine due to its rotor interaction with the wake produced by a fourth turbine further upstream. By making use of periodic array simulations, it is also found that there exists an optimal lateral spacing of the two adjacent turbines, which maximizes the power of the downstream turbine with respect to when the two adjacent turbines are absent or further apart. This is accomplished by trading off the amount of flow acceleration between the wakes of the lateral turbines, and the losses due to shear and mixing of the front turbine wake and the wakes of the two lateral turbines. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Development and Application of Computational Fluid Dynamics in Offshore Renewable Energy)

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21 pages, 2460 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Indoor Acoustic Comfort Provided by an Innovative Preconstructed Wall Module: Sound Insulation Performance Analysis

by Dimitra Tsirigoti, Christina Giarma and Katerina Tsikaloudaki

Sustainability 2020, 12(20), 8666; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12208666 - 19 Oct 2020

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2981

Abstract

The complicated nature of indoor environmental quality (IEQ) (thermal, visual, acoustic comfort, etc.) dictates a multi-fold approach for desirable IEQ levels to be achieved. The improvement of building shells’ thermal performance, imposed by the constantly revised buildings’ energy performance regulations, does not necessarily [...] Read more.

The complicated nature of indoor environmental quality (IEQ) (thermal, visual, acoustic comfort, etc.) dictates a multi-fold approach for desirable IEQ levels to be achieved. The improvement of building shells’ thermal performance, imposed by the constantly revised buildings’ energy performance regulations, does not necessarily guarantee the upgrade of all IEQ-related aspects, such as the construction’s acoustic quality, as most of the commonly used insulation materials are characterized by their low acoustic performance properties. From this perspective the SUstainable PReconstructed Innovative Module (SU.PR.I.M.) research project investigates a new, innovative preconstructed building module with advanced characteristics, which can, among other features, provide a high quality of acoustic performance in the indoor space. The module consists of two reinforced concrete vertical panels, between which the load bearing steel profiles are positioned. In the cavity and at the exterior surface of the panel there is a layer of thermal insulation. For the scope of the analysis, different external finishing surfaces are considered, including cladding with slate and brick, and different cavity insulation materials are examined. The addition of Phase Change Materials (PCM) in different mix proportions in the interior concrete panel is also examined. For the calculation of the sound insulation performance of the building module the INSUL 9.0 software is used. The results were validated through an experimental measurement in the laboratory in order to test the consistency of the values obtained. The results indicate that the examined preconstructed module can cover the sound insulation national regulation’s performance limits, but the implementation of such panels in building constructions should be carefully considered in case of lower frequency noise environments. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Indoor Environmental Quality and Energy Sustainability)

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11 pages, 2075 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

The Impact of Hydropeaking on Juvenile Brown Trout (Salmo trutta) in a Norwegian Regulated River

by Svein Jakob Saltveit, Åge Brabrand, Ana Juárez, Morten Stickler and Bjørn Otto Dønnum

Sustainability 2020, 12(20), 8670; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12208670 - 19 Oct 2020

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2289

Abstract

The Norwegian electrical energy supply system is based on hydropower. The now deregulated energy market has led to increased use of hydropeaking production, leading to greater fluctuations in discharge and water levels below hydropower stations. The power station HOL 1, with an outlet [...] Read more.

The Norwegian electrical energy supply system is based on hydropower. The now deregulated energy market has led to increased use of hydropeaking production, leading to greater fluctuations in discharge and water levels below hydropower stations. The power station HOL 1, with an outlet to the Storåne River, is a large hydropeaking facility. With over 300 rapid flow increases and decreases per year since 2012, it is a river subjected to frequent hydropeaking. To quantify the stranding risk downstream of the power plant, the effect of a series of different turbine shutdown scenarios was simulated in an earlier study. The residual flow of 6 m³·s⁻¹ and a full production of 66 m³·s⁻¹ were considered as the baselines for the calculation of dewatered areas. A three-year study of juvenile fish density both upstream as a reference and downstream of the power plant was undertaken. There were very low densities or even an absence of brown trout (Salmo trutta) older than young-of-the-year (YoY) below the outlet of the power station, despite high densities of YoY in previous years. This is probably due to the large and rapid changes in flow below the power station. Hydropeaking has less impact on the earliest life stages of brown trout during spring and summer, as well as on spawning and egg development during winter. This is attributed spawning in late autumn occurring at a low flow seldom reached during hydropeaking. The high survival of YoY during the first summer and early autumn is likely due to a lower frequency of hydropeaking and higher residual flows, leaving a larger wetted area. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hydropower Impacts on Aquatic Biota)

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20 pages, 804 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Project Management and Sustainability: Playing Trick or Treat with the Planet

by Danijela Toljaga-Nikolić, Marija Todorović, Marina Dobrota, Tijana Obradović and Vladimir Obradović

Sustainability 2020, 12(20), 8619; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12208619 - 18 Oct 2020

Cited by 44 | Viewed by 10051

Abstract

The incorporation of the social, environmental, and economic dimensions of sustainability in different aspects of human life and business provides a guarantee for our future. Organizations have shown a great interest in incorporating sustainability into managerial concepts, both at the strategic and operational [...] Read more.

The incorporation of the social, environmental, and economic dimensions of sustainability in different aspects of human life and business provides a guarantee for our future. Organizations have shown a great interest in incorporating sustainability into managerial concepts, both at the strategic and operational levels. Sustainable business strategies are being implemented in many projects, which has led to a recent expansion of interest in exploring the potential of integrating sustainability dimensions in project management. With the intention of contributing to a better understanding of sustainable project management, this paper examines whether project management methodologies, applied in different sectors, support the introduction of sustainability dimensions. It also surveys the level of integration of sustainability dimensions in groups of project management processes. Considering that the incorporation of sustainability in project management poses numerous challenges for project managers, this paper examines the necessary knowledge and skills required for sustainable project management in different sectors. As part of this research, an empirical survey was conducted in project-oriented organizations from both the public and private sectors. The findings reveal that the application of project management methodologies promotes the introduction of sustainability dimensions, particularly the social aspect, irrespective of the sector, since the processes in projects managed by a specific methodology are consistent with the social elements of sustainability. In the public sector, there is a noticeable lack of knowledge of the meaning and dimensions of sustainability and, accordingly, an urgent need for project managers to gain knowledge and skills pertaining to sustainable project management. Full article

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

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18 pages, 1390 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Why Is Airline Food Always Dreadful? Analysis of Factors Influencing Passengers’ Food Wasting Behaviour

by Fangzhou You, Tracy Bhamra and Debra Lilley

Sustainability 2020, 12(20), 8571; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12208571 - 16 Oct 2020

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 8431

Abstract

Food waste is emerging as a global issue and has been recognised in the Sustainable Development Goals with a specific target to halve per capita global food waste at consumer levels and reduce food losses by 2030. Research on food waste has been [...] Read more.

Food waste is emerging as a global issue and has been recognised in the Sustainable Development Goals with a specific target to halve per capita global food waste at consumer levels and reduce food losses by 2030. Research on food waste has been neglected particularly in the aviation sector. The International Air Transport Association reported that 5.7 million tonnes of cabin waste was generated on airlines, up to 80.5% of which was leftover food and beverages. The exploration of passengers’ food wasting aims to provide insights for tackling the airline food waste problem. To address this issue, this research investigated the in-flight catering experience of 19 passengers from 21 full-service flights. Qualitative research techniques have been applied to analyse passengers’ food-wasting behaviour by collecting participant-produced photographs and completed questionnaires concerning food-related behaviour. This research identified key factors associated with passengers’ food wasting behaviour by adopting Design for Sustainable Behaviour approaches. Four types of factors were found to influence onboard passenger waste, these were normative, habitual, intentional and situational factors. This research indicates that behavioural change interventions need to incorporate the power of social norms to prevent food waste. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Meeting Sustainable Development Goals by Reducing Food Loss)

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12 pages, 256 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Sports Entrepreneurship

by Paloma Escamilla-Fajardo, Juan M. Núñez-Pomar, Ferran Calabuig-Moreno and Ana M. Gómez-Tafalla

Sustainability 2020, 12(20), 8493; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12208493 - 15 Oct 2020

Cited by 24 | Viewed by 8836

Abstract

Sports entrepreneurship has been considered an important part of sports organisations when overcoming crisis situations. The aim of this study is to determine the impact of the crisis derived from COVID-19 on sports entrepreneurship and whether there are differences in the prediction of [...] Read more.

Sports entrepreneurship has been considered an important part of sports organisations when overcoming crisis situations. The aim of this study is to determine the impact of the crisis derived from COVID-19 on sports entrepreneurship and whether there are differences in the prediction of entrepreneurship on service quality in non-profit sports clubs. To this end, 145 sports clubs were analysed before and after the outbreak of the virus in society. Paired sample-t tests were carried out to determine the differences in variables studied before (Time I) and after (Time II) the COVID-19 outbreak, and correlations and hierarchical linear regressions were used to analyse the relationship between the variables studied in the two different stages. The results obtained show that risk-taking and innovation are significantly higher after the appearance of COVID-19, while proactivity has not undergone significant changes. Finally, the relationship between sports entrepreneurship and service quality is positive and significant in both stages but stronger before the crisis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sport-Based Entrepreneurship, Sport Management, and Sustainable Development Goals)

18 pages, 5393 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Scale-Up of Physics-Based Models for Predicting Degradation of Large Lithium Ion Batteries

by Hong-Keun Kim and Kyu-Jin Lee

Sustainability 2020, 12(20), 8544; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12208544 - 15 Oct 2020

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2751

Abstract

Large lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) demonstrate different performance and lifetime compared to small LIB cells, owing to the size effects generated by the electrical configuration and property imbalance. However, the calculation time for performing life predictions with three-dimensional (3D) cell models is undesirably long. [...] Read more.

Large lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) demonstrate different performance and lifetime compared to small LIB cells, owing to the size effects generated by the electrical configuration and property imbalance. However, the calculation time for performing life predictions with three-dimensional (3D) cell models is undesirably long. In this paper, a lumped cell model with equivalent resistances (LER cell model) is proposed as a reduced order model of the 3D cell model, which enables accurate and fast life predictions of large LIBs. The developed LER cell model is validated via the comparisons with results of the 3D cell models by simulating a 20-Ah commercial pouch cell (NCM/graphite) and the experimental values. In addition, the LER cell models are applied to different cell types and sizes, such as a 20-Ah cylindrical cell and a 60-Ah pouch cell. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability and Transportation Systems)

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13 pages, 3543 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Future Climate Change Renders Unsuitable Conditions for Paramo Ecosystems in Colombia

by Matilda Cresso, Nicola Clerici, Adriana Sanchez and Fernando Jaramillo

Sustainability 2020, 12(20), 8373; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12208373 - 12 Oct 2020

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 5961

Abstract

Paramo ecosystems are tropical alpine grasslands, located above 3000 m.a.s.l. in the Andean mountain range. Their unique vegetation and soil characteristics, in combination with low temperature and abundant precipitation, create the most advantageous conditions for regulating and storing surface and groundwater. However, increasing [...] Read more.

Paramo ecosystems are tropical alpine grasslands, located above 3000 m.a.s.l. in the Andean mountain range. Their unique vegetation and soil characteristics, in combination with low temperature and abundant precipitation, create the most advantageous conditions for regulating and storing surface and groundwater. However, increasing temperatures and changing patterns of precipitation due to greenhouse-gas-emission climate change are threatening these fragile environments. In this study, we used regional observations and downscaled data for precipitation and minimum and maximum temperature during the reference period 1960–1990 and simulations for the future period 2041–2060 to study the present and future extents of paramo ecosystems in the Chingaza National Park (CNP), nearby Colombia’s capital city, Bogotá. The historical data were used for establishing upper and lower precipitation and temperature boundaries to determine the locations where paramo ecosystems currently thrive. Our results found that increasing mean monthly temperatures and changing precipitation will render 39 to 52% of the current paramo extent in CNP unsuitable for these ecosystems during the dry season, and 13 to 34% during the wet season. The greatest loss of paramo area will occur during the dry season and for the representative concentration pathway (RCP) scenario 8.5, when both temperature and precipitation boundaries are more prone to be exceeded. Although our initial estimates show the future impact on paramos and the water security of Bogotá due to climate change, complex internal and external interactions in paramo ecosystems make it essential to study other influencing climatic parameters (e.g., soil, topography, wind, etc.) apart from temperature and precipitation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Watershed Modelling and Management for Sustainability)

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28 pages, 8204 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Environmental Sustainability Assessment of Multi-Sectoral Energy Transformation Pathways: Methodological Approach and Case Study for Germany

by Tobias Junne, Sonja Simon, Jens Buchgeister, Maximilian Saiger, Manuel Baumann, Martina Haase, Christina Wulf and Tobias Naegler

Sustainability 2020, 12(19), 8225; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12198225 - 6 Oct 2020

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 4431

Abstract

In order to analyse long-term transformation pathways, energy system models generally focus on economical and technical characteristics. However, these models usually do not consider sustainability aspects such as environmental impacts. In contrast, life cycle assessment enables an extensive estimate of those impacts. Due [...] Read more.

In order to analyse long-term transformation pathways, energy system models generally focus on economical and technical characteristics. However, these models usually do not consider sustainability aspects such as environmental impacts. In contrast, life cycle assessment enables an extensive estimate of those impacts. Due to these complementary characteristics, the combination of energy system models and life cycle assessment thus allows comprehensive environmental sustainability assessments of technically and economically feasible energy system transformation pathways. We introduce FRITS, a FRamework for the assessment of environmental Impacts of Transformation Scenarios. FRITS links bottom-up energy system models with life cycle impact assessment indicators and quantifies the environmental impacts of transformation strategies of the entire energy system (power, heat, transport) over the transition period. We apply the framework to conduct an environmental assessment of multi-sectoral energy scenarios for Germany. Here, a ‘Target’ scenario reaching 80% reduction of energy-related direct CO₂ emissions is compared with a ‘Reference’ scenario describing a less ambitious transformation pathway. The results show that compared to 2015 and the ‘Reference’ scenario, the ‘Target’ scenario performs better for most life cycle impact assessment indicators. However, the impacts of resource consumption and land use increase for the ‘Target’ scenario. These impacts are mainly caused by road passenger transport and biomass conversion. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Analyzing Development Paths of Emerging Energy Technologies)

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29 pages, 4193 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

A Bibliometric Study on Integrated Solar Combined Cycles (ISCC), Trends and Future Based on Data Analytics Tools

by Miguel Ángel Reyes-Belmonte

Sustainability 2020, 12(19), 8217; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12198217 - 6 Oct 2020

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2143

Abstract

In this paper, a bibliometric analysis was performed in order to analyze the state of the art and publication trends on the topic of ISCC (Integrated Solar Combined Cycles) for the period covering 1990 to July 2020. The Web of Science (WOS) database [...] Read more.

In this paper, a bibliometric analysis was performed in order to analyze the state of the art and publication trends on the topic of ISCC (Integrated Solar Combined Cycles) for the period covering 1990 to July 2020. The Web of Science (WOS) database was consulted, and 1277 publications from 3157 different authors and 1102 different institutions, distributed among 78 countries, were retrieved as the corpus of the study. The VOSViewer software tool was used for the post-processing of the WOS corpus, and for the network data mapping. Multiple bibliometric indicators, such as the number of citations, keyword occurrences, the authors’ affiliations, and the authors, among others, were analysed in this paper in order to find the main research trends on the ISCC topic. The analysis performed in this paper concluded that the main publication source for ISCC research was Energy Conversion and Management, in terms of the total number of publications (158), but Solar Energy had the highest number of citations on the ISCC topic (4438). It was also found that China was the most productive country in terms of ISCC publications (241), and the Chinese Academy of Sciences was the most productive institution (52). Nevertheless, the author with the most publications on ISCC was I. Dincer, from Ontario Tech University (24). Based on publication keywords, a series of recommendations for future developments in the ISCC topic were derived, as well as the ways in which those ideas are connected to the global state of solar energy research. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Solar Thermal Energy)

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14 pages, 1032 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Prevalence and Clustering Patterns of Pro-Environmental Behaviors among Canadian Households in the Era of Climate Change

by Eun-Young Lee and Asaduzzaman Khan

Sustainability 2020, 12(19), 8218; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12198218 - 6 Oct 2020

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 4264

Abstract

This study examined the prevalence and clustering patterns of pro-environmental behaviors that are conducive to socially and environmentally sustainable living among Canadians. Cross-sectional data from the 2015 Households and the Environment Survey (HES) were used. Prevalence was calculated by province and each pro-environmental [...] Read more.

This study examined the prevalence and clustering patterns of pro-environmental behaviors that are conducive to socially and environmentally sustainable living among Canadians. Cross-sectional data from the 2015 Households and the Environment Survey (HES) were used. Prevalence was calculated by province and each pro-environmental behavior. Observed/expected prevalence ratios were computed to assess clustering patterns and logistic regression analyses were performed to examine the pairwise associations. Among 8816 Canadian households, prevalence of engaging in pro-environmental behaviors ranked as the following: engaging in green consumer behavior (88%), composting food/yard waste (84%), being active outdoors (82%), gardening (72%), and recycling electronics (45%). While only 14% engaged in ≤2 pro-environmental behaviors, 25.1% of Canadians engaged in all pro-environmental behaviors. By province, British Columbia was the greenest province (81%), followed by Ontario (77%) and Nova Scotia (76.9%) while the least green provinces were Newfoundland and Labrador (62.9%), Saskatchewan (69.2%), and New Brunswick (68%). The most apparent clustering of behaviors was found between recycling electronics and gardening (Observed/Expected: 3.65, 95% CI: 1.98–5.32). Pairwise associations between any two pro-environmental behaviors were statistically significant for all possible combinations (Odds ratios ranged 1.23–2.24). Prevalence of engaging in different sets of pro-environmental behaviors varied greatly by province. Sub-optimal clustering of pro-environmental behaviors and varying pairwise synergetic associations were observed in Canadian households. To promote more holistic, sustainable lifestyles and create sociocultural environments that are conducive to the environment in the era of climate change, future work should investigate barriers and opportunities in adopting more pro-environmental behaviors in Canadian households. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Social Ecology and Sustainability)

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13 pages, 1362 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Agricultural Workforce Crisis in Light of the COVID-19 Pandemic

by Dionysis Bochtis, Lefteris Benos, Maria Lampridi, Vasso Marinoudi, Simon Pearson and Claus G. Sørensen

Sustainability 2020, 12(19), 8212; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12198212 - 5 Oct 2020

Cited by 82 | Viewed by 11794

Abstract

COVID-19 and the restrictive measures towards containing the spread of its infections have seriously affected the agricultural workforce and jeopardized food security. The present study aims at assessing the COVID-19 pandemic impacts on agricultural labor and suggesting strategies to mitigate them. To this [...] Read more.

COVID-19 and the restrictive measures towards containing the spread of its infections have seriously affected the agricultural workforce and jeopardized food security. The present study aims at assessing the COVID-19 pandemic impacts on agricultural labor and suggesting strategies to mitigate them. To this end, after an introduction to the pandemic background, the negative consequences on agriculture and the existing mitigation policies, risks to the agricultural workers were benchmarked across the United States’ Standard Occupational Classification system. The individual tasks associated with each occupation in agricultural production were evaluated on the basis of potential COVID-19 infection risk. As criteria, the most prevalent virus transmission mechanisms were considered, namely the possibility of touching contaminated surfaces and the close proximity of workers. The higher risk occupations within the sector were identified, which facilitates the allocation of worker protection resources to the occupations where they are most needed. In particular, the results demonstrated that 50% of the agricultural workforce and 54% of the workers’ annual income are at moderate to high risk. As a consequence, a series of control measures need to be adopted so as to enhance the resilience and sustainability of the sector as well as protect farmers including physical distancing, hygiene practices, and personal protection equipment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Green, Closed Loop, Circular Bio-Economy)

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