Sustainability

19 pages, 1927 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Sustainability Analysis of a Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plant through Emergy Evaluation

by Ramona Ciobanu, Carmen Teodosiu, Cecilia M. V. B. Almeida, Feni Agostinho and Biagio Fernando Giannetti

Sustainability 2022, 14(11), 6461; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14116461 - 25 May 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2311

Abstract

Water and wastewater treatment plants are essential for the supply of drinking water for consumption and the treatment of effluents produced by human/industrial activities. However, few studies deal with the investments and sustainability of these services, which consider both the contribution of nature [...] Read more.

Water and wastewater treatment plants are essential for the supply of drinking water for consumption and the treatment of effluents produced by human/industrial activities. However, few studies deal with the investments and sustainability of these services, which consider both the contribution of nature and society. This study uses the emergy approach to evaluate a wastewater treatment plant located in the northeastern part of Romania, in Iași city. An assessment of the environmental costs of natural fluxes required for the treatment processes was performed, considering that the treated effluent is, still, loaded with contaminants that have to be absorbed by the receiving water natural system. The work done by nature to assimilate this load, generally considered free, is esteemed as a further cost in the total emergy budget of the wastewater treatment processes. The sustainability perspective was approached by calculating and analyzing the emergy yield ratio (EYR), environmental load rate (ELR), and emergy sustainability development index (ESI). The use of local renewable natural resources in Iași municipal wastewater treatment plants is negligible (1.71% of the total plant emergy budget), as compared to that of the purchased resources (98.29% of the total plant emergy budget) mainly processed with the support of fossil fuels’ generated energy. The unit emegy value was, also, calculated and compared to other studies relevant for wastewater treatment plants. The analysis suggests that the large amount of emergy that wastewater contains is proportional to the number of resources employed for wastewater treatment and the extensive effects on surrounding ecosystems, where wastewater is discharged. Full article

(This article belongs to the Collection Urban Water Consumption and Sustainability)

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15 pages, 806 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

U.S. Almond Exports and Retaliatory Trade Tariffs

by Abraham Ajibade and Sayed Saghaian

Sustainability 2022, 14(11), 6409; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14116409 - 24 May 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 5794

Abstract

The U.S. is the top producer, exporter, and consumer of tree nuts in the world. Tree nuts are a significant part of U.S. agricultural exports to the world. In 2019, the U.S. exported about USD 9.1 billion worth of tree nuts, just behind [...] Read more.

The U.S. is the top producer, exporter, and consumer of tree nuts in the world. Tree nuts are a significant part of U.S. agricultural exports to the world. In 2019, the U.S. exported about USD 9.1 billion worth of tree nuts, just behind soybean exports at USD 18.7 billion. Tree nuts, such as almonds and pistachios, are mostly produced in the state of California. California produces 100% of U.S. commercial almonds. Globally, almonds are the leading U.S. tree nut export in both value and volume. Almonds are shipped to over 90 countries annually. This study aimed to investigate factors affecting the export demand function for U.S. almonds in major destination countries and evaluate the impact of the retaliatory trade tariffs policy by some of the importing countries on the U.S. almond exports. The currently available literature does not fully address these issues. We identified the top five almond export destinations, which were in Europe and Asia, namely, China/Hong Kong, Germany, India, Japan, and Spain, which account for more than 50% of U.S. almond imports. We used a double-log export demand equation that is well referenced in the literature and economic theory to identify the significant explanatory variables affecting the U.S. almonds export demand function. We also tried to estimate the impact of retaliatory tariffs on almond exports imposed by the major importing countries. Our results showed that U.S. almond and pistachio prices, real exchange rates, and gross domestic products of importing countries were significant factors that affected U.S. almond exports. The results showed that the imposed retaliatory tariffs had no negative effect on U.S. almond exports. This could have been because the study ended in 2019 and did not involve enough data to fully evaluate the impact of the retaliatory trade tariffs policy. U.S. almond exports have market concentration and strong market power in international markets. The efforts toward more sustainable production of almonds to solidify an already established market share in the world almond markets and against substitutes, such as pistachios, seem to be a sound strategy and focus of the U.S. almond agribusinesses and exporters. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Agricultural Development Economics and Policy)

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25 pages, 2733 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Is Public–Private Partnership (PPP) a Preferred Strategy for Procuring Smart Infrastructure in Developed Countries: An Empirical Study of the Perceived Benefits, Barriers and Recommended Strategies

by Nimesha Sahani Jayasena, Daniel W. M. Chan and Mohan M. Kumaraswamy

Sustainability 2022, 14(11), 6421; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14116421 - 24 May 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3429

Abstract

Attention to Smart Infrastructure (SI) has risen due to its advantages, including better access, increased quality of life, and simplified maintenance management. To develop SI, Public–Private Partnerships (PPPs) are identified as potentially beneficial procurement strategies, which boost capacities to manage risks by pooling [...] Read more.

Attention to Smart Infrastructure (SI) has risen due to its advantages, including better access, increased quality of life, and simplified maintenance management. To develop SI, Public–Private Partnerships (PPPs) are identified as potentially beneficial procurement strategies, which boost capacities to manage risks by pooling diverse resources. However, the applicability of PPP in SI developments in developed countries is scarcely researched. This may be due to underestimating the other potential benefits from PPP, although developed countries may have their own funding to develop SI. Hence, this research aims to evaluate the significant factors influencing the success of PPP in SI projects in developed countries based on public-sector satisfaction (S1), private-sector satisfaction (S2), and end-user satisfaction (S3). A comprehensive literature review was followed by expert interviews and an international survey, focusing on developed countries. The Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) technique was applied to map the connections amongst the influencing factors and S1, S2, and S3. The results reveal that legal and political-related factors significantly impact on S2 and S3, while social barriers significantly impact on S1. The effect of the constructs and factors on S1, S2, and S3 along with their rankings are unveiled in this research paper, providing a sound basis to increase success levels and minimize shortfalls in PPP to boost SI developments in developed countries. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Smart Cities, Connected Communities, and Environmental Sustainability)

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26 pages, 1279 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Sustainable and Responsible Design Education: Tensions in Transitions

by Joanna Boehnert, Matt Sinclair and Emma Dewberry

Sustainability 2022, 14(11), 6397; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14116397 - 24 May 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 7477

Abstract

Sustainable and Responsible Design (SRD) harnesses design’s potential to address eco-social problems and in doing so challenge the status quo of design education by reframing the social and ecological consequences, boundaries and agencies of design. This critical and transdisciplinary approach frays the edges [...] Read more.

Sustainable and Responsible Design (SRD) harnesses design’s potential to address eco-social problems and in doing so challenge the status quo of design education by reframing the social and ecological consequences, boundaries and agencies of design. This critical and transdisciplinary approach frays the edges of traditional design disciplines with embedded and reflexive modes of learning. We describe characteristics of SRD education and present theories of learning to empower students in this complex terrain. The learning associated with SRD education is ecologically engaged, participative, critical, expansive and designerly. We recount case studies of our own experiences advancing sustainable and responsible undergraduate design education in the UK. We identify path constraints such as disciplinary fragility, appropriation, and power dynamics in the design school. The push for a revision of priorities generates tensions where there is often greenwashing rhetoric of sustainability and inclusivity. We describe strategies and tactics to address these tensions. We highlight the agency we have as educators and designers and argue that design education can only meaningfully participate in response to the challenges presented by climate change, other types of ecocide, and social problems when educators make substantive commitments to supporting sustainability literacies and design approaches that serve the interests of diverse stakeholders. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Design Education and Implementation)

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15 pages, 611 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Organizational Well-Being of Italian Doctoral Students: Is Academia Sustainable When It Comes to Gender Equality?

by Chiara Corvino, Amalia De Leo, Miriam Parise and Giulia Buscicchio

Sustainability 2022, 14(11), 6425; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14116425 - 24 May 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2412

Abstract

Despite the fact that there are several researchers reporting the risks of doctoral students in terms of mental health, there is still a lack of studies exploring their well-being at an organizational level, looking at the difference between male and female PhD students. [...] Read more.

Despite the fact that there are several researchers reporting the risks of doctoral students in terms of mental health, there is still a lack of studies exploring their well-being at an organizational level, looking at the difference between male and female PhD students. This work aims at describing gender differences in the organizational well-being of doctoral students in an Italian context. A sample of 121 Italian PhD students filled an adaption of the ANAC questionnaire (National Authority for Anti-Corruption) for an organizational well-being assessment between June and July 2021. The results show that there are a number of well-being indicators for which female PhD students have statistically lower scores than men regarding: (1) the perception of health and safety at work; (2) career development; and (3) job autonomy. Practical suggestions to improve the academic system in terms of sustainability for preventing PhD students’ organizational malaise with a particular focus on gender equality are provided. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue When Are Organizations Sustainable? Well-Being and Discomfort in Working Contexts: Old and New Forms of Malaise)

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12 pages, 423 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Corporate Social Responsibility of SMEs: Learning Orientation and Performance Outcomes

by Lasse Torkkeli and Susanne Durst

Sustainability 2022, 14(11), 6387; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14116387 - 24 May 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3848

Abstract

Responsibility and sustainability are today a key part of doing business globally. However, the attention of scholars and policymakers has mainly been on large multinational enterprises, with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) receiving less attention. Recent studies have noted the importance of learning [...] Read more.

Responsibility and sustainability are today a key part of doing business globally. However, the attention of scholars and policymakers has mainly been on large multinational enterprises, with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) receiving less attention. Recent studies have noted the importance of learning for SMEs to engage in corporate social responsibility (CSR), but it is not yet known how the learning orientation of SMEs impacts their CSR, and how the development impacts the internationalization and performance of SMEs, which are research gaps that recent studies have noted. Shedding light on those dynamics is also important from a practical perspective since in most countries SMEs constitute a large majority of firms in both amounts and total employment. The present study contributes by illustrating how CSR impacts different types of performance in SMEs, and how the learning orientation of SMEs predetermines their CSR. Regression analyses conducted on an empirical sample of Finnish SMEs indicate that CSR in SMEs has an impact on certain types of performance and that their learning orientation determines their CSR. Therefore, the study contributes to the literature on responsibility and sustainability in SMEs, and to that SME internationalization, by shedding light on the antecedents and outcomes of CSR for SMEs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Responsibility and Sustainability in SMEs)

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21 pages, 1059 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Assessing Africa’s Agricultural TFP for Food Security and Effects on Human Development: Evidence from 35 Countries

by Boima M. Bernard, Jr., Yanping Song, Sehresh Hena, Fayyaz Ahmad and Xin Wang

Sustainability 2022, 14(11), 6411; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14116411 - 24 May 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3530

Abstract

Population growth, food shortages, and low levels of human development have been longstanding issues confronting many African countries. Agricultural productivity remains a critical goal for mitigating these challenges and ensuring overall economic development. Total factor productivity (TFP) is a crucial metric for determining [...] Read more.

Population growth, food shortages, and low levels of human development have been longstanding issues confronting many African countries. Agricultural productivity remains a critical goal for mitigating these challenges and ensuring overall economic development. Total factor productivity (TFP) is a crucial metric for determining a sector’s overall growth. However, due to a lack of comprehensive assessments of the trends and determinants of TFP growth in African agriculture, there are disagreements. Within the context of inclusive human development, the impact of agricultural productivity is frequently misrepresented in the current literature. This paper estimated TFP growth and assessed its impact on human development in Africa. Due to technological improvement, TFP increased moderately at a 5.4% growth rate across African countries over the period (2001–2019). Empirical evidence indicates that TFP growth enhances human development in the long run, but the effect varies according to levels of human development (HDI) and the nature of growth over time. For instance, higher levels of human development tend to mitigate the impact of TFP. Further analysis revealed that technical efficiency improvement is critical for enhancing food safety and human development. Policy recommendations for improving TFP for food security and human development in Africa are provided. Further investigation into agricultural TFP’s impact beyond the poverty measure in Africa is encouraged. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Agri-Food Systems: Environment, Economy, Society and Policy)

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17 pages, 4950 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Assessing Changes in the Landscape Pattern of Wetlands and Its Impact on the Value of Wetland Ecosystem Services in the Yellow River Basin, Inner Mongolia

by Jing Yun, Huamin Liu, Zhichao Xu, Xiaoai Cao, Linqian Ma, Lu Wen, Yi Zhuo and Lixin Wang

Sustainability 2022, 14(10), 6328; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14106328 - 23 May 2022

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 2842

Abstract

The Yellow River Basin of Inner Mongolia has significant ecological advantages, and it is critical to research the landscape pattern of its watershed wetland ecosystem and the changes in its service value in order to protect the environment and develop the region in [...] Read more.

The Yellow River Basin of Inner Mongolia has significant ecological advantages, and it is critical to research the landscape pattern of its watershed wetland ecosystem and the changes in its service value in order to protect the environment and develop the region in a high-quality manner. In this paper, we use the landscape index method, the equivalent factor method, and a field survey to investigate changes in wetland landscape patterns and the dynamics of wetland ecosystem service values in the Yellow River Basin of Inner Mongolia from 1990 to 2020, and then examine the impact of landscape pattern evolution on wetland ecosystem service values in the region. The study’s findings indicate that rivers, lakes, and herbaceous marshes are the most common types of wetland landscapes in Inner Mongolia’s Yellow River Basin. The landscape types in the research area are diverse, and landscape fragmentation is increasing. In the Yellow River Basin of Inner Mongolia, the overall value of wetland ecosystem benefits is negatively connected with Patch Density and the Shannon Diversity Index, and positively correlated with the Contagion Index. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hydrological Response to Climate Change in Arid Land)

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29 pages, 2852 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceReview

The Potential Impacts by the Invasion of Insects Reared to Feed Livestock and Pet Animals in Europe and Other Regions: A Critical Review

by Felipe Lourenço, Ricardo Calado, Isabel Medina and Olga M. C. C. Ameixa

Sustainability 2022, 14(10), 6361; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14106361 - 23 May 2022

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 5971

Abstract

While the use of alien insect species for food and feed can help to alleviate protein shortage and provide for a more sustainable feed production, their invasive potential should be considered since invasive alien species represent one of the five main global threats [...] Read more.

While the use of alien insect species for food and feed can help to alleviate protein shortage and provide for a more sustainable feed production, their invasive potential should be considered since invasive alien species represent one of the five main global threats to biodiversity. In the European Union (EU), eight insect species have already been authorized to be used as feed ingredients for aquaculture organisms, pets, poultry, and pigs. These species were selected based on available national risk assessments, as most of them are non-native to Europe. However, it is not clear how these risk assessments truly consider all EU bioregions, given that the information used was mostly biased towards northern European regions. As a large proportion of invasive alien species already present in the EU were introduced unintentionally, it is therefore crucial to understand and manage the potential pathways of such introductions in a more effective way. Here, we provide a critical overview of the potential risks of rearing alien insect species as feed or as pet food (for both livestock and exotic pets) in the EU. The results showed that some of these insect species have an invasive potential, either due to their reproductive capacity in different climates or due to the fact that they have already established populations in areas where they were introduced, with negative effects on local ecosystems or causing economical losses. For this reason, it is recommended that risk assessments should be performed in other EU bioregions as well as monitoring programs to control the spread of insect species with invasive potential. In addition, other available native insect species with potential to be used as feed ingredients should be considered. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Insects, Food Security and Circular Food Production)

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22 pages, 1435 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceReview

Chelating Agents in Assisting Phytoremediation of Uranium-Contaminated Soils: A Review

by Yue You, Junfeng Dou, Yu Xue, Naifu Jin and Kai Yang

Sustainability 2022, 14(10), 6379; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14106379 - 23 May 2022

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 6182

Abstract

Massive stockpiles of uranium (U) mine tailings have resulted in soil contamination with U. Plants for soil remediation have low extraction efficiency of U. Chelating agents can mobilize U in soils and, hence, enhance phytoextraction of U from the soil. However, the rapid [...] Read more.

Massive stockpiles of uranium (U) mine tailings have resulted in soil contamination with U. Plants for soil remediation have low extraction efficiency of U. Chelating agents can mobilize U in soils and, hence, enhance phytoextraction of U from the soil. However, the rapid mobilization rate of soil U by chelating agents in a short period than plant uptake rate could increase the risk of groundwater contamination with soluble U leaching down the soil profile. This review summarizes recent progresses in synthesis and application of chelating agents for assisting phytoremediation of U-contaminated soils. In detail, the interactions between chelating agents and U ions are initially elucidated. Subsequently, the mechanisms of phytoextraction and effectiveness of different chelating agents for phytoremediation of U-contaminated soils are given. Moreover, the potential risks associated with chelating agents are discussed. Finally, the synthesis and application of slow-release chelating agents for slowing down metal mobilization in soils are presented. The application of slow-release chelating agents for enhancing phytoextraction of soil U is still scarce. Hence, we propose the preparation of slow-release biodegradable chelating agents, which can control the release speed of chelating agent into the soil in order to match the mobilization rate of soil U with plant uptake rate, while diminishing the risk of residual chelating agent leaching to groundwater. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Radioactivity: Sustainable Materials and Innovative Techniques)

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13 pages, 611 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Informal Environment Regulation, Green Technology Innovation and Air Pollution: Quasi-Natural Experiments from Prefectural Cities in China

by Xinghua Wang, Shunchen Wu, Xiaojuan Qin, Meixiang La and Haixia Zuo

Sustainability 2022, 14(10), 6333; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14106333 - 23 May 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2786

Abstract

Facing informal environment regulation carried out by the environmental protection organizations, we study and judge its inhibitory effect on air pollution and the acting path. Based on panel data of 285 cities in China from 1998 to 2018, a time-varying difference-in-difference model is [...] Read more.

Facing informal environment regulation carried out by the environmental protection organizations, we study and judge its inhibitory effect on air pollution and the acting path. Based on panel data of 285 cities in China from 1998 to 2018, a time-varying difference-in-difference model is used to estimate the effect of informal environment regulation on air pollution. The estimation results show that informal environment regulation can inhibit air pollution significantly under different scenarios. Green technology innovation is introduced into the research and a mediating effect model is used to investigate the influencing mechanism. Informal environment regulation strengthens pressure on pollutant emissions. This forces enterprises to enhance the investment and application of green technology innovation during production. Mechanism analysis shows that informal environment regulation inhibits air pollution by encouraging the application of green technology innovation. The above conclusions are still valid after a series of robustness tests, including parallel trend, placebo test and instrumental variables. The research conclusions provide empirical evidence for the construction of a diversified air-pollution control system and demonstrate the practical significance of informal environment regulation to improve air quality. Full article

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

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26 pages, 3147 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Evolution of Wireless Communication to 6G: Potential Applications and Research Directions

by Muhammad Zeeshan Asghar, Shafique Ahmed Memon and Jyri Hämäläinen

Sustainability 2022, 14(10), 6356; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14106356 - 23 May 2022

Cited by 45 | Viewed by 12844

Abstract

The fifth-generation mobile network (5G), as the fundamental enabler of Industry 4.0, has facilitated digital transformation and smart manufacturing through AI and cloud computing (CC). However, B5G is viewed as a turning point that will fundamentally transform existing global trends in wireless communication [...] Read more.

The fifth-generation mobile network (5G), as the fundamental enabler of Industry 4.0, has facilitated digital transformation and smart manufacturing through AI and cloud computing (CC). However, B5G is viewed as a turning point that will fundamentally transform existing global trends in wireless communication practices as well as in the lives of masses. B5G foresees a world where physical–digital confluence takes place. This study intends to see the world beyond 5G with the transition to 6G assuming the lead as future wireless communication technology. However, despite several developments, the dream of an era without latency, unprecedented speed internet, and extraterrestrial communication has yet to become a reality. This article explores main impediments and challenges that the 5G–6G transition may face in achieving these greater ideals. This article furnishes the vision for 6G, facilitating technology infrastructures, challenges, and research leads towards the ultimate achievement of “technology for humanity” objective and better service to underprivileged people. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue IoT Applications for Optimal Management in Smart Cities)

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15 pages, 2622 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceReview

Heterogeneity of Spatial-Temporal Distribution of Nitrogen in the Karst Rocky Desertification Soils and Its Implications for Ecosystem Service Support of the Desertification Control—A Literature Review

by Panteng Wan, Kangning Xiong and Le Zhang

Sustainability 2022, 14(10), 6327; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14106327 - 23 May 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2575

Abstract

In recent years, the study of soil nitrogen distribution (SND) in rocky desertification control ecosystems has increased exponentially. Rocky desertification experiences severe environmental degradation due to its fragile nature, and understanding rocky desertification soil nitrogen (SN) is critical for ecosystem services (ES) to [...] Read more.

In recent years, the study of soil nitrogen distribution (SND) in rocky desertification control ecosystems has increased exponentially. Rocky desertification experiences severe environmental degradation due to its fragile nature, and understanding rocky desertification soil nitrogen (SN) is critical for ecosystem services (ES) to support sustainable development. From the perspective of bibliometrics, this paper systematically, comprehensively, qualitatively and quantitatively describes the progress, trends and hotspots of SND in the field of rocky desertification environment. The results show that: 97.40% of the document type is “Article”; the study of rocky desertification SND shows the characteristics of rapid growth, the volume of published articles in the past three years accounted for 34.30% of the total; active countries are mainly China, Germany, United States, Sweden, Finland, etc. The research hotspots in this field include karst and nitrogen, and the future research hotspots tend to focus on karst rocky desertification ecosystem, soil nutrients and vegetation diversity in south China. It is suggested to construct SN management strategy suitable for rocky desertification fragile ecosystems in the future, strengthen theoretical research and comprehensively understand the characteristics of rocky desertification control ecosystem to put forward sustainable management strategy according to local conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nitrogen Cycling and Its Impact on Forest Soil Ecology in the Context of Global Climate Change)

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14 pages, 2202 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceCommunication

Sustainable Livelihood for Displaced Rohingyas and Their Resilience at Bhashan Char in Bangladesh

by Md. Monirul Islam, Aparna Barman, Makidul Islam Khan, Gour Gobinda Goswami, Bulbul Siddiqi and Sharif A. Mukul

Sustainability 2022, 14(10), 6374; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14106374 - 23 May 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 7900

Abstract

The livelihood sustainability of the Rohingya refugees relocated in Bhashan Char, Bangladesh, has been questioned by various international stakeholders due to the remoteness and perceived vulnerabilities of the island. The Bangladesh government, a few international organizations, and some non-government organizations are working on [...] Read more.

The livelihood sustainability of the Rohingya refugees relocated in Bhashan Char, Bangladesh, has been questioned by various international stakeholders due to the remoteness and perceived vulnerabilities of the island. The Bangladesh government, a few international organizations, and some non-government organizations are working on developing livelihood opportunities in there. But there is scarce study about the livelihood opportunities and challenges of the Rohingyas living there. This study explores the vulnerabilities and livelihood opportunities of Rohingyas in Bhashan Char so as to help increase their resilience. The vulnerabilities include natural, geographical, and climatic shocks and stresses (e.g., cyclone, floods, storm surge, sea-level rise, geographical position). However, there are ample opportunities for their livelihood development, despite some challenges which can be overcome with concerted efforts. The opportunities include intensification and extensification of livelihood activities, such as modern agriculture, fish farming, livestock rearing, small business, handicraft, fishing net mending, crab fattening, biofloc aquaculture, and fish cage culture, but turning these opportunities into reality requires sufficient investment and internationally positive attitude. Better shelter, better disaster preparedness, cultural practices, education, and skill development can increase their capacity to bounce back, absorb shocks, and make them more resilient. National and international humanitarian organizations should plan to enhance the resilience of the Rohingya communities living in Bhashan Char and the island itself so that they can sustain in the long run, even after their anticipated repatriation to Myanmar. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Migration-Refugee Policies and Socioeconomics, Well-Being and Sustainable Outcomes)

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13 pages, 568 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

The Impact of COVID-19 on Depressive Symptoms and Loneliness for Middle-Aged and Older Adults

by Angela L. Curl and Katie E. Wolf

Sustainability 2022, 14(10), 6316; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14106316 - 22 May 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2377

Abstract

This study examines the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on depressive symptoms and loneliness in older adults, using the Protection Motivation Theory Framework. Using data collected between March 2020 and May 2021 as part of the Health and Retirement Study (N = 2145 [...] Read more.

This study examines the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on depressive symptoms and loneliness in older adults, using the Protection Motivation Theory Framework. Using data collected between March 2020 and May 2021 as part of the Health and Retirement Study (N = 2145 adults over age 50), the roles of threat and coping appraisals as predictors of protective health behaviors and, ultimately, mental health outcomes, were analyzed using structural equation modeling. Being at high risk for COVID-19 complications and death was associated with more depressive symptoms and loneliness. Higher levels of concern about COVID-19 were associated with more depressive symptoms while knowing someone who had died of the coronavirus was associated with less loneliness. Lower scores for perceived control over one’s health and social life were associated with more depressive symptoms and higher loneliness. These results suggest that moving forward, mental health assessments should consider the impact of the pandemic and include measures specifically asking about COVID-19 concerns and experiences (e.g., death of close friends or family due to COVID-19, protective health measures). Additionally, future responses to this pandemic and other public health emergencies should consider the influence that self-efficacy has on health behaviors and mental health. The pandemic has raised public awareness of the negative consequences of social isolation and acted to destigmatize mental illness, and this greater awareness could encourage middle-aged and older adults to seek various treatments for depression and loneliness. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Contextual and Psychological Variables Facilitating Psychosocial Well-being and Adjustment: Perspectives for a Sustainable Psychological Development)

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18 pages, 8454 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

A New Decision Support System for Analyzing Factors of Tornado Related Deaths in Bangladesh

by Fahim Sufi, Edris Alam and Musleh Alsulami

Sustainability 2022, 14(10), 6303; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14106303 - 22 May 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2691

Abstract

Tropical cyclones devastate large areas, take numerous lives and damage extensive property in Bangladesh. Research on landfalling tropical cyclones affecting Bangladesh has primarily focused on events occurring since AD1960 with limited work examining earlier historical records. We rectify this gap by developing a [...] Read more.

Tropical cyclones devastate large areas, take numerous lives and damage extensive property in Bangladesh. Research on landfalling tropical cyclones affecting Bangladesh has primarily focused on events occurring since AD1960 with limited work examining earlier historical records. We rectify this gap by developing a new Tornado catalogue that include present and past records of Tornados across Bangladesh maximizing use of available sources. Within this new Tornado database, 119 records were captured starting from 1838 till 2020 causing 8735 deaths and 97,868 injuries leaving more than 102,776 people affected in total. Moreover, using this new Tornado data, we developed an end-to-end system that allows a user to explore and analyze the full range of Tornado data on multiple scenarios. The user of this new system can select a date range or search a particular location, and then, all the Tornado information along with Artificial Intelligence (AI) based insights within that selected scope would be dynamically presented in a range of devices including iOS, Android, and Windows. Using a set of interactive maps, charts, graphs, and visualizations the user would have a comprehensive understanding of the historical records of Tornados, Cyclones and associated landfalls with detailed data distributions and statistics. Full article

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

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24 pages, 5172 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

The Sustainability of Rock Art: Preservation and Research

by Andrea Zerboni, Federica Villa, Ying-Li Wu, Tadele Solomon, Andrea Trentini, Alessandro Rizzi, Francesca Cappitelli and Marina Gallinaro

Sustainability 2022, 14(10), 6305; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14106305 - 22 May 2022

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 5854

Abstract

Rock art is a widespread cultural heritage, representing an immovable element of the material culture created on natural rocky supports. Paintings and petroglyphs can be found within caves and rock shelters or in open-air contexts and for that reason they are not isolated [...] Read more.

Rock art is a widespread cultural heritage, representing an immovable element of the material culture created on natural rocky supports. Paintings and petroglyphs can be found within caves and rock shelters or in open-air contexts and for that reason they are not isolated from the processes acting at the Earth surface. Consequently, rock art represents a sort of ecosystem because it is part of the complex and multidirectional interplay between the host rock, pigments, environmental parameters, and microbial communities. Such complexity results in several processes affecting rock art; some of them contribute to its destruction, others to its preservation. To understand the effects of such processes an interdisciplinary scientific approach is needed. In this contribution, we discuss the many processes acting at the rock interface—where rock art is present—and the multifaceted possibilities of scientific investigations—non-invasive or invasive—offered by the STEM disciplines. Finally, we suggest a sustainable approach to investigating rock art allowing to understand its production as well as its preservation and eventually suggest strategies to mitigate the risks threatening its stability. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Archaeology of Sustainability and Sustainable Archaeology)

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15 pages, 12509 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Opportunities from Unmanned Aerial Vehicles to Identify Differences in Weed Spatial Distribution between Conventional and Conservation Agriculture

by Nebojša Nikolić, Pietro Mattivi, Salvatore Eugenio Pappalardo, Cristiano Miele, Massimo De Marchi and Roberta Masin

Sustainability 2022, 14(10), 6324; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14106324 - 22 May 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2272

Abstract

Weeds are one of the major issues in agricultural production and they are present in most agricultural systems. Due to the heterogeneity of weed distribution, understanding spatial patterns is paramount for precision farming and improving sustainability in crop management. Nevertheless, limited information is [...] Read more.

Weeds are one of the major issues in agricultural production and they are present in most agricultural systems. Due to the heterogeneity of weed distribution, understanding spatial patterns is paramount for precision farming and improving sustainability in crop management. Nevertheless, limited information is currently available about the differences between conventional agricultural (CV) weed spatial patterns and weed spatial patterns in conservation agricultural systems (CA); moreover, opportunities to use unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) and recognition algorithms to monitor these differences are still being explored and tested. In this work, the opportunity to use UAVs to detect changes in spatial distribution over time between CA and CV fields was assessed for data acquisition. Acquired data were processed using maximum likelihood classification to discriminate between weeds and surrounding elements; then, a similarity assessment was performed using the ‘equal to’ function of the raster calculator. The results show important differences in spatial distribution over time between CA and CV fields. In the CA field 56.18% of the area was infested in both years when the field margin effect was included, and 22.53% when this effect was excluded; on the other hand, in the CV field only 11.50% of the area was infested in both years. The results illustrate that there are important differences in the spatial distribution of weeds between CA and CV fields; such differences can be easily detected using UAVs and identification algorithms combined. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Technologies, Techniques and Process for the Sustainable Precision Agriculture)

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33 pages, 8498 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Impact of Policy Instruments in the Implementation of Renewable Sources of Energy in Selected European Countries

by Elnaz Nasiri, Lisandra Rocha-Meneses, Abrar Inayat and Timo Kikas

Sustainability 2022, 14(10), 6314; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14106314 - 22 May 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3797

Abstract

Nowadays, great attention has been paid to alternative sources of energy that can be used as a replacement for fossil fuels and help to reduce their utilization in the overall energy mix. In Europe, the development and implementation of renewable sources of energy [...] Read more.

Nowadays, great attention has been paid to alternative sources of energy that can be used as a replacement for fossil fuels and help to reduce their utilization in the overall energy mix. In Europe, the development and implementation of renewable sources of energy is regulated and supported by legal frameworks. This paper investigates the impact of European Directives and its transposition to national policies on the share of renewable sources of energy in electricity, heating and cooling, and transport in Denmark, Ireland, the Netherlands, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. For this, quantitative and qualitative data were utilized. The quantitative data refer to the gross energy consumption, energy consumption for heating and cooling purposes (by category), and energy consumption in the transportation sector, while the qualitative data refer to the main directives and legal frameworks utilized to regulate the utilization and implementation of renewable energy in the selected countries. The results of this study show that the European Directives are not as effective as expected in the promotion and adoption of renewable sources of energy. Although none of the countries investigated in this paper were able to achieve the 10% share of energy produced from renewable sources for the transportation sector, certain goals were still achieved. For instance, in 2018, 6.57% of the energy utilized in the transportation sector in Denmark was from renewable sources, while in Estonia it was 3.29%, in Ireland 7.17%, in Latvia 4.73%, in Lithuania 4.33%, and in the Netherlands 9.59%. These results suggest that the current regulations should be revised and that clear, accountable, and predictable regulations should be put in place to ensure the energetic independence in Europe. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Biorefineries in Circular Economy)

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8 pages, 552 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceOpinion

Water Footprint as a Tool for Selection of Alternatives (Comments on “Food Recommendations for Reducing Water Footprint”)

by Libor Ansorge and Lada Stejskalová

Sustainability 2022, 14(10), 6317; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14106317 - 22 May 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2905

Abstract

Water footprint is a new tool for assessing sustainability in terms of water use. Researchers are devising new applications that use water footprint, one of which is focused on comparing the water requirements of individual diets. Systems have been proposed to suggest tailor-made [...] Read more.

Water footprint is a new tool for assessing sustainability in terms of water use. Researchers are devising new applications that use water footprint, one of which is focused on comparing the water requirements of individual diets. Systems have been proposed to suggest tailor-made recipes that use a lower water quantity in production. This system proposes alternative recipes with lower demands for water resources based on their water footprint. The water footprint consists of three components—blue, green, and grey water footprints. However, focusing only on a reduction in the total water footprint may lead to an increase in some of its parts, such as the blue water footprint, and subsequently to water scarcity in some river basins. Therefore, it is recommended to extend the food recommendations system with sustainability criteria in order to avoid the unsustainable management of water resources. The same criteria can be used in any system for selecting alternatives based on the water footprint. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Water Management)

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16 pages, 297 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Borrowing Power from Potential Entrants and High-Speed Rail: Entry Pattern of China’s Low-Cost Carrier

by Xiaowei Tang, Siyu Ren, Xinyao Ma and Kurt Fuellhart

Sustainability 2022, 14(10), 6294; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14106294 - 21 May 2022

Viewed by 1944

Abstract

This paper investigates the impact of market structure and high-speed rail on China’s low-cost carrier Spring Airlines’ entry patterns during the pre-pandemic period. Dividing the air transport system into discrete distance segments (i.e., short-, medium- and long-haul) helps better reveal critical factors that [...] Read more.

This paper investigates the impact of market structure and high-speed rail on China’s low-cost carrier Spring Airlines’ entry patterns during the pre-pandemic period. Dividing the air transport system into discrete distance segments (i.e., short-, medium- and long-haul) helps better reveal critical factors that affect the route entry of Spring. Given the existence of market power in China’s airline industry and the capacity constraints at major airports, Spring strives to enter routes that can accommodate more potential entrants without a strong response from incumbents and are connected with more concentrated or lower-capacity airports. The complementary and competition effects of high-speed rail are well-distinguished in different distance ranges. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Aviation Management and Air Transport Industry II)

19 pages, 5484 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Aligning to the UN Sustainable Development Goals: Assessing Contributions of UBC Botanical Garden

by Adriana Lopez-Villalobos, Dionne Bunsha, Delanie Austin, Laura Caddy, Jennifer Douglas, Andy Hill, Kevin Kubeck, Patrick Lewis, Ben Stormes, Ryo Sugiyama and Tara Moreau

Sustainability 2022, 14(10), 6275; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14106275 - 21 May 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 4088

Abstract

The United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development outlines 17 goals for the wellbeing of people and the planet. The purpose of this study was to understand how University of British Columbia Botanical Garden (UBCBG) contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals [...] Read more.

The United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development outlines 17 goals for the wellbeing of people and the planet. The purpose of this study was to understand how University of British Columbia Botanical Garden (UBCBG) contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN-SDGs) and to identify opportunities for future action. To address this, we worked across departments to assess our programs and activities against the UN-SDG 17 goals and 169 targets. The UN-SDG indicators were only used to identify potential metrics that could be consider for future tracking. The main activities of UBCBG include ex situ plant conservation, sustainability education and community engagement. Our results found that UBCBG contributes to 12 of the 17 goals and 24 of the 169 targets. The two UN-SDGs with more targets aligned to UBCBG’s activities were Goal 15—Life on Land and Goal 12—Responsible Consumption and Production. Through its partnerships with other botanical gardens, research institutions and the regional government, the Garden amplifies its work at a global, national and regional level. We are re-imagining the role of botanical gardens in an age of equity, decolonization, the biodiversity crisis and the climate emergency. Since the UN-SDGs address both nature and people, they are an appropriate framework to guide our work. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Botanic Gardens and Their Contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals)

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24 pages, 817 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Reducing the Environmental Impact of Clothing: An Exploration of the Potential of Alternative Business Models

by Sarah Gray, Angela Druckman, Jhuma Sadhukhan and Keith James

Sustainability 2022, 14(10), 6292; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14106292 - 21 May 2022

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 10219

Abstract

Business models providing used clothing to consumers have the potential to increase the use of each garment and thereby reduce pressure on raw materials and primary production. This research used in-depth interviews complemented by a literature review to improve the understanding of the [...] Read more.

Business models providing used clothing to consumers have the potential to increase the use of each garment and thereby reduce pressure on raw materials and primary production. This research used in-depth interviews complemented by a literature review to improve the understanding of the business models and the ways in which they can impact the environment. In total, the interviews were carried out with seven business owners and six experts in clothing sustainability, product lifespan extension, and circular business models. Examples of business models of interest include businesses selling secondhand clothes and businesses renting clothes to customers. A typology of business models is used to understand how each model impacts the environment and to highlight the factors that contribute most to the impacts that need to be managed. Business models vary in how they impact the environment, through differences in the way they manage transport, storage, and cleaning. Business models also vary in how successfully they reduce the environmental impacts from the production of new garments by increasing the number of times different wearers wear a garment and reducing the need to buy new garments. This effect is referred to as displacement, and the displacement rate provides an indication of the efficiency of reuse models in reducing total volumes of throughput. Indeed, some new business models may not have reduced throughput as a goal at all, and appraisal of this is crucial to understanding the environmental impacts of the various models. Full article

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31 pages, 408 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

ELECTRE III for Strategic Environmental Assessment: A “Phantom” Approach

by Fabrizio Battisti

Sustainability 2022, 14(10), 6221; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14106221 - 20 May 2022

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2100

Abstract

The Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) is a systematic evaluation process of the environmental consequences of urban and territorial plans and programs which aims to guarantee a high degree of environmental protection and to contribute to integrating environmental factors during the design, adoption, and [...] Read more.

The Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) is a systematic evaluation process of the environmental consequences of urban and territorial plans and programs which aims to guarantee a high degree of environmental protection and to contribute to integrating environmental factors during the design, adoption, and approval of plans and programs. Even if in Europe the SEA was already included in the legislation of each European Member State as of 2017, in these countries—and particularly in Italy—there is a diffuse lack of indications on procedures and/or evaluation protocols. In this article, the use of evaluation techniques in SEA is discussed. The specific objective of the research is the construction of an evaluation method to express a synthetic judgement—based on acknowledged, objective parameters—within the SEA procedure. According to the literature review, results regarding the SEA procedure, and its possible supporting methodologies, Multi Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) appears to be the most SEA-coherent approach. Moreover, the ELECTRE method family has shown the highest suitability to perform the evaluation phase of SEA. Hence, an operational development of ELECTRE III is herein proposed and applied to a case study. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Public Projects, Public–Private Partnerships and Economic Sustainability Evaluation)

23 pages, 371 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Impact of COVID-19 on Financial Performance and Profitability of Banking Sector in Special Reference to Private Commercial Banks: Empirical Evidence from Bangladesh

by Md. Abu Issa Gazi, Md. Nahiduzzaman, Iman Harymawan, Abdullah Al Masud and Bablu Kumar Dhar

Sustainability 2022, 14(10), 6260; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14106260 - 20 May 2022

Cited by 32 | Viewed by 11896

Abstract

The current crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has hit the global economy hard, causing significant damage to every aspect of the global banking system, and Bangladesh is no exception. For that reason, its performance and profitability have been affected. In this study, [...] Read more.

The current crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has hit the global economy hard, causing significant damage to every aspect of the global banking system, and Bangladesh is no exception. For that reason, its performance and profitability have been affected. In this study, we investigate the impact of COVID-19 on the financial performance and profitability of the listed private commercial banks in Bangladesh. We initially compute each bank’s financial performance index (FPI) to determine the position according to their financial performance individually before and the current period of COVID-19 by the standardized CAMELS rating system. After assessing the position, the fixed-effect regression model is used to explore the impact of the bank’s specific variables and macroeconomic variables along with the banks’ variables on the banks’ profitability. The banks that performed better during the pre-pandemic period of COVID-19 also performed better during the pandemic period of COVID-19. The performance of AIBL, EBL, and BBL was almost autonomously higher during both periods. In the case of bank profitability, our paper discovered that during the pandemic period of COVID-19, high non-performing loan rates, holding more liquid assets, a high amount of hedging capital, and inappropriate bank size lessened the banks’ profitability. In contrast, a low leverage position and inflation rate enhanced the bank’s profitability during this period. The outcome of this study will help bank authorities detect the loopholes and take preventive measures that can improve their profitability during a crisis period like COVID-19. The investors and depositors who invest money in banks can precisely decide their portfolios. Full article

13 pages, 1051 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Traditional Knowledge and Modern Motivations for Consuming Seaweed (Limu) in Samoa

by Ulusapeti Tiitii, Nicholas Paul, Sarah Burkhart, Silva Larson and Libby Swanepoel

Sustainability 2022, 14(10), 6212; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14106212 - 20 May 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3306

Abstract

Seaweeds are a traditional food throughout the Pacific. In Samoa, the edible seaweeds limu fuafua (sea grapes, Caulerpa racemosa and C. chemnitzia) and limu a’au (red seaweed, Halymenia durvillei and Halymenia sp.) are hand-harvested and consumed fresh or cooked, respectively. However, there [...] Read more.

Seaweeds are a traditional food throughout the Pacific. In Samoa, the edible seaweeds limu fuafua (sea grapes, Caulerpa racemosa and C. chemnitzia) and limu a’au (red seaweed, Halymenia durvillei and Halymenia sp.) are hand-harvested and consumed fresh or cooked, respectively. However, there is limited scientific or traditional documentation of these commodities. Here, we assess the traditional use and cultural value of edible seaweeds and explore modern consumer preferences and perceived nutritional benefits. Structured enumerator-administered questionnaires were used to examine the relationship between consumption and demographics and subsequently to assess the key motivators for consumption, including perceived nutritional benefits. A total of 320 participants were surveyed across 20 village communities, with 95% reporting consumption of Caulerpa and 40% of Halymenia. Consumption was primarily on a weekly to monthly basis, and even once a day. Motivators and barriers for consumption were then assessed in 320 village participants with an additional 203 intercept interviews at fish markets. A content analysis of the open-ended questions revealed the key motivators for eating limu were health and taste (positive), whereas the key barriers were taste (negative) and availability. We identify opportunities to develop a nutrient evidence base for Samoan seaweeds to aid in marketing, especially for youth. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diet, Human Health and Wellbeing in Traditional Food Systems)

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17 pages, 309 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Entitlement, Indeterminacy and Professional Discretion in Urban Planning: Problematising a Child’s Right to Clean Air for Play in London

by Brigid Taylor and Richard Nunes

Sustainability 2022, 14(10), 6189; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14106189 - 19 May 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1794

Abstract

The interaction between air quality and play space receives less focus in planning than it has in public health and environmental sciences research. In this paper, seven local planning authorities of inner London (UK) were sampled from the 10 boroughs with the worst [...] Read more.

The interaction between air quality and play space receives less focus in planning than it has in public health and environmental sciences research. In this paper, seven local planning authorities of inner London (UK) were sampled from the 10 boroughs with the worst air quality in parks. Greenwich, with significantly better air quality, was included for comparison. The selected authorities were validated against deprivation data, ensuring variance in socio-economic terms. Across this sample, 21 major residential planning applications were assessed, alongside a document analysis of planning policy documents for each authority. Lastly, five semi-structured interviews with different practitioners collectively provided multi-disciplinary perspectives on the planning processes across the sample. Despite the national government having conferred children a right to leisure space and a healthy environment via international conventions, the English planning system, as an institutional rights framework, is not consistently prioritising the delivery of children’s play space nor delivering play space where the air quality has been robustly assessed. In other words, such rights have been subjugated to other priorities in limited urban space in London. Therefore, a discretionary planning system does not preclude individual human rights from becoming disadvantaged under democratically controlled decision-making processes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Health, Well-Being and Sustainability)

22 pages, 4247 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Enabling Knowledge through Structured Disaster Damage & Loss Data Management System

by Anna Faiella, Scira Menoni, Maria Pia Boni, Maria Panoutsopoulou, Thekla Thoma, Sandro Salari and Nicolas Rueda

Sustainability 2022, 14(10), 6187; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14106187 - 19 May 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2601

Abstract

Effective and efficient management of post-disaster damage and loss data is a key component of disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation policies to fulfil the requirements of the Sendai Framework, Sustainable Development Goals, and more recently, the European Climate Law. However, the [...] Read more.

Effective and efficient management of post-disaster damage and loss data is a key component of disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation policies to fulfil the requirements of the Sendai Framework, Sustainable Development Goals, and more recently, the European Climate Law. However, the reality of organized and structured damage and loss data collection is still in its infancy. In the era of rapid technological improvements, with overwhelming volumes and channels of data, we still record a lack of basic figures of disaster losses at the scale, granularity and level of detail needed for most applications. First, a theoretical overview of data science applied to disaster risk management and the description of collection procedures and use of damage data for buildings in the case of earthquakes for Italy and Greece are provided. Second, the Information System (IS) which is intended to enhance damage and loss data collection and management proposed by the LODE (Loss Data Enhancement for Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation) project is illustrated. The IS is described in detail, starting from the stakeholder consultation to elicit the requirements, to the system’s architecture, design and implementation. The IS provides a comprehensive tool to input and query multisectoral post-disaster damage and loss data at relevant spatial and temporal scales. The part of the IS devoted to building damage is described in depth showing how obstacles and difficulties highlighted in the collection and use of data in the Greek and the Italian case have been approached and solved. Finally, further developments of the IS and its background philosophy are discussed, including the need for institutionalized damage data collection, engineering of the developed software and re-engineering of current damage and loss data practices. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Integrated Approaches for Disaster Science and Sustainable Development)

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25 pages, 12400 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Risk Assessment of Crowd-Gathering in Urban Open Public Spaces Supported by Spatio-Temporal Big Data

by Yicheng Yang, Jia Yu, Chenyu Wang and Jiahong Wen

Sustainability 2022, 14(10), 6175; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14106175 - 19 May 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 4526

Abstract

The urban open public spaces are the areas where people tend to gather together, which may lead to great crowd-gathering risk. This paper proposes a new method to assess the rank and spatial distribution of crowd-gathering risk in open public spaces in a [...] Read more.

The urban open public spaces are the areas where people tend to gather together, which may lead to great crowd-gathering risk. This paper proposes a new method to assess the rank and spatial distribution of crowd-gathering risk in open public spaces in a large urban area. Firstly, a crowd density estimation method based on Tencent user density (TUD) data is built for different times in open public spaces. Then, a reasonable crowd density threshold is delimited to detect critical crowd situations in open public spaces and find out the key open public spaces that need to have intensive crowd-gathering prevention. For estimating the crowd-gathering risk in key open public spaces, the quantified risk assessment approach is conducted based on the classical risk theory that simultaneously considers the probability of an accident occurring, the severity of the accident consequence, and the risk aversion factor. A case study of the area within the Outer-ring Road of Shanghai was conducted to determine the feasibility of the new method. The thematic maps that describe the ranks and spatial distribution of crowd-gathering risk were generated. According to the risk maps, the government can determine the crowd control measures in different areas to reduce the crowd-gathering risk and prevent dangerous events. Full article

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

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10 pages, 892 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Impact of the Number of Hours Spent at Home on the Volume of Municipal Waste Generated: Evidence from Tokyo during the COVID-19 Pandemic

by Kentaka Aruga

Sustainability 2022, 14(10), 6165; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14106165 - 19 May 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1853

Abstract

This study explores how changes in hours spent at home during the COVID-19 pandemic (February 2020–February 2022) affected the volume of municipal waste generated by households. Applying autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) to a time series model created to measure the volume of combustible [...] Read more.

This study explores how changes in hours spent at home during the COVID-19 pandemic (February 2020–February 2022) affected the volume of municipal waste generated by households. Applying autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) to a time series model created to measure the volume of combustible waste, recyclable plastic, plastic bottles, glasses and cans, and used paper, this study finds that an increase in the number of hours spent at home elevated the amount of combustible waste, recyclable plastic bottles, and glass bottles and cans generated. The increase in the volume of waste during the pandemic tended to be related to increased demand for delivery and take-out containers, and the increase in combustible waste was likely caused by a surge in the use of unrecyclable plastic containers. Thus, the results of the study suggest the importance of enhancing the use of recyclable containers and the need for support to develop ways to spread the use of such containers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Natural Resource Markets)

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20 pages, 1540 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Mass-Balance Method for Provision of Net Zero Emission Transport Services

by Igor Davydenko, Meike Hopman, Ruben Fransen and Jorrit Harmsen

Sustainability 2022, 14(10), 6125; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14106125 - 18 May 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 4353

Abstract

There is a strong need to reduce emissions from transport and logistics. Electrification and use of greener energy carriers and fuels provide a ready way to reduce emissions, but these technologies are generally more expensive than the conventional ones they are replacing. Fortunately, [...] Read more.

There is a strong need to reduce emissions from transport and logistics. Electrification and use of greener energy carriers and fuels provide a ready way to reduce emissions, but these technologies are generally more expensive than the conventional ones they are replacing. Fortunately, some shippers are willing to pay the extra cost to ship their goods using net zero emission transport solutions. To capture this demand, carriers need to decarbonize a part of their operations related to the transport volumes of the “green” shippers. This paper proposes a mass-balancing method based on carbon footprinting to equip the carriers with a verifiable way to market net zero emission services without creation of operational inefficiencies and physical separation of conventional and low emission transport. The paper shows feasibility and rather “easy” data requirements of the method in an application case on real world data of a deep-sea carrier. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Transportation)

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20 pages, 1367 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Digitisation of Existing Water Facilities: A Framework for Realising the Value of Scan-to-BIM

by Emiliya Suprun, Sherif Mostafa, Rodney A. Stewart, Harold Villamor, Katrin Sturm and Alex Mijares

Sustainability 2022, 14(10), 6142; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14106142 - 18 May 2022

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2897

Abstract

Building information modelling (BIM) has been implemented in many utility-based organisations worldwide, and it has proved to provide substantial cost- and time-saving benefits and improved performance and asset management especially during the operations and maintenance (O&M) phase. BIM adoption and implementation success rely [...] Read more.

Building information modelling (BIM) has been implemented in many utility-based organisations worldwide, and it has proved to provide substantial cost- and time-saving benefits and improved performance and asset management especially during the operations and maintenance (O&M) phase. BIM adoption and implementation success rely on the accurate asset information stored in BIM models, mainly for existing assets. However, the asset information stored in asset management systems is often inaccurate, incomplete, out of date, duplicated or missing. Capturing the accurate as-is conditions of existing buildings has become feasible with the recent advancement of point cloud from 3D laser-scanning, resulting in a shift from ‘as-designed’ BIM to ‘as-constructed’ BIM. The potential benefits of using as-constructed BIM models for facility operations are compelling. This paper identifies the cost and benefit elements of the scan-to-BIM process as part of a case study research project at a water treatment plant (WTP) in South East Queensland, Australia. The paper develops association mapping between the cost and benefit elements for relevant stakeholders and identifies the critical asset information for effectively managing the WTP case selected. Furthermore, the paper investigates the impact of various levels of detail (LOD) and levels of information (LOI) on BIM applications depending on the project and asset requirements. Finally, this paper presents a framework that water asset owners and stakeholders can utilise to obtain value from investing in scan-to-BIM for existing facilities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Green Building)

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17 pages, 7722 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

In-Stream Marine Litter Collection Device Location Determination Using Bayesian Network

by Abdullah Battawi, Ellie Mallon, Anthony Vedral, Eric Sparks, Junfeng Ma and Mohammad Marufuzzaman

Sustainability 2022, 14(10), 6147; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14106147 - 18 May 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2845

Abstract

Increased generation of waste, production of plastics, and poor environmental stewardship has led to an increase in floating litter. Significant efforts have been dedicated to mitigating this globally relevant issue. Depending on the location of floating litter, removal methods would vary, but usually [...] Read more.

Increased generation of waste, production of plastics, and poor environmental stewardship has led to an increase in floating litter. Significant efforts have been dedicated to mitigating this globally relevant issue. Depending on the location of floating litter, removal methods would vary, but usually include manual cleanups by volunteers or workers, use of heavy machinery to rake or sweep litter off beaches or roads, or passive litter collection traps. In the open ocean or streams, a common passive technique is to use booms and a collection receptacle to trap floating litter. These passive traps are usually installed to intercept floating litter; however, identifying the appropriate locations for installing these collection devices is still not fully investigated. We utilized four common criteria and fifteen sub-criteria to determine the most appropriate setup location for an in-stream collection device (Litter Gitter—Osprey Initiative, LLC, Mobile, AL, USA). Bayesian Network technology was applied to analyze these criteria comprehensively. A case study composed of multiple sites across the U.S. Gulf of Mexico Coast was used to validate the proposed approach, and propagation and sensitivity analyses were used to evaluate performance. The results show that the fifteen summarized criteria combined with the Bayesian Network approach could aid location selection and have practical potential for in-stream litter collection devices in coastal areas. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Management of Marine Debris)

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25 pages, 1965 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoicePerspective

An Innovative Approach for Subnational Climate Adaptation of Biodiversity and Ecosystems: The Case Study of a Regional Strategy in Italy

by Alessandra Pollo, Irene Piccini, Jacopo Chiara, Elena Porro, Daniela Chiantore, Fabrizio Gili, Riccardo Alba, Andrea Barbi, Giuseppe Bogliani, Marco Bagliani, Alberto Doretto, Carlo Ruffino, Elisa Malenotti, Agostina Garazzino, Renata Pelosini, Consolata Siniscalco and Simona Bonelli

Sustainability 2022, 14(10), 6115; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14106115 - 18 May 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3675

Abstract

Since climate change impacts are already occurring, urgent adaptive actions are necessary to avoid the worst damages. Regional authorities play an important role in adaptation, but they have few binding guidelines to carry out strategies and plans. Sectoral impacts and adaptive measures strongly [...] Read more.

Since climate change impacts are already occurring, urgent adaptive actions are necessary to avoid the worst damages. Regional authorities play an important role in adaptation, but they have few binding guidelines to carry out strategies and plans. Sectoral impacts and adaptive measures strongly differ between regions; therefore, specific results for each territory are needed. Impacts are often not exhaustively reported by literature, dataset and models, thus making it impossible to objectively identify specific adaptive measures. Usual expert elicitation helps to fill this gap but shows some issues. For the Piedmont Strategy, an innovative approach has been proposed, involving experts of private and public bodies (regional authorities, academia, research institutes, parks, associations, NGOs, etc.). They collaborated in two work group, first to identify current and future impacts on biodiversity and ecosystems, and secondly to elaborate and prioritize measures. Involving 143 experts of 46 affiliations, it was possible to quickly edit a cross-validated list of impacts (110) and measures (92) with limited costs. Lastly, a public return of results took place. This approach proved to be effective, efficient and influenced the policymakers, overcoming the tendency to enact long-term actions to face climate change. It could be used internationally by subnational authorities also in other sectors. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Adaptation Strategies for Climate Change)

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23 pages, 342 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Strengthening Food Systems Governance to Achieve Multiple Objectives: A Comparative Instrumentation Analysis of Food Systems Policies in Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands

by Erica Reeve, Amerita Ravuvu, Anna Farmery, Senoveva Mauli, Dorah Wilson, Ellen Johnson and Anne-Marie Thow

Sustainability 2022, 14(10), 6139; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14106139 - 18 May 2022

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 4903

Abstract

Political leaders from around the world are demonstrating interest in adopting food policies that account for the economic, health, social and environmental dimensions of food. In the Pacific Islands, decades of experience in implementing multisectoral NCD and climate policy has indicated that operationalising [...] Read more.

Political leaders from around the world are demonstrating interest in adopting food policies that account for the economic, health, social and environmental dimensions of food. In the Pacific Islands, decades of experience in implementing multisectoral NCD and climate policy has indicated that operationalising food systems policies will be challenging. We aimed to identify opportunities for food systems sectors to more strongly promote nutrition and environmental sustainability in addition to economic objectives. We conducted a comparative documentary analysis of 37 food systems sector policies in Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands. We applied theories of agenda- setting to examine how the frames employed by different sectors, and evident in policy content, shaped policy priorities and activities. We identified a predominately economic framing of issues affecting food systems sectors. Though there were clear policy aims to produce enough food to meet population dietary requirements and to promote an environmentally resilient food supply, aims operationalised more predominately through policy content were those that increase the contribution of productive sectors to food exports and import substitution. Food systems sectors in the Pacific Islands have clear aims to promote nutritious and environmentally resilient food systems, but policy instruments could more strongly reflect these aims. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Agriculture)

20 pages, 3155 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Energy and Environmental Assessment of a Hybrid Dish-Stirling Concentrating Solar Power Plant

by Stefania Guarino, Alessandro Buscemi, Antonio Messineo and Valerio Lo Brano

Sustainability 2022, 14(10), 6098; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14106098 - 17 May 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2993

Abstract

Although the 2019 global pandemic slowed the growing trend of CO₂ concentrations in the atmosphere, it has since resumed its rise, prompting world leaders to accelerate the generation of electricity from renewable sources. The study presented in this paper is focused on [...] Read more.

Although the 2019 global pandemic slowed the growing trend of CO₂ concentrations in the atmosphere, it has since resumed its rise, prompting world leaders to accelerate the generation of electricity from renewable sources. The study presented in this paper is focused on the evaluation of the energy and environmental benefits corresponding to the hypothesis of hybridizing a dish-Stirling plant installed on the university campus of Palermo (Italy). These analyses were carried out by means of dynamic simulations based on an accurate energy model validated with the experimental data collected during the measurement campaign that occurred during the period of operation of the reference plant. Assuming different scenarios for managing the production period and different fuels, including renewable fuels, it was found that the annual electricity production of the dish-Stirling system operating in solar mode can be increased by between 47% and 78% when hybridized. This would correspond to an increase in generation efficiency ranging from 4% to 16%. Finally, assuming that the dish-Stirling system is hybridized with renewable combustible gases, this would result in avoided CO₂ emissions of between approximately 1594 and 3953 tons over the 25-year lifetime of the examined plant. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Clever Fuel Usage: Consumption, Emissions and Sustainability)

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17 pages, 3923 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Floating Wetlands for Sustainable Drainage Wastewater Treatment

by Mohamed Elsayed Gabr, Madleen Salem, Hani Mahanna and Mohamed Mossad

Sustainability 2022, 14(10), 6101; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14106101 - 17 May 2022

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3427

Abstract

The preservation of water resources in modern urbanized society is a major concern. In this study, a floating constructed wetland (FWT) pilot plant was designed and constructed for the treatment of a polluted wastewater drain. A series of experiments were run continuously for [...] Read more.

The preservation of water resources in modern urbanized society is a major concern. In this study, a floating constructed wetland (FWT) pilot plant was designed and constructed for the treatment of a polluted wastewater drain. A series of experiments were run continuously for a year in pilot-scale FWTs in a semi-arid area located in Egypt’s Delta. Four aquatic plant species (Eichhornia, Ceratophyllum, Pistia stratiotes, and Nymphaea lotus) were used to assess the performance of FWTs for pollutant removals, such as biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), total suspended solids (TSS), total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), electrical conductivity (EC), and total dissolved solids (TDS), from drainage wastewater to reuse the treated effluent in irrigation practices. The FWT systems were fed drainage tainted water on a weekly basis, and the concentrations and removal efficiency were assessed in the experiments. The average reduction in BOD, COD, TSS, TDS, TN, EC, and TP were 76–86%, 61–80%, 87–95%, 36.6–44.1%, 70–97%, 37–44%, and 83–96%, respectively. ANOVA with Post-HOC t-tests show that the Eichhornia, Pistia stratiotes, and Nymphaea lotus have the highest BOD and COD removal performance, whereas Pistia stratiotes and Nymphaea lotus have the highest TN and TP removal performance. In all cases, the Nymphaea lotus performed well in terms of pollutant removal. In addition, a design procedure for a FWT systems is presented. For wastewater treatment, FWT systems have proven to be a low-cost, long-term option. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Treatment and Sustainable Utilization of Sewage Water)

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14 pages, 2544 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Land and Water Productivity in Intercropped Systems of Walnut—Buckwheat and Walnut–Barley: A Case Study

by Helena Žalac, Vladimir Zebec, Vladimir Ivezić and Goran Herman

Sustainability 2022, 14(10), 6096; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14106096 - 17 May 2022

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2267

Abstract

Intercropping arable crops in orchards is a sustainable land use for intensifying agricultural production, under the condition of plants’ complementarity in sharing resources. This study investigated the aspects of water use and yields in intercropped systems of walnut and crops. To assess possible [...] Read more.

Intercropping arable crops in orchards is a sustainable land use for intensifying agricultural production, under the condition of plants’ complementarity in sharing resources. This study investigated the aspects of water use and yields in intercropped systems of walnut and crops. To assess possible temporal complementarity between crops and trees, a summer crop—buckwheat—and a winter crop—barley—were intercropped in walnut orchards. The land and water productivity were studied under two designs: in an older, denser orchard and a younger one, with wider tree spacing. The results showed a reduction in yields and water productivity (WP) of intercrops due to the competition with walnut trees, with the exception of buckwheat in the younger orchard, where this summer crop surprisingly achieved the highest yield and WP. Nevertheless, in the system with mature fruiting trees, intercropping with winter barley was 53% more productive per unit of land and 83% more water-productive than growing walnut and barley separately but also 48% more land-productive and 70% more water-productive than the walnut–buckwheat system. Our results indicate positive effects of trees on microclimates but also emphasize the importance of species selection and systems design on the overall productivity of intercropped systems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Collection Soil and Water Management Challenges & Solutions for Sustainable Agriculture under Climate Change)

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18 pages, 2487 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Evidence of the Anthropic Impact on a Crustacean Zooplankton Community in Two North Patagonian Lakes

by Juan-Alejandro Norambuena, Patricia Poblete-Grant, Jorge F. Beltrán, Patricio De Los Ríos-Escalante and Jorge G. Farías

Sustainability 2022, 14(10), 6052; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14106052 - 17 May 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2917

Abstract

Lately, agriculture, livestock, forestry, and aquaculture activities have been greatly developed in Chilean North Patagonia, negatively impacting the balance of the environmental conditions in lakes and affecting the development and survival of several native species. The aim of this study was to assess [...] Read more.

Lately, agriculture, livestock, forestry, and aquaculture activities have been greatly developed in Chilean North Patagonia, negatively impacting the balance of the environmental conditions in lakes and affecting the development and survival of several native species. The aim of this study was to assess the anthropic impact on a zooplankton community in two North Patagonian lakes. We collected samples from four sites belonging to Lake Icalma and Lake Llanquihue, including four replicates per site. Water samples were analyzed for physicochemical characteristics and zooplankton communities. We focused on the presence of Daphnia pulex, a species of zooplanktonic crustacean that performs a key role in capturing energy from primary producers to deliver it to final consumers such as fish. We found that Llanquihue showed higher total phosphorus, nitrogen, copper, iron, manganese, total dissolved solids (TDS), and conductivity (EC) than Icalma. Furthermore, ecological variables were greatly decreased due to total P, total N, manganese, copper, total dissolved solids, and conductivity, which changed the species dominance of the zooplankton community in Llanquihue, indicating some degree of anthropization. This study provides fundamental information on the anthropogenic impact on water quality, as well as on zooplankton diversity, highlighting the importance of monitoring the health of these North Patagonia freshwater ecosystems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Aquatic Ecology for Sustainability: Priorities, Approaches, and Partnerships for Management and Conservation of Freshwaters)

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23 pages, 8609 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Are Smart Cities Too Expensive in the Long Term? Analyzing the Effects of ICT Infrastructure on Municipal Financial Sustainability

by Gabriel Puron-Cid and J. Ramon Gil-Garcia

Sustainability 2022, 14(10), 6055; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14106055 - 17 May 2022

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 4692

Abstract

Cities around the world are attempting to become smarter by using data and technology to improve internal operations, make better decisions, and increase the quality of life. This technology-intensive use frequently comes with large investments in the ICT infrastructure necessary for smart city [...] Read more.

Cities around the world are attempting to become smarter by using data and technology to improve internal operations, make better decisions, and increase the quality of life. This technology-intensive use frequently comes with large investments in the ICT infrastructure necessary for smart city initiatives, which may not be financially viable in the long term. Financial sustainability (FS) is a useful framework for assessing how governments meet their financial obligations, using different indicators of financial performance over time by controlling for contextual factors. This study examines 1723 municipal governments; only 89 of these explicitly conducted smart-city initiatives in Mexico over three time points (2014, 2016, and 2018). Panel data techniques were applied to compare the effects of the investments in ICT infrastructure across municipalities with or without smart-city initiatives on five indicators related to the financial condition within the FS framework (i.e., cash solvency, budget solvency, long-term solvency, service-level solvency for revenues and expenses). The results show an association between ICT infrastructure and some dimensions of FS. The main findings suggest the importance of adequate financial analysis for long-term capital and budgeting decisions, to create a more solid smart city financial strategy for the long term. Specific recommendations for city managers are also discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Building Smart and Sustainable Cities: Emerging Technologies and Innovation for Digital-Era Governance and Long-Term Impacts)

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16 pages, 1710 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Environmental Impacts of Boom-Corridor and Selectively Thinned Small-Diameter-Tree Forests

by Teresa de la Fuente, Dan Bergström, Raul Fernandez-Lacruz, Teppo Hujala, Nike Krajnc, Ruben Laina, Tomas Nordfjell, Matevz Triplat and Eduardo Tolosana

Sustainability 2022, 14(10), 6075; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14106075 - 17 May 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2092

Abstract

European forest stands of small-diameter trees can provide industries with biomass as an alternative to fossil use. Small-tree harvesting is costly using conventional methods but using accumulating felling heads (AFH) in combination with a novel boom-corridor thinning (BCT) technique can increase harvester productivity [...] Read more.

European forest stands of small-diameter trees can provide industries with biomass as an alternative to fossil use. Small-tree harvesting is costly using conventional methods but using accumulating felling heads (AFH) in combination with a novel boom-corridor thinning (BCT) technique can increase harvester productivity and supply cost efficiency. This method has great potential to reduce costs, but its environmental impact compared with selective thinning (ST) needs to be determined. The objectives of this study were therefore to quantify and compare tree and soil damage as well as air, water and soil emissions for both BCT and ST in various European small-diameter-tree forests. Trials were performed in 84 study units (42 replications per thinning technique) across four countries. Damaged trees (with a diameter at breast height ≥ 7 cm) were measured after thinning and after forwarding. Harvesting emissions were calculated from a life cycle assessment. The percentage of remaining trees that had been damaged by the harvesting processes was 13% and 19% for BCT and ST, respectively, and the difference was significant. BCT exhibited the lowest emissions in all environmental impact categories considered, in all countries. Greenhouse gas emissions were on average 17% lower for BCT. BCT in small-diameter-tree stands therefore reduces the environmental impact of thinning operations compared with conventional methods, and results in less damage to the remaining trees. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Forestry)

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29 pages, 4578 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Comparison of Thermal Energy Saving Potential and Overheating Risk of Four Adaptive Façade Technologies in Office Buildings

by Shady Attia, Stéphanie Bertrand, Mathilde Cuchet, Siliang Yang and Amir Tabadkani

Sustainability 2022, 14(10), 6106; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14106106 - 17 May 2022

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 5152

Abstract

Adaptive façades are gaining greater importance in highly efficient buildings under a warming climate. There is an increasing demand for adaptive façades designed to regulate solar and thermal gains/losses, as well as avoid discomfort and glare issues. Occupants and developers of office buildings [...] Read more.

Adaptive façades are gaining greater importance in highly efficient buildings under a warming climate. There is an increasing demand for adaptive façades designed to regulate solar and thermal gains/losses, as well as avoid discomfort and glare issues. Occupants and developers of office buildings ask for a healthy and energy-neutral working environment. Adaptive façades are appropriate dynamic solutions controlled automatically or through occupant interaction. However, relatively few studies compared their energy and overheating risk performance, and there is still a vast knowledge gap on occupant behavior in operation. Therefore, we chose to study four dynamic envelopes representing four different façade families: dynamic shading, electrochromic glazing, double-skin, and active ventilative façades. Three control strategies were chosen to study the dynamic aspect of solar control, operative temperature, and glare control. Simulations were realized with EnergyPlus on the BESTEST case 600 from the ASHRAE standard 140/2020 for the temperate climate of Brussels. A sensitivity analysis was conducted to study the most influential parameters. The study findings indicate that dynamic shading devices and electrochromic glazing have a remarkable influence on the annual thermal energy demand, decreasing the total annual loads that can reach 30%. On the other hand, BIPV double-skin façades and active ventilative façades (cavity façades) could be more appropriate for cold climates. The study ranks the four façade technologies and provides novel insights for façade designers and building owners regarding the annual energy performance and overheating risk. Full article

(This article belongs to the Collection Structural Sensing and Sustainable Infrastructure Maintenance)

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13 pages, 3058 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Evaluation of Growth Rate and Biomass Productivity of Scenedesmus quadricauda and Chlorella vulgaris under Different LED Wavelengths and Photoperiods

by Ruth Chinyere Anyanwu, Cristina Rodriguez, Andy Durrant and Abdul Ghani Olabi

Sustainability 2022, 14(10), 6108; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14106108 - 17 May 2022

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 5114

Abstract

Cultivation has been identified as an essential stage for biofuel production. This research has examined two important parameters for the industrial production of microalgae, namely microalgae growth rate and biomass productivity. Chlorella vulgaris and Scenedesmusquadricauda were cultivated using a closed photobioreactor (PBR). [...] Read more.

Cultivation has been identified as an essential stage for biofuel production. This research has examined two important parameters for the industrial production of microalgae, namely microalgae growth rate and biomass productivity. Chlorella vulgaris and Scenedesmusquadricauda were cultivated using a closed photobioreactor (PBR). A novel approach for cultivation and energy input reduction was developed by incorporating periods of darkness during cultivation, as would happen in nature. Three different LED light sources (white, red, and green) were used to determine the conditions that result in the highest growth rate and biomass productivity. C. vulgaris and S. quadricauda responded differently to lighting conditions. It was found that, depending on the LED source and light period, different growth rates and biomass productivities were obtained. Overall, experimental results obtained in this study indicated that a white LED is more effective than green or red LEDs in increasing microalgae growth rate and biomass productivity. A maximum growth rate of 3.41 d⁻¹ and a biomass productivity of 2.369 g L⁻¹d⁻¹ were achieved for S.quadricauda under a 19 h period of white light alternating with 5 h of darkness. For C. vulgaris the maximum growth rate of 3.49 d⁻¹ and maximum biomass productivity of 2.438 g L⁻¹d⁻¹ were achieved by continuous white light with no darkness period. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Renewable Energy and Utility System Optimization for Sustainable Industries)

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28 pages, 4008 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

A Temporal Perspective in Eco² Building Design

by Patricia Schneider-Marin and Werner Lang

Sustainability 2022, 14(10), 6025; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14106025 - 16 May 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2983

Abstract

The architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) sector has great potential and responsibility for reducing its considerable resource consumption and high share of global emissions. However, economic factors are often cited as barriers to more environmentally friendly solutions in building design. Hence, environmental and [...] Read more.

The architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) sector has great potential and responsibility for reducing its considerable resource consumption and high share of global emissions. However, economic factors are often cited as barriers to more environmentally friendly solutions in building design. Hence, environmental and economic life cycle assessment (LCA and LCC) are of utmost importance in building design. They serve as the base methodologies for what we call the “Eco²” framework. In this context, monetary valuation of multiple environmental impacts allows to integrate the results as a basis for design decisions. A case study representative of small-scale office buildings in Germany illustrates the Eco² framework and shows the influence of temporal parameters (discount rates and price changes), as well as of differing monetary valuation, on the ranking of design options. Varying the temporal parameters affects the ranking of different solutions for the structure and finishes of the case study building but not for its mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) systems and operation. However, the ratio of environmental life cycle cost (eLCC) to financial life cycle cost (fLCC) is significantly higher for MEP systems and operation than for the structure and finishes. This investigation shows that it is possible to achieve simultaneous emission and cost savings, whereas temporal factors can decisively influence decision making in design processes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Life Cycle Thinking and Sustainability Assessment of Buildings)

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21 pages, 4485 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceReview

Inventory Models in a Sustainable Supply Chain: A Bibliometric Analysis

by Katherinne Salas-Navarro, Paula Serrano-Pájaro, Holman Ospina-Mateus and Ronald Zamora-Musa

Sustainability 2022, 14(10), 6003; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14106003 - 15 May 2022

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 4060

Abstract

This paper presents a bibliometric analysis of inventory models in a sustainable supply chain. The methodology contains reviewing previous research with a performance evaluation, network analysis, and science mapping to identify the applications, trends, and future research topics. Scientific mapping examines the periods [...] Read more.

This paper presents a bibliometric analysis of inventory models in a sustainable supply chain. The methodology contains reviewing previous research with a performance evaluation, network analysis, and science mapping to identify the applications, trends, and future research topics. Scientific mapping examines the periods and volumes of publications, authors, journals, countries, regions, organizations, subject areas, and citation analyses. The dataset was obtained with the Scopus database and analyzed using MS Excel and VOSviewer. The search equation identified 335 research papers, which resulted in 131 significant manuscripts on the subject after being screened and filtered. The most notable countries in developing research were Iran, India, China, the United States, Canada, Taiwan, France, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, and Denmark. Saha, S., Ajay, S.Y., and Baboli, A. were the most cited authors. The journals that publish the most research were Sustainability, the Journal of Cleaner Production, and the International Journal of Production Economics. Some research focuses on reducing carbon emissions and polluting agents applied in different industries in China, Brazil, India, and others. The main findings were the number of industry sectors researching this topic, increasing the number of publications, and promoting the proper use of resources within a sustainable supply chain. There are many investigations of theoretical models that have applications in real-life cases. There is also evidence of the high importance of promoting sustainable development. The emissions regulations in a green supply chain applied to agricultural products have allowed for more actions to achieve responsible production and consumption, as seen in applied research in the pulp and paper industry. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Supply Chain and Operations Management)

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19 pages, 2178 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceReview

Sustainability and Circular Economy Perspectives of Materials for Thermoelectric Modules

by Manuela Castañeda, Elkin I. Gutiérrez-Velásquez, Claudio E. Aguilar, Sergio Neves Monteiro, Andrés A. Amell and Henry A. Colorado

Sustainability 2022, 14(10), 5987; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14105987 - 15 May 2022

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 4381

Abstract

The growing demand for energy and the environmental problems derived from this problem are arousing interest throughout the world in the development of clean and efficient alternative energy sources, which involve ecological processes and materials. The materials used in the processes associated with [...] Read more.

The growing demand for energy and the environmental problems derived from this problem are arousing interest throughout the world in the development of clean and efficient alternative energy sources, which involve ecological processes and materials. The materials used in the processes associated with thermoelectric generation technology will provide solutions to this situation. Materials related to energy make it possible to generate energy from waste heat residues, which are derived from various industrial processes in which significant fractions of residual energy are deposited into the environment. However, despite the fact that thermoelectric technology represents some relative advantages in relation to other energy generation processes, it in turn faces some technical limitations such as its low efficiency with respect to the high costs that its implementation demands today, and this has been the subject of intense research in recent years. On the other hand, the sustainability of the processes when analyzed from a circular economy perspective must be taken into account for the implementation of this technology, particularly when considering its large-scale implementation. In this article, a systematic search focused on the sustainability of thermoelectric modules is carried out as a step towards a circular economy model. The review aims to examine recent developments and trends in the development of thermoelectric systems in order to promote initiatives in favor of the environment. The aim of this study is to present a current overview, including trends and limitations, in research related to thermoelectric materials. As a result of this analysis, it was found that aspects related to costs and initiatives related to circular economy models have been little explored, which represents not only an opportunity for the development of new approaches in the conception of thermoelectric systems, but also for the conception of optimized designs that address the current limitations of this technology. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Eco-Friendly Materials for Civil Construction: Utilization and Advantages)

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14 pages, 2174 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

The Sustainability Potential of Upcycling

by Jagdeep Singh

Sustainability 2022, 14(10), 5989; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14105989 - 15 May 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 5761

Abstract

The upcycling trend has received renewed attention in the past few years due to growing concerns for the environment related to increased resource consumption and waste volumes. Indeed, cities across the world are supporting resource upcycling initiatives by establishing do-it-yourself (DIY) repair cafes [...] Read more.

The upcycling trend has received renewed attention in the past few years due to growing concerns for the environment related to increased resource consumption and waste volumes. Indeed, cities across the world are supporting resource upcycling initiatives by establishing do-it-yourself (DIY) repair cafes and makerspaces as a means to transform societies towards sustainable development. However, the sustainability potential of such upcycling initiatives is unknown due to the lack of theoretical frameworks. This research aims to explore the direct and indirect social, economic, and environmental implications of upcycling activities at DIY bicycle repair studios. The main objectives of the study were to: (1) examine the upcycling activities in these studios that contribute to slowing and closing the material cycles, (2) explore the behavioral implications of the users of these maker spaces in the context of environmental sustainability, and (3) propose ways to evaluate the broad environmental impacts of the upcycling activities at these studios. The objectives were explored in three case studies—2 in Sweden (Cykelköket in Malmö and Bagarmossens Cykelköket in Stockholm) and 1 in Switzerland (Point Vélo, Lausanne). Semi-structured interviews, user surveys, and participant observation methods are employed to collect qualitative, and quantitative data to formulate a systemic exploration of major activities and socio-economic exchanges at these repair cafes. The study identified multiple social, economic, and environmental impacts of upcycling activities and represented them in causal loop diagrams. Based on this, a framework for evaluating and governing the overall sustainability potential of upcycling activities is proposed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Consumption and Production by Upcycling: Advances in Science and Practices)

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18 pages, 3600 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Improving the Sustainability of Urban Water Management through Innovative Groundwater Recharge System (GRS)

by Abedin Mohammad-Hosseinpour and José-Luis Molina

Sustainability 2022, 14(10), 5990; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14105990 - 15 May 2022

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 4587

Abstract

Negative impacts of groundwater overuse have always been one of the problems of modern cities in arid and semi-arid regions; rapid population growth and climate change have also exacerbated these problems in many areas. One of the best approaches to deal with the [...] Read more.

Negative impacts of groundwater overuse have always been one of the problems of modern cities in arid and semi-arid regions; rapid population growth and climate change have also exacerbated these problems in many areas. One of the best approaches to deal with the impacts of these phenomena (soil subsidence, decline in groundwater quality, and seawater intrusion) is to artificially recharge water into aquifers and raise the groundwater level. In this paper, an innovative solution called Groundwater Recharge Systems (GRS) is proposed with high efficiency, low cost, and fast implementation capability to address these problems. The proposed solution also has the capability of being constructed in urban environments without the need to allocate any spacious land or the need to use any sophisticated technologies. The study of implementing the proposed groundwater recharge systems in the study area showed that the performance of this system, even in worst-case scenarios, will be very significant even considering climate change impacts such as seawater level rise and decline in precipitation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Planning and Management of Urban Water Systems)

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23 pages, 5831 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Consumer Concern and Willingness to Pay for Plastic Alternatives in Food Service

by Emily Fischbach, Eric Sparks, Kenneth Hudson, Shoon Lio and Elizabeth Englebretson

Sustainability 2022, 14(10), 5992; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14105992 - 15 May 2022

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 4147

Abstract

Plastic food service packaging represents a large source of plastic waste and marine debris. Currently, most food service business operators are resistant to changing to environmentally friendly alternatives due to perceived cost and loss of business due to passing these costs onto the [...] Read more.

Plastic food service packaging represents a large source of plastic waste and marine debris. Currently, most food service business operators are resistant to changing to environmentally friendly alternatives due to perceived cost and loss of business due to passing these costs onto the consumer. To address these issues, we assessed the willingness of consumers to pay for plastic alternatives in both dine-in and takeout scenarios at restaurants in relation to levels of environmental concern, environmental identity, and demographics through a survey. Data were analyzed using a combination of descriptive statistics, regressions, and exploratory factor analyses. Of the 1371 survey responses, nearly 66% of respondents indicated they would be willing to pay 40 cents or more per person per meal at a restaurant for plastic alternatives and that this preference did not vary between dine-in and takeout scenarios. Additionally, education level and level of caring for the environment were the two most significant factors that increased willingness to pay for plastic alternatives. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Management of Marine Debris)

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14 pages, 1076 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Exploring Consumers’ Attitudes towards Food Products Derived by New Plant Breeding Techniques

by Gabriella Vindigni, Iuri Peri, Federica Consentino, Roberta Selvaggi and Daniela Spina

Sustainability 2022, 14(10), 5995; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14105995 - 15 May 2022

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 2813

Abstract

New plant breeding techniques (NPBTs) are seen as promising and innovative tools to achieve food security and food safety. Biotechnological innovations have great potential to address sustainable food development, and they are expected in the near future to play a critical role in [...] Read more.

New plant breeding techniques (NPBTs) are seen as promising and innovative tools to achieve food security and food safety. Biotechnological innovations have great potential to address sustainable food development, and they are expected in the near future to play a critical role in feeding a growing population without exerting added pressure on the environment. There is, however, a considerable debate as to how these new techniques should be regulated and whether some or all of them should fall within the scope of EU legislation on genetically modified organisms (GMOs), despite the product obtained being free from genes foreign to the species. In the EU, the adoption of these methods does not rely only on the scientific community but requires social acceptance and a political process that leads to an improved regulatory framework. In this paper, we present the results of an online survey carried out in Italy with 700 randomly selected participants on consumer attitudes towards food obtained by NPBTs. By applying the decision tree machine learning algorithm J48 to our dataset, we identified significant attributes to predict the main drivers of purchasing such products. A classification model accuracy assessment has also been developed to evaluate the overall performance of the classifier. The result of the model highlighted the role of consumers’ self-perceived knowledge and their trust in the European approval process for NPBT, as well as the need for a detailed label. Our findings may support decision makers and underpin the development of NPBT products in the market. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Multifaceted Nature of Food and Nutrition Insecurity around the World and Foodservice Business)

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