Eco-friendly pomegranate production: Balancing energy consumption and environmental impact.

Tunisia olive production fluctuates yearly because it is highly dependent on annual precipitation, and growers need to enhance productivity and efficiency by introducing irrigation. Investigating how irrigation affects the technical efficiency of olive production may contribute to improvement in productivity. This study employs the Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) and Stochastic Frontier Analysis (SFA) methods to estimate non-parametric and parametric frontiers for a sample of Tunisian olive orchards. It identifies factors which determine variations in technical and scale efficiencies among orchards. The DEA results show that average output-oriented technical efficiency under constant returns to scale (CRS) and variable returns to scale (VRS) is 8.9 and 17.8%, respectively. The SFA results show that average technical efficiency of the half-normal model with constant returns to scale is estimated at 81.2%, indicating Tunisian olive growers can raise output by an average of 18.8% by improving technology and using fewer inputs. Average technical efficiency in irrigated orchards under the DEA approach was higher than in irrigated ones while irrigated orchards under the SFA approach was less technically efficient than non-irrigated ones. However, the test results of mean difference indicate that average VRS technical and scale efficiencies in irrigated orchards under the DEA approach were not significantly higher than in non-irrigated ones. On the other hand, technical rather than scale inefficiency is the major source of overall inefficiency in irrigated orchards because room for improvement in technical efficiency was larger than in scale efficiency. These results suggest that Tunisian olive growers should raise output and efficiency by introducing more advanced technologies for improving the performance of irrigation systems. Key words: Olive orchards, technical efficiency, scale efficiency, irrigation, Tunisia.

Mitigating greenhouse gas emissions from sheep production system in China: An integrated approach of data envelopment analysis and life cycle assessment

Optimization of energy consumption and environmental impacts of arecanut production through coupled data envelopment analysis and life cycle assessment

The agricultural sector in the world is facing social expectations to improve energy efficiency and reduce environmental impacts, and at the same producing enough food and fiber for the growing world population. The purpose of the present research is to determine the economic, energy consumption, and environmental impacts in coriander seed production using material flow cost accounting approach along with life cycle assessment. The positive output and negative energy were 25,485 and 6742MJha-1, respectively. Energy efficiency, net energy gain, specific energy, and energy productivity indicators were calculated as 0.6, - 11,944MJha-1, 17.4MJkg-1, and 0.06kgMJ-1, respectively. The average production cost was calculated as 588 $ ha-1 whereas gross income was 1267 $ ha-1. The value of negative products in coriander production was estimated as 239 $ ha-1. Seed shedding at harvest and water loss due to inefficient irrigation system were found to be the major negative products (economic and energy) in the system that can enhance the system productivity upon improvement. The values of benefit costs ratio and economic productivity were 1.74 and 3kg $-1, respectively. The acidification potential (102.5kg SO2 eq ha-1), global warming potential (897.3kg CO2 eq ha-1), photochemical oxidation potential (0.13kg C2H4 eq ha-1), and eutrophication potential (40.3kg PO4-3eqha-1) indicators were evaluated. The hotspots in point of economic (labor and seed shedding), energy use (nitrogen fertilizer and machinery) and energy loss (seed shedding), and environment (diesel fuel consumption) were determined which can be used to optimize coriander production through decreasing the material and energy consumption in the field. The results showed that MFCA combined with LCA is a powerful tool in identifying hotspots in crop production systems and can be used in developing more sustainable systems as well as in developing sustainability models.

Circular utilization of urban tree waste contributes to the mitigation of climate change and eutrophication

Binders are important construction materials, especially with plant-based granulates and fibers. A binder is chosen for its physical and chemical properties to be compatible with some construction requirements. New market trends show that green binders meet global sustainability targets, which is a step towards greener buildings and a greener environment. This study presents a cradle-to-gate comparative life cycle assessment (LCA) of synthetic binders (Polyvinyl Acetate (PVA) and Carboxymethyl Cellulose (CMC)) and agriculture starch-based binders made from cassava, wheat, and corn. The LCA was conducted using SimaPro software based on ISO 14040/14044 standards using the ReCiPe Midpoint and CML IA Baseline method. The assessment is cradle-to-gate with a binder production function unit of 1 kg. Key environmental sustainability metrics like Global Warming Potential (GWP) and Acidification Potential (AP) are assessed to rank the binder sustainability against each other. The results show that synthetic binder PVA has the highest environmental impact in almost all impact categories, especially GWP (6.55 kg CO2 eq in ReCiPe and 6.37 kg CO2 eq in CML) and AP (0.012 kg SO2 eq in ReCiPe and 0.015 kg SO2 eq in CML). Among natural binders, Corn Starch shows the lowest environmental impact with GWP values of 0.930 kg CO2 eq (ReCiPe) and 0.896 kg CO2 eq (CML) and AP values of 0.010 kg SO2 eq (ReCiPe) and 0.016 kg SO2 eq (CML). The agricultural binders (Cassava Starch, Wheat Starch, and Corn Starch) are environmentally friendlier than the synthetic binders (PVA and CMC). Although agricultural binders carry environmental costs associated with farming operations, they have lower environmental impacts than synthetic alternatives, demonstrating their sustainability potential in binder applications.

Optimization of environmental and energy performance of egg production using data envelopment analysis (DEA) and life cycle assessment (LCA).

Exploring the impact of holiday gifts: An economic and environmental comparison of DVDs and books received as gifts

The intensification of specific land management operations (tillage, herbicide, etc.) is increasing land degradation and contributing to ecosystem pollution. Mulches can be a sustainable tool to counter these processes. This is particularly relevant for rural areas in low-income countries where agriculture is a vital sector. In this research, the environmental impact of different rates of wheat residues (no residues, 25, 50, 75, and 100%) in corn silage cultivation was evaluated using the life cycle assessment (LCA) method under conventional tillage (CT) and no-tillage (NT) systems in a semi-arid region in Karaj, Iran. Results showed that in both tillage systems, marine aquatic ecotoxicity (ME) and global warming potential (GWP) had the highest levels of pollution among the environmental impact indicators. In CT systems, the minimum (17,730.70 kg 1,4-dichlorobenzene (DB) eq.) and maximum (33,683.97 kg 1,4-DB eq.) amounts of ME were related to 0 and 100% wheat residue rates, respectively. Also, in the CT system, 0 and 100% wheat residue rates resulted in minimum (176.72 kg CO2 eq.) and maximum (324.95 kg CO2 eq.) amounts of GWP, respectively. However, in the NT system, the 100% wheat residue rate showed the minimum amounts of ME (11,442.39 kg 1,4-DB eq.) and GWP (120.21 kg CO2 eq.). Also, in the NT system, maximum amounts of ME (17,174 kg 1,4-DB eq.) and GWP (175.60 kg CO2 eq.) were observed with a zero wheat residue rate. On-farm emissions and nitrogen fertilizers were the two factors with the highest contribution to the degradation related to environmental parameters at all rates of wheat residues. Moreover, in the CT system, the number of environmental pollutants increased with the addition of a higher wheat residue rate, while in the NT system, increasing residue rates decreased the amount of environmental pollutants. In conclusion, this LCA demonstrates that the NT system with the full retention of wheat residues (100%) is a more environmentally sustainable practice for corn silage production. Therefore, it may be considered one of the most adequate management strategies in this region and similar semi-arid conditions. Further long-term research and considering more environmental impact categories are required to assess the real potential of crop residues and tillage management for sustainable corn silage production.

Although the contribution of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) to economic growth is beyond doubt, they collectively affect the environment and society negatively. As SMEs have to perform in a very competitive environment, they often find it difficult to achieve their environmental and social targets. Therefore, making SMEs sustainable is one of the most daunting tasks for both policymakers and SME owners/managers alike. Prior research argues that through measuring SMEs’ supply chain sustainability performance and deriving means of improvement, one can make SMEs more viable, not only from an economic perspective, but also from the environmental and social point of view. Prior studies apply data envelopment analysis (DEA) for measuring the performance of groups of SMEs using multiple criteria (inputs and outputs) by segregating efficient and inefficient SMEs, and suggesting improvement measures for each inefficient SME through benchmarking it against the most successful one. However, DEA is limited to recommending means of improvement solely for inefficient SMEs. To bridge this gap, the use of structural equation modelling (SEM) enables developing relationships between the criteria and sub-criteria for sustainability performance measurement that facilitates identifying improvement measures for every SME within a region through a statistical modelling approach. As SEM suggests improvements not from the perspective of individual SMEs but for the totality of SMEs involved, this tool is more suitable for policymakers than for individual company owners/managers. However, a performance measurement heuristic that combines DEA and SEM could make use of the best of each technique, and thereby could be the most appropriate tool for both policymakers and individual SME owners/managers. Additionally, SEM results can be utilised by DEA as inputs and outputs for more effective and robust results since the latter are based on more objective measurements. Although DEA and SEM have been applied separately to study the sustainability of organisations, according to the authors’ knowledge, there is no published research that has combined both methods for sustainable supply chain performance measurement. The framework proposed in the present study has been applied in two different geographical locations – Normandy in France and Midlands in the UK – to demonstrate the effectiveness of sustainable supply chain performance measurement using the combined DEA and SEM approach. Additionally, the state of the companies’ sustainability in both regions is revealed with a number of comparative analyses.

Binders play a critical role in the construction industry, especially when combined with plant-based granulates and fibers. The binder is selected based on its physical and chemical characteristics for compatibility with certain construction requirements. New market trends highlight the use of green binders that meet global sustainability targets, demonstrating a move toward greener building and environmental sustainability. This study presents a cradle-to-gate comparative life cycle assessment (LCA) of synthetic binders – namely Polyvinyl Acetate (PVA) and Carboxymethyl Cellulose (CMC) and agriculture starch-based binders made from cassava, wheat, and corn. The Life Cycle Assessment was conducted using SimaPro software based on ISO 14040/14044 standards using the ReCiPe Midpoint and CML IA Baseline. The assessment is cradle-to-gate with a function unit of 1 kg for binder production. Key environmental sustainability metrics such as Global Warming Potential (GWP) and Acidification Potential (AP) are assessed to rank the binder sustainability relative to each other. The results show that synthetic binder PVA has the highest environmental impact in almost all impact categories, especially GWP (6.55 kg CO2 eq in ReCiPe and 6.37 kg CO2 eq in CML) and AP (0.012 kg SO2 eq in ReCiPe and 0.015 kg SO2 eq in CML). Among natural binders, Corn Starch shows the lowest environmental impact with GWP values of 0.930 kg CO2 eq (ReCiPe) and 0.896 kg CO2 eq (CML) and AP values of 0.010 kg SO2 eq (ReCiPe) and 0.016 kg SO2 eq (CML). The agricultural binders (Cassava Starch, Wheat Starch, and Corn Starch) are environmentally friendlier than the synthetic binders (PVA and CMC). Although agricultural binders carry environmental costs associated with farming operations, they have lower environmental impacts than synthetic alternatives, demonstrating their sustainability potential in binder applications.

Global warming and mitigation potential of milk and meat production in Lombardy (Italy)

Anaerobic digestion and milking frequency as mitigation strategies of the environmental burden in the milk production system

This study evaluates the environmental impact of municipal solid waste management recycling probability in Greater Monrovia, using the Driver-Pressure-State-Impact-Response (DPSIR) framework and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). Greater Monrovia generates approximately 236155 tons of recyclable waste annually, comprising biodegradable, plastics, paper, inert materials, and assorted waste. Inadequate infrastructure causes less waste collection, and most are openly dumped or burned, triggering severe environmental pollution. The LCA examines key impact categories, including global warming potential (GWP), water pollution, resource depletion, and human health impacts across four waste management scenarios. Scenario one (Landfill) identified significant emissions, contributing to global warming (194.86 kg CO2 eq), marine aquatic ecotoxicity (MAE) (2259578 kg 14-DB eq), and human toxicity (172.59 kg 14-DB eq). Scenario two (Anaerobic Digestion) illustrates lower impacts on human toxicity (237.83 kg 14-DB eq) and freshwater aquatic ecotoxicity (86.99 kg 14-DB eq), with moderate GWP (415.51 kg CO2 eq). In Scenario three, (Open Burning) results are the highest GWP (444.03 kg CO2 eq) and MAE (1426606.7 kg 14-DB eq), indicating substantial environmental and health risks. Scenario Four, a combined approach integrating landfill, anaerobic digestion, and open burning, optimizes the strengths and mitigates the weaknesses of each scenario, offering a balanced approach with reduced impacts across multiple categories. Findings indicate Scenario Two has a relatively moderate environmental impact. Assumed as the most preferred scenario based on the waste management option due to low environmental effects, thereby recommended as the appropriate technology for the MSW recycling process in Greater Monrovia, ultimately reducing environmental impacts and improving resource recovery.

Energy flow and life cycle impact assessment of coffee-pepper production systems: An evaluation of conventional, integrated and organic farms in India