Harnessing enzyme and microbial biotechnology for macroalgae valorization: A circular economy approach with implications for carbon sequestration.

Background: Land-based sources are the primary contributors to ocean pollution, posing significant risks to marine ecosystems and human health, as exemplified by Minamata disease caused by mercury contamination. A thriving marine environment is essential for the prosperity of coastal cities. However, despite existing international legal frameworks, stronger regulations remain necessary to effectively control land-based marine pollution. Governments often hesitate to impose strict limits on land-based industries, making legal strategies that constrain state actions crucial for environmental protection. Regional agreements have emerged as potential solutions, offering regulatory approaches tailored to specific economic, social, and political contexts. Methods: This study employs a doctrinal legal research approach to analyse the challenges in implementing global and regional legislative frameworks for land-based marine pollution. A comprehensive literature review of academic works, international legal texts, and landmark judicial cases provides insight into regulatory gaps and potential improvements. Additionally, secondary sources, including reports from civil society organisations, help contextualise the practical implications of these legal frameworks. The study also examines disputes related to land-based marine pollution and the effectiveness of dispute resolution mechanisms at both regional and global levels. Results and Conclusions: The findings emphasise the need to protect marine environments from land-based pollution while balancing economic growth. Regional agreements offer valuable insights into legal strategies and institutional mechanisms that could help achieve this equilibrium. However, weaknesses in how these conventions enhance international law’s ability to manage land-based pollution require further analysis. A sustainable legislative framework must reconcile environmental protection with economic, social, and political priorities. Strengthening dispute settlement mechanisms and fostering international cooperation are essential for addressing these challenges. The study underscores the persistent tension between economic growth and environmental preservation in international law and highlights the need for more effective, enforceable legal frameworks to ensure the long-term sustainability of marine ecosystems.

To achieve sustainable development, alternative resources should replace conventional resources such as fossil fuels. In marine ecosystems, many macroalgae grow faster than terrestrial plants. Macroalgae are roughly classified as green, red, or brown algae based on their photosynthetic pigments. Brown algae are considered to be a source of physiologically active substances such as polyphenols. Furthermore, some macroalgae can capture approximately 10 times more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere than terrestrial plants. Therefore, they have immense potential for use in the environment. Recently, macroalgae have emerged as a biomass feedstock for bioethanol production owing to their low lignin content and applicability to biorefinery processes. Herein, we provided an overview of the bioconversion of macroalgae into bioactive substances and biofuels using microbial biotechnology, including engineered yeast designed using molecular display technology.

Global plastic production has exceeded 300 million tons annually since 2014, driven by their durability, versatility, and low cost. However, plastic pollution has become a major issue, particularly affecting freshwater and marine ecosystems. Bali, a popular tourist destination in Indonesia, suffers from severe plastic pollution due to high tourist numbers and inadequate waste management. This review highlights the urgent need to adopt successful NGO models and technologies while implementing comprehensive policies and enhancing public awareness. Addressing not only the consumption phase but also production and post-consumption phases is crucial. Accelerating recycling technology and facility development through the formal sector is essential. A circular economy approach, supported by key stakeholders, is vital for improving plastic waste management in Bali. Effective waste management is crucial for environmental preservation and the long-term sustainability of Bali's tourism industry, which is key to its economic future.

This study examines the complex connection between globalization, environmental sustainability, and international climate policy via the lens of the Environmental Kuznets Curve model. Therefore, it examines the aspects of globalization and the consequent CO2 emissions in certain South Asian countries. The paper analyses panel data from 1991 to 2023, employing multiple econometric approaches to substantiate the Environmental Kuznets Curve theory, which elucidates the inverted U-shaped relationship between economic growth and environmental pollution. The study illustrates that economic globalization facilitates technology transfers and the adoption of sustainable practices, resulting in decreased emissions. Conversely, political globalization obstructs environmental advancements due to inadequate governance and the inability to enforce global agreements. Although social globalization now exerts a minimal positive influence on environmental awareness and sustainability, there appears to be an increase in these characteristics. Therefore, the current research advocates for the advancement of contextualized methodologies, emphasizing institutional frameworks, international cooperation, and climate financing. This study contributes to the literature on balancing economic growth with environmental preservation in a highly integrated global economy and provides policy recommendations for developing countries.

In pursuit of reducing dependence on oil, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has made significant efforts to advance sustainability under the strategic framework known as Saudi Vision. This initiative encompasses a range of activities aimed at promoting sustainability within the energy sector. This paper aims to analyze the existing sustainable practices of companies, employees, and the broader community in the supply chain. The objective is to evaluate current progress toward the sustainability goals of the Kingdom and assess the competitiveness of firms in the energy sector based on the effectiveness of sustainability management in their supply chain. Based on data collected from Saudi energy companies, structural equation modeling (SEM) techniques are utilized to investigate sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) practices and their influence on CP in Saudi Arabian energy companies. This study examines the influence of several practices on competitiveness (CP), including environmental practices (EMPs), social practices for employees (SPEs), social practices for the community (SPCs), operational practices (OPs), and supply chain integration practices (SCIs). The study incorporates five distinct independent variables, namely, EMP, SPE, SPC, OP, and SCI, where the dependent variable under investigation is denoted as CP. The findings from the SEM analysis show that three variables—SPE, SPC, and OP—demonstrate statistical significance, while EMP and SCI do not. These findings enhance the continuing academic discussion about balancing economic growth and environmental preservation through sustainable practices in the energy sector.

Increasing environmental degradation and its impact on long-term economic prosperity have become major global concerns, particularly in developing economies like Nigeria. Environmental quality is crucial for Sustainable Development (SD), affecting economic growth, resource availability, and societal well-being. However, balancing economic growth and environmental preservation remains a challenge for policymakers. Therefore, this study uses an Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) estimation approach to examine the relationship between environmental quality and SD in Nigeria using quarterly data from 2000 to 2021. The research examines the impacts of CO2 emissions, forest area, Natural Resource Depletion (NRD), capital, and labor on SD from both short- and long-term perspectives. The findings demonstrate that CO2 emissions negatively affect SD, emphasizing the importance of strong environmental legislation. In contrast, forest areas have a beneficial impact on SD, emphasizing the necessity of environmental preservation. Lagged and contemporary NRDs show trade-offs between resource use and long-term prosperity. Capital emerges as a key engine of SD. However, this study finds that factors like labor lack statistical significance in explaining variations in SD. These insights provide valuable guidance for policymakers aiming to balance economic growth with environmental sustainability. The study recommends the implementation of stringent environmental policies to curb CO2 emissions and emphasizes the need for responsible resource management practices to mitigate the adverse effects of NRD.

This paper investigates the transportation economics of Thailand's Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), highlighting significant challenges and potential solutions. Rapid economic development and increased industrial activities in the EEC have led to problematic transportation issues, including traffic congestion and environmental degradation. This study examines the interplay of supply and demand, opportunity costs, and externalities in the context of EEC's transportation challenges. Three economic solutions are explored: congestion pricing, Pigouvian environmental taxes, and subsidies for non-substitutable modes. Congestion pricing, successfully implemented in cities like London and Singapore, aims to reduce traffic by charging fees during peak hours, thus internalizing the external costs of driving. Pigouvian taxes, such as those in Sweden and British Columbia, target vehicle emissions to align private costs with social costs, encouraging cleaner transportation alternatives. Subsidies are proposed to promote the use of less polluting transport modes, shifting demand from private cars to public transportation. The paper underscores the importance of local community participation in policy-making to ensure equitable and practical solutions. By adopting these economic tools, the EEC can achieve more sustainable urban mobility and improved environmental quality, balancing economic growth with environmental preservation.

Desert environments face the challenge of promoting sustainable tourism while balancing economic growth with cultural and environmental preservation. In the context of rapid global tourism expansion, effective destination management becomes crucial for positive economic impact and long-term preservation. This study aims to identify key factors influencing the sustainability of tourism. It explores the interactions between local stakeholders, the supply of tourism products and services, and tourism governance. Utilizing structural equation modeling through the PLS-SEM method, data was collected from 150 stakeholders in desert environments. The findings reveal that the involvement of local tourism stakeholders and the supply of tourism products and services significantly impact sustainable tourism in the desert environment. However, we observe a lack of influence between tourism governance and sustainable desert tourism. The novelty of the study lies in the identification of promotional factors for sustainable desert tourism. The originality of this study lies in its in-depth exploration of the mechanisms for promoting sustainable tourism.

China established the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in 2013, which aims to stimulate trade and investment in the Eurasian region through infrastructure development. While railway construction under the BRI framework is important for economic integration and growth, it also raises significant environmental challenges, including habitat loss, greenhouse gas emissions, and water pollution. The purpose of this study is to discuss how to achieve a balance between economic growth and environmental protection in the construction of the BRI railroad projects. Through qualitative research methods, evaluates current strategies for mitigating environmental impacts and analyzes the role of international cooperation in improving environmental protection. The findings of the study show that while some countries have adopted environmental assessment and green building techniques, differences in environmental standards between countries still affect the effectiveness of the treatment. In particular, many developing countries face economic instability and technological limitations in the implementation of environmental policies. The findings imply that strengthened international cooperation and the establishment of uniform environmental standards are essential to the sustainable development of the BRI railroad project.

Purpose This study aims to seek and identify key enablers influencing the integration of deconstruction and carbon finance to improve sustainable and resilient construction in the Industry 5.0 era and then examines how these enablers relate to one another and rank, classify and prioritize them appropriately. Design/methodology/approach This study adopts the Integrated Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory-Interpretive Structural Modeling-Matrice d’impacts Croises Multiplication Appliquee a un Classment (DEMATEL-ISM-MICMAC) methodology. Findings The key enablers are the circular economy approach with closed-loop material flow, prioritizing material recovery and reuse, and structuring carbon credits for affordability. Research limitations/implications The construction industry can advance toward environmentally friendly, sustainable building techniques and help achieve the larger objectives of carbon neutrality and environmental preservation by adopting the study’s guiding principles. Practical implications This study implies switching to circular rather than linear economic methods. It is still unrealistic to achieve zero carbon emissions, which is why carbon finance is important because it allows companies to trade carbon credits and encourages negative carbon activities and to structure and trade carbon credits affordably so that businesses of all sizes can participate. To extend the lives of current materials and reduce waste, it is imperative to maximize their reuse and minimize their disposal. Originality/value The novelty of this research lies in introducing carbon trade finance concepts to the construction sector, particularly focusing on the deconstruction phase, to enhance sustainability and resilience in construction practices in the Industry 5.0 era.

Sustainable fisheries management is critical for balancing the dual objectives of economic growth and environmental conservation, particularly in U.S. waters where overfishing, habitat degradation, and fluctuating marine ecosystems pose significant challenges. This review explores the role of mathematical models in addressing these challenges and guiding fisheries management decisions. Various models, including population dynamics, bioeconomic, and ecosystem-based approaches, are examined for their utility in setting sustainable catch limits, assessing stock health, and predicting ecosystem changes. Through case studies of U.S. fisheries, the paper highlights how these models have been implemented within the framework of federal regulations, such as the Magnuson-Stevens Act, to achieve sustainable yields while supporting economic growth. The review also identifies trade-offs between short-term economic gains and long-term conservation goals, emphasizing the need for adaptive management strategies. Finally, it explores emerging innovations in mathematical modeling techniques, such as artificial intelligence, and provides policy recommendations to enhance the integration of these models into sustainable fisheries management. This paper underscores the importance of mathematical models as essential tools in ensuring the future viability of U.S. fisheries, balancing economic prosperity with the preservation of marine ecosystems.

Integration of monopolar and bipolar electrodialysis for valorization of seawater reverse osmosis desalination brines: Production of strong acid and base

Water and peace in the Middle East: J. Isaac and H. Shuval (Editors), Proceedings of the First Israeli-Palestinian International Academic Conference on Water, 10–13 December 1992, Zurich, Switzerland, Elsevier Science, Amsterdam, New York, 552 pp., US$ 222.75/Dfl. 390.00, ISBN 0-444-81464-7

Hydroxy fatty acids (HFAs), originally obtained in small amounts from plant systems, are good examples of structurally modified lipids, and they render special properties such as higher viscosity and reactivity compared to normal fatty acids. Based on these properties, HFAs possess high industrial potential in a wide range of applications. Recently, various microbial strains were tested for the production of HFAs from different unsaturated fatty acids since HFA production is limited to plant systems. Among the microbial strains tested, Pseudomonas aeruginosa PR3 has been well studied for the production of 7,10-dihydroxy-8(E)-octadecenoic acid (DOD) from oleic acid. Previously, we reported that strain PR3 could utilize triolein instead of oleic acid as a substrate for the production of DOD (Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol. 2007, 74: 301–306). In this study, we focused on utilization of vegetable oil as a substrate for DOD production by PR3. Consequently, strain PR3 efficiently utilized high oleic safflower oil as a substrate for DOD production. Optimal initial medium pH and incubation time were pH 8.0 and 72 h, respectively. Optimal carbon and nitrogen sources were fructose and glutamine, respectively. Results from this study demonstrate that normal vegetable oils could be used as efficient substrates for the production of value-added HFAs by microbial bioconversion.

Circular Urban Metabolism Framework