Changes In Production Patterns Research Articles

Local potentials for achieving sustainable development goals: qualitative evidence from local governments in Türkiye

ABSTRACT Although academia occasionally emphasises prioritising the local dimension in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the potential of local governments to contribute to SDGs accomplishment remains a relatively unexplored area within academic discourse. This study aims to elucidate the potential of local governments in achieving the SDGs with qualitative evidence from Türkiye, conducting content analysis on strategic targets presented in a total of 382 strategic plans from 331 municipalities and 51 Special Provincial Administrations (SPAs) covering the years 2020–2024. Notable findings indicate a robust commitment from both local government types to SDG11, emphasising social and cultural life, urban environment, and liveability- a shared intent to enhance resident well-being. However, a substantial gender equality (SDG6) gap persists in both types, while SDGs (7, 12, 13, 14, 17) centred on clean energy, climate change, and sustainable production patterns reveal a weak mutual strategic orientation.

Sustainable Energy Consumption Analysis through Data Driven Insights

Energy is the backbone of our society, supporting our daily activities and driving progress. It plays a crucial role in shaping our modern way of life. The future of global energy consumption is influenced by many factors, including demographics, economic dynamics, technological developments, political actions, environmental demands and geopolitical considerations. As the world's population continues to grow and urbanize, the demand for energy is increasing. At the same time, rapid technological innovations are shaping the energy landscape and changing production, distribution and consumption patterns. In the midst of this development, it is very important to optimize energy consumption, accurately anticipate needs, curb climate change, limit emissions of greenhouse gasses, fight against pollution and promote sustainability. This study includes an in-depth analysis of historical consumption trends, assessing the multiple benefits of renewable energy integration, estimating carbon emissions, formulating practical policy recommendations and providing empirically informed insights. The work is based on various data obtained from platforms such as Kaggle and using advanced visualization techniques such as Power BI dashboards. The study provides invaluable perspectives on future energy needs, the penetration of renewable sources into the energy mix, and the strategic needs to achieve sustainable energy use.

AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT OF KAZAKHSTAN

This paper aims to analyze the dynamics of key indicators and reveal challenges for Kazakhstan’s agricultural sector. In so doing, the paper applies statistical and comparative methods. The paper shows a significant transformation in Kazakhstan’s agriculture. At the same time, many important issues such as low levels of investment and development of agricultural technologies, changing production patterns, and policy inefficiencies. Climate change and water deficit also pose significant threats to the agricultural sector. The government of Kazakhstan develops policies to strengthen the agricultural capacities of the country. The paper provides policy recommendations, that can complement the developed programs and contribute to competitiveness improvement. These policy recommendations cover both domestic and international directions.

Sustainable and healthy food consumption patterns in a multicultural university cafeteria by plate waste visual estimation

ABSTRACT Consumers play a decisive role in setting trends in the market, where healthier interventions shall be implemented toward sustainable lifestyles. University cafeterias are important in the students’ food consumption. They should focus on the quality of the dish, engaging students in the process of selecting and accepting the menu avoiding food waste and changing consumption and production patterns. This study evaluated consumption behaviors and acceptability of three lunch menus based on the Mediterranean Diet in a student cafeteria catering using the plate waste visual estimation method, participants also completed a consumer behavior questionnaire. 71 students from 12 Latin American countries participated in the study. More than half of the participants (56.3%) confirmed that they repeat lunchtime meal options, with the highest frequency at once or twice a week. Menus were positively accepted with a data mean of between 4.58 to 5.49, indicating that they consumed more than 50% of the dishes served, with a plate waste of less than 12.5%. These findings show the importance of the enhancement of sustainable consumption patterns using sensory evaluation through low levels of food waste, with the use of sustainable local products helping in meal preparation.

Digital innovation's contribution to sustainability transitions

Digital innovation is increasingly mentioned as a potential key contributor to sustainability transitions. However, there has been little theoretical discussion of this topic. In this conceptual paper, the authors draw on literature on both sustainability transition studies and innovation studies to explore critically the contribution of digital innovation in sustainability transitions. They conceptualize transitions as fundamental changes in patterns of production and consumption, such as those relating to energy. Radical innovation leads to changes in the structure of socio-technical systems underlying such patterns, while incremental innovation contributes to maintaining the structure and current patterns. The authors suggest that digital innovations may contribute positively to sustainability transitions through couplings with sustainable innovations. They propose the following typology of such couplings: incremental twin innovations, sustainability supported digital innovations, digitally supported sustainable innovations, and radical twin innovations. Radical twin innovations may possess the greatest potential for sustainability transitions, as they are linked to structural change and thus open new pathways for sustainability transitions, whereas incremental twin innovations merely optimize current unsustainable systems. The typology is illustrated with examples from shipping and from electricity systems, and some of the complexities of twin transitions encountered by researchers and practitioners alike are discussed.

From Empire-wide integration to regional localization: A synthetic and quantitative study of heterogeneous amphora data in Roman Germania reveals centuries-long change in regional patterns of production and consumption.

We present novel insights into trade in amphorae-borne products over a 550-year period in Germania along the frontier of the Roman Empire, derived through probabilistic aoristic methods to study temporal changes in archaeological materials. Our data analysis reveals highly detailed differential patterns of consumption and production within the German market. We show how connections to far-flung regions such as the Eastern Mediterranean or the Iberian Peninsula wax and wane through time, and how the local German producers start to compete with these imported products. These chronological patterns provide important insight into a regional market within the larger Roman economy and provide an important case study in changing economic connections over a long period, demonstrating in a transparent and reproducible way a geographical and chronological pulsation in market activity that was otherwise unknown and undemonstrated.

Economic and greenhouse gas assessments for two hot water industrial systems: Solar vs. natural gas

Recognizing the energy-intensive character of the industrial sector, especially for process heat, this study designs two hot water systems for a textile industry located in Northeast Brazil. Then both systems are compared from financial and environmental viewpoints. The economic analysis uses the Payback period, Internal Rate of Return, and Net Present Value. The environmental analysis uses the Life Cycle Assessment methodology to quantify the greenhouse gas emissions associated with building and operating both systems. The economic analysis confirms that the solar water heating system is viable, with a profitability rate of 29.46, which makes it an attractive investment. The accountancy of greenhouse gases confirmed the potential of the solar system to mitigate climate change, with overall annual emissions 50 times lower than the natural gas system. The results obtained are highly related to sustainable development and cleaner production, and can be employed by decision makers aiming to change consumption and production patterns towards a more sustainable future. • Two water heating systems are designed for a textile industry. • Greenhouse gas emissions are quantified for both systems. • The solar system emits 643 kg CO 2 -eq/year with a financial payback of 5 months. • The natural-gas system emits 33,000 kg CO 2 -eq/year. • Profitability rate of the solar system is 29.46, confirming economic viability.

What relations between North Africa and Europe in the early holocene?

Between the 8th and 5th millennium BCE, human societies in the Western Mediterranean underwent several major changes. One of them took place during the 7th millennium with a profound change in material production, especially in their stone industries. It resulted in a fundamental change in production patterns, operating sequences and technical procedures. The precise origin of these changes is currently unknown, but it is possible that they initially occurred in North Africa before spreading rapidly along the shores of the Mediterranean and reaching Western Europe. This south-to-north expansion could reflect population shifts, at least in the early stages of the expansion of these new technical processes. However, possible contacts between Africa and Europe are not limited to this technical sphere, and exchanges can also be documented in both ceramic productions and graphic expressions. Several recent research programmes have brought new data to these hypotheses, the main results of which are presented here.

Analysing the Pattern of Productivity Change in the European Energy Industry

For an industry to succeed in a competitive market, it should continuously take care of not only its stakeholders but also its technical efficiency and productivity. In this paper, data envelopment analysis was combined with Malmquist productivity analysis to investigate the pattern of multifactor productivity changes in the European energy industry over the period from 2005–2016. The results showed that the whole industry was technically inefficient and had large potential for improvement. A slight average increase in productivity that was observed over the studied period proved to be sensitive to the financial and economic situation and equally sensitive to technological and efficiency advances. As for efficiency gains, they reflected the nature of the energy industry, implying that they were due to scale efficiencies rather than human resource improvements. Although technological innovation and the optimal scale of production increased productivity, the slow pace at which this occurred and the negative outlook highlighted by the observed trends call for more serious consideration of the future productivity deployment of the European energy industry, particularly in the context of its decarbonisation, diversification, and modernisation.

Holding Up a Mirror to the World Trade Organization: Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic

Holding Up a Mirror to the World Trade Organization: Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic

Sustainable valorization of recycled low-density polyethylene and cocoa biomass for composite production.

The development of products from wastes such as plastic and lignocellulosic materials brings great advantages from the economic and sustainable point of view. The use of waste, previously destined for disposal, enables the changes in production patterns, and prevents major environmental problems. This research investigated the inclusion of different contents of cocoa almond husk on the properties of composites with recycled low-density polyethylene (LDPE) matrix. The composites were produced by extrusion process with proportions: 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, and 40% of cocoa waste reinforcement in the polymer matrix. The density of the composites decreased (from 0.81 to 0.61 g/cm3) with the addition of the lignocellulosic waste in the matrix. The hygroscopicity was increased, however, at considerably low levels (0.17 to 2.68 %). There was a decrease in composite strength and elongation, becoming the material more rigid. The use of the cocoa waste for composites production is feasible to use since it can be adapted to the required application and still incorporate additives requested for specific purposes. This research demonstrated that is possible the combination of recycled low-density polyethylene and lignocellulosic wastes for the production of materials with high added value.

Impacts of Changes in Consumption, Production and Trade Policies in China and India on the European Union and New Zealand

This study assessed the potential impacts of changes in meat and dairy consumption and production, as well as different trade policies in China and India, on agricultural trade in New Zealand (NZ) and the European Union (EU-27), using the Lincoln Trade and Environment Model (LTEM). This partial equilibrium model forecasts international trade, production and consumption of agricultural commodities. Several scenarios were developed simulating different ranges of consumption and production of meat and dairy commodities, as well as full trade liberalisation in China and India. Results showed that changing consumption, production and trade patterns in India and China could lead to higher producer returns from meat and dairy commodities in NZ and the EU-27 by 2020. However, if China and India significantly increase meat and dairy consumption and production simultaneously, producer returns in NZ and the EU-27 could decline.

Analysing Long-Term Socio-Economic Impacts of COVID-19 across Diverse African Contexts

The spread of COVID-19 has been devastating for the millions of people who have been infected by the virus and lost their lives and the tens of millions of people who have lost their work and livelihoods. Governments and civil society have responded swiftly to the virus with policies that reduce human interaction and slow its spread. These policies have had the adverse effect of further reducing labour participation, productivity and capital utilization, reducing household consumption and increasing poverty across various thresholds, both in absolute and relative terms (Dabalen and Paci, 2020; International Monetary Fund [IMF], 2020b; Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development [OECD], 2020a; Roberton et al., 2020; Verity et al., 2020; World Trade Organization [WTO], 2020). The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly reduced economic growth and altered patterns of international economic interaction. While we are still in the midst of the crisis, there is real concern that the majority of macroeconomic effects will not be temporary, but will disproportionately shift long-term development pathways in low- and middle-income countries, offsetting some of the gains made towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in recent decades. In this report, we study the long-term dynamics of COVID-19 at the country level in Africa through a macroeconomic lens. Specifically, we analyse how today’s effects on country-level mortality, gross domestic product (GDP) growth and international monetary flows of trade, aid, foreign direct investment (FDI) and remittances will shape long-term patterns of mortality, economic growth and international trade by 2030 and 2050. In addition, we unravel how these macroeconomic changes will affect socio-economic indicators and human development by quantifying the outcomes for child mortality and poverty over the coming decades. This report presents a conceptual framework (see Figure 1) that conceptualizes the effects of COVID-19 on human development as cascading across three systems. First, COVID-19 directly effects human health systems, changing patterns of mortality and morbidity with differential distribution across countries. Second, these direct health effects are mitigated through government policy and civil society actions that reduce human interaction, slowing the spread of the virus and saving lives while also reducing economic activity and changing patterns of production and consumption. Finally, these changing economic effects ripple through the international economic system, changing patterns of trade, FDI, foreign aid and remittances. Some countries may have fewer direct health effects from COVID-19 – a finding particularly relevant for many countries in Africa – but may experience more direct effects from changing patterns of international economic interdependence.We model these dynamics across 10 countries in sub-Saharan Africa: Angola, Cabo Verde, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mali, Mauritius, Nigeria and South Africa (referred to as the Africa-10). The countries were selected based on regional spread, differences in their domestic economic structure, and their dependency and interconnectedness with the global economic system. We use the International Futures (IFs) model to assess the immediate and long-term consequences of COVID-19 across these first-, second- and third-order effects. We built scenarios with diverging assumptions around the COVID-19 effect on mortality in 2020 and GDP growth and international trade in 2020 and 2021. We compare these scenarios with a No-COVID scenario, representing a world in which COVID-19 did not occur.

Non-Chrematistic Indicators and Growth in the Balearic Islands

We analyze the economic evolution of a Spanish province that has become a leading region in mass tourism: The Balearic Islands. Environmental data are provided, which complement conventional macroeconomic variables. We analyze the relationship between economic activity and the consumption of natural resources in the Balearic Islands during the period 2000-2017. We find two clear patterns, one before the Global Crisis, and another one after it. We state that the Balearic economic model has become more sustainable since 2008. It implies that public policies, together with own households’ and enterprises’ initiatives in terms of changing production and consumption patterns have paid off and should be continued and deepened.

Spatial Differences in Carbon Intensity in Polish Households

Knowledge about the driving forces behind greenhouse gasses (GHG) emissions is crucial for informed and evidence-based policy towards mitigation of GHG emission and changing production and consumption patterns. Both national and regional-level authorities are capable of addressing their actions more effectively if they have information about the spatial distribution of phenomena related to the policies they conduct. In this context, the main aim of this paper is to explain the regional differences in carbon intensity in Poland. The differences in carbon intensity between regions and the national average were analysed using index decomposition analysis (IDA). Aggregate carbon intensity for regional economies as well as the carbon intensity of households was investigated. For both levels of analysis: total emissions and emission from households economic development is the key factor responsible for the inter-regional differences in carbon emission per capita. In the case of total emissions, the second important factor influencing these differences is the structure of the national power system, i.e., its concentration and the production of energy from fossil fuels. For households, disposable income per capita is a key factor of differences in CO2 emission per capita between regions. Higher households’ incomes contribute to higher emission per capita, mostly due to the shift in consumption towards more energy- and material-intensive goods. The contribution of energy emissivity is quite low and not as varied as in the case of income. This suggests that policy instruments targeted at the consumption of fuels can be rather uniform across regions, while more developed regions should also be subject to measures supporting less energy-intensive consumption. On the other hand, policy in less developed regions should prevent them from following the path of per capita emissions growth.

РАЗРАБОТКА МЕТОДИКИ ИНДИКАТИВНОГО ПЛАНИРОВАНИЯ ДОЛГОСРОЧНОГО РАЗВИТИЯ СФЕРЫ ТУРИСТСКИХ УСЛУГ В СТРУКТУРЕ НАЦИОНАЛЬНОЙ ЭКОНОМИЧЕСКОЙ СИСТЕМЫ РАЗВИВАЮЩИХСЯ СТРАН

In recent decades, tourism has shown itself as a key component of a modern economy and a sustainable source of innovative industries that ensure balanced development, especially in developing countries, most of which have the most popular resources for the tourism industry. The main goal of the work is presented in the idea of how to conserve natural reserves and use them rationally in the present and in the future, developing detailed plans and striving to increase the level of efficiency. The result of such work will lead to increased profits with the simultaneous organization of all types of activities related to tourism. Improving the effectiveness of strategies aimed at solving problems regarding sustainable development and changing patterns of production and consumption of tourism services requires a deep analysis of all aspects of the area under consideration, including the study of the effects of elements of the external environment under conditions of stability / instability. In other words, conducting a closer study of the planning functions in the systemic management processes of the tourism industry is quite relevant. The significance of this study lies in the fact that planning for sustainable development of the tourism sector is considered as an integral part of the overall plan for economic and social development, which requires the obligatory participation of all public and private stakeholders in the actual implementation of policies and strategies in this direction, since not only income, but and the responsibility for the development of this sector of the economy is shared between government and business. Accordingly, the author proposes to develop a methodology for indicative planning to achieve longterm improvement of tourism services in developing countries, including identifying aspects of modern problems faced by most economies in crisis and instability.

Covid-19, Challenges and Recommendations in Agriculture

On 11 March 2020, the World Health Organization declared Covid-19 is a pandemic disease that is spreading at different speeds in different countries of the world. Given these issues, the global economy is experiencing a different and new experience that is currently taking place in different countries. We are seeing a decrease in production, logistical problems, as well as a change in production patterns, demand and consumption. The agricultural sector has not been immune to the economic damage of the outbreak and has suffered serious damage. If the necessary measures are not taken for sustainable production in agriculture and maintaining the supply and demand cycle, health and food security will face a crisis. Given that there is always a zero point again about the prevalence and infection, social quarantine and health care are still essential. To manage the problems caused by the Corona crisis, accurate and appropriate programs, mechanisms, and evaluations with different strategies are needed, and appropriate sustainable models should be considered for spatial and temporal requirements

Coexistence of nuclear and renewables in the V4 electricity system: Friends or enemies?

The paper examines the interactions between nuclear and variable renewable generation capacities (vRES) under various assumptions in the broader V4 region. Four exploratory scenarios are analysed with high and low penetration levels of vRES and nuclear applying electricity dispatch and unit commitment models. The assessment quantifies the impacts of the joint evolution of these technologies, measuring the effect on utilisation rates, wholesale prices, market values of vRES, energy not supplied (ENS) and the changing production and trading patterns in the projected 2035 electricity system. The results are indicative of a ‘double competition’ between (i) nuclear and vRES technologies within the merit order and (ii) between the NPPs in the region. If the ambitious V4 nuclear plans are indeed execute, NPPs will compete for limited export opportunities during times of high vRES production periods. Thus, coordination of long term energy policies within the V4 region is critical to manage nuclear and vRES developments and trade patterns with the aim of improving flexibility and security of supply to mitigate the negative economic impact on the electricity system.

KONSUMSI DAN PRODUKSI MUSIK DIGITAL PADA ERA INDUSTRI KREATIF

The development of technology makes new practices in consuming music in the digital age. Music fans and connoisseurs are facilitated in accessing music every day, this is not spared from the large role of digitalization, so that music lovers can access their music anywhere. Consumption of digital music has made music producers look for new ways of producing music, which used to be done analogously to digital, where the direction of sales changed from what is usually done by retail stores changed to digital markets. With changing production and consumption patterns, several companies have provided a medium for publication and consuming music to appreciate these musicians and avoid piracy. Medium (Platform) that is used in the same way as digital music stores, by subscribing to listen to all the music in the company's database. The ease of production and consumption of music can be accessed on several platforms such as Spotify, Joox, and Apple Music. The method used in this paper is a desk review by collecting secondary data from various scientific sources, such as: journal articles, websites, and a collection of reports on music in the digital age.

Energy use in the global food system

AbstractThe global food system is a major energy user and a relevant contributor to climate change. To date, the literature on the energy profile of food systems addresses individual countries and/or food products, and therefore a comparable assessment across regions is still missing. This paper uses a global multi‐regional environmentally extended input–output database in combination with newly constructed net energy‐use accounts to provide a production and consumption‐based stock‐take of energy use in the food system across different world regions for the period 2000–2015. Overall, the ratio between energy use in the food system and the economy is slowly decreasing. Likewise, the absolute values point toward a relative decoupling between energy use and food production, as well as to relevant differences in energy types, users, and consumption patterns across world regions. The use of (inefficient) traditional biomass for cooking substantially reduces the expected gap between per capita figures in high‐ and low‐income countries. The variety of energy profiles and the higher exposure to energy security issues compared to the total economy in some regions suggests that interventions in the system should consider the geographical context. Reducing energy use and decarbonizing the supply chains of food products will require a combination of technological measures and behavioral changes in consumption patterns. Interventions should consider the effects beyond the direct effects on energy use, because changing production and consumption patterns in the food system can lead to positive spillovers in the social and environmental dimensions outlined in the Sustainable Development Goals.