Environmental Performance Research Articles

Moderate of Profitability: Corporate Social Responsibility Disclosures and Environmental Performance on Firm Value

Moderate of Profitability: Corporate Social Responsibility Disclosures and Environmental Performance on Firm Value

Influence of Gender Diversity, Institutional Ownership, Environmental Performance, and Audit Committee on Carbon Emission Disclosure

Influence of Gender Diversity, Institutional Ownership, Environmental Performance, and Audit Committee on Carbon Emission Disclosure

Assessing and Comparing the Environmental Impact of Smart Residential Buildings: A Life Cycle Approach with Uncertainty Analysis

While there is an increasing integration of connected devices in buildings to reduce energy consumption, little evidence exists regarding the effective environmental impact of the smart devices installed. One goal of this study is to comparatively assess the impact of integrating connected devices on the environmental performances of existing buildings. Additionally, it aims to discuss the added value regarding environmental performance between a strategy of integrating connected devices and a refurbishment strategy. A non-refurbished connected building will thus be compared with a non-connected refurbished building. The approach’s novelty lies in carrying out an uncertainty analysis, which addresses uncertainties in the environmental modelling of sensors, heating gains, and other influential building parameters, such as occupancy scenarios and building lifespan. The Life Cycle Assessment model is built on the results of a dynamic building energy simulation and integrates environmental data on connected devices from ecoinvent. Environmental indicators are calculated using ImpactWorld+. The methodology is applied to a multi-storey residential tower in France, characterised by a low insulation level. The alternatives compared include the original building without sensors, two connected alternatives (monitoring and management) that lead to a reduction of heating loads by 10 and 30% respectively, and a refurbished alternative. Results confidently show that using connected devices is always better than keeping the original building state. Yet, refurbishing the building is the preferable option across almost all indicators. Finally, the results point out that energy gains allowed by connected devices should be better quantified in further work through measurement campaigns.

How do technological choices affect the economic and environmental performance of offshore wind farms?

The ongoing energy transition towards fully sustainable energy systems requires designing wind farms looking beyond the sole levelized cost of energy, in order to concurrently ensure not only the economic profitability but also the environmental friendliness of future plants. Within this new approach to design, it becomes necessary to understand the effects that various possible technological choices have on both the economic and the environmental performance of wind farms. This study presents a framework designed to support these coupled economic-environmental assessments. The capabilities of the code are showcased by analysing the impact of different choices in terms of support structure type, specific power, tower height, powertrain type, and array and export voltage level for an exemplary offshore farm, chosen here as the IEA Wind 740-10-MW Reference Offshore Wind Plant with irregular layout. While the effects of many technological choices on the cost of energy are already well understood by industry, the present analysis shows that — at least in this specific case — climate change impacts are mainly driven by steel production, due to the massive amount of required material, but also, interestingly, by vessel activities. A low specific power, tall towers, and a high export cable voltage appear to offer the greatest potential for the concurrent improvement of the environmental and economic performance of the plant.

Analysis of the influence of financial, carbon, and environmental performance on carbon emission disclosure

Analysis of the influence of financial, carbon, and environmental performance on carbon emission disclosure

A different strategy to reduce energy consumption for designing heterogeneous decanter-assisted advanced pressure-swing distillation process

In this work, we aim to explore the feasibility of integrating two strategies, i.e., (1) introducing a small quantity of solvent as a makeup stream and (2) employing a decanter, to develop an energy-efficient pressure swing distillation process for ternary azeotropic separation. The addition of a minor amount of solvent aims to facilitate the transition of the feed composition from outside the liquid–liquid equilibrium region to within it. This transition could enable the use of a decanter, thereby promoting a more energy-efficient separation process with reduced reliance on pressure-driven mechanisms. A systematic approach was proposed to explore this concept, involving the different thermodynamic features for conceptual design followed by process optimization and process evaluation. This approach was exemplified using a mixture containing chloroform, ethanol, and water. Two solvent and decanter-assisted triple-column pressure-swing azeotropic distillation (SD-TCPSAD) process were developed and evaluated against the conventional triple-column pressure swing distillation in terms of economic, energy, and environmental performance. Among the three configurations, SD-TCPSAD I exhibited the most favorable outcomes, achieving a 61 %, 69 %, and 69 % improvement in economic, energy, and environmental impact. These improvements were primarily attributed to the utilization of smaller column sizes, the utilization of different heating utilities, and a substantial decrease in overall energy consumption.

Geopolymer composites for marine application: Structural properties and durability

In marine environments, traditional ordinary Portland cement (OPC) and reinforced concrete structures are prone to corrosion, reducing their durability and service life dramatically. Geopolymers, with exceptional corrosion resistance, have great value and application potential in marine engineering. This paper presents a comprehensive overview of the research advances on geopolymer cements and concretes in marine environments in terms of mechanical properties, durability, and structural properties. The research so far has demonstrated that geopolymers exhibit superior mechanical properties and durability due to their denser interface and lower porosity compared to OPC. However, geopolymers have significant brittleness defects, and their performance in marine environments, especially in splash and tidal zones with alternating wet and dry conditions, is severely affected. This is due to the influence of chloride ions, divalent cations, pH, and sulfate in seawater, which promote or inhibit the formation and transformation of reaction products and microstructures, thereby affecting their mechanical properties and stability. Nevertheless, the use of composite technologies such as modified precursors, fibers, and nanomaterials has a positive effect on enhancing their structural properties and durability. This provides guidance and solutions for the application of high-durability, low-carbon emission, and more sustainable building materials in maritime engineering.

Wellbeing Predictors in Animal Shelter Workers: Exploring the Roles of Job Demands, Job Resources, and Job Crafting

ABSTRACT Animal shelter workers are at risk of poor wellbeing resulting from their work, with this potentially impacting employee performance and attrition. Using the Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) model as a theoretical framework, the study explored relationships between job demands, job resources, workplace wellbeing (exhaustion and engagement), performance, and intentions to leave. Use of job-crafting behaviors, and the extent that these behaviors predict wellbeing after controlling for the impact of job demands and resources, were also explored. Among the 142 participants surveyed, a range of job-crafting behaviors were reported. Consistent with the JD-R model, hierarchical regressions revealed job demands and resources accounted for 36.4% of the variance in work engagement and 36.2% of the variance in exhaustion. Job crafting predicted wellbeing in animal shelter workers after controlling for demands and resources and explained an additional 7.8% of the variance in work engagement and 5.9% of the variance in exhaustion. Work engagement, but not exhaustion, was related to performance, while both engagement and exhaustion were related to intentions to leave. The results suggest that job demands and resources impact wellbeing in animal shelter workers, affecting their performance and contributing to intentions to leave. Broad workplace interventions that build resources and minimize demands may, therefore, be effective in promoting wellbeing and performance in animal-shelter environments, which could potentially increase retention rates. Animal shelter workers make active adjustments to their work environment through job crafting, and these are linked to workplace wellbeing. Interventions that offer flexibility and encourage job crafting, particularly those that involve finding opportunities for growth and seeking feedback on performance, offer a useful bottom-up approach to complement top-down interventions.

The faster or richer the response, the better performance? An empirical analysis of online healthcare platforms from a competitive perspective

The emergence of online healthcare platforms has changed the competitive environment among physicians. However, little is known about how physicians can improve their performance in this new environment. Platforms also face challenges in comprehending the competitive mechanisms among physicians, which might hinder them from formulating strategic managerial decisions that foster sustained growth. In this light, we extract medical service-related information from physicians' response behavioral data on a prominent healthcare platform, and empirically investigate the factors affecting physicians' online performance from a competitive perspective as well as the gender differences in these effects. The results indicate that physicians' responses significantly impact their online performance, revealing a competitive relationship between physicians and their colleagues in the same department. Specifically, a fast response time and informative responses are positively correlated with the focal physician's performance, whereas colleagues' informative responses negatively impact the focal physician's performance, and this relationship is mediated by the focal physician's response informativeness. Nevertheless, there is no significant correlation between colleagues' response time and the focal physician's performance. The results also unveil that gender moderates the effect of response informativeness on the focal physician's performance. Specifically, colleagues' response informativeness has a more significant impact on male physicians' performance than on female physicians' performance, suggesting a greater propensity for competition among male physicians. Our findings could offer decision support for enhancing physician performance and healthcare platform management.

Determining multidimensional influences of network heterogeneity on university students’ psychological and academic well-being: The mediating role of social network exhaustion

Mobile social media has become indispensable to university students' communication with various socio-demographic populations, exposing them to diverse social networks and augmenting their network heterogeneity. Although the psychological ramifications of network heterogeneity have been extensively examined, its correlated academic outcomes remain inconclusive. The current study formulated an integrated theoretical research model based on the stressor-stress-outcome framework to investigate the influence of factors associated with network heterogeneity (specifically, privacy invasion, social comparison, self-presentation, and excessive WeChat use) on social media exhaustion, psychological well-being, and academic well-being among university students. Furthermore, the research examined the mediating effect of social network exhaustion among network heterogeneity, psychological well-being, and academic well-being. A cross-sectional survey of 1128 WeChat users revealed that social comparison and excessive WeChat use had positive associations with social network exhaustion, while privacy invasion and self-presentation were negatively correlated with social network exhaustion. Additionally, social network exhaustion was negatively correlated with psychological well-being and academic well-being. Furthermore, social network exhaustion mediated the influences of network heterogeneity on psychological well-being and academic well-being. These obtained results could contribute to a more nuanced understanding of the underlying causes of social network exhaustion and the multifaceted effects of network heterogeneity. These insights may prove valuable for practitioners to enhance university students’ psychological states and academic performance in the contemporary mobile media-saturated environment.

Improved Tribological Performance of ta-C/MoSx Coatings Deposited on Laser Micro-Structured Steel Substrates in Both Vacuum and Air

Vacuum and air atmospheres impose very different requirements on tribological-loaded contacts, which usually require different surface materials. While hard tetrahedral amorphous carbon (ta-C) coatings provide good tribological properties in air, soft coatings such as molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) work well in a vacuum. Tribological performance in the respective other environment, however, is poor. In this work, the combination of laser microstructured (direct laser interference patterning) steel substrates and the deposition of ta-C and MoSx coatings with vacuum arc evaporation (LaserArc™) was studied, resulting in steel/DLIP, steel/DLIP/ta-C, steel/DLIP/MoSx, steel/DLIP/ta-C/MoSx, and steel/MoSx surface combinations. The tribological properties were studied using a ball-on-disk tribometer with a steel ball counter body in air and in a vacuum (p < 5 × 10−7 mbar). The type of the topmost coating governed their tribological properties in the respective atmosphere, and no general beneficial influence of the microstructure was found. However, steel/DLIP/ta-C/MoSx performed best in both conditions and endured the highest contact pressure, which is attributed to the mechanical support of the ta-C coating and MoSx reservoir in the remaining structure, as evidenced by Raman spectroscopy. The findings suggest that such combination allows for surfaces bearing a high load capacity that can be applied in both a vacuum and in air, for example, in multi-use space applications.

Accounting for Impacts: Exploring Sustainability Reporting in Bulgarian Companies under the CSRD

Abstract Sustainability reporting is a key tool for managing uncertainty because it provides transparency, accountability and reliable information on companies' environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance. By disclosing relevant data and insights, sustainability reports enable stakeholders to make informed decisions, understand companies' environmental and social impacts, and assess their long-term sustainability strategies. This paper examines the evolving landscape of corporate sustainability reporting in Bulgaria, taking into account the broader context of corporate impact assessment and impact accounting. The study begins with an introduction to the growing importance of sustainability reporting in today's business environment, emphasising the need for transparency, accountability and compliance. A review of the current literature on the subject reveals a notable trend towards increased disclosure of environmental initiatives and impacts, alongside persistent challenges such as inadequate quality and quantity of reporting, expertise gaps and inconsistencies in guidance. To address these issues, the research uses a mixed-methods approach to explore the nature of sustainability reporting, regulatory frameworks and accountability practices in Bulgarian companies. Through data analysis and interpretation of findings, the study reveals a positive trend towards greater disclosure of sustainability initiatives and impacts, albeit with significant variations in reporting quality and methodology. As Bulgarian companies prepare for the implementation of the Corporate Sustainable Reporting Directive (CSRD), the study highlights the essential need to align with evolving sustainability reporting standards to promote transparency and accountability. By addressing these challenges, companies can better meet stakeholder expectations, contribute to sustainable development goals, and build reputation and trust in the corporate sector. Finally, this paper contributes to the field of sustainability reporting by providing valuable insights into the current state of affairs in Bulgarian companies.

Comparative life cycle assessment of landfill sludge treatment technologies in China.

Reasonable treatment of large amounts of sludge excavated from landfills has gained increasing attention due to the diminishing availability of landfill space in China. In this study, five landfill sludge (LS) treatment technologies using life cycle assessment (LCA) and life cycle cost (LCC) were investigated, i.e., co-incineration in coal-fired power plants (CFPP) and waste incineration power plant (WIPP), co-processing in cement kiln, bricks production, and sintering ceramsite. The LCA results demonstrate that sintering ceramsite outperforms other technologies and LCC results indicate sintering ceramsite also provides the highest economic benefit ($869.94). To further enhance environmental and economic performances of the LS treatment, the substitution of coal with natural gas and biomass can reduce Energy Conservation and Emission Reduction (ECER) index by 74% and 98%, respectively. This substitution can increase economic returns by 24% and 26%, respectively. Furthermore, national-level economic benefit and carbon emission reduction potential of different LS treatment technology alternative scenarios were assessed. Results display that a combination of 50% CFPP, 25% bricks, and 25% ceramsite (biomass) offers the highest economic gain, which is 3.02 times that of 50% CFPP and 50% cement (original case). Conversely, the replacement of 25% brick with 25% cement in the above combination result in the lowest carbon reduction, which is 9.35 times that of the original case.

REASONS FOR AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOR OF STUDENTS IN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS AND ITS PSYCHOCORRECTION

Aggressive behavior among students in educational institutions is a pressing concern that affects the overall learning environment, student well-being, and academic performance. Understanding the underlying reasons for such behavior and developing effective psychocorrection strategies is crucial for creating a safe and conducive educational atmosphere.This article aims to explore the multifaceted reasons behind aggressive behavior in students, ranging from individual psychological factors to environmental and school-related influences. By delving into these causes, we can better comprehend the complexity of the issue and identify targeted interventions. Furthermore, the article will discuss various psychocorrection methods that have been shown to mitigate aggressive tendencies in students.

A Meta-Analysis of ESG Disclosure and Company’s Economic Performance

Abstract The growing concern of all UN member states to respond to global challenges, such as ending poverty, developing the health and educational systems, economic growth, reducing the impact of climate change, and preserving oceans and forests, has made ESG disclosure a necessity for companies. This study intends to analyze the relationship between ESG disclosure and company’s performance. The overall company’s performance was evaluated based on the corporate sustainability performance (CSP) framework, namely economic, environmental, and social (EES) performance. A sample of 80 articles taken from the Web of Science and Scopus databases, published in 50 journals, and reporting 742 effects, was relevant to meta-analyses the correlation between ESG disclosure and company’s economic performance. The results support the positive correlation between ESG disclosure and company’s economic performance. ESG disclosure is for more than just transparently reporting relevant ESG information, but also contributes to the consolidation of better economic performance through the degree of efficiency and effectiveness of the economic strategies of the business. In terms of practical implications, management of companies should consider ESG information disclosure through a long-term management strategy. These findings being timely especially in the case of companies for which no legislative constraints for ESG disclosure.

Integrating solar electricity into a fossil fueled system

The power sector is a major contributor to carbon emissions in China, accounting for nearly half of all emissions, and therefore emission reductions from this sector will be critical, if China is to meet its 2060 targets. Deploying renewable energy sources is the most promising approach to decarbonizing the power sector. However, the intermittency and non-dispatchable nature of wind and solar power pose significant challenges to grid stability, particularly when these sources reach high penetration rates. During China's ongoing energy transition, coal-fired power units will be used to meet peak loads when solar and wind generation is not available. The economic and environmental implications of such a scenario are unclear. In light of this uncertainty, this study applies a unit commitment model to investigate the economic and environmental performance of load shaving strategies across different scenarios. Results show that, in the absence of energy storage systems, a solar penetration rate of 40 % will create an economic bottleneck, and high solar penetration would even increase the total carbon emissions of the whole power system. Moreover, the power system would choose to cycle the large thermal units first to accommodate the solar power, and start-stop strategy is subordinate.

Modeling and mapping solar energy production with photovoltaic panels on Politecnico di Torino university campus

Educational institutions have significant impacts on the society and environment they are inhabiting, and they can have a big role in influencing various development fields, including sustainability. The environmental sustainability of universities was critically analyzed recently. These bodies can contribute to the sustainability of cities due to their social role in shaping the future generations. The aim of this work is to analyze Urban Building Energy Modeling with a place-based approach using the open-source software QGIS in predicting energy production with photovoltaic solar technologies on the rooftops of the central university campus of Politecnico di Torino. This modeling can help in assessing the energy security and affordability of current and future sustainable scenarios considering their impact on climate change. This study evaluates the accuracy of urban scale QGIS-based energy modeling with a comparison of measured data available from the monitoring activity of LivingLab of Politecnico di Torino, the free tool PVGIS, and the web tools of ENEA. The QGIS modeling accuracy depends on the different precisions of the Digital Surface Model used to describe the built environment (i.e., 1 m or 5 m) and the climate input data (monthly and annual diffuse-to-global radiation and Linke turbidity factor). Moreover, this assessment can be used to map the results of new photovoltaic systems improving the energy and environmental performance of university campuses. The results of this work shed light on the significance of different input data for energy simulation tools at neighborhood-urban scale. The result shown accuracies in PV production of 10 to 37% with different spatial resolutions of the 3D built environment and of 14 to 15.2% for temporal resolution of solar irradiation variables.

Study of Firm Performance: EMS Adopter Firms to Achieve Sustainable Business Goals

EMS effectiveness is studied concerning financial, environmental, and competitive outcomes among corporations. A comparative analysis of Companies with EMS integrated into their management systems will be made with those Companies without EMS in this research. EMS’s contribution to business sustainability is also analyzed and validated with the help of quantitative research methods including panel data using the Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) and regression analysis. The research focuses on the differences in the financial results, the positive impact on the natural environment, and competitive advantage of enterprises that voluntarily apply the EMS compared to those that do not. The findings of this study shown that EMS adoption enhance environmental performance and offer competitive advantage by enhancing stakeholder relations and market positioning. This alters the nature and benefits that organizations experience while implementing EMS as some companies initially experience cost implications and functioning challenges but in the long run, EMS brings profitability and cost-effectiveness. It may provide more information on how EMS promotes and can sustain responsible business activities and the most effective means of doing so. The above analysis may be useful to firms and policy makers in understanding how to encourage sustainability that will benefit economies and the natural environment in the long-term.

Comparative Life Cycle Assessment on fuel types for a Formula 1 engine in Belgian Grand Prix

Formula 1 racing, known for its speed and innovation, faces an increasingly urgent need to address environmental concerns. This study investigates the environmental impacts of various fuel types used in Formula 1, aiming to bridge a critical gap in the automotive industry's perception of sustainability. With sustainability at the forefront, we conducted a comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of different fuel types, including Gasoline, E5, E10, and E85, specifically analyzing their effects during the Belgian Grand Prix race. Through a thorough literature review and careful scoping, we sought to provide valuable insights into the environmental performance of these fuels in the context of high-performance racing. Our findings reveal a stark contrast between marketed sustainability claims and actual environmental impacts. Contrary to expectations, our analysis demonstrates that E85, often advertised as a sustainable alternative, exhibits the highest emissions across various environmental indicators. Specifically, E85 showed the highest impacts on water consumption, fine particulate matter, ozone formation, and human health. These results carry profound implications for the automotive industry, highlighting the importance of informed decision-making in fuel selection within the racing industry. By prompting further discussions on sustainable practices in motorsports, our study urges stakeholders to reevaluate fuel choices and embrace environmentally responsible alternatives.

An Integrated Building Information Modeling and Life-Cycle Assessment Approach to Facilitate Design Decisions on Sustainable Building Projects in Canada

In the context of the digital and sustainable transformation of building projects, the integrated approach of Building Information Modeling (BIM) and life-cycle assessment (LCA) has been widely studied. Recent advancements in such integrated modeling processes and techniques have not yet provided reliable and robust decision-making capabilities for designers to intuitively choose between material alternatives. This study develops a new design framework that integrates BIM, LCA, and multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) algorithms to facilitate sustainable design processes in building projects. A case study using a single-family housing project in the British Columbia province of Canada was implemented to test the designs to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed integrated framework, including a three-way comparison of design scenarios—conventional hot-roll steel, recycled steel, and timber. The results indicate a significant performance improvement with the adoption of recycled structural steel materials, surpassing conventional steel designs and demonstrating a similar performance to that of timber designs. The study underscores the importance of informed decision-making in material selection, driven by the quantitative analysis of digital designs and multi-criteria evaluation (e.g., social carbon cost). This integrated framework offers a valuable tool for designers, engineers, and builders to achieve sustainability when designing building projects through the systematic and rapid comparison of environmental performance.