Environmental Goals Research Articles

Developing agricultural pest management strategies with reduced-risks to surface water: An economic case study of California's Central Coast region

Pesticides are critical for protecting agricultural crops, but the off-site transport of these materials via spray drift and runoff poses risks to surface waters and aquatic life. California's Central Coast region is a major agricultural hub in the United States characterized by year-round production and intensive use of pesticides and other chemical inputs. As a result, the quality of many waterbodies in the region has been degraded. A recent regulatory program enacted by the Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board set new pesticide limits for waterways and imposed enhanced enforcement mechanisms to help ensure that water quality targets are met by specific dates. This regulatory program, however, does not mandate specific changes to pest management programs. In this study, we evaluate the economic, environmental, and pest management impacts of adopting two alternative pest management programs with reduced risks to surface water: 1) replacing currently used insecticide active ingredients (AIs) that pose the greatest risk to surface water with lower-risk alternatives and 2) converting conventional arthropod pest management programs to organic ones. We utilize pesticide use and toxicity data from California's Department of Pesticide Regulation to develop our baseline and two alternative scenarios. We focus on three crop groups (cole crops, lettuce and strawberry) due to their economic importance to the Central Coast and use of high-risk AIs. For Scenario 1, we estimate that implementing the alternative program in the years 2017–2019 would have reduced annual net returns on average by $90.26 – $190.54/ha, depending on the crop. Increased material costs accounted for the greatest share of this effect (71.9%–95.6%). In contrast, Scenario 2 would have reduced annual net returns on average by $5,628.12 – $18,708.28/ha during the study period, with yield loss accounting for the greatest share (92.8–97.9%). Both alternative programs would have reduced the associated toxic units by at least 98.1% compared to the baseline scenario. Our analysis provides important guidance for policymakers and agricultural producers looking to achieve environmental protection goals while minimizing economic impacts.

Towards a unified absolute environmental sustainability decoupling indicator

AbstractManufacturing firms are facing the critical need to manage their business growth while staying within the biophysical limits of the planet. Absolute environmental sustainability decoupling (AESD) combines these goals and is one of the keys for manufacturing firms to achieve their sustainable transition. This study offers an initial contribution to categorise decoupling at the firm level while incorporating absolute environmental sustainability goals. It also explores the role of design in achieving AESD and opens doors for further research on manufacturing firms' sustainability transition.

Identifying and Dealing with Interdependencies and Conflicts between Goals in Manufacturing Companies’ Sustainability Measures

Companies are increasingly focusing on sustainable business practices. Internal and external stakeholders’ expectations manifest in legal requirements, national and international standards, and market and customer expectations, among other things, must be considered. In addition to profit maximization, which is the usual target for corporate management, management must consider environmental sustainability aspects such as resource efficiency, greenhouse gas intensity, and a company’s emissions behavior. In addition, social aspects related to the company’s employees, the immediate urban environment, the situation in the supply chain, and effects on the market environment must increasingly be considered. Specifically, companies are faced with the challenge of dealing with conflicting objectives regarding the various aspects of sustainability and, if necessary, weighing them up against each other. These trade-offs must be made against the company’s socio-economic and ecological environment, corporate strategy, and sustainability goals. This paper provides an overview of current approaches and research gaps on this topic through a literature review. It highlights the lack of methods and frameworks to specifically deal with trade-offs and conflicts between goals.

Achieving environmental sustainability goals through capitalizing on renewable energy channels: Role of green finance, resources productivity and geopolitical situation in the MENA region

Environmental sustainability is essential to the country's financial position and economic growth. Geopolitical situations and green activities significantly contribute to enhancing sustainable development goals. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of green finance, investment in renewable energy sources and geopolitical risk on the environmental sustainability of the Middle East and North America (MENA) region over the period 2000–2021. When using a cross‐sectional dependence autoregressive distributed lag model (CS‐ARDL), it is discovered that a rise in geopolitical risk will decrease environmental performance in the form of carbon dioxide emission. At the same time, the other factors (green finance and investment in renewable energy) have a positive relationship with sustainability. This observation can be ascribed to the association between increased geopolitical risk and the inclination of crude oil consumers, who are most affected by such risk, to contemplate renewable energy as an alternative to conventional energy sources. This finding could also be attributed to the fact that clean energy is becoming more affordable. In addition, the augmented mean group model findings provide more evidence that a negative linkage is found between geopolitical risk and environmental sustainability. The findings have repercussions for regulators as well as investors who are active in the renewable energy markets.

Flax/ramie hybrid fibers enhanced with SiC nanoparticles

To create a hybrid material of ramie and flax fibers with silicon carbide (SiC) nanoparticles, it should have better thermal and mechanical properties. Across industries, sustainable materials are growing in demand for high performance, which is the impetus behind this study. A sustainable future is more about contributing to sustainable alternatives like ramie and flax fibers made from traditional synthetic materials. A key area focused on increasing strength, temperature resistance, and stiffness will be the addition of SiC nanoparticles to hybrid fibers. The research process carefully mixes the ramie and flax fibers with SiC nanoparticles to achieve optimal flexibility, thermal stability, and balance of strength. Hybrid material is examined using characterization techniques such as mechanical testing and scanning electron microscopy to determine the functioning of the microstructure. The possibility of composite material recycling, the impact of hybrid fibers, and accounting for natural fibers for sustainability are considered possible in this research. It should be innovative material development that has significant implications from the findings that meet environmental sustainability goals and satisfy performance requirements.

In Defense of 2.0°C: The Value of Aspirational Environmental Goals

Aspirational goals, such as the Paris Agreement’s goals of avoiding a global temperature increase of 1.5°C or 2.0°C, can be found throughout environmental law. Such goals, though sometimes unrealistic, perform important functions. They may serve as asymptotic directives that guide implementing entities; yardsticks to measure and evaluate progress; expressions of social values; and expanders of policy space. As asymptotic directives, aspirational goals may push actors to achieve more than they otherwise might accomplish. Incorporated into treaties or statutes, they can serve as guideposts for implementing concrete substantive and procedural requirements. With the passage of time, aspirational goals function as yardsticks for measuring progress and identifying needed adjustments and course corrections. Aspirational goals also express messages about society’s priorities while seeking to shape its values. While aspirational standards can deflect alternative approaches, weaken support for policy objectives, or mislead the public, they ultimately can expand the range of possible outcomes and motivate actions that achieve significant progress towards lofty aspirations.

Grazing Management Plan Adoption and Objective Prioritization in U.S. Cow-Calf and Stocker Operations

AbstractThis study examines the grazing management plans (GMPs) adoption and prioritization of environmental and economic objectives among U.S. cow-calf and stocker operations, utilizing 2020–2021 survey data and logistic regression analysis. Findings reveal regional adoption differences, with higher rates in the Midwest. Operations with succession plans, larger grazing lands, and stocker activities are more likely to adopt GMPs. Operations with more privately owned land and smaller herd sizes prefer environmental goals, while those with less grazing land prioritize economic outcomes due to resource concerns. The study provides insights for policies promoting GMP adoption and sustainability in the U.S. beef sector.

Implications of circular economy, digitalization and technological innovation to achieve sustainable environmental goal: Pre and post-vision 2030

The current study contributes to the existing literature by constructing a digitalization index to investigate the significance of digitalization in controlling the environmental footprint. Moreover, the dataset is divided into pre-Vision 2030 and post-Vision 2030 implementation to scrutinize the progress of Saudi Vision 2030 to counter the environmental challenges. Vision 2030 is a strategic framework to reduce Saudi Arabia's dependence on oil, diversify its economy, and develop public service sectors such as health, education, infrastructure, recreation, and tourism. The findings have documented the negative coefficients for post-Vision 2030 and post-COVID-19 estimations, reflecting that a significant digitalization increase is useful for controlling the environmental externalities in Saudi Arabia. In the case of post-Vision 2030, the role of environmental technology turns out to be significant and negative, but with a lower magnitude. The study results are useful for drawing significant environmental policies through enhancing the digitalization parameters and advancement of technology.

Measuring the achievement of the environmental pillar in Sustainable Development Goals – A case study of Tuban Regency, East Java

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have become an important concept for urban development. The SDGs contain a set of indicators that are utilized to measure the readiness of the city to attain sustainable living. Despite the presence of detailed and technical indicators, the achievement of those indicators is still challenging. Tuban Regency in Indonesia, for example, has not adopted SDGs into its programs. This paper will measure the achievement of SDGs in Tuban Regency, particularly the environmental indicator pillar which is prone to be deserted in a rapid urban development. The study conducts a secondary data collection and quantitative analysis of the existing documents from each city stakeholder in the regency with. The study findings indicate that only 30.77% of the environmental goals have been attained by the Tuban Regency government, while 41.03% of the goals have not been achieved and 28.21% were not measured. This result indicates that more effort and intervention are believed to be needed to further support the implementation of SDGs.

Driving Change in Corporate Mobility Management— Comprehensive Perspectives on Mobility Budgets for Employee

Corporate Mobility Management (CMM) is a key part of the transformation towards sustainable mobility and has an impact on emissions and employee satisfaction. Mobility budgets (MBs), categorized as employee benefits, offer a unique solution for transforming employee mobility. This article summarizes the results of two studies and provides a comprehensive overview. Study I, a representative survey (n=994) in Germany, examines the differences between MB users (MBN) and non-users (NU). NU show longer commuting distances and a lower perception of sustainability, which underlines the transformative effect of MB. Socio-demographic nuances, including gender and socio-economic factors, further influence mobility choices. Study II focuses on three case studies presenting different MB implementations. Overall, our results underline the transformative potential of MBs regarding the change towards sustainability. Policy makers and companies should develop solutions for different socio-demographic groups, take gender preferences into account and consider the impact on commuting behavior. The presented holistic framework contributes to a more sustainable and satisfying mobility experience for workers and is in line with broader environmental goals.

Sustainable utilization of sugarcane bagasse for wood-based panels: A promising approach for waste management in Egypt

One method to sustainable development is to reduce waste generation and recycle it in a way that contributes to the economic, social, and environmental goals of sustainable development. The study focuses on particle board production from Sugar Cane Bagasse (SCB). Various fiber-matrix combinations were used to create composites using SCB and epoxy resin matrix. Mechanical testing and water absorbance tests were employed to assess the effects of the epoxy content (0–25 wt%). The outcomes demonstrated that the optimal tensile strength of bio composites was attained by the 25 wt% of epoxy with SCB (18.49 Mpa). The water resistance duration property was improved in this study to reach 120 hours by mixing SCB with 25% epoxy. The results show that sugarcane bagasse-epoxy composites demonstrated acceptable mechanical and multifunctional properties. This portrays the effectiveness of Sugarcane bagasse and it a potential competitor to wood-based structural panels. The study uses the open LCA program to conduct a cradle-to-gate life cycle assessment of binder-less particleboard from sugarcane waste manufacturing. Additionally, the study provided an overview of the cost estimation involved in utilizing bagasse as a substitute for MDF particle boards. Furthermore, the influence of pressing temperature on the properties of the particle boards is investigated.

Comparing environmental impacts of deep-seabed and land-based mining: A defensible framework.

The crises of climate change and biodiversity loss are interlinked and must be addressed jointly. A proposed solution for reducing reliance on fossil fuels, and thus mitigating climate change, is the transition from conventional combustion-engine to electric vehicles. This transition currently requires additional mineral resources, such as nickel and cobalt used in car batteries, presently obtained from land-based mines. Most options to meet this demand are associated with some biodiversity loss. One proposal is to mine the deep seabed, a vast, relatively pristine and mostly unexplored region of our planet. Few comparisons of environmental impacts of solely expanding land-based mining versus extending mining to the deep seabed for the additional resources exist and for biodiversity only qualitative. Here, we present a framework that facilitates a holistic comparison of relative ecosystem impacts by mining, using empirical data from relevant environmental metrics. This framework (Environmental Impact Wheel) includes a suite of physicochemical and biological components, rather than a few selected metrics, surrogates, or proxies. It is modified from the "recovery wheel" presented in the International Standards for the Practice of Ecological Restoration to address impacts rather than recovery. The wheel includes six attributes (physical condition, community composition, structural diversity, ecosystem function, external exchanges and absence of threats). Each has 3-5 sub attributes, in turn measured with several indicators. The framework includes five steps: (1) identifying geographic scope; (2) identifying relevant spatiotemporal scales; (3) selecting relevant indicators for each sub-attribute; (4) aggregating changes in indicators to scores; and (5) generating Environmental Impact Wheels for targeted comparisons. To move forward comparisons of land-based with deep seabed mining, thresholds of the indicators that reflect the range in severity of environmental impacts are needed. Indicators should be based on clearly articulated environmental goals, with objectives and targets that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time bound.

Indonesia Paradox on Plastic Waste Import in International Policy and Social Movement Perspective

Indonesia, recognized as the second largest marine polluter globally, faces a significant environmental crisis despite stringent international policies and vigorous social movements advocating for sustainability. According to data from INAPLAS and BPS, Indonesia generates 64 million tons of plastic waste annually, with 3.2 million tons ending up in the sea. The waste management system in Indonesia is rudimentary, involving basic stages of collection, transportation, and disposal, with processing occurring only at the final destination. Amidst this waste crisis, Indonesia continues to import plastic waste from countries such as the United States, Germany, Australia, and Hong Kong, exacerbating the environmental and health hazards. This paper explores the paradox of plastic waste import in Indonesia, focusing on how international policies, including the Basel Convention and its recent amendments, intersect with local regulations and their enforcement. It also examines the role of social movements in combating plastic waste imports and advocating for environmental sustainability. The central problem addressed is the regulatory and social polemic surrounding waste importation in Indonesia, considering the social, political, and legal dimensions. Employing a conceptual and statute approach, the paper provides a comprehensive analysis of the waste import regulation issues linked to social problems within Indonesian society. It argues that the complexity of international trade, economic incentives, and insufficient regulation enforcement contribute to the paradoxical situation where policies and advocacy efforts seem misaligned with outcomes. The findings offer social and juridical recommendations for the Indonesian government and society to address the waste import dilemma effectively. By aligning policies with environmental goals and leveraging social movements, Indonesia can drive significant change towards sustainable waste management practices.

Reverse logistics and sustainability: the case of the Federal Institute of Acre, Brazil

The implementation of sustainable practices in the educational context is fundamental to foster a culture of environmental and social responsibility. This study investigates reverse logistics practices at the Rio Branco Campus of the Federal Institute of Acre (IFAC), aiming to identify implemented actions, challenges faced, and propose strategies to strengthen the institutional commitment to sustainability. Using a mixed-method approach, we combined documentary analysis of the internal regulations and the Institutional Development Plan (IDP) with semi-structured interviews with members of the academic community. The documentary analysis revealed institutional alignment with sustainable practices, evidenced by environmental and social responsibility goals in IFAC's IDP. However, the lack of specific guidelines for post-consumer reverse logistics suggests the need for improvement. Interviews highlighted employees' awareness of sustainability and reverse logistics as positive, but pointed to the lack of clear guidelines as a gap. Although the Rio Branco Campus of IFAC demonstrates a commitment to sustainability, there is room for improvement in integrating post-consumer reverse logistics practices. We recommend the inclusion of specific goals and strategies for solid waste management in the IDP, as well as a more comprehensive approach to sustainability in institutional policies. These final considerations establish a basis for future research and practical improvements, aiming to strengthen the institutional commitment to sustainability at IFAC.

A Comprehensive Review on Soilless Cultivation for Sustainable Agriculture

With the growing challenges of food security and environmental degradation, there is an increasing need for sustainable agricultural practices. Soilless cultivation techniques offer a promising solution by minimizing land and water use while maximizing crop yield and quality. This review examines the potential of soilless cultivation methods in promoting sustainable agriculture. The purpose of this review is to evaluate the effectiveness of soilless cultivation techniques in sustainable agriculture. It aims to analyze the various methods used, their advantages and limitations, and their contributions to environmental sustainability and food security. A comprehensive literature review was conducted to gather information on soilless cultivation techniques, including hydroponics, aeroponics, and aquaponics. Relevant studies and reports were analyzed to assess the performance of these methods in terms of resource efficiency, crop productivity, and environmental impact. The review found that soilless cultivation techniques offer significant advantages over traditional soil-based farming, including higher crop yields, efficient water and nutrient use, and reduced environmental footprint. Hydroponic systems, in particular, have been widely adopted and have shown promising results in various crops. Additionally, soilless cultivation methods can be tailored to different environmental conditions, making them adaptable to a wide range of settings. In conclusion, soilless cultivation holds great potential for sustainable agriculture by addressing key challenges such as land and water scarcity, soil degradation, and climate change. While further research and technological advancements are needed to optimize these techniques and make them more accessible to farmers, the evidence suggests that soilless cultivation can play a significant role in achieving global food security and environmental sustainability goals.

The need for standardization in ecological modeling for decision support: Lessons from ecological risk assessment

Ecological models can be powerful tools to inform environmental decision-making by linking empirical data to environmental protection goals. For example, when assessing the risks of chemicals to ecological systems, we generally have laboratory toxicity data for a handful of species, whereas our goal is to ensure the persistence of populations of many species in the field. Population models can help link individual-level toxicity data to likely impacts on population dynamics and increase the ecological realism of risk assessments. Despite a long history of use in fisheries and conservation biology, population models have had limited use in ecological risk assessment. Here I discuss the advantages of using population models to inform ecological risk assessment and management decisions, the challenges in getting them more widely accepted, and the ways that these challenges are being overcome. Improvements in guidance for model development, documentation, evaluation, and visualization are increasing the transparency and reproducibility of models, which is leading to more widespread acceptance of the models by decision-makers. Using such guidance to develop a standardized suite of models that are fit for purpose and internationally accepted could greatly increase their use by regulatory agencies and the regulated industries.

Appraisal of Green Communication Technology Deployment in Nigeria

The idea behind “green” processes and technologies is the use of upgraded, ecologically friendly processes and technologies in a way that preserves natural resources and doesn’t disturb the environment. Clean technology and environmental technology are other names for green technology. These days, most governments take steps to promote these technologies because of their value. Governments therefore suggested a number of financial incentives that produce electricity using renewable resources. As its primary objective, green technologies seek to address societal demands while minimizing the use of natural resources and causing no harm to them. The idea is to create materials that are entirely recyclable or reusable. Green technology generates energy through novel and inventive methods. The goal of green communication is to explore sustainability in relation to energy efficiency, the environment, and communication goals. Green communications have an obligation to promote ecological network equipment and systems and to fortify corporate environmental responsibility. The paper presents Nigeria renewable green energy sources, green electronics, recycling, communication technology areas of application. The paper also presents a careful consideration of materials and methods to ensure the chosen deployment are environmentally sustainable. Despite the challenges, utilizing green ICT methods in Nigeria is not just a choice, it is essential for a number of advantageous causes as people throughout the world become more environmentally aware, implementing green ICT practices can improve Nigeria’s standing internationally. It will demonstrate the nation’s dedication to sustainability.

Defining Strategic Environmental Goals and Objectives for the Management of Deep-sea Mining Operations in the Seabed Beyond National Jurisdiction

After the inconclusive second part of the 28th Annual Session of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) in July 2023, there were concerns that the ISA would start accepting exploitation applications for deep-sea mining in the seabed beyond national jurisdiction (the Area) with neither a full regulatory framework in place nor a general policy related to the conservation of our marine environment. Currently, the environmental management of deep-sea mining by the ISA is cursory and lacks strategic aims regarding the preservation of deep-sea ecosystems. This makes the ISA unable to fulfill its environmental stewardship mandate as defined in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. To overcome this inability, we propose that the ISA defines Strategic Environmental Goals and Objectives by carrying out a Strategic Environmental Assessment of deep-sea mining in the Area, with broader stakeholder engagement and considerations for cumulative and long-term effects. This will allow the ISA to develop the first strategic environmental policy for the Area under its jurisdiction to protect deep-sea ecosystems.

Research on the Evolution of the Spatial Association Network Structure and Driving Factors of China’s Agricultural Green Development

Against the backdrop of global environmental challenges and sustainable development goals, this paper pioneers the application of social network analysis to the study of spatial associations in China’s agricultural green development. It not only enhances the understanding of the spatial interconnectivity and network structural characteristics of agricultural green developments, but also captures the complex dependencies and interactions among provinces through a network lens, offering a fresh perspective on regional agricultural cooperation and competition. The study reveals: (1) The spatial network of China’s agricultural green development displays strong overall connectivity and enhanced stability, with regional green development trends becoming increasingly interlinked and interdependent. (2) The network exhibits a clear hierarchical and core-periphery structure which, over time, shows signs of diminishing, indicating a narrowing of developmental disparities among regions. (3) Significant shifts in the roles and positions of provinces within the network occur due to the relocation of industrial focal points and adjustments in development strategies, highlighting the complexity of dynamic changes among regions. (4) The spatial association network can be divided into four main clusters: Net spillover block, Bidirectional spillover block, Net beneficial block, and Broker block, with significant gradient characteristics in the relationships between these clusters, suggesting directional and differential flows and exchanges of resources and information among regions. (5) Geographic proximity, economic development level, informatization, and agricultural technological advancement significantly influenced the development and structural evolution of the network.

Data-Driven Strategies in the Evolutionary Game of Green Port Construction: Analyzing Policy Incentives for Shore Power Adoption

This study addresses the critical challenge of green port construction in China, with a focus on the underutilized potential of shore power technology, through a computational lens. By establishing an evolutionary game model that captures the intricate dynamics among ports, shipping companies, and government agencies, we introduce a computational framework that utilizes advanced data analytics, network simulations, and optimization algorithms to evaluate policy incentives and their efficacy. The heart of our analysis lies in the deployment of network simulation tools and predictive analytics, which facilitate a deep dive into the operational dynamics and strategy adaptations within the tripartite system. Our findings underscore the pivotal role of government subsidies, quantitatively determined through optimization algorithms, in influencing the evolutionary path towards sustainable port operations. The research demonstrates that a carefully calibrated subsidy regime, informed by simulation outcomes and data-driven insights, can significantly boost the adoption of shore power technologies among ports and shipping companies, nurturing a symbiotic relationship that accelerates green construction efforts. Furthermore, the study leverages computational algorithms to simulate initial game scenarios, revealing how the presence of shore power infrastructure and technology-ready ships can catalyze a cooperative push towards environmental goals. Through a comprehensive computational approach, including the use of mathematical modeling and the analysis of vast datasets, the paper highlights the transformative power of policy interventions guided by computational intelligence. The conclusions drawn not only emphasize the necessity for targeted government action but also showcase the potential of computer science methodologies in crafting and implementing effective environmental policies, offering a novel pathway to expedite the green transformation of China’s maritime infrastructure.