Level Of Environmental Performance Research Articles

Does corporate green innovation unlock financial doors? The mediating role of environmental performance

Purpose This study aims to respond to the latest research calls to precisely revisit the nexus between corporate green innovation (CGI) and financial decisions through deeply investigating the mediating effect of corporate environmental performance measured by the effectiveness of emission reduction. Design/methodology/approach This study analyzes nonfinancial-listed firms on the Australian Securities Exchange from 2002 to 2019 using multiple regression analysis on a panel data set. Initially, different static panel data approaches were used. To account for the potential endogeneity issue and generate robust outcomes, the authors apply the one-step system generalized method of moment, two-stage least squares and lagged model approaches. Findings The results provide a clear indication that the practices of green innovation can favorably contribute to the level of environmental performance, which in turn affect the firm’s ability in opening the new financial doors and shape solid capital structure. In this context, the effective environmental performance fully mediates the nexus between CGI and capital structure of a firm. More importantly, the outcomes are robust and coherent across different estimation techniques. Originality/value The originality of this study lies in its utilization of mediation analysis to explore the relationship between CGI and a firm's financial structure. This approach distinguishes it from previous research by offering a thorough and nuanced understanding of how green innovation practices influence the financing decisions of a firm.

Firm-level climate risk and accounting conservatism: International evidence

We examine the impact of climate-risk exposure on accounting conservatism, and document a significant positive association. Utilizing a firm-level climate-exposure measure (CRI) for a large international sample covering 46 countries from 2002 to 2021, we find that firms facing climate risk tend to adopt more conservative reporting practices. This effect is notably stronger during pivotal periods of climate awareness, such as that around the Paris Climate Agreement, and in jurisdictions governed by common law. Our results remain valid under a series of robustness tests and after addressing endogeneity concerns. Further analyses indicate that this positive association is more pronounced in well-governed firms and in firms with high levels of environmental and social performance, but less pronounced in firms with high degrees of complexity and information asymmetry. Additional tests reveal that firms in environmentally sensitive industries and those operating in developed countries adopt more conservative reporting than counterparts in non-environmentally sensitive industries or in developing countries. Our final analysis suggests that regulatory risks have a greater effect on accounting conservatism than physical risks. Our paper contributes to the ongoing discourse on climate change, documenting the ‘bright side’ of firms' exposure to climate risk.

Evaluating Green Environmental Performance Through Multi-Stakeholder Governance: A Comparative Analysis of NCA and fsQCA in the New Energy Vehicle Industry

The emphasis on green development in China underscores the critical role of green environmental performance in achieving sustainability. This study introduces a multi-stakeholder governance perspective to evaluate enterprises’ green environmental performance, utilizing a framework with five factors categorized into firm, government, and societal dimensions. Employing a combination of Necessary Condition Analysis (NCA) and Fuzzy Set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA), it investigates specific conditions enhancing green environmental performance in new energy vehicle enterprises, drawing on a sample of 49 companies in 2021. Results indicate that high levels of green environmental performance are influenced by multiple factors, including incentives, pressures, resources, and media attention. Additionally, the study identifies a potential complementary relationship between government subsidies and green technology innovation in driving high-level green environmental performance, subject to specific conditions. These findings contribute to our understanding of corporate green environmental performance and provide practical implications for fostering sustainability in the new energy vehicle industry.

A novel multi-objective robust possibilistic flexible programming to design a sustainable apparel closed-loop supply chain network

Designing a sustainable Closed-Loop Supply Chain (CLSC) network is imperative for the apparel industry, given its escalating adverse effects on economic, environmental, and social dimensions. In this study, a novel tri-objective location-allocation optimization model is specifically developed for designing a sustainable apparel CLSC, incorporating the industry's unique facilities. The aim of the model is to simultaneously minimize the costs and negative environmental impacts while maximizing social benefits under demands and returns uncertainty. A notable research contribution lies in addressing the unique challenges of treating different types of returns, including commercial, End Of Use (EOU) and End Of Life (EOL) returns due to their uncertain quality and quantity. Additionally, the model optimizes the environmental performance levels of production facilities, a novel aspect in the apparel CLSC research. Moreover, the flexibility of constraints related to the demand fulfilment is considered. To cope with such flexibility and uncertainties, a new hybrid robust possibilistic flexible programming model is developed, by extending the previous methodologies. A core innovation of this solution approach lies in the pioneering utilization of hexagonal fuzzy numbers for uncertain epistemic parameters, making a significant advancement in the field of CLSC. Comparative analysis with the similar studies demonstrates the superiority of the proposed model, incorporating hexagonal fuzzy numbers over the method using triangular fuzzy numbers. Furthermore, AUGMECON method using lexicographic optimization is applied to handle the multi-objective model. The application of the proposed model is shown focusing on Southwestern Ontario in Canada. The results reveal that commercial and EOU returns have a more detrimental impact on economic, environmental, and social sustainability aspects compared to EOL returns.

Boosting Firm Environmental Performance: The Roles of Top Management Team Functional Diversity, Environmental Disclosures, and Government Subsidy

Contemporary organizations are actively striving to achieve a higher level of environmental performance (the extent to which the organization reduces and minimizes its negative impact on the natural environment). This pursuit is not only driven by the need to comply with governmental climate change regulations but also by the desire to gain a competitive advantage. While a limited number of studies have acknowledged the importance of top executives’ strategy-making on firms’ environmental performance, questions still persist regarding how the role structure of the top management team (TMT) promotes the disclosure of environmental policies, and subsequently enhances firm environmental performance. Based on the attention-based view and resource-dependency perspective, this study aims to examine how TMT functional diversity is beneficial for formulating better environmental disclosures, which in turn, is expected to increase environmental performance. Additionally, we explore the extent to which external resources (i.e., government subsidies) can strengthen this relationship. We employed an archival dataset from 406 Chinese manufacturing firms over a ten-year period (2010–2019) and tested a moderated mediation model. Our findings suggest that greater functional diversity within TMTs positively influences firm environmental performance through the improved environmental disclosures, and this indirect effect is amplified when firms receive higher levels of government subsidies. Our study contributes to the existing literature on environmental governance by demonstrating that (1) functional diversity within the TMT can predict more favorable environmental performance metrics; and (2) government financial support can particularly be a booster for the relationship between TMT environmental disclosures and firm environmental performance.

The Internationalization–Environmental Performance Relationship: Does it Differ between MNEs in Advanced and Less Advanced Economies?

AbstractThe environmental performance (EP) of multinational enterprises (MNEs) has attracted increasing attention amid rising concerns over environmental problems such as climate change. However, questions remain about the relationship between the internationalization of MNEs and their EP. In this paper, we show that the relationship varies depending on the home country's economic development level. For MNEs from an advanced economy, there is a U‐shaped relationship between the level of internationalization and EP of MNEs such that there is a negative relationship at low levels of internationalization but a positive relationship at high levels of internationalization. For MNEs from a less advanced economy, there is an inverted U‐shaped relationship such that there is a positive relationship at low levels of internationalization but a negative relationship at high levels of internationalization.

ОЦІНЮВАННЯ РІВНЯ ЕКОЛОГІЧНОЇ ЕФЕКТИВНОСТІ МІЖНАРОДНИХ АЕРОПОРТІВ

Introduction. The importance of ensuring environmental efficiency at enterprises in the transport and logistics sector is growing. The requirements for tools that are designed to ensure the implementation of this process in airports are constantly growing, which requires their constant addition and improvement. It is obvious that environmental monitoring is becoming an integral part of ensuring the strategic development of the airport and is defined by government institutions, investors and all stakeholders as mandatory. Problem Statement. International airports that are interested in their own development should try to implement the best quality tools to improve environmental efficiency. One of them is to be an adequate criterion-based assessment according to the relevant schemes and plans, which will become part of the airport's strategy for the coming decades. Purpose. Based on the defined criteria for assessing the environmental performance of international airports, to finalize and clarify the importance coefficients of these criteria, as well as to propose an effective scheme for implementing environmental measures at international airports, supporting it with appropriate calculations. Materials and Methods. The article uses expert assessment methods to clarify the importance coefficients of the criteria for assessing the environmental performance of international airports, as well as mathematical modelling methods to assess the effectiveness of environmental management. In addition, the methodological basis for ensuring environmental monitoring at airports was analyzed, and it was found that the most active researchers, in solving the tasks, used factor analysis methods and a number of mathematical modelling methods. Results. The use of the refined coefficients of the criteria importance for assessing the environmental performance of international airports proposed in this paper allowed us to assess the effectiveness of environmental management for a number of European airports and to assert that the level of environmental performance is above average, but each of them, based on a review of the proposed criteria, can refine their environmental plans for the future by minimizing emissions.

Systematic Review of the Circular Economy Performance Assessment System Under International Management Paradigms

Objective: To present a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) on Performance Evaluation in the Circular Economy (PECE), addressing its temporal evolution and critically analyzing the metrics found in empirical studies. Theoretical Framework: The research starts from theoretical contributions on the characteristics of a metric and the levels of performance assessment systems, compared with the evolution of performance assessment in the management of natural resources until we reach the circular economy. Method: Utilization of Systematic Literature Review following the Knowledge Development Process-Constructivist approach (ProKnow-C), assessing secondary data from articles comprising the Research Portfolio (RP). Results and Discussion: The literature presents a variety of circularity metrics at different scales, yet there is a predominance of individual metrics and a lack of comprehensive focus on Performance Evaluation Systems (PES). Research Implications: Identifies the need for more comprehensive and integrative metrics aligned with CE principles and capable of encompassing multiple levels of action. Future research has the potential to significantly enrich society by exploring the development of more comprehensive metrics, considering the interaction between levels of circularity and environmental performance. Originality/Value: Highlights the growing concern with metrics in the Circular Economy (CE), identifies gaps in understanding the full impacts of each approach in the supply chain, and underscores the need for more robust and integrative metrics aligned with CE principles.

Aggregating midpoint-indicator results from Environmental Product Declarations for comprehensive evaluations of products' profiles, through the Dominance-based Rough Set Approach: An application in the Durum-Wheat Pasta Sector

To-date there is an unsolved methodological problem for the type-III labelling scheme, namely the Environmental Product Declaration (EPD), that essentially derives from the midpoint approach used for the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) which the EPD itself is based upon. As a matter of fact, in the current EPD system, it is impossible to perform univocal aggregated evaluations of the product's profile, due to the different equivalent unit-of-measures which the midpoint impacts are expressed with, and to the absence of a scientifically-based, objective scheme for aggregation and weighing.The authors wanted to undertake this challenge with the aim of enhancing the effectiveness and utility of EPDs to guide managers, consumers and other stakeholders in the promotion, distribution, and consumption of sustainable products, in the context of green public procurement. To achieve this goal for the case of durum-wheat pasta, the EPD was complemented by the authors with the Dominance-based Rough Set Approach (DRSA). In result, an aggregate preference model considering all impact categories was obtained, thereby leading to comprehensive comparisons of complete environmental profile of products. The model has the form of a set of minimal decision rules, that can be used by producers for understanding the environmental performance level of their pasta products, and subsequently making strategic decisions for its improvement.Seven of those rules were determined from DRSA application, that regarded grain production and milling, package manufacturing, and a comprehensive downstream phase that included the disposal of the packaging system, and the pasta cooking with water waste disposal. In addition to this, those rules primarily considered the following midpoint categories within the ensemble of those provided by the EPD system for pasta products: acidification, eutrophication, global warming, and mineral element depletion.All of them were certain rules: three of the “at least” type (two at least good, and one at least medium); and four of the “at most” type (one at most bad, and three at most medium).By referring the given PCR-based LCA results to the threshold values of performance on criteria present in the premise of these rules, producers can know in advance the quality class (bad, medium, or good) which their pasta products belong to.In case of a negative evaluation, they can try to improve the value of some crucial indicators before applying for obtaining the EPD, and so enhance the environmental profile of their products.The authors believe that their study advances knowledge and enriches the literature concerning the application of multiple criteria decision analysis (MCDA), wherein DRSA stands out as an outstanding example. This contribution is particularly significant in enhancing and valorising sustainability assessment tools and certification schemes.Under this perspective, the study documented that leveraging DRSA to supplement the EPD system, for the particular case of pasta products, can contribute directly and indirectly to achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and, so, to advancing environmental sustainability within the food sector.

Rated load state performance assessment and analysis of ultra-supercritical coal-fired power plant

ABSTRACT To address the problems of unclear assessment standards and incomplete assessment systems in the performance assessment of ultra-supercritical coal-fired power plants. This study utilized the running dataset from a 660 MW ultra-supercritical coal-fired power plant in Xinjiang, China. By combining the analytic hierarchy process and the entropy weight method, a system of assessment indicators was established that used three layers of criteria. A running line graph representing power plant performance and containing 149 moments was obtained, which provided a theoretical basis and optimization direction for improving the power plant. The results show that the 149 running states of the power plant performance are all at level I. The boiler running level had 143 moments (95.97%), the steam-turbine level had 135 moments (90.60%), the power consumption rate level had 148 moments (99.33%), and the environmental performance level had 143 moments (89.94%) of running states at level I.

The role of environmental performance in mediating the relationship between green accounting and corporate social responsibility

The problems of pollution, global warming, and environmental damage are currently relevant and vital challenges for corporations, governments, and society. The implementation of green accounting is one of the responses of corporations to overcome sustainability issues. This study aims to examine the impact of green accounting on the level of environmental performance and the impact of environmental performance on corporate social responsibility (CSR) disclosure. This study also tests the role of environmental performance as a mediating variable in the relationship between green accounting and CSR disclosure. The sample consists of 95 listed Indonesian firms during the period 2017–2021. The results show that the adoption of green accounting positively affects environmental performance (coefficient is 0.291 and p-value < 0.01). Meanwhile, environmental performance positively affects CSR disclosure with a coefficient of 0.296 and a p-value < 0.01. The empirical evidence also shows that environmental performance has a critical role as a mediating variable in the effect of green accounting on CSR disclosure.

Cost subsidy or environmental regulation? The effects of government interventions on environmental quality and 3BL performance

Green product development and innovation play a crucial role in addressing environmental issues. Governments often promote innovation by motivating manufacturers to enhance their products' environmental qualities (i.e., greenness, energy efficiency, recyclability). This paper investigates the implications of cost subsidy and environmental regulation for manufacturers’ pricing and environmental quality decisions, and triple-bottom-line (3BL) performance. We develop theoretical models involving one social welfare-maximizing government and one or two manufacturers. In the monopoly model, environmental regulation can achieve the same level of social welfare and environmental performance as cost subsidy when consumers have low environmental awareness. In the competitive model, market scale asymmetry between manufacturers drives differences in product price and environmental quality. Specifically, the manufacturer with a larger market share is also the leader in environmental quality and profit. Furthermore, cost subsidy and environmental regulation have distinct effects on environmental quality competition. A higher subsidy rate widens the gap between environmental qualities, helping competing manufacturers better differentiate their products. Conversely, a stricter regulatory standard narrows the gap between environmental qualities, hindering product differentiation. Moreover, numerical analysis shows that the dominating policy in the competitive model depends on environmental and market characteristics. Finally, we check the robustness of the results by considering two extensions of our models and find that the main insights remain valid.

Environmental goal misalignment between logistics service providers and shippers: An analytical perspective

Two critical questions arise in the context of mounting pressures to reduce carbon emissions from freight transportation. Is it possible to reconcile the emissions reductions goals of shippers and logistics service providers (LSPs)? How do factors such as consumer preferences, eco-efficiency, carbon tax policy, and sharing of green investment cost affect target emissions levels? We address these questions using game theory to model shippers and LSPs as economic agents, thereby gaining insight into how the carbon intensity of freight delivery operations can be reduced. Our novel contributions include (1) models that consider both the shipper’s and the LSP’s interests, and in particular the gap between their preferred environmental performance levels; and (2) a methodologically rigorous explanation why, as empirical studies suggest, LSPs and shippers rarely agree on how to share responsibility for environmental initiatives, or who should pay a carbon tax.

Causal analysis of Canada’s environment-growth nexus for inclusive development metrics

Little is known about the relevance of alternative measures of growth in environmental and developmental economic analyses. In Canada, for example, no literature exists on whether there is a causal link between the level of environmental performance and alternative measures of economic progress (which are argued to better capture the overall economic wellbeing than the gross domestic product—GDP). As environmental policies may relate to overall economic wellbeing, we opine that understanding overall economic progress is essential for achieving sustainable development and emissions reduction targets. This paper addresses a knowledge gap by assessing the causal links and directions between Canada’s national-level greenhouse gas emissions (GHG—as an indicator of environmental performance) and three alternative measures of economic growth, namely, gross national disposable income (GNDI), human development index (HDI), and index of economic freedom (IEF); from 1995 to 2019. Our results indicate that causality exists between Canada’s GHG and the alternative growth measures. This implies that Canada’s GNDI, HDI, and IEF may be useful and complementary to GDP in forecasting the national-level total GHG emissions. The research provides insights to further consider the role of overall economic wellbeing in the quest for sustainable, lower-emissions, economic development in Canada and by extension in other nations.

Enhancement in the magneto-optical effect induced by combining multiple modes in a gold film–supported hybrid periodic gold/magnetic nanorod array

In this study, the possibility of enhanced transverse magneto-optical Kerr effect (TMOKE) and performance monitoring of a hybrid nanostructure developed by sandwiching a ferromagnetic film within a gold layer and square periodic nanorod arrays, is theoretically investigated. Based on the findings, the TMOKE signal can be enhanced approximately 33 times when compared to the referenced planar film, which is elucidated by the hybrid of modes in the magnetic film region. In addition, a high level of environmental sensor performance is simultaneously achieved by recording the wavelength resonance positions with the variation of refractive index, which is compatible with gaseous medium from 1 to 1.01, indicating that the structure of the proposal will have applications in environmental monitoring.

ОЦІНКА ЕКОЛОГІЧНОЇ ЕФЕКТИВНОСТІ В УКРАЇНІ ТА ЄС: МОЖЛИВОСТІ ЗАСТОСУВАННЯ ДЛЯ ПІДПРИЄМСТВ З ВИРОБНИЦТВА ЦЕМЕНТУ

The purpose of the article is to assess environmental performance in Ukraine and the countries of the European Union using the method of taxonomic analysis. To assess environmental performance and compare its value in Ukraine with EU countries, the author selected six main environmental indicators. Their statistical characteristics according to the data of 2022 allow us to assert a significant differentiation of countries according to individual environmental indicators. Taking into account the significant impact of the specified indicators on environmental performance, the level of environmental performance in EU countries and Ukraine in 2022 was estimated based on the taxonomic analysis method. The integrated indicator calculated from the taxonomic analysis shows low environmental performance in 2022 in the selected countries, as the maximum value is only 0.540 (Malta). The value of the integral indicator for Ukraine is 0.091 and, together with Belgium and Bulgaria, it is at the very bottom of the formed rating. Therefore, environmental performance in Ukraine is significantly lower compared to the vast majority of EU countries, which creates the need for the spread of socially responsible environmental direction by enterprises, the introduction of "green" innovations and constant communication with stakeholders. The proposed methodical approach can have practical application in assessing the environmental performance of cement production enterprises, because all the largest cement producers in Ukraine adhere to the principles of socially responsible activity to achieve the goals of sustainable development. At PJSC "Ivano-Frankivskcement", the environmental component of CSR is realized through the use of own raw materials, waste minimization thanks to the internal exchange of resources between different productions. The priority of PJSC "Kryviy Rig Cement" is the fulfillment of all environmental protection requirements, the constant search and implementation of projects that lead to a reduction of the impact on the environment. For CEMARK, caring for the environment is one of the key principles on which the company's activities are based. PJSC "Dickerhoff Cement Ukraine" applies a systematic approach to solving the tasks of sustainable development by implementing corporate policy and improving key indicators of sustainable development.

The effect of green supply chain management practices on performances of herb manufacturers in Thailand

This research aimed to 1) investigate the levels of green supply chain management practices (GSCMP), environmental performance (ENP), operational performance (OPP), and organizational performance (ORP) in the context of Thai herb producers; and 2) investigate the interactions between GSCMP, ENP, OPP, and ORP. Quantitative research methodologies were applied in the research. The sample for the quantitative study consisted of 340 Thai herb producers selected by stratified sampling by region. The instruments employed for research were questionnaires. Statistics such as frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, confirmatory factor analysis, and structural equation modeling were utilized for quantitative data analysis. Results indicated that GSCMP, ENP, OPP, and ORP levels were high. In addition, GSCMP had direct positive effects on ENP and OPP, as well as indirect positive effects on OPP and ORP, respectively, mediated via ENP and OPP. In addition, ENP had a favorable direct impact on OPP and a positive indirect impact on ORP, with OPP serving as a mediator. Herb producers might use these insights as a roadmap to enhance their organizational performance. In addition, government agencies may utilize the study's findings to establish a strategy for assisting entrepreneurs. In addition, academics and interested parties might bring the research findings to examine and perform more research.

Mechanical and environmental advantages of the revaluation of raw-crushed wind-turbine blades as a concrete component

The large number of wind farms that will have to be dismantled in coming years is prompting a search for reliable wind-turbine-blade recycling methods, but there is not yet a broad consensus on the most appropriate. Jointly crushing all the blade components produces a material that is referred to as Raw-Crushed Wind-Turbine Blade (RCWTB), formed by fibers from the crushing of Glass Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) composite, and spherical balsa-wood and polyurethane particles. The incorporation of this inexpensive and easy-to-produce material in concrete could help to solve the problem of blades recycling, but this approach has not been extensively evaluated in the literature. In the present study, the overall addition of RCWTB up to 6 % by volume in concrete was analyzed in terms of mechanical performance and carbon footprint. The results showed that the incorporation of RCWTB might be beneficial for both the mechanical behavior of concrete and its sustainability rating. RCWTB at 1.5 % improved compressive strength in a conventional concrete design, yielding values above 50 MPa at 28 days. Furthermore, this content reduced the carbon footprint per unit of compressive strength by 0.12 kgCO2eq/(MPa·m3). Similarly, 6.0 % RCWTB improved flexural strength, reaching values higher than 6 MPa, and reducing the carbon footprint per unit of flexural strength by 7.5 %. The waste had no significant negative effect on the temporal development of the mechanical performance of concrete. Furthermore, if all the wind-turbine blades annually dismantled in Spain, the world's fifth largest wind-energy producer, were crushed and converted into RCWTB, it could all be recycled at rates of 0.6–2.2 % within the total annual volume of commercial concrete produced in Spain. These figures show that RCWTB production is a feasible solution for recycling decommissioned wind-turbine blades, as it can be successfully used for manufacturing sustainable concretes with suitable mechanical and environmental performance levels.

Analisis Penerapan Akuntansi Manajemen Lingkungan Dan Inovasi Hijau Guna Mengevaluasi Kinerja Lingkungan

The aim of this research is to find out how environmental management accounting, green innovation and environmental performance are used by the Nganjuk Regency Environmental Service. Descriptive research with a qualitative approach was used. The data used in this research comes from interviews conducted in 2022, as well as data from the Nganjuk Regency Environmental Service. Descriptive analysis is used to analyze the data. describes the results of his findings based on the data collected.The results of this research indicate that the Nganjuk Regency Environmental Service has completed the treatment stages of implementing environmental management accounting for waste management costs and has evaluated the level of environmental performance well. In addition, they have implemented green innovation as a form of social responsibility to society and the environment, as seen in the presentation of waste management costs included in detailed financial reports. Furthermore, the more environmental performance evaluations carried out, the higher the level of community satisfaction. Conversely, the lower the level of environmental performance evaluation, the lower public satisfaction with the company.

Identification of priority methods of recycling of electronic industry waste based on the principles of the best available technology

The article deals with the approach to recycling of electronic industry waste based on the implementation of the best available technology. The author has analyzed the concept of «the best available technology» in Russian scientific and legal literature as well as similar terms in the legal documentation of the European Union. It was revealed that the approachbased on the best available technology in the Russian Federation is significantly similar to that of the European countries. The existing criteria of classification of technologies to the best available technologies and their hierarchy have been analyzed. Also, the author considered the process of establishing the best available technologies and their corresponding levels of environmental performance and analyzed the amount of generated, disposed, neutralized and buried waste of electrical and electronic equipment. The analysis has shown an increase in the volume of waste generation and disposal with a low recycling rate. The analysis of the existing system of electronic waste management has shown its inconsistency with the recycling economy the transition to which was declared as a goal. It is confirmed by the constant increase in the amount of electronic waste and the insignificant rate of its reuse and decontamination. To perform a faster and more efficient transition to a closedloop economy it has been suggested to facilitate the change of behaviour of consumers of electronic equipment in terms of its disposal and develop a waste management system built on the principles of a close-loop economy which will be based on the constantly updated and improved best available technologies.