Environmental Sustainability Considerations Research Articles

Integrated structural and energy building retrofit by reinforced concrete wall addition

In light of the paramount considerations of environmental sustainability and the protection of both life and property, a significant number of existing reinforced concrete (RC) buildings fall short of meeting contemporary standards in terms of their structural and energy performances. In response to these pressing concerns, there is an imperative need for comprehensive building retrofitting processes that integrate both structural and energy considerations. One such approach, the addition of RC walls, is commonly employed as a structural retrofitting technique. However, its potential to enhance overall building efficiency has been relatively underexplored in previous research. In this study, we focus on a representative RC building and utilize two key performance indices: structural residual life and energy consumption, to comprehensively evaluate the impact of RC wall retrofitting on both structural and energy performance. Our investigation considers retrofitting on both the exterior and interior sides of the building. It is observed that the structural performance exhibits notable improvement with the addition of RC walls on either side, and this improvement becomes even more pronounced when complemented by local retrofits to adjacent beams. While the RC walls added on the interior side have negligible impact on the building energy efficiency, those installed on the exterior side could obviously reduce the energy consumption of the HVAC system by 7.9%. Hence, the outcomes of this study indicate that employing the RC wall retrofitting on the exterior side of the existing building is an efficient way to reach structural and energy performance targets simultaneously.

Supply chain behaviour under carbon regulations: an experimental study with system dynamic simulation

Carbon tax and emission trading policies have been introduced under the Kyoto Protocol to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This paper examines the effect of these policies on supply chain behaviour to determine an optimal strategy for improving environmental performance via system dynamics simulation. For this purpose, a supply chain is considered under the carbon tax policy, where a supplier and a producer have both green and non-green methods for transportation and production. About the carbon tax, the question is what carbon price encourages the supplier and producer to use the green methods, and how each will behave at different carbon prices. Furthermore, to analyse emission trading policy, several supply chains are considered simultaneously and a method is developed to determine the carbon trading price in the market to maximise supply chains’ profit. The supply chains’ behaviour is simulated based on system dynamics and several experiments were conducted to analyse the effect of different scenarios of carbon regulations on the supply chains. Findings emphasise the need for tailored policies, challenging the notion of a one-size-fits-all approach to emission trading. This research provides valuable insights into the dynamic interplay between environmental sustainability and economic considerations in the context of evolving carbon policies.

Leadership and Environmental Sustainability: An Integrative Conceptual Model of Multilevel Antecedents and Consequences of Leader Green Behavior

Environmental sustainability is a strategic and ethical imperative for organizations, and numerous studies have investigated associations between leadership and employee pro-environmental or “green” behavior. However, these studies have typically focused on leadership styles that conflate leader behavior with its assumed antecedents or consequences. Moreover, the literature on relations between leadership and environmental sustainability constructs is fragmented and in need of systematic integration to effectively guide future research and practice. Accordingly, we pursue three goals in this conceptual paper. First, after a brief review of key insights from extant theoretical and empirical research, we define leadership in the context of environmental sustainability and leader green behavior based on established theoretical frameworks. Second, based on a systematic integration and extension of the literature, we present an integrative conceptual model of multilevel antecedents and consequences of leader green behavior. We further develop eight propositions on multiple known and novel pathways toward leader and follower green behaviors, as well as multiple known and novel pathways toward consequences related to environmental sustainability at the leader, follower, and organizational levels. Finally, based on our integrative conceptual model and propositions, we outline several recommendations for future research on leadership and environmental sustainability, including theoretical and methodological considerations.

Utilizing green financing in developing green HRM resources for carbon neutrality: presenting multidimensional perspectives of China.

This study examines how green finance may encourage the development of green human resource management (HRM) solutions to help China achieve carbon neutrality. For an empirical estimate, the Chinese data is subjected to DEA analysis, Tobit regression, and a sensitivity analysis model. The findings highlight the significance of green finance in the creation of green HRM solutions that aid firms in enhancing their environmental performance, boosting employee happiness, and getting them closer to their carbon neutrality goals. With the use of tools like green bonds and sustainable investment funds, businesses may raise capital for sustainability projects and encourage the adoption of environmentally responsible HRM practices. Moreover, the study results discussed the need to incorporate environmental sustainability considerations into HRM plans, enabling organizations to cultivate a sustainable culture and engage employees in supporting carbon neutrality through green practices in talent acquisition, training and development, performance management, and employee engagement. Incorporating environmental sustainability into HRM processes, boosting stakeholder involvement, and looking into new funding methods are all points emphasized in the study, which aims to enhance the uptake of green HRM initiatives.

Toward sustainable governance with participatory budgeting

PurposeSustainability is a pressing challenge of governance and public financial management. One key element of sustainable governance is the role of citizens. Participatory budgeting (PB) is a participatory tool with which citizens can influence public administration. PB is a democratic process that grants people real power over real money and it has spread around the world. This special issue explores the role of PB in the context of sustainable governance. In this editorial, the authors aim to approach PB as a form of sustainable governance.Design/methodology/approachIn this editorial, the authors collaborate in the analysis of how PB is implicated in the public management of complex social, economic and ecological issues. The authors identify key dimensions of internal and external sustainability based on prior research. The authors approach these dimensions as an internal–external nexus of sustainable governance in which organizational and financial sustainability are the internal dimensions and socio-political and environmental sustainability are the external dimensions.FindingsEven though PB can be seen as one tool for citizen participation, it has the potential to foster sustainability in multiple ways. PB, as a form of sustainable governance, requires a financially and administratively sustainable organizational process that results in the institutionalization of PB. It also includes thorough consideration of socio-political and environmental sustainability impacts of PB.Originality/valueAcademics are actively studying PB from various perspectives. However, most of this work has approached PB from the viewpoints of design and results of PB, and less is known about its institutional settings. PB has not yet been adequately studied in the context of sustainability, and there is a need to scrutinize PB as a form of sustainable governance.

HTA220 Incorporating Environmental Sustainability Considerations into National HTA Assessments: A Landscape Review

HTA220 Incorporating Environmental Sustainability Considerations into National HTA Assessments: A Landscape Review

Consumption of foods with the highest nutritional quality, and the lowest greenhouse gas emissions and price, differs between socio-economic groups in the UK population.

To establish a baseline understanding of whether consuming food with the highest nutritional quality, lowest greenhouse gas emissions (GHGE) and cost differs between different UK demographic and socio-economic population groups. Multiple linear regression models were fitted to evaluate the relationship between predictor socio-demographic variables in this study (i.e. sex, ethnic group, age, BMI and level of deprivation) and the response variables (i.e. consumption of items considered most nutritious, with a low GHGE and price, as a proportion of total items consumed). The UK. 1374 adult (18-65 years) participants from the National Diet and Nutrition Survey latest waves 9-11 (2016-2017 and 2018-2019). Based on the total energy consumption in a day, the average diet-based GHGE was significantly higher for participants with a higher BMI. Non-white and most deprived participants spent significantly (P < 0·001) less money per total energy consumption. Participants with a BMI between 18·6 and 39·9 kg/m2 and those living in the least deprived areas consumed a significantly (P < 0·001) higher amount of those items considered the most nutritious, with the lowest GHGE and cost per 100 kcal. Consumption of food with the highest nutritional quality, lowest GHGE and cost in the UK varies among those with different socio-demographic characteristics, especially the deprivation level of participants. Our analysis endorses the consideration of environmental sustainability and affordability, in addition to the consideration of nutritional quality from a health perspective, to make current dietary guidelines more encompassing and equitable.

Strategic investment planning for the hydrogen economy – A mixed integer non-linear framework for the development and capacity expansion of hydrogen supply chain networks

This work presents a novel Mixed-Integer Nonlinear Programming (MINLP) modeling and optimization framework for the investment planning of large-scale hydrogen economy envelopes. The scope of the model includes the design, synthesis, and long-term capacity expansion of hydrogen supply chain networks (HSCN) that include hydrogen production, purification, storage, transportation, and distribution, subject to environmental sustainability considerations. Production and carbon capture units are represented using surrogate models derived from rigorous simulations to capture important process non-linearities. This framework provides an optimal roadmap for the 10-year plan of hydrogen infrastructure development in the state of California, that demonstrates the important trade-offs between investment decisions, economic incentives, and regulatory carbon emissions constraints. It is shown that the development of the hydrogen production and distribution networks can be achieved over a 10-year horizon in an economically profitable way, while achieving a 90 % reduction in carbon emissions and satisfying all state regulatory mandates.

A Study of Traceability and Transparency of Organic Farming in Agra District

Abstract: The research's goal is to examine traceability and transparency practices within the organic farming sector in Agra District. As consumer demand for information on food origin and production grows, these factors become increasingly important in the organic farming industry. The investigation delves into the adherence of Agra District farmers to traceability standards and transparency measures, exploring how these practices influence consumer trust in organic products. The study will employ surveys, interviews, and on-site observations to assess the current state of traceability and transparency in organic farming practices in the region. This study aims to explore and investigate the potential of integrating technologies to enhance resource efficiency, traceability, and transparency in organic farming within the Agra district. This, in turn, will promote more sustainable and effective agricultural practices. The rising global demand for organic goods is driven by a heightened awareness of environmental sustainability and health considerations. Organic agriculture, with its emphasis on natural and eco-friendly methods, has gained popularity as an alternative to conventional farming. However, ensuring traceability and transparency throughout the organic supply chain remains a challenge. The objective of this study is to examine and explore the possibility of using technology integration to enhance resource efficiency, traceability, and transparency in organic farming practices within the Agra district. This research has four main goals. Firstly, it aims to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of sustainable resource management in organic farming. Secondly, it seeks to enhance traceability and transparency throughout the organic agriculture supply chain. Thirdly, the research endeavors to disseminate knowledge and foster innovative practices in organic agriculture. Finally, the study will assess the potential advantages of integrating technologies into organic farming methods.

Assessing the impacts of ecological framework of Indian riverfront revitalization projects

AbstractUrban waterfronts have evolved into vibrant centres of recreation, tourism, and economic activities, becoming focal points for social, cultural, and religious gatherings in modern cities. The historical development of riverfronts sought to elevate the economic status and image of neighbouring cities during the industrial era. However, with the growing emphasis on riverfront revitalization projects in recent times, it has become imperative to prioritize environmental sustainability and ecological considerations in the planning and execution of these initiatives. This paper delves into the revitalization plans of the Sabarmati and Patna riverfronts in India, undertaking a comparative assessment of their development strategies and challenges encountered in ecological preservation. The study seeks to explore the interplay between the river and environmental concerns and analyse the positive impacts of ecological improvements on the social and economic dimensions of these urban waterfronts. Additionally, the research scrutinizes the alignment of these various aspects with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, presenting an integrated approach towards fostering holistic and sustainable urban riverfront development. The study on riverfront development projects revealed that successful projects prioritize social inclusivity, economic vitality, and environmental sustainability, contributing to the long-term success and well-being of both communities and ecosystems. The research demonstrates the potential for holistic and sustainable urban development through riverfront revitalization, offering valuable insights and case studies for future urban redevelopment projects.

Comparative Life Cycle Assessment of Container Cities and Tent Cities for Earthquake Victims: Environmental Impacts and Sustainability Considerations

Comparative Life Cycle Assessment of Container Cities and Tent Cities for Earthquake Victims: Environmental Impacts and Sustainability Considerations

Environmental sustainability: An exploratory study of the perceived knowledge, attitudes, and skills of occupational therapists practicing in Australia.

The threat of climate change to the health and wellbeing of the Australian population is well documented. Literature is emerging to support the role of occupational therapy in environmental sustainability. To date, the perspectives of occupational therapists practicing in Australia are yet to be explored. This study aimed to explore these perspectives, specifically occupational therapists' knowledge, skills, and attitudes regarding environmental sustainability. A mixed methods study using a cross-sectional survey design and convergence model was undertaken. A survey was developed using closed- and open-ended questions drawn from the World Federation of Occupational Therapists Guiding Principles for Sustainability. The online survey remained open from March to September 2021. Quantitative data were analysed descriptively, and inductive content analysis was used to analyse qualitative data. Merged integration was used to identify convergence and divergence between data sets and enable conclusions to be drawn. Responses were received from 37 participants. For occupational therapists practicing in Australia there appeared to be an incongruence between the importance of environmental sustainability in daily life compared to professional practice. In professional practice, there are several perceived barriers that are outside of the locus of control of the therapist. Therapists are motivated to engage in this concept but are unsure how to do so. Findings provide an initial understanding about environmental sustainability from the current perspectives of occupational therapists practicing in Australia. More structured guidance is required to integrate environmental sustainability considerations into professional practice. Future research should focus on developing a more in-depth understanding of the concepts preliminarily explored in this study.

Belly Up: How Corporate Interests Are Keeping an Unsustainable Tasmanian Aquaculture Afloat and Failing to Protect the Welfare of the Nonhuman Animals Affected

AbstractThe Tasmanian salmon industry has become one of the state's most profitable industries to date. Though production conditions notoriously lack transparency, there is a clear dependency on the mass production of complex nonhuman animals who are kept in inappropriate conditions and subject to harmful industry practices. This article explores why the Tasmanian Environmental Protection Agency recently approved the construction of the largest salmon hatchery in Australia, despite serious environmental sustainability and welfare concerns. It considers the likely impact of the new hatchery on the welfare of both the farmed nonhuman animals and the surrounding free-ranging life and advocates for industry improvements that are guided by considerations of nonhuman animal welfare and environmental sustainability.

A value-based approach to the adoption of cryptocurrencies

The use of cryptocurrencies offers attractive business opportunities, in the context of financial services, smart contracts and token-based business models. The objective of this study is to provide a value-based understanding of what drives people to use cryptocurrencies for value exchange. Based on the users’ perceived value of the technology, as logic of decision making, we explore the role of perceived financial value and the perceived emotional value in the intention to use the technology. The unified technology adoption theory provides the potential drivers of these value concepts, which are extended accounting for sustainability. Furthermore, to capture users’ evolving experience with blockchain technologies, we propose the concept of the cryptocurrency knowledge path, capturing the scope and depth of users’ knowledge on the applicability of cryptocurrencies, as potential influence on the value concepts in the decision to actively use cryptocurrencies. For the analysis, a structural model is set up and estimated using partial least square analysis (PLS-SEM). We identify a positive effect of both value concepts, financial and emotional value, on the intention to use cryptocurrencies. However, interestingly, we find that the emotional value assessment is fully mediated through the knowledge path. Furthermore, we find that environmental sustainability considerations are fully mediated through either of the two value concepts. These results provide guidance for a customer-centric, sustainable design and marketing of crypto-projects.

A Systematic Literature Review on Local Sustainability Assessment Processes for Infrastructure Development Projects in Africa

Reviews on sustainability assessment research have shown that Africa is lagging in this research area. As a result, few African countries have local sustainability assessment processes for infrastructure development. Considering the vital role of infrastructure to Africa’s development, the identification of only a few countries with local sustainability assessment processes raises questions on the overall state of sustainability assessment in the continent. To date, there is no study that gives a definite account of which African countries have local sustainability assessment processes for infrastructure. The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic literature review to identify and analyze local sustainability assessment process for infrastructure development in an African country. Using PRISMA to guide the review process, the study showed that six processes have been created for infrastructure development in Africa. The African countries with these processes are Egypt (three), Nigeria (one), Malawi and Kenya (one) and South Africa (one). The results showed that the sustainability assessment process correspond to most of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) targets with social and economic considerations taking the lead in the processes created for energy and transport infrastructure development projects, whereas the sustainability assessment processes created for water supply, waste and communications infrastructure development projects have a balance of social, economic and environmental sustainability considerations. The review has revealed a need to create energy, transport and water supply infrastructure sustainability assessment processes that address current sustainability concerns such as climate change, social justice, equity, fairness and equality.

Ultra-processed foods: a fit-for-purpose concept for nutrition policy activities to tackle unhealthy and unsustainable diets.

Modern nutrition science began approximately 100 years ago in the context of nutrient deficiency diseases. Nutrition research and policy activities were framed mostly within a reductionist paradigm in which foods were analysed as being a collection of their constituent nutrients. Today,nutrition problems extend to all forms of malnutrition as well as environmental sustainability considerations and are associated with food and dietary pattern exposures. In 2009, researchers investigating the nutrition transition in Brazil proposed that industrial food processing was a key determinant of nutrition problems. The NOVA food classification system which is based on the nature, extent and purposes of food processing was developed to operationalise this proposition. The ultra-processed food (UPF) concept within NOVA is receiving much attention in relation to nutrition research and policy activities. This commentary describes the UPF concept as being fit-for-purpose in providing guidance to inform policy activities to tackle unhealthy and unsustainable diets. There is now a substantial body of evidence linking UPF exposure with adverse population and planetary health outcomes. The UPF concept is increasingly being used in the development of food-based dietary guidelines and nutrition policy actions. It challenges many conventional nutrition research and policy activities as well as the political economy of the industrial food system. Inevitably, there are politicised debates associated with UPF and it is apparent a disproportionate number of articles claiming the concept is controversial originate from a small number of researchers with declared associations with UPF manufacturers. Prominent examples of these claims are assessed.

Ultra-processed foods: a fit-for-purpose concept for nutrition policy activities to tackle unhealthy and unsustainable diets.

Modern nutrition science began approximately 100 years ago in the context of nutrient deficiency diseases. Nutrition research and policy activities were framed mostly within a reductionist paradigm in which foods were analysed as being a collection of their constituent nutrients. Today, nutrition problems extend to all forms of malnutrition as well as environmental sustainability considerations and are associated with food and dietary pattern exposures. In 2009, researchers investigating the nutrition transition in Brazil proposed that industrial food processing was a key determinant of nutrition problems. The NOVA food classification system which is based on the nature, extent and purposes of food processing was developed to operationalise this proposition. The ultra-processed food (UPF) concept within NOVA is receiving much attention in relation to nutrition research and policy activities. This commentary describes the UPF concept as being fit-for-purpose in providing guidance to inform policy activities to tackle unhealthy and unsustainable diets. There is now a substantial body of evidence linking UPF exposure with adverse population and planetary health outcomes. The UPF concept is increasingly being used in the development of food-based dietary guidelines and nutrition policy actions. It challenges many conventional nutrition research and policy activities as well as the political economy of the industrial food system. Inevitably, there are politicised debates associated with UPF and it is apparent a disproportionate number of articles claiming the concept is controversial originate from a small number of researchers with declared associations with UPF manufacturers. Prominent examples of these claims are assessed.

Innovation in Healthy and Sustainable Food Product Development for Health and Aged Care: A Scoping Review.

Population ageing and climate change are issues of global concern. Subsequently, the need for healthy and sustainable food systems to meet the increasing demands for health and aged care is evident. This review aimed to systematically identify studies reporting new or innovative foods, drinks and snack products in health and aged care, and describe health and environmental sustainability considerations where reported. Methods were guided by the Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines for scoping reviews and reported against the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Eligible studies were conducted in an inpatient healthcare setting or aged care facility where a new or innovative food, drink or snack product was evaluated with outcomes of product use, acceptability, cost, appropriateness for the population, and clinical or environmental sustainability outcomes in the last decade. Three databases were searched using a replicable strategy, with five publications of four studies included in the final library. Product innovations were led at the facility level and included testing dewaxed brown rice, talbinah, and an apple/pear juice fibre solution. Results suggest that food industry suppliers are operating in parallel with foodservices within hospital and aged care. Future intersection would be transformative for both industry sectors.

Health and environmental impacts of plant-rich dietary patterns: a US prospective cohort study

Diets that are rich in animal-based foods threaten planetary and human health, but plant-rich diets have varied health and environmental effects. We aimed to characterise a healthy dietary index and three plant-based indices by their environmental impacts and associations with risk of cardiovascular disease. In this prospective cohort study, we used data from a food-frequency questionnaire in the US-based Nurses' Health Study II. Participants were categorised by quintiles of four dietary indices, including the alternative healthy eating index-2010 (AHEI), plant-based diet index (PDI), unhealthy PDI, and healthy PDI. We calculated environmental impacts (greenhouse gas emissions and irrigation water, nitrogenous fertiliser, and high-quality cropland needs), and relative risks (RRs) of cardiovascular disease from 1991-2017, comparing quintiles. We included 90 884 participants in the health-impact analysis and 65 625 participants in the environmental-impact analysis. Comparing the top and bottom quintiles, higher AHEI scores were associated with a decreased cardiovascular disease risk (relative risk 0·77 [95% CI 0·66-0·89]); 30% lower greenhouse gas emissions (Q5 2·6 kg CO₂ equivalent vs Q1 3·7 kg CO₂ equivalent); and lower fertiliser, cropland, and water needs (all p_trends&lt;0·0001). Similarly, the highest healthy PDI and PDI quintiles were associated with a decreased cardiovascular disease risk (healthy PDI 0·71 [0·60-0·83] and PDI 0·74 [0·63-0·85]) and lower environmental impacts (PDI water needs p_trend=0·0014; all other p_trends&lt;0·0001). Conversely, the highest unhealthy PDI quintile had a higher cardiovascular disease risk compared with the lowest unhealthy PDI quintile (1·15 [1·00-1·33]; p_trend=0·023) and required more cropland (p_trend&lt;0·0001) and fertiliser (p_trend=0·0008). Dietary patterns that are associated with better health had lower greenhouse gas emissions and nitrogenous fertiliser, cropland, and irrigation water needs. Not all plant-based diets conferred the same health and environmental benefits. US dietary guidelines should include nuanced consideration of environmental sustainability. US National Institutes of Health.

Assessing and choosing the optimum blend of biodiesel, hydrogenated vegetable oil, and petroleum diesel based on sustainability in Indonesia

AbstractThe trend towards increasing biofuel blending mandates in several countries has raised a sustainability trilemma, especially for biofuels derived from palm oil. This study aims to find the most sustainable hydrogen production technology for the production of hydrogenated vegetable oil (HVO) and biofuel blending. It assesses the sustainability of palm‐oil‐derived biofuel blending of biodiesel (FAME), HVO, and petroleum diesel. There are three hydrogen production options for HVO: steam methane reforming (SMR), biomass gasification (BG), and electrolysis from solar energy (PVELC). The use of any production option depends on a combination of fuel quality standards and the prioritized sustainability considerations. The fuel quality aspects consist of constraints on the quality of the blend based on EURO‐2, EURO‐4, and EURO‐5 fuel standards, while sustainability priorities lead to varying policy preferences involving economic, environmental, and social sustainability considerations. There are two approaches to determine the most sustainable blend: using the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) method and using the sustainability index. The results show that scenarios that favor the economic dimension tend to produce a higher FAME blend, whereas those that prioritize the environment emphasize higher HVO blending with PVELC as the hydrogen production technology. Finally, any scenario that prefers the social aspects tends to produce higher biofuel blending. Overall, to achieve higher sustainability, higher biofuel blending is needed. The policy analysis section concludes that the biofuel policy direction should focus more on combining HVO and FAME so that each can offset the disadvantages of the other. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.