Introduction Of Cleaner Technologies Research Articles

Climate change mitigation readiness in the transport sector: a psychological science perspective

PurposeThis study aims to examine the impact of social norms on climate change mitigation readiness, the mediating role of environmental purchasing intentions and attitudes on the relationship between social norms and climate change mitigation readiness.Design/methodology/approachData were collected from transport facility operators and managers of shipping firms and bus transport firms. The SPSS software and covariance-based software (CB-SEM) were used to obtain results on the impact of social norms on climate change mitigation readiness, the mediating role of environmental purchasing intentions on the relationship between social norms and climate change mitigation readiness, and the mediating role of attitudes on the relationship between social norms and climate change mitigation readiness.FindingsThe findings indicated that social norms influenced climate change mitigation readiness, while both attitudes and environmental purchasing intentions partially mediated the relationship between social norms and climate change mitigation readiness.Research limitations/implicationsThe study mainly focused on transport facility operators and managers of shipping firms and bus firms eliminating other participants in the transport sector. Further, the research focused on majorly three psychological factors that included social norms, intentions and attitudes leaving out other psychological factors.Originality/valueClimate change mitigation is a major issue of concern to policy makers and researchers. Much of the focus is placed on mitigation strategies with the passengers and private vehicle owners as the major target. Other research focuses on reducing the impact of climate change outcomes through introduction of cleaner technologies. However, issues concerning the role of psychological factors in enhancing climate change mitigation readiness have not been given significant attention.

Anaerobic digestion of chrome-tanned leather waste for biogas production

The introduction of cleaner technologies through the reuse of wastes, producing a clean fuel (biogas) and its utilization for energy recovery, can improve the environmental performance of the tannery industry. The degradability assessment of collagenic substrates (tanned or not) is necessary to evaluate the possibility/need of using prior treatments or mixtures of tannery wastes before its use as a growing substrate for anaerobic degradation processes. In this work, the biodegradation mechanism was studied by comparing collagenous substrates containing different concentrations of chromium (tanning degree) which helps the comprehension of the interrelation effect between microorganisms and substrate. This work presents the results from assays carried out in biorreactors to generate biogas by protein-based substrates at bench scale under controlled conditions. In the bioreactors, four substrates (soybean meal, hydrolyzed collagen, hide powder and wet-blue leather shaving) were inoculated with three different biological sludges collected from wastewater treatment plants (sewage anaerobic sludge, slaughterhouse anaerobic sludge and tannery aerobic sludge). The mole fractions of methane, carbon dioxide, nitrogen and oxygen in the generated gases were evaluated by gas chromatography. The experiments showed a previous adaptation of some of the tested inocula (seeds) and allowed to visualize and discuss the effect of the Chromium III concentration in the substrates over the rate and total biogas production for each of the inocula. The rising of chromium concentration in the substrate significantly reduced the biogas and methane yield. The maximum rate of biogas production for chrome leather shaving occurred in periods between 3 and 36 days, reaching a biogas yield of 162.2 mL g−1 and methane fraction of 73.7%. Better results were obtained using slaughterhouse and tannery sludges due to its preadaptation to collagen based protein substrates. The results indicated a considerable gain in biogas production (74–181%), if the leather substrate is treated or mixed with readily degradable materials prior to its use as substrate for anaerobic digestion (destabilizing the chrome–collagen complexes, increasing of the water dispersion and lowering the stability of chrome–collagen complexes).

Environmental innovation and employment dynamics in different technology fields – an analysis based on the German Community Innovation Survey 2009

The employment effects of environmental technologies are in the focus of politicians but studies analyzing these effects for different environmental innovation fields are rare. We use the 2009 wave of the Community Innovation Survey (CIS) allowing for such an analysis at the firm level. Our econometric analysis shows that innovative firms in general are characterized by a significantly more dynamic employment development. Especially the introduction of cleaner technologies as process innovations leads to a higher employment within the firm. The theoretical background of this finding is that cost savings induced by this type of process innovation improve the competitiveness of firms. This has positive effects on demand and thus also increases employment. Especially material and energy savings are positively correlated to employment because they help to increase the profitability and competitiveness of the firm. On the other side, air and water process innovations that are still dominated by end-of-pipe technologies have a negative impact on employment.

Twenty years of biological monitoring of element concentrations in permanent forest and grassland plots in Baden-Württemberg (SW Germany)

Environmental monitoring of pollutants in international or local programmes has enabled authorities to evaluate the success of political measures over time. Strict environmental legislation and the introduction of cleaner technologies have already led to significant improvements of the air and water quality in many countries. Still, the discharge and deposition of anthropogenic long-range transported pollutants often remain above the critical thresholds and long-term targets defined for terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems even in EU countries. In order to determine the spatial and temporal variation of pollutant and nutrient loads in different environmental media a unique ecological response cadastre (Okologisches Wirkungskataster, OKWI) was set up in the Land of Baden-Württemberg (SW Germany) in the mid 1980s. As a part of the program a state-wide bioindicator network was established in 64 forest and 18 permanent grassland ecosystems, in which selected chemical elements were measured over time. Here, we report on the results of these analyses and discuss the general spatio-temporal trends in pollution loads. Sixty-four forest and 18 permanent grassland plots were established in state-owned forest and nature conservation areas of SW Germany representing different landscapes and geologies of the State of Baden-Württemberg. Apart from performing vegetation relevées in marked plots of either the grassland or forest sites, plant samples were collected in intervals of 2 to 3 years following a standardised protocol. To be able to compare the different monitoring sites, four common species were chosen as indicator species in the grasslands. Later on, also bulk grassland samples were taken regardless of the species. In the forests, foliage of the dominant tree species (Fagus sylvatica, Abiea alba or Fraxinus excelsior) was sampled in the crown of marked trees and from the same species in the herb layer. The elements analysed in the plant material were the essential plant nutrients C, N, S, P, Ca, K and Mg and the metals Mn, Cd, Pb, Al, Cu, Ni and Hg. Data were analysed using descriptive and multivariate statistics and maps were produced to identify regional differences in pollutant deposition. Out of the elements analysed, lead and sulphur concentrations showed the most pronounced downward trends over time in tree foliage and grassland samples with the largest decreases observed in the early 1990 s. Both the reduced lead and sulphur levels in the biomonitors reflect the successful implementation of clean air policies, i.e. the introduction of unleaded gasoline, the availability of desulphurisation technologies and the economic transition of Eastern European heavy industries. However, the decrease in sulphur concentrations was lower in beech foliage from SW Germany as compared to beech leaves from six German national parks suggesting regional differences in sulphur deposition and trends thereof. At the same time, sulphur concentrations declined more strongly in the grassland samples indicating that much of the deposited sulphur remains in the forest ecosystems while in the grassland ecosystems it is gradually removed by the frequent cutting and grazing. During the time series, the decrease in sulphur deposition coincided with a marked increase in rain pH. At the same time, the increasing nitrogen concentrations observed over time in beech leaves suggest that emissions of oxidised and reduced nitrogen are still adding to the large-scale eutrophication of SW German forests. However, N concentrations in both the tree foliage and in the bulk grassland samples were unrelated to the modelled N deposition. When also considering macronutrient concentrations and N:P and N:K ratios, the results point to serious nutrient imbalances in many beech forests, which may reduce plant vitality and tree growth in the long run. Biological monitoring using plants is an effective tool to address changes in the environmental quality over time and space. The success of European clean air policies and the introduction of emission reduction technologies could be mirrored by the declining sulphur and lead concentrations in the present and in other monitoring programmes. However, the changed deposition patterns, i.e. lower deposition of acids and higher deposition of reactive nitrogen, are coupled to changes in the soil chemistry and will continue to affect plant nutrition and the uptake of elements in the future. Although it could be shown that deposition of sulphur and lead has declined markedly in the past 20 years, biomonitoring is still necessary to reveal changes in element concentrations and nutrient imbalances. The use of plants as bioindicators should be continued as an integral part of environmental monitoring programmes. Besides the chemical analyses, also biometric parameters, e.g. thousand needle or leaf weights, biomass production in grassland plots and stem increments in forest plots, should be included to monitor the long-term responses of European ecosystems to environmental and climatic changes.

Eco-compatible syntheses of pharmaceutical and natural molecules via microwave-assisted chemistry

In a closed future, the use of adapted reactants and techniques offering operational, economical and environmental benefits, over conventional methods, will be crucial in the preparation and development of molecules possessing a biological activity. Introduction of cleaner technologies, like microwaves, has become a major concern throughout both industry and academia [1]. This is a consequence of the recent availability of commercial microwave systems specific for synthesis, which offers improved opportunities for reproducibility, rapid synthesis, rapid reaction optimisation and the potential discovery of new chemistries. Results presented have the hope to change the chemistry mainly performed in the pharmaceutical industry and also in academic laboratories. Elaboration of a library of „microwave-reacting molecules“ may be introduced in laboratories and factories, associated with the development of such a technology which needs to be more established, controlled and safely reproduced in order to be completely adopted by a large amount of chemists.

The Possible Dangerous Effects of Cleaner Technologies: Some Elementary Theorems of Rebound and Backfire Effects

The introduction of cleaner technologies may often backfire as the induced increase in output of the concerned good might overwhelm the positive environmental effect emanating directly from the decreased in emissions per unit output. This paper proves some elementary theorems about such rebound and backfire effects. The most basic and important result is the existence of an inverted U shaped curve between emissions per unit of output and pollution.

Gouvernance et environnement des petites et moyennes entreprises

Governance, information and environmental management of small and medium-sized enterprises Small and medium-sized enterprises rarely have the means to control the urban nuisance they cause. The introduction of clean technologies into production processes has triggered the creation of local inter-company cooperation bodies. At the instigation of public authorities, collective treatment plants have been set up in the sector of surface treatment industries. Preventive pollution treatment through good governance is preferred to ex post enforcement by specialised civil servants.

Environmental strategies in the paint and coatings industry

AbstractIn general, a proactive strategy entails an anticipatory approach to problems. It is also associated with taking the initiative and doing more than is strictly needed. The nature of proactivity that businesses may display with respect to the environment is considered and also its meaning in terms of strategic behaviour and technological development. A conceptual framework is developed that differentiates between types of proactive strategies. This framework is based on a study of the paint and coatings industry in Great Britain and the Netherlands and is applicable to both countries. Even though the big international paint companies play a decisive role in the development and introduction of cleaner technologies, it is argued that the small‐ and medium‐sized paint companies deserve special attention. Not only is proactive behaviour by the big companies important, but also proactive strategies by the small‐ and medium‐sized companies, even if they are limited in scope, because the latter determine at national and local levels the pace and nature of the transformation that has to take place to produce a sustainable economy. This process is crucial to ecological modernization if it is intended not only to get rid of old‐fashioned ways, but also to create new opportunities for economic upgrading and rejuvenation.