Sustainability

Editorial

5 pages, 164 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Competitive and Sustainable Manufacturing in the Age of Globalization

by Toly Chen

Department of Industrial Engineering and Systems Management, Feng Chia University, No. 100, Wenhua Road, Taichung City 407, Taiwan

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 26; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010026 - 24 Dec 2016

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 5470

Abstract

Competitiveness is the ability and performance of a firm, subsector or country to sell or supply goods or services in a given market. The competitiveness and sustainability of an enterprise are closely related. Competitiveness has received ever-growing attention in the era of globalization. [...] Read more.

Competitiveness is the ability and performance of a firm, subsector or country to sell or supply goods or services in a given market. The competitiveness and sustainability of an enterprise are closely related. Competitiveness has received ever-growing attention in the era of globalization. This Special Issue provides a forum for researchers and practitioners to review and disseminate quality research work on competitive and sustainable manufacturing in the era of globalization and their applications, and to identify critical issues for further developments. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Competitive and Sustainable Manufacturing in the Age of Globalization)

28 pages, 290 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Sustainability in 2016

by Sustainability Editorial Office

MDPI AG, St. Alban-Anlage 66, 4052 Basel, Switzerland

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 90; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010090 - 11 Jan 2017

Viewed by 13136

Abstract

The editors of Sustainability would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2016.[...]
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Research

Jump to: Editorial, Review, Other

19 pages, 1614 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assessing Collective Measures in Rural Policy: The Effect of Minimum Participation Rules on the Distribution of Benefits from Irrigation Infrastructure

by Matteo Zavalloni^1,*, Meri Raggi²

and Davide Viaggi¹

¹ Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Bologna, Viale Fanin 50, 40127 Bologna, Italy

² Department of Statistical Sciences, University of Bologna, via delle Belle Arti 41, 40126 Bologna, Italy

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 1; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010001 - 22 Dec 2016

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 5258

Abstract

Despite the increasing interest from both policy makers and scholars in the collective management of natural resources in the rural sector, the literature has not covered many aspects of the incentives targeting collective actors. In this article, we analyze how embedding minimum participation [...] Read more.

Despite the increasing interest from both policy makers and scholars in the collective management of natural resources in the rural sector, the literature has not covered many aspects of the incentives targeting collective actors. In this article, we analyze how embedding minimum participation rules in rural policies affect the distribution of benefits of a group of players that cooperate. The article applies the Shapley Value and the Nash–Harsanyi solution, two of the key solutions of cooperative game theory, to an incentive scheme in Emilia-Romagna (Italy) to support the construction of collective reservoirs for irrigation water. Results show that rules on the minimum storage capacity and on the minimum number of users affect the benefit distribution in opposite directions. The main conclusion of the article is that minimum participation rules should be carefully designed if welfare distribution is an issue. However, further studies are required to have a comprehensive assessment of minimum participation rules within rural policies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Economic and Business Aspects of Sustainability)

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15 pages, 2336 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Quantitative Groundwater Resource Management under Uncertainty Using a Retrospective Optimization Framework

by Gislar E. Kifanyi^1,*, Julius M. Ndambuki¹ and Samuel N. Odai²

¹ Department of Civil Engineering, Tshwane University of Technology, Private Bag X680, Pretoria 0001, South Africa

² Department of Civil Engineering, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, PMB KNUST Kumasi, Ghana

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 2; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010002 - 22 Dec 2016

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 4659

Abstract

Water resources are a major concern for any socio-economic development. As the quality of many surface fresh water sources increasingly deteriorate, more pressure is being imparted into groundwater aquifers. Since groundwater and the aquifers that host it are inherently vulnerable to anthropogenic impacts, [...] Read more.

Water resources are a major concern for any socio-economic development. As the quality of many surface fresh water sources increasingly deteriorate, more pressure is being imparted into groundwater aquifers. Since groundwater and the aquifers that host it are inherently vulnerable to anthropogenic impacts, there is a need for sustainable pumping strategies. However, groundwater resource management is challenging due to the heterogeneous nature of aquifer systems. Aquifer hydrogeology is highly uncertain, and thus it is imperative that this uncertainty is accounted for when managing groundwater resource pumping. This, therefore, underscores the need for an efficient optimization tool which can sustainably manage the resource under uncertainty conditions. In this paper, we apply a procedure which is new within the context of groundwater resource management—the Retrospective Optimization Approximation (ROA) method. This method is capable of designing sustainable groundwater pumping strategies for aquifers which are characterized by uncertainty arising due to scarcity of input data. ROA framework solves and evaluates a sequence of optimization sub-problems in an increasing number of realizations. We used k-means clustering sampling technique for the realizations selection. The methodology is demonstrated through application to an hypothetical example. The optimization problem was solved and analyzed using “Active Set” algorithm implemented under MATLAB environment. The results indicate that the ROA sampling based method is a promising approach for optimizing groundwater pumping rates under conditions of hydrogeological uncertainty. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Development of Sanitation, Water Supply and Solid Waste in Low-and Middle Income Settings)

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14 pages, 1390 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Social Innovation and Sustainable Rural Development: The Case of a Brazilian Agroecology Network

by Oscar José Rover¹, Bernardo Corrado De Gennaro²

and Luigi Roselli^2,*

¹ Department of Zootechny and Rural Development, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis-SC 88034-001, Brazil

² Department of Agricultural and Environmental Science, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70126 Bari, Italy

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 3; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010003 - 22 Dec 2016

Cited by 67 | Viewed by 10351

Abstract

Food is central to human beings and their social life. The growing industrialization of the food system has led to a greater availability of food, along with an increasing risk perception and awareness in consumers. At the same time, there is an increasing [...] Read more.

Food is central to human beings and their social life. The growing industrialization of the food system has led to a greater availability of food, along with an increasing risk perception and awareness in consumers. At the same time, there is an increasing resistance from citizens to the dominant model of production and a growing demand for healthy food. As a consequence, an increasing number of social networks have been formed worldwide involving the collaboration between producers and consumers. One of these networks, the Ecovida Agroecology Network, which operates in Southern Brazil, involves farming families, non-governmental organizations, and consumer organizations, together with other social actors. Using a qualitative approach based on participant observation and an analysis of documents, the article examines this network. The theoretical framework used is social innovation, which is commonly recognized as being fundamental in fostering rural development. Results show that Ecovida has instigated innovations that relate to its horizontal and decentralized structure, its participatory certification of organic food, and its dynamic relationship with the markets based on local exchanges and reciprocal relations. Furthermore, such innovation processes have been proven to impact on public sector policies and on the increasing cooperation between the social actors from rural and urban areas. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Agriculture and Development)

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18 pages, 1520 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Impact of Land Use Rights Transfer on Household Labor Productivity: A Study Applying Propensity Score Matching in Chongqing, China

by Yahui Wang^1,2

, Liangjie Xin^1,*, Xiubin Li¹ and Jianzhong Yan³

¹ Key Laboratory of Land Surface Pattern and Simulation, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences(CAS), Beijing 100101, China

² University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China

³ College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 4; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010004 - 22 Dec 2016

Cited by 19 | Viewed by 8387

Abstract

In order to improve the rural labor productivity and farmers’ income, land use transfer was launched and encouraged in recent years, especially the Thirteenth Five-Year Plan (2016–2020). This study aims to shed light on the impact of land use rights transfer on household [...] Read more.

In order to improve the rural labor productivity and farmers’ income, land use transfer was launched and encouraged in recent years, especially the Thirteenth Five-Year Plan (2016–2020). This study aims to shed light on the impact of land use rights transfer on household labor productivity, based on a case study of Chongqing in China. Studies have revealed that land use transfer entails a process of self-selection and does not occur in a random manner. The study, therefore, addressed the issue of sample selection by applying propensity score matching. The study results suggested significant differences in the effects of land use transfer on household labor productivity. Specifically, renting land from other households had a positive effect on total labor productivity (TLP) and agricultural labor productivity (ALP). Moreover, TLP and ALP were found to be higher for households that rented more land or that were located in plain areas. Renting out land had a robust and positive effect on the TLP and non-agricultural labor productivity (NALP). TLP and NALP were also higher for households that rented out more land or that were located in plain areas. These findings suggest that land use transfer should be actively encouraged in plain areas. However, in mountainous areas, there is a need to pay more attention to expanding agriculture to benefit poor and marginalized populations in these areas. Full article

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20 pages, 2981 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Environmental Performance of Miscanthus, Switchgrass and Maize: Can C4 Perennials Increase the Sustainability of Biogas Production?

by Andreas Kiesel^*

, Moritz Wagner and Iris Lewandowski

Department Biobased Products and Energy Crops, Institute of Crop Science, University of Hohenheim, Fruwirthstrasse 23, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 5; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010005 - 22 Dec 2016

Cited by 55 | Viewed by 9966

Abstract

Biogas is considered a promising option for complementing the fluctuating energy supply from other renewable sources. Maize is currently the dominant biogas crop, but its environmental performance is questionable. Through its replacement with high-yielding and nutrient-efficient perennial C4 grasses, the environmental impact of [...] Read more.

Biogas is considered a promising option for complementing the fluctuating energy supply from other renewable sources. Maize is currently the dominant biogas crop, but its environmental performance is questionable. Through its replacement with high-yielding and nutrient-efficient perennial C4 grasses, the environmental impact of biogas could be considerably improved. The objective of this paper is to assess and compare the environmental performance of the biogas production and utilization of perennial miscanthus and switchgrass and annual maize. An LCA was performed using data from field trials, assessing the impact in the five categories: climate change (CC), fossil fuel depletion (FFD), terrestrial acidification (TA), freshwater eutrophication (FE) and marine eutrophication (ME). A system expansion approach was adopted to include a fossil reference. All three crops showed significantly lower CC and FFD potentials than the fossil reference, but higher TA and FE potentials, with nitrogen fertilizer production and fertilizer-induced emissions identified as hot spots. Miscanthus performed best and changing the input substrate from maize to miscanthus led to average reductions of −66% CC; −74% FFD; −63% FE; −60% ME and −21% TA. These results show that perennial C4 grasses and miscanthus in particular have the potential to improve the sustainability of the biogas sector. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomass Energy Conversion)

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15 pages, 1997 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Repositioning through Culture: Testing Change in Connectivity Patterns

by Beatriz Plaza^*, Catalina Gálvez-Galvez, Ana González-Flores and Jokin Jaca

Faculty of Economics and Business, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Avda. Lehendakari Aguirre 83, 48015 Bilbao, Spain

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 6; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010006 - 22 Dec 2016

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 5238

Abstract

Symbolic knowledge-driven innovations can play an important role in the economic development of cities and regions. Cultural events and infrastructures can act as powerful connectivity engines, generating new connections, rewiring links, and repositioning institutions/cities/regions on the Internet map. Within this framework, this paper [...] Read more.

Symbolic knowledge-driven innovations can play an important role in the economic development of cities and regions. Cultural events and infrastructures can act as powerful connectivity engines, generating new connections, rewiring links, and repositioning institutions/cities/regions on the Internet map. Within this framework, this paper aims to contribute to the analytical understanding of culture-led repositioning. For this purpose we perform regression analysis with cultural networks (observational cross-sectional network data) from digital media for a specific cultural case study: the Basque Culinary Center (BCC), a higher education faculty of haute cuisine promoted by the University of Mondragon along with a group of Michelin-starred chefs. Results show that a cultural sector, such as haute cuisine, can contribute to structural changes in connectivity patterns, putting an institution/city/region on the media map. It is the connection (in the online press) of the BCC to the influential Michelin-starred chefs that can fuel the accumulation of press articles (media items) on the BCC; and it is precisely this accumulation of press articles that can impact BCC revenues. Put differently, the co-branding between the influential Michelin chefs and the BCC may have put the BCC on the press map, promoting new student registrations and fostering Basque haute cuisine. The main contribution of this article is a prototype of regression analysis to test repositioning with network data. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Urban and Rural Development)

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15 pages, 1550 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Control Scheme Formulation for the Production of Hydrogen on Demand to Feed an Internal Combustion Engine

by Jarniel García Morales¹, Marisol Cervantes Bobadilla¹, Ricardo Fabricio Escobar-Jiménez^2,*

, José Francisco Gómez-Aguilar³

, Carlos Daniel García-Beltrán²

and Víctor Hugo Olivares-Peregrino²

¹ Posgrado del Centro Nacional de Investigación y Desarrollo Tecnológico, Interior Internado Palmira S/N, Palmira, Cuernavaca C.P.62490, Mexico

² Centro Nacional de Investigación y Desarrollo Tecnológico, Interior Internado Palmira S/N, Palmira, Cuernavaca C.P.62490, Mexico

³ Conacyt-Centro Nacional de Investigación y Desarrollo Tecnológico, Interior Internado Palmira S/N, Palmira, Cuernavaca C.P.62490, Mexico

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 7; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010007 - 22 Dec 2016

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 5198

Abstract

In this work, a control strategy is presented to produce hydrogen on demand to feed an internal combustion (IC) engine. For this purpose, the modeling of the IC engine fueled by gasoline blended with

10 %

v/v of anhydrous ethanol (E10) [...] Read more.

In this work, a control strategy is presented to produce hydrogen on demand to feed an internal combustion (IC) engine. For this purpose, the modeling of the IC engine fueled by gasoline blended with

10 %

v/v of anhydrous ethanol (E10) and hydrogen as an additive is developed. It is considered that the hydrogen gas is produced according to the IC engine demand, and that the hydrogen gas is obtained by an alkaline electrolyzer. The gasoline–ethanol blend added into the combustion chamber is determined according to the stoichiometric ratio and the production of hydrogen gas is regulated by a proportional and integral controller (P.I.). The controller reference is varying according to the mass flow air induced into the cylinder, in order to ensure an adequate production of hydrogen gas for any operating condition of the IC engine. The main contribution of this work is the control scheme developed, through simulation, in order to produce hydrogen on demand for any operating point of an internal combustion engine fueled by an E10 blend. The simulation results showed that the use of hydrogen gas as an additive in an E10 blend decreases the E10 fuel consumption

23 %

on average, and the thermal efficiency is increased approximately

2.13 %

, without brake power loss in the IC engine. Full article

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16 pages, 3347 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Application of Emergy Analysis to the Sustainability Evaluation of Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plants

by Shuai Shao^1,2,3,*, Hailin Mu^1,*, Fenglin Yang³, Yun Zhang³ and Jinhua Li³

¹ Key Laboratory of Ocean Energy Utilization and Energy Conservation of Ministry of Education, School of Energy and Power Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Linggong Road 2, Dalian 116024, Liaoning, China

² School of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Dalian University of Technology, Linggong Road 2, Dalian 116024, Liaoning, China

³ School of Environmental Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, Linggong Road 2, Dalian 116024, Liaoning, China

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 8; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010008 - 24 Dec 2016

Cited by 19 | Viewed by 6854

Abstract

Municipal wastewater treatment plants consume much energy and manpower, are expensive to run, and generate sludge and treated wastewater whilst removing pollutants through specific treatment regimes. The sustainable development of the wastewater treatment industry is therefore challenging, and a comprehensive evaluation method is [...] Read more.

Municipal wastewater treatment plants consume much energy and manpower, are expensive to run, and generate sludge and treated wastewater whilst removing pollutants through specific treatment regimes. The sustainable development of the wastewater treatment industry is therefore challenging, and a comprehensive evaluation method is needed for assessing the sustainability of different wastewater treatment processes, for identifying the improvement potential of treatment plants, and for directing policymakers, management measures and development strategies. This study established improved evaluation indicators based on Emergy Analysis that place total wastewater, resources, energy, economic input and emission of pollutants on the same scale compared to the traditional indicators. The sustainability of four wastewater treatment plants and their associated Anaerobic-Anoxic-Oxic (A2O), Constant Waterlevel Sequencing Batch Reactor (CWSBR), Cyclic Activated Sludge Technology (CAST) and Biological Aerated Filter (BAF) treatment processes were assessed in a city in northeast China. Results show that the CWSBR process was the most sustainable wastewater treatment process according to its largest calculated value of Improved Emergy Sustainable Index (2.53 × 10⁰), followed by BAF (1.60 × 10⁰), A2O (9.78 × 10⁻¹) and CAST (5.77 × 10⁻¹). Emergy Analysis provided improved indicators that are suitable for comparing different wastewater treatment processes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Environmental Sustainability and Applications)

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17 pages, 12057 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Combining the Conservation of Biodiversity with the Provision of Ecosystem Services in Urban Green Infrastructure Planning: Critical Features Arising from a Case Study in the Metropolitan Area of Rome

by Giulia Capotorti, Eva Del Vico^*, Ilaria Anzellotti and Laura Celesti-Grapow

Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 10; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010010 - 23 Dec 2016

Cited by 33 | Viewed by 9033

Abstract

A large number of green infrastructure (GI) projects have recently been proposed, planned and implemented in European cities following the adoption of the GI strategy by the EU Commission in 2013. Although this policy tool is closely related to biodiversity conservation targets, some [...] Read more.

A large number of green infrastructure (GI) projects have recently been proposed, planned and implemented in European cities following the adoption of the GI strategy by the EU Commission in 2013. Although this policy tool is closely related to biodiversity conservation targets, some doubts have arisen as regards the ability of current urban GI to provide beneficial effects not only for human societies but also for the ecological systems that host them. The aim of this work is to review the features that should be considered critical when searching for solutions that simultaneously support biodiversity and guarantee the provision of ecosystem services (ES) in urban areas. Starting from a case study in the metropolitan area of Rome, we highlight the role of urban trees and forests as proxies for overall biodiversity and as main ecosystem service providers. We look beyond the individual functional features of plant species and vegetation communities to promote the biogeographic representativity, ecological coherence and landscape connectivity of new or restored GI elements. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Maintaining Ecosystem Services to Support Urban Needs)

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18 pages, 3246 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Using Goal-Programming to Model the Effect of Stakeholder Determined Policy and Industry Changes on the Future Management of and Ecosystem Services Provision by Ireland’s Western Peatland Forests

by Edwin Corrigan^*,† and Maarten Nieuwenhuis^†

¹ UCD Forestry, School of Agriculture & Food Science, UCD, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland

^† These authors contributed equally to this work.

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 11; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010011 - 23 Dec 2016

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 5132

Abstract

Recent studies have highlighted land-use conflicts between stakeholder groups in Ireland. Some of these conflicts can be attributed to European directives, designed with sustainable forest management principles in mind, but imposing incoherencies for land-owners and stakeholders at the local level. This study, using [...] Read more.

Recent studies have highlighted land-use conflicts between stakeholder groups in Ireland. Some of these conflicts can be attributed to European directives, designed with sustainable forest management principles in mind, but imposing incoherencies for land-owners and stakeholders at the local level. This study, using Ireland’s Western Peatland forests as a case study area, focused on the development and implementation of a goal programming model capable of analysing the long term impact of policy and industry changes at the landscape level. The model captures the essential aspects of the changes identified by local level stakeholders as influencing forest management in Ireland and determines the future impact of these changes on ecosystem services provisions. Initially, a business as usual potential future is generated. This is used as a baseline against which to compare the impact of industry and policy changes. The model output indicated that the current forest composition is only really suited to satisfy a single, financial objective for forest management. The goal programming model analysed multiple objectives simultaneously and the results indicated that the stakeholders’ desired ecosystem service provisions in the future will be more closely met by diversifying the forest estate and/or by changing to an alternative, non-forest land-use on less productive areas. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Decision Support for Forest Ecosystem Management Sustainability)

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11 pages, 850 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Retail Chain Design for Perishable Food: The Case of Price Strategy and Shelf Space Allocation

by Yujie Xiao^1,2 and Shuai Yang^3,*

¹ Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Modern Logistics, School of Marketing and Logistic Management, Nanjing University of Finance and Economics, Nanjing 210046, China

² Business School, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China

³ School of Economics and Management, Changshu Institute of Technology, Changshu 215500, China

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 12; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010012 - 23 Dec 2016

Cited by 21 | Viewed by 5749

Abstract

Managing perishable food in a retail store is quite difficult because of the product’s short lifetime and deterioration. Many elements, such as price, shelf space allocation, and quality, which can affect the consumption rate, should be taken into account when the perishable food [...] Read more.

Managing perishable food in a retail store is quite difficult because of the product’s short lifetime and deterioration. Many elements, such as price, shelf space allocation, and quality, which can affect the consumption rate, should be taken into account when the perishable food retail chain is designed. The modern tracking technologies provide good opportunities to improve the management of the perishable food retail chain. In this research, we develop a mathematical model for a single-item retail chain and determine the pricing strategy, shelf space allocation, and order quantity to maximize the retailer’s total profit with the application of tracking technologies. Then the single-item retail chain is extended into a multi-item one with a shelf space capacity and a simple algorithm is developed to find the optimal allocation of shelf space among these items. Finally, numerical experiments and real-life examples are conducted to illustrate the proposed models. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Economic and Business Aspects of Sustainability)

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17 pages, 3394 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Discerning and Addressing Environmental Failures in Policy Scenarios Using Planning Support System (PSS) Technologies

by Brian Deal¹

and Haozhi Pan^2,*

¹ Department of Landscape Architecture, University of Illinois, Champaign, IL 61820, USA

² Department of Urban and Regional Planning, University of Illinois, Champaign, IL 61820, USA

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 13; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010013 - 23 Dec 2016

Cited by 24 | Viewed by 5867

Abstract

The environmental consequences of planning decisions are often undervalued. This can result from a number of potential causes: (a) there might be a lack of adequate information to correctly assess environmental consequences; (b) stakeholders might discount the spatial and temporal impacts; (c) a [...] Read more.

The environmental consequences of planning decisions are often undervalued. This can result from a number of potential causes: (a) there might be a lack of adequate information to correctly assess environmental consequences; (b) stakeholders might discount the spatial and temporal impacts; (c) a failure to understand the dynamic interactions between socio-ecological systems including secondary and tertiary response mechanisms; or (d) the gravity of the status quo, i.e., blindly following a traditional discourse. In this paper, we argue that a Planning Support System (PSS) that enhances an assessment of environmental impacts and is integral to a community or regional planning process can help reveal the true environmental implications of scenario planning decisions, and thus improve communal planning and decision-making. We demonstrate our ideas through our experiences developing and deploying one such PSS—the Land-use Evolution and impact Assessment Model (LEAM) Planning Support System. University of Illinois researchers have worked directly with government planning officials and community stakeholders to analyze alternate future development scenarios and improve the planning process through a participatory, iterative process of visioning, model tuning, simulation, and discussion. The resulting information enables an evaluation of alternative policy or investment choices and their potential environmental implications that can change the way communities both generate and use plans. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Sustainability and Planning Support Systems)

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28 pages, 292 KiB

Open AccessArticle

CEO Overconfidence, Leadership Ethics, and Institutional Investors

by Joohee Park¹ and Chune Young Chung^2,*

¹ College of Art, Kookmin University, 02707 Seoul, Korea

² School of Business Administration, Chung-Ang University, 06974 Seoul, Korea

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 14; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010014 - 23 Dec 2016

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 7365

Abstract

This paper explores the influence of institutional investors’ external monitoring on CEOs’ overconfidence. We particularly examine institutional monitoring’s influence on overinvestments by overconfident CEOs and the likelihood of appointing these overconfident CEOs to firms. The results indicate that firms with overconfident CEOs have [...] Read more.

This paper explores the influence of institutional investors’ external monitoring on CEOs’ overconfidence. We particularly examine institutional monitoring’s influence on overinvestments by overconfident CEOs and the likelihood of appointing these overconfident CEOs to firms. The results indicate that firms with overconfident CEOs have more overinvestment, as the CEOs tend to be overly optimistic about investment opportunities and are more likely to act on them. The findings, more importantly, show that institutional monitoring mechanisms attenuate overconfident CEOs’ overinvestment. However, we find that institutional monitoring is only significant when long-term and/or large institutional investors hold the firms’ shares. We also discover that investors’ institutional monitoring not only actively reduces a CEO’s overinvestments, but also negatively influences the appointment of overconfident CEOs. Overall, our study provides insights into institutional monitoring’s role in corporate governance as an effective means of preventing value-destroying behaviors by an overconfident leader and cultivating an ethical business philosophy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Economic and Business Aspects of Sustainability)

19 pages, 4436 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Challenges of Implementing Sustainable Development: The Case of Sofia’s Master Plan

by Aleksandar D. Slaev^1,* and Zorica Nedovic-Budic^2,3

¹ Faculty of Architecture, Varna Free University, Varna 9007, Bulgaria

² School of Architecture, Planning & Environmental Policy, University College Dublin, Dublin 14, Ireland

³ Department of Urban Planning and Policy, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL 60607, USA

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 15; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010015 - 23 Dec 2016

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 10764

Abstract

In this paper, we explore how master planning promotes and implements particular urban development patterns and, more generally, contributes to sustainability. Our goal is to understand the link between urban growth intentions articulated through the master planning process and realisation of its specific [...] Read more.

In this paper, we explore how master planning promotes and implements particular urban development patterns and, more generally, contributes to sustainability. Our goal is to understand the link between urban growth intentions articulated through the master planning process and realisation of its specific forms, e.g., monocentric or polycentric, compact or dispersed. As a case study, we examine the current General Urban Development Plan (GUDP) of the Bulgarian capital Sofia against the city’s actual development pattern. We observe that the primary goals of the GUDP are to promote a polycentric urban structure and low-density expansion, as well as preserve green edges. While the question of whether and how these goals reflect the sustainability ideal requires further consideration, there are some indications that Sofia’s GUDP may not be effective in encouraging sustainable forms of growth. Substantial inconsistencies exist between the plan’s overall goals and some of its measures and implementation tools. The results on the ground suggest that, despite the plan’s low-density aspirations, Sofia is becoming more compact and densified, while losing its green edges and failing to redirect growth to its northern territories where ample space and opportunities exist. We conclude that employing the achievements of research on sustainability and developing relevant implementation tools such as more effective zoning regulations and viable suburban transportation infrastructure are necessary for realising both the patterns proposed through master planning and achieving sustainable urban growth. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Resilience and Urban Sustainability: From Research to Practice)

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18 pages, 1222 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Cheat Electricity? The Political Economy of Green Electricity Delivery on the Dutch Market for Households and Small Business

by J. A. M. Hufen

QA⁺ Research and Consultancy, Boddens Hosangweg 83, 2481KX Woubrugge, The Netherlands

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 16; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010016 - 23 Dec 2016

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 6204

Abstract

The European Commission’s renewable energy directive introduced a market-based Guarantees of Origin (GO)-trade system that gives consumers the choice of buying “real” green energy. This has been successful, as the market share of Dutch households that buy green energy grew to 64% in [...] Read more.

The European Commission’s renewable energy directive introduced a market-based Guarantees of Origin (GO)-trade system that gives consumers the choice of buying “real” green energy. This has been successful, as the market share of Dutch households that buy green energy grew to 64% in 2015. However, societal organizations are dissatisfied with the green energy offered, categorizing it as “cheat” electricity. This article aims to solve this riddle of a successful product created under the GO-trade system but also heavily criticized. Research reveals a lively marketplace with buyers eager to buy green energy and energy producers offering a wide range of labels. Marketplace mechanisms are strongly influenced by political choices, and financial support for energy suppliers makes green energy a credible option. Societal groups, however, argue that the information provided is incomplete and misleading, that buying green energy does not impact positively on greenhouse gas reduction, and that better information and structural reform are required. The GO-trade system is strongly influenced by member states’ national energy politics. Societal organizations have helped to optimize the implementation of the GO-trade system in the Netherlands, but they are not expected to be able to support the creation of a level playing field in which an optimal GO-trade system will flourish. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovation in the European Energy Sector and Regulatory Responses to It)

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18 pages, 826 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Be Sustainable to Be Innovative: An Analysis of Their Mutual Reinforcement

by Sarah Behnam^1,2,*

and Raffaella Cagliano¹

¹ Department of Management, Economics and Industrial Engineering, Polytechnic University of Milan, 20133 Milano, Italy

² Department of Industrial Engineering, Business Administration and Statistics, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, 28006 Madrid, Spain

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 17; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010017 - 23 Dec 2016

Cited by 32 | Viewed by 5661

Abstract

Sustainable development has attracted the increasing attention of both researchers and practitioners. While academicians and practitioners’ focus towards sustainability has shifted to innovation, there is a need to understand how sustainability and innovation are interlinked. Thus, this paper attempts to analyze, first, the [...] Read more.

Sustainable development has attracted the increasing attention of both researchers and practitioners. While academicians and practitioners’ focus towards sustainability has shifted to innovation, there is a need to understand how sustainability and innovation are interlinked. Thus, this paper attempts to analyze, first, the bidirectional impact of the firms’ pursuit of sustainability and innovation as the priority, second, the bidirectional impact of the adoption of sustainability innovation action programs and, third, to discern the bidirectional influence of sustainability and innovation performances. The evidence is drawn from a sample of 860 manufacturing plants in 22 countries from the sixth edition of the International Manufacturing Strategy Survey 2013. The survey was conducted using a self-administered questionnaire. Structural equation modelling has been employed to test the model. The results show that sustainability and innovation positively and significantly impact each other in terms of the adoption of their relevant action programs and performance. However, the pursuit of sustainability priority acts as an antecedent of innovation priority. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Economic and Business Aspects of Sustainability)

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15 pages, 4986 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Exploring a Novel Agricultural Subsidy Model with Sustainable Development: A Chinese Agribusiness in Liaoning Province

by Li Cui¹, Kuo-Jui Wu^1,*

and Ming-Lang Tseng²

¹ School of Business, Dalian University of Technology, Panjin 124221, China

² Department of Business Administration, Lunghwa University of Science and Technology, Taoyuan 33306, Taiwan

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 19; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010019 - 23 Dec 2016

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 6154

Abstract

To improve the incomes of farmers in China, the Chinese government is paying increased attention to the reform of its agricultural subsidy policy. However, the effectiveness of the subsidy remains insufficient and thus fails to encourage farmers to cultivate their land and develop [...] Read more.

To improve the incomes of farmers in China, the Chinese government is paying increased attention to the reform of its agricultural subsidy policy. However, the effectiveness of the subsidy remains insufficient and thus fails to encourage farmers to cultivate their land and develop sustainability. Thus, there is a need for a novel model that will improve the effectiveness and efficiency of subsidies. The proposed novel agricultural subsidy model comprises four major actors: farmers, specialized farmers’ cooperatives, agribusiness and government. Furthermore, the subsidy in this novel model would no longer go directly to farmers but to the agribusiness. To develop the model, the empirical data for this study are obtained from a Chinese agribusiness in Liaoning Province that was selected as a benchmark. With this novel model, farmers receive triple rebates: the price received when the rice is initially sold; a share of the profits of the specialized farmers’ cooperatives; and a share of the profits of the agribusiness. Accordingly, exploring the optimal subsidy rate for agribusinesses is the critical task of this study, and the results demonstrate that agribusinesses must use the government subsidy policy as the basis for a dynamic subsidy model that ensures the income of farmers and encourages sustainable development. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue How does Market Demand for Sustainability Shape Business Strategies? Exploring Innovation Paths in Agribusiness)

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25 pages, 1000 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Two Contrasting Scenarios for a Zero-Emission Future in a High-Consumption Society

by Jin Xue¹, Hans Jakob Walnum^2,*, Carlo Aall² and Petter Næss¹

¹ Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Akershus 1430, Norway

² Western Norway Research Institute, Sogndal 6856, Norway

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 20; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010020 - 24 Dec 2016

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 8338

Abstract

The Paris agreement on climate took effect on 4 November 2016. The agreement plans on holding the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2 °C above pre-industrial levels and pursuing efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 °C above [...] Read more.

The Paris agreement on climate took effect on 4 November 2016. The agreement plans on holding the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2 °C above pre-industrial levels and pursuing efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels. This paper compares an ecological modernisation (EM) development path with a degrowth development path, using urban and land-use planning impact on housing and transportation as cases. The two positions (EM and degrowth) agree on the need for a fundamental reduction in climate gases but disagree on which strategies should be pursued. EM transitions do not challenge the values associated with the capitalistic market economy and believe that policies, such as the right-price signals, should nudge producers and consumers in an environmentally benign direction. Conversely, degrowth rejects the EM belief in green growth, and holds that it will not be possible to decouple the economy from environmental loads to the necessary extent if the economy keeps growing. We conclude that we need a fundamental transformational change in society, i.e., a steering away from the growth ideology, and pursue policies that introduce maximum housing standards and limit mobility to succeed with the goals of the Paris agreement. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Urban and Rural Development)

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19 pages, 255 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Towards Transgressive Learning through Ontological Politics: Answering the “Call of the Mountain” in a Colombian Network of Sustainability

by Martha Chaves¹, Thomas Macintyre^2,*

, Gerard Verschoor³ and Arjen E. J. Wals⁴

¹ Sociology of Development and Change Group, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 8130, 6706 KN Wageningen, The Netherlands

² MINGAS in Transition Research Group, Calle 8 # 16-218 Rozo, Palmira, Colombia

³ Sociology of Development and Change Group, Wageningen University, Hollandseweg 1, 6706 KN Wageningen, The Netherlands

⁴ Education and Competence Studies Group (ECS), Wageningen University, Hollandseweg 1, 6706 KN Wageningen, The Netherlands

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 21; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010021 - 24 Dec 2016

Cited by 28 | Viewed by 7247

Abstract

In line with the increasing calls for more transformative and transgressive learning in the context of sustainability studies, this article explores how encounters between different ontologies can lead to socio-ecological sustainability. With the dominant one-world universe increasingly being questioned by those who advocate [...] Read more.

In line with the increasing calls for more transformative and transgressive learning in the context of sustainability studies, this article explores how encounters between different ontologies can lead to socio-ecological sustainability. With the dominant one-world universe increasingly being questioned by those who advocate the existence of many worlds—a so-called pluriverse—there lays the possibility of not only imagining other human–nature realities, but also engaging with them in practice. Moving towards an understanding of what happens when a multiplicity of worlds encounter one another, however, entails a sensitivity to the negotiations between often competing ontologies—or ontological politics. Based on an ethnographic methodology and narrative methods, data were collected from two consecutive intercultural gatherings called El Llamado de la Montaña (The Call of the Mountain), which take place for five days every year in different parts of Colombia. By actively participating in these gatherings of multiplicity, which address complex socio-ecological challenges such as food sovereignty and defence of territory, results show how encounters between different ontologies can result in transformative and potentially transgressive learning in terms of disrupting stubborn routines, norms and hegemonic powers which tend to accelerate unsustainability. Although we argue that a fundamental part of the wicked sustainability puzzle lies in supporting more relational ontologies, we note that such learning environments also lead to conflicts through inflexibility and (ab)use of power which must be addressed if sustained socio-ecological learning is to take place. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Social Ecology and Sustainability)

16 pages, 3261 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Car Tourism in Xinjiang: The Mediation Effect of Perceived Value and Tourist Satisfaction on the Relationship between Destination Image and Loyalty

by Bin Wang^1,2, Zhaoping Yang^1,*, Fang Han¹ and Hui Shi¹

¹ Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, China

² University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 22; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010022 - 24 Dec 2016

Cited by 45 | Viewed by 10925

Abstract

This study aims to test a model linking destination image, perceived value, tourist satisfaction, and tourist loyalty. Based on a sample of 300 tourists travelling by car from the World Natural Heritage Site of Tianchi, China, a new model of destination image was [...] Read more.

This study aims to test a model linking destination image, perceived value, tourist satisfaction, and tourist loyalty. Based on a sample of 300 tourists travelling by car from the World Natural Heritage Site of Tianchi, China, a new model of destination image was explored and data were analysed using partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM). The results show that perceived value and satisfaction are direct antecedents of destination loyalty. Above all, perceived value and tourist satisfaction mediate the relationship between destination image and loyalty. Finally, this study discusses the theoretical and management implications of the findings in order to boost the tourism industry in the context of car trips. Full article

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9 pages, 198 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Public Interest in Microclimate Data in Knoxville, Tennessee, USA

by Lisa Reyes Mason^1,*

, Jon M. Hathaway², Kelsey N. Ellis³

and Taylor Harrison¹

¹ College of Social Work, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA

² Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA

³ Department of Geography, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 23; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010023 - 24 Dec 2016

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 4047

Abstract

New technologies can sense urban environmental conditions at finer scales than previously possible. This has paved the way for monitoring microclimates between and within neighborhoods. Equally vital, though much less studied, is stakeholder engagement in understanding and using such data. This study examines [...] Read more.

New technologies can sense urban environmental conditions at finer scales than previously possible. This has paved the way for monitoring microclimates between and within neighborhoods. Equally vital, though much less studied, is stakeholder engagement in understanding and using such data. This study examines interests and preferences for accessing neighborhood-scale microclimate data among residents of Knoxville, Tennessee, USA. Data are from randomly sampled phone surveys (N = 200) and purposively sampled focus group participants (N = 25). Survey participants expressed high interest in neighborhood air quality, temperature, and rainfall. Focus groups revealed four themes for designing smartphone applications or websites for neighborhood-scale data: easy access to integrated data, clear and intuitive design, information for everyday living and healthy behavior, and tools for civic engagement. Results support the value of creating meaningful, usable science interfaces with which the public can readily engage. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Education and Approaches)

15 pages, 1092 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Moving Low-Carbon Transportation in Xinjiang: Evidence from STIRPAT and Rigid Regression Models

by Jiefang Dong^1,2

, Chun Deng^2,3,*, Rongrong Li⁴ and Jieyu Huang²

¹ State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, China

² Department of Economics and Management, Yuncheng University, Yuncheng 044000, China

³ School of Economics & Management, Northwest University, Xi’an 710127, China

⁴ School of Economic & Management, China University of Petroleum (Huadong), Qingdao 266580, China

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 24; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010024 - 27 Dec 2016

Cited by 28 | Viewed by 5436

Abstract

With the rapid economic development of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, the area’s transport sector has witnessed significant growth, which in turn has led to a large increase in carbon dioxide emissions. As such, calculating of the carbon footprint of Xinjiang’s transportation sector [...] Read more.

With the rapid economic development of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, the area’s transport sector has witnessed significant growth, which in turn has led to a large increase in carbon dioxide emissions. As such, calculating of the carbon footprint of Xinjiang’s transportation sector and probing the driving factors of carbon dioxide emissions are of great significance to the region’s energy conservation and environmental protection. This paper provides an account of the growth in the carbon emissions of Xinjiang’s transportation sector during the period from 1989 to 2012. We also analyze the transportation sector’s trends and historical evolution. Combined with the STIRPAT (Stochastic Impacts by Regression on Population, Affluence and Technology) model and ridge regression, this study further quantitatively analyzes the factors that influence the carbon emissions of Xinjiang’s transportation sector. The results indicate the following: (1) the total carbon emissions and per capita carbon emissions of Xinjiang’s transportation sector both continued to rise rapidly during this period; their average annual growth rates were 10.8% and 9.1%, respectively; (2) the carbon emissions of the transportation sector come mainly from the consumption of diesel and gasoline, which accounted for an average of 36.2% and 2.6% of carbon emissions, respectively; in addition, the overall carbon emission intensity of the transportation sector showed an “S”-pattern trend within the study period; (3) population density plays a dominant role in increasing carbon dioxide emissions. Population is then followed by per capita GDP and, finally, energy intensity. Cargo turnover has a more significant potential impact on and role in emission reduction than do private vehicles. This is because road freight is the primary form of transportation used across Xinjiang, and this form of transportation has low energy efficiency. These findings have important implications for future efforts to reduce the growth of transportation-based carbon dioxide emissions in Xinjiang and for any effort to construct low-carbon and sustainable environments. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Economic and Business Aspects of Sustainability)

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15 pages, 676 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sustainability Analysis and Buy-Back Coordination in a Fashion Supply Chain with Price Competition and Demand Uncertainty

by Fan Wang¹, Xiaopo Zhuo¹ and Baozhuang Niu^2,*

¹ Sun Yat-sen Business School, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China

² School of Business Administration, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 25; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010025 - 26 Dec 2016

Cited by 26 | Viewed by 6747

Abstract

Supply chain sustainability has become significantly important in the fashion industry, and more and more fashion brands have invested in developing sustainable supply chains. We note that dual channel system comprising a brand-owned direct channel and retail outsourcing channel is quite common in [...] Read more.

Supply chain sustainability has become significantly important in the fashion industry, and more and more fashion brands have invested in developing sustainable supply chains. We note that dual channel system comprising a brand-owned direct channel and retail outsourcing channel is quite common in the fashion industry, and in the latter, buy-back contract is popular between brands and retailers. Therefore, we build a stylized dual channel model with price competition and demand uncertainty to characterize the main properties of a fashion supply chain. Our foci are the sustainability analysis and the channel coordination mechanism. We first design a buy-back contract with return cost to coordinate the channel. We then study supply chain sustainability and examine the effect of two key influencing factors, i.e., price competition and demand uncertainty. Interestingly, we find that a fiercer price competition will lead to a more sustainable supply chain. From the perspective of supply chain managers, we conclude that (1) if managers care about environmental sustainability, fierce price competition is not a suggested strategy; (2) if managers care about economic sustainability, fierce price competition is an advantageous strategy. We also find that high demand uncertainty results in a less sustainable supply chain, in both an environmental and economic sustainability sense. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Low Carbon Development for Emerging Markets)

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20 pages, 1597 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assessment of the Carbon Footprint, Social Benefit of Carbon Reduction, and Energy Payback Time of a High-Concentration Photovoltaic System

by Allen H. Hu^1,*, Lance Hongwei Huang¹, Sylvia Lou², Chien-Hung Kuo¹, Chin-Yao Huang¹, Ke-Jen Chian³, Hao-Ting Chien³ and Hwen-Fen Hong³

¹ Institute of Environmental Engineering and Management, National Taipei University of Technology, Taipei 106, Taiwan

² Environmental Science Technology Consultants Corporation, Taipei 106, Taiwan

³ Physics Division, Institute of Nuclear Energy Research, Taoyuan 325, Taiwan

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 27; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010027 - 25 Dec 2016

Cited by 19 | Viewed by 7229

Abstract

Depleting fossil fuel sources and worsening global warming are two of the most serious world problems. Many renewable energy technologies are continuously being developed to overcome these challenges. Among these technologies, high-concentration photovoltaics (HCPV) is a promising technology that reduces the use of [...] Read more.

Depleting fossil fuel sources and worsening global warming are two of the most serious world problems. Many renewable energy technologies are continuously being developed to overcome these challenges. Among these technologies, high-concentration photovoltaics (HCPV) is a promising technology that reduces the use of expensive photovoltaic materials to achieve highly efficient energy conversion. This reduction process is achieved by adopting concentrating and tracking technologies. This study intends to understand and assess the carbon footprint and energy payback time (EPBT) of HCPV modules during their entire life cycles. The social benefit of carbon reduction is also evaluated as another indicator to assess the energy alternatives. An HCPV module and a tracker from the Institute of Nuclear Energy Research (INER) were applied, and SimaPro 8.0.2 was used for the assessment. The functional unit used in this study was 1 kWh, which is produced by HCPV, and inventory data was sourced from Ecoinvent 3.0 and the Taiwan carbon footprint calculation database. The carbon footprint, EPBT, and social benefit of carbon reduction were evaluated as 107.69 g CO₂eq/kWh, 2.61 years, and 0.022 USD/kWh, respectively. Direct normal irradiation (DNI), life expectancy, and the degradation rate of HCPV system were subjected to sensitivity analysis. Results show that the influence of lifetime assumption under a low DNI value is greater than those under high DNI values. Degradation rate is also another important factor when assessing the carbon footprint of HCPV under a low DNI value and a long lifetime assumption. The findings of this study can provide several insights for the development of the Taiwanese solar industry. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Electric Power Systems Research)

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14 pages, 881 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Employees’ Participation in Corporate Social Responsibility and Organizational Outcomes: The Moderating Role of Person–CSR Fit

by Seunghee Im, Yang Woon Chung^* and Ji Yeon Yang

College of Economics and Business Administration, University of Suwon, 17 Wauan-gil, Bongdam-eup, Hwaseong-si 445-743, Gyeonggi-do, Korea

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 28; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010028 - 25 Dec 2016

Cited by 31 | Viewed by 11948

Abstract

This study investigated the moderating effects of person–corporate social responsibility (CSR)-fit for the relationships between CSR participation and job satisfaction, organizational identification, and organizational commitment. The study was conducted in South Korea and sampled 393 full-time employees from several conglomerates. The study found [...] Read more.

This study investigated the moderating effects of person–corporate social responsibility (CSR)-fit for the relationships between CSR participation and job satisfaction, organizational identification, and organizational commitment. The study was conducted in South Korea and sampled 393 full-time employees from several conglomerates. The study found CSR participation to be positively related with job satisfaction, organizational identification, and organizational commitment. Furthermore, person–CSR fit significantly moderated the relationships between CSR participation and job satisfaction, organizational identification, and organizational commitment. These findings suggest that CSR participation positively affects organizational outcomes and that person–CSR fit enhances the relationships between CSR participation and the organizational outcomes. Therefore, the study suggests the importance of CSR participation and person–CSR fit in CSR initiatives, as CSR participation and person–CSR can promote a healthy work environment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Economic and Business Aspects of Sustainability)

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17 pages, 4458 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Multi-Criteria Assessment of Spatial Robust Water Resource Vulnerability Using the TOPSIS Method Coupled with Objective and Subjective Weights in the Han River Basin

by Eun-Sung Chung¹

, Patricia Jitta Abdulai¹, Hyesun Park², Yeonjoo Kim^2,*, So Ra Ahn³ and Seong Joon Kim³

¹ Department of Civil Engineering, Seoul National University of Science and Technology, Seoul 01811, Korea

² Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Korea

³ Department of Civil, Environmental and Plant Engineering, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Korea

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 29; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010029 - 27 Dec 2016

Cited by 47 | Viewed by 6495

Abstract

This study developed a multi-criteria approach to spatially assess the robust water resource vulnerability in sub-basins and applied it to the Han River basin. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) suggested three factors of vulnerability; namely, exposure, sensitivity and adaptive capacity were [...] Read more.

This study developed a multi-criteria approach to spatially assess the robust water resource vulnerability in sub-basins and applied it to the Han River basin. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) suggested three factors of vulnerability; namely, exposure, sensitivity and adaptive capacity were used in this study with respect to water quantity and quality. In this study, 16 water quantity indicators and 13 water quality indicators were selected to identify the vulnerability using the Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) method. Environmental and socioeconomic data were obtained from the national statistics database, and hydrological data were simulated using the calibrated Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model. Expert surveys and Shannon entropy method were used to determine subjective and objective weights for all indicators, individually. As a result, water quantity-vulnerable sub-basins were associated with high water use and water leakage ratios. Water quality-vulnerable sub-basins were associated with relatively high values of maximum consecutive dry days and heatwave days. The water quantity indices of both weighting methods showed relatively similar spatial distributions, while the distribution of water quality indices was distinct. These results suggest that considering different weighting methods is important for assessing the robust water resource vulnerability of sub-basins. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Environmental Sustainability and Applications)

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16 pages, 5723 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Topological Transitions in Collective Housing Units of South Korea

by Sungil Ham

and Hyunsoo Lee^*

Department of Interior Architecture and Built Environment, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Korea

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 31; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010031 - 28 Dec 2016

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 5358

Abstract

Collective housing in South Korea started its introduction from the early 1960s, and became the most important residential type in 50 years. Because of the importance of collective housing in many countries and in South Korea, many studies on collective housing have been [...] Read more.

Collective housing in South Korea started its introduction from the early 1960s, and became the most important residential type in 50 years. Because of the importance of collective housing in many countries and in South Korea, many studies on collective housing have been conducted. Although these studies can provide criteria and methods quantitatively and objectively, classification of types is dependent on researcher’s judgment, and classification of type without considering the plan’s time of creation has a limitation to derive changes in type patterns. The purpose of this study is to analyze changes quantitatively and objectively in patterns of spatial structure and to derive types of spatial structure of collective housing in South Korea algorithmically using a time-based joining method that produced a phylogenetic tree using similarities of spatial structure and plan creation time. This study also supports a research frame for researchers who want the use of a time-based joining method. The study analyzed the relationships of changes in spatial structures of 890 collective housing unit plans in Seoul, South Korea, constructed from 1970 to 2015. Full article

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15 pages, 4439 KiB

Open AccessArticle

An RVM-Based Model for Assessing the Failure Probability of Slopes along the Jinsha River, Close to the Wudongde Dam Site, China

by Yanyan Li^1,*, Jianping Chen² and Yanjun Shang¹

¹ Key Laboratory of Shale Gas and Geoengineering, Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100029, China

² College of Construction Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun 130026, China

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 32; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010032 - 27 Dec 2016

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 4740

Abstract

Assessing the failure potential of slopes is of great significance for land use and management. The objective of this paper is to develop a novel model for evaluating the failure probability of slopes based on a relevance vector machine (RVM), with a special [...] Read more.

Assessing the failure potential of slopes is of great significance for land use and management. The objective of this paper is to develop a novel model for evaluating the failure probability of slopes based on a relevance vector machine (RVM), with a special attention to the characteristics of failed slopes along the lower reaches of the Jinsha River, close to the Wudongde dam site. Seven parameters that influence the occurrence of landslides were selected as environmental factors; namely lithology, slope angle, slope height, slope aspect, slope structure, distance from faults, and land use. A total of 55 landslides mapped in the study area were used to train and test the RVM model. The results suggest that the accuracy of the model in predicting the failure probability of slopes, using both training and testing data sets, is very high and deemed satisfactory. To validate the model performance, it was applied to 28 landslide cases identified in the upper reaches of the Jinsha River, where environmental and geological conditions are similar to those of the study area. An accuracy of approximately 92.9% was obtained, which demonstrates that the RVM model has a good generalization performance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Environmental Sustainability and Applications)

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15 pages, 1029 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Exploring Socio-Technical Features of Green Interior Design of Residential Buildings: Indicators, Interdependence and Embeddedness

by Yan Ning^1,*, Yadi Li¹, Shuangshuang Yang¹ and Chuanjing Ju²

¹ Department of Construction and Real Estate, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China

² Department of Business Administration, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 33; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010033 - 27 Dec 2016

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 7108

Abstract

This research aims to develop indicators for assessing green interior design of new residential buildings in China, grounded in the socio-technical systems approach. The research was carried out through a critical literature review and two focus group studies. The results show that the [...] Read more.

This research aims to develop indicators for assessing green interior design of new residential buildings in China, grounded in the socio-technical systems approach. The research was carried out through a critical literature review and two focus group studies. The results show that the boundaries of green interior design were identified with respect to three dimensions, namely performance, methodology and stakeholders. The socio-technical systems approach argues for the recognition of the interdependence between the systems elements and the feature of embeddedness. The interdependence of the systems elements exists within each of these three dimensions and across them. It is also found that the socio-technical systems of green interior design are embedded in the social, regulatory and geographic context. Taking interior design of residential buildings as the empirical setting, this study contributes to the literature of green building assessment by presenting a socio-technical systems approach. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability Assessments of Buildings)

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17 pages, 8094 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Science Walden: Exploring the Convergence of Environmental Technologies with Design and Art

by Hyun-Kyung Lee^1,*, Kyung Hwa Cho², Changsoo Lee², Jaeweon Cho², Huiyuhl Yi¹, Yongwon Seo², Gi-Hyoug Cho², Young-Nam Kwon², Changha Lee² and Kyong-Mi Paek¹

¹ Division of General Studies, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, UNIST-gil 50, Ulsan 44919, Korea

² School of Urban and Environmental Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, UNIST-gil 50, Ulsan 44919, Korea

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 35; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010035 - 28 Dec 2016

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 18186

Abstract

Science Walden, which is inspired by two prominent literary works, namely, Walden by Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862) and Walden Two by Burrhus Frederic Skinner (1904–1990), is aimed at establishing a community that embodies humanistic values while embracing scientific advancement to produce renewable energy [...] Read more.

Science Walden, which is inspired by two prominent literary works, namely, Walden by Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862) and Walden Two by Burrhus Frederic Skinner (1904–1990), is aimed at establishing a community that embodies humanistic values while embracing scientific advancement to produce renewable energy and water sources. This study attempts to capitalize on feces standard money (FSM) and artistic collaboration between scientists and artists as a means of achieving the forms of life depicted in Walden and Walden Two. On our campus, we designed and built a pavilion that serves as a laboratory where scientific advantages, design, and art are merged. In the pavilion, feces are processed in reactors and facilities for sustainable energy production, and rainwater is harvested and treated for use in daily life. Our application of design and art contributes to easing interaction between the general public and scientists because it visualizes an ambiguous theory and concretizes it into an understandable image. Full article

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15 pages, 10575 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Identification and Prediction of Large Pedestrian Flow in Urban Areas Based on a Hybrid Detection Approach

by Kaisheng Zhang^1,2, Mei Wang³, Bangyang Wei² and Daniel (Jian) Sun^1,2,*

¹ State Key Laboratory of Ocean Engineering, School of Naval Architecture, Ocean & Civil Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China

² Center for Intelligent Transportation and Unmanned Aerial System Applications Research, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China

³ School of Electronic, Info. & Electrical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 36; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010036 - 28 Dec 2016

Cited by 43 | Viewed by 6048

Abstract

Recently, population density has grown quickly with the increasing acceleration of urbanization. At the same time, overcrowded situations are more likely to occur in populous urban areas, increasing the risk of accidents. This paper proposes a synthetic approach to recognize and identify the [...] Read more.

Recently, population density has grown quickly with the increasing acceleration of urbanization. At the same time, overcrowded situations are more likely to occur in populous urban areas, increasing the risk of accidents. This paper proposes a synthetic approach to recognize and identify the large pedestrian flow. In particular, a hybrid pedestrian flow detection model was constructed by analyzing real data from major mobile phone operators in China, including information from smartphones and base stations (BS). With the hybrid model, the Log Distance Path Loss (LDPL) model was used to estimate the pedestrian density from raw network data, and retrieve information with the Gaussian Progress (GP) through supervised learning. Temporal-spatial prediction of the pedestrian data was carried out with Machine Learning (ML) approaches. Finally, a case study of a real Central Business District (CBD) scenario in Shanghai, China using records of millions of cell phone users was conducted. The results showed that the new approach significantly increases the utility and capacity of the mobile network. A more reasonable overcrowding detection and alert system can be developed to improve safety in subway lines and other hotspot landmark areas, such as the Bundle, People’s Square or Disneyland, where a large passenger flow generally exists. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Intelligent Environments and Planning for Urban Renewal)

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33 pages, 941 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Food Waste Drivers in Europe, from Identification to Possible Interventions

by Massimo Canali^1,*

, Pegah Amani²

, Lusine Aramyan³, Manuela Gheoldus⁴, Graham Moates⁵, Karin Östergren², Kirsi Silvennoinen⁶, Keith Waldron⁵ and Matteo Vittuari¹

¹ Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Agroalimentari, Università di Bologna, Via Fanin 50, 40127 Bologna, Italy

² SP Technical Research Institute of Sweden, Agrifood and Bioscience, Ideon, SE-223 70 Lund, Sweden

³ LEI, Hollandseweg 1, NL-6701 KN Wageningen, The Netherlands

⁴ Deloitte Développement Durable, 185 avenue Charles de Gaulle, 92200 Neuilly-sur-Seine, France

⁵ Institute of Food Research, Norwich Research Park, Colney, Norwich NR4 7UA, UK

⁶ Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), Latokartanonkaari 9, FI-00790 Helsinki, Finland

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 37; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010037 - 28 Dec 2016

Cited by 175 | Viewed by 25812

Abstract

The growing volumes of food globally lost or wasted and implications for food security and sustainability have raised the concern of researchers, governments, international organizations and grass-root movements. Much research and experiences investigating food waste causes and drivers focus on one specific segment [...] Read more.

The growing volumes of food globally lost or wasted and implications for food security and sustainability have raised the concern of researchers, governments, international organizations and grass-root movements. Much research and experiences investigating food waste causes and drivers focus on one specific segment of the food supply chain and limit the analysis to the situation of one or few countries, while the few studies of wider geographical scope also target other relevant and diversified objectives (e.g., food waste definition, quantification, environmental and economic impacts, and recommendations for interventions). This study, carried out by a network of European institutions involved in research and initiatives against food waste, focuses on the analysis of a broad area, Europe, through a wide and systematic literature review and consultation with stakeholders in international focus groups. The food supply chain was divided into seven segments and three main contexts were defined for the examination of food waste sources: Technological, Institutional (related to organisational factors, i.e., business management, economy, legislation, and policy), and Social (related to consumers’ behaviours and lifestyles). Results suggest a wide and multifaceted problem, interconnected across all stages of the food supply chain, from primary production, to final consumption. Within each context, the identified drivers have been grouped according to the possibilities and the type of interventions for food waste reduction. A final cross-contextual prioritization distinguished food waste sources related to (A) inherent characteristics of food; (B) social and economic factors; (C) individual non-readily changeable behaviours; (D) other priorities targeted by private and public stakeholders; (E) diversified factors, such as mismanagement, inefficient legislation, lack of awareness or information; and sub-optimal use of available technologies, which could be more promptly changed. Such diversification of causes calls for specific monitoring systems, targeted policy measures, and actions of individual stakeholders at each stage of the food supply chain. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Agriculture)

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18 pages, 256 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sustainability Reporting in Family Firms: A Panel Data Analysis

by Giovanna Gavana¹

, Pietro Gottardo²

and Anna Maria Moisello^2,*

¹ Department of Economics, University of Insubria, 21100 Varese VA, Italy

² Department of Economics and Management, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia PV, Italy

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 38; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010038 - 28 Dec 2016

Cited by 61 | Viewed by 8080

Abstract

We analyze the largely unexplored differences in sustainability reporting within family businesses using a sample of 230 non-financial Italian listed firms for the period 2004–2013. Drawing on legitimacy theory and stakeholder theory, integrated with the socio-emotional wealth (SEW) approach, we study how family [...] Read more.

We analyze the largely unexplored differences in sustainability reporting within family businesses using a sample of 230 non-financial Italian listed firms for the period 2004–2013. Drawing on legitimacy theory and stakeholder theory, integrated with the socio-emotional wealth (SEW) approach, we study how family control, influence and identification shape a firm’s attitude towards disclosing its social and environmental behavior. Our results suggest that family firms are more sensitive to media exposure than their non-family counterparts and that family control enhances sustainability disclosure when it is associated to a family’s direct influence on the business, by the founder’s presence on the board or by having a family CEO. In cases of indirect influence, without family involvement on the board, the level of family ownership is negatively related to sustainability reporting. On the other hand, a formal identification of the family with the firm by business name does not significantly affect social disclosure. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Economic and Business Aspects of Sustainability)

13 pages, 220 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Effect of Elite Polarization: A Comparative Perspective on How Party Elites Influence Attitudes and Behavior on Climate Change in the European Union

by Jacob Sohlberg

Department of Political Science, University of Gothenburg, Box 711, 405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 39; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010039 - 28 Dec 2016

Cited by 28 | Viewed by 8958

Abstract

There is considerable variability in attitudes towards climate change between citizens of different countries. By using individual-level and country-level data, I examine if this variability in public opinion is partially caused by political party elites. The results show that when elites are united [...] Read more.

There is considerable variability in attitudes towards climate change between citizens of different countries. By using individual-level and country-level data, I examine if this variability in public opinion is partially caused by political party elites. The results show that when elites are united in their support for environmental issues, the perceived threat of climate change is higher than in countries where party elites are divided. The results also demonstrate that the perceived threat influences behavior related to climate change, and that threat mediates the effect of party positions. Consequently, the effect of party elites is stronger than previously acknowledged. The models rely on Generalized Method of Moments estimation and instrumental variables with clustering on EU member-states. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Consumer Behavior)

25 pages, 24634 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Measuring Urban Redevelopment Sustainability: Exploring Challenges from Downtown Seoul

by Thorsten Schuetze^1,*

, Lorenzo Chelleri^2,* and June-Hyung Je¹

¹ Department of Architecture, Sungkyunkwan University, 2066 Seobu-ro Jangan-gu, Suwon-si 440-746, Korea

² Social Sciences, Gran Sasso Science Institute (GSSI), Viale Francesco Crispi 7, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 40; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010040 - 28 Dec 2016

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 6354

Abstract

A main challenge for the design and building of green and smart cities is the redevelopment of existing built environments. This research investigates the usefulness of urban district sustainability evaluation systems in informing and guiding urban redevelopment projects. The German DGNB Urban District [...] Read more.

A main challenge for the design and building of green and smart cities is the redevelopment of existing built environments. This research investigates the usefulness of urban district sustainability evaluation systems in informing and guiding urban redevelopment projects. The German DGNB Urban District (DGNB UD) sustainability assessment and certification system has been chosen among others due to its comprehensive method to evaluate eight awarded projects from the “Re-structuring Seunsangga Citywalk International Competition” organized for Seoul’s downtown redevelopment. The results have been compared with the sustainability assessment of the district status quo and the competition call text, noticing a generic enhancement of sustainability. However, sustainability categories and criteria were not addressed sufficiently by any project in order to meet the integrated and holistic certification requirements of DGNB UD. The findings from this research emphasize the need for integrated assessment and measurements of urban sustainability, beyond projects’ self-promotion emphasizing greening or single sustainability facets. The research findings particularly exemplify how awarded project proposals might still be stuck in a specific, limited framework of sustainability. This paper concludes that balanced sustainability could be achieved by utilization of comprehensive assessment and evaluation systems in the preparation and assessment of plans. Full article

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12 pages, 935 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Extreme Weather Impacts on Maize Yield: The Case of Shanxi Province in China

by Taoyuan Wei^1,*

, Tianyi Zhang², Karianne De Bruin¹, Solveig Glomrød¹ and Qinghua Shi³

¹ Center for International Climate and Environmental Research—Oslo (CICERO), P.O. Box 1129 Blindern, 0318 Oslo, Norway

² Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100029, China

³ Antai College of Economics and Management, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 41; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010041 - 28 Dec 2016

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 5466

Abstract

Extreme weather can have negative impacts on crop production. In this study, we statistically estimate the impacts of dry days, heat waves, and cold days on maize yield based on household survey data from 1993 to 2011 in ten villages of Shanxi province, [...] Read more.

Extreme weather can have negative impacts on crop production. In this study, we statistically estimate the impacts of dry days, heat waves, and cold days on maize yield based on household survey data from 1993 to 2011 in ten villages of Shanxi province, China. Our results show that dry days, heat waves, and cold days have negative effects on maize yield, although these effects are marginal if these extreme events do not increase dramatically. Specifically, a one percent increase in extreme-heat-degree-days and consecutive-dry-days results in a maize yield declines of 0.2% and 0.07%, respectively. Maize yield also is reduced by 0.3% for cold days occurring during the growing season from May to September. However, these extreme events can increase dramatically in a warmer world and result in considerable reduction in maize yields. If all the historical temperatures in the villages are shifted up by 2 degrees Celsius, total impacts of these extreme events would lead to a reduction of maize yield by over 30 percent. The impacts may be underestimated since we did not exclude the offset effect of adaptation measures adopted by farmers to combat these extreme events. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Agriculture)

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16 pages, 1197 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Multinational Firm’s Production Decisions under Overlapping Free Trade Agreements: Rule of Origin Requirements and Environmental Regulation

by Sung Hee Lee¹, Kun Soo Park² and Yong Won Seo^3,*

¹ Department of Business Administration, Hoseo University, 12 Hoseodae-gil, Dongnam-gu, Cheonan-si, Chungcheongnam-do 31066, Korea

² College of Business, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), 85 Hoegi-Ro, Dongdaemun-Gu 02455, Korea

³ College of Business & Economics, Chung-Ang University, 84 Heukseok-Ro, Dongjak-Gu 06974, Korea

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 42; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010042 - 30 Dec 2016

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 8046

Abstract

In this paper, we study the impact of the rule of origin (ROO) requirements accompanied by free trade agreements (FTAs), which specify the minimum portion of supplies that should satisfy the origin requirement, on a multinational firm’s production decisions. We consider a multinational [...] Read more.

In this paper, we study the impact of the rule of origin (ROO) requirements accompanied by free trade agreements (FTAs), which specify the minimum portion of supplies that should satisfy the origin requirement, on a multinational firm’s production decisions. We consider a multinational firm who exports its product to multiple countries and analyze its production decision in the presence of multiple free trading agreements (FTAs). The ROO requirements in FTAs not only refer to the origin of supplies but are also involved with an environmental regulation of a country of the supplies. As such, meeting multiple ROO requirements can be costly since it may be involved with an adjustment of production facility and suppliers according to different environmental standards. We investigate a multinational firm’s choice of the ROO level in its production decision under multiple FTAs. It is well known that, in the presence of overlapping FTAs, the firm may strategically choose not to comply with the minimum ROO requirements in the FTAs. Instead, the firm may choose to comply with an ROO level that is higher than required, or pay the tariff instead without enjoying tariff exemption by the FTA in the new country. Such unintended outcomes in the FTAs are called the Spaghetti Bowl Effect. We characterize and quantify two types of such Spaghetti Bowl Effects with the optimal production decisions of a multinational firm under multiple ROO requirements and derive policy implications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability in Supply Chain Management)

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21 pages, 645 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sustainability Measures of Urban Public Transport in Cities: A World Review and Focus on the Asia/Middle East Region

by Chris De Gruyter¹

, Graham Currie^1,*

and Geoff Rose²

¹ Public Transport Research Group, Institute of Transport Studies, Department of Civil Engineering, Monash University, 23 College Walk, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia

² Institute of Transport Studies, Department of Civil Engineering, Monash University, 23 College Walk, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 43; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010043 - 28 Dec 2016

Cited by 68 | Viewed by 11089

Abstract

Previous studies of public transport sustainability in cities have been very limited to date, particularly in more developing countries located throughout Asia and the Middle East. This paper assesses the sustainability of urban public transport systems in cities by adopting a quantitative measurement [...] Read more.

Previous studies of public transport sustainability in cities have been very limited to date, particularly in more developing countries located throughout Asia and the Middle East. This paper assesses the sustainability of urban public transport systems in cities by adopting a quantitative measurement framework containing 15 public transport sustainability indicators. It compares aggregate sustainability performance of urban public transport in international regions of cities, and then examines the relative sustainability of selected cities in the Asia and Middle East region. The world region analysis shows that Eastern Europe, Asia, and Latin America achieve the highest aggregate normalised scores for sustainable public transport, in that order. In general, the results suggest that western developed countries (Western Europe, North America, and Oceania) have better performance on environmental and social indicators but poorer performance on system effectiveness and economic indicators. Asia and Latin America perform the other way round; better on economic and system effectiveness and worse on social and environmental indicators. Eastern Europe is one of the few regions with higher level performance all round. The city-based analysis of Asia/Middle East suggested that out of the 26 cities studied, the top 3 cities in terms of sustainable public transport in the Asia and Middle East Region are: 1st, Manila (Philippines); 2nd, Tokyo (Japan); and 3rd, Chennai (India). Dubai (United Arab Emirates (UAE), rated 26th), Shizuoka (Japan, rated 25th) and Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia, rated 24th) were the lowest rated cities. The paper explores the implications of the findings and makes suggestions for future research. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Current and Future Role of Public Transport in Delivering Sustainable Cities)

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15 pages, 1768 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Characteristics of Suspended Sediment Loadings under Asian Summer Monsoon Climate Using the Hydrological Simulation Program-FORTRAN

by Ji-Hong Jeon¹, Chan-Gi Park², Donghyuk Choi¹ and Taedong Kim^1,*

¹ Department of Environmental Engineering, Andong National University, Andong 760748, Korea

² Department of Rural Construction Engineering, Kongju National University, Yesan 32439, Korea

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 44; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010044 - 28 Dec 2016

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3967

Abstract

The extreme variation in the amount of annual precipitation and rainfall during single events is typical of the East Asian monsoon climate and may greatly influence the characteristics of the suspended sediment load. The turbidity in Lake Imha which is the eighth largest [...] Read more.

The extreme variation in the amount of annual precipitation and rainfall during single events is typical of the East Asian monsoon climate and may greatly influence the characteristics of the suspended sediment load. The turbidity in Lake Imha which is the eighth largest multipurpose dam in Korea has been the cause of major water quality problems for use as drinking water. The turbidity rose to 882 NTU, and it remained over 30 NTU continuously for 170 days during 2002, as the result of significant amounts of soil erosion from the watershed during the Asian monsoon typhoon. In this study, characteristics of suspended sediment loadings under the Asian summer monsoon climate was investigated by comparing the variation of yearly suspended sediment loads and the ratio of maximum suspended sediment loads in a single event to yearly suspended sediment load from Lake Imha watershed using the Hydrologic Simulation Program-FORTRAN (HSPF). The model calibration is performed according to the 2009–2010 events, and simulation results characterized suspended sediment loadings under the Asian summer monsoon climate for 2001–2010. Water sampling and flow rate measurements were performed every 4–6 h, and calibration was performed using hourly simulated sediment loads. The calibration results demonstrated good agreement with the observed data. The characteristics of suspended sediment loadings under the Asian summer monsoon climate are a high variance of the yearly suspended sediment load and a significant of amount of suspended sediment load during a single event influenced by the typhoon intensity. The maximum yearly suspended sediment load was 10 times higher than the minimum yearly value. About half of the yearly suspended sediment load was loaded with a single event under the Asian summer monsoon climate and the ratio of suspended sediment loads by a single event to total yearly loads ranged from 29% to 90%. Structural best management practices (BMPs) to trap suspended sediment in stormwater such as stormwater ponds or wetlands rely on much more storage volume or area and non-structural BMPs to minimize soil erosion by source control such as mulching or revegetation in disturbed areas, which are important BMPs, especially in the Asian summer monsoon region. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Urban and Rural Development)

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16 pages, 8270 KiB

Open AccessArticle

China’s New Urban Space Regulation Policies: A Study of Urban Development Boundary Delineations

by Zhuzhou Zhuang¹, Kaiyuan Li², Jiaxun Liu¹, Qianwen Cheng¹, Yu Gao¹, Jinxia Shan¹, Lingyan Cai¹, Qiuhao Huang^1,2,*, Yanming Chen^1,2

and Dong Chen¹

¹ Department of Geographic Information Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, Jiangsu, China

² Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Geographic Information Science and Technology, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, Jiangsu, China

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 45; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010045 - 29 Dec 2016

Cited by 26 | Viewed by 5363

Abstract

China’s rapid urbanisation has led to ecological deterioration and reduced the land available for agricultural production. The purpose of this study is to develop an urban development boundary delineation (UDBD) model using the high-tech manufacturing area of Xinbei in the District of Changzhou [...] Read more.

China’s rapid urbanisation has led to ecological deterioration and reduced the land available for agricultural production. The purpose of this study is to develop an urban development boundary delineation (UDBD) model using the high-tech manufacturing area of Xinbei in the District of Changzhou as a case study, and by applying remote sensing, GIS, and other technologies. China’s UDBD policies are reviewed, spatiotemporal changes since 1985 are documented, and future expansion is modelled to 2020. The simulated urban-growth patterns are analysed in relation to China’s policies for farmland preservation, ecological redlines protection areas, and housing developments. The UDBD model developed in this study satisfies regional farmland and ecological space protection constraints, while being consistent with urban development strategies. This study provides theoretical references and technological support for the implementation of land management policies that will optimize land allocations for urban growth, agriculture, and ecological protection. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Urban and Rural Development)

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18 pages, 1732 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Environmental Efficiency and Its Determinants for Manufacturing in China

by Xu Wang¹, Liyan Han¹ and Libo Yin^2,*

¹ School of Economics and Management, Beihang University, 37 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100191, China

² School of Finance, Central University of Finance and Economics, 39 South College Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100081, China

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 47; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010047 - 29 Dec 2016

Cited by 25 | Viewed by 5605

Abstract

In this study, we analyze the environmental efficiency performance and its determinants of 29 manufacturing industries in China from 2006 to 2011 by employing a two-stage DEA (data envelopment analysis)-Tobit model. For providing comparative and robust evidence, the 29 manufacturing industries are classified [...] Read more.

In this study, we analyze the environmental efficiency performance and its determinants of 29 manufacturing industries in China from 2006 to 2011 by employing a two-stage DEA (data envelopment analysis)-Tobit model. For providing comparative and robust evidence, the 29 manufacturing industries are classified into three groups based on the pollution intensity. In the first stage, a SBM (slacks-based measure)-DEA model is applied to assess economic efficiency and environmental efficiency scores to illustrate the effects of the environmental factors, while taking into consideration the undesirable output. In the second stage, utilizing these calculated environmental efficiency scores as dependent variables, we employ a Tobit regression model to study the determinants of the environmental efficiency by selecting three independent variables including the industry scale, the openness degree and the energy structure. It turns out that the environmental factors have a positive effect on the lightly polluted industries and a negative effect on the moderately polluted industries, the heavily polluted industries, and the overall industries, while the openness degree, the industry scale, and the energy structure can be effective measures to improve environmental efficiency. Based on these findings, we propose policy measures to enhance the environmental efficiency of manufacturing in China. Full article

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15 pages, 8145 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Support Vector Machine for Landslide Susceptibility Mapping in Gangwon Province, Korea

by Saro Lee^1,2

, Soo-Min Hong^3,* and Hyung-Sup Jung⁴

¹ Geological Research Division, Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources (KIGAM), Daejeon 305350, Korea

² Department of Geophysical Exploration, Korea University of Science and Technology, Daejeon 305350, Korea

³ Department of English Language and Literature, University of Seoul, Seoul 02504, Korea

⁴ Department of Geoinformatics, University of Seoul, Seoul 02504, Korea

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 48; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010048 - 1 Jan 2017

Cited by 160 | Viewed by 11075

Abstract

In this study, the support vector machine (SVM) was applied and validated by using the geographic information system (GIS) in order to map landslide susceptibility. In order to test the usefulness and effectiveness of the SVM, two study areas were carefully selected: the [...] Read more.

In this study, the support vector machine (SVM) was applied and validated by using the geographic information system (GIS) in order to map landslide susceptibility. In order to test the usefulness and effectiveness of the SVM, two study areas were carefully selected: the PyeongChang and Inje areas of Gangwon Province, Korea. This is because, not only did many landslides (2098 in PyeongChang and 2580 in Inje) occur in 2006 as a result of heavy rainfall, but the 2018 Winter Olympics will be held in these areas. A variety of spatial data, including landslides, geology, topography, forest, soil, and land cover, were identified and collected in the study areas. Following this, the spatial data were compiled in a GIS-based database through the use of aerial photographs. Using this database, 18 factors relating to topography, geology, soil, forest and land use, were extracted and applied to the SVM. Next, the detected landslide data were randomly divided into two sets; one for training and the other for validation of the model. Furthermore, a SVM, specifically a type of data-mining classification model, was applied by using radial basis function kernels. Finally, the estimated landslide susceptibility maps were validated. In order to validate the maps, sensitivity analyses were carried out through area-under-the-curve analysis. The achieved accuracies from the SVM were approximately 81.36% and 77.49% in the PyeongChang and Inje areas, respectively. Moreover, a sensitivity assessment of the factors was performed. It was found that all of the factors, except for soil topography, soil drainage, soil material, soil texture, timber diameter, timber age, and timber density for the PyeongChang area, and timber diameter, timber age, and timber density for the Inje area, had relatively positive effects on the landslide susceptibility maps. These results indicate that SVMs can be useful and effective for landslide susceptibility analysis. Full article

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17 pages, 2329 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Optimal Design of Safety Instrumented Systems for Pressure Control of Methanol Separation Columns in the Bisphenol a Manufacturing Process

by In-Bok Lee and Insung Woo^*

Department of Safety Engineering, Incheon National University, Incheon 22012, Korea

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 49; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010049 - 30 Dec 2016

Viewed by 8245

Abstract

A bisphenol A production plant possesses considerable potential risks in the top of the methanol separation column, as pressurized acetone, methanol, and water are processed at an elevated temperature, especially in the event of an abnormal pressure increase due to a sudden power [...] Read more.

A bisphenol A production plant possesses considerable potential risks in the top of the methanol separation column, as pressurized acetone, methanol, and water are processed at an elevated temperature, especially in the event of an abnormal pressure increase due to a sudden power outage. This study assesses the potential risks in the methanol separation column through hazard and operability assessments and evaluates the damages in the case of fire and explosion accident scenarios. The study chooses three leakage scenarios: a 5-mm puncture on the methanol separation column, a 50-mm diameter fracture of a discharge pipe and a catastrophic rupture, and, simulated using Phast (Ver. 6.531), the concentration distribution of scattered methanol, thermal radiation distribution of fires, and overpressure distribution of vapor cloud explosions. Implementation of a safety-instrumented system equipped with two-out-of-three voting as a safety measure can detect overpressure at the top of the column and shut down the main control valve and the emergency shutoff valve simultaneously. By applying a safety integrity level of three, the maximal release volume of the safety relief valve can be reduced and, therefore, the design capacity of the flare stack can also be reduced. Such integration will lead to improved safety at a reduced cost. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Engineering and Science)

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15 pages, 422 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Electricity Consumption and Economic Growth: Evidence from 17 Taiwanese Industries

by Wen-Cheng Lu

Department of Economics and Finance, Ming Chuan University, 5 De Ming Rd., Gui Shan District, Taoyuan City 333, Taiwan

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 50; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010050 - 30 Dec 2016

Cited by 70 | Viewed by 7791

Abstract

The current paper investigates the existence and nature of the Granger causality between electricity consumption and economic growth for 17 industries in Taiwan. Empirical results over the period 1998–2014 suggest that a panel cointegration test shows a long-run equilibrium relationship and a bi-directional [...] Read more.

The current paper investigates the existence and nature of the Granger causality between electricity consumption and economic growth for 17 industries in Taiwan. Empirical results over the period 1998–2014 suggest that a panel cointegration test shows a long-run equilibrium relationship and a bi-directional Granger causality between electricity and economic growth has been found. The result indicates that a 1% increase in electricity consumption boosts the real GDP by 1.72%. The government can pursue energy conservation and carbon reduction policy in some industries without impeding the economic growth for adjusting the industrial structure. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Economic and Business Aspects of Sustainability)

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28 pages, 6055 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Economic Assessment of Overtopping BReakwater for Energy Conversion (OBREC): A Case Study in Western Australia

by Pasquale Contestabile^1,*, Enrico Di Lauro¹, Mariano Buccino² and Diego Vicinanza^1,3

¹ Department of Civil Engineering, Design, Building and Environment, Second University of Napoli, via Roma, 29, 81031 Aversa (Caserta), Italy

² Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering, University of Napoli Federico II, via Claudio, 21, 80125 Napoli, Italy

³ Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121 Napoli, Italy

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 51; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010051 - 30 Dec 2016

Cited by 62 | Viewed by 11569

Abstract

This paper constructs an optimal configuration assessment, in terms of the financial returns, of the Overtopping BReakwater for wave Energy Conversion (OBREC). This technology represents a hybrid wave energy harvester, totally embedded in traditional rubble mound breakwaters. Nine case studies along the southern [...] Read more.

This paper constructs an optimal configuration assessment, in terms of the financial returns, of the Overtopping BReakwater for wave Energy Conversion (OBREC). This technology represents a hybrid wave energy harvester, totally embedded in traditional rubble mound breakwaters. Nine case studies along the southern coast of Western Australia have been analysed. The technique provides tips on how to estimate the quality of the investments, for benchmarking with different turbine strategy layouts and overlapping with the costs of traditional rubble mound breakwaters. Analyses of the offshore and nearshore wave climate have been studied by a high resolution coastal propagation model, forced with wave data from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF). Inshore wave conditions have been used to quantify the exploitable resources. It has been demonstrated that the optimal investment strategy is nonlinearly dependent on potential electricity production due to outer technical constraints. The work emphasizes the importance of integrating energy production predictions in an economic decision framework for prioritizing adaptation investments. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wave Energy Converters)

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17 pages, 1395 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Two-Stage DEA Analysis of Water Resource Use Efficiency

by Chongfeng Ren, Ruihuan Li and Ping Guo^*

Centre for Agricultural Water Research in China, China Agricultural University, Tsinghuadong Street No. 17, Beijing 10083, China

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 52; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010052 - 30 Dec 2016

Cited by 27 | Viewed by 5702

Abstract

This paper presents an extended two-stage data envelopment analysis (DEA) method for analyzing water resource use efficiency (WRUE) and related WRUE issues, which was developed by introducing regional water resource metabolic theory into the two-stage DEA method. It has the following advantages: (1) [...] Read more.

This paper presents an extended two-stage data envelopment analysis (DEA) method for analyzing water resource use efficiency (WRUE) and related WRUE issues, which was developed by introducing regional water resource metabolic theory into the two-stage DEA method. It has the following advantages: (1) it has the ability to reflect the inner difference and connection of the regional water resource consumption process, which developed the corresponding physical model instead of making it a “black box”; (2) the built physical model for WRUE divided the main body of water resource consumption into social and economic subsystems, which can thus elaborate WRUE; (3) it can analyze not only WRUE but also related WRUE issues. The proposed method was applied to a real-case study in Gansu Province, China. Results show that decision makers can determine the comprehensive and accurate WRUE and negative factors of WRUE in Gansu Province. Moreover, the results offer recommendations for decision makers to plan for efficient use of water resources in different cities. Full article

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12 pages, 2396 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Incumbents’ Conservation Strategies in the German Energy Regime as an Impediment to Re-Municipalization—An Analysis Guided by the Multi-Level Perspective

by Kurt Berlo^1,†, Oliver Wagner^1,*,†

and Marisa Heenen²

¹ Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment, Energy, Döppersberg 19, Wuppertal 42103, Germany

² Department for International Development Studies, Philipps-University of Marburg, Biegenstraße 10, 35037 Marburg, Germany

^† These authors contributed equally to this work.

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 53; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010053 - 30 Dec 2016

Cited by 33 | Viewed by 8459

Abstract

After two decades of privatization and outsourcing being the dominant trends across public services, an inclination towards founding new municipal power utilities can be observed. In this article, the authors examine the preservation strategies of the German energy regime following the transition approach [...] Read more.

After two decades of privatization and outsourcing being the dominant trends across public services, an inclination towards founding new municipal power utilities can be observed. In this article, the authors examine the preservation strategies of the German energy regime following the transition approach developed by Geels. From the multi-level perspective, it can be stated that innovations take place in niches and have to overcome the obstacles and persistence of the conventional fossil–nuclear energy regime. Through an empirical analysis, it can be concluded that the established regime significantly delays the decentralization process required for a transformation of energy structures on local electricity grids. Furthermore, it is shown that municipal utilities (Stadtwerke) are important key actors for the German Energiewende (energy transition) as they function as local energy distributors and they meet a variety of requirements to promote fundamental structural change. The trend towards re-municipalization and the re-establishment of municipal utilities reveal the desire to further strengthen the scope of local politics. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Governing the Transformation of Urban Infrastructures)

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14 pages, 2069 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Perspectives of Sustainable Development of Tourism in the North-East Region of Romania

by Adrian-Liviu Scutariu, Carmen Nastase^* and Mihai Popescu

Faculty of Economics and Public Administration, “Ştefan cel Mare” University of Suceava, Suceava 720229, Romania

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 56; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010056 - 31 Dec 2016

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 6094

Abstract

In this paper we propose to highlight the tourism evolution and its intensity in the North-East region of Romania, compared to two regions with similar touristic potential from the Eastern European Union: Subcarpathia from Poland and Central Slovakia. We analysed if the EU [...] Read more.

In this paper we propose to highlight the tourism evolution and its intensity in the North-East region of Romania, compared to two regions with similar touristic potential from the Eastern European Union: Subcarpathia from Poland and Central Slovakia. We analysed if the EU attachment of Romania, Poland, and Slovakia had some effects on tourism development in the three regions mentioned. Issues arising from the analysis of the current situation of tourism will allow us to draw some sustainable development directions of tourism in the North-East region based on conserving and capitalizing the uniqueness of the area. We will consider the experience of the other two regions, trying to adapt them to the situation of the North-East region. Based on the analysis we have made, we consider that other countries can inspire us by authorities’ initiatives in supporting tourism, good human resources training, entrepreneurship stimulation, and assistance in accessing financial resources, including EU ones. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Paradigm Changes in Contemporary Sustainable Hospitality Entrepreneurship)

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11 pages, 1830 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Use and Perception of Podium Gardens in Residential Neighborhoods in Hong Kong

by Lai Man Lui¹ and Youngchul Kim^2,*

¹ AGC Design Limited, Hong Kong, China

² Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Korea

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 57; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010057 - 1 Jan 2017

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 10866

Abstract

This paper examines how a residential podium garden design can enhance the use of a garden and the satisfaction of its users. Two public and private housing estates are selected to analyze and compare spatial use and the perception of space in podium [...] Read more.

This paper examines how a residential podium garden design can enhance the use of a garden and the satisfaction of its users. Two public and private housing estates are selected to analyze and compare spatial use and the perception of space in podium gardens for public use. First, this paper explores the relationship between residential satisfaction and the physical conditions of podium gardens in public and private housing estates in Hong Kong. A total of 135 questionnaires are collected from two cohorts for each of these groups. People’s perceptions are compared with the physical conditions of the podium gardens. Second, this paper investigates how visibility and accessibility influence the quality and usability of podium gardens. The sense of community, safety and hygiene, and accessibility are examined and compared between public and private housing estate cohorts. In conclusion, opening a podium garden to public use can promote the degree of tolerance and enhance community cohesion. Regardless of whether a podium garden is open to the public or not, according to the responses, more people using the podium garden can increase its usability. Since public monitoring can enhance safety and hygiene, podium gardens should be highly visible from the surrounding buildings. A well-planned podium design thus can improve the social and physical qualities of living environments. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Community, Natural Resources, and Sustainability: An Interdisciplinary and International Dialogue)

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12 pages, 1994 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Development of Reusable Luggage Tag with the Internet of Things for Mobile Tracking and Environmental Sustainability

by Eugene Y. C. Wong^* and W. H. Wong

Department of Supply Chain and Information Management, Hang Seng Management College, Hong Kong, China

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 58; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010058 - 31 Dec 2016

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 10294

Abstract

With more than two billion passengers worldwide travelling by air each year, vast amounts of lost luggage and disposable paper adhesive luggage tags are pushing the aviation industry to improve luggage tracking and reduce the one-off adhesive luggage paper tags. This paper reviews [...] Read more.

With more than two billion passengers worldwide travelling by air each year, vast amounts of lost luggage and disposable paper adhesive luggage tags are pushing the aviation industry to improve luggage tracking and reduce the one-off adhesive luggage paper tags. This paper reviews the current application of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) in the luggage handling system and proposes the Internet of Things’ (IoT) development of the reusable luggage tag to facilitate aviation luggage handling, the tracking process and environmental conservation. A framework of IoT and its RFID components for the proposed reusable tag are presented. An integrated cyber-physical system, including a database management system and mobile app, for the reusable luggage tag is developed. Future studies will enhance the methodology of integrating the retail system, luggage tag, airport check-in counter, luggage handling system, aircraft, and the destination airport through the use of the tag, readers, antenna, and mobile devices. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Engineering and Science)

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24 pages, 1590 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Mass Releases of Genetically Modified Insects in Area-Wide Pest Control Programs and Their Impact on Organic Farmers

by R. Guy Reeves^1,*

and Martin Phillipson²

¹ Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology, 24306 Plön, Germany

² College of Law, University of Saskatchewan, S7N 5A6 Saskatoon, Canada

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 59; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010059 - 1 Jan 2017

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 15148

Abstract

The mass release of irradiated insects to reduce the size of agricultural pest populations of the same species has a more than 50-year record of success. Using these techniques, insect pests can be suppressed without necessarily dispersing chemical insecticides into the environment. Ongoing [...] Read more.

The mass release of irradiated insects to reduce the size of agricultural pest populations of the same species has a more than 50-year record of success. Using these techniques, insect pests can be suppressed without necessarily dispersing chemical insecticides into the environment. Ongoing release programs include the suppression of medfly at numerous locations around the globe (e.g., California, Chile and Israel) and the pink bollworm eradication program across the southern USA and northern Mexico. These, and other successful area-wide programs, encompass a large number of diverse organic farms without incident. More recently, mass release techniques have been proposed that involve the release of genetically modified insects. Given that the intentional use of genetically modified organisms by farmers will in many jurisdictions preclude organic certification, this prohibits the deliberate use of this technology by organic farmers. However, mass releases of flying insects are not generally conducted by individual farmers but are done on a regional basis, often without the explicit consent of all situated farms (frequently under the auspices of government agencies or growers’ collectives). Consequently, there exists the realistic prospect of organic farms becoming involved in genetically modified insect releases as part of area-wide programs or experiments. Herein, we describe genetically modified insects engineered for mass release and examine their potential impacts on organic farmers, both intended and unintended. This is done both generally and also focusing on a hypothetical organic farm located near an approved experimental release of genetically modified (GM) diamondback moths in New York State (USA). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Organic Farming and Gene Manipulation)

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15 pages, 631 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Residents’ Attitudes towards Sustainable Tourism Development in a Historical-Cultural Village: Influence of Perceived Impacts, Sense of Place and Tourism Development Potential

by He Zhu^1,2, Jiaming Liu^1,*, Zongcai Wei³, Weiheng Li^2,4 and Lei Wang^1,2,5

¹ Key Laboratory of Regional Sustainable Development Modeling, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research (CAS), Beijing 100101, China

² University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China

³ School of Architecture, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China

⁴ Intelligence Engineering Lab, Institute of Software (CAS), Beijing 100190, China

⁵ School of Humanities, Ningxia University, Yinchuan 750021, China

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 61; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010061 - 2 Jan 2017

Cited by 74 | Viewed by 14898

Abstract

This study aims to assess the residents’ support for sustainable tourism development in a destination that is in the initial tourism development stage. Residents’ perception of sustainable tourism development potential, sense of place, perceived tourism impacts, and tourism development support were involved in [...] Read more.

This study aims to assess the residents’ support for sustainable tourism development in a destination that is in the initial tourism development stage. Residents’ perception of sustainable tourism development potential, sense of place, perceived tourism impacts, and tourism development support were involved in this study. A total of 331 completed questionnaire surveys were collected in Luozhou, a historical-cultural village in China. The empirical data were analyzed using a structural equation modeling (SEM) technique, and the results revealed that perceived collective benefits had a significant positive effect on tourism development support, whereas the other three perceived impacts’ influence were not significant. The relationship between residents’ sense of place and perceived collective and personal benefits, perceived personal costs and tourism development support, were significant. Additionally, residents’ perceptions of tourism development potential had a significant influence on perceived impact and tourism development support except for perceived personal benefits. Some practical implications of those findings for tourism planning and development are also discussed. Full article

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14 pages, 3743 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Characterization of Polyethylene Oxide and Sodium Alginate for Oil Contaminated-Sand Remediation

by Jongwon Jung¹ and Jong Wan Hu^2,3,*

¹ Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA

² Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Incheon National University, Incheon 22012, Korea

³ Incheon Disaster Prevention Research Centre, Incheon National University, Incheon 22012, Korea

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 62; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010062 - 4 Jan 2017

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 6018

Abstract

Biopolymers have been employed in many soil applications, such as oil-contaminated soil remediation, due to their environmentally friendly characteristics. This study focused on changes in the wettability and viscosity of polyethylene oxide (PEO) and sodium alginate (SA), according to the variation in concentration [...] Read more.

Biopolymers have been employed in many soil applications, such as oil-contaminated soil remediation, due to their environmentally friendly characteristics. This study focused on changes in the wettability and viscosity of polyethylene oxide (PEO) and sodium alginate (SA), according to the variation in concentration and their impact on oil-contaminated soil remediation using biopolymer-decane displacement tests. The contact angle and interfacial tension vary with concentration by adding biopolymer to water; however both parameters yield relatively constant values within the range of 2–10 g/L for the concentration of PEO and SA. In this study, their influence on fluid invasion patterns is insignificant compared to viscosity and flow rate. Viscosity increases with the concentration of PEO and SA, within the range of 0–10 g/L, which causes the biopolymer-decane displacement ratio to increase with concentration. Biopolymer-decane displacement increases with injected fluid velocity. At low flow rates, the effect of the biopolymer concentration on the displacement ratio is prominent. However the effect decreases with an increase in flow rate. Thus both biopolymer concentration and injection velocity should be considered to achieve the economic efficiency of soil remediation. The experimental results for the distribution of soils with different grain sizes indicate that the displacement ratio increases with the uniformity of the coefficient of soils. Full article

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17 pages, 3362 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Community Gardens as Health Promoters: Effects on Mental and Physical Stress Levels in Adults with and without Mental Disabilities

by Nugrahaning Sani Dewi¹, Masakazu Komatsuzaki^1,2,*

, Yuriko Yamakawa³, Hiromi Takahashi⁴, Saori Shibanuma⁴, Takeshi Yasue^1,5, Tsuyoshi Okayama^1,5, Atsushi Toyoda^1,5, Hikari Shimonishi⁵ and Seiichi Sasaki³

¹ United Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Saiwaicho 3-5-8, Fuchu, Tokyo 183-8509, Japan

² Center for Field Science Research & Education, Ibaraki University, 3-21-1, Ami, Inashiki, Ibaraki 300-0393, Japan

³ Center for Medical Sciences, School of Health Sciences, Ibaraki Prefectural University of Health Sciences, 4669-2 Ami, Ami machi, Inashiki, Ibaraki 300-0394, Japan

⁴ Ibaraki Prefectural University of Health Sciences Hospital, 4733 Ami, Ami-machi, Inashiki, Ibaraki 300-0331, Japan

⁵ College of Agriculture, Ibaraki University, 3-21-1, Chuo Ami, Inashiki, Ibaraki 300-0393, Japan

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 63; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010063 - 5 Jan 2017

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 10254

Abstract

The study focuses on psychological and physical effects of stress while performing community garden activities of various intensity levels. The aim of this study was to determine the psychological and physical effects in adults with (case group) and without (control group) mental disabilities. [...] Read more.

The study focuses on psychological and physical effects of stress while performing community garden activities of various intensity levels. The aim of this study was to determine the psychological and physical effects in adults with (case group) and without (control group) mental disabilities. Salivary α-amylase (sAA) levels and the stress response scale (SRS-18) were used for the psychological analysis (n = 42). For physical assessment (n = 13), electrocardiogram (ECG), surface electromyogram (sEMG), and respiration rate were continuously measured while performing the activities using a multichannel telemetry system. The results showed that following the activities, the case group exhibited decreasing sAA levels while control group exhibited increasing sAA levels. However, both groups exhibited lower SRS-18 results following the activities. Compared with the control group, the case group had a significantly lower increase in the ratio of the heart rate (IRHR) (5.5%) during low-intensity work (filling pots with soil), but a significantly higher IRHR (16.7%) during high-intensity work (turning over soil). The case group experienced significantly higher levels of fatigue during high-intensity work (digging) than during the rest condition. These findings indicate that appropriate workload allocation, according to health, is necessary in the community garden setting because reducing the intensity of work assignments for people with mental disabilities will reduce their physical stress. Full article

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17 pages, 1680 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Comprehensive Benefit Evaluation of the Wind-PV-ES and Transmission Hybrid Power System Consideration of System Functionality and Proportionality

by Huizheng Ji^*, Dongxiao Niu, Meiqiong Wu

and Duoduo Yao

School of Economics and Management, North China Electric Power University, Beijing 102206, China

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 65; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010065 - 5 Jan 2017

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 5614

Abstract

In the background of decreasing fossil fuels and increasing environmental pollution, the wind-photovoltaic energy storage and transmission hybrid power system (or called the wind-PV-ES and transmission hybrid system) has become a strategic choice to achieve energy sustainability. However, the comprehensive benefit evaluation of [...] Read more.

In the background of decreasing fossil fuels and increasing environmental pollution, the wind-photovoltaic energy storage and transmission hybrid power system (or called the wind-PV-ES and transmission hybrid system) has become a strategic choice to achieve energy sustainability. However, the comprehensive benefit evaluation of such a combined power system is in a relatively blank state in China, which will hinder the reasonable and orderly development of this station. Four parts, the technical performance, economic benefit, ecological impact and social benefit, are considered in this paper, and a multi-angle evaluation index system of the wind-PV-ES and transmission system is designed. The projection pursuit model is used to evaluated system functionality conventionally; relative entropy theory is used to evaluate the system functionality simultaneously; and a comprehensive benefit evaluation model of the technique for order preference by similar to ideal solution (TOPSIS) considering both system functionality and proportionality is constructed. Finally, the national demonstration station of the wind-PV-ES-transmission system is taken as an example to testify to the practicability and validity of the evaluation index system and model. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Electric Power Systems Research)

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21 pages, 1199 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Participatory Approach to Minimizing Food Waste in the Food Industry—A Manual for Managers

by Christina Strotmann^1,*

, Christine Göbel¹, Silke Friedrich¹, Judith Kreyenschmidt², Guido Ritter¹ and Petra Teitscheid¹

¹ Institute of Sustainable Nutrition (iSuN), Münster University of Applied Sciences, Corrensstr. 25, 48149 Münster, Germany

² Institute of Nutritional and Food Sciences, Cold Chain Management Working Group, University of Bonn, Katzenburgweg 7-9, 53115 Bonn, Germany

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 66; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010066 - 5 Jan 2017

Cited by 63 | Viewed by 15148

Abstract

Based on their experiences gained in 15 companies in the catering sector and the bakery industry, the authors present a participatory concept to reduce food waste in the food industry. This five-phase concept, adapted to the PDCA (Plan–Do–Check–Act) cycle applied in the Total [...] Read more.

Based on their experiences gained in 15 companies in the catering sector and the bakery industry, the authors present a participatory concept to reduce food waste in the food industry. This five-phase concept, adapted to the PDCA (Plan–Do–Check–Act) cycle applied in the Total Quality Management, involves a participatory approach where employees are integrated into the process of developing and implementing measures to counteract food waste. The authors describe how the participatory approach can be used to raise awareness of the topic of food waste to improve employee commitment and responsibility. As a result, the authors further offer a Manual for Managers wishing to reduce food waste in their respective organizations. This manual includes information on the methodologies applied in each step of the improvement cycle. It also describes why the steps are necessary, and how results can be documented. The participatory concept and the Manual for Managers contribute to reducing food waste and to enhancing resource efficiency in the food industry. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability in Food Supply Chain and Food Industry)

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23 pages, 692 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Changing Community Variations in Perceptions and Activeness in Response to the Spruce Bark Beetle Outbreak in Alaska

by Hua Qin^1,*

and Courtney G. Flint²

¹ Division of Applied Social Sciences, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, MO 65211, USA

² Department of Sociology, Social Work and Anthropology, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322, USA

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 67; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010067 - 6 Jan 2017

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 6247

Abstract

Local sociocultural processes including community perceptions and actions represent the most visible social impacts of various economic and environmental changes. Comparative community analysis has been used to examine diverse community perspectives on a variety of socioeconomic and environmental issues. However, as the temporal [...] Read more.

Local sociocultural processes including community perceptions and actions represent the most visible social impacts of various economic and environmental changes. Comparative community analysis has been used to examine diverse community perspectives on a variety of socioeconomic and environmental issues. However, as the temporal dimension of community processes remains understudied, relatively little is known regarding how such community variations change over time. This study draws on longitudinal survey data from six communities on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska to explore temporal shifts in community differences in perceptions and activeness in response to forest disturbance associated with an extensive spruce bark beetle outbreak. The surveys were implemented in two phases over a 4-year study period. Results show that while community perceptions on the bark beetle condition waned and coalesced in some ways, significant differences remained or emerged with respect to other facets of local reactions. These shifting variances in community dimensions of the beetle disturbance were related to community positions along the beetle outbreak timeline and general community socioeconomic and biophysical situations (community context). The analysis also revealed community differences and contexts held an even more important role in predicting local responses to beetles in the re-survey. Taken together, findings from this research contribute a better understanding of the persistence and change in community variability as well as the continuity of community contextual effects. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Community, Natural Resources, and Sustainability: An Interdisciplinary and International Dialogue)

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16 pages, 393 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Social Sustainability: A New Conceptual Framework

by Efrat Eizenberg and Yosef Jabareen^*

Faculty of Architecture and Town Planning, Technion, Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 3200003, Israel

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 68; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010068 - 5 Jan 2017

Cited by 619 | Viewed by 80986

Abstract

There is a lack of theoretical and empirical studies regarding social sustainability. The literature reveals that the “social” was integrated late into debates on sustainable development. This paper aims to fill this gap and proposes a new conceptual framework of social sustainability. We [...] Read more.

There is a lack of theoretical and empirical studies regarding social sustainability. The literature reveals that the “social” was integrated late into debates on sustainable development. This paper aims to fill this gap and proposes a new conceptual framework of social sustainability. We suggest that risk is a constitutive concept of sustainability and that the contemporary conditions of risk resulting primarily from climate change and its ensuing uncertainties pose serious social, spatial, structural, and physical threats to contemporary human societies and their living spaces. Within the framework of sustainability, we propose that social sustainability strives to confront risk while addressing social concerns. Although we agree that without socially oriented practices, efforts to achieve sustainability will be undermined, as too many gaps exist in practice and theory. Thus, we propose a comprehensive Conceptual Framework of Social Sustainability, which is composed of four interrelated concepts of socially oriented practices, where each concept has a distinctive function in the framework and incorporates major social aspects. The concept of Equity encompasses three dimensions: recognition, which “revalues unjustly devalued identities”, redistribution, which suggests that the remedy for injustice is some form of economic restructuring, and parity of participation, which promotes substantive public involvement in the production of space. These efforts may, in turn, reduce alienation and enhance civility and a sense of community and place attachment. The concept of Safety is the ontological foundation of sustainability in general and social sustainability in particular. The concept refers to the right to not only be safe but adopt all measures of adaptation and security to prevent future casualties and physical harm. The concept of Eco-prosumption refers to modes of producing and gaining values in socially and environmentally responsible ways. The concept of Urban Forms represents the physical dimensions of socially desired urban and community physical forms. Eventually, a desired physical form should promote a sense of community, safety, health, and place attachment, among other environmental objectives. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Social Sustainability and Justice)

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15 pages, 848 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Changing Structure and Sustainable Development for China’s Hog Sector

by Xiaoheng Zhang^1,2, Feng Chu^2,3, Xiaohua Yu⁴, Yingheng Zhou^1,*, Xu Tian¹

, Xianhui Geng¹ and Jinyang Yang^1,5

¹ College of Economic and Management, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China

² Laboratory Informatique, Biologie Intégrative et Systèmes Complexes, University of Évry-Val d’Essonne, Évry 91020, France

³ Management Engineering Research Center, Xihua University, Chengdu 610039, China

⁴ Courant Research Centre Poverty, Inequity and Growth, University of Gottingen, Gottingen 37073, Germany

⁵ Department of Health Policy and Management, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 69; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010069 - 6 Jan 2017

Cited by 20 | Viewed by 5508

Abstract

Supply shortages and competitive disadvantages are the main problems faced by China’s hog sector. The non-essential import of pork products, triggered by competitive disadvantages, poses great challenges to hog farms. Structural changes are an important policy concern in China and elsewhere. Previous literature [...] Read more.

Supply shortages and competitive disadvantages are the main problems faced by China’s hog sector. The non-essential import of pork products, triggered by competitive disadvantages, poses great challenges to hog farms. Structural changes are an important policy concern in China and elsewhere. Previous literature has ignored whether the ongoing structural changes from backyard to large farms can contribute to sustainable development. This study adopts the micro-level data of hog farms collected from Jiangsu Province, and uses a two-step metafrontier model and a primal system approach. The empirical results reveal that the ongoing structural changes are capable of boosting the growth in output in China’s hog sector, since the stronger increase in comparable technical efficiency compensates for the inappropriate technology. Furthermore, the ongoing structural changes are also beneficial in the reduction of production costs and in improving competitiveness in China’s hog sector. The decline in technical and allocative inefficiency costs, particularly for technical inefficiency costs, contributes to the cost advantage with the increasing farm size. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Agriculture and Development)

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16 pages, 6268 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Experimental Measurement of Wave Field Variations around Wave Energy Converter Arrays

by Louise O’Boyle^1,*, Björn Elsäßer^1,2 and Trevor Whittaker¹

¹ School of Natural and Built Environment, Queen’s University Belfast, David Keir Building, Stranmillis Road, Belfast BT7 1NN, UK

² Danish Hydraulic Institute (DHI), Agern Allé 5, Hørsholm DK-2970, Denmark

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 70; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010070 - 5 Jan 2017

Cited by 24 | Viewed by 6318

Abstract

Wave energy converters (WECs) inherently extract energy from incident waves. For wave energy to become a significant power provider in the future, large farms of WECs will be required. This scale of energy extraction will increase the potential for changes in the local [...] Read more.

Wave energy converters (WECs) inherently extract energy from incident waves. For wave energy to become a significant power provider in the future, large farms of WECs will be required. This scale of energy extraction will increase the potential for changes in the local wave field and coastal environment. Assessment of these effects is necessary to inform decisions on the layout of wave farms for optimum power output and minimum environmental impact, as well as on potential site selection. An experimental campaign to map, at high resolution, the wave field variation around arrays of 5 oscillating water column WECs and a methodology for extracting scattered and radiated waves is presented. The results highlight the importance of accounting for the full extent of the WEC behavior when assessing impacts on the wave field. The effect of radiated waves on the wave field is not immediately apparent when considering changes to the entire wave spectrum, nor when observing changes in wave climate due to scattered and radiated waves superimposed together. The results show that radiated waves may account for up to 50% of the effects on wave climate in the near field in particular operating conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wave Energy Converters)

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24 pages, 260 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Success in Transdisciplinary Sustainability Research

by Tobias Luthe^1,2

¹ Department Living Environment, University of Applied Sciences HTW Chur, 7000 Chur, Switzerland

² MonViso Institute, 12030 Ostana, CN, Italy

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 71; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010071 - 6 Jan 2017

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 6131

Abstract

The complexity of sustainable development and societal transitions require both analytical understandings of how coupled human-environment systems function and transdisciplinary science-to-practice approaches. The academic discourse has advanced in developing a framework for defining success in transdisciplinary research (TDR). Further empirical evidence is needed [...] Read more.

The complexity of sustainable development and societal transitions require both analytical understandings of how coupled human-environment systems function and transdisciplinary science-to-practice approaches. The academic discourse has advanced in developing a framework for defining success in transdisciplinary research (TDR). Further empirical evidence is needed to validate the proposed concepts with TDR case studies. This paper applies a widely used TDR framework to test and critically evaluate its design principles and criteria of success with five TDR case studies the author is intimately familiar with. Overall, the design principles of the framework are validated for the five cases. Additional design principles are derived from the case analysis and proposed to complement the applied framework: (1) A project origin from society as opposed to with and for society; (2) Quickly available initiation funding; (3) Flexibility in time, objectives and methods throughout the research process; (4) Acceptance of process vs. project results; (5) Inclusion of public science communication; and (6) A demand-driven transition to a prolonged or new project partnership. The complementing principles are proposed for integration in the applied framework and are subject to further empirical testing. The reflexive empirical approach I have taken in this paper offers a key step towards removing institutional barriers for successful TDR, demonstrating how conceptual frameworks can be applied. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Education and Approaches)

23 pages, 793 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sustaining Regional Advantages in Manufacturing: Skill Accumulation of Rural–Urban Migrant Workers in the Coastal Area of China

by Huasheng Zhu^1,*

, Junwei Feng¹, Maojun Wang² and Fan Xu^1,3

¹ Faculty of Geographical Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China

² College of Resources Environment and Tourism, Capital Normal University, Beijing 100048, China

³ Rizhao Transportation Bureau of Shandong, Rizhao 276800, China

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 72; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010072 - 7 Jan 2017

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 7129

Abstract

Extant research pays little attention to unorganized migrant workers’ skill accumulation/upgrading from the perspective of the labor supply. This paper takes China as an example to explore the factors influencing the skill accumulation of rural–urban migrant workers (RUMWs), with the purpose of discovering [...] Read more.

Extant research pays little attention to unorganized migrant workers’ skill accumulation/upgrading from the perspective of the labor supply. This paper takes China as an example to explore the factors influencing the skill accumulation of rural–urban migrant workers (RUMWs), with the purpose of discovering how to sustain or reshape regional competitive advantages by improving RUMWs’ skill accumulation. Structured questionnaire surveys were adopted for data collection in Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province and Taizhou City, Zhejiang Province located in the Yangtze River Delta in eastern China. In total, 700 questionnaires were issued and 491 effective questionnaires were recovered. It takes the perspective of individual laborers, with special regard to the effects of localization on the laborers’ skill accumulation within the context of globalization. It adopts a broad viewpoint including intra-firm skill-biased strategy (as a response to intense competition), inter-firm relationships, and the accessibility of local non-firm organizations. The findings indicate that firms’ skill preference, which impacts employees’ skills and innovation ability and stimulates them to learn with initiative, have a significant influence on RUMWs’ skill accumulation. In terms of collective efficiency based on the co-competitive relationship between local firms, the more intensive interactions are, the more opportunities RUMWs are afforded for skill accumulation. The accessibility of local institutions and favorable policies also benefit RUMWs’ skill accumulation. In addition, the place itself, as a synthesized space of a firm’s internal labor-management relations and inter-organizational relations, also exerts an influence on and causes regional differences in RUMWs’ skill accumulation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Development of Chinese Economy—In Search of New Sources of Growth: A Sustainable Approach)

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23 pages, 1575 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Control of the Air Supply Subsystem in a PEMFC with Balance of Plant Simulation

by Alan Cruz Rojas¹, Guadalupe Lopez Lopez^1,*

, J. F. Gomez-Aguilar²

, Victor M. Alvarado¹ and Cinda Luz Sandoval Torres¹

¹ TecNM, CENIDET, Interior Internado Palmira S/N, Col. Palmira, 62490 Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico

² CONACYT-TecNM, CENIDET, Interior Internado Palmira S/N, Col. Palmira, 62490 Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 73; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010073 - 7 Jan 2017

Cited by 44 | Viewed by 9447

Abstract

This paper deals with the design of a control scheme for improving the air supply subsystem of a Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) with maximum power of 65 kW. The control scheme is evaluated in a plant simulator which incorporates the balance [...] Read more.

This paper deals with the design of a control scheme for improving the air supply subsystem of a Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) with maximum power of 65 kW. The control scheme is evaluated in a plant simulator which incorporates the balance of plant (BOP) components and is built in the aspenONE^® platform. The aspenONE^® libraries and tools allows introducing the compressor map and sizing the heat exchangers used to conduct the reactants temperature to the operating value. The PEMFC model and an adaptive controller were programmed to create customized libraries used in the simulator. The structure of the plant control is as follows: the stoichiometric oxygen excess ratio is regulated by manipulating the compressor power, the equilibrium of the anode-cathode pressures is achieved by tracking the anode pressure with hydrogen flow manipulation; the oxygen and hydrogen temperatures are regulated in the heat exchangers, and the gas humidity control is obtained with a simplified model of the humidifier. The control scheme performance is evaluated for load changes, perturbations and parametric variations, introducing a growing current profile covering a large span of power, and a current profile derived from a standard driving speed cycle. The impact of the control scheme is advantageous, since the control objectives are accomplished and the PEMFC tolerates reasonably membrane damage that can produce active surface reduction. The simulation analysis aids to identify the safe Voltage-Current region, where the compressor works with mechanical stability. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Electric Power Systems Research)

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18 pages, 13656 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Development of a Prototype Model to Establish an Economic Earthwork Plan that Includes the Selection of a Dump Site/Borrow Pit

by Seung Hak Lee¹, Jaeho Son² and Seung Hyun Lee^2,*

¹ ITM Corporation, Seoul 06056, Korea

² School of Architectural Engineering, Hongik University, Sejong 30016, Korea

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 74; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010074 - 7 Jan 2017

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 5624

Abstract

Earthwork in road construction projects is the major activity that accounts for about 20%–30% of the total construction cost, and the internal/external hauling plan is the key factor for determining the successful completion of the project. However, the hauling plan at the site, [...] Read more.

Earthwork in road construction projects is the major activity that accounts for about 20%–30% of the total construction cost, and the internal/external hauling plan is the key factor for determining the successful completion of the project. However, the hauling plan at the site, which includes the selection of the dump site and borrow pit, is usually determined by the site manager’s subjective and empirical discretion alone. Therefore, this study has developed a prototype model that provides the optimal internal/external hauling plan. It includes the determination of the most economical dump sites and borrow pits (location and number) among other candidate sites as well. The transshipment problem theory is incorporated into the optimized algorithm with the consideration of various factors affecting earthwork cost. Direct costs from an optimized transport based on an existing model against another from this model were compared to prove its feasibility. As a result, the reduction of earthwork cost including the dump site/borrow pits reached 4%–8%. This result implies that this prototype model would also be useful in reducing both the earthwork cost and the occurrence of exhaust gas from earthwork equipment by providing optimized transportation paths. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Engineering and Science)

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36 pages, 2952 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Modes of Governing and Policy of Local and Regional Governments Supporting Local Low-Carbon Energy Initiatives; Exploring the Cases of the Dutch Regions of Overijssel and Fryslân

by Beau Warbroek^1,* and Thomas Hoppe²

¹ Twente Centre for Studies in Technology and Sustainable Development (CSTM), University of Twente, 7522 NB Enschede, The Netherlands

² Policy, Organisation, Law and Gaming (POLG), Department of Multi-Actor Systems (MAS), Faculty of Technology, Policy and Management (TPM), Delft University of Technology, 2628 CD Delft, The Netherlands

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 75; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010075 - 7 Jan 2017

Cited by 78 | Viewed by 9848

Abstract

Recent scholarly attention shows increasing involvement of local low-carbon energy initiatives (LLCEIs) in governance and policy, in particular in relation to innovations regarding low-carbon energy and energy efficiency. The future perspective of active citizenship in the production of locally generated low-carbon energy is [...] Read more.

Recent scholarly attention shows increasing involvement of local low-carbon energy initiatives (LLCEIs) in governance and policy, in particular in relation to innovations regarding low-carbon energy and energy efficiency. The future perspective of active citizenship in the production of locally generated low-carbon energy is largely dependent on the existing institutional and policy frameworks and settings. Subnational governments, in particular, can have a prominent role in this process by engaging in institutional adaptation and policy innovation. The central research question of this paper is: In what ways do local and regional governments innovate in governing to respond to the emergence of LLCEIs? The research question is answered by comparing two case studies: the Dutch regions of Overijssel and Fryslân. We have conceptualized a meta-governing approach of experimentation, characterizing the innovations in governing that emerge when governments respond to the emergence of LLCEIs. We specifically focus on two capacities that subnational governments can use to enhance their governing capacity vis-à-vis LLCEIs and which substantiate the experimental meta-governance mode: institutional adaptation and policy innovation. We then formulated hypotheses that specify the expected policy innovations and institutional adaptations employed vis-à-vis LLCEIs. Data collection involved in-depth interviews and use of secondary data. The results show that a balancing process of authoritative and enabling modes of governing particularly characterized the type of policy innovations that were developed and the institutional adaptations that took place. Both provinces govern LLCEIs at arm’s length and issue significant capacity-building strategies that vary in terms of their conditions. Municipalities, however, incline towards impromptu and opportunistic responses, some of them having lasting effects by patching up existing institutional settings, others having more of an episodic character. The results will further the understanding of subnational low-carbon policy and governance innovation processes vis-à-vis the role of LLCEIs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovation in the European Energy Sector and Regulatory Responses to It)

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12 pages, 2581 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Towards a Wireless and Low-Power Infrastructure for Representing Information Based on E-Paper Displays

by Diego Sánchez-de-Rivera^1,*

, Diego Martín¹, Ramón Alcarria²

, Borja Bordel¹

and Tomás Robles¹

¹ Department of Telematics Systems Engineering, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Avenida Complutense n° 30, 28040 Madrid, Spain

² Department of Topographic Engineering and Cartography, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Campus Sur, 28031 Madrid, Spain

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 76; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010076 - 7 Jan 2017

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 4665

Abstract

There has been much interest in replacing traditional information supports with more technological solutions in recent years. New technologies which allow paper-like perception with minimal power needs have emerged as low-power wireless scenarios. A priority for these new supports is to create the [...] Read more.

There has been much interest in replacing traditional information supports with more technological solutions in recent years. New technologies which allow paper-like perception with minimal power needs have emerged as low-power wireless scenarios. A priority for these new supports is to create the architecture for a scalable solution which maintains minimal power requirements. The retail industry demands a new information infrastructure that improves customer and employee satisfaction. In this work, authors propose an information provision architecture based on E-Paper and carry out an experiment where different smart labeling architectures based on Paper, E-Paper, LED liquid crystal display (LCD) and Dot-matrix LCD were tested in order to determine which is best suited for a real labeling environment. Enclosed in a research project called SMARKET, the authors pilot-tested the work in a real supermarket, having the opportunity to survey employees and customers about satisfaction and frustration with the use of the architectures proposed in this research work. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Engineering and Science)

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14 pages, 876 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Determinants of Farmers’ Intention to Adopt Water Saving Measures: Evidence from Italy

by Giovanni Pino, Pierluigi Toma, Cristian Rizzo, Pier Paolo Miglietta^*, Alessandro M. Peluso

and Gianluigi Guido

Department of Management and Economics, University of Salento, Via per Monteroni, Lecce 73100, Italy

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 77; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010077 - 8 Jan 2017

Cited by 51 | Viewed by 9343

Abstract

The present research is aimed at establishing how farmers can be encouraged to adopt irrigation water saving measures. By developing and implementing an extended version of the well-known Theory of Planned Behavior, we considered farmers’ propensity to adopt innovations and their water footprints. [...] Read more.

The present research is aimed at establishing how farmers can be encouraged to adopt irrigation water saving measures. By developing and implementing an extended version of the well-known Theory of Planned Behavior, we considered farmers’ propensity to adopt innovations and their water footprints. In a sample of 150 Italian farmers, we found that favorable attitudes towards water saving measures, and the orientations of environmental associations and public bodies favorably influence farmers’ intentions to adopt water saving measures. Farmers’ innovativeness and water footprints also exert a significant influence on their adoption intentions. The paper also discusses the contribution of these results to the previous literature and highlights practical implications for policy makers interested in promoting the adoption of irrigation water saving measures. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Quantitative Methods for Environmental Assessment and Policy in Agriculture)

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20 pages, 4895 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Where Land Use Changes Occur: Using Soil Features to Understand the Economic Trends in Agricultural Lands

by Rosa Rivieccio¹, Lorenzo Sallustio^2,*

, Massimo Paolanti³, Matteo Vizzarri²

and Marco Marchetti²

¹ Dipartimento di Bioscienze e Territorio, Università degli Studi del Molise, Pesche (IS) 86090, Italy

² Research Centre for Inner Areas and Apennines (ArIA), Dipartimento di Bioscienze e Territorio, Università degli Studi del Molise, Pesche (IS) 86090, Italy

³ Agronomist, Rome 00134, Italy

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 78; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010078 - 9 Jan 2017

Cited by 19 | Viewed by 6434

Abstract

This study investigates the major land use change processes over the 1990–2008 period in Abruzzo region (Central Italy) in relation to the characteristics of the soils and with particular regard to their capability for agricultural purposes, in order to highlight their implications on [...] Read more.

This study investigates the major land use change processes over the 1990–2008 period in Abruzzo region (Central Italy) in relation to the characteristics of the soils and with particular regard to their capability for agricultural purposes, in order to highlight their implications on agricultural productivity. The relative changes in the agricultural incomes and land values were also estimated. To this end, we proposed an inventory approach as a flexible and feasible way for monitoring land use changes at multiple scales. As main outcomes, the shrinkage of agricultural lands and their internal changes (intensification vs. extensification processes) were highlighted. The shrinkage of agricultural lands was strictly related to: (a) reforestation process in mountain areas and less productive lands after land abandonment; and (b) urbanization on plains and more productive lands. Although the intensification process was demonstrated to have a positive effect on the overall regional agricultural incomes, especially on high quality soils, this was not adequate to compensate the economic loss due to the other land use changes, especially in marginal areas and low-to-medium quality soils. Finally, the paper discusses the geographical pattern of land use change processes across the region, including their interrelations and combined effects, and ultimately offers recommendations to decision-makers addressing future sustainable development objectives from local to global scale. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Decipher the Present to Shape the Future- Rethinking the Urban–Rural Nexus)

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12 pages, 1063 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Economic Efficiency of Urban Land Use with a Sequential Slack-Based Model in Korea

by Yongrok Choi^*

and Na Wang

Global E-governance Program, Inha University, Inharo100, Nam-gu, Incheon 402-751, Korea

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 79; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010079 - 9 Jan 2017

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 6072

Abstract

Since the inauguration of the government-led five year economic plans in the 1960s, Korea has achieved remarkable economic development. Korea’s economic strategy, known as ‘The Miracle on the Han River’, focused on heavy and chemical industries such as ship building and petrochemicals and [...] Read more.

Since the inauguration of the government-led five year economic plans in the 1960s, Korea has achieved remarkable economic development. Korea’s economic strategy, known as ‘The Miracle on the Han River’, focused on heavy and chemical industries such as ship building and petrochemicals and was based on resource intensive urbanization. This rapid urban development caused a series of problems, such as over-development in urban areas, bottlenecks in utilities, and environmental degradation. Nevertheless, the Korean government has recently moved toward deregulation of the greenbelts of major city areas. Since very few studies have analyzed the urban land use economic efficiency (ULUEE) in Korea, this paper assesses the feasibility of recent deregulation policy concerning the greenbelts utilizing the sequential slack-based measure (SSBM) model under environmental constraints across 16 South Korean cities from 2006 to 2013. Our research makes three significant contributions to urbanization research. First, this paper uses an SSBM model to analyze the dynamic changes of urban land use economic efficiency in Korea at the regional level; Second, this paper analyzes factors influencing ULUEE in Korea, and the feasibility of the deregulation policies on the greenbelts; Third, this paper suggests more performance-oriented policy alternatives to improve the ULUEE and implement sustainable greenbelt management. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Governance in Northeast Asia: Challenges for Sustainable Frontier)

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22 pages, 1715 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation Method for Autonomous Decision-Making Performance in Energy and Environmental Innovations: A Case Study of an Indonesian Community

by Niken Prilandita^*

, Benjamin McLellan

and Tetsuo Tezuka

Graduate School of Energy Science, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Honmachi, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 80; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010080 - 9 Jan 2017

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 5461

Abstract

This paper develops an evaluation method for assessing autonomous decision-making performance and demonstrates it using a case study. Focusing on community decision-making practice in energy-environmental innovation projects, a decision-making model is developed using Petri-net. This empirical model is then expanded to be able [...] Read more.

This paper develops an evaluation method for assessing autonomous decision-making performance and demonstrates it using a case study. Focusing on community decision-making practice in energy-environmental innovation projects, a decision-making model is developed using Petri-net. This empirical model is then expanded to be able to accommodate autonomous properties and more pathways to reach various decision-making outcomes. The autonomous decision-making performance evaluation is employed by simulating the impact of various levels of autonomous conditions using the expanded model stochastically. Those results are further divided into six categories, based on the conditions (autonomous, semi-autonomous, and non-autonomous) and decision outcomes (fully successful, moderately successful, and failed). For each category, the specific stakeholders’ properties are analysed and explained. The categorised conditions are useful for estimating the outcomes of the particular community decision-making practice based on the stakeholders’ properties. The model can be modified in order to pre-evaluate other energy and environmental related decision-making. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Internationalism, Interdisciplinarity, and Methodological Individualism: Understanding and Reflecting on the Emergence of Local and Community Governance of Energy)

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9 pages, 571 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Germination of Bouteloua dactyloides and Cynodon dactylon in a Multi-Polluted Soil

by María Del Rosario Delgado-Caballero¹, María Teresa Alarcón-Herrera¹, María Cecilia Valles-Aragón^2,*, Alicia Melgoza-Castillo³, Dámaris Lepoldina Ojeda-Barrios² and Arwell Leyva-Chávez²

¹ Advanced Materials Research Center (CIMAV), Durango, Dgo. P.C. 34000, Mexico

² Faculty of Agrotechnological Science, Autonomous University of Chihuahua, Chihuahua, Chih. P.C. 31110, Mexico

³ Faculty of Zootechnics and Ecology, Autonomous University of Chihuahua, Chihuahua, Chih. P.C. 31031, Mexico

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 81; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010081 - 9 Jan 2017

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 5234

Abstract

Mining wastes generate high environmental impacts, and population exposure to metals and metalloids. Phytoremediation is a technology that uses plants to remediate polluted sites, but one of its limitations is seed germination in soil with a high content of metals and metalloids. Bouteloua [...] Read more.

Mining wastes generate high environmental impacts, and population exposure to metals and metalloids. Phytoremediation is a technology that uses plants to remediate polluted sites, but one of its limitations is seed germination in soil with a high content of metals and metalloids. Bouteloua dactyloides (former Buchloe dactyloides) is a native species from semiarid regions, while Cynodon dactylon is an invasive species; both are tolerant to harsh soil conditions. The objective of this research was to evaluate the germination of both species, exposed to a multi-polluted soil with As, Cd, Pb, and Zn of a mining site, considering different pH conditions (from 5.0 to 9.0). The study considered four repetitions by type of seed and soil pH. The highest germination of B. dactyloides was 83% at pH 7.8, while the greatest germination of C. dactylon was 34% at pH 6.0. These percentages are similar to those obtained in a standard germination test, which are 82.5% for B. dactyloides and 35% for C. dactylon. Germination was not reached in either species with soil at pH 5, owing to the fact that metals are more bioavailable in acid environments. B. dactyloides and C. dactylon had a high potential to germinate in multi-polluted soil at neutral pH, but further experiments are needed. Full article

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16 pages, 1489 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Fuzzy Expression Way for Air Quality Index with More Comprehensive Information

by Yujie Wang, Mingxuan Zhao, Yulin Han and Jian Zhou^*

School of Management, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 83; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010083 - 9 Jan 2017

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 5815

Abstract

The Air Quality Index (AQI) is an evaluating indicator for the atmospheric environment released by various environmental monitoring centers to communicate the present air quality status to the public, which is calculated by the aid of the monitored concentrations of six common air [...] Read more.

The Air Quality Index (AQI) is an evaluating indicator for the atmospheric environment released by various environmental monitoring centers to communicate the present air quality status to the public, which is calculated by the aid of the monitored concentrations of six common air pollutants and relevant computational formulae. Considering that the historical data of daily overall AQI illustrated by the traditional expression way merely contain limited information about the original data, this paper puts forward a more concrete and intuitive way to express the air quality in the past day. By analyzing the data concerning individual air quality indices of pollutants gathered from five cities of China for six consecutive months and conducting the curve fitting, each sub-index is recommended to be set as a Gaussian fuzzy number. Accordingly, taking advantage of the novel operational law for fuzzy numbers, the fuzzy distribution and membership function of the daily overall AQI can be deduced immediately, which as a reference contributes to the users acquiring the information more intuitively and facilitates making plans or decisions. Subsequently, a case study taking Shanghai as a background is conducted to elaborate the application of the proposed approach. Furthermore, the line chart reflecting the overall air quality status in a past period is depicted, based on which an example of selecting a tourist destination is given to demonstrate its utilization. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability of Economic and Management Systems: Perspectives of Uncertainty and Data Driven Optimization)

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19 pages, 2885 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Scale-Free Relationships between Social and Landscape Factors in Urban Systems

by Chunzhu Wei^*

, Mark Padgham, Pablo Cabrera Barona and Thomas Blaschke

Department of Geoinformatics—Z_GIS, University of Salzburg, Schillerstrasse 30, 5020 Salzburg, Austria

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 84; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010084 - 9 Jan 2017

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 5848

Abstract

Urban planners and ecologists have long debated the relationship between the structure of urban landscapes and social activities. There have, however, been very few discussions as to whether any such relationships might depend on the scales of observation. This work applies a hierarchical [...] Read more.

Urban planners and ecologists have long debated the relationship between the structure of urban landscapes and social activities. There have, however, been very few discussions as to whether any such relationships might depend on the scales of observation. This work applies a hierarchical zoning technique to data from the city of Quito, Ecuador, to examine how relationships between typical spatial landscape metrics and social indicators depend on zoning scales. Our results showed that the estimates of both landscape heterogeneity features and social indicators significantly depend on the zoning scale. The mean values of the typical landscape metrics and the social indicators all exhibited predictable responses to a changing zoning scale, suggesting a consistent and significant scaling relationship within the multiple zoning scales. Yet relationships between these pairs of variables remain notably invariant to scale. This quantitative demonstration of the scale-free nature of the relationship between landscape characteristics and social indicators furthers our understanding of the relationships between landscape structures and social aspects of urban spaces, including deprivation and public service accessibility. The relationships between social indicators and one typical landscape aggregation metric (represented as the percentage of like adjacencies) were nevertheless significantly dependent on scale, suggesting the importance of zoning scale decisions for analyzing the relationships between the social indicators and the landscape characteristics related with landscape adjacency. Aside from this typical landscape aggregation metric, the general invariance to the zoning scale of relationships between landscape structures and socioeconomic indicators in Quito suggests the importance of applying these scale-free relationships in understanding complex socio-ecological systems in other cities, which are shaped by the conflated influences of both anthropogenic and natural factors. Moreover, this scale-free behavior of landscape–social relationships challenges the traditional modifiable area unit problem, and provides mechanistic insight into the conflicts and compatibilities between human activities and human-induced land use change. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multi-disciplinary Sustainability Research)

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19 pages, 808 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Agroecology and Ecological Intensification. A Discussion from a Metabolic Point of View

by Manuel González de Molina^*

and Gloria I. Guzmán Casado

Agroecosystems History Lab, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, 41013 Seville, Spain

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 86; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010086 - 10 Jan 2017

Cited by 25 | Viewed by 9468

Abstract

This paper documents the origin and conceptual ambiguity of the terms Sustainable, Ecological and Agroecological Intensification. It defines the concept of Ecological Intensification from an agroecological perspective, and examines in energy terms whether it may be sustainable. To illustrate the theory, we apply [...] Read more.

This paper documents the origin and conceptual ambiguity of the terms Sustainable, Ecological and Agroecological Intensification. It defines the concept of Ecological Intensification from an agroecological perspective, and examines in energy terms whether it may be sustainable. To illustrate the theory, we apply Land Cost of Sustainable Agriculture (LACAS) methodology to Spanish agriculture, which is representative of Mediterranean agroclimatic conditions. As a result, we demonstrate the impossibility of generalizing an extensive Organic Farming (OF) scenario under the techniques currently used by organic farmers. This is due to the fact that it would bring about a reduction of 13% in agricultural production. Which necessarily means that OF has to be intensified under agroecological criteria. This option is also explored in two scenarios. As a result, we show that it is possible to compensate the yield gap between OF and conventional agriculture by implementing low-entropy internal loop strategies which reduce the land cost of generating the necessary nitrogen flows. However, these cannot exceed the limits established by the structure of Spanish territory. That is, agroecological intensification cannot be prolonged indefinitely over time since it is limited by the land available. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agroecology at the Crossroads: Challenges for Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems)

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18 pages, 1017 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Scenario Prediction of Energy Consumption and CO₂ Emissions in China’s Machinery Industry

by Boqiang Lin^1,* and Weisheng Liu²

¹ Collaborative Innovation Center for Energy Economics and Energy Policy, China Institute for Studies in Energy Policy, School of Management, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China

² China Center for Energy Economics Research, School of Economics, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 87; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010087 - 12 Jan 2017

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 6009

Abstract

Energy conservation and CO₂ abatement is currently an important development strategy for China. It is significant to analyze how to reduce energy consumption and CO₂ emissions in China’s energy-intensive machinery industry. We not only employ a cointegration method and scenario analysis [...] Read more.

Energy conservation and CO₂ abatement is currently an important development strategy for China. It is significant to analyze how to reduce energy consumption and CO₂ emissions in China’s energy-intensive machinery industry. We not only employ a cointegration method and scenario analysis to predict the future energy demand and CO₂ emissions in China’s machinery industry, but we also use the Monte Carlo simulation to test the validity of the predictions. The results show that energy demand in the industry will respectively reach 678.759 Mtce (million ton coal equivalent) in 2020 and 865.494 Mtce in 2025 under the baseline scenario. Compared with the baseline scenario, the energy savings in 2020 will respectively be 63.654 Mtce and 120.787 Mtce in the medium and advanced scenarios. Furthermore, we forecast the corresponding CO₂ emissions as well as the reduction potential respectively in 2020 and 2025. In order to achieve energy conservation and emissions reduction, the government should increase energy price, levy environmental taxes based on the emissions level of machinery enterprises, promote mergers and acquisitions of enterprises, and expand the scale of enterprises. This paper provides a reference for energy conservation and CO₂ abatement policy in China’s machinery industry. Full article

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28 pages, 2140 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Quick Green Scan: A Methodology for Improving Green Performance in Terms of Manufacturing Processes

by Aldona Kluczek

Institute of Organization of Production Systems, Faculty of Production Engineering, Warsaw University of Technology, 86 Narbutta Street, 02-524 Warszawa, Poland

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 88; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010088 - 11 Jan 2017

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 8285

Abstract

The heating sector has begun implementing technologies and practices to tackle the environmental and social–economic problems caused by their production process. The purpose of this paper is to develop a methodology, “the Quick-Green-Scan”, that caters for the need of quick assessment decision-makers to [...] Read more.

The heating sector has begun implementing technologies and practices to tackle the environmental and social–economic problems caused by their production process. The purpose of this paper is to develop a methodology, “the Quick-Green-Scan”, that caters for the need of quick assessment decision-makers to improve green manufacturing performance in companies that produce heating devices. The study uses a structured approach that integrates Life Cycle Assessment-based indicators, framework and linguistic scales (fuzzy numbers) to evaluate the extent of greening of the enterprise. The evaluation criteria and indicators are closely related to the current state of technology, which can be improved. The proposed methodology has been created to answer the question whether a company acts on the opportunity to be green and whether these actions are contributing towards greening, maintaining the status quo or moving away from a green outcome. Results show that applying the proposed improvements in processes helps move the facility towards being a green enterprise. Moreover, the methodology, being particularly quick and simple, is a practical tool for benchmarking, not only in the heating industry, but also proves useful in providing comparisons for facility performance in other manufacturing sectors. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Air Pollution Monitoring and Sustainable Development)

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17 pages, 2002 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Adaptation of C₄ Bioenergy Crop Species to Various Environments within the Southern Great Plains of USA

by Sumin Kim¹, James R. Kiniry^2,*, Amber S. Williams², Norman Meki³, Lewis Gaston⁴, Melinda Brakie⁵, Alan Shadow⁵, Felix B. Fritschi⁶ and Yanqi Wu⁷

¹ Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Oak Ridge, TN 37830, USA

² USDA, Agricultural Research Service, Grassland Soil and Water Research Laboratory, Temple, TX 76502, USA

³ Texas A&M AgriLife Research, Blackland Research and Extension Center, Temple, TX 76502, USA

⁴ School of Plant, Environmental, and Soil Science, College of Agriculture at LSI AgCenter, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA

⁵ USDA-NRCS East Texas Plant Materials Center, Nacogdoches, TX 76501, USA

⁶ Division of Plant Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA

⁷ Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 89; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010089 - 11 Jan 2017

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 5711

Abstract

As highly productive perennial grasses are evaluated as bioenergy feedstocks, a major consideration is biomass yield stability. Two experiments were conducted to examine some aspects of yield stability for two biofuel species: switchgrass (Panicum vigratum L.) and Miscanthus x giganteus (Mxg [...] Read more.

As highly productive perennial grasses are evaluated as bioenergy feedstocks, a major consideration is biomass yield stability. Two experiments were conducted to examine some aspects of yield stability for two biofuel species: switchgrass (Panicum vigratum L.) and Miscanthus x giganteus (Mxg). Biomass yields of these species were evaluated under various environmental conditions across the Southern Great Plains (SGP), including some sites with low soil fertility. In the first experiment, measured yields of four switchgrass ecotypes and Mxg varied among locations. Overall, plants showed optimal growth performance in study sites close to their geographical origins. Lowland switchgrass ecotypes and Mxg yields simulated by the ALMANAC model showed reasonable agreement with the measured yields across all study locations, while the simulated yields of upland switchgrass ecotypes were overestimated in northern locations. In the second experiment, examination of different N fertilizer rates revealed switchgrass yield increases over the range of 0, 80, or 160 kg N ha⁻¹ year⁻¹, while Mxg only showed yield increases between the low and medium N rates. This provides useful insights to crop management of two biofuel species and to enhance the predictive accuracy of process-based models, which are critical for developing bioenergy market systems in the SGP. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomass Energy Conversion)

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14 pages, 1206 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sustaining the Joint Production of Timber and Lactarius Mushroom: A Case Study of a Forest Management Planning Unit in Northwestern Turkey

by Derya Mumcu Küçüker^* and Emin Zeki Başkent

Faculty of Forestry, Karadeniz Technical University, 61080 Trabzon, Turkey

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 92; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010092 - 11 Jan 2017

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 5444

Abstract

Forest management planning focusing on sustainable supply of forest-based services such as wood and Non-Wood Forest Products (NWFPs) is important for the sustainability of forest ecosystems over time. This study explores the development of a mushroom integrated decision support system (ETÇAPOptimization) [...] Read more.

Forest management planning focusing on sustainable supply of forest-based services such as wood and Non-Wood Forest Products (NWFPs) is important for the sustainability of forest ecosystems over time. This study explores the development of a mushroom integrated decision support system (ETÇAPOptimization) for multiple use forest management planning and for the analysis of long-term effects of different forest management scenarios on the joint production of timber and mushroom. The Decision Support System (DSS) integrates both mushroom and timber production derived from the same forest ecosystem using empirical models for mushroom occurrence and yield as well as for tree growth. The DSS takes further into account the spatial distribution and productivity models of Lactarius deliciosus and Lactarius salmonicolor generated for the Kızılcasu Planning unit in Northwest Turkey. Six different forest management scenarios were considered, each with a different set of objectives, e.g., maximization of both the amount and the income from timber or mushroom production. Some scenarios include further timber even flow constraints (10% fluctuation). The Net Present Value (NPV) and the amount of timber and of mushroom production were used as performance indicators to discuss and elaborate on forest dynamics under different management scenarios. The results indicated that forest management planning strategies to address the maximization of NPV from mushroom production scenarios are characterized by substantial decreases in total income from the forest due mainly to the conservation of forest areas to favor mushroom production. On the other hand, the integration of regulatory constraints into forest management plans lead to a substantial decrease of both the economic profit and the amount of forest ecosystem services, e.g., timber and mushroom. The results showed that the NPV from mushroom production can be two to three times higher than the NPV from timber production based on carefully designed management objectives and constraints. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Decision Support for Forest Ecosystem Management Sustainability)

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12 pages, 8572 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Mapping Interests by Stakeholders’ Subjectivities toward Ecotourism Resources: The Case of Seocheon-Gun, Korea

by Jae-hyuck Lee

, Sung-hoon Kim and Hyuk-soo Kwon^*

Bureau of Ecological Research, National Institute of Ecology, Seocheon, Choongnam 33657, Korea

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 93; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010093 - 11 Jan 2017

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 6230

Abstract

Ecotourism spatial planning requires the balance of both development and conservation. Through environmental data analysis, many researchers have suggested spatial planning that falls between these two polarizing concepts. Nonetheless, ecotourism development has been criticized as inconsiderate of places that are precious to local [...] Read more.

Ecotourism spatial planning requires the balance of both development and conservation. Through environmental data analysis, many researchers have suggested spatial planning that falls between these two polarizing concepts. Nonetheless, ecotourism development has been criticized as inconsiderate of places that are precious to local residents. The purpose of this study is to map local stakeholders’ perspectives for collaborative planning based on interests regarding ecotourism. Q methodology was used to analyse interest in space and conduct mapping. Upon analysis of a Seocheon ecotourism site, four preference factors that focus on (i) large-scale ecotourism resources and facilities; (ii) mud-flat ecotour villages; (iii) inland agricultural ecotour villages; and (iv) traditional ecotour villages were identified. Additionally, there was a consensus to conserve the harbours and reservoirs actually used by residents. However, there were differing opinions about coastal region development, and thus design alternatives are required. These results are significant because they enable spatial planning by theme and consider the lives of local residents beyond spatial planning based on physical data. Full article

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10 pages, 554 KiB

Open AccessArticle

An Occupational Disease Assessment of the Mining Industry’s Occupational Health and Safety Management System Based on FMEA and an Improved AHP Model

by Jiangdong Bao¹

, Jan Johansson¹ and Jingdong Zhang^2,*

¹ Centre of Advanced Mining and Metallurgy, CAMM, Department of Human Work Science, Luleå University of Technology, Luleå 97751, Sweden

² Research Center for Environment and Health, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, Wuhan 430000, China

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 94; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010094 - 11 Jan 2017

Cited by 41 | Viewed by 8855

Abstract

In order to effectively analyze, control, and prevent occupational health risk and ensure the reliability of the weight, a method based on FMEA (failure mode and effects analysis) and an improved AHP (analytic hierarchy process) model was established. The occupational disease of the [...] Read more.

In order to effectively analyze, control, and prevent occupational health risk and ensure the reliability of the weight, a method based on FMEA (failure mode and effects analysis) and an improved AHP (analytic hierarchy process) model was established. The occupational disease of the occupational health and safety management system (OHSAS18001) of the mining industry in the southwest of Hubei Province is taken as an example, the three most significant risk factors (dust, noise, and gas) are selected as the research objects, the FMEA method is used, an expert questionnaire is carried out to establish the comprehensive assessment matrix of each indicator according to the RPN (risk priority number) value, and, finally, a case study is conducted through the FMEA and the improved AHP model The results show that the occupational disease of the mining industry’s occupational health and safety management system belongs to a “general” grade, which is in line with the physical examination results of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Ezhou City in 2015. The improved AHP and FMEA comprehensive assessment model of occupational disease is proved feasible. This method can be incorporated in the process management of the enterprise for the purpose of occupational disease prevention in advance and continuous improvement on the occupational health and safety of employees. Additionally, the area research on this integrated model should be optimized continually in actual situations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Engineering and Science)

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17 pages, 9602 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Quality Perspective on the Dynamic Balance of Cultivated Land in Wenzhou, China

by Lin Lin, Ziran Ye, Muye Gan, Amir Reza Shahtahmassebi, Melanie Weston, Jinsong Deng, Shenggao Lu^* and Ke Wang^*

College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 95; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010095 - 12 Jan 2017

Cited by 29 | Viewed by 7124

Abstract

Cultivated land in China has faced severe challenges in recent years due to rapid urbanization. In 1997, the “cultivated land requisition-compensation balance” policy was implemented by the government to maintain the quantity and quality of cultivated land. Previous studies mainly focused on the [...] Read more.

Cultivated land in China has faced severe challenges in recent years due to rapid urbanization. In 1997, the “cultivated land requisition-compensation balance” policy was implemented by the government to maintain the quantity and quality of cultivated land. Previous studies mainly focused on the quantity changes of cultivated land. In this study, from a quality perspective, we characterized the occupation and compensation of cultivated land in Wenzhou City utilizing remote sensing and geographic information systems during 2005–2010 and 2010–2014. Our results indicated that although the quantity balance of cultivated land has been achieved in Wenzhou, there was a trend of consuming prime cultivated land for urbanization while compensating with less productive land. It was also found that topography, water resources, and accessibility play important roles in cultivated land changes, with urbanization occurring on the eastern coastal plain where high quality lands are prevalent. Less than 60% of the gained lands were under cultivation, with the majority of reclaimed land from forests and coastal areas and located in remote regions. Therefore, we suggest that a “cultivated land protection red line” policy should be implemented to protect the best cultivated lands, while preventing random land reclamation to secure agricultural and environmental sustainability. Full article

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20 pages, 1180 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Food Production and Consumption: City Regions between Localism, Agricultural Land Displacement, and Economic Competitiveness

by Federica Monaco^1,*, Ingo Zasada², Dirk Wascher³, Matjaž Glavan⁴

, Marina Pintar⁴, Ulrich Schmutz⁵

, Chiara Mazzocchi¹

, Stefano Corsi¹ and Guido Sali¹

¹ Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of Milan, via G. Celoria 2, 20133 Milan, Italy

² Institute of Socio-Economics, Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research, Eberswalder Straße 84, 15374 Müncheberg, Germany

³ Wageningen Environmental Research, Wageningen UR, Droevendaalsesteeg 3, 6708PB Wageningen, The Netherlands

⁴ Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikareva 101, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia

⁵ Centre for Agroecology Water & Resilience (CAWR), Coventry University, Garden Organic, Ryton Gardens, Coventry CV8 3LG, UK

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 96; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010096 - 11 Jan 2017

Cited by 30 | Viewed by 9551

Abstract

In the wider debate on urban resilience and metabolism, food-related aspects have gained increasing importance. At the same time, urban agro-food systems in city regions are facing major challenges with regard to often limited domestic supplies, resource-intensive producer–consumer relationships, and the competition for [...] Read more.

In the wider debate on urban resilience and metabolism, food-related aspects have gained increasing importance. At the same time, urban agro-food systems in city regions are facing major challenges with regard to often limited domestic supplies, resource-intensive producer–consumer relationships, and the competition for low-price products via global food chains. In this sense, novel methods for coupling local and global processes are required to better understand the underlying mechanisms between the above factors. Exploring the relationship between food supply and demand, this study presents a set of suitable fact-finding tools that are introduced and applied in a comparative study of five European city regions. The methodological framework, by introducing and combining economic-based indexes, aims at overcoming limits and gaps identified by means of a literature review. The model will explicitly address the main features of the regional agro-food systems by managing information on the capacities and opportunities of local agriculture to adequately respond to food demand, as well as by providing insights on the interconnections among localism, global competitiveness of agricultural sectors, and land use change. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue City Region Foodscapes)

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17 pages, 7247 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sprinkling: An Approach to Describe Urbanization Dynamics in Italy

by Bernardino Romano^*

, Francesco Zullo

, Lorena Fiorini, Serena Ciabò and Alessandro Marucci

University of L’Aquila, DICEAA, Via G. Gronchi, 18-67100 L’Aquila, Italy

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 97; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010097 - 12 Jan 2017

Cited by 103 | Viewed by 8489

Abstract

This paper presents research which has defined a new typology of urban patterns (sprinkling), different from the internationally recognized standard urban sprawl, as well as various indicators that have been implemented to measure sprinkling. It is important to highlight that the damage caused [...] Read more.

This paper presents research which has defined a new typology of urban patterns (sprinkling), different from the internationally recognized standard urban sprawl, as well as various indicators that have been implemented to measure sprinkling. It is important to highlight that the damage caused to the environment and communities by urban sprinkling is much more serious and irreversible than that notoriously caused by urban sprawl. The paper introduces the difficult methodological and planning aspects of retrofitting (de-sprinkling), a true challenge for land management. We argue that even partial inversion of many negative effects is impossible in the short term. Only medium- to long-term, organized, and politically coordinated programs can tackle the various issues associated with sprinkling. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Decipher the Present to Shape the Future- Rethinking the Urban–Rural Nexus)

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16 pages, 2742 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Experimental Test and Simulations on a Linear Generator-Based Prototype of a Wave Energy Conversion System Designed with a Reliability-Oriented Approach

by Valeria Boscaino, Giovanni Cipriani

, Vincenzo Di Dio, Vincenzo Franzitta^*

and Marco Trapanense

Department of Energy, Information and Mathematical Models, UNIPA (University of Palermo), 90128 Palermo, Italy

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 98; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010098 - 11 Jan 2017

Cited by 19 | Viewed by 6999

Abstract

In this paper, we propose a reliability-oriented design of a linear generator-based prototype of a wave energy conversion (WEC), useful for the production of hydrogen in a sheltered water area like Mediterranean Sea. The hydrogen production has been confirmed by a lot of [...] Read more.

In this paper, we propose a reliability-oriented design of a linear generator-based prototype of a wave energy conversion (WEC), useful for the production of hydrogen in a sheltered water area like Mediterranean Sea. The hydrogen production has been confirmed by a lot of experimental testing and simulations. The system design is aimed to enhance the robustness and reliability and is based on an analysis of the main WEC failures reported in literature. The results of this analysis led to some improvements that are applied to a WEC system prototype for hydrogen production and storage. The proposed WEC system includes the electrical linear generator, the power conversion system, and a sea-water electrolyzer. A modular architecture is conceived to provide ease of extension of the power capability of the marine plant. The experimental results developed on the permanent magnet linear electric generator have allowed identification of the stator winding typology and, consequently, ability to size the power electronics system. The produced hydrogen has supplied a low-power fuel cell stack directly connected to the hydrogen output from the electrolyzer. The small-scale prototype is designed to be installed, in the near future, into the Mediterranean Sea. As shown by experimental and simulation results, the small-scale prototype is suitable for hydrogen production and storage from sea water in this area. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wave Energy Converters)

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12 pages, 679 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Pressure-Point Strategy: Leverages for Urban Systemic Transformation

by Katleen De Flander^1,* and Jeb Brugmann²

¹ IASS Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies Potsdam, Berliner Strasse 130, Potsdam 14467, Germany

² The Next Practice, 58 Ravina Crescent, Toronto, ON M4J 3M2, Canada

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 99; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010099 - 11 Jan 2017

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 6266

Abstract

Sustainability can be understood as a specific kind of problem framing that emphasizes the interconnectedness of different problems and scales and calls for new forms of problem handling that are much more process-oriented, reflexive and iterative in nature. Closely related with the notion [...] Read more.

Sustainability can be understood as a specific kind of problem framing that emphasizes the interconnectedness of different problems and scales and calls for new forms of problem handling that are much more process-oriented, reflexive and iterative in nature. Closely related with the notion of reflexive governance, we propose such an alternative strategy for societal problem handling and change management in the urban context. The strategy starts from stress states in the urban system(s) and uses their initial momentum to encourage systemic change through intraventions—rather than interventions—at selected pressure points. This paper highlights the potential to evolve what has often been an intuitive practice, led by community or elected leaders with unique wisdom about functions and pressure points in their urban system, into a more accessible strategy for shaping socio-ecological transformation in urban practice. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Urban and Rural Development)

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19 pages, 4870 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Distribution Dynamics of Carbon Dioxide Emissions Intensity across Chinese Provinces: A Weighted Approach

by Jian-Xin Wu¹ and Ling-Yun He^1,2,*

¹ School of Economics, Institute of Resource, Environment and Sustainable Development Research, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China

² School of Economics and Management, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing 210044, China

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 101; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010101 - 12 Jan 2017

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 4921

Abstract

This paper examines the distribution dynamics of carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions intensity across 30 Chinese provinces using a weighted distribution dynamics approach. The results show that CO₂ emissions intensity tends to diverge during the sample period of 1995–2014. However, convergence [...] Read more.

This paper examines the distribution dynamics of carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions intensity across 30 Chinese provinces using a weighted distribution dynamics approach. The results show that CO₂ emissions intensity tends to diverge during the sample period of 1995–2014. However, convergence clubs are found in the ergodic distributions of the full sample and two sub-sample periods. Divergence, polarization, and stratification are the dominant characteristics in the distribution dynamics. Weightings with economic and population sizes have important impacts on current distributions and hence long-run steady distributions. Neglecting the size of the economy may underestimate the deterioration in the long-run steady state. The result also shows that conditioning on space and income cannot eliminate the multimodality in the long-run distribution. However, capital intensity has an important impact on the formation of convergence clubs. Our findings will contribute to an understanding of the spatial dynamic behaviors of CO₂ emissions across Chinese provinces, and have important policy implications for CO₂ emissions reduction in China. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Economic and Business Aspects of Sustainability)

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11 pages, 3455 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Fast Removal of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers from Aqueous Solutions by Using Low-Cost Adsorbents

by Renin Chang^1,2,3, Shih-Hao Jien⁴, Chih-Huang Weng⁵, Tsung-Wei Lee⁵ and Chien-Sen Liao^1,5,*

¹ Institute of Biotechnology and Chemical Engineering, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung 84001, Taiwan

² Department of Recreation Sports Management, Tajen University, Pingtung 90741, Taiwan

³ Department of Emergency Medicine, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung 81362, Taiwan

⁴ Department of Soil and Water Conservation, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung 91201, Taiwan

⁵ Department of Civil and Ecological Engineering, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung 84001, Taiwan

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 102; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010102 - 12 Jan 2017

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 4558

Abstract

4-Dibromodiphenyl ether (BDE-3) and 4,4′-dibromodiphenyl ether (BDE-15) are two of the major polybrominated diphenyl ethers used as flame-retardant additives in computer main boards and in fireproof building materials. In this study, we evaluated the potential of three low-cost adsorbents, black tea, green tea, [...] Read more.

4-Dibromodiphenyl ether (BDE-3) and 4,4′-dibromodiphenyl ether (BDE-15) are two of the major polybrominated diphenyl ethers used as flame-retardant additives in computer main boards and in fireproof building materials. In this study, we evaluated the potential of three low-cost adsorbents, black tea, green tea, and coconut palm leaf powders, to adsorb BDE-3 and BDE-15 from aqueous solutions. The results showed that pressure steam washing of the adsorbents increased their capacities to adsorb BDE-3 and BDE-15. The maximum adsorption capacities of pressure steam–washed black tea, green tea, and coconut palm leaf powders were 21.85 mg·L⁻¹, 14.56 mg·L⁻¹ and 22.47 mg·L⁻¹, respectively. The results also showed that the adsorption equilibrium (q_e) was achieved at 4 min. Moreover, 97.8% of BDE-3 and 98.5% of BDE-15 could be removed by adsorbents pretreated with pressure steam washing. The kinetic data fitted well with a pseudo-second-order equation. The adsorption rate constants (k₂) of all pressure steam–washed adsorbents ranged from 8.16 × 10⁻³ to 6.61 × 10⁻² g·(mg·L⁻¹)⁻¹·s⁻¹, and the amount adsorbed at q_e by all pressure steam–washed adsorbents ranged from 4.21 to 4.78 mg·L⁻¹. Green alga Chlorella vulgaris was used as the test organism and the median effective concentration values of BDE-3 and BDE-15 were 7.24 and 3.88 mg·L⁻¹, respectively. After BDE-3 and BDE-15 were removed from the solution, their biotoxicities markedly decreased. These findings indicate that these low-cost adsorbents can be used to remove BDE-3 and BDE-15 from aqueous solutions and wastewater. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Environmental Sustainability and Applications)

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15 pages, 3746 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Spatial Configuration of Energy Consumption and Carbon Emissions of Shanghai, and Our Policy Suggestions

by Kexi Pan^1,†, Yongfu Li^2,*,†, Hanxiong Zhu^1,*,† and Anrong Dang³

¹ Fudan University Energy Research Center, School of Social Development and Public Policy, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China

² Shanghai Academy of Fine Arts, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China

³ School of Architecture, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China

^† These authors contributed equally to this work.

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 104; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010104 - 12 Jan 2017

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 7046

Abstract

This research constructs a 1 km × 1 km Shanghai energy consumption and carbon emission spatial grid through a bottom-up approach. First, we locate all energy consumption locations in Shanghai via GIS. Second, we calculate energy consumption and associated CO₂ emissions by [...] Read more.

This research constructs a 1 km × 1 km Shanghai energy consumption and carbon emission spatial grid through a bottom-up approach. First, we locate all energy consumption locations in Shanghai via GIS. Second, we calculate energy consumption and associated CO₂ emissions by energy type, by usage type, and by facilities. Finally, we use a spatial grid to represent the energy consumption and CO₂ emissions. The grid shows CO₂ emissions in Shanghai are highly spatially correlated with energy types and volumes of consumption. This research also finds out that high energy consumption and carbon emission locations in Shanghai display significant spatial aggregation. In 7209 spatial energy consumption cells, the top 10 grids of emissions account for 52.8% of total CO₂ emissions in Shanghai; the top 20 grids account for 64.5% and the top 50 grids account for 76.5%. The most critical point emission sources are coal-fired power plants and iron and steel plants. The most important line emission sources are the Yan’an Road and Inner Ring viaducts. The area emission sources that account for the most future-projected growth are commercial and residential natural gas. After this spatial analysis, this paper makes policy suggestions and solutions to conserve energy consumption and mitigate carbon emissions in Shanghai. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Sustainability and Planning Support Systems)

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21 pages, 668 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Green Experiment: Cities, Green Stormwater Infrastructure, and Sustainability

by Christopher M. Chini¹

, James F. Canning¹, Kelsey L. Schreiber¹, Joshua M. Peschel^2,*

and Ashlynn S. Stillwell¹

¹ Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2521 Hydrosystems Lab, 205 N. Mathews Ave., Urbana, IL 61801, USA

² Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, Iowa State University, 2348 Elings Hall, 605 Bissell Road, Ames, IA 50011, USA

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 105; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010105 - 12 Jan 2017

Cited by 90 | Viewed by 21698

Abstract

Green infrastructure is a unique combination of economic, social, and environmental goals and benefits that requires an adaptable framework for planning, implementing, and evaluating. In this study, we propose an experimental framework for policy, implementation, and subsequent evaluation of green stormwater infrastructure within [...] Read more.

Green infrastructure is a unique combination of economic, social, and environmental goals and benefits that requires an adaptable framework for planning, implementing, and evaluating. In this study, we propose an experimental framework for policy, implementation, and subsequent evaluation of green stormwater infrastructure within the context of sociotechnical systems and urban experimentation. Sociotechnical systems describe the interaction of complex systems with quantitative and qualitative impacts. Urban experimentation—traditionally referencing climate change programs and their impacts—is a process of evaluating city programs as if in a laboratory setting with hypotheses and evaluated results. We combine these two concepts into a singular framework creating a policy feedback cycle (PFC) for green infrastructure to evaluate municipal green infrastructure plans as an experimental process within the context of a sociotechnical system. After proposing and discussing the PFC, we utilize the tool to research and evaluate the green infrastructure programs of 27 municipalities across the United States. Results indicate that green infrastructure plans should incorporate community involvement and communication, evaluation based on project motivation, and an iterative process for knowledge production. We suggest knowledge brokers as a key resource in connecting the evaluation stage of the feedback cycle to the policy phase. We identify three important needs for green infrastructure experimentation: (i) a fluid definition of green infrastructure in policy; (ii) maintenance and evaluation components of a green infrastructure plan; and (iii) communication of the plan to the community. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Sustainability and Planning Support Systems)

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19 pages, 5459 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Energy Saving in Public Transport Using Renewable Energy

by Vincenzo Franzitta^*

, Domenico Curto

, Daniele Milone

and Marco Trapanese

Department of Energy, Information engineering and Mathematical models (DEIM), University of Palermo (UNIPA), 90128 Palermo, Italy

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 106; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010106 - 13 Jan 2017

Cited by 48 | Viewed by 10930

Abstract

Hydrogen produced by renewable sources represents an interesting way to reduce the energetic dependence on fossil fuels in the transportation sector. This paper shows a feasibility study for the production, storage and distribution of hydrogen in the western Sicilian context, using three different [...] Read more.

Hydrogen produced by renewable sources represents an interesting way to reduce the energetic dependence on fossil fuels in the transportation sector. This paper shows a feasibility study for the production, storage and distribution of hydrogen in the western Sicilian context, using three different renewable sources: wind, biomass and sea wave. The objective of this study is the evaluation of the hydrogen demand, needed to replace all diesel supplied buses with electrical buses equipped with fuel cells. An economic analysis is presented with the evaluation of the avoidable greenhouse gas emissions. Four different scenarios correlate the hydrogen demand for urban transport to the renewable energy resources present in the territories and to the modern technologies available for the production of hydrogen. The study focuses on the possibility of tapping into the potential of renewable energies (wind, biomass and sea wave) for the production of hydrogen by electrolysis. The use of hydrogen would reduce significantly the emissions of particulate and greenhouse gases in the urban districts under analysis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 16th CIRIAF National Congress – Sustainable Development, Environment and Human Health Protection)

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23 pages, 3036 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Analysis of the Dynamic Relationship between Fluctuations in the Korean Housing Market and the Occurrence of Unsold New Housing Stocks

by Younghoon Lee¹, Sanghyo Lee^2,* and Jaejun Kim¹

¹ Department of Architectural Engineering, Hanyang University, 222, Wangsipri-ro, Sungdong-gu, Seoul 04763, Korea

² Innovative Durable Building and Infrastructure Research Center, Hanyang University, 55 Hanyangdaehak-ro, Sangrok-gu, Ansan-si 15588, Gyeonggi-do, Korea

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 107; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010107 - 13 Jan 2017

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 4963

Abstract

In this paper, we intend to identify the characteristics of occurrence of unsold new housing stocks and draw the implications for the housing business strategy that can effectively cope with the market risk under the Korean housing market. As a result of the [...] Read more.

In this paper, we intend to identify the characteristics of occurrence of unsold new housing stocks and draw the implications for the housing business strategy that can effectively cope with the market risk under the Korean housing market. As a result of the analysis, most of the theoretical causality of occurrence of unsold new housing stocks under the three-dimensional Korean housing market was found to correspond to the empirical analysis result. In addition, the chonsei market that produces the characteristic movement of Korean housing market had a significant relation with occurrence of unsold new housing stocks. Because of these results, it is thought that the proposed housing business strategy can effectively cope with the housing market risk. It is thought that we need to additionally examine the financial validity of the proposed housing business model by calculating the cash flow and grope for policy support measures to materialize it on the basis of the analysis result of this paper. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Economic and Business Aspects of Sustainability)

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18 pages, 602 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Factors Affecting the Survival of SMEs: A Study of Biotechnology Firms in South Korea

by Kwangsoo Shin¹, Gunno Park², Jae Young Choi³

and Minkyung Choy^4,*

¹ Graduate School of Health Science Business Convergence, College of Medicine, Chungbuk National University, 1 Chungdae-ro, Seowin-gu, Cheongju-si 28644, Korea

² Technology Strategy and Planning Team, Samsung SDS, SDS West Campus 22F, 125, Olympic-ro 35, Songpa-gu, Seoul 05510, Korea

³ Graduate School of Technology & Innovation Management, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul 133-791, Korea

⁴ Management Research Center, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 08826, Korea

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 108; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010108 - 13 Jan 2017

Cited by 22 | Viewed by 7929

Abstract

Past studies examining survival factors of biotechnology firms have focused on pioneer countries, such as the USA, the UK and Germany. However, as the biotechnology industry in Asia is reaching the take-off stage and showing a high growth rate, the research on survival [...] Read more.

Past studies examining survival factors of biotechnology firms have focused on pioneer countries, such as the USA, the UK and Germany. However, as the biotechnology industry in Asia is reaching the take-off stage and showing a high growth rate, the research on survival factors in the context of Asian latecomers is needed. The present research investigates internal and external factors affecting the survival of SMEs (Small and Medium-sized Enterprises) in the biotechnology industry in South Korea. The Cox hazard model was employed to perform a robust estimation in survival analysis. The analysis of internal factors showed that the origin of a firm (i.e., having prior experience or spin-offs) and the business sub-sector (i.e., platform-based) affect the hazard rates of biotechnology firms. In terms of external factors, unlike strategic alliances, government R&D funding lowered hazard rates for the firm’s survival. Additionally, considering that the reasons of firm exit can be divided into bankruptcy and M&A (Mergers and Acquisitions), the different effects of origins from other firms and strategic alliance for firm survival are confirmed. The results suggest that prior experience, platform-based and constant government R&D funding contribute to the sustainable development of SMEs in the biotechnology industry. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Economic and Business Aspects of Sustainability)

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15 pages, 5429 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Mapping Social Vulnerability to Air Pollution: A Case Study of the Yangtze River Delta Region, China

by Yi Ge^1,*, Haibo Zhang^2,*, Wen Dou³, Wenfang Chen⁴, Ning Liu⁵, Yuan Wang¹, Yulin Shi¹ and Wenxin Rao¹

¹ State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control & Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China

² School of Government, Center for Risk, Disaster & Crisis Research, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China

³ School of Transportation, Southeast University, Nanjing 210018, China

⁴ State Key Laboratory of Severe Weather, Chinese Academy of Meteorological Science, Beijing 100081, China

⁵ School of Chemistry and Life Science, Jinling College, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 109; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010109 - 13 Jan 2017

Cited by 28 | Viewed by 10109

Abstract

Many frequent and severe air pollution incidents have emerged across the vast parts of China recently. The identification of factors and mapping social vulnerability has become extremely necessary for environmental management and sustainable development. However, studies associating social vulnerability with air pollution remain [...] Read more.

Many frequent and severe air pollution incidents have emerged across the vast parts of China recently. The identification of factors and mapping social vulnerability has become extremely necessary for environmental management and sustainable development. However, studies associating social vulnerability with air pollution remain sparse. With reference to research achievements of social vulnerability, this study made a new trial regarding social vulnerability assessment to air pollution. With the projection pursuit cluster (PPC) model, the top three factors contributing to social vulnerability index (SVI) were discovered and SVI and SVI dimensions (susceptibility, exposure, and adaptability) were evaluated. Results revealed that adaptability values are higher than susceptibility and exposure values. SVI is in a poor condition as, for the whole region, most values belong to the high-medium level. High SVI values mainly appear in the northern and the southern ends of study area. SVI in Shanghai is lower than in Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces. On the scale of prefecture-level city, it can be found that the low-value centers of SVI always occurred in urban core areas. The spatial variation and inequality in social vulnerability provide policy-makers a scientific basis for air pollution prevention and sustainable management. Full article

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15 pages, 981 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Determinants of Residential Solid Waste Management Services Provision: A Village-Level Analysis in Rural China

by Dan Pan¹

, Ruiyao Ying^2,* and Zuhui Huang³

¹ Institute of Poyang Lake Eco-Economics, Jiangxi University of Finance and Economics, Nanchang 330013, China

² College of Economics and Management, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China

³ China Academy of Rural Development, Zhejiang University, No. 388 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou 310058, China

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 110; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010110 - 13 Jan 2017

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 5908

Abstract

Providing residential solid waste collection (RSWC) services is the first and most indispensable part of residential solid waste management and is crucial for rural environment protection. This paper seeks to analyze the determinants of RSWC services’ provision at the village level, based on [...] Read more.

Providing residential solid waste collection (RSWC) services is the first and most indispensable part of residential solid waste management and is crucial for rural environment protection. This paper seeks to analyze the determinants of RSWC services’ provision at the village level, based on a latest survey data set of 150 villages in the Poyang Lake Eco-Economic Zone (PLEEZ) in Jiangxi Province. Using a Probit regression model and a Bivariate Probit regression model, our results indicated that: (1) The provision of RSWC services is not evenly distributed and richer villages have more RSWC services; (2) A showcasing phenomenon exists in the provision of RSWC services. Villages that are more populous, nearer to the township government, and located in the new countryside and old liberated areas saw an increase in the provision of RSWC facilities, services that will more easily showcase village leaders’ political achievement, while the provision of RSWC workers and both RSWC facilities and workers, services that will less easily showcase village leaders’ political achievement, do not increase in these villages; (3) Informal governance characteristics, such as the ratio of largest family clans, whether village leaders come from the village’s largest family clans, and the number of people working in the upper-level government have strong predictive power over the provision of RSWC services, while formal governance characteristics, such as elections, do not matter in RSWC services’ provision. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Governance in Northeast Asia: Challenges for Sustainable Frontier)

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16 pages, 1561 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Annual Precipitation Fluctuation and Spatial Differentiation Characteristics of the Horqin Region

by Liangxu Liu^1,*, Xueyong Zhao¹, Qinglan Meng², He Zhao², Xiaoqian Lu², Junkai Gao² and Xueli Chang²

¹ Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China

² Department of Geography and Tourist Science, Lu Dong University, Yantai 264025, China

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 111; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010111 - 13 Jan 2017

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 4359

Abstract

Precipitation is the main water source for vegetation survival in arid and semi-arid areas. However, previous studies always focus on the effects of precipitation in different time scales, but ignore the effects of precipitation in different spatial scales. To further study the effects [...] Read more.

Precipitation is the main water source for vegetation survival in arid and semi-arid areas. However, previous studies always focus on the effects of precipitation in different time scales, but ignore the effects of precipitation in different spatial scales. To further study the effects of precipitation fluctuation in different spatial scales, we used the wavelet analysis method to analyze its temporal and spatial change based on data from eighteen meteorological stations during 1961–2015 in Horqin region. Results showed that: (1) from the overall tendency of precipitation changes, the precipitation inter-annual variations in Horqin region had the tendency of gradually decreasing from the southeast (District IV) to the northwest; (2) the precipitation anomalies of District I–IV between 1960 and 1980 were small and approximate to the normal value; (3) in the time scale of 23–32 years, the cyclical fluctuations were very significant and the annual precipitation underwent two cyclical fluctuations from a period of low precipitation to a period of high precipitation; and (4) as results of analyzing the spatial wavelet variance of sub-region, the main cycle of precipitation in District I, District II and District III was between 10 and 11 years, while the main cycle of precipitation in District IV was 25 years. The main conclusions include the following. (1) This region tended to be arid, and the precipitation gradually decreased from the southeast (District IV) to northwest (District I). (2) The influence of spatial differentiation characteristics on precipitation fluctuation in this region was cyclical fluctuation, which gradually decreased from the southeast to the northwest. The length of the cyclical change period gradually shortened. In the first main cycle, whose annual precipitation changes were most significant, the changing characteristic was District IV and District I decreased from 25 years to 10 years. (3) Predicated from the cyclical changing law that the annual precipitation decreases from high to low, the Horqin region will remain in a period of low precipitation between 2016 and 2020. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Development for Sustainability in Water Constrained Regions)

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18 pages, 2010 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Managing European Cross Border Cooperation Projects on Sustainability: A Focus on MESP Project

by Corrado Schenone^1,*, Margherita Marrè Brunenghi¹, Ilaria Pittaluga¹, Abdelrahman Hajar², Walid Kamali³, Federica Montaresi⁴, Mohammed Rasheed^5,6

, Abdallah Abdul Wahab³, Yara El Moghrabi³, Riyad Manasrah^5,6

, Dima Merhaby² and Lorenzo Montani⁴

¹ Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Genoa, 16145 Genoa, Italy

² Office exploitation of Port of Tripoli, 1301 Tripoli, Lebanon

³ Faculty of Engineering, Al-Manar University of Tripoli, 676 Tripoli, Lebanon

⁴ Port Authority of La Spezia, 19126 La Spezia, Italy

⁵ Marine Science Station, The University of Jordan, 77110 Irbid, Jordan

⁶ Marine Science Station, The Yarmouk University, 21163 Irbid, Jordan

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 112; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010112 - 13 Jan 2017

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 5539

Abstract

International cooperation is a must to achieve the goal of sustainable development, since only through cross border actions’ complex issues like environmental degradation can be faced. Supranational initiatives and shared objectives are the only path for getting a durable and effective green strategy, [...] Read more.

International cooperation is a must to achieve the goal of sustainable development, since only through cross border actions’ complex issues like environmental degradation can be faced. Supranational initiatives and shared objectives are the only path for getting a durable and effective green strategy, which transcends boundaries or governments and fosters a common effort for sustainability through networking. The European Neighborhood and Partnership Instrument (ENPI) aims at reinforcing cooperation between the European Union (EU) and partner countries’ regions placed along the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. To this extent, MESP (Managing the Environmental Sustainability of Ports for a durable development) can be considered as a typical cross border cooperation project, willing to create a sustainable environmental management of port in northern and southern shores of the Mediterranean basin. This has been achieved through the development of specific guidelines towards environmental sustainability and the collection of common tools, methodologies, good practices and innovations focused on pollution reduction that can be replicated in Mediterranean ports and further. This was possible through the creation of a strong cooperation network and long-lasting collaborations among partners and stakeholders such as harbour cities, port authorities, universities, research centres and scientific skills. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 16th CIRIAF National Congress – Sustainable Development, Environment and Human Health Protection)

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15 pages, 12429 KiB

Open AccessArticle

On the Relationship between Holocene Geomorphic Evolution of Rivers and Prehistoric Settlements Distribution in the Songshan Mountain Region of China

by Peng Lu^1,2,*, Duowen Mo³, Hui Wang⁴, Ruixia Yang^1,2,5, Yan Tian¹, Panpan Chen¹, Rosa Lasaponara^1,6 and Nicola Masini^1,7

¹ Institute of Geography, Henan Academy of Sciences, Zhengzhou 450052, China

² Zhengzhou Base, International Center on Space Technologies for Natural and Cultural Heritage under the Auspices of UNESCO, Zhengzhou 450052, China

³ College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China

⁴ The Institute of Archaeology, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Beijing 100710, China

⁵ Key Laboratory of Digital Earth Science, Institute of Remote Sensing and Digital Earth, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100094, China

⁶ Institute of Methodologies for Environmental Analysis, National Research Council C.da Santa Loja, 85050 Tito Scalo (PZ), Italy

⁷ Institute for Archaeological and Architectural Heritage, National Research Council C.da Santa Loja, 85050 Tito Scalo (PZ), Italy

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 114; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010114 - 13 Jan 2017

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 6367

Abstract

This paper deals with the study of Holocene geomorphic evolution of rivers around Songshan Mountain in relation to human frequentation in Prehistoric periods. The investigations were performed by means of an integration of GIS data processing; field surveys and particle size analysis. In [...] Read more.

This paper deals with the study of Holocene geomorphic evolution of rivers around Songshan Mountain in relation to human frequentation in Prehistoric periods. The investigations were performed by means of an integration of GIS data processing; field surveys and particle size analysis. In 8000–3000 aBP; in the Songshan Mountain Region, large-scale river sedimentation occurred. This increased the elevation of river beds that were higher than today. After 3000 aBP; the upper reaches of the rivers experienced a down cut; while the lower reaches experienced continuing sedimentation. The data on the elevation of prehistoric settlements above the river levels were obtained from Digital Elevation Models (DEMs). These data were corrected according to the evolutionary features of fluvial landforms in order to obtain synchronous elevations above river levels of prehistoric settlements. The relationship between sediment distribution and the Holocene geomorphic evolution was investigated through the statistical analysis of the elevation above the river levels. Outputs from our analyses enabled us to differentiate three evolutionary stages. During the first one, related to Peiligang culture (9000–7500 aBP), populations mainly settled on both hilly relief and high plateaus depending on their agriculture production modes. During the second stage, from Yangshao (7500–5000 aBP) to the Longshan period (5000–4000 aBP), settlements were mainly distributed on mountainous areas and hilly lands to avoid flooding and to develop agriculture. Finally, during the Xiashang culture (4000–3000 aBP), a large number of settlements migrated to the plain area to facilitate trade of goods and cultural exchanges. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Decipher the Present to Shape the Future- Rethinking the Urban–Rural Nexus)

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20 pages, 2699 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Experimental Validation of a Wave Energy Converter Array Hydrodynamics Tool

by Pau Mercadé Ruiz^*

, Francesco Ferri

and Jens Peter Kofoed

Department of Civil Engineering, Aalborg University, Thomas Manns Vej 23, Aalborg 9220, Denmark

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 115; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010115 - 14 Jan 2017

Cited by 34 | Viewed by 7204

Abstract

This paper uses experimental data to validate a wave energy converter (WEC) array hydrodynamics tool developed within the context of linearized potential flow theory. To this end, wave forces and power absorption by an array of five-point absorber WECs in monochromatic and panchromatic [...] Read more.

This paper uses experimental data to validate a wave energy converter (WEC) array hydrodynamics tool developed within the context of linearized potential flow theory. To this end, wave forces and power absorption by an array of five-point absorber WECs in monochromatic and panchromatic waves were measured from a set of deep-water wave basin experimental tests. Unlike the few other examples of WEC array experimental campaigns, the power take-off (PTO) system of each WEC was simulated by means of advanced equipment capable of accurately reproducing linear control strategies and, thereby, reducing the uncertainty in the physical model. Experimental measurements are then compared with numerical predictions showing reasonable agreement; the measured trends are, in the same way, well captured by the numerical predictions. Further analysis demonstrates that the developed tool can predict, on the safe side, wave forces and power absorption with less than 17.5% and 23.0% error, respectively, for more than 68% of the predictions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wave Energy Converters)

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20 pages, 5521 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sprawl Dynamics in Rural–Urban Territories Highly Suited for Wine Production. Mapping Urban Growth and Changing Territorial Shapes in North-East Italy

by Luca Simone Rizzo^1,*

, Filippo Smerghetto², Maria Giuseppina Lucia³ and Raffaela Gabriella Rizzo⁴

¹ Dipartimento di Scienze Politiche, Giuridiche e Studi Internazionali, Università di Padova, Via del Santo, 28-35123 Padova, Italy

² Senvion Chile, Av. Apoquindo 4800 piso 20, Las Condes, 7560969 Santiago, Chile

³ Dipartimento Interateneo di Scienze, Progetto e Politiche del Territorio, Università di Torino, Viale Pier Andrea Mattioli, 39-10125 Torino, Italy

⁴ Facoltà di Lettere e Filosofia, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Via Trieste, 17-25121 Brescia, Italy

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 116; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010116 - 14 Jan 2017

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 6310

Abstract

In Italy, large-scale changes in the structure of land use can be observed. These are caused primarily by socio-economic pressures, generally determining the conversion of agricultural land into artificial surfaces. Our aim was to investigate if and how sprawl dynamics influence viticultural landscapes [...] Read more.

In Italy, large-scale changes in the structure of land use can be observed. These are caused primarily by socio-economic pressures, generally determining the conversion of agricultural land into artificial surfaces. Our aim was to investigate if and how sprawl dynamics influence viticultural landscapes (that is, if they result in scattered, intermediate, or compact urban developments). We focused on selected territories in North-East Italy, where vine-growing provides almost uninterrupted land cover, as case study areas. Using GIS-based techniques, we documented the processes of land use, analyzing the resulting changes of urban-rural forms and in territorial shapes. Results at the Provincial level showed decreasing dispersed artificial surfaces and increasing clustered urban developments. This trend is also detected in areas under vine, but in general is more modest. Our research indicates that typical agricultural productions can determine resistance to the alienation of land, maintaining a sufficient consistency for areas to develop in a more varied and articulated (for example touristic) manner. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Decipher the Present to Shape the Future- Rethinking the Urban–Rural Nexus)

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19 pages, 440 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Multi-Objective Optimization for Equipment Capacity in Off-Grid Smart House

by Yasuaki Miyazato^1,*, Shota Tobaru^1,†, Kosuke Uchida^2,†, Cirio Celestino Muarapaz^1,†, Abdul Motin Howlader^3,† and Tomonobu Senjyu^1,†

¹ Faculty of Engineering, University of the Ryukyus, 1 Senbaru Nishihara-cho Nakagami, Okinawa 903-0213, Japan

² Department of Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science, 2641 Yamazaki Noda, Chiba 278-8510, Japan

³ Hawaii Natural Energy Institute, University of Hawaii, Manoa Honolulu, HI 96822, USA

^† These authors contributed equally to this work.

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 117; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010117 - 13 Jan 2017

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 5282

Abstract

Recently, the off-grid smart house has been attracting attention in Japan for considering global warming. Moreover, the selling price of surplus power from the renewable energy system by Feed-In Tariff (FIT) has declined. Therefore, this paper proposes an off-grid smart house with the [...] Read more.

Recently, the off-grid smart house has been attracting attention in Japan for considering global warming. Moreover, the selling price of surplus power from the renewable energy system by Feed-In Tariff (FIT) has declined. Therefore, this paper proposes an off-grid smart house with the introduced Photovoltaic (PV) system, Solar Collector (SC) system, Hot Water Heat Pump (HWHP), fixed battery and Electric Vehicle (EV). In this research, a multi-objective optimization problem is considered to minimize the introduced capacity and shortage of the power supply in the smart house. It can perform the electric power procurement from the EV charging station for the compensation of a shortage of power supply. From the simulation results, it is shown that the shortage of the power supply can be reduced by the compensation of the EV power. Furthermore, considering the uncertainty for PV output power, reliable simulation results can be obtained. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Electric Power Systems Research)

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17 pages, 584 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Value Chain Structures that Define European Cellulosic Ethanol Production

by Jay Sterling Gregg^1,*, Simon Bolwig¹

, Teis Hansen^2,3

, Ola Solér¹, Sara Ben Amer-Allam¹, Júlia Pladevall Viladecans¹, Antje Klitkou³

and Arne Fevolden³

¹ Department of Management Engineering, Technical University of Denmark (DTU), 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark

² Department of Human Geography, Lund University, 22362 Lund, Sweden

³ NIFU Nordic Institute for Studies in Innovation, Research and Education, 0653 Oslo, Norway

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 118; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010118 - 14 Jan 2017

Cited by 26 | Viewed by 11022

Abstract

Production of cellulosic ethanol (CE) has not yet reached the scale envisaged by the literature and industry. This study explores CE production in Europe to improve understanding of the motivations and barriers associated with this situation. To do this, we conduct a case [...] Read more.

Production of cellulosic ethanol (CE) has not yet reached the scale envisaged by the literature and industry. This study explores CE production in Europe to improve understanding of the motivations and barriers associated with this situation. To do this, we conduct a case study-based analysis of CE production plants across Europe from a global value chain (GVC) perspective. We find that most CE production plants in the EU focus largely on intellectual property and are therefore only at the pilot or demonstration scale. Crescentino, the largest CE production facility in Europe, is also more interested in technology licensing than producing ethanol. Demonstration-scale plants tend to have a larger variety of feedstocks, whereas forestry-based plants have more diversity of outputs. As scale increases, the diversity of feedstocks and outputs diminishes, and firms struggle with feedstock provisioning, global petroleum markets and higher financial risks. We argue that, to increase CE production, policies should consider value chains, promote the wider bio-economy of products and focus on economies of scope. Whereas the EU and its member states have ethanol quotas and blending targets, a more effective policy would be to seek to reduce the risks involved in financing capital projects, secure feedstock provisioning and support a diversity of end products. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovation and Sustainable Development for the Bioeconomy)

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15 pages, 2589 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluating the Potential of Variable Renewable Energy for a Balanced Isolated Grid: A Japanese Case Study

by Mai Inoue, Yutaka Genchi and Yuki Kudoh^*

Research Institute of Science for Safety and Sustainability, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, 16-1 Onogawa, Tsukuba 305-8569, Japan

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 119; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010119 - 14 Jan 2017

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 6209

Abstract

There is a global push to develop renewable energy to further a low-carbon society. However, the nature of variable renewable energy (VRE) sources such as wind power and solar photovoltaic (PV) systems may create problems because electricity grids require a stable power supply [...] Read more.

There is a global push to develop renewable energy to further a low-carbon society. However, the nature of variable renewable energy (VRE) sources such as wind power and solar photovoltaic (PV) systems may create problems because electricity grids require a stable power supply to match demand. To evaluate the potential capacity of VREs that may be installed, we develop an optimized model that balances power supply and demand and also considers grid balancing by battery storage and load frequency control. The model was applied to a case study of an isolated grid on a remote Japanese island. When set to optimize the grid in terms of lowest cost, the model suggested that, compared with the base case, the capacity of wind power should be increased by a factor of 1.7 and 15.8 for situations without and with battery storage, respectively. Since it was always considered to be more expensive than wind power, no change in solar PV capacity was observed. These approaches resulted in a decrease in the total power generation cost of 2% and 24%, respectively, while total CO₂ emissions fell by 3% and 52%, primarily driven by decreased used of the existing fossil-fueled thermal plant. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Electric Power Systems Research)

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13 pages, 1808 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Distributed Demand Side Management with Battery Storage for Smart Home Energy Scheduling

by Omowunmi Mary Longe^1,*

, Khmaies Ouahada¹

, Suvendi Rimer¹, Ashot N. Harutyunyan² and Hendrik C. Ferreira¹

¹ Department of Electrical & Electronics Engineering Science, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg 2006, South Africa

² VMware, Yerevan 0051, Armenia

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 120; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010120 - 14 Jan 2017

Cited by 57 | Viewed by 7242

Abstract

The role of Demand Side Management (DSM) with Distributed Energy Storage (DES) has been gaining attention in recent studies due to the impact of the latter on energy management in the smart grid. In this work, an Energy Scheduling and Distributed Storage (ESDS) [...] Read more.

The role of Demand Side Management (DSM) with Distributed Energy Storage (DES) has been gaining attention in recent studies due to the impact of the latter on energy management in the smart grid. In this work, an Energy Scheduling and Distributed Storage (ESDS) algorithm is proposed to be installed into the smart meters of Time-of-Use (TOU) pricing consumers possessing in-home energy storage devices. Source of energy supply to the smart home appliances was optimized between the utility grid and the DES device depending on energy tariff and consumer demand satisfaction information. This is to minimize consumer energy expenditure and maximize demand satisfaction simultaneously. The ESDS algorithm was found to offer consumer-friendly and utility-friendly enhancements to the DSM program such as energy, financial, and investment savings, reduced/eliminated consumer dissatisfaction even at peak periods, Peak-to-Average-Ratio (PAR) demand reduction, grid energy sustainability, socio-economic benefits, and other associated benefits such as environmental-friendliness. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Advent of Smart Homes)

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10 pages, 3967 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Biochars as Potential Adsorbers of CH₄, CO₂ and H₂S

by Sumathi Sethupathi¹

, Ming Zhang², Anushka Upamali Rajapaksha^3,4

, Sang Ryong Lee⁵

, Norhusna Mohamad Nor⁶, Abdul Rahman Mohamed⁶, Mohammad Al-Wabel⁷

, Sang Soo Lee^3,* and Yong Sik Ok^3,*

¹ Faculty of Engineering and Green Technology, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, 31900 Kampar, Perak, Malaysia

² Department of Environmental Engineering, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou 310018, China

³ Korea Biochar Research Center & School of Natural Resources and Environmental Science, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Korea

⁴ Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, The Open University of Sri Lanka, Nawala, Nugegoda 10250, Sri Lanka

⁵ National Institute of Animal Science, RDA, Wanju55365, Korea

⁶ School of Chemical Engineering, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 14300 Nibong Tebal, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia

⁷ Soil Science Department, College of Food & Agricultural Sciences, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2460, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 121; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010121 - 14 Jan 2017

Cited by 102 | Viewed by 11225

Abstract

Methane gas, as one of the major biogases, is a potential source of renewable energy for power production. Biochar can be readily used to purify biogas contaminants such as H₂S and CO₂. This study assessed the adsorption of CH [...] Read more.

Methane gas, as one of the major biogases, is a potential source of renewable energy for power production. Biochar can be readily used to purify biogas contaminants such as H₂S and CO₂. This study assessed the adsorption of CH₄, H₂S, and CO₂ onto four different types of biochars. The adsorption dynamics of biochars were investigated in a fixed-bed column, by determining the breakthrough curves and adsorption capacities of biochars. The physicochemical properties of biochars were considered to justify the adsorption performance. The results showed that CH₄ was not adsorbed well by the subjected biochars whereas CO₂ and H₂S were successfully captured. The H₂S and CO₂ breakthrough capacity were related to both the surface adsorption and chemical reaction. The adsorption capacity was in the following order: perilla > soybean stover > Korean oak > Japanese oak biochars. The simultaneous adsorption also leads to a competition of sorption sites. Biochars are a promising material for the biogas purification industry. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Management of Post-Epidemic Mass Carcasses Burial Sites)

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20 pages, 8563 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Impact of Morphological Features on Summer Temperature Variations on the Example of Two Residential Neighborhoods in Ljubljana, Slovenia

by Alenka Fikfak^1,*

, Saja Kosanović², Miha Konjar¹, Janez P. Grom¹ and Martina Zbašnik-Senegačnik¹

¹ Faculty of Architecture, University of Ljubljana, Zoisova Street 12, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia

² Department for Architecture, Faculty of Technical Sciences, University of Priština in Kosovska Mitrovica, Kneza Miloša Street 7, 38220 Kosovska Mitrovica, Kosovo

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 122; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010122 - 14 Jan 2017

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 7950

Abstract

The study conducted in this paper is focused on a predominantly residential area of the City of Ljubljana—Koseze, which is characterized by generally favorable (bio)climatic conditions. Nonetheless, thermal satellite images showed that residential neighborhoods within the Koseze district display unexpected variations in summer [...] Read more.

The study conducted in this paper is focused on a predominantly residential area of the City of Ljubljana—Koseze, which is characterized by generally favorable (bio)climatic conditions. Nonetheless, thermal satellite images showed that residential neighborhoods within the Koseze district display unexpected variations in summer temperatures. This observation called into question the benefits of existing bioclimatic features and indicated the need to investigate and compare two neighborhoods with similar urban parameters, with the aim to identify morphological differential characteristics impacting urban heat island (UHI) intensity. By applying the study methodology based on a literature review, surveys of key precedents, detailed mapping in two Koseze locations, in situ measurements, observations and recordings, thermal imagery, and the analyses of statistical data, as well as by defining the four main categories of morphological urban parameters—structure, cover, fabric and metabolism, it was concluded that both neighborhoods have common morphological elements mitigating the UHI effect. Additionally, it was found that the neighborhood with higher UHI intensity has several less favorable features, such as busier roads, larger surface of parking corridors, and the existence of underground parking space. The traffic as an element of urban morphology hence represents the main cause of differences among UHI levels in the two Koseze neighborhoods. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Heat Island)

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18 pages, 6790 KiB

Open AccessArticle

How Do Differences in Land Ownership Types in China Affect Land Development? A Case from Beijing

by Daquan Huang^1,*, Yuncheng Huang¹, Xingshuo Zhao² and Zhen Liu¹

¹ School of Geography, Beijing Normal University, No. 19, XinJieKouWai St., Hai Dian District, Beijing 100875, China

² Urban-Rural Planning Administration Center, Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development of China, Beijing 100835, China

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 123; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010123 - 16 Jan 2017

Cited by 25 | Viewed by 8524

Abstract

China has a unique land use system in which there are two types of land ownership, namely, state-owned urban land and farmer collective-owned rural land. Despite strict restrictions on the use rights of farmer collective-owned land, rural land is, in fact, developed along [...] Read more.

China has a unique land use system in which there are two types of land ownership, namely, state-owned urban land and farmer collective-owned rural land. Despite strict restrictions on the use rights of farmer collective-owned land, rural land is, in fact, developed along two pathways: it is formally acquired by the state and transferred into state ownership, or it is informally developed while remaining in collective ownership. Taking Beijing, the capital, as an example, and using data from land use surveys in the Changping district of the city, this paper examines the spatial patterns and characteristics of land development along these two pathways, and sets up a multinomial logit model to test whether land development with and without ownership change was affected by the same factors. The findings suggest that: (1) development on collective-owned land is more spatially scattered, and its links to public infrastructure are weaker; (2) transportation infrastructure, farmer income, spatial location, and previous land usage are the major factors that affect land development; nevertheless, the influences of the factors are different for the two pathways. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Sustainability and Planning Support Systems)

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17 pages, 2963 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Does Suburbanization Cause Ecological Deterioration? An Empirical Analysis of Shanghai, China

by Hefeng Wang^1,2,*, Yishao Shi³

, Anbing Zhang^1,2, Yuan Cao¹ and Haixin Liu^1,2

¹ School of Mining and Geomatics, Hebei University of Engineering, Handan 056021, Hebei, China

² Collaborative Innovation Center of Comprehensive Development and Utilization of Coal Resource, Handan 056021, Hebei, China

³ College of Surveying and Geo-Informatics, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 124; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010124 - 16 Jan 2017

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 7465

Abstract

Suburbanization in the US largely occurred to solve various urban problems; however, it has also caused many issues, such as the decline of central urban areas, the waste of land resources, and the deterioration of ecological environments in the suburbs. Therefore, the study [...] Read more.

Suburbanization in the US largely occurred to solve various urban problems; however, it has also caused many issues, such as the decline of central urban areas, the waste of land resources, and the deterioration of ecological environments in the suburbs. Therefore, the study of suburbanization has received considerable attention in academia. Scholars have argued that suburbanization leads to ecological deterioration. To examine this viewpoint, the authors analyzed spatial-temporal changes in the ambient environment, the soil environment, the water environment, and other ecological environments, as well as carbon emissions of the central urban areas and the suburbs, in the suburbanization process exemplified by Shanghai. The results showed that suburbanization indeed caused many changes in ecological and environmental quality, but that the overall environmental quality in the suburbs of Shanghai remained better than that in the central urban area. It is important not to exaggerate the negative impact of suburbanization in metropolitan areas on the quality of the surrounding ecological environments. However, great attention must be given to controlling the diffusion of pollutants resulting from industrial and population suburbanization. It is also crucial to continue strengthening ecological environmental remediation, improvement, and recovery in the central urban area, and to comprehensively promote the coordinated development of agricultural modernization, industrial aggregation, low-carbon urbanization, and ecological sustainability, in both urban and rural areas. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Ecosystems and Society in the Context of Big and New Data)

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25 pages, 573 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Environmental Collaboration for Sustainability in the Construction Industry: An Exploratory Study in Italy

by Margherita Pero¹, Antonella Moretto¹, Eleonora Bottani^2,*

and Barbara Bigliardi²

¹ Politecnico di Milano, Department of Management, Economics, and Industrial Engineering, Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32, 20133 Milan, Italy

² Università degli Studi di Parma, Dipartimento di Ingegneria e Architettura, viale delle Scienze 181/A, 43124 Parma, Italy

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 125; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010125 - 17 Jan 2017

Cited by 79 | Viewed by 11618

Abstract

The notion of sustainability, in its three-fold meaning (economic, environmental, and social), is being adopted more and more by companies. Today it is widely accepted that sustainability cannot be achieved by firms in isolation, but requires the collaboration of all supply chain players. [...] Read more.

The notion of sustainability, in its three-fold meaning (economic, environmental, and social), is being adopted more and more by companies. Today it is widely accepted that sustainability cannot be achieved by firms in isolation, but requires the collaboration of all supply chain players. This issue is particularly relevant in industrial contexts where the supply chains are complex in terms of structure and number of players, such as the construction industry. Thus, the aim of the paper is to explore the sustainability practices adopted in the construction industry, with a particular attention to the role of environmental collaboration of supply chain partners in achieving sustainability. By means of multiple case study-based research, we investigate sustainability practices on a sample of construction companies of Italy, thus identifying three main sustainability approaches, which differ in both the strategic orientation towards sustainability and the level of implementation in design, purchasing, and governance processes, as well as the main variables driving the adoption of these approaches. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Economic and Business Aspects of Sustainability)

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14 pages, 881 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Social Dynamics Shaping the Diffusion of Sustainable Aquaculture Innovations in the Solomon Islands

by Jessica Blythe^1,2,*, Reuben Sulu¹, Daykin Harohau¹, Rebecca Weeks², Anne-Maree Schwarz¹, David Mills^2,3 and Michael Phillips^3,4

¹ WorldFish, Honiara P.O. Box 438, Solomon Islands

² Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville QLD 4811, Australia

³ WorldFish, 11960 Bayan Lepas, Penang 10670, Malaysia

⁴ Secretariat of the Pacific Community, Private Mail Bag, Suva, Fiji

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 126; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010126 - 17 Jan 2017

Cited by 42 | Viewed by 10481

Abstract

Sustainably feeding the world’s growing population represents one of our most significant challenges. Aquaculture is well positioned to make contributions towards this challenge. Yet, the translation of aquaculture production innovations into benefits for rural communities is constrained by a limited understanding of the [...] Read more.

Sustainably feeding the world’s growing population represents one of our most significant challenges. Aquaculture is well positioned to make contributions towards this challenge. Yet, the translation of aquaculture production innovations into benefits for rural communities is constrained by a limited understanding of the social dynamics that influence the adoption of new agricultural practices. In this paper, we investigate the factors that shape the spread of small-scale tilapia aquaculture through rural Solomon Islands. Based on diffusion of innovation theory, we focus on three potentially influential factors: (i) socio-economic characteristics of adopters; (ii) the role of opinion leaders; and (iii) characteristics of the innovation. We find that farmers who were wealthier, older, and had more diverse livelihoods were most likely to be adopters. Opinion leaders facilitated the adoption of tilapia aquaculture, but lacked the capacity to provide fundamental knowledge necessary to realize its potential benefits to food security. The paper argues for more explicit attention to the poorest households and makes the case for a deeper engagement with the broader social and institutional contexts that shape the adoption process. Aquaculture interventions that account for these social dynamics are critical for translating production innovations into sustainable benefits to rural communities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Agriculture)

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16 pages, 974 KiB

Open AccessArticle

How Do Power Type and Partnership Quality Affect Supply Chain Management Performance?

by Kwang O. Park¹, Hwalsik Chang² and Dae Hyun Jung^2,*

¹ Division of Business, Yeungnam University College, Daegu 42415, Korea

² School of Business, Pusan National University, Pusan 46241, Korea

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 127; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010127 - 17 Jan 2017

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 7822

Abstract

A supply chain management (SCM) system is a strategic cooperative that organically integrates all supply chains to improve the performance of a company. The greatest critical success factor of SCM is partnership. Without cooperation between companies, SCM performance is limited. Does this imply, [...] Read more.

A supply chain management (SCM) system is a strategic cooperative that organically integrates all supply chains to improve the performance of a company. The greatest critical success factor of SCM is partnership. Without cooperation between companies, SCM performance is limited. Does this imply, therefore, that companies within the supply chain can achieve mutual transactions equally? If the power between companies is unequal, how does this affect their partnership? The focus of this study is to assess whether power types enhance SCM performance through partnerships. We categorize power types as mediated and non-mediated. Mediated power is categorized based on coercion, reward, and legitimate, while non-mediated power is categorized based on information, expert, and reference. Therefore, this study examines how power types form a causal partnership relationship within the supply chain, and performs an empirical investigation on how the partnerships influence SCM performance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability in Supply Chain Management)

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14 pages, 887 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Differential Responses of Soil Microbial Community to Four-Decade Long Grazing and Cultivation in a Semi-Arid Grassland

by Yating He^1,2,3, Minggang Xu^2,*, Yuchun Qi¹, Yunshe Dong^1,*, Xinhua He²

, Jianwei Li², Xinchao Liu¹ and Liangjie Sun¹

¹ Key Laboratory of Land Surface Pattern and Simulation, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China

² Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Crop Nutrition and Fertilization, Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China

³ Research Institute of Forestry Policy and Information, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing 100091, China

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 128; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010128 - 18 Jan 2017

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 4858

Abstract

Grazing and cultivation are two important management practices worldwide that can cause significant soil organic carbon (SOC) losses. However, it remains elusive how soil microbes have responded to soil carbon changes under these two practices. Based on a four-decade long field experiment, this [...] Read more.

Grazing and cultivation are two important management practices worldwide that can cause significant soil organic carbon (SOC) losses. However, it remains elusive how soil microbes have responded to soil carbon changes under these two practices. Based on a four-decade long field experiment, this study investigated the effects of grazing and cultivation on SOC stocks and microbial properties in the semi-arid grasslands of China. We hypothesize that grazing and cultivation would deplete SOC and depress microbial activities under both practices. However, our hypotheses were only partially supported. As compared with the adjacent indigenous grasslands, SOC and microbial biomass carbon (MBC) were decreased by 20% or more under grazing and cultivation, which is consistent with the reduction of fungi abundance by 40% and 71%, respectively. The abundance of bacteria and actinomycetes was decreased under grazing but increased under cultivation, which likely enhanced microbial diversity in cultivation. Invertase activity decreased under the two treatments, while urease activity increased under grazing. These results suggest that nitrogen fertilizer input during cultivation may preferentially favor bacterial growth, in spite of SOC loss, due to rapid decomposition, while overgrazing may deteriorate the nitrogen supply to belowground microbes, thus stimulating the microbial production of nitrogen acquisition enzymes. This decade-long study demonstrated differential soil microbial responses under grazing and cultivation and has important applications for better management practices in the grassland ecosystem. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Environmental Sustainability and Applications)

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13 pages, 3945 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Indirect Roles of Roads in Soil Erosion Evolution in Jiangxi Province, China: A Large Scale Perspective

by Linlin Xiao¹

, Xiaohuan Yang^1,2 and Hongyan Cai^1,*

¹ Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China

² Jiangsu Center for Collaborative Innovation in Geographical Information Resource Development and Application, No. 1 Wenyuan Rd., Nanjing 210023, China

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 129; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010129 - 18 Jan 2017

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 5342

Abstract

As elicitors of terrestrial system change (e.g., land use transformation) through the introduction of anthropogenic causes, the spatial patterns and levels of roads might be more detrimental to the long-term health of ecosystems at a large scale than the road paving itself. This [...] Read more.

As elicitors of terrestrial system change (e.g., land use transformation) through the introduction of anthropogenic causes, the spatial patterns and levels of roads might be more detrimental to the long-term health of ecosystems at a large scale than the road paving itself. This paper reveals the relationship between soil erosion and roads from a large-scale perspective in Jiangxi Province, China. Temporal and spatial distribution characteristics of artificial and natural drive factors of soil erosion alongside roads were addressed. It was found that, from 1990 to 2010, Jiangxi Province experienced an obvious reduction in soil erosion (the mean annual soil erosion rate decreased from 930.8 t·km⁻²·a⁻¹ to 522.0 t·km⁻²·a⁻¹), which was positively correlated with road density (p < 0.01). The maximum soil erosion reduction occurred at a distance of 0–1 km from the village roads. The order of soil erosion effects of the four levels of roads is: Village road > county road > provincial/national road. We emphasize that studying the indirect roles of roads in soil erosion is strongly dependent on a comprehensive consideration of historical policy and the economic development stage in a study area. This paper highlights the indirect role of village roads in soil erosion evolution. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Environmental Sustainability and Applications)

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14 pages, 3074 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Fungal Pretreatment of Willow Sawdust with Abortiporus biennis for Anaerobic Digestion: Impact of an External Nitrogen Source

by Maria Alexandropoulou^1,2, Georgia Antonopoulou^1,*, Ioanna Ntaikou¹

and Gerasimos Lyberatos^1,2

¹ Institute of Chemical Engineering Sciences, Stadiou, Platani, GR 26504 Patras, Greece

² School of Chemical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, GR 15780 Athens, Greece

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 130; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010130 - 17 Jan 2017

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 5260

Abstract

In this study the effect of nitrogen (N) supplementation in the fungal pretreatment of willow sawdust (WSD) via the white rot fungus Abortiporus biennis (A. biennis) was studied in terms of the fractionation of lignocellulosic biomass and biochemical methane potential (BMP). Thus, different [...] Read more.

In this study the effect of nitrogen (N) supplementation in the fungal pretreatment of willow sawdust (WSD) via the white rot fungus Abortiporus biennis (A. biennis) was studied in terms of the fractionation of lignocellulosic biomass and biochemical methane potential (BMP). Thus, different external nitrogen sources (yeast extract (YE), urea (UR), and ammonium nitrate (AN)) at different ratios (N/C of 1/250 and 1/50) were added and the effect of the above parameters on the chemical composition of WSD during solid-state fermentation (SSF) experiments with A. biennis was assessed and compared to the experiment of fungal pretreatment without N supplementation (N/C was 1/500, control experiment). The results indicated that the addition of an external nitrogen source did not facilitate delignification, regardless of the type of nitrogen source and the ratio of N/C used. On the other hand, enhanced cellulose uptake was observed. Samples of the 28th day of cultivation, with and without N supplementation, were used for BMP tests, where a reduction in methane yield was observed, compared to the control experiment. In addition, a combination of fungal with alkali (20% NaOH w/w dry mass) pretreatment was performed in order to assess the effect of combined pretreatment on the lignocellulosic content and the BMP. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability in Solid Waste Management)

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13 pages, 4100 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Structural Performance of Reinforced RCA Concrete Beams Made by a Modified EMV Method

by Sungchul Yang^1,* and Hwalwoong Lee²

¹ School of Architectural Engineering, Hongik University, 2639 Sejong-ro Jochiwon, Sejong 30016, Korea

² Construction Safety Division, Korea Infrastructure Safety Corporation, 315 Goyangdae-ro Ilsanseo-gu, Goyang 10223, Korea

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 131; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010131 - 17 Jan 2017

Cited by 20 | Viewed by 4732

Abstract

This study aims to show the effect of a modified equivalent mortar volume (EMV) method on the flexural performance of recycled concrete aggregate (RCA). To verify this, an experimental study was carried out firstly by testing fresh and hardened material properties of RCA [...] Read more.

This study aims to show the effect of a modified equivalent mortar volume (EMV) method on the flexural performance of recycled concrete aggregate (RCA). To verify this, an experimental study was carried out firstly by testing fresh and hardened material properties of RCA concrete specimens made by two different mixture design methods, i.e., the modified EMV method and the conventional American Concrete Institute (ACI) method. The flexural performance of five reinforced recycled concrete (RRC) beams mixed with different mixture designs was then investigated. Test results confirmed that the elastic moduli of the RCA concrete specimens made using the modified EMV method are greater than those of the conventional ACI mixture, while the drying shrinkage tended to decrease. The ultimate strengths of RRC beams mixed with the modified EMV method are as much as five percent greater than that achieved with the conventional ACI mixture. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Engineering and Science)

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15 pages, 1220 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assessment of Ammonia Volatilization Losses and Nitrogen Utilization during the Rice Growing Season in Alkaline Salt-Affected Soils

by Yangyang Li^1,2, Lihua Huang^1,*, Huan Zhang¹, Mingming Wang¹ and Zhengwei Liang^1,*

¹ Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130102, China

² University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 132; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010132 - 18 Jan 2017

Cited by 57 | Viewed by 8434

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of different fertilizer types and application rates on ammonia volatilization loss and to explore nitrogen distribution and nitrogen use efficiency using the ¹⁵N isotope tracing technique in different alkaline salt-affected conditions in [...] Read more.

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of different fertilizer types and application rates on ammonia volatilization loss and to explore nitrogen distribution and nitrogen use efficiency using the ¹⁵N isotope tracing technique in different alkaline salt-affected conditions in the Songnen Plain, Northeast China. The results showed a decreasing trend in ammonia volatilization loss from ammonium nitrate and ammonium sulfate, but not that from urea, as the electrical conductivity gradient increased, whereas the reverse trend was found as the pH gradient increased. Ammonia volatilization loss increased in moderately salt-affected soil compared with that in slightly salt-affected soil, particularly during the tillering stage, regardless of the N fertilizer rate. The percentage of N absorbed by rice plants increased from urea but decreased from the soil as the amount of nitrogen was increased. Interestingly, the N retention rate in soil decreased and rice grain yield and nitrogen agronomic efficiency increased as the amount of nitrogen increased in both salt-affected soil conditions. The nitrogen application amount of highest N physiological efficiency was 225 kg·N/ha. Considering high rice production and a minimal environmental threat, we should fully consider controlling ammonia volatilization losses by adjusting the fertilizer type and the crop stage when the fertilizer is applied. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Agriculture)

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14 pages, 409 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Comprehensive Evaluation on Employee Satisfaction of Mine Occupational Health and Safety Management System Based on Improved AHP and 2-Tuple Linguistic Information

by Jiangdong Bao¹, Jan Johansson¹ and Jingdong Zhang^2,*

¹ Centre of Advanced Mining and Metallurgy, CAMM, Department of Human Work Science, Luleå University of Technology, Luleå 97751, Sweden

² Research Center for Environment and Health, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, Wuhan 430000, China

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 133; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010133 - 18 Jan 2017

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 5504

Abstract

In order to comprehensively evaluate the employee satisfaction of mine occupational health and safety management system, an analytic method based on fuzzy analytic hierarchy process and 2-tuple linguistic model was established. Based on the establishment of 5 first-grade indicators and 20 second-grade ones, [...] Read more.

In order to comprehensively evaluate the employee satisfaction of mine occupational health and safety management system, an analytic method based on fuzzy analytic hierarchy process and 2-tuple linguistic model was established. Based on the establishment of 5 first-grade indicators and 20 second-grade ones, method of improved AHP and the time-ordered Weighted Averaging Operator (T-OWA) model is constructed. The results demonstrate that the employee satisfaction of the mine occupational health and safety management system is of the ‘general’ rank. The method including the evaluation of employee satisfaction and the quantitative analysis of language evaluation information ensures the authenticity of the language evaluation information. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability of Economic and Management Systems: Perspectives of Uncertainty and Data Driven Optimization)

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21 pages, 8712 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Hybrid Fuzzy Inference System Based on Dispersion Model for Quantitative Environmental Health Impact Assessment of Urban Transportation Planning

by Behnam Tashayo^1,*

, Abbas Alimohammadi^1,2 and Mohammad Sharif¹

¹ Department of Geospatial Information Systems, Faculty of Geodesy and Geomatics Engineering, K. N. Toosi University of Technology, Tehran 19967 15433, Iran

² Center of Excellence in Geospatial Information Technology, Faculty of Geodesy and Geomatics Engineering, K. N. Toosi University of Technology, Tehran 19967 15433, Iran

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 134; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010134 - 18 Jan 2017

Cited by 19 | Viewed by 6653

Abstract

Characterizing the spatial variation of traffic-related air pollution has been and is a long-standing challenge in quantitative environmental health impact assessment of urban transportation planning. Advanced approaches are required for modeling complex relationships among traffic, air pollution, and adverse health outcomes by considering [...] Read more.

Characterizing the spatial variation of traffic-related air pollution has been and is a long-standing challenge in quantitative environmental health impact assessment of urban transportation planning. Advanced approaches are required for modeling complex relationships among traffic, air pollution, and adverse health outcomes by considering uncertainties in the available data. A new hybrid fuzzy model is developed and implemented through hierarchical fuzzy inference system (HFIS). This model is integrated with a dispersion model in order to model the effect of transportation system on the PM_2.5 concentration. An improved health metric is developed as well based on a HFIS to model the impact of traffic-related PM_2.5 on health. Two solutions are applied to improve the performance of both the models: the topologies of HFISs are selected according to the problem and used variables, membership functions, and rule set are determined through learning in a simultaneous manner. The capabilities of this proposed approach is examined by assessing the impacts of three traffic scenarios involved in air pollution in the city of Isfahan, Iran, and the model accuracy compared to the results of available models from literature. The advantages here are modeling the spatial variation of PM_2.5 with high resolution, appropriate processing requirements, and considering the interaction between emissions and meteorological processes. These models are capable of using the available qualitative and uncertain data. These models are of appropriate accuracy, and can provide better understanding of the phenomena in addition to assess the impact of each parameter for the planners. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Neo-Geography and Crowdsourcing Technologies for Sustainable Urban Transportation)

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14 pages, 1526 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Decomposition of the Urban Water Footprint of Food Consumption: A Case Study of Xiamen City

by Jiefeng Kang^1,2, Jianyi Lin^1,*, Xiaofeng Zhao¹, Shengnan Zhao³ and Limin Kou¹

¹ Key Lab of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China

² University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China

³ School of Resource and Environmental Science, Chifeng University, Chifeng 024000, China

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 135; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010135 - 23 Jan 2017

Cited by 27 | Viewed by 6548

Abstract

Decomposition of the urban water footprint can provide insight for water management. In this paper, a new decomposition method based on the log-mean Divisia index model (LMDI) was developed to analyze the driving forces of water footprint changes, attributable to food consumption. Compared [...] Read more.

Decomposition of the urban water footprint can provide insight for water management. In this paper, a new decomposition method based on the log-mean Divisia index model (LMDI) was developed to analyze the driving forces of water footprint changes, attributable to food consumption. Compared to previous studies, this new approach can distinguish between various factors relating to urban and rural residents. The water footprint of food consumption in Xiamen City, from 2001 to 2012, was calculated. Following this, the driving forces of water footprint change were broken down into considerations of the population, the structure of food consumption, the level of food consumption, water intensity, and the population rate. Research shows that between 2001 and 2012, the water footprint of food consumption in Xiamen increased by 675.53 Mm³, with a growth rate of 88.69%. Population effects were the leading contributors to this change, accounting for 87.97% of the total growth. The food consumption structure also had a considerable effect on this increase. Here, the urban area represented 94.96% of the water footprint increase, driven by the effect of the food consumption structure. Water intensity and the urban/rural population rate had a weak positive cumulative effect. The effects of the urban/rural population rate on the water footprint change in urban and rural areas, however, were individually significant. The level of food consumption was the only negative factor. In terms of food categories, meat and grain had the greatest effects during the study period. Controlling the urban population, promoting a healthy and less water-intensive diet, reducing food waste, and improving agriculture efficiency, are all elements of an effective approach for mitigating the growth of the water footprint. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Environmental Sustainability and Applications)

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16 pages, 274 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Exploring Multiple Motivations on Urban Residents’ Travel Mode Choices: An Empirical Study from Jiangsu Province in China

by Jichao Geng

, Ruyin Long^*, Hong Chen^*

, Ting Yue, Wenbo Li and Qianwen Li

School of Management, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 136; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010136 - 18 Jan 2017

Cited by 49 | Viewed by 6764

Abstract

People’s actions are always accompanied with multiple motives. How to estimate the role of the pro-environment motivation under the interference of other motivations will help us to better interpret human environmental behaviors. On the basis of classical motivation theories and travel mode choice [...] Read more.

People’s actions are always accompanied with multiple motives. How to estimate the role of the pro-environment motivation under the interference of other motivations will help us to better interpret human environmental behaviors. On the basis of classical motivation theories and travel mode choice research backgrounds, the concepts of pro-environmental and self-interested motivation were defined. Then based on survey data on 1244 urban residents in the Jiangsu Province in China, the multinomial logistic regression model was constructed to examine the effects of multiple motivations, government measures, and demographic characteristics on residents’ travel mode choice behaviors. The result indicates that compared to car use, pro-environmental motivation certainly has a significant and positive role in promoting green travel mode choices (walking, bicycling, and using public transport), but this unstable green behavior is always dominated by self-interested motivations rather than the pro-environmental motivation. In addition, the effects of gender, age, income, vehicle ownership, travel distance, and government instruments show significant differences among travel mode choices. The findings suggest that pro-environmental motivation needs to be stressed and highlighted to ensure sustainable urban transportation. However, policies aimed to only increase the public awareness of environment protection are not enough; tailored policy interventions should be targeted to specific groups having different main motivations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Economic and Business Aspects of Sustainability)

35 pages, 1904 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assessing the Availability of Terrestrial Biotic Materials in Product Systems (BIRD)

by Vanessa Bach^*

, Markus Berger, Natalia Finogenova and Matthias Finkbeiner

Chair of Sustainable Engineering, Technische Universität Berlin, Office Z1, Str. des 17. Juni 135, 10623 Berlin, Germany

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 137; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010137 - 18 Jan 2017

Cited by 24 | Viewed by 8234

Abstract

Availability of abiotic resources has been a topic of concern in recent years, resulting in several approaches being published to determine their availability on country and product level. However, the availability of biotic materials has not been analyzed to this extent yet. Therefore, [...] Read more.

Availability of abiotic resources has been a topic of concern in recent years, resulting in several approaches being published to determine their availability on country and product level. However, the availability of biotic materials has not been analyzed to this extent yet. Therefore, an approach to determine possible limitations to availability of terrestrial biotic materials over the entire supply chain is introduced. The approach considers 24 categories overall as well as associated category indicators for the five dimensions: physical, socio-economic, abiotic, social and environmental constraints. This ensures a comprehensive availability assessment of bio-based product systems. The approach is applied to a case study comparing biodiesel produced from rapeseed and soy beans. The study shows that the determination of indicator values is feasible for most categories and their interpretation leads to meaningful conclusions. Thus, the approach leads to a more comprehensive assessment of availability aspects and supports better informed decision making in industry and policy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Environmental Sustainability and Applications)

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19 pages, 1587 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Marginal Abatement Cost of CO₂ in China Based on Directional Distance Function: An Industry Perspective

by Bowen Xiao^*, Dongxiao Niu, Han Wu and Haichao Wang

School of Economics and Management, North China Electric Power University, Hui Long Guan, Chang Ping District, Beijing 102206, China

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 138; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010138 - 18 Jan 2017

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 7967

Abstract

Industrial sectors account for around 70% of the total energy-related CO₂ emissions in China. It is of great importance to measure the potential for CO₂ emissions reduction and calculate the carbon price in industrial sectors covered in the Emissions Trading Scheme [...] Read more.

Industrial sectors account for around 70% of the total energy-related CO₂ emissions in China. It is of great importance to measure the potential for CO₂ emissions reduction and calculate the carbon price in industrial sectors covered in the Emissions Trading Scheme and carbon tax. This paper employs the directional distance function to calculate the marginal abatement costs of CO₂ emissions during 2005–2011 and makes a comparative analysis between our study and the relevant literature. Our empirical results show that the marginal abatement costs vary greatly from industry to industry: high marginal abatement costs occur in industries with low carbon intensity, and vice versa. In the application of the marginal abatement cost, the abatement distribution scheme with minimum cost is established under different abatement targets. The conclusions of abatement distribution scheme indicate that those heavy industries with low MACs and high carbon intensity should take more responsibility for emissions reduction and vice versa. Finally, the policy implications for marginal abatement cost are provided. Full article

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23 pages, 2130 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Linkage Model of Supply Chain Operation and Financial Performance for Economic Sustainability of Firm

by Suk Ho Jin¹, Suk Jae Jeong^2,*

and Kyung Sup Kim^1,*

¹ Department of Information and Industrial and Information Engineering, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 03722, Korea

² Business School, Kwangwoon University, 20 Kwangwoon-ro, Nowon-gu, Seoul 01897, Korea

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 139; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010139 - 19 Jan 2017

Cited by 32 | Viewed by 10819

Abstract

Although several studies have explored the relationship between the operation and performance of a supply chain (SC), a general SC model cannot deliver the expected financial results at a company-wide level. In this paper, we argue that this cannot guarantee the maximization of [...] Read more.

Although several studies have explored the relationship between the operation and performance of a supply chain (SC), a general SC model cannot deliver the expected financial results at a company-wide level. In this paper, we argue that this cannot guarantee the maximization of a firm’s overall value because short-term financial performance metrics do not reflect the risk to businesses and the invested capital. Owing to the varying natures of risk and the capital invested, firms with multiple divisions should assess each division separately, and the results can be compared for decisions concerning the allocation of the firm’s capital and resources to maximize the overall value of its businesses. We propose a linkage model to consider operational activities and financial performance simultaneously in a firm’s supply chain model. To exhibit the superiority of the proposed model that connects SC operation and financial indicators, we first compare the differences between models for maximizing profit and enterprise-wise economic value added (EVA) as objective functions. To examine uncertainty in the operational and financial parameters of the SC, the results of sensitivity analyses are then reported. Experimental results showed that our model, using the EVA approach, is more effective and superior in terms of maximizing the firm’s overall value from the long-term perspective while satisfying the target values for financial ratios set by the firm’s executives and shareholders for all periods, unlike the results of the general model. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability in Supply Chain Management)

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17 pages, 3035 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Potential of Vertical Hydroponic Agriculture in Mexico

by José De Anda^1,* and Harvey Shear²

¹ Department of Environmental Technology, Centro de Investigación y Asistencia en Tecnología y Diseño del Estado de Jalisco, A. C. Normalistas 800, Colinas de la Normal, Guadalajara, Jalisco C.P. 44270, Mexico

² Department of Geography, University of Toronto-Mississauga, 3359 Mississauga Road, Mississauga, ON L5L 1C6, Canada

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 140; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010140 - 20 Jan 2017

Cited by 36 | Viewed by 22662

Abstract

In 2050, Mexico’s population will reach 150 million people, about 80% of whom will likely live in urban centers. This increase in population will necessitate increased food production in the country. The lands classified as drylands in Mexico occupy approximately 101.5 million hectares, [...] Read more.

In 2050, Mexico’s population will reach 150 million people, about 80% of whom will likely live in urban centers. This increase in population will necessitate increased food production in the country. The lands classified as drylands in Mexico occupy approximately 101.5 million hectares, or just over half the territory, limiting the potential for agricultural expansion. In addition to the problem of arid conditions in Mexico, there are conditions in other parts of the country related to low to very low water availability, resulting in pressure on the water resources in almost two-thirds of the country. Currently, agriculture uses 77% of the water withdrawn, primarily for food production. This sector contributes 12% of the total greenhouse gas emission (GHG) production in the country. Given the conditions of pressure on water and land resources in Mexico and the need to reduce the carbon footprint, vertical farming technology could offer the possibility for sustainable food production in the urban areas of the country in the coming years. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Agriculture and Development)

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18 pages, 1200 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Consumers’ Perspective on Circular Economy Strategy for Reducing Food Waste

by Massimiliano Borrello¹, Francesco Caracciolo¹, Alessia Lombardi¹, Stefano Pascucci^2,*

and Luigi Cembalo¹

¹ Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Università 100, 80055 Portici, Italy

² Business School, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, G16 The SERSF Building, Penryn, Cornwall TR10 9EZ, UK

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 141; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010141 - 19 Jan 2017

Cited by 277 | Viewed by 28430

Abstract

The current linear system of production and consumption is unsustainable. In the food sector, despite the fact that valuable natural resources are intensively used to produce and distribute food products, little is done to upcycle residues generated along the supply chain. Circular economy [...] Read more.

The current linear system of production and consumption is unsustainable. In the food sector, despite the fact that valuable natural resources are intensively used to produce and distribute food products, little is done to upcycle residues generated along the supply chain. Circular economy strategies are crucial for restructuring the take-make-dispose model through the active participation of all actors of supply chains. However, little is known about consumers’ willingness to participate in circular economy. A structured questionnaire was submitted to a representative sample of Italian households to assess the willingness of consumers to be actively involved in closed loops aiming at reducing food waste. Consumers are involved by returning their organic food waste to retailers in exchange for discounts on the purchase of animal products. The organic food waste returned enters in the production process of animal products. A choice experiment was designed to analyse alternative programs. Two scenarios were presented: one with a traditional technology (composting), and a second one with a radically innovative technology (insects as feed). Preferences and trade-offs, in monetary terms, among attributes were computed. Results depict a comprehensive portrait of the potential participation of consumers to closed loops inspired by the principles of circular economy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue How does Market Demand for Sustainability Shape Business Strategies? Exploring Innovation Paths in Agribusiness)

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17 pages, 394 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Can High-Tech Ventures Benefit from Government Guanxi and Business Guanxi? The Moderating Effects of Environmental Turbulence

by Dejin Su^1,2, Qixia Du³, Dongwon Sohn^4,* and Libo Xu¹

¹ School of Business Administration, Nanjing Audit University, # 86, Yushan West Road, Jiangpu Street, Pukou District, Nanjing 211815, China

² School of Business, Nanjing University, # 22, Hankou Road, Gulou District, Nanjing 210093, China

³ School of Health Economics and Management, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, # 138, Xianlin Road, Qixia District, Nanjing 210023, China

⁴ College of Business Administration, Inha University, # 253 Yonghyun-Dong, Nam-Gu, Incheon 402751, Korea

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 142; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010142 - 19 Jan 2017

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 7160

Abstract

The construct of guanxi has become an interesting topic for analyzing how to do business more effectively and successfully in China’s economic transition period. Drawing on the guanxi strategy theory, this study examines when government guanxi (guanxi with the government and its [...] Read more.

The construct of guanxi has become an interesting topic for analyzing how to do business more effectively and successfully in China’s economic transition period. Drawing on the guanxi strategy theory, this study examines when government guanxi (guanxi with the government and its officials) and business guanxi (guanxi with the business sectors) matter to new venture performance under two typical turbulent environments (institutional turbulence and market turbulence). According to empirical results using original data from 146 new ventures in clusters driven by China’s local governments, both government guanxi and business guanxi were positively related to new venture performance, and market turbulence was an important contextual factor influencing performance benefits of guanxi. However, the results reveal no moderating effects of institutional turbulence on direct relationships. Furthermore, the study provides a better conceptual and empirical understanding of why market turbulence is a double-edged sword for performance implications of guanxi in the rapidly changing business environment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Governance in Northeast Asia: Challenges for Sustainable Frontier)

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36 pages, 1119 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Analysis and Potential Application of the Maturity of Growth Management in the Developing Construction Industry of a Province of China: A Case Study

by Jingxiao Zhang^1,*, Hui Li^2,* and Steve Hsueh-Ming Wang³

¹ School of Economics and Management, Chang’an University, Middle Section of South Second Ring Road, Xi’an 710064, China

² School of Civil Engineering, Chang’an University, No. 161, Chang’an Road, Xi’an 710061, China

³ College of Engineering, University of Alaska Anchorage, 2900 Spirit Dr., Anchorage, AK 99504, USA

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 143; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010143 - 19 Jan 2017

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 6205

Abstract

Construction industry is one of the major drivers of the economic sustainability of China’s provinces. An investigation of the status of the construction industry in China is needed to find out its maturity and health. The results of this investigation may help China [...] Read more.

Construction industry is one of the major drivers of the economic sustainability of China’s provinces. An investigation of the status of the construction industry in China is needed to find out its maturity and health. The results of this investigation may help China define the impact factors required in order to promote the growth level of its construction industry. This research assesses the growth level of the construction industry in Shaanxi Province, China. This study utilizes both the original average score method and the newer entropy method to analyze the growth level of the construction industry based on its growth management model and growth drivers. An empirical survey of this research includes 123 construction companies in Shaanxi Province. The results show that the entropy method is better than the average score method to use when analyzing the maturity status of a local industry for future development. The maturity level of Shaanxi’s construction industry lies on the second tier in a four-tier ranking system. The advanced professional skills of project management are critically needed for future growth. Brand building is the most important factor needed to drive up Shaanxi’s construction industry. Standardization, knowledge management through lessons learned, and cost management for budget control by using information systems are required for Shaanxi’s construction project management. The Excellent Project Management Model of China is often used in Chinese project knowledge management. After maturity analysis, China’s local industries would be able to develop a sustainable strategy for optimizing their outcomes by removing the hurdles preventing future growth. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Economic and Business Aspects of Sustainability)

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19 pages, 1453 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A New Resilience Measure for Supply Chain Networks

by Ruiying Li^1,2,*, Qiang Dong¹, Chong Jin¹ and Rui Kang^1,2

¹ School of Reliability and Systems Engineering, Beihang University, No. 37, Xue Yuan Road, Beijing 100191, China

² Science and Technology on Reliability and Environmental Engineering Laboratory, No. 37, Xue Yuan Road, Beijing 100191, China

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 144; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010144 - 19 Jan 2017

Cited by 77 | Viewed by 12182

Abstract

Currently, supply chain networks can span the whole world, and any disruption of these networks may cause economic losses, decreases in sales and unsustainable supplies. Resilience, the ability of the system to withstand disruption and return to a normal state quickly, has become [...] Read more.

Currently, supply chain networks can span the whole world, and any disruption of these networks may cause economic losses, decreases in sales and unsustainable supplies. Resilience, the ability of the system to withstand disruption and return to a normal state quickly, has become a new challenge during the supply chain network design. This paper defines a new resilience measure as the ratio of the integral of the normalized system performance within its maximum allowable recovery time after the disruption to the integral of the performance in the normal state. Using the maximum allowable recovery time of the system as the time interval under consideration, this measure allows the resilience of different systems to be compared on the same relative scale, and be used under both scenarios that the system can or cannot restore in the given time. Two specific resilience measures, the resilience based on the amount of product delivered and the resilience based on the average delivery distance, are provided for supply chain networks. To estimate the resilience of a given supply chain network, a resilience simulation method is proposed based on the Monte Carlo method. A four-layered hierarchial mobile phone supply chain network is used to illustrate the resilience quantification process and show how network structure affects the resilience of supply chain networks. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Economic and Business Aspects of Sustainability)

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18 pages, 3724 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Development and Application of a Low Impact Development (LID)-Based District Unit Planning Model

by Cheol Hee Son^1,†, Kyoung Hak Hyun^2,†, Donghyun Kim³, Jong In Baek¹ and Yong Un Ban^1,*

¹ Department of Urban Engineering, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, Korea

² Department of Urban Environment Research, Land & Housing Institute, Daejeon 34047, Korea

³ Korea Adaptation Center for Climate Change, Korea Environment Institute, Sejong 30147, Korea

^† These authors contributed equally to this work.

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 145; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010145 - 19 Jan 2017

Cited by 22 | Viewed by 6797

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to develop a low impact development-based district unit planning (LID-DP) model and to verify the model by applying it to a test site. To develop the model, we identified various barriers to the urban planning process and [...] Read more.

The purpose of this study was to develop a low impact development-based district unit planning (LID-DP) model and to verify the model by applying it to a test site. To develop the model, we identified various barriers to the urban planning process and examined the advantages of various LID-related techniques to determine where in the urban development process LID would provide the greatest benefit. The resulting model provides (1) a set of district unit planning processes that consider LID standards and (2) a set of evaluation methods that measure the benefits of the LID-DP model over standard urban development practices. The developed LID-DP process is composed of status analysis, comprehensive analysis, basic plan, and sectoral plans. To determine whether the LID-DP model met the proposed LID targets, we applied the model to a test site in Cheongju City, Chungcheongbuk-do Province, Republic of Korea. The test simulation showed that the LID-DP plan reduced nonpoint source pollutants (total nitrogen, 113%; total phosphorous, 193%; and biological oxygen demand, 199%); reduced rainfall runoff (infiltration volume, 102%; surface runoff, 101%); and improved the conservation rate of the natural environment area (132%). The successful application of this model also lent support for the greater importance of non-structural techniques over structural techniques in urban planning when taking ecological factors into account. Full article

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13 pages, 3708 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Prediction of Climate Change Induced Temperature & Precipitation: The Case of Iran

by Samireh Saymohammadi¹, Kiumars Zarafshani^1,*, Mohsen Tavakoli², Hossien Mahdizadeh² and Farzad Amiri³

¹ College of Agriculture, Razi University, Kermanshah 6715685438, Iran

² College of Agriculture, Ilam University, Ilam 6939177111, Iran

³ Department of Engineering Management, Kermanshah University of Technology, Kermanshah 6715685438, Iran

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 146; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010146 - 22 Jan 2017

Cited by 21 | Viewed by 7561

Abstract

Concern about the effects of climatic change on numerous aspects of human life in general and on agricultural production in particular is growing. The utility of HadCM3 as a tool in climate change predictions in cross cultural studies is scarce. Therefore, this study [...] Read more.

Concern about the effects of climatic change on numerous aspects of human life in general and on agricultural production in particular is growing. The utility of HadCM3 as a tool in climate change predictions in cross cultural studies is scarce. Therefore, this study sought to investigate and predict climate change induced temperature and precipitation in Iran. The calibration and validation using the HadCM3 was performed during 1961–2001, using daily temperatures and precipitation. The data on temperature and precipitation from 1961 to 1990 were used for calibration, and, for model validation, data from 1991 to 2001 were used. Moreover, in order to downscale general circulation models to station scales, SDSM version 4.2 was utilized. The least difference between observed data and simulation data during calibration and validation showed that the parameter was precisely modeled for most of the year. Simulation under the A2 scenario was performed for three time periods (2020, 2050, and 2080). According to our simulated model, precipitation showed a decreasing trend whereas temperature showed an increasing trend. The result of this research paper makes a significant contribution to climate smart agriculture in Iran. For example, rural development practitioners can devise effective policies and programs in order to reduce the vulnerability of local communities to climate change impacts. Moreover, the result of this study can be used as an optimal model for land allocation in agriculture. Moreover, a shortage of rainfall and decreased temperatures also have implications for agricultural land allocation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Land and Food Policy)

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13 pages, 4929 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

The Brookside Farm Wetland Ecosystem Treatment (WET) System: A Low-Energy Methodology for Sewage Purification, Biomass Production (Yield), Flood Resilience and Biodiversity Enhancement

by Julian C. Abrahams^1,2, Stephen J. Coupe^1,*, Luis A. Sañudo-Fontaneda³

and Ulrich Schmutz¹

¹ Centre for Agroecology, Water and Resilience (CAWR), Coventry University, Ryton Organic Gardens, Wolston Lane, Coventry CV8 3LG, UK

² Biologic Design, Archenhills, Stanford Bishop, Bringsty, Herefordshire WR6 5TZ, UK

³ GICONSIME Research Group, Department of Construction and Manufacturing Engineering, Polytechnic School of Mieres, University of Oviedo, Calle Gonzalo Gutiérrez Quirós s/n, Mieres (Asturias) 33600, Spain

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 147; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010147 - 20 Jan 2017

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 8788

Abstract

Wastewater from domestic developments, farms and agro-industrial processing can be sources of pollution in the environment; current wastewater management methods are usually machine-based, and thus energy consuming. When Permaculture Principles are used in the creation of water purification and harvesting systems, there can [...] Read more.

Wastewater from domestic developments, farms and agro-industrial processing can be sources of pollution in the environment; current wastewater management methods are usually machine-based, and thus energy consuming. When Permaculture Principles are used in the creation of water purification and harvesting systems, there can be multiple environmental and economic benefits. In the context of energy descent, it may be considered desirable to treat wastewater using minimal energy. The constructed wetland design presented here is a low-entropy system in which wastewater is harvested and transformed into lush and productive wetland, eliminating the requirement for non-renewable energy in water purification, and also maximising benefits: biodiversity, flood resilience and yield. In permaculture design, the high concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorous compounds in sewage are viewed as valuable nutrients, resources to be harvested by a constructed wetland ecosystem and converted into useful yield. Similarly, rainwater runoff is not viewed as a problem which can cause flooding, but as a potential resource to be harvested to provide a yield. This paper presents a case study, with both water quality and productivity data, from Brookside Farm UK, where the use of Permaculture Design Principles has created a combined wastewater management and purification system, accepting all site water. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agroecology and Water Management)

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19 pages, 2369 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Allocation of Carbon Intensity Reduction Target by 2020 among Industrial Sectors in China

by Baochen Yang, Chuanze Liu^*, Yunpeng Su and Xin Jing

College of Management and Economics, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 148; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010148 - 21 Jan 2017

Cited by 35 | Viewed by 6583

Abstract

In order to realize the national carbon intensity reduction target, China has decided to establish a unified national carbon emissions trading market in 2017. At the initial stage, eight industrial sectors will be covered in the carbon market and the other industrial sectors [...] Read more.

In order to realize the national carbon intensity reduction target, China has decided to establish a unified national carbon emissions trading market in 2017. At the initial stage, eight industrial sectors will be covered in the carbon market and the other industrial sectors will be included gradually. The aim of this paper is to study the issue of how to allocate the carbon emissions quotas among different industrial sectors fairly and effectively. We try to provide theoretical support for how to determine the coverage scope and access order of the carbon market. In this paper, we construct a comprehensive reduction index based on indicators of equity and efficiency principle. We adopt entropy method to get the objective weights of the three indicators. Then, an allocation model is developed to determine each sector’s reduction target for the year of 2020. The result shows that our allocation scheme based on entropy method is more reasonable, and our allocation method will promote the equity of carbon quotas allocation and the efficiency of carbon emissions. With consideration of China’s current economic situation and industrial background, we discuss some policy implications regarding the construction of carbon market. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Economic and Business Aspects of Sustainability)

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23 pages, 2876 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sustainability Evaluation of Railways in China Using a Two-Stage Network DEA Model with Undesirable Outputs and Shared Resources

by Haibo Zhou and Hanhui Hu^*

Department of Economics and Management, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 150; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010150 - 22 Jan 2017

Cited by 36 | Viewed by 5736

Abstract

This paper constructs an additive two-stage network DEA (data envelopment analysis) model with consideration of undesirable outputs and shared inputs. Following the triple bottom line standard of sustainability, we calculate both the overall and sub-stage sustainability performance of railway transportation in China from [...] Read more.

This paper constructs an additive two-stage network DEA (data envelopment analysis) model with consideration of undesirable outputs and shared inputs. Following the triple bottom line standard of sustainability, we calculate both the overall and sub-stage sustainability performance of railway transportation in China from 2002 to 2013, from the aspects of economy, environment and society. The results show that the overall sustainability of China’s railway presents a character of first declining, then rising and declining again. Moreover, the railway sustainability of China’s eastern areas are much better than that of the western and central areas, and the gap has become much larger since 2009. As for the sub-stage efficiency, neither the production stage nor the service stage of the railway is efficient in sustainability, and the efficiency of the production stage is lower than that of service stage and plays a greater impact on the overall sustainability. Therefore, in order to improve the overall sustainability of China’s railways, it is essential to improve the level of railway engineering construction and develop technological innovations in railway production. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Economic and Business Aspects of Sustainability)

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16 pages, 3895 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Siting of Carsharing Stations Based on Spatial Multi-Criteria Evaluation: A Case Study of Shanghai EVCARD

by Wenxiang Li^1,2,*

, Ye Li^1,2, Jing Fan^1,2 and Haopeng Deng^1,2

¹ The Key Laboratory of Road and Traffic Engineering, Ministry of Education, Shanghai 201804, China

² College of Transportation Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 201804, China

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 152; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010152 - 20 Jan 2017

Cited by 78 | Viewed by 7929

Abstract

Carsharing is one of the effective ways to relieve the problems of traffic jams, parking difficulties, and air pollution. In recent years, the numbers of carsharing services and their members have remarkably increased around the world. The project of electric carsharing in Shanghai, [...] Read more.

Carsharing is one of the effective ways to relieve the problems of traffic jams, parking difficulties, and air pollution. In recent years, the numbers of carsharing services and their members have remarkably increased around the world. The project of electric carsharing in Shanghai, called EVCARD, has also developed rapidly with very large demand and supply. Aiming to determine the optimal locations of future stations of the EVCARD, this research employs a novel method combining the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and geographical information system (GIS) with big data. Potential users, potential travel demand, potential travel purposes, and distance from existing stations are selected as the decision criteria. A siting decision system is established, consisting of 15 evaluation indicators which are calculated from multi-source data on mobile phones, taxi trajectory, point of interests (POI), and the EVCARD operation. The method of the AHP is used to determine the indicator weights, and the “Spatial Analyst” tool of ArcGIS is adopted to generate the indicator values for every 1 km × 1 km decision unit. Finally, synthetic scores are calculated to evaluate the candidate sites of EVCARD stations. The results of the case study verify the effectiveness of the proposed method, which can provide a more scientific and feasible method for carsharing operators to site stations, avoiding aimless and random decisions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Neo-Geography and Crowdsourcing Technologies for Sustainable Urban Transportation)

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13 pages, 1926 KiB

Open AccessArticle

An Emergy-Based Hybrid Method for Assessing Sustainability of the Resource-Dependent Region

by Lulu Qu, Xueyi Shi^*, Chang Liu and Ye Yuan

College of Land Science and Technology, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, China

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 153; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010153 - 20 Jan 2017

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 5136

Abstract

As the natural resources are getting exhausted, the concept of sustainable development of regions has received increasing attention, especially for resource-dependent cities. In this paper, an innovative method based on emergy analysis and the Human Impact Population Affluence Technology (IPAT) model is developed [...] Read more.

As the natural resources are getting exhausted, the concept of sustainable development of regions has received increasing attention, especially for resource-dependent cities. In this paper, an innovative method based on emergy analysis and the Human Impact Population Affluence Technology (IPAT) model is developed to analyze the quantitative relationship of economic growth, energy consumption and its overall sustainability level. Taiyuan, a traditional, resource-dependent city in China, is selected as the case study region. The main results show that the total emergy of Taiyuan increased from 9.023 × 10²³ sej in 2007 to 9.116 × 10²³ sej in 2014, with a 38% decline in non-renewable emergy and an increase of imported emergy up to 125%. The regional emergy money ratio (EMB) was reduced by 48% from 5.31 × 10¹³ sej/$ in 2007 to 2.74 × 10¹³ sej/$ in 2014, indicating that the increasing speed of consuming resources and energy was faster than the increase of GDP, and that Taiyuan’s money purchasing power declined. The lower emergy sustainability index (ESI) indicates that Taiyuan was explored and produced large quantities of mineral resources, which puts more stress on the environment as a consequence, and that this is not sustainable in the long run. The IPAT analysis demonstrates that Taiyuan sticks to the efforts of energy conservation and environmental protection. In order to promote regional sustainable development, it is necessary to have an integrated effort. Policy insights suggest that resourceful regions should improve energy and resource efficiency, optimize energy and resourceful structure and carry out extensive public participation. Full article

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15 pages, 2304 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Land Suitability Assessment for Camelina (Camelina sativa L.) Development in Chile

by Celián Román-Figueroa¹, Rodrigo Padilla¹, Juan Manuel Uribe² and Manuel Paneque^2,*

¹ Agroenergía Ingeniería Genética S.A. Inc. Almirante Lynch 1179, San Miguel, 8920033 Santiago, Chile

² Department of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resources, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Chile, Santa Rosa 11,315, La Pintana, 8820808 Santiago, Chile

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 154; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010154 - 21 Jan 2017

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 8475

Abstract

Camelina (Camelina sativa L.) is an oilseed with potential for use as a raw material in second-generation biofuels. Camelina has a seed yield of up to 2380 kg·ha⁻¹ and contains around 45% fatty acids. Selection of a suitable site is critical [...] Read more.

Camelina (Camelina sativa L.) is an oilseed with potential for use as a raw material in second-generation biofuels. Camelina has a seed yield of up to 2380 kg·ha⁻¹ and contains around 45% fatty acids. Selection of a suitable site is critical for production optimization. The objective of this study was to determine Chilean agro-climatic suitability for establishing camelina as a productive alternative. Climate and soil requirements and geographical restraints were evaluated for the species, considering the climatological characteristics of its regions of origin, as well as regions where camelina is successfully grown in the rest of the world. The variables considered included factors (maximum temperatures of the warmest month, water deficits, and degree days) and limitations (altitude, geomorphology, and current land use), which permitted the evaluation of the national territory for a certain level of suitability. It was determined that 1.3% of the national territory (960,664 ha) has some degree of suitability for camelina adoption. Between the Biobío and Los Lagos regions, 49.0% of the land (471,203 ha) is in the category of no thermic restrictions, with mild water restrictions, and mild soil restrictions or without information, which can be used for camelina production. The Los Ríos region has 21.4% surface area (321,176 ha) with some level of suitability for camelina, the most suitable region to establish this crop in Chile. This research has provided valuable information applicable to new species and geographic areas which facilitate the adaptation of agricultural and forestry production to global changes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomass Energy Conversion)

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14 pages, 3086 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Enhanced Nitrogen and Phosphorus Removal by Woody Plants with Deep-Planting Technique for the Potential Environmental Management of Carcass Burial Sites

by Byoung-Hwan Seo¹, Hyuck Soo Kim², Saranya Kuppusamy³, Kye-Hoon Kim⁴ and Kwon-Rae Kim^1,*

¹ Department of Agronomy and Medicinal Plant Resources, Gyeongnam National University of Science and Technology, Jinju 660-758, Korea

² Department of Biological Environment, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon-si, Gangwon-do 24341, Korea

³ Institute of Agriculture and Life Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Korea

⁴ Department of Environmental Horticulture, University of Seoul, Seoul 130-743, Korea

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 155; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010155 - 20 Jan 2017

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 5520

Abstract

Phytoremediation is a promising technology to remediate carcass burial sites where deep soil layers are contaminated with nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and other potential contaminants by leachate. The current study was conducted to examine the remedial efficiency of two different woody plants, poplar [...] Read more.

Phytoremediation is a promising technology to remediate carcass burial sites where deep soil layers are contaminated with nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and other potential contaminants by leachate. The current study was conducted to examine the remedial efficiency of two different woody plants, poplar (Populus euramericana) and willow (Salix alba), by employing the deep-planting technique for the enhanced removal of N and P for the soil affected by leachate. For this, pot trials to assess N and P removal efficiency of poplar and willow in liquid manure-applied soil, and pilot-scale column experiments to evaluate the suitability of the deep-planting technique for the enhanced phytoremediation of deep soil layer were conducted. The results of this study showed that poplar and willow removed N and P from soils effectively while surviving under deep-planting conditions. Notably, compared to the surface planted roots, the roots of the deep-planted poplar and willow could transfer significant amounts of N and P leachate from the deep soil layer to the rhizosphere, from where it can be absorbed by the plants. For the first time, the use of poplar or willow plants are recommended by employing the deep-planting technique for the successful remediation of carcass burial sites. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Management of Post-Epidemic Mass Carcasses Burial Sites)

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22 pages, 2123 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Government Subsidy for Remanufacturing or Carbon Tax Rebate: Which Is Better for Firms and a Low-Carbon Economy

by Tong Shu^1,*

, Zhizhen Peng¹, Shou Chen¹, Shouyang Wang^1,2, Kin Keung Lai^3,4,5 and Honglin Yang¹

¹ Business School, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China

² Academy of Mathematics and System Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China

³ International Business School, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an 710062, China

⁴ Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering, Hong Kong University, Hong Kong, China

⁵ College of Mangement, Xidian University, Xi’an 710126, China

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 156; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010156 - 22 Jan 2017

Cited by 46 | Viewed by 7734

Abstract

The government as a policy maker wishing to promote remanufacturing and proper disposal of hazardous old products which are harmful to environment has taken many actions, ranging from carbon regulation and financial incentives such as trade-in subsidy. However, carbon tax can result in [...] Read more.

The government as a policy maker wishing to promote remanufacturing and proper disposal of hazardous old products which are harmful to environment has taken many actions, ranging from carbon regulation and financial incentives such as trade-in subsidy. However, carbon tax can result in loss of profit for firms to some degree, so the government has to give other subsidy to balance the profits and carbon emission. Thus, this article investigates two subsidy mechanisms: remanufacturing subsidy or tax rebate. The optimal pricing and production decision under these policies are examined. Our results show that carbon tax has a great impact on pricing strategies. Trade-in subsidy can encourage customers to replace their existing products with new and remanufactured products. Both remanufacture subsidy and tax rebate are beneficial to manufacturer and can further promote remanufacturing development. Full article

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15 pages, 2136 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Climate Change on Service Life of High Volume Fly Ash Concrete Subjected to Carbonation—A Korean Case Study

by Ki-Bong Park and Xiao-Yong Wang^*

College of Engineering, Department of Architectural Engineering, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon-Si 24341, Korea

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 157; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010157 - 21 Jan 2017

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 5213

Abstract

The increase in CO₂ concentrations and global warming will increase the carbonation depth of concrete. Furthermore, temperature rise will increase the rate of corrosion of steel rebar after carbonation. On the other hand, compared with normal concrete, high volume fly ash (HVFA) [...] Read more.

The increase in CO₂ concentrations and global warming will increase the carbonation depth of concrete. Furthermore, temperature rise will increase the rate of corrosion of steel rebar after carbonation. On the other hand, compared with normal concrete, high volume fly ash (HVFA) concrete is more vulnerable to carbonation-induced corrosion. Carbonation durability design with climate change is crucial to the rational use of HVFA concrete. This study presents a probabilistic approach that predicts the service life of HVFA concrete structures subjected to carbonation-induced corrosion resulting from increasing CO₂ concentrations and temperatures. First, in the corrosion initiation stage, a hydration-carbonation integration model is used to evaluate the contents of the carbonatable material, porosity, and carbonation depth of HVFA concrete. The Monte Carlo method is adopted to determine the probability of corrosion initiation. Second, in the corrosion propagation stage, an updated model is proposed to evaluate the rate of corrosion, degree of corrosion for cover cracking of concrete, and probability of corrosion cracking. Third, the whole service life is determined considering both corrosion initiation stage and corrosion propagation stage. The analysis results show that climate change creates a significant impact on the service life of durable concrete. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Built Environment of Post-Carbon Era (Sustainable Built Environment 2016 Seoul Conference))

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17 pages, 1326 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Costs, Benefits and Challenges of Sustainable Livestock Intensification in a Major Deforestation Frontier in the Brazilian Amazon

by Edenise Garcia^1,*

, Fábio Sampaio Vianna Ramos Filho², Giovanni Matheus Mallmann¹ and Francisco Fonseca¹

¹ The Nature Conservancy, Belém 66035-115, Brazil

² Agrosuisse, Rio de Janeiro 22270-010, Brazil

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 158; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010158 - 21 Jan 2017

Cited by 47 | Viewed by 13825

Abstract

Extensive livestock production is a major deforestation driver in the Brazilian Amazon. This study presents an assessment of the economic and environmental feasibility of sustainable livestock intensification in São Félix do Xingu municipality, a deforestation frontier with an area of more than 8.5 [...] Read more.

Extensive livestock production is a major deforestation driver in the Brazilian Amazon. This study presents an assessment of the economic and environmental feasibility of sustainable livestock intensification in São Félix do Xingu municipality, a deforestation frontier with an area of more than 8.5 million hectares, and home to the largest cattle herd in Brazil. Proposed intensification was limited to approximately three animal units per hectare to avoid negative environmental impacts. Transition costs to sustainable cattle intensification were estimated for thirteen pilot farms taking into account adoption of good agriculture practices, pasture maintenance/restoration, and restoration of environmental liabilities. To move to sustainable intensification practices, a mean total annual investment of US$1335/ha ± US$619/ha would be necessary, varying from US$750 to US$2595/ha. Internal rate of return and net present value estimates indicated that the sustainable livestock intensification approach proposed was profitable in farms with more than 400 hectares of pastureland, but not in those where the pasture areas were smaller than 150 hectares. Livestock sustainable intensification also had the potential to promote social and environmental benefits, including a 54% increase in the number of contract workers, improvement of landowners’ managerial skills, and workers’ training, in addition to avoiding emission of 1.9 Mt CO₂eq and sequestration of 0.36 Mt CO₂eq. We conclude that the sustainable intensification of pasture areas has the potential to prevent further deforestation in the Amazon while generating social and other environmental benefits. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Agriculture)

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18 pages, 4980 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Exploring the Effects of Sampling Locations for Calibrating the Huff Model Using Mobile Phone Location Data

by Shiwei Lu^1,*, Shih-Lung Shaw^1,2,3, Zhixiang Fang^1,3

, Xirui Zhang⁴ and Ling Yin⁵

¹ State Key Laboratory of Information Engineering in Surveying, Mapping and Remote Sensing, Wuhan University, 129 Luoyu Road, Wuhan 430079, China

² Department of Geography, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA

³ Collaborative Innovation Center of Geospatial Technology, 129 Luoyu Road, Wuhan 430079, China

⁴ Information Center of Urban Planning, Land & Real Estate of Shenzhen Municipality, 8007 Hongli West Road, Shenzhen 518040, China

⁵ Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1068 Xueyuan Road, Shenzhen 518005, China

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 159; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010159 - 22 Jan 2017

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 5461

Abstract

The introduction of the Huff model is of critical significance in many fields, including urban transport, optimal location planning, economics and business analysis. Moreover, parameters calibration is a crucial procedure before using the model. Previous studies have paid much attention to calibrating the [...] Read more.

The introduction of the Huff model is of critical significance in many fields, including urban transport, optimal location planning, economics and business analysis. Moreover, parameters calibration is a crucial procedure before using the model. Previous studies have paid much attention to calibrating the spatial interaction model for human mobility research. However, are whole sampling locations always the better solution for model calibration? We use active tracking data of over 16 million cell phones in Shenzhen, a metropolitan city in China, to evaluate the calibration accuracy of Huff model. Specifically, we choose five business areas in this city as destinations and then randomly select a fixed number of cell phone towers to calibrate the parameters in this spatial interaction model. We vary the selected number of cell phone towers by multipliers of 30 until we reach the total number of towers with flows to the five destinations. We apply the least square methods for model calibration. The distribution of the final sum of squared error between the observed flows and the estimated flows indicates that whole sampling locations are not always better for the outcomes of this spatial interaction model. Instead, fewer sampling locations with higher volume of trips could improve the calibration results. Finally, we discuss implications of this finding and suggest an approach to address the high-accuracy model calibration solution. Full article

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18 pages, 233 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Facilitation as a Governance Strategy: Unravelling Governments’ Facilitation Frames

by Sanne Grotenbreg^* and Arwin Van Buuren

Department of Public Administration and Sociology (DPAS), Erasmus University Rotterdam, Burgemeester Oudlaan 50, 3062 PA Rotterdam, The Netherlands

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 160; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010160 - 22 Jan 2017

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 7016

Abstract

Governments increasingly choose facilitation as a strategy to entice others to produce public goods and services, including in relation to the realisation of sustainable energy innovations. An important instrument to implement this governance strategy is discursive framing. To learn how public authorities use [...] Read more.

Governments increasingly choose facilitation as a strategy to entice others to produce public goods and services, including in relation to the realisation of sustainable energy innovations. An important instrument to implement this governance strategy is discursive framing. To learn how public authorities use discursive framing to implement a facilitation strategy, we conducted a comparative case study on two Dutch examples in which the government aims to facilitate non-governmental actors to exploit public waterworks for the production of renewable energy. Using content analysis, we identify ten ‘facilitation frame’ elements. We find two configurations of elements: restrained facilitation and invitational facilitation, which both have their advantages, ambivalences and drawbacks. It is often unclear what governments want to achieve and what they have to offer in terms of facilitation. The (discursively) offered support, ranging from ‘giving space’ to ‘creating beneficial conditions’, is often elusive. We conclude that, to avoid deadlock, false expectations and the inactiveness of external actors, the government’s communication should both enthuse and inform these actors about what they can expect. If, however, the potential, non-governmental initiators just lack the necessary capacity to act, there is only so much discursive framing can do. Then authorities should reconsider their ‘facilitative’ role. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovation in the European Energy Sector and Regulatory Responses to It)

14 pages, 1455 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Positioning Nuclear Power in the Low-Carbon Electricity Transition

by Aviel Verbruggen¹ and Yuliya Yurchenko^2,*

¹ Department of Engineering Management, University of Antwerp, 2000 Antwerpen, Belgium

² Department of International Business and Economics, University of Greenwich, London SE10 9LS, UK

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 163; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010163 - 23 Jan 2017

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 8307

Abstract

Addressing climate change requires de-carbonizing future energy supplies in an increasingly energy-dependent world. The IEA and the IPCC (2014) mention the following as low-carbon energy supply options: ‘renewable energy, nuclear power and fossil fuels with carbon capture and storage’. Positioning nuclear power in [...] Read more.

Addressing climate change requires de-carbonizing future energy supplies in an increasingly energy-dependent world. The IEA and the IPCC (2014) mention the following as low-carbon energy supply options: ‘renewable energy, nuclear power and fossil fuels with carbon capture and storage’. Positioning nuclear power in the decarbonization transition is a problematic issue and is overridden by ill-conceived axioms. Before probing these axioms, we provide an overview of five major, postwar energy-related legacies and some insight into who is engaged in nuclear activities. We check whether low-carbon nuclear power passes the full sustainability test and whether it is compatible with the unfettered deployment of variable renewable power sourced from the sun and from wind and water currents, which delivers two negative answers. We show that the best approach of the sustainable energy transition was Germany’s 2011 decision to phase out nuclear power for a fast development and full deployment of renewable power. This is the best approach for the sustainable energy transition. We offer five practical suggestions to strengthen and accelerate carbon- and nuclear-free transitions. They are related to institutional issues like the role of cost-benefit analysis and the mission of the International Atomic Energy Agency, to the costs of nuclear risks and catastrophes, and to the historical record of nuclear technology and business. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability and Nuclear Power)

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Review

Jump to: Editorial, Research, Other

39 pages, 852 KiB

Open AccessReview

Novel and Conventional Technologies for Landfill Leachates Treatment: A Review

by Vincenzo Torretta^1,*

, Navarro Ferronato², Ioannis A. Katsoyiannis³, Athanasia K. Tolkou³

and Michela Airoldi¹

¹ Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences, University of Insubria, 46 Via G.B. Vico, Varese 21100, Italy

² Department of Science and High Technology, University of Insubria, 46 Via G.B. Vico, Varese 21100, Italy

³ Laboratory of Chemical and Environmental Technology, Department of Chemistry, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki GR-54124, Greece

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 9; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010009 - 23 Dec 2016

Cited by 185 | Viewed by 16225

Abstract

Municipal solid waste final disposal represents an environmental burden worldwide since landfilling, or open dumping, is still the preferred solution for the end of life of solid discarded materials. This study aims to review the technological innovations applied for landfill leachate treatment, taking [...] Read more.

Municipal solid waste final disposal represents an environmental burden worldwide since landfilling, or open dumping, is still the preferred solution for the end of life of solid discarded materials. This study aims to review the technological innovations applied for landfill leachate treatment, taking into consideration the experiences obtained during the past years and the solutions which have been implemented. The review showed that both biological and physiochemical treatments are not able to achieve the requested water quality level, according to the limits established by regulations, whether applied in a single treatment or multiple treatments. In order to respect sustainable release limits to guarantee environmental protection, the construction of depuration systems and combining biological and physiochemical treatment methods is considered of the utmost importance. The review looks at possible joint applications of different treatment techniques reviewed by other studies and considers the state of the art of current research. Combined technical solutions suggested within the 2016 peer-reviewed papers are presented and discussed as a sustainable way to effectively treat landfill leachate, giving particular attention to feasible solutions for developing countries. Full article

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19 pages, 254 KiB

Open AccessReview

Concepts and Strategies of Organic Plant Breeding in Light of Novel Breeding Techniques

by Edwin Nuijten^1,*, Monika M. Messmer²

and Edith T. Lammerts van Bueren^1,3

¹ Louis Bolk Institute, Hoofdstraat 24, 3972 LA Driebergen, The Netherlands

² Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL), Department of Crop Sciences, Ackerstrasse 113, CH-5070 Frick, Switzerland

³ Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen UR Plant Breeding, P.O. Box 386, 6700 AJ Wageningen, The Netherlands

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 18; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010018 - 23 Dec 2016

Cited by 40 | Viewed by 10951

Abstract

In this paper, we describe the development of a set of guiding principles for the evaluation of breeding techniques by the organic sector over time. The worldwide standards of organic agriculture (OA) do not allow genetic engineering (GE) or any products derived from [...] Read more.

In this paper, we describe the development of a set of guiding principles for the evaluation of breeding techniques by the organic sector over time. The worldwide standards of organic agriculture (OA) do not allow genetic engineering (GE) or any products derived from genetic engineering. The standards in OA are an expression of the underlying principles of health, ecology, fairness and care. The derived norms are process and not product oriented. As breeding is considered part of the process in agriculture, GE is not a neutral tool for the organic sector. The incompatibility between OA and GE is analyzed, including the “novel breeding techniques”. Instead, alternative breeding approaches are pursued based on the norms and values of organic agriculture not only on the technical level but also on the social and organizational level by including other value chain players and consumers. The status and future perspectives of the alternative directions for organic breeding are described and discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Organic Farming and Gene Manipulation)

19 pages, 1509 KiB

Open AccessReview

From a Systematic Literature Review to a Classification Framework: Sustainability Integration in Fashion Operations

by Hakan Karaosman^1,2,*

, Gustavo Morales-Alonso² and Alessandro Brun¹

¹ Department of Management, Economics & Industrial Engineering, Politecnico di Milano, 20156 Milan, Italy

² Department of Industrial Management, Business Administration and Statistics, Universidad Politecnica de Madrid, 28006 Madrid, Spain

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 30; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010030 - 27 Dec 2016

Cited by 81 | Viewed by 16819

Abstract

Sustainability management in global fashion operations is an area of growing concern. This can be seen by the number of research articles and industrial reports published. To establish a further debate, this study pursues two objectives. Firstly, it provides a systematic literature review [...] Read more.

Sustainability management in global fashion operations is an area of growing concern. This can be seen by the number of research articles and industrial reports published. To establish a further debate, this study pursues two objectives. Firstly, it provides a systematic literature review pertaining to environmental and social sustainability management in fashion operations by encompassing 38 research articles indexed in Scopus from 2006 to 2016. Secondly, it presents a classification framework in which sustainability practices are categorized according to a three-dimensional concurrent engineering framework by focusing on product, process and supply chain levels. Results address that the breakdown of environmental and social sustainability practices identified in earlier research is not homogenous. For instance, some critical social aspects such as human rights are not widely covered in production processes. Similarly, serious environmental aspects such as biodiversity are not entirely focused on at the chain level. Last, this study concludes with a framework illustrating strategic priorities to be taken to advance sustainability in fashion operations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Economic and Business Aspects of Sustainability)

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21 pages, 954 KiB

Open AccessReview

A Meta-Analysis of Human–Wildlife Conflict: South African and Global Perspectives

by Nimmi Seoraj-Pillai^1,2,* and Neville Pillay²

¹ Department of Nature Conservation, Tshwane University of Technology, Private Bag X680, Pretoria West 0001, South Africa

² School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Private Bag 3, Wits 2050, South Africa

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 34; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010034 - 28 Dec 2016

Cited by 98 | Viewed by 16197

Abstract

Human–wildlife conflict (HWC), due to competition for shared natural resources between people and wildlife, influences food security of people and the well-being of people and animals. HWC is a major concern in developing countries, affecting people of different socio-economic classes. We conducted a [...] Read more.

Human–wildlife conflict (HWC), due to competition for shared natural resources between people and wildlife, influences food security of people and the well-being of people and animals. HWC is a major concern in developing countries, affecting people of different socio-economic classes. We conducted a meta-analysis of the occurrence of published scientific reports on HWC globally and South Africa particularly, to identify vulnerable human communities and their farming practices in developing and developed countries, and vulnerable wildlife guilds. We accessed Institute for Scientific Information publications from 1994 to 2015. Local communities (people living contiguous with protected natural areas) and commercial farmers jointly experienced the highest HWC incidences compared to subsistence farmers, possibly due to reporting bias for commercial farmers. Rural people in Africa and Asia experienced conflict with a diversity of mammals, confirming our expectation that developing countries could potentially experience regular encounters with wildlife. South Africa had more HWC cases than developed countries (e.g., in Australia and North America), yet the dichotomy between first world and third world economies in South Africa provides a regional exemplar of global patterns in HWC. Globally, HWC involved mainly mammals and birds, with carnivores and primates as the most high-scale conflict species and thus were a severely persecuted group. Our foundational research provides the first global assessment of HWC and showed that people in developing countries are vulnerable to HWC, perhaps related to reduced protection of livestock and crops against a larger guild of problem mammals. We suggest that a wider range of literature, including governmental and non-governmental publications, be surveyed to contribute to further research in this area of study. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Wildlife Management)

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11 pages, 8004 KiB

Open AccessReview

Experiences of Mass Pig Carcass Disposal Related to Groundwater Quality Monitoring in Taiwan

by Zeng-Yei Hseu

and Zueng-Sang Chen^*

Department of Agricultural Chemistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 46; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010046 - 29 Dec 2016

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 6683

Abstract

The pig industry is the most crucial animal industry in Taiwan; 10.7 million pigs were reared for consumption in 1996. A foot and mouth disease (FMD) epidemic broke out on 19 March 1997, and 3,850,536 pigs were culled before July in the same [...] Read more.

The pig industry is the most crucial animal industry in Taiwan; 10.7 million pigs were reared for consumption in 1996. A foot and mouth disease (FMD) epidemic broke out on 19 March 1997, and 3,850,536 pigs were culled before July in the same year. The major disposal method of pig carcasses from the FMD outbreak was burial, followed by burning and incineration. To investigate groundwater quality, environmental monitoring of burial sites was performed from October 1997 to June 1999; groundwater monitoring of 90–777 wells in 20 prefectures was performed wo to six times in 1998. Taiwanese governmental agencies analyzed 3723 groundwater samples using a budget of US $1.5 million. The total bacterial count, fecal coliform, Salmonella spp., nitrite-N, nitrate-N, ammonium-N, sulfate, non-purgeable organic carbon, total oil, and total dissolved solid were recognized as indicators of groundwater contamination resulting from pig carcass burial. Groundwater at the burial sites was considered to be contaminated on the basis of the aforementioned indicators, particularly groundwater at burial sites without an impermeable cloth and those located at a relatively short distance from the monitoring well. The burial sites selected during outbreaks in Taiwan should have a low surrounding population, be away from water preservation areas, and undergo regular monitoring of groundwater quality. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Management of Post-Epidemic Mass Carcasses Burial Sites)

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16 pages, 228 KiB

Open AccessReview

Choice Architecture as a Way to Encourage a Whole Systems Design Perspective for More Sustainable Infrastructure

by Nora Harris^1,*, Tripp Shealy¹ and Leidy Klotz²

¹ Charles Edward Via, Jr., Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Virginia Tech, 200 Patton Hall, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA

² Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and School of Architecture, University of Virginia, Thornton Hall B228, 351 McCormick Road, Charlottesville, VA 22904, USA

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 54; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010054 - 30 Dec 2016

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 8356

Abstract

Across fields, more sustainable and resilient outcomes are being realized through a whole systems design perspective, which guides decision-makers to consider the entire system affected including interdependent physical and social networks. Although infrastructure is extremely interdependent, consisting of diverse stakeholders and networks, the [...] Read more.

Across fields, more sustainable and resilient outcomes are being realized through a whole systems design perspective, which guides decision-makers to consider the entire system affected including interdependent physical and social networks. Although infrastructure is extremely interdependent, consisting of diverse stakeholders and networks, the infrastructure design and construction process is often fragmented. This fragmentation can result in unnecessary tradeoffs, leading to poor outcomes for certain stakeholders and the surrounding environment. A whole systems design perspective would help connect this fragmented industry and lead to more sustainable outcomes. For example, a whole systems design approach to relieve traffic on a highway might see beyond the obvious, but often ineffective, response of adding a new vehicle lane to encourage a solution such as repurposing existing road lanes from automobiles to above-ground “subway” systems. This paper discusses influences to whole systems design and how intentional choice architecture, meaning the way decisions are posed, can nudge decision-makers to employ whole systems design and result in more sustainable infrastructure. By uncovering these influences and organizing them by the social, organizational, and individual levels of the infrastructure design process, this paper provides the needed foundation for interdisciplinary research to help harness these influences through choice architecture and whole systems design for the infrastructure industry. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Architecture and Design)

25 pages, 1023 KiB

Open AccessReview

Expounding the Value of Grain Legumes in the Semi- and Arid Tropics

by Tendai P. Chibarabada^*, Albert T. Modi

and Tafadzwanashe Mabhaudhi

Crop Science, School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X01, Scottsville, 3201 Pietermaritzburg, South Africa

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 60; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010060 - 1 Jan 2017

Cited by 56 | Viewed by 10816

Abstract

Approximately 70% of the population in the semi- and arid tropics reside in rural areas and depend on agriculture for their livelihood. Crop production is primarily focused on a few starchy staple crops. While this can ensure adequate calories, it inadvertently neglects the [...] Read more.

Approximately 70% of the population in the semi- and arid tropics reside in rural areas and depend on agriculture for their livelihood. Crop production is primarily focused on a few starchy staple crops. While this can ensure adequate calories, it inadvertently neglects the need for dietary diversity. Consequently, food and nutritional insecurity remains prevalent in the semi- and arid tropics. We reviewed the legume value chain with the aim to identify opportunities and challenges to unlocking their value and promoting them in the tropics. Several grain legumes are rich in proteins and micronutrients. They also possess adaptability to marginal environmental conditions such as drought and low input systems which typify rural landscapes. Adaptability to abiotic stresses such as drought makes them key to agriculture in areas that will receive less rainfall in the future. However, this potential was currently not being realized due to a range of challenges. Aspects related to their seed systems, production, post-harvest handling and marketing remain relatively under-researched. This was especially true for minor legumes. There is a need for trans-disciplinary research which will address the entire value chain, as has been done for major starchy crops. This could also unlock significant economic opportunities for marginalized groups such as women. This will unlock their value and allow them to contribute meaningfully to food and nutrition security as well as sustainable and resilient cropping systems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Agriculture)

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26 pages, 601 KiB

Open AccessReview

Maturity Models in Supply Chain Sustainability: A Systematic Literature Review

by Elisabete Correia¹, Helena Carvalho², Susana G. Azevedo³ and Kannan Govindan^4,*,†

¹ ISCAC—Instituto Politécnico de Coimbra, Coimbra 3040-316, Portugal

² UNIDEMI, Faculty of Science and Technology, FCT, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal

³ CEFAGE-UBI, UNIDEMI, Department of Business and Economics, University of Beira Interior, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal

⁴ Center for Engineering Operations Management, Department of Technology and Innovation, University of Southern Denmark, Odense M-5230, Denmark

^† Authorship listing follows a reverse seniority order.

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 64; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010064 - 6 Jan 2017

Cited by 131 | Viewed by 16456

Abstract

A systematic literature review of supply chain maturity models with sustainability concerns is presented. The objective is to give insights into methodological issues related to maturity models, namely the research objectives; the research methods used to develop, validate and test them; the scope; [...] Read more.

A systematic literature review of supply chain maturity models with sustainability concerns is presented. The objective is to give insights into methodological issues related to maturity models, namely the research objectives; the research methods used to develop, validate and test them; the scope; and the main characteristics associated with their design. The literature review was performed based on journal articles and conference papers from 2000 to 2015 using the SCOPUS, Emerald Insight, EBSCO and Web of Science databases. Most of the analysed papers have as main objective the development of maturity models and their validation. The case study is the methodology that is most widely used by researchers to develop and validate maturity models. From the sustainability perspective, the scope of the analysed maturity models is the Triple Bottom Line (TBL) and environmental dimension, focusing on a specific process (eco-design and new product development) and without a broad SC perspective. The dominant characteristics associated with the design of the maturity models are the maturity grids and a continuous representation. In addition, results do not allow identifying a trend for a specific number of maturity levels. The comprehensive review, analysis, and synthesis of the maturity model literature represent an important contribution to the organization of this research area, making possible to clarify some confusion that exists about concepts, approaches and components of maturity models in sustainability. Various aspects associated with the maturity models (i.e., research objectives, research methods, scope and characteristics of the design of models) are explored to contribute to the evolution and significance of this multidimensional area. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue How Better Decision-Making Helps to Improve Sustainability - Part II)

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32 pages, 1153 KiB

Open AccessReview

Social Sustainable Supply Chain Management in the Textile and Apparel Industry—A Literature Review

by Deniz Köksal^1,*, Jochen Strähle¹, Martin Müller² and Matthias Freise¹

¹ School of Textiles & Design, Reutlingen University, Alteburgstraße 150, 72762 Reutlingen, Germany

² Institute of Sustainable Corporate Management, Ulm University, Helmholtzstraße 18, 89081 Ulm, Germany

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 100; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010100 - 12 Jan 2017

Cited by 187 | Viewed by 43270

Abstract

So far, a vast amount of studies on sustainability in supply chain management have been conducted by academics over the last decade. Nevertheless, socially related aspects are still neglected in the related discussion. The primary motivation of the present literature review has arisen [...] Read more.

So far, a vast amount of studies on sustainability in supply chain management have been conducted by academics over the last decade. Nevertheless, socially related aspects are still neglected in the related discussion. The primary motivation of the present literature review has arisen from this shortcoming, thus the key purpose of this study is to enrich the discussion by providing a state-of-the-art, focusing exclusively on social issues in sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) by considering the textile/apparel sector as the field of application. The authors conduct a literature review, including content analysis which covers 45 articles published in English peer-reviewed journals, and proposes a comprehensive map which integrates the latest findings on socially related practices in the textile/apparel industry with the dominant conceptualization in order to reveal potential research areas in the field. The results show an ongoing lack of investigation regarding the social dimension of the triple bottom line in SSCM. Findings indicate that a company’s internal orientation is the main assisting factor in sustainable supply chain management practices. Further, supplier collaboration and assessment can be interpreted as an offer for suppliers deriving from stakeholders and a focal company’s management of social risk. Nevertheless, suppliers do also face or even create huge barriers in improving their social performance. This calls for more empirical research and qualitative or quantitative survey methods, especially at the supplier level located in developing countries. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability Issues in the Textile and Apparel Supply Chains)

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17 pages, 842 KiB

Open AccessReview

Urban Resilience: A Civil Engineering Perspective

by Anna Bozza^1,*

, Domenico Asprone¹ and Francesco Fabbrocino²

¹ Department of Structures for Engineering and Architecture, University of Naples Federico II, 80125 Naples, Italy

² Department of Civil Engineering, Pegaso University, 80125 Naples, Italy

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 103; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010103 - 12 Jan 2017

Cited by 59 | Viewed by 12361

Abstract

The concept of resilience is used in multiple scientific contexts, being understood according to several different perspectives. Essentially, resilience identifies the capability to recover, absorb shocks, and restore equilibrium after a perturbation. Recently, resilience is triggering increasing interest in engineering contexts, referring to [...] Read more.

The concept of resilience is used in multiple scientific contexts, being understood according to several different perspectives. Essentially, resilience identifies the capability to recover, absorb shocks, and restore equilibrium after a perturbation. Recently, resilience is triggering increasing interest in engineering contexts, referring to communities and urban networked systems, as the capability to recover from natural disasters. The approach to the engineering resilience dates back to the early 1980s, when Timmerman defined resilience as “the ability of human communities to withstand external shocks or perturbations to their infrastructure and to recover from such perturbations”. In this paper, a literature review of the existing methodologies to quantify urban resilience is presented according to a civil engineering perspective. Different approaches, for diverse applications, are examined and discussed. A particular focus is done on the studies from Cavallaro et al. and Bozza et al., approaching disaster resilience of urban environments to natural hazards according to the complex networks theory. Full article

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11 pages, 181 KiB

Open AccessReview

Wine Tourism and Sustainability: A Review

by Marta Maria Montella

Economics and Business Management, Via F. Turati n. 29, 05100 Terni, Italy

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 113; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010113 - 13 Jan 2017

Cited by 90 | Viewed by 13284

Abstract

The literature on tourism and events is endless; a niche in this wide research field is represented by food and wine research. The growing interest shown by wine tourists has nurtured the proliferation of wine events and the growth of the wine tourism [...] Read more.

The literature on tourism and events is endless; a niche in this wide research field is represented by food and wine research. The growing interest shown by wine tourists has nurtured the proliferation of wine events and the growth of the wine tourism business; as a consequence, academicians’ interest in this issue has increased. At the same time, research on tourism and events is an evolving field and it has moved from a main economic focus to a broader perspective: some scholars have highlighted how the growing interest towards green and sustainable practices has stimulated academic research and a lot has been done on the management of environmental issues. Given the resonance of wine tourism and the role it has for local and rural development, the interest towards the issue of sustainability in wine is more than warranted. Thus, this paper aims to provide some useful insights about where research has gone and where it is going; a thorough literature review has been performed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue How does Market Demand for Sustainability Shape Business Strategies? Exploring Innovation Paths in Agribusiness)

20 pages, 1778 KiB

Open AccessReview

Characterisation of Nature-Based Solutions for the Built Environment

by Yangang Xing^1,*

, Phil Jones¹ and Iain Donnison²

¹ Welsh School of Architecture, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3XQ, UK

² Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS), Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth SY23 3JG, UK

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 149; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010149 - 20 Jan 2017

Cited by 138 | Viewed by 22300

Abstract

Nature has provided humankind with food, fuel, and shelter throughout evolutionary history. However, in contemporary cities, many natural landscapes have become degraded and replaced with impermeable hard surfaces (e.g., roads, paving, car parks and buildings). The reversal of this trend is dynamic, complex [...] Read more.

Nature has provided humankind with food, fuel, and shelter throughout evolutionary history. However, in contemporary cities, many natural landscapes have become degraded and replaced with impermeable hard surfaces (e.g., roads, paving, car parks and buildings). The reversal of this trend is dynamic, complex and still in its infancy. There are many facets of urban greening initiatives involving multiple benefits, sensitivities and limitations. The aim of this paper is to develop a characterisation method of nature based solutions for designing and retrofitting in the built environment, and to facilitate knowledge transfer between disciplines and for design optimisation. Based on a review of the literature across disciplines, key characteristics could be organised into four groups: policy and community initiatives, multiple benefits assessment, topology, and design options. Challenges and opportunities for developing a characterisation framework to improve the use of nature based solutions in the built environment are discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nature-Based Solutions for Urban Challenges)

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15 pages, 523 KiB

Open AccessConcept Paper

Cover Crops as an Agroecological Practice on Organic Vegetable Farms in Wisconsin, USA

by Erin M. Silva^1,2,* and Virginia M. Moore^2,3

¹ Department of Plant Pathology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1630 Linden Dr., Madison, WI 53706, USA

² Plant Breeding and Plant Genetics Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1575 Linden Dr., Madison, WI 53706, USA

³ Department of Agronomy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1575 Linden Dr., Madison, WI 53706, USA

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 55; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010055 - 1 Jan 2017

Cited by 21 | Viewed by 8493

Abstract

Global agricultural and food systems face the challenge of feeding a growing world population in the face of finite and diminishing resources. To guide the redesign of agricultural systems, farmers and policymakers are increasingly turning to agroecology. Organic agriculture has historically integrated agroecological [...] Read more.

Global agricultural and food systems face the challenge of feeding a growing world population in the face of finite and diminishing resources. To guide the redesign of agricultural systems, farmers and policymakers are increasingly turning to agroecology. Organic agriculture has historically integrated agroecological practices within its regulatory framework; however, questions remain as to the extent to which organic farmers are maintaining and expanding agroecological practices. In this paper, we will address convergences and divergences of agroecological and organic practices. Using cover cropping as a model agroecological practice, we conduct a preliminary assessment on the degree to which organic vegetable farms in Wisconsin, USA are integrating agroecological concepts into their farm management, drawing upon the results of a 2013 cover cropping practice survey. The survey data demonstrates varying degrees of complexity and diversity in cover cropping practices, potentially illustrating the desire of organic farmers to promote a high degree of agroecosystem services. Farmers’ integration of cover crop diversity and complexity was not correlated to farm size or revenue. These results offer preliminary evidence that Wisconsin’s organic vegetable farmers are integrating agroecological practices on their farms, even as growth in the organic market continues to occur. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Role of Agroecology in Archieving Sustainable Agriculture)

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13 pages, 3381 KiB

Open AccessTechnical Note

Economic Feasibility of Renewable Electricity Generation Systems for Local Government Office: Evaluation of the Jeju Special Self-Governing Province in South Korea

by Eunil Park¹, Ki Joon Kim^2,*

, Sang Jib Kwon^3,*, Taeil Han¹, Wongi S. Na¹ and Angel P. Del Pobil^4,5,*

¹ Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology (KICT), Goyang, Gyeonggi-do 10223, Korea

² Department of Media and Communication, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China

³ Department of Business Administration, Dongguk University, Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do 38066, Korea

⁴ University Jaume-I, Avenida de Vicent Sos Baynat, s/n, 12071 Castelló de la Plana, Spain

⁵ Department of Interaction Science, Sungkyunkwan University, 25-2 Sungkyunkwan-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul 04620, Korea

Sustainability 2017, 9(1), 82; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010082 - 9 Jan 2017

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 6455

Abstract

While environmental and energy concerns have become global issues, the government of South Korea has made notable efforts and formulated plans for the diffusion of renewable energy generation facilities for the nation’s public and governmental institutions. Accordingly, Jeju Island has become one of [...] Read more.

While environmental and energy concerns have become global issues, the government of South Korea has made notable efforts and formulated plans for the diffusion of renewable energy generation facilities for the nation’s public and governmental institutions. Accordingly, Jeju Island has become one of the most promising locations for utilizing renewable energy resources. This study aims to propose potential configurations for renewable energy generation facilities (mainly solar and wind energy facilities) in response to the electricity demand of the main local governmental offices of Jeju Special Self-Governing Province. The study utilizes the hybrid optimization of multiple energy resources software to simulate two optimized configurations for generation at a cost of energy of $0.306 per kWh (independent) and $0.204 per kWh (grid-connected) with 100% renewable fraction for the island. The implications of the simulation results and limitations of the study are discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Economic and Business Aspects of Sustainability)

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