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Standards, Volume 5, Issue 1 (March 2025) – 4 articles

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10 pages, 435 KiB  
Perspective
Integrating Climate Change Adaptation and Water Resource Management: A Critical Overview
by André Lindner and Jürgen Stamm
Standards 2025, 5(1), 4; https://doi.org/10.3390/standards5010004 - 11 Feb 2025
Abstract
Water resources are increasingly vulnerable due to the effects of climate change, which influences both their availability and quality. It is crucial to incorporate climate change adaptation strategies into water resource management to address these challenges and support sustainable practices. This article provides [...] Read more.
Water resources are increasingly vulnerable due to the effects of climate change, which influences both their availability and quality. It is crucial to incorporate climate change adaptation strategies into water resource management to address these challenges and support sustainable practices. This article provides a critical overview of recent advancements in this integration, addressing both theoretical frameworks and practical applications. The discussion highlights the importance of distinguishing between mitigation and adaptation strategies, emphasizing their unique characteristics and interdependencies. Climate change alters water quality through increased temperatures, altered precipitation patterns, and extreme weather events, necessitating adaptive strategies to maintain water quality. Immediate coping strategies, such as alternative water sources and filtration systems, address pressing issues but must be complemented by incremental and transformational strategies for long-term resilience. Incremental strategies include upgrading infrastructure and enhancing agricultural practices, while transformational strategies involve comprehensive changes like redesigning urban water systems and revising water governance frameworks. This article identifies socio-economic constraints, awareness gaps, and data deficiencies as significant challenges to effective adaptation. It advocates for integrating climate and water policies, enhancing international co-operation, and investing in innovation and technology. Case studies from India and Vietnam illustrate successful integration of climate adaptation into water management, providing valuable insights for other regions. Overall, a holistic, multi-faceted approach is essential to secure a sustainable water future in the face of climate change. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Development Standards)
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19 pages, 781 KiB  
Article
Smart Education for Corporate Sustainability Reporting
by Peter Glavič, Helena Levičnik, Aida Szilagyi, Ibon Zugasti, Thomas Schönfelder, Marek Rosicki, Pavel Ruzicka and Veronika Hajná
Standards 2025, 5(1), 3; https://doi.org/10.3390/standards5010003 - 6 Feb 2025
Abstract
The European Union’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive expanded its Non-Financial Reporting Directive requirements to companies with over 250 employees, mandating their sustainability reporting from 2025. This expansion will quadruple the number of companies subject to mandatory reporting, presenting new challenges for their managers [...] Read more.
The European Union’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive expanded its Non-Financial Reporting Directive requirements to companies with over 250 employees, mandating their sustainability reporting from 2025. This expansion will quadruple the number of companies subject to mandatory reporting, presenting new challenges for their managers and responsible employees. Companies will have to report according to the European Sustainability Reporting Standards. This article addresses gaps in vocational education and training (VET) programs related to sustainability knowledge and reporting. It aims to establish a unified approach for VET teachers and learners across the EU, preparing them for the evolving job market demands. The methodology ADDIE (Analysis/Design/Development/Implementation/Evaluation) was used to develop the curriculum and training. The research began by creating a knowledge repository and a questionnaire, focusing on current reporting practices and job requirements, and continued with preparing materials for the training course. The course encompassed six learning units: (1) European legislation and sustainability standards, (2) sustainability management, (3–5) environmental, social, and corporate dimensions, and (6) sustainability reporting. The initiative included multiplier (dissemination) events, pilot applications, and online course tests. To deliver the course effectively, an interactive e-learning platform was developed; gamification elements and other engaging activities were included to enhance learning outcomes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Standards in Environmental Sciences)
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29 pages, 5219 KiB  
Article
A Risk Analysis Model for Biosecurity in Brazil Using the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP)
by Fillipe Augusto da Silva, Adriana Marcos Vivoni, Harrison Magdinier Gomes, Leonardo Augusto dos Santos Oliveira, Annibal Parracho Sant’Anna and Luiz Octávio Gavião
Standards 2025, 5(1), 2; https://doi.org/10.3390/standards5010002 - 17 Jan 2025
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Abstract
This study proposes a risk analysis model based on the principles of ISO 31000 and decision theory for biological agents with potential for offensive use in Brazil. Bibliographic research was conducted on the main models already published on the subject. The German risk [...] Read more.
This study proposes a risk analysis model based on the principles of ISO 31000 and decision theory for biological agents with potential for offensive use in Brazil. Bibliographic research was conducted on the main models already published on the subject. The German risk classification system was adopted as the main reference because it is adjustable and adopts a semiquantitative approach. After translating and adapting this model to the Brazilian context, the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) was applied to generate a hierarchical tree with criteria and subcriteria to be considered in the risk assessment. A questionnaire was administered to a group of experts to evaluate the relevant criteria and subcriteria and the risks related to three biological agents (Bacillus anthracis, Yersinia pestis, and Francisella tularensis), which were selected in an exploratory manner to exemplify the application of the model. According to the results, the criterion of impact of a biological attack was given greater importance when compared with the probability of occurrence of this event. According to the subcriteria, the greatest weight was attributed to human health when compared with agriculture, the environment, or the economy. Finally, in the evaluation of the three pathogens, B. anthracis was identified as having the highest risk for offensive use in Brazil. This research is focused on a practical approach and can be implemented by competent agencies to foster their capacity for biological defense by determining which pathogens represent the greatest risk to society. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Development Standards)
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12 pages, 1438 KiB  
Article
Swell Magnitude of Unsaturated Clay as Affected by Different Wetting Conditions
by Shay Nachum
Standards 2025, 5(1), 1; https://doi.org/10.3390/standards5010001 - 6 Jan 2025
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Abstract
The wetting of compacted clays and their subsequent swelling often result in damage to structures and infrastructures. Estimations of the swell that is expected to develop during wetting are usually based on standard laboratory tests. The standard procedure requires inundating the test specimens; [...] Read more.
The wetting of compacted clays and their subsequent swelling often result in damage to structures and infrastructures. Estimations of the swell that is expected to develop during wetting are usually based on standard laboratory tests. The standard procedure requires inundating the test specimens; this procedure represents an extreme wetting condition and provides an upper limit to the swell. However, wetting may result from less extreme conditions, for example by the absorption of water due to suction forces, which may result in a smaller swell. This paper describes a laboratory investigation of the swell difference in high-plasticity clay that may result from different wetting conditions. Swell tests were carried out on specimens prepared at different initial conditions and wetted under different wetting conditions of inundation or absorption. The results indicate that as the initial void ratio decreases and the degree of saturation increases, it is more likely that different wetting conditions will result in different swell magnitudes, where inundation may create a larger swell than absorption. The soil at a low initial void ratio and high degree of saturation seems to be characterized by mono-modal pore size distributions in the micropore range. This unique pore size distribution may be the explanation of the different swell magnitudes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Advanced Risk Assessment in Geotechnical Engineering)
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