Sustainability

11 pages, 1368 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Reducing GHG Emissions and Improving Cost Effectiveness via Energy Efficiency Enhancements: A Case Study in a Biscuit Industry

by Valentina Stojceska, Nicholas Parker and Savvas A. Tassou

Sustainability 2022, 14(1), 69; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14010069 - 22 Dec 2021

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3859

Abstract

As the new climate change driven regulations are brought into the force and energy prices and sustainability awareness increased, many companies are looking for the most efficient way to reduce their energy consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In this context, the food [...] Read more.

As the new climate change driven regulations are brought into the force and energy prices and sustainability awareness increased, many companies are looking for the most efficient way to reduce their energy consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In this context, the food industry as one of the main energy consumers within the industry sector plays a significant role. This paper analyses the current energy consumption in a biscuit manufacturing company and considers a number of possible solutions for the energy efficiency improvements. The company uses modern and automated production processes and has signed a Climate Change Agreement. The experimental part involves identification of the energy users, as well as analysis of the energy bills, operation times, production schedule and on-site measurements of energy consumption. The opportunities for energy efficiency improvements, GHG emissions and costs reduction are investigated and additional information about the investments and payback period of the proposed improvements discussed. A number of opportunities for improvement are identified within the production area with a potential savings of 23%, which corresponds to EUR 40,534.00 and 190 tCO₂, annually. It was found that the significant savings could be achieved by better managing the production lines and reducing operational hours from equipment, with no impact on productivity and no capital investment required. Further savings can be achieved through technical improvements requiring capital investments. All those improvements and savings make a significant contribution in accomplishing environmental targets set out by the FDF1 agreement. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Energy Sustainability)

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17 pages, 2194 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

The Priority Given to Sustainability by Industrial Designers within an Industry 4.0 Paradigm

by Blair Kuys, Christoph Koch and Gianni Renda

Sustainability 2022, 14(1), 76; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14010076 - 22 Dec 2021

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 5295

Abstract

Industrial design is intrinsically linked to manufacturing; however, what is required of industrial design to adapt to new changes brought on by Industry 4.0 in manufacturing is unknown. Current literature gives little insight into how industrial designers need to evolve to the current [...] Read more.

Industrial design is intrinsically linked to manufacturing; however, what is required of industrial design to adapt to new changes brought on by Industry 4.0 in manufacturing is unknown. Current literature gives little insight into how industrial designers need to evolve to the current developments in manufacturing to remain value drivers in an Industry 4.0 paradigm. There is minimal research describing the link between industrial design, Industry 4.0 and the effect this will have on sustainability. We conducted an extensive survey of 190 respondents from 53 countries to establish the present state of industrial design practice globally and to better understand the priority sustainability is given by practicing industrial designers. Qualitative data showed a desire for improved sustainable processes; however, quantitative data contradicted this, showing “sustainability” as one of the lowest ranked areas of importance in design practice for industrial designers. While sustainability—especially in manufacturing—demands more prominent change as industrial design adapts to an Industry 4.0 manufacturing paradigm, it seems that junior industrial designers do not currently see this as a priority. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability in Industrial Design Engineering for Industry 4.0)

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20 pages, 1345 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

A Multicriteria Approach to Modelling Pandemic Response under Strong Uncertainty: A Case Study in Jordan

by Love Ekenberg, Adriana Mihai, Tobias Fasth, Nadejda Komendantova, Mats Danielson and Ahmed Al-Salaymeh

Sustainability 2022, 14(1), 81; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14010081 - 22 Dec 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3231

Abstract

In responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, evidence-based policymaking and risk mitigation have been confronted with limited decision-making mechanisms under conditions of increased uncertainty. Such methods are particularly called for in contexts where reliable data to a large extent are missing and where the [...] Read more.

In responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, evidence-based policymaking and risk mitigation have been confronted with limited decision-making mechanisms under conditions of increased uncertainty. Such methods are particularly called for in contexts where reliable data to a large extent are missing and where the chosen policy would impact a variety of sectors. In this paper, we present an application of an integrated decision-making framework under ambiguity on how to contain the COVID-19 virus spread from a national policy point of view. The framework was applied in Jordan and considered both local epidemiologic and socioeconomic estimates in a multistakeholder multicriteria context. In particular, the cocreation process for eliciting attitudes, perceptions, and preferences amongst relevant stakeholder groups has often been missing from policy response to the pandemic, even though the containment measures’ efficiency largely depends on their acceptance by the impacted groups. For this, there exist several methods attempting to elicit criteria weights, values, and probabilities ranging from direct rating and point allocation methods to more elaborated ones. To facilitate the elicitation, some of the approaches utilise elicitation methods whereby prospects are ranked using ordinal importance information, while others use cardinal information. Methods are sometimes assessed in case studies or more formally by utilising systematic simulations. Furthermore, the treatment of corresponding methods for the handling of the alternative’s values has sometimes been neglected. We demonstrate in our paper an approach for cardinal ranking in policy decision making in combination with imprecise or incomplete information concerning probabilities, weights, and consequences or alternative values. The results of our cocreation process are aggregated in the evaluation of alternative mitigation measures for Jordan, showcasing how a multistakeholder multicriteria decision mechanism can be employed in current or future challenges of pandemic situations, to facilitate management and mitigation of similar crises in the future, in any region. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Modeling and Managing Catastrophic Risks in Heterogeneous Systems)

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19 pages, 1565 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Development of Biorefineries in the Bioeconomy: A Fuzzy-Set Qualitative Comparative Analysis among European Countries

by Zhengqiu Ding and Philipp Grundmann

Sustainability 2022, 14(1), 90; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14010090 - 22 Dec 2021

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 4274

Abstract

This study aims to identify the configurational conditions that characterize the establishment of biorefineries in 20 European countries. After determining the conditions which support a bioeconomy transition, secondary data from national sources are used to represent their existing conditions within respective countries. Then, [...] Read more.

This study aims to identify the configurational conditions that characterize the establishment of biorefineries in 20 European countries. After determining the conditions which support a bioeconomy transition, secondary data from national sources are used to represent their existing conditions within respective countries. Then, a fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis is employed to compare and contrast the effect of varying combinations of the selected conditions on the development of biorefineries. The conditions chosen include coherent bioeconomy strategies, network intensity of regional bioclusters, intellectual capital, and natural resource availability. Our results reveal that the configuration of a coherent bioeconomy strategy, sizable public spending on R&D, abundant biomass supply, and a high level of network intensity is sufficient to explain the pronounced biorefineries development among some European countries. We recommend that countries with fragmented approaches review and redesign the policy and regulatory framework to create a holistic and consistent bioeconomy strategy, taking into account the configurations of conditions as an important prerequisite. In particular, factors such as the lack of best practice examples, the low level of public spending on research and development, the economic capacities for a skilled workforce in addition to the sustainable supply of raw materials should be addressed as focal points. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Climate Change and Circular Bioeconomy: Old Challenges and New Opportunities for Environmental Biotechnology)

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15 pages, 1635 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

A Conceptual Framework for Heritage Impact Assessment: A Review and Perspective

by Baharak Ashrafi, Carola Neugebauer and Michael Kloos

Sustainability 2022, 14(1), 27; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14010027 - 21 Dec 2021

Cited by 21 | Viewed by 11584

Abstract

Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) has recently emerged as a conflict-solving tool to improve World Heritage (WH) conservation in line with sustainable development policies. The increasing number of requested HIAs for affected WH properties over the last years reveals that more attention is being [...] Read more.

Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) has recently emerged as a conflict-solving tool to improve World Heritage (WH) conservation in line with sustainable development policies. The increasing number of requested HIAs for affected WH properties over the last years reveals that more attention is being paid to HIA as a practical tool to adequately support the protection and management of historic monuments and sites against new constructions and development. However, the application of integrated and systematic impact assessment methods within HIA still remains a key challenge in different HIA projects. Therefore, this paper contributes to the further development of a transparent and systematic procedure of HIA in accordance with Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). It also explores different standard methods of impact assessment in EIA and discusses their applicability to cultural World Heritage properties. Finally, the paper emphasizes a need for developing integrated impact assessment methods to address the multiple impacts of development projects. Such methodological enhancement can further contribute to mitigation strategies and decision-making to protect World Heritage properties within the context of sustainable development. Full article

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

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25 pages, 6895 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceReview

Factors Influencing the Intrinsic Seismic Risk of Open Spaces in Existing Built Environments: A Systematic Review

by Martina Russo, Marco Angelosanti, Gabriele Bernardini, Laura Severi, Enrico Quagliarini and Edoardo Currà

Sustainability 2022, 14(1), 42; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14010042 - 21 Dec 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 4174

Abstract

Open spaces (OSs), such as streets, squares, and green areas, in existing built environments (BEs) are key places in disaster risk management. The seismic risk in the OSs is strictly related to BE characteristics. Scientific literature mainly focuses on extrinsic factors affecting risk, [...] Read more.

Open spaces (OSs), such as streets, squares, and green areas, in existing built environments (BEs) are key places in disaster risk management. The seismic risk in the OSs is strictly related to BE characteristics. Scientific literature mainly focuses on extrinsic factors affecting risk, which are related to BE elements on the OSs frontier (e.g., buildings) that could cause indirect effects on the OSs. Conversely, just a few risk assessment studies consider intrinsic factors, which are related to OS elements that could suffer direct effects. Moreover, synoptic studies on such factors are still missing. Through literature-based research, the paper identifies specific factors influencing seismic risk in the OSs, focusing notably on intrinsic vulnerability. The literature review methodology includes both a systematic review from Scopus databases and a traditional bibliographic search using snowball analysis. According to the final selected papers, risk factors are classified into five categories of OS characteristics: morpho-typology; physical; construction; use and users; and context. Statistical analysis of the categories’ recurrence in the final papers firstly allows current literature gaps to be defined. The results also provide a preliminary OSs risk index weighting each category in terms of such recurrences, thus representing a first useful step to support non-expert stakeholders in a preliminary assessment of priorities to define the seismic risk of Oss. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilient Built Environment)

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20 pages, 2090 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Efficiency of Governmental Policy and Programs to Stimulate the Use of Low-Emission and Electric Vehicles: The Case of Romania

by Ioana C. Sechel and Florin Mariasiu

Sustainability 2022, 14(1), 45; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14010045 - 21 Dec 2021

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 4903

Abstract

The contemporary demands for massive reductions in industrial pollution caused by the transport sector, especially in large urban agglomerations, compel local and national authorities to propose, develop, and implement programs and policies that have the ultimate goal of significantly reducing (or eliminating) pollution. [...] Read more.

The contemporary demands for massive reductions in industrial pollution caused by the transport sector, especially in large urban agglomerations, compel local and national authorities to propose, develop, and implement programs and policies that have the ultimate goal of significantly reducing (or eliminating) pollution. The aim of this article is to provide a primary analysis of the effectiveness of Romanian government policies in terms of reducing pollution (CO₂ emissions) caused by transportation (due to the “Rabla Plus” (RP) program, through which financial subsidies are granted for the purchase of a new plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) or battery electric vehicle (BEVs)). After analyzing the justification for the use of low-emission and electric vehicles in traffic (as a major solution to eliminate pollution), a comparative analysis of energy-efficient transport for Romania and Europe is presented in order to identify the directions in which it is necessary to develop and implement government policies specifically in Romania, considering a series of indicators chosen and considered by the authors to be important, including CO₂ emissions compared with the size of the road infrastructure, the number of registered vehicles, the number of passengers transported, and the quantity of goods transported. With the identification of the ability of government programs to encourage the acquisition and use of low-emission and electric vehicles in traffic, the efficiency achieved is calculated in terms of the net CO₂ emissions eliminated (average values of 1949.23 CO₂ tons/year and 1.71 CO₂ tons/vehicle). Furthermore, this aspect is also beneficial for analyses in terms of the economic costs involved (the associated costs are estimated to be 7034.17 EUR/ton of CO₂ eliminated from the transportation sector), identifying new directions of action that are more cost-effective and sustainable and on which government policies should focus in the future. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Potential Diffusion and Impacts of Autonomous Electric Vehicles: Evidence and Modelling Approaches)

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36 pages, 6439 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

The SDGs, Ecosystem Services and Cities: A Network Analysis of Current Research Innovation for Implementing Urban Sustainability

by Scott Hawken, Homa Rahmat, Samad M. E. Sepasgozar and Kefeng Zhang

Sustainability 2021, 13(24), 14057; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132414057 - 20 Dec 2021

Cited by 35 | Viewed by 7743

Abstract

Ecosystem services are essential for cities and are key factors in achieving many of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Such services are best delivered through green infrastructure, which works in resourceful, multifunctional, synergistic, and environmentally sensitive ways to deliver ecosystem services and provide [...] Read more.

Ecosystem services are essential for cities and are key factors in achieving many of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Such services are best delivered through green infrastructure, which works in resourceful, multifunctional, synergistic, and environmentally sensitive ways to deliver ecosystem services and provide alternative cleaner pathways for the delivery of multiple urban services. It is unclear if current research supports the necessary linkages between ecosystem services, cities, and green infrastructure in order to achieve the SDGs. To answer this question, we conducted a systematic review analysing 3392 studies on the SDGs from the WoS database. The contents of 66 of those with relevance to ecosystem services and urban research were reviewed in depth. We applied network-analytic methods to map the relationships of different knowledge clusters of SDGs research (1) across time, (2) across disciplines, and (3) in relation to ecosystem services and cities. The results of our analysis show that research on the SDGs have developed stronger networks from 2010–2018, but this research has not been sustained. Further, whilst research on cities now occupies a central place in the SDGs literature, research on ecosystem services only shows tentative links to both green-infrastructure research and SDGs research. Such literature on urban green infrastructure remains peripheral to the central challenge of sustainable urban transitions. We conclude that when it comes to the SDGs, research articles typically consider urban services independently of green infrastructure. Further, it suggests that green infrastructure is not generally considered as a sustainable alternative to conventional urban infrastructures. To address this serious shortcoming, we recommend transdisciplinary approaches to link urban ecosystem and urban green infrastructure research to the 2030 global sustainability agenda. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Spatial Big Data, BIM and GIS Visualization: Sustainable, Resilience and Smart Cities)

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19 pages, 1060 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Urban Esthetic Benefits of Undergrounding Utility Lines in Consideration of the Three-Dimensional Landscape

by Shota Ishigooka, Tatsuhito Kono and Hajime Seya

Sustainability 2021, 13(24), 14023; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132414023 - 19 Dec 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3174

Abstract

Since the relative weight of form to function has been increasing in urban planning, from the esthetic viewpoint, many cities in the world have been actively pursuing the undergrounding of overhead utility lines. Esthetic factors are urban externalities in the sense that they [...] Read more.

Since the relative weight of form to function has been increasing in urban planning, from the esthetic viewpoint, many cities in the world have been actively pursuing the undergrounding of overhead utility lines. Esthetic factors are urban externalities in the sense that they are not directly traded in markets. Therefore, we need to control them optimally based on their benefits. In this study, we appraise the benefits of undergrounding utility lines in Japan and clarify the dependency of the residents’ willingness to pay (WTP) on the road width and building height. Our results show that the WTP for undergrounding utility lines is lower as the road becomes wider and the buildings along the road become higher. However, when the road is wide, the WTP does not change much regardless of the height of the buildings. In addition, the average value of the benefit–cost ratios of previous undergrounding projects is from approximately 2.27 to 2.65. However, 3–17% of these projects have benefit–cost ratios of less than 1. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Urban Design: Urban Externalities and Land Use Planning)

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17 pages, 6670 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Quantifying Crack Self-Healing in Concrete with Superabsorbent Polymers under Varying Temperature and Relative Humidity

by Ahmed R. Suleiman, Lei V. Zhang and Moncef L. Nehdi

Sustainability 2021, 13(24), 13999; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132413999 - 18 Dec 2021

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3233

Abstract

During their service life, concrete structures are subjected to combined fluctuations of temperature and relative humidity, which can influence their durability and service life performance. Self-healing has in recent years attracted great interest to mitigate the effects of such environmental exposure on concrete [...] Read more.

During their service life, concrete structures are subjected to combined fluctuations of temperature and relative humidity, which can influence their durability and service life performance. Self-healing has in recent years attracted great interest to mitigate the effects of such environmental exposure on concrete structures. Several studies have explored the autogenous crack self-healing in concrete incorporating superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) and exposed to different environments. However, none of the published studies to date has investigated the self-healing in concrete incorporating SAPs under a combined change in temperature and relative humidity. In the present study, the crack width changes due to self-healing of cement mortars incorporating SAPs under a combined change of temperature and relative humidity were investigated and quantified using micro-computed tomography and three-dimensional image analysis. A varying dosage of SAPs expressed as a percentage (0.5%, 1% and 2%) of the cement mass was incorporated in the mortar mixtures. In addition, the influence of other environments such as continuous water submersion and cyclic wetting and drying was studied and quantified. The results of segmentation and quantification analysis of X-ray µCT scans showed that mortar specimens incorporating 1% SAPs and exposed to environments with a combined change in temperature and relative humidity exhibited less self-healing (around 6.58% of healing efficiency). Conversely, when specimens were subjected to cyclic wetting and drying or water submersion, the healing efficiency increased to 19.11% and 26.32%, respectively. It appears that to achieve sustained self-healing of cracks, novel engineered systems that can assure an internal supply of moisture are needed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Materials and Structural Optimization for Resilient Infrastructure)

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26 pages, 9401 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

A Diachronic Analysis of a Changing Landscape on the Duero River Borderlands of Spain and Portugal Combining Remote Sensing and Ethnographic Approaches

by Kyle P. Hearn and Jesús Álvarez-Mozos

Sustainability 2021, 13(24), 13962; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132413962 - 17 Dec 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2570

Abstract

The Arribes del Duero region spans the border of both Spain and Portugal along the Duero River. On both sides of the border, the region boasts unique human-influenced ecosystems. The borderland landscape is dotted with numerous villages that have a history of maintaining [...] Read more.

The Arribes del Duero region spans the border of both Spain and Portugal along the Duero River. On both sides of the border, the region boasts unique human-influenced ecosystems. The borderland landscape is dotted with numerous villages that have a history of maintaining and managing an agrosilvopastoral use of the land. Unfortunately, the region in recent decades has suffered from massive outmigration, resulting in significant rural abandonment. Consequently, the once-maintained landscape is evolving into a more homogenous vegetative one, resulting in a greater propensity for wildfires. This study utilizes an interdisciplinary, integrated approach of “bottom up” ethnography and “top down” remote sensing data from Landsat imagery, to characterize and document the diachronic vegetative changes on the landscape, as they are perceived by stakeholders and satellite spectral analysis. In both countries, stakeholders perceived the current changes and threats facing the landscape. Remote sensing analysis revealed an increase in forest cover throughout the region, and more advanced, drastic change on the Spanish side of the study area marked by wildfire and a rapidly declining population. Understanding the evolution and history of this rural landscape can provide more effective management and its sustainability. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multi-Temporal Analysis of Landscapes and Urban Areas)

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12 pages, 1356 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Exploring Temporal Trends of Plant Invasion in Mediterranean Coastal Dunes

by Silvia Cascone, Marta Gaia Sperandii, Luigi Cao Pinna, Flavio Marzialetti, Maria Laura Carranza and Alicia Teresa Rosario Acosta

Sustainability 2021, 13(24), 13946; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132413946 - 17 Dec 2021

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3259

Abstract

Alien plants represent a significant threat to species diversity and composition in natural habitats. Nevertheless, little is known about the dynamic of the invasion process and how its effects on native species change over time. In this study, we explored vegetation changes that [...] Read more.

Alien plants represent a significant threat to species diversity and composition in natural habitats. Nevertheless, little is known about the dynamic of the invasion process and how its effects on native species change over time. In this study, we explored vegetation changes that occurred in invaded coastal dune habitats over the last 10–15 years (2005–2020), particularly addressing impacts on alien and diagnostic species. To monitor temporal trends, we used data resulting from a revisitation study. After detecting overall changes in alien species occurrence and cover over time, 127 total plots were grouped into plots experiencing colonization, loss, or persistence of alien species. For these three categories, we compared historical and resurveyed plots to quantify changes in native species composition (using the Jaccard dissimilarity index) and to measure variations in diagnostic species cover. The number of alien species doubled over time (from 6 to 12) and two species, Yucca gloriosa and Agave americana, strongly increased their cover (+5.3% and +11.4%, respectively). Furthermore, plots newly invaded appeared to record the greatest changes in both native and diagnostic species. Our results suggest the need for regular monitoring actions to better understand invasion processes over time and to implement effective management strategies in invaded coastal dune habitats. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecology and Conservation of Coastal Plant Communities)

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15 pages, 1191 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Extended Theory of Planned Behavior for Predicting the Willingness to Pay for Municipal Solid Waste Management in Beijing

by Jiahao He, Zhefan Yu and Hiroatsu Fukuda

Sustainability 2021, 13(24), 13902; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132413902 - 16 Dec 2021

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 4869

Abstract

Municipal solid waste (MSW) management has become a problem in China, mainly since there is no uniform standard for MSW management charges, causing conflict between local residents and the government. An intelligent garbage sorting system (IGSS) is an effective sorting approach for MSW [...] Read more.

Municipal solid waste (MSW) management has become a problem in China, mainly since there is no uniform standard for MSW management charges, causing conflict between local residents and the government. An intelligent garbage sorting system (IGSS) is an effective sorting approach for MSW management. To explore the predictors of local residents’ willingness to pay (WTP) for the IGSS, this study applied an extended theory of planned behavior (TPB) model by adding an antecedent environmental concern (EC) prior to the main predictors of the TPB model (attitudes, subject norms, perceived behavioral control). The WTP of Beijing residents for MSW management and the determinants of WTP were analyzed. The specific amount of WTP was predicted by a contingent valuation method (CVM) in an online questionnaire, and the mean WTP was estimated to be USD 49.93 per household per year. The results showed a positive connection between EC and residents’ WTP, and most of the participants were willing to pay for the IGSS for MSW management. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Solid Waste Management and Resource Recycling)

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22 pages, 3268 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Exploring Social Media Data to Understand How Stakeholders Value Local Food: A Canadian Study Using Twitter

by Marilyne Chicoine, Francine Rodier, Fabien Durif, Sandra Schillo and Laurette Dubé

Sustainability 2021, 13(24), 13920; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132413920 - 16 Dec 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 4067

Abstract

The consumption of local food, a major trend in industrialized countries around the world has experienced an unprecedented craze in the pandemic context that we are experiencing. Since the beginning of the crisis and in various media, communication about local food seems inconsistent. [...] Read more.

The consumption of local food, a major trend in industrialized countries around the world has experienced an unprecedented craze in the pandemic context that we are experiencing. Since the beginning of the crisis and in various media, communication about local food seems inconsistent. However, companies would have every interest in better communicating the multifaceted areas of the locality that customers value or adopting the same language if they wish to collaborate with each other. This research aims to identify and evaluate the “fit” or the “gap” of the different local food’ meanings of Canadian agri-food stakeholders through data mining of one of their communication media: Twitter. Using tweets by over 1300 Twitter accounts from Canadian agri-food companies and a popular hashtag, we analyze a sample of their tweets in 2019 and 2020 by creating and using a local food’ keyword dictionary based on the concept of proximity. Term frequency and multivariate analysis of variance of 16,585 tweets about local food show significant differences in dimensions of proximity used in communications. This study shows the interest of using the concept of proximity to better define and understand the valuation of local food products. In addition, it offers a methodology capable of distinguishing the nuances of meaning of the locality of products using natural data that is accessible via social media. Full article

(This article belongs to the Collection Smart & Connected Regional Food Systems)

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27 pages, 1117 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceReview

High-Pressure Processing for Sustainable Food Supply

by Brera Ghulam Nabi, Kinza Mukhtar, Rai Naveed Arshad, Emanuele Radicetti, Paola Tedeschi, Muhammad Umar Shahbaz, Noman Walayat, Asad Nawaz, Muhammad Inam-Ur-Raheem and Rana Muhammad Aadil

Sustainability 2021, 13(24), 13908; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132413908 - 16 Dec 2021

Cited by 73 | Viewed by 12281

Abstract

Sustainable food supply has gained considerable consumer concern due to the high percentage of spoilage microorganisms. Food industries need to expand advanced technologies that can maintain the nutritive content of foods, enhance the bio-availability of bioactive compounds, provide environmental and economic sustainability, and [...] Read more.

Sustainable food supply has gained considerable consumer concern due to the high percentage of spoilage microorganisms. Food industries need to expand advanced technologies that can maintain the nutritive content of foods, enhance the bio-availability of bioactive compounds, provide environmental and economic sustainability, and fulfill consumers’ requirements of sensory characteristics. Heat treatment negatively affects food samples’ nutritional and sensory properties as bioactives are sensitive to high-temperature processing. The need arises for non-thermal processes to reduce food losses, and sustainable developments in preservation, nutritional security, and food safety are crucial parameters for the upcoming era. Non-thermal processes have been successfully approved because they increase food quality, reduce water utilization, decrease emissions, improve energy efficiency, assure clean labeling, and utilize by-products from waste food. These processes include pulsed electric field (PEF), sonication, high-pressure processing (HPP), cold plasma, and pulsed light. This review describes the use of HPP in various processes for sustainable food processing. The influence of this technique on microbial, physicochemical, and nutritional properties of foods for sustainable food supply is discussed. This approach also emphasizes the limitations of this emerging technique. HPP has been successfully analyzed to meet the global requirements. A limited global food source must have a balanced approach to the raw content, water, energy, and nutrient content. HPP showed positive results in reducing microbial spoilage and, at the same time, retains the nutritional value. HPP technology meets the essential requirements for sustainable and clean labeled food production. It requires limited resources to produce nutritionally suitable foods for consumers’ health. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Future Foods in the Face of Hunger and Surplus: From Sustainable Production to Responsible Consumption)

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18 pages, 16259 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Understanding the Heterogeneity of Human Mobility Patterns: User Characteristics and Modal Preferences

by Laiyun Wu, Samiul Hasan, Younshik Chung and Jee Eun Kang

Sustainability 2021, 13(24), 13921; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132413921 - 16 Dec 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3005

Abstract

Characterizing individual mobility is critical to understand urban dynamics and to develop high-resolution mobility models. Previously, large-scale trajectory datasets have been used to characterize universal mobility patterns. However, due to the limitations of the underlying datasets, these studies could not investigate how mobility [...] Read more.

Characterizing individual mobility is critical to understand urban dynamics and to develop high-resolution mobility models. Previously, large-scale trajectory datasets have been used to characterize universal mobility patterns. However, due to the limitations of the underlying datasets, these studies could not investigate how mobility patterns differ over user characteristics among demographic groups. In this study, we analyzed a large-scale Automatic Fare Collection (AFC) dataset of the transit system of Seoul, South Korea and investigated how mobility patterns vary over user characteristics and modal preferences. We identified users’ commuting locations and estimated the statistical distributions required to characterize their spatio-temporal mobility patterns. Our findings show the heterogeneity of mobility patterns across demographic user groups. This result will significantly impact future mobility models based on trajectory datasets. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Smart Cities, Connected Communities, and Environmental Sustainability)

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14 pages, 2938 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceReview

Smart Technologies for Sustainable Water Management: An Urban Analysis

by Eirini Aivazidou, Georgios Banias, Maria Lampridi, Giorgos Vasileiadis, Athanasios Anagnostis, Elpiniki Papageorgiou and Dionysis Bochtis

Sustainability 2021, 13(24), 13940; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132413940 - 16 Dec 2021

Cited by 47 | Viewed by 15939

Abstract

As projections highlight that half of the global population will be living in regions facing severe water scarcity by 2050, sustainable water management policies and practices are more imperative than ever. Following the Sustainable Development Goals for equitable water access and prudent use [...] Read more.

As projections highlight that half of the global population will be living in regions facing severe water scarcity by 2050, sustainable water management policies and practices are more imperative than ever. Following the Sustainable Development Goals for equitable water access and prudent use of natural resources, emerging digital technologies may foster efficient monitoring, control, optimization, and forecasting of freshwater consumption and pollution. Indicatively, the use of sensors, Internet of Things, machine learning, and big data analytics has been catalyzing smart water management. With two-thirds of the global population to be living in urban areas by 2050, this research focuses on the impact of digitization on sustainable urban water management. More specifically, existing scientific literature studies were explored for providing meaningful insights on smart water technologies implemented in urban contexts, emphasizing supply and distribution networks. The review analysis outcomes were classified according to three main pillars identified: (i) level of analysis (i.e., municipal or residential/industrial); (ii) technology used (e.g., sensors, algorithms); and (iii) research scope/focus (e.g., monitoring, optimization), with the use of a systematic approach. Overall, this study is expected to act as a methodological tool and guiding map of the most pertinent state-of-the-art research efforts to integrate digitalization in the field of water stewardship and improve urban sustainability. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Water Management in Agriculture and Industry: Challenges, Trends and Opportunities)

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13 pages, 7869 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Urban Flood Risk and Economic Viability Analyses of a Smart Sustainable Drainage System

by Helena M. Ramos and Mohsen Besharat

Sustainability 2021, 13(24), 13889; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132413889 - 15 Dec 2021

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 4756

Abstract

Urban drainage systems are in transition from functioning simply as a transport system to becoming an important element of urban flood protection measures providing considerable influence on urban infrastructure sustainability. Rapid urbanization combined with the implications of climate change is one of the [...] Read more.

Urban drainage systems are in transition from functioning simply as a transport system to becoming an important element of urban flood protection measures providing considerable influence on urban infrastructure sustainability. Rapid urbanization combined with the implications of climate change is one of the major emerging challenges. The increased concerns with water security and the ageing of existing drainage infrastructure are new challenges in improving urban water management. This study carried out in the Seixal area in Portugal examines flood risk analyses and mitigation techniques performed by computational modelling using MIKE SHE from the Danish Hydraulic Institute (DHI). Several scenarios were compared regarding flood risk and sustainable urban drainage systems (SuDS) efficiency. To obtain a more accurate analysis, the economic viability of each technique was analyzed as well through (i) life cost analysis and (ii) taking into account the damages caused by a certain type of flood. The results present that the best scenario is the one that will minimize the effects of great urbanization and consequently the flood risk, which combines two different measures: permeable pavement and detention basin. This alternative allows us to fully explore the mitigation capacity of each viable technique, demonstrating a very important improvement in the flood mitigation system in Seixal. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Improving the Sustainability of Water Infrastructures towards a Net-Zero Status)

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34 pages, 942 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceReview

A Regional Review of Marine and Coastal Impacts of Climate Change on the ROPME Sea Area

by Susana Lincoln, Paul Buckley, Ella L. Howes, Katherine M. Maltby, John K. Pinnegar, Thamer S. Ali, Yousef Alosairi, Alanoud Al-Ragum, Alastair Baglee, Chiden Oseo Balmes, Radhouane Ben Hamadou, John A. Burt, Michel Claereboudt, Jane Glavan, Rusyan Jill Mamiit, Humood A. Naser, Omid Sedighi, Mohammad Reza Shokri, Bassam Shuhaibar, Colette C. C. Wabnitz and Will J. F. Le Quesne Show full author list Hide full author list

Sustainability 2021, 13(24), 13810; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132413810 - 14 Dec 2021

Cited by 34 | Viewed by 8845

Abstract

The Regional Organization for the Protection of the Marine Environment (ROPME) Sea Area (RSA) in the northern Indian Ocean, which comprises the Gulf, the Gulf of Oman and the northern Arabian Sea, already experiences naturally extreme environmental conditions and incorporates one of the [...] Read more.

The Regional Organization for the Protection of the Marine Environment (ROPME) Sea Area (RSA) in the northern Indian Ocean, which comprises the Gulf, the Gulf of Oman and the northern Arabian Sea, already experiences naturally extreme environmental conditions and incorporates one of the world’s warmest seas. There is growing evidence that climate change is already affecting the environmental conditions of the RSA, in areas including sea temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, pH, and sea level, which are set to continue changing over time. The cumulative impacts of these changes on coastal and marine ecosystems and dependent societies are less well documented, but are likely to be significant, especially in the context of other human stressors. This review represents the first regional synthesis of observed and predicted climate change impacts on marine and coastal ecosystems across the ROPME Sea Area and their implications for dependent societies. Climate-driven ecological changes include loss of coral reefs due to bleaching and the decline of fish populations, while socio-economic impacts include physical impacts from sea-level rise and cyclones, risk to commercial wild capture fisheries, disruption to desalination systems and loss of tourism. The compilation of this review is aimed to support the development of targeted adaptation actions and to direct future research within the RSA. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Marine Ecosystems Responses and Sustainability in a Changing Climate)

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15 pages, 4987 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Analysis of Land Use and Land Cover Using Machine Learning Algorithms on Google Earth Engine for Munneru River Basin, India

by Kotapati Narayana Loukika, Venkata Reddy Keesara and Venkataramana Sridhar

Sustainability 2021, 13(24), 13758; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132413758 - 13 Dec 2021

Cited by 132 | Viewed by 9872

Abstract

The growing human population accelerates alterations in land use and land cover (LULC) over time, putting tremendous strain on natural resources. Monitoring and assessing LULC change over large areas is critical in a variety of fields, including natural resource management and climate change [...] Read more.

The growing human population accelerates alterations in land use and land cover (LULC) over time, putting tremendous strain on natural resources. Monitoring and assessing LULC change over large areas is critical in a variety of fields, including natural resource management and climate change research. LULC change has emerged as a critical concern for policymakers and environmentalists. As the need for the reliable estimation of LULC maps from remote sensing data grows, it is critical to comprehend how different machine learning classifiers perform. The primary goal of the present study was to classify LULC on the Google Earth Engine platform using three different machine learning algorithms—namely, support vector machine (SVM), random forest (RF), and classification and regression trees (CART)—and to compare their performance using accuracy assessments. The LULC of the study area was classified via supervised classification. For improved classification accuracy, NDVI (normalized difference vegetation index) and NDWI (normalized difference water index) indices were also derived and included. For the years 2016, 2018, and 2020, multitemporal Sentinel-2 and Landsat-8 data with spatial resolutions of 10 m and 30 m were used for the LULC classification. ‘Water bodies’, ‘forest’, ‘barren land’, ‘vegetation’, and ‘built-up’ were the major land use classes. The average overall accuracy of SVM, RF, and CART classifiers for Landsat-8 images was 90.88%, 94.85%, and 82.88%, respectively, and 93.8%, 95.8%, and 86.4% for Sentinel-2 images. These results indicate that RF classifiers outperform both SVM and CART classifiers in terms of accuracy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Water Management)

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14 pages, 11695 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Comparative Study of Factors Contributing to Land Surface Temperature in High-Density Built Environments in Megacities Using Satellite Imagery

by Frankie Fanjie Zeng, Jiajun Feng, Yuanzhi Zhang, Jin Yeu Tsou, Tengfei Xue, Yu Li and Rita Yi Man Li

Sustainability 2021, 13(24), 13706; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132413706 - 12 Dec 2021

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 4349

Abstract

In this study, the root sources contributing to the urban heat island (UHI) effect between megacities, such as Hong Kong and Shenzhen, were integrated and compared using satellite remote sensing data. Classification and multilayer perceptron regression tree (CARTMLP) algorithms were used to classify [...] Read more.

In this study, the root sources contributing to the urban heat island (UHI) effect between megacities, such as Hong Kong and Shenzhen, were integrated and compared using satellite remote sensing data. Classification and multilayer perceptron regression tree (CARTMLP) algorithms were used to classify land use. The radiative transfer equation method was applied to retrieve the land surface temperatures (LSTs) in the study area. Multiple linear regression analysis was applied to determine the relationship between land-use types and UHIs. The experimental results show a large area of relatively high temperature dispersed within Shenzhen, and comparatively small areas highly centralized in Hong Kong, with the retrieved LST in Hong Kong lower than that in Shenzhen. In addition, the surface temperature of large complex buildings decorated with high-albedo materials in Hong Kong was higher than in Shenzhen (e.g., Hong Kong International Airport, 25.12 °C; Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport, 23.38 °C), with artificial heat being an important contributor to these differences. These results also imply that high-albedo materials are sufficient to alleviate high temperatures. These findings are integrated to propose an organic combination strategy for reducing UHI effects in urban areas in megacities worldwide, such as Hong Kong and Shenzhen in China. Full article

(This article belongs to the Collection Adaptive Cities: Urban Planning and Design Contribution for Achieving Climate Resilient Cities)

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18 pages, 3370 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceReview

Addressing Water Security: An Overview

by Juliana Marcal, Blanca Antizar-Ladislao and Jan Hofman

Sustainability 2021, 13(24), 13702; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132413702 - 11 Dec 2021

Cited by 25 | Viewed by 8912

Abstract

For the last two decades, water security has been in the spotlight as a key concept for sustainable development. However, due to its wide interpretation range, the understanding of what water security is and what it encompasses can change considerably with different perspectives. [...] Read more.

For the last two decades, water security has been in the spotlight as a key concept for sustainable development. However, due to its wide interpretation range, the understanding of what water security is and what it encompasses can change considerably with different perspectives. By means of a review of both academic and grey literature, this paper presents an in-depth global overview of what water security means and how assessment is being carried out. These aspects are put together in the present work with the aim to facilitate access to this complex concept for academics but also policymakers and other stakeholders involved in water management and governance. Aiming to provide a groundwork for water security understanding, we examine definitions, scales of application, frequent approaches and methodologies used to study water security. We also present indicators and aspects being included in water security frameworks. A summary of important actions towards water security improvement is also presented. As a dynamic and multi-faceted concept, water security requires an equally multi-dimensional and flexible interpretation. Understanding and measuring are key to improving water security levels. Bringing attention to how climate change, environmental needs, demographics, economics and governance are linked to water security can boost impact by prompting science, policies and innovation to come together. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Water Security and Resilience)

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17 pages, 4148 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Implications of Urban Land Management on the Cooling Properties of Urban Trees: Citizen Science and Laboratory Analysis

by Jérôme Ngao, Macarena L. Cárdenas, Thierry Améglio, Jérôme Colin and Marc Saudreau

Sustainability 2021, 13(24), 13656; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132413656 - 10 Dec 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3821

Abstract

Trees participate in mitigating the urban heat island phenomenon thanks to their transpiration and shading. This cooling potential is highly dependent on leaf area. Nevertheless, leaf traits potentially vary across different land management practices in urban settings, thereby challenging the models used to [...] Read more.

Trees participate in mitigating the urban heat island phenomenon thanks to their transpiration and shading. This cooling potential is highly dependent on leaf area. Nevertheless, leaf traits potentially vary across different land management practices in urban settings, thereby challenging the models used to estimate thermal budgets. The present study aims to investigate the variability of leaf area traits of linden (Tilia spp.) urban trees, and their effect on simulated tree transpiration. Reconstruction of the leaf area was undertaken at the tree scale at three different urban land management sites from three cities: London and Birmingham (UK) and Chantilly (France). The reconstruction combined allometric measurements at shoot and leaf scales, and a tree-scale 3D digitization with laboratory analysis using field data collected by citizen scientists. The management practices had a significant impact on leaf area, and on tree allometric relationships, which were propagated through the reconstruction process. Relative differences between the management practices ranged between 12% and 48% according to the city where the variable was considered (e.g., leaf area index, total leaf area, or tree transpiration). Trees in managed sites (i.e., individualized leaf crowns, frequent leaf litter removal, and standard thinning/pruning operations) develop a higher leaf area, thus promoting cooling potential. This study shows that the variability of leaf traits, and their responses to different land management, can be studied by comprehensive data collection through citizen science and lab-based modelling. It also highlights the importance of appropriate, well-designed urban planning, where landscaping using urban trees can play an even better role in climate proofing cities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Citizen Science for Sustainable Cities: Investigating Nature Based Solutions)

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18 pages, 604 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceReview

Twin Transition through the Implementation of Industry 4.0 Technologies: Desk-Research Analysis and Practical Use Cases in Europe

by Juan-José Ortega-Gras, María-Victoria Bueno-Delgado, Gregorio Cañavate-Cruzado and Josefina Garrido-Lova

Sustainability 2021, 13(24), 13601; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132413601 - 9 Dec 2021

Cited by 67 | Viewed by 11028

Abstract

Key Enabling Technologies (KET) support the adoption of Industry 4.0 (I4.0) and are also considered the main drivers of the Circular Economy (CE) transition. In this respect, the guidelines and real use cases to inspire enterprises and industry to lead the twin digital [...] Read more.

Key Enabling Technologies (KET) support the adoption of Industry 4.0 (I4.0) and are also considered the main drivers of the Circular Economy (CE) transition. In this respect, the guidelines and real use cases to inspire enterprises and industry to lead the twin digital and green transition are still poor. This work is aimed at contributing to this matter, with twofold goals: on the one hand, to show a depth desk-research analysis of the key existing policies at European level that foster this twin digital and green transition; on the other hand, to review practical use cases and international projects where CE practices are boosted through the implementation of KET. From the analysis, a set of recommendations are suggested as a guide for policymakers, researchers, and industry managers on how to foster the CE through the implementation of I4.0 technologies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Building Sustainable Industry 4.0: Efficiency, Effectiveness, Evaluation, Development Frameworks)

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20 pages, 1814 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Smart City Governance Evaluation in the Era of Internet of Things: An Empirical Analysis of Jiangsu, China

by Wei-Ling Hsu, Miao Qiao, Haiying Xu, Chunmei Zhang, Hsin-Lung Liu and Yan-Chyuan Shiau

Sustainability 2021, 13(24), 13606; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132413606 - 9 Dec 2021

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 4294

Abstract

With the rapid development of smart cities all over the world, the evaluation of the smart city has become a new research hotspot in the academic circles. Nevertheless, there still exist a series of common problems in current smart city evaluation, including the [...] Read more.

With the rapid development of smart cities all over the world, the evaluation of the smart city has become a new research hotspot in the academic circles. Nevertheless, there still exist a series of common problems in current smart city evaluation, including the cognitive deprivation, lack of experience in planning, low coordination level, etc. Therefore, it is critical to establish a new hierarchy for smart city evaluation indicators, especially in the 5G era. Based on literature review, expert consensus, and the fuzzy analytic hierarchy process, this study developed an innovative smart city evaluation framework. In the framework, an index comprising three dimensions, i.e., smart economy, smart society, and smart environmental protection, as well as several attributes for these dimensions for smart city evaluation were established. Then, taking Jiangsu Province, the fastest-growing province in China, as the research area, the development level of smart city for the cities in Jiangsu was calculated. The results have verified the effectiveness of the framework, which can provide suggestions for sustainable urbanization, and help urban decision-makers to promote the efficient development of smart cities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Smart Sustainable Cities in the Era of Big Data)

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17 pages, 3147 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Source Apportionment of Particulate Matter in Urban Snowpack Using End-Member Mixing Analysis and Positive Matrix Factorization Model

by Mikhail Y. Semenov, Natalya A. Onishchuk, Olga G. Netsvetaeva and Tamara V. Khodzher

Sustainability 2021, 13(24), 13584; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132413584 - 8 Dec 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3525

Abstract

The aim of this study was to identify particulate matter (PM) sources and to evaluate their contributions to PM in the snowpack of three East Siberian cities. That was the first time when the PM accumulated in the snowpack during the winter was [...] Read more.

The aim of this study was to identify particulate matter (PM) sources and to evaluate their contributions to PM in the snowpack of three East Siberian cities. That was the first time when the PM accumulated in the snowpack during the winter was used as the object for source apportionment study in urban environment. The use of long-term integrated PM samples allowed to exclude the influence of short-term weather conditions and anthropogenic activities on PM chemistry. To ascertain the real number of PM sources and their contributions to air pollution the results of source apportionment using positive matrix factorization model (PMF) were for the first time compared to the results obtained using end-member mixing analysis (EMMA). It was found that Si, Fe and Ca were the tracers of aluminosilicates, non-exhaust traffic emissions and concrete deterioration respectively. Aluminum was found to be the tracer of both fossil fuel combustion and aluminum production. The results obtained using EMMA were in good agreement with those obtained using PMF. However, in some cases, the non-point sources identified using PMF were the combinations of two single non-point sources identified using EMMA, whereas the non-point sources identified using EMMA were split by PMF into two single non-point sources. The point sources were clearly identified using both techniques. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Water, Air, and Soil Pollution)

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17 pages, 9440 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Multi-Temporal Evaluation of Quantitative and Phenological Vegetation Dynamics Using Sentinel-2 Images in North Horr (Kenya)

by Velia Bigi, Ingrid Vigna, Alessandro Pezzoli and Elena Comino

Sustainability 2021, 13(24), 13554; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132413554 - 8 Dec 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2988

Abstract

According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the Horn of Africa is getting drier. This research aims at assessing browning and/or greening dynamics and the suitability of Sentinel-2 satellite images to map changes in land cover in a semiarid area. Vegetation dynamics [...] Read more.

According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the Horn of Africa is getting drier. This research aims at assessing browning and/or greening dynamics and the suitability of Sentinel-2 satellite images to map changes in land cover in a semiarid area. Vegetation dynamics are assessed through a remote sensing approach based on densely vegetated areas in a pilot area of North Horr Sub-County, in northern Kenya, between 2016–2020. Four spectral vegetation indices are calculated from Sentinel-2 images to create annual multi-temporal images. Two different supervised classification methods—Minimum Distance and Spectral Angle Mapper—are then applied in order to identify dense vegetated areas. A general greening is found to have occurred in this period with the exception of the year 2020, with an average annual percentage increase of 19%. Results also highlight a latency between climatic conditions and vegetation growth. This approach is for the first time applied in North Horr Sub-County and supports local decision-making processes for sustainable land management strategies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Green: The Best Way for a Sustainable Planet. How Agriculture, Architecture, Biology, Chemistry, Engineering, Food and Forestry Can Help the Survival of the Earth through Plants)

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30 pages, 2662 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Leftover Consumption as a Means of Food Waste Reduction in Public Space? Qualitative Insights from Online Discussions

by Larissa Diekmann and Claas Christian Germelmann

Sustainability 2021, 13(24), 13564; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132413564 - 8 Dec 2021

Cited by 19 | Viewed by 17239

Abstract

A considerable amount of food is discarded in canteens every day. This waste has created a countermovement, where groups of mainly students purposefully choose to eat other consumers’ plate leftovers instead of buying fresh meals. This phenomenon highlights two opposing narratives: leftovers as [...] Read more.

A considerable amount of food is discarded in canteens every day. This waste has created a countermovement, where groups of mainly students purposefully choose to eat other consumers’ plate leftovers instead of buying fresh meals. This phenomenon highlights two opposing narratives: leftovers as food waste versus leftovers as edible food resources. Using a thematic analysis, we investigated 1579 comments from German news sites and their corresponding Facebook sites related to this countermovement. Thereby, we aim to better understand what consumers associate with the consumption of other consumers’ plate leftovers. Our study demonstrates that the consumption of plate leftovers is shaped by the regulatory, normative, and cultural-cognitive system. Furthermore, associations with the consumption of plate leftovers depend on whether this food decision is perceived as a collective or individual consumer decision. From a consumer movement perspective, food leftover consumption is associated with a sense of community and food waste reduction for idealistic or environmental and social reasons. From an individual consumer behavior perspective, food leftover consumption is associated with satisfying hunger but considered a threat to health and social order. Our findings can inspire food service organizations to develop targeted interventions for plate leftover reduction. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Decision Making, Branding, and Sustainable Marketing)

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22 pages, 3754 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Estimating Energy Concentrations in Wooded Pastures of NW Spain Using Empirical Models That Relate Observed Metabolizable Energy to Measured Nutritional Attributes

by María Pilar González-Hernández and Juan Gabriel Álvarez-González

Sustainability 2021, 13(24), 13581; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132413581 - 8 Dec 2021

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2484

Abstract

Wooded pastures serve as a traditional source of forage in Europe, where forest grazing is valued as an efficient tool for maintaining the diversity of semi-natural habitats. In a forest grazing setting with diverse diet composition, assessing the energy content of animal diets [...] Read more.

Wooded pastures serve as a traditional source of forage in Europe, where forest grazing is valued as an efficient tool for maintaining the diversity of semi-natural habitats. In a forest grazing setting with diverse diet composition, assessing the energy content of animal diets can be a difficult task because of its dependency on digestibility measures. In the present study, prediction equations of metabolizable energy (ME) were obtained performing stepwise regression with data (n = 297; 44 plant species) on nutritional attributes (Acid Detergent Fiber, lignin, silica, dry matter, crude protein, in vitro organic matter digestibility) from 20 representative stands of Atlantic dry heathlands and pedunculate oak woodlands. The results showed that the prediction accuracy of ME is reduced when the general model (R² = 0.64) is applied, as opposed to the use of the specific prediction equations for each vegetation type (R² = 0.61, 0.66, 0.71 for oak woodlands; R² = 0.70 heather-gorse dominated heathlands, R² = 0.41 continental heathlands). The general model tends to overestimate the ME concentrations in heaths with respect to the observed ME values obtained from IVOMD as a sole predictor, and this divergence could be corrected by applying the specific prediction equations obtained for each vegetation type. Although the use of prediction equations by season would improve accuracy in the case of a Winter scenario, using the general model as opposed to the prediction equations for Spring, Summer or Fall would represent a much smaller loss of accuracy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wood Pastures: Drivers for Ecological Sustainability and Conservation Management)

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18 pages, 4230 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Duckweed (Lemna minor L.) Successfully Accumulates Selenium from Selenium-Impacted Water

by Aleksandra Golob, Katarina Vogel-Mikuš, Nina Brudar and Mateja Germ

Sustainability 2021, 13(23), 13423; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132313423 - 3 Dec 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2951

Abstract

The absorption of selenium (Se) from water by Lemna minor L. and the influence of different concentrations and forms of Se on its biochemical and morphological characteristics were studied. Plants were exposed to various concentrations of Se: 1 mg Se L⁻¹, [...] Read more.

The absorption of selenium (Se) from water by Lemna minor L. and the influence of different concentrations and forms of Se on its biochemical and morphological characteristics were studied. Plants were exposed to various concentrations of Se: 1 mg Se L⁻¹, 2 mg Se L⁻¹ and 5 mg Se L⁻¹ in sodium selenite and sodium selenate solutions and in a combination of selenite (2 mg Se L⁻¹) and selenate (2 mg Se L⁻¹). When the Se was added in the form of selenate, plants accumulated higher amounts of Se compared to plants exposed to selenite. Comparisons of the combined addition of selenite and selenate (2 + 2 mg Se L⁻¹) with their individual applications (2 and 5 mg Se L⁻¹) showed that for the combination, the L. minor fronds accumulated more Se than in selenite alone. Plants exposed to any of the concentrations of sodium selenate or sodium selenite, or the combination of selenite and selenate, showed inferior physiological performances, and lower concentrations of photosynthetic pigments, compared to control plants. Consequently, growth was also suppressed under the stress conditions caused by higher concentrations of Se in any form. The efficient absorption of Se from the water by L. minor indicates the potential use of this species in phytoremediation processes for waters polluted with Se. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Aquatic Plants as Bioindicators of Trace Metal Pollution)

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26 pages, 12916 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Circular Business Processes in the State-of-the-Practice: A Survey Study

by Tanja van Engelenhoven, Ayalew Kassahun and Bedir Tekinerdogan

Sustainability 2021, 13(23), 13307; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132313307 - 1 Dec 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3302

Abstract

Despite increasing global environmental concerns, we continue to consume large amounts of products with little regard to what happens before, during, and after their use. Roughly one-third of the food produced is wasted. Because the world’s population is expected to grow to 10 [...] Read more.

Despite increasing global environmental concerns, we continue to consume large amounts of products with little regard to what happens before, during, and after their use. Roughly one-third of the food produced is wasted. Because the world’s population is expected to grow to 10 billion by 2050, adopting circular economy practices will become essential. The transition towards a circular economy requires adopting business processes that support circular economy practices across supply chains. Currently, the SCOR (Supply Chain Operations Reference) model is the most widely used, and widely known, approach for studying and evaluating supply chain business processes. It is, however, unclear to what extent circular principles are included in the SCOR model. Past studies indicating missing processes for circular supply chain management in the SCOR model have made limited efforts in capturing the current state-of-the-practice. We conducted an online survey of 60 companies engaged in 14 different types of economic activities to study the SCOR level 2 business processes adopted in practice. In addition to the 22 level 2 business processes documented in SCOR, we identified six additional level 2 circular business processes that the respondents recognized as being commonly applied within their businesses. The results clearly show that the current SCOR model does not fully represent circular business processes in the state-of-the-practice. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue System Design and Analysis for Sustainability)

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32 pages, 805 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceReview

Energy-Oriented Production Planning in Industry: A Systematic Literature Review and Classification Scheme

by Hajo Terbrack, Thorsten Claus and Frank Herrmann

Sustainability 2021, 13(23), 13317; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132313317 - 1 Dec 2021

Cited by 19 | Viewed by 4228

Abstract

Scarcity of resources, structural change during the further development of renewable energy sources, and their corresponding costs, such as increasing resource costs or penalties due to dirty production, lead industrial firms to adapt ecological actions. In this regard, research on energy utilization in [...] Read more.

Scarcity of resources, structural change during the further development of renewable energy sources, and their corresponding costs, such as increasing resource costs or penalties due to dirty production, lead industrial firms to adapt ecological actions. In this regard, research on energy utilization in production planning has received increased attention in the last years, resulting in a large number of research articles so far. With the paper at hand, we review the literature on energy-oriented production planning. The aim of this study is to derive similar core issues and related properties along energy-oriented models within hierarchical production planning. For this, we carry out a systematic literature review and analyze and synthesize 375 research articles. We classify the underlying literature with a novel two-dimensional classification scheme and identify three key topics and five frequently found characteristics, which are presented in detail throughout this article. Based on these results, we state several potentials for further research. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cleaner and Sustainable Industry)

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16 pages, 1578 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Effects of COVID-19 Infection Control Measures on the Festival and Event Sector in Poland and Norway

by Dorota Janiszewska, Vilde Hannevik Lien, Dariusz Kloskowski, Luiza Ossowska, Christian Dragin-Jensen, Marianna Strzelecka and Grzegorz Kwiatkowski

Sustainability 2021, 13(23), 13265; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132313265 - 30 Nov 2021

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 5575

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a strong impact on the functioning of the event industry. This article aims to present the impact of infection control measures on the event sector. In addition, the article compares the infection control measures implemented in Poland and [...] Read more.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a strong impact on the functioning of the event industry. This article aims to present the impact of infection control measures on the event sector. In addition, the article compares the infection control measures implemented in Poland and Norway. The COVID-19 infection measures analysis is the first stage of a project to build the resilience of the event sector. The study was conducted based on secondary data (analysis of documents and public statistics, with the support of the literature). The research used the descriptive method and comparisons. The results of the study confirmed the following research hypotheses according to which: (1) uncertainty is conducive to overreactions, both of the government and entities from the event sector; (2) mutual trust between government and society reduces the need for restrictions; and (3) the lack of mutual trust between government and society increases uncertainty. Furthermore, the inability to meet people, limited access to culture, and the need to work from home contributed to the deterioration of societies’ quality of life and mental health. This means that the pandemic has an adverse impact on achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 3 and 8). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability of Festivals and Events)

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17 pages, 491 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceReview

Plant-Based Meat Alternatives: Motivational Adoption Barriers and Solutions

by Steffen Jahn, Pia Furchheim and Anna-Maria Strässner

Sustainability 2021, 13(23), 13271; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132313271 - 30 Nov 2021

Cited by 81 | Viewed by 19097

Abstract

Meat consumption is increasingly being seen as unsustainable. However, plant-based meat alternatives (PBMA) are not widely accepted yet. PBMA aim to imitate the experience of eating meat by mimicking animal meat in its sensory characteristics such as taste, texture, or aesthetic appearance. This [...] Read more.

Meat consumption is increasingly being seen as unsustainable. However, plant-based meat alternatives (PBMA) are not widely accepted yet. PBMA aim to imitate the experience of eating meat by mimicking animal meat in its sensory characteristics such as taste, texture, or aesthetic appearance. This narrative review explores the motivational barriers to adopting PBMA while focusing on food neophobia, social norms and rituals, as well as conflicting eating goals that prevent consumers from switching to a plant-based diet. Based on the key characteristics of these motivational barriers, which are informed by research findings in consumer psychology and marketing, solutions are discussed that can help counter the barriers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Decision Making, Branding, and Sustainable Marketing)

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20 pages, 989 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Evaluating Attitudes towards Large Carnivores within the Great Bear Rainforest

by Max C. Leveridge, Amélie Y. Davis and Sarah L. Dumyahn

Sustainability 2021, 13(23), 13270; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132313270 - 30 Nov 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3618

Abstract

Cohabitation between humans and carnivores is vital to the continued existence and integrity of ecosystems, often playing a large role in the success of large carnivore conservation. We focus on interactions between humans and carnivores in the world’s largest, relatively intact temperate rainforest—The [...] Read more.

Cohabitation between humans and carnivores is vital to the continued existence and integrity of ecosystems, often playing a large role in the success of large carnivore conservation. We focus on interactions between humans and carnivores in the world’s largest, relatively intact temperate rainforest—The Great Bear Rainforest (GBR), British Columbia, Canada. Specifically, we focus on residents of Prince Rupert, a city within the GBR, and examine its residents’ ecological and relational attitudes towards the surrounding area of protected rainforest and the large carnivores present in the area. We aim to determine the strength of public attitudes and values of the environment and carnivores in the GBR, and to examine whether they differ between First Nations and non-First Nations residents of Prince Rupert, British Columbia. We conducted 28 semi-structured interviews of Prince Rupert residents. At the start of the interview, respondents self-administered a survey consisting of statements from the Social Ecological Relational Value and the New Ecological Paradigm scales. We find no significant difference between First Nations and non-First Nations respondent attitudes. This is possibly due to three factors: (1) cultural influence from the local First Nations, (2) the fact that these carnivores are important for the local economy through tourism, and (3) a strong sense of place associated with the area and the carnivores that inhabit it regardless of positive or negative encounters with these animals. While we find positive attitudes towards carnivores and little evidence of human–wildlife conflict, feelings towards carnivores encountered in town or while hiking tend to be negative, especially when they involve wolves. In order to mitigate these effects in a way that protects these valuable creatures, respondents overwhelmingly clamored for a conservation officer to be assigned to Prince Rupert. We conclude that policy and management might alleviate human–carnivore conflicts in the area should our results be corroborated by studies with larger sample sizes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services in Forest Ecosystems)

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18 pages, 4654 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Urban Planning and Residential Segregation in Brazil—The Failure of the “Special Zone of Social Interest” Instrument in Londrina City (PR)

by Eduarda Marques da Costa and Ideni Terezinha Antonello

Sustainability 2021, 13(23), 13285; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132313285 - 30 Nov 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 5722

Abstract

The objective of this analysis is linked to the discussion of urban residential segregation marked by the Brazilian urban land structure and perpetuated by urban planning instruments at the municipal level. The spatial focus of the study is the municipality of Londrina (state [...] Read more.

The objective of this analysis is linked to the discussion of urban residential segregation marked by the Brazilian urban land structure and perpetuated by urban planning instruments at the municipal level. The spatial focus of the study is the municipality of Londrina (state of Paraná/Brazil). We aimed to analyze the relationship between urban zoning and the dynamics of residential segregation, unfolding two foci: verify to what extent the objectives presented in the municipal instrument translate the objectives of the instrument at the federal level (the City Statute–CE) and the national program “My Home, My Life” aimed to provide housing to socially vulnerable populations; the second focus, aims to assess how the planning instrument—the Special Zone of Social Interest (ZEIS), contemplated in the Land Use and Occupation Law and in the Municipal Master Plan of Londrina (PDPML, 2008)—materializes in practice the objectives of promoting equity in access to housing. The results show that although the objectives defined at the federal level are transposed to the municipal level, demonstrating a theoretical coherence between the instruments, there are flaws in their implementation. The case study results show that the urban zoning of Londrina has as a guideline a segregationist territorial ordering, leading to a residential segregation of the population with low purchasing power. On the other hand, the planning instrument that could change this reality is the ZEIS that, on the contrary, reinforced social housing in the periphery, conditioning the right to the city and perpetuating the social vulnerability of disadvantaged groups, in a process common to other Brazilian cities. Such constraints make relevant the establishment of land reserves for social housing based on clear roles of a social and functional mix, reinforced by the combat of vacant spaces and the definition of minimal housing and infrastructure densities to allow urban occupation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Socio-Spatial Inequalities and Segregation in Cities: Social Dynamics and Collective Responses)

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29 pages, 6253 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Mapping the Energy Flows and GHG Emissions of a Medium-Size City: The Case of Valladolid (Spain)

by Gaspar Manzanera-Benito and Iñigo Capellán-Pérez

Sustainability 2021, 13(23), 13181; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132313181 - 29 Nov 2021

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3637

Abstract

Valladolid (Spain) is a medium-size city (~300,000 inhabitants) that established a greenhouse (GHG) emissions reduction target in 2011 of 20% from 2010–2020. However, tracking the evolution of GHG in medium-size cities is challenging due to the general lack of compulsory data collection at [...] Read more.

Valladolid (Spain) is a medium-size city (~300,000 inhabitants) that established a greenhouse (GHG) emissions reduction target in 2011 of 20% from 2010–2020. However, tracking the evolution of GHG in medium-size cities is challenging due to the general lack of compulsory data collection at this scale and issues with boundaries when attempting alternative estimates. Here, we propose and apply a novel method to estimate the evolution of GHG emissions due to energy consumption for the period of 2010–2019 in Valladolid, combining top-down and bottom-up data following a physical energy flows approach. The energy consumption of the city is estimated by main sectors and types of energies. The results show that, throughout the past decade, both total energy consumption and its sector end-use share did not significantly change: final energy consumption remained at around 24 MWh (86.5 GJ) per capita and was still highly dependent on fossil fuels, especially natural gas and oil products (over 70% of total energy supply). The GHG reduction by 2019 was ~11% with relation to 2010 and, thus, had not reached the set objective; in per capita terms, the GHG reduction was lower (~6%) due to population loss during the period. The trend, however, has not been monotone and has instead followed a U-shape strongly correlated with the economic crisis and subsequent recovery, suggesting that transition policies have had, at most, a modest effect on the overall results. The analysis shows, first of all, the limitations of statistical sources at a local level, both for energy and mobility, which do not allow more accurate results in identifying the main energy consumers to be reached; and, secondly, the need for strong decarbonization measures which have to be set urgently at all the relevant institutional levels. Reaching GHG neutrality in the city by 2050 requires reducing the GHG emissions by ~13%/year, which is ~20 times faster than for the 2010–2019 average of 0.6%/year. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Transition towards Sustainable Urban Settlements)

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24 pages, 3602 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Impact of Decentralization and Rail Network Extension on Future Traffic in the Bangkok Metropolitan Region

by Masanobu Kii, Varameth Vichiensan, Carlos Llorca, Ana Moreno, Rolf Moeckel and Yoshitsugu Hayashi

Sustainability 2021, 13(23), 13196; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132313196 - 29 Nov 2021

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 4082

Abstract

In many large cities in developing countries, investments in transportation infrastructure are insufficient for the growing population, resulting in chronic traffic congestion and overcrowding. The urban population of developing countries is expected to increase further toward the middle of this century, and urban [...] Read more.

In many large cities in developing countries, investments in transportation infrastructure are insufficient for the growing population, resulting in chronic traffic congestion and overcrowding. The urban population of developing countries is expected to increase further toward the middle of this century, and urban planning and transportation policies that foresee future population changes and economic growth are necessary to make these cities more sustainable. Bangkok is one of the most congested metropolitan areas in the world, and transport projects such as the extension of the public transportation system are being implemented. However, due to the monocentric urban structure, both road and rail traffic is extremely congested during peak hours, which impedes some economic activities and personal interaction. In this study, we simulate the impact of urban and transportation measures in Bangkok from today to 2050. In addition to the expansion of the planned rail transit network, we evaluate the effects of a land use scenario in which sub-centers are established to develop a polycentric urban structure. The impact of alternative zoning and transportation policies and projects in Bangkok is discussed. Although this study is focused on Bangkok, the findings are assumed to be transferable to other large cities in developing countries. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Urban Design: Urban Externalities and Land Use Planning)

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34 pages, 6883 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Theoretical Framework to Assess Green Roof Performance in Mitigating Urban Flooding as a Potential Nature-Based Solution

by Arunima Sarkar Basu, Francesco Pilla, Srikanta Sannigrahi, Rémi Gengembre, Antoine Guilland and Bidroha Basu

Sustainability 2021, 13(23), 13231; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132313231 - 29 Nov 2021

Cited by 20 | Viewed by 6969

Abstract

Increases in extreme hydro-meteorological events due to climate change and decreases in soil permeability and infiltration due to urbanization have increased the risk of flooding, particularly in cities. The limitation of the expansion of conventional drainage systems to manage excess stormwater leads to [...] Read more.

Increases in extreme hydro-meteorological events due to climate change and decreases in soil permeability and infiltration due to urbanization have increased the risk of flooding, particularly in cities. The limitation of the expansion of conventional drainage systems to manage excess stormwater leads to the application of nature-based solutions (NBS) to control flooding. This study explores potential of green roof NBS for rainfall-fed flood reduction, which can utilize existing roof space for deployment. A detailed literature survey using systematic literature-search procedures was conducted to investigate the performance of extensive/intensive green roofs in runoff reduction using monitoring/modeling approaches. Since limited studies have explored the use of semi-intensive green roofs for flood management, a new simulation study has been developed to compare the effectiveness of semi-intensive green roofs. The performance of different types of vegetation used on green roofs in runoff reduction was investigated using a simulation study, which was validated using a real-world green roof deployed in Dublin. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Geo-computation and Spatial Big Data Application for Sustainable Management of Hydrometeorological Hazards: Methodological Innovations, Mitigation Strategies; Case Studies and Best Practices)

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10 pages, 1069 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Estimating the Long-Term Reliability of Steel and Cast Iron Pipelines Subject to Pitting Corrosion

by Robert E. Melchers and Mukshed Ahammed

Sustainability 2021, 13(23), 13235; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132313235 - 29 Nov 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2292

Abstract

Water-injection, oil production and water-supply pipelines are prone to pitting corrosion that may have a serious effect on their longer-term serviceability and sustainability. Typically, observed pit-depth data are handled for a reliability analysis using an extreme value distribution such as Gumbel. Available data [...] Read more.

Water-injection, oil production and water-supply pipelines are prone to pitting corrosion that may have a serious effect on their longer-term serviceability and sustainability. Typically, observed pit-depth data are handled for a reliability analysis using an extreme value distribution such as Gumbel. Available data do not always fit such monomodal probability distributions well, particularly in the most extreme pit-depth region, irrespective of the type of pipeline. Examples of this are presented, the reasons for this phenomenon are discussed and a rationale is presented for the otherwise entirely empirical use of the ‘domain of attraction’ in extreme value applications. This permits a more rational estimation of the probability of pipe-wall perforation, which is necessary for asset management and for system-sustainability decisions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Structural Reliability Analysis and Maintenance Management)

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18 pages, 2067 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Assessment of the Greek National Plan of Energy and Climate Change—Critical Remarks

by Efthimios Zervas, Leonidas Vatikiotis, Zoe Gareiou, Stella Manika and Ruth Herrero-Martin

Sustainability 2021, 13(23), 13143; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132313143 - 27 Nov 2021

Cited by 29 | Viewed by 5159

Abstract

The Greek National Energy and Climate Plan was validated by the Greek Governmental Committee of Economic Policy on 23 December 2019. The decisions included in this plan will have a significant impact on the Greek energy mix as the production of electricity from [...] Read more.

The Greek National Energy and Climate Plan was validated by the Greek Governmental Committee of Economic Policy on 23 December 2019. The decisions included in this plan will have a significant impact on the Greek energy mix as the production of electricity from lignite combustion ceases in 2028, when lignite will be replaced by natural gas (NG) and renewable energy sources (RES). This work presents an assessment of the Greek National Energy and Climate Plan by analyzing its pros and cons. The main critiques made are focused on the absence of risk analysis and alternative scenarios, the proposed energy mix, the absence of other alternatives on the energy mix and energy storage, the low attention given to energy savings (transport, buildings), the future energy prices, and the economic and social impacts. This analysis shows that delaying this transition for some years, to better prepare it by taking into consideration the most sustainable paths for that transition, such as using more alternatives, is the best available option today. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Transition and Climate Change in Decision-making Processes)

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19 pages, 10943 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Spatiotemporal Trends and Driving Factors of Urban Livability in the Yangtze River Delta Agglomeration

by Yichen Yang, Shifeng Fang, Hua Wu, Jiaqiang Du, Haomiao Tu and Wei He

Sustainability 2021, 13(23), 13152; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132313152 - 27 Nov 2021

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 3486

Abstract

With the development of cities, the relationship between cities is becoming closer, and the study of urban livability based on a single city can no longer meet the guidelines and suggestions for urban agglomerations. A scientific evaluation of livability in urban agglomerations can [...] Read more.

With the development of cities, the relationship between cities is becoming closer, and the study of urban livability based on a single city can no longer meet the guidelines and suggestions for urban agglomerations. A scientific evaluation of livability in urban agglomerations can better help cities to recognize the advantages and disadvantages. However, most studies on urban livability focus on its connotation and history and neglect simulations and analyses of the future. Based on the Yangtze River Delta agglomeration, this paper establishes an index system using data from 2011 to 2019 to simulate urban livability from 2020 to 2025 through the ARIMA model and analyzes the historical and future data by using GIS methods. The results show the following: (1) The ARIMA model has good simulation accuracy when applied to urban livability analysis and can provide a reference for future urban livability development. (2) The urban livability of the Yangtze River Delta agglomeration has obviously changed both on the whole and in subsystems. Cities in the upper ranking of livability have developed rapidly, and the difference in urban livability has increased. (3) The spatial autocorrelation of urban livability in the Yangtze River Delta agglomeration is obvious both on the whole and in subsystems. (4) The influencing factors of urban livability development are diverse. The general public budget expenditure for social security and employment, fixed assets investment in municipal public facilities, total retail sales of consumer goods, and education and medical expenditures have positive effects on the development of urban livability, while industrial

{SO}_{2}

emissions have a negative effect. The results show that cities should strengthen inter-city relationships, promote the coordinated development of inter-regional cities, and formulate relevant policies to improve the level of urban environmental governance in the region. Full article

(This article belongs to the Collection Indicators, Assessment Tools, and Rating Systems for Mainstreaming Sustainability in Urban Planning and Development)

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18 pages, 3001 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Flow Simulation and Storage Assessment in an Ungauged Irrigation Tank Cascade System Using the SWAT Model

by Koppuravuri Ramabrahmam, Venkata Reddy Keesara, Raghavan Srinivasan, Deva Pratap and Venkataramana Sridhar

Sustainability 2021, 13(23), 13158; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132313158 - 27 Nov 2021

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 2793

Abstract

In the semi-arid regions of South Asia, tank systems are the major source of irrigation. In India, the Telangana state government has initiated the Mission Kakatiya program to rejuvenate irrigation tank systems. Understanding the hydrological processes that supply water to these systems is [...] Read more.

In the semi-arid regions of South Asia, tank systems are the major source of irrigation. In India, the Telangana state government has initiated the Mission Kakatiya program to rejuvenate irrigation tank systems. Understanding the hydrological processes that supply water to these systems is critical to the success of these types of programs in India. The current study attempted to comprehend the hydrological processes and flow routing in the Salivagu watershed tank cascade system in Telangana. There are a lot of ungauged tank cascade systems in this region. Soil Water Assessment Tool (SWAT), a physically-based model, was used to simulate flow patterns in the Salivagu watershed with and without tank systems. The geospatially extracted area and volume were used for this study provided by WBIS-Bhuvan-NRSC. Additionally, the Katakshapur Tank Cascade System (KTCS) was chosen to analyze the water availability in each tank using the water balance approach. The Salivagu watershed flow simulation without tanks overestimated streamflow. The volume difference in flow between with and without tank was 606 Mm³, 615.9 Mm³, and 1011 Mm³ in 2017, 2018, and 2019, respectively. The SWAT simulated volumes of the Ramchandrapur and Dharmaraopalle tanks in KTCS were merely satisfied because the tank size was less than 0.7 km² and the storage capacity was up to 1 Mm³. Due to tank sizes more than 0.8 km² and capacities greater than 2 Mm³, the Mallampalli and Katakshapur tank simulation findings were in good agreement with WBIS-Bhuvan-NRSC. This research advances our understanding of the hydrological processes in ungauged cascading tank systems in tropical semi-arid regions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Water Management)

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22 pages, 11852 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Social Capital and Sustainable Social Development—How Are Changes in Neighbourhood Social Capital Associated with Neighbourhood Sociodemographic and Socioeconomic Characteristics?

by Malin Eriksson, Ailiana Santosa, Liv Zetterberg, Ichiro Kawachi and Nawi Ng

Sustainability 2021, 13(23), 13161; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132313161 - 27 Nov 2021

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 4107

Abstract

The development of social capital is acknowledged as key for sustainable social development. Little is known about how social capital changes over time and how it correlates with sociodemographic and socioeconomic factors. This study was conducted in 46 neighbourhoods in Umeå Municipality, northern [...] Read more.

The development of social capital is acknowledged as key for sustainable social development. Little is known about how social capital changes over time and how it correlates with sociodemographic and socioeconomic factors. This study was conducted in 46 neighbourhoods in Umeå Municipality, northern Sweden. The aim was to examine neighbourhood-level characteristics associated with changes in neighbourhood social capital and to discuss implications for local policies for sustainable social development. We designed an ecological study linking survey data to registry data in 2006 and 2020. Over 14 years, social capital increased in 9 and decreased in 15 neighbourhoods. Higher levels of social capital were associated with specific sociodemographic factors, but these differed in urban and rural areas. Urban neighbourhoods with a higher proportion of older pensioners (OR = 1.49, CI: 1.16–1.92), children under 12 (OR= 2.13, CI: 1.31–3.47), or a lower proportion of foreign-born members (OR= 0.32, CI: 0.19–0.55) had higher odds for higher social capital levels. In rural neighbourhoods, a higher proportion of single-parent households was associated with higher levels of social capital (OR = 1.44, 95% CI = 1.04–1.98). Neighbourhood socioeconomic factors such as income or educational level did not influence neighbourhood social capital. Using repeated measures of social capital, this study gives insights into how social capital changes over time in local areas and the factors influencing its development. Local policies to promote social capital for sustainable social development should strive to integrate diverse demographic groups within neighbourhoods and should increase opportunities for inter-ethnic interactions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Reviews and Perspectives on Smart and Sustainable Metropolitan and Regional Cities)

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18 pages, 3155 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Different Charging Strategies for Electric Vehicle Fleets in Urban Freight Transport

by Bram Kin, Meike Hopman and Hans Quak

Sustainability 2021, 13(23), 13080; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132313080 - 26 Nov 2021

Cited by 28 | Viewed by 5403

Abstract

The transition from diesel-driven urban freight transport towards more electric urban freight transport turns out to be challenging in practice. A major concern for transport operators is how to find a reliable charging strategy for a larger electric vehicle fleet that provides flexibility [...] Read more.

The transition from diesel-driven urban freight transport towards more electric urban freight transport turns out to be challenging in practice. A major concern for transport operators is how to find a reliable charging strategy for a larger electric vehicle fleet that provides flexibility based on different daily mission profiles within that fleet, while also minimizing costs. This contribution assesses the trade-off between a large battery pack and opportunity charging with regard to costs and operational constraints. Based on a case study with 39 electric freight vehicles that have been used by a parcel delivery company and a courier company in daily operations for over a year, various scenarios have been analyzed by means of a TCO analysis. Although a large battery allows for more flexibility in planning, opportunity charging can provide a feasible alternative, especially in the case of varying mission profiles. Additional personnel costs during opportunity charging can be avoided as much as possible by a well-integrated charging strategy, which can be realized by a reservation system that minimizes the risk of occupied charging stations and a dense network of charging stations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Zero-Emission City Logistics)

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14 pages, 1126 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Typology, Structural Characterization and Sustainability of Integrated Broiler Farming System in Epirus, Greece

by Vassilios Dotas, Dimitrios Gourdouvelis, Lampros Hatzizisis, Ioannis Kaimakamis, Ioannis Mitsopoulos and George Symeon

Sustainability 2021, 13(23), 13084; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132313084 - 26 Nov 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2458

Abstract

The aim of this study was the detailed characterization of the existing zootechnical and financial management applied in broiler poultry farms in the Region of Epirus, Greece. The current situation was captured through the formation of a typology on the structural characterization of [...] Read more.

The aim of this study was the detailed characterization of the existing zootechnical and financial management applied in broiler poultry farms in the Region of Epirus, Greece. The current situation was captured through the formation of a typology on the structural characterization of broiler farming system. The variables were recorded based on data from a stratified random sample according to Neyman’s methodology of 110 poultry farms. In the typology, hierarchical cluster analysis was applied to identify differences between farms and to support most of this differentiation. Chebyshev distance was used to maximize the effect of the cluster elements distance, as well as Ward’s clustering method, which aims to achieve greater homogeneity within the clusters. Bonferroni multiple comparison tests were used to evaluate the differences. Four clusters of different farm types were identified from the hierarchical cluster analysis. In conclusion, the production system of broiler farms in Epirus is intensive, especially in large farms that have made significant investments in fixed capital and implement successful management. However, the poultry sector in Epirus has further margin for improvement in both its productivity and profitability. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Poultry Management)

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18 pages, 1047 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

The Crossroads of Ecotourism Dependency, Food Security and a Global Pandemic in Galápagos, Ecuador

by Adam Burke

Sustainability 2021, 13(23), 13094; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132313094 - 26 Nov 2021

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 5115

Abstract

International esteem for Galápagos’ natural wonders and the democratization of travel have contributed to a 300% increase in annual tourist entries to the archipelago from 2000 (68,989) to 2018 (275,817). The attendant spike in tourism-related anthropogenic impact coupled with deficient infrastructure development has [...] Read more.

International esteem for Galápagos’ natural wonders and the democratization of travel have contributed to a 300% increase in annual tourist entries to the archipelago from 2000 (68,989) to 2018 (275,817). The attendant spike in tourism-related anthropogenic impact coupled with deficient infrastructure development has put the archipelago’s natural capital and carrying capacity at risk. The complex nature of Galápagos’ food insecurity is linked to the archipelago’s geographic isolation, its diminishing agricultural workforce, international tourists’ demand for recognizable food, and a lack of investment in sustainable and innovative agricultural futures. Food security is key to the long-term well-being of Galapagueños, who sustain Galápagos’ tourism industry. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has further exposed the vulnerability of human systems in Galápagos, especially the fragility of Galápagos’ ecotourism dependency. Galapagueños’ struggle to endure the tourism sector’s slow rebound following the 2020 travel restrictions points to an urgent need to implement food security measures as an indispensable component of the archipelago’s long-term sustainability plan. This article presents ethnographic data to discuss the tourism sector’s impact on local food systems, Galapagueños’ right to food sovereignty, efforts to increase agricultural production, and why strengthening institutional partnerships is vital to Galápagos’ food self-sufficiency. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Island Tourism)

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14 pages, 2264 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Networked Compact City Policy Status and Issues—Hierarchy and Human Mobility in Tokyo, Japan

by Taichi Murooka, Hiroki Shimizu and Mamoru Taniguchi

Sustainability 2021, 13(23), 13107; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132313107 - 26 Nov 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 5274

Abstract

As a policy to promote compact cities, Japan formulated the Location Normalization Plan (LNP) in 2014. By this plan, each municipality is promoting the establishment of Urban Function Induction-encouraged Areas (UFIA) in which life service facilities are to be provided. The role of [...] Read more.

As a policy to promote compact cities, Japan formulated the Location Normalization Plan (LNP) in 2014. By this plan, each municipality is promoting the establishment of Urban Function Induction-encouraged Areas (UFIA) in which life service facilities are to be provided. The role of the UFIA in the region might differ depending on the city scale and the UFIA hierarchy. For this study, using the Tokyo Person Trip survey, we specifically examined the mobility of people and clarified differences in the hierarchical nature of UFIA to ascertain the current status and issues of UFIA. Consequently, we obtained the following information for the realization of compactness. (1) The actual conditions of traffic characteristics and facilities differ depending on the UFIA hierarchy. Moreover, considering these hierarchies during the study of UFIA is important. (2) Sub-core UFIA in cities with a large population have a narrow usage area and a high ratio of traffic-sharing between walking and bicycling, which might engender the construction of compact living areas. (3) However, sub-core UFIA in cities with a small population have a high ratio of traffic-sharing of automobiles and a wide usage area, which presents challenges for compact city realization. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Urban Design: Urban Externalities and Land Use Planning)

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13 pages, 2304 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Sustainable Urban Delivery: The Learning Process of Path Costs Enhanced by Information and Communication Technologies

by Francesco Russo and Antonio Comi

Sustainability 2021, 13(23), 13103; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132313103 - 26 Nov 2021

Cited by 28 | Viewed by 3273

Abstract

Today, local administrations are faced with the presence of greater constraints in terms of the use of space and time. At the same time, large amount of data is available to fleet managers that can be used for controlling their fleets. This work [...] Read more.

Today, local administrations are faced with the presence of greater constraints in terms of the use of space and time. At the same time, large amount of data is available to fleet managers that can be used for controlling their fleets. This work is set in the context defined by sustainable city logistics, and information and communication technologies (ICTs), to formalize the three themes of the smart city (transport, ICTs and energy savings) in a single problem. Following this, the main purpose of the study is to propose a unified formulation of the basic problem of fleets, i.e., the traveling salesman problem (TSP), which explicitly includes the use of emerging information and communication technologies (e-ICTs) pointing out the learning process of path costs in urban delivery. This research explores the opportunity to extend the path cost formation with a within-day and day-to-day learning process, including the specification of the attributes provided by e-ICTs. As shown through a real test case, the research answers to queries coming from operators and collectivities to improve city liveability and sustainability. It includes both economic sustainability for companies/enterprises and environmental sustainability for local administrations (and collectivities). Besides contributing to reduce the times and kms travelled by commercial vehicles, as well as the interference of freight vehicles with other traffic components, it also contributes to road accident reduction (social sustainability). Therefore, after the re-exanimation of TSP, this paper presents the proposed unitary formulation and its benefits through the discussion of results obtained in a real case study. Finally, the possible innovation guided by e-ICT is pointed out. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Future of Sustainable Urban Mobility)

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10 pages, 473 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceCommunication

Fatty Acids and Triacylglycerols Profiles from Sicilian (Cold Pressed vs. Soxhlet) Grape Seed Oils

by Vita Di Stefano, David Bongiorno, Carla Buzzanca, Serena Indelicato, Antonello Santini, Massimo Lucarini, Antonio Fabbrizio, Manuela Mauro, Mirella Vazzana, Vincenzo Arizza and Alessandra Durazzo

Sustainability 2021, 13(23), 13038; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132313038 - 25 Nov 2021

Cited by 22 | Viewed by 3747

Abstract

Among the Sicilian economic productive sectors, that of wine production has today a considerable economic value. However, with the growth of this sector, notable was the increase in the production of waste, which to date is not only an economic damage for companies, [...] Read more.

Among the Sicilian economic productive sectors, that of wine production has today a considerable economic value. However, with the growth of this sector, notable was the increase in the production of waste, which to date is not only an economic damage for companies, but also a threat to the environment. It is known that waste from wine production has properties (e.g., antioxidants) which have potential reuse at cosmetic, pharmaceutical and nutritional levels to obtain economically sustainable applications. A new goal is given by the recovery of added value compounds from agri-food wastes and by-products. Grape seed oil is a promising vegetable fat and cold pressing does not involve the use of chemicals, which are harmful to health. It implies that cold-pressed seed oils may contain phytochemicals, as well as natural antioxidants, more than refined oils. In this context, this works aims at studying the chemical characterization (triglycerides profile and composition in fatty acids) of grape seed oils obtained from Soxhlet and cold pressed extraction from Sicilian red grape seeds and white grape seeds. The possibility of obtaining high yields of triglycerides and fatty acids from the waste of wine production through new extraction methods would open up new perspectives for the reuse of waste in a human and animal food context. The results of this work allow the opening up of new perspectives to reuse and then reduce these wastes, helping not only to reduce the damage to the environment and costs for companies but also to create a new product that is environmentally sustainable and with an important economic value. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Food)

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