Sustainability

21 pages, 3964 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

The Critical Role of the Construction Industry in Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Delivering Projects for the Common Good

by Wenmei Fei, Alex Opoku, Kofi Agyekum, James Anthony Oppon, Vian Ahmed, Charles Chen and Ka Leung Lok

Sustainability 2021, 13(16), 9112; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13169112 - 14 Aug 2021

Cited by 128 | Viewed by 44141

Abstract

In 2015, the United Nations (UN) adopted the 2030 agenda for Sustainable Development, which set out 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), 169 targets and 231 unique indicators as a significant initiative towards socio-economic development. The SDGs provide the construction industry with a new [...] Read more.

In 2015, the United Nations (UN) adopted the 2030 agenda for Sustainable Development, which set out 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), 169 targets and 231 unique indicators as a significant initiative towards socio-economic development. The SDGs provide the construction industry with a new lens through which global needs and desires can be translated into business solutions. This paper explores the role of the construction industry in achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. The paper uses an explanatory sequential design with an initial quantitative instrument phase, followed by a qualitative data collection phase. Following a comparative review of the literature on the 17 SDGs, a questionnaire was designed and administered among 130 respondents, and 105 responses were received. These data were then validated through semi-structured interviews with 16 sustainable construction experts. Data obtained from the semi-structured validation interviews were analysed through side-by-side comparisons of the qualitative data with the quantitative data. The findings show that the construction industry has a critical role in achieving almost all the 17 SDGs. The roles were, however, prevalent in 10 key SDGs, namely: sustainable cities and communities (SDG 11); climate action (SDG 13); clean water and sanitation (SDG 6); responsible consumption and production (SDG 12); industry, innovation and infrastructure (SDG 9); life on land (biodiversity) (SDG 15); gender equality (SDG 5); good health and well-being (SDG 3); affordable and clean energy (SDG 7); decent work and economic growth (SDG 8). The study confirmed the role played by the construction industry in achieving these SDGs. The findings from this study provide further insights into the ever-increasing state-of-the-art regarding the construction industry’s role in achieving Sustainable Development Goals. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Future of Facilities Management and Sustainable Development)

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22 pages, 1699 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Conceptualising Therapeutic Environments through Culture, Indigenous Knowledge and Landscape for Health and Well-Being

by Bruno Marques, Claire Freeman, Lyn Carter and Maibritt Pedersen Zari

Sustainability 2021, 13(16), 9125; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13169125 - 14 Aug 2021

Cited by 28 | Viewed by 7787

Abstract

Academic research has long established that interaction with the natural environment is associated with better overall health outcomes. Notably, the area of therapeutic environments has been borne out of the recognition of this critical relationship, but much of this research comes from a [...] Read more.

Academic research has long established that interaction with the natural environment is associated with better overall health outcomes. Notably, the area of therapeutic environments has been borne out of the recognition of this critical relationship, but much of this research comes from a specific Western perspective. In Aotearoa-New Zealand, Māori (the Indigenous people of the land) have long demonstrated significantly worse health outcomes than non-Māori. Little research has examined the causes compared to Western populations and the role of the natural environment in health outcomes for Māori. The present study aimed to explore the relationship between Māori culture, landscape and the connection to health and well-being. Eighteen Māori pāhake (older adults) and kaumātua (elders) took part in semi-structured interviews carried out as focus groups, from June to November 2020. Transcribed interviews were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis and kaupapa Māori techniques. We found five overarching and interrelated key themes related to Indigenous knowledge (Mātauranga Māori) that sit within the realm of therapeutic environments, culture and landscape. A conceptual framework for Therapeutic Cultural Environments (TCE) is proposed in terms of the contribution to our understanding of health and well-being and its implications for conceptualising therapeutic environments and a culturally appropriate model of care for Māori communities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Landscape Futures for an Urbanized Society—Challenges, Opportunities, and Requirements for the New Anthropogenic Age)

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17 pages, 1118 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

“If I Was the Boss of My Local Government”: Perspectives of People with Intellectual Disabilities on Improving Inclusion

by Phillippa Carnemolla, Jack Kelly, Catherine Donnelley, Aine Healy and Megan Taylor

Sustainability 2021, 13(16), 9075; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13169075 - 13 Aug 2021

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 6151

Abstract

Despite many initiatives to reframe and support inclusion for people with disabilities, people with intellectual disabilities continue to experience social exclusion in their local communities. This study shares the perspectives of people with an intellectual disability on what matters to them in their [...] Read more.

Despite many initiatives to reframe and support inclusion for people with disabilities, people with intellectual disabilities continue to experience social exclusion in their local communities. This study shares the perspectives of people with an intellectual disability on what matters to them in their local communities. This study aims to inform local governments of the value of engaging with and listening to local people with intellectual disabilities and is an important exploration of how the social sustainability of cities is framed and valued by people who have historically been socially and geographically excluded. Focus groups and interviews were conducted in six local government areas, with a mix of metropolitan and regional areas, in two states of Australia—NSW and Victoria. The study analysed how 45 Australian adults with intellectual disabilities described their local communities and conceptualised better inclusion. The results were collated and organised by applying an adapted framework of inclusive cities. The participants expressed the need for safe, accessible and clean public amenities; accessible information; appropriate communication; and for people to be more respectful, friendly and understanding of the needs of people with intellectual disabilities. This study suggests that local governments can take action in order to improve social sustainability by engaging with local people with intellectual disabilities as citizens, advisors and employees, and by educating the wider community about respect and social inclusion for all. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impactful Innovation for Environmental and Social Sustainability)

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37 pages, 2709 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Homeowners’ Participation in Energy Efficient Renovation Projects in China’s Northern Heating Region

by Jiefang Ma, Queena Kun Qian, Henk Visscher and Kun Song

Sustainability 2021, 13(16), 9037; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13169037 - 12 Aug 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2730

Abstract

In China’s government-led energy efficient renovation of residential buildings, homeowners’ participation refers to their involvement and engagement throughout the process. Lacking homeowners’ participation has brought difficulties in the execution and financing of the projects. This paper explores the current situation of homeowners’ participation [...] Read more.

In China’s government-led energy efficient renovation of residential buildings, homeowners’ participation refers to their involvement and engagement throughout the process. Lacking homeowners’ participation has brought difficulties in the execution and financing of the projects. This paper explores the current situation of homeowners’ participation and provides suggestions for optimization from three perspectives: the steps and procedures of the participation process, the composition of the working group responsible for contacting the homeowners, and the contents to be discussed during the process. The semi-structured interview and questionnaire results show that homeowners’ participation is not adequate, and the current arrangement deviates from their expectations. Although most homeowners are positive towards government-led renovation and are enthusiastic about being involved, the process setup is not well-designed to let them fully participate. Moreover, their expectations and preferences are related to several factors. It can be concluded that relevant laws and regulations should be introduced to provide a basis for solving problems at the executive level, and homeowner associations should be established to serve as a channel of communication between homeowners and the working group. Designing targeted renovation and participation strategy is a necessity to minimize the communication efforts. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Green Building)

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23 pages, 8757 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Mechanical Properties and Microstructure of Low Carbon Binders Manufactured from Calcined Canal Sediments and Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag (GGBS)

by Rachid Hadj Sadok, Walid Maherzi, Mahfoud Benzerzour, Richard Lord, Keith Torrance, Agnes Zambon and Nor-Edine Abriak

Sustainability 2021, 13(16), 9057; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13169057 - 12 Aug 2021

Cited by 22 | Viewed by 4085

Abstract

This research study evaluated the effects of adding Scottish canal sediment after calcination at 750 °C in combination with GGBS on hydration, strength and microstructural properties in ternary cement mixtures in order to reduce their carbon footprint (CO₂) and cost. A [...] Read more.

This research study evaluated the effects of adding Scottish canal sediment after calcination at 750 °C in combination with GGBS on hydration, strength and microstructural properties in ternary cement mixtures in order to reduce their carbon footprint (CO₂) and cost. A series of physico-chemical, hydration heat, mechanic performance, mercury porosity and microstructure tests or observations was performed in order to evaluate the fresh and hardened properties. The physical and chemical characterisation of the calcined sediments revealed good pozzolanic properties that could be valorised as a potential co-product in the cement industry. The results obtained for mortars with various percentages of calcined sediment confirmed that this represents a previously unrecognised potential source of high reactivity pozzolanic materials. The evolution of the compressive strength for the different types of mortars based on the partial substitution of cement by slag and calcined sediments showed a linear increase in compressive strength for 90 days. The best compressive strengths and porosity were observed in mortars composed of 50% cement, 40% slag and 10% calcined sediment (CSS10%) after 90 days. In conclusion, the addition of calcined canal sediments as an artificial pozzolanic material could improve strength and save significant amounts of energy or greenhouse gas emissions, while potentially contributing to Scotland’s ambitious 2045 net zero target and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 in the UK and Europe. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Construction Materials for Sustainable Development)

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17 pages, 2356 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Analysis of Big Game Fishing Catches of Blue Marlin (Makaira nigricans) in the Madeira Archipelago (Eastern Atlantic) and Factors that Affect Its Presence

by Roi Martinez-Escauriaza, Pablo Pita, Maria Lídia Ferreira de Gouveia, Nuno Manuel Abreu Gouveia, Eduardo Teixeira, Mafalda de Freitas and Margarida Hermida

Sustainability 2021, 13(16), 8975; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13168975 - 11 Aug 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 4389

Abstract

The archipelago of Madeira (Portugal) is one of the main European big game fishing locations, where the main target species is the blue marlin (Makaira nigricans). Catch data for these fish were used to analyze their presence over the years, estimate [...] Read more.

The archipelago of Madeira (Portugal) is one of the main European big game fishing locations, where the main target species is the blue marlin (Makaira nigricans). Catch data for these fish were used to analyze their presence over the years, estimate their average weights, and calculate annual fishing success rates. The results showed a marked seasonal effect, with higher average catch rates in summer (June–July), suggesting a migration from the equatorial waters they inhabit at the beginning of the year to northern areas when the waters become warmer. The influences of some environmental factors were analyzed using generalized additive models, and it was observed that the occurrence of blue marlin may be influenced by water temperature, wind, rain, and atmospheric pressure. This fishery did not register a high mortality rate in blue marlin specimens due to the usual practice of catch and release; individuals captured in this fishery can be used as a source of information that allows for follow-up on the status of the blue marlin population in the region. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Marine Recreational Fishing: From Sea to Policy)

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27 pages, 2614 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Park–People Relationships: The Socioeconomic Monitoring of National Parks in Bavaria, Germany

by Hubert Job, Sarah Bittlingmaier, Marius Mayer, Eick von Ruschkowski and Manuel Woltering

Sustainability 2021, 13(16), 8984; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13168984 - 11 Aug 2021

Cited by 22 | Viewed by 4779

Abstract

Questions about park–people relationships and the understanding and handling of the conflicts that may result from the creation and management of national parks in the surrounding area are prerequisites for both successful park management and sustainable rural tourism development. This paper analyzes the [...] Read more.

Questions about park–people relationships and the understanding and handling of the conflicts that may result from the creation and management of national parks in the surrounding area are prerequisites for both successful park management and sustainable rural tourism development. This paper analyzes the roles that research may play in relation to park–people relationships in the context of the two oldest German national parks located in Bavaria. The different fields of action of national parks are used to identify the potential for conflict, using detailed case studies from the Bavarian Forest and Berchtesgaden National Parks using quantitative population surveys carried out in 2018. The overall attitude towards both national parks is overwhelmingly positive, with trust towards park administrations and the perceived economic benefits from rural tourism being the attitudes most strongly correlated to the overall level of park–people relationships. Nevertheless, some points of contention still exist, like the ecological integrity approach towards strict nature conservation and related landscape changes (e.g., deadwood cover). A comparison over time shows in both cases that the spatial proximity to the protected area negatively influences people’s attitudes towards the parks, but less so than in the past. Recommendations for national park management include communicating proactively and with greater transparency with locals and decision-makers, to identify conflicts earlier and, where possible, to eliminate them. Furthermore, developing a standardized method to monitor park–people relationships in Germany is a must and would benefit integrated approaches in research and management based on conservation social science. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability and Rural Tourism)

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18 pages, 3401 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Candidate Digital Tasks Selection Methodology for Automation with Robotic Process Automation

by Daehyoun Choi, Hind R’bigui and Chiwoon Cho

Sustainability 2021, 13(16), 8980; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13168980 - 11 Aug 2021

Cited by 31 | Viewed by 6400

Abstract

Today’s business environments face rapid digital transformation, engendering the continuous emerging of new technologies. Robotic Process Automation (RPA) is one of the new technologies rapidly and increasingly grabbing the attention of businesses. RPA tools allow mimicking human tasks by providing a virtual workforce, [...] Read more.

Today’s business environments face rapid digital transformation, engendering the continuous emerging of new technologies. Robotic Process Automation (RPA) is one of the new technologies rapidly and increasingly grabbing the attention of businesses. RPA tools allow mimicking human tasks by providing a virtual workforce, or digital workers in the form of software bots, for automating manual, high-volume, repetitive, and routine tasks. The goal is to allow human workers to delegate their tedious routine tasks to a software bot, thus allowing them to focus on more difficult tasks. RPA tools are simple and very powerful, according to cost-saving and other performance metrics. However, the main challenge of RPA implementation is to effectively determine the business tasks suitable for automation. This paper provides a methodology for selecting candidate tasks for robotic process automation based on user interface logs and process mining techniques. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Machine Learning and AI Technology for Sustainability)

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16 pages, 849 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Feminization of African Agriculture and the Meaning of Decision-Making for Empowerment and Sustainability

by Ruth Haug, Dismas L. Mwaseba, Donald Njarui, Mokhele Moeletsi, Mufunanji Magalasi, Mupenzi Mutimura, Feyisa Hundessa and Julie T. Aamodt

Sustainability 2021, 13(16), 8993; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13168993 - 11 Aug 2021

Cited by 20 | Viewed by 4985

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess women’s decision-making power in small-scale agriculture in six African countries in view of the feminization of agriculture and to discuss the meaning of decision-making in relation to women’s empowerment and sustainability. The data are drawn [...] Read more.

The purpose of this study was to assess women’s decision-making power in small-scale agriculture in six African countries in view of the feminization of agriculture and to discuss the meaning of decision-making in relation to women’s empowerment and sustainability. The data are drawn from a multisite and mixed-method agricultural research and development project in six sub-Saharan countries including two sites in each country. The five domains of empowerment outlined in the Women’s Empowerment in Agriculture Index are used to structure the analysis. The results indicate that in the selected sites in Malawi, Rwanda and South Africa, women farmers tend to dominate agricultural decision-making, while the result is more mixed in the Kenyan sites, and decision-making tends to be dominated by men in the sites in Tanzania and Ethiopia. Despite women participating in agricultural decision-making, the qualitative results show that women small-scale farmers were not perceived to be empowered in any of the country sites. It appears that the feminization of agriculture leads to women playing a more important role in decision-making but also to more responsibilities and heavier workloads without necessarily resulting in improvements in well-being outcomes that would enhance sustainability. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Air, Climate Change and Sustainability)

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9 pages, 226 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

From Waste Pickers to Producers: An Inclusive Circular Economy Solution through Development of Cooperatives in Waste Management

by Rajesh Buch, Alicia Marseille, Matthew Williams, Rimjhim Aggarwal and Aparna Sharma

Sustainability 2021, 13(16), 8925; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13168925 - 10 Aug 2021

Cited by 47 | Viewed by 10394

Abstract

The world’s global plastics waste crisis demands policy coordination and technological solutions to improve waste management systems, and organizations worldwide have created momentum around the concept of a circular economy. This paper advances a holistic, inclusive circular economy framework that aims to empower [...] Read more.

The world’s global plastics waste crisis demands policy coordination and technological solutions to improve waste management systems, and organizations worldwide have created momentum around the concept of a circular economy. This paper advances a holistic, inclusive circular economy framework that aims to empower waste pickers with the following basic pillars: (1) build collaborative networks of stakeholders to enable inclusion of waste pickers; (2) establish cooperative enterprise models to integrate waste pickers into the formal economy; (3) build waste pickers’ technical skills and capacity for entrepreneurship; and (4) provide access to technologies and markets that enable waste pickers to manufacture upcycled products. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Circular Economy Challenge: Towards a Sustainable Development)

15 pages, 773 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Estimating Electric Power Requirements for Mechanically Shredding Massage Chairs and Treadmills at a Recycling Plant

by Junsoo Yoo, Choongwoo Lee, Sudong Kim, Jonghyun Choi and Jihwan Park

Sustainability 2021, 13(16), 8938; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13168938 - 10 Aug 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 5441

Abstract

South Korea has operated under laws to collect and recycle the waste of electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) utilizing a system based on the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) system since 2003. In 2020, the number of products managed by the EPR increased from [...] Read more.

South Korea has operated under laws to collect and recycle the waste of electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) utilizing a system based on the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) system since 2003. In 2020, the number of products managed by the EPR increased from 27 to 50. Among the 50 products, massage chairs and treadmills are recognized as the items avoided in recycling centers or by recyclers due to their large volume, large weight, and long disassembly times. This study was a preliminary study in which the physical shredding process for massage chairs and treadmills could be introduced, and the electrical power requirements calculated. In the methodology, Vickers hardness was measured by sampling two actual products, and the tensile and shear strength were calculated from the hardness. Based on the shear strength, the force affecting the cutter was calculated and converted into torque and horsepower. In particular, the actual specifications of the crusher, designed and operated in the recycling center, were applied to the study, and the design was based on the treatment capacity of 10 tons per hour. Conclusively, the proper electrical power for crushing the massage chair and treadmill was analyzed as 719.5 and 459.7 HP, respectively. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability in E-waste Management and Implications for Circular Economy)

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24 pages, 5723 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceReview

The Integration of Lean and Resilience Paradigms: A Systematic Review Identifying Current and Future Research Directions

by Mahyar Habibi Rad, Mohammad Mojtahedi and Michael J. Ostwald

Sustainability 2021, 13(16), 8893; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13168893 - 9 Aug 2021

Cited by 32 | Viewed by 6763

Abstract

Integration of the lean and resilience paradigms has attracted increasing attention among scientists and practitioners. In an interconnected world, the need to be resilient involves increased readiness to deal with risks from both outside and inside an enterprise, and to be lean involves [...] Read more.

Integration of the lean and resilience paradigms has attracted increasing attention among scientists and practitioners. In an interconnected world, the need to be resilient involves increased readiness to deal with risks from both outside and inside an enterprise, and to be lean involves maximizing value while minimizing waste. The combination of these requirements has been the catalyst for a move towards lean–resilience operations. To better understand this trend, which seeks to help firms retain a competitive position and survive disruptions, this paper provides a systematic literature review of 53 articles identified through the C-I-M-O (context-intervention-mechanism-outcome) framework and examines them using descriptive and content analysis. The results trace the growth of lean–resilience research from its infancy to its current advanced state. This paper also identifies for the first time the lack of structured research on the number and categories of implemented practices and their associated benefits. To address this deficiency, a concept map is developed to provide guidance on the topic, identify gaps and inconsistencies in the literature, understand the state of development and suggest future research directions. The results are used to identify four dominant streams: application, compatibility, integration, and impact assessment in the context of the supply chain, conceptual development and operational research of various organizational and industry sectors. Further topics for investigation are recommended in the form of research questions. The proposed concept map is intended to assist researchers and practitioners to develop knowledge about the integration of lean and resilience paradigms in new contexts and formulate more effective deployment strategies. Full article

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

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21 pages, 1687 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Identification and Prioritization of Critical Success Factors for Off-Site Construction Using ISM and MICMAC Analysis

by Seoyoung Jung, Seulki Lee and Jungho Yu

Sustainability 2021, 13(16), 8911; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13168911 - 9 Aug 2021

Cited by 21 | Viewed by 3986

Abstract

Many studies have been conducted to define the critical success factors (CSFs) for off-site construction (OSC) activation, but there has been a lack of identification of the relationship with the identified CSFs. However, it is necessary to clearly identify the hierarchy and relationships [...] Read more.

Many studies have been conducted to define the critical success factors (CSFs) for off-site construction (OSC) activation, but there has been a lack of identification of the relationship with the identified CSFs. However, it is necessary to clearly identify the hierarchy and relationships with the success factors in order to develop specific strategies for OSC activation. This work presents a study that was conducted to identify the CSFs for OSCs and establish the relationships of the identified CSFs for OSC. First, 20 CSFs for OSCs were identified through prior study reviews related to CSFs for OSC. Next, the interpretive structural modeling (ISM), which has advantages in developing an understanding of complex relationships, was leveraged in order to analyze the relationships between 20 CSFs for OSC to derive a hierarchical model consisting of seven levels. The CSFs for OSC were classified into four groups using MICMAC analysis, which is useful for classifying factors by the strength of the relationship with factors based on driving power and dependence power. This proposed model can be used as a basis for developing management measures for OSC project success. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Industrialized and Automated Construction in the Context of Sustainability)

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26 pages, 8816 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

A Research Methodology for Mitigating Climate Change in the Restoration of Buildings: Rehabilitation Strategies and Low-Impact Prefabrication in the “El Rodezno” Water Mill

by Amadeo Ramos-Carranza, Rosa María Añón-Abajas and Gloria Rivero-Lamela

Sustainability 2021, 13(16), 8869; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13168869 - 8 Aug 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3409

Abstract

New environmental challenges, coupled with the fact that 80% of the residential buildings that will exist in Europe in the year 2050 have already been built, mean that rehabilitation and restoration must be prioritised over new buildings. Construction is one of the largest [...] Read more.

New environmental challenges, coupled with the fact that 80% of the residential buildings that will exist in Europe in the year 2050 have already been built, mean that rehabilitation and restoration must be prioritised over new buildings. Construction is one of the largest generators of CO₂. Using prefabricated and industrialised products and systems can help to mitigate its harmful effects thanks to the greater control and environmental evaluation that can be carried out on these products from their manufacture until the end of their useful life (LCA). In the county of the Sierra de Cádiz (Andalusia, Spain), there are 85 water mills, many of which are derelict and in disuse, which, due to their location, size, and characteristics, are ideal for rehabilitation and restoration for residential use. Taking the “El Rodezno” mill as a case study, this paper proposes rehabilitation strategies using prefabricated industrialised elements that have a low environmental impact. The methodological discussion takes as its starting point the process of design and testing that Alvar Aalto applied in 1940 and from subsequent studies that have confirmed a research structure based on the project design and the built project with the appropriate field of study and confirmation of the applicable strategies and solutions. To this end, this article is written on the basis of the two main phases of Alvar Aalto’s method, using the same terms that the Danish architect defined: Scientific Observation, for the study of preceding works and projects in light prefabrication and for the analysis of certain construction products and systems that, based on other research, have evaluated their LCA, and Construction Period, for the rehabilitation strategies of the “El Rodezno” mill, considering the studies and analyses of Scientific Observation. For the roof solution, we took as an example the rehabilitation of the roof carried out with the same methodology, construction criteria, and prefabricated products analysed in this article and used in the intervention strategies in “El Rodezno”. The paper concludes with the validity of the methodology applied to test the starting hypotheses that lead to intervention strategies that confirm the environmental and economic advantages of industrialised prefabrication, the importance of the design and synergy that results from combining different construction systems, and technologies that improve the acceptance of prefabrication by the inhabitant and boost the circular economy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban and Buildings Regeneration Strategy to Climatic Change Mitigation, Energy, and Social Poverty after a World Health and Economic Global Crisis)

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14 pages, 2736 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Key Performance Indicators for an Energy Community Based on Sustainable Technologies

by Giovanni Bianco, Barbara Bonvini, Stefano Bracco, Federico Delfino, Paola Laiolo and Giorgio Piazza

Sustainability 2021, 13(16), 8789; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13168789 - 6 Aug 2021

Cited by 27 | Viewed by 5947

Abstract

As reported in the “Clean energy for all Europeans package” set by the EU, a sustainable transition from fossil fuels towards cleaner energy is necessary to improve the quality of life of citizens and the livability in cities. The exploitation of renewable sources, [...] Read more.

As reported in the “Clean energy for all Europeans package” set by the EU, a sustainable transition from fossil fuels towards cleaner energy is necessary to improve the quality of life of citizens and the livability in cities. The exploitation of renewable sources, the improvement of energy performance in buildings and the need for cutting-edge national energy and climate plans represent important and urgent topics to be faced in order to implement the sustainability concept in urban areas. In addition, the spread of polygeneration microgrids and the recent development of energy communities enable a massive installation of renewable power plants, high-performance small-size cogeneration units, and electrical storage systems; moreover, properly designed local energy production systems make it possible to optimize the exploitation of green energy sources and reduce both energy supply costs and emissions. In the present paper, a set of key performance indicators is introduced in order to evaluate and compare different energy communities both from a technical and environmental point of view. The proposed methodology was used in order to assess and compare two sites characterized by the presence of sustainable energy infrastructures: the Savona Campus of the University of Genoa in Italy, where a polygeneration microgrid has been in operation since 2014 and new technologies will be installed in the near future, and the SPEED2030 District, an urban area near the Campus where renewable energy power plants (solar and wind), cogeneration units fed by hydrogen and storage systems are planned to be installed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Climate Adaptation and Mitigation through Sustainable Energy Solutions)

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14 pages, 2647 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Safety Evaluation of Turbo-Roundabouts with and without Internal Traffic Separations Considering Autonomous Vehicles Operation

by Tullio Giuffrè, Anna Granà and Salvatore Trubia

Sustainability 2021, 13(16), 8810; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13168810 - 6 Aug 2021

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 3196

Abstract

The paper presents a microsimulation approach for assessing the safety performance of turbo-roundabouts where Cooperative Autonomous Vehicles “CAVs” have been introduced into the traffic mix alongside conventional vehicles “CVs”. Based on the analysis of vehicle trajectories from VISSIM and subsequent analysis of traffic [...] Read more.

The paper presents a microsimulation approach for assessing the safety performance of turbo-roundabouts where Cooperative Autonomous Vehicles “CAVs” have been introduced into the traffic mix alongside conventional vehicles “CVs”. Based on the analysis of vehicle trajectories from VISSIM and subsequent analysis of traffic conflicts through the Surrogate Safety Assessment Model (SSAM), the research aims to evaluate the safety benefits of turbo-roundabouts where the lanes are physically separated by raised curbs, compared to roundabouts without such curbs. The paper will then describe the methodological path followed to build VISSIM models of turbo-roundabouts with and without raised curbs in order to calibrate the simulation models and estimate the potential conflicts when a higher percentage of CAVs are introduced into the traffic mix. A criterion has been also proposed for setting properly the principal SSAM filters. The results confirmed both higher safety levels for turbo-roundabouts equipped with raised lane dividers compared to turbo-roundabout solutions without curbs, and better safety conditions under the traffic mix of CVs and CAVs. Therefore, it follows that, in absence of crash data including CAVs, the surrogate measures of safety are the only approach in which the safety performance of any roundabout or road entity can be evaluated. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Roundabouts Performance in Road Transport Networks—Future Challenges, Problems and Issues)

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34 pages, 10863 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Circular Construction Process: Method for Developing a Selective, Low CO_2eq Disassembly and Demolition Plan

by Roberta Melella, Giacomo Di Ruocco and Alfonso Sorvillo

Sustainability 2021, 13(16), 8815; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13168815 - 6 Aug 2021

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 6022

Abstract

With the increasing focus on the construction sector (e.g., following the European Green Deal initiative) with the aim to reduce emissions by 55% by 2030 (compared to 1990 levels), as well as achieve full decarbonisation by 2050, the built environment remains a strategic [...] Read more.

With the increasing focus on the construction sector (e.g., following the European Green Deal initiative) with the aim to reduce emissions by 55% by 2030 (compared to 1990 levels), as well as achieve full decarbonisation by 2050, the built environment remains a strategic domain for the R&I (Research and Innovation) agenda. Indeed, the building and construction sector is the main contributor to greenhouse gas emissions (39% of global emissions as of 2018), highlighting the need to start a process of decarbonisation of this sector. The overall reduction in the environmental impact of building materials is achieved by establishing sustainable continuity between the end-of-life phase of the building and the production phase of individual building components. In particular, with reference to the end-of-life phase of the building (BS EN 15978: 2011), the Minimum Environmental Criteria foresee the preparation of a plan for the disassembly and selective demolition of the building, which allows the reuse or recycling of materials, building components and prefabricated elements used. According to the guidelines of a low-carbon construction design, which takes into account a circular economy, the following thesis deals with a methodological proposal to study “dry” construction systems (wood and steel). In particular, the study intends to reach the development of such an elaboration by carrying out an assessment of the environmental impact of a process of selective disassembly and demolition of steel building systems. The model is developed on the basis of a reading of the level of sustainability of emblematic case studies, appropriately identified, i.e., ‘quality’ architectures, built with ‘dry’ (steel) building systems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Data and the Built Environment: Reconciling Resources and Information for a Sustainable Living)

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17 pages, 3610 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

A Machine Learning Approach to Determine Airport Asphalt Concrete Layer Moduli Using Heavy Weight Deflectometer Data

by Nicola Baldo, Matteo Miani, Fabio Rondinella and Clara Celauro

Sustainability 2021, 13(16), 8831; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13168831 - 6 Aug 2021

Cited by 20 | Viewed by 3812

Abstract

An integrated approach based on machine learning and data augmentation techniques has been developed in order to predict the stiffness modulus of the asphalt concrete layer of an airport runway, from data acquired with a heavy weight deflectometer (HWD). The predictive model relies [...] Read more.

An integrated approach based on machine learning and data augmentation techniques has been developed in order to predict the stiffness modulus of the asphalt concrete layer of an airport runway, from data acquired with a heavy weight deflectometer (HWD). The predictive model relies on a shallow neural network (SNN) trained with the results of a backcalculation, by means of a data augmentation method and can produce estimations of the stiffness modulus even at runway points not yet sampled. The Bayesian regularization algorithm was used for training of the feedforward backpropagation SNN, and a k-fold cross-validation procedure was implemented for a fair performance evaluation. The testing phase result concerning the stiffness modulus prediction was characterized by a coefficient of correlation equal to 0.9864 demonstrating that the proposed neural approach is fully reliable for performance evaluation of airfield pavements or any other paved area. Such a performance prediction model can play a crucial role in airport pavement management systems (APMS), allowing the maintenance budget to be optimized. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Transportation Safety and Pavement Management)

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12 pages, 3541 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Utilization of Municipal Solid Waste Incineration Bottom Ash as Fine Aggregate of Cement Mortars

by Byeong-Hun Woo, In-Kyu Jeon, Dong-Ho Yoo, Seong-Soo Kim, Jeong-Bae Lee and Hong-Gi Kim

Sustainability 2021, 13(16), 8832; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13168832 - 6 Aug 2021

Cited by 26 | Viewed by 5689

Abstract

Incineration bottom ash is generated by the incineration of solid waste. Household solid waste is increasing every year and so is incineration bottom ash. This is a problem to treat the incineration bottom ash because the ash has many toxic components. Cement composites [...] Read more.

Incineration bottom ash is generated by the incineration of solid waste. Household solid waste is increasing every year and so is incineration bottom ash. This is a problem to treat the incineration bottom ash because the ash has many toxic components. Cement composites can solve this problem and there are many studies for using the bottom ash as fine aggregate. To evaluate the usage of incineration bottom ash, compressive strength, mercury intrusion porosimetry, scanning electron microscopy-backscatter electron, X-ray diffraction, and toxicity characteristic leaching processes were performed. When using incineration bottom ash up to 20% of substitution, the compressive strength in all cases was increased. This study showed how the filler effect appeared well in the cement composites through the scanning electron microscopy-backscatter electron, and mercury intrusion porosimetry. X-ray diffraction indicated the possibility of an alkali-silica reaction of the aggregate with the components of incineration bottom ash. This problem is an obstacle to applying the incineration bottom ash as a fine aggregate. In addition, the toxicity characteristic leaching process was shown to be under the threshold of the Korean standard, however, this should nuanced by the consideration of amorphity. Comprehensively, incineration bottom ash could be used as a fine aggregate of up to 20% of substitution. However, the pre-treatment would need to eliminate or reduce alkali reactive components and heavy metals. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Waste and Recycling)

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14 pages, 6019 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

The Effects of Pedestrian Environments on Walking Behaviors and Perception of Pedestrian Safety

by Byoung-Suk Kweon, Jody Rosenblatt-Naderi, Christopher D. Ellis, Woo-Hwa Shin and Blair H. Danies

Sustainability 2021, 13(16), 8728; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13168728 - 5 Aug 2021

Cited by 39 | Viewed by 10033

Abstract

We investigated the effects of pedestrian environments on parents’ walking behavior, their perception of pedestrian safety, and their willingness to let their children walk to school. This study was a simulated walking environment experiment that created six different pedestrian conditions using sidewalks, landscape [...] Read more.

We investigated the effects of pedestrian environments on parents’ walking behavior, their perception of pedestrian safety, and their willingness to let their children walk to school. This study was a simulated walking environment experiment that created six different pedestrian conditions using sidewalks, landscape buffers, and street trees. We used within subjects design where participants were exposed to all six simulated conditions. Participants were 26 parents with elementary school children. Sidewalks, buffer strips, and street trees affected parents’ decisions to: walk themselves; let their children walk to school; evaluate their perception whether the simulated environment was safe for walking. We found that the design of pedestrian environments does affect people’s perceptions of pedestrian safety and their willingness to walk. The presence of a sidewalk, buffer strip, and street trees affected parents’ decision to walk, their willingness to let their children walk to school and perceived the pedestrian environment as safer for walking. The effects of trees on parents’ walking and perception of pedestrian safety are greater when there is a wide buffer rather than a narrow buffer. It was found that parents are more cautious about their children’s walking environments and safety than their own. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Innovation Thinking of Urban Green on Human Health)

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22 pages, 1283 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

To Rebuild or Relocate? Long-Term Mobility Decisions of Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) Recipients

by Kijin Seong, Clare Losey and Shannon Van Zandt

Sustainability 2021, 13(16), 8754; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13168754 - 5 Aug 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3036

Abstract

Limited funds and the demand for disaster assistance call for a broader understanding of how homeowners decide to either rebuild or relocate from their disaster-affected homes. This study examines the long-term mobility decisions of homeowners in Lumberton, North Carolina, USA, who received federal [...] Read more.

Limited funds and the demand for disaster assistance call for a broader understanding of how homeowners decide to either rebuild or relocate from their disaster-affected homes. This study examines the long-term mobility decisions of homeowners in Lumberton, North Carolina, USA, who received federal assistance from the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) for property acquisition, elevation, or reconstruction following Hurricane Matthew in 2016. The authors situate homeowners’ decisions to rebuild or relocate in the context of property attributes and neighborhood characteristics. Logit and probit regressions reveal that homeowners with lower-value properties are less likely to relocate, and those subjected to higher flood and inundation risks are more likely to relocate. Additionally, homeowners in neighborhoods of higher social vulnerability—those with a higher proportion of minorities and mortgaged properties—are more likely to rebuild their disaster-affected homes. The authors discuss homeowners’ mobility decisions in the context of the social vulnerability of neighborhoods. Our results contribute to an ongoing policy discussion that seeks to articulate the housing and neighborhood attributes that affect the long-term mobility decisions of recipients of HMGP assistance. The authors suggest that local governments prioritize the mitigation of properties of homeowners of higher physical and social vulnerability to reduce socioeconomic disparities in hazard mitigation and build equitable community resilience. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Flood Vulnerability and Resilience in Urban Settings: Perspectives for Sustainability)

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22 pages, 3811 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Investment and Decapitalization in the Fishing Industry: The Case of the Spanish Crustacean Freezer Trawler Fleet

by Ana González Galán, Juan José García del Hoyo and Félix García Ordaz

Sustainability 2021, 13(16), 8760; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13168760 - 5 Aug 2021

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2114

Abstract

The objective of this work is to estimate the capital stock invested in the Spanish freezer trawler fleet dedicated to the capture of crustaceans on the African coast, for the period from 1964 to 2019. The importance of having methods for the correct [...] Read more.

The objective of this work is to estimate the capital stock invested in the Spanish freezer trawler fleet dedicated to the capture of crustaceans on the African coast, for the period from 1964 to 2019. The importance of having methods for the correct measurement of the capital invested in a fishing fleet is to be able to express in monetary terms the excess catch capacity, which is a signal of overexploitation of a fishery, that is, the fleet operates at a level of effort or capacity higher than the minimum amount required to capture the desired quantity at the lowest possible cost. Following a methodology based on the permanent inventory method, we obtained a model that explains the construction value of a fishing vessel as a function of its technical characteristics. The market value in successive sales was estimated as a function of the construction value, the age of vessel and other variables. In this way, we estimated the value that the market assigns to the possible increases in individual fishing capacity and the decrease in value derived from the technical obsolescence of the vessels. Finally, we calculated the gross and net investment series and net capital stock. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Path to Achieve the Sustainable Development Goals in Marine Fisheries and Aquaculture)

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21 pages, 620 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Environmental Sustainability Post-COVID-19: Scrutinizing Popular Hypotheses from a Social Science Perspective

by Paul Lehmann, Silke Beck, Mariana Madruga de Brito, Erik Gawel, Matthias Groß, Annegret Haase, Robert Lepenies, Danny Otto, Johannes Schiller, Sebastian Strunz and Daniela Thrän

Sustainability 2021, 13(16), 8679; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13168679 - 4 Aug 2021

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 7129

Abstract

There is an increasingly vocal debate on potential long-term changes in environmental sustainability spurred by the global COVID-19 pandemic. This article scrutinizes the social science basis of selected popular hypotheses regarding the nexus between the COVID-19 pandemic and the societal transitions towards environmental [...] Read more.

There is an increasingly vocal debate on potential long-term changes in environmental sustainability spurred by the global COVID-19 pandemic. This article scrutinizes the social science basis of selected popular hypotheses regarding the nexus between the COVID-19 pandemic and the societal transitions towards environmental sustainability. It presents results that were derived through an interdisciplinary dialogue among social scientists. First, it is confirmed that the COVID-19 crisis has likely created a potential window of opportunity for societal change. Yet, to ensure that societal change is enduring and actually supporting the transition towards environmental sustainability, a clear and well-targeted political framework guiding private investments and behavior is required. Second, it is emphasized that there are important structural differences between the COVID-19 crisis and environmental crises, like time scales. Consequently, many strategies used to address the COVID-19 crisis are hardly suitable for long-term transitions towards environmental sustainability. Third, it is argued that transitions towards environmental sustainability—building both on reducing environmental degradation and building socio-techno-ecological resilience—may create co-benefits in terms of preventing and coping with potential future pandemics. However, research still needs to explore how big these synergies are (and whether trade-offs are also possible), and what type of governance framework they require to materialize. Full article

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

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18 pages, 1073 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Towards a Just Energy Transition, Barriers and Opportunities for Positive Energy District Creation in Spain

by Adam X. Hearn and Raul Castaño-Rosa

Sustainability 2021, 13(16), 8698; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13168698 - 4 Aug 2021

Cited by 29 | Viewed by 6717

Abstract

To mitigate the effects of climate change, the European Commission created a Strategic Energy Technology Plan committing to forming 100 Positive Energy Districts (PEDs) by 2025. These are considered to potentially be major instruments for decarbonization in a just transition. This plan has [...] Read more.

To mitigate the effects of climate change, the European Commission created a Strategic Energy Technology Plan committing to forming 100 Positive Energy Districts (PEDs) by 2025. These are considered to potentially be major instruments for decarbonization in a just transition. This plan has led to some districts being defined as PEDs, although none have fully met the criteria to be a PED yet. Research shows that new forms of energy ownership and production, as could potentially be found in PEDs, could help reduce energy poverty, which affects a significant segment of the population, as households can reduce their energy expenditure as well as improve their energy behavior. This paper set out to shed light on the PED landscape, investigating the barriers and opportunities to PED creation in Spain and its potential to mitigate energy poverty. We conducted a literature review on community-owned energy in Spain, followed with expert interviews (energy researchers, stakeholders, and NGOs) who focus on sustainability issues in Spain. Results show a number of barriers (lack of knowledge and awareness, and lack of trust from consumers) and opportunities connected with the creation of PEDs. In conclusion, policymaker engagement and support play a key role in successfully implementing PEDs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Communities in the Changing Energy Landscape)

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11 pages, 1249 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

LED versus HPS Lighting: Effects on Water and Energy Consumption and Yield Quality in Lettuce Greenhouse Production

by Dennis Dannehl, Thomas Schwend, Daniel Veit and Uwe Schmidt

Sustainability 2021, 13(15), 8651; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13158651 - 3 Aug 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 5710

Abstract

High-pressure sodium (HPS) lighting is increasingly replaced by LED lighting in lettuce greenhouse cultivation. In contrast to HPS lighting, LEDs do not heat radiation. Therefore, the leaf temperature is significantly lower under LEDs. This raises the question of whether LED lighting has a [...] Read more.

High-pressure sodium (HPS) lighting is increasingly replaced by LED lighting in lettuce greenhouse cultivation. In contrast to HPS lighting, LEDs do not heat radiation. Therefore, the leaf temperature is significantly lower under LEDs. This raises the question of whether LED lighting has a positive impact on the reduction in water consumption during lettuce production. In this paper, we investigated this question and found that the water consumption of lettuce produced under LEDs was significantly lower (−15%) than under HPS without loss of yield. We also found that supplementary lighting increases the concentrations of caffeoylquinic acid, dicaffeoyltartaric acid, dicaffeoylquinic acid and that of the total phenolic compounds in lettuce leaves by 61%, 39%, 163% and 38%, respectively. Only the LED fixture was also efficient enough to increase the concentration of caffeoyltartaric acid (+24%). Most of the phenolic compounds showed a very strong positive correlation with the chlorophyll concentration in lettuce, which predominated in the leaves exposed to the LED lighting. Based on these facts, we conclude that by optimizing the light composition, more sustainable plant production, higher concentrations of chlorophyll and some phenolic compounds are possible. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Greenhouse Production Strategies to Mitigate Product Carbon Footprint)

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19 pages, 2906 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

A Methodological Approach to Designing Circular Economy Indicators for Agriculture: An Application to the Egg Sector

by Roger Rukundo, Stéphane Bergeron, Ibrahima Bocoum, Nathan Pelletier and Maurice Doyon

Sustainability 2021, 13(15), 8656; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13158656 - 3 Aug 2021

Cited by 22 | Viewed by 5279

Abstract

Analysing production systems from a circular economy (CE) perspective helps to pinpoint interventions to mitigate the environmental footprint by improving resource use efficiency, waste recovery, and prolonged product usage, recycling and reuse. Few studies exist on the measurement of CE at the micro-level. [...] Read more.

Analysing production systems from a circular economy (CE) perspective helps to pinpoint interventions to mitigate the environmental footprint by improving resource use efficiency, waste recovery, and prolonged product usage, recycling and reuse. Few studies exist on the measurement of CE at the micro-level. Additionally, available metrics/indicators address only certain aspects of the CE’s socio-economic metabolism, ignoring important components of the CE concept. Other frameworks propose a single indicator that aggregates and summarizes several facets of CE. This study develops a holistic approach for designing indicators with a structured methodology and an analytical framework to assess CE at the micro (unit of production) level in agriculture. The proposed approach is based on the ECOGRAI method for indicator development, and on validation of the methods with experts and final users via an application to egg production in Canada. Twenty-five performance indicators (PI) were generated for 11 decision variables that were selected as important for the sector. This resulted in a practical tool that proposes fourteen actions to improve the economic circularity (EC) of egg farms. Our methodological approach could be replicated to assess CE performance in other agricultural sectors. Full article

(This article belongs to the Collection Circular Economy and Sustainable Strategies)

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14 pages, 589 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceCommunication

Science for Good Environmental Status: A European Joint Action to Support Marine Policy

by Mario Sprovieri, Maurizio Ribera d’Alcalà, Patrick Roose, Aldo Drago, Karien De Cauwer, Federico Falcini, Inga Lips, Chiara Maggi, Aourell Mauffret, Jacek Tronczynski, Christina Zeri and Pier Francesco Moretti

Sustainability 2021, 13(15), 8664; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13158664 - 3 Aug 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3496

Abstract

In the last decade, several initiatives have been taken at a European level to adopt the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) by promoting coordination and stimulating integrated actions leading to consistent views on its final goal: the achievement of good environmental status (GES). [...] Read more.

In the last decade, several initiatives have been taken at a European level to adopt the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) by promoting coordination and stimulating integrated actions leading to consistent views on its final goal: the achievement of good environmental status (GES). In its holistic approach, the MSFD fully acknowledges the complexity and variability of marine ecosystems and demands constant scientific support for its actual implementation. Recently, the Joint Programming Initiative on “Healthy and Productive Seas and Oceans” (JPI Oceans) launched the joint action “Science for Good Environmental Status” (Science4GES), building on the contribution of different scientific disciplines and communities to better fulfill the scope of the MSFD. In this paper we illustrate and discuss a few crucial aspects of endeavors to implement the MSFD specifically implied in the definition of the metrics for the 11 descriptors and GES in its complexity, as well as improving the strategy governing its implementation. This presentation also describes the challenges, aims and implementation plan for the JPI-O joint action, where a transdisciplinary approach may help in progressing from the comprehensive and far-reaching vision of the MSFD to the achievement of a durable GES. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mitigating Marine Hazards and Sustainable Developing Strategic)

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16 pages, 575 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

A Sustainable Multicriteria Decision Framework for Obsolescence Resolution Strategy Selection

by Imen Zaabar, Raul Arango-Miranda, Yvan Beauregard and Marc Paquet

Sustainability 2021, 13(15), 8601; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13158601 - 2 Aug 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3381

Abstract

Parts obsolescence has an important impact on the product life cycle, the manufacturing system and the environment leading to operational, logistical, reliability and cost implications. While current resolution models are cost-oriented, multiple studies have revealed that technological obsolescence is strongly involved in the [...] Read more.

Parts obsolescence has an important impact on the product life cycle, the manufacturing system and the environment leading to operational, logistical, reliability and cost implications. While current resolution models are cost-oriented, multiple studies have revealed that technological obsolescence is strongly involved in the electronic waste problem. In this study, based on academic literature and expert opinions, a sustainable decision framework for obsolescence resolution strategy (ORS) selection is proposed. It consists of economic, environmental, social and technological dimensions, integrating a total of fifteen criteria. Multicriteria decision-making (MCDM) methods are suggested to select the most sustainable solution. A case study was performed where the criteria weights and the alternatives performance were judged by five experts from the fields of environment, economy, human resources and obsolescence and operations management. Results from different MCDM methods were compared to the actual decision to evaluate their effectiveness. Using the suggested framework improved the decision process as integrating sustainability had a drastic impact on the selected strategy and consequently on the company’s performance. In addition to its managerial insights, this paper provides a new research perspective to sustainable and robust obsolescence management to effectively handle the increasing number and severity of obsolete components. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Design and Management of Sustainable Products, Industrial and Manufacturing Systems)

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17 pages, 5270 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Environmental Assessment of University Campuses: The Case of the University of Navarra in Pamplona (Spain)

by Alba Arias, Iñigo Leon, Xabat Oregi and Cristina Marieta

Sustainability 2021, 13(15), 8588; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13158588 - 1 Aug 2021

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3941

Abstract

Current European environmental sustainability standards call for achieving a reduction in energy consumption and CO₂ emissions for a horizon set in the year 2050. It has been verified that buildings and cities have a higher incidence in this regard. It is necessary [...] Read more.

Current European environmental sustainability standards call for achieving a reduction in energy consumption and CO₂ emissions for a horizon set in the year 2050. It has been verified that buildings and cities have a higher incidence in this regard. It is necessary to have tools for initial assessment that can quickly analyse whether the improvement scenarios put forward by different organisations and governments will be able to meet the goals set at European level. Universities are an important factor for the intended change and therefore offer an excellent environment for testing such tools. A case study focusing on a university in northern Spain is presented, through an evaluation tool using 3D models including life-cycle assessment. Different reform scenarios are evaluated for two key years, 2030 and 2050. The novelty lies in considering, not only the impact of the operational phase but also the impact of the different stages of the life cycle and processes, obtaining an impact value closer to reality. The results indicate that, even with major retrofitting and adaptation efforts, the European targets are difficult to achieve by 2050. Moreover, solutions such as biomass help to achieve greenhouse gas reductions but not to improve energy efficiency. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Urban Planning Strategies for Addressing Climate Change)

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22 pages, 3200 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceReview

Understanding Preferences for Coastal Climate Change Adaptation: A Systematic Literature Review

by Angela Mallette, Timothy F. Smith, Carmen Elrick-Barr, Jessica Blythe and Ryan Plummer

Sustainability 2021, 13(15), 8594; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13158594 - 1 Aug 2021

Cited by 46 | Viewed by 7179

Abstract

Lack of public support for coastal adaptation can present significant barriers for implementation. In response, policy makers and academics are seeking strategies to build public support for coastal adaptation, which requires a deeper understanding of peoples’ preferences for coastal adaptation and what motives [...] Read more.

Lack of public support for coastal adaptation can present significant barriers for implementation. In response, policy makers and academics are seeking strategies to build public support for coastal adaptation, which requires a deeper understanding of peoples’ preferences for coastal adaptation and what motives those preferences. Here, we conduct a systematic literature review to understand preferences for coastal adaptation options and the factors influencing these preferences. Ninety peer-reviewed publications meet the inclusion criteria. The findings revealed that hard protection options were often the most frequently preferred, likely due to a desire to maintain current shoreline, for the protection of recreational spaces and private property, and a perceived effectiveness of hard protection options. Soft protection, including nature-based approaches, accommodation, and no action were the next most preferred options. Finally, retreat options were the least preferred, often due to strong place attachment. We identify twenty-eight factors that could influence preferences, with risk perception, place attachment, and financial considerations occurring most frequently in the literature. In the conclusion, we outline the most significant research gaps identified from our analysis and discuss the implication for adaptation research and practice. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Air, Climate Change and Sustainability)

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20 pages, 9537 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Sorting Analysis of Household Food Waste—Development of a Methodology Compatible with the Aims of SDG12.3

by Tomoko Okayama, Kohei Watanabe and Hajime Yamakawa

Sustainability 2021, 13(15), 8576; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13158576 - 31 Jul 2021

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 4924

Abstract

Target 12.3 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) calls for halving per capita global food waste at the retail and consumer levels, by 2030. The Food Waste Index is suggested as a methodology for grasping the situation. This paper focuses on [...] Read more.

Target 12.3 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) calls for halving per capita global food waste at the retail and consumer levels, by 2030. The Food Waste Index is suggested as a methodology for grasping the situation. This paper focuses on the consumer level (household food waste). We argue that in order for generating useful information for devising and implementing effective measures for reducing food waste, it should be measured at Level 3 of the Food Waste Index, based on sorting analysis of generated waste, and making a distinction between avoidable and non-avoidable food waste. Furthermore, a breakdown by subcategories that reflect the flow of food in the household could help identify target behaviours. We have developed a categorisation scheme that is internationally agreeable and adoptable, and (1) generates useful information for policy-making and for tackling with reduction of food waste, (2) makes clear the concept of avoidable food waste, and (3) is practical and does not overcomplicate the work of grasping the situation of food wastage. Results of workshops regarding this scheme suggest that the scheme satisfies the criteria. This scheme has been applied to a few sorting analyses of household food waste in Japan, and their results are compared. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue National Food Loss and Waste Prevention Strategies and Monitoring Approaches—an Interdisciplinary Challenge for Decision Makers, Researchers and Practice)

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19 pages, 341 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Making Sense of Resilience

by Jose Carlos Cañizares, Samantha Marie Copeland and Neelke Doorn

Sustainability 2021, 13(15), 8538; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13158538 - 30 Jul 2021

Cited by 20 | Viewed by 5534

Abstract

While resilience is a major concept in development, climate adaptation, and related domains, many doubts remain about how to interpret this term, its relationship with closely overlapping terms, or its normativity. One major view is that, while resilience originally was a descriptive concept [...] Read more.

While resilience is a major concept in development, climate adaptation, and related domains, many doubts remain about how to interpret this term, its relationship with closely overlapping terms, or its normativity. One major view is that, while resilience originally was a descriptive concept denoting some adaptive property of ecosystems, subsequent applications to social contexts distorted its meaning and purpose by framing it as a transformative and normative quality. This article advances an alternative philosophical account based on the scrutiny of C.S. Holling’s original work on resilience. We show that resilience had a central role among Holling’s proposals for reforming environmental science and management, and that Holling framed resilience as an ecosystem’s capacity of absorbing change and exploiting it for adapting or evolving, but also as the social ability of maintaining and opportunistically exploiting that natural capacity. Resilience therefore appears as a transformative social-ecological property that is normative in three ways: as an intrinsic ecological value, as a virtue of organizations or management styles, and as a virtuous understanding of human–nature relations. This interpretation accounts for the practical relevance of resilience, clarifies the relations between resilience and related terms, and is a firm ground for further normative work on resilience. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ethics of Climate Adaptation)

35 pages, 6165 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceSystematic Review

Sustainable Technologies for Older Adults

by Jorge Morato, Sonia Sanchez-Cuadrado, Ana Iglesias, Adrián Campillo and Carmen Fernández-Panadero

Sustainability 2021, 13(15), 8465; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13158465 - 29 Jul 2021

Cited by 26 | Viewed by 7989

Abstract

The exponential evolution of technology and the growth of the elderly population are two phenomena that will inevitably interact with increasing frequency in the future. This paper analyses scientific literature as a means of furthering progress in sustainable technology for senior living. We [...] Read more.

The exponential evolution of technology and the growth of the elderly population are two phenomena that will inevitably interact with increasing frequency in the future. This paper analyses scientific literature as a means of furthering progress in sustainable technology for senior living. We carried out a bibliometric analysis of papers published in this area and compiled by the Web of Science (WOS) and Scopus, examining the main participants and advances in the field from 2000 to the first quarter of 2021. The study describes some interesting research projects addressing three different aspects of older adults’ daily lives—health, daily activities and wellbeing—and policies to promote healthy aging and improve the sustainability of the healthcare system. It also looks at lines of research into transversal characteristics of technology. Our analysis showed that publications mentioning sustainability technologies for older adults have been growing progressively since the 2000s, but that the big increase in the number of research works in this area took place during the period 2016–2021. These more recent works show a tendency to study those factors that improve healthy aging, ensure the social inclusion of the elderly through technology and prolong the time in which they can live independent lives thanks to smart environments. Current research gaps in the literature are also discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Technology and Elderly Life)

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15 pages, 6072 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Study of Forest Productivity in the Occurrence of Forest Fires in Galicia (Spain)

by Gervasio López-Rodríguez, Verónica Rodríguez-Vicente and Manuel F. Marey-Pérez

Sustainability 2021, 13(15), 8472; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13158472 - 29 Jul 2021

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3091

Abstract

The occurrence and intensity of forest fires is a phenomenon in which factors of various kinds converge, including climatic, physiographic, socioeconomic and territorial, among others. While the scientific literature has been stating that the causes of fires are related social conflict, other factors [...] Read more.

The occurrence and intensity of forest fires is a phenomenon in which factors of various kinds converge, including climatic, physiographic, socioeconomic and territorial, among others. While the scientific literature has been stating that the causes of fires are related social conflict, other factors must also be considered for a more thorough analysis. In Galicia (northwest Spain), human-caused fires account for up to 95% of the total annual fires, highlighting the importance of examining in detail social and/or economic factors that may influence the occurrence or absence of this type of phenomenon. This paper discusses the influence and weight of forest productivity and the potential economic value of wooded areas on the incidence of forest fires in private mountains of collective ownership (montes vecinales en mano común). Our results indicate that the presence of productive wooded areas of the region determines a lower incidence, both in terms of the number of forest fires and the area affected. It was found that in areas where there was a loss in productivity, the fire rate increased by almost 36%. It is also observed that in MVMCs with productivity gain, the incidence of fires in shrubland areas was 46.26% higher than in wooded areas, while in MVMCs with productivity loss, the occurrence of fires in shrubland areas was 18.95% higher than that observed in wooded areas. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Building Wildfire Disaster Resilience and Climate Change Adaptation)

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16 pages, 1839 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoicePerspective

A Framework for Evaluating and Disclosing the ESG Related Impacts of AI with the SDGs

by Henrik Skaug Sætra

Sustainability 2021, 13(15), 8503; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13158503 - 29 Jul 2021

Cited by 113 | Viewed by 43609

Abstract

Artificial intelligence (AI) now permeates all aspects of modern society, and we are simultaneously seeing an increased focus on issues of sustainability in all human activities. All major corporations are now expected to account for their environmental and social footprint and to disclose [...] Read more.

Artificial intelligence (AI) now permeates all aspects of modern society, and we are simultaneously seeing an increased focus on issues of sustainability in all human activities. All major corporations are now expected to account for their environmental and social footprint and to disclose and report on their activities. This is carried out through a diverse set of standards, frameworks, and metrics related to what is referred to as ESG (environment, social, governance), which is now, increasingly often, replacing the older term CSR (corporate social responsibility). The challenge addressed in this article is that none of these frameworks sufficiently capture the nature of the sustainability related impacts of AI. This creates a situation in which companies are not incentivised to properly analyse such impacts. Simultaneously, it allows the companies that are aware of negative impacts to not disclose them. This article proposes a framework for evaluating and disclosing ESG related AI impacts based on the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). The core of the framework is here presented, with examples of how it forces an examination of micro, meso, and macro level impacts, a consideration of both negative and positive impacts, and accounting for ripple effects and interlinkages between the different impacts. Such a framework helps make analyses of AI related ESG impacts more structured and systematic, more transparent, and it allows companies to draw on research in AI ethics in such evaluations. In the closing section, Microsoft’s sustainability reporting from 2018 and 2019 is used as an example of how sustainability reporting is currently carried out, and how it might be improved by using the approach here advocated. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Towards the Sustainability of AI; Multi-Disciplinary Approaches to Investigate the Hidden Costs of AI)

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19 pages, 323 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Cities, Urban Property Systems, and Sustainability Transitions: Contested Processes of Institutional Change and the Regulation of Urban Property Development

by André Sorensen and Anna-Katharina Brenner

Sustainability 2021, 13(15), 8429; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13158429 - 28 Jul 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3215

Abstract

Sustainability transitions research has emerged as one of the most influential approaches to conceptualizing the potential and practice of transformative system change to avoid climate catastrophe. Evolving from work on socio-technical systems via Geels’ multi-level perspective (MLP), this conceptual framework has contributed to [...] Read more.

Sustainability transitions research has emerged as one of the most influential approaches to conceptualizing the potential and practice of transformative system change to avoid climate catastrophe. Evolving from work on socio-technical systems via Geels’ multi-level perspective (MLP), this conceptual framework has contributed to understanding how complex systems in the contemporary world can be transformed. This paper contributes to the sustainability transitions literature in three main ways. First, the paper develops a conceptual framework focused on the urban property systems which regulate and support urban property, infrastructure and governance that are historically produced, are densely institutionalized, and through which public norms of property and governance are deeply embedded in and continually inscribed in urban space. Second, the paper suggests that urban property systems are continually and vigorously contested and demonstrate different modes of institutional change than those recognized by the existing sustainability transitions literature. Third, the paper illustrates the approach with a case study of the contested governance of property development in Toronto, Ontario, long one of the fastest growing cities in North America. The Toronto case suggests that institutions embedded in urban property systems are consequential and deserve more attention by those concerned with low-carbon transitions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cultural, Legal and Political Dimensions of Public Norms in Sustainable Metropolitan Spaces)

18 pages, 914 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceReview

An Operational Approach to Agroecology-Based Local Agri-Food Systems

by Daniel López-García and Manuel González de Molina

Sustainability 2021, 13(15), 8443; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13158443 - 28 Jul 2021

Cited by 31 | Viewed by 5782

Abstract

In recent years, the transition to sustainability at a food systems’ scale has drawn major attention both from the scientific and political arenas. Agroecology has become central to such discussions, while impressive efforts have been made to conceptualize the agroecology scaling process. It [...] Read more.

In recent years, the transition to sustainability at a food systems’ scale has drawn major attention both from the scientific and political arenas. Agroecology has become central to such discussions, while impressive efforts have been made to conceptualize the agroecology scaling process. It has thus become necessary to apply the concept of agroecology transitions to the scale of food systems and in different “real-world” contexts. Scaling local agroecology experiences of production, distribution, and consumption, which are often disconnected and/or disorganized, also reveals emergent research gaps. A critical review was performed in order to establish a transdisciplinary dialogue between both political agroecology and the literature on sustainable food systems. The objective was to build insights into how to advance towards Agroecology-based Local Agri-food Systems (ALAS). Our review unveils emergent questions such as: how to overcome the metabolic rift related to segregated activities along the food chain, how to feed cities sustainably, and how they should relate to the surrounding territories, which social subjects should drive such transitions, and which governance arrangements would be needed. The paper argues in favor of the re-construction of food metabolisms, territorial flows, plural subjects and (bottom-up) governance assemblages, placing life at the center of the food system and going beyond the rural–urban divide. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability and Political Agroecology)

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17 pages, 314 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Valorisation of Organic Waste By-Products Using Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens) as a Bio-Convertor

by Kieran Magee, Joe Halstead, Richard Small and Iain Young

Sustainability 2021, 13(15), 8345; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13158345 - 27 Jul 2021

Cited by 35 | Viewed by 6408

Abstract

One third of food produced globally is wasted. Disposal of this waste is costly and is an example of poor resource management in the face of elevated environmental concerns and increasing food demand. Providing this waste as feedstock for black soldier fly ( [...] Read more.

One third of food produced globally is wasted. Disposal of this waste is costly and is an example of poor resource management in the face of elevated environmental concerns and increasing food demand. Providing this waste as feedstock for black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae (BSFL) has the potential for bio-conversion and valorisation by production of useful feed materials and fertilisers. We raised BSFL under optimal conditions (28 °C and 70% relative humidity) on seven UK pre-consumer food waste-stream materials: fish trimmings, sugar-beet pulp, bakery waste, fruit and vegetable waste, cheese waste, fish feed waste and brewer’s grains and yeast. The nutritional quality of the resulting BSFL meals and frass fertiliser were then analysed. In all cases, the volume of waste was reduced (37–79%) and meals containing high quality protein and lipid sources (44.1 ± 4.57% and 35.4 ± 4.12%, respectively) and frass with an NPK of 4.9-2.6-1.7 were produced. This shows the potential value of BSFL as a bio-convertor for the effective management of food waste. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Food Production and Consumption)

22 pages, 1453 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Regulatory Elements on the Circular Economy: Driving into the Agri-Food System

by Carla Zarbà, Gaetano Chinnici, Giovanni La Via, Salvatore Bracco, Biagio Pecorino and Mario D’Amico

Sustainability 2021, 13(15), 8350; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13158350 - 27 Jul 2021

Cited by 38 | Viewed by 5401

Abstract

In the transition from linear production systems, unsustainable from the point of view of resources, to a model that finds strength in environmental, social and economic sustainability, the circular economy paradigm is the foundation that facilitates the planetary agro-ecological transition. The European Union [...] Read more.

In the transition from linear production systems, unsustainable from the point of view of resources, to a model that finds strength in environmental, social and economic sustainability, the circular economy paradigm is the foundation that facilitates the planetary agro-ecological transition. The European Union has taken a number of steps (including the Circular Economy Package of Directives) shaping circularity as a wide-ranging driver measure involving many sectors. The paper intends to provide a regulatory framework on the current general situation regarding circularity in European Union, in order to extrapolate and give evidence to the aspects that intersect the agri-food sector. This is not only because they are poorly addressed in the literature, but also because there is a lack of regulatory instruments on the circular economy specifically addressing this area of interest. For this purpose, the analysis focuses on waste and residue/scrap management issues, recognized by law as by-products and end-of-waste status, as they are covered by circular economy legislation and as they can be applied to the agri-food sector. The latter allow the implementation of circularity strategies in the agri-food sector and, given the numerousness of production chains and the peculiarities of each of them, various regeneration and/or reuse processes of specific resources may be depicted. The intent is to provide useful knowledge on how to implement sustainable waste management, also proposing a concrete case on a by-product of olive oil processing, through which it is possible to highlight how the correct application of regulations favors the adoption of circular economic and management models in the firms involved, as well as informing the relevant economic operators on the possible profiles of legal liability that may arise from insufficient knowledge. Furthermore, this paper delves into the European Green Deal’s Strategy as it enriches the circular economy paradigm with new facets. NextGenerationEU and the National Recovery and Resilience Plan financially support this strategy in the aftermath of the socioeconomic crisis from COVID-19 in the EU Member States. This is in order to achieve the objective of achieving the agro-ecological transition. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability and Food Waste: Firm Strategies and Consumer Behaviour)

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29 pages, 3258 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

An Inclusive Model for Assessing Age-Friendly Urban Environments in Vulnerable Areas

by Raquel Agost-Felip, María José Ruá and Fatiha Kouidmi

Sustainability 2021, 13(15), 8352; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13158352 - 27 Jul 2021

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 5725

Abstract

Population aging is becoming a major challenge in many countries. This paper deals with the elderly’s specific needs in the public open space as it can play a significant role in their social inclusion and could be especially relevant in deprived areas. The [...] Read more.

Population aging is becoming a major challenge in many countries. This paper deals with the elderly’s specific needs in the public open space as it can play a significant role in their social inclusion and could be especially relevant in deprived areas. The main goal is to build a model to evaluate the vulnerability of the public space by focusing on the elderly’s needs, using indicators. A previous analysis of the scientific and policy-oriented literature and of the technical standards and regulations linked with accessibility and social aspects that affect the elderly in urban areas was performed to identify the main dimensions for evaluation. The interjudge agreement technique was applied to validate the indicators with a panel of experts in technical and social disciplines. The model was applied to a vulnerable area in Castellón (East Spain), based on indicators adapted to the specific context features. The agreement level reached by experts was used to weight the indicators. The application of the model permitted the vulnerability in the suggested dimensions to be estimated and a global integrated index of vulnerability in the area to be calculated. It could assist in urban planning decision making toward age-friendly and, therefore, inclusive cities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban and Buildings Regeneration Strategy to Climatic Change Mitigation, Energy, and Social Poverty after a World Health and Economic Global Crisis)

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15 pages, 528 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Sustainable Development of a Mobile Payment Security Environment Using Fintech Solutions

by Yoonyoung Hwang, Sangwook Park and Nina Shin

Sustainability 2021, 13(15), 8375; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13158375 - 27 Jul 2021

Cited by 31 | Viewed by 7131

Abstract

Financial technology (fintech) services have come to differentiate themselves from traditional financial services by offering unique, niche, and customized services. Mobile payment service (MPS) has emerged as the most crucial fintech service. While many studies have addressed the essential role of security when [...] Read more.

Financial technology (fintech) services have come to differentiate themselves from traditional financial services by offering unique, niche, and customized services. Mobile payment service (MPS) has emerged as the most crucial fintech service. While many studies have addressed the essential role of security when service providers and users choose to engage in financial transactions, the relationship between users distinct perceptions of security and MPS success determinants are yet to be examined. Thus, this study primarily aims to uncover the distinctive roles of platform and technology security by investigating how users react differently to their varying understandings of the MPS usage environment. This study proposes a research model comprising two security dimensions (platform and technology) and three MPS success determinants (convenience, interoperability, and trust). We evaluated the proposed model empirically by using an online survey of 356 users. The survey accounts users experiences of the selected MPS. The results show that a security driven MPS can essentially enhance or deteriorate users positive perceptions of MPS success determinants while they use it for financial transactions. To further understand how this recent trend of user perception of security affects the overall MPS usage experience, this study provides theoretical insights into the roles of platform and technology securities. Managerial insights on the design strategies of MPS providers are also provided based on the potential implications of users subjective and objective perceptions of MPS security environment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Development of Online Shopping and Mobile Catering based on Artificial Intelligence Technologies)

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19 pages, 756 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Sustainable Tourism: The Elephant in the Room

by Thomas Bausch, Tilman Schröder, Verena Tauber and Bernard Lane

Sustainability 2021, 13(15), 8376; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13158376 - 27 Jul 2021

Cited by 19 | Viewed by 8242

Abstract

Research on sustainability and sustainable tourism has thus far avoided evaluating how tourists actually understand these terms. Instead, scholars have focused on the supply side, presuming a common and precise understanding of sustainability and sustainable tourism among all tourists and stakeholders. This study [...] Read more.

Research on sustainability and sustainable tourism has thus far avoided evaluating how tourists actually understand these terms. Instead, scholars have focused on the supply side, presuming a common and precise understanding of sustainability and sustainable tourism among all tourists and stakeholders. This study shows that most consumers link sustainability only to environmental issues, and understand sustainability differently from sustainable tourism. It finds significant interpersonal and intercultural differences regarding consumers’ conceptualisations of sustainability. The results illustrate that empirical research methodology for conceptualising consumers’ sustainability understanding frequently is doubtful or weak. This research exposes tourists’ limited understanding of sustainability, and helps tackle widespread scepticism about the effectiveness of sustainable tourism, by creating better informed sustainable tourism marketing. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Destination Brand Equity and Sustainability: Issues for Development)

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19 pages, 2214 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

What Makes Me Want You Here? Refugee Integration in a Zambian Settlement Setting

by Steven Gronau and Brigitte Ruesink

Sustainability 2021, 13(15), 8380; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13158380 - 27 Jul 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 4571

Abstract

Many of the world’s refugees remain in Africa, where they stay long-term, mainly in neighboring countries. The present directions point to integration, in which the host society and the political surroundings play a key role. This paper aims to investigate the ways in [...] Read more.

Many of the world’s refugees remain in Africa, where they stay long-term, mainly in neighboring countries. The present directions point to integration, in which the host society and the political surroundings play a key role. This paper aims to investigate the ways in which public opinion towards and contact with refugees support integration processes. We apply this research to a settlement setting in rural Zambia, a recent dataset of 275 households from 2018, and an econometric analysis. This is the first study dealing with a set of factors that affect the hosts’ opinion towards and contact with refugees in an African settlement context, and with respect to the Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework produced by the United Nations. Our results show, particularly, the religiosity, group membership, life satisfaction, food insecurity, agricultural ownership and natural resource uses of the host society to be the main factors that need policy consideration for the promotion of refugee integration. Stakeholders dealing in host–refugee settings and seeking for durable solutions should roll out community programs to address threat perceptions and interaction improvements. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Migration-Refugee Policies and Socioeconomics, Well-Being and Sustainable Outcomes)

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20 pages, 4807 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Facilitating Multifunctional Green Infrastructure Planning in Washington, DC through a Tableau Interface

by John R. Taylor, Mamatha Hanumappa, Lara Miller, Brendan Shane and Matthew L. Richardson

Sustainability 2021, 13(15), 8390; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13158390 - 27 Jul 2021

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 4451

Abstract

Multifunctional urban green infrastructure (UGI) can regulate stormwater, mitigate heat islands, conserve biodiversity and biocultural diversity, and produce food, among other functions. Equitable governance of UGI requires new tools for sharing pertinent information. Our goal was to develop a public-access geographic information system [...] Read more.

Multifunctional urban green infrastructure (UGI) can regulate stormwater, mitigate heat islands, conserve biodiversity and biocultural diversity, and produce food, among other functions. Equitable governance of UGI requires new tools for sharing pertinent information. Our goal was to develop a public-access geographic information system (GIS) that can be used for comprehensive UGI planning in Washington, DC (the District) and to create an e-tool for UGI in the form of Tableau dashboards. The dashboards allow stakeholders to identify (1) existing UGI and (2) potential areas for new UGI including urban agriculture (UA). They also allow users to manipulate the data and identify priority locations for equitable UGI development by applying population vulnerability indices and other filters. We demonstrate use of the dashboards through scenarios focusing on UA in the District, which currently has 150 ha of existing UGI in the form of documented projects and an additional 2734 ha potentially suitable for UGI development. A total of 2575 ha is potentially suitable for UA, with 56% of that area in Wards 5, 7, and 8, which are largely food deserts and whose residents are primarily Black and experience the greatest inequities. Our work can serve as a model for similar digital tools in other locales using Tableau and other platforms. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Sustainability: Re-envisioning Cities to Lead the Way toward A Circular Economy)

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21 pages, 356 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Business, Human Rights and Climate Due Diligence: Understanding the Responsibility of Banks

by Chiara Macchi and Nadia Bernaz

Sustainability 2021, 13(15), 8391; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13158391 - 27 Jul 2021

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 7557

Abstract

Under the 2011 UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs), banks, like all businesses, have a responsibility to respect human rights and to carry out human rights due diligence. Although climate due diligence is not explicitly included in the UNGPs, tackling [...] Read more.

Under the 2011 UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs), banks, like all businesses, have a responsibility to respect human rights and to carry out human rights due diligence. Although climate due diligence is not explicitly included in the UNGPs, tackling an enterprise’s direct and indirect climate change impacts is arguably a dimension of the corporate responsibility to respect human rights and should form part of the human rights due diligence process. At present, it is unclear how such responsibility applies to banks, whose contribution to climate change is mostly indirect. This article addresses the research question: how should the law be interpreted to form a coherent climate due diligence standard for banks? To address it, the article first maps out the climate responsibility of banks under international soft law standards and assesses privately developed guidance. It then elucidates the emerging concept of climate due diligence, reading climate change responsibilities into the now well-established corporate responsibility to respect human rights as authoritatively elaborated in the UNGPs. Finally, it explains how such normative standard applies to banks and unpacks the key elements that a bank’s climate due diligence process should include. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Business, Human Rights and the Environment)

18 pages, 1412 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Corporate Payments for Ecosystem Services in Theory and Practice: Links to Economics, Business, and Sustainability

by Benjamin S. Thompson

Sustainability 2021, 13(15), 8307; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13158307 - 26 Jul 2021

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 5455

Abstract

Few Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES) schemes are financed voluntarily by corporations. This is perhaps unsurprising, given that limited literature on the theory and practice of PES has a dedicated focus on businesses. This article unifies the PES and business literatures in order [...] Read more.

Few Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES) schemes are financed voluntarily by corporations. This is perhaps unsurprising, given that limited literature on the theory and practice of PES has a dedicated focus on businesses. This article unifies the PES and business literatures in order to address the awareness and management challenges that corporations face in engaging in PES. First, it shows how corporations fit into the economic theory that underpins PES, demonstrating that corporate-financed PES schemes can exhibit a diversity and hybridity of Coasean and Pigouvian characteristics. Second, it shows how PES fits into corporate sustainability theory, demonstrating how PES can help companies achieve synergies across the economic, environmental, and social tenets of the triple bottom line; for example, by helping gain social license to operate from adjacent communities, or by using PES to meet sustainability reporting requirements related to emissions and water management. Third, it shows the different PES options available to firms based on their industrial sector, operating practices, and business strategies. The options with higher potential are maintenance and enhancement of production inputs across the supply chain, and carbon offsetting and insetting to help meet climate change mitigation regulations and avoid fines. Fourth, it identifies lessons learned when transitioning from theory to practice by synthesising the latest empirical research on corporate-financed PES schemes—considering exactly what these ‘should’ or ‘could’ resemble, for example, in terms of their additionality, conditionality, permanence, co-benefits, budgeting, and bargaining. Examples are drawn from corporate-financed schemes in forests and watersheds across Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, and North America. The article concludes that these schemes remain small in number and size, but have significant potential to increase—and this can be aided by future research on corporate motives, understandings, and actions on PES. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Resources and Sustainable Utilization)

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17 pages, 3593 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Effects of Evocative Audio-Visual Installations on the Restorativeness in Urban Parks

by Massimiliano Masullo, Luigi Maffei, Aniello Pascale, Vincenzo Paolo Senese, Simona De Stefano and Chi Kwan Chau

Sustainability 2021, 13(15), 8328; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13158328 - 26 Jul 2021

Cited by 27 | Viewed by 4524

Abstract

Road traffic noise is responsible for several negative health effects for citizens in modern cities. Inside urban parks, which citizens use for social inclusion and cohesion, psychological and physical restoration, and physical activities, road traffic noise may significantly reduce the potential of these [...] Read more.

Road traffic noise is responsible for several negative health effects for citizens in modern cities. Inside urban parks, which citizens use for social inclusion and cohesion, psychological and physical restoration, and physical activities, road traffic noise may significantly reduce the potential of these places to induce or enhance well-being. Although access restriction schemes and screens could be effective solutions to limit noise inside urban park areas, preserving their potential regenerative role may engender mobility, social, aesthetic, and architectural issues. Due to the positive effects that natural elements and water sounds can have on human perception, and based on the previous findings of the beneficial effects of audio-visual installations, this paper investigates the possibility of using audio-visual installations that simply evoke some natural features to improve the restoration of individuals inside urban parks. The study has been carried out using immersive virtual environments in two different experimental laboratory sessions in Hong Kong (China) and Aversa (Italy). The results showed that the positive effects provided by evocative installations were similar to those provided by traditional installations. Furthermore, the effects on the restoration increased as the installations became larger and included enveloping shapes. Furthermore, we found that the amount of evocative water installations’ material was responsible for changes in restoration. In contrast, the Chinese groups were less influenced by these installations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Noise Analysis and Management in Smart Cities)

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16 pages, 3209 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Sustainable and Affordable Prefabricated Construction: Developing a Natural, Recycled, and Recyclable Mobile Home

by Carlo Berizzi, Salvatore Nirta, Gaia Nerea Terlicher and Luca Trabattoni

Sustainability 2021, 13(15), 8296; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13158296 - 25 Jul 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 4127

Abstract

Outdoor tourism is a form of outdoor holiday that is growing rapidly today, and that stands out from other forms of tourism for its immediate relationship with the landscape which becomes for the tourist the main attraction of the holiday intended as a [...] Read more.

Outdoor tourism is a form of outdoor holiday that is growing rapidly today, and that stands out from other forms of tourism for its immediate relationship with the landscape which becomes for the tourist the main attraction of the holiday intended as a break from ordinary urban life. Outdoor tourism today represents a growing percentage in the tourism sector, in which mobile homes are the real players. Despite the considerable use of this product in open-air accommodations located in relevant landscapes, there is still no sensitivity in the constructive approach and in the choice of materials in terms of sustainability. In the open-air tourism sector, the lack of ecological sensitivity results from two levels of application: one regarding the whole settlement and the public spaces of outdoor accommodations and one regarding the mobile unit from the design to the production process. This paper will provide some practical strategies to introduce the ecological theme in the mobile home for the tourism sector. The research aims to analyze the production system of mobile homes in order to introduce alternative materials within the existing assembly line. The research demonstrates the possibility of a product being sustainable both economically and environmentally, healthy, and well-integrated with landscape by adopting an approach that makes it possible to use the same assembly line currently in use. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Green Building)

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4 pages, 199 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceEditorial

Financial Risk Management and Sustainability

by María Antonia García-Benau, Nicolás Gambetta and Laura Sierra-García

Sustainability 2021, 13(15), 8300; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13158300 - 25 Jul 2021

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 6778

Abstract

In the last decades, the studies that analyze the links between corporate social responsibility and financial performance in developed countries show mixed and inconclusive results, so additional research is required [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Financial Risk Management and Sustainability)

16 pages, 1714 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceReview

The Critical Importance of Adopting Whole-of-Life Strategies for Polymers and Plastics

by Graeme Moad and David Henry Solomon

Sustainability 2021, 13(15), 8218; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13158218 - 23 Jul 2021

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 4671

Abstract

Plastics have been revolutionary in numerous sectors, and many of the positive attributes of modern life can be attributed to their use. However, plastics are often treated only as disposable commodities, which has led to the ever-increasing accumulation of plastic and plastic by-products [...] Read more.

Plastics have been revolutionary in numerous sectors, and many of the positive attributes of modern life can be attributed to their use. However, plastics are often treated only as disposable commodities, which has led to the ever-increasing accumulation of plastic and plastic by-products in the environment as waste, and an unacceptable growth of microplastic and nanoplastic pollution. The catchphrase “plastics are everywhere”, perhaps once seen as extolling the virtues of plastics, is now seen by most as a potential or actual threat. Scientists are confronting this environmental crisis, both by developing recycling methods to deal with the legacy of plastic waste, and by highlighting the need to develop and implement effective whole-of-life strategies in the future use of plastic materials. The importance and topicality of this subject are evidenced by the dramatic increase in the use of terms such as “whole of life”, “life-cycle assessment”, “circular economy” and “sustainable polymers” in the scientific and broader literature. Effective solutions, however, are still to be forthcoming. In this review, we assess the potential for implementing whole-of-life strategies for plastics to achieve our vision of a circular economy. In this context, we consider the ways in which given plastics might be recycled into the same plastic for potential use in the same application, with minimal material loss, the lowest energy cost, and the least potential for polluting the environment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Estimating Plastic Leakage into the Environment)

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