Sustainability

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 14 | Viewed by 4893

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 5511

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 7967

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 3055

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 43482

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 2 | Viewed by 3206

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 5752

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 34 | Viewed by 6373

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 37 | Viewed by 5386

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 5690

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 7099

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 8219

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 4534

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 4427

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 7512

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 5432

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 4515

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 4116

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 6760

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 4661

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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21 pages, 3700 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Stated Preferences for Plant-Based and Cultured Meat: A Choice Experiment Study of Spanish Consumers

by Alfredo J. Escribano, Maria Belen Peña, Carlos Díaz-Caro, Ahmed Elghannam, Eva Crespo-Cebada and Francisco J. Mesías

Sustainability 2021, 13(15), 8235; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13158235 - 23 Jul 2021

Cited by 31 | Viewed by 6618

Abstract

Meat production and consumption have been claimed to have negative impacts on the environment, and even on the consumer’s health. In this sense, alternative sources of protein, mainly meat substitutes and cultured meat, have emerged due to those perceived negative effects. Our paper [...] Read more.

Meat production and consumption have been claimed to have negative impacts on the environment, and even on the consumer’s health. In this sense, alternative sources of protein, mainly meat substitutes and cultured meat, have emerged due to those perceived negative effects. Our paper carries out a choice experiment to analyze the preferences of 444 Spanish consumers and their willingness to pay for plant-based and cultured meats, as compared to conventional meat. Spain was considered of interest for this study due to its significant gastronomic culture, with high-quality meat products that make a great contribution to the economy, meaning that this could be a suitable and also challenging market in which to test alternative sources of protein. The findings show that consumers’ motivations and their interactions with these products are complex. Additionally, a cluster analysis allowed us to identify three types of consumers in terms of preference for these products: price-sensitive millennials, conscious/concerned consumers, and indifferent consumers. Only one group showed some level of acceptance of these alternative products meats. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Improving Information about the Agri-Food Chain: Sustainability Perception and Consumer’s Behavior towards Food of Animal Origin)

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12 pages, 3303 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Superhydrophobicity and Durability in Recyclable Polymers Coating

by Francesca Cirisano and Michele Ferrari

Sustainability 2021, 13(15), 8244; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13158244 - 23 Jul 2021

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3053

Abstract

Highly hydrophobic and superhydrophobic materials obtained from recycled polymers represent an interesting challenge to recycle and reuse advanced performance materials after their first life. In this article, we present a simple and low-cost method to fabricate a superhydrophobic surface by employing polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) [...] Read more.

Highly hydrophobic and superhydrophobic materials obtained from recycled polymers represent an interesting challenge to recycle and reuse advanced performance materials after their first life. In this article, we present a simple and low-cost method to fabricate a superhydrophobic surface by employing polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) powder in polystyrene (PS) dispersion. With respect to the literature, the superhydrophobic surface (SHS) was prepared by utilizing a spray- coating technique at room temperature, a glass substrate without any further modification or thermal treatment, and which can be applied onto a large area and on to any type of material with some degree of fine control over the wettability properties. The prepared surface showed superhydrophobic behavior with a water contact angle (CA) of 170°; furthermore, the coating was characterized with different techniques, such as a 3D confocal profilometer, to measure the average roughness of the coating, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to characterize the surface morphology. In addition, the durability of SH coating was investigated by a long-water impact test (raining test), thermal treatment at high temperature, an abrasion test, and in acidic and alkaline environments. The present study may suggest an easy and scalable method to produce SHS PS/PTFE films that may find implementation in various fields. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Toward Sustainable Multifunctional Coatings)

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13 pages, 769 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Cost of Extending the Farm Accountancy Data Network to the Farm Sustainability Data Network: Empirical Evidence

by Hans Vrolijk and Krijn Poppe

Sustainability 2021, 13(15), 8181; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13158181 - 22 Jul 2021

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 3547

Abstract

The European Green Deal, its Farm to Fork strategy and Biodiversity strategy will set the scene for the future revisions of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). The CAP will address an increasing set of objectives, including contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals and [...] Read more.

The European Green Deal, its Farm to Fork strategy and Biodiversity strategy will set the scene for the future revisions of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). The CAP will address an increasing set of objectives, including contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris climate agreement. To enable evidence-based policy making and monitoring, the Farm to Fork strategy proposes to extend the current monitoring system to include a broader range of sustainability issues. The current monitoring system called Farm Accountancy Data Network (FADN) has a strong focus on financial and economic data. The FADN is an instrument for monitoring and evaluation of the EU Common Agricultural Policy and collects bookkeeping results from 80,000 farms. The extension to a Farm Sustainability Data Network (FSDN) should include a broader set of indicators on the sustainability performance of farms. This paper estimates the costs of collecting this broader set of sustainability indicators in the FSDN based on the experiences of a pilot in 9 member states and a survey among all member states. The results show that collecting the sustainability data from all farms included in FADN would increase the costs by about 40%. The results show large differences between countries depending on the current costs of data collection and the expected additional work to include sustainability indicators. Given the pressing need for these data, a scenario was developed where sustainability data are collected from a subsample of 15,000 farms. This can be achieved within current budget limits if the current FADN sample would be reduced from 85,000 to 75,000 farms. The discussion section addresses some concerns raised on the extension of FADN to FSDN such as: willingness of farmers, administrative burden, economic background of FADN and the quality of the data. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Agriculture)

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21 pages, 3049 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Toward the Sustainable Metropolis: The Challenge of Planning Regulation

by Nurit Alfasi and Talia Margalit

Sustainability 2021, 13(15), 8189; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13158189 - 22 Jul 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 4676

Abstract

Promoting urban sustainability and resilience is a demanding and challenging task. This paper focuses on the obstacles related to planning and regulation that stem from the structure of urban planning apparatuses and the substantial incompatibilities between them and common urban dynamics. Based on [...] Read more.

Promoting urban sustainability and resilience is a demanding and challenging task. This paper focuses on the obstacles related to planning and regulation that stem from the structure of urban planning apparatuses and the substantial incompatibilities between them and common urban dynamics. Based on case studies from Tel Aviv-Jaffa, whose urban structure and municipal management appear to support the vision of urban sustainability and resilience, this paper presents three types of obstacles and concludes with four major challenges. The first obstacle relates to keeping urban infrastructure updated according to new technologies and knowledge. The second involves acknowledging the unintended consequences of planning actions, particularly those engaged with “green” policies. The third refers to confronting entrenched urban structures and processes. The practical obstacles include awareness of the widening social and spatial gaps that may result from uneven sustainability and resilience adaptation; the importance of keeping “open minds” about the required adaptation of plans and facilities to new knowledge and technologies; awareness of the fact that big plans require prolonged processes, which likely means timely adaptation of programs and means; and the need to facilitate communication between urban and governmental bodies and prepare for frequent coordination and consultation in various combinations. Full article

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

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12 pages, 296 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Historical Ecology: A Robust Bridge between Archaeology and Ecology

by Carole L. Crumley

Sustainability 2021, 13(15), 8210; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13158210 - 22 Jul 2021

Cited by 35 | Viewed by 7156

Abstract

How can the disintegration of ecosystems, the foundation of life on Earth, be halted and these critical systems be rehabilitated? For scholars, the action list is long: increase the pool of expertise by engaging all relevant knowledge communities, collect rapidly disappearing data, analyze [...] Read more.

How can the disintegration of ecosystems, the foundation of life on Earth, be halted and these critical systems be rehabilitated? For scholars, the action list is long: increase the pool of expertise by engaging all relevant knowledge communities, collect rapidly disappearing data, analyze with both familiar and new methods, and apply the results of actionable science to policy and practice. This enormously complex and urgent activity requires an integrated research framework with the flexibility to accommodate the global diversity of places, peoples, and processes and to examine future options. Based on evidence of environmental change and human activity, the framework termed historical ecology assembles tools to construct an evidence-validated, open-ended narrative of the evolution and transformation of specific ecosystems and landscapes. Welcoming knowledge from scholars and communities of both heritage and practice, this comprehensive and systemic understanding offers insights, models, and ideas for the durable future of contemporary landscapes. The article evaluates how practitioners could adjust aspects of practice and improve access to policy makers, and the discussion applies to regions and localities everywhere. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Historical Ecology, Archaeology and Biocultural Landscapes: Cross-Disciplinary Approaches to the Long Anthropocene)

12 pages, 1651 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Leveraging the 4th Industrial Revolution Technology for Sustainable Development of the Northern Sea Route (NSR)—The Case Study of Autonomous Vessel

by Sung-Woo Lee, Jisung Jo and Sewon Kim

Sustainability 2021, 13(15), 8211; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13158211 - 22 Jul 2021

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3230

Abstract

The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technology has been applied to various industrial areas not only to improve economic efficiency but also to obtain environmental and safety benefits. We paid attention to the unresolved issues of Arctic development to establish a balance between economic [...] Read more.

The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technology has been applied to various industrial areas not only to improve economic efficiency but also to obtain environmental and safety benefits. We paid attention to the unresolved issues of Arctic development to establish a balance between economic feasibility and social values and suggest the 4IR technologies as the solution for this. The master concept of application of the 4IR technology to NSR sailing is presented. Further, we conducted a case study for autonomous vessels. A cost breakdown structure model is specified to compare the total costs of traditional and autonomous vessels. Then, we conducted scenario analysis to investigate the economic and social effects of autonomous vessels by season and route. The results show that autonomous vessels have economic benefits compared to the traditional vessel even in the winter season, and if we realize autonomous vessels in the NSR, there are more cost saving effects than in the Suez Canal Route (SCR) in any season. As for the environmental benefits, autonomous vessels have lower gas emissions and reduced water disposal compared to the traditional vessel. Further, autonomous vessels could be a solution to provide a better crew working environment by minimizing the number of people on board. The contribution of this research is that, first, we utilize real fuel oil consumption measurement data to estimate the voyage expenses, and, second, this is a novel attempt of applying the 4IR technology as a solution for the Arctic development issue. In this respect, this research is expected to serve as a cornerstone for future research, and it will help to establish Arctic development strategies in Arctic or non-Arctic countries. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Transportation)

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35 pages, 14115 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Circular Economy and Regenerative Sustainability in Emergency Housing: Eco-Efficient Prototype Design for Subaşi Refugee Camp in Turkey

by Pilar Mercader-Moyano, Paula Porras-Pereira and Carlos Levinton

Sustainability 2021, 13(14), 8100; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13148100 - 21 Jul 2021

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 6526

Abstract

According to the most recent data from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, in 2020, 82.4 million people were forcibly displaced. In addition to this situation, in the developed world, building construction consumes 40% of the world’s material resources and primary energy, [...] Read more.

According to the most recent data from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, in 2020, 82.4 million people were forcibly displaced. In addition to this situation, in the developed world, building construction consumes 40% of the world’s material resources and primary energy, while the construction industry generates 35% of industrial waste and 40% of total global emissions. Therefore, the objective of the research is to propose an eco-efficient prototype for emergency housing, from the point of view of circular economy and regenerative sustainability, that can respond to situations of natural or humanitarian disasters. To achieve this, it will be necessary to identify the problem that must be answered and develop a theoretical model that will serve as a guide for future interventions of these characteristics. Finally, to verify the applicability of the developed protocol, a field work is executed in an unorganized settlement, Subaşi camp, located in Turkey. This research presents a novel prototype that could be used as an alternative to current emergency housing, not only responding adequately to the minimum standards of habitability, but also doing so in an eco-efficient, environmentally correct way and promoting the Sustainable Development Goals and circular economy established in the 2030 Agenda. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Management of Waste Materials in Construction)

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21 pages, 3002 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

From Sustainable Development Goals to Sustainable Cities: A Social Media Analysis for Policy-Making Decision

by Amal Marzouki, Arbi Chouikh, Sehl Mellouli and Rim Haddad

Sustainability 2021, 13(15), 8136; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13158136 - 21 Jul 2021

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 6289

Abstract

The United Nations (UN) adopted the seventeen “Sustainable Development Goals” (SDGs) in early September 2015. One of these goals is SDG 11, which refers to the sustainable cities and communities. In this context, local governments face the challenge of aligning with this objective. [...] Read more.

The United Nations (UN) adopted the seventeen “Sustainable Development Goals” (SDGs) in early September 2015. One of these goals is SDG 11, which refers to the sustainable cities and communities. In this context, local governments face the challenge of aligning with this objective. As a result, they are increasing outreach to their organizational boundaries to involve citizens in policy making and strategy development, continually listening to citizens’ voices. One of the methods citizens use to express themselves is social media. This paper will emphasize social media platforms and specially Twitter to explore the public discourse about cities in the context of SDG 11. We applied descriptive quantitative and qualitative analysis to analyze the tweets that include terms and hashtags referring to the SDG 11. The data analysis process is composed of three major procedures: 1-Engagement analysis, 2-Trends based analysis and 3-Data Insights. Our results show that: 1-the COVID’19 pandemic negatively impacted users engagement towards SDG 11, 2-new technologies such AI and IoT are gaining more importance to help cities reach SDG 11, and 3-the SDGs are related and one SDG can impact other SDGs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Building Smart and Sustainable Cities: Emerging Technologies and Innovation for Digital-Era Governance and Long-Term Impacts)

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24 pages, 7386 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Meteorological and Hydrological Drought Analysis and Its Impact on Water Quality and Stream Integrity

by Subhasis Giri, Ashok Mishra, Zhen Zhang, Richard G. Lathrop and Ali O. Alnahit

Sustainability 2021, 13(15), 8175; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13158175 - 21 Jul 2021

Cited by 21 | Viewed by 5920

Abstract

Rising temperature and shifting precipitation patterns due to climate change are likely to intensify droughts throughout the world. Understanding the drought characteristics of possible future scenarios under climate change requires verification of past drought events using appropriate drought indices. Consequently, this study investigates [...] Read more.

Rising temperature and shifting precipitation patterns due to climate change are likely to intensify droughts throughout the world. Understanding the drought characteristics of possible future scenarios under climate change requires verification of past drought events using appropriate drought indices. Consequently, this study investigates the application of two widely used drought indices, the standardized precipitation index (SPI) and standardized streamflow index (SSI), to characterize historical droughts, drought trends, and their impact on water quality and stream integrity for a selected study basin in New Jersey. Results indicated that both SPI and SSI were able to identify historical drought events, including three drought emergency periods and the most recent drought-watch periods. A significant positive meteorological drought was observed at the western side of the basin, whilst a significant positive hydrological drought was found in the eastern side. The average pollutant concentration of drought periods were lesser than non-drought periods due to reduction of different processes, such as erosion and transport of sediment and nutrients into rivers and streams, during drought periods as opposed to non-drought periods. The findings from this study will serve to bolster the ongoing efforts to formulate better drought management strategies for future climate change in the Raritan Basin. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Water Quality Management in the Changing Environment)

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7 pages, 193 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceEssay

What Does the Arctic’s Unstable Past Say about a Sustainable Future?

by Henry P. Huntington

Sustainability 2021, 13(14), 8067; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13148067 - 20 Jul 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2179

Abstract

Visions for tomorrow’s Arctic include complementary and conflicting ideas such as sustainability, security, prosperity, biodiversity, Indigenous rights, and more. Implicit in many of these views is the assumption that the right combination of policy and action will create a stable configuration producing the [...] Read more.

Visions for tomorrow’s Arctic include complementary and conflicting ideas such as sustainability, security, prosperity, biodiversity, Indigenous rights, and more. Implicit in many of these views is the assumption that the right combination of policy and action will create a stable configuration producing the intended outcome for the foreseeable future. Even a cursory review of Arctic history, however, shows that economic, political, cultural, ecological, climatic, and other forms of stability are unlikely. Instead, the lessons of the past suggest that local and global factors will continue to interact to create high variability. Individual policies and institutions may help promote effective responses to that variability, but a commitment to enduring equity is necessary to foster long-term well-being for the Arctic and its peoples. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Shaping Tomorrow’s Arctic)

20 pages, 5562 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Reusing Geopolymer Waste from Matrices Based on Metakaolin or Fly Ash for the Manufacture of New Binder Geopolymeric Matrices

by Rabii Hattaf, Abdelilah Aboulayt, Azzedine Samdi, Nouha Lahlou, Mohamed Ouazzani Touhami, Moussa Gomina and Redouane Moussa

Sustainability 2021, 13(14), 8070; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13148070 - 20 Jul 2021

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 3820

Abstract

The increasing use of geopolymer materials in the construction and civil engineering sectors generates a large amount of non-biodegradable waste that will end up in landfills. It is therefore necessary to anticipate solutions for the proper management of this waste. In this work, [...] Read more.

The increasing use of geopolymer materials in the construction and civil engineering sectors generates a large amount of non-biodegradable waste that will end up in landfills. It is therefore necessary to anticipate solutions for the proper management of this waste. In this work, new geopolymer materials were fabricated by partially replacing the reactive raw minerals (fly ash, FA, or metakaolin, MK) with used geopolymers (fully fly ash-based, FAref, or metakaolin-based, MKref), in order to develop a strategy to reuse geopolymer waste. Their workability and setting behavior were studied in the fresh state, and the geopolymerization process was investigated by calorimetry and by electrochemistry. Mechanical properties and the ability for coating mineral aggregates were assessed, and the resulting adhesion properties were analyzed using matrix/sand mortars. It appears that the new geopolymer materials as well as the mortars are endowed with good performances. The compressive strengths are above 50 MPa and therefore meet the requirements of different construction materials. This demonstrates the recyclability of geopolymer materials. Moreover, an analysis of the influence of the substitution of recycled geopolymers on the setting and on the mechanical performances of mortars makes it possible to propose a binder-recycled geopolymer interaction model for the formation of new binding matrices. Full article

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

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15 pages, 3881 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Recycled Asphalt Pavement Materials in Transport Pavement Infrastructure: Sustainability Analysis & Metrics

by Yunpeng Zhao, Dimitrios Goulias and Dominique Peterson

Sustainability 2021, 13(14), 8071; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13148071 - 20 Jul 2021

Cited by 35 | Viewed by 9233

Abstract

Transportation infrastructure is one of the largest consumers of natural materials. To improve the environmental quality and sustainable development of transportation infrastructure, it is important to implement sustainable strategies in pavement construction and rehabilitation. The use of recycled materials is a key element [...] Read more.

Transportation infrastructure is one of the largest consumers of natural materials. To improve the environmental quality and sustainable development of transportation infrastructure, it is important to implement sustainable strategies in pavement construction and rehabilitation. The use of recycled materials is a key element in generating sustainable pavement designs to save natural resources, reduce energy, greenhouse gas emissions, and costs. The objective of this study was to propose a methodology for assessing the environmental and economic life-cycle benefits when using recycled asphalt pavement (RAP) materials in highway projects. Previous studies on life cycle analysis (LCA) using RAP focused on the economics and/or environmental impacts during the material production process. Thus, there is a need to consider sustainability analysis at all stages of construction and rehabilitation during the performance period of pavement structures. This study addresses this need with the proposed methodology. The suggested approach could be potentially implemented in a pavement management system (PMS) so as to introduce sustainability principles in optimizing alternative rehabilitation strategies. The methodology includes various steps for the analysis, starting with condition assessment of the existing highway, identifying alternative structural pavement designs, predicting service life, setting up alternative rehabilitation strategies, and conducting life cycle environmental and economic analysis. To demonstrate the value of the methodology, a comparative parametric study was conducted on two real case study projects representing actual field conditions for primary roads in Maryland. These case studies were used in order to quantify the economic savings and environmental benefits of using different levels of RAP in highway rehabilitation. The results of the analysis indicate that incorporating RAP in pavement rehabilitation can contribute substantially to cost savings and environmental impact reduction (e.g., greenhouse gas emission, energy, water, and hazardous waste). The benefits illustrated in this study are expected to encourage wide adoption of the proposed methodology and the use of recycled materials in highway construction and rehabilitation. The methodology is transferable where similar materials and highway construction techniques are used. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recycled Materials and Infrastructure Sustainability)

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17 pages, 574 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Preparing an Organization for Sustainability Transitions—The Making of Boundary Spanners through Design Training

by Anna Yström, Marine Agogué and Romain Rampa

Sustainability 2021, 13(14), 8073; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13148073 - 20 Jul 2021

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3347

Abstract

Organizations today need to adapt their operations for a more sustainable future, and the transition management literature has highlighted the need for individuals who can collaborate with others to find new paths forward. Essentially, these individuals are boundary spanners with specific skills and [...] Read more.

Organizations today need to adapt their operations for a more sustainable future, and the transition management literature has highlighted the need for individuals who can collaborate with others to find new paths forward. Essentially, these individuals are boundary spanners with specific skills and competences to bridge diverging perspectives and facilitate knowledge dissemination and integration. Such individuals become critical change agents in organizations and essential in preparing the organization for sustainability transitions. The purpose of this study is to explore how organizations can enable and encourage individuals to take on this role and develop the skills and competences needed to become boundary spanners. Based on a case study set in a large Canadian energy corporation striving to shift towards more sustainable operations, our paper explores the emergence of boundary spanners, focusing on the effects of a design training program in supporting such roles in the organization. Our findings outline essential characteristics of boundary spanners; through illustrative career trajectories of four individuals participating in the training program, we show how the training program contributed to the emergence of boundary spanners. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Management)

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18 pages, 311 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Risk Handling Responsibilities in Tanzanian Project-Based Organisations

by Nyamagere Gladys Sospeter and Nicholas Chileshe

Sustainability 2021, 13(14), 8078; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13148078 - 20 Jul 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3800

Abstract

Risk handling is one of the elements and essential parts of risk management when properly incorporated into a project. However, there is inadequate knowledge amongst the contractual parties on risk handling responsibilities in road projects, particularly in Sub-Saharan African developing countries. This study [...] Read more.

Risk handling is one of the elements and essential parts of risk management when properly incorporated into a project. However, there is inadequate knowledge amongst the contractual parties on risk handling responsibilities in road projects, particularly in Sub-Saharan African developing countries. This study is aimed at bridging that knowledge gap by investigating the perceptions of contractors and consultants on the risk handling responsibilities in road projects in Tanzania. The primary data were collected from 80 registered foreign and local civil contractors and engineering consultants based in Dar es Salaam. Descriptive statistics and inferential statistics were used for the data analysis. The results show that both contractors and consultants ranked safety project provision and ensuring quality provision in terms of construction as shared risk responsibilities among contractual parties. The findings further show that consultant-related risk responsibilities are: safety provision, the use of historical cost deviation, ensuring quality provision, and review of knowledge on budgeting. On the other hand, contractor-related risk responsibilities include: safety provision and ensuring quality provision. The findings of this study can be used by the practitioners and stakeholders as important lessons useful for controlling risks and making decisions when they intend to participate in such projects during the construction stage. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Risk Management Trends in Project-Based Organizations)

19 pages, 1510 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceReview

The Partnership of Citizen Science and Machine Learning: Benefits, Risks, and Future Challenges for Engagement, Data Collection, and Data Quality

by Maryam Lotfian, Jens Ingensand and Maria Antonia Brovelli

Sustainability 2021, 13(14), 8087; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13148087 - 20 Jul 2021

Cited by 47 | Viewed by 9471

Abstract

Advances in artificial intelligence (AI) and the extension of citizen science to various scientific areas, as well as the generation of big citizen science data, are resulting in AI and citizen science being good partners, and their combination benefits both fields. The integration [...] Read more.

Advances in artificial intelligence (AI) and the extension of citizen science to various scientific areas, as well as the generation of big citizen science data, are resulting in AI and citizen science being good partners, and their combination benefits both fields. The integration of AI and citizen science has mostly been used in biodiversity projects, with the primary focus on using citizen science data to train machine learning (ML) algorithms for automatic species identification. In this article, we will look at how ML techniques can be used in citizen science and how they can influence volunteer engagement, data collection, and data validation. We reviewed several use cases from various domains and categorized them according to the ML technique used and the impact of ML on citizen science in each project. Furthermore, the benefits and risks of integrating ML in citizen science are explored, and some recommendations are provided on how to enhance the benefits while mitigating the risks of this integration. Finally, because this integration is still in its early phases, we have proposed some potential ideas and challenges that can be implemented in the future to leverage the power of the combination of citizen science and AI, with the key emphasis being on citizen science in this article. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Citizen Science in Environmentally Oriented Social Science Research: Trends, Projects, and Innovative Technologies)

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19 pages, 1509 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Links between Climate Change Knowledge, Perception and Action: Impacts on Personal Carbon Footprint

by Emilio Chuvieco, Mario Burgui-Burgui, Anabel Orellano, Gonzalo Otón and Paloma Ruíz-Benito

Sustainability 2021, 13(14), 8088; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13148088 - 20 Jul 2021

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 8416

Abstract

The current understanding of determinants of climate action and mitigation behaviour is largely based on measures of climate change including concerns, attitudes and beliefs. However, few studies have shown the actual effects of external and internal drivers on citizens’ lifestyles related to climate [...] Read more.

The current understanding of determinants of climate action and mitigation behaviour is largely based on measures of climate change including concerns, attitudes and beliefs. However, few studies have shown the actual effects of external and internal drivers on citizens’ lifestyles related to climate change, particularly in terms of their carbon footprint (CF). A questionnaire (N = 845) assessing the impact of potential explanation factors for personal CF was carried out in Spain. The study showed the importance of better understanding the factors affecting citizen’s consumption and climate change mitigation policies. Internal factors were not very explicative. Knowledge was linked to clothing and perceived commitment to food, with both sectors being more directly linked to personal choices than other CF sections. Both accounted for 40% of personal emissions. Frequency of action was not shown to be significantly related to any CF section. External factors, such as income, level of studies, age and type of work, were found to be more important than internal drivers in explaining personal CF, particularly type of work, age and income, which were linked to all CF sectors but household energy. Sex was highly associated to clothing, but also significant for transport. Political orientation was not found to be linked to any section of personal CF. Full article

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

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21 pages, 2840 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Sustainability Opportunities for Mediterranean Food Products through New Formulations Based on Carob Flour (Ceratonia siliqua L.)

by Manel Issaoui, Guido Flamini and Amélia Delgado

Sustainability 2021, 13(14), 8026; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13148026 - 19 Jul 2021

Cited by 32 | Viewed by 5320

Abstract

Carob flour is increasingly popular in innovative functional foods. Its main producers are Mediterranean countries, facing health and nutrition challenges, and difficulties in tackling climate change. This study aims at formulating innovative sustainable bakery products of high nutritional value while pleasing the consumer [...] Read more.

Carob flour is increasingly popular in innovative functional foods. Its main producers are Mediterranean countries, facing health and nutrition challenges, and difficulties in tackling climate change. This study aims at formulating innovative sustainable bakery products of high nutritional value while pleasing the consumer and addressing regional challenges. Hence, carob flour was obtained by grinding sun-dried carob pods, thus reducing the environmental impact, and preserving carob’s high nutraceutical value. Different bread formulations resulted from the blend of wheat flour with carob pulp (5, 10, 20, and 30%) and/or seed powder (5 and 10%), with no added fats, additives, or processing aids. New products were evaluated for their textural, chromatic, nutritional, aromatic, and hedonic properties. Carob is rich in aroma, antioxidants, and prebiotic fibers, and does not contain gluten, so when combined with wheat, the proportion of gluten in bread is reduced. Carob is also rich in minerals (4.16% and 2.00% ash, respectively in seed and pulp), and breadmaking seems to generate lesser furane derivatives than in white bread. In short, carob is typically Mediterranean and is a valuable local resource in the formulation of sustainable foods with high nutritional value, low carbon footprint, safe, healthy, tasty, and affordable, all at once. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Food Systems and Circular Bioeconomy)

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23 pages, 3386 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Impact of Information Sources on Promoting Tourism in a Rural Region: The Case of the Roman Villa of Noheda

by Nuria Huete-Alcocer and Miguel Ángel Valero-Tévar

Sustainability 2021, 13(14), 8038; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13148038 - 19 Jul 2021

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2919

Abstract

This paper presents a comparative analysis of the tools provided by the internet (social networks, websites, etc.) and traditional media (television, newspapers, word of mouth, etc.) in terms of their impact on the promotion of a tourism resource in a rural area: the [...] Read more.

This paper presents a comparative analysis of the tools provided by the internet (social networks, websites, etc.) and traditional media (television, newspapers, word of mouth, etc.) in terms of their impact on the promotion of a tourism resource in a rural area: the Roman villa of Noheda (Cuenca). Both of the aforementioned sources of information play a relevant role in promoting such archaeological destinations and influencing tourists’ decision-making when planning their visit. The literature suggests that social networks as well as other electronic channels can attract large numbers of tourists; however, this has not happened in the case of the archaeological site under study. It has become known through coverage in more traditional media such as television and the national and international press. Knowledge of the use of internet tools to promote these heritage sites is still very limited; thus, this study collected information through a questionnaire on the different sources of information (traditional and online) that tourists used when deciding to visit this site. An ANOVA analysis has been used to determine the relationship between the different sources of information and the place of residence and between said information sources and the overnight stays near Noheda. The results point to strategies that can be developed to promote these cultural resources in order to achieve the economic development of rural regions such as the Alcarria of Cuenca. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Tourism, Culture, and Heritage)

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18 pages, 20620 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

A BERT-Based Multi-Criteria Recommender System for Hotel Promotion Management

by Yuanyuan Zhuang and Jaekyeong Kim

Sustainability 2021, 13(14), 8039; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13148039 - 19 Jul 2021

Cited by 34 | Viewed by 6283

Abstract

Numerous reviews are posted every day on travel information sharing platforms and sites. Hotels want to develop a customer recommender system to quickly and effectively identify potential target customers. TripAdvisor, the travel website that provided the data used in this study, allows customers [...] Read more.

Numerous reviews are posted every day on travel information sharing platforms and sites. Hotels want to develop a customer recommender system to quickly and effectively identify potential target customers. TripAdvisor, the travel website that provided the data used in this study, allows customers to rate the hotel based on six criteria: Value, Service, Location, Room, Cleanliness, and Sleep Quality. Existing studies classify reviews into positive, negative, and neutral by extracting sentiment terms through simple sentimental analysis. However, this method has limitations in that it does not consider various aspects of hotels well. Therefore, this study performs fine-tuning the BERT (Bidirectional Encoder Representations from Transformers) model using review data with rating labels on the TripAdvisor site. This study suggests a multi-criteria recommender system to recommend a suitable target customers for the hotel. As the rating values of six criteria of TripAdvisor are insufficient, the proposed recommender system uses fine-tuned BERT to predict six criteria ratings. Based on this predicted ratings, a multi-criteria recommender system recommends personalized Top-N customers for each hotel. The performance of the multi-criteria recommender system suggested in this study is better than that of the benchmark system, a single-criteria recommender system using overall ratings. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of New Technologies in Tourism Activities)

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19 pages, 2451 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Building Cohesive Teams—The Role of Leaders’ Bottom-Line Mentality and Behavior

by Katrin Riisla, Hein Wendt, Mayowa T. Babalola and Martin Euwema

Sustainability 2021, 13(14), 8047; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13148047 - 19 Jul 2021

Cited by 23 | Viewed by 23423

Abstract

Team cohesiveness plays a crucial role in effective teamwork, innovation, and improved performance, and as such, its development among team members is an essential part of team management. However, it may be disregarded by leaders with a high bottom-line mentality (BLM; a single-minded [...] Read more.

Team cohesiveness plays a crucial role in effective teamwork, innovation, and improved performance, and as such, its development among team members is an essential part of team management. However, it may be disregarded by leaders with a high bottom-line mentality (BLM; a single-minded focus on the bottom line at the expense of other values or priorities). These leaders may show little interest in other priorities, such as ethical, social, or environmental considerations, and may be tempted to push their followers to go above and beyond what is expected, even if it means bending the rules, cutting corners, or engaging in other ethically problematic behaviors. We argue that although a team leader’s BLM may motivate followers to come together around the pursuit of a common goal, it may come at the expense of nurturing healthy interpersonal relationships, trust, and other important social resources within the team. Specifically, we argue that the way leaders with a high BLM approach their goals may affect team cohesiveness, and that it is particularly negative for female leaders. Using a large multi-national study, we found that this happens through increased directive and lowered participative leader behaviors. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Employee Management)

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12 pages, 5988 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Urban Nature: Does Green Infrastructure Relate to the Cultural and Creative Vitality of European Cities?

by Vishal Kumar and Aude Vuilliomenet

Sustainability 2021, 13(14), 8052; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13148052 - 19 Jul 2021

Cited by 21 | Viewed by 4941

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic severely upended cultural and creative production, consumption, and interactions in cities. Open green spaces, parks, forests, and gardens—green infrastructure—were instead utilized by citizens as a substitute for stimulating social interactions, sustainable tourism, and green growth. (1) The purpose of this [...] Read more.

The COVID-19 pandemic severely upended cultural and creative production, consumption, and interactions in cities. Open green spaces, parks, forests, and gardens—green infrastructure—were instead utilized by citizens as a substitute for stimulating social interactions, sustainable tourism, and green growth. (1) The purpose of this research is to understand whether the availability of green infrastructure relates to the Cultural and Creative Cities Monitor (CCCM) benchmarking project developed by the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission performance. Does new evidence suggest revising the CCCM conceptual framework and related urban policies, especially in relation to the EU Green Deal? (2) Data from OpenStreetMap was used to count the amount of green infrastructure in 184 European Cities covered by the CCM and was then correlated with the sub-indices of the CCCM. (3) We found a moderately positive correlation of green infrastructure with the cultural vibrancy of a city and a weak positive correlation with the enabling environment of a city. (4) In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the EU Green Deal and several other policy initiatives aimed at urban greening, we recommend that the CCCM include an Urban Nature sub-index as one of the performance indicators of the CCCM. An Urban Nature sub-index will broaden the goal of the CCCM by providing policymakers with a better understanding of actions and strategies to allow culture to contribute to social inclusion and green growth strategies in cities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cultural, Creative and Sustainable Cities)

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28 pages, 3686 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceReview

Contributions of Smart City Solutions and Technologies to Resilience against the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Literature Review

by Ayyoob Sharifi, Amir Reza Khavarian-Garmsir and Rama Krishna Reddy Kummitha

Sustainability 2021, 13(14), 8018; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13148018 - 18 Jul 2021

Cited by 161 | Viewed by 15826

Abstract

Since its emergence in late 2019, the COVID-19 pandemic has swept through many cities around the world, claiming millions of lives and causing major socio-economic impacts. The pandemic occurred at an important historical juncture when smart solutions and technologies have become ubiquitous in [...] Read more.

Since its emergence in late 2019, the COVID-19 pandemic has swept through many cities around the world, claiming millions of lives and causing major socio-economic impacts. The pandemic occurred at an important historical juncture when smart solutions and technologies have become ubiquitous in many cities. Against this background, in this review, we examine how smart city solutions and technologies have contributed to resilience by enhancing planning, absorption, recovery, and adaptation abilities. For this purpose, we reviewed 147 studies that have discussed issues related to the use of smart solutions and technologies during the pandemic. The results were synthesized under four themes, namely, planning and preparation, absorption, recovery, and adaptation. This review shows that investment in smart city initiatives can enhance the planning and preparation ability. In addition, the adoption of smart solutions and technologies can, among other things, enhance the capacity of cities to predict pandemic patterns, facilitate an integrated and timely response, minimize or postpone transmission of the virus, provide support to overstretched sectors, minimize supply chain disruption, ensure continuity of basic services, and offer solutions for optimizing city operations. These are promising results that demonstrate the utility of smart solutions for enhancing resilience. However, it should be noted that realizing this potential hinges on careful attention to important issues and challenges related to privacy and security, access to open-source data, technological affordance, legal barriers, technological feasibility, and citizen engagement. Despite this, this review shows that further development of smart city initiatives can provide unprecedented opportunities for enhancing resilience to the pandemic and similar future events. Full article

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

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18 pages, 2675 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Adoption of Satellite Offices in Response to a Pandemic: Sustainability and Infection Control

by Seungbeom Kim, Yooneun Lee and Byungchul Choi

Sustainability 2021, 13(14), 8008; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13148008 - 17 Jul 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 4907

Abstract

The office environment has changed rapidly due to the recent COVID-19 outbreak. Companies consider various types of remote work environments to contain the spread of the virus. Among them, a satellite office is a type of remote work environment where a number of [...] Read more.

The office environment has changed rapidly due to the recent COVID-19 outbreak. Companies consider various types of remote work environments to contain the spread of the virus. Among them, a satellite office is a type of remote work environment where a number of employees are allocated to their nearest office. The benefits from satellite offices are twofold: The significant reduction of travel distance also reduces the amount of carbon emission and fuel consumption. In addition, dividing employees into smaller groups significantly reduces the potential risks of infection in the office. This paper addresses a satellite office allocation problem that considers social and environmental sustainability and infection control at work. In order to evaluate the effect of different satellite office allocation, quantitative measures are developed for the following three criteria: carbon emission, fuel consumption, and the probability of infection occurrence at work. Simulation experiments are conducted to investigate different scenarios of regional infection rate and modes of transportation. The results show that adopting satellite offices not only reduces carbon emission and fuel consumption, but also mitigates business disruption in the pandemic. Full article

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

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15 pages, 1295 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

The Effects of Tunnel Technology on Crop Productivity and Livelihood of Smallholder Farmers in Nepal

by Diwakar KC, Dinesh Jamarkattel, Tek Maraseni, Dilip Nandwani and Pratibha Karki

Sustainability 2021, 13(14), 7935; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13147935 - 16 Jul 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 6644

Abstract

Technologies-based production practices are critical for agricultural growth and sustainable development in low-income countries like Nepal. In the last few years, tunnel house has been increasingly promoted as tools to enhance smallholder farmers’ livelihood and tackle climate adversaries. However, little is known about [...] Read more.

Technologies-based production practices are critical for agricultural growth and sustainable development in low-income countries like Nepal. In the last few years, tunnel house has been increasingly promoted as tools to enhance smallholder farmers’ livelihood and tackle climate adversaries. However, little is known about what factor determines its adoption and whether it helps smallholders adapt to climate change and experience better livelihood. We address these gaps using the cross-sectional survey data collected from 62 adopters and 92 non-adopters in three municipalities of Bagmati Province. We employed descriptive analysis and probit model and found out that age, farm size, and ethnicity strongly influence the technology adoption amongst smallholder farmers. Additionally, treatment model and ordinary least square (OLS) regression were utilized to examine tunnel technology’s effect. Our study shows that tunnel significantly increases production by 32 tons/year/hectare and protects crops from climate change effects such as heavy rainfall and temperature change. Likewise, tunnel technology increases the net crop income by $1700/year/hectare. However, the economic benefit is not substantial compared to technology’s adoption cost as adopters incur enormous costs of $12,000/year/hectare on equipment, labor and resources. These results suggest policymakers should concentrate on reducing the technology’s cost, which could be achieved through subsidies, financial support, or price control mechanisms. Ensuring technology’s affordability can contribute to smallholder farmers’ sustainable livelihood in Nepal and countries with similar contexts. Full article

(This article belongs to the Collection Agricultural Economics and Sustainable Food Consumption)

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21 pages, 3090 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceReview

Life Cycle Assessment and Material Flow Analysis: Two Under-Utilized Tools for Informing E-Waste Management

by Sohani Vihanga Withanage and Komal Habib

Sustainability 2021, 13(14), 7939; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13147939 - 16 Jul 2021

Cited by 41 | Viewed by 10196

Abstract

The unprecedented technological development and economic growth over the past two decades has resulted in streams of rapidly growing electronic waste (e-waste) around the world. As the potential source of secondary raw materials including precious and critical materials, e-waste has recently gained significant [...] Read more.

The unprecedented technological development and economic growth over the past two decades has resulted in streams of rapidly growing electronic waste (e-waste) around the world. As the potential source of secondary raw materials including precious and critical materials, e-waste has recently gained significant attention across the board, ranging from governments and industry, to academia and civil society organizations. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive review of the last decade of e-waste literature followed by an in-depth analysis of the application of material flow analysis (MFA) and life cycle assessment (LCA), i.e., two less commonly used strategic tools to guide the relevant stakeholders in efficient management of e-waste. Through a keyword search on two main online search databases, Scopus and Web of Science, 1835 peer-reviewed publications were selected and subjected to a bibliographic network analysis to identify and visualize major research themes across the selected literature. The selected 1835 studies were classified into ten different categories based on research area, such as environmental and human health impacts, recycling and recovery technologies, associated social aspects, etc. With this selected literature in mind, the review process revealed the two least explored research areas over the past decade: MFA and LCA with 33 and 31 studies, respectively. A further in-depth analysis was conducted for these two areas regarding their application to various systems with numerous scopes and different stages of e-waste life cycle. The study provides a detailed discussion regarding their applicability, and highlights challenges and opportunities for further research. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Municipal Solid Waste Management)

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25 pages, 5844 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Development of an Integrated Design Strategy for Blue-Green Architecture

by Friederike Well and Ferdinand Ludwig

Sustainability 2021, 13(14), 7944; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13147944 - 16 Jul 2021

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 6391

Abstract

Blue-green architecture entails buildings that contribute to improving the urban climate through the synergetic combination of water management and vegetation. They are part of an urban blue-green infrastructure network that combines ecosystem services in a multifunctional way. Projects implemented in an interdisciplinary manner [...] Read more.

Blue-green architecture entails buildings that contribute to improving the urban climate through the synergetic combination of water management and vegetation. They are part of an urban blue-green infrastructure network that combines ecosystem services in a multifunctional way. Projects implemented in an interdisciplinary manner create synergies with regard to the combination of water-related and vegetation-related objectives. However, applicable design strategies for this approach are currently lacking in practice. This paper investigates the approach of a blue-green architectural project in Stuttgart (the so called “Impulse Project”) and derives insights for an integrated design strategy. The analysis and transfer of the research is carried out by using the research by design methodology. For this purpose, the interdisciplinary design process is divided into three phases (pre-design, design, post-design) and described in detail. Reflection on the documented design reveals the knowledge gained and enables the transfer of the findings to future projects by means of the integrated design strategy for blue-green architecture. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Green Infrastructure (UGI): Biodiversity, Ecosystem Services and Human Well-Being)

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16 pages, 924 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Sustainable Tourism Product Development: An Application of Product Design Concepts

by Marco Haid and Julia N. Albrecht

Sustainability 2021, 13(14), 7957; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13147957 - 16 Jul 2021

Cited by 27 | Viewed by 14210

Abstract

This study examines sustainable tourism products in tourism destinations. Based on concepts of sustainable product design, our study proposes a framework for sustainable tourism products by adapting an existing Design for Sustainability Framework to consider and analyze the characteristics and themes of sustainable [...] Read more.

This study examines sustainable tourism products in tourism destinations. Based on concepts of sustainable product design, our study proposes a framework for sustainable tourism products by adapting an existing Design for Sustainability Framework to consider and analyze the characteristics and themes of sustainable (tourism) products as well as their impact and scope. Using a pragmatic qualitative approach, 15 semi-structured interviews with destination managers from the German-speaking Alpine region formed the empirical basis of the study. The results emphasize key themes and multiple characteristics associated with sustainable tourism products in tourist destinations, addressing all sustainability components and design innovation levels. This study is the first to apply existing sustainable product design concepts to destination contexts and discuss their applicability for sustainable tourism products. For practitioners, this study provides support for the development of sustainable tourism products and contributes to a better understanding of the effects and levels of these products as well as sustainability marketing. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Product Development for Sustainable Tourism)

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21 pages, 783 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

The Effect of Socially Responsible HRM on Organizational Citizenship Behavior for the Environment: A Proactive Motivation Model

by Junqian He and Hyosun Kim

Sustainability 2021, 13(14), 7958; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13147958 - 16 Jul 2021

Cited by 27 | Viewed by 6517

Abstract

Many organizations face the important challenges of motivating employees effectively to participate in corporate social responsibility initiatives and maintaining socially responsible human resource management practices. We examine whether socially responsible human resource management (SRHRM) practices can affect employees’ social responsibility-related behaviors, such as [...] Read more.

Many organizations face the important challenges of motivating employees effectively to participate in corporate social responsibility initiatives and maintaining socially responsible human resource management practices. We examine whether socially responsible human resource management (SRHRM) practices can affect employees’ social responsibility-related behaviors, such as organizational citizenship behavior for the environment (OCBE). Based on proactive motivation theory, we propose a multiple-mediation model, selecting moral efficacy, felt obligation, and empathy as the mediators. We analyzed data from a sample of 535 employees from 23 manufacturing companies in China. The results show that SRHRM practices have a significant positive effect on OCBE. We also found that moral efficacy, felt obligation, and empathy significantly mediate the effect of SRHRM practices on OCBE and that there is no significant difference among the three mediation paths. Our study suggests that organizational pursuit of the socially responsible human resource management practices is an effective pathway to make employees feel more responsible toward global sustainability. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability and Human Resources Management)

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16 pages, 4733 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Changes in Passengers’ Travel Behavior Due to COVID-19

by Dong-Gyun Ku, Jung-Sik Um, Young-Ji Byon, Joo-Young Kim and Seung-Jae Lee

Sustainability 2021, 13(14), 7974; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13147974 - 16 Jul 2021

Cited by 48 | Viewed by 5597

Abstract

The COVID-19 outbreak in 2020 has changed the way people travel due to its highly contagious nature. In this study, changes in the travel behavior of passengers due to COVID-19 in the first half of 2020 were examined. To determine whether COVID-19 has [...] Read more.

The COVID-19 outbreak in 2020 has changed the way people travel due to its highly contagious nature. In this study, changes in the travel behavior of passengers due to COVID-19 in the first half of 2020 were examined. To determine whether COVID-19 has affected the use of transportation by passengers, paired t-tests were conducted between the passenger volume of private vehicles in Seoul prior to and after the pandemic. Additionally, the passenger occupancy rate of different modes of transportation during the similar time periods were compared and analyzed to identify the changes in monthly usage rate for each mode. In the case of private vehicles and public bicycles, the usage rates have recovered or increased when compared to those of before the pandemic. Conversely, bus and rail passenger service rates have decreased from the previous year before the pandemic. Furthermore, it is found that existing bus and rail users have switched to the private auto mode due to COVID-19. Based on the results, traffic patterns of travelers after the outbreak and implications responding to the pandemic are discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Travel Behavior Research and Sustainable Urban and Transportation Planning)

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23 pages, 10794 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceReview

Lattice Boltzmann Method in Modeling Biofilm Formation, Growth and Detachment

by Mojtaba Aghajani Delavar and Junye Wang

Sustainability 2021, 13(14), 7968; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13147968 - 16 Jul 2021

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 4583

Abstract

Biofilms are a complex and heterogeneous aggregation of multiple populations of microorganisms linked together by their excretion of extracellular polymer substances (EPS). Biofilms can cause many serious problems, such as chronic infections, food contamination and equipment corrosion, although they can be useful for [...] Read more.

Biofilms are a complex and heterogeneous aggregation of multiple populations of microorganisms linked together by their excretion of extracellular polymer substances (EPS). Biofilms can cause many serious problems, such as chronic infections, food contamination and equipment corrosion, although they can be useful for constructive purposes, such as in wastewater treatment, heavy metal removal from hazardous waste sites, biofuel production, power generation through microbial fuel cells and microbially enhanced oil recovery; however, biofilm formation and growth are complex due to interactions among physicochemical and biological processes under operational and environmental conditions. Advanced numerical modeling techniques using the lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) are enabling the prediction of biofilm formation and growth and microbial community structures. This study is the first attempt to perform a general review on major contributions to LBM-based biofilm models, ranging from pioneering efforts to more recent progress. We present our understanding of the modeling of biofilm formation, growth and detachment using LBM-based models and present the fundamental aspects of various LBM-based biofilm models. We describe how the LBM couples with cellular automata (CA) and individual-based model (IbM) approaches and discuss their applications in assessing the spatiotemporal distribution of biofilms and their associated parameters and evaluating bioconversion efficiency. Finally, we discuss the main features and drawbacks of LBM-based biofilm models from ecological and biotechnological perspectives and identify current knowledge gaps and future research priorities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wastewater Based Microbial Biorefinery for Bioenergy Production)

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