Sustainability

22 pages, 2219 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Sustainable Business Models–Canvas for Sustainability, Evaluation Method, and Their Application to Additive Manufacturing in Aircraft Maintenance

by Gonçalo Cardeal, Kristina Höse, Inês Ribeiro and Uwe Götze

Sustainability 2020, 12(21), 9130; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12219130 - 3 Nov 2020

Cited by 57 | Viewed by 20640

Abstract

The topic of sustainable business models is growing in literature and in the industry, driving companies to search for opportunities to improve their impact on the three pillars of sustainability—profit, people, and planet (economic, social, and environmental). However, the process of developing sustainable [...] Read more.

The topic of sustainable business models is growing in literature and in the industry, driving companies to search for opportunities to improve their impact on the three pillars of sustainability—profit, people, and planet (economic, social, and environmental). However, the process of developing sustainable business models is often complex, due to conflicting objectives from the three dimensions of sustainability. This paper presents a procedure model that supports the design and assessment of business models with a sustainable perspective, by integrating a new business model canvas for sustainability (BMCS) and an evaluation method to assess it. A comprehensive assessment is proposed, performed in a life cycle perspective. The proposed model is applied and validated with a real case study, based on a new business model for an aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul company. The case is based on shifting from traditional maintenance, repair, and overhaul activities to adopting additive manufacturing as an activity that allows manufacturing optimized spare parts with benefits for the costumer. The results show the application of the procedure model on a specific case study, as well as the potential of additive manufacturing as a driver for more sustainable business models in the aircraft maintenance sector. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Product Development and Life-Cycle Management)

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22 pages, 2230 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Does the Environmental Kuznets Curve Exist? An International Study

by Nutnaree Maneejuk, Sutthipat Ratchakom, Paravee Maneejuk and Woraphon Yamaka

Sustainability 2020, 12(21), 9117; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12219117 - 2 Nov 2020

Cited by 68 | Viewed by 11314

Abstract

This study aims to examine the relationship between economic development and environmental degradation based on the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) hypothesis. The level of CO₂ emissions is used as the indicator of environmental damage to determine whether or not greater economic growth [...] Read more.

This study aims to examine the relationship between economic development and environmental degradation based on the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) hypothesis. The level of CO₂ emissions is used as the indicator of environmental damage to determine whether or not greater economic growth can lower environmental degradation under the EKC hypothesis. The investigation was performed on eight major international economic communities covering 44 countries across the world. The relationship between economic growth and environmental condition was estimated using the kink regression model, which identifies the turning point of the change in the relationship. The findings indicate that the EKC hypothesis is valid in only three out of the eight international economic communities, namely the European Union (EU), Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), and Group of Seven (G7). In addition, interesting results were obtained from the inclusion of four other control variables into the estimation model for groups of countries to explain the impact on environmental quality. Financial development (FIN), the industrial sector (IND), and urbanization (URB) were found to lead to increasing CO₂ emissions, while renewable energies (RNE) appeared to reduce the environmental degradation. In addition, when we further investigated the existence of the EKC hypothesis in an individual country, the results showed that the EKC hypothesis is valid in only 9 out of the 44 individual countries. Full article

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

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20 pages, 3084 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Prediction for Overheating Risk Based on Deep Learning in a Zero Energy Building

by Yue Yuan, Jisoo Shim, Seungkeon Lee, Doosam Song and Joowook Kim

Sustainability 2020, 12(21), 8974; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12218974 - 29 Oct 2020

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3438

Abstract

The Passive House standard has become the standard for many countries in the construction of the Zero Energy Building (ZEB). Korea also adopted the standard and has achieved great success in building energy savings. However, some issues remain with ZEBs in Korea. Among [...] Read more.

The Passive House standard has become the standard for many countries in the construction of the Zero Energy Building (ZEB). Korea also adopted the standard and has achieved great success in building energy savings. However, some issues remain with ZEBs in Korea. Among them, this study aims to discuss overheating issues. Field measurements were carried out to analyze the overheating risk for a library built as a ZEB. A data-driven overheating risk prediction model was developed to analyze the overheating risk, requiring only a small amount of data and extending the analysis throughout the year. The main factors causing overheating during both the cooling season and the intermediate seasons are also analyzed in detail. The overheating frequency exceeded 60% of days in July and August, the midsummer season in Korea. Overheating also occurred during the intermediate seasons when air conditioners were off, such as in May and October in Korea. Overheating during the cooling season was caused mainly by unexpected increases in occupancy rate, while overheating in the mid-term was mainly due to an increase in solar irradiation. This is because domestic ZEB standards define the reinforcement of insulation and airtight performance, but there are no standards for solar insolation through windows or for internal heat generation. The results of this study suggest that a fixed performance standard for ZEBs that does not reflect the climate or cultural characteristics of the region in which a ZEB is built may not result in energy savings at the operational stage and may not guarantee the thermal comfort of occupants. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Smart City and Zero Energy House/Building)

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18 pages, 357 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

COVID-19: Risk Factors and Protective Role of Resilience and Coping Strategies for Emergency Stress and Secondary Trauma in Medical Staff and Emergency Workers—An Online-Based Inquiry

by Tiziana Maiorano, Monia Vagni, Valeria Giostra and Daniela Pajardi

Sustainability 2020, 12(21), 9004; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12219004 - 29 Oct 2020

Cited by 60 | Viewed by 8448

Abstract

The COVID-19 crisis has placed a heavy burden on medical staff and emergency workers, who may be at risk of developing psychological distress and secondary trauma. Coping and resilience to stress during a pandemic are protective factors that can mitigate the potential adverse [...] Read more.

The COVID-19 crisis has placed a heavy burden on medical staff and emergency workers, who may be at risk of developing psychological distress and secondary trauma. Coping and resilience to stress during a pandemic are protective factors that can mitigate the potential adverse psychological effects. Here, we investigated the direct and mediated effects of coping strategies and hardiness on secondary trauma among Italian medical staff (physicians and nurses, n = 140) and emergency workers (firefighters, civil protection, and ambulance personnel, n = 100) involved in the first phase of the pandemic. For this purpose, we collected data from participants through online questionnaires to measure emergency stress, coping strategies, hardiness, and secondary trauma. Other variables analyzed were age, sex, direct contact with COVID-19 patients, and use of personal protective equipment (PPE). We performed a correlational analysis, regressions, and a mediation analysis. The results show that nurses and physicians experienced higher levels of emergency stress than emergency workers. Direct contact with COVID-19 patients, female sex, unexpected events, and lack of PPE were risk factors for emergency stress, while resilience and coping strategies played a protective role. Mediation analysis shows that coping strategies and hardiness are protective factors and reduce the effect of stress on secondary trauma. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Working during the COVID-19 Global Pandemic)

12 pages, 221 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Blockchain Technology: Redefining Trust for Digital Certificates

by Guendalina Capece, Nathan Levialdi Ghiron and Francesco Pasquale

Sustainability 2020, 12(21), 8952; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12218952 - 28 Oct 2020

Cited by 64 | Viewed by 7667

Abstract

University certificates can have a significant impact on people’s lives: they can help people get the job they want or allow companies to decide whether a candidate for a job has the appropriate skills. Despite their important social role, current systems for certifying [...] Read more.

University certificates can have a significant impact on people’s lives: they can help people get the job they want or allow companies to decide whether a candidate for a job has the appropriate skills. Despite their important social role, current systems for certifying academic achievements are slow, complicated, expensive, and vulnerable to forgery. In the education field, the Blockcerts project, an open source project launched by MIT and Learning Machine in 2016, seems to have the potential to become a new standard for issuing certificates using the Blockchain technology as a platform. It enables students to quickly and easily get a verifiable, tamper-proof version of their diploma. Additionally, the infrastructure provides permanence, convenience, and a level of security appropriate to the importance of the record, guaranteeing the legitimacy of the diploma. The University of Rome “Tor Vergata” started a pilot program in 2018 adopting the Blockcerts framework to issue digital diplomas. In this paper, we describe the whole process from a technical perspective and analyze the impact that a broad adoption of the Blockcerts standard might have, as compared to the current way of issuing diplomas at the University of “Tor Vergata”. Our aim is that our work might contribute to building momentum for the application of the Blockchain technology to digital certificates and stimulate further discussion with other institutions to fully exploit the potential of the technology. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Digital Innovation in Public Administration: Cultural and Technological Dimensions)

21 pages, 1974 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Social Safety of Society for Developing Countries to Meet Sustainable Development Standards: Indicators, Level, Strategic Benchmarks (with Calculations Based on the Case Study of Ukraine)

by Yurii Kharazishvili, Aleksy Kwilinski, Olena Grishnova and Henryk Dzwigol

Sustainability 2020, 12(21), 8953; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12218953 - 28 Oct 2020

Cited by 159 | Viewed by 7631

Abstract

The paper is devoted to identifying the level of social safety of society, taking into account the indicators of shadow economy, and developing its strategic scenarios as a component of sustainable development of Ukraine by 2030. The authors used the modern methods of [...] Read more.

The paper is devoted to identifying the level of social safety of society, taking into account the indicators of shadow economy, and developing its strategic scenarios as a component of sustainable development of Ukraine by 2030. The authors used the modern methods of normalisation, threshold vector determination, and dynamic weight coefficients in order to identify the level of social safety of society. The authors developed the structure and a list of indicators considering three components of social safety: The standard of living, the demographic component, and the quality of life. This method allows determining the list and severity of threats, comparing the dynamics of integral indices with integral thresholds in one scale, identifying the state of security, and defining strategic goals and strategies. The suggested approach is universal and can be used by any country, region, economic activity, or business to develop evidence-based medium-to-long-term sustainable development scenarios. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Management)

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19 pages, 830 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceReview

Improving Maritime Transport Sustainability Using Blockchain-Based Information Exchange

by Marija Jović, Edvard Tijan, Dražen Žgaljić and Saša Aksentijević

Sustainability 2020, 12(21), 8866; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12218866 - 26 Oct 2020

Cited by 63 | Viewed by 10909

Abstract

In this paper, the authors perform a comprehensive literature review of the positive impacts of blockchain-based information exchange in the maritime transport sector, as well as the challenges and barriers for successful blockchain-based information exchange, considering all three aspects of the sustainability (economic, [...] Read more.

In this paper, the authors perform a comprehensive literature review of the positive impacts of blockchain-based information exchange in the maritime transport sector, as well as the challenges and barriers for successful blockchain-based information exchange, considering all three aspects of the sustainability (economic, environmental, and social). The papers from relevant databases (Web of Science and Scopus) and selected studies have been used. The literature coverage was expanded by using backward snowball sampling. In total, 20 positive impacts and 20 challenges/barriers were singled out. Despite the identified barriers and challenges (such as the slow acceptance of blockchain technology in the maritime transport sector or the high implementation cost), blockchain technology possesses a definite potential to improve the information exchange between all involved stakeholders (for example, by improving the visibility across transport routes and by reducing the paper-based processes), positively affecting all three aspects of sustainability. The authors contribute to the existing research of the economic aspect of maritime transport sustainability by blockchain-based information exchange by expanding it and by researching the environmental and social aspects of sustainability. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Methods for Improving Sustainability of Passenger and Freight Transport)

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24 pages, 1872 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on the Resilience of Sustainable Mobility in Sicily

by Tiziana Campisi, Socrates Basbas, Anastasios Skoufas, Nurten Akgün, Dario Ticali and Giovanni Tesoriere

Sustainability 2020, 12(21), 8829; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12218829 - 23 Oct 2020

Cited by 188 | Viewed by 14537

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in unprecedented measures changing travel habits in many countries. Many users have started to prefer traveling by private cars, which is against the sustainability policies of the European cities. The necessity of gaining a deeper understanding of road [...] Read more.

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in unprecedented measures changing travel habits in many countries. Many users have started to prefer traveling by private cars, which is against the sustainability policies of the European cities. The necessity of gaining a deeper understanding of road users’ travel habit changes, their feelings on public transport use, and their perceptions of using sustainable urban mobility modes has emerged for future transport planning. Considering these facts, the study in this paper aimed to investigate the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on road users’ perceptions, needs, and use of sustainable travel modes (i.e., public transport, walking, and cycling). An online survey was carried out during the period from March to May 2020 in the case study area, Sicily of Southern Italy. Regarding the population of the case study, the survey was representative, with 431 individuals. The survey included variables, namely gender, age, city of residence, private car ownership, walking and cycling frequency before and during the pandemic, public transport use frequency for leisure activities before and during the pandemic, need for remote working, and the stress and anxiety perception of using public transport during the pandemic. The analysis started with descriptive statistics and it was followed by correlation analysis in order to explore the characteristics of the dataset and relationship between variables. It was found that these were not statistically significantly correlated at a 95% confidence level. An ordinal regression model was applied for determining the predictions. The results suggested that women were less likely to walk during the pandemic than men. Participants were more likely to resume remote work even after the second phase in order to reduce their daily travel needs and keep their isolation. Participants have expressed a positive opinion on the use of micromobility during pandemic situations. These results can be considered as a basis for sustainable urban planning and a guide for decision-makers who aim to encourage the use of public transport, walking, cycling, and micromobility. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Vulnerability and Resilience of Transport Systems: How to Manage Unexpected Events)

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18 pages, 931 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Being a Better Neighbor: A Value-Based Perspective on Negotiating Acceptability of Locally-Owned Wind Projects

by Esther C. van der Waal, Henny J. van der Windt, Rixt Botma and Ellen C. J. van Oost

Sustainability 2020, 12(21), 8767; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12218767 - 22 Oct 2020

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2720

Abstract

We pose that instead of problematizing negative attitudes of local stakeholders, such as citizens and NGOs, wind energy implementers should be more focused on scrutinizing the acceptability of their projects. The emphasis in this study is on the potential for representation of local [...] Read more.

We pose that instead of problematizing negative attitudes of local stakeholders, such as citizens and NGOs, wind energy implementers should be more focused on scrutinizing the acceptability of their projects. The emphasis in this study is on the potential for representation of local stakeholders’ values in the project design, including amongst others business model and placement. Informed by value sensitive design literature, we analyzed two contrasting, locally-owned wind projects in the Dutch province of Groningen: the implementation of mini-turbines in a national landscape and a large-scale multi MW wind project in an industrialized area close to a World Heritage nature reserve. The study analyses how the respective farmer-developers and other local stakeholders attempted to resolve or ameliorate inter- and intra-value conflicts regarding livability, economy, landscape, and nature. The value conflicts turned out to be fruitful to identifying key issues and creating more widely shared value conceptualizations and design priorities. Hence, from this study it can be concluded that value conflict can be productive if carefully unpacked and managed. Uneven power distribution among stakeholders in the planning process, overcoming incommensurability of perspectives, and creating intersubjectivity remain challenges. Full article

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

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26 pages, 5047 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Using Experimentally Validated Navier-Stokes CFD to Minimize Tidal Stream Turbine Power Losses Due to Wake/Turbine Interactions

by Federico Attene, Francesco Balduzzi, Alessandro Bianchini and M. Sergio Campobasso

Sustainability 2020, 12(21), 8768; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12218768 - 22 Oct 2020

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 3941

Abstract

Tidal stream turbines fixed on the seabed can harness the power of tides at locations where the bathymetry and/or coastal geography result in high kinetic energy levels of the flood and/or neap currents. In large turbine arrays, however, avoiding interactions between upstream turbine [...] Read more.

Tidal stream turbines fixed on the seabed can harness the power of tides at locations where the bathymetry and/or coastal geography result in high kinetic energy levels of the flood and/or neap currents. In large turbine arrays, however, avoiding interactions between upstream turbine wakes and downstream turbine rotors may be hard or impossible, and, therefore, tidal array layouts have to be designed to minimize the power losses caused by these interactions. For the first time, using Navier-Stokes computational fluid dynamics simulations which model the turbines with generalized actuator disks, two sets of flume tank experiments of an isolated turbine and arrays of up to four turbines are analyzed in a thorough and comprehensive fashion to investigate these interactions and the power losses they induce. Very good agreement of simulations and experiments is found in most cases. The key novel finding of this study is the evidence that the flow acceleration between the wakes of two adjacent turbines can be exploited not only to increase the kinetic energy available to a turbine working further downstream in the accelerated flow corridor, but also to reduce the power losses of said turbine due to its rotor interaction with the wake produced by a fourth turbine further upstream. By making use of periodic array simulations, it is also found that there exists an optimal lateral spacing of the two adjacent turbines, which maximizes the power of the downstream turbine with respect to when the two adjacent turbines are absent or further apart. This is accomplished by trading off the amount of flow acceleration between the wakes of the lateral turbines, and the losses due to shear and mixing of the front turbine wake and the wakes of the two lateral turbines. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Development and Application of Computational Fluid Dynamics in Offshore Renewable Energy)

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21 pages, 2460 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Indoor Acoustic Comfort Provided by an Innovative Preconstructed Wall Module: Sound Insulation Performance Analysis

by Dimitra Tsirigoti, Christina Giarma and Katerina Tsikaloudaki

Sustainability 2020, 12(20), 8666; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12208666 - 19 Oct 2020

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 4059

Abstract

The complicated nature of indoor environmental quality (IEQ) (thermal, visual, acoustic comfort, etc.) dictates a multi-fold approach for desirable IEQ levels to be achieved. The improvement of building shells’ thermal performance, imposed by the constantly revised buildings’ energy performance regulations, does not necessarily [...] Read more.

The complicated nature of indoor environmental quality (IEQ) (thermal, visual, acoustic comfort, etc.) dictates a multi-fold approach for desirable IEQ levels to be achieved. The improvement of building shells’ thermal performance, imposed by the constantly revised buildings’ energy performance regulations, does not necessarily guarantee the upgrade of all IEQ-related aspects, such as the construction’s acoustic quality, as most of the commonly used insulation materials are characterized by their low acoustic performance properties. From this perspective the SUstainable PReconstructed Innovative Module (SU.PR.I.M.) research project investigates a new, innovative preconstructed building module with advanced characteristics, which can, among other features, provide a high quality of acoustic performance in the indoor space. The module consists of two reinforced concrete vertical panels, between which the load bearing steel profiles are positioned. In the cavity and at the exterior surface of the panel there is a layer of thermal insulation. For the scope of the analysis, different external finishing surfaces are considered, including cladding with slate and brick, and different cavity insulation materials are examined. The addition of Phase Change Materials (PCM) in different mix proportions in the interior concrete panel is also examined. For the calculation of the sound insulation performance of the building module the INSUL 9.0 software is used. The results were validated through an experimental measurement in the laboratory in order to test the consistency of the values obtained. The results indicate that the examined preconstructed module can cover the sound insulation national regulation’s performance limits, but the implementation of such panels in building constructions should be carefully considered in case of lower frequency noise environments. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Indoor Environmental Quality and Energy Sustainability)

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11 pages, 2075 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

The Impact of Hydropeaking on Juvenile Brown Trout (Salmo trutta) in a Norwegian Regulated River

by Svein Jakob Saltveit, Åge Brabrand, Ana Juárez, Morten Stickler and Bjørn Otto Dønnum

Sustainability 2020, 12(20), 8670; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12208670 - 19 Oct 2020

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 2913

Abstract

The Norwegian electrical energy supply system is based on hydropower. The now deregulated energy market has led to increased use of hydropeaking production, leading to greater fluctuations in discharge and water levels below hydropower stations. The power station HOL 1, with an outlet [...] Read more.

The Norwegian electrical energy supply system is based on hydropower. The now deregulated energy market has led to increased use of hydropeaking production, leading to greater fluctuations in discharge and water levels below hydropower stations. The power station HOL 1, with an outlet to the Storåne River, is a large hydropeaking facility. With over 300 rapid flow increases and decreases per year since 2012, it is a river subjected to frequent hydropeaking. To quantify the stranding risk downstream of the power plant, the effect of a series of different turbine shutdown scenarios was simulated in an earlier study. The residual flow of 6 m³·s⁻¹ and a full production of 66 m³·s⁻¹ were considered as the baselines for the calculation of dewatered areas. A three-year study of juvenile fish density both upstream as a reference and downstream of the power plant was undertaken. There were very low densities or even an absence of brown trout (Salmo trutta) older than young-of-the-year (YoY) below the outlet of the power station, despite high densities of YoY in previous years. This is probably due to the large and rapid changes in flow below the power station. Hydropeaking has less impact on the earliest life stages of brown trout during spring and summer, as well as on spawning and egg development during winter. This is attributed spawning in late autumn occurring at a low flow seldom reached during hydropeaking. The high survival of YoY during the first summer and early autumn is likely due to a lower frequency of hydropeaking and higher residual flows, leaving a larger wetted area. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hydropower Impacts on Aquatic Biota)

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20 pages, 804 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Project Management and Sustainability: Playing Trick or Treat with the Planet

by Danijela Toljaga-Nikolić, Marija Todorović, Marina Dobrota, Tijana Obradović and Vladimir Obradović

Sustainability 2020, 12(20), 8619; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12208619 - 18 Oct 2020

Cited by 50 | Viewed by 12690

Abstract

The incorporation of the social, environmental, and economic dimensions of sustainability in different aspects of human life and business provides a guarantee for our future. Organizations have shown a great interest in incorporating sustainability into managerial concepts, both at the strategic and operational [...] Read more.

The incorporation of the social, environmental, and economic dimensions of sustainability in different aspects of human life and business provides a guarantee for our future. Organizations have shown a great interest in incorporating sustainability into managerial concepts, both at the strategic and operational levels. Sustainable business strategies are being implemented in many projects, which has led to a recent expansion of interest in exploring the potential of integrating sustainability dimensions in project management. With the intention of contributing to a better understanding of sustainable project management, this paper examines whether project management methodologies, applied in different sectors, support the introduction of sustainability dimensions. It also surveys the level of integration of sustainability dimensions in groups of project management processes. Considering that the incorporation of sustainability in project management poses numerous challenges for project managers, this paper examines the necessary knowledge and skills required for sustainable project management in different sectors. As part of this research, an empirical survey was conducted in project-oriented organizations from both the public and private sectors. The findings reveal that the application of project management methodologies promotes the introduction of sustainability dimensions, particularly the social aspect, irrespective of the sector, since the processes in projects managed by a specific methodology are consistent with the social elements of sustainability. In the public sector, there is a noticeable lack of knowledge of the meaning and dimensions of sustainability and, accordingly, an urgent need for project managers to gain knowledge and skills pertaining to sustainable project management. Full article

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

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18 pages, 1390 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Why Is Airline Food Always Dreadful? Analysis of Factors Influencing Passengers’ Food Wasting Behaviour

by Fangzhou You, Tracy Bhamra and Debra Lilley

Sustainability 2020, 12(20), 8571; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12208571 - 16 Oct 2020

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 10416

Abstract

Food waste is emerging as a global issue and has been recognised in the Sustainable Development Goals with a specific target to halve per capita global food waste at consumer levels and reduce food losses by 2030. Research on food waste has been [...] Read more.

Food waste is emerging as a global issue and has been recognised in the Sustainable Development Goals with a specific target to halve per capita global food waste at consumer levels and reduce food losses by 2030. Research on food waste has been neglected particularly in the aviation sector. The International Air Transport Association reported that 5.7 million tonnes of cabin waste was generated on airlines, up to 80.5% of which was leftover food and beverages. The exploration of passengers’ food wasting aims to provide insights for tackling the airline food waste problem. To address this issue, this research investigated the in-flight catering experience of 19 passengers from 21 full-service flights. Qualitative research techniques have been applied to analyse passengers’ food-wasting behaviour by collecting participant-produced photographs and completed questionnaires concerning food-related behaviour. This research identified key factors associated with passengers’ food wasting behaviour by adopting Design for Sustainable Behaviour approaches. Four types of factors were found to influence onboard passenger waste, these were normative, habitual, intentional and situational factors. This research indicates that behavioural change interventions need to incorporate the power of social norms to prevent food waste. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Meeting Sustainable Development Goals by Reducing Food Loss)

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12 pages, 256 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Sports Entrepreneurship

by Paloma Escamilla-Fajardo, Juan M. Núñez-Pomar, Ferran Calabuig-Moreno and Ana M. Gómez-Tafalla

Sustainability 2020, 12(20), 8493; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12208493 - 15 Oct 2020

Cited by 27 | Viewed by 9778

Abstract

Sports entrepreneurship has been considered an important part of sports organisations when overcoming crisis situations. The aim of this study is to determine the impact of the crisis derived from COVID-19 on sports entrepreneurship and whether there are differences in the prediction of [...] Read more.

Sports entrepreneurship has been considered an important part of sports organisations when overcoming crisis situations. The aim of this study is to determine the impact of the crisis derived from COVID-19 on sports entrepreneurship and whether there are differences in the prediction of entrepreneurship on service quality in non-profit sports clubs. To this end, 145 sports clubs were analysed before and after the outbreak of the virus in society. Paired sample-t tests were carried out to determine the differences in variables studied before (Time I) and after (Time II) the COVID-19 outbreak, and correlations and hierarchical linear regressions were used to analyse the relationship between the variables studied in the two different stages. The results obtained show that risk-taking and innovation are significantly higher after the appearance of COVID-19, while proactivity has not undergone significant changes. Finally, the relationship between sports entrepreneurship and service quality is positive and significant in both stages but stronger before the crisis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sport-Based Entrepreneurship, Sport Management, and Sustainable Development Goals)

18 pages, 5393 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Scale-Up of Physics-Based Models for Predicting Degradation of Large Lithium Ion Batteries

by Hong-Keun Kim and Kyu-Jin Lee

Sustainability 2020, 12(20), 8544; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12208544 - 15 Oct 2020

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3559

Abstract

Large lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) demonstrate different performance and lifetime compared to small LIB cells, owing to the size effects generated by the electrical configuration and property imbalance. However, the calculation time for performing life predictions with three-dimensional (3D) cell models is undesirably long. [...] Read more.

Large lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) demonstrate different performance and lifetime compared to small LIB cells, owing to the size effects generated by the electrical configuration and property imbalance. However, the calculation time for performing life predictions with three-dimensional (3D) cell models is undesirably long. In this paper, a lumped cell model with equivalent resistances (LER cell model) is proposed as a reduced order model of the 3D cell model, which enables accurate and fast life predictions of large LIBs. The developed LER cell model is validated via the comparisons with results of the 3D cell models by simulating a 20-Ah commercial pouch cell (NCM/graphite) and the experimental values. In addition, the LER cell models are applied to different cell types and sizes, such as a 20-Ah cylindrical cell and a 60-Ah pouch cell. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability and Transportation Systems)

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13 pages, 3543 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Future Climate Change Renders Unsuitable Conditions for Paramo Ecosystems in Colombia

by Matilda Cresso, Nicola Clerici, Adriana Sanchez and Fernando Jaramillo

Sustainability 2020, 12(20), 8373; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12208373 - 12 Oct 2020

Cited by 27 | Viewed by 7686

Abstract

Paramo ecosystems are tropical alpine grasslands, located above 3000 m.a.s.l. in the Andean mountain range. Their unique vegetation and soil characteristics, in combination with low temperature and abundant precipitation, create the most advantageous conditions for regulating and storing surface and groundwater. However, increasing [...] Read more.

Paramo ecosystems are tropical alpine grasslands, located above 3000 m.a.s.l. in the Andean mountain range. Their unique vegetation and soil characteristics, in combination with low temperature and abundant precipitation, create the most advantageous conditions for regulating and storing surface and groundwater. However, increasing temperatures and changing patterns of precipitation due to greenhouse-gas-emission climate change are threatening these fragile environments. In this study, we used regional observations and downscaled data for precipitation and minimum and maximum temperature during the reference period 1960–1990 and simulations for the future period 2041–2060 to study the present and future extents of paramo ecosystems in the Chingaza National Park (CNP), nearby Colombia’s capital city, Bogotá. The historical data were used for establishing upper and lower precipitation and temperature boundaries to determine the locations where paramo ecosystems currently thrive. Our results found that increasing mean monthly temperatures and changing precipitation will render 39 to 52% of the current paramo extent in CNP unsuitable for these ecosystems during the dry season, and 13 to 34% during the wet season. The greatest loss of paramo area will occur during the dry season and for the representative concentration pathway (RCP) scenario 8.5, when both temperature and precipitation boundaries are more prone to be exceeded. Although our initial estimates show the future impact on paramos and the water security of Bogotá due to climate change, complex internal and external interactions in paramo ecosystems make it essential to study other influencing climatic parameters (e.g., soil, topography, wind, etc.) apart from temperature and precipitation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Watershed Modelling and Management for Sustainability)

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29 pages, 4193 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

A Bibliometric Study on Integrated Solar Combined Cycles (ISCC), Trends and Future Based on Data Analytics Tools

by Miguel Ángel Reyes-Belmonte

Sustainability 2020, 12(19), 8217; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12198217 - 6 Oct 2020

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2591

Abstract

In this paper, a bibliometric analysis was performed in order to analyze the state of the art and publication trends on the topic of ISCC (Integrated Solar Combined Cycles) for the period covering 1990 to July 2020. The Web of Science (WOS) database [...] Read more.

In this paper, a bibliometric analysis was performed in order to analyze the state of the art and publication trends on the topic of ISCC (Integrated Solar Combined Cycles) for the period covering 1990 to July 2020. The Web of Science (WOS) database was consulted, and 1277 publications from 3157 different authors and 1102 different institutions, distributed among 78 countries, were retrieved as the corpus of the study. The VOSViewer software tool was used for the post-processing of the WOS corpus, and for the network data mapping. Multiple bibliometric indicators, such as the number of citations, keyword occurrences, the authors’ affiliations, and the authors, among others, were analysed in this paper in order to find the main research trends on the ISCC topic. The analysis performed in this paper concluded that the main publication source for ISCC research was Energy Conversion and Management, in terms of the total number of publications (158), but Solar Energy had the highest number of citations on the ISCC topic (4438). It was also found that China was the most productive country in terms of ISCC publications (241), and the Chinese Academy of Sciences was the most productive institution (52). Nevertheless, the author with the most publications on ISCC was I. Dincer, from Ontario Tech University (24). Based on publication keywords, a series of recommendations for future developments in the ISCC topic were derived, as well as the ways in which those ideas are connected to the global state of solar energy research. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Solar Thermal Energy)

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14 pages, 1032 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Prevalence and Clustering Patterns of Pro-Environmental Behaviors among Canadian Households in the Era of Climate Change

by Eun-Young Lee and Asaduzzaman Khan

Sustainability 2020, 12(19), 8218; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12198218 - 6 Oct 2020

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 5060

Abstract

This study examined the prevalence and clustering patterns of pro-environmental behaviors that are conducive to socially and environmentally sustainable living among Canadians. Cross-sectional data from the 2015 Households and the Environment Survey (HES) were used. Prevalence was calculated by province and each pro-environmental [...] Read more.

This study examined the prevalence and clustering patterns of pro-environmental behaviors that are conducive to socially and environmentally sustainable living among Canadians. Cross-sectional data from the 2015 Households and the Environment Survey (HES) were used. Prevalence was calculated by province and each pro-environmental behavior. Observed/expected prevalence ratios were computed to assess clustering patterns and logistic regression analyses were performed to examine the pairwise associations. Among 8816 Canadian households, prevalence of engaging in pro-environmental behaviors ranked as the following: engaging in green consumer behavior (88%), composting food/yard waste (84%), being active outdoors (82%), gardening (72%), and recycling electronics (45%). While only 14% engaged in ≤2 pro-environmental behaviors, 25.1% of Canadians engaged in all pro-environmental behaviors. By province, British Columbia was the greenest province (81%), followed by Ontario (77%) and Nova Scotia (76.9%) while the least green provinces were Newfoundland and Labrador (62.9%), Saskatchewan (69.2%), and New Brunswick (68%). The most apparent clustering of behaviors was found between recycling electronics and gardening (Observed/Expected: 3.65, 95% CI: 1.98–5.32). Pairwise associations between any two pro-environmental behaviors were statistically significant for all possible combinations (Odds ratios ranged 1.23–2.24). Prevalence of engaging in different sets of pro-environmental behaviors varied greatly by province. Sub-optimal clustering of pro-environmental behaviors and varying pairwise synergetic associations were observed in Canadian households. To promote more holistic, sustainable lifestyles and create sociocultural environments that are conducive to the environment in the era of climate change, future work should investigate barriers and opportunities in adopting more pro-environmental behaviors in Canadian households. Full article

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

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28 pages, 8204 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Environmental Sustainability Assessment of Multi-Sectoral Energy Transformation Pathways: Methodological Approach and Case Study for Germany

by Tobias Junne, Sonja Simon, Jens Buchgeister, Maximilian Saiger, Manuel Baumann, Martina Haase, Christina Wulf and Tobias Naegler

Sustainability 2020, 12(19), 8225; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12198225 - 6 Oct 2020

Cited by 22 | Viewed by 5198

Abstract

In order to analyse long-term transformation pathways, energy system models generally focus on economical and technical characteristics. However, these models usually do not consider sustainability aspects such as environmental impacts. In contrast, life cycle assessment enables an extensive estimate of those impacts. Due [...] Read more.

In order to analyse long-term transformation pathways, energy system models generally focus on economical and technical characteristics. However, these models usually do not consider sustainability aspects such as environmental impacts. In contrast, life cycle assessment enables an extensive estimate of those impacts. Due to these complementary characteristics, the combination of energy system models and life cycle assessment thus allows comprehensive environmental sustainability assessments of technically and economically feasible energy system transformation pathways. We introduce FRITS, a FRamework for the assessment of environmental Impacts of Transformation Scenarios. FRITS links bottom-up energy system models with life cycle impact assessment indicators and quantifies the environmental impacts of transformation strategies of the entire energy system (power, heat, transport) over the transition period. We apply the framework to conduct an environmental assessment of multi-sectoral energy scenarios for Germany. Here, a ‘Target’ scenario reaching 80% reduction of energy-related direct CO₂ emissions is compared with a ‘Reference’ scenario describing a less ambitious transformation pathway. The results show that compared to 2015 and the ‘Reference’ scenario, the ‘Target’ scenario performs better for most life cycle impact assessment indicators. However, the impacts of resource consumption and land use increase for the ‘Target’ scenario. These impacts are mainly caused by road passenger transport and biomass conversion. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Analyzing Development Paths of Emerging Energy Technologies)

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13 pages, 1362 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Agricultural Workforce Crisis in Light of the COVID-19 Pandemic

by Dionysis Bochtis, Lefteris Benos, Maria Lampridi, Vasso Marinoudi, Simon Pearson and Claus G. Sørensen

Sustainability 2020, 12(19), 8212; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12198212 - 5 Oct 2020

Cited by 98 | Viewed by 13777

Abstract

COVID-19 and the restrictive measures towards containing the spread of its infections have seriously affected the agricultural workforce and jeopardized food security. The present study aims at assessing the COVID-19 pandemic impacts on agricultural labor and suggesting strategies to mitigate them. To this [...] Read more.

COVID-19 and the restrictive measures towards containing the spread of its infections have seriously affected the agricultural workforce and jeopardized food security. The present study aims at assessing the COVID-19 pandemic impacts on agricultural labor and suggesting strategies to mitigate them. To this end, after an introduction to the pandemic background, the negative consequences on agriculture and the existing mitigation policies, risks to the agricultural workers were benchmarked across the United States’ Standard Occupational Classification system. The individual tasks associated with each occupation in agricultural production were evaluated on the basis of potential COVID-19 infection risk. As criteria, the most prevalent virus transmission mechanisms were considered, namely the possibility of touching contaminated surfaces and the close proximity of workers. The higher risk occupations within the sector were identified, which facilitates the allocation of worker protection resources to the occupations where they are most needed. In particular, the results demonstrated that 50% of the agricultural workforce and 54% of the workers’ annual income are at moderate to high risk. As a consequence, a series of control measures need to be adopted so as to enhance the resilience and sustainability of the sector as well as protect farmers including physical distancing, hygiene practices, and personal protection equipment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Green, Closed Loop, Circular Bio-Economy)

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25 pages, 1697 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Shifting to Shared Wheels: Factors Affecting Dockless Bike-Sharing Choice for Short and Long Trips

by Ioannis Politis, Ioannis Fyrogenis, Efthymis Papadopoulos, Anastasia Nikolaidou and Eleni Verani

Sustainability 2020, 12(19), 8205; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12198205 - 5 Oct 2020

Cited by 36 | Viewed by 6082

Abstract

In this paper, we explore users’ intentions to use bike-sharing systems (BSS) compared to traditional competitive transport modes—private car, bus and walking. Fueled by the increasingly rampant growth of shared economy and Information and Communication Technology (ICT), shared mobility is gaining increasing traction. [...] Read more.

In this paper, we explore users’ intentions to use bike-sharing systems (BSS) compared to traditional competitive transport modes—private car, bus and walking. Fueled by the increasingly rampant growth of shared economy and Information and Communication Technology (ICT), shared mobility is gaining increasing traction. The numbers of shared mobility schemes are rapidly growing worldwide and are accompanied by changes in the traditional vehicle ownership model. In order to pinpoint the factors that strongly affect the willingness to use BSS, a stated preference survey among car and bus users as well as pedestrians was designed and conducted. Binary logit models of the choice between the currently preferred transportation modes and BSSs were developed, for short and long-duration trips, respectively. The results highlight a distinctive set of factors and patterns affecting the willingness to adopt bike-sharing: choice is most sensitive to travel time and cost of the competitive travel options. In general, users are more willing to make the switch to a BSS, especially for short trip durations, when their typical mode of transport becomes more expensive. Bike-sharing also seems to be a more attractive option for certain user socio-demographic groups per mode and trip duration (age, education level, employment status, household income). Trip characteristics such as trip purpose and frequency were also found to affect the willingness to choose BSS. In general, BSS seem to mainly attract bus users and pedestrians, while car users may use BSS more sparingly, mainly for commuting purposes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Toward Sustainability: Bike-Sharing Systems Design, Simulation and Management)

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12 pages, 1248 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Assessing the Impact of COVID-19 on Bike-Sharing Usage: The Case of Thessaloniki, Greece

by Andreas Nikiforiadis, Georgia Ayfantopoulou and Afroditi Stamelou

Sustainability 2020, 12(19), 8215; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12198215 - 5 Oct 2020

Cited by 138 | Viewed by 8994

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant effect in urban mobility, while essential changes are being observed in travelers’ behavior. Travelers in many cases shifted to other transport modes, especially walking and cycling, for minimizing the risk of infection. This study attempts to investigate [...] Read more.

The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant effect in urban mobility, while essential changes are being observed in travelers’ behavior. Travelers in many cases shifted to other transport modes, especially walking and cycling, for minimizing the risk of infection. This study attempts to investigate the impact that COVID-19 had on travelers’ perceptions towards bike-sharing systems and whether the pandemic could result in a greater or lesser share of trips that are being conducted through shared bikes. For that reason, a questionnaire survey was carried out in the city of Thessaloniki, Greece, and the responses of 223 people were analyzed statistically. The results of the analysis show that COVID-19 will not affect significantly the number of people using bike-sharing for their trips. However, for a proportion of people, bike-sharing is now more attractive. Moreover, the results indicate that bike-sharing is now more likely to become a more preferable mobility option for people who were previously commuting with private cars as passengers (not as drivers) and people who were already registered users in a bike-sharing system. The results also provide evidence about the importance of safety towards COVID-19 for engaging more users in bike-sharing, in order to provide them with a safe mobility option and contribute to the city’s resilience and sustainability. Full article

(This article belongs to the Collection Bicycling Today: Establishing and Learning from the State of the Art)

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18 pages, 3981 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

A User-Oriented Ethnographic Approach to Energy Renovation Projects in Multiapartment Buildings

by Davide Prati, Stefania Spiazzi, Gregor Cerinšek and Annarita Ferrante

Sustainability 2020, 12(19), 8179; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12198179 - 4 Oct 2020

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2989

Abstract

The paper presents the activities related to ethnographic research in the Italian demo-case adapted to the needs of the TripleA-reno EU project (Affordable, Attractive, Accessible deep renovation). The overall study methodology is focused on the four phases of the People-centered development strategy, which [...] Read more.

The paper presents the activities related to ethnographic research in the Italian demo-case adapted to the needs of the TripleA-reno EU project (Affordable, Attractive, Accessible deep renovation). The overall study methodology is focused on the four phases of the People-centered development strategy, which focuses on the core idea that “knowing people” should become an integral part of energy renovation development processes as a means of achieving new categories of products, services, or business strategies. Ethnography is a typical methodology of anthropology. It is based primarily on the end-users observation, during which the researcher is directly involved in the daily activities, interactions, and events of a group of people. Involvement is intended as a means to learn the explicit and hidden aspects of an end-user’s daily life. The primary objective is to understand interactions between building occupants and the building itself, as well as their relationships and roles within the renovation processes. Implementing this research in the Italian case study has made it possible to form a knowledge base on the opinions of the subjects involved at the national level. The application of simplified ethnography methods combined with an appropriately studied questionnaire, conveyed through a web form, allowed for gathering useful information. The quantitative questionnaire data collected were then compared with the open-ended interviews collected from the residents of the Italian demo case building that was undergoing a forthcoming renovation. By confronting European, national, and demo case levels, it was possible to verify how the resident attitudes change concerning the energy renovation processes once directly involved. The aim was to understand which most stimulating factors have to be considered in order to make the end-user onboarding and renovation project experience more affordable, attractive, and accessible. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Toward Smart Cities: Zero Energy Buildings)

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14 pages, 5494 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Electrical Longboard for Everyday Urban Commuting

by Alexandru Ciocan, Cosmin Ungureanu, Alin Chitu, Elena Carcadea and George Darie

Sustainability 2020, 12(19), 8091; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12198091 - 30 Sep 2020

Viewed by 3388

Abstract

This paper addresses the possibility of using an electric longboard in daily travel. A conventional longboard was transformed into an electric one and tested in ICSI Rm. Valcea labs. A series of tests were performed both at the laboratory level and, under normal [...] Read more.

This paper addresses the possibility of using an electric longboard in daily travel. A conventional longboard was transformed into an electric one and tested in ICSI Rm. Valcea labs. A series of tests were performed both at the laboratory level and, under normal running conditions, outdoors. Nevertheless, two possible scenarios have been taken into consideration. First, when the electric longboard is running on a flat road with a cruise speed, while the second scenario considered was that of climbing a hill with a 10% slope. The results confirmed the expectations and showed that a full charge of the batteries allows a trip over a distance of almost 50 km on a flat route having a consumption of about 10 Wh/km. However, there are some things to keep in mind when making travel distance predictions. The quality and the profile of the road, the weight of the rider, the rider position, all of these are factors which can significantly influence the predictions regarding the travel distance. Moreover, if the optimization is taken into account, several adjustments can be done in choosing the size and wheel model, whether or not to equip the skateboard with suspensions as well as a compromise between power and energy densities when choosing battery type is essential. Full article

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

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29 pages, 3154 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Impact of COVID-19 on Urban Mobility during Post-Epidemic Period in Megacities: From the Perspectives of Taxi Travel and Social Vitality

by Guangyue Nian, Bozhezi Peng, Daniel (Jian) Sun, Wenjun Ma, Bo Peng and Tianyuan Huang

Sustainability 2020, 12(19), 7954; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12197954 - 25 Sep 2020

Cited by 64 | Viewed by 8372

Abstract

The prevention and control of COVID-19 in megacities is under large pressure because of tens of millions and high-density populations. The majority of epidemic prevention and control policies implemented focused on travel restrictions, which severely affected urban mobility during the epidemic. Considering the [...] Read more.

The prevention and control of COVID-19 in megacities is under large pressure because of tens of millions and high-density populations. The majority of epidemic prevention and control policies implemented focused on travel restrictions, which severely affected urban mobility during the epidemic. Considering the impacts of epidemic and associated control policies, this study analyzes the relationship between COVID-19, travel of residents, Point of Interest (POI), and social activities from the perspective of taxi travel. First, changes in the characteristics of taxi trips at different periods were analyzed. Next, the relationship between POIs and taxi travels was established by the Geographic Information System (GIS) method, and the spatial lag model (SLM) was introduced to explore the changes in taxi travel driving force. Then, a social activities recovery level evaluation model was proposed based on the taxi travel datasets to evaluate the recovery of social activities. The results demonstrated that the number of taxi trips dropped sharply, and the travel speed, travel time, and spatial distribution of taxi trips had been significantly influenced during the epidemic period. The spatial correlation between taxi trips was gradually weakened after the outbreak of the epidemic, and the consumption travel demand of people significantly decreased while the travel demand for community life increased dramatically. The evaluation score of social activity is increased from 8.12 to 74.43 during the post-epidemic period, which may take 3–6 months to be fully recovered as a normal period. Results and models proposed in this study may provide references for the optimization of epidemic control policies and recovery of public transport in megacities during the post-epidemic period. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Transportation)

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17 pages, 7271 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Analysis of the Patent of a Protective Cover for Vertical-Axis Wind Turbines (VAWTs): Simulations of Wind Flow

by Jose Alberto Moleón Baca, Antonio Jesús Expósito González and Candido Gutiérrez Montes

Sustainability 2020, 12(18), 7818; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12187818 - 22 Sep 2020

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3685

Abstract

This paper presents a numerical and experimental analysis of the patent of a device to be used in vertical-axis wind turbines (VAWTs) under extreme wind conditions. The device consists of two hemispheres interconnected by a set of conveniently implemented variable section ducts through [...] Read more.

This paper presents a numerical and experimental analysis of the patent of a device to be used in vertical-axis wind turbines (VAWTs) under extreme wind conditions. The device consists of two hemispheres interconnected by a set of conveniently implemented variable section ducts through which the wind circulates to the blades. Furthermore, the design of the cross-section of the ducts allows the control of the wind speed inside the device. These ducts are intended to work as diffusers or nozzles, depending on the needs of the installation site. Simulations were performed for the case of high-speed external wind, for which the ducts act as diffusers to reduce wind speed and maintain a well-functioning internal turbine. Four different patent designs were analyzed, focusing on turbine performance and generated power. The results indicate that the patent allows the generation of electric power for a greater range of wind speeds than with a normal wind turbine. The results support that this patent may be a good alternative for wind power generation in geographic areas with extreme weather conditions or with maintained or strong gusty wind. Experimental tests were carried out on the movement of the blades using the available model. Finally, the power curve of the model of this wind turbine was obtained. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Energy Sustainability)

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25 pages, 42807 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Hybrid Wind–PV Frequency Control Strategy under Variable Weather Conditions in Isolated Power Systems

by Ana Fernández-Guillamón, Guillermo Martínez-Lucas, Ángel Molina-García and Jose-Ignacio Sarasua

Sustainability 2020, 12(18), 7750; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12187750 - 19 Sep 2020

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3009

Abstract

Over the last two decades, variable renewable energy technologies (i.e., variable-speed wind turbines (VSWTs) and photovoltaic (PV) power plants) have gradually replaced conventional generation units. However, these renewable generators are connected to the grid through power converters decoupled from the grid and do [...] Read more.

Over the last two decades, variable renewable energy technologies (i.e., variable-speed wind turbines (VSWTs) and photovoltaic (PV) power plants) have gradually replaced conventional generation units. However, these renewable generators are connected to the grid through power converters decoupled from the grid and do not provide any rotational inertia, subsequently decreasing the overall power system’s inertia. Moreover, the variable and stochastic nature of wind speed and solar irradiation may lead to large frequency deviations, especially in isolated power systems. This paper proposes a hybrid wind–PV frequency control strategy for isolated power systems with high renewable energy source integration under variable weather conditions. A new PV controller monitoring the VSWTs’ rotational speed deviation is presented in order to modify the PV-generated power accordingly and improve the rotational speed deviations of VSWTs. The power systems modeled include thermal, hydro-power, VSWT, and PV power plants, with generation mixes in line with future European scenarios. The hybrid wind–PV strategy is compared to three other frequency strategies already presented in the specific literature, and gets better results in terms of frequency deviation (reducing the mean squared error between 20% and 95%). Additionally, the rotational speed deviation of VSWTs is also reduced with the proposed approach, providing the same mean squared error as the case in which VSWTs do not participate in frequency control. However, this hybrid strategy requires up to a 30% reduction in the PV-generated energy. Extensive detailing of results and discussion can be also found in the paper. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Renewable Energies for Sustainable Development)

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21 pages, 1129 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Study of Social and Environmental Needs for the Selection of Sustainable Criteria in the Procurement of Public Works

by Laura Montalbán-Domingo, Madeleine Aguilar-Morocho, Tatiana García-Segura and Eugenio Pellicer

Sustainability 2020, 12(18), 7756; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12187756 - 19 Sep 2020

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 4016

Abstract

Fostering sustainability in the construction industry has been claimed; however, important barriers are hindering its implementation in public procurement. The main reason is the lack of knowledge about what sustainability criteria should be included and the high level of subjectivity in the definition [...] Read more.

Fostering sustainability in the construction industry has been claimed; however, important barriers are hindering its implementation in public procurement. The main reason is the lack of knowledge about what sustainability criteria should be included and the high level of subjectivity in the definition of their level of importance. Both aspects should be addressed depending on the specific context of each country. Therefore, the aim of this research focused on identifying the sustainability shortcomings that exist in each European Union country in order to determine the level of importance of each sustainability category. Five environmental categories and eight social categories were established, and, to assess the sustainability performance of the 28 European countries, 42 national indicators were selected and the Promethee method was undertaken to rank the countries. Finally, through a cluster analysis, two groups of countries were identified. The first group consisted of the most economically developed European Union countries. These countries need to focus mainly on the environmental performance. However, the second group needs to make an effort in social sustainability at the same time, which controls their environmental performance. This research provides guidance on the decision-making with regard to the inclusion of sustainability in public procurement of the construction industry. Full article

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

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15 pages, 407 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Technical Viability Analysis of Industrial Synergies—An Applied Framework Perspective

by Rui Dias, João Azevedo, Inês Ferreira, Marco Estrela, Juan Henriques, Cristina Ascenço and Muriel Iten

Sustainability 2020, 12(18), 7720; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12187720 - 18 Sep 2020

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3987

Abstract

To foster the implementation of Industrial Symbiosis, several support tools have been developed to facilitate the dissemination of Industrial Symbiosis (IS) and the engagement of stakeholders; the establishment of exchanges between companies, the so-called synergies; and the assessment of impacts and benefits. Despite [...] Read more.

To foster the implementation of Industrial Symbiosis, several support tools have been developed to facilitate the dissemination of Industrial Symbiosis (IS) and the engagement of stakeholders; the establishment of exchanges between companies, the so-called synergies; and the assessment of impacts and benefits. Despite this, it has been found that stakeholders still do not have a clear envisioning of the required steps to the technical implementation of synergies and there are no facilitating tools, such as methodologies, frameworks, modelling tools, and databases, among others, that aid to technically support decision-making of synergy implementation. Thus, the goal of this paper is to present a dedicated framework that provides a set of guidelines and defines a technical viability analysis to support the implementation of potential synergies, which can be used and replicated by any IS practitioner. It comprehends a methodological approach to assess the compliance of a given synergy opportunity; its characterization concerning the definition of the necessary intermediary steps for the technical implementation; and an assessment of the technical feasibility of the synergy. The implementation of the framework allowed the successful technical validation of the studied synergy opportunities, providing a final technical viability assessment that can support decision-making of technology selection and synergy implementation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Collection Industrial Symbiosis and Sustainability)

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36 pages, 14984 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

A Holistic Approach for Energy Renovation of the Town Hall Building in a Typical Small City of Southern Italy

by Margarita-Niki Assimakopoulos, Dimitra Papadaki, Francesco Tariello and Giuseppe Peter Vanoli

Sustainability 2020, 12(18), 7699; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12187699 - 17 Sep 2020

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3108

Abstract

The reduction of buildings energy demand represents one of the main goals in developed countries in order to achieve a sustainable future. In Italy a significant number of public administration offices are located in historical buildings, especially in small provincial towns. In this [...] Read more.

The reduction of buildings energy demand represents one of the main goals in developed countries in order to achieve a sustainable future. In Italy a significant number of public administration offices are located in historical buildings, especially in small provincial towns. In this paper the analysis of the energy and environmental effects deriving from the plant renovation of the Palazzo San Giorgio, the building offices of the municipality of Campobasso (Southern Italy), is carried out. The simulation model of the building-plant system has been implemented with the TRNSYS software using data collected in the survey campaign. It has been calibrated on the basis of the billed electricity and gas consumption and then, further used to evaluate the reduction of the building primary energy demands and CO₂ emissions deriving from some non-invasive energy refurbishment measures: led lighting, thermostatic valves, cogeneration system and photovoltaic plant. The latter was considered in two variants: the first one provides a system completely integrated into the roof, the second one high efficiency non-integrated panels. The interventions have been evaluated both individually and combined. A primary energy saving of about 47% and a reduction in CO₂ emissions of 73% are obtained with the best combined renovation action. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Toward Smart Cities: Zero Energy Buildings)

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11 pages, 244 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

How Does Integrated Reporting Change in Light of COVID-19? A Revisiting of the Content of the Integrated Reports

by Isabel-María García-Sánchez, Nicola Raimo, Arcangelo Marrone and Filippo Vitolla

Sustainability 2020, 12(18), 7605; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12187605 - 15 Sep 2020

Cited by 57 | Viewed by 7096

Abstract

The crisis connected to the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic represents an epochal event destined to generate strong economic and social consequences. The impact of the pandemic on business activities and business models also entails rethinking reporting practices. The pandemic has, in fact, [...] Read more.

The crisis connected to the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic represents an epochal event destined to generate strong economic and social consequences. The impact of the pandemic on business activities and business models also entails rethinking reporting practices. The pandemic has, in fact, created an enormous need for investors and stakeholders in general for future-oriented information relating to the impacts of this event on organizations. Integrated reporting is an ideal tool to provide information related to the effects of the pandemic and provide a holistic view of the future prospects of organizations. This study, using legitimacy theory and based on a two-step methodology, highlighted a series of information that companies will need to have to include in integrated reports to maintain and defend legitimacy. The results provide a double perspective: the first based on content elements and the second based on capitals. The results represent an important guideline for companies for the preparation of future integrated reports. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rethinking Sustainability and Sustainable Development in Business Reporting)

17 pages, 967 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Bankruptcy or Success? The Effective Prediction of a Company’s Financial Development Using LSTM

by Marek Vochozka, Jaromir Vrbka and Petr Suler

Sustainability 2020, 12(18), 7529; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12187529 - 12 Sep 2020

Cited by 46 | Viewed by 5295

Abstract

There is no doubt that the issue of making a good prediction about a company’s possible failure is very important, as well as complicated. A number of models have been created for this very purpose, of which one, the long short-term memory (LSTM) [...] Read more.

There is no doubt that the issue of making a good prediction about a company’s possible failure is very important, as well as complicated. A number of models have been created for this very purpose, of which one, the long short-term memory (LSTM) model, holds a unique position in that it generates very good results. The objective of this contribution is to create a methodology for the identification of a company failure (bankruptcy) using artificial neural networks (hereinafter referred to as “NN”) with at least one long short-term memory (LSTM) layer. A bankruptcy model was created using deep learning, for which at least one layer of LSTM was used for the construction of the NN. For the purposes of this contribution, Wolfram’s Mathematica 13 (Wolfram Research, Champaign, Illinois) software was used. The research results show that LSTM NN can be used as a tool for predicting company failure. The objective of the contribution was achieved, since the model of a NN was developed, which is able to predict the future development of a company operating in the manufacturing sector in the Czech Republic. It can be applied to small, medium-sized and manufacturing companies alike, as well as used by financial institutions, investors, or auditors as an alternative for evaluating the financial health of companies in a given field. The model is flexible and can therefore be trained according to a different dataset or environment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Company Assessment: Basis of Its Sustainable Development)

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34 pages, 16642 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperEditor’s ChoiceReview

Archimedes Screw Turbines: A Sustainable Development Solution for Green and Renewable Energy Generation—A Review of Potential and Design Procedures

by Arash YoosefDoost and William David Lubitz

Sustainability 2020, 12(18), 7352; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12187352 - 8 Sep 2020

Cited by 72 | Viewed by 39844

Abstract

Archimedes Screws Turbines (ASTs) are a new form of small hydroelectric powerplant that can be applied even in low head sites. ASTs offer a clean and renewable source of energy and are safer for wildlife and especially fish than other hydro generation options. [...] Read more.

Archimedes Screws Turbines (ASTs) are a new form of small hydroelectric powerplant that can be applied even in low head sites. ASTs offer a clean and renewable source of energy and are safer for wildlife and especially fish than other hydro generation options. As with other energy solutions, ASTs are not a global solution for all situations. However, in terms of sustainable development, ASTs can offer many economic, social, and environmental advantages that make them an important option for providing sustainable hydropower development. Archimedes screws can operate in low water heads (less than about 5 m) and a range of flow rates with practical efficiencies of 60% to 80% and can generate up to 355 kW of power. ASTs increase the number of suitable sites where it is possible to develop sustainable hydropower, including in undeveloped, hard to access regions and small communities. At many low head sites, ASTs may be more cost-effective, with lower installation and operating costs than alternative hydropower systems. An AST may also reduce the disturbance of natural sedimentation and erosion processes and have smaller impacts on fish and other fauna. ASTs can often be retrofit to existing unpowered dams or weirs, providing new hydropower capacity for very little marginal environmental impact. This review outlines the characteristics of ASTs, then discusses and analyzes how they could benefit the sustainability of hydropower development. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Future of Hydropower: Sustainable Practices, Innovative Technologies and New Scientific Insights)

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13 pages, 1333 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Role of Seaweed in Diets of Samoa and Kiribati: Exploring Key Motivators for Consumption

by Hayley Butcher, Sarah Burkhart, Nicholas Paul, Ulusapeti Tiitii, Karibanang Tamuera, Taati Eria and Libby Swanepoel

Sustainability 2020, 12(18), 7356; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12187356 - 8 Sep 2020

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 6441

Abstract

Edible seaweeds have significant potential to contribute to sustainable diets that promote health of Pacific Islanders in ecologically, economically, and socially acceptable ways. No studies to date have investigated motivators for and the consumption of edible green seaweed from the genus Caulerpa (sea [...] Read more.

Edible seaweeds have significant potential to contribute to sustainable diets that promote health of Pacific Islanders in ecologically, economically, and socially acceptable ways. No studies to date have investigated motivators for and the consumption of edible green seaweed from the genus Caulerpa (sea grapes) in Samoa and Kiribati. An observational, cross-sectional study utilized an interviewer-administered questionnaire to explore consumption behaviors and the role of sea grapes in the current diets of individuals in Samoa and Kiribati. Of the total 145 participants (n = 79, 54.5% Samoa; n = 66, 45.5% Kiribati), half (n = 76, 52%) reported consuming sea grapes. A significantly greater proportion of Samoans (n = 56, 70.9%) reported consumption than I-Kiribati participants (n = 20, 30.3%). A greater proportion of consumers were male (n = 47, 61.8%). Samoan consumers reported consumption of sea grapes with a higher diversity of foods and being related to traditional events or ceremonies. Motivators for consumption varied between countries, with Samoan consumers reporting strong agreement for taste and value for money, and identified sea grapes as nutritious food, as influences on consumption. Easy access was a motivator in Kiribati only. The findings of this study are underpinned by the degree of food security and differences in culture in Samoa and Kiribati. Future public health efforts to integrate traditional fresh food into local food systems will need to work within the existing social parameters in each respective country. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Food Consumption Practices: Insights into Consumer Experience)

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12 pages, 1759 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Can Energy Depletion of Wild Atlantic Salmon Kelts Negotiating Hydropower Facilities Lead to Reduced Survival?

by Henrik Baktoft, Karl Ø. Gjelland, Marcell Szabo-Meszaros, Ana T. Silva, Milan Riha, Finn Økland, Knut Alfredsen and Torbjørn Forseth

Sustainability 2020, 12(18), 7341; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12187341 - 7 Sep 2020

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 5196

Abstract

Repeat spawners constitute an important component of Atlantic salmon populations, but survival of post-spawning individuals (kelts) are often compromised by anthropogenic structures such as hydropower plants (HPPs). Potential effects of HPPs include migration delays and associated increased energy depletion, which potentially results in [...] Read more.

Repeat spawners constitute an important component of Atlantic salmon populations, but survival of post-spawning individuals (kelts) are often compromised by anthropogenic structures such as hydropower plants (HPPs). Potential effects of HPPs include migration delays and associated increased energy depletion, which potentially results in increased overall mortality. We combined a detailed 3D hydraulic model with high-resolution 3D tracking of tagged kelts (length 73–104 cm) to obtain estimates of kelt movement through water. These estimates were then used in an energetics model to estimate hourly energy expenditure while negotiating the HPP area. Hourly kelt energy expenditure varied between 0.8 and 10.1 kJ × h⁻¹ and was dependent on kelt length. Degree of additional energy depletion can amount to several percent of remaining energy content (our study indicates 4–5 percentage points) potentially leading to reduced post-spawning survival. In turn, this can nullify the iteroparous breeding strategy and jeopardize long-term stability and persistence of Atlantic salmon populations inhabiting HPP rivers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hydropower Impacts on Aquatic Biota)

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30 pages, 14759 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Impact on City Bus Transit Services of the COVID–19 Lockdown and Return to the New Normal: The Case of A Coruña (Spain)

by Alfonso Orro, Margarita Novales, Ángel Monteagudo, José-Benito Pérez-López and Miguel R. Bugarín

Sustainability 2020, 12(17), 7206; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12177206 - 3 Sep 2020

Cited by 105 | Viewed by 9052

Abstract

The COVID–19 pandemic led to restrictions on activities and mobility in many parts of the world. After the main peak of the crisis, restrictions were gradually removed, returning to a new normal situation. This process has impacted urban mobility. The limited information on [...] Read more.

The COVID–19 pandemic led to restrictions on activities and mobility in many parts of the world. After the main peak of the crisis, restrictions were gradually removed, returning to a new normal situation. This process has impacted urban mobility. The limited information on the new normal situation shows changes that can be permanent or reversible. The impact on the diverse urban transport modes varies. This study analyzes the changes in transit ridership by line, the use of stops, the main origin–destination flows, changes in transit supply, operation time, and reliability of the city bus network of A Coruña. It is based on data from automatic vehicle location, bus stop boarding, and smart card use. Data from the first half of 2020 were compared to similar data in 2017–2019, defining suitable baselines for each analysis to avoid seasonal and day of week effects. The impact on transit ridership during the lockdown process was more significant than that on general traffic. In the new normal situation, the general traffic and the shared bike system recovered a higher percentage of their previous use than the bus system. These impacts are not uniform across the bus network. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Transportation)

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17 pages, 10236 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Biofuels and Their Potential in South Korea

by Gal Hochman and Chrysostomos Tabakis

Sustainability 2020, 12(17), 7215; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12177215 - 3 Sep 2020

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 9176

Abstract

We investigated the biofuel potential of South Korea and the implications of the introduction of biofuels for the Korean fuel market. We approximated the upper-bound biomass potential from forestry residues, livestock manure, and staple crops and calculated the amount of fuel that could [...] Read more.

We investigated the biofuel potential of South Korea and the implications of the introduction of biofuels for the Korean fuel market. We approximated the upper-bound biomass potential from forestry residues, livestock manure, and staple crops and calculated the amount of fuel that could be produced using these different biomass feedstocks. Our assessment suggests that biomass can be used to produce a significant portion of the fuel consumed annually in South Korea, with the most promising feedstock being forestry residues. Out of all the technologies considered, the production of cellulosic ethanol from forestry residues could potentially impact the fuel market the most. The key novelty of our study lies in that we considered a broad portfolio of biofuel technologies and carefully examined their potential economic and environmental implications for South Korea given its biomass availability (which we estimated). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Economics and Politics of Renewable Energy)

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21 pages, 2306 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Multi-Criteria Decision Making Process in Metropolitan Transport Means Selection Based on the Sharing Mobility Idea

by Maria Cieśla, Aleksander Sobota and Marianna Jacyna

Sustainability 2020, 12(17), 7231; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12177231 - 3 Sep 2020

Cited by 59 | Viewed by 5669

Abstract

The article presents the idea of modeling the decision-making process in the field of the metropolitan areas transport system. Due to the increasing process of metropolization and urbanization, which is predicted to be 68.4% worldwide and 83.7% in Europe in 2050, the issue [...] Read more.

The article presents the idea of modeling the decision-making process in the field of the metropolitan areas transport system. Due to the increasing process of metropolization and urbanization, which is predicted to be 68.4% worldwide and 83.7% in Europe in 2050, the issue will be even more sophisticated. The problem of depletion of transport network capacity as well as the implementation of modern technology solutions forces metropolitan committees to apply tools for metropolitan passenger transport system optimization. Significantly, the policy and regulations on sustainable urban mobility management are based on the mobility demand predictions and understanding of the travel decision-making process of citizens. The scientific purpose of this article is to build a mathematical model, as a tool supporting the multi-criteria decision-making process regarding the choice of means of transport in a developing metropolis. The issue raised in this article considers the most important research areas of the metropolitan transport means selection, which includes transport safety, qualitative, financial, and ecological aspects. The model was implemented in Silesian Metropolis in Poland with a particular emphasis on sharing mobility transport means users. As a result, a ranking of sharing transport means was developed, which is a piece of significant information for planners and future investors in the development of the metropolitan transport system. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Road Traffic Engineering and Sustainable Transportation)

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19 pages, 1755 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceReview

European National Road Authorities and Circular Economy: An Insight into Their Approaches

by Konstantinos Mantalovas, Gaetano Di Mino, Ana Jimenez Del Barco Carrion, Elisabeth Keijzer, Björn Kalman, Tony Parry and Davide Lo Presti

Sustainability 2020, 12(17), 7160; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12177160 - 2 Sep 2020

Cited by 36 | Viewed by 5926

Abstract

The pavement engineering industry, having realized the significance of the impacts that it imposes on the environment through the production, construction and management of its products and assets, has been driven towards a more sustainable and circular way of operating. This has partly [...] Read more.

The pavement engineering industry, having realized the significance of the impacts that it imposes on the environment through the production, construction and management of its products and assets, has been driven towards a more sustainable and circular way of operating. This has partly been through asphalt recycling, which is an area that many road authorities have prioritized. However, not all the National Road Authorities (NRAs) and/or sector stakeholders seem to be adequately familiar with the Circular Economy (CE) concept. This paper attempts to assist the transition of NRAs to a more circular way of doing business, by analyzing the current situation of CE within national/regional authorities and NRAs. To do so, a questionnaire was sent to different NRAs and an online search was conducted to identify the ways that NRAs communicate their CE practices. Findings indicate that, although the majority of the NRAs are familiar with CE as a concept, not many actions have been taken so far towards its holistic implementation. Finally, there is a significant lack of CE expertise and communication within these bodies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Smart Solutions for Sustainable Transport Infrastructure)

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21 pages, 1378 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Impact Assessment of Additive Manufacturing on Sustainable Business Models in Industry 4.0 Context

by Radu Godina, Inês Ribeiro, Florinda Matos, Bruna T. Ferreira, Helena Carvalho and Paulo Peças

Sustainability 2020, 12(17), 7066; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12177066 - 30 Aug 2020

Cited by 135 | Viewed by 14066

Abstract

Additive manufacturing has the potential to make a longstanding impact on the manufacturing world and is a core element of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Additive manufacturing signifies a new disruptive path on how we will produce parts and products. Several studies suggest this [...] Read more.

Additive manufacturing has the potential to make a longstanding impact on the manufacturing world and is a core element of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Additive manufacturing signifies a new disruptive path on how we will produce parts and products. Several studies suggest this technology could foster sustainability into manufacturing systems based on its potential of optimizing material consumption, creating new shapes, customizing designs and shortening production times that, all combined, will greatly transform some of the existing business models. Although it requires reaching a certain level of design maturity to completely insert this technology in an industrial setting, additive manufacturing has the potential to favorably impact the manufacturing sector by reducing costs in production, logistics, inventories, and in the development and industrialization of a new product. The transformation of the industry and the acceleration of the adopting rate of new technologies is driving organizational strategy. Thus, through the lenses of Industry 4.0 and its technological concepts, this paper aims to contribute to the knowledge about the impacts of additive manufacturing technology on sustainable business models. This aim is accomplished through a proposed framework, as well as the models and scales that can be used to determine these impacts. The effects are assessed by taking into account the social, environmental and economic impacts of additive manufacturing on business models and for all these three dimensions a balanced scorecard structure is proposed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Product Development and Life-Cycle Management)

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18 pages, 1219 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Informal Seed Traders: The Backbone of Seed Business and African Smallholder Seed Supply

by Louise Sperling, Patrick Gallagher, Shawn McGuire, Julie March and Noel Templer

Sustainability 2020, 12(17), 7074; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12177074 - 30 Aug 2020

Cited by 31 | Viewed by 7330

Abstract

To work well and be sustainable, seed systems have to offer a range of crops and varieties of good quality seed and these products have to reach farmers, no matter how remote or poor they may be. Formal seed sector interventions alone are [...] Read more.

To work well and be sustainable, seed systems have to offer a range of crops and varieties of good quality seed and these products have to reach farmers, no matter how remote or poor they may be. Formal seed sector interventions alone are not delivering the crop portfolio or achieving the social and geographic breadth needed, and the paper argues for focus on informal seed channels and particularly on traders who move ‘potential seed’ (informal or local seed) even to high stress areas. This paper provides the first in-depth analysis on potential seed trader types and actions, drawing on data collected on 287 traders working in 10 African countries. The research delves into four themes: the types and hierarchies of traders; the technical ways traders manage seed using 11 core practices; the price differential of +50% of potential (local) seed over grain, and the pivotal roles which traders play in remote and crisis contexts. Traders are the backbone of smallholder seed security and need to be engaged, not ignored, in development and relief efforts. An action framework for leveraging seed trader skills is presented, with the paper addressing possible legal and donor constraints for engaging such market actors more fully. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Weed Control in the Agroecosystems)

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26 pages, 1632 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceReview

Hydrocracking: A Perspective towards Digitalization

by Esin Iplik, Ioanna Aslanidou and Konstantinos Kyprianidis

Sustainability 2020, 12(17), 7058; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12177058 - 29 Aug 2020

Cited by 19 | Viewed by 7506

Abstract

In a world of fast technological advancements, it is increasingly important to see how hydrocracking applications can benefit from and adapt to digitalization. A review of hydrocracking processes from the perspective of modeling and characterization methods is presented next to an investigation on [...] Read more.

In a world of fast technological advancements, it is increasingly important to see how hydrocracking applications can benefit from and adapt to digitalization. A review of hydrocracking processes from the perspective of modeling and characterization methods is presented next to an investigation on digitalization trends. Both physics-based and data-based models are discussed according to their scope of use, needs, and capabilities based on open literature. Discrete and continuous lumping, structure-oriented lumping, and single event micro-kinetic models are reported as well as artificial neural networks, convolutional neural networks, and surrogate models. Infrared, near-infrared, ultra-violet and Raman spectroscopic methods are given with their examples for the characterization of feed or product streams of hydrocracking processes regarding boiling point curve, API, SARA, sulfur, nitrogen and metal content. The critical points to consider while modeling the system and the soft sensor are reported as well as the problems to be addressed. Optimization, control, and diagnostics applications are presented together with suggested future directions of interdisciplinary studies. The links required between the models, soft sensors, optimization, control, and diagnostics are suggested to achieve the automation goals and, therefore, a sustainable operation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Assessment of Novel Technologies for Improving Energy Efficiency and Waste Minimization)

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27 pages, 1071 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceReview

Sustainable Supply Chain Management—A Literature Review on Emerging Economies

by Rebeca B. Sánchez-Flores, Samantha E. Cruz-Sotelo, Sara Ojeda-Benitez and Ma. Elizabeth Ramírez-Barreto

Sustainability 2020, 12(17), 6972; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12176972 - 27 Aug 2020

Cited by 132 | Viewed by 45093

Abstract

In recent years, the interest in sustainable supply chain management has increased significantly in both business and academic areas. This is reflected in the growing number of articles, conferences, special publications and websites devoted to the subject. Nonetheless, sustainable development in emerging economies [...] Read more.

In recent years, the interest in sustainable supply chain management has increased significantly in both business and academic areas. This is reflected in the growing number of articles, conferences, special publications and websites devoted to the subject. Nonetheless, sustainable development in emerging economies just started gaining importance. The objective of this article is to review, from a global perspective, the existing literature regarding sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) in emerging economies. For this purpose, a systematic literature review was performed, analyzing 56 articles from the year 2010 to April 2020 from a descriptive and content approach. Subsequently, the results are presented, showing the increasing interest in SSCM, however lagging behind in emerging economies’ research versus developed ones. Findings indicate the context in developing countries plays an important role when conducting empirical or case study investigations. Additionally, the integration of the three dimensions of sustainability and how they impact supply chain performance becomes crucial to research from an emerging economy perspective. Consequently, limitations of this work are presented, and opportunities are identified for future lines of research, in particular in key supply chain functions. Finally, the conclusion confirms the need for further research from different supply chain viewpoints, such as collaboration, sustainable practices innovation, sourcing and supplier development from emerging countries’ standpoint and background. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Management)

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19 pages, 355 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceReview

Barriers and Levers to Developing Wheat–Pea Intercropping in Europe: A Review

by Fateh Mamine and M’hand Farès

Sustainability 2020, 12(17), 6962; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12176962 - 26 Aug 2020

Cited by 59 | Viewed by 5928

Abstract

Beyond the ecosystem benefits of diversification through wheat–pea intercropping, this review analyzes the barriers and levers to its adoption and diffusion. The present review shows that structuring the value chain around the products of this innovative cropping system faces a set of technical [...] Read more.

Beyond the ecosystem benefits of diversification through wheat–pea intercropping, this review analyzes the barriers and levers to its adoption and diffusion. The present review shows that structuring the value chain around the products of this innovative cropping system faces a set of technical (i.e., varietal selection, phytosanitary issue control, crop management sequence, collection management, and storage), economic (i.e., cost, price, market opportunities, and contracting), and public policy (i.e., subsidies for ecosystem services provided by intercropping) obstacles that contribute to its slow adoption and dissemination in Europe. However, the value chain resulting from the wheat–pea intercropping system has levers to be exploited at all levels, particularly in terms of its competitive advantages, ecosystem benefits, and superior product quality. The results of this review help to identify priorities that actors of the value chain can address to better focus their efforts on significant problems and solutions that can accelerate the adoption and dissemination of this agroecological system. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Weed Control in the Agroecosystems)

20 pages, 1245 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Dynamic Development of the Global Organic Food Market and Opportunities for Ukraine

by Oleg Bazaluk, Olha Yatsenko, Oleksandr Zakharchuk, Anna Ovcharenko, Olga Khrystenko and Vitalii Nitsenko

Sustainability 2020, 12(17), 6963; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12176963 - 26 Aug 2020

Cited by 88 | Viewed by 11292

Abstract

Considering the insufficient usage of natural resources, ecological crisis, rising population and limitations of the traditional food system in the 21st century, it is extremely important to search for methods to achieve sustainable development. In this context, the search for alternative methods of [...] Read more.

Considering the insufficient usage of natural resources, ecological crisis, rising population and limitations of the traditional food system in the 21st century, it is extremely important to search for methods to achieve sustainable development. In this context, the search for alternative methods of farming and the transformation of typical food consumption is relevant; the organic market and its features are of particular interest. Based on the above, this article is dedicated to understanding what the development opportunities for the production and export of Ukrainian organic products within the global market are. To achieve this objective, it became necessary to study the specificities of the dynamic growth of the global organic food market, which includes identifying the dominant factors of its development, peculiarities of its regulation, evaluation of the current state, main trends and prospects. The study provides the characteristics of the top competitors in the global market, consumer segmentation and experience of the implementation of global and national organic sector development and support programs. As a result of the study, it was found that Ukraine has unrealized export potential that can be realized using a combination of practices used abroad (the active use of marketing tools, state support for the organic sector and increasing organic production by uniting producers into clusters and creating cooperatives). Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Agriculture)

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19 pages, 2774 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Best–Worst Method for Modelling Mobility Choice after COVID-19: Evidence from Italy

by Sarbast Moslem, Tiziana Campisi, Agnieszka Szmelter-Jarosz, Szabolcs Duleba, Kh Md Nahiduzzaman and Giovanni Tesoriere

Sustainability 2020, 12(17), 6824; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12176824 - 22 Aug 2020

Cited by 120 | Viewed by 9181

Abstract

All countries have suffered from the COVID-19 crisis; the pandemic has adversely impacted all sectors. In this study, we examine the transport sector with a specific focus on the problem of commuting mode choice and propose a new decision-making approach for the alternative [...] Read more.

All countries have suffered from the COVID-19 crisis; the pandemic has adversely impacted all sectors. In this study, we examine the transport sector with a specific focus on the problem of commuting mode choice and propose a new decision-making approach for the alternative modes after synthesizing expert opinions. As a methodology, a customized model of the recently developed best–worst method (BWM) is used to evaluate mobility choice alternatives. The survey reflects citizens’ opinions toward mobility choices in two Italian cities, Palermo and Catania, before and during the pandemic. BWM is a useful tool for examining mobility choice in big cities. The adopted model is easy to apply and capable of providing effective solutions for sustainable mode choice. The urban context is analyzed considering the importance of transport choices, evaluating the variation of resilience to the changing opinions of users. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Assessment of Socio-Economic Sustainability and Resilience after COVID-19)

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14 pages, 1416 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceReview

A Systematic Literature Review. Relationships between the Sharing Economy, Sustainability and Sustainable Development Goals

by Andrei Boar, Ramon Bastida and Frederic Marimon

Sustainability 2020, 12(17), 6744; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12176744 - 20 Aug 2020

Cited by 124 | Viewed by 18376

Abstract

The sharing economy is an umbrella term for different business models that seem to have a positive impact on sustainability. To achieve sustainable development, the UN has created 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as an instrument and guide for countries and individuals. This [...] Read more.

The sharing economy is an umbrella term for different business models that seem to have a positive impact on sustainability. To achieve sustainable development, the UN has created 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as an instrument and guide for countries and individuals. This paper sheds light on the relationships between the sharing economy, sustainability and SDGs through the content analysis of 74 papers from the database Web of Science that consider these factors through the topics of the environment, consumer values, business characteristics and urban impact regarding sectors such as mobility and accommodation. Results express that the sharing economy helps to achieve all SDGs. However, further research is needed because of the novelty of the topic and the existence of many gaps. The sharing economy has a positive effect on the dimensions of sustainability from the economic, social and environmental points of view. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Quality Management and Standardization for Sustainability)

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18 pages, 1243 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Multi-Criteria Method for Sustainable Design of Energy Conversion Systems

by Kathleen Mallard, Vincent Debusschere and Lauric Garbuio

Sustainability 2020, 12(16), 6513; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12166513 - 12 Aug 2020

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2636

Abstract

Energy production systems for isolated communities lacking national energy grids are, in many countries, associated with first energy access of rural or developing regions. Those communities require innovative design methods to select relevant solutions for sustainable developments in a context of continuously strengthening [...] Read more.

Energy production systems for isolated communities lacking national energy grids are, in many countries, associated with first energy access of rural or developing regions. Those communities require innovative design methods to select relevant solutions for sustainable developments in a context of continuously strengthening climate change conditions. The design of an innovative solution goes through multiple stages. After identifying opportunities, analyzing a context and identifying a problem, we are interested here in the process of imagining solutions and guiding reflections so that the resulting solutions are sustainable. Sustainability is analyzed from technical, economic, environmental and social angles. The two main visions for imagining solutions, the value proposition and the technical solution, are discussed. We are then developing a multi-criteria method of sustainable design to imagine the technical solution of an electricity production system in a context of first access to energy for isolated communities. This method serves as decision and discussion support between all stakeholders (community, decision makers, project managers) so that they collectively build a sustainable solution. As the exchanges progress, criteria from different fields meet and complement each other to allow the development of the specifications for the energy production solution which will be ultimately developed. Full article

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

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13 pages, 431 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Influence of Individual Perceptions on the Decision to Adopt Automated Bus Services

by Jia Guo, Yusak Susilo, Constantinos Antoniou and Anna Pernestål Brenden

Sustainability 2020, 12(16), 6484; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12166484 - 11 Aug 2020

Cited by 32 | Viewed by 4545

Abstract

The rapid development of automated buses holds great potential for the development of transportation systems. As research into innovative forms of automated transportation systems gains momentum, it is important to understand the public’s perceptions of such public transport systems. Previous studies have contributed [...] Read more.

The rapid development of automated buses holds great potential for the development of transportation systems. As research into innovative forms of automated transportation systems gains momentum, it is important to understand the public’s perceptions of such public transport systems. Previous studies have contributed based on hypothetical scenarios, but not based on real observations. Based on an online survey in Stockholm in March 2019, the current research addresses this gap by investigating the public’s perceptions from a real, fully operational, automated public transportation service operated in a mixed traffic environment on public roads. The respondents were selected along the automated bus line in Barkabystaden, Stockholm. Our findings indicate that (1) The presence of onboard operators has a positive impact on respondents’ perceived safety, (2) People who have not taken automated buses before have a more negative perception of driving speed of the bus service than people who have taken the buses before, (3) Attitudinal factors, such as public perceptions of safety, driving speed, reliability, and convenience, have a significant influence on the acceptance of the new bus system, (4) As an emerging and innovative transportation mode, automated buses are expected to attract a high share of regular public transportation mode users and the younger generations in the future, (5) Social-demographic characteristics such as gender and income had no significant impacts on the adoption of the new technology. The results provide the characteristics of early bus adopters and their travel behavior and help to prioritize possible investments and allow the policymakers and private industries to identify the special needs of users. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability of Automated and Connected Transport - The User Perspective)

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