Sustainability

Article

26 pages, 5866 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Innovation in Road Freight Transport: Quantifying the Environmental Performance of Operational Cost-Reducing Practices

by Valentin Carlan, Christa Sys and Thierry Vanelslander

Sustainability 2019, 11(8), 2212; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11082212 - 12 Apr 2019

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 5627

Road transportation is a key mode of transport when it comes to ensuring the hinterland connection of most European ports. Constrained by low profit margins and having to be active in a highly competitive market, companies active in this sector seek multi-dimensional innovative [...] Read more.

Road transportation is a key mode of transport when it comes to ensuring the hinterland connection of most European ports. Constrained by low profit margins and having to be active in a highly competitive market, companies active in this sector seek multi-dimensional innovative solutions that lower their operational costs. These innovative initiatives also yield positive environmental effects. The latter however are poorly recognized. This paper investigates the characteristics of different types of chassis used to transport containers from and to the terminals in the port areas and looks into the details of operational planning practices. It analyses the cost-effectiveness of these innovative solutions highlighting both the costs and the environmental emissions they save. Transport data from a road hauler serving the hinterland connection of a port in Western Europe is used to build up a case study. Results show that by using special types of chassis, which enable the combination of transport tasks in round-trips, the operational costs are reduced by 25% to 35%, and equally the CO₂ emissions are also decreased by 34% to 38%. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Intermodal Transportation and Sustainable Mobility)

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14 pages, 743 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Exogenously Applied Bio-Stimulant and Synthetic Fertilizers to Improve the Growth, Yield and Fiber Quality of Cotton

by Muhammad Arif, Shadia Hama Salih Kareem, Nariman Salih Ahmad, Nazim Hussain, Azra Yasmeen, Adeel Anwar, Safina Naz, Javed Iqbal, Ghulam Abbas Shah and Muhammad Ansar

Sustainability 2019, 11(7), 2171; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11072171 - 11 Apr 2019

Cited by 22 | Viewed by 4642

Abstract

The effects of exogenously applied Moringa oleifera leaf extract (MLE), nitrogen and potassium were studied on the productivity and quality of two cotton cultivars (CIM-573) and transgenic Bt cotton (CIM-598). The Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) factorial experiment was conducted at Bahauddin Zakariya [...] Read more.

The effects of exogenously applied Moringa oleifera leaf extract (MLE), nitrogen and potassium were studied on the productivity and quality of two cotton cultivars (CIM-573) and transgenic Bt cotton (CIM-598). The Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) factorial experiment was conducted at Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan (30.2639 °N, 71.5101 °E; 123 m asl), during 2016 and 2017, with three replications. The analysis of variance revealed the significance of cotton cultivars and foliar applications for the majority of traits studied, in both years. The CIM-573 had superiority for most of the traits studied in 2016 and 2017 trials, while the CIM-598 cultivar had significantly higher record for chlorophyll content, seed cotton yield, mean boll weight, and seed index in 2016 and sympodial branches per plant in 2017. Foliar application of Moringa Leaf Extract (MLE) and synthetic fertilizers showed significant differences for the traits studied compared to the distilled water. Exogenous application of MLE has a positive effect on photosynthetic and enzymatic activities that improve the efficiency of nutrients that are utilized, thereby improving the growth, seed cotton yield and quality of cotton cultivars tested. All the interaction effects had a significant influence on the traits studied, except ginning percentage in 2016. The interaction between the conventional cotton cultivar (CIM 573) and exogenous application of MLE + nitrogen + potassium had significantly higher effect on plant height, cotton yield, staple length, fiber maturity, and fiber strength for the 2017 trial and was superior for the quality parameters in 2017. The interaction of the Bt cotton cultivar (CIM 598) and the foliar application of MLE + nitrogen + potassium had superiority in cotton yield, yield components and the quality parameters in the 2017 trial. Both the CIM 573 and CIM 598 cotton cultivars had consistent expressions for all quality traits studied, although they did fluctuate in their expression to these agronomic traits between the field trials of 2016 and 2017. Additive gene effects could be the explanation for the unstable effects of yield and the related traits in the different environmental conditions of the field trials in the two years. Our results suggest that the exogenous application of MLE alone and in combination with nitrogen and potassium could be used to improve the productivity and the quality of these cotton cultivars. The correlation coefficients indicate strong associations between the agronomic and quality traits, indicating that one or more yield parameters could be used as selection criteria to improve the productivity and quality of cotton. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Agriculture)

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15 pages, 1853 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

An Index-Based Assessment of Perceived Climate Risk and Vulnerability for the Urban Cluster in the Yangtze River Delta Region of China

by Landong Sun, Zhan Tian, Huan Zou, Lanzhu Shao, Laixiang Sun, Guangtao Dong, Dongli Fan, Xinxing Huang, Laura Frost and Lewis-Fox James

Sustainability 2019, 11(7), 2099; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11072099 - 9 Apr 2019

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 5550

Abstract

This paper proposes an index-based assessment tool to consolidate diverse opinions of various stakeholders on their assessments of sector-specific risks posed by climate change, and to aggregate these opinions into intuitive and comparable graphs. This tool enables cities to measure and monitor the [...] Read more.

This paper proposes an index-based assessment tool to consolidate diverse opinions of various stakeholders on their assessments of sector-specific risks posed by climate change, and to aggregate these opinions into intuitive and comparable graphs. This tool enables cities to measure and monitor the multiple factors that contribute to their resilience towards climate risk and hazard in the long term. We applied this tool to five key infrastructure sectors in six representative cities in the Yangtze River Delta region. The graphs generated provide for the first time first-hand insights into the aggregative understanding of various stakeholders with regard to the current and future climate risk in their concerned sectors and cities. Our results indicate that a high level of exposure is not automatically associated with a high level of vulnerability across our selected cities. While all cities need to make efforts to reduce their vulnerability towards climate hazards, those characterized by “lower level of exposure but higher level of vulnerability” need to make more urgent and much greater efforts. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Climate Change and Sustainable Development Policy)

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21 pages, 275 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Can Pay-As-You-Go, Digitally Enabled Business Models Support Sustainability Transformations in Developing Countries? Outstanding Questions and a Theoretical Basis for Future Research

by David Ockwell, Joanes Atela, Kennedy Mbeva, Victoria Chengo, Rob Byrne, Rachael Durrant, Victoria Kasprowicz and Adrian Ely

Sustainability 2019, 11(7), 2105; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11072105 - 9 Apr 2019

Cited by 32 | Viewed by 7775

Abstract

This paper examines the rapidly emerging and rapidly changing phenomenon of pay-as-you-go (PAYG), digitally enabled business models, which have had significant early success in providing poor people with access to technologies relevant to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) (e.g., for electricity access, water [...] Read more.

This paper examines the rapidly emerging and rapidly changing phenomenon of pay-as-you-go (PAYG), digitally enabled business models, which have had significant early success in providing poor people with access to technologies relevant to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) (e.g., for electricity access, water and sanitation, and agricultural irrigation). Data are analysed based on literature review, two stakeholder workshops (or “transformation labs”), and stakeholder interviews (engaging 41 stakeholders in total). This demonstrates the existing literature on PAYG is patchy at best, with no comprehensive or longitudinal, and very little theoretically grounded, research to date. The paper contributes to existing research on PAYG, and sustainability transformations more broadly, in two key ways. Firstly, it articulates a range of questions that remain to be answered in order to understand and deliver against the current and potential contribution of PAYG in affecting sustainability transformations (the latter we define as achieving environmental sustainability and social justice). These questions focus at three levels: national contexts for fostering innovation and technology uptake, the daily lives of poor and marginalised women and men, and global political economies and value accumulation. Secondly, the paper articulates three areas of theory (based on emerging critical social science research on sustainable energy access) that have potential to support future research that might answer these questions, namely: socio-technical innovation system-building, social practice, and global political economy and value chain analysis. Whilst recognising existing tensions between these three areas of theory, we argue that rapid sustainability transformations demand a level of epistemic pragmatism. Such pragmatism, we argue, can be achieved by situating research using any of the above areas of theory within the broader context of Leach et al.’s (2010) Pathways Approach. This allows for exactly the kind of interdisciplinary approach, based on a commitment to pluralism and the co-production of knowledge, and firmly rooted commitment to environmental sustainability and social justice that the SDGs demand. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Low Carbon Innovation—Strategic Steps toward Deep Transition)

18 pages, 5400 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Estimation of Gridded Population and GDP Scenarios with Spatially Explicit Statistical Downscaling

by Daisuke Murakami and Yoshiki Yamagata

Sustainability 2019, 11(7), 2106; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11072106 - 9 Apr 2019

Cited by 131 | Viewed by 13744

Abstract

This study downscales the population and gross domestic product (GDP) scenarios given under Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs) into 0.5-degree grids. Our downscale approach has the following features. (i) It explicitly considers spatial and socioeconomic interactions among cities, (ii) it utilizes auxiliary variables, including [...] Read more.

This study downscales the population and gross domestic product (GDP) scenarios given under Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs) into 0.5-degree grids. Our downscale approach has the following features. (i) It explicitly considers spatial and socioeconomic interactions among cities, (ii) it utilizes auxiliary variables, including road network and land cover, (iii) it endogenously estimates the influence from each factor by a model ensemble approach, and (iv) it allows us to control urban shrinkage/dispersion depending on SSPs. It is confirmed that our downscaling results are consistent with scenario assumptions (e.g., concentration in SSP1 and dispersion in SSP3). Besides, while existing grid-level scenarios tend to have overly-smoothed population distributions in nonurban areas, ours does not suffer from the problem, and captures the difference in urban and nonurban areas in a more reasonable manner. Our gridded dataset, including population counts and gross productivities by 0.5 degree grids by 10 years, are available from http://www.cger.nies.go.jp/gcp/population-and-gdp.html. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Land Cover Changes and Sustainable Urban Growth)

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14 pages, 1345 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Contrasting Effects of Tillage and Landscape Structure on Spiders and Springtails in Vineyards

by Alexandra Pfingstmann, Daniel Paredes, Jacob Buchholz, Pascal Querner, Thomas Bauer, Peter Strauss, Sophie Kratschmer, Silvia Winter and Johann Zaller

Sustainability 2019, 11(7), 2095; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11072095 - 8 Apr 2019

Cited by 28 | Viewed by 5174

Abstract

Interactions between predatory species and their potential prey are little studied in vineyards, especially considering the surrounding landscape structure. We examined the effects of soil tillage intensities in vineyard inter-rows on the activity density and diversity of spiders (Araneae) and springtails (Collembola), their [...] Read more.

Interactions between predatory species and their potential prey are little studied in vineyards, especially considering the surrounding landscape structure. We examined the effects of soil tillage intensities in vineyard inter-rows on the activity density and diversity of spiders (Araneae) and springtails (Collembola), their potential preys, and assessed whether these effects are altered by non-crop elements in the surrounding landscape. We collected data in 16 vineyards in Austria; eight were periodically mechanically disturbed (PMD), eight had permanent green cover (PGC). The study vineyards were embedded in landscapes ranging from structurally simple to complex. Both, spiders and springtails were collected with pitfall traps. Data analyses using generalized linear mixed models (GLMM) showed different effects of soil tillage intensities on spiders and springtails and an interaction with semi-natural elements (SNEs) in the surrounding landscape. Activities of springtails were higher under PMD than under PGC while spider activity density remained unaffected. Spider family Shannon diversity was lower under PMD than under PGC, while springtail species Shannon diversity was unaffected by tillage. Under PMD, spider activity and family diversity decreased with increasing SNEs in the surroundings indicating spider emigration away from vineyards. Under PGC, spider activity density increased with increasing SNE proportions in the surroundings when springtail activity density was high. Our findings suggest that recommendations on sustainable vineyard management should include both site and landscape factors. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agroecology: Principles and Application for Efficient and Sustainable Agricultural Production)

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23 pages, 1347 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Evaluation of Suitable Amount of Water and Fertilizer for Mature Grapes in Drip Irrigation in Extreme Arid Regions

by Yusheng Hou, Zhenhua Wang, Huaijun Ding, Wenhao Li, Yue Wen, Jifeng Zhang and Yunqing Dou

Sustainability 2019, 11(7), 2063; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11072063 - 7 Apr 2019

Cited by 20 | Viewed by 3830

Abstract

Low water and fertilizer use efficiency have become important factors restricting the sustainable development of agriculture in extreme arid areas, typically like Xinjiang in China. In order to optimize the water and fertilizer management system of grape drip irrigation in the region, field [...] Read more.

Low water and fertilizer use efficiency have become important factors restricting the sustainable development of agriculture in extreme arid areas, typically like Xinjiang in China. In order to optimize the water and fertilizer management system of grape drip irrigation in the region, field experiments were carried out to study the effects of different water and fertilizer treatments on the physiological growth, yield, and quality of grapes. Meanwhile, principal component analysis, grey correlation analysis, and regression analysis were used to quantify the relative optimal amount of water and fertilizer. The results showed that the effects of water and fertilizer interaction on the photosynthetic index and fluorescence index of grape leaves, in different growth periods, ng reached extremely significant levels (p < 0.01). The physiological indicators showed regular changes with the increase and decrease of water and fertilizer use and the appropriate amount of water and fertilizer could maintain the index at a superior level. Meanwhile, there are differences in the index of different growth stages and regular changes with the growth period. The effects of water and fertilizer interaction on the yield, water use efficiency, and quality of drip irrigation reached a very significant level (p < 0.01). The yield reached the maximum in W3F2 treatment and the yield increased by 29.76% compared with the minimum yield of W1F1. The quality index reached a superior level in W3F2 treatment. The results of principal component analysis and grey correlation analysis showed that the optimal water and fertilizer dosage was W3F2 (irrigation 750 mm, fertilization 750 kg ha⁻¹), of which N (300 kg ha⁻¹)-P₂O₅ (150 kg ha⁻¹)-K₂O (300 kg ha⁻¹), and multiple regression analysis was employed to determine the optimal range of water and fertilizer use is the following: Irrigation volume 725–825 mm and fertilization amount 684–889 kg ha⁻¹, of which N (273.6–355.6 kg ha⁻¹) - P₂O₅ (136.8–177.8 kg ha⁻¹) - K₂O (273.6–355.6 kg ha⁻¹). The research results can provide a scientific basis for the water and fertilizer management and drip irrigation technology of drip irrigation in seedless white grape fields in extremely arid areas and it is of great significance for the efficient use of regional water and fertilizer resources and the realization of sustainable socio-economic development in the region. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agroecology: Principles and Application for Efficient and Sustainable Agricultural Production)

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18 pages, 1454 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Exploring Gaps between Bottom-Up and Top-Down Emission Estimates Based on Uncertainties in Multiple Emission Inventories: A Case Study on CH₄ Emissions in China

by Penwadee Cheewaphongphan, Satoru Chatani and Nobuko Saigusa

Sustainability 2019, 11(7), 2054; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11072054 - 6 Apr 2019

Cited by 27 | Viewed by 6098

Abstract

Bottom-up CH₄ emission inventories, which have been developed from statistical analyses of activity data and country specific emission factors (EFs), have high uncertainty in terms of the estimations, according to results from top-down inverse model studies. This study aimed to determine the [...] Read more.

Bottom-up CH₄ emission inventories, which have been developed from statistical analyses of activity data and country specific emission factors (EFs), have high uncertainty in terms of the estimations, according to results from top-down inverse model studies. This study aimed to determine the causes of overestimation in CH₄ bottom-up emission inventories across China by applying parameter variability uncertainty analysis to three sets of CH₄ emission inventories titled PENG, GAINS, and EDGAR. The top three major sources of CH₄ emissions in China during the years 1990–2010, namely, coal mining, livestock, and rice cultivation, were selected for the investigation. The results of this study confirm the concerns raised by inverse modeling results in which we found significantly higher bottom-up emissions for the rice cultivation and coal mining sectors. The largest uncertainties were detected in the rice cultivation estimates and were caused by variations in the proportions of rice cultivation ecosystems and EFs; specifically, higher rates for both parameters were used in EDGAR. The coal mining sector was associated with the second highest level of uncertainty, and this was caused by variations in mining types and EFs, for which rather consistent parameters were used in EDGAR and GAINS, but values were slightly higher than those used in PENG. Insignificant differences were detected among the three sets of inventories for the livestock sector. Full article

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

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17 pages, 656 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Reducing Working Hours as a Means to Foster Low(er)-Carbon Lifestyles? An Exploratory Study on Swiss Employees

by Hugo Hanbury, Christoph Bader and Stephanie Moser

Sustainability 2019, 11(7), 2024; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11072024 - 5 Apr 2019

Cited by 22 | Viewed by 5745

Abstract

In the ongoing discussions on the transition to low-carbon systems a reduction of working hours has gained increased interest. A shift to lower incomes coupled with more discretionary time might promote low(er) individual carbon lifestyles without impairing individual well-being. Lower carbon emissions have [...] Read more.

In the ongoing discussions on the transition to low-carbon systems a reduction of working hours has gained increased interest. A shift to lower incomes coupled with more discretionary time might promote low(er) individual carbon lifestyles without impairing individual well-being. Lower carbon emissions have been linked to shorter working hours on a macroeconomic level and to lower income, and thus less carbon-intensive activities on an individual level. However, little empirical research has been done on the effects of a self-determined reduction of working time on an intra-individual level. The aim of this paper was to explore whether and how a reduction of working hours facilitates low(er)-carbon lifestyles. We do this by means of 17 qualitative guideline interviews with Swiss employees that had recently reduced their working hours. Our results suggest that the underlying motives behind the employees’ decisions to reduce their working hours are crucial. A beneficial climate-saving effect arose only for those employees who dedicated their newly gained time to binding activities, that require a certain degree of commitment, such as parenting and further education. In contrast, those who reduced their working hours due to a desire for more recreational time risked increasing the carbon intensity of their lifestyles due to carbon-intensive leisure activities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Low Carbon Innovation—Strategic Steps toward Deep Transition)

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21 pages, 578 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Conceptualising the Factors that Influence the Commercialisation of Non-Timber Forest Products: The Case of Wild Plant Gathering by Organic Herb Farmers in South Tyrol (Italy)

by Christoph Schunko, Sarah Lechthaler and Christian R. Vogl

Sustainability 2019, 11(7), 2028; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11072028 - 5 Apr 2019

Cited by 31 | Viewed by 5456

Abstract

The gathering and commercialisation of non-timber forest products (NTFP) in Europe has repeatedly been praised for its potential to support rural development. However, political support mechanisms explicitly targeting NTFP remain underdeveloped. In this study, we aimed to contribute to the design of support [...] Read more.

The gathering and commercialisation of non-timber forest products (NTFP) in Europe has repeatedly been praised for its potential to support rural development. However, political support mechanisms explicitly targeting NTFP remain underdeveloped. In this study, we aimed to contribute to the design of support mechanisms by understanding the factors that influence the commercialisation of wild plants by organic farmers. We first developed a conceptual framework based on fifteen factors and then applied the framework to a case study in South Tyrol (Alto Adige), Italy. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with all fourteen members of the Vereinigung Südtiroler Kräuteranbauer (Associazione Coltivatori Sudtirolesi Piante Officinali), who commercialised wild plant species, and the data were then analysed using qualitative content analysis. Agricultural intensification, pesticide drift, limited access to gathering sites suitable for organic certification, legal restrictions, lack of consumer awareness about the additional value of organic wild plant certification, and limited product diversity were perceived as limiting factors; management techniques in organic farming, organic certification, a trend for wild, regional and healthy foods, the availability of training, and favourable cultural values and attitudes towards wild plant gathering were perceived as supportive. This study offers a comprehensive understanding of the many diverse factors that may influence wild plant commercialisation in Europe and beyond and provides guidance on how political support mechanisms could unlock the much heralded potential of wild plant commercialisation for rural development. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Certified Wild Plant Gathering (in Organic Farming): Sustainability, Food Safety, Compliance and Supply Chains)

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20 pages, 2288 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

A Field Method for Landscape Conservation Surveying: The Landscape Assessment Protocol (LAP)

by Vassiliki Vlami, Stamatis Zogaris, Hakan Djuma, Ioannis P. Kokkoris, George Kehayias and Panayotis Dimopoulos

Sustainability 2019, 11(7), 2019; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11072019 - 4 Apr 2019

Cited by 28 | Viewed by 8266

Abstract

We introduce a field survey method to assess the conservation condition of landscapes. Using a popular rapid assessment format, this study defines observable “stressed states” identified through the use of general metrics to gauge landscape degradation. Fifteen metrics within six thematic categories were [...] Read more.

We introduce a field survey method to assess the conservation condition of landscapes. Using a popular rapid assessment format, this study defines observable “stressed states” identified through the use of general metrics to gauge landscape degradation. Fifteen metrics within six thematic categories were selected through a literature review and extensive field trials. Field tests on the Greek island of Samothraki show a strong correlation between a single expert’s scores and five assessor’s scores at 35 landscape sites. Only three of the metrics did not maintain a high consistency among assessors; however, this is explained by the difficulty of interpreting certain anthropogenic stressors (such as livestock grazing) in Mediterranean semi-natural landscapes with culturally-modified vegetation patterns. The protocol and proposed index, with five conservation condition classes, identified areas of excellent and good quality, and reliably distinguished the most degraded landscape conditions on the island. Uncertainties and difficulties of the index are investigated, and further research and validation are proposed. The protocol effectively goes beyond a traditional visual aesthetic assessment; it can be used both by experts and non-scientists as a conservation-relevant multi-disciplinary procedure to support a holistic landscape diagnosis. The combination of an on-site experiential survey and its simple integrative format may be useful as a screening-level index, and for promoting local participation, landscape literacy and educational initiatives. Full article

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

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16 pages, 1603 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Decomposition Analysis of Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Korea’s Transportation Sector

by Suyi Kim

Sustainability 2019, 11(7), 1986; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11071986 - 3 Apr 2019

Cited by 36 | Viewed by 6451

Abstract

This study analyzed the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the transportation sector in Korea from 1990 to 2013 using Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index (LMDI) factor decomposition methods. We decomposed these emissions into six factors: The population effect, the economic growth effect due to [...] Read more.

This study analyzed the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the transportation sector in Korea from 1990 to 2013 using Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index (LMDI) factor decomposition methods. We decomposed these emissions into six factors: The population effect, the economic growth effect due to changes in the gross domestic product per capita, the energy intensity effect due to changes in energy consumption per gross domestic product, the transportation mode effect, the energy mix effect, and the emission factor effect. The results show that some factors can cause an increase in GHG emissions predominantly influenced by the economic growth effect, followed by the population growth effect. By contrast, others can cause a decrease in GHG emissions, predominantly via the energy intensity effect. Even though the transportation mode effect has contributed to a reduction of GHG emissions, it remains relatively small compared to other factors. The energy mix and emission factor effects contributed to the reduction of GHG emissions in the early 2000s, however the effects have led to an increase of GHG emissions since the mid-2000s. Altogether, based on these results, this study suggests some GHG mitigation policies aimed at achieving the national target for this sector. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Transport: Transport, Environment, and Development)

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15 pages, 4003 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Investigation of a Farm-scale Multitrophic Recirculating Aquaculture System with the Addition of Rhodovulum sulfidophilum for Milkfish (Chanos chanos) Coastal Aquaculture

by Bea-Ven Chang, Chien-Sen Liao, Yi-Tang Chang, Wei-Liang Chao, Shinn-Lih Yeh, Dong-Lin Kuo and Chu-Wen Yang

Sustainability 2019, 11(7), 1880; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11071880 - 28 Mar 2019

Cited by 25 | Viewed by 7146

Abstract

Globally, coastal aquaculture is growing due to the large demand for marine products. Specific impacts caused by coastal aquaculture on the environment include the discharge of culture farm effluents, stress on ground water (the absence of recycling), nutrient pollution, and diseases of cultured [...] Read more.

Globally, coastal aquaculture is growing due to the large demand for marine products. Specific impacts caused by coastal aquaculture on the environment include the discharge of culture farm effluents, stress on ground water (the absence of recycling), nutrient pollution, and diseases of cultured animals. Three methods, integrated multitrophic aquaculture (IMTA), recirculating aquaculture system (RAS), and beneficial bacteria for aquaculture, have been developed to solve these problems. In this study, the advantages of IMTA and RAS were integrated to develop a novel multitrophic recirculating aquaculture system (MRAS) to adapt to the farm-scale culturing of milkfish (Chanos chanos). The photosynthetic bacteria Rhodovulum sulfidophilum was added to enhance the performance of the farm-scale milkfish MRAS. This setting could promote growth of beneficial bacteria, such as the nitrogen cycle-associated microbial community and the anoxygenic phototrophic Acidobacteria community. The ammonia level was reduced, and the total phosphorous level was stable in the water recycled in the MRAS. The cyanobacteria, algae, Vibrio, Escherichia, and other potential pathogenic bacteria communities were inhibited in the MRAS. This study provides an effective design of a water recycling aquaculture system. Milkfish, Asian tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon), Asian hard clam (Meretrix lusoria), and seaweed (Gracilaria sp.) can be cultured and simultaneously produced in the system. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability of Microbial Ecosystems: Soil and Aquatic Microbial Diversity)

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14 pages, 2745 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Influent Forecasting for Wastewater Treatment Plants in North America

by Gavin Boyd, Dain Na, Zhong Li, Spencer Snowling, Qianqian Zhang and Pengxiao Zhou

Sustainability 2019, 11(6), 1764; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11061764 - 23 Mar 2019

Cited by 52 | Viewed by 6486

Abstract

Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) is a time series analysis model that can be dated back to 1955. It has been used in many different fields of study to analyze time series and forecast future data points; however, it has not been widely [...] Read more.

Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) is a time series analysis model that can be dated back to 1955. It has been used in many different fields of study to analyze time series and forecast future data points; however, it has not been widely used to forecast daily wastewater influent flow. The objective of this study is to explore the possibility for wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) to utilize ARIMA for daily influent flow forecasting. To pursue the objective confidently, five stations across North America are used to validate ARIMA’s performance. These stations include Woodward, Niagara, North Davis, and two confidential plants. The results demonstrate that ARIMA models can produce satisfactory daily influent flow forecasts. Considering the results of this study, ARIMA models could provide the operating engineers at both municipal and rural WWTPs with sufficient information to run the stations efficiently and thus, support wastewater management and planning at various levels within a watershed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rural Sustainable Environmental Management)

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24 pages, 9736 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

The Environmental Effects of Urban Development in Hanoi, Vietnam from Satellite and Meteorological Observations from 1999–2016

by Thi Mai Nguyen, Tang-Huang Lin and Hai-Po Chan

Sustainability 2019, 11(6), 1768; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11061768 - 23 Mar 2019

Cited by 62 | Viewed by 13208

Abstract

Since 1990 the Hanoi capital region (or Hanoi metropolitan area) in Vietnam has undergone rapid development, which has gone together with increasing socio-economic growth and prosperity. However, the environmental degradation that has accompanied urban development has raised considerable concern from the public in [...] Read more.

Since 1990 the Hanoi capital region (or Hanoi metropolitan area) in Vietnam has undergone rapid development, which has gone together with increasing socio-economic growth and prosperity. However, the environmental degradation that has accompanied urban development has raised considerable concern from the public in recent years. This research investigates the effects of urban development on urban sprawl, urban heat island (UHI), and metropolitan weather phenomena that are related to the quality of urban life in the period from 1999–2016. To achieve these objectives, remote sensing technologies were applied to satellite images at three time points (i.e., 1999, 2009, and 2016) that were associated with the meteorological dataset from ground-based stations. The spatial distribution evolution was examined for the land use/land cover changes while using the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and normalized difference built-up index (NDBI). The increasing impact of urban sprawl on UHI intensity is determined based on the land surface temperature (LST) in multi-temporal forms. Increasing urbanization with the development of gradual outward and northward expansion from the city centre intensified the correlation analysis shows that the UHI. The potential formation of new UHI areas in the near future is also indicated. Furthermore, more than 30% of the metropolitan area is decaying in ecological quality according to an assessment of the urban thermal field variance index (UTFVI). With respect to metropolitan weather, the urbanization in Hanoi affected the observation of meteorological parameters revealed that the relative humidity, total rainfall, temperature, and wind speed over both urban and rural areas. The overall results imply that urban development and its environmental effects and impacts have imposed pressing issues and new challenges to sustainable development in the Hanoi metropolitan area. Full article

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

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17 pages, 2747 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Shrub Encroachment Shapes Soil Nutrient Concentration, Stoichiometry and Carbon Storage in an Abandoned Subalpine Grassland

by Leilei Ding, Puchang Wang, Wen Zhang, Yu Zhang, Shige Li, Xin Wei, Xi Chen, Yujun Zhang and Fuli Yang

Sustainability 2019, 11(6), 1732; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11061732 - 22 Mar 2019

Cited by 34 | Viewed by 4597

Abstract

Soil nutrient stoichiometry plays a substantial role in terrestrial carbon and nutrient cycling. However, the changes in soil nutrient stoichiometry with shrub encroachment (SE) remain poorly understood, especially in subalpine areas. We examined the changes in soil nutrient concentration, nutrient stoichiometry, and organic [...] Read more.

Soil nutrient stoichiometry plays a substantial role in terrestrial carbon and nutrient cycling. However, the changes in soil nutrient stoichiometry with shrub encroachment (SE) remain poorly understood, especially in subalpine areas. We examined the changes in soil nutrient concentration, nutrient stoichiometry, and organic carbon (OC) storage (at a depth of 0–5, 5–10 and 10–20 cm) in three successional shrub encroachment stages (early, mid and late) in an abandoned subalpine Eulalia pallens (Hackel) Kuntze grassland. An ANOVA showed that SE did not produce serious soil acidification, but significantly increased the soil OC and total phosphorous (TP) concentration, and improved the stoichiometry ratio of soil OC to total nitrogen (OC:TN) in all layers. OC storage tended to increase with SE. SE thus did not indicate degradation of the grassland. A redundancy analysis (RDA) and partial RDA revealed that the shrub relative cover and soil water content were the most important factors affecting the soil nutrient concentration, that the soil available phosphorous (AP), nitrogen, potassium, calcium (ACa), and magnesium concentration and shrub relative cover were the most important factors influencing soil nutrient stoichiometry ratios, and that soil OC:TN, TN:TP, OC:TN:TP, and AP:ACa ratios, bulk density, and pH were the most important factors influencing soil OC storage over SE. Our study provides insights into SE in grassland areas, and potentially provides a useful reference for ongoing grassland conservation and restoration in subalpine regions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Agriculture)

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21 pages, 11594 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Daily Accessed Street Greenery and Housing Price: Measuring Economic Performance of Human-Scale Streetscapes via New Urban Data

by Yu Ye, Hanting Xie, Jia Fang, Hetao Jiang and De Wang

Sustainability 2019, 11(6), 1741; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11061741 - 22 Mar 2019

Cited by 67 | Viewed by 5978

Abstract

The protective effects of street greenery on ecological, psychological, and behavioral phenomena have been well recognized. Nevertheless, the potential economic effect of daily accessed street greenery, i.e., a human-scale and perceptual-oriented quality focusing on exposure to street greenery in people’s daily lives, has [...] Read more.

The protective effects of street greenery on ecological, psychological, and behavioral phenomena have been well recognized. Nevertheless, the potential economic effect of daily accessed street greenery, i.e., a human-scale and perceptual-oriented quality focusing on exposure to street greenery in people’s daily lives, has not been fully studied because a quantitative measuring of this human-scale indicator is hard to achieve. This study was an attempt in this direction with the help of new urban data and new analytical tools. Shanghai, which has a mature real estate market, was selected for study, and the housing prices of 1395 private neighborhoods in its city center were collected. We selected more than forty variables that were classified under five categories—location features, distances to the closest facilities, density of facilities within a certain radius, housing and neighborhood features, and daily accessed street greenery—in a hedonic pricing model. The distance and density of facilities were computed through a massive number of points-of-interest and a geographical information system. The visible street greenery was collected from Baidu street view images and then measured via a machine-learning algorithm, while accessibility was measured through space syntax. In addition to the well-recognized effects previously discovered, the results show that visible street greenery and street accessibility at global scale hold significant positive coefficients for housing prices. Visible street greenery even obtains the second-highest regression coefficient in the model. Moreover, the combined assessment, the co-presence of local-scale accessibility and eye-level greenery, is significant for housing price as well. This study provides a scientific and quantitative support for the significance of human-scale street greenery, making it an important issue in urban greening policy for urban planners and decision makers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Sustainability in Geographic Science)

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25 pages, 6289 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Integration of Urban Freight Innovations: Sustainable Inner-Urban Intermodal Transportation in the Retail/Postal Industry

by Zhangyuan He and Hans-Dietrich Haasis

Sustainability 2019, 11(6), 1749; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11061749 - 22 Mar 2019

Cited by 38 | Viewed by 8802

Abstract

Urban population growth has permanently increased the commodity demands and freight flow within urban areas. The retail/postal industry is intent on finding appropriate internal approaches and a new business model to respond to the adverse impacts generated by urban freight activities. Usage of [...] Read more.

Urban population growth has permanently increased the commodity demands and freight flow within urban areas. The retail/postal industry is intent on finding appropriate internal approaches and a new business model to respond to the adverse impacts generated by urban freight activities. Usage of emerging transport modes is an efficient solution for these industries. Nevertheless, considerable research has paid less attention to the implementation status of distribution innovations, as well as to their suitability and application restrictions. Concurrently, a comprehensive consideration of various distribution innovations that operate together as a system is lacking. To this end, this paper adopted a literature review method and GE multifactorial analysis. Specifically, this paper reviewed the related articles that were published in the past six years (2013–2018) to define the concept of distribution innovations. In addition, we adopted the approach of GE multifactorial analysis to analyze the application status of distribution innovations from the perspective of academic research and company implementation. Following the suitability assessment and application of restriction analysis, we proposed the concept of sustainable inner-urban intermodal transport (SIUIT) for the retail/postal industry. This paper contributes to the sustainable urban freight literature by exploring possible future research directions of SIUIT. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Intermodal Transportation and Sustainable Mobility)

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16 pages, 791 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

The Introduction of Insect Meal into Fish Diet: The First Economic Analysis on European Sea Bass Farming

by Brunella Arru, Roberto Furesi, Laura Gasco, Fabio A. Madau and Pietro Pulina

Sustainability 2019, 11(6), 1697; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11061697 - 21 Mar 2019

Cited by 96 | Viewed by 10404

Abstract

The economic and environmental sustainability of aquaculture depends significantly on the nature and quality of the fish feed used. One of the main criticisms of aquaculture is the need to use significant amounts of fish meal, and other marine protein sources, in such [...] Read more.

The economic and environmental sustainability of aquaculture depends significantly on the nature and quality of the fish feed used. One of the main criticisms of aquaculture is the need to use significant amounts of fish meal, and other marine protein sources, in such feed. Unfortunately, the availability of the oceanic resources, typically used to produce fish feed, cannot be utilized indefinitely to cover the worldwide feed demand caused by ever-increasing aquaculture production. In light of these considerations, this study estimates how aquaculture farm economic outcomes can change by introducing insect meal into the diet of cultivated fish. Several possible economic effects are simulated, based on various scenarios, with different percentages of insect flour in the feed and varying meal prices using a case study of a specialized off-shore sea bass farm in Italy. The findings indicate that the introduction of insect meal—composed of Tenebrio molitor—would increase feeding costs due to the high market prices of this flour and its less convenient feed conversion ratio than that of fish meal. Therefore, the expected environmental benefits of using this highly promising insect meal in fish feed do not align with the current economic interests of the aquaculture industry. To our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate this theme, and it must be noted that our findings cannot be generalized widely because a specific case study was used. Nevertheless, our findings suggest that efforts should be made—at least at the farm level—to find profitable ways to encourage the introduction of this attractive alternative to guarantee both economic and environmental sustainability in the near future. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Agriculture)

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13 pages, 2541 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Effects of Grazing Exclusion on Biomass Growth and Species Diversity among Various Grassland Types of the Tibetan Plateau

by Suizi Wang, Jiangwen Fan, Yuzhe Li and Lin Huang

Sustainability 2019, 11(6), 1705; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11061705 - 21 Mar 2019

Cited by 52 | Viewed by 4539

Abstract

Livestock grazing is an important determinant of species diversity and plant growth. Overgrazing is identified as one of the most important disturbances resulting in grassland degradation. Although many restoration practices have been implemented, grazing exclusion is one of the most effective methods to [...] Read more.

Livestock grazing is an important determinant of species diversity and plant growth. Overgrazing is identified as one of the most important disturbances resulting in grassland degradation. Although many restoration practices have been implemented, grazing exclusion is one of the most effective methods to restore degraded grasslands. We explored the impact of five years of grazing exclusion on plant growth and species diversity in four types of grasslands: temperate steppe (TS), swamp meadow (SM), alpine steppe (AS), and alpine meadow (AM). Our results showed that grazing exclusion increased plant height, coverage, biomass, and species diversity in all four grasslands. The aboveground biomass in AM (180.8%), TS (117.3%), and SW (105.9%) increased significantly more than AS (10.1%). Grazing exclusion in AM had the greatest effect on proportion of palatable species, and the increase in palatable species in AM was higher than that of the other grassland types significantly. Species diversity increased significantly within the enclosure in SM (23.9%) and AM (20.8%). Our results indicate that grazing exclusion is an effective management strategy to restore degraded grasslands and it works best in alpine meadow. This study contributes to the growing theoretical basis for grassland management strategies and has a significant effect on sustainable development for grassland resources and pastoral areas. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Agriculture)

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26 pages, 3410 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Adoption of Systemic and Socio-Technical Perspectives in Waste Management, WEEE and ELV Research

by Magnus Andersson, Maria Ljunggren Söderman and Björn A. Sandén

Sustainability 2019, 11(6), 1677; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11061677 - 20 Mar 2019

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 4433

Abstract

A greater quantity and variety of materials are being produced worldwide to meet demand for consumer products, buildings and infrastructure. Additionally, highly diffused products such as cars and electronics have become materially complex and depend on numerous scarce metals. Consequently, managing the societal [...] Read more.

A greater quantity and variety of materials are being produced worldwide to meet demand for consumer products, buildings and infrastructure. Additionally, highly diffused products such as cars and electronics have become materially complex and depend on numerous scarce metals. Consequently, managing the societal supply of a variety of materials and metals sustainably is becoming increasingly important. This includes the use of efficient and effective waste management. However, the current management of waste in general and of waste consumer products specifically, have been pointed out as requiring significant developments to become more advanced to cope with the increasing material complexity. It has also been pointed out that research taking systems perspectives is crucial to improve waste management. Additionally, researching change processes and the co-evolution of social and technical factors (i.e., socio-technical change), has furthered the understanding of how ‘green’ industries develop in other empirical fields. Consequently, both systemic and socio-technical perspectives are likely relevant to waste management research. We used the Scopus database to search for 31 research approaches associated with such perspectives in journal articles writing about waste management in general, waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) or end-of-life vehicles (ELVs). We conclude that, although the majority of the examined research does not mention the considered approaches, some environmental system analysis approaches are frequently mentioned and show signs of growth in adoption. In contrast, socio-technical approaches are scarcely mentioned. Consequently, we argue that there are relevant scientific tools yet to be adopted in waste management, WEEE and ELV research. Full article

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

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19 pages, 3031 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Clustering Smart City Services: Perceptions, Expectations, Responses

by Miltiadis D. Lytras, Anna Visvizi and Akila Sarirete

Sustainability 2019, 11(6), 1669; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11061669 - 19 Mar 2019

Cited by 98 | Viewed by 8958

Abstract

Smart cities research evolved into one of the most vibrant fields of research and policy-making with sustainability and well-being becoming the bons mots of the debate. The business sector, i.e., the developers and the vendors, form an equally important group of stakeholders in [...] Read more.

Smart cities research evolved into one of the most vibrant fields of research and policy-making with sustainability and well-being becoming the bons mots of the debate. The business sector, i.e., the developers and the vendors, form an equally important group of stakeholders in this context. The question is to what extent that debate yields the kind of output that the end-users would expect and would consider useful and usable. A plethora of smart city services exists. Literature suggests that a myriad of new ICT-enhanced tools could find application in urban space. Methodologically speaking, the question is how to link these two meaningfully. The objective of this paper is to address this issue. To this end, smart city services are mapped and clusters of services are identified; end users’ perceptions and expectations are identified and observations are drawn. The value added of this paper is threefold: (i) at the conceptual level, it adds new insights in the ‘normative bias of smart cities research’ thesis, (ii) at the empirical level, it typifies smart city services and clusters them, and (iii) it introduces a practical toolkit that policymakers, regulators, and the business sector might employ to query end-users’ perceptions and expectations to effectively respond to citizens’ needs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Smart Cities and Smart Villages Research: Rethinking Security, Safety, Well-being and Happiness)

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21 pages, 12435 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Assessment of Soil Suitability for Improvement of Soil Factors and Agricultural Management

by Sameh Kotb Abd-Elmabod, Noura Bakr, Miriam Muñoz-Rojas, Paulo Pereira, Zhenhua Zhang, Artemi Cerdà, Antonio Jordán, Hani Mansour, Diego De la Rosa and Laurence Jones

Sustainability 2019, 11(6), 1588; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11061588 - 15 Mar 2019

Cited by 72 | Viewed by 11372

Abstract

The dramatic growth of the world’s population is increasing the pressure on natural resources, particularly on soil systems. At the same time, inappropriate agricultural practices are causing widespread soil degradation. Improved management of soil resources and identification of the potential agricultural capability of [...] Read more.

The dramatic growth of the world’s population is increasing the pressure on natural resources, particularly on soil systems. At the same time, inappropriate agricultural practices are causing widespread soil degradation. Improved management of soil resources and identification of the potential agricultural capability of soils is therefore needed to prevent further land degradation, particularly in dryland areas such as Egypt. Here, we present a case study in the El-Fayoum depression (Northern Egypt) to model and map soil suitability for 12 typical Mediterranean crops. Two management scenarios were analyzed: the current situation (CS) and an optimal scenario (OS) of soil variables. The Almagra model was applied to estimate soil suitability under CS and OS. Management options based on the CS assessment were proposed to reduce some limiting factors: a fixed value of 2 dSm⁻¹ for soil salinity and 5% for sodium saturation; these defined the OS. Under optimal management, the OS scenario showed potential, where a notable increase of the area covered by a high suitability class (around 80%) for annual and semi-annual crops was observed. There was also a marked increase (about 70% for CS and 50% for OS) for perennial crops shifting from the marginal to moderate soil suitability class. The results reveal the importance of proper management to massively alter soil suitability into better states in order to achieve sustainable land use in this fertile agro-ecosystem. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Use of Soils and Water: the Role of Environmental Land Use Conflicts)

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31 pages, 10226 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

A Novel Hyper-Heuristic for the Biobjective Regional Low-Carbon Location-Routing Problem with Multiple Constraints

by Longlong Leng, Yanwei Zhao, Zheng Wang, Jingling Zhang, Wanliang Wang and Chunmiao Zhang

Sustainability 2019, 11(6), 1596; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11061596 - 15 Mar 2019

Cited by 26 | Viewed by 4584

Abstract

With the aim of reducing cost, carbon emissions, and service periods and improving clients’ satisfaction with the logistics network, this paper investigates the optimization of a variant of the location-routing problem (LRP), namely the regional low-carbon LRP (RLCLRP), considering simultaneous pickup and delivery, [...] Read more.

With the aim of reducing cost, carbon emissions, and service periods and improving clients’ satisfaction with the logistics network, this paper investigates the optimization of a variant of the location-routing problem (LRP), namely the regional low-carbon LRP (RLCLRP), considering simultaneous pickup and delivery, hard time windows, and a heterogeneous fleet. In order to solve this problem, we construct a biobjective model for the RLCLRP with minimum total cost consisting of depot, vehicle rental, fuel consumption, carbon emission costs, and vehicle waiting time. This paper further proposes a novel hyper-heuristic (HH) method to tackle the biobjective model. The presented method applies a quantum-based approach as a high-level selection strategy and the great deluge, late acceptance, and environmental selection as the acceptance criteria. We examine the superior efficiency of the proposed approach and model by conducting numerical experiments using different instances. Additionally, several managerial insights are provided for logistics enterprises to plan and design a distribution network by extensively analyzing the effects of various domain parameters such as depot cost and location, client distribution, and fleet composition on key performance indicators including fuel consumption, carbon emissions, logistics costs, and travel distance and time. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Transportation)

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25 pages, 3204 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Is Bicycle Sharing an Environmental Practice? Evidence from a Life Cycle Assessment Based on Behavioral Surveys

by Fanying Zheng, Fu Gu, Wujie Zhang and Jianfeng Guo

Sustainability 2019, 11(6), 1550; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11061550 - 14 Mar 2019

Cited by 55 | Viewed by 9636

Abstract

As an icon of sharing economy and product service systems, bicycle sharing is gaining an increasing global popularity, yet there is little knowledge about the environmental performance of this emerging traveling mode. To seek the answer to the question, the paper employs a [...] Read more.

As an icon of sharing economy and product service systems, bicycle sharing is gaining an increasing global popularity, yet there is little knowledge about the environmental performance of this emerging traveling mode. To seek the answer to the question, the paper employs a survey-based method and a life cycle assessment (LCA) approach. We first conduct a questionnaire-based survey to identify the changes in traveling modes after the introduction of shared bicycles. The survey results show that the use of shared bicycles is more popular among young and low-income populations, and shared bicycles are predominantly used to replace walking and bus-taking. Based on the survey results, we model the environmental impacts of the changed traveling behaviors and the life cycle of shared bicycle with the aid of Gabi software. The LCA results shows that bicycle sharing is currently an environmentally friendly practice, as it brings environmental savings in all the indicators except metal consumption. Further, the results of sensitivity analysis show that aging, rising rental fees, and increasing volume of shared bicycles would impart negative impacts on the environmental performance of bicycle sharing. The findings of this work facilitate the management and development of bicycle sharing. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Transportation)

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14 pages, 237 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Outcome-Driven Supply Chain Perspective on Dry Ports

by Alena Khaslavskaya and Violeta Roso

Sustainability 2019, 11(5), 1492; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11051492 - 12 Mar 2019

Cited by 37 | Viewed by 5590

Abstract

The hinterland leg of maritime containerized transport as a part of supply chain has been increasingly pressured by larger volumes, as well as by a need to fulfill sustainability requirements that are expressed by social opinion and formal regulations. There is a potential [...] Read more.

The hinterland leg of maritime containerized transport as a part of supply chain has been increasingly pressured by larger volumes, as well as by a need to fulfill sustainability requirements that are expressed by social opinion and formal regulations. There is a potential to relieve this pressure through integration of a dry port, as a seaport’s inland interface, in the supply chain. Therefore, this paper aims to explain how a supply chain can benefit or enhance its outcomes of cost, responsiveness, security, environmental performance, resilience, and innovation, by the integration of a dry port. The data for this case study is collected through interviews and site visits from the privately owned Skaraborg dry port, Sweden; and the study is limited to the actors of the transport system involved in the development and operations of the dry port integrated setup. The results show that the six supply chain outcomes (cost, responsiveness, security, environmental performance, resilience, and innovation) are perceived by the actors as being desirable, and can be enhanced by the integration of a dry port in the supply chains. In particular, the enhancement of the supply chain outcomes can be achieved due to intermodality and reliability of rail transportation and customization of services associated with the dry port integrated setup, and by increasing the capacity of transportation system. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dry Ports and Sustainable Futures)

24 pages, 1685 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Two-Stage Multi-Objective Meta-Heuristics for Environmental and Cost-Optimal Energy Refurbishment at District Level

by Diana Manjarres, Lara Mabe, Xabat Oregi and Itziar Landa-Torres

Sustainability 2019, 11(5), 1495; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11051495 - 12 Mar 2019

Cited by 27 | Viewed by 3516

Abstract

Energy efficiency and environmental performance optimization at the district level are following an upward trend mostly triggered by minimizing the Global Warming Potential (GWP) to 20% by 2020 and 40% by 2030 settled by the European Union (EU) compared with 1990 levels. This [...] Read more.

Energy efficiency and environmental performance optimization at the district level are following an upward trend mostly triggered by minimizing the Global Warming Potential (GWP) to 20% by 2020 and 40% by 2030 settled by the European Union (EU) compared with 1990 levels. This paper advances over the state of the art by proposing two novel multi-objective algorithms, named Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm (NSGA-II) and Multi-Objective Harmony Search (MOHS), aimed at achieving cost-effective energy refurbishment scenarios and allowing at district level the decision-making procedure. This challenge is not trivial since the optimisation process must provide feasible solutions for a simultaneous environmental and economic assessment at district scale taking into consideration highly demanding real-based constraints regarding district and buildings’ specific requirements. Consequently, in this paper, a two-stage optimization methodology is proposed in order to reduce the energy demand and fossil fuel consumption with an affordable investment cost at building level and minimize the total payback time while minimizing the GWP at district level. Aimed at demonstrating the effectiveness of the proposed two-stage multi-objective approaches, this work presents simulation results at two real district case studies in Donostia-San Sebastian (Spain) for which up to a 30% of reduction of GWP at district level is obtained for a Payback Time (PT) of 2–3 years. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Energy Sustainability)

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10 pages, 1377 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Passage Performance of Potamodromous Cyprinids over an Experimental Low-Head Ramped Weir: The Effect of Ramp Length and Slope

by Susana Dias Amaral, Paulo Branco, Christos Katopodis, Maria Teresa Ferreira, António Nascimento Pinheiro and José Maria Santos

Sustainability 2019, 11(5), 1456; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11051456 - 9 Mar 2019

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 3680

Abstract

Low-head ramped weirs are a common instream obstacle to fish movements. Fish passability of these structures, where water passes over but does not generate a waterfall, is primarily related to ramp length and slope, but their relative contribution has seldom been considered. This [...] Read more.

Low-head ramped weirs are a common instream obstacle to fish movements. Fish passability of these structures, where water passes over but does not generate a waterfall, is primarily related to ramp length and slope, but their relative contribution has seldom been considered. This study aims to assess the passage performance of a potamodromous cyprinid, the Iberian barbel (Luciobarbus bocagei), negotiating an experimental ramped weir with varying ramp length (L) and slope (S). Four configurations were tested, with a constant discharge of 110 L∙s⁻¹. Results suggest that both factors influenced passage performance of fish. Attraction efficiency (AE) increased with increasing L and S, whereas the number of successes (N) and passage efficiency (PE) decreased upon increasing L. For S, it was found that both N and PE peaked at the intermediate level (20%). These results suggest that configurations with the lowest slopes may not necessarily be the best option because they may be less attractive for the fish and their demand for space is higher. Higher slopes (but not excessive) could be more attractive to fish, less space-demanding, and therefore, more cost-effective. Future studies should investigate how discharge and boulder placement influence fish passage across ramped weirs, to improve habitat connectivity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Integrating Ecohydraulics in River Restoration: Advances in Science and Applications)

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19 pages, 841 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Slow Steaming as Part of SECA Compliance Strategies among RoRo and RoPax Shipping Companies

by Zeeshan Raza, Johan Woxenius and Christian Finnsgård

Sustainability 2019, 11(5), 1435; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11051435 - 8 Mar 2019

Cited by 31 | Viewed by 5172

Abstract

Many geographically peripheral member states of the EU are critically dependent on short sea Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo) and mixed freight–passenger (RoPax) shipping services for intra-European trade. The implementation of the Sulfur Emission Control Area (SECA) regulation was expected to raise the operating cost for [...] Read more.

Many geographically peripheral member states of the EU are critically dependent on short sea Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo) and mixed freight–passenger (RoPax) shipping services for intra-European trade. The implementation of the Sulfur Emission Control Area (SECA) regulation was expected to raise the operating cost for RoRo and RoPax shipping, and slow steaming was proposed as an immediate solution to save the increased cost. Previous research has investigated the issue of slow steaming and SECA using a quantitative approach. However, the reaction of the RoRo and RoPax shipping firms toward slow steaming as a mitigating factor in the face of expected additional SECA compliance costs using qualitative methodology has not been explored yet. In addition, the knowledge regarding the impact of slow steaming on the competitiveness of short sea RoRo and RoPax with respect to service quality is limited. This article has addressed these issues through the analysis of multiple cases focusing on RoRo and RoPax firms operating in the North and Baltic Seas. Overall, our findings suggest that the 0.1% SECA regulation of 2015 requiring the use of higher-priced MGO has not caused slow steaming in the RoRo and RoPax segments to a large extent. The increased bunker prices are partially transferred to the customers via increased Bunker Adjustment Factor and partly borne by the shipowners. We have found that out of 11 case firms in our study only one RoRo and one RoPax firm have reduced vessel speeds to compensate for the additional SECA compliance costs. We conclude that for RoPax and RoRo segment bunker prices, rigorous competition and, most important, different service quality requirements have significantly restricted the potential implementation of slow steaming. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Short Sea Shipping)

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19 pages, 5587 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Hydrological Responses to Climate and Land Use Changes in a Watershed of the Loess Plateau, China

by Rui Yan, Yanpeng Cai, Chunhui Li, Xuan Wang and Qiang Liu

Sustainability 2019, 11(5), 1443; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11051443 - 8 Mar 2019

Cited by 42 | Viewed by 4499

Abstract

This study researched the individual and combined impacts of future LULC and climate changes on water balance in the upper reaches of the Beiluo River basin on the Loess Plateau of China, using the scenarios of RCP4.5 and 8.5 of the Fifth Assessment [...] Read more.

This study researched the individual and combined impacts of future LULC and climate changes on water balance in the upper reaches of the Beiluo River basin on the Loess Plateau of China, using the scenarios of RCP4.5 and 8.5 of the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The climate data indicated that both precipitation and temperature increased at seasonal and annual scales from 2020 to 2050 under RCP4.5 and 8.5 scenarios. The future land use changes were predicted through the CA-Markov model. The land use predictions of 2025, 2035, and 2045 indicated rising forest areas with decreased agricultural land and grassland. In this study, three scenarios including only LULC change, only climate change, and combined climate and LULC change were established. The SWAT model was calibrated, validated, and used to simulate the water balance under the three scenarios. The results showed that increased rainfall and temperature may lead to increased runoff, water yield, and ET in spring, summer, and autumn and to decreased runoff, water yield, and ET in winter from 2020 to 2050. However, LULC change, compared with climate change, may have a smaller impact on the water balance. On an annual scale, runoff and water yield may gradually decrease, but ET may increase. The combined effects of both LULC and climate changes on water balance in the future were similar to the variation trend of climate changes alone at both annual and seasonal scales. The results obtained in this study provide further insight into the availability of future streamflow and can aid in water resource management planning in the study area. Full article

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

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23 pages, 2416 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Coupling Coordination Relationships between Urban-industrial Land Use Efficiency and Accessibility of Highway Networks: Evidence from Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Urban Agglomeration, China

by Chenxi Li, Xing Gao, Bao-Jie He, Jingyao Wu and Kening Wu

Sustainability 2019, 11(5), 1446; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11051446 - 8 Mar 2019

Cited by 107 | Viewed by 7614

Abstract

The implementation of the Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei coordinated development strategy has seriously increased the influence of land use and urban traffic. Thus, understanding the coordination between urban land and transportation systems is important for the efficient and sustainable development of cities, especially [...] Read more.

The implementation of the Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei coordinated development strategy has seriously increased the influence of land use and urban traffic. Thus, understanding the coordination between urban land and transportation systems is important for the efficient and sustainable development of cities, especially in this rapidly urbanizing era. Urban–industrial land and highway networks are, respectively, primary types of urban land and transportation systems, and have significant impacts on social and economic development. However, limited studies have been conducted to examine the relationships between urban–industrial land and highway networks. Therefore, this paper aims to examine the coupling coordination relationship between urban–industrial land use efficiency, and the accessibility of the highway networks of cities. Specifically, in the context of the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei (BTH) urban agglomeration, the coupling coordination between urban-industrial land use efficiency and accessibility of the highway traffic network was empirically analyzed. The results show that: (i) The differences in urban-industrial land use efficiency in the BTH region are significant. Capital cities in the BTH urban agglomeration have higher economic, social, and comprehensive efficiency, while in industrial cities, the use of urban–industrial land should prioritize ecological and environmental issues. (ii) Because of its good geographical location Beijing has the best accessibility, with an accessibility index of 1.416, while Qinhuangdao had the lowest accessibility index of 0.039. (iii) In most BTH cities, the urban-industrial comprehensive land use level has fallen behind the highway network development level. The results of this study can provide references for the coordinated development of the BTH urban agglomeration. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Toward Sustainability: Transport Geography and Mobility)

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20 pages, 846 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Farmers’ Adoption of Low-Carbon Agriculture in China: An Extended Theory of the Planned Behavior Model

by Jing Hou and Bo Hou

Sustainability 2019, 11(5), 1399; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11051399 - 6 Mar 2019

Cited by 69 | Viewed by 7891

Abstract

Farmers’ adoption of low-carbon agriculture is conductive to addressing climate change and achieving sustainable development of agriculture. The purpose of this study is to explore farmers’ decision-making processes regarding low-carbon production and to provide a reference for the targeted support policies of low-carbon [...] Read more.

Farmers’ adoption of low-carbon agriculture is conductive to addressing climate change and achieving sustainable development of agriculture. The purpose of this study is to explore farmers’ decision-making processes regarding low-carbon production and to provide a reference for the targeted support policies of low-carbon agriculture. The data was derived from a household survey of 442 rice farmers conducted in Jiangsu Province, China in 2017. Participants were interviewed face-to-face using questionnaires, and local interviewers were used in order to maximize the reliability of the results. The theoretical basis for our analysis was an extended theory of planned behavior (TPB). We applied a structural equation model (SEM) to investigate the correlations among farmers’ decision-making processes regarding low-carbon production and observable characteristics. Furthermore, we explored the differences in adoption decisions regarding low-carbon agriculture among different groups of farmers based on production scale and region, respectively. The results indicate that attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioral control, and contract farming participation are significantly positively correlated with farmers’ intention toward low-carbon production, and that farmers’ low-carbon production intention and contract farming participation have significant positive correlations with their behavior regarding low-carbon production. A subsample analysis shows that the subjective norm for farmers with a small production scale is more strongly correlated with their adoption decisions regarding low-carbon agriculture than that it is for farmers with a large production scale. Additionally, in less developed regions, farmers’ attitude is more strongly correlated with their adoption decisions regarding low-carbon agriculture than it is for farmers in developed regions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Agriculture)

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16 pages, 3993 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Are Renewables as Friendly to Humans as to the Environment?: A Social Life Cycle Assessment of Renewable Electricity

by Shutaro Takeda, Alexander Ryota Keeley, Shigeki Sakurai, Shunsuke Managi and Catherine Benoît Norris

Sustainability 2019, 11(5), 1370; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11051370 - 5 Mar 2019

Cited by 42 | Viewed by 8687

Abstract

The adoption of renewable energy technologies in developing nations is recognized to have positive environmental impacts; however, what are their effects on the electricity supply chain workers? This article provides a quantitative analysis on this question through a relatively new framework called social [...] Read more.

The adoption of renewable energy technologies in developing nations is recognized to have positive environmental impacts; however, what are their effects on the electricity supply chain workers? This article provides a quantitative analysis on this question through a relatively new framework called social life cycle assessment, taking Malaysia as a case example. Impact assessments by the authors show that electricity from renewables has greater adverse impacts on supply chain workers than the conventional electricity mix: Electricity production with biomass requires 127% longer labor hours per unit-electricity under the risk of human rights violations, while the solar photovoltaic requires 95% longer labor hours per unit-electricity. However, our assessment also indicates that renewables have less impacts per dollar-spent. In fact, the impact of solar photovoltaic would be 60% less than the conventional mix when it attains grid parity. The answer of “are renewables as friendly to humans as to the environment?” is “not-yet, but eventually.” Full article

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

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19 pages, 4001 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Labour Migration in the Middle Hills of Nepal: Consequences on Land Management Strategies

by Stéphanie Jaquet, Thomas Kohler and Gudrun Schwilch

Sustainability 2019, 11(5), 1349; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11051349 - 4 Mar 2019

Cited by 40 | Viewed by 7771

Abstract

Labour migration in Nepal is having profound effects on land management. We take two examples from the hills of Nepal where the increasing trend in outmigration continues unabated and explore its consequences. The purpose of this study is to understand the impacts of [...] Read more.

Labour migration in Nepal is having profound effects on land management. We take two examples from the hills of Nepal where the increasing trend in outmigration continues unabated and explore its consequences. The purpose of this study is to understand the impacts of the subsequent labour shortage on land management and how it affects households. We used data from two surveys and assessed land use change and degradation with a qualitative mapping method. The findings show that the local context leads to very different strategies in terms of land management. In one study area, land was left to lie fallow without any use, leading to overgrowth and forest recovery due to favourable climate conditions. In the other, land was no longer used as cropland but turned into grazing land with consequences such as land degradation. This study provides strong empirical data and also contributes to the mountain research community by shedding light on the effects of outmigration on land management in the hills of Nepal. We suggest that these effects, including the labour shortage and the increasingly important role of remittances, should be addressed in an integrative but differentiated way that takes into account the regional context. Full article

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

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19 pages, 1188 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Critical Issues at the Upstream Level in Sustainable Supply Chain Management of Agri-Food Industries: Evidence from Pakistan’s Citrus Industry

by Muhammad Asad ur Rehman Naseer, Muhammad Ashfaq, Sarfraz Hassan, Azhar Abbas, Amar Razzaq, Mubashir Mehdi, Anoma Ariyawardana and Mumtaz Anwar

Sustainability 2019, 11(5), 1326; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11051326 - 3 Mar 2019

Cited by 51 | Viewed by 11331

Abstract

Sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) has recently received increasing attention from researchers and the business community. Due to globalization and changing consumption patterns, agri-food industries have undergone a transformation, and the sustainability of agri-food supply chains has also received greater attention. However, the [...] Read more.

Sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) has recently received increasing attention from researchers and the business community. Due to globalization and changing consumption patterns, agri-food industries have undergone a transformation, and the sustainability of agri-food supply chains has also received greater attention. However, the issues of SSCM at the upstream level of the supply chain in agri-food industries have not been adequately empirically studied. This paper aims to list key issues or constraints in the production and marketing through farmers’ group discussions, supplemented by the literature, and empirically identifies key constraints to SSCM of the citrus industry in Pakistan. The paper used cross-sectional data from 300 farmers involved in the production and marketing of citrus in Punjab, Pakistan. Farmers were asked to answer on a Likert scale data about potential constraints identified from the literature and farmers’ group discussions. Kendell’s coefficient of concordance and the mean ranking technique was used to rank and to identify the critical constraints in the production and marketing of citrus. In addition, factor analysis (principal component analysis) was used for the grouping of these constraints. In production constraints, factors, such as fertilizer, pesticide, and seed quality, climate change, high production cost, and agricultural labor performance, are important. These constraints are aligned with some key marketing factors, such as packaging, grading, and storage facilities. The findings convey messages for policymakers to solve these issues and challenges at the upstream level of the SSCM chain in the citrus and related agri-food industries. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Critical issues on Agri-food System Management: Addressing Complexity in Present and Future Challenges)

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20 pages, 307 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Do Consumers Want to Pay for Green Electricity? A Case Study from Poland

by Anna Kowalska-Pyzalska

Sustainability 2019, 11(5), 1310; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11051310 - 2 Mar 2019

Cited by 55 | Viewed by 5371

Abstract

This paper analyses the willingness to pay (WTP) for green electricity among residential consumers in Poland, which is the sixth most populous and eighth largest and most dynamic economy in the European Union. The current share of renewable energy sources (RES) in energy [...] Read more.

This paper analyses the willingness to pay (WTP) for green electricity among residential consumers in Poland, which is the sixth most populous and eighth largest and most dynamic economy in the European Union. The current share of renewable energy sources (RES) in energy consumption is around 13.5% and is expected to increase. To estimate the mean WTP of the residential consumers in Poland, as well as its main determinants, an empirical survey has been conducted and a contingent valuation method has been used. The results obtained indicate that—above all—age, income, environmental attitudes, peer support, but also education and knowledge play the most important role in explaining consumers’ WTP for green electricity. Statistical analyses indicate that the mean WTP of Polish households is currently quite low (additional 3.5 USD per month), which is due to the relatively low GDP per capita, lack of knowledge about green energy and no past experience with green electricity tariffs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Energy Sustainability)

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16 pages, 4304 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Analysis of the Wind System Operation in the Optimal Energetic Area at Variable Wind Speed over Time

by Ciprian Sorandaru, Sorin Musuroi, Flaviu Mihai Frigura-Iliasa, Doru Vatau and Marian Dordescu

Sustainability 2019, 11(5), 1249; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11051249 - 27 Feb 2019

Cited by 25 | Viewed by 2479

Abstract

Due to high mechanical inertia and rapid variations in wind speed over time, at variable wind speeds, the problem of operation in the optimal energetic area becomes complex and in due time it is not always solvable. No work has been found that [...] Read more.

Due to high mechanical inertia and rapid variations in wind speed over time, at variable wind speeds, the problem of operation in the optimal energetic area becomes complex and in due time it is not always solvable. No work has been found that analyzes the energy-optimal operation of a wind system operating at variable wind speeds over time and that considers the variation of the wind speed over time. In this paper, we take into account the evolution of wind speed over time and its measurement with a low-power turbine, which operates with no load at the mechanical angular velocity ω_MAX. The optimal velocity is calculated. The energy that is captured by the wind turbine significantly depends on the mechanical angular velocity. In order to perform a function in the maximum power point (MPP) power point area, the load on the electric generator is changed, and the optimum mechanical velocity is estimated, ω_OPTIM, knowing that the ratio ω_OPTIM/ω_MAX does not depend on the time variation of the wind speed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Energy Sustainability)

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19 pages, 6474 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

A Courier Service with Electric Bicycles in an Urban Area: The Case in Seoul

by Keyju Lee, Junjae Chae and Jinwoo Kim

Sustainability 2019, 11(5), 1255; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11051255 - 27 Feb 2019

Cited by 43 | Viewed by 8167

Abstract

Various factors must be considered when running a courier service in an urban area, because the infrastructure of a city differs from those in suburban or countryside areas. Of note, population density is higher, and vehicles encounter greater restrictions. Moreover, air pollution from [...] Read more.

Various factors must be considered when running a courier service in an urban area, because the infrastructure of a city differs from those in suburban or countryside areas. Of note, population density is higher, and vehicles encounter greater restrictions. Moreover, air pollution from fossil fuel combustion is more severe. As tailpipe emissions are becoming costly to both corporations and the environment, researchers are increasingly exploring more appealing transportation options. Electric bicycles have become an important mode of transportation in some countries in the past decade. Electric bicycles and automobiles have their respective merits and demerits when used to provide courier services. E-bikes in particular can ply their trade in densely packed areas that are off-limits to cars and trucks. This paper focuses on (1) developing a truck–bike mixture model to reduce operating costs for an existing truck-only service by replacing some of the trucks with bicycles, and (2) exploring the resulting effects in terms of reducing overall carbon emissions. Data from one of the major courier companies in South Korea were utilized. The problem was tackled as a heterogeneous fleet vehicle routing problem using simulated annealing because the actual size of the problem cannot be solved directly with a mathematical approach. The most effective fleet mix was found for the company’s case. Effects on operating costs and reduced emissions were analyzed for 15 different scenarios with varying demands and off-limits areas. Computational results revealed that the new model is viable from economic and sustainability standpoints. They indicated that costs decrease to varying degrees in all scenarios, and that carbon emissions also decrease by around 10% regardless of the selected scenario. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Urban Logistics)

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19 pages, 997 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

The Sustainability Conundrum of Fishmeal Substitution by Plant Ingredients in Shrimp Feeds

by Wesley Malcorps, Björn Kok, Mike van‘t Land, Maarten Fritz, Davy van Doren, Kurt Servin, Paul van der Heijden, Roy Palmer, Neil A. Auchterlonie, Max Rietkerk, Maria J. Santos and Simon J. Davies

Sustainability 2019, 11(4), 1212; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11041212 - 25 Feb 2019

Cited by 106 | Viewed by 26077

Abstract

Aquaculture is central in meeting expanding global demands for shrimp consumption. Consequently, increasing feed use is mainly responsible for the overall environmental impact of aquaculture production. Significant amounts of fishmeal are included in shrimp diets, causing dependency on finite marine resources. Driven by [...] Read more.

Aquaculture is central in meeting expanding global demands for shrimp consumption. Consequently, increasing feed use is mainly responsible for the overall environmental impact of aquaculture production. Significant amounts of fishmeal are included in shrimp diets, causing dependency on finite marine resources. Driven by economic incentives, terrestrial plant ingredients are widely viewed as sustainable alternatives. Incremental fishmeal substitution by plant ingredients in shrimp feed was modeled and effects on marine and terrestrial resources such as fish, land, freshwater, nitrogen, and phosphorus were assessed. We find that complete substitution of 20–30% fishmeal totals could lead to increasing demand for freshwater (up to 63%), land (up to 81%), and phosphorus (up to 83%), while other substitution rates lead to proportionally lower impacts. These findings suggest additional pressures on essential agricultural resources with associated socio-economic and environmental effects as a trade-off to pressures on finite marine resources. Even though the production of shrimp feed (or aquafeed in general) utilizes only a small percentage of the global crop production, the findings indicate that the sustainability of substituting fishmeal by plant ingredients should not be taken for granted, especially since aquaculture has been one of the fastest growing food sectors. Therefore, the importance of utilizing by-products and novel ingredients such as microbial biomass, algae, and insect meals in mitigating the use of marine and terrestrial resources is discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Seafood Sustainability - Series I)

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36 pages, 2968 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

A Multi-Criteria Decision Maker for Grid-Connected Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems Selection Using Multi-Objective Particle Swarm Optimization

by David Abdul Konneh, Harun Or Rashid Howlader, Ryuto Shigenobu, Tomonobu Senjyu, Shantanu Chakraborty and Narayanan Krishna

Sustainability 2019, 11(4), 1188; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11041188 - 23 Feb 2019

Cited by 53 | Viewed by 8227

Abstract

Combating climate change issues resulting from excessive use of fossil fuels comes with huge initial costs, thereby posing difficult challenges for the least developed countries in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) to invest in renewable energy alternatives, especially with rapid industrialization. However, designing renewable energy [...] Read more.

Combating climate change issues resulting from excessive use of fossil fuels comes with huge initial costs, thereby posing difficult challenges for the least developed countries in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) to invest in renewable energy alternatives, especially with rapid industrialization. However, designing renewable energy systems usually hinges on different economic and environmental criteria. This paper used the Multi-Objective Particle Swarm Optimization (MOPSO) technique to optimally size ten grid-connected hybrid blocks selected amongst Photo-Voltaic (PV) panels, onshore wind turbines, biomass combustion plant using sugarcane bagasse, Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), and Diesel Generation (DG) system as backup power, to reduce the supply deficit in Sierra Leone. Resource assessment using well-known methods was done for PV, wind, and biomass for proposed plant sites in Kabala District in Northern and Kenema District in Southern Sierra Leone. Long term analysis was done for the ten hybrid blocks projected over 20 years whilst ensuring the following objectives: minimizing the Deficiency of Power Supply Probability (DPSP), Diesel Energy Fraction (DEF), Life Cycle Costs (LCC), and carbon dioxide (CO

_{2}

) emissions. Capacity factors of

27.41 %

and

31.6 %

obtained for PV and wind, respectively, indicate that Kabala district is the most feasible location for PV and wind farm installations. The optimum results obtained are compared across selected blocks for DPSP values of 0–50% to determine the most economical and environmentally friendly alternative that policy makers in Sierra Leone and the region could apply to similar cases. Full article

(This article belongs to the Collection Power System and Sustainability)

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36 pages, 829 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Harnessing Insights from Social-Ecological Systems Research for Monitoring Sustainable Development

by Odirilwe Selomane, Belinda Reyers, Reinette Biggs and Maike Hamann

Sustainability 2019, 11(4), 1190; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11041190 - 23 Feb 2019

Cited by 32 | Viewed by 11471

Abstract

The United Nations’ Agenda 2030 marks significant progress towards sustainable development by making explicit the intention to integrate previously separate social, economic and environmental agendas. Despite this intention, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which were adopted to implement the agenda, are fragmented in [...] Read more.

The United Nations’ Agenda 2030 marks significant progress towards sustainable development by making explicit the intention to integrate previously separate social, economic and environmental agendas. Despite this intention, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which were adopted to implement the agenda, are fragmented in their formulation and largely sectoral. We contend that while the design of the SDG monitoring is based on a systems approach, it still misses most of the dynamics and complexity relevant to sustainability outcomes. We propose that insights from the study of social-ecological systems offer a more integrated approach to the implementation of Agenda 2030, particularly the monitoring of progress towards sustainable development outcomes. Using five key features highlighted by the study of social-ecological systems (SESs) relevant to sustainable development: (1) social-ecological feedbacks, (2) resilience, (3) heterogeneity, (4) nonlinearity, and (5) cross-scale dynamics. We analyze the current set of SDG indicators based on these features to explore current progress in making them operational. Our analysis finds that 59% of the indicators account for heterogeneity, 33% for cross-scale dynamics, 23% for nonlinearities, and 18% and 17%, respectively, for social-ecological feedbacks and resilience. Our findings suggest limited use of complex SES science in the current design of SDG monitoring, but combining our findings with recent studies of methods to operationalize SES features suggests future directions for sustainable development monitoring for the current as well as post 2030 set of indicators. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of the Ecosystem Service Concept in Social–Ecological Systems—from Theory to Practice)

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16 pages, 3118 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Assessing Freshwater Provision and Consumption in the Alpine Space Applying the Ecosystem Service Concept

by Claude Meisch, Uta Schirpke, Lisa Huber, Johannes Rüdisser and Ulrike Tappeiner

Sustainability 2019, 11(4), 1131; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11041131 - 21 Feb 2019

Cited by 29 | Viewed by 5594

Abstract

A key challenge in the sustainable management of freshwater is related to non-stationary processes and transboundary requirements. The assessment of freshwater is often hampered due to small-scale analyses, lacking data and with the focus on only its provision. Based on the ecosystem service [...] Read more.

A key challenge in the sustainable management of freshwater is related to non-stationary processes and transboundary requirements. The assessment of freshwater is often hampered due to small-scale analyses, lacking data and with the focus on only its provision. Based on the ecosystem service (ES) concept, this study aims at quantitatively comparing potential water supply with the demand for freshwater in the European Alps and their surrounding lowlands. We propose an easy-to-use combination of different mapping approaches, including a large-scale hydrologic model to estimate water supply and the downscaling of regional data to the local scale to map demand. Our results demonstrate spatial mismatches between supply and demand and a high dependency of the densely populated lowlands from water providing mountain areas. Under expected climate variations and future demographic changes, our results suggest increasing pressures on freshwater in the south of the Alps. Hence, sustainable water management strategies need to assure the supply of freshwater under changing environmental conditions to meet the increasing water demand of urbanized areas in the lowlands. Moreover, national water management strategies need to be optimally concerted at the international level, as transboundary policies and frameworks can strengthen future water provision. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of the Ecosystem Service Concept in Social–Ecological Systems—from Theory to Practice)

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20 pages, 696 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Exploring the Factors Affecting Mode Choice Intention of Autonomous Vehicle Based on an Extended Theory of Planned Behavior—A Case Study in China

by Peng Jing, Hao Huang, Bin Ran, Fengping Zhan and Yuji Shi

Sustainability 2019, 11(4), 1155; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11041155 - 21 Feb 2019

Cited by 168 | Viewed by 12681

Abstract

Autonomous vehicle (AV) is an innovative transport option that has the potential to disrupt all industries tied to transportation systems. The advent of AV technology will bring a novel on-demand mobility pattern such as shared autonomous vehicle (SAV). To promote AV technology, it [...] Read more.

Autonomous vehicle (AV) is an innovative transport option that has the potential to disrupt all industries tied to transportation systems. The advent of AV technology will bring a novel on-demand mobility pattern such as shared autonomous vehicle (SAV). To promote AV technology, it is important to understand which factors influence travelers’ intention to use AVs and SAVs. This paper collected literature from databases such as Scopus, Web of Science and ScienceDirect, and made a systematic review. The study aims to explore the determinants that influence travelers’ behavioral intentions towards use AVs and SAVs based on an extended version of the theory of planned behavior, which incorporates knowledge and perceived risk. This study was tested empirically using a valid survey sample collected from 906 respondents in China. Structural equation model was conducted to investigate the predictors of intentions to use AVs and SAVs. Results showed that knowledge about AV technology and perceived risk are the two main potential obstacles for travelers to use AVs and SAVs. Attitude significantly affects AVs and SAV choice intentions. Subjective norm is the most critical factor affecting the travelers’ intention to use AVs. Perceived behavioral control potentially stymie the travelers’ intention to use SAVs. The findings will enhance the understanding of travelers’ choice motivation from psychological and service perspectives, and provide data support for governments and companies in improving travel management strategies and product services. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Consumer Preferences for Alternative Fuels, Automation, and Shared Mobility in Transportation)

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17 pages, 13784 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

An Assessment Framework for Grassland Ecosystem Health with Consideration of Natural Succession: A Case Study in Bayinxile, China

by Nitu Wu, Aijun Liu, Yongfang Wang, Lanhua Li, Lumengqiqige Chao and Guixiang Liu

Sustainability 2019, 11(4), 1096; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11041096 - 19 Feb 2019

Cited by 25 | Viewed by 4603

Abstract

Grassland health assessment is the basis for formulating grassland protection policy. However, there are few assessment methods that consider the angle of natural succession for northern China’s regional native grassland with excessive human activities. The main purpose of this study is to build [...] Read more.

Grassland health assessment is the basis for formulating grassland protection policy. However, there are few assessment methods that consider the angle of natural succession for northern China’s regional native grassland with excessive human activities. The main purpose of this study is to build an assessment system for these areas from the perspective of natural succession. Besides, the minimal cumulative resistance (MCR) model was used to extract potential ecological information from the study area as a supplementary reference for the assessment results. The result for Bayinxile pasture, a typical semiarid steppe with excessive human activities located in northern China, showed that: (1) The ecological function of eastern hilly area was better than that of other regions and the western area was lowest as a whole. (2) The river was the most important ecological network in the whole grassland in that it was of vital significance in the prevention of retrogressive succession and in the linking of ecological communities. (3) The density of ecological network was closely related to the intensity of human activities, and farmland and roads had great negative influence on the connection of the grassland ecological network. We further proposed an ecological control zone and made suggestions for Bayinxile ecological management to prevent grassland degradation based on the above results. This study should provide a new perspective for grassland health assessment and sustainable development of regional grassland. Full article

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

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20 pages, 1883 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

On the Role of External Walls in the Reduction of Energy Demand and the Mitigation of Human Thermal Discomfort

by Tomasz Kisilewicz

Sustainability 2019, 11(4), 1061; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11041061 - 18 Feb 2019

Cited by 34 | Viewed by 4183

Abstract

The structure and thermal properties of external walls affect both the thermal conditions inside the building and the energy demand. This applies to the energy requirement for heating as well as cooling. While the relationship between thermal insulation and heating is well-known, the [...] Read more.

The structure and thermal properties of external walls affect both the thermal conditions inside the building and the energy demand. This applies to the energy requirement for heating as well as cooling. While the relationship between thermal insulation and heating is well-known, the effect of thermal insulation on overheating is not evident. One can find opinions that thick thermal insulation creates a “thermos effect” and significantly deteriorates the comfort conditions during the summer. In order to prove these statements, an office room with south-oriented glazing and a high thermal load from equipment was simulated by means of the Energy Plus program. The reference variant was a two-layer wall made from ceramic blocks and a 10 cm layer of thermal insulation. The duration of overheating in the investigated intensively used office space without window shading was approximately 26 to 29 days per year, depending on the expected comfort acceptance range, while in the case of the not insulated wall, it would be shorter by over 3 days. Increasing the thickness of the thermal insulation layer by up to 30 cm extended the overheating period by 4% to 9%. In relation to the whole simulation period, covering four summer months, this means approximately two extra days of discomfort. The effects of various passive methods of protecting buildings against overheating were also investigated. The use of night ventilation in this facility enables reducing the unfavorable conditions by as much as 31%, or up to 46% of the initial period of overheating. The change of the thermal inertia of a building by replacing the ceramic layer with heavy structural concrete allows a further reduction of the overheating duration by 8% to 9%. When the most effective ways of overheating protection are applied, such as night cooling, even a significant thickening of insulation no longer has any impact on its duration. The results shown above are obviously related to the adopted assumptions. However, on the basis of the conducted analyses, it is possible to reduce concerns relating to excessive insulating the building with respect to overheating. Having an optimal window area with nighttime cooling of buildings, window shading, and the inertial benefits associated with a massive construction are the most important and effective measures of protection against overheating. Efficient thermal insulation of the walls does not conflict with the thermal comfort conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Energy Sustainability)

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14 pages, 956 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Built Environment Features and Pedestrian Accidents: An Italian Retrospective Study

by Tanja Congiu, Giovanni Sotgiu, Paolo Castiglia, Antonio Azara, Andrea Piana, Laura Saderi and Marco Dettori

Sustainability 2019, 11(4), 1064; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11041064 - 18 Feb 2019

Cited by 58 | Viewed by 6299

Abstract

Daily walking is a recommended physical activity. It can be an all-age suitable, environment-friendly transport option. However, traffic crashes are a widely recognized risk factor, associated with drivers’ errors or a combination of several environmental factors, including physical characteristics of the road space. [...] Read more.

Daily walking is a recommended physical activity. It can be an all-age suitable, environment-friendly transport option. However, traffic crashes are a widely recognized risk factor, associated with drivers’ errors or a combination of several environmental factors, including physical characteristics of the road space. The aim of this study was to assess the characteristics of built environments on pedestrian safety. Data on road accidents that had occurred between 2005 and 2015, in Alghero, Italy, were retrieved and matched with spatial and functional street qualities. On-street parking was found to increase the risk of pedestrian accidents by about two times, whereas, narrow travel lanes and intersections reduced the incidence of crashes and their public relevance. These field results could inform urban health and spatial planning policies with the final goal of improving health and providing more sustainable models of urban organization. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pedestrian Safety and Sustainable Transportation)

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14 pages, 2482 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Combining Artificial Neural Networks and GIS Fundamentals for Coastal Erosion Prediction Modeling

by Angeliki Peponi, Paulo Morgado and Jorge Trindade

Sustainability 2019, 11(4), 975; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11040975 - 14 Feb 2019

Cited by 34 | Viewed by 6843

Abstract

The complexities of coupled environmental and human systems across the space and time of fragile systems challenge new data-driven methodologies. Combining geographic information systems (GIS) and artificial neural networks (ANN) allows us to design a model that forecasts the erosion changes in Costa [...] Read more.

The complexities of coupled environmental and human systems across the space and time of fragile systems challenge new data-driven methodologies. Combining geographic information systems (GIS) and artificial neural networks (ANN) allows us to design a model that forecasts the erosion changes in Costa da Caparica, Lisbon, Portugal, for 2021, with a high accuracy level. The GIS–ANN model proves to be a powerful tool, as it analyzes and provides the “where” and the “why” dynamics that have happened or will happen in the future. According to the literature, ANNs present noteworthy advantages compared to the other methods that are used for prediction and decision making in urban coastal areas. In order to conduct a sensitivity analysis on natural and social forces, as well as dynamic relations in the dune–beach system of the study area, two types of ANNs were tested on a GIS environment: radial basis function (RBF) and multilayer perceptron (MLP). The GIS–ANN model helps to understand the factors that impact coastal erosion changes, and the importance of having an intelligent environmental decision support system to address these risks. This quantitative knowledge of the erosion changes and the analytical map-based frame are essential for an integrated management of the area and the establishment of pro-sustainability policies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of Artificial Intelligence in the Study of Land Use and Land Cover Change)

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19 pages, 2029 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Design and Freight Corridor-Fleet Size Choice in Collaborative Intermodal Transportation Network Considering Economies of Scale

by Dan Liu, Zhenghong Deng, Qipeng Sun, Yong Wang and Yinhai Wang

Sustainability 2019, 11(4), 990; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11040990 - 14 Feb 2019

Cited by 19 | Viewed by 4919

Abstract

Decentralized freight decision has been proved to be one of the inhibitors to achieve a sustainable transport network. One important method also a key challenge is to determine how to coordinate and consolidate the transportation flow to get the best logistics performance. This [...] Read more.

Decentralized freight decision has been proved to be one of the inhibitors to achieve a sustainable transport network. One important method also a key challenge is to determine how to coordinate and consolidate the transportation flow to get the best logistics performance. This study presents an intermodal transportation network considering freight consolidation through freight forwarders’ cooperation. We formulate the problem as a minimum intermodal transport cost model, which is a nonlinear, nonconvex and discontinuous function that involves volume economies of scale, distance economies of scale and vehicle size economies of scale. A hybrid genetic algorithm (GA) and particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm in combination with a batch strategy are used to solve the problem. Five different transport demand scenarios are tested on a real case on “China Railway Express” (Crexpress). The choices of reasonably corridor and fleet size combination are provided. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Transportation)

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17 pages, 4446 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Visitor Mobility and Spatial Structure in a Local Urban Tourism Destination: GPS Tracking and Network analysis

by Koun Sugimoto, Kei Ota and Shohei Suzuki

Sustainability 2019, 11(3), 919; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11030919 - 12 Feb 2019

Cited by 53 | Viewed by 10155

Abstract

Visitor mobility is an important element for facilitating sustainable local economics and management in urban tourism destinations. Research on visitor mobility often focuses on the patterns and structures of spatial visitor behavior and the factors that influence them. This study examines the relationship [...] Read more.

Visitor mobility is an important element for facilitating sustainable local economics and management in urban tourism destinations. Research on visitor mobility often focuses on the patterns and structures of spatial visitor behavior and the factors that influence them. This study examines the relationship between visitor mobility and urban spatial structures through an exploratory analysis of visitors’ movements and characteristics, which were collected from surveys with global positional system (GPS) tracking technologies and questionnaires. The Ueno district, one of the most popular tourism destinations in Tokyo, Japan, was selected as the study area. For local stakeholders, the low accessibility levels between this district’s park zone and downtown zone have become a major destination management issue. We compared visitor movements and flow networks in various places from different major trip origins (railway stations) by using several analysis techniques (GPS log distribution, spatial movement sequences, and network analysis), and examined physical and human factors that caused the different mobility patterns. The results demonstrated that physical factors, including major transport hubs (railway stations), topography, commercial accumulation, and POI distribution, affected intra-destination visitor behavior, and segmented visitor markets into different main zones. Such findings could inform future destination management policies and planning in local urban tourism destinations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Spatial Analysis of Urbanization towards Urban Sustainability)

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18 pages, 546 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Critical Infrastructures: The Operational Environment in Cases of Severe Disruption

by Ossi Heino, Annina Takala, Pirjo Jukarainen, Joanna Kalalahti, Tuula Kekki and Pekka Verho

Sustainability 2019, 11(3), 838; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11030838 - 6 Feb 2019

Cited by 23 | Viewed by 6975

Abstract

The functioning and resilience of modern societies have become more and more dependent on critical infrastructures. Severe disturbance to critical infrastructure is likely to reveal chaotic operational conditions, in which infrastructure service providers, emergency services, police, municipalities, and other key stakeholders must act [...] Read more.

The functioning and resilience of modern societies have become more and more dependent on critical infrastructures. Severe disturbance to critical infrastructure is likely to reveal chaotic operational conditions, in which infrastructure service providers, emergency services, police, municipalities, and other key stakeholders must act effectively to minimize damages and restore normal operations. This paper aims to better understand this kind of operational environment resulting from, for example, a terrorist attack. It emphasizes mutual interdependencies among key stakeholders in such situations. The empirical contribution is based on observations from a workshop, in which participants representing the critical services and infrastructures in Finland discussed in thematic groups. Two scenarios guided the workshop discussions; nationwide electricity grid disruption and presumably intentionally contaminated water supply in a city. The results indicate that more attention should be paid to the interdependencies between critical infrastructures, as well as to the latent vulnerabilities hidden inside the systems. Furthermore, producing security seems to require continuous interaction and creation of meanings between extremely different actors and logics. This implies a need for changes in thinking, particularly concerning the ability to define problems across conventional administrative structures, geographical boundaries and conferred powers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Enhancing Security, Sustainability and Resilience in Energy, Food and Water)

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