Search Results (43)

Life cycle assessment (LCA) is a reference methodology to evaluate environmental impacts along supply chains of products. Planetary boundaries (PBs) were developed to define the safe operating space (SOS) for humanity. So far, no study has investigated whether wine production and consumption result in crossing the planetary boundary of climate change and no SOS has been calculated for wine production in Greece. Our study applies an LCA according to the European Product footprint environmental category rules to calculate the climate change score of a bottle of 0.75 L of Greek red organic wine in 2021 and 2026, and also applies planetary boundaries to investigate whether the climate change boundary is exceeded. The latter employed the calculation of a SOS based on four partitioning methods: grandfathering principle, economic value, agricultural land area use, and calorific content. The LCA results showed that wine is a carbon emitter. The 2021, 2026-Low yield, and 2026-High yield systems resulted in positive climate change scores between 0.69–1.14 kg CO₂ eq.bottle wine⁻¹. The PBs revealed that carbon emissions of wine production in 2021 exceeded all four SOSs, while carbon emissions of expected wine production in 2026 remained within the SOS of grandfathering, economic value and agricultural land area use partitionings, but exceeded the SOS of the caloric content partitioning. The PB method can be complementary to LCA results in terms of providing context to decision-makers in business and public policy on whether red organic wine production and consumption remain within ecological constraints on human development. Full article

Circular economy (CE) is a model that is gaining significance in the context of sustainable development and environmental protection, focusing on minimizing waste generation and maximizing the use of available resources through recycling and extending product life cycles. The implementation of CE in various European Union countries demonstrates diverse approaches to resource management, waste production, and energy efficiency improvement. These differences primarily stem from varying strategies, national policies, levels of social awareness, and technological advancements. The article identifies the key challenges and barriers associated with CE implementation in selected countries—Poland, the Netherlands, and Romania—and highlights specific areas requiring improvement and adaptation. It emphasizes the critical role of aligning national policies with the EU guidelines, promoting ecological education, and investing in innovative technologies and solutions that support sustainable development. Additionally, it points to the need for developing appropriate waste management infrastructure and encouraging businesses and consumers to change habits and engage in pro-environmental actions. Full article

The growing amount of space debris in the low Earth orbit poses a danger to manned as well as uncrewed missions. Additionally, the new business model of providing internet from space is emerging among new space players, making low Earth orbit more crowded. These factors have encouraged the space community to focus on sustainability in space. Satellite manufacturers typically have the capability to perform complete life cycle analysis (LCA) on their own products based on the manufacturing data. However, there is a lack of a method for non-manufacturers such as environmentalists and the general public to predict the carbon footprint of satellite manufacturing using a subsystem-level mass budget. Hence, this paper presents a method to quantify environmental pollution caused by the production of satellite constellations. Starlink is taken as a case study in this paper, and mass budget is predicted based on space systems engineering budget estimation techniques, the parametric method, and Federal Communication Commission orbital data. With the budget table used as an input, space-specific life cycle assessment is performed based on European Space Agency’s life cycle inventory database. Finally, the single score for Starlink constellation version 1 was found to be 76 kilo points. This signifies the annual environmental load. These results could be helpful in obtaining an overview of the environmental effects of the production phase of satellite constellations. Further, the results could act as a foundation for further research on implementing more circular approach practices on Earth as well as in space. Full article

The technological and environmental challenges promoted by the European Commission (EC) follow its objectives to minimise waste, ensure the rational use of resources and energy, use raw materials more efficiently, and increase recovery and recycling. The new hierarchy of handling products and waste has been a key challenge of the circular economy, enhancing the involvement of both businesses and consumers. The life cycle assessment (LCA) is an environmental management technique that makes it possible to assess the environmental impact of a product, a process, an industry, or even an entire sector of the economy. It is used worldwide with great success to study the various stages of technology, ensuring environmental safety. The experience of Polish and foreign research centres confirms the possibility of using the LCA technique to support the environmental risk assessment of technological innovations, therefore the LCA technique has been used to study the environmental impact of potential technologies for producing flocculants from polymer waste. LCA of newly synthesised flocculants has shown that sourcing flocculants from waste phenol–formaldehyde resins is highly beneficial to the environment due to the high toxicity of waste resins that produce phenol when exposed to physical factors. Full article

The primary objectives of this research are to compare the economic performance of the Member States (MS) in the Euro Area 12 (EA-12) of the European Union (EU) that served as net contributors and net recipients of its budget during the period 1998–2022. The comparison focuses on aspects related to economic growth and the business cycle, exploring the presence of hysteresis. To achieve these objectives, a novel approach is employed, which integrates the analysis of both growth and cycles. This approach involves using the Seemingly Unrelated Regression Equations (SURE) model to estimate a translog production frontier and assess the impact of lagging output gaps on the potential output or capacity for each of the MS considered. The data used to estimate each frontier and analyze growth decomposition consist of quarterly data filtered using the Kalman filter. The results reveal that lagging output gaps, occurring one or two quarters prior, significantly affect the potential output or capacity of the EA-12 MS, thereby supporting the existence of hysteresis. However, the impacts appear to be minimal. Furthermore, the research concludes that changes in total factor productivity (TFP), mainly due to technical change, play a more crucial role in the growth of MS that are net contributors to the EU budget. Conversely, total factor accumulation (TFA), mainly physical capital accumulation, has a more pronounced impact on the growth of MS net recipients from the EU budget. Interestingly, the heterogeneity observed among the EA-12 MS extends beyond the simple division between net contributors and net recipients of the EU budget. This heterogeneity raises questions about the European Central Bank’s (ECB) ability to stabilize the economies of these various MS solely through conventional monetary policy. Full article

Agriculture is an important sector of the European Union in social, economic and environmental terms. To ensure the sustainability of the sector, improvements are needed in key operations. Weeding is one of the most important activities affecting farm productivity, farmer safety, food safety and security, and the state of the environment. New technical and organizational solutions are needed to achieve the goals of the EU policy for sustainable agriculture. One of the advanced techniques is laser-based weed control. It is important to fully understand the impact of the introduction of these techniques on markets and agricultural practices in the context of sustainability. For this reason, a social life cycle analysis (S-LCA) was carried out. The method applied in the study was based on a participatory approach. The assessment was carried out from three perspectives: the general society, the farmers and the business perspective in relation to agriculture. Expert interviews based on questionnaires and workshops were conducted to gather opinions on the impact of new laser technology on specific aspects of its implementation. The results show generally positive effects from all perspectives, especially from the farmers’ perspective. From the farmers’ point of view, the most favored factors influencing the widespread introduction of WLAT are the economic consequences, the most important of which are the production costs associated with the introduction of the new technology. According to business experts, the perspective of business development, with particular emphasis on new prospects for businesses and development, is the most important factor. The quality of life and the environment are most valued by society. Full article

The recent announcement by the European Union of the Fit for 55 Package and a prospective ban on the sale of new internal combustion engine vehicles by 2035 has prompted a notable surge in the electric vehicle (EV) market. The shift toward EVs concurrently presents challenges, namely the resource management of used EV batteries, particularly their reuse, recycling, and remanufacturing. Accordingly, this study aims to analyze the effects of the reduced environmental impacts of a remanufactured portable power station (RPPS) compared with those of a new portable power station (NPPS) using life cycle assessment (LCA) and the economic benefits gained from reusing used EV batteries. The results of the LCA of the RPPS indicated a notable environmental advantage, with reductions of 42.01% in GWP and 41.91% in ADP compared with those achieved by the NPPS. Moreover, the economic benefits of the waste battery remanufacturing business amounted to USD 593,212 at an annual sales volume of 1000 units. The environmental benefits of remanufacturing practices represent valuable support for policies centered on remanufacturing and reusing used EV batteries. The findings of this study could stimulate a future market for products repurposed from used EV batteries, thereby further fostering sustainability in this sector. Full article

The results of previous research suggest that the elasticity of employment with respect to output is not constant within each phase of the business cycle and might depend on the maturity of that phase. Nevertheless, empirical evidence is almost non-existent. Using the unemployment gap as the proxy for the maturity of the business cycle phase, this paper seeks to determine heterogeneous elasticity across different business cycle phases. Furthermore, we aim to evaluate specific elasticities for separate demographic groups, considering gender, age, and educational attainment level, to identify the most vulnerable to jobless growth. Our specification is based on the employment version of Okun’s law, and estimates are provided for the whole EU-27 panel covering the period from 2000 to 2022. Our results suggest that elasticity is higher when the unemployment gap is positive and increasing and lower when the gap decreases, regardless of the business cycle phase. Thus, it can be argued that the possibility of growth increasing employment is very limited when the economy operates at its potential level (full employment) for all demographic groups. Full article

Target2 is the Eurozone’s cross-border payment system, which is mandatory for the settlement of euro transactions involving Eurozone central banks. It is being used to save the Eurozone from imploding. A key underlying problem is that the Eurozone does not satisfy the economic conditions for being an Optimal Currency Area, i.e., a geographical area over which a single currency and monetary policy can operate on a sustainable, long-term basis. The different business cycles in the Eurozone, combined with poor labour and capital market flexibility, mean that systematic trade surpluses and deficits will build up because inter-regional exchange rates can no longer be changed. Surplus regions need to recycle the surpluses back into deficit regions via transfers to keep the Eurozone economies in balance. But the largest surplus country—Germany—refuses to formally accept that the European Union is a ‘transfer union’. However, deficit countries, including the largest of these—Italy—are using Target2 for this purpose. Target2 has become a giant credit card for Eurozone members that import more than they export to other members, but with two differences compared with normal credit card debt: neither the debt nor the interest that accrues on the debt ever needs to be repaid. Furthermore, the size of the deficits being built up is causing citizens in deficit countries to lose confidence in their banking systems, leading them to transfer their funds to banks in surplus countries. Target2 is also being used to facilitate this capital flight. However, these are not viable long-term solutions to systemic Eurozone trade imbalances and weakening national banking systems. There are only two realistic outcomes. The first is a full fiscal and political union, with Brussels determining the levels of tax and public expenditure in each member state—which has long been the objective of Europe’s political establishment. The second outcome is that the Eurozone breaks up. Full article

The bioeconomy needs new, economically feasible products obtained from biological raw materials via sustainable processes having the smallest possible impact on the environment. The objectives of our study have been: (i) to make an evaluation of the external costs of the production of a poplar extract containing bioactive substances by supercritical extraction; (ii) to make a comparison of the internal and external costs of extract production; (iii) to determine the total life cycle costs (LCCs) of the extract and the break-even prices (BEPs) in two business models. In the first business model (BM I), the only commercial product was the extract, while pellets were used for their own energy purposes. In the second business model (BM II), both the extract and pellets were marketable products. Out of the two analyzed business models, lower external costs and, consequently, lower total costs were achieved in BM I (LCC €259 kg⁻¹) than in BM II (LCC €267 kg⁻¹). However, the profitability analysis showed that BM II was more profitable (BEP €313 kg⁻¹) than BM I (BEP €359 kg⁻¹). The inclusion of the external costs of poplar extract production by supercritical extraction has a significant impact on increasing the production profitability threshold. An analysis of a situation where electricity was replaced with the EU mix (the European Union mix) generated with a higher share of RES (renewable energy sources) showed that the externalities were lowered. A substantial decrease in the external costs at the supercritical extraction stage was reflected in the lower values of the total cost of extract production, LCC, and BEP, hence, attesting to less damage to the natural environment. Full article

Digitalization technologies have been identified as enablers for the adoption of circular economy practices. The machinery-value chain addressed in this study is affected by the introduction of digital technologies that enable real-time monitoring of data on product condition and control optimization, the deployment of predictive analytics techniques, as well as offering circular-based services. Machinery-lifetime extension can be digitally enabled on both old and new machines. The research objectives were to investigate how digital technologies enable the adoption of circular economy-based business models by manufacturing companies and provide answers regarding (i) which Life Cycle Extension Strategy is suitable for digital circular-business model adoption and (ii) how digitalization of machines enables manufacturing companies to innovate their business models. The correlation matrix is the tool developed from the proposed approach and it aims to support manufacturers in their first contact with circular business models. In the European RECLAIM project context, two manufacturers have applied the approach. The next steps are expected to introduce quantitative indicators to define thresholds for the steps toward circularity without replacing the qualitative approach, as this guarantees its applicability in a context that has never considered circularity yet. Full article

Since the industrial revolution, the relationship between unemployment and psychiatric disorders has been a subject of high interest. Currently, regarding the correlation between unemployment and substance-use disorders (SUDs), only older, often isolated and fragmented research results are available in the literature. This review was based on an extensive literature search of the European and North American literature in most relevant databases for “unemployment” and “substance use” related to “drugs”, “alcohol”, “nicotine”, and “tobacco” between November 2022 and January 2023, according to the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic review and Meta-Analysis) guidelines. A total of 59,117 papers were identified, of which only 33 articles were identified as relevant to the research objective. The literature showed significantly higher prevalence rates of SUDs involving divergent psychotropic substances among unemployed people. Unemployment was found to be a risk factor for SUD, and vice versa. However, the correlation between unemployment and relapses or smoking cessation was inconsistent. In addition, there appeared to be a mild effect of business cycles on SUD. The results showed significant multifaceted correlations between unemployment and SUD, indicating that prevention and early intervention are required to prevent harmful psychosocial consequences, such as social disintegration and severe psychiatric disorders. Full article

The increasing trend towards the global use of Information Technology (IT) is currently determining the need for more and better infrastructures (both physical and digital) for processing, storing and transferring large amounts of data. As Critical Infrastructure (CI) that is potentially exposed and vulnerable to the impact of different types of phenomena (natural, technological, na-tech, etc.), data centers have to guarantee higher levels of security (physical, logical and operational), reliability and efficiency in the provision of services. Starting from a discussion of the main evidence related to this topic, considering both the most recent cases of failure and serious damage to data centers and the evolution of international and European regulation and standards, the authors propose an analytical methodology to assess the territorial risk factors for data centers by a multirisk, multi-dimensional and systemic approach. This proposal leads not only to a more explicit definition of exposure and vulnerable components, but also to the recognition of resources that—in the case of accidental events involving (directly or indirectly) data center infrastructures—may be implemented at different territorial levels as “protection” factors to ensure business continuity by considering the entire resilience cycle, from the prevention phase to the response and recovery phases. Full article

The recovery of materials and components from end-of-life (EoL) ships necessitates the comprehensive demolition of vessels and the implementation of reuse processes to achieve the “circularity” of raw materials, which has potential benefits for economic and environmental sustainability. The European Union’s (EU) legislative policy, as reflected in the Ship Recycling Regulation, has been shifting towards the establishment of green markets for ship dismantling. Various literature reviews have focused on investigating EoL management and demolition activities for ships, as they play a crucial role in promoting sustainability in the ship value chain. This research aims to enhance the current state of knowledge by linking ship recycling and life cycle management activities with circular economy models. The goal is also to introduce a conceptual framework for the effective recirculation of components and raw materials. Scientific publications have been collected, reviewed, and categorized into strategic clusters to identify current and future challenges, to establish a path for potential developments in a circular economy model for ships, and to suggest future research directions that would support the implementation of a circular economy system for ship eco-design, life cycle management, and recycling. Findings provide valuable insights, particularly regarding the recognition of environmental benefits, business opportunities, and the opening of green markets in the context of ship recycling in the EU. Full article

The aviation industry is facing the challenge of reducing fossil fuels and emissions. Fuel efficiency is improved by making efficient powerplant systems and lighter aircraft. Modern passenger aircraft utilize polymeric and polymeric composite materials to achieve lighter structures without compromising strength. The European Union already has legislation to prevent landfilling and to increase the use of recyclable materials in the automotive industry. While older-generation aircraft, made mainly from metallic materials, are easily dismantled and recycled into other uses, such a process does not yet exist for aircraft made from composite materials. In the coming years, the industry will have to answer the question of how retired polymeric composite aircraft structures are to be recycled. One solution to increase the life cycle of polymeric and polymeric composite parts would be closed-loop recycling. In this paper, a perspective of the closed-loop recycling of polymeric aircraft parts is discussed. The technical aspects of recyclability and the different business models for the remanufacture of a finger pinch shroud certified for use in Airbus A350-900 passenger aircraft are investigated. The results show that closed-loop recycling is possible for polymeric aircraft parts. Future studies could include studying an LCA between virgin and recycled materials for a certain part. Full article