Search Results (22)

Low-carbon development is closely linked to the concept of sustainability, which focuses on both economic growth and the targeted reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, facilitating the transition to climate neutrality. This process involves the efficient use of resources and necessitates systemic transformations across various sectors of the economy. For Latvia to achieve its climate neutrality objectives, it is essential to adhere to the principles of the bioeconomy, with a particular emphasis on the use of timber in construction. This approach combines opportunities for economic development with environmental protection, as timber is a renewable resource that contributes to carbon sequestration. The utilisation of timber in construction enables carbon storage within buildings and substitutes traditional materials such as concrete and steel, the production of which is highly energy-intensive and generates substantial CO₂ emissions. Consequently, timber use also reduces indirect emissions associated with the construction sector. The objective of this study is to identify the main barriers hindering the broader application of timber construction materials in Latvia’s building sector and to propose solutions to overcome these obstacles. The research tasks include an analysis of climate neutrality and construction targets within the EU and Latvia; an examination of the current situation and influencing factors regarding Latvia’s forest resources, their harvesting, processing, use in construction, and trade balance; and the identification of critical problem areas and the delineation of possible solutions. For theoretical and situational analyses, the authors employ methods such as scientific literature review, policy content analysis, descriptive methodology, statistical data analysis, and interpretation of quantitative and qualitative data. The results are synthesised using PESTEL analysis, which serves as a continuation and elaboration of the initial SWOT analysis assessment and is visualised through graphical representation. The authors of this study participated in a national-level expert group whose members represented the Parliament of the Republic of Latvia, responsible ministries, forest managers, construction companies, wood product manufacturers, and representatives from higher education and research institutions. The following hypotheses are proposed and substantiated in this article: (1) Latvia possesses sufficient forest resources to increase the share of timber used in construction, (2) increasing the use of timber in construction would significantly contribute to both Latvia’s economic development and the achievement of climate neutrality targets, and (3) the expansion of timber use in the construction sector depends on a restructuring of national policy across multiple sectors. Suggested solutions include the improvement of regulatory frameworks for timber harvesting, processing, and utilisation in related sectors—agriculture and forestry, wood processing, and construction. The key challenges for policymakers include addressing the identified deficiencies in Latvia’s progress toward achieving its CO₂ targets, introducing qualitative changes in timber harvesting conditions, and amending regulations governing the forest management cycle accordingly. For timber processing companies, it is crucial to ensure stable conditions for their commercial activity. Promoting the use of timber in construction requires a broad set of changes in safety and financial regulations and procurement requirements. Timber construction is relevant not only in the building sector but also in civil engineering, and modifications and additions to educational programmes are necessary. The promotion of timber use among the wider public is of great importance. At all stages of timber processing—from harvesting to integration in buildings—access to financial resources should be facilitated. As numerous sectors of the national economy (agriculture, forestry, wood processing, construction, logistics, etc.) are involved in timber processing, interdisciplinary research is required to address complex challenges that demand expertise from multiple fields. Full article

Municipal solid waste (MSW) is rising globally, and improper management harms the environment and public health. As a result, there is heightened interest in finding effective solutions, and identifying research trends helps determine the best management and valorization pathways. However, the existing reviews often focus narrowly on specific technologies or regional case studies, lacking a comprehensive analysis of global research trends. This study addresses this significant gap by conducting a large-scale trend analysis based on 15,646 relevant articles screened from 25,068 Scopus-indexed publications from 1904 to 2023 using title, abstract, and keyword analysis. Literature-based comparative assessments were conducted to critically evaluate the pathways through TEE (techno-economic and environmental), SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats), and PESTEL (political, economic, social, technological, environmental, and legal) frameworks. Since 1990, article publication has increased by about 10% annually, consistently concentrating on thermochemical conversion and, more recently, on sustainability and circular economy perspectives. Seven distinct pathways for MSW management were identified, with recycling and material recovery, followed by thermochemical conversion for high-calorific waste and biochemical conversion for high-organic waste, showing the most promise. The findings aim to help researchers understand MSW research trends and assist planners in identifying effective management and valorization strategies. Full article

The rapid advancement of generative AI, large language models (LLMs), and ChatGPT presents transformative opportunities for the construction industry. This study investigates their integration across education, training, and professional practice to address skill gaps and inefficiencies. While AI’s potential in construction has been highlighted, limited attention has been given to synchronising academic curricula, workforce development, and industry practices. This research seeks to fill that gap by evaluating AI adoption through a mixed and multi-stage methodology, including theoretical conceptualisation, case studies, content analysis and application of strategic frameworks such as scenario planning, SWOT analysis, and PESTEL frameworks. The findings show AI tools enhance foundational learning and critical thinking in education but often fail to develop job-ready skills. Training programmes improve task-specific competencies with immersive simulations and predictive analytics but neglect strategic leadership skills. Professional practice benefits from AI-driven resource optimisation and collaboration tools but faces barriers like regulatory and interoperability challenges. By aligning theoretical education with practical training and strategic professional development, this research highlights the potential to create a future-ready workforce. The study provides actionable recommendations for integrating AI across domains. These findings contribute to understanding AI’s transformative role in construction, offering a baseline for effective and responsible adoption. Full article

The sustainable development of the Romanian countryside follows strategies outlined in the Common Agricultural Policy. This policy aims to ensure the sustainability of agricultural and non-agricultural businesses, improving inhabitants’ quality of life. Achieving sustainable development is the objective of every rural locality in Romania. This is accomplished by determining the state of endogenous resources and identifying potential conservation and sustainable exploitation alternatives by developing relevant strategic options. The purpose of this research is to develop relevant strategic options for the sustainable rural development of Gușoeni Commune, Vâlcea County, by using the case study methodology and involving stakeholders and community members. In this study, we develop an integrated and dynamic model based on information from a secondary analysis of statistical data and the specialized literature, with the help of the PESTEL (political, economic, social, technological, ecological, legislative), SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats), problem tree, objective tree, and DFPSIR (drivers, pressure, status, impact, response) diagnostic models. Full article

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) has become a vital component in addressing environmental, social, and economic challenges. In the context of the construction industry, due to the widespread presence of irresponsible practices, CSR implementation studies have gained significant attention, particularly in developing countries. This study consists of a systematic literature review of 58 articles published between 2018 and 2024, seeking to explore the internal and external factors affecting CSR implementation in emerging construction nations. The analysis employs the PESTEL framework, which refers to external impact factors, including political, economic, social, technological, environmental, and legal aspects. Additionally, the SWOT framework is utilized to identify the strength, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) is then applied to prioritize the identified factors. The results demonstrate that institutional pressures and economic progress are the most influential external opportunities. Internal weaknesses, including subcontracting and quality challenges and financial constraints of SMEs, are significant barriers. This study contributes to the CSR literature by integrating external macro-environmental factors and internal organizational dynamics, offering a strategic and actionable framework for the advancement of CSR implementation in the construction industries of developing countries. Full article

Land registration is an important program in asset legalization with the vast land resources owned by Indonesia. The reality is that there are 48 million certificated lands out of an estimated 126 million certificates throughout Indonesia, so the Ministry of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning/National Land Agency (ATR/BPN) made a breakthrough through the Complete Systematic Land Registration (PTSL) program. The grouping mechanism of the PTSL program is divided into four clusters, namely K-1, K-2, K-3, and K-4. Land parcels included in K-4 have problems, namely that they have been registered but not mapped/mapped incorrectly, so the idea of modeling the K-4 typology is needed for accelerating the improvement in land data quality (KW). The research location is in Bandung Regency, which is included in the top five land offices with the highest number of K-4 in West Java Province. This research method uses a mixed method, namely quantitative with a Slovin approach for the identification and clustering of K-4 typology and descriptive qualitative for justification of typology modeling in multiple aspects. The results of K-4 typology modeling were 128 clusters based on seven types of data criteria and obtained 4 clusters that matched the data sample, namely T-1, T-43, T-63, and T-128. The four clusters were justified against the K-4 concept in the Ministry of ATR/BPN, the FFP-LA concept, and the PESTLE framework. Dissemination of K-4 typology modeling is a breakthrough that can be implemented by the Ministry of ATR/BPN and its staff in various regions and the role of multi-concepts in this research can be an input for improving the K-4 concept that has been in effect so far. Full article

Research on modern agri-food chains aims to enhance flexibility by analyzing supply chain aspects to identify improvement opportunities. A SWOT analysis of 39 agri-food sector organizations using a SWOT analysis organized using the PESTEL and MEETHS categories was conducted to evaluate the stakeholders’ needs in this sector of activity in Northern Portugal. Logistic regressions were used to compute inferential statistics, which were complemented with a qualitative analysis. Cooperatives and primary sector companies often claim superior product quality without clear evidence, while corporations integrated into competitive national markets, like those with smoked products, adapt better to dietary trends. Small- and medium-sized enterprises struggle with competitive wages, leading to high turnover and difficulty retaining skilled workers. High costs hinder many organizations, particularly cooperatives, from adopting modern communication technologies affecting competitiveness. Challenges include identifying market opportunities and managing global competition for raw materials, like wild fish. Fishing and meat sectors depend heavily on modern distribution and are dominated by large retailers. Low labor costs boost competitiveness but reflect the struggle to add value. Larger organizations are more optimistic though many face challenges with the cost and volatility of key products, like pork and milk. This study offers the following key recommendations: invest in technology and innovation while balancing short-term gains with long-term sustainability; strengthen strategic planning and collaboration among corporations, cooperatives, associations, and academic institutions; and adapt to regulatory changes, invest in market and technological capabilities, and address resource limitations. Research and collaboration with policymakers and academic institutions will support tailored solutions, enabling the sector to anticipate challenges and capitalize on opportunities. Full article

The use of single-use take-away packaging for food and beverages is steadily growing globally. The consumption habits of ordering food online and the very short time of use of single-use take-away packaging suggest that high amounts of potential resources are continuously being wasted. Since there is a lack of studies that could represent the status of packaging materials used within the take-away delivery industry, it is difficult to predict the potential for material recycling and reuse. This research aimed at identifying (1) the predominant packaging materials used by the take-away food and beverage industry according to the food category, (2) packaging weight in order to understand the potential for material recovery, (3) labelling in order to understand communication with consumers about what is relevant for choosing end-of-life scenarios, and (4) the residues of the food and beverage within packaging after use, which potentially affects the recyclability of packaging. The research identified at which stages of the value chain there was a potential for the better circulation of single-use packaging materials and provided insights for decision makers (businesses, institutions, etc.) to improve the sustainability of take-away packaging. Full article

Ethiopia has a high potential for the production of honey and other apiary products due to its ideal agroecology. This potential is, however, not yet well utilized due to weak production and valorization systems. The study analyzed beekeeping systems and their honey value chain to detect the barriers and to explore ways to better exploit the existing potential. Descriptive statistics, a SWOT and PESTEL matrix, and system mapping were utilized for analysis. Ethiopian beekeeping is still dominated by traditional production systems, followed by modern and transitional systems, differing in types of beehives and the average amount of honey yield. The combined SWOT-PESTEL analysis revealed challenges like a limited supply and high cost of modern beehives, shortage of credit, absence of a honey marketing legal framework, pest and predator attacks, absconding, and uncontrolled application of agrochemicals. Opportunities include the globally increasing demand for honey, availability of good investment policy, conducive agroecology, and support from NGOs. The less productive techniques of smallholder beekeepers’ crude honey production for local beverage making affected the good use of the potential and minimized its contribution to the local and national economy. On the contrary, strengthening private investors and cooperatives towards the production of fully and semi-processed honey impacted the utilization of the potential positively. Full article

The Kosi River, draining through Nepal and north Bihar, India, has been known for excessive sediment (commonly called silt) deposition—a primary cause of several hazards. However, there are still no good estimates of the volume of silt accumulated in the Kosi River channel, which makes removal and utilization of silt a major challenge, both technically as well as economically. In this work, we first present a novel method to estimate sediment volume on a reach scale using hydrological and channel planform data mapped from satellite images. We then identify various commercial uses of the Kosi River sediments such as embankment construction, backfilling, land reclamation, landscaping, agricultural applications, industrial applications, and geotextile silt walls. In consultation with various stakeholders, backfilling and embankment construction were identified as potentially the best solutions shortlisted for the development of a business case and investment model. Therefore, we prepared an investment model based on economic viability, cost-to-benefit ratio, and stakeholder consultations for two districts. We performed a SWOT analysis by breaking down the opportunities and risks into political, economic, social, technological, environmental, and legal (PEST-EL) factors to identify the pros and cons within the sector and of the ecosystem in which the stakeholders operate. Full article

The Spanish photovoltaic sector could be a serious opportunity for the recovery and economic growth of the country, by serving as a support platform for the National Integrated Energy and Climate Plan (NIECP) 2021–2030, whose objective is to determine the lines of action required for the appropriate and efficient use of clean energy in order to benefit the economy, employment, health, and the environment. Bearing in mind the notable increase in the economic competitiveness of photovoltaic energy in Spain when compared to traditional and other renewable energy sources, it is necessary to carry out a strategic analysis of the macro-environment, using a PESTEL (Political, Economical, Social, Technological, Environmental and Legal) analysis so as to identify the most relevant external aspects that are vital for the performance of photovoltaic industries/markets and to facilitate decision making when developing short-, medium-, and long-term strategies, and the micro-environment, using Porter’s five forces (threat of new entrants, threat from substitution products and/or services, the bargain power of suppliers, the bargaining power of buyers and competitive rivalry) framework, to determine and examine the main factors that define the structure and level of competition that exists within the Spanish industry/market. The results obtained have been combined in a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) chart, which facilitates an understanding of the current strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats as regards the photovoltaic sector in Spain. Full article

China’s energy structure is dominated by fossil fuels, especially coal consumption, which accounts for a relatively high share. In January 2020, the COVID-19 outbreak affected the global coal market, and many countries experienced negative economic growth. Economic development requires energy consumption. In 2021, China set a target of peaking carbon emissions by 2030 in order to phase out the dependence of carbon emissions on economic development. Therefore, the aim of this article is to develop directions for the sustainable development of China’s coal industry. Based on the macroenvironment and situation analysis, the article concludes that, under the influence of geopolitics, China’s shortage of imported coal resources and China’s continuous rise in coal demand, the share of coal in China’s energy structure will not decrease significantly in the long-term. The main directions for the sustainable development of China’s coal industry are to ensure the safety of coal energy storage and improve the level of safety supervision; coordinate the development of regional energy; increase the clean, efficient, and low-carbon utilization of coal; and strengthen international coal strategic cooperation. Full article

This review paper examines the applicability of biogas and biomethane as potential maritime fuels and examines issues of these fuels from a supply chain perspective (from production to end use). The objectives are to identify: (1) the latest research, development, and innovation activities; (2) issues and key barriers related to the technology readiness to bring biogas/biomethane to market; and (3) commercialisation issues, including cost parity with natural gas (the main competitor). A survey of the literature was carried out based on research articles and grey literature. The PESTEL and SWOT analyses identified opportunities for these fuels due to the relevant regulations (e.g., Fit for 55; the recent inclusion of the Mediterranean Sea as a SECA and PM control area; MPEC 79), market-based measures, and environmental, social, and governance strategies. The potential of biomass feedstock is estimated to have a substantial value that can satisfy the energy needs of the maritime industry. However, production costs of biomethane are high; estimated to be 2–4 times higher compared to natural gas. The market is moving in the direction of alternative drop-in fuels, including liquefied and compressed biomethane (LBM and CBM) and biogas. In terms of potential market penetration, LBM can be used as a marine drop-in fuel for the existing fleet that already combust LNG and LPG due to similar handling. Currently, these vessels are LNG and LPG tankers. However, in newly built vessels, LBM can be also supplied to container ships, vehicle carriers, and bulk carriers (about 20% of newly built vessels). Provided that compressed natural gas infrastructure exists, CBM can be exploited in vessels with low energy needs and low space requirements and shore-side electrification, because investments in retrofits are lower compared to constructing new infrastructure. Full article

Our research provides solutions to alleviate the economic problems currently plaguing our planet that are responsible for the decline of its ecological systems. Our motivation is the need to identify elements that will encourage and accelerate the transition from a linear to a circular economic model, raising awareness of the limited nature of resources and the major pressures exerted by climate change and population growth. Our paper highlights the implications of strategic thinking, i.e., strategic management, in the development and promotion of the circular economy, including the concept of sustainability, in the agri-food sector. We propose strategic options based on information from our secondary analysis of statistical data and relevant literature, e.g., from PESTEL, SWOT, and DPSIR diagnostic models, for integrating resource flows into circular processes, which are meant to reduce resource consumption and minimise waste. Our paper elaborates on an integrated and dynamic model for the transition from a linear to a circular economic model; furthermore, we perform further research to create appropriate frameworks for elaborating on and implementing the most relevant policy options to accelerate this transition process. Full article

The article considers the system of underground gas storage in Ukraine, the history of its development, the characteristics of regional gas storage complexes, and the current state and role of the gas group enterprises in the domestic gas market. The study also proves the significant role of Ukrainian UGS facilities in ensuring the energy security of Europe. However, their position in the European gas market depends significantly not only on the demand for gas storage services from foreign companies but also on the awareness at the state level of the importance of collective energy security manifested in energy policy regulations. To process forecasts for the development of the European gas market, an assessment of the environment of the gas storage operator of Ukraine was carried out using PESTEL and SWOT analysis. As a result, pessimistic, realistic, and optimistic scenarios for using underground gas storage facilities in Ukraine have been formed. Full article