Search Results (780)

As plastic pollution continues to intensify worldwide, developing sustainable alternatives to conventional plastics has become increasingly important. Owing to its rapid growth, renewability, and potential biodegradability, bamboo offers a promising option for reducing reliance on plastic products. However, consumers’ purchase intentions for bamboo products in the context of the initiative of “Bamboo as a Substitute for Plastic” and their underlying mechanisms remain insufficiently understood. Drawing on the Theory of Consumption Values (TCV) and the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), this study constructs an integrated model to elucidate how consumption values influence green purchase intention. It further investigates the mediating effects of attitude toward the behavior, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control, along with the moderating effect of the green consumption concept. Questionnaires were distributed through online platforms, resulting in the collection of 421 valid samples. SPSS 27.0 and AMOS 28.0 were employed to perform reliability and validity analyses, structural equation modeling, and Bootstrap tests for mediating and moderating effects. The results show that functional value, emotional value, social value, and environmental value all exert significant positive impacts on consumers’ green purchase intention for bamboo products. Attitude toward the behavior, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control mediate the relationships between consumption values and green purchase intention. Furthermore, the green consumption concept enhances the positive influence of consumption values on green purchase intention. This study elucidates the psychological mechanisms through which consumption values determine purchase intention for bamboo products. The findings provide references for enterprises to optimize product value positioning and green marketing strategies, as well as for governments to refine relevant policies regarding bamboo as a substitute for plastic and consumer guidance systems. Full article

Driven by the global carbon neutrality goal, converting CO₂ into value-added chemicals and fuels is a critical pathway for energy storage and carbon recycling. However, traditional photocatalysis suffers from severe charge recombination and low efficiency, while thermocatalysis is restricted by enormous energy consumption. Photothermal catalysis has emerged as a promising strategy by seamlessly integrating solar-driven charge excitation and localized thermal activation to overcome the kinetic and thermodynamic limitations of CO₂ reduction. This review systematically summarizes the recent progress in the rational design of advanced materials for photothermal CO₂ reduction. We begin by outlining the fundamental photothermal conversion mechanisms and categorizing the synergistic effects into three modes: photo-driven thermocatalysis, thermo-assisted photocatalysis, and synergistic photothermal catalysis. A quantitative evaluation framework for mechanistic decoupling is then established, integrating temperature-matched dark controls, spectrally resolved measurements, ultrafast in situ characterizations, and micro-nanoscale thermometry. We subsequently review state-of-the-art material design strategies, highlighting plasmonic metals, defect-engineered semiconductors, carbon-based nanocomposites, and tailored heterostructures, with critical comparisons of their respective advantages and operating conditions. Furthermore, we provide deep insights into the regulation of product selectivity, explicitly distinguishing the reverse water-gas shift reaction (RWGS), CO₂ methanation, and photocatalytic reduction pathways, and analyzing the competitive pathways of C₁ products and the kinetic bottlenecks of C₂₊ generation. Advanced microstructural optimization strategies, such as single-atom doping and facet engineering tailored to modulate the binding energies of key intermediates, are systematically discussed. We then examine energy efficiency analysis and advanced reactor engineering, emphasizing that genuine sustainability requires system-wide energy audits rather than reliance on apparent reaction rates. Finally, we outline the current challenges and future perspectives regarding long-term stability, thermal management, reactor design, and industrial-scale fabrication. This review aims to provide a clear roadmap for developing highly efficient and selective photothermal catalysts, thereby accelerating their practical applications in the green carbon economy. Full article

The use of waste packaging glass as a substitute for quartz sand may reduce the consumption of natural raw materials and provide an additional route for glass-waste valorization. However, the combined effects of glass color and replacement level on the relationships among the physical and mechanical properties of autoclaved lime–silica products remain insufficiently understood. This study therefore evaluated products in which 33%, 66%, and 100% of the quartz sand by mass was replaced with colorless, green, or brown waste packaging glass. Cylindrical specimens were autoclaved at 180 °C and a saturated steam pressure of 1.002 MPa for 8 h. Compressive strength, volumetric density, water absorption, and open porosity were determined, and their relationships were evaluated using Spearman’s rank correlation analysis and linear regression. Both glass color and replacement level affected the investigated properties, while complete replacement of quartz sand produced the most pronounced changes. The series containing 100% colorless waste glass exhibited the highest compressive strength, water absorption, and open porosity, together with the lowest volumetric density. The colorless glass series also produced the strongest linear fits, with R² values of 0.9703 for compressive strength and volumetric density, 0.9892 for compressive strength and open porosity, 0.975 for water absorption and volumetric density, and 0.9473 for open porosity and volumetric density. The corresponding relationships for brown and green glass were generally weaker, with R² values ranging from 0.6615 to 0.9131. These results indicate that glass color and replacement level can be treated as material design variables and that the identified relationships may support preliminary mixture screening within the investigated compositional range. Following independent validation, these relationships could also support the preliminary assessment of other soda–lime–silica glasses, such as flat glass, tempered automotive glass, or photovoltaic panel glass, while accounting for differences in particle-size distribution, material purity, and the presence of coatings. Waste packaging glass can therefore be considered as a partial or complete substitute for quartz sand, particularly in lightweight, strength-oriented products intended for dry or protected environments. However, the increased water absorption of the colorless glass series and the limited scope of the laboratory tests require further validation before structural applications or applications involving moisture exposure can be recommended. Full article

Purpose: Sustainable herbal food products represent a growing yet under-researched segment of the green food market, particularly in fragile developing economies where consumer awareness and food marketing infrastructures remain nascent. Drawing on an extended Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), this study examines how the green food marketing mix (product, price, promotion, and place) shapes consumer attitudes, and how attitude, perceived behavioral control (PBC), and subjective norms jointly predict green purchase intention toward sustainable herbal food products. This study further evaluates whether green perceived value and environmental consciousness moderate these psychological pathways. Design/methodology/approach: A cross-sectional survey collected data from 640 domestic tourists across three Yemeni cities. Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was used to test the hypothesized relationships, complemented by importance–performance map analysis to identify managerial priorities for food marketers. Findings: All four dimensions of the green food marketing mix were significantly associated with tourist attitudes, with green promotion emerging as the strongest antecedent. Attitude, PBC, and subjective norms each significantly predicted purchase intention toward sustainable herbal food products. Green perceived value and environmental consciousness significantly amplified the influence of attitude and PBC on intention, whereas subjective norms operated independently of these moderators. Originality/value: This study advances the green food consumption literature by integrating external food marketing stimuli with internal psychological and value-based mechanisms within a single TPB-based framework. It offers novel evidence from a fragile economy context and provides actionable insights for food producers, marketers, and policymakers seeking to promote sustainable herbal food consumption in emerging and under-studied markets. Full article

Accurate estimates of maintenance energy requirements are essential for precision feeding, yet breed-specific values remain scarce for Azawak cattle. This study quantified net energy for maintenance (NE_m), metabolizable energy for maintenance (ME_m), and the efficiency of metabolizable energy use for maintenance (k_m) in Azawak bulls. Nine bulls were evaluated in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin-square design and assigned to three graded metabolizable energy supply levels, designated low, intermediate, and high. The feeding levels were established by varying daily feed allowance while maintaining the same basal forage-based ration. Indirect calorimetry was performed using the GreenFeed system to quantify respiratory gas exchange, urinary nitrogen was determined, and heat production was calculated according to Brouwer’s equation. Increasing energy supply significantly (p < 0.05) enhanced oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide and methane production, urinary nitrogen excretion, and heat production. The heat production (HP) and metabolisable energy intake (MEI) relationship was analysed using a linear mixed-effects model, with bull included as a random effect to account for repeated measurements. The resulting population-level relationship was ln(HP) = −1.1246 + 0.8985 × MEI. The estimated intercept was −1.1246 ± 0.0536 (95% CI: −1.2297 to −1.0195), whereas the MEI slope was 0.8985 ± 0.0850 (95% CI: 0.7320 to 1.0651; p < 0.001). Back-transformation of the intercept yielded an NE_m of 0.325 MJ/kg BW^0.75/day (95% CI: 0.292–0.361), whereas ME_m, estimated at the point where predicted heat production equalled metabolizable energy intake, was 0.517 MJ/kg BW^0.75/day (95% CI: 0.467–0.576). The corresponding k_m was 0.629 (95% CI: 0.566–0.688), indicating that 62.9% of metabolizable energy supplied at maintenance was converted into net energy. These results provide the first breed-specific maintenance energy coefficients for Azawak bulls and offer a robust basis for improving ration formulation, energy-use efficiency, and feeding precision in this important indigenous cattle breed. Full article

The study uses a case study (Parliament House, Ghana) to identify a sustainable energy pathway for public institutions in emerging economies, from technical and economic viewpoints, towards the net-zero agenda. Technically, the study uses GIS (Google Earth Pro, v7.3.7) mapping and Python (Jupyter notebook from Anaconda, v4.20) simulation to assess rooftop/carport solar PV–grid integration and explore green hydrogen and ammonia productions. It combines a GIS rooftop solar resources assessment with a forward/backward sweep hosting-capacity analysis and a cascaded economic comparison of grid, hydrogen (H₂), and ammonia (NH₃) to inform decisions about RE investment scenarios in Ghana. The economic assessment uses net present value (NPV), internal rate of return (IRR), profitability index (PI), discounted payback period (DPP), and levelized cost of energy (LCOE, LCOH, and LCOA). A 6.3 MW (10,569 MWh) solar electricity system is proposed to meet the 2.56 MW (7554 MWh) demand with 3014 MWh excess. Hydrogen and ammonia production stood at 60.3 tons and 343,579 kg from excess electricity, respectively. The facility’s CO₂ contribution in 25 years period with the grid supply is 160,539 tons, while with PV deployment, it can save 211,611 tons. A total of GHS 58,558,962 (GHS 36,306,556 for local demand and GHS 22,252,405 for grid sales), GHS 12,328,785, and GHS 43,805,636 are required to set up the solar PV, hydrogen, and ammonia plants, respectively. Results from 100% local consumption and grid sales scenarios indicate an NPV of GHS 106.91, an IRR of 75%, a payback period of 3 years, a profitability index of 3.1, and an LCOE of GHS 0.68. An NPV of GHS 84.57 million, IRR of 56%, PI of 3.8, DPP of 4 years, and LCOE of GHS 1.06/kWh were recorded for the grid sales. Hydrogen sales had a negative NPV of GHS 16.78 million, a PI of 0.7, and an LCOH of GHS 87.2 per kg. Similarly, a negative NPV of GHS 70.72 million, a PI of 0.27, and an LCOA of GHS 29,419.55 per ton were recorded for the ammonia sales. The Parliament House can save 106.91 million GHS over 25 years if it chooses to go solar after meeting its local requirements. Results from the Python simulation show a 5.6% reduction in bus voltage for the system without PV, while the configuration with PV injections saw a voltage increase of up to 11.4%. The system loss increased 113.3 kW in case 1 to 1659.2 kW in case 2. Solar-to-grid is the recommended pathway, while H2/NH3 are not competitive under present costs. The sensitivity analysis shows that changes in key input variables (CAPEX, electricity input cost, and selling price) affect the prospective H₂/NH₃ sales under current market conditions in Ghana. Therefore, policymakers should make conscious efforts to lower these parameters (CAPEX and electricity input cost) to boost green hydrogen and ammonia penetration in the transition agenda. A new law is required to encourage consumers to sell to the grid rather than rely on the current net metering scheme, which limits prosumers’ generation to 500 kW and forbids grid sales. Full article

Green steel transitions in emerging economies are currently planned around large integrated plants, while the small and medium enterprise (SME) segment that dominates finished steel output remains poorly characterized. This review consolidates the environmental evidence on India’s secondary steel sector, which supplies nearly 65% of national finished steel through more than 8500 units spanning coal-based direct reduced iron (DRI), induction furnace, electric arc furnace, steel re-rolling, foundry, and forging operations. Using an integrative scoping design that combines the peer-reviewed literature, government publications, industrial energy audits, and cluster assessments, the review maps process routes, regional clusters, product flows, and energy and carbon footprints, identifying the source, reference year, system boundary, and confidence level of each principal value. The sector consumed approximately 11.8 Mtoe (137,234 GWh) and emitted an estimated 58.2 Mt CO₂ in 2019–2020, with coal-based DRI contributing about 52% of sector emissions, 60% of steelmaking-route emissions, and roughly twice the specific energy consumption of international benchmarks. Water use remains a critical evidence gap. The resulting route- and cluster-resolved baseline provides the foundation from which green production pathways for SME steel systems can be identified and the plant-level measurement priorities that credible net-zero planning requires can be specified. Full article

As China’s new energy vehicle (NEV) market shifts from basic electrification toward competition over integrated technological capability and in-cabin user experience, understanding how consumers evaluate green technology and smart-cockpit configurations has become increasingly important. This study examines how perceived green technological innovation (PGTI) and smart-cockpit scenario-based configuration (SCSC) shape young Chinese consumers’ NEV purchase intentions. Drawing on the Theory of Consumption Values and signaling theory, the study combines hierarchical regression with fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA). Data were collected in multiple Chinese cities through Wenjuanxing and on-site surveys at authorized NEV dealerships and brand experience centers. Of the 500 questionnaires collected from consumers aged 18–35, 420 valid responses were retained, yielding a valid response rate of 84.0%. The regression results show that perceived value is the strongest positive correlate of purchase intention, while SCSC, technology trust, PGTI, and charging convenience also have significant positive associations. The negative PGTI × SCSC interaction indicates diminishing marginal returns rather than simple additive synergy. The fsQCA results identify eight alternative configurations leading to high purchase intention, including integrated flagship, technology-assurance, and smart-cabin-oriented pathways. The study contributes by distinguishing average net effects from equifinal configurational mechanisms and by showing that smart-cockpit value depends on its combination with technology, charging, price, and trust conditions. Full article

Public buildings play a critical role in national decarbonization strategies and green energy transitions due to their high energy consumption densities, large occupant capacities, and potential to drive public awareness. Optimizing energy efficiency in these structures not only alleviates the financial burden on public budgets but also serves as a benchmark for sustainable urban development. To investigate the energy-saving potentials, thermal comfort dynamics, and financial feasibilities within this sector, this study selects two university buildings from two different countries with distinct climatic, structural, and operational profiles as comparative case studies: university buildings in Türkiye (TR) and Italy (IT), respectively. A total of seven tailored retrofitting scenarios were developed based on country-specific legislative frameworks and subsidy mechanisms: the Minimum Environmental Criteria (CAM) and Conto Termico 3.0 for Italy, and the Public Buildings Energy Efficiency Project (KABEV), Energy Performance Contracting (EPC), and Nearly Zero Energy Buildings (NSEB) mandates for Türkiye. The scenarios evaluate deep building envelope insulation, high-efficiency window replacements, lighting automation (LED with daylighting controls), mechanical ventilation with heat recovery units (HRV), air-to-water heat pump integrations, and rooftop photovoltaic (PV) installations using calibrated DesignBuilder simulation models. The quantitative results demonstrate that country-specific green building incentives drastically enhance both the energy performance and financial viability of deep retrofits. For the Turkish case study, the comprehensive near-zero energy building (nZEB) retrofitting package (TR-4) successfully reduced annual primary energy consumption by 75% (from 284 to 71 kWh/m²·year) and cut annual thermal comfort discomfort hours by 72% (from 3147 to 880 h), yielding a Subsidized Net Present Value (NPV) of +310,600 €. Similarly, for the Italian case study, the holistic retrofit combined with rooftop photovoltaic integration (IT-4) achieved an 80% energy reduction (dropping from 128 to 25.6 kWh/m²·year), minimized annual discomfort hours to 45 h, and generated a Subsidized NPV of +425,500 €. Furthermore, national incentive mechanisms shortened simple payback periods by more than half, establishing that targeted public policy is vital to accelerate public sector building decarbonization while ensuring long-term fiscal profitability. Full article

Despite the growing use of social media to promote green agricultural products, firms still face challenges in translating green advertising into purchase intentions. Drawing on dynamic capability theory and an ambidexterity perspective, this study examines two parallel consumer acceptance pathways involving user-generated content (UGC)-based social media green advertising and targeted green advertising on social media, with green trust as a mediating mechanism and sustainability-focused value orientation as a boundary condition. Survey data from 739 respondents were analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling. The results show that acceptance of both advertising approaches is positively associated with green trust and green purchase intention, with green trust partially mediating both relationships. Sustainability-focused value orientation strengthens the relationship between acceptance of UGC-based social media green advertising and green purchase intention but does not significantly moderate the relationship between acceptance of targeted green advertising on social media and green purchase intention. These findings extend the ambidexterity perspective to consumer-facing green advertising by showing how distinct advertising approaches operate through parallel acceptance pathways and converge on green trust as a shared psychological mechanism. The study also offers practical implications for designing more effective social media strategies to promote sustainable consumption. Full article

Co-phase traction power supply system (CTPSS) integrated with photovoltaic (PV) and hybrid energy storage system (HESS) can enhance power supply capacity while facilitating the on-site consumption of renewable energy. This integration provides a pathway toward green development and the achievement of the “carbon peaking and carbon neutrality” goal. However, the stochastic nature of PV poses challenges to safe and economical operation of the system. Existing energy management methods remain limited in simultaneously balancing operational economy and extreme risks caused by PV uncertainty, making it difficult to achieve an effective trade-off between operating cost and constraint violation risk. To address this issue, a risk-sensitive optimal scheduling framework integrating probabilistic PV forecasting, correlated scenario generation, and risk-aware optimization is developed. First, a PV probabilistic prediction model based on parallel TCN-BiLSTM-Attention is proposed, which extracts multiscale local features and long-range temporal features from PV for accurate uncertainty quantification. Second, a t-Copula PV scenario generation method driven by weather classification and temporal correlation is proposed. On this basis, a day-ahead optimal scheduling strategy integrating chance constraints programming (CCP) and conditional value at risk (CVaR) is established to simultaneously control constraint violation risk and extreme economic risk. The proposed prediction model can accurately quantify uncertainty, achieving an R² value of 0.9979. When the allowable power supply loss probability is 0.5%, the proposed scheme’s operating cost is reduced by 1.36% compared with the baseline scheme. The results demonstrate that the proposed framework can effectively coordinate operating economy and extreme-risk control, thereby improving the risk-sensitive operational performance of CTPSS with PV and HESS. The proposed strategy balances economy and extreme risk, providing a reference for safe, low-carbon and economical operation of CTPSS with PV and HESS. Full article

The global seafood industry generates substantial quantities of processing by-products such as heads, viscera, skin, bones, scales, and shells. These residues represent an underutilized resource rich in proteins, lipids, minerals, enzymes, and polysaccharides. Conventional valorization approaches such as chemical extraction, wet rendering, and enzymatic hydrolysis have been used to recover valuable compounds from seafood waste. However, conventional methods often involve high chemical consumption, long processing times, and environmental concerns. Green extraction technologies have emerged as promising alternatives, with subcritical water extraction (SWE) gaining significant attention due to its unique properties and ability to simultaneously extract and convert biomass components. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the valorization of seafood processing wastes using SWE. Particular emphasis is placed on the physicochemical properties of subcritical water, the reaction mechanisms governing the hydrolysis and transformation of proteins, lipids, and polysaccharides, and the key parameters influencing extraction performance. Recent advances in the recovery of value-added products such as amino acids, bioactive peptides, protein hydrolysates, omega-3-rich oils, chitin derivatives, and mineral-rich materials are summarized. In addition, the integration of SWE with complementary technologies such as supercritical CO₂ extraction, enzymatic hydrolysis, and hydrothermal carbonization is examined as a strategy for developing integrated seafood biorefineries. Full article

The global energy structure is undergoing a transition toward green and low-carbon development. To address the challenges of large-scale energy consumption management and insufficient low-carbon potential exploitation in university buildings, this study first develops models of photovoltaic (PV) generation and battery energy storage systems. Subsequently, an optimal scheduling model is established with the objectives of minimizing economic operating costs and carbon tax, while considering power balance constraints and equipment output constraints. Furthermore, to overcome the problems of premature convergence and local optima in the traditional particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm, a Sine-triggered Particle Swarm Optimization (STPSO) algorithm is proposed. By dynamically adjusting the particle search range using a sine function, the proposed algorithm enhances global exploration capability and effectively avoids premature convergence. Experimental results demonstrate that, compared with MEDDPG, MA, MOPSO, and PSO, the proposed STPSO algorithm achieves the lowest relative percentage growth value and the shortest computation time, requiring only 46.5 s, which verifies the effectiveness of the proposed improvements. Compared with the conventional PSO algorithm, STPSO achieves the most significant reduction in daily operating costs under rainy conditions, with a maximum saving of 45%. Moreover, it reduces carbon dioxide emissions by 119.82 kg on sunny days. The proposed method provides an effective solution for green energy management and low-carbon operation of university dormitory building clusters. Full article

This research work conducts an economic, operational, and environmental evaluation of a solar–wind–battery–hydrogen hybrid renewable energy generation system for a typical household in the Limpopo province of South Africa. In the recommended configuration, the system will comprise a 5.0 kWp solar PV array, 1.0 kW wind turbine, 15 kWh lithium-ion battery, 1.5 kW electrolysis, 8 kg hydrogen storage tank, 1.0 kW fuel cell, and 5.0 kW power converter. Based on the base scenario, the proposed energy system completely satisfies the total electricity consumption of 5475 kWh per annum without any energy shortfall and a 100% RE contribution. The electricity production from solar PV and wind amounts to 8016 kWh and 1115 kWh per annum, respectively, and the green hydrogen produced is 70.3 kg/year. Though the fuel cell did not play any role in meeting the electrical requirements in the base year, hydrogen acts as a long-term storage medium and improves the resilience of the system. The total present value cost of the optimal energy system is USD 35,016, the annual cost is USD 3005/year, the electricity cost is USD 0.549/kWh, and the hydrogen cost is USD 12.02/kg. This work adds to the existing literature by offering a modeling framework for households in Limpopo. Full article

As a linchpin of global energy conversion systems, the coking industry faces an imperative sustainable transition driven by tightening environmental regulations. The green development of coking enterprises is constrained by persistent heterogeneity across firms, exacerbated by the lack of a standardized enterprise-level evaluation framework—collectively impeding the industry’s green transition. This study established a comprehensive evaluation model for Green Coking Enterprises comprising 124 indicators, drawing on existing research, standards, and regulatory frameworks, and proposed the green coking concept. It covers seven core dimensions: infrastructure, management system, energy and resource inputs, environmental protection, products, by-products, and performance. Through a 2023 case analysis of the Ordos Etuoke Economic Development Zone—a strategic coking cluster positioned along China’s energy transition corridor—the applied framework revealed critical performance gaps. These gaps primarily manifested in three core dimensions: comparative disadvantages in resource consumption efficiency, deficiencies in environmental management systems, and lagging capabilities in deep processing of by-products. Accordingly, four improvement strategies closely aligned with these identified gaps are discussed. The development assessment model for coking enterprises constructed in this study provides a systematic methodology for evaluating the level of green transformation in such enterprises. It holds significant practical value for accurately identifying technical shortcomings, supporting management decision-making, and promoting the green upgrading of the coking industry. Full article