Search Results (193)

With the increasing frequency of digital economic activities on a global scale, internet governance has become a pressing issue. Traditional multilateral approaches to formulating internet governance rules have struggled to address critical challenges such as privacy leakage and low global internet defense capabilities. To tackle these issues, this study integrates SAR data processing and interpretation using AI techniques with the development of governance rules through international agreements and multi-stakeholder mechanisms. This approach aims to strengthen privacy protection and enhance the overall effectiveness of internet governance. This study incorporates differential privacy protection laws and cert-free cryptography algorithms, combined with SAR data analysis powered by AI techniques, to address privacy protection and security challenges in internet governance. SAR data provides a unique layer of spatial and environmental context, which, when analyzed using advanced AI models, offers valuable insights into network patterns and potential vulnerabilities. By applying these techniques, internet governance can more effectively monitor and secure global data flows, ensuring a more robust defense against cyber threats. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed approach significantly outperforms traditional methods. When processing 20 GB of data, the encryption time was reduced by approximately 1.2 times compared to other methods. Furthermore, satisfaction with the newly developed internet governance rules increased by 13.3%. By integrating SAR data processing and AI, the model enhances the precision and scalability of governance mechanisms, enabling real-time responses to privacy and security concerns. In the context of the Global Digital Compact, this research effectively improves the standards, rules, and practical pathways for internet governance. It not only enhances the security and privacy of global data networks but also promotes economic development, social progress, and national security. The integration of SAR data analysis and AI techniques provides a powerful toolset for addressing the complexities of internet governance in a digitally connected world. Full article

To enhance the environmental sustainability and structural performance of concrete-filled steel tubes (CFSTs), this study experimentally investigates the eccentric compression behavior of short CFST columns incorporating alkali-activated concrete (AAC) and internal stiffeners. Fifteen specimens were tested, varying in steel tube thickness, stiffener thickness, and eccentricity. The results show that increasing eccentricity reduces load-bearing capacity and stiffness, while stiffeners delay local buckling and improve stability. Based on the experimental findings, the applicability of the GB 50936-2014, Design of Steel and Composite Structures Specification, and the American AISC-LRFD specification to the design of ACFST columns is further evaluated. Corresponding design recommendations are proposed, and a regression-based predictive model for eccentric bearing capacity is developed, showing good agreement with the test results, with prediction errors within 10%.providing technical references for the development of low-carbon, high-performance CFST members. Full article

This study reviews the existing research on international environmental agreements (IEAs) from the perspective of environmental economics, with a particular focus on recent research trends and classic theoretical models. Since the last century, the body of research surrounding IEAs has steadily grown, with numerous scholars exploring various approaches to the formation of stable and effective agreements. While some studies have attempted to organize this literature, classifications based on thematic features remain relatively rare. Therefore, this work identifies common threads across the literature addressing transboundary pollution issues and categorized them thematically, highlighting both recent focal points and classic models. Specifically, the existing research on addressing transboundary pollution is divided into four categories: studies focusing on the national attributes, the mechanisms of cooperation within IEAs, the structures of IEA cooperation, and the alternative approaches beyond IEAs. This review aims to provide policymakers with a clear summary of recent research on international environmental cooperation and to offer advanced guidance for achieving global sustainable development. Full article

Small island developing states (SIDS) face a dual constraint of “environmental vulnerability and energy dependence” in the context of climate change. How to achieve just energy transitions has become a core proposition for SIDS to address. This paper focuses on how SIDS can advance Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7 (affordable and clean energy) and Sustainable Development Goal 13 (climate action) through UNCLOS–Paris Agreement integration in energy transitions. Grounded in the theoretical framework of the Multidimensional Vulnerability Index (MVI), this research aims to construct a comprehensive analytical system that systematically examines the energy transition challenges facing SIDS and provide multi-level energy transition solutions spanning from international to domestic contexts for climate-vulnerable SIDS. The research findings reveal that SIDS face a structural predicament of “high vulnerability–low resilience” and the triple challenge of “energy–climate–development”. International climate finance is severely mismatched with the degree of vulnerability in SIDS; the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the Paris Agreement lack institutional synergy and fail to adequately support marine renewable energy development in SIDS. In response to these challenges, this study proposes multi-level solutions to promote the synergistic achievement of SDG 7 and SDG 13: at the international level, improve climate finance rules, innovate financing mechanisms, strengthen technological cooperation, and integrate relevant international legal framework; at the domestic level, optimize the layout of marine renewable energy development, construct sustainable investment ecosystems, and strengthen environmental scientific research and local data governance. Full article

Augmented consumerism has propelled electronic innovation, leading to unprecedented growth in e-waste. Mishandling of e-waste poses environmental and human health hazards that necessitate a review of existing technologies and regulatory frameworks for effective e-waste management. Over the years, advancements in e-waste treatment technologies have addressed challenges uncovered in conventional e-waste treatment methods. This review comprehensively discusses valorization, regulations, and the environmental and health hazards imposed by e-waste mismanagement. The review adopted the novel VIRE framework to justify the research question and followed PRISMA analysis to filter the research basket. This study highlights that progressive policy frameworks are less efficient until inhibiting factors for successful implementation are addressed, especially in developing countries. The informal sector dominates in impeding the successful implementation of e-waste regulations, requiring integration with the formal sector as an initiative to reduce unlawful e-waste handling. Moreover, e-waste holds significant potential for economic value through precious metal recovery. An integrated approach of thermal techniques followed by bioleaching could be a cost-effective alternative for enhanced metal recovery from e-waste. There exists ample opportunity for further advancement in treatment technologies through the integration of discrete techniques, reframing regulatory frameworks to minimize unauthorized processing, and cooperative international agreements for collective action on sustainable e-waste management. Full article

The awareness of global warming has boosted research on methods to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Livestock buildings, although essential for food production, represent a sustainability challenge due to their high maintenance energy costs, GHG emissions, and impact on the environment and rural landscapes. Since the environment, cultural heritage, and community identity deserve protection, research trends and current knowledge on livestock buildings, building sustainability, energy efficiency strategies, and landscape management were investigated using the Web of Science and Scopus search tools (2005–2025). Research on these topics was found to be uneven, with limited focus on livestock buildings compared to food production and animal welfare, and significant interest in eco-sustainable building materials. A total of 96 articles were selected after evaluating over 5400 records. The analysis revealed a lack of universally accepted definitions for building design strategies and their rare application to livestock facilities, where passive solutions and insulation prevailed. The application of renewable energy was rare and limited to rural buildings, as was the application of sustainable building materials to livestock, agriculture, and vernacular buildings. Conversely, increased attention was paid to the definition and classification of vernacular architecture features aimed at enhancing existing buildings and mitigating or facilitating the landscape integration of those that diverge most from them. Although not exhaustive, this review identified some knowledge gaps. More efforts are needed to reduce environmental impacts and meet the milestones set by international agreements. Research on building materials could benefit from collaboration with experts in cultural heritage conservation because of their command of traditional materials, durability-enhancing methods, and biodeterioration. Full article

Concentration within the food industry is a desirable process in the context of improving economic efficiency, which is the basis for building sustainable competitive advantages in internationalisation and globalisation. Excessive concentration of market structures can generate negative externalities that threaten sustainability in the long term. Maintaining a balance between the freedom of economic activities and the protection of consumers and environmental interests is fundamental to the stability of the entire economy and its position in the international market, which is a priority of the EU-MERCOSUR trade agreement. The aim of this article was to assess the process of concentration of the Polish food industry and its impact on factor efficiency in the context of changing external conditions. In order to do so, the Cobb–Douglas production function was used. The research results showed that there is a progressive concentration in the food industry. Changes in the entity structure are taking place in an evolutionary way, as illustrated by the still high fragmentation of companies. Large companies make good use of economies of scale, which is mirrored in their high efficiency. The structure of the Polish food industry makes it possible to realise the objectives of agricultural policy, including in terms of sustainable development and improvement of competitiveness on the global market. Taking into account the current entity structure of the Polish food industry, it will be crucial for the long-term sustainability to take into account contemporary economic, environmental and social issues in the EU-MERCOSUR trade agreement. Full article

This study evaluates coordinate consistency in the static Korean Geodetic Datum 2002 (KGD2002) by comparing GNSS station positions derived independently from GAMIT/GLOBK and Bernese software. Using a nationwide network of approximately 3000 unified geodetic control points (UGCPs), we analyze horizontal coordinate differences (ΔN, ΔE) to identify regional patterns and potential systematic biases. The results indicate that both solutions are closely aligned with the official KGD2002 coordinates, generally within a few millimeters to sub-centimeter levels. However, small regional discrepancies are evident; for example, some provinces exhibit consistent mean northward or southward offsets on the order of 0.1–0.3 cm, and greater dispersions—up to 2 cm—are observed in peripheral regions such as Jeollanam. Notably, the Bernese solution demonstrates slightly tighter agreement, with lower standard deviations compared to GAMIT/GLOBK. The application of two distinct processing strategies within a unified static reference frame is a novel aspect of this study, revealing subtle differences attributable to network geometry, environmental factors, and software modeling approaches. The findings also underscore the limitations of KGD2002’s static nature, particularly its fixed epoch and lack of motion modeling. In response to these issues, this study discusses the rationale for transitioning to a dynamic geodetic reference frame, such as ITRF2020, to improve compatibility with international systems and account for ongoing crustal motions. Overall, the results provide a foundation for the future modernization of Korea’s spatial reference infrastructure and highlight the importance of adopting time-dependent datums in geodetic applications. Full article

Sustainable transboundary water governance in Central Asia faces significant challenges, including political tensions, ecological issues, such as the drying Aral Sea, and seasonal hydropower disruptions impacting downstream countries. This study aims to address these problems by examining the complexities of water resource governance in the region, emphasizing the interplay between national interests and regional cooperation. We analyze how social, economic, environmental, and political factors influence water diplomacy among Central Asian states. Key challenges include water scarcity, climate change impacts and the growing tensions over transboundary river basins, particularly in the Aral Sea basin (i.e., the development of the Kushtepa Canal in Afghanistan). The intricate linkages between water, energy, and agriculture further complicate decision-making processes among riparian nations. While recent diplomatic efforts signal a shift towards enhanced regional cooperation, existing agreements remain fragmented, and a sustainable, long-term governance framework is still lacking. Our findings highlight the importance of an integrated, basin-wide approach to transboundary water management. We argue that a cohesive regional water strategy—grounded in international legal frameworks and supported by collaborative governance mechanisms—can mitigate conflicts and promote water security in Central Asia. The significance of this study lies in its potential to inform policy decisions and promote sustainable practices in transboundary water governance, ultimately contributing to the broader goals of sustainable development and regional cooperation. Full article

Driven by global carbon neutrality goals, biochar has gained significant attention due to its stable carbon sequestration capabilities and environmental benefits. This research employs bibliometric tools such as VOSviewer 1.6.16, Citespace 6.2 R6, and Scimago Graphica to systematically analyze 2076 publications from the Web of Science Core Collection between 2007 and 2024, aiming to clarify the evolutionary trajectory, research hotspots, and international collaboration patterns of biochar carbon sequestration research while identifying future knowledge gaps for innovation. Research results reveal a three-stage developmental characteristic: 2007–2014 was a slow accumulation period for fundamental mechanism exploration, 2015–2020 was an accelerated expansion period driven by policies like the Paris Agreement, and 2021 to the present marks an exponential growth phase of interdisciplinary integration due to global carbon market consolidation. China and the United States are core producing countries, though inter-institutional deep collaboration remains insufficient. Research hotspots have progressively shifted from early biochar preparation and carbon stability to multiple waste materials (such as rice straw and urban carbon sequestration waste) and co-pyrolysis technologies (significantly emerging since 2022), with machine learning applications in process optimization becoming a nascent direction. The study recommends increasing cross-disciplinary research funding, establishing biochar raw material pollution standards, and promoting coordinated policies that combine biochar carbon sequestration with agricultural efficiency to support global carbon reduction objectives. Notably, the research’s reliance on the Web of Science Core Collection may limit coverage of non-English literature and regional studies. By quantitatively analyzing technological evolution and collaboration networks, this study provides a data-driven framework for optimizing biochar carbon sequestration strategies, helping bridge the gap between laboratory potential and actual climate emission reduction, and offering focused action pathways for policymakers and researchers. Full article

As a core component of transportation fuels, clean gasoline plays a vital role in environmental protection. Alkylate, with its nearly zero sulfur, aromatic, and olefin contents, coupled with its superior research octane number, serves as an ideal blending component for clean gasoline. This study established a kinetic model for sulfuric-acid-catalyzed isobutane–butene alkylation based on the carbocation reaction mechanism, incorporating 20 lumped components and 37 reaction pathways. Reactor models were developed to reflect the design characteristics of STRATCO and SINOALKY technologies. The model parameters were estimated using industrial operational data via the non-linear least-squares method. The validation results demonstrated excellent agreement with industrial values, showing average relative deviation rates of 1.72% (STRATCO) and 1.73% (SINOALKY) for C₈ product prediction. A prediction analysis revealed that selectivity and alkylate octane number of C₈ exhibit positive correlations with the isobutane-to-olefin ratio, acid-to-hydrocarbon ratio, and space–time relationship. It was also found that the internal circulation in the STRATCO technology enables thorough contact between the acid and hydrocarbon phases, while the multi-stage feeding in the SINOALKY technology maintains a favorable isobutane-to-olefin ratio. Both features are conducive to the alkylation reaction, enhancing the selectivity and octane number of C₈. These trends align with the intrinsic reaction principles of sulfuric-acid-catalyzed alkylation systems, providing theoretical guidance for alkylate production optimization. Full article

Marine plastic pollution (MPP) has become one of the most pressing environmental challenges, severely affecting marine ecosystems and human health. Even though international agreements such as UNCLOS and the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) exist, the existing laws are often being introduced to question the inability of the present laws to do something about the escalating issue of plastic pollution. This study uses a doctrinal legal approach to examine how UNCLOS and MARPOL respond to marine plastic pollution (MPP) with a focus on their ability to handle land-based and ship-based MPP. Gaps in these frameworks are underlined, such as a lack of enforceable requirements under UNCLOS on reducing plastic rubbish from LBS and disparities in implementing MARPOL’s regulations on plastic discharges from ships. This paper also explores activities of organizations such as the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), with a focus on the Regional Seas Programme and the Global Programme of Action. Although a lot has been achieved, much remains to be done to resolve the problem of marine plastic pollution. This paper concludes with a series of practical proposals aimed at refining international laws, strengthening enforcement, and encouraging collective action at the international level. The proposed measures are aimed at advancing a circular economy model, strengthening legal infrastructure, and fostering a single global response against marine plastic pollution. Full article

Ports play a crucial role in Indonesia’s economy, yet many, particularly smaller ports, lack standardized port performance indicators (PPIs) to assess and improve operational efficiency. Existing studies primarily focus on financial and operational performance, often employing either the balanced scorecard (BSC) or PESTLE analysis in isolation, with limited integration of sustainability concepts, such as smart port and green port frameworks. This study bridges this gap, aiming to develop and validate a comprehensive PPI framework that combines BSC, PESTLE, and circular economy smart and green port principles to create holistic performance assessment tools for ports. The research used a three-round Delphi method, incorporating expert evaluations and consensus from academics, consultants, port authorities, and customers to validate key performance indicators. A total of 127 PPIs were initially identified through a literature review and expert consultations, using strict selection criteria—standard deviation ≤ 1.5, interquartile range (Q3–Q1) ≤ 2.5, and ≥51% expert agreement (ratings 8–10). The final validated framework includes 114 indicators covering financial, operational, environmental, and strategic dimensions. This study provides valuable insights for port authorities to optimize performance and align with global best practices by integrating internal and external factors into a comprehensive model. Full article

The shift to renewable energy has become a crucial element in addressing climate change. However, the legal systems that regulate this transition are still largely fragmented, and there is no single international legal framework that governs renewable energy comprehensively. This study investigates why such a unified global framework has not emerged despite various international efforts. It identifies several key challenges, such as the lack of binding commitments in global treaties, inconsistencies between national energy laws, and overlapping jurisdictions. By examining how national policies interact with major international agreements—namely the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Kyoto Protocol, and the Paris Agreement—this study uncovers structural shortcomings that hinder global legal coordination in the renewable energy field. Using a comparative legal approach, the paper highlights how the existing agreements fall short in offering enforceable and coherent standards. In doing so, it contributes to the ongoing discussion on legal fragmentation in environmental governance and suggests possible pathways for developing more integrated legal responses to renewable energy challenges. Full article

Motor vehicles in transport, as one of the important sectors of the economy, emit a significant amount of carbon dioxide and other products in the form of exhaust gases, which are harmful to human health. The emission of exhaust gases from motor vehicles is limited by appropriate regulations in accordance with environmental goals, such as the Paris Climate Agreement. Reduced emissions and fuel (energy) consumption is mainly achieved by applying modern technologies for the production of internal combustion engines; transitioning to cleaner fuels, such as renewable natural gas or biomethane; and using alternative propulsion systems. Biomethane stored in a liquid state in on-board reservoirs has advantages in truck transport, ships, and air traffic. The reason for this is due to the higher concentration of energy per unit volume of the reservoirs and the lower storage pressure and thus higher safety compared to the high-pressure storage option (compressed biomethane). The presented research is related to a proposition regarding the design of drive systems of city buses using biomethane as fuel in cases when fuel is stored on-board the vehicle as gas in a compressed aggregate state. In this study, the results of a calculation method regarding the roof-supporting structure of an experimental bus with gas reservoirs under higher pressure are discussed as well. This study also presents the possibility of reducing harmful emissions if biomethane is used instead of conventional fuels as a transitional solution to electric-powered vehicles. For the sake of comparison, it is suggested that the engaged energy and the amount of produced carbon dioxide emissions within the drive systems of different fuels are calculated according to the recommendations of the standard EN16258:2012. Full article