Journal of Environmental Management最新文献

The European Union Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles introduces a policy framework to guide the textile sector towards circularity by 2030. Grounded in Stakeholder and Institutional Theories, this study analyzes how stakeholder responses to coercive, normative, and mimetic pressures influence the potential effectiveness of the Strategy. A PRISMA-based systematic literature review and content analysis of 175 peer-reviewed articles was conducted to classify thematic priorities, stakeholder coverage, and theoretical foundations. Findings strongly emphasize the role of downstream actors, particularly consumers, brands and retailers, while upstream stakeholders receive limited attention. This imbalance appears driven by two factors: the greater accessibility of downstream actors to researchers and their prominence in prevailing sustainability narratives. Strategic actions related to consumer empowerment and business model innovation are frequently discussed, whereas regulatory and production-oriented interventions are comparatively underexplored. The study also identifies differentiated compliance behaviors across stakeholder groups, shaped by their position in the value chain and the institutional pressures they encounter. Downstream actors adopt proactive or strategic responses, while upstream stakeholders often engage reactively, constrained by resource limitations and weaker integration into sustainability dialogues. By clarifying how institutional pressures interact with stakeholder positioning, this review contributes to a more granular understanding of policy alignment in the textile sector. It underscores the need for more inclusive governance approaches that account for underrepresented actors and support the balanced implementation of the EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles across all tiers of the value chain.

Climate finance serves as a vital mechanism for assisting developing nations in mitigating and adapting to the adverse impacts of climate change. The core tenet of climate finance is climate justice, specifically distributive justice, which stresses the fair distribution of financial resources to the most vulnerable. This issue has sparked significant interdisciplinary debate; however, a consensus on the fairness of Climate Finance allocation remains elusive. This study seeks to empirically examine the relationship between Climate Vulnerability and Climate Finance across 133 countries from 2000 to 2022, while also thoroughly investigating the moderating effects of institutional quality and conflict prevalence. The results indicate a clear alignment with climate justice principles, as nations exhibiting greater climate vulnerability receive increased climate funding, especially adaptation finance, which is more responsive to addressing vulnerability compared to mitigation finance. Nonetheless, the research reveals other dynamics- the strong institutional quality of the recipient nation has enhanced the positive impact of Climate Vulnerability on Climate Finance distribution. In contrast, conflict undermines this relationship negatively by reducing the impact of climate vulnerability on the allocation of both mitigation and adaptation climate finance. Upon further examination, the analysis reveals notable asymmetry and heterogeneity, with climate vulnerability significantly influencing climate finance allocation for Small Island Developing States and demonstrating regional disparities across Africa, Asia, the Americas, and Europe. The findings highlight the necessity for modified strategies in climate finance distribution, ensuring a balance between global equity and local circumstances. The study concludes by presenting practical implications for recipient and donor countries, highlighting the necessity of enhancing institutions, mitigating conflict, and tackling regional disparities to ensure that climate finance achieves its objectives of justice and effectiveness in combating climate change.

The twin transition - combining digitalisation with sustainability - has emerged as a strategic driver of competitiveness and resilience within industrial systems. Digital product passports (DPPs) constitute a key instrument in this transformation, offering life-cycle data facilitating transparency, traceability and circular strategies. The present study explores the implementation of DPPs in the cosmetics industry - a sector marked by complex formulations and global supply chains, with direct implications for human health and consumer safety. The methodology contributes to the advancement of SDG12 by evaluating both producer and consumer perspectives through multi-criteria decision-making methods (i.e., AHP, TOPSIS, VIKOR) and an online survey. The results reveal that familiarity with digital tools significantly influences consumer behaviour: digitally literate consumers ascribe to the DPP a value that transcends technical information, viewing it as a symbol of transparency, sustainability and social responsibility. This perception enhances brand trust and informs more conscious, value-driven purchasing decisions. In this light, the DPP emerges not merely as an informational resource but as a strategic lever for cosmetics companies, capable of aligning technological innovation with the ethical expectations of digital consumers. The findings indicate that managers should invest not only in digital infrastructure, but also in the human competencies required to interpret, communicate and capitalise on the DPP, thereby transforming it into a strategic asset promoting transparency, consumer trust and competitive advantage.

Addressing the challenges of unstable activity in microbial sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) and the need for further recovery of sulfate reduction products, this study employed iron-carbon (Fe-C) micro-electrolysis to enhance microbial sulfate reduction (MSR) and achieve sulfur resource recovery. By comparing the synergistic effects of iron (Fe), carbon (C), and Fe/C composite systems with a polyvinyl alcohol-sodium alginate (PVA-SA) immobilization system, the key mechanisms were elucidated. The optimized Fe-C system (Fe/C mass ratio 2:1, 6 g Fe/L: 3 g C/L) reduced sulfate from 1000 mg/L to 362.9 mg/L within 5 d, while minimizing sulfide accumulation to 48.6 mg/L via in-situ generation of iron sulfides (FeS). X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) confirmed FeS formation, validating direct sulfur recovery. Micro-electrolysis selectively enriched completely oxidizing sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB), particularly Desulfococcus (relative abundance: 10.5 % in Fe-C group vs. 3.7 % in control), enhancing metabolic efficiency. PVA-SA hydrogel immobilization significantly improved microbial stress resistance, manifested as increased cell viability (1.21 × control) and stabilized extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). This alleviated Fe³⁺ cytotoxicity and maintained reducing conditions (ORP stabilized below -200 mV). Under the optimal Fe/C ratio, electron transfer system activity (ETSA) reached its maximum (1.4 × control). The research demonstrates that Fe-C micro-electrolysis combined with PVA-SA immobilization establishes an efficient platform for sulfate removal and sulfur resource recovery, providing a sustainable strategy for treating sulfate-laden wastewater.

Sulfur autotrophic denitrification (SAD) stands a cost-effective and organic-free denitrification technology contributing to carbon neutrality in deep wastewater treatment. However, SAD is usually accompanied with alkalinity depletion and incapable of phosphorus removal issues. Plus, fly ash (FA) is a large-volume industrial solid waste rich in Fe, Al, Ca, so how to leverage FA has always been a formidable challenge. In this study, two innovative SAD reactors have been conceivably established by packing with the composite ceramic carriers prepared by element S⁰ and FA (mass ratio: 1:1/1:2). The performance of SAD reactors is then comprehensively evaluated in terms of denitrification, phosphorus removal as well as its underlying microbial mechanisms. The operational results over 115 days indicated that the removal efficiencies of nitrogen and phosphorus were greater than 98 % and 94 %, respectively as hydraulic retention time (HRT) and influent NO₃^--N concentration changing from 3 to 12 h, 12-30 mg/L, respectively. The concentration of effluent PO₄^3--P in two reactors were all less than 0.1 mg/L and pH maintained at 8.2-9.2. Also, no obvious nitrite accumulation was observed in either reactor. Hence, the enhanced SAD reactors were successfully constructed and demonstrated to be capable of carrying out excellent denitrification and phosphorus removal performance. Microbial community structure considerably depended on carrier type, influent NO₃^--N and HRT. Sulfurovum was significantly enriched and predominant genera serving for denitrification. This study might provide the new insights of the FA resourceful utilization (i.e., biofilm carriers) and also scientific supports for intensive simultaneous nitrogen and phosphorus removal by fortifying SAD processes.

The widespread use of open dumping systems worldwide poses notable risks to groundwater and surface water supplies and increases air pollution. The current research lacks a comprehensive understanding of the biodegradation and leachate generation of high-organic waste (>70 %) in tropical landfills that operate during the dry season (under no infiltration conditions). This study aimed to simulate leachate generation and waste stabilization under dry season conditions in lab-scale landfill reactors operated at ambient temperatures to understand the fate and transport mechanisms of pollutants within the system. The two reactor dimensions were a cross-section of 1 × 1 m and a height of 1.1 m. The wet-to-dry solid waste ratio was kept at 73:27 and 62:38 for the two reactors. A first-order degradation kinetic model was developed to predict the biodegradation of fresh municipal solid waste, and changes in leachate quality over time were examined. High leachate concentrations were observed during the first 12 weeks, and the pH gradually increased to 6.5 by the end of week 54. The chemical and biochemical oxygen demand decreased from 50,250 to 13,980 mg/L (79.32 %) and from 92,160 to 19,560 mg/L (72.18 %), respectively. Leachate characteristics under varied and uncontrolled conditions were predicted using a modified first-order decay model. High prediction accuracy was observed for BOD₅ (R² = 0.89), COD (R² = 0.82), and VFA (R² = 0.89), indicating the model's goodness of fit. The study focuses on novel insights into moisture-limited MSW degradation and long-term high-strength leachate dynamics under tropical dry landfills.

Adsorption has been widely used for phosphorus (P) removal, but few studies have focused on recovering P from desorption solutions. In this study, the adsorption and desorption conditions of adsorbent La-N201 were optimized, achieving an adsorbed amount of 45.15 ± 0.19 mg-P/g and desorption efficiency of 78.27 ± 0.19 %. The effects of coexisting anions (SO₄^2-, NO₃^-, SiO₃^2-, HCO₃^-) on adsorption-desorption-crystallization process were systematically evaluated. Results showed that all four anions reduced P adsorption, following the order: SiO₃^2- > SO₄^2- > NO₃^- > HCO₃^-. During desorption, SO₄^2-, NO₃^- and HCO₃^- inhibited P release, while SiO₃^2-enhanced it. Following the addition of an Fe(II) salt to the desorption solution, the resulting formation of vivianite via crystallization at pH of 7.0 and Fe/P of 1.5 achieved a phosphorus recovery efficiency of 88.38 ± 0.30 % in the absence of anions. This efficiency, however, decreased in the presence of competing anions: SO₄^2- stabilized recovery at approximately 63.5 %, NO₃^- reduced it to about 70.7 % at high concentrations, while both SiO₃^2- and HCO₃^- exhibited concentration-dependent suppression. SEM analysis revealed that anion competition led to the deposition of secondary phases on vivianite surfaces: SO₄^2- promoted the formation of Fe(OH)₂ and goethite; NO₃^- enhanced Fe(II) oxidation to Fe(III) and FePO₄ precipitation; SiO₃^2- and HCO₃^- led to the formation of FeSiO₃ and FeCO₃, respectively. These findings provide critical mechanistic insights into anion-specific interference during P crystallization, facilitating P recovery from secondary effluents via adsorption-coupled crystallization.

Cities' efforts to address climate change are extensively explored and analyzed in the literature. Learning from case studies reported in the literature provides valuable lessons for innovative climate solutions and reduces the risk of repeating mistakes in future urban climate action planning (CAP) processes. While urban CAP case study research has gained attention over the years, they are mostly narrow in scope and thematic focus, with fragmented knowledge and insights. Here, we systematically analyze 156 peer-reviewed articles on urban CAP to present a comprehensive overview of the planning process and synthesize the reported barriers and drivers across various case studies. Results show that urban CAP in 206 countries have been studied since 2006, with more than half of the countries found in the Global North, likely due to their status as "early adopters" of climate initiatives. We identify diverse focuses, with a heightening global research interest in adaptation planning, increasing steadily after the release of the IPCC Fifth Assessment Report and the wave of urban pragmatism in climate change governance (2016 and beyond). Reported barriers and drivers are either intrinsic (i.e, endogenous concerns or core city values) or extrinsic (i.e, exogenous influence), observed across diverse spatio-temporal contexts. The results of this study can contribute to improved climate action planning, thereby enhancing urban resilience and sustainability.

Recycled Aggregate (RA) incorporation to Self-Compacting Concrete (SCC) typically reduces mechanical performance and durability. The aim of this research is to model these variations as a function of RA content using advanced statistical tools such as Central Composite Design (CCD, α = 1) and Response Surface Methodology (RSM) to facilitate the optimization of RA additions. This study examines the behavior of SCC produced with 0 %-100 % recycled aggregate (RA), both coarse and fine, while maintaining 300 kg/m³ of Portland cement. Five performance dimensions were assessed: fresh properties, compression-related mechanical properties, bending-tensile mechanical properties, durability (effective porosity and water absorption), and eco-environmental indicators (global warming potential and cost). Most resulting models with R² values above 0.95 were dependent on the square of the RA contents, and showed minimal interaction between coarse and fine RA. Therefore, their direction of maximum variation was approximately the vector i+j in a Cartesian coordinate system. According to models' slopes, the greatest property variations occurred above 50 % replacement, but a higher rate for fresh and durability properties. Simultaneous optimization of all the models recommended using 35 %-45 % coarse RA and 30 %-45 % fine RA. Additionally, range optimization yielded specific RA amounts for high-performance SCC, comprising 0 %-20 % coarse RA and 20 %-40 % fine RA, and for conventional-performance SCC, which would admit 60 %-100 % coarse RA and 0 %-70 % fine RA.

Urban tree growth faces significant challenges, primarily due to soil compaction, poor soil structure, and limited water retention capacity. This study examined the effectiveness of structural soils for tree plantations prepared using different growing media. Two composting approaches were used to develop the growing media: one incorporating sewage sludge with bark and peat (SSGM), and another using compost with biochar (CBGM). Four structural soil treatments were compared against a control (intact neighbouring soil): SSGM at 15 % and 30 %, and CBGM at 15 % with either crushed amphibolite or recycled concrete. The results showed that growing media significantly improved water-holding capacity compared to the control, with SSGM at 30 % exhibiting the highest available water capacity, being approximately double that of SSGM at 15 % and the control. During field monitoring, CBGM with recycled concrete experienced water stress for just four days, compared to 164 days for the control. While macroporosity increased in growing media treatments, the control exhibited highest aeration capacity, indicating a trade-off between aeration and moisture retention. Tree trunk circumference increase was significantly influenced by the structural soil treatment, with SSGM at 15 % showing greatest growth, followed by SSGM at 30 %, while the control showed lowest growth. These findings emphasise the importance of optimising the proportion of growing media in structural soils, in order to strike a balance between water retention and aeration, support tree development and promote sustainable urban forestry practices.