Sustainable Production and Consumption最新文献

The escalating demand for energy, water, and food (EWF) resources, alongside external stressors such as climate change, is placing significant strain on national systems. Therefore, this study introduces a novel framework for assessing the resilience of interconnected EWF systems at a national level. The framework utilizes a hybrid approach of network systems modeling and optimization models, integrating sectoral and dependency impacts to offer a comprehensive perspective on the interconnected resilience of EWF components. Applied to Qatar's EWF nexus, the framework revealed significant interdependencies, particularly between water and energy components, that led to cascading failures and challenged nexus resilience. Under single failure scenarios, unmet demands for energy and water ranged from 9 to 59 GWh and 97,000 to 359,000 m³, respectively, with resilience indices from 0.86 to 0.99. In double failure scenarios, significantly higher unmet demands caused the resilience index to drop to 0.43. Due to limited freshwater availability, the food sector is highly vulnerable to groundwater supply disruptions, resulting in an 85.6 % reduction in total crop production under extreme scenarios. Furthermore, the study highlighted resilience-enhancement strategies, such as utilizing treated wastewater for agricultural, industrial, and commercial activities and diversifying energy sources to reduce the risk of cascading failures, which increased the nexus's resilience by 17 %. The proposed framework serves as an essential tool for identifying critical components within the EWF nexus and planning strategies to enhance both operational and structural resilience.

The conversion of biogas into biomethane and CO₂ offers a potential solution for climate mitigation, avoiding the use of fossil carbon. While previous studies compared various carbon capture (CC) technologies for biogas upgrading, this research specifically addresses the co-production of biomethane and CO₂ as high purity co-products. This work simulates, validates with literature and onsite data, and compares four CC technologies (Chemical Absorption (CA), Membrane Separation (MS), Cryogenic Separation (CS), and High-Pressure Water Scrubbing (HPWS)) at different scales, considering both technological and environmental impacts evaluated through the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) method. ProSimPlus® software was employed to conduct process simulations, having as target biomethane for grid injection (> 96 % mol) and liquid CO₂ (purity as high as possible). The analysis used data from a medium-scale biogas site (365.24 Nm³/h). The considered criteria were biomethane and CO₂ purity and recovery rates, energy consumption, and environmental impacts. The comparison showed that all studied technologies met these targets, with CA technology demonstrating the highest purity and recovery rate (higher than 98 %), but with the highest energy consumption (electricity 0.8 kWh/Nm³ biogas and heat 0.5 kWh/Nm³ biogas). MS technology exhibited similar purity and recovery rates with significantly lower energy consumption (electricity about 0.2 kWh/Nm³ biogas) than the other alternatives. Moreover, MS technology demonstrated the best environmental performance, with a global warming impact (GWP100) of 1.09 kg CO₂-eq, outperforming CA, CS, and HPWS, which recorded values of 1.42 kg CO₂-eq, 1.13 kg CO₂-eq, and 1.12 kg CO₂-eq respectively, impacts expressed per 1 kg liquid CO₂. Furthermore, MS outperformed the other technologies for all 18 impact categories calculated with ReCiPe midpoint method. For example, MS demonstrated the lowest water consumption potential, freshwater ecotoxicity potential or photochemical oxidant formation potential-humans (1.94 10⁻³ m³, 3.15 10⁻² kg 1,4-DCB-eq, 6.64 10⁻⁵ kg NO_x-eq respectively) while CA the highest values for the same impact categories (6.27 10⁻³ m³, 7.62 10⁻² kg 1,4-DCB-eq, 5.4 10⁻⁴ kg NO_x-eq, respectively). The difference between the impact results of the four technologies is highly dependent on the used electricity mix: more carbonated is the electricity mix, more the difference between the four technologies is enhanced.

Current Circular Economy (CE) frameworks applied to product chains exhibit notable shortcomings. These include neglecting the resilience and robustness of design, requiring detailed economic and environmental data for impact assessment, and relying on qualitative rather than quantitative metrics capturing certain CE design aspects. In the current contribution, we addressed these shortcomings by developing an Ecologically inspired (Eco-inspired) Framework using the mathematical foundations of Ecological Network Analysis (ENA). While ENA metrics have previously found application in designing circular economies, particularly in Industrial Symbiosis (IS) networks, our adaptation tailors these metrics for use in product-level CE, recognizing the inherent distinctions between product-level CE and IS. Our Eco-inspired Framework comprises three key categories to provide holistic and granular-level metrics for designing product-level CE. The first set of metrics assesses circularity and resource efficiency. The second set gauges network intensity and robustness as complementary indicators ensuring a CE is both sustainable and resilient. The third group of metrics evaluates enhancement potential of CE strategies through introducing quantitative metrics for measuring the degree of closed-loop strategies and average circularity level of a CE design. The three comprehensive set of indicators within the Eco-inspired Framework uniquely captures various facets of circular design, whether originating from technological innovations and recovery improvement at the end of life (EoL), shifts in human consumption patterns, alterations in product design, or changes in business models. The framework’s application is tested in designing a CE for multilayer Polyethylene-Polyamide (PE-PA) films. Using the Eco-inspired Framework, we identified the best strategy for designing a resilient and sustainable CE for PE-PA films. A diverse set of EoL strategies along with a reduction in product consumption can improve circularity and resilience by 650% and 255%, respectively, and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions by 90%. The framework minimizes trade-offs between sustainability and circularity goals and offers insights on how to enhance each strategy for achieving a resilient and sustainable CE for products.

Integrated management of energy and water necessitates a comprehensive investigation into the impact of low-carbon energy transition on regional water usage within China's energy system. This study utilizes a multi-regional input-output (MRIO) model to analyze changes in water withdrawal for China's energy sectors between 2007 and 2017, and then conducts a scenario analysis to investigate the potential impacts of energy transition on regional water use and regional water stress. The results revealed a declining trend in the total water withdrawal of China's energy sectors from 2007 to 2017. During this period, interregional energy trade led to virtual water transfer, primarily from Central and Northeast China to Beijing-Tianjin and Northwest regions. The scenario analysis suggests that the transition to low-carbon energy in China has the potential to save 12.5 billion cubic meters (bcm) of water, with an additional 22.5 bcm achievable through improved overall water use efficiency, reflecting a trend similar to the water stress index. Specifically, provinces with lower water withdrawal efficiency for the Thermal Power sector would benefit more from water savings from a low-carbon energy structure in the future. The virtual water transfers in different scenarios have resulted in varying directions of interregional trade-induced virtual water flows. This paper can provide valuable policy recommendations for achieving China's carbon peaks and carbon neutral goals, thereby facilitating sustainable management of both water resources and energy.

Phosphorus (P) is a finite, non-renewable resource that is a critical component of fertilizers; therefore, recovering P from municipal wastewater can provide an alternative sustainable source of this nutrient. This work analyses economic impacts and greenhouse gas emissions of P recovery in Swedish municipal wastewater treatment plants. The study examines different scenarios, including P recovery technologies in individual plants and hubs, and considers various P-rich streams (supernatant, sludge, and ash) in plants, different plant sizes, and multiple sludge management strategies such as land application, incineration, and hydrochar production, under current market conditions. The goal is to identify and offer solutions tailored to local conditions, addressing both technical opportunities and strategies to reduce costs.

The results show varying recovery rates: 5 % from supernatant, 36–65 % from sludge, and 17 % from sludge ash relative to total P in wastewater. Despite technical feasibility, P recovery costs are not covered at current market prices of P, indicating a lack of financial incentive, especially for smaller treatment plants. The least expensive recovery method costs about 7 k€/t P for ash, compared to 30–187 k€/t P for supernatant, however with the latter coming with the co-benefit of mitigated greenhouse gas emissions. The emissions from studied plants range from 84 to 123 kt CO₂ eq (CO₂ equivalent) for supernatant, 94–141 kt CO₂ eq for sludge, and 75–102 kt CO₂ eq for ash among different P recovery methods. Comparatively, P recovery methods from supernatant showed the lowest emissions, while the lower emissions range for ash is due to the consideration of fewer plants. Developing hub networks and converting sludge into products like hydrochar are crucial for attracting investments, enhancing P recovery, and leveraging economies of scale. Results highlight the urgency for localized strategies and proactive policy interventions to reconcile economic and environmental objectives in P recycling. Furthermore, P recovery from wastewater treatment plants, although more resource-intensive than mineral fertilizer, promotes circularity in the food chain and mitigates the risk of eutrophication.

Theory posits that land use sustainability could be improved through implementation of management regimes that balance land manager aspirations on the one hand with those of society on the other. Here, our aim was to contrast private and public benefits realised from grazing management approaches aimed at either maximising farm enterprise profit or soil organic carbon (SOC) accrual. When grazing management was conducted with the aim of maximising profit, a fast rotation, high stocking rate regime was optimal; enterprise profit was $AU55/ha/year higher than optimal management approaches for maximising SOC accrual. In contrast, flexible grazing management (with varying duration based on leaf stage and biomass availability) tended maximise SOC accrual, with 0.4 t/ha/year more SOC accrual than the continuous grazing treatment. As concurrent adoption of multiple farm management regimes better reflect real-world practicalities, we also examined how optimal farm management differed when one or two grazing approaches were operationalised to maximise profit and SOC accrual simultaneously. Simultaneous adoption of multiple grazing treatments on farm elicited greater profit ($AU7/ha/year higher than when one management approach adopted across the whole farm), with the most preferable regime being a combination of fast rotation with high stocking rate and flexible grazing. Effects of carbon price and farm size were more influential on production and profit compared with weather variability, even though the latter altered the trajectory of seasonal SOC accrual. For carbon prices of $AU31/t CO₂-e, flexible and high intensity fast rotational grazing were each adopted on around half of farm area; as carbon prices increased to $AU50/t CO₂-e, flexible grazing management across the entire farm resulted in the greatest profit and SOC (additional 0.21 t SOC/ha/year under the flexible grazing treatment cf. continuous grazing). Our results demonstrate that private land management is heavily influenced by market prices, reflecting the relative economic balance between commodity prices, such as livestock and crops, and resource prices, such as carbon, biodiversity and water. We contend that carbon prices would need to increase significantly to alter land management and carbon removals at scale.

To establish a Circular Supply Chain, companies must instigate transformative changes at the supply chain level, engaging various stakeholders both within and beyond their organisational boundaries. However, existing literature lacks successful examples of companies implementing circular economy principles and practical guidance on the strategies they should employ to effectively coordinate resources and capabilities for Sustainability-Oriented Innovation within Circular Supply Chains. To address these gaps, this study conducts a longitudinal field study with embedded cases, focusing on a sustainable fashion company as the main unit of analysis and 27 Sustainability-Oriented Innovation initiatives as sub-units of analysis. The investigation delves into the Resource Orchestration mechanisms employed to successfully implement four types of Sustainability-Oriented Innovation initiatives (i.e., B2C collections, B2B partnerships, Circular Service and Social Impact projects). The results provide valuable insights into strategies and practices conducive to achieving triple-bottom-line outcomes and introduce a novel process model for Sustainability-Oriented Innovation in Small-Medium Enterprises. Ultimately, the findings underscore the significance of tailoring Resource Orchestration mechanisms to different Sustainability-Oriented Innovation initiatives. This research contributes to the accumulation of knowledge at the intersection of Circular Economy, Sustainability-Oriented Innovation, and Resource Orchestration Perspective and offers practical implications for companies seeking to orchestrate their networks to achieve a Circular Supply Chain.

Composite industry growth, driven by the demand for lightweight and high-performance structures, has intensified challenges and inquiries regarding its lifecycle environmental impact, catalysing an increase in Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) studies. These studies have revealed significant concerns about the quality and reliability of Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) data, highlighting the risk of inaccuracies that could undermine LCA outcomes and produce misleading conclusions. This situation underscores the critical need for stringent data quality assurance. This study aims to critically assess LCI data quality for composite materials to enhance reliability and utility of LCA in promoting sustainable industry development. Objectives include reviewing existing LCA and LCI datasets, scrutiny of LCA data quality assessment methodologies, identifying data quality issues, and suggesting recommendations for improvement. The comprehensive methodology involved developing data quality assessment methodology, analysing, and critically reviewing existing LCA data, and LCI background reports from seven principal databases, focusing on eight key composite materials. This evaluation revealed fair data quality and identified major concerns such as dataset completeness, precision, timeliness, and reliability, exacerbated by an over-reliance on literature and a widespread disregard for ISO 14040/44 standards in studies intended for public comparison. The absence of technical critical reviews emerged as a significant concern. Some quality issues may still persist due to the inherent uncertainty in LCA data, which is typical of all scientific inquiries. The role of LCA as a lens in environmental sustainability assessment within the composites industry requires a trade-off between acceptability and uncertainty of data quality and the communication of LCA data by the industry stakeholders with openness and transparency.

Waste paper (WP) has become indispensable raw materials for paper industry. China has banned all imported WP since 2021, this one-size-fits-all policy has caused wide debates due to lack of a multiple and systematic assessment. Herein, a three-dimensional comprehensive assessment of environment, economy and health risk was established to compare non-deinking paper (NP) and deinking paper (DP) with imported/domestic waste paper (IWP/DWP). Assessment indicated that IWP was strongly recommended for NP with 20.96 %, 17.39 % and 20.92 % lower than DWP in environment, economy and health risk, respectively. Although the health risk of IWP was 58.14 % higher than that of DWP, it did not exceed the threshold, IWP was still recommended for DP with 19.14 % and 4.18 % lower than DWP in environment and economy. Toxicity-related impact categories predominated at midpoint level, especially human carcinogenic toxicity (50.97–59.12 %), which was largely caused by the emission of large quantities of toxic pollutants from the key processes (e.g., electricity generation (25.14–38.28 %) and wood pulp (31.99 %)), especially chromium (VI) (51.08–60.21 %). While human health (93.89–95.1 %) dominated all endpoint impact categories, which was mainly attributed to the top substances (i.e., CO₂) from electricity generation (28.47–42.78 %). Importantly, actual cost might be markedly underestimated without considering environmental cost, the ecosystems damage was the primary source of external cost, and the internal cost was concentrated in raw materials (47.57–61.67 %). The health risk of contaminants in WP was closely associated with their manufacturing process and raw materials. The major health risk resulted from heavy metals, particularly for As and Cr. In conclusion, banning all IWP should be deliberated carefully, high-quality IWP should be imported to decrease environmental and economic burdens via enhancing supervision, performing import subsidies and tax incentives, and administrative approvals (facilitating industry consolidation and merging small and medium-sized enterprises).

The global consumer market demands personalized products and it is quite challenging for the manufacturing industry to address the consumer requirements along with optimal production. In order to curb customization and production challenges, emerging industrial technologies (EIT) are adopted by the industries such as artificial intelligence (AI), internet of things (IoT), autonomous robots (AuR), and mobile technologies (MT). However, this technological transformation may impact organizational sustainability due to EIT's higher capital investment, lack of skilled personnel to operate EIT, and EIT dependency on extensive energy consumption. In addition, EIT must resonate with the sustainable ways of production and consumption which again brings in another challenge of balancing sustainability and production. Ambidextrous practices may enable industrial stakeholders to explore and exploit this disparity. Therefore, it is required to explore the impact of EIT on organizational sustainability along with the mediation of ambidextrous practices which is a notable gap in the existing literature. The sample is taken from Pakistani textile industry to estimate the relationship between the research variables while a quantitative survey approach was adopted to collect data from textile industry professionals. The collected data from 192 respondents was analyzed using partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) method in SmartPLS 4. The findings reveal a differential influence of EIT on the organizational sustainability dimensions, significant impact in the case of AI, complementary mediation of OA with AuR, competitive mediation of Organizational Ambidexterity for IoT, and fully mediated by Organizational Ambidexterity for MT. The study enriches the dynamic capabilities framework, highlighting Organizational Ambidexterity as essential for effective technological integration to achieve sustainability. For practitioners and policymakers, this research offers a strategic roadmap for leveraging EIT aligned with organizational sustainability objectives, advocating for the development of ambidextrous capabilities to navigate implementation hurdles effectively.