The Environmental Performance of Protecting Seedlings with Plastic Tree Shelters for Afforestation in Temperate Oceanic Regions: a UK Case Study

2021 ◽  
pp. 148239
Author(s):  
Charnett Chau ◽  
Andrea Paulillo ◽  
Nancy Lu ◽  
Mark Miodownik ◽  
Paola Lettieri
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Performance ◽  
Tree Shelters

scholarly journals Modelling Sustainable Industrial Symbiosis

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 1172
Author(s):  
Hafiz Haq ◽  
Petri Välisuo ◽  
Seppo Niemi
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Waste Management ◽  
Environmental Performance ◽  
Life Cycle Cost ◽  
Economic Assessment ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Industrial Symbiosis ◽  
Comprehensive Model ◽  
Network Connections

Industrial symbiosis networks conventionally provide economic and environmental benefits to participating industries. However, most studies have failed to quantify waste management solutions and identify network connections in addition to methodological variation of assessments. This study provides a comprehensive model to conduct sustainable study of industrial symbiosis, which includes identification of network connections, life cycle assessment of materials, economic assessment, and environmental performance using standard guidelines from the literature. Additionally, a case study of industrial symbiosis network from Sodankylä region of Finland is implemented. Results projected an estimated life cycle cost of €115.20 million. The symbiotic environment would save €6.42 million in waste management cost to the business participants in addition to the projected environmental impact of 0.95 million tonne of CO2, 339.80 tonne of CH4, and 18.20 tonne of N2O. The potential of further cost saving with presented optimal assessment in the current architecture is forecast at €0.63 million every year.

scholarly journals Characterisation and Life Cycle Assessment of Pervious Concrete with Recycled Concrete Aggregates

Crystals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 209
Author(s):  
Adilson C. Paula Junior ◽  
Cláudia Jacinto ◽  
Thaís M. Oliveira ◽  
Antonio E. Polisseni ◽  
Fabio M. Brum ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Performance ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Recycled Concrete ◽  
Pervious Concrete ◽  
Recycled Aggregate ◽  
Recycled Aggregates ◽  
Positive Contribution ◽  
Concrete Aggregates ◽  
Recycled Concrete Aggregates

The search for environmental preservation and conservation of natural resources gives rise to new concepts and viable technical solutions on the path to sustainable development. In this context, this study’s main objective is to analyse the influence of recycled concrete aggregates (RCAs) on the development of pervious concrete, whose use as a floor covering represents an excellent device to mitigate the urban soil sealing phenomena. For this, mechanical and hydraulic tests were carried out, in addition to microstructural analyses and the assessment of its environmental performance. The results obtained were compared to reference studies also involving the incorporation of recycled aggregates. A pilot-scale case study was conducted, involving a parking space lined with pervious concrete moulded “in situ”. In laboratory tests, permeability coefficients and mechanical strengths compatible with the literature and above the normative limit for light traffic were found. The case study demonstrated higher permeability than in the laboratory, but the flexural strength was lower, being indicated only for pedestrian traffic. The environmental assessment showed that the RCA represents a positive contribution to the environmental performance of pervious concrete. Still, attention should be given to the recycled aggregate transport distance between the concrete plant and the RCA treatment plant.

The use of environmental performance indicators in “the greenest city in Europe”

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 122-140 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan Alpenberg ◽  
Tomasz Wnuk-Pel ◽  
Philip Adamsson ◽  
Johannes Petersson
Keyword(s):  
Performance Indicators ◽  
Environmental Performance ◽  
Environmental Indicators ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
External Stakeholders ◽  
Municipal Managers ◽  
Environmental Performance Indicators

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine why and how municipal managers and CEOs for municipally owned companies use the environmental performance indicators. Design/methodology/approach A case study approach as a research design was used. In total, 18 semi-structured interviews were conducted among managers for administrative departments and municipal company CEOs. Findings This study found that the environmental performance indicators are used by department managers mainly for resource allocation, control and for teaching the employees. The CEOs of the municipal companies use the environmental indicators for communicating with external stakeholders and see the indicators primarily as marketing tools. The main reason why the environmental performance indicators are used in the municipality can be the strong demand from the local politicians to push the “green agenda,” and therefore the managers have to comply. Research limitations/implications As in any case study, generalizations from the research should be made with care, but since this is only one municipality, further research is needed to find additional evidence. Practical implications The findings of this study have a number of implications for future practice, and it is worth mentioning that clear guidelines for how the information could be made more useful for managers at the managerial level in Växjö municipality (VM) are requested for both the municipal managers and the CEOs. Social implications Overall, this study strengthens the idea that environmental performance indicators could be used to a larger extent for communicating with external stakeholders both for municipal departments and companies. Originality/value The research adds to the literature by examining different patterns of using environmental performance indicators in a unique setting – in VM, which is called “the greenest city in Europe” and is one of the “pioneers” in environmental work and extensively uses performance indicators.

scholarly journals Influences on the Diffusion of Environmental Programmes in Small Businesses in the Greening of an Industry for Sustainability: The Case of Golf

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Dino M. Minoli
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Government Policy ◽  
Environmental Performance ◽  
Small Businesses ◽  
Industry Sector ◽  
Mixed Methods Case Study ◽  
Golf Clubs ◽  
Empirical Framework ◽  
Social And Environmental Impacts

Globally there are around 34,000 golf facilities including very many small golf clubs that collectively generate significant economic, social and environmental impacts. Thus, small golf clubs have an important role to play in the greening of golf in support of sustainability. Environmental programmes (EPs) were developed to improve the environmental performance of all types and sizes of golf facilities. However, EPs are rarely employed in small golf clubs and no research until now has explored the reasons for this. Data from an in-depth mixed methods case study found several internal and external influences on the level of implementation of EPs in small golf clubs. Interventions are suggested to stimulate the uptake of EPs in smaller golf clubs. The study is of value to the golf sector, government policy and organisations concerned with the greening of small businesses in the greening of an industry sector for sustainability. The study also provides a conceptual/empirical framework for further studies in this under-researched yet noteworthy field.

scholarly journals A contribution of the Cleaner Production Program to the ISO 14001 Management System: a case study in the metal-mechanic sector

2009 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 61 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fernando Magnani Cervelini ◽  
Maria Tereza Saraiva Souza
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Management ◽  
Environmental Performance ◽  
Management System ◽  
Environmental Management System ◽  
Cleaner Production ◽  
Iso 14001 ◽  
Production Program ◽  
System A ◽  
Iso 14000

The aim of this work is to identify the contributions of the Cleaner Production Program to the Environmental Management System certified to ISO 14000. The results of the research indicate that the procedure standardization demanded by normalization leads the company to adopt environmentally adequate procedures; besides, the implementation of the Cleaner Production Program acts as a complementary tool in the EMS, with a view to improving environmental performance.

scholarly journals Three eco-tool comparison with the example of the environmental performance of domestic solar flat plate hot water systems

2013 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 174-181
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Impact ◽  
Environmental Performance ◽  
Life Cycle Analysis ◽  
Hot Water ◽  
International Standards ◽  
Huge Amount ◽  
Product Lca ◽  
Lca Practitioners ◽  
Standards And Guidelines

Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) is a procedure used as an analytical tool for the evaluation of the environmental impact caused by a material, a manufacturing process or product. For an end product, LCA requires both the identification and quantification of materials and energy used in all stages of the product’s life, together with their environmental impact. It requires therefore a huge amount of data about materials, components, manufacturing processes, energy consumption and the relevant environmental impacts. For this reason, a number of software and databases have been developed, in order to facilitate LCA users. These are the so-called Eco-Tools, used in an effort to minimize the environmental impact of a product from the materials and the energy used for production. In this paper, LCA is conducted for solar thermosyphonic systems, with the aid of three commercially available Eco-Tools, usually used by LCA practitioners, namely: Eco-It, GEMIS and SimaPro, and the results are compared. Although all three tools claim accordance with the international standards and guidelines, differences do exist. A typical solar thermosyphonic system (DSHWS) with a 4 m2 collector area and a capacity of 150 dm3 that covers the hot water needs of a three person family in Thessaloniki is used as case study. The results of the three tools are compared for each component of the solar system as well as for each material used and for the conventional energy substituted by the system.

scholarly journals Assessing Sustainability Indicators of a Commercial Building: A LEED Approach

2009 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 83-108
Author(s):  
Mohamed Abdelmawjoud Abdelgaffar Mohamed Abdelmawjoud Abdelgaffar
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Performance ◽  
Green Building ◽  
Comparative Approach ◽  
Commercial Building ◽  
Gulf Region ◽  
Project Appraisal ◽  
Middle East Countries ◽  
Excessive Consumption ◽  
Descriptive Approach

Construction industry has been proven to cause environmental problems ranging from excessive consumption of natural resources in construction, to the pollution of the environment. Studies on green building to minimize environmental impact are already underway. Tools of assessment of environmental performance of buildings are plenty. However, Middle East countries together with Gulf region are still away from practicing the concept of mitigating the impacts of buildings on the environment. Reasons could be relying on the insufficient awareness of building stakeholders, or the privilege of much fortune. The main objectives of this paper are to arouse the people's attention to the importance of assessment of environmental performance of buildings in KSA, and to introduce a sustainability model for project appraisal based on a multi-dimensional approach, that will be used for the assessment of a case study in KSA. The approach is using the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating system as a guide for the assessment. The plan of work includes reviewing the literature on the assessment of sustainability performance of buildings, displaying the LEED system, and assessment of a commercial building in Dammam. The paper uses the descriptive approach to study the problem and collect the data, and the comparative approach to compare the obtained data with the required standards of LEED. The case study, which is a commercial complex in Dammam, is one of these types of buildings widely spread in the development schemes of current real estate investment in KSA. While the building achieved some credits and prerequisites of LEED system, the building lacks many other points. The overall credits achieved are 22%, and the overall prerequisites achieved are 43%. The main problem of the building is related to energy and atmosphere aspects.

Improving Cost and Fuel Efficiency of Short Sea Ro-Ro Vessels through More Slender Designs - A Feasibility Study

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Haakon Lindstad ◽  
Hans Jørgen Mørch ◽  
Inge Sandass
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Consumption ◽  
Feasibility Study ◽  
Environmental Performance ◽  
Fuel Efficiency ◽  
Road Transport ◽  
The Political ◽  
Fuel Cost ◽  
Hull Forms ◽  
Political Objective

Despite the political objective of decreasing road transport and transfer cargo to road and sea, short sea shipping is struggling. There is therefore a need for development of new short sea Ro-Ro vessels which use significantly less fuel per ton transported which can be built at a modest cost. This feasibility study has: First mapped the main characteristics of the current fleet, i.e. dimensions, capacities, installed power and designs speeds; Second investigated alternative combinations of main measurements to enable more slender hull forms which require less power and hence give fuel consumption and fuel cost per transported unit; Third, performed a case study to compare the economic and environmental performance of these slenderer designs, with traditional designs and road only solutions. This study shows the advantage of investigating a large number of alternative dimensions and capacities to identify the designs which reduces cost and fuel consumption. And that the best option is to design and build more slender vessels.

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