scholarly journals Sustainable Liquid Biofuels in New Zealand: Can Sustainability Standards Help Distinguish the Good from the Bad?

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Natalie Grimmer
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Sustainability Assessment ◽  
Rapid Development ◽  
Sustainability Reporting ◽  
Social Impacts ◽  
Biofuel Production ◽  
Transport Sector ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
Reporting Scheme ◽  
Sustainability Standards

<p>Concerns surrounding the environmental and social impacts of biofuel production have led to the rapid development of biofuel sustainability assessment schemes internationally. The New Zealand government is currently developing a voluntary biofuel sustainability reporting scheme. This thesis assesses the extent to which a sustainability standard could support the domestic biofuels industry, and avoid negative environmental and social impacts associated with biofuel production. It describes the current scope of the domestic biofuel industry, discusses relevant environmental and social concerns relating to biofuel production, and reviews international literature surrounding sustainable biofuel initiatives. From a study of the literature New Zealand biofuels appear more sustainable than most, although direct and indirect land-use change should be included for feedstocks from energy crops. Impacts vary across feedstocks and production methods, and each biofuel must be considered in its own merit. Qualitative semi-structured interviews were undertaken with key stakeholders from industry, relevant government agencies, non-governmental organisations, and biofuel experts to discuss the potential for a domestic biofuels sustainability standard. The majority of stakeholders interviewed supported the development of a government-led sustainability standard, which would include principles addressing greenhouse gas emissions, food security and biodiversity loss. There is good evidence to support the movement towards mandatory sustainability requirements, as soon as this is feasible. In the future, biofuels should be supported by technology-neutral policies (such as carbon-pricing) which reward their benefits, rather than indiscriminately promoting biofuels. The development of enforceable sustainability standards is crucial if biofuels are to contribute to a future low-carbon transport sector in New Zealand.</p>

scholarly journals Sustainable Liquid Biofuels in New Zealand: Can Sustainability Standards Help Distinguish the Good from the Bad?

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Natalie Grimmer
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Sustainability Assessment ◽  
Rapid Development ◽  
Sustainability Reporting ◽  
Social Impacts ◽  
Biofuel Production ◽  
Transport Sector ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
Reporting Scheme ◽  
Sustainability Standards

<p>Concerns surrounding the environmental and social impacts of biofuel production have led to the rapid development of biofuel sustainability assessment schemes internationally. The New Zealand government is currently developing a voluntary biofuel sustainability reporting scheme. This thesis assesses the extent to which a sustainability standard could support the domestic biofuels industry, and avoid negative environmental and social impacts associated with biofuel production. It describes the current scope of the domestic biofuel industry, discusses relevant environmental and social concerns relating to biofuel production, and reviews international literature surrounding sustainable biofuel initiatives. From a study of the literature New Zealand biofuels appear more sustainable than most, although direct and indirect land-use change should be included for feedstocks from energy crops. Impacts vary across feedstocks and production methods, and each biofuel must be considered in its own merit. Qualitative semi-structured interviews were undertaken with key stakeholders from industry, relevant government agencies, non-governmental organisations, and biofuel experts to discuss the potential for a domestic biofuels sustainability standard. The majority of stakeholders interviewed supported the development of a government-led sustainability standard, which would include principles addressing greenhouse gas emissions, food security and biodiversity loss. There is good evidence to support the movement towards mandatory sustainability requirements, as soon as this is feasible. In the future, biofuels should be supported by technology-neutral policies (such as carbon-pricing) which reward their benefits, rather than indiscriminately promoting biofuels. The development of enforceable sustainability standards is crucial if biofuels are to contribute to a future low-carbon transport sector in New Zealand.</p>

scholarly journals Sustainability Assessment with Integrated Circular Economy Principles: A Toy Case Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 3856
Author(s):  
Rebeka Kovačič Lukman ◽  
Vasja Omahne ◽  
Damjan Krajnc
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle Assessment ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Environmental Impacts ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Social Life ◽  
Product Life Cycle ◽  
Sustainability Assessment ◽  
Social Impacts ◽  
Life Cycle Costing ◽  
Social Life Cycle Assessment

When considering the sustainability of production processes, research studies usually emphasise environmental impacts and do not adequately address economic and social impacts. Toy production is no exception when it comes to assessing sustainability. Previous research on toys has focused solely on assessing environmental aspects and neglected social and economic aspects. This paper presents a sustainability assessment of a toy using environmental life cycle assessment, life cycle costing, and social life cycle assessment. We conducted an inventory analysis and sustainability impact assessment of the toy to identify the hotspots of the system. The main environmental impacts are eutrophication, followed by terrestrial eco-toxicity, acidification, and global warming. The life cycle costing approach examined the economic aspect of the proposed design options for toys, while the social assessment of the alternative designs revealed social impacts along the product life cycle. In addition, different options based on the principles of the circular economy were analysed and proposed in terms of substitution of materials and shortening of transport distances for the toy studied.

scholarly journals Social impacts of out-of-centre shopping centres on town centres: a New Zealand case study

2003 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 147-153 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nick Taylor ◽  
Wayne McClintock ◽  
Brigid Buckenham
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Social Impacts ◽  
Shopping Centres

scholarly journals Modelling and Cost Estimation for Conversion of GreenMethanol to Renewable Liquid Transport Fuels via Olefin Oligomerisation

Processes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 1046
Author(s):  
Jenna Ruokonen ◽  
Harri Nieminen ◽  
Ahmed Rufai Dahiru ◽  
Arto Laari ◽  
Tuomas Koiranen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Economic Analysis ◽  
Process Simulation ◽  
Cost Estimation ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Transport Sector ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
Fuel Price ◽  
Co2 Emission Reduction ◽  
Electrolytic Hydrogen ◽  
Paris Climate Agreement

The ambitious CO2 emission reduction targets for the transport sector set in the Paris Climate Agreement require low-carbon energy solutions that can be commissioned rapidly. The production of gasoline, kerosene, and diesel from renewable methanol using methanol-to-olefins (MTO) and Mobil’s Olefins to Gasoline and Distillate (MOGD) syntheses was investigated in this study via process simulation and economic analysis. The current work presents a process simulation model comprising liquid fuel production and heat integration. According to the economic analysis, the total cost of production was found to be 3409 €/tfuels (273 €/MWhLHV), corresponding to a renewable methanol price of 963 €/t (174 €/MWhLHV). The calculated fuel price is considerably higher than the current cost of fossil fuels and biofuel blending components. The price of renewable methanol, which is largely dictated by the cost of electrolytic hydrogen and renewable electricity, was found to be the most significant factor affecting the profitability of the MTO-MOGD plant. To reduce the price of renewable fuels and make them economically viable, it is recommended that the EU’s sustainable transport policies are enacted to allow flexible and practical solutions to reduce transport-related emissions within the member states.

scholarly journals Urban Sub-Center Design Framework Based on the Walkability Evaluation Method: Taking Coomera Town Sub-Center as an Example

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 6259
Author(s):  
Jizhong Shao ◽  
Minge Yang ◽  
Guan Liu ◽  
Ye Li ◽  
Dan Luo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Research Methods ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Design Research ◽  
Evaluation Method ◽  
Rapid Development ◽  
Research Area ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
Design Strategies ◽  
Healthy City ◽  
Quantitative Research Methods

As current society’s reflection on the rapid development of motorization and increasing emphasis on the ecological environment, the study of walkable cities has become one of the key points of urban sustainable design. Creating a walkable city is an effective way to build a low-carbon and healthy city. With the development of cities, walkability concepts and theories are constantly being given new life, and research methods and design strategies continue to be updated. A city’s walkability and walkability index have become current research hotspots. Based on prior research on walkability and related urban policies, this study selects Coomera Town on the Gold Coast of Queensland, Australia, as the research area because of Coomera Town policy regulations and environmental requirements. This study utilizes traditional qualitative and quantitative research methods, machine mining technology, and the deep learning big data analysis technology to conduct thematic design research in a real place. Its combines walkability evaluation with walkability design to construct a walkable city in a targeted manner. This provides a reference for related city design in the future.

ORGANIZATION OF ROAD TRAFFIC TAKING INTO ACCOUNT ELECTRIC ROUTE PASSENGER TRANSPORT

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (65) ◽  
pp. 66-77
Author(s):  
Denis V. Kapsky ◽  
◽  
Sergey S. Semchenkov ◽  
Evgeny N. Kot ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Traffic Management ◽  
Road Traffic ◽  
Rapid Development ◽  
Living Environment ◽  
Transport Sector ◽  
Passenger Transport ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Practical Development ◽  
The Republic ◽  
Conducting Research

The rapid development of the transport sector leads not only to positive changes in the life of cities and towns, to an increase in convenience and comfort for residents, but also worsens the ecology and their living environment. The “profitable-safe” dilemma can be solved by the approach of environmentally oriented selection of the type of route passenger transport and decisionmaking in favor of electric route passenger transport. The article discusses the types of such transport on the example of the experience of their use in the Republic of Belarus. The classification and systematization developed by the authors are presented with subsequent recommendations for its application. On the basis of the results of the authors’ research, the issues of interaction of rail and non-rail route vehicles with an electric drive with the organization of road traffic are separately considered. The presented materials can be useful to a wide range of readers, as well as to specialists conducting research and practical development in the field of electrically powered route vehicles and traffic management.

Tamed Transparency: How Information Disclosure under the Global Reporting Initiative Fails to Empower

2010 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 74-96 ◽  
Author(s):  
Klaus Dingwerth ◽  
Margot Eichinger
Keyword(s):  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Voluntary Disclosure ◽  
Information Disclosure ◽  
Corporate Sustainability ◽  
Sustainability Reporting ◽  
Global Reporting Initiative ◽  
Reporting Scheme ◽  
Corporate World ◽  
Four Levels ◽  
The Relationship

In this contribution, we explore the tensions that seem inherent in the claim that transparency policies “empower” the users of disclosed information vis-àvis those who are asked to provide the information. Since these tensions are particularly relevant in relation to voluntary disclosure, our analysis focuses on the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) as the world's leading voluntary corporate non-financial reporting scheme. Corporate sustainability reporting is often hailed as a powerful instrument to improve the environmental performance of business and to empower societal groups, including consumers, in their relations with the corporate world. Yet, our analysis illustrates that the relationship between transparency and empowerment is conflictual at all four levels of activity examined in this article: in the rhetoric and policies of the GRI as well as in the actual reporting practice and in the activities of intermediaries in response to the organization's disclosure standard.

scholarly journals Energy Security Problem amid Global Energy Transition

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 772-784
Author(s):  
Yury V. Borovsky
Keyword(s):  
Energy Security ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
Rapid Development ◽  
Energy Transition ◽  
The United States ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
Security Threat ◽  
The Us ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Eu

In the early 2020s the worlds transition from carbon-intensive to climate-neutral energy use has already become a discernible and a difficult-to-reverse process. With Joe Bidens election as US president, the United States have returned to the Paris Climate Agreement and have become a key driver of this process (along with the EU and China). As a result, the international community has reached a consensus on the ongoing energy transition. This process will require considerable effort and may take several decades. Nevertheless, the impact of energy transition on traditional approaches to energy security, which emerged largely as a result of the global oil crises of the 1970s and 1980s and are centered around the supply of fossil fuels, is already a relevant research topic. This problem is examined relying on the relevant terminological, theoretical and factual material. The article concludes that energy transition will ultimately undermine the carbon paradigm that has underpinned energy security policies since the 1970s. Rapid development of renewable and other low-carbon energy sources will certainly remove key energy security risks of energy importers and, possibly, allow them to achieve energy independence. However, a post-carbon era may also generate new risks. For countries that rely heavily on oil, gas and coal exports, energy transition will result in the loss of markets and revenues. It may present an energy security threat for them as well as it will require a costly and technologically complex process of the energy sector decarbonization. Some exporters, especially those with high fuel rents and insufficient financial reserves, may face serious economic and social upheavals as a result of energy transition. The EU and the US energy transition policies reflect provisions of all three fundamental international relations theoretical paradigms, including realism. This means that the EU and the US policy, aimed at promoting climate agenda, may be expected to be rather tough and aggressive. China as the third key player in energy transition is still following a liberal course; however, it may change in the future.

scholarly journals Voluntary Reporting, Sustainable Reporting and Transition Economy

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mofijul Hoq Masum ◽  
Ahmed Razman Abdul Latiff ◽  
Mohammad Noor Hisham Osman
Keyword(s):  
United Nations ◽  
Transition Economy ◽  
Sustainability Reporting ◽  
Developing Economy ◽  
Voluntary Reporting ◽  
Corporate Strategies ◽  
Corporate Reporting ◽  
Core Concepts ◽  
The Government ◽  
Sustainability Standards

This concept paper aims at exploring the interrelationship among the corporate voluntary reporting, the corporate sustainable reporting and the transition economy from the literatures and frameworks. At this juncture, transition economy refers the economy especially, the transformation of least developing economy to the developing economy as per the criteria of United Nations. Thus, the context of Bangladesh has been used as a ground for the study. The study explores the affiliation among corporate voluntary reporting, corporate sustainable reporting and transition economy from their respective literature and frameworks. From the literature of the corporate voluntary reporting, various dimensions of corporate disclosures have been considered, while the dimensions of sustainability reporting have been considered as per the consolidated set of global reporting index, published by Global Sustainability Standards Boards. In addition, components of transition economy have been considered on the basis of the guideline of the United Nations Economic and Social Council. The similitudes of these three concepts and their consequences are determined on the basis of the literature and frameworks. It is found that the core concepts of corporate voluntary reporting, corporate sustainable reporting and the transition economy are similar, and they are intermingled to each other. We have found that the dimensions of corporate voluntary reporting are the initiation of sustainability reporting that leads a transition economy to gain its status of being a developing economy. The findings of the study imply that the transition economy like Bangladesh has to put more focus on corporate engagement in transforming its economy to the developing economy. As the developing economy is based on trade rather than aid, the government of the country should design their corporate strategies and policies in such a way that leads the country to have a sustainable development. In addition, the findings may also encourage the corporate people to disclose more information regarding sustainability issues. Moreover, the findings may assist the United Nation to consider and reconsider their criteria of graduating any country from one level of economy to another. Finally, the findings can also open the avenue to the academicians to explore the extent of corporate reporting on transition economy.

scholarly journals Opportunities and challenges faced by private enterprises under the low-carbon economy and countermeasures

2021 ◽  
Vol 275 ◽  
pp. 02009
Author(s):  
Lixing Zhou
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Dioxide Emissions ◽  
Rapid Development ◽  
Private Enterprises ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Low Carbon Economy ◽  
New Development ◽  
Survival And Development ◽  
Carbon Economy

In the background of the rapid development of market economy, a large number of carbon dioxide emissions, leads to the obvious imbalance of carbon in nature. In recent years, the global temperature is getting warmer, the sea level is rising year by year, and the grain production is also significantly reduced, which will bring a great threat to the normal survival and development of human beings. In order to protect the environment on which human beings live, low carbon economy is put forward. Under the environment of low carbon economy, private enterprises are not only facing new development opportunities. At the same time, private enterprises are also facing new development challenges. If they want to develop further, they must actively deal with them. The author analyzes the opportunities and challenges faced by private enterprises under the environment of low carbon economy, and puts forward specific countermeasures, hoping to be helpful to the long-term development of private enterprises.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document