Sustainability

6 pages, 218 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Perspectives and Challenges on Sustainability: Drivers, Opportunities and Policy Implications in Universities

by Idiano D’Adamo and Massimo Gastaldi

Sustainability 2023, 15(4), 3564; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15043564 - 15 Feb 2023

Cited by 24 | Viewed by 3004

Sustainability calls for contributions from all countries in the evaluation of all its components: nations and regions should invest in research and development, prioritizing the use of green and circular resources [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prospects and Challenges of Bioeconomy Sustainability Assessment)

37 pages, 3985 KiB

Open AccessPerspective

Sustainalism: An Integrated Socio-Economic-Environmental Model to Address Sustainable Development and Sustainability

by N. P. Hariram, K. B. Mekha, Vipinraj Suganthan and K. Sudhakar

Sustainability 2023, 15(13), 10682; https://doi.org/10.3390/su151310682 - 6 Jul 2023

Cited by 57 | Viewed by 55449

Abstract

This paper delves into the multifaceted concept of sustainability, covering its evolution, laws, principles, as well as the different domains and challenges related to achieving it in the modern world. Although capitalism, socialism, and communism have been utilized throughout history, their strengths and [...] Read more.

This paper delves into the multifaceted concept of sustainability, covering its evolution, laws, principles, as well as the different domains and challenges related to achieving it in the modern world. Although capitalism, socialism, and communism have been utilized throughout history, their strengths and drawbacks have failed to address sustainable development comprehensively. Therefore, a holistic approach is necessary, which forms the basis for a new development model called sustainalism. This study proposes a new socio-economic theory of sustainalism that prioritizes quality of life, social equity, culture, world peace, social justice, and well-being. This paper outlines the six principles of sustainalism and identifies sustainalists as individuals who embrace these new concepts. This study also explores how to attain sustainalism in the modern world through a sustainable revolution, representing a step toward a sustainable era. In conclusion, this paper summarizes the key points and emphasizes the need for a new approach to sustainalism in the broader sense. The insights provided are valuable for further research on sustainalism and sustainability. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prospects and Challenges of Bioeconomy Sustainability Assessment)

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15 pages, 3014 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sodium Hydroxide Hydrothermal Extraction of Lignin from Rice Straw Residue and Fermentation to Biomethane

by Tawaf Ali Shah, Sabiha Khalid, Hiba-Allah Nafidi, Ahmad Mohammad Salamatullah and Mohammed Bourhia

Sustainability 2023, 15(11), 8755; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15118755 - 29 May 2023

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 4413

Abstract

The purpose of the NaOH pretreatment of rice straw with a recycling strategy was to enhance the economic efficiency of producing biomethane. Anaerobic digestion is used for converting rice straw into biogas. In this work, 5% NaOH and rice straw mixed samples were [...] Read more.

The purpose of the NaOH pretreatment of rice straw with a recycling strategy was to enhance the economic efficiency of producing biomethane. Anaerobic digestion is used for converting rice straw into biogas. In this work, 5% NaOH and rice straw mixed samples were autoclaved at 121 °C for 20 min for lignin removal. The NaOH black liquor was separated using filtration for the subsequent treatment cycle. The NaOH liquor was utilized in one more subsequent recycling procedure to test its ability to remove lignin from the rice straw. The 5% NaOH treatment results in a reduction in rice straw (RC) lignin of 73.6%. The lignin content of the recycled NaOH-filtrated rice straw samples (RCF1) was reduced by 55.5%. The 5% NaOH-treated rice straw sample yields a total cumulative biogas of 1452.4 mL/gVS, whereas the recycled NaOH-filtered (RCF1) samples generate 1125.2 mL/gVS after 30 days of incubation. However, after 30 days of incubation, the untreated rice straw (RCC) bottle produced a total of 285.5 mL/gVS of biogas. The total increase in methane output after NaOH treatment is 6–8 times greater, and the biogas yield improves by 80–124%. We show here that the recycled NaOH black solution has still the effectiveness to be used for successive pretreatment cycles to remove lignin and generate methane. In the meantime, the NaOH black solution contains useful materials (lignin, sugars, potassium, and nitrogen) that could be purified for commercial purposes, and more importantly recycling the NaOH solution decrease the chances of environmental pollution. Thus, recycling NaOH decreased chemical consumption, which would provide net benefits instead of using fresh NaOH solution, had a lower water consumption, and provided the prospect of producing an optimum yield of methane in anaerobic digestion. This method will decrease the chemical treatment costs for biomass pretreatment prior to anaerobic digestion. Recycling of NaOH solution and the integration of pretreatment reactors could be a novel bioprocessing addition to the current technology. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prospects and Challenges of Bioeconomy Sustainability Assessment)

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22 pages, 7455 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Synergetic Benefits for a Pig Farm and Local Bioeconomy Development from Extended Green Biorefinery Value Chains

by James Gaffey, Cathal O’Donovan, Declan Murphy, Tracey O’Connor, David Walsh, Luis Alejandro Vergara, Kwame Donkor, Lalitha Gottumukkala, Sybrandus Koopmans, Enda Buckley, Kevin O’Connor and Johan P. M. Sanders

Sustainability 2023, 15(11), 8692; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15118692 - 27 May 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2541

Abstract

As the global population rises, agriculture and industry are under increasing pressure to become more sustainable in meeting this growing demand, while minimizing impacts on global emissions, land use change, and biodiversity. The development of efficient and symbiotic local bioeconomies can help to [...] Read more.

As the global population rises, agriculture and industry are under increasing pressure to become more sustainable in meeting this growing demand, while minimizing impacts on global emissions, land use change, and biodiversity. The development of efficient and symbiotic local bioeconomies can help to respond to this challenge by using land, resources, and side streams in efficient ways tailored to the needs of different regions. Green biorefineries offer a unique opportunity for regions with abundant grasslands to use this primary resource more sustainably, providing feed for cows, while also generating feed for monogastric animals, along with the co-production of biomaterials and energy. The current study investigates the impact of a green biorefinery co-product, leaf protein concentrate (LPC), for input to a pig farm, assessing its impact on pig diets, and the extended impact on the bioenergy performance of the pig farm. The study found that LPC replaced soya bean meal at a 50% displacement rate, with pigs showing positive performance in intake and weight gain. Based on laboratory analysis, the resulting pig slurry demonstrated a higher biogas content and 26% higher biomethane potential compared with the control slurry. The findings demonstrate some of the local synergies between agricultural sectors that can be achieved through extended green biorefinery development, and the benefits for local bioeconomy actors. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prospects and Challenges of Bioeconomy Sustainability Assessment)

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19 pages, 7189 KiB

Open AccessReview

Second-Generation Bio-Fuels: Strategies for Employing Degraded Land for Climate Change Mitigation Meeting United Nation-Sustainable Development Goals

by Atreyi Pramanik, Aashna Sinha, Kundan Kumar Chaubey, Sujata Hariharan, Deen Dayal, Rakesh Kumar Bachheti, Archana Bachheti and Anuj K. Chandel

Sustainability 2023, 15(9), 7578; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15097578 - 5 May 2023

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3492

Abstract

Increased Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions from both natural and man-made systems contribute to climate change. In addition to reducing the use of crude petroleum’s derived fuels, and increasing tree-planting efforts and sustainable practices, air pollution can be minimized through phytoremediation. Bio-fuel from crops [...] Read more.

Increased Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions from both natural and man-made systems contribute to climate change. In addition to reducing the use of crude petroleum’s derived fuels, and increasing tree-planting efforts and sustainable practices, air pollution can be minimized through phytoremediation. Bio-fuel from crops grown on marginal land can sustainably address climate change, global warming, and geopolitical issues. There are numerous methods for producing renewable energy from both organic and inorganic environmental resources (sunlight, air, water, tides, waves, and convective energy), and numerous technologies for doing the same with biomass with different properties and derived from different sources (food industry, agriculture, forestry). However, the production of bio-fuels is challenging and contentious in many parts of the world since it competes for soil with the growth of crops and may be harmful to the environment. Therefore, it is necessary to use wildlife management techniques to provide sustainable bio-energy while maintaining or even improving essential ecosystem processes. The second generation of bio-fuels is viewed as a solution to the serious issue. Agricultural lignocellulosic waste is the primary source of second-generation bio-fuel, possibly the bio-fuel of the future. Sustainable practices to grow biomass, followed by their holistic conversion into ethanol with desired yield and productivity, are the key concerns for employing renewable energy mix successfully. In this paper, we analyze the various types of bio-fuels, their sources, and their production and impact on sustainability. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prospects and Challenges of Bioeconomy Sustainability Assessment)

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13 pages, 816 KiB

Open AccessReview

Toward a Resilient Future: The Promise of Microbial Bioeconomy

by Adenike Akinsemolu, Helen Onyeaka, Omololu Fagunwa and Adewale Henry Adenuga

Sustainability 2023, 15(9), 7251; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15097251 - 27 Apr 2023

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 4034

Abstract

Naturally occurring resources, such as water, energy, minerals, and rare earth elements, are limited in availability, yet they are essential components for the survival and development of all life. The pressure on these finite resources is anthropogenic, arising from misuse, overuse, and overdependence, [...] Read more.

Naturally occurring resources, such as water, energy, minerals, and rare earth elements, are limited in availability, yet they are essential components for the survival and development of all life. The pressure on these finite resources is anthropogenic, arising from misuse, overuse, and overdependence, which causes a loss of biodiversity and climate change and poses great challenges to sustainable development. The focal points and principles of the bioeconomy border around ensuring the constant availability of these natural resources for both present and future generations. The rapid growth of the microbial bioeconomy is promising for the purpose of fostering a resilient and sustainable future. This highlights the economic opportunity of using microbial-based resources to substitute fossil fuels in novel products, processes, and services. The subsequent discussion delves into the essential principles required for implementing the microbial bioeconomy. There is a further exploration into the latest developments and innovations in this sub-field. The multi-sectoral applications include use in bio-based food and feed products, energy recovery, waste management, recycling, and cascading. In multi-output production chains, enhanced microbes can simultaneously produce multiple valuable and sustainable products. The review also examines the barriers and facilitators of bio-based approaches for a sustainable economy. Despite limited resources, microbial-based strategies demonstrate human ingenuity for sustaining the planet and economy. This review highlights the existing research and knowledge and paves the way for a further exploration of advancements in microbial knowledge and its potential applications in manufacturing, energy production, reduction in waste, hastened degradation of waste, and environmental conservation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prospects and Challenges of Bioeconomy Sustainability Assessment)

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16 pages, 2153 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Participatory Planning for the Drafting of a Regional Law on the Bioeconomy

by Elvira Tarsitano, Simona Giordano, Gianluigi de Gennaro, Annalisa Turi, Giovanni Ronco and Lucia Parchitelli

Sustainability 2023, 15(9), 7192; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15097192 - 26 Apr 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2088

Abstract

In an increasingly complex global economic scenario, sustainability represents a fundamental compass aimed to guide actions of institutions and individuals. A nondissipative use of Earth’s resources is feasible through a common effort that reconsiders the actual development system according to the key principles [...] Read more.

In an increasingly complex global economic scenario, sustainability represents a fundamental compass aimed to guide actions of institutions and individuals. A nondissipative use of Earth’s resources is feasible through a common effort that reconsiders the actual development system according to the key principles of the bioeconomy. It is vital to start from local contexts to reach the global dimension by exploiting the opportunities available in each territory. Starting from these assumptions, the participatory process activated in the Apulia region has represented the first step towards an intervention strategy in the panorama of the bioeconomy, and has made it possible to increase the awareness of a development based on the adoption of bioeconomy models and, therefore, circular economy ones through an effective inclusion process. A process has given rise to a project allowing all involved actors to reflect on the double economy–environment system, to share good practices and promote the adoption of lifestyles and consumption styles more compatible with the principles of the bioeconomy and to elaborate a proposal for a participatory regional law for the bioeconomy in the Apulia region as an expression of the collaboration between different bodies and institutions (universities, Confindustria and the council of the Puglia region). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prospects and Challenges of Bioeconomy Sustainability Assessment)

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38 pages, 1236 KiB

Open AccessReview

Water Quality Assessment and Monitoring in Pakistan: A Comprehensive Review

by Love Kumar, Ramna Kumari, Avinash Kumar, Imran Aziz Tunio and Claudio Sassanelli

Sustainability 2023, 15(7), 6246; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15076246 - 5 Apr 2023

Cited by 19 | Viewed by 15796

Abstract

Water quality has been a major problem in Pakistan owing to a mix of factors such as population expansion, industrial units in urban areas, and agricultural activities. The purpose of this research is to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of water quality monitoring and [...] Read more.

Water quality has been a major problem in Pakistan owing to a mix of factors such as population expansion, industrial units in urban areas, and agricultural activities. The purpose of this research is to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of water quality monitoring and assessment in Pakistan. The article begins by examining the water sources of Pakistan (i.e., surface water, groundwater, and rainwater). The paper then discusses the methods used by researchers in Pakistan for water quality monitoring and assessment, including chemical, physical, and biological methods. It has been determined that in certain regions in Pakistan, the concentration of arsenic present in the groundwater exceeds the national and international prescribed maximum limits. The range of arsenic concentrations in the Punjab province can vary from 10 to 200 μg/L, while higher concentrations of up to 1400 μg/L have been recorded in Sindh. In the Punjab province, fluoride concentrations vary from 0.5 to 30 mg/L, while in Sindh, the levels can reach up to 18 mg/L. In addition, some of the research has talked about bacteria. A 2017 study found that the fecal coliform concentrations in certain water in different cities of Pakistan surpassed limits and were as high as 1100 CFU/100 mL. Additionally, natural factors such as geological formations and high salinity in some areas contribute to the contamination of water. The effect of water pollution on public health has the potential to cause harm. It is critical to investigate creative strategies for improving water quality, and it is necessary to make investments in research and development, which could include the implementation of sophisticated technologies and the conception of new treatment processes. The review performed in this paper facilitates an understanding of the current water quality in Pakistan, including the types and magnitudes of contaminants present in the water sources. Subsequently, the assessment emphasizes deficiencies and challenges in the existing water quality monitoring frameworks and provides suggestions for improving them. This review is also of significant benefit to all the stakeholders involved in ensuring clean and safe water for human consumption and other purposes in Pakistan, such as policymakers, water managers, researchers, and other stakeholders. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prospects and Challenges of Bioeconomy Sustainability Assessment)

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25 pages, 4460 KiB

Open AccessReview

Sustainable Supply Chain Management, Performance Measurement, and Management: A Review

by Anup Kumar, Santosh Kumar Shrivastav, Avinash K. Shrivastava, Rashmi Ranjan Panigrahi, Abbas Mardani and Fausto Cavallaro

Sustainability 2023, 15(6), 5290; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15065290 - 16 Mar 2023

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 19020

Abstract

The research highlights the importance of sustainable supply chain management (SSCM), technology adoption (TA), and performance measurement in promoting sustainability and improving supply chain performance. By incorporating sustainable practices and utilizing digital technologies, organizations can create a more sustainable future and improve their [...] Read more.

The research highlights the importance of sustainable supply chain management (SSCM), technology adoption (TA), and performance measurement in promoting sustainability and improving supply chain performance. By incorporating sustainable practices and utilizing digital technologies, organizations can create a more sustainable future and improve their overall performances. This study conducted an in-depth review of the literature to investigate the presence of TA in SSCM with a focus on digital-based supply chains. The review used both bibliometric and content analysis methods to analyze relevant research articles, with the goal of providing a comprehensive understanding of the current state of research in the field, identifying any gaps in the literature, and providing direction for future research. The content analysis of the literature showed the absence of concrete frameworks for SSCM and the need for clearer and more applicable sustainability measurement indices. To address this gap, the study proposed a framework for achieving sustainable development goals through SSCM. In addition, a framework for deploying sustainability indicators was presented. The proposed framework can be used by practitioners to develop practical and comprehensive measures for their respective industries. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prospects and Challenges of Bioeconomy Sustainability Assessment)

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18 pages, 3207 KiB

Open AccessReview

Shaping the Knowledge Base of Bioeconomy Sectors Development in Latin American and Caribbean Countries: A Bibliometric Analysis

by Maria Lourdes Ordoñez Olivo and Zoltán Lakner

Sustainability 2023, 15(6), 5158; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15065158 - 14 Mar 2023

Viewed by 1635

Abstract

Academic research on bioeconomy sectors in Latin American and Caribbean countries has developed exponentially over the last few years. Based on the Web of Science (WOS) database and statistical analysis of more than 18.9 thousand documents, the current article offers a bibliometric analysis [...] Read more.

Academic research on bioeconomy sectors in Latin American and Caribbean countries has developed exponentially over the last few years. Based on the Web of Science (WOS) database and statistical analysis of more than 18.9 thousand documents, the current article offers a bibliometric analysis of these datasets. The main bioeconomy sector identified in the results was biofuel production and all the background terms related to the primary processes of bioenergy. The other segments of the bioeconomy in the Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) region have not yet been studied with the same relevance as biofuels. Since 2008, researchers from Latin American and Caribbean countries have participated significantly in the scientific production of the field studied. However, the most relevant scientific journals belong to European countries or the United States. Journals from Latin American and Caribbean countries have very low representation, although the search topics are directly related to this region. Based on the co-occurrence of keywords, eight clusters with different levels of importance can be distinguished: (1) agriculture; (2) climate change; (3) biodiversity; (4) bioremediation; (5) bioenergy; (6) biofuels; (7) energy efficiency; and (8) bioeconomy. The above results highlight the significant research gap between biofuels and other types of bioeconomy sectors in the region. This is despite the immense biodiversity potential of the LAC countries, which can generate innovative products with bioeconomic added value that can stimulate scientific research in the sustainable bioeconomy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prospects and Challenges of Bioeconomy Sustainability Assessment)

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22 pages, 2918 KiB

Open AccessReview

Industry 4.0 and Beyond: A Review of the Literature on the Challenges and Barriers Facing the Agri-Food Supply Chain

by Arman Derakhti, Ernesto D. R. Santibanez Gonzalez and Abbas Mardani

Sustainability 2023, 15(6), 5078; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15065078 - 13 Mar 2023

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3522

Abstract

In recent years, the Industry 4.0 concept has gained considerable attention from professionals, researchers and decision makers. For its part, the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of managing the agri-food supply chain to ensure the food that the population needs. Industry 4.0 [...] Read more.

In recent years, the Industry 4.0 concept has gained considerable attention from professionals, researchers and decision makers. For its part, the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of managing the agri-food supply chain to ensure the food that the population needs. Industry 4.0 and its extensions can address the needs of the agri-food supply chain by bringing new features such as security, transparency and traceability in line with sustainable development goals. This study aims to systematically analyze the literature to address the challenges and barriers against the application of industry 4.0 and its related technologies in the management of an agri-food supply chain. Currently, despite the large number of publications, there is no clear agreement on what Industry 4.0 is, and even less its extensions. The next revolution that includes new technologies and improves several existing technologies brings additional conceptual and practical complexity. Consequently, in this work we first determine the main components of I 4.0 and their extensions by studying the literature, and then, in the second step, define the agri-food supply chain on which I 4.0 technologies are applied. Two well-known databases—Web of Science and Scopus—were chosen to extract data for the systematic review of the literature. For the final evaluation, we identified 24 of 100 reviewed publications. The results provide an exhaustive analysis of the different I 4.0 technologies and their extensions that are applied in regards to the agri-food supply chain. In addition, we find 15 challenges that are classified into five major themes in the agri-food supply chain: technical, operational, financial, social and infrastructure. The four most important challenges identified are technological architecture, security and privacy, big data management and IoT (internet)-based infrastructure. Only a few articles addressed sustainability, which reaffirms and demonstrates a considerable gap in terms of the sustainable agri-food supply chain, with waste management being the one that has attracted the most attention. This review provides a roadmap for academics and practitioners alike, showing the gaps and facilitating the identification of I 4.0 technologies that can help address the challenges facing the efficient management of an agri-food supply chain. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prospects and Challenges of Bioeconomy Sustainability Assessment)

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27 pages, 5214 KiB

Open AccessReview

Integrating Multi-Criteria Techniques in Life-Cycle Tools for the Circular Bioeconomy Transition of Agri-Food Waste Biomass: A Systematic Review

by Felipe Romero-Perdomo and Miguel Ángel González-Curbelo

Sustainability 2023, 15(6), 5026; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15065026 - 12 Mar 2023

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 4567

Abstract

Agri-food waste biomass (AWB) is consolidating as a relevant bioresource for supplying material products and energy in a circular bioeconomy. However, its recovery and sustainable processing present trade-offs that must be understood. The integration of multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) into life-cycle assessment (LCA) [...] Read more.

Agri-food waste biomass (AWB) is consolidating as a relevant bioresource for supplying material products and energy in a circular bioeconomy. However, its recovery and sustainable processing present trade-offs that must be understood. The integration of multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) into life-cycle assessment (LCA) tools has emerged as a novel way to address this challenge. This paper aims to conduct a systematic literature review to critically synthesize how MCDA has been integrated into LCA in an assessment framework and how helpful it is in AWB’s circular bioeconomy transition. The literature shows that the most studied AWBs are rice husk, sugarcane bagasse, and household food waste. These are processed through the technologies of composting, anaerobic digestion, and pyrolysis for applications such as biofuels, bioenergy, and soil amendment. Environmental LCA (E-LCA) is the most widely used LCA tool, while both the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) and the technique for ordering preference by similarity to the ideal solution (TOPSIS) are the most applied techniques for MCDA. The current trend of integrating MCDA into LCA does not fully cover the LCA phases, favoring solely the impact assessment phase and indicating that the other phases are overlooked. The potential and involvement of the stakeholders are partially explored. Although there are holistic sustainability assessments, the social implications are rarely considered. The number of MCDA/LCA studies is expected to increase, assessments at the micro-, meso-, and macro-scales to become more articulated, and the impact of the results to become more aligned with government and company goals. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prospects and Challenges of Bioeconomy Sustainability Assessment)

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22 pages, 2695 KiB

Open AccessArticle

An IVIF-Distance Measure and Relative Closeness Coefficient-Based Model for Assessing the Sustainable Development Barriers to Biofuel Enterprises in India

by Arunodaya Raj Mishra, Pratibha Rani, Fausto Cavallaro and Ibrahim M. Hezam

Sustainability 2023, 15(5), 4354; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15054354 - 28 Feb 2023

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1659

Abstract

Biofuel can become a favorable sustainable energy resource in India by relieving conventional fossil fuels. However, biofuel enterprises (BEs) are still in the preliminary phase because of sustainable development barriers (SDBs) in environmental, technological, economic, social, and regulatory aspects. In the paper, nineteen [...] Read more.

Biofuel can become a favorable sustainable energy resource in India by relieving conventional fossil fuels. However, biofuel enterprises (BEs) are still in the preliminary phase because of sustainable development barriers (SDBs) in environmental, technological, economic, social, and regulatory aspects. In the paper, nineteen SDBs to biofuels are identified by studying the literature and decision experts’ (DEs’) views. Considering the involvement of multiple tangible and non-tangible barriers, the assessment of SDBs to BEs can be taken as a multi-attribute decision-analysis (MADA) problem. Since ambiguity and imprecision generally ensue in the assessment of SDBs to BEs, the doctrine of interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy sets (IVIFSs) has been recognized as a more sensible and proficient way to tackle uncertain MADA problems. Then, an integrated approach with IVIF-distance measure and IVIF-relative closeness coefficient models is presented to form associations between the SDBs to recognize the most important SDBs. The outcomes of this study show that four SDBs, i.e., “lack of effective storage facilities (EC-2), lack of investors (EC-3), technical issues associated with conversion technologies (T-2), and lack of trust between local societies, agencies, and developers (S-4)” are the leading obstacles. The paper also discusses some policies that can be utilized as a managing stage by the DEs to articulate guidelines for the operational exclusion of SDBs to biofuel enterprises. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prospects and Challenges of Bioeconomy Sustainability Assessment)

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22 pages, 1962 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Biomethane Community: A Research Agenda towards Sustainability

by Idiano D’Adamo and Claudio Sassanelli

Sustainability 2022, 14(8), 4735; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14084735 - 15 Apr 2022

Cited by 40 | Viewed by 3470

Abstract

The bioeconomy is an effective solution to align with the sustainability agenda and to meet the pressing calls for action from Cop26 on a global scale. The topic of the circular bioeconomy has gained a key role in the literature, while the theme [...] Read more.

The bioeconomy is an effective solution to align with the sustainability agenda and to meet the pressing calls for action from Cop26 on a global scale. The topic of the circular bioeconomy has gained a key role in the literature, while the theme of energy community is a basic form of social aggregation among stakeholders. This work focuses on biomethane and proposes a framework based on several criteria that are evaluated using a hybrid Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and 10-point scale methodology. The results show that regulation and energy community are considered the two most relevant categories. The overall ranking of criteria sees the stakeholders’ engagement as the most important, followed by more significant subsidies for small- and medium-sized plants and the principle of self-sufficiency applied at the inter-regional level. Subsequently, the Italian Adriatic corridor composed of four MMAP (Marche, Molise, Abruzzo, and Puglia) regions is considered as a case study in order to evaluate the possible environmental (854 thousand

\frac{{tons CO}_{2} eq}{year}

) and economic (from 49 million EUR to 405 million EUR in function of plant size) benefits associated with potential biomethane production of 681.6 million m³. It is found that the biomethane community is an enabler of sustainability and this strategy can be used for sharing different natural resources. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prospects and Challenges of Bioeconomy Sustainability Assessment)

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17 pages, 1084 KiB

Open AccessReview

A Review of the Current Practices of Bioeconomy Education and Training in the EU

by Bas Paris, Dimitris Michas, Athanasios T. Balafoutis, Leonardo Nibbi, Jan Skvaril, Hailong Li, Duarte Pimentel, Carlota da Silva, Elena Athanasopoulou, Dimitrios Petropoulos and Nikolaos Apostolopoulos

Sustainability 2023, 15(2), 954; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15020954 - 4 Jan 2023

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3757

Abstract

This study conducts a review of the current practices of bioeconomy education and training in the EU; as well as the associated methodologies; techniques and approaches. In recent years; considerable efforts have been made towards developing appropriate bioeconomy education and training programs in [...] Read more.

This study conducts a review of the current practices of bioeconomy education and training in the EU; as well as the associated methodologies; techniques and approaches. In recent years; considerable efforts have been made towards developing appropriate bioeconomy education and training programs in order to support a transition towards a circular bioeconomy. This review separates bioeconomy education approaches along: higher education and academic approaches, vocational education and training (VET) and practical approaches, short-term training and education approaches, and other approaches. A range of training methodologies and techniques and pedagogical approaches are identified. The main commonalities found amongst these approaches are that they are generally problem based and interdisciplinary, and combine academic and experiential. Higher education approaches are generally based on traditional lecture/campus-based formats with some experiential approaches integrated. In contrast, VET approaches often combine academic and practical learning methods while focusing on developing practical skills. A range of short-term courses and other approaches to bioeconomy education are also reviewed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prospects and Challenges of Bioeconomy Sustainability Assessment)

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28 pages, 2230 KiB

Open AccessReview

Potential Use of Cow Manure for Poly(Lactic Acid) Production

by Ricard Garrido, Luisa F. Cabeza, Víctor Falguera and Omar Pérez Navarro

Sustainability 2022, 14(24), 16753; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142416753 - 14 Dec 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3871

Abstract

Cow manure is an abundant residue and poses a problem regarding recycling. Intensive animal farming produces manure, which, if not properly managed, can contaminate nearby water bodies and soils with nutrient excess. There are 1.9 billion cattle worldwide, with a calculated capacity to [...] Read more.

Cow manure is an abundant residue and poses a problem regarding recycling. Intensive animal farming produces manure, which, if not properly managed, can contaminate nearby water bodies and soils with nutrient excess. There are 1.9 billion cattle worldwide, with a calculated capacity to produce 7.6 billion tons per year. Feeding of these cows is carried out mainly with cellulosic material. Therefore, cow manure contains an important fraction of lignocellulose. Cow manure can be valorized using such lignocellulosic fractions as the raw material of several fermentative processes. This fraction can be transformed into sugar, which can, in turn, be used to feed lactic acid bacteria (LAB). LAB produces lactic acid (LA), which can later be polymerized to poly(lactic acid) (PLA), a bioplastic with promising market forecasts. This review describes the most updated processes for all of the necessary steps to produce lactic acid from lignocellulosic biomass with LAB. Key process parameters to obtain PLA from lignocellulose are reviewed and analyzed herein, including lignocellulosic fraction extraction, sugar transformation, pretreatment, hydrolysis, fermentation, purification, and polymerization. This review highlights the potentiality to obtain lignocellulose from cow manure, as well as its use to obtain PLA. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prospects and Challenges of Bioeconomy Sustainability Assessment)

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28 pages, 1153 KiB

Open AccessArticle

New or Traditional Approaches in Argentina’s Bioeconomy? Biomass and Biotechnology Use, Local Embeddedness, and Sustainability Outcomes of Bioeconomic Ventures

by Jochen Dürr and Marcelo Sili

Sustainability 2022, 14(21), 14491; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142114491 - 4 Nov 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1893

Abstract

The bioeconomy continues to be a contested field in the political debate. There is still no consensus on how a bioeconomy should be designed and anchored in society. Alternative bioeconomy concepts that deviate from the mainstream discourse and are based on small-scale, agro-ecological [...] Read more.

The bioeconomy continues to be a contested field in the political debate. There is still no consensus on how a bioeconomy should be designed and anchored in society. Alternative bioeconomy concepts that deviate from the mainstream discourse and are based on small-scale, agro-ecological models are usually underrepresented in the debate. This also applies to Argentina, where the diversity of bioeconomic approaches has not yet been documented and analyzed. The objective of this paper is to identify bioeconomic approaches in Argentina, and characterize alternative, more socio-ecological and locally embedded approaches in order to make them more visible for the political debate. Based on literature research, categories were extracted that can be used to distinguish different types of the bioeconomy. Subsequently, these categories were used in an online survey of 47 enterprises representing different sectors of Argentina’s bioeconomy. Using cluster analysis, three groups can be distinguished: a biomass, a biotechnology, and a bioembedded cluster. Argentina’s bioeconomy seems to follow a path dependency logic, but new development paths are also opening up. The bioeconomic approaches discovered in Argentina are partly consistent with contemporary bioeconomy typologies, but there is also great diversity within the groups. All bioeconomic approaches have local connections, but are locally embedded in different ways. In addition to the differences between the bioeconomic approaches, two common elements could also be detected: an interest in sustainable use of natural resources and in building networks using synergies with other actors in the territory. These two elements mean that bioeconomic initiatives could pave the way for a new rural development model in Argentina. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prospects and Challenges of Bioeconomy Sustainability Assessment)

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17 pages, 2091 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Chemo-Sonic Pretreatment Approach on Marine Macroalgae for Energy Efficient Biohydrogen Production

by Shabarish Shankaran, Tamilarasan Karuppiah and Rajesh Banu Jeyakumar

Sustainability 2022, 14(19), 12849; https://doi.org/10.3390/su141912849 - 9 Oct 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1473

Abstract

The core objective of this analysis is to implement a combination of alkaline (NaOH) and sonication pretreatment techniques to produce energy-efficient biohydrogen from the marine macroalgae Chaetomorpha antennina. Anaerobic fermentation was implemented in control, sonic solubilization (SS) and sonic alkali solubilization (SAS) pretreatment [...] Read more.

The core objective of this analysis is to implement a combination of alkaline (NaOH) and sonication pretreatment techniques to produce energy-efficient biohydrogen from the marine macroalgae Chaetomorpha antennina. Anaerobic fermentation was implemented in control, sonic solubilization (SS) and sonic alkali solubilization (SAS) pretreatment for 15 days. In control, a biohydrogen production of 40 mL H₂/gCOD was obtained. The sonicator intensities varied from 10% to 90% for a period of 1 h during SS pretreatment. About 2650 mg/L SCOD release with a COD solubilization of 21% was obtained at an optimum intensity of 50% in a 30 min duration, in which 119 mL H₂/gCOD biohydrogen was produced in the anaerobic fermentation. SAS pretreatment was performed by varying the pH from 8 to 12 with the optimum conditions of SS where a SCOD release of 3400 mg/L, COD solubilization efficiency of 26% and a maximum biohydrogen production of 150 mL H₂/gCOD was obtained at a high pH range of 11 in the fermentation. The specific energy required by SS (9000 kJ/kgTS) was comparatively higher than SAS (4500 kJ/kg TS). SAS reduced half of the energy consumption when compared to SS. Overall, SAS pretreatment was found to be energetically favorable in a field application. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prospects and Challenges of Bioeconomy Sustainability Assessment)

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16 pages, 1037 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Economic Evaluation of Bioremediation of Hydrocarbon-Contaminated Urban Soils in Chile

by Roberto Orellana, Andrés Cumsille, Paula Piña-Gangas, Claudia Rojas, Alejandra Arancibia, Salvador Donghi, Cristian Stuardo, Patricio Cabrera, Gabriela Arancibia, Franco Cárdenas, Felipe Salazar, Myriam González, Patricio Santis, Josefina Abarca-Hurtado, María Mejías and Michael Seeger

Sustainability 2022, 14(19), 11854; https://doi.org/10.3390/su141911854 - 21 Sep 2022

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 5129

Abstract

Technical advances have converted bioremediation into a large-scale ecosystem service suitable for the treatment of polluted soils worldwide; however, its application in Chile is scarce. The main hurdles that must be addressed include the capacities of such approaches for the treatment of polluted [...] Read more.

Technical advances have converted bioremediation into a large-scale ecosystem service suitable for the treatment of polluted soils worldwide; however, its application in Chile is scarce. The main hurdles that must be addressed include the capacities of such approaches for the treatment of polluted soils, the lack of knowledge about key factors affecting bioremediation costs and the lack of a legal framework to regulate this activity. In this study, the economic performance of the bioremediation of chronically hydrocarbon-polluted urban soils based on bioaugmentation, biostimulation or the combination of both approaches projected to an industrial scale was evaluated. The cost of bioremediation ranged between USD 50.7 and USD 310.4 per m³ of contaminated soil. In addition, the items and activities that had the most significant impacts on the final bioremediation cost, such as compost for biostimulation and bacterial growth media for bioaugmentation-based approaches, were identified. The projected costs were compared against an extensive database of 130 soil bioremediation projects. The bioremediation treatment costs fell within the top 60% of the more expensive projects, highlighting the high effort involved in bioremediation of chronically contaminated soils. This framework can facilitate the decision making of entrepreneurs, consultants, researchers and governmental authorities when launching initiatives to develop a local bioremediation industry capable of cleaning up a high number of polluted sites in Chile. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prospects and Challenges of Bioeconomy Sustainability Assessment)

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14 pages, 8037 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Building the Value Proposition of a Digital Innovation Hub Network to Support Ecosystem Sustainability

by Claudio Sassanelli and Sergio Terzi

Sustainability 2022, 14(18), 11159; https://doi.org/10.3390/su141811159 - 6 Sep 2022

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 4592

Abstract

Digital Innovation Hubs (DIHs) play a key role in bolstering European companies to overwhelm innovation barriers and drive Europe as the world’s primary leader in the Industry 4.0 digital revolution; they are one-stop-shop ecosystems able to provide four main functionalities (test before investing, [...] Read more.

Digital Innovation Hubs (DIHs) play a key role in bolstering European companies to overwhelm innovation barriers and drive Europe as the world’s primary leader in the Industry 4.0 digital revolution; they are one-stop-shop ecosystems able to provide four main functionalities (test before investing, support to find investments, innovation ecosystems, and networking, skills and training). Even if a surge in their diffusion has been registered, their sustainability is still far from being well defined in a structured way. Several approaches and methods are available from literature to ground the sustainability plan of companies’ business. Among them, the first activity to be addressed is the value proposition (VP) analysis, and the most diffused approach is the Value Proposition Canvas (VPC); this paper proposes the application of the VPC (jointly used with other methods from the VP literature) to build the VP of the HUBCAP network (supporting European small and medium-sized enterprises in the adoption of model-based design methods and tools to support cyber-physical system technologies) per each of its four main customer segments (DIHs, academic partners and research and technology organizations, technology/tool providers and technology/tool users). Results highlight the need to characterize the analysis per each of these customers, open up new opportunities to build a structured business model of the network, and constitute a basis for assessing the potential synergies with similar DIH networks. The method proposed can be applied to any other DIH or network of DIH to define their specific VP, ground the strategy to reach their sustainability, and trigger collaborations with each of the four customer segments considered in the analysis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prospects and Challenges of Bioeconomy Sustainability Assessment)

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13 pages, 3702 KiB

Open AccessArticle

In-Line Monitoring of Carbon Dioxide Capture with Sodium Hydroxide in a Customized 3D-Printed Reactor without Forced Mixing

by Emmanouela Leventaki, Francisco M. Baena-Moreno, Gaetano Sardina, Henrik Ström, Ebrahim Ghahramani, Shirin Naserifar, Phuoc Hoang Ho, Aleksandra M. Kozlowski and Diana Bernin

Sustainability 2022, 14(17), 10795; https://doi.org/10.3390/su141710795 - 30 Aug 2022

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3029

Abstract

Many industrial processes make use of sodium because sodium is the fifth most abundant metal and the seventh most abundant element on Earth. Consequently, there are many sodium-containing industrial wastes that could potentially be used for carbon capture, paving the way towards a [...] Read more.

Many industrial processes make use of sodium because sodium is the fifth most abundant metal and the seventh most abundant element on Earth. Consequently, there are many sodium-containing industrial wastes that could potentially be used for carbon capture, paving the way towards a circular and biobased economy. For example, a common industrial chemical is NaOH, which is found in black liquor, a by-product of the paper and pulp industry. Nonetheless, the literature available on CO₂ absorption capacity of aqueous NaOH is scarce for making a fair comparison with sodium-containing waste. Therefore, to fill this gap and set the foundation for future research on carbon capture, the CO₂ absorption capacity of NaOH solutions in a concentration range of 1–8 w/w% was evaluated, a wider range compared with currently available data. The data set presented here enables evaluating the performance of sodium-based wastes, which are complex mixtures and might contain other compounds that enhance or worsen their carbon capture capacity. We designed a customized reactor using a 3D-printer to facilitate in-line measurements and proper mixing between phases without the energy of stirring. The mixing performance was confirmed by computational fluid dynamics simulations. The CO₂ absorption capacity was measured via weight analysis and the progress of carbonation using a pH meter and an FTIR probe in-line. At 5 w/w% NaOH and higher, the reaction resulted in precipitation. The solids were analyzed with X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscope, and nahcolite and natrite were identified. With our setup, we achieved absorption capacities in the range of 9.5 to 78.9 g CO₂/L for 1 w/w% and 8 w/w% of NaOH, respectively. The results are in fair agreement with previously reported literature, suggesting that non-forced mixing reactors function for carbon capture without the need of stirring equipment and a possible lower energy consumption. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prospects and Challenges of Bioeconomy Sustainability Assessment)

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15 pages, 1839 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sustainable Development Goals: A Regional Overview Based on Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis

by Idiano D’Adamo and Massimo Gastaldi

Sustainability 2022, 14(15), 9779; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14159779 - 8 Aug 2022

Cited by 24 | Viewed by 2782

Abstract

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have the ambitious goal of protecting the planet, eradicating poverty and providing peace and prosperity for all citizens. The challenge is certainly very ambitious and it is necessary to monitor progress toward these SDGs over time. This work [...] Read more.

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have the ambitious goal of protecting the planet, eradicating poverty and providing peace and prosperity for all citizens. The challenge is certainly very ambitious and it is necessary to monitor progress toward these SDGs over time. This work is based on the multi-criteria decision analysis and aims to build a framework that can be replicated. A necessary condition for this aim is that the data are available and that they are as recent as possible. This work is based on 28 targets with data mainly from 2019 to 2020 and related to Italian regions. The results show that Trentino Alto Adige and Valle d’Aosta have the best performance and, in general, the northern territory has several realities that perform positively toward the SDGs. Important results are also present at the level of central Italy (in particular Marche and Toscana), while at the southern level the situation is not flourishing, with the sole exception of Abruzzo. The policy implications thus drive the need for targeted green investments for southern regions, projects that nationally promote the “green, bio and circular Made in Italy” brand that can enhance territorial distinctiveness, and the necessary collaboration among regions to be poles of excellence based on available resources and skills. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prospects and Challenges of Bioeconomy Sustainability Assessment)

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20 pages, 3460 KiB

Open AccessReview

Providing a Roadmap for Future Research Agenda: A Bibliometric Literature Review of Sustainability Performance Reporting (SPR)

by Oluyomi A. Osobajo, Adekunle Oke, Ama Lawani, Temitope S. Omotayo, Nkeiruka Ndubuka-McCallum and Lovelin Obi

Sustainability 2022, 14(14), 8523; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14148523 - 12 Jul 2022

Cited by 21 | Viewed by 3652

Abstract

The concept of sustainability reporting is now an essential tool through which organisations demonstrate accountability to their stakeholders. The increasing market pressure coupled with the awareness of the consequences of organisations’ activities suggests the need for organisations to report their sustainability credentials. Sustainability [...] Read more.

The concept of sustainability reporting is now an essential tool through which organisations demonstrate accountability to their stakeholders. The increasing market pressure coupled with the awareness of the consequences of organisations’ activities suggests the need for organisations to report their sustainability credentials. Sustainability performance reports should provide adequate information on organisations’ social, economic, and environmental performance. However, the current process through which organisations communicate their sustainability performance to stakeholders is questionable and remains a significant concern. This study assessed the current state and direction of research on sustainability performance reporting by conducting a bibliometric literature review of peer-reviewed studies on sustainability performance reporting published between 1987 and 2022. The findings highlight the misconceptions between sustainability and CSR when reporting organisations’ sustainability performance. Furthermore, businesses and scholars prioritise reporting instead of communication with stakeholders. The observed lack of engagement with stakeholders indicates that the reported performance may not reflect the impact of business activities on the three dimensions of sustainability. Rather than adopting a one-way information dissemination approach, this study concludes that the desired performance can only be achieved through two-way communication with stakeholders. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prospects and Challenges of Bioeconomy Sustainability Assessment)

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17 pages, 2750 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Carving out a Niche in the Sustainability Confluence for Environmental Education Centers in Cyprus and Greece

by Filippos Eliades, Maria K. Doula, Iliana Papamichael, Ioannis Vardopoulos, Irene Voukkali and Antonis A. Zorpas

Sustainability 2022, 14(14), 8368; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14148368 - 8 Jul 2022

Cited by 35 | Viewed by 3821

Abstract

Given the environmental issues that today’s societies confront, such as climate change, waste management, ecosystem deterioration, etc., environmental education is becoming increasingly important. Adoption of environmental education as an integral part of the educational system is required for the Environmental Education Center (EEC) [...] Read more.

Given the environmental issues that today’s societies confront, such as climate change, waste management, ecosystem deterioration, etc., environmental education is becoming increasingly important. Adoption of environmental education as an integral part of the educational system is required for the Environmental Education Center (EEC) to be able to provide knowledge, skills, and values so that society can become active and environmentally responsible through awareness-raising. According to the scholarly published research, EECs can positively affect local communities and create an environmentally friendly culture. In addition, given that EECs can even play a significant part in the development of lifelong learning activities at the education and sustainable development nexus, it is considered critical to establishing future potentials and dynamics. Thus, aiming to analyze EECs’ strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT analysis) within our complex and ever-evolving world, educators, students, and other fellow citizens in Cyprus and Greece participated in a survey in which they were asked to fill in a questionnaire, specifically developed for each group category. The findings of this study provide a deeper understanding of the implications arising as a result of effective environmental education absence, as well as the importance of a holistic approach through EECs. Moreover, it offers the research community a solid framework for future innovation in citizen engagement and training. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prospects and Challenges of Bioeconomy Sustainability Assessment)

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15 pages, 310 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Global Inequalities in the Bioeconomy: Thinking Continuity and Change in View of the Global Soy Complex

by Maria Backhouse, Malte Lühmann and Anne Tittor

Sustainability 2022, 14(9), 5481; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14095481 - 3 May 2022

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 4606

Abstract

As a proposed pathway to societal transformation, the bioeconomy is aimed at providing a sustainable alternative to the fossil-based economy, replacing fossil raw materials with renewable biogenic alternatives. In this conceptual contribution, we argue that it is impossible to transform societies into sustainable [...] Read more.

As a proposed pathway to societal transformation, the bioeconomy is aimed at providing a sustainable alternative to the fossil-based economy, replacing fossil raw materials with renewable biogenic alternatives. In this conceptual contribution, we argue that it is impossible to transform societies into sustainable bioeconomies considering the narrow boundaries of the bioeconomy as a policy. Drawing on approaches including agro-food studies, cheap food, and agrarian extractivism, we show that the bioeconomy is entangled in a broader context of social relations which call its claim to sustainability into question. Our analysis of the global soy complex, which represents the core of the current agro-food system, demonstrates how the bioeconomy perpetuates global inequalities with regard to trade relations, demand, and supply patterns, as well as power relations between the involved actors from the global to the local level. Against this background, we propose a fundamental rethink of the underlying understanding of transformation in bioeconomy policies. Instead of thinking the bioeconomy only along the lines of ecological modernisation, its proponents should consider studies on social-ecological transformation, which would entail radical structural change of the prevailing food regime to cope with the social-ecological crisis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prospects and Challenges of Bioeconomy Sustainability Assessment)

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