SwePub - sökning: L773:2071 1050 OR L773:1548 77...

Numrering	Referens	Omslagsbild	Hitta
1.	Fernqvist, Niklas, 1973, et al. (författare) Entrepreneurial Sustainability Engagement of Insiders Initiating Energy System Transition 2021 Ingår i: Sustainability. - : MDPI AG. - 2071-1050 .- 1548-7733. ; 13:2, s. 1-16 Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract The central point in this article is that energy system transition can be initiated by a team of individuals interacting entrepreneurially beyond their different home-grounds in business, research, or regional development. Such entrepreneurial engagement of insiders with belongings to an established socio-technical system has not been captured in prevalent sustainability transitions or entrepreneurship perspectives. Insiders have mostly been expected to act within (and not outside)of their role expectations. This study investigates who individuals initiating energy transition are, what motives they have, and how they accomplish institutional change. The purpose is to qualify a perspective that can help us better appreciate how transitions, such as in energy systems, can be initiated. The new perspective recognizes the importance of insiders, their personal sustainability beliefs, their choice to teamwork entrepreneurially, and their narratives about the initiative affecting institutional change. It explains how transition in a heavily regulated Swedish energy system can occur. Implications are drawn for research, policy and entrepreneurial teamwork.
2.	Huang, Pei, et al. (författare) A Technical Review of Modeling Techniques for Urban Solar Mobility : Solar to Buildings, Vehicles,and Storage (S2BVS) 2020 Ingår i: Sustainability. - : MDPI AG. - 1548-7733 .- 2071-1050. ; 12 Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract The deployment of solar photovoltaics (PV) and electric vehicles (EVs) is continuously increasing during urban energy transition. With the increasing deployment of energy storage, the development of the energy sharing concept and the associated advanced controls, the conventional solar mobility model (i.e., solar-to-vehicles (S2V), using solar energy in a different location) and context are becoming less compatible and limited for future scenarios. For instance, energy sharing within a building cluster enables buildings to share surplus PV power generation with other buildings of insufficient PV power generation, thereby improving the overall PV power utilization and reducing the grid power dependence. However, such energy sharing techniques are not considered in the conventional solar mobility models, which limits the potential for performance improvements. Therefore, this study conducts a systematic review of solar mobility-related studies as well as the newly developed energy concepts and techniques. Based on the review, this study extends the conventional solar mobility scope from S2V to solar-to-buildings, vehicles and storage (S2BVS). A detailed modeling of each sub-system in the S2BVS model and related advanced controls are presented, and the research gaps that need future investigation for promoting solar mobility are identified. The aim is to provide an up-to-date review of the existing studies related to solar mobility to decision makers, so as to help enhance solar power utilization, reduce buildings’ and EVs’ dependence and impacts on the power grid, as well as carbon emissions.
3.	Jagers, Sverker, et al. (författare) Paradise Islands? Island States and Environmental Performance 2016 Ingår i: Sustainability. - : MDPI AG. - 1548-7733 .- 2071-1050. ; 8:3 Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)
4.	Mjörnell, Kristina, et al. (författare) Renovation Strategies for Multi-Residential Buildings from the Record Years in Sweden-Profit-Driven or Socioeconomically Responsible? 2019 Ingår i: Sustainability. - : MDPI. - 2071-1050 .- 1548-7733. ; 11:24 Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract An important part of the multi-family housing stock in Sweden was built during the record years 1961-1975 and is in need of extensive renovation to be modernized. The stock is also at the center of political discussion of how to sustain 'good housing for all', especially in the rental sector. These renovation needs coincide with present energy targets and provides an opportunity to combine renovation with energy efficiency measures. Common for many of these buildings are that neglected maintenance has led to technical shortcomings, such as high energy use and low thermal comfort due to bad insulation, unsatisfactory air tightness and leaky windows, inefficient heating systems and insufficient ventilation, and moisture damage due to leaking building envelope and leaking pipes. However, the people living in these buildings are not willing to or cannot afford to pay the higher rents that extensive renovations would entail. Earlier research has highlighted the broader societal problem of energy renovations, but also that of housing companies' priority of measures with short payback times, and those that give the possibility to raise rents. However, recent observations indicated a tendency towards more holistic approaches to housing renovation, and this study was initiated to investigate how public and private housing companies deal with renovation levels, rent increases and related social problems. The main conclusions are that sustainability and social responsibility are moving up on agendas in the public sector, but also, apparently, in the renovations strategies among the private companies. What is also seen is a trend moving from extensive total renovations to more tenant-adapted and step-by-step renovations. Renovation options which do not entail such large rent increases are increasingly being seen. Implications are that housing owners favor gentle renovation with reasonable rent increases of 10%-20%, which at the same time, may be a drawback for reaching energy efficiency targets.
5.	Ojala, Maria, 1970- (författare) Coping with climate change among adolescents : Implications for subjective well-being and environmental engagement 2013 Ingår i: Sustainability. - Basel, Switzerland : MDPI AG. - 1548-7733 .- 2071-1050. ; 5:5, s. 2191-2209 Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract The objective of this questionnaire study was to investigate how Swedish adolescents (n = 321) cope with climate change and how different coping strategies are associated with environmental efficacy, pro-environmental behavior, and subjective well-being. The results were compared to an earlier study on 12-year-olds, and the same coping strategies, problem-focused coping, de-emphasizing the seriousness of the threat, and meaning-focused coping, were identified. As in the study on children, problem-focused and meaning-focused coping were positively related to felt efficacy and environmental behavior, while de-emphasizing the threat was negatively related to these measures. As expected, the more problem-focused coping the adolescents used, the more likely it was that they experienced negative affect in everyday life. This association was explained by the tendency for highly problem-focused adolescents to worry more about climate change. In contrast, meaning-focused coping was positively related to both well-being and optimism. When controlling for well-known predictors such as values and gender, meaning-focused and problem-focused coping were independent positive predictors of environmental efficacy and pro-environmental behavior, while de-emphasizing the threat was a negative predictor of pro-environmental behavior. The results are discussed in relation to coping theories and earlier studies on coping with climate change.
6.	Ylmén, Peter, et al. (författare) Managing choice uncertainties in life-cycle assessment as a decision-support tool for building design : A case study on building framework 2020 Ingår i: Sustainability (Switzerland). - : MDPI AG. - 2071-1050 .- 1548-7733. ; 12:12 Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract To establish a circular economy in society, it is crucial to incorporate life-cycle studies, such as life-cycle assessment (LCA), in the design process of products in order to mitigate the well-recognized problem of the design paradox. The aim of the study was to provide means in a structured way to highlight choice uncertainty present in LCA when used as decision support, as well as to mitigate subjective interpretations of the numerical results leading to arbitrary decisions. The study focused on choices available when defining the goal and scope of a life-cycle assessment. The suggested approach is intended to be used in the early design phases of complex products with high levels of uncertainty in the product life-cycle. To demonstrate and evaluate the approach, a life-cycle assessment was conducted of two design options for a specific building. In the case study two types of building frameworks were compared from an environmental perspective by calculating the global warming potential, eutrophication potential, acidification potential, stratospheric ozone depletion potential and photochemical oxidants creation potential. In the study, a procedure named the Decision Choices Procedure (DCP) was developed to improve LCA as an effective tool for decision support concerning design alternatives when less information is available. The advantages and drawbacks of the proposed approach are discussed to spur further improvements in the use of LCA as a decision-support tool.
7.	Corsini, Filippo, et al. (författare) The Advent of Practice Theories in Research on Sustainable Consumption: Past, Current and Future Directions of the Field 2019 Ingår i: Sustainability. - : MDPI AG. - 2071-1050. ; 11:2 Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract The application of practice theories in the domain of sustainability research in consumer studies is increasingly advocated based on the premise that this allows to analyse consumption as a social phenomenon. Consequently, the applications of social practice theories to this field are expanding geometrically and to date, little retrospective work on this evolution has been made. We conduct a bibliometric analysis of applications of practice theories in the domain of sustainability research in consumer studies. Our results show a temporal succession of research trends: ‘consumer identity’ dominated the field between 2009 and 2012, ‘business and governance’ between 2012 and 2014, ‘sustainable consumption and production’ between 2013 and 2014, ‘urban living and policy’ between 2014 and 2015 and ‘household energy’ from 2015 until the present. We see a high potential of future applications of practice theories in the fields of the sharing and circular economy, as well as in research on smart cities. We provide new insights into the evolution and future trends of applications of social practice theory to domains that are relevant for research on sustainability and consumer studies
8.	Sodhro, Ali Hassan, et al. (författare) 5G-based Transmission Power Control Mechanism in Fog Computing for IoT Devices 2018 Ingår i: Sustainability. - : MDPI. - 2071-1050. ; 10:4, s. 1258-1258 Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract og computing has become the revolutionary paradigm and one of the intelligent services of the 5th Generation (5G) emerging network, while Internet of Things (IoT) lies under its main umbrella. Enhancing and optimizing the quality of service (QoS) in Fog computing networks is one of the critical challenges of the present. In the meantime, strong links between the Fog, IoT devices and the supporting back-end servers is done through large scale cloud data centers and with the linear exponential trend of IoT devices and voluminous generated data. Fog computing is one of the vital and potential solutions for IoT in close connection with things and end users with less latency but due to high computational complexity, less storage capacity and more power drain in the cloud it is inappropriate choice. So, to remedy this issue, we propose transmission power control (TPC) based QoS optimization algorithm named (QoS-TPC) in the Fog computing. Besides, we propose the Fog-IoT-TPC-QoS architecture and establish the connection between TPC and Fog computing by considering static and dynamic conditions of wireless channel. Experimental results examine that proposed QoS-TPC optimizes the QoS in terms of maximum throughput, less delay, less jitter and minimum energy drain as compared to the conventional that is, ATPC, SKims and constant TPC methods
9.	Fagerlind, Therese, et al. (författare) The distribution of sustainability decision-making in manufacturing networks 2019 Ingår i: Sustainability. - : MDPI. - 2071-1050. ; 11:18 Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract In order to contribute to research on implementing business sustainability, this study aims to explore the distribution of decision-making authority related to economic, environmental, and social sustainability. Sustainability objectives between different organizational levels in multinational manufacturing enterprises (MMEs) are investigated. The research is fundamentally exploratory. We conducted a multiple case study endeavor with nine participating case organizations. The study identified five different decision-making approaches to sustainability in multinational manufacturing enterprises. The findings showed that there was no consistent way of deciding upon sustainability issues. Some case organizations seemed to regard sustainability as a global concern, while others regarded it as a more local concern. In general, the economic sustainability dimension was regarded as more of a global concern, while the environmental dimension was more of a local concern, and the social dimension more of an integrated concern. The findings of this study can act as guidance for managers when implementing or improving sustainability strategies. The findings will also serve as a map to navigate and understand what should be given the strongest priority in different situations concerning decision-making relating to sustainability in manufacturing processes and networks.
10.	Beheshtinia, Mohammad Ali, et al. (författare) Supply Chain Optimization Considering Sustainability Aspects 2021 Ingår i: Sustainability. - : MDPI. - 2071-1050. ; 13:21, s. 1-23 Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract Supply chain optimization concerns the improvement of the performance and efficiency of the manufacturing and distribution supply chain by making the best use of resources. In the context of supply chain optimization, scheduling has always been a challenging task for experts, especially when considering a distributed manufacturing system (DMS). The present study aims to tackle the supply chain scheduling problem in a DMS while considering two essential sustainability aspects, namely environmental and economic. The economic aspect is addressed by optimizing the total delivery time of order, transportation cost, and production cost while optimizing environmental pollution and the quality of products contribute to the environmental aspect. To cope with the problem, it is mathematically formulated as a mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) model. Due to the complexity of the problem, an improved genetic algorithm (GA) named GA-TOPKOR is proposed. The algorithm is a combination of GA and TOPKOR, which is one of the multi-criteria decision-making techniques. To assess the efficiency of GA-TOPKOR, it is applied to a real-life case study and a set of test problems. The solutions obtained by the algorithm are compared against the traditional GA and the optimum solutions obtained from the MILP model. The results of comparisons collectively show the efficiency of the GA-TOPKOR. Analysis of results also revealed that using the TOPKOR technique in the selection operator of GA significantly improves its performance.
11.	Benson, Michael, et al. (författare) Sustainable Development and Canada’s Transitioning Energy Systems 2022 Ingår i: Sustainability (Switzerland). - : MDPI AG. - 2071-1050. ; 14:4 Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract An energy transition is unfolding in Canada and across the world. During this transition, countries are facing increasing demands for their energy systems to address economic, social, and environmental considerations, including providing affordable and reliable energy, reducing inequality, and producing fewer environmental impacts. First, we identify key themes from the academic literature related to energy transitions: the systems perspective; economic, social, and environmental considerations; collaboration and dialogue; and social innovation. Second, we focus on a case study of a critical actor in Canada’s energy transition, the Energy Futures Lab (EFL), a social innovation lab that is actively working on the energy transition in Canada. We interviewed members of the EFL design team to investigate and deepen our understanding of the key themes identified in the academic literature. Third, we discuss how our research results relate to innovation and governance in the energy transition in Canada, and we offer an Integrated Model of Sustainable Development (SD) to help manage the common affairs of the energy transition. Fourth, we offer a theoretical contribution, arguing that both the ends and the means should be considered in an energy transition. It is important to keep in mind the overarching objective, or end, of the energy transition (e.g., alignment with the sustainability principles) to create the energy system that the future requires of us. Finally, we offer a practical contribution to show that SD can help inform a collaborative approach, that promotes innovation and increases knowledge, in an effort to address complex sustainability challenges.
12.	Bertoni, Marco, 1980- (författare) Multi-Criteria Decision Making for Sustainability and Value Assessment in Early PSS Design 2019 Ingår i: Sustainability. - : MDPI. - 2071-1050. ; 11:7, s. 1952-1979 Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract Sustainability is increasingly recognized as a key innovation capability in the organization. However, it is not always evident for manufacturers how sustainability targets shall be “mixed and matched” with more traditional objectives—such as quality, time, cost, and performances—when designing and developing solutions. The emergence of “servitization” and product-service systems (PSS) further emphasizes the need for making thoughtful trade-offs between technical aspects, business strategies, and environmental benefits of a design. The objective of this paper is to investigate how multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) models shall be applied to down-select PSS concepts from a value perspective, by considering sustainability as one of the attributes of a design contributing to the overall value of a solution. Emerging from the findings of a multiple case study in the aerospace and construction sector, the paper presents a five-step iterative process to support decision making for sustainable PSS design, which was further applied to design an electrical load carrier. The findings show that the proposed approach creates a “hub” where argumentations related to “value” and “sustainability” of PSS solution concepts can be systematically captured in a way that supports the discussion on the appropriate quantification strategy.
13.	Carlsson Kanyama, Annika, et al. (författare) Differences in Environmental Impact between Plant-Based Alternatives to Dairy and Dairy Products: A Systematic Literature Review 2021 Ingår i: Sustainability. - : MDPI AG. - 2071-1050. Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract A large body of research suggests a more plant-based diet, including a switch to plant-based alternatives to dairy, is needed for lowering human-induced climate change as well as land and water use. With the help of a systematic literature review, we analyzed data from 21 peer-reviewed articles about the differences in emissions and resources used between various plant-based alternatives to dairy and dairy products. Emissions included were greenhouse gases, acidifying, eutrophicating, and ozone-depleting substances, and resource use included water, energy, and land. The results are presented as the quotients of the ratios of plant-based alternatives to dairy and dairy products. The comparison shows that the plant-based dairy alternatives have lower, or much lower, impacts in almost all cases, with two exceptions: water use for almond drinks (several studies) and emissions of ozone-depleting substances for margarine (one study). There is a lack of data concerning impacts other than greenhouse gas emissions for plant-based cheese alternatives; and in general, emissions of greenhouse gases are more highly covered than other impacts. In the quest for a swift transition to a low carbon economy, however, there is already enough evidence to proceed with a dietary change involving switching dairy products to plant-based alternatives.
14.	Carlsson, Liesel, et al. (författare) Food system sustainability across scales : A proposed local-to-global approach to community planning and assessment 2017 Ingår i: Sustainability. - : MDPI AG. - 2071-1050. ; 9:6 Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract Interest in food systems sustainability is growing, but progress toward them is slow. This research focuses on three interrelated challenges that hinder progress. First, prevailing visions lack a concrete definition of sustainability. Second, global level conceptions fail to guide responses at the local level. Third, these deficiencies may lead to conflicting initiatives for addressing sustainable food systems at the community level that slow collective progress. The purpose of this article is to (1) describe the development of a framework for assessing food system sustainability which accommodates local-level measurement in the context of broader national and global scale measures; and (2) to propose a process that supports community determinacy over localized progress toward sustainable food systems. Using a modified Delphi Inquiry process, we engaged a diverse, global panel of experts in describing "success" with respect to sustainable food systems, today's reality, and identifying key indicators for tracking progress towards success. They were asked to consider scale during the process in order to explore locally relevant themes. Data were analyzed using the Framework for Strategic Sustainable Development (FSSD) to facilitate a comprehensive and systematic exploration of key themes and indicators. Key results include a framework of indicator themes that are anchored in a concrete definition of sustainability, stable at national and global scales while remaining flexible at the local scale to accommodate contextual needs. We also propose a process for facilitating community-level planning for food system sustainability that utilizes this indicator framework. The proposed process is based on insights from the research results, as well as from previous research and experience applying the FSSD at a community level; it bears promise for future work to support communities to determine their own pathways, while contributing to a more coordinated whole. © 2017 by the author.
15.	Davidsson, Åsa, et al. (författare) Desirable effects from disturbance ecology—A paradox within conservation management 2021 Ingår i: Sustainability. - : MDPI AG. - 2071-1050. ; 13:13 Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract The importance of natural disturbances for biodiversity is well-documented in the disturbance ecology literature. Natural disturbances such as fire, wind, and flooding strongly influence ecosystems by creating short and long-term ecological processes. Conservation management of protected areas should consider the importance of natural disturbances since natural shifts in ecosystems are, in a long-term perspective, necessary to maintain high biodiversity. The purpose of this study is to explore how and if natural disturbances are incorporated in the management of Swedish national parks and to identify possible examples of barriers for this incorporation. The design of the study is a multiple comparative case study based on a document study and completed with qualitative interviews. The cases consist of propositions and management plans for 15 Swedish national parks established between 1962 and 2018. The document analysis generated four main categories: historic/future and positive/negative perceptions of natural disturbances. The results indicate that there are positive perceptions concerning the inclusion of disturbance ecology in the management of national parks. However, there are also obstacles and challenges around natural disturbances within Swedish national parks. These obstacles are, in some cases, explained by practical implications such as the closeness to surrounding societies and in others explained by paradoxes such as visitors’ perceptions of national parks and the wilderness. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.
16.	de Besi, Matteo, et al. (författare) Towards a Bioeconomy in Europe: National, Regional and Industrial Strategies 2015 Ingår i: Sustainability. - : MDPI AG. - 2071-1050. ; 7:8, s. 10461-10478 Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract Establishing an advanced European bioeconomy is an important step in achieving the transition towards sustainable development and away from fossil fuels. The bioeconomy can be defined as an economy based on the sustainable production and conversion of renewable biomass into a range of bio-based products, chemicals, and energy. Several strategies have been produced in Europe from different perspectives that outline visions, intentions, and recommendations for the transition to a bioeconomy. An analysis of twelve of these strategies was conducted using a meta-analytical framework. This paper outlines the results of this study covering national, regional, and industrial perspectives on the bio-based economy in Europe. The analysis shows that a common direction for the bioeconomy, based on research and technological innovation in the various applications of biotechnology, is developing in Europe. It highlights the important role that the regional level will play in facilitating collaborations between industries and research institutions needed to foster innovation and optimize the use of biomass. The analysis also identifies that the development of European bio-based product markets are needed for bioeconomy expansion. However, the transition needs to have a lifecycle perspective in order to ensure that an economy founded on biomass is sustainable and equitable.
17.	Farrell, Kyle (författare) The Rapid Urban Growth Triad : A New Conceptual Framework for Examining the Urban Transition in Developing Countries 2017 Ingår i: Sustainability. - Basel : MDPI. - 2071-1050. ; 9:8, s. 1-19 Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract Although the urban transition is a universal event that unfolds in all countries, the determinants, patterns, and outcomes do not necessarily follow a uniform process. With the urban transition being basically completed in developed countries around the turn of the 21st century, the growth of cities today is almost entirely confined to developing countries. Still, much of our conceptual understanding of this process is derived from earlier accounts, with definitions rooted in a historical context. This has resulted in common misconceptions such as a tendency to view the growth of cities primarily as an outcome of rural to urban migration, neglecting the growing contributions of urban natural population increase and reclassification of rural areas. A tendency to treat the components of urban growth in isolation has created a rift within the urban studies discourse, preventing any real theorization of their combined impacts and the interplay among them. Applying a systems thinking approach, this paper introduces a multidisciplinary framework for conceptualizing rapid urban growth in developing countries. The framework offers explanatory power to previously neglected components of urban growth and serves as a diagnostic for examining the urban transition—ultimately revealing new policy levers for managing it in a sustainable way.
18.	Fauré, Eléonore, et al. (författare) Four Sustainability Goals in a Swedish Low-Growth/Degrowth Context 2016 Ingår i: Sustainability. - Basel : MDPI AG. - 2071-1050. ; 8:1080 Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract Continual environmental degradation and an unfair distribution of environmental burdens and benefits are two great challenges for humanity. Economic growth is often taken for granted when planning for the future. However, it is often argued that maintaining economic growth conflicts with keeping human activities adjusted to ecological boundaries and finite resources, at least for the more-developed countries. With this paper, we present sustainability goals for building and planning in Sweden to be achieved by 2050 in a context of limited or even negative economic growth. These goals should ensure that all groups in society have sufficient resources and a good life within planetary boundaries. We select four goals in a participatory process: two environmental goals related to climate change and land use and two social goals related to welfare and participation. Our results show that achieving the environmental goals will require significant reductions of Sweden’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and land use compared to today’s levels. Regarding the social goals, these are, in many aspects, reasonably well fulfilled in Sweden today, although disparities remain between groups of citizens. The main challenge, however, is to ensure that these goals are fulfilled even within environmental limits and if economic growth should halt.
19.	Finnveden, Göran, et al. (författare) Policy instruments towards a sustainable waste management 2013 Ingår i: Sustainability. - Basel : MDPI AG. - 2071-1050. ; 5:3, s. 841-881 Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract The aim of this paper is to suggest and discuss policy instruments that could lead towards a more sustainable waste management. The paper is based on evaluations from a large scale multi-disciplinary Swedish research program. The evaluations focus on environmental and economic impacts as well as social acceptance. The focus is on the Swedish waste management system but the results should be relevant also for other countries. Through the assessments and lessons learned during the research program we conclude that several policy instruments can be effective and possible to implement. Particularly, we put forward the following policy instruments: “Information”; “Compulsory recycling of recyclable materials”; “Weight-based waste fee in combination with information and developed recycling systems”; “Mandatory labeling of products containing hazardous chemicals”, “Advertisements on request only and other waste minimization measures”; and “Differentiated VAT and subsidies for some services”. Compulsory recycling of recyclable materials is the policy instrument that has the largest potential for decreasing the environmental impacts with the configurations studied here. The effects of the other policy instruments studied may be more limited and they typically need to be implemented in combination in order to have more significant impacts. Furthermore, policy makers need to take into account market and international aspects when implementing new instruments. In the more long term perspective, the above set of policy instruments may also need to be complemented with more transformational policy instruments that can significantly decrease the generation of waste.
20.	Golzar, Farzin, et al. (författare) Forecasting Wastewater Temperature Based on Artificial Neural Network (ANN) Technique and Monte Carlo Sensitivity Analysis 2020 Ingår i: Sustainability. - : MDPI AG. - 2071-1050. ; 12:16 Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract Wastewater contains considerable amounts of thermal energy. Heat recovery from wastewater in buildings could supply cities with an additional source of renewable energy. However, variations in wastewater temperature influence the performance of the wastewater treatment plant. Thus, the treatment is negatively affected by heat recovery upstream of the plant. Therefore, it is necessary to develop more accurate models of the wastewater temperature variations. In this work, a computational model based on artificial neural network (ANN) is proposed to calculate wastewater treatment plant influent temperature concerning ambient temperature, building effluent temperature and flowrate, stormwater flowrate, infiltration flowrate, the hour of day, and the day of year. Historical data related to the Stockholm wastewater system are implemented in MATLAB software to drive the model. The comparison of calculated and observed data indicated a negligible error. The main advantage of this ANN model is that it only uses historical data commonly recorded, without any requirements of field measurements for intricate heat transfer models. Moreover, Monte Carlo sensitivity analysis determined the most influential parameters during different seasons of the year. Finally, it was shown that installing heat exchangers in 40% of buildings would reduce 203 GWh year−1 heat loss in the sewage network. However, heat demand in WWTP would be increased by 0.71 GWh year−1, and the district heating company would recover 176 GWh year−1 less heat from treated water.
21.	Granberg, Mikael, 1962-, et al. (författare) Can Regional-Scale Governance and Planning Support Transformative Adaptation? : A Study of Two Places 2019 Ingår i: Sustainability. - Basel, Schweiz : MDPI. - 2071-1050. ; 11:24, s. 1-17 Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract The idea that climate change adaptation is best leveraged at the local scale is a well-institutionalized script in both research and formal governance. This idea is based on the argument that the local scale is where climate change impacts are “felt” and experienced. However, sustainable and just climate futures require transformations in systems, norms, and cultures that underpin and reinforce our unsustainable practices and development pathways, not just “local” action. Governance interventions are needed to catalyse such shifts, connecting multilevel and multiscale boundaries of knowledge, values, levels and organizational remits. We critically reflect on current adaptation governance processes in Victoria, Australia and the Gothenburg region, Sweden to explore whether regional-scale governance can provide just as important leverage for adaptation as local governance, by identifying and addressing intersecting gaps and challenges in adaptation at local levels. We suggest that regional-scale adaptation oers possibilities for transformative change because they can identify, connect, and amplify small-scale (local) wins and utilize this collective body of knowledge to challenge and advocate for unblocking stagnated, institutionalized policies and practices, and support transformative change.
22.	Grandell, Leena, et al. (författare) Energy Return on Investment for Norwegian Oil and Gas from 1991 to 2008 2011 Ingår i: Sustainability. - : MDPI AG. - 2071-1050. ; 3:11, s. 2050-2070 Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract Norwegian oil and gas fields are relatively new and of high quality, which has led, during recent decades, to very high profitability both financially and in terms of energy production. One useful measure for profitability is Energy Return on Investment, EROI. Our analysis shows that EROI for Norwegian petroleum production ranged from 44:1 in the early 1990s to a maximum of 59:1 in 1996, to about 40:1 in the latter half of the last decade. To compare globally, only very few, if any, resources show such favorable EROI values as those found in the Norwegian oil and gas sector. However, the declining trend in recent years is most likely due to ageing of the fields whereas varying drilling intensity might have a smaller impact on the net energy gain of the fields. We expect the EROI of Norwegian oil and gas production to deteriorate further as the fields become older. More energy-intensive production techniques will gain in importance.
23.	Hansson, Karin, et al. (författare) Coping with Complex Environmental and Societal Flood Risk Management Decisions : An Integrated Multi-criteria Framework 2011 Ingår i: Sustainability. - Basel : MDPI AG. - 2071-1050. ; 3:9, s. 1357-1380 Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract During recent years, a great deal of attention has been focused on the financial risk management of natural disasters. One reason behind is that the economic losses from floods, windstorms, earthquakes and other disasters in both the developing and developed countries are escalating dramatically. It has become apparent that an integrated water resource management approach would be beneficial in order to take both the best interests of society and of the environment into consideration. One improvement consists of models capable of handling multiple criteria (conflicting objectives) as well as multiple stakeholders (conflicting interests). A systems approach is applied for coping with complex environmental and societal risk management decisions with respect to flood catastrophe policy formation, wherein the emphasis is on computer-based modeling and simulation techniques combined with methods for evaluating strategies where numerous stakeholders are incorporated in the process. The resulting framework consists of a simulation model, a decision analytical tool, and a set of suggested policy strategies for policy formulation. The framework will aid decision makers with high risk complex environmental decisions subject to significant uncertainties.
24.	Herranen, Jaana, et al. (författare) Embedding Chemistry Education into Environmental and Sustainability Education : Development of a Didaktik Model Based on an Eco-Reflexive Approach 2021 Ingår i: Sustainability. - : MDPI. - 2071-1050. ; 13:4 Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract The aim of this theoretical paper is to develop and present a didaktik model that embeds chemistry education into Environmental and Sustainability Education (ESE) using an eco-reflexive approach. A didaktik model is a tool to help educators make decisions and reflect on why, what, how, and/or when to teach. The model presented here is a revised version of the Jegstad and Sinnes model from 2015. It was systematically developed based on a critical analysis of the previous ESD (Education for Sustainable Development)-based model. This process is part of what is called didactic modeling. The revised model consists of the following six categories: (i) socio-philosophical framing; (ii) sustainable schooling and living; (iii) critical views on chemistry's distinctiveness and methodological character; (iv) powerful chemical content knowledge; (v) critical views of chemistry in society; and (vi) eco-reflexivity through environmental and sustainability education. As in the model by Jegstad and Sinnes, the eco-reflexive didaktik model seeks to support chemistry educators in their sustainability-oriented educational planning and analysis, but from a more critical perspective. Based on an eco-reflexive Bildung approach, one additional category-socio-philosophical framing-was added to the revised model. This is because the previous model does not take sufficient account of worldview perspectives, cultural values, and educational philosophy. The eco-reflexive didaktik model is illustrated with boxes, and it is suggested that all categories in these boxes should be considered in holistic and eco-reflexive chemistry education. The purpose of such education is to develop students' ChemoKnowings.
25.	Hirvilammi, Tuuli, et al. (författare) Sustainable welfare without growth 2020 Ingår i: Sustainability. - : MDPI AG. - 2071-1050. ; 12:5 Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract All growth‐critical perspectives have the common starting point that the ecological crisis and the increase in social inequality are basic features of high‐consumption capitalism and its spread from North America and Europe to the rest of the world. The common goal is thus to re‐embed productionand consumption patterns into planetary limits through a decrease in material and energy throughputs, particularly in rich countries. However, if critical amounts of exclusion and anomy are to be prevented during this transition, this will presuppose a more or less parallel transition of a range of social institutions at roughly the same speed and various scales (local, national, global) thatare currently in different ways tied to economic growth—a ‘great transformation’ for which there are few or no historical precedents under democratic circumstances. While degrowth and postgrowth approaches in general have to grapple with the corresponding complexity problem, this Special Issue particularly addresses the intersection of the environmental and welfare systems. Hence, it aims to contribute towards reducing the complexity associated with a degrowth transition. We develop further the concept of ‘sustainable welfare’, which has generally been conceptualized in terms of satisfying human needs within planetary boundaries. Given the lack of evidence for an absolute decoupling of GDP from matter and energy consumption, we are interested in understanding how welfare systems that are less dependent on economic growth canwork and be more focused on achieving integrated sustainability goals than currently.
26.	Iplik, Esin, et al. (författare) Hydrocracking: A Perspective towards Digitalization 2020 Ingår i: Sustainability. - : MDPI AG. - 2071-1050. ; 12:17 Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract In a world of fast technological advancements, it is increasingly important to see how hydrocracking applications can benefit from and adapt to digitalization. A review of hydrocracking processes from the perspective of modeling and characterization methods is presented next to an investigation on digitalization trends. Both physics-based and data-based models are discussed according to their scope of use, needs, and capabilities based on open literature. Discrete and continuous lumping, structure-oriented lumping, and single event micro-kinetic models are reported as well as artificial neural networks, convolutional neural networks, and surrogate models. Infrared, near-infrared, ultra-violet and Raman spectroscopic methods are given with their examples for the characterization of feed or product streams of hydrocracking processes regarding boiling point curve, API, SARA, sulfur, nitrogen and metal content. The critical points to consider while modeling the system and the soft sensor are reported as well as the problems to be addressed. Optimization, control, and diagnostics applications are presented together with suggested future directions of interdisciplinary studies. The links required between the models, soft sensors, optimization, control, and diagnostics are suggested to achieve the automation goals and, therefore, a sustainable operation.
27.	Isaksson, Raine, et al. (författare) A Preliminary Model for Assessing University Sustainability from the Student Perspective 2013 Ingår i: Sustainability. - : MDPI AG. - 2071-1050. ; 5:9, s. 3690-3701 Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract This paper assesses university sustainability from the perspective of the interested student. A set of questions for a university website analysis is proposed and preliminary results for Swedish universities are presented. The university website analysis intends to emulate a student looking for a university working with sustainable development. University ranking is compared with the results from the sustainability assessment. Results from the study are based on university website analysis of 18 Swedish universities out of a total of 30. Universities are grouped in high ranked, low ranked and benchmark universities. For the majority of the studied universities it was possible to extract the information needed for a sustainability assessment from the website, which indicates that further development of the method is of interest. The average level of performance in the assessment was found to be less than 50% of the maximum of the proposed scale. With Sweden generally being a leading nation in sustainable development the results are below of what could be expected. Ranking, based on the Swedish ranking system does not seem to predict university sustainability performance. The indication is that Gothenburg University, while having further improvement potential, could be considered a benchmark in the Swedish context.
28.	Jørgensen, Dolly (författare) Pigs and pollards : medieval insights for UK wood pasture restoration 2013 Ingår i: Sustainability. - : MDPI AG. - 2071-1050. ; 5:2, s. 387-399 Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract English wood pastures have become a target for ecological restoration, including the restoration of pollarded trees and grazing animals, although pigs have not been frequently incorporated into wood pasture restoration schemes. Because wood pastures are cultural landscapes, created through the interaction of natural processes and human practices, a historical perspective on wood pasture management practices has the potential to provide insights for modern restoration projects. Using a wide range of both written and artistic sources form the Middle Ages, this article argues that pigs were fed in wood pastures both during the mast season when acorns were available and at other times as grazing fields. Pollarded pedunculate oak (Quercus robur) likely dominated these sustainable cultural landscapes during the medieval period.
29.	Khatiwada, Dilip, et al. (författare) Special Issue on Assessing the Modern Bioenergy Potential and Strategies for Sustainable Development: Transformations through Nexus, Policy, and Innovations 2021 Ingår i: Sustainability. - Basel : MDPI. - 2071-1050. ; 13:1, s. 374- Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract Modern bioenergy is widely acknowledged as a potential substitute for fossil fuels to offset human dependence on fossil fuels for energy. It has the potential to make an important contribution towards sustainable development, from rural development and poverty alleviation to energy security and climate change mitigation. Bioenergy would play a key role in the sustainable transformation of energy systems, along with its decisive contribution in developing a low-carbon growth path while contributing to energy diversification and security. Nevertheless, there are concerns about the sustainability implications of large-scale production and use of bioenergy. In order to minimize the potential risks and challenges we need to understand interdisciplinary dimensions such as government policies, financing schemes, stakeholders’ engagement, and inter-sectoral linkages while devising sustainable bioenergy strategies. The nexus approach can be useful in understanding the synergies and trade-offs, capturing the interdependence between scarce resources (e. g. water, energy, land). It is also critically important to explore cross-cutting issues such as the socio-political, techno-economic, legal and environmental when it comes to the deployment of biofuels for sustainable development. Investment plans also need to be addressed considering transformations and complexities associated with biofuels. Innovation in the transition towards biofuel would only be possible if we consider a participatory approach considering people's behavior and societal needs. This special issue focus on assessing the modern bioenergy potential and strategies for sustainable development, biofuel water nexus, policy analysis, complexities of biofuel investment plans, and innovation framework.
30.	Kjellgren, Björn, et al. (författare) Education for a Sustainable Future: Strategies for Holistic Global Competence Development at Engineering Institutions 2021 Ingår i: Sustainability. - : MDPI AG. - 2071-1050. ; 13:20, s. 11184-11184 Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract Higher education institutions (HEIs) must ensure that their graduates possess not only professional know-how, but also the global competence to address the challenges posed in the UN’s 2030 Agenda. This is especially relevant in engineering education, which plays an important role in sustainable development. These competencies are typically thought to be developed in relation to institutions’ internationalisation efforts, but reports on how this is supposed to happen are often vague or built on wishful thinking. In this article, we describe a mixed-methods investigation into how holistic global competence development as a crucial aspect of sustainable education can be systematically enhanced in higher engineering education. Following a design-based research approach, connecting theoretical and practical insights from experts and stakeholders, we present here four dimensions of such an approach. Firstly, we discuss the setup, contents, and implementation of institutional guidelines as the crucial starting point of any internationalisation strategy aiming at integrating sustainable development education and global competence development. Secondly, we stress the role of institutional diversity, and show how institutions can foster inclusive and welcoming environments. Thirdly, we suggest strategies and approaches for global competence training for students, faculty, and staff, and highlight important background considerations for enabling global competence development. Fourthly, we emphasise the importance of assessing efforts to ensure that they live up to their potential and deliver the desired outcomes. The recommendations based on the investigation summarise key considerations that all HEIs—not just those focused on engineering education—must take into account as they strive for holistic global competence development, which is a key aspect of education for sustainable development.
31.	Laurenti, Rafael, 1980-, et al. (författare) The Socio-Economic Embeddedness of the Circular Economy : An Integrative Framework 2018 Ingår i: Sustainability. - : MDPI. - 2071-1050. ; 10:7 Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract Global economies have been characterised by a large dependency of material inflows from natural stocks, an exponential growth of material stock-in-use in the built environment, and the extensive disposal of waste material outflows to anthropogenic sinks. In this context, the concept of the circular economy has emerged, promising to circulate the stock-in-use of materials and transforming output waste material flows back into useful resources while promoting job and value creation. These promises have drawn the attention and interest of policymakers and industry, and gained popularity across society. Despite its apparent emergent legitimacy and diffusion, a few essential adjustments still need to be addressed so that circular economy initiatives can actually deliver on their promises without leading to negative unintended effects. First, a complete entanglement with the existing formal economy is fundamentally needed; this implies valuing the preservation of natural stocks and pricing material input flows adequately. Secondly, a recognition of its socio-economic embeddedness is essentially necessary. The decision-making of societal actors affects material configuration, which in turn affects societal actors; this important feedback loop needs to be explicitly taken into account in circular economy initiatives. The aim of this short communication paper is to explore these pervasive challenges in a broad context of sustainable physical resource management. An integrative framework for recognising the socio-economic embeddedness of the circular economy in practice and the role of the formal economic system in realising its ambitions is proposed.
32.	López-Pernas, Sonsoles, et al. (författare) Putting It All Together:Combining Learning Analytics Methods and Data Sources to Understand Students’ Approaches to Learning Programming 2021 Ingår i: Sustainability. - : MDPI AG. - 2071-1050. ; 13:9, s. 4825-4843 Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract Learning programming is a complex and challenging task for many students. It involves both understanding theoretical concepts and acquiring practical skills. Hence, analyzing learners’ data from online learning environments alone fails to capture the full breadth of students’ actions if part of their learning process takes place elsewhere. Moreover, existing studies on learning analytics applied to programming education have mainly relied on frequency analysis to classify students according to their approach to programming or to predict academic achievement. However, frequency analysis provides limited insights into the individual time-related characteristics of the learning process. The current study examines students’ strategies when learning programming, combining data from the learning management system and from an automated assessment tool used to support students while solving the programming assignments. The study included the data of 292 engineering students (228 men and 64 women, aged 20–26) from the two aforementioned sources. To gain an in-depth understanding of students’ learning process as well as of the types of learners, we used learning analytics methods that account for the temporal order of learning actions. Our results show that students have special preferences for specific learning resources when learning programming, namely, slides that support search, and copy and paste. We also found that videos are relatively less consumed by students, especially while working on programming assignments. Lastly, students resort to course forums to seek help only when they struggle.
33.	McCormick, Kes, et al. (författare) The Bioeconomy in Europe: An Overview 2013 Ingår i: Sustainability. - : MDPI AG. - 2071-1050. ; 5:6, s. 2589-2608 Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract A bioeconomy can be defined as an economy where the basic building blocks for materials, chemicals and energy are derived from renewable biological resources. This paper provides an overview of the bioeconomy in Europe, examining it from a policy framework and concept perspective. The role of bioenergy in the bioeconomy is discussed particularly through biofuels for transport and biorefineries. The study finds that the definitions of the bioeconomy are evolving and vary depending on the actor, but display similarities such as the emphasis on economic output and a broad, cross-sectoral focus. While there is great optimism about the benefits and opportunities associated with developing an advanced bioeconomy in Europe, significant risks and trade-offs are also expressed. Furthermore, the bioeconomy concept has been criticised for presenting a technical fix and pre-empting alternative visions. To advance a competitive and sustainable bioeconomy, this paper calls for attention on two important themes: participatory governance that engages the general public and key stakeholders in an open and informed dialogue as well as a commitment by government and industry to innovation that drives concerted efforts on sustainable development of the bioeconomy.
34.	Natalini, Davide, et al. (författare) Encouraging Sustainable Transport Choices in American Households: Results from an Empirically Grounded Agent-Based Model 2014 Ingår i: Sustainability. - : MDPI AG. - 2071-1050. ; 6:1, s. 50-69 Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract The transport sector needs to go through an extended process of decarbonisation to counter the threat of climate change. Unfortunately, the International Energy Agency forecasts an enormous growth in the number of cars and greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Two issues can thus be identified: (1) the need for a new methodology that could evaluate the policy performances ex-ante and (2) the need for more effective policies. To help address these issues, we developed an Agent-Based Model called Mobility USA aimed at: (1) testing whether this could be an effective approach in analysing ex-ante policy implementation in the transport sector; and (2) evaluating the effects of alternative policy scenarios on commuting behaviours in the USA. Particularly, we tested the effects of two sets of policies, namely market-based and preference-change ones. The model results suggest that this type of agent-based approach will provide a useful tool for testing policy interventions and their effectiveness.
35.	Natalini, Davide, et al. (författare) Quantitative Assessment of Political Fragility Indices and Food Prices as Indicators of Food Riots in Countries 2015 Ingår i: Sustainability. - : MDPI AG. - 2071-1050. ; 7:4, s. 4360-4385 Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract The impact of resources on social unrest is of increasing interest to politicalleaders, business and civil society. Recent events have highlighted that (lack of) access tocritical resources, including food, energy and water, can, in certain circumstances, lead toviolent demonstrations. In this paper, we assess a number of political fragility indices tosee whether they are good indicators of propensity to food riots. We found that the mostaccurate is the Political Instability and Absence of Violence Indicator of the WorldwideGovernance Indicators by the World Bank. We compute a likelihood of experiencing afood riot for each quartile of this index. We found that the self-sufficiency of food does notseem to affect the likelihood of the occurrence of food riots, but that the level of politicalstability of a country does have a role. In addition, we identify a monthly and annualthreshold for the Food and Agriculture Organisation Food Price Index, above which foodriots in fragile states are more likely to occur.
36.	Nicolosi, Agata, et al. (författare) Consumer Habits of Local Food : Perspectives from Northern Sweden 2019 Ingår i: Sustainability. - : MDPI AG. - 2071-1050. ; 11:23 Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract International studies are dealing with the promotion of sustainable food systems more frequently. Additionally, places of purchase and sharing in the choice of food to be consumed have become a network system for families. The aim of this work is to analyse the preferences of Swedish consumers for local/artisanal cheeses and the purchase motivations that guide their choices. We also studied the role played by consumers’ favourite shopping locations (retail store, hypermarket, city market, supply chain). On the one hand, we examined the attractiveness and the power exercised by the various stores and on the other hand, we viewed the consumer in relation to the frequency of purchase, and the confidence with the sales points. We interviewed 200 people in the city of Östersund, highlighting habits, consumption preferences and reasons for purchasing. A multiple correspondence analysis explores the reasons behind the purchase preferences of the local ‘Källarlagrad getost’ artisan cheese from the Slow Food brand. The representations of social network analysis are used to show the complex articulations that influence the choices of consumers in terms of type of cheese purchased/consumed and places of purchase/consumption. The results showed that Swedish consumers, in the purchase of cheeses, have a loyalty point at the point of sale, follow the advice of the seller and are attentive to the reputation of the product. Those who buy Källarlagrad getost are sensitive to safety, appreciate artisan cheeses and choose them for their versatility, have a strong connection with the territory and wish to contribute to supporting the local economy. Knowing these characteristics and preferences of Swedish consumers living in a city in the north of the country is important for marketing activities and for promoting tourism and sustainable gastronomy.
37.	Olsson, Stefan, et al. (författare) Managing Sustainability Aspects in Renovation Processes : Interview Study and Outline of a Process Model 2015 Ingår i: Sustainability. - : MDPI AG. - 2071-1050. ; 7:6, s. 6336-6352 Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract In many European countries, there are building stocks in need of extensive renovation. This constitutes an important opportunity to perform energy-saving measures and improve indoor environmental quality aiming at a more sustainable built environment. In this paper, we report results from an interview study with the aim of obtaining an in-depth understanding of renovation processes and how sustainability aspects are handled by various Swedish property owners. Examples of important barriers revealed in the interviews are insufficient inspection of existing buildings, absence of both overarching and detailed sustainability targets and guidelines, and lack of knowledge about sustainability aspects. Based on the interview study, conclusions are drawn for the further development of a process model which aims at systematize integration and effectively address energy, environmental, and indoor environmental quality aspects throughout a renovation process; we refer to this as sustainable renovation. Some key starting points for the process model are to suggest routines, provide checklists and tools, and offer guidance for formulating sustainability targets. However, the interviews show that in order to reach a more sustainable built environment, there is a need for government subsidies, other incentives or new business models that value environmental aspects higher.
38.	Oster, Michael, et al. (författare) Bridging gaps in the agricultural phosphorus cycle from an animal husbandry perspective: The case of pigs and poultry 2018 Ingår i: Sustainability. - Basel, Switzerland : MDPI. - 2071-1050. ; 10:6 Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract Since phosphorus (P) is an essential element for life, its usage and application across agricultural production systems requires great attention. Monogastric species such as pigs and poultry can significantly contribute to global food security but these animals remain highly dependent on the supply of mineral inorganic P in their feeds. Pig and poultry, which represent 70% of the global meat production, are also major P excretors and thus represent important sources of environmental P inputs. Balancing the P cycle within farming systems is crucial to achieve P sustainable and resilient livestock production. Therefore, the interconnection of animal feed, livestock farming, manure, and soil/aquatic ecosystems requires multidisciplinary approaches to improve P management. With regard to a sustainable agricultural P cycle, this study addresses aspects of feeding strategies and animal physiology (e.g., phase feeding, P conditioning, liquid feeding, phytase supplementation, genetics), soil agroecosystems (e.g., P cycling, P losses, P gains), reuse and recycling (e.g., manure, slaughter waste), measures of farmers' economic performance (e.g., bio-economic models), and P governance/policy instruments (e.g., P quota, P tax). To reconcile the economic and ecological sustainability of animal husbandry, the strategic objective of future research will be to provide solutions for a sufficient supply of high-quality animal products from resource-efficient and economically competitive agro-systems which are valued by society and preserve soil and aquatic ecosystems.
39.	Schulte, Jesko, et al. (författare) Electric road systems : Strategic stepping stone on the way towards sustainable freight transport? 2018 Ingår i: Sustainability. - : MDPI AG. - 2071-1050. ; 10:4 Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract Electrification of the transport sector has been pointed out as a key factor for tackling some of today's main challenges, such as global warming, air pollution, and eco-system degradation. While numerous studies have investigated the potential of electrifying passenger transport, less focus has been on how road freight transport could be powered in a sustainable future. This study looks at Electric Road Systems (ERS) in comparison to the current diesel system. The Framework for Strategic Sustainable Development was used to assess whether ERS could be a stepping stone on the way towards sustainability. Strategic life-cycle assessment was applied, scanning each life-cycle phase for violations against basic sustainability principles. Resulting sustainability "hot spots" were quantified with traditional life-cycle assessment. The results show that, if powered by renewable energy, ERS have a potential to decrease the environmental impact of freight transport considerably. Environmental payback times of less than five years are achievable if freight traffic volumes are sufficiently high. However, some severe violations against sustainability principles were identified. Still, ERS could prove to be a valuable part of the solution, as they drastically decrease the need for large batteries with high cost and sustainability impact, thereby catalyzing electrification and the transition towards sustainable freight transport. © 2018 by the authors.
40.	Scurati, Giulia Wally, et al. (författare) Exploring the Use of Virtual Reality to Support Environmentally Sustainable Behavior : A Framework to Design Experiences 2021 Ingår i: Sustainability. - : MDPI. - 2071-1050. ; 13:2, s. 1-20 Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract The current and future challenges of sustainable development require a massive transformation of habits and behaviors in the whole society at many levels. This demands a change of perspectives, priorities, and practices that can only result from the development of more aware, informed, and instructed communities and individuals. The field of design for sustainable behavior is answering this need through the development of products, systems, and services to support the change of people’s habits and decision-making processes. In this regard, Virtual Reality (VR) is a promising tool: it has already been explored to drive sustainable behavior change in several situations, through a wide range of devices, technologies, and modalities. This variety provides uncountable opportunities to designers, but it comes with a series of ethical, psychological, and technical questions. Hence, VR developers should be able to distinguish and identify possible strategies, delivering suitable solutions for each case study. In this work, we present a framework for the development of VR experiences to support sustainable behavior change, based on a systematic review. We consider the various features to manage and possible alternatives when creating a VR experience, linking them to the behavioral aspects that can be addressed according to the project’s aim. The framework will provide designers with a tool to explore and orient themselves towards possible sets of optimal choices generating tailored solutions.
41.	Staffas, L., et al. (författare) Strategies and Policies for the Bioeconomy and Bio-based Economy: An Analysis of Official National Approaches 2013 Ingår i: Sustainability. - : MDPI AG. - 2071-1050. ; 5:6, s. 2751-2769 Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract The onset of formulating strategies and policies regarding the bioeconomy can be, at least partly, attributed to the publication of the bioeconomy policy agenda by the OECD in 2009. The aim of this study is to analyse selected national strategies and policies regarding the development of a bioeconomy and to clarify similarities and differences between them. The article presents a comparative overview of the strategies and policies for developing an advanced bioeconomy in the EU, USA, Canada, Sweden, Finland, Germany and Australia. The documents analysed are in most cases national strategies or policies. The structures and aims of these documents vary and the analysis is further complicated by the terms “bioeconomy” and “bio-based economy” having as yet no clear definition, a point which is discussed in some depth in this article. In the documents analysed, strategies and policies on how to promote the bioeconomy are often presented based on the prerequisites of the country in focus; the need for increased research, development and demonstrations in the area is thus particularly stressed. The main emphasis is often to enhance the economy of a nation and provide new employment and business possibilities, whereas the aspects of sustainability and resource availability are addressed only to a limited extent in many of the documents.
42.	Sundström, Malin, 1968-, et al. (författare) Episodic Retail Settings : A Sustainable and Adaptive Strategy for City Centre Stores 2021 Ingår i: Sustainability. - Basel : MDPI. - 2071-1050. ; 13:5 Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract The fact that an already damaged retail industry is being challenged by a pandemic makes the industry’s survival a matter of urban resilience. Sustainable and adaptive strategies are needed to reverse the negative development of the retail sector, and in this conceptual paper, a new perspective is suggested based on episodic retail settings. Such a perspective can increase a physical store’s attraction and may serve as a flexible operation strategy for urban retailers and give added value to urban consumers as they shape an ongoing dramatological discourse and facilitate social interaction in a way that traditional fixed-store formats are unable to compete with. By applying the scientific circle of enquiry (SCE), the authors develop an interdisciplinary perspective cutting across the sustainability, service science, and urban studies fields. On this ground, they present a set of conceptual premises and a tripartite conceptual framework delineating how to effectively design episodic retail settings that are adaptive and sustainable. The paper concludes with suggestions for research questions to further advance this field of study.
43.	Söderbaum, Peter, 1937- (författare) The Role of Economics and Democracy in Institutional Change for Sustainability 2014 Ingår i: Sustainability. - Basel : MDPI AG. - 2071-1050. ; :6, s. 2755-2765 Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract Institutional change for sustainable development does not happen by itself. Individuals and organizations function as actors to influence development processes. Reference is made to a "political economic person" (PEP) guided by his/her ideological orientation and "political economic organization" (PEO), guided by its "mission". Leaving present unsustainable trends is a matter of politics and ideology and even power positions, where democracy plays a crucial role. The perspectives of influential (and other) actors are essential in facilitating (or hindering) change. I will discuss ideas of the role of science in society, mainstream economics in relation to institutional economics in the spirit of K. William Kapp and Gunnar Myrdal as well as neo-liberalism as ideology (where neoclassical economics has contributed to strengthen the legitimacy of neo-liberalism). Various aspects of inertia and flexibility in institutional change processes, such as path dependence, are discussed. Emphasis is on the role of economics and how a strengthened democracy can open the door for a degree of pluralism.
44.	Wang, Yawei, et al. (författare) Comparing the Technology Trajectories of Solar PV and Solar Water Heaters in China: Using a Patent Lens 2018 Ingår i: Sustainability. - : MDPI AG. - 2071-1050. ; 10:4166 Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract China invests more in renewable energy than any other countries, such as in solar energy. The traditional literature maintains that these government-supported industries are more innovative than grassroots industries such as solar or thermal, which leads to debate. This study uses mixed methods, combining qualitative and quantitative approaches to compare the technology trajectories of leading solar water heater (SWH) and solar photovoltaic (PV) firms in China. It concentrates on the following three aspects: trajectories of key technologies, patent citation network, and type of collaboration. Our analyses show that technology trajectories differ significantly between leading SWH firms and PV firms in China. We find that the Chinese SWH firms are core to international knowledge networks, and are following a market-driven innovation mode. In contrast, Chinese PV firms are close to the center of the network and government-driven. Research suggests that grassroots innovation, by doing, using, and interaction (DUI), can create short-term market development models relying on China’s traditional industry model, but cannot create a long-term international leading innovation model; only integrated science, technology, innovation modes (STI), and DUI innovation modes tend to result in international leadership in innovation.
45.	Eriksson, Max, 1981- (författare) Rurality and Collective Attitude Effects on Wolf Policy 2016 Ingår i: Sustainability. - Basel : MDPI. - 2071-1050. ; 8:8 Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract Debates over wolf policy are driven by an underlying attitudinal divide between peoplefrom urban and rural areas. This study explores how the power relationship between urban and ruralgroups interact with individual attitude formation in relation to wolf policy, in order to understandwhy dissatisfaction with wolf policy tends to result in group level conflict patterns. Using Swedishsurvey data, I analyze attitudes to wolf policy, in relation to collective level effects and rural politicalalienation. Findings indicate that individual level attitudes towards the Swedish wolf policy are inpart determined by collective attitude patterns: effects that could be contingent on political alienation.This highlights the possibility of reducing attitude polarization with respect to the wolf policy,by addressing political alienation among the rural population.
46.	Fallde, Magdalena, et al. (författare) Energy System Models as a Means of Visualising Barriers and Drivers of Forest-Based Biofuels : An Interview Study of Developers and Potential Users 2017 Ingår i: Sustainability. - : MDPI. - 2071-1050. ; 9:10 Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract Forest-derived biofuels have been on the agenda for several decades. Despite extensive research and development efforts, forest biofuel concepts have nevertheless not yet been realized on any significant scale. The discrepancy between the expectations from the research community and the lack of momentum regarding biofuel production raises the question of if and how research results can be used to achieve such goals. Here, we report results from an interview study with the aim of evaluating how energy system models can be used to illustrate barriers and drivers for forest biofuels, with focus on Swedish conditions, using the BeWhere model as case. The study is framed as an example of expertise, and problematizes how energy system models are interpreted among expected users. While the interviews revealed some general scepticism regarding models, and what kinds of questions they can answer, the belief was also expressed that increased complexity might be an advantage in terms of being able to accommodate more barriers against forest biofuels. The study illustrates the complexity of this policy area, where an energy system model can answer some, but never all, ‘what if…?’ questions. The results reveal a need for reformation in energy system modelling in order to more explicitly make society the subject of the work, and also illustrate that the belief in expertise as a tool for consensus-building in decision-making should be questioned.
47.	Greger, Henriksson, 1963-, et al. (författare) Uncertainty regarding waste handling in everyday life 2010 Ingår i: Sustainability. - : MDPI AG. - 2071-1050. ; 2:9, s. 2799-2813 Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract According to our study, based on interviews with households in a residential area in Sweden, uncertainty is a cultural barrier to improved recycling. Four causes of uncertainty are identified. Firstly, professional categories not matching cultural categories—people easily discriminate between certain categories (e.g., materials such as plastic and paper) but not between others (e.g., packaging and “non-packaging”). Thus a frequent cause of uncertainty is that the basic categories of the waste recycling system do not coincide with the basic categories used in everyday life. Challenged habits—source separation in everyday life is habitual, but when a habit is challenged, by a particular element or feature of the waste system, uncertainty can arise. Lacking fractions—some kinds of items cannot be left for recycling and this makes waste collection incomplete from the user’s point of view and in turn lowers the credibility of the system. Missing or contradictory rules of thumb—the above causes seem to be particularly relevant if no motivating principle or rule of thumb (within the context of use) is successfully conveyed to the user. This paper discusses how reducing uncertainty can improve recycling.
48.	Hedin, Björn, 1970-, et al. (författare) What Can You Do with 100 kWh? A Longitudinal Study of Using an Interactive Energy Comparison Tool to Increase Energy Awareness 2018 Ingår i: Sustainability. - Basel : MDPI AG. - 2071-1050. ; 10:7 Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract Reducing the use of energy is important for several reasons, such as saving money and reducing impact on the climate. However, the awareness among non-experts of how much energy is required by different activities and appliances is generally low, which can lead to wrong prioritizations. In this study, we have developed an interactive tool to increase “energy awareness”, and performed a longitudinal study to evaluate its effect. A group of 58 students first did a test to benchmark their current energy awareness, where their current knowledge of energy used for 14 different activities, such as driving vehicles and using home appliances, was measured. They then tried the interactive learning tool for 10 min. Next, they did the same test immediately after trying the tool, then again one week after trying the tool, and finally again six months after trying the tool. The results showed a significant learning effect in energy awareness with a “huge” effect size of 2.25 immediately after the intervention, a “very large” effect size of 1.70 after one week, and a “large” effect size of 0.93 after six months. The results further showed that the respondents consistently underestimated what 100 kWh could be used for, and especially so for appliances and activities requiring little energy. Before the intervention, on average they underestimated how much 100 kWh could be used for by 95.2%, and six months after the intervention the underestimation was 86.8%.
49.	Mohammadi, Ali, 1983-, et al. (författare) A Comprehensive Environmental Life Cycle Assessment of the Use of Hydrochar Pellets in Combined Heat and Power Plants 2020 Ingår i: Sustainability. - : MDPI. - 2071-1050. ; 12:21 Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract Hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) has been seen as a potentially beneficial process for converting wet biomass into value-added products. It is, however, necessary to overcome the challenges associated with handling the powdered form of hydrochar—a solid product of the HTC process—by controlling the formation of dust and facilitating smoother transportation and distribution in a potentially wide marketplace. In this paper, the authors investigate the environmental consequences of different alternatives for using hydrochar pellets produced from mixed sludges from pulp and paper mills in Sweden, using the environmental life cycle assessment (E-LCA). Two scenarios for possible end-uses of hydrochar in combined heat and power (CHP) plants as a source of energy (heat and electricity) were assessed. In these scenarios, hydrochar pellets were assumed to be combusted in CHP plants, thereby avoiding the use of combustible solid wastes (Scenario A) and coal (Scenario B), respectively, to recover energy in the form of electricity and heat. The environmental damages to Human Health, Ecosystem Quality, Climate Change, and Resources are evaluated based on 1 tonne of dry sludge as the functional unit. The results from this analysis illustrate that Scenario B, in which hydrochar replaces coal, offers the greatest reduction in all the environmental damage characterizations, except the Resources category. The displacement of energy-based coal due to hydrochar combustion contributed most significantly to the environmental damages wrought by the system—ranging from 52% in Resources to 93% in Ecosystem Quality. Overall, the results highlight that the application of hydrochar pellets for energy recovery to offset waste- and coal-based energy sources has great environmental benefits. The favorability of sludge hydrochar over solid wastes as fuel for CHP plants may be counter-intuitive at first, since HTC is an energy-intensive process, but when accounting for the necessity of dependence on imports of wastes for instance, the hydrochar pellet may well emerge as a good option for CHPs in Sweden.
50.	Bertoni, Marco, 1980- (författare) Introducing Sustainability in Value Models to Support Design Decision Making : A Systematic Review 2017 Ingår i: Sustainability. - : MDPI AG. - 2071-1050. ; 9:6 Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract Manufacturing organizations shall recognize sustainability as a business occasion to capitalize on, rather than an undesirable pressing situation. Still, empirical evidence shows that this opportunity is hard to capture and communicate in global strategic decisions, through planning by tactical management, to daily operational activities. This paper systematically reviews the modeling challenges at the crossroad of value and sustainability decisions making, spotlighting methods and tools proposed in literature to link sustainability to customer value creation at strategic, tactical and operational level. While statistical results show that the topic of sustainability and value modeling is trending in literature, findings from content analysis reveal that recent attempts to promote a value-based view in the sustainability discussion remain at a strategic level, with most of the proposed indicators being suited for managerial decision-making. The lack of support at operational level points to the opportunity of cross-pollinating sustainability research with value-centered methodologies originating from the aerospace sector. The Value Driven Design framework is proposed as main hub from which to derive models supporting engineers and technology developers in the identification of win-win-win situations, where sustainable improvements are aligned with business advantages.

Skapa referenser, mejla, bekava och länka

Länka till träfflistan

Träfflista för sökning "L773:2071 1050 OR L773:1548 7733 "

Avgränsa träffmängd

År