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The textile industry is one of the most important industries in the European Union. The main environmental problems of the textile industry are the high water consumption, the generated pollution, the variety of chemicals used and the high energy demand. Recently, adsorbents with a large specific surface area and low weight, such as aerogels, have attracted great interest as promising materials for removing dyes from polluted water. Cellulose aerogels are inexpensive and non-toxic. Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms were chosen as the best method to describe the performance of the adsorbent. In this study, the adsorption efficiency of Congo red, Naphthol green B, Rhodamine B and Methylene blue were determined by using an adsorbent synthesized from paper and cardboard waste. The total organic carbon concentration was chosen as an indicator of the concentration of the dyes in the solutions. The aerogel capsules had 5% cellulose content. It was found that the adsorption capacity of the aerogel in the solutions of Congo red varied from 0.028 mg/g to 14.483 mg/g; in the solutions of Naphthol green B, from 0.013 mg/g to 7.698 mg/g; in the solutions of Rhodamine B, from 0.020 mg/g to 8.768 mg/g; and in the solutions of Methylene blue, from 0.024 mg/g to 13.538 mg/g. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The residual acrylamide in food paper packaging can be transferred into water and food, which will cause harmful effects on human beings. In this paper, a rapid and easily available fluorescent probe based on carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC)/Eu (Ⅲ) nanocomposites was designed to detect the residue acrylamide with high sensibility. The probe could respond in 1 min. The concentration of acrylamide was linearly correlated to the fluorescence intensity of the probe at the emission wavelength of 615 nm in the concentration range of 0.1–100 μmol/L. The limit of detection (LOD) of the probe was 0.085 μg/L, which is lower than the guideline value of the European Union, the U.S. EPA, and the WHO. An experiment was performed to simulate the acrylamide migrating from food-contacting paper materials to different foods, including waterborne food, alcohol beverage, acidic food, and greasy food. The recoveries and RSDs of acrylamide in all samples indicated that the CMC/Eu (Ⅲ) fluorescent probe was efficient for acrylamide detection. The possible mechanism of the probe for acrylamide detection involved both dynamically quenching and static quenching by forming of non-fluorescent substances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The EU has set the ambitious target of raising the share of EU energy consumption produced from renewable resources to 32% by 2030, with a target of climate neutrality by 2050. The aim of this paper is to assess the role of biomass usage in the context of these targets. The paper identifies the progress made between 2013 and 2022 by focusing on a selection of EU countries. The largest bioenergy increments of 130, 77, and 60 PJ were reported for Poland, Sweden, and the Netherlands. This study evaluates the crucial role of co-generation and heat in EU regions, with biomass usage between 55 and 80% of the combined heat and power (CHP) energy in Nordic countries. The future perspectives for bioenergy based on EU policies, biomass resources, and technical issues were addressed. The EU possesses around 9% of the global biomass supply, ensuring a certain level of biomass resource dependence. Thus, the biomass usage demand in energy production, non-energy sectors, and transport is expected to rise, leading to increments of 13–76% on biomass imports. It appears that bioenergy development is mostly limited by economic issues and uneven support for bioenergy in different EU countries as well as environmental issues. The study shows a promising and sustainable potential of bioenergy in the EU as a renewable energy source while minimizing negative impacts on the environment and the economy. By 2050, liquid biofuels are likely to be increasingly used in the transport sector. Non-energy sector usage of biomass is still in an early stage of development, except for the pulp and paper industry, and significant use of biomass in non-energy sectors seems unlikely in the near future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The European Commission has mandated the use of digital building logbooks (DBL) to encourage deep energy renovations and overcome barriers in building renovations. The current energy performance certificates (EPCs) focus on operational energy consumption, whereas the DBL will cover the entire life cycle of buildings and provide a more comprehensive evaluation of buildings, through providing a passport rating in three domains: energy performance, sustainability, and smartness. This paper defines the digital building logbook (DBL) data structure within the context of the EUB SuperHub, a three-year project financed by the European Union under the Horizon 2020 program. The creation of the EUB SuperHub DBL data structure involved an extensive review of relevant literature, including existing DBL data structures developed in previous EU projects (iBRoad, ALDREN, BIM4EEB, X-tendo), recommendations from the "Study on the Development of an EU Framework for Buildings' Digital Logbook", requirements specified in the grant agreement, existing EU legislation, and anticipated future legislation. The proposed digital building logbook data structure for the EUB SuperHub project comprises eight primary categories and is designed to provide all the essential input data needed throughout the building's life cycle to compute the passport rating across three domains: energy efficiency, sustainability, and smartness. With the requirements stipulated in existing and soon-to-be-adopted EU legislation, the introduction of a digital building logbook has become a necessity. Though the undertaking is a formidable task and will require considerable effort, its benefits are numerous and promising, including the potential to enhance energy renovation rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paper as a consumer product offers a undisputed benefits to human society, and it has been proven to be critical in driving most sensitive needs of mankind—principally in areas of security, education, sanitation, and communication—and thus has been produced and consumed worldwide. Its sustainable production and usage is one topic that has featured prominently in many discussion fronts and more often than not ends with recommendations for an alternative source of raw material, improvement in production procedures, and ecological concerns. Paper use is an ecological concern that has triggered many paper intervention actions around the world such as the Paper Task Force in USA, Sustainable Paper Alliance in China, and Paper and Beyond in Europe. In Nigeria, however, challenges associated with paper production, consumption, and economic prospects have not been adequately tackled. This is conspicuously evident in the huge volume of paper products imported annually into the country as a result of unsustainable local production. The cumulative impact of these issues reflect negatively on the Nigeria's paper industry and spread indirectly to the entire country's economy in terms of high capital freight spent on importation, volatile product price, and loss of employment opportunities. This work sought to review the challenges and opportunities associated with raw material sources, energy and water consumption, environmental pollution, paper consumption, and disposal of used paper products in Nigeria. The current review also advocated for wastepaper as a variant of raw material with a sustainable potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To establish rapid, high-sensitive, quantitative detection of ACP residues in vegetables. A 1G2 cell clone was selected as the most sensitive for anti-ACP antibody production following secondary immunization, cell fusion, and screening. The affinity of the 1G2 antibody to each of the four coating agents (imidacloprid–bovine serum albumin [BSA], thiacloprid–BSA, imidaclothiz–BSA, and ACP-BSA) was determined using a 20 min enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) was 0.51–0.62 ng/mL, showing no significant difference in affinity to different antigens. However, we obtained IC50 values of 0.58 and 1.40 ng/mL on the linear regression lines for 1G2 anti-ACP antibody/imidacloprid–BSA and 1G2 anti-ACP antibody/thiacloprid–BSA, respectively, via quantum dot (QD)-based immunochromatography. That is, the 1G2 antibody/imidacloprid–BSA pair (the best combination) was about three times more sensitive than the 1G2 antibody/thiacloprid–BSA pair in immunochromatographic detection. The best combination was used for the development of an 8 min chromatographic paper test. With simple and convenient sample pretreatment, we achieved an average recovery of 75–117%. The coefficient of variation (CoV) was <25% for all concentrations tested, the false–positive rate was <5%, the false–negative rate was 0%, and the linear range of the method was 50–1800 μg/kg. These performance metrics met the ACP detection standards in China, the European Union (EU), and the United States (US). In summary, in this study, we established an 8 min QD-based immunochromatographic stripe for the rapid and accurate quantitative determination of ACP residues in vegetables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In January 2011, the introduction of high-efficiency cogeneration in Europe radically modified the incentive scheme for combined heat and power (CHP) plants. Since then, the techno-economic feasibility of new cogeneration plants in different areas of application (industry, service, residential, etc.), along with the definition of their optimal operation, have inevitably undergone a radical change. In particular, with reference to the Italian case and according to the most recent ministerial guidelines following the new EU regulation, in the event that cogeneration power plants do not reach an established value in terms of overall efficiency, their operation has to be split into a CHP and a non-CHP portion with incentives proportional to the energy quantities pertaining to the CHP portion only. In the framework of high-efficiency cogeneration, the present study compares different CHP solutions to be coupled with the paper industry that, among all the industrial processes, appears to be the best suited for cogeneration applications. With reference to this particular industrial reality, energy, environmental, and economic performance parameters have been defined, analysed, and compared with the help of GateCycle software. Among the proposed CHP alternatives, results show that gas turbines are the most appropriate technology for paper industry processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Socio-cultural dimensions and values in maritime spatial planning (MSP) are gaining momentum worldwide and especially in the European Union (EU), since it is acknowledged that they are the "missing layer" of maritime spatial plans (MSPlans). These values are partly explored through cultural ecosystem services (CES). Coastal and marine CES refer to the benefits that humans derive from the coastal and marine environments in recreational, artistic, spiritual, and educational terms. They reflect the ways in which coastal and marine ecosystems contribute to human well-being, cultural identity, and interactions with nature. The research question is how to map and assess coastal/marine ecosystem services and to integrate them in the MSPlans. Thus, this systematic review sheds light on methodological and technical issues with CES mapping and assessment and provides guidance on how to incorporate CES in MSP for future research. Publications dealing with the spatial aspects of CES were examined with an extra focus on participatory mapping approaches. Initially, 199 articles were identified, and 50 articles were ultimately eligible for the analysis. Papers were concentrated in the European Atlantic, whilst their scope was either local or regional. A large number of articles consider the contribution of CES to efficient marine management rather than to achieving an integrated and coordinated MSP. Social and mixed mapping approaches were met with the most often, especially participatory mapping approaches. Also, non-monetary valuation was prevailing, and a multitude of techniques, tools, and statistical software were used. In most of the cases, the distribution of values in relation to environmental, socio-economic, and demographic factors was examined. This article concludes that an effective integration of CES into MSP is crucial for creating prospects of a more sustainable and inclusive approach to coastal/marine planning and for the well-being of ecosystems and communities both currently and for future generations. This knowledge should become "property" of the maritime spatial planners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The European Union, in pursuit of the goal of reducing emissions by at least 55% by 2030 and achieving climate neutrality by 2050, is deploying different actions, with industry decarbonization as a key strategy. However, increasing electricity demand requires an intensification of energy generation from clean technologies, and the energy system's expansion is hindered by renewable generation's climatic dependencies and the imperative for substantial electrical infrastructure investments. Although the transmission grid is expected to grow, flexibility mechanisms and innovative technologies need to be applied to avoid an overwhelming growth. In this context, this paper presents a thorough assessment, conducted within the FLEXINDUSTRIES project, of the flexibility potential across seven energy-intensive industries (automotive industry, biofuel production, polymer manufacturing, steel manufacturing, paper mills, pharmaceutical industry, and cement production). The methodology followed during the analysis entails reviewing the state-of-the-art existing flexibility mechanisms, industries' energy markets engagement, and technical/operational readiness. The results highlight the feasibility of the proposed actions for enabling energy market flexibility through demand-response programs, quantifying energy opportunities, and pinpointing regulatory and technical barriers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the implementation of a digital product passport (DPP) using Hyperledger Fabric technology to enhance product lifecycle management within the European Union's circular economy action plan. This study addresses the need for detailed product information on materials, origin, usage, and end-of-life instructions to improve recycling practices and promote sustainable consumption. The approach integrates decentralized identifier (DID) technology for unique product identification using the cheqd.io platform with an enterprise tailored Hyperledger Fabric blockchain network for DPP data management, leveraging their strengths to enhance security and efficiency. This paper details the data model for the DPP, including entities like Product, Manufacturer, Supplier, and Material. Performance tests on the Hyperledger Fabric network demonstrate the system's efficacy, focusing on CRUD operations and scalability. Future work will extend to the development of client applications and more comprehensive performance evaluations considering scalability and network expansion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a thorough examination of methane capture from Polish coal mines, contextualized within the framework of the European Union's (EU) climate policy objectives. Through a strategic analysis encompassing the interior of coal mines, the surrounding environment, and the macro environment, this study elucidates the complex dynamics involved in methane emissions and capture initiatives. The key findings include a declining trend in absolute methane emissions since 2008, despite fluctuations in coal extraction volumes, and a relatively stable level of methane capture exceeding 300 million m3/year since 2014. The analysis underscores the critical role of government support, both in terms of financial incentives and streamlined regulatory processes, to facilitate the integration of methane capture technologies into coal mining operations. Collaboration through partnerships and stakeholder engagement emerges as essential for overcoming resource competition and ensuring the long-term success of methane capture projects. This paper also highlights the economic and environmental opportunities presented by methane reserves, emphasizing the importance of investment in efficient extraction technologies. Despite these advancements, challenges persist, particularly regarding the low efficiency of current de-methanation technologies. Recommendations for modernization and technological innovation are proposed to enhance methane capture efficiency and utilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to approach the topic of structural convergence for new member states from the perspective of input-output analysis. Using a set of input-output measures, based on the OECD RStan database, and a number of unit-root tests, both for individual time series and panel data, this paper tests whether there is convergence relative to the production structure of the German economy. Although the individual tests are somewhat mixed, the panel unit-root tests indicate the presence of convergence. The results highlight the importance of assessing structural convergence based on panel tests. They also highlight that as nominal and real convergence are gradually achieved, structural convergence should also become more prioritized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Europevan Union is highly dependent on energy. This paper analyses energy consumption in the transport sector, representing approximately 30% of total energy consumption. A particular focus will be placed on road freight transport, which accounts for 40% of total transport energy consumption, trying to contribute to its rationalization. The road freight transport volume (TKM: tonne-kilometres) vs. gross domestic product (GDP) ratio fell in 2010–2022 by an average of 17.6% in EU-27, meaning that there was decoupled growth. Germany is the country with the highest decoupling, nearly 36%. On the contrary, in Spain there is a coupling because the evolution of TKM and GDP was almost identical. The paper proposes possible relevant factors in road freight transport activity that may justify the discrepancies in values within EU member countries, showing the positive and negative impacts of the different variables studied. In addition, the SARIMA model is applied to forecast the evolution of relevant indicators of road transport in different countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Montenegro restored its national independence in 2006, and in the 17 years since then, the country has made significant progress in digital transformation, which is especially important for its accession to the European Union. In this paper, this period of 17 years of Montenegrin digital transformation is reviewed. The work aims to provide comprehensive coverage of the digitization processes across all relevant sectors, including healthcare, education, telecommunications and internet, personal and public transportation, tourism, agriculture, energy and sustainability, and public administration. The human-centric nature of digitization is emphasized where relevant, as well as related future trends. This paper also highlights barriers and limitations, such as the lack of consideration for cooperative intelligent transportation systems in national strategies, and user-related issues in digital public administration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the European Digital Decade 2030 Policy Program, the following guidelines for European digital transformation are named, which means that more than 90% of small- and medium-sized companies reach at least a basic level of digital intensity. In addition to that, the European Commission pays a lot of attention to implementing the "Green Deal" in order to achieve less environmental impact. ICT SMEs already play a key role in Europe's green and digital transformation, creating technologies that promote sustainability and strengthen Europe's position. The limited and fragmented application of today's digital and sustainable technologies in SMEs is observed at the EU level. The bibliometric literature analytical results show that the number of papers on the digital direction is five times higher than on the sustainable direction topic. The paper seeks to identify directions that could help SMEs to speed up this twin transformation in each EU country. The authors proposed a two-stage methodology, which is used for researching twin transformations in SMEs. According to the methodology, first, the authors analysed the indicators of EU-27 SMEs, representing their activity towards the twin transformation, comparing them among other size classes. The results show that the SME's numbers in the 16 indicators area are worse than the numbers characterizing EU-27 enterprises, having more than ten employees. In addition, a multi-criteria decision making-based assessment framework was constructed to show the progress towards the twin transition. The provided research shows which areas require more attention from SMEs and policy makers responding to the twin transformation objectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Public sector digitalisation is transforming public governance at an accelerating rate. Digitalisation is outpacing the evolution of the legal framework. Despite several strands of international efforts to adjust good administration guarantees to new modes of digital public governance, progress has so far been slow and tepid. The increasing automation of decision-making processes puts significant pressure on traditional good administration guarantees, jeopardises individual due process rights, and risks eroding public trust. Automated decision-making has, so far, attracted the bulk of scholarly attention, especially in the European context. However, most analyses seek to reconcile existing duties towards individuals under the right to good administration with the challenges arising from digitalisation. Taking a critical and technology-centred doctrinal approach to developments under the law of the European Union and the Council of Europe, this paper goes beyond current debates to challenge the sufficiency of existing good administration duties. By stressing the mass effects that can derive from automated decision-making by the public sector, the paper advances the need to adapt good administration guarantees to a collective dimension through an extension and a broadening of the public sector's good administration duties: that is, through an extended ex ante control of organisational risk-taking, and a broader ex post duty of automated redress. These legal modifications should be urgently implemented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the complex relationship between energy poverty and the maintenance of democratic values within the European Union (EU), suggesting that energy poverty not only impacts economic stability and health outcomes but also poses significant challenges to democratic engagement and equity. To measure energy poverty, a composite index is developed using the entropy method, which surpasses traditional measures focused solely on access to energy or its developmental implications. To assess the level of democratic governance in EU countries, the voice and accountability index (VEA), which is part of the World Governance Indicators compiled by the World Bank, is utilized. By analyzing EU data from 2006 to 2022, the findings suggest that a 1% improvement in VEA quality, represented by a coefficient of 0.122, is correlated with a notable improvement in the energy poverty index. This suggests that the EU should focus on enhancing transparency and public participation in energy decision-making, along with ensuring accountability in policy implementation. The research also differentiates between full and flawed democracies, noting that tailored approaches are needed. In full democracies, leveraging economic prosperity and trade is crucial due to their significant positive impacts on the energy poverty index. In contrast, in flawed democracies, enhancing governance and accountability is more impactful, as evidenced by a higher coefficient of 0.193. Strengthening legal and regulatory frameworks, improving regulatory quality, and ensuring public engagement in governance could substantially mitigate energy poverty in these contexts. In addition, this paper demonstrates that this relationship is influenced by factors such as income inequality, energy intensity, and trade openness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates whether renewable energy influences economic growth and happiness. Using panel data from 25 European Union countries for the period 2012–2022, this study employs a panel model for estimation with fixed and random effects, and robust HAC standard errors. According to the research results, in general, the growing share of renewable energy in the energy mix has a positive impact on economic growth and the happiness of citizens. However, detailed research has shown that this effect depends on the type of energy; a significant positive impact was recorded only in solar share energy, wind share energy and economic growth. However, almost all types of renewable energy were included, i.e., biofuel, hydro, solar and other renewable share energy, and all had a significantly positive impact on the level of happiness. The exception was wind share energy, which showed a significant negative impact. The research findings of this paper provide empirical support for promoting renewable energy, which is positive both for economies and the happiness of citizens. It is one of the main aspects of sustainable economic growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In today's digitalized era, embracing new and emerging technologies is a requirement to remain competitive. The present research investigates the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) by the elderly in the European landscape, emphasizing the importance of individuals' digital skills. As has already been globally recognized, the most imminent demographic challenge is no longer represented by the rapid growth of the population but by its aging. Thus, the paper initially analyzed European perspectives on AI adoption, also discussing the importance of focusing on seniors. A bibliometric analysis was required afterward, and the review of the resulting relevant scientific publications uncovered gaps in understanding the relationship between older individuals and AI, particularly in terms of digital competence. Further exploration considered the EU population's digital literacy and cultural influences using Hofstede's model, while also identifying potential ways to improve the elderly's digital skills and promote the adoption of AI. Results indicate a growing interest in AI adoption among the elderly, underscoring the urgent need for digital skills development. The imperative of personalized approach implementations, such as specialized courses, personalized training sessions, or mentoring programs, was underscored. Moreover, the importance of targeted strategies and collaborative efforts to ensure equitable participation in the digital age was identified as a prerequisite for AI adoption by seniors. In terms of potential implications, the research can serve as a starting point for various stakeholders in promoting an effective and sustainable adoption of AI among older citizens in the EU. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The efficient utilization of waste heat from industrial processes can provide a significant source of energy savings for production plants, as well as be a driver of sustainable operations and the abatement of emissions. Industrial waste heat usually is contained in liquid or gaseous outlet streams. Although the possible ways to utilize waste heat are discussed in a wide variety of papers, these either provide only a general overview of utilization options and opportunities or focus on a narrow range of industrial processes. The aim of the present paper is to discuss the practical aspects of waste heat utilization in the European Union so that the reader can gain perspective on (i) the thermal classification of waste heat, (ii) liquid and gaseous waste streams and their typical temperatures for industrial use cases, (iii) the technical, economic, physical, and environmental aspects barring full utilization of the available waste heat, (iv) waste heat sources in various industries, and (v) standardized equipment and technologies applicable to industrial waste heat utilization, including their advantages, disadvantages, and weak points. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the context of escalating energy demands and the quest for sustainable waste management solutions, this paper evaluates the efficacy of three machine learning methods—ElasticNet, Decision Trees, and Neural Networks—in predicting energy recovery from municipal waste across the European Union. As renewable energy sources increasingly dominate the energy production landscape, the integration of Waste-to-Energy (WTE) processes presents a dual advantage: enhancing waste management and contributing to the renewable energy mix. This study leverages a dataset incorporating economic and environmental indicators from 25 European countries, spanning 2013–2020, to compare the predictive capabilities of the three machine learning models. The analysis reveals that Neural Networks, with their intricate pattern recognition capabilities, outperform ElasticNet and Decision Trees in predicting energy recovery metrics, as evidenced by superior performance in key statistical indicators such as R-value, Mean Squared Error (MSE), and Mean Absolute Error (MAE). The comparative analysis not only demonstrates the effectiveness of each method but also suggests Neural Networks as a pivotal tool for informed decision-making in waste management and energy policy formulation. Through this investigation, the paper contributes to the sustainable energy and waste management discourse, emphasizing the critical intersection of advanced technologies, policy considerations, and environmental stewardship in addressing contemporary energy challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One aspect of the competitiveness of electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles is the ability to recharge batteries quickly. Ideally, this process would take no longer than it takes to refuel vehicles powered by conventional fuels. The term fast charging is generally used to refer to alternating current (AC) charging of more than 22 kW and direct current (DC) charging often referred to as fast or ultra-fast charging at high power. Currently, fast charging points are located within the public charging infrastructure, mainly along highways. The purpose of this paper was to analyze the availability of existing charging infrastructure equipped with fast charging points for electric vehicles in European Union countries. In addition, the paper discusses EU policy in terms of zero-emission vehicles and technical issues related to charging infrastructure. Based on a review of the current state of charging infrastructure and plans for its development in light of the EU Green Deal for Europe regulations, it can be concluded that in many regions the fast charging infrastructure for electric cars is still insufficiently developed. Due to the great economic diversity of EU countries, the development of charging infrastructure proceeds at different paces. For this reason, it is important to ensure that fast charging points are located primarily along the TEN-T network and highways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Innovative digital technologies, together with new sustainable practices, push for new business models and skillsets, pressuring companies to adapt to external change in order to gain competitive advantage. Higher education institutions could offer support. More than 20% of university graduates in the European Union study "business, administration or law", with some of them being future top-level managers and entrepreneurs. This paper aims to provide an understanding of the factors shaping business students' perspectives and decisions in the modern business landscape. It reunites their career preferences, personality characteristics and knowledge regarding technology's utility for business and compares them between two cohorts (i.e., first year bachelor students and second year master students). The results of an online survey with a sample of 154 respondents show that business students' entrepreneurial intention is influenced by their entrepreneurial confidence, their boldness when considering risks, as well as by being further along their educational journey. While almost 80% of business students are daring, oriented toward results and confident in their entrepreneurial abilities, and around 50% would feel most comfortable having their own business, approximately half of first year bachelor students and 14% of second year master students tend to be "not sure" regarding how eight out of ten modern technologies mentioned in this paper (i.e., robotic process automation, big data, artificial intelligence, computer vision, industrial robots, internet of things, virtual reality, enterprise resource planning) could improve a company's innovation and performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the European Union, increasing attention is already being paid not only to the development of renewable energy sources, but also to the establishment of solutions to achieve local energy self-sufficiency while increasing the role of citizens in managing the energy they generate. This approach is expected both to have a positive impact on the environment and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, and to enhance energy security—both in economic and civic terms by, i.a., combating energy poverty. The development of local energy communities promoted in the EU is supported i.a. by energy cooperatives. These contribute to the efficient harnessing of renewable energy potential in rural and urban-rural areas, and have been developing in Poland for several years now. In their previous studies, the authors of this research paper attempted to verify the generation (number, type and capacity of installed sources) and consumption (energy demand) configurations in which an energy cooperative would be a viable solution for prosumers who might establish it. However, over the past few years, the conditions for prosumers and the method of their accounting with the electricity seller have changed radically in Poland (shift from net metering to net billing). This situation has opened up space for further research and encouraged the authors to revisit the problem of analyzing the viability of establishing energy cooperatives in relation to the rules of operation of individual prosumers. This research was carried out for three scenarios, and the horizon of the analyses conducted and described extends to 2045. The comparative analysis included energy consumers without their own generation sources, prosumers with a photovoltaic generation installation covered by the net billing model, as well as a scenario involving prosumers' cooperation within an energy cooperative, which by law is settled in the net metering model. Conclusions from the research and simulations made it possible to confirm the claim that, despite changes in the rules of prosumer billing, developing energy independence in the energy community formula results in a significant reduction in the cost of purchasing electricity (even several times lower purchase costs in the timeframe analyzed) and can lead to a reduction in the payback time of investments in generation sources even by a factor of two. The results presented in this research paper open up space for further research. The outcomes allow us to assume that energy cooperatives—in the organizational and institutional model in Poland—are a good tool for reducing the phenomenon of energy poverty on a local scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The European Works Council (EWC) Directive provides the establishment of a social partnership forum within Multinational Companies (MNCs). The directive gives employees the right to information and consultation with the supra-national group management. The aim of this concept paper is to contribute to the debate on the Europeanization of Industrial Relations (IR) in the European Union. Specifically, it assesses the influence that EWCs, a novel institution within certain Euro-companies, have on the convergence of industrial relations among the member states. This critical topic can be evaluated from the standpoint of the current theory and its practical implications in order to draw the perspectives for a European system of IR both within MNCs and the rest of the companies. Our conclusions indicate that EWCs contribute to Europeanization in several aspects of employee relations, although this contribution has been limited to those issues that are wished for by the MNCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic led to widespread restrictions globally, prompting governments to implement measures for containment. Vaccines, while aiding in reducing virus transmission, have also introduced the challenge of identifying vaccinated individuals for the purpose of easing restrictions. The European Union (EU) addressed this through the "digital COVID-19 certification" system, allowing citizens to travel within the EU based on their vaccination, recovery, or negative test status. However, the system's digital format poses challenges for those who are not digitally proficient, such as seniors and those with low educational or socioeconomic status. This study aims to propose enhancements to the current system, considering the mobility needs of all citizens. The methodology involves reviewing literature on digital literacy, the digital divide, and information systems related to vaccination and certification. The paper presents straightforward recommendations to make the COVID-19 certificate more accessible to digitally excluded individuals. These proposals may serve as a valuable starting point for healthcare executives to evaluate and adapt the certification scheme to be inclusive of a broader range of stakeholders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The electrification of road transport is developing dynamically around the world. Many automotive companies are introducing electric vehicles to the market, and their popularity is constantly growing. The increasing popularity of electric vehicles is caused by individual countries' governments encouraging people to switch to electric vehicles and their lower operating costs. In 2022, the number of electric vehicles in China will exceed 10 million. Europe and the USA rank second and third in global electric car stock, respectively. The number of available electric vehicle models is constantly growing, remaining approximately 2.5 times smaller than the case of vehicles with an internal combustion engine. Among others, a significant limitation to the popularity of electric cars is users' fear of range and the density of the charging infrastructure network. This paper presents the objectives regarding public areas and charging stations around the European Union's comprehensive and core transport network. It is worth noting that the vehicle and charging point's charging connectors vary depending on the geographical region. Therefore, the currently used charging connectors for different regions are presented. Charging time depends significantly on the charging current, the power of the charging point, and the devices installed in the vehicle. The paper analyzes the limitations of charging power resulting from the onboard charger's power and the charging point's power. It presents the charging time of selected electric vehicles. The second aspect that is also the subject of user concerns and discussed in this article is issues related to the safety of electric vehicles. General safety indicators of such vehicles based on Euro-NCAP tests are characterized. Attention was also paid to more detailed problems related to active and passive safety and functional safety analyses. The issue of the fire hazard of electric vehicles was discussed together with modern experiences regarding post-accident procedures in the event of fires. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores gender dimensions of the energy transition in the European Union (EU). The EU has set out its ambitions for an equitable transition to clean secure energy. It has also set out it objectives for gender equality. In this paper, I implement a systematic literature review to explore the intersection of gender issues with the energy transition in the EU. There is little peer reviewed literature in this area. Analysis of academic papers shows most focus on social science rather than technical or engineering problems. A critical review of the grey literature including EU policies and reports shows that there is a disconnect between EU gender equality and clean energy plans and that gender has yet to be mainstreamed into the EU energy transition. This review identifies opportunities to mainstream gender into EU energy policies by linking to EU gender equality objectives, and connecting to gender-energy research themes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The European financial regulation is evolving with new and specific forms of cooperation for the member states, enhancing concepts and innovative rule of law, particularly featuring the actual level of harmonization. This paper investigates the European deposit insurance scheme, in the context of the European law development, in reply to the current economic and social challenges and in accordance with the principles of the free market. The methods of research include a theoretical investigation of the relevant literature, a comparison of the proposed regulation and regulation in force, synthesis, and deduction. The research results are based on the assessment of the progress of negotiation in building efficient mechanisms to stimulate money saving conduct for individuals and legal persons, globally and within the European Union. Acknowledging the status of the three pillars of the European banking union legislative package, the member states have unanimously agreed that the framework established by the Directive from 2014 needed a bracing approach, to ensure more protection and to support enhanced financial integration. The analysis carried out showed the importance of the European deposit insurance scheme in the context of the present global challenges. The money saving conduct was strongly influenced by the regulation for the deposit guarantee mechanism, while the tight estimated agenda for the final regulatory proposal asks for ingenious cooperation to reach a consensus within members states. The research showed the imperative to build common legislation for the member states and a future direction of investigation to evaluate the effects of the gap between the domestic regulation and milestone generated by the European directives in each state legal framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The environmental crisis, growing levels of social inequalities and rising levels of noncommunicable diseases are all symptoms of economic systems that are failing to generate wellbeing. There is increasing support for the notion that addressing these crises requires shifting the focus from economic growth to a broader range of measures that reflect wellbeing, through more comprehensive, consistent and integrated policy approaches to deliver this. In 2019, the EU Finnish Council Presidency Council Conclusions called amongst other things for the development of a new long-term, post-2020 strategy to provide the framework for horizontal assessment and cross-sectoral collaboration, in particular through the European Semester process. This article contextualises this call and explores its follow-up. It draws from key policy documents to explore what Economies of Wellbeing are, why and how the concept has emerged and how they can be put in place. It then explores to what extent this concept is being applied at the EU level, by tracking changes in some of the EU's key policies and strategies over the past 10 years and in the Semester process, as a mechanism to implement them. It concludes that while progress towards more comprehensive, consistent and integrated policy approaches has been made in the context of the Annual Sustainable Growth Strategy, underpinning the Semester processes, it is limited by the continuing emphasis on economic, over other policy, areas. It also argues that the process needs to be broadened even further, to include other dimensions of wellbeing, which intersect with the economy and impact wellbeing. To strengthen the European Semester process to achieve Economies of Wellbeing, it should be put at the service of an even more consistent and comprehensive EU Strategy that enables policy sectors to deliver wellbeing objectives in a more integrated and coordinated manner. This paper ends with recommendations for action.

The EU faces two economic challenges: managing non-performing exposures (NPEs) and climate change. This paper analyzes the relationship between the NPEs of domestic banking groups and climate risks, including macroeconomic variables such as the GDP growth rate, unemployment rate (UnEmp), and the voice and accountability percentile (VCA) and the interaction variable between the GHG and the Rule of Law Percentile (GhGRLP). The estimation uses ordinary least squares with time-fixed and individual effects. Physical and transition risks significantly affect NPEs, showing that both adverse climate events and the transition to a low-carbon economy worsen the financial situation of European banking institutions. The analysis also revealed that increased levels of VCA lead to a rise in NPEs, while an increase in GhGRLP reduces NPEs. In contrast, financial institutions tend to recognize and report NPEs more accurately in contexts with greater transparency and accountability. In comparison, UnEmp negatively affects NPEs, suggesting that economic support measures during high unemployment can reduce NPEs in the subsequent period. In conclusion, climate risk management represents a crucial challenge for the financial stability of banking institutions. Policymakers and financial institutions must continue to develop and implement climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies to preserve financial system stability amid growing climate uncertainties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aims to identify which main macroeconomic determinants affect investment in a circular economy. The main purpose of the investment determinants in a circular economy is to determine how macroeconomic determinants such as real GDP per capita, government expenditure, unemployment, inflation, tax revenue, and interest rate affect an investment in the circular economy in the European Union for the period 2004–2022. Using an error correction model, empirical findings confirmed that government expenditure, inflation, and tax revenue have positive effects on investment in the circular economy in the short run and long run. Conversely, unemployment and interest rate negatively affect investment in the circular economy for both the short term and long term. The contribution of the paper is providing valuable insights into the determinants driving investment in the circular economy, which may help with developing sustainable business policies and practices in the European Union. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Student mobility and internationalization of universities have become an important issue for empowering young people and cultural exchange, in line with the quest for implementing a sustainable education. The young generation of Mongolia has a strong desire to study in foreign universities. The aim of this paper is to analyze the opinions of Mongolian learners on studying abroad as displaying the characteristics of sustainable education. According to our quantitative research, a large percentage of university students are very interested in participating in the ERASMUS mobility program of the European Union. However, there are certain challenges to getting into the program, especially for scholars studying in isolated areas who have limited opportunities to obtain scholarship information. As for the graduates from Mongolia who have already participated in the program, their satisfaction with the program is high. The research found that quality education was the most appraised benefit, while the language barrier posed the main challenge during studying abroad, followed by adaptation to the teaching methods of the host university. Findings show that mobile students developed their academic knowledge and enjoyed experiencing new places and cultures. They also acknowledged improving their professional skills for their future careers and adopting a more sustainable lifestyle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

What types of policies has the European Union (EU) implemented to control migration flows in recent decades, and what are their strategies? This paper aims to explore the measures developed by the EU to manage migration flows and identify how they operate. While a securitisation approach, such as activities of border control, has been widely discussed by scholars in this field, it is worth exploring and understanding other kinds of instruments aimed at curbing irregular flows through executing programs such as the Emergency Trust Fund for Africa (EUTF), developed in the aftermath of the Arab uprisings to address the "root causes" of the displacement. In light of this, this research conducts a case study and qualitative content and descriptive analysis of documents on the EUTF. Preliminary findings indicate patterns in what motivated the EU to undertake these actions and present the main strategies of the Fund in the North Africa region. However, some factors may have led to disappointing outcomes for the EUTF, such as the increase, in 2019, of nationals leaving the North Africa region towards Europe, as reported by UNDESA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper quantifies the annual dynamics of the shortwave radiation reflected from bare arable land as a result of smoothing previously plowed land located in three different agricultural subregions of the European Union and associated countries. This estimate takes into account the annual variation of the bare arable land area, obtained from Sentinel 2 satellite imagery; the spatial variability of soil units within croplands, obtained from digital soil and land-cover maps; and the laboratory spectral reflectance characteristics of these units, obtained from soil samples stored in the LUCAS soil database. The properties of the soil units, which cover an area of at least 4% of each subregion, were characterized. The highest amounts of shortwave radiation reflected under clear-sky conditions from air-dried, bare arable land surfaces—approximately 850 PJ day−1 and 1.10 EJ day−1 for land shaped by a plow (Pd) and smoothing harrow (Hs), respectively—were found in the summer around 8 August in the western subregion. However, the lowest radiation occurred in the spring on 10 April at 340 PJ day−1 for Pd and 430 PJ day−1 for Hs in the central subregion. The largest and the smallest amounts of this radiation throughout the year—only as a result of smoothing, by Hs, land that was previously treated by Pd—was estimated at 42 EJ for the western and southern subregions and 19 EJ for the central subregion, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The focus of this paper is the relationship between sustainable energy sources and financial development. The main research hypothesis assumes a positive link between these areas, with inevitable differences across countries and business sectors. The following research questions were asked: Is the impact of financial development on sustainable energy resources the same in different EU countries advanced in green transition processes? How is transition towards renewable energy sources progressing in different economic sectors? Does financial development influence sectoral transition in particular countries? This study uses the TOPSIS method and 25 variables for EU countries from 2013 to 2021. Key findings reveal that the link between sustainable energy sources and financial development varies across EU countries, country size affects energy autonomy, and the transition also differs by business sector. Surprisingly, higher financial development correlates with less progress in sustainable energy initiatives. The results of our research may be useful for government decision-makers in the process of designing and controlling the country's transition to sustainable energy. The original contribution of the study is expressed in its the diagnosis of the relationship between financial development and sustainable energy sources, while most studies have focused on the relationship between the energy market and financial development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fuzzy random option pricing in continuous time (FROPCT) has emerged as an active research field over the past two decades; thus, there is a need for a comprehensive review that provides a broad perspective on the literature and identifies research gaps. In this regard, we conducted a structure review of the literature by using the WoS and SCOPUS databases while following the PRISMA criteria. With this review, we outline the primary research streams, publication outlets, and notable authors in this domain. Furthermore, the literature review revealed a lack of advancements for the equilibrium models of the yield curve. This finding serves as a primary motivation for the second contribution of this paper, which involves an extension of Vasicek's yield curve equilibrium model. Specifically, we introduce the existence of fuzzy uncertainty in the parameters governing interest rate movements, including the speed of reversion, equilibrium short-term interest rate, and volatility. By incorporating fuzzy uncertainty, we enhance the model's ability to capture the complexities of real-world interest rate dynamics. Moreover, this paper presents an empirical application of the proposed extension to the term structure of fixed-income public bonds in European Union. The empirical analysis suggests the suitability of the proposed extension of Vasicek's model for practical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The creative economy sector is tightly associated with sustainable development and Sustainable Economic Goals (SDGs). The creative industries contribute to sustainability in a variety of ways. They are essential in accelerating sustainable consumption and production patterns and promoting regional sustainable development. This paper attempts to stress the role of the creative economy in promoting sustainable regional growth by focusing on smart specialization priority areas in the region of Attica. The latter has been accomplished by presenting the current regional policy model and the entrepreneurial discovery process (EDP) methodology in the region of Attica. This paper concludes that the EDP paves the way for the formulation of policy lessons enhancing the link between the creative economy and sustainable regional growth. In a nutshell, three major conclusions derived from the present paper include the following aspects: (i) the formulation of an integrated smart specialisation strategy requires an ongoing and well-structured process along the policy cycle (structured life-cycle approach); (ii) the deployment of a robust innovation ecosystem requires a comprehensive approach of engaging and mobilising regional actors and identifying their needs and priorities; (iii) the lessons observed through the exploration of the case study lead to concrete findings regarding the critical importance of long-term interactive institutional learning and policy co-design as a precondition for an effective regional ecosystem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scientific research has been acknowledged to play a pivotal role in achieving the United Nations' 2030 Agenda. Vice-versa, since its adoption, the 2030 Agenda has been reinvigorating the academic production on sustainable development. This study provides a systematic literature review of the most used and newly developed approaches by academic research to support the achievement of the SDGs in the EU. The results are presented by descriptive, bibliometric, and content analysis. The descriptive analysis highlights a rising interest of scholars in operationalizing the 2030 Agenda, with a growing interest at the urban level. A text-mining tool was employed to scan the most investigated SDGs in the selected papers. Major interest by scholars is devoted to environmental concerns (especially linked to SDG 13, 7, 6, 12, and 15), while social issues (e.g., SDG 4, 5, and 10) still deserve more research. The bibliometric analysis unveiled poor intra-cluster connections, highlighting the need for more transdisciplinary research. The most recurrent research fields on the SDGs in the EU are governance, circular economy, ecosystem services, urban localization, and decision making. We advise future studies to focus on gaps highlighted and adopt a system perspective, boosting Policy Coherence across governance levels and scales of implementation by looking at trade-offs and assessing context-specific priorities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of remote sensing technology has redefined the approaches to the Earth's surface monitoring. The Copernicus Programme promoted by the European Space Agency (ESA) and the European Union (EU), through the launch of the Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) Sentinel-1 and the multispectral Sentinel-2 satellites, has provided a valuable contribution to monitoring the Earth's surface. There are several review articles on the land use/land cover (LULC) matter using Sentinel images, but it lacks a methodical and extensive review in the specific field of land consumption monitoring, concerning the application of SAR images, in particular Sentinel-1 images. In this paper, we explored the potential of Sentinel-1 images to estimate land consumption using mathematical modeling, focusing on innovative approaches. Therefore, this research was structured into three principal steps: (1) searching for appropriate studies, (2) collecting information required from each paper, and (3) discussing and comparing the accuracy of the existing methods to evaluate land consumption and their applied conditions using Sentinel-1 Images. Current research has demonstrated that Sentinel-1 data has the potential for land consumption monitoring around the world, as shown by most of the studies reviewed: the most promising approaches are presented and analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energy (including thermal) needs are growing rapidly worldwide thus leading to increased energy production. Considering stricter requirements for the employment of non-renewable energy sources, the use of biofuel in energy facilities appears as one of the best options, having high potential for growth that will increase in the long run both in the Baltic region and the European Union as a whole. This publication investigates the possibilities of using various blends of biofuel containing lignin for heat production and emissions to the air during combustion processes. The paper examines the chemical composition of lignin and bottom ash and explores the impact of a different ratio of lignin in the fuel mixture, the effect of the power of biofuel combustion plants (boilers) and the influence of fuel supply to the combustion chamber on gaseous pollutants (CO, NOx, SO2) and particulate matter emissions. The results of the conducted study demonstrate that, in contrast to pure lignin, the concentrations of alkali metals, boron and, to a lesser extent, nickel and chlorine have increased the most in bottom ash. The use of lignin can effectively reduce the need for conventional biofuel by 30–100% and to increase the temperature of exhaust gases. The lowest emissions have been observed using a mixture of 30% of lignin and biofuel at the lowest range of power (2.5–4 MW). Under the optimal oxygen/temperature mode, carbon monoxide concentrations are approximately 20 mg/Nm3 and those of nitrogen oxides–500 mg/Nm3. Particulate matter emissions reach 150 mg/Nm3, and hence applying air treatment equipment is required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent decades, digital transformation and sustainability have become two crucial aspects of economic and social development in the European Union (EU), improving government tax collection and other government incomes. This paper investigates the interplay between digital transformation and sustainability and their impact on total general government revenue (TGGR) in the European Union (EU). The study uses quantitative research methods to analyze relationships among variables, including artificial neural networks and cluster analyses. The variables considered in this research are the Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI), the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) index, and TGGR. Our findings reveal intricate connections between digital transformation, sustainability, and TGGR across EU member states. The DESI score measures the level of digitalization within each country, while the SDG Index assesses sustainability performance. The study demonstrates that countries with higher DESI scores tend to experience increased TGGR, indicating that a more robust digital economy contributes positively to government revenue, among other elements. The research identifies clusters of EU member states with similar patterns of digital transformation, sustainability, and TGGR. These clusters highlight challenges and opportunities, guiding policymakers in tailoring strategies to boost digitalization and government revenue sustainably. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Decent Work is considered essential to the facilitation of a transition to greener, fairer, more prosperous, and more just societies. Decent Work represents a fundamental component of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and a crucial facet of European Union (EU) environment, social, and governance (ESG) norms. Despite its prominence, the precise definition and materiality of Decent Work is obscure and remains subject to limited consensus. To understand these critical gaps, we conducted a comprehensive review with a systematic search of the literature on the subject, encompassing both scientific research and institutional publications. Our review encompassed 517 papers, with a particular focus on three key areas: (1) delineating the constituents of Decent Work, (2) exploring the materiality of Decent Work, and (3) examining how firms value, measure, and report Decent Work. The domain of regulated reporting for Decent Work and its material impact is relatively nascent, resulting in limitations in effectively measuring its tangible, material effects towards a green and just transition. Consequently, our review, with a systematic search of the literature, uncovered notable gaps within the body of literature concerning Decent Work, its substance for ESG materiality regulations, and its conspicuousness for a just transition. Furthermore, our review serves as a critical foundation for fostering discussions and emphasises the practical implications of enumerating the materiality of Decent Work, without which a just transition would be unattainable. By highlighting these deficiencies, we aim to enhance the understanding and implementation of the materiality of Decent Work within the broader context of ESG and the green transition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Roundup is the most widely used herbicide in agriculture. It contains glyphosate as the 'active ingredient', together with formulants. There are various versions of Roundup, with somewhat different effects depending on the formulants. Most genetically-modified crops are designed to tolerate Roundup, thus allowing spraying against weeds during the growing season of the crop without destroying it. Having been so heavily used, this herbicide is now found in the soil, water, air, and even in humans worldwide. Roundup may also remain as a residue on edible crops. Many studies have found harm to the environment and to health, making it imperative to regulate the use of Roundup and to ensure that its various formulations pose no danger when used in the long-term. Unfortunately, regulators may only assess the 'active ingredient', glyphosate, and ignore the toxicity of the formulants, which can be far more toxic than the active ingredient. This omission is in violation of a ruling by the Court of Justice of the European Union. There are close ties between the regulators and the industry they are supposed to regulate. Objectionable practices include 'revolving doors' between the regulators and the industry, heavy reliance on unpublished papers produced by the industry while dismissing papers published by independent scientists, and strong covert influence on the regulatory process by industry. Although this paper focuses on the European Union (EU), the situation is much the same in the United States. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The construction industry is responsible for 32% of the world's consumption of natural resources, causing 850 million tons of construction waste in the European Union alone. The construction and manufacturing industries mostly apply a linear economy model, where resources are used once and then disposed of. As a response, the concept of a circular economy (CE) was introduced with the aim of keeping materials within a closed loop and regaining their value in the end-of-life phase. This paper aims to investigate the different CE strategies in the construction industry and the related manufacturing industry and how these strategies can be supported by digital technology. The 11Rs framework has been used as a reference within the concept of CE through a scoping literature review, in which 117 articles were reviewed. The analysis focused on the frequency of the various Rs in papers, as well as their applications and possible implementation. Seven interviews were conducted with Swedish experts to obtain industry perspectives and thereby specify a potential research gap related to CE. According to the study, existing research for the application of CE by construction companies has not been fully explored. There is also a lack of knowledge about CE and its benefits, as well as poor collaboration between different stakeholders, both in information sharing and processes. Findings suggest that all stakeholders in the industries need to make efforts to change their strategies if the transition to CE is to occur. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study describes sulfuric acid pretreatment of straw from Secale cereale L. (rye straw) to evaluate the effect of acid concentration and treatment time on the efficiency of biofuel production. The highest ethanol yield occurred after the enzyme treatment at a dose of 15 filter paper unit (FPU) per gram of rye straw (subjected to chemical hydrolysis with 2% sulfuric acid (SA) at 121 °C for 1 h) during 120 h. Anaerobic digestion of rye straw treated with 10% SA at 121 °C during 1 h allowed to obtain 347.42 L methane/kg volatile solids (VS). Most hydrogen was released during dark fermentation of rye straw after pretreatment of 2% SA, 121 °C, 1 h and 1% SA, 121 °C, 2 h—131.99 and 134.71 L hydrogen/kg VS, respectively. If the rye straw produced in the European Union were processed into methane, hydrogen, ethanol, the annual electricity production in 2018 could reach 9.87 TWh (terawatt-hours), 1.16 TWh, and 0.60 TWh, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainable development involves constant efforts to reduce pollution by using resources as efficiently as possible. One of the sources of pollution is waste from packaging, recovery, and of course, the possibility of recycling them. The research theme of this paper is the reverse logistics of plastic packaging, which allows the realization of the idea of circular economy and green logistics, which promotes the idea of sustainable development. The EU is strongly committed to issues related to the management of plastic packaging and waste to reduce environmental pollution and achieve circularity goals. Through this article, we aim to highlight the degree to which the EU member states are included in the plastic packaging recycling targets for the year 2030. To highlight the evolution trend for the recycling rate of plastic packaging, we used an advanced forecasting model that runs a series of variables in order to draw up a forecast as accurate as possible. After highlighting the recycling rates for plastic packaging at the level of the EU member states, we proceeded to outline some recommendations in order to encourage the EU member states to make the recycling process more efficient. The current study continues the series of studies dealing with the problem of recycling, but it covers a topic not addressed until this moment, namely the behavior of the citizen regarding the recycling activity seen through the prism of national culture. The current study aims to strengthen the specialized literature in this field and to offer innovative solutions that appeal to the respective national cultures regarding the availability of the populations of the EU member states to address the problem of recycling plastic packaging, not only from a legislative perspective but also from a cultural one. In conclusion, this study generates a model of approach to government policies regarding the recycling of plastic packaging considering the types of national cultures prevailing in the EU member countries, with this being possible by grouping the countries into culturally homogenous clusters. In this way, the environmental policies enunciated by governments can be adapted to convey the message in a more personal way, considering the cultural differences between the EU member states. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTPs) play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance, a cornerstone of environmental health for thriving biodiversity and undisturbed natural processes. This balance is crucial for the sustainability of ecosystems, directly influencing human health, biodiversity, and the overall quality of our natural environment. WWTPs contribute to this equilibrium by efficiently removing pollutants and harmful substances from wastewater, thus averting the degradation of water bodies that are essential for numerous ecological processes. WWTPs encompass multiple stages of wastewater and sludge treatment and are significant energy consumers globally, especially in secondary treatment, particularly the activated sludge method which is the most common method. With an upcoming directive from the European Union aiming to reduce energy consumption in WWTPs, this paper focuses on a literature review examining global practices implemented across all stages of WWTP treatment processes. It summarizes the key points of each study, focusing primarily on the outcomes of each application. This document concludes with an in-depth review of each study and provides general conclusions for each group of studies. The objective is to identify methods that have effectively reduced energy consumption and enhanced the overall energy efficiency of WWTPs. The main conclusions indicate that the studies encompass a wide range of applications that achieve significant reductions in energy consumption. However, additional testing of these applications in more diverse operating environments through trials could further enhance their reliability and increase acceptance among WWTP operators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A six-year study investigates the challenges of balancing stakeholders' interests when implementing climate adaptation regulations and makes a case for analytical tools that can improve the acceptance and adoption of local planning initiatives. In this study, the challenges of adopting European Union and Norwegian national climate adaptation regulations at a local level are examined through the analysis of the 'Fredlybekken Water Management Proposal' case study. This study includes an overview of the proposed climate adaptation project 'Fredlybekken', a site analysis, quantitative surveys, and qualitative interviews with the project's stakeholders. Reflexive thematic analysis is employed to establish themes of the project and categorically describe the feedback and objections of residents. The findings of the study set forth recommendations to improve the implementation processes of stormwater management infrastructure and other urban climatic adaptation initiatives. These findings are aimed at public policy makers and municipal administrations. The general conclusions within this paper are also relevant for egalitarian countries with similar societal challenges attempting to implement climate policy at the local level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite much research being conducted within the scope of sustainable tourism, more progress has yet to be made in defining how close or far different countries are from achieving this goal. Consequently, this paper aims to evaluate and compare the commitment of citizens, as tourists, from the 27 member states of the European Union to sustainable tourism. A map of sustainability was developed through the use of machine learning algorithms. A cluster analysis was performed, followed by a sustainable rating. The main findings indicate the existence of three country segments among the European Union member states according to the involvement of its citizens as tourists with sustainable practices: highly committed, moderately committed, and uncommitted. Based on these segments, we proposed a recommendation system that suggests the top-five countries where tourists could exchange sustainable tourism habits based on the idea of contagion or imitation behaviours among individuals across an extensive set of everyday decisions. The results reveal significant variations in sustainable tourism practices across member states, highlighting both challenges and opportunities for harmonisation. By implementing this recommendation system, we facilitate the adoption of sustainable habits among tourists and stakeholders, driving a more unified approach to sustainability in the multiple tourism destinations. This study shows no convergence between the 27 European Union member states regarding sustainable tourism. Therefore, political policies are necessary so that all citizens converge on sustainable tourist habits and the European Union contributes, as a whole, to sustainable tourism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]