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• The study aimed to quantify the cyclic dominance resembling rock-paper-scissors observed in the optional prisoner's dilemma, considering cooperators, defectors, and loners as the three competing strategies. • The research utilized theoretical and numerical analyses to explore the impact of environmental feedback on the replicator dynamics. • The rate of environmental replenishment and the payoff from draw games were identified as crucial factors influencing gameplay dynamics. • The study revealed that the loner's payoff and the strength of the dilemma played pivotal roles in determining the dominant strategies. This research investigation delves into the concept of cyclic dominance and its interplay with environmental feedback within the framework of the Optional Prisoner's Dilemma (OPD) game. A quantitative model has been meticulously constructed to encompass both the OPD and Rock-Paper-Scissors (RPS) games, wherein the outcomes are contingent upon environmental feedback. The intricate relationship between player populations and their surrounding environment is elucidated through the utilization of replicator dynamics. The empirical findings of this study shed light on the existence of distinct equilibria contingent upon the prevailing environmental circumstances. Under scenarios characterized by resource depletion, an equilibrium state emerges wherein only solitary individuals (referred to as "loners") persist. Conversely, under conditions of resource replenishment, an equilibrium is established where various strategic approaches coexist in equal proportions, akin to the dynamics of the Rock-Paper-Scissors game. Notably, cyclic dominance manifests itself during periods characterized by intermediate environmental conditions. Several pivotal factors have been identified as determinants of these dynamic phenomena, including the rate of environmental replenishment, the strength of the dilemma presented, the payoff for loners, and the reward for a draw. It has been empirically demonstrated that the presence of extreme values in the replenishment rate, irrespective of whether exceptionally high or exceptionally low, serves as an impediment to the emergence of cyclic dominance. This model underscores the substantial influence of environmental feedback on social dilemmas, particularly in the context of the OPD game, ultimately leading to the emergence of competitive cyclic dominance games reminiscent of the Rock-Paper-Scissors game. In doing so, it elucidates the intricate interplay between evolutionary game incentives and the dynamics of the surrounding environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review proposes, for the first time, a recent overview of ecological information involving electrochemical paper-based analytical devices (ePADs) dedicated to sensing environmental and clinical situations. The options of manufacturing methods are screen printing, stencil printing, pencil drawing, laser scribing, inject-printing, and additive printing. We have covered ecological aspects such as resource efficiency, safety, and toxicity regarding using paper-based (bio) electrodes. To see the ecological impact of testing methods by using ePADs, the Analytical GREEnness (AGREE) approach was utilized as a greenness metric calculator model since the tool makes use of 12 principles of Green Analytical Chemistry. Positive and negative concepts from the revised values of AGREE metric of clinical and environmental analysis were introduced and discussed. Also, we finalize the present review informing the life cycle of ePAD and some challenges that can impact the next generation of disposable electrodes. • The greenness metrics involving paper-based electrochemical (bio)sensors have been reviewed. • Ecological impact for environmental and clinical analysis was introduced using the AGREE approach. • Resource efficiency, safety, and toxicity regarding using paper-based (bio)electrodes are discussed. • The life cycle and challenges that can impact the next generation of disposable electrodes are covered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper discusses the processes which should be taken to establish debris indices that assess the orbital environmental impact of spacecraft or missions in orbit. The first process is establishing a methodology and criteria for evaluating an impact on the orbital environment. This study proposed an assessment method to evaluate the cumulative environmental changes during an evaluation period. It evaluated the impact of an uncontrolled LC mission abandoned in orbit. This study used Near-Earth Orbital Debris Environment Evolutionary Model (NEODEEM), an orbital environmental evolutionary model that Kyushu University and JAXA developed. The second process is the debris index formulation. This study considered four steps to establish the debris index. To reveal the establishing process of a debris index, this study used debris indexes as candidates which consider expected number of fragments generated from an object. The calculated debris index values were compared to the impact on the environment assessed by the evolutionary model to see if there was any correlation. Further, this study conducted numerical simulations of un-controlled large-constellation satellites abandoned in low earth orbit in different scenarios, and of active debris removals of large intact objects by NEODEEM. This paper discusses the applicability of proposed environmental assessment methods and the debris index. • Two processes to establish a debris index are proposed. • A methodology and criteria for evaluating environmental impacts is discussed. • Four steps to formulate a debris index is discussed. • Correlations between debris indexes and environmental impacts are compared. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) of low quality, wet biogenic residues into intermediate bioenergy carriers can potentially contribute to a more flexible and stable renewable energy system and reduce environmental impacts compared to current residue disposal practices. This study quantifies the environmental impacts via life cycle assessment (LCA) of a novel hydrothermal process for the treatment on an industrial scale of application of three wet biogenic residues (paper bio-sludge, olive pomace, and orange peel) into bioenergy carriers, i.e., solid pellets and biogas. A comprehensive attributional cradle-to-gate life cycle assessment (LCA) was conducted; the life cycle impact assessment (LCIA) utilised the ReCiPe impact assessment method. A selection of 10 significant impact categories was prioritised. Reliability of this categorization was also ensured through a sensitivity analysis carried out using Monte Carlo simulation. Climate change, particulate matter formation and terrestrial acidification impact categories showed the highest reliability, while for freshwater ecotoxicity and freshwater eutrophication impact categories in the study suggest the need for more robust data and further investigation. The climate change impact category presents the following values, as kg CO2eq/tresidue: pulp and paper bio-sludge (PPB), 17.9; olive pomace (OP), −1290; orange peel (ORP), −1301. The LCA study compared electricity yields of the hydrothermal treatment process with conventional treatment processes for each of the target residue streams. The environmental performance of the proposed hydrothermal treatment benefits significantly from the combination of intermediate bioenergy carriers (pellets) from the solid fraction with biogas production from the liquid fraction. Avoided emissions due to the heat recovery provide further environmental benefits. The LCIA results show that the carbon footprint of the F-CUBED production system, as kgCO2eq/kWhe, accounts for –4.56, −0.63, and −0.25 for paper bio-sludge, olive pomace and orange peel, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a comprehensive and systematic analysis of the environmental impacts (EI) produced by novel nickel-zinc battery (RNZB) technology, which is a promising alternative for energy storage applications. The paper develops mathematical models for estimating the life cycle environmental impacts of RNZB from cradle to grave, based on an extensive literature review and the ISO standards for life cycle costing and life cycle analysis. The paper uses the ReCiPe 2016 method of life cycle analysis (LCA) to calculate the EI of RNZB in terms of eighteen Midpoint impact categories and three Endpoint impact categories: damage to human health, damage to ecosystem diversity, and damage to resource availability. The paper also compares the EI of RNZB with those of other battery technologies, such as lead-acid and lithium-ion LFP and NMC. The paper applies the models and compares results with those provided by the software openLCA (version 1.11.0), showing its reliability and concluding that NiZn batteries contribute approximately 14 MJ for CED and 0.82 kg CO2 eq. for global warming per kWh of released energy, placing them between lithium-ion and lead-acid batteries. This study suggests that NiZn battery technology could benefit from using more renewable energy in end-use applications and adopting green recovery technology to reduce environmental impact. Further developments can use these models as objective functions for heuristic optimisation of the EI in the life cycle of RNZB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Impact assessment (IA) follow-up is necessary to determine the environmental effects of a project or plan to inform ongoing management. No previous research confirms if visitor surveys may be used to this extent for developments within a protected. This paper explores if and how visitor surveys may be used as a tool for supporting EIA follow-up within protected areas. Relevant EIA documentation was appraised to determine EIA performance expectations for management of the Nombolo Mdhluli Conference Centre development in the Kruger National Park. Forty-four expectations were identified, translated into questions, and included in a survey scale. Eighty-nine conference delegates completed the survey whereafter an Importance Performance Analysis (IPA) method was used to map the responses in four IPA map quadrants: 1. Possible overkill, 2. Low priority, 3. Q3 Keep up the good work, and 4. Concentrate here. The IPA map displays 29 items of statistical significance in the four IPA map quadrants with 12 items in the 'Concentrate here' quadrant. The IPA results mapped the need for management to concentrate on responsible building, waste, water, energy, compliance, awareness, cumulative impact management. The paper shows that visitor surveys may be used as a simple but effective tool for supporting EIA follow-up monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wind farms are a clean and efficient source of renewable energy. However, they cause negative impacts on raptors. Here, we present a review of the existing scientific literature on the effects of wind farms on raptors' ecology with a particular interest in the potential solutions. After collecting 216 studies, we found a consensus in the literature that raptors exhibit avoidance behaviors, and that the abundance of raptors decreases after wind farm installation, although it might recover over time. The position of wind farms on mountaintop ridges poses a particular danger to large soaring raptors, as they rely on orographic uplift to gain altitude. Adult mortality significantly affects population dynamics, particularly in endangered species, but young inexperienced individuals show a higher collision risk. The combination of different methods including field monitoring, GPS telemetry and systematic search for carcasses is an adequate approach to further investigate the problem and solutions. Shutdowns on demand, the installation of deterrents, turbine micro‐sitting and the repowering of wind farms have been suggested as potential solutions, although results are contradictory and case‐specific. Furthermore, it is essential to report the potential occurrence of conflicts of interest in scientific papers, as they can influence the interpretation of the results. Finally, from a future perspective, it is crucial to assess the effectiveness of solutions to mitigate the negative effects of wind farms to promote raptor conservation. This becomes increasingly relevant in the context of renewable energy development and increasing energy demand worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mariculture has not fundamentally reduced its dependence on resources and the environment; ecological and economic efficiency has become an important target of concern for the sustainable and healthy development of China's mariculture industry. Environmental regulation (ER) is a core tool to realize the synergistic development of economic development and environmental resource protection in mariculture. In this paper, the provincial panel data of China's coastal areas from 2007 to 2020 was selected, and the level of ecological and economic efficiency of mariculture in different provinces of China was measured by using the super slacks‐based measurement–data envelopment analysis model considering the undesirable output of mariculture, and the impact of different ERs on ecological and economic efficiency was explored. It was found that the impacts of different ER methods on the eco‐economic efficiency (EEF) of mariculture may be non‐linearized, and there is also regional heterogeneity in the optimal choice and combination of ER methods to improve the EEF of mariculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marine battlefield environment is the important condition that restricts the effectiveness of maritime weapons and the conduct of military operations. Accurate assessment of environmental impact is the "soft power" for improving maritime combat capability and battlefield construction. Firstly, this paper briefly introduces the marine battlefield environment and its impact assessment. Then, the assessment methods and modeling techniques of battlefield environment are summarized into four categories: dynamic simulation-based assessment method, decision science-based assessment method, data science-based assessment method and uncertain artificial intelligence-based assessment methods, and the above methods are described in detail. Finally, the different methods are compared and the application prospect is analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Concentrating solar power (CSP) technologies have the potential to reduce the carbon emissions in the economy and energy sector. The growing significance of solar energy sources in addressing climate change highlights the necessity for thorough assessments of their environmental impacts. This paper explores two different life-cycle impact assessment methods, ReCiPe and Product Environmental Footprint, using CSP plants with various receiver systems and heat-transfer fluids as a case study. In terms of the overall life-cycle impact, solar towers are shown to have advantages over parabolic troughs. Most of the life-cycle impacts of solar towers are lower than those of parabolic troughs, ranging from 8% to 112%, except for human toxicity and land use impacts. However, there is not much difference between the studied heat-transfer fluids, with the variance of most impacts being less than around 1%. The single-score results indicates that the ReCiPe method assigns significance to human health impacts, while the product environmental footprint method gives equal attention to all aspects. Meanwhile the comparison of components' contributions quantified by the two methods shows the same results for more than half of the impact categories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

European Union (EU) policy and initiatives are driving both building renovation and the uptake of low-embodied carbon and circular design in the construction sector. The European Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) recast (2021) introduces global warming potential (GWP) methodology, and the future state will likely be embodied carbon targets for which life cycle assessment (LCA) of buildings will be required. External wall insulation (EWI) will have an important role to play in meeting targets. In this context, this paper compares the carbon emission payoff of three alternative EWI strategies that address conventional, low-carbon and circular solutions to EWI respectively, in the retrofit of an existing dwelling. The circular strategy is based on design for disassembly (DfD). Whereas standard LCA is based on a single building life cycle, the literature reviewed shows that the environmental impact assessment of DfD requires a multi-life cycle approach. In the absence of standardised methods for assessment, four multi-cycle LCA methods are selected and applied holistically in a case study investigation. Three allocation methods, 100:0, linear degressive (LD) and enhanced linear degressive (CELD), provide a range of emissions from 'conservative' to 'best case' over three building life cycles and the fourth method, the Van Gulck method, assesses the benefits of circularity through the concept of 'multi-cycling' based on one building life cycle. As each method of assessment will deliver different results, carbon emission payoff is not a fixed value. Findings show that with multiple use, the circular strategy pays off due to avoided production emissions and benefits from end-of-life (EoL) processes that DfD facilitates, that the upfront carbon cost of the circular strategy is minor relative to the carbon emission savings that reuse brings, and that the margin of improvement relative to the alternative strategies increases with each subsequent reuse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the global economic and environmental importance of the leather industry, the specialized literature still presents an important gap in analyzing the environmental performance of the leather manufacturing process from the waste generated. This paper aims to propose an unprecedented index (Index of Leather Manufacturing - ILM) to evaluate the environmental performance of leather manufacturing processes. The development of the index combines Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and a Multicriteria Decision Method (MCDM) and is oriented to consider the impact of waste on environmental health. Its estimate is based on: the calculation of the environmental potential impact of the waste; the waste quantity produced by the company over a given period; the relative geographic coverage that each waste can achieve; the assessment of the appropriateness of the disposal of waste generated by the firm. The proposed index was tested on a large Brazilian leather manufacturer. The results showed that the waste management in the company is not perfect but is well rated, and residues with the greatest environmental impact are: wetblue shavings, wetblue sawdust, and gaseous emissions from beam house operation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inter-basin water transfers are implemented to counter the uneven geographical distribution of natural water sources. This paper's novelty consists of providing a system-dynamics framework to evaluate inter-basin water transfers based on integrated water governance. The Big Karun Basin, Iran, has long been of interest to water managers due to its discharge potential. It houses several water-transfer projects that are under operation or under study for possible future implementation. This study implements system dynamics modeling (SDM) in the Big Karun Basin considering existing inter-basin water transfers. This study's results estimate an average annual 8 to 10 billion cubic meters of water are transferred from the Karun River to the Persian Gulf. Part of this flow can be used to meet some of the water demands in Iran's central and eastern basins subject to social and environmental assessment of impacts. SDM modeling was also implemented accounting for the existing water transfers plus the under-study water transfers. This study's results indicate the firm energy from hydropower produced by the Big Karun Basin system would decrease by 28% relative to existing water transfer conditions. This issue raises concerns given the Big Karun Basin contribution to electricity production Iran. The water supply to several sectors would be marginally impacted by future water tranfers, yet water quality would be compromised in some instances. Therefore, the Big Karun Basin water system was simulated considering inter-basin water governance based on hedging rules for the under-study water transfers. Results indicate the minimum drinking and industrial demands could be met. In addition, the firm energy from hydropower produced by the Big Karun Basin system would decline by 12% relative to existing water-transfer conditions and the vulnerability of the water system would decline in terms of required quality for downstream demands and water users in comparison with the full-transfer water condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The benefits of Low Impact Development (LID) structures in mitigating urban floods and improving water quality have been widely recognized. In the previous chapter, a multicriteria decision analysis was conducted to determine suitable LID options for the study site, by integrating AHP and SWMM. It was found that bioretention cells were among the best choices based on the analyzed criteria, a conclusion supported by other studies. This thesis aimed to achieve flood mitigation and urban water governance goals through a sustainable approach, focusing on LIDs, their selection, and their placements. To further advance this sustainable approach, a comprehensive investigation was conducted on the environmental impact of LIDs throughout their entire life cycle. Given the suitability of bioretention cells for the study site and their general performance-based attributes that make them ideal choices for treating various pollutants under different spatial conditions, this paper extensively examined their environmental footprints. The life cycle of bioretention cells, comprising eight configurations with varying media amendments, was analyzed using the standard life cycle impact assessment procedure (IS 14,040). This study holds significance as the selection of media type, availability, transportation, and pollutant removal efficiencies directly impact on-site implementation, and each configuration incurs varying levels of environmental impacts that need quantification to meet sustainable and low-impact LID selection requirements. The primary data source for this study was the Ecoinvent database, supplemented by locally sourced data from practitioners. The TRACI 2.1 impact assessment method was employed in OpenLCA software. The results indicated that pumice had the highest environmental impacts, primarily stemming from ozone depletion, smog, and fossil fuel consumption categories due to transportation distance requirements. This Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) study of bioretention cells will be instrumental for practitioners in making environmentally sustainable design choices without compromising system efficiency. Additionally, government agencies can utilize these findings to devise incentives for optimized design providers as it addresses emerging trends in the field of catalysis related to environmental impact evaluation and sustainable design choices for bioretention cell systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The meteorological parameters, e.g., wind direction, wind speed and atmospheric stability, affect greatly the diffusion of pollution and radiological environmental impact assessment. Based on the hourly meteorological data obtained from an automatic monitoring station, the radiological impact indicated by the air concentration, individual dose and maximal individual effective dose were analyzed and compared between 2020 and 2021. The paper concluded that children are the main group to be the most easily infected, and the critical exposure path is internal exposure from inhalation. This paper offers a new window for timely decision-making for radiological safety under different climate conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is considerable uncertainty about the role that Artificial Intelligence (AI) might play in Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), including into research. AI large language model (LLM) chatbots have the potential to increase the efficiency of EIA research, but their outputs can create concerns. This paper investigates the potential time savings achievable using LLM chatbots to undertake a critical review of literature focussing on the use of AI in EIA. Using a combination of ChatGPT and Elicit, literature was reviewed to identify 12 key issues associated with the use of AI in EIA and this paper was prepared in three and a half days from initial conception. A protocol is developed to assist researchers in fact checking evidence delivered through Elicit (or other machine learning tools) which serves as a novel outcome of this research. Using comments from three peer reviewers allowed some more objective reflection on the credibility of the LLM chatbot-derived output, on the appropriateness of the time savings, and on the future research needed on the application of LLM chatbots in this context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the outbreak of major emerging infectious diseases, virus droplets can survive in the environment as aerosols for hours to days, and their impact on human infectious diseases is often overlooked. In addition, the speed of transmission of infectious diseases is often closely related to transportation. Therefore, studying the impact of environmental viruses and transportation on disease development is significant for effective infectious disease prevention and control. We proposed a degenerate reaction–diffusion infectious disease model (SEAIR) considering environmental virus interference and established a well-posedness and threshold system for this model. We have obtained the system solution approaches the disease-free equilibrium (피0) when the basic reproduction number ℛ0 ≤ 1. The system has at least one positive steady state solution (PSS) when ℛ0 > 1. This paper used a non-standard finite difference method discretization model while data fitting and parameter estimation were performed based on data provided by the Health Commission. Further sensitivity analysis was conducted on ℛ0. At the same time, we also discussed the impact of various parameters in the early stages of the outbreak of major emerging infectious diseases on the development of the disease. Research found that even if the contact rate between people is controlled at a shallow level, the disease may persist. In the early stages of major emerging outbreak of infectious diseases, immediately reducing the use of transportation can effectively reduce the speed of disease spread. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports the fabrication, characterization, and environmental impact analysis of a super-oleophobic (under water) and super-hydrophilic mesh membrane for oily water treatment. In order to prepare mesh membrane, Titania nanoparticles (NPs) were spray coated on mesh stainless steel followed by calcination at 500 °C. After that, the Titania-coated mesh membrane was characterized using contact angle goniometry (CA), XRD, FE-SEM, EDX and elemental mapping. The FE-SEM, EDX, elemental mapping and XRD results confirmed that the Titania NPs were successfully coated on the surface of mesh membrane. CA results demonstrated that the prepared mesh membrane is super-hydrophilic and super-oleo phobic under water conditions, making it suitable for oil/water separation. Subsequently, life cycle assessment (LCA) was performed to determine the environmental impacts of Titania NPs-coated mesh membrane fabrication process. LCA results indicate that electricity and nitrogen contributed the most toward the eighteen environmental impact categories considered for this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The long-term research projects within the Faynan Basin of southern Jordan continue to yield new and unexpected finds of all periods. This report focuses upon the investigation of the region in the Faynan floodplain, an area known from previous archaeological survey and limited excavation. Renewed investigation in 2019 focused upon analysis of the environmental impact of early metallurgy upon the ancient population through the excavation of five (5) EB IB tombs, and this paper outlines the unexpected nature of the graves, their contents, and preliminary observations of the human remains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Countries' participation in green Framework Programmes enhances green competitiveness. • Domestic green innovation positively moderate the impact of international green collaboration on green exports. • Network policies should be combined with innovation policies. This paper studies the impact of environmental research networks on green exports by providing a unique contribution to the studies on the role of collaborative innovation for international competitiveness. Specifically, we adopt the technology gap model of international trade to study the impact of green innovation and the participation in European environmental research programs on green exports for 26 European countries over the period 2003 - 2015. We find that both environmental innovation and research networks positively impact on green exports and that they have a complementary effect that highlights the importance of green absorptive capacity. Moreover, all institutional sectors involved in the networks (firms, universities and public research centers) matter for green competitiveness, with universities playing a major role for institutional complementarities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fashion industry is undergoing a paradigm shift towards sustainability, embracing Circular Economy principles. This revolution displaces the traditional linear model, focusing on reusing garments made from materials like Acrylan and Terlenka. The study examines their environmental impact and durability, while exploring innovative recycling technologies to extend their lifespan. Generation Z plays a crucial role in driving this change. Their environmental consciousness and commitment to ethical consumerism shape industry norms through social media and sustainable fashion choices. The paper also analyzes successful case studies of fashion companies integrating Circular Economy practices, highlighting benefits for both businesses and consumers. This Sustainable Fashion Revolution, with its focus on circularity, material innovation, and Gen Z's influence, envisions a future where fashion becomes a symbol of environmental responsibility, paving the way for a more ethical and conscientious industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Finland adopted the "green mining" concept to reconcile an increase in mineral extraction with conservation needs. Ongoing academic discussions call attention to the social and political factors supporting or challenging new mining projects in the Global North. Particularly understudied are the struggles over existence and knowledge that emerge during environmental accountability processes. This paper is an ethnographic investigation into the onto-epistemological conflict involving the Anglo American Sakatti mine project in the protected Viiankiaapa mire of the Finnish Arctic. It uses material from interviews and stakeholder meetings to analyze how the company's environmental impact assessment is being challenged and how people affected by mining are articulating their claims against the extractive ontology of replaceability. The findings, with parallels drawn to the Global South, suggest that green mine projects become ontologically conflicted and reveal their inherent fragility when companies increasingly try to minimize impacts and legitimate inevitable harm through offsetting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper introduces a case where the SDGs have been integrated into the tender of an environmental impact assessment (EIA) for the construction of a new metro in Copenhagen, Denmark. The case gives insight into the impact that the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) can have on three phases of the EIA, namely i. pre-tender, ii. tender, and iii. post-tender process. By using the theoretical framework, 'spaces for practice' and action research, the study uses instances of collaboration between actors to understand how an EIA process responds to the introduction of new demands through the EIA tender. The study shows that incorporating SDGs as a part of the EIA tender can be a way of introducing innovations and new methodological approaches to EIA practice and reorienting conventional practices to provide greater opportunity for actor engagement, coordination, and negotiation, with the potential to drive EIA in more goal-orientated directions. In addition, the new spaces for stakeholder interactions have provided opportunities for collaborating on a commonly agreed approach towards SDG-integration, determining the appropriate scope of SDG relevance, and negotiating the role that SDGs should have in the forthcoming EIA process for the Copenhagen Metro project. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental assessments (EAs) in Botswana are insufficiently influential in decision-making and have been criticised for contributing to extended transaction costs and timelines. Therefore, efforts to simplify EA have been undertaken. Whilst internationally, the value of EA is judged by its capability to raise the profile of environmental issues and enhance public participation in decision processes, current EA simplification interventions in Botswana aim at constraining access to environmental information, at reducing public participation provisions and at restricting the scope of environmental impacts to be evaluated. Ultimately, EA is intended to be replaced with outcome-based tools aiming to mitigate and compensate for environmental damage rather than avoiding it. The authors therefore suggest that simplification efforts in Botswana are bound to erode benefits associated with EA and are not fit for purpose. In this paper, three recommendations are offered: whilst outcome-based tools can be prepared for projects that were assessed by EA they must be firmly tiered to them. Furthermore, discretion in decision-making needs to remain in place, and data sharing should be enhanced by placing EA reports in the public domain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Piecemeal changes to the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process have to date not fully delivered EIA's normative goals and met today's environmental challenges. By regarding the to date approaches to change-making as a problem requiring a solution, this paper applies critical analysis to reflect upon current change-making based on England's EIA system as a case study. The analysis identifies a lack of innovative ideas and sound evidence-based approaches to inform and support the change-making process. Consequently, we argue for an epistemology of change-making (changeology) so that the entire approach can be based on an empirically informed framework, to inform the journey (process) and destination (fit-for-purpose EIA) and make the EIA process fit-for-purpose and aligned to future expectations. Changeology should be viewed as more than informing one-time change-making but as a framework of well-studied practice for changing (or improving) EIA in the long term. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Life cycle assessment (LCA) is a widely recognized tool for environmental assessment, which has experienced a strong development both in methodology and applications. This paper aimed to perform a bibliometric analysis of LCA research during 2000-2022, considering publication types, publication trends, subject categories, journals, institutions, countries, and author keywords. Social Network Analysis was applied to recognize mapping trends, status, and hot spots in LCA research and to discover co-authorship relations and international collaborations among countries worldwide. The results of this study showed that the number of LCA publications has remarkably increased by more than tenfold over the study period. The United States, with 5885 publications (17.3%), was the most productive country in terms of the number of publications. The keywords "sustainability," "environmental impact," "carbon footprint," "circular economy," "recycling," and "climate change" were the most occurred keywords in the literature. The keyword "sustainability," growing from 221 in 2000-2011 to 2013 in 2011-2022, was the most trending keyword. The keywords "water footprint," "biogas," and "GHG emissions" exhibited the highest increase in frequency, with growth rates of 18.5, 11.2, and 7.1 times, respectively. The outcomes of this study showed the cumulative progression of the literature, thereby establishing a framework for future works in LCA research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

South Africa's Just Energy Transition (JET) from coal to renewable energy in response to climate change mitigation policies comes packaged with social costs that these mitigation policies tend to overlook, considering their focus on carbon emission reduction. The paper argues that Social Impact Assessments (SIAs), a component of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) focused on social impact mitigation, can be a long-term approach to closing the social cost gap. Against this backdrop, the paper's arguments were informed by a literature analysis on SIAs and the Just Energy Transition, semi-structured interviews, and surveys with 230 participants, including experts, from Kriel and Carolina in Mpumalanga, South Africa. The findings point to skills development barriers such as poor school attendance, a lack of alignment between existing curriculum design and labour markets, and students' low aptitude for STEM subjects. It also identifies community sustainability issues linked to poor public participation, gender inequalities in land reform and economic participation, and culturally disruptive displacements that will intensify as the energy shift unfolds. The paper submits that SIAs, if incorporated into mainstream energy transition planning, might be a long-term approach to mitigating societal costs and can support socially responsible policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Realization of an experimental heat pump based on elastocaloric effect. • The device is made of elastocaloric wires crossed by air as heat transfer fluid. • The energy and environmental impacts of the device with many elastocaloric materials were tested. • Evaluation of the environmental impact through a TEWI analysis compared with a HFC32 heat pump. • Ni 55.92 Ti 44.08 and (Ni 50 Mn 31.5 Ti 18.5) 99.8 B 0.2 provide a significant reduction of the environmental impact (−50/−60 %) with respect to HFC32 heat pump. Solid-state refrigeration can constitute a breakthrough point since based on solid-state refrigerants that do not have any direct greenhouse effect (GWP = 0). The refrigeration systems based on caloric effect can be categorized as: magnetocaloric, electrocaloric, elastocaloric or barocaloric. The theme of interest for the investigation introduced in this paper is elastoCaloric Effect (eCE). In this paper the environmental impact in terms of Total Equivalent Warming Impact (TEWI) of an elastocaloric rotary device ensuring continuous fluxes of cold/hot air for the air conditioning applications is evaluated. The final aim is the construction of an experimental device based on eCE working as a heat pump that operates at peak performance and that would be eco-friendly. Indeed, a rotary two-dimensional model based on finite element method was developed to couple with the device during its realization. The device has been virtually tested while mounting various elastocaloric effect materials to examine and select the ones resulting most suitable both from energetical and environmental points of view. The evaluation of the environmental impact has been perpetuated through a TEWI analysis comparing the indexes of the elastocaloric prototype operating with different elastocaloric materials (Ni 50.8 Ti 49.2 , Ni 55.9 Ti 44.1 , Ni 45 Ti 47.2 Cu 5 V 2.75 , (Ni 50 Mn 31.5 Ti 18.5) 99.8 B 0.2 and PbTiO 3) and a vapor compression heat pump (A ++/ A +) working with HFC32. The analysis was perpetuated for both the functioning modes: cooling and heating modes. The most remarkable data on the analysis is that only Ni 55.92 Ti 44.08 and (Ni 50 Mn 31.5 Ti 18.5) 99.8 B 0.2 provide a significant reduction of the environmental impact (−50/−60 %) appropriately selecting the operative conditions (air velocity ranging from 9 to 12 ms−1 and cycle frequency 0.4 ÷ 0.5 Hz). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The greenhouse gas emitted due to transportation is the third greatest emitter globally, and its impact has become a threat to the environment, public health, and economic development. Waste transportation is excluded in studies of waste management despite its significant environmental impacts such as global warming and human toxicity. The objective of this study is to develop a quantification model to estimate the carbon footprint of waste transportation and environmental impact assessments in three categories applied in Tehran using IPCC guidelines. In Tehran, light and heavy vehicles ran on diesel fuel. Data on fuel and waste characteristics were provided by Tehran's department of transportation and municipality, respectively. In this study, transportrelated emissions are 8.47 k tonCO2eq/y, and the carbon footprint of waste transportation is 93.57 g of CO2 eq per ton of waste transported (t.km), which is relevant to three main parameters: the amount of waste transported annually, the freight shipped from the temporary station to the disposal landfill site, and fossil fuels consumed. Also, an environmental impact assessment in three categories - human health (global warming, abiotic depletion, and ozone layer depletion), resources (fossil fuels), and ecosystem quality (acidification and eutrophication) - using SimaPro, a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) tool is presented. Global warming (3.49 kg CO2 eq/t MSW), human toxicity (0.95 kg 1,4-DB eq/t MSW), and freshwater aquatic eco-toxicity (0.04 kg 1,4-DB eq/t MSW) have the greatest impact among categories. Sensitivity analysis of the effective parameters allows us to conclude one of the potential implications of this study would be the introduction of natural gas or biogas-based trucks replacing diesel fuel vehicles to improve air quality and mitigate the greenhouse gas emission. Implications: This paper addresses the significant issue of global warming, particularly in Iran, a developing country that ranks among the top contributors to greenhouse gas emissions. The study emphasizes the importance of evaluating emissions across various sectors such as electricity, waste, etc., Specifically, in this paper we focus on developing a model to quantify the environmental impact resulting from the combustion of fossil fuels in vehicles, focus on the metropolitan city of Tehran as a case study. By examining the waste transportation process, we aim to provide decision-makers with effective strategies to mitigate the environmental consequences. In this paper, we develop a simple quantification term of Carbon Footprint to calculate total greenhouse gas emission of waste transportation process. Carbon Footprint is a fraction which, its numerator is total greenhouse gas emission and its denominator is total waste transported in traveled distance. Effective parameters have been investigated and based on parameters and emission factors taken out of IPPC, the carbon footprint model have been developed. The total greenhouse gas emission of this study and the carbon footprint has estimated at 8.47 k tonCO2eq/y and 93.57 g CO2eq/t.km respectively. Furthermore, the paper explores additional environmental impacts beyond global warming, including abiotic depletion, ozone layer depletion, acidification, eutrophication, human toxicity, photochemical oxidation, and freshwater aquatic eco-toxicity. Using SimaPro software these eight impact categories have been estimated. in this study we identify fossil fuel consumption, traveled distance, and mass transported are the primary parameters influencing greenhouse gas emissions and the carbon footprint. To reduce emissions in the waste transportation system, we suggest promoting renewable biofuels, highlighting Iran as a suitable candidate due to its high percentage of biodegradable material in municipal solid waste. Additionally, the study assesses nonrenewable energy and mineral extraction using the IMPACT 2002+ V2.15/IMPACT 2002+ method, revealing that global warming (100 years), human toxicity (100 years), freshwater aquatic eco-toxicity, nonrenewable energy, and mineral extraction have the most significant impacts on the municipal solid waste transportation system. Overall, this research underscores the need for quantifying environmental impacts and recommends strategies to mitigate them in waste transportation processes, particularly in developing countries like Iran. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organizations conducting global environmental assessments (GEAs) face the challenge of not only producing trustworthy and policy-relevant knowledge but also recruiting and training experts to conduct these GEAs. These experts must acquire the skills and competencies needed to produce knowledge assessments. By adopting an institutional approach, this paper explores IPBES's epistemic infrastructure that aims to communicate and form the expertise that is needed to conduct its assessments. The empirical material consists of IPBES's educational material, which teaches new experts how to perform the assessment. The analysis finds three crucial tasks that experts introduced in the assessments are expected to learn and perform. The paper concludes by discussing the broader importance of the findings that organizations that conduct GEAs are not passive intermediaries of knowledge but instead, through their epistemic infrastructure, generate ways to understand and navigate the world, both for those who create and those who receive the assessment report. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Manufacturers increasingly recycle end-of-life products to realize residual economic value and mitigate environmental impacts on the economic system. Concurrently, with the burgeoning growth of the product-service system, leasing models offer an alternative method to complete the material loop without direct collection. While prior research has delved into recycling channels, incentive mechanisms, and remanufacturing within closed-loop supply chain management, a comparative analysis between recycling and leasing strategies remains under-explored. This study seeks to bridge this gap by elucidating the manufacturer's strategic decision-making process, factoring in consumers' product ownership perceptions. We propose a manufacturer decision model anchored on consumer choices and segment it into three scenarios based on varying ownership perceptions. Our analysis contrasts market demand and profit outcomes across these scenarios. Notably, we discern that a hybrid strategy is optimal when ownership perception is low; however, when such perception is heightened, a dedicated recycling strategy proves more advantageous. Importantly, introducing a leasing option does not entirely overshadow the conventional sales market but is susceptible to being overshadowed itself. From a managerial standpoint, while integrating a leasing program might augment revenue streams, sole reliance on it is inadvisable. Furthermore, reshaping consumption paradigms to emphasize product functionality over ownership can pave the way for more expansive leasing strategies, optimizing revenue generation within a closed-loop framework. Plain Language Summary: This paper uses the consumer choice model and the decision model to analyze the two approaches for closing the loop, leasing and recycling. In contrast to previous studies of closed-loop supply chains, this paper considers leasing as another way of closing the loop and takes into account its cannibalization effect on the market for new products and its priming effect on consumers with lower willingness to pay. The paper concludes that the leasing strategy cannot completely cannibalize the selling market and is conditional on implementation, while the recycling strategy can completely cannibalize the leasing market and is always effective. This paper has some applications for closed-loop decision making for manufacturers to improve economic and environmental gains. Manufacturers and policy makers should advocate new forms of consumption that encourage consumers to care more about product function than property rights, thus leaving more room for the rental market to acquire greater benefits. This paper does not consider the supply of P2P platforms when portraying the leasing program and does not use empirical studies to verify the conclusions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change is a global issue that affects every country, a pressing issue that requires global response. Nigeria is one of the countries that are most affected by climate change. The Nigerian government has recognized the impact of climate change on the country's economy, health, and environment, and has put in place laws and policies to address the issue. However, the question remains whether these laws and policies are effective in mitigating the impact of climate change or if they are simply symbolic gestures with no real impact on the ground. This paper examines the Nigerian climate change laws and policies to determine whether they are contributing to progress or stagnation. The paper provides an overview of the Nigerian climate change laws and policies, including the Climate Change Policy and Response Strategy (2012) and the National Climate Change Policy (2013). It1 also examines the legal framework for climate change in Nigeria, including the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999) and the Environmental Impact Assessment Act (1992). The paper then analyses the effectiveness of Nigeria's climate change laws and policies, especially the 2021 Act. The analysis is based on a review of relevant literature, as well as interviews with key stakeholders in Nigeria's climate change sector. The analysis reveals that while Nigeria has made some progress in addressing climate change, there are still significant challenges to be overcome. These challenges include a lack of funding, limited public awareness and understanding of climate change, and weak institutional frameworks. It concludes by recommending measures that can be taken to improve Nigeria's climate change laws and policies. Overall, the paper suggests that while Nigeria has made some progress in addressing climate change, there is still much work to be done to ensure that the country is better prepared to tackle this critical issue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The liberalization of energy retail markets empowered consumers with the ability to be part of new emerging entities, such as Citizen Energy Communities. With the increasing penetration of decentralized variable generation, communities have the advantage of incentive local carbon neutrality and sustainability. Local generation reduces transport grid usage and costs to consumers. Furthermore, worldwide legislation incentives energy communities by providing them discounts to other fee parts of the tariff apart from wholesale prices. This paper presents a model of strategic behavior, investment, and trading of energy communities. The model comprises the investment in local renewable generation, the design of competitive tariffs, and strategic bidding on wholesale markets. Consumers have an optimization model that selects the retail tariff that minimizes their costs with energy. These models are tested using data from Portuguese consumers and the Iberian electricity market. Results from the study indicate that inflexible consumers may reduce their costs by 29% by being part of the community. Furthermore, they have the potential to reduce their costs above 50% when using demand–response, adapting themselves to local production and wholesale prices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Detecting the presence of explosives is important to protect human lives during military conflicts and peacetime. Gas-phase detection of explosives can make use of the change of material properties, which can be sensitive to environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity. This paper describes a remote-controlled automatic shutter method for the environmental impact assessment of photoluminescence (PL) sensors under near-open conditions. Utilizing the remote-sensing method, we obtained environmental effects without being exposed to sensing vapor molecules and explained how PL intensity was influenced by the temperature, humidity, and exposure time. We also developed a theoretical model including the effect of exciton diffusion for PL quenching, which worked well under limited molecular diffusions. Incomplete recovery of PL intensity or the degradation effect was considered as an additional factor in the model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trade-in (TON) and trade-old-for-remanufactured (TOR) programs are commonly used to boost consumer demand and recycle old products, and can generate significant economic benefits from disassembling or reusing old products. However, the influence of channel structures on the TON and TOR optimal decisions of closed-loop supply chains (CLSCs) is rarely discussed. To explore the impact of the implementation of the TOR program on the optimal pricing and demand strategy, enterprise profit, environment, and social welfare when the enterprise has applied the TON program, we develop four models with different power structures and market decisions to maximize enterprise profits based on consumer utility and the Stackelberg game: (1) manufacturer-led model with TON (Model M); (2) retailer-led model with TON (Model R); (3) manufacturer-led model with TON and TOR (Model TM); (4) retailer-led model with TON and TOR (Model TR). The manufacturer-led models may benefit consumers more and stimulate the replacement consumers' demand for TON and TOR programs. Both TON and TOR demand for the Model TM are considerable. However, when the retailer is in the driver's seat, the retailer can profit more due to government subsidies for the TOR programs. Our analysis provides insights into the choice of corporate power structures, reducing environmental impacts and improving social welfare. This paper studies for the first time the influence of different power structures and government subsidies on TON and TOR programs in CLSCs. Future research could consider the impact of old products quality or multi-period models on TON and TOR programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Various combinations of ship propulsion systems have been developed with low-carbon-emission technologies to meet regulations and policies related to climate change, one of which is the combined gas turbine and steam turbine integrated electric drive system (COGES), which is claimed to be a promising ship propulsion system for the future. The objective of this paper is to perform a techno-economic and environmental assessment of the COGES propulsion system applied to liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers. A propulsion system design for a 7500 m3 LNG carrier was evaluated through the thermodynamics approach of the energy system. Subsequently, carbon emissions and environmental impact analyses were carried out through a life cycle assessment based on the power and fuel input of the system. Afterwards, a techno-economic analysis was carried out by considering the use of boil-off gas for fuel and additional income from carbon emission incentives. The proposed propulsion system design produces 1832 kilowatts of power for a service speed of 12 knots with the total efficiency of the system in the range of 30.1%. The results of the environmental evaluation resulted an overall environmental impact of 10.01 mPts/s. The results of the economic evaluation resulted in a positive net present value and a logical payback period for investment within 8 years of operation. The impact of this result shows that the COGES has a promising technological commercial application as an environmentally friendly propulsion system. Last, for the economy of the propulsion system, the COGES design has a positive net present value, an internal rate return in the range of 12–18%, and a payback period between 6 and 8 years, depending on the charter rate of the LNG carrier. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental impact assessments are a key component of the approval process for many onshore seismic surveys. Quantifying the environmental disturbance caused by such surveys is, however, problematic, as although they cover large areas only a small fraction will be impacted. In this paper, I describe how disturbance can be quantified using the tree fractional cover statistic calculated using LiDAR data. I demonstrate its application using both a synthetic dataset and a real dataset from the Bowen Basin, Queensland, Australia. For the latter, the application of a disturbance minimisation survey design technique resulted in environmental disturbance being reduced from 13% to just 3.5%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper deploys an anthropological concept of "theopolitics" to reflect on the political work done and undone by the action of grace during a dam conflict in the Aysén region of Chilean Patagonia. Exploring procedural affinities between the state's instruments for regulating environmental conflict and theories of assemblage that trace relations to overcome Western ontologies, I suggest that their convergent demand for relations to be rendered visible as the condition of environmental justice violated the ethic of gratuity through which Ayseninos participate in collective life on the Patagonian frontier. Instead of arguing for a better capture of grace within accounts of sociality, I suggest that researchers accompanying anti-extractive struggles should attend to how untraceable but nonetheless highly effective forces like grace convene coalitions for environmental justice and thus to the theopolitical conditions of staging challenges to the state and capital in Latin America. Resumen: Este trabajo antropológico conceptualiza la "teopolítica" para investigar la acción de la gracia en un conflicto de represas en la región patagónica de Aysén, Chile. Yuxtaposicionando los procedimientos del estado chileno para regular los conflictos ambientales con teorías de ensamblaje que rastrean relaciones para representar ontologías alternativas a la occidental, sugiero que su convergencia en condicionar la justicia ambiental en la visibilización de las relaciones viola la ética de gratuidad con la cual participan los ayseninos en la vida colectiva de la frontera patagónica. En lugar de abogar por una mejor captura de la gracia, propongo que los investigadores que acompañan las luchas antiextractivas latinoamericanas presten más atención la participación de fuerzas no rastreables pero no obstante muy eficaces, como la gracia, en convocar movimientos para la justicia ambiental y, así mismo, a las condiciones teopolíticas de los desafíos al estado y al capital en Latinoamerica. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Construction and infrastructure projects account for a large share of global greenhouse gas emissions. Included in these projects are geotechnical engineering works, which cause environmental impact and costs throughout their life cycle. In the geotechnical design process, the geotechnical engineer often has design choices where different methods and materials can be used. If assessments of environmental impact and costs were to be integrated into the geotechnical design process, the geotechnical work could be made more sustainable. As a result of this, there is a need for research on integrating the assessments of environmental impact and costs into the geotechnical design process. This paper, therefore, presents a methodology showing how life-cycle assessment and life-cycle cost analysis could be integrated into the geotechnical design process. The presented methodology is then illustrated in a practical example for assessing the climate impact and costs of high-speed railway embankment fill methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Green supply chain management (GSCM) practices are essential in ensuring the sustainability of the supply chain while minimizing the negative environmental impact. This paper investigates the implementation of GSCM practices in Uzbekistan. The research objective is to assess the current status of GSCM practices in Uzbekistan and identify the challenges and opportunities for implementing GSCM practices in the country. The research methodology involves a mixed-methods approach, including a survey of supply chain managers in Uzbekistan and a review of academic and industry literature. The results indicate that the implementation of GSCM practices in Uzbekistan is still in its early stages, with several challenges faced by supply chain managers, including a lack of awareness, limited resources, and a lack of regulatory support. However, opportunities for improving GSCM practices in Uzbekistan were identified, including stakeholder engagement, training and education, and government support. Drawing on the rich literature, an attempt is made to present the needs for GSCM practices and organizational environmental sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is presented as a company ethical framework to account for the consequences of its activity and more specifically considering environmental, social and governing (ESG) dimensions. However, these principles are framed in sociocultural, economic and managerial references that are not always shared by the parties involved. Given this approach, the conflict surrounding the Conga mining project is examined from a CSR and Public Relations (PR) perspective, using Actor-Network Theory (ANT) to enrich PR theories and overcome limitations of the Stakeholder Theory (ST). Their worldview is based on a holistic conception of the world with Pachamama as the central figure representing the earth, thanks to which they live. Other important characteristics of their idiosyncrasy are (Morales, 2010): the circularity of time; a socio-economic and sociocultural organisation in ayllus that allow them to put into practice the key principles for society of solidarity, redistribution and reciprocity; an understanding of the earth, the sun and water as deities; water as an effective mediator between society and the supernatural. In 2010, the people of Cajamarca, still owners of one of the most important gold riches on the planet, confronted the Newmont Mining Corporation, one of the most important and powerful gold mining companies in the world. After the presentation of their Conga mining project Environmental Impact Study in Peru, which aimed to give the green light to the exploitation of gold in the Peruvian highlands. Despite strong criticism from local authorities and organisations, the study received governmental approval. This triggered a conflict that involved protests, road blockades, emergencies, and deaths. Given the unfavorable sociopolitical environment, to say the least, in 2016, Newmont withdrew, from the project. Through a qualitative approach and explanatory scope, this research improves CSR and stakeholder approaches with the introduction of Actor Network Theory to broaden public relations ability to take into account a cross-cultural ontology of the world. To this end, more than 100 documentary sources were systematically examined and coded after sifting through more than 2000 documents located via a hegemonic search engine or directly from institutional websites from involved Peruvian organisations, NGOs, etc. Repetitive documents and documents that were not focused sources of information were ignored. Scientific articles (32), papers and reports (17), newspapers and magazines (46) as well as documentaries or YouTube interviews (5) covering the period from 2008 to 2020 have been included in this study. The first key elements of Actor-Network Theory (ANT) were used as a heuristic grid. First, a thorough context analysis was carried out, followed by the attribution of discursive positionnings and their encompassing problematization, their obligatory passage points, spokespersons, problematisation, interressement, enrolment, and mobilization. This case is presented as a paradigmatic example of a conflict where CSR needs to go beyond conventional public relations. This case illustrates how, despite the principled benevolence of CSR and Stakeholder Theory, these fail to integrate cultural visions that are not capitalist and anthropocentric. In this context, a critical analysis based on the sociology of translation is proposed to consider each actor world ontology of the world, which entails taking into account different cosmogonies with their respective axiological frameworks and recognition of nonhuman entities. This paper highlights the importance of communication management between actors and the use of a cooperative process, identifying spokespersons who act as translators to facilitate the convergence of interests. Through the analysis of the Conga case, communication limits between the socioeconomic thinking of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and the Andean cosmovision become evident. This clash hinders the development of a cooperation network due to the lack of intercultural understanding and the difficulty to value the opinions of the stakeholders. The importance of communication management that is able to integrate worldviews and axiologies outside the modern and capitalist rationality of CSR is therefore underlined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A cogeneration of power and hydrogen plant driven by clean solar energy is developed, analyzed and optimized in this paper. For hydrogen production in the suggested plant, a thermochemical cycle with Vanadium–Chlorine (VCl) working pair is integrated with parabolic trough collectors and an auxiliary heater to provide the required temperature level. For power generation, however, an organic Rankine cycle is applied to generate electricity from extra heat which is not utilized in VCl thermochemical cycle. For performance improvement of developed cogeneration framework, nanoparticles are applied for enhancing thermal behavior of collector field. A comprehensive analysis is conducted to determine system performance enhancement with nanufluid as compared to basefluid case in thermal loop of collectors. Thermodynamic investigations paying more attention on exergy evaluations are carried out along with economic considerations to assess system performance. Furthermore, to address the proposed plant's environmental impacts, the overall plant's performance and carbon dioxide emission reduction are estimated. Parametric appraisal is implemented to specify operating factor impacts on power and hydrogen production and unit cost of product. Also, multi-objective optimization is performed based on cost and efficiency indices. It is found that, addition of nanoparticles to basefluid can enhance system performance roughly by 3 − 5 %. The nanofluid based framework attains efficiency of 40.16% and unit product cost of 39.93 $/GJ under optimum conditions. Finally, based on the findings of the environmental impact analysis, the designed system in cogeneration mode was able to mitigate CO 2 emissions by 1173 kg/h. • Parabolic trough solar collectors are coupled with thermochemical hydrogen production. • Nanoparticles are used to enhance thermal performance of solar loop. • Improvement of 3–5% is found with nanoparticles' utilization on overall system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Indigenous-led impact assessment (ILIA) is a project review process designed and conducted with meaningful input and an adequate degree of control by Indigenous peoples. Using a case-based approach, this paper examines ILIAs conducted in Canada. The research – tools for ILIA – provides examples of options for the design and implementation of ILIA processes which have been utilized by Indigenous Nations while making their own determinations regarding if and how development should occur according to their unique locations, histories, natural resource issues, and governance. We have identified five tools: framework agreements; customized review panels; land use and consultation policy; impact and benefit agreements; and land use planning. Each tool is described along with a case study example of how the tool was applied within ILIA. Although our work focuses on Canada, the examples and tools can be valuable for Indigenous peoples and EIA practitioners in jurisdictions elsewhere who are looking to understand how ILIA might be operationalized to reflect their settings, values, and priorities. The results are helpful to Indigenous governments and groups looking to develop their own approaches to assessment, and for understanding the relative strengths and experiences of options they may consider or adapt for their own needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]