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All European Union (EU) member states till 2020 had an obligatory target for energy efficiency. One of instruments for countries to achieve national energy efficiency goals is obligation for large companies (LC) and large electricity consumers (LEC) to implement certified energy management system or perform energy audit. In this study the Latvian case study of obligation for LC and LEC where examined. The analysis was carried out using a theory-based policy analysis method combined with evaluation criteria from the EU legislative assessment guidelines The Better Regulation Agenda – efficiency, effectiveness, relevance, coherence, added value, validity, complementarity, coordination, equality, sustainability and acceptability. To evaluate energy efficiency policy measures, it is also important to understand energy efficiency measures that will realistically meet the set company and national targets. AHP and TOPSIS analyzes were performed to evaluate these measures not only from energy efficiency but also from environmental, climate, engineering-technical, economic, and social aspects. The results allow us to assess the fate of existing policies and to draw conclusions on the improvements needed to meet energy efficiency and climate goals in the future.

Carbon-neutrality in municipalities can be achieved by combining individual heating (IH) and district heating (DH) solutions involving the use of renewable energy sources (RES). Each approach has advantages and disadvantages, but the best solution depends on the specific circumstances of each municipality. As an environmentally friendly and efficient energy use, a decentralised heat supply contributes to achieving energy conservation and emissions reduction goals. Decentralised energy use, such as solar collectors with an accumulation system or biomass as a resource, reduces dependence on centralised heat generation and transmission. Often, the appropriate infrastructure for connection to DH networks has not yet been built. On the other hand, it is easier to make investments to construct proper infrastructure in the case of large-scale centralised heat supply. Moreover, a centralised heat supply with RES can provide more inhabitants with RES heat energy. Within the framework of the study, the possibilities of using renewable energy sources in one of the municipalities of Latvia – the Carnikava parish of Ādaži Municipality – are analysed. The study examines two scenario complexes including IH solutions in buildings or DH solutions with a centralised approach. The study evaluates several alternatives to increase the share of RES (e.g., solar collectors, biomass, heat pumps, etc.) in the centralised heat supply. To evaluate RES individual solutions in various municipal buildings, the study evaluates alternatives with different technical solutions that increase the use of RES in heat supply.

As the consumption of fish in the human diet increases, a larger amount of production is needed. The growing demand for fish also has an impact on fish feed, its production efficiency and the sustainability of using raw materials. To evaluate the sustainability of raw materials and the impact on the environment, three protein alternatives are compared – black soldier fly, yellow mealworm and soybean. Each alternative has advantages and disadvantages. The advantages of black soldier fly and yellow mealworm are a valuable source of protein, sustainable growth (as feed can be used for food waste) and no need for arable land. Disadvantages of black soldier fly and yellow mealworm are price, an unbalanced diet can negatively affect growth, and nutritional value effect on the fish vary depending on fly or mealworm species. The advantages of soybeans are price, availability and high protein content, but the disadvantages are a lack of essential amino acids that affect the quality of fish and poor palatability. An LCA study has been carried out for the black soldier fly, yellow mealworm and soybean protein. From PEFCR most relevant impact categories are climate change, particulate matter, acidification, land use, eutrophication terrestrial and water use. The total single score value for black soldier fly protein is 1.43E+01 μPt, for yellow mealworm protein is 3.89E+02 μPt and for soybean protein is 9.72E+01 μPt. Large impact is from electricity consumption, used components for feed. Sensitivity analysis was performed for black soldier fly protein and yellow mealworm protein production, where feed composition was changed. In sensitivity analysis environmental impact is less from the new feed structure. The reason might be that the new feed structure has used food waste and wheat as feed ingredients.

The urban heat island (UHI) phenomenon has differential impacts on energy use and carbon emissions in buildings depending on the climate of the region and the urban planning strategies in place. This study explores the differential effects of UHI on energy use and carbon emissions in warm and cold climates, using North Africa and North Europe as case studies. We address the following research questions: 1) How does the UHI phenomenon impact energy use and carbon emissions in buildings in these regions? 2) What urban planning strategies are currently in place to mitigate the negative impacts of UHI on energy demand and emissions in these regions? 3) How effective are these strategies in mitigating the negative impacts of UHI on energy demand and emissions in both warm and cold climates? 4) What additional urban planning strategies could be implemented to reduce further the negative impacts of UHI on energy demand and emissions in both warm and cold climates? The UHI increases energy bills and emissions due to the higher demand for cooling energy in warm climates, while in cold climates, UHI reduces energy demand and emissions by decreasing the need for heating energy. Urban planning strategies, such as incorporating green space, using reflective materials, choice of colors, and designing for natural ventilation, can effectively mitigate the negative impacts of UHI on energy demand and emissions in both warm and cold climates. However, the effectiveness of these strategies varies depending on the climate of the region and the specific urban context. In this study, we will provide a recommendation for urban planning strategies that can be implemented to further reduce the negative impacts of UHI on energy demand and emissions in both warm and cold climates. Our study contributes to the understanding of the UHI phenomenon. It provides insights for urban planners and policymakers in developing effective strategies to reduce energy use and carbon emissions in buildings and cities.

Promoting sustainability in educational systems is crucial for preserving resources and diminishing negative impacts on the environment. A key aspect of this is enhancing energy efficiency within educational institutions. By implementing energy-efficient building systems, advancing the use of renewable energy sources, and incorporating sustainable practices into the curriculum, educational institutions can decrease their environmental impact and conserve resources for future generations. Active participation from all stakeholders, including managers, teaching staff, and students, is essential for the success of these efforts. Providing students with a comprehensive education on sustainability equips them to apply this knowledge in their future professions, thus contributing to a more sustainable society. This research paper aims to explore ways to increase sustainability in Latvia's vocational education system, with a specific focus on reducing energy consumption in buildings and increasing the use of renewable energy sources. A study of 23 professional schools has been conducted to understand the current state of sustainability in the educational system, including data collection on energy consumption and surveying the schools on their current energy efficiency practices, renewable energy sources, and environmental policies. The energy efficiency and renewable energy production measures have been optimized for each school. A composite indicator has been developed to rank and compare schools based on their sustainability, promoting the use of energy-efficient and renewable energy sources within a limited budget. Results of the study show that by implementing mandatory and optional measures, the schools can significantly decrease primary energy consumption by 32% and greenhouse gas emissions by 33%.

The review examines in detail the types of factors that may influence residents’ motivation to implement energy efficiency measures in multifamily housing. When analyzing heating energy consumption in multi-apartment buildings, three influencing factors must be considered: the condition of the building, technology-based solutions, and occupant behaviour. Studies show that in more developed countries, energy consumption of buildings can be reduced by 30 % to 80 % if energy efficiency is improved. Technology based solutions aim to reduce heat consumption, improve resource productivity, or replace outdated technologies, but these solutions often require large investments. Occupant behavior contributes to nearly 80 % of the variation in energy use. One of the ways to achieve these goals is to improve energy efficiency in multifamily buildings, because according to available literature, residential and commercial thermal energy consumption accounts for up to 20 % of total energy consumption in underdeveloped countries and up to 40 % in more developed countries. Changing people’s habits not only reduces heating energy consumption, but also does not require large investments for implementation.

To achieve the set climate targets by 2030 and become climate neutral by 2050, each Member State must develop a National Energy and Climate Plan (hereinafter – NECP) that contains practical and effective measures to achieve the targets set. The effectiveness of the agricultural and forestry measures defined in the Latvian NECP was assessed through the definition of appropriate indicators, an expert survey, and a composite sustainability index. The linkage between the measures or action lines in the Latvian NECP related to agriculture and forestry, the European Green Deal measures and the objectives of the European Union Bioeconomy Strategy was assessed. The results show that the effectiveness of agricultural and forestry measures is most influenced by factors such as quality, financing, and specificity. The description of the measures should be more detailed, with specific activities, indicators to be achieved, and amounts and funding sources planned for each activity. The lowest scoring measures are specific measures whose impacts cannot be measured and are not explicitly mentioned as relevant in the European Bioeconomy Strategy, the European Green Deal.

To achieve the goals of the bioeconomy, formal education is a cornerstone, as well as non-formal or lifelong learning and informal education. Professionals in their specific profession can expand their knowledge in the context of bioeconomy in non-formal education by attending various seminars and courses, acquiring knowledge in informal or self-education, and reading books, internet sources and other resources. Competencies in the bioeconomy are a cross-cutting element for a professional working in any field. RTU IESE is a leading institution providing non-formal and informal education in bioeconomy and Green Deal topics. This study aims to identify the potential of non-formal and informal education in achieving the goal of bioeconomy and the Green Deal. Non-formal and informal education is an essential type of education that can increase bioeconomy competencies for professionals. Seminars, conferences, courses, lectures, and workshops are non-formal education tools, but with informal – everyday learning (books, scientific papers, conversations, internet resources, TV, audio materials) it can be accelerated to reach bioeconomy and Green Deal goals faster.

Energy consumption in different sectors is responsible for more than 75 % of total EU greenhouse gas emissions. Energy is a priority when it comes to achieving climate goals and keeping greenhouse gas emissions low. The Green Deal is based on the need to use renewable energy sources in the energy sector while ensuring the replacement of fossil fuels and reducing energy dependence. The comparison of sustainable development trends in renewable energy sources (RES) is carried out for all sectors analysed in the study, such as industry, services, agriculture, transport and households. The aim of the study is to find out which of the types of RES is the most promising and sustainable in each sector and which factors influence this the most. The study develops a model that combines both qualitative and quantitative research methods to obtain the most objective and descriptive results possible on RES technologies in different sectors of the economy. In addition to a separate comparison of RES types by sector, a joint sectoral comparison was also made to evaluate the differences in development trends between the sectors considered. The highest rating level for sustainable development was achieved by the potential of biomass use in the agriculture and transport sectors. According to the obtained results, both solar energy and biomass have a high development potential in all analysed sectors, which is also reflected in the higher average values of the overall results.

Global trends in the world are currently representing a serious incentive to bring ‘green thinking’ to life. This is the case of replacing synthetic materials derived from fossil resources with natural-origin, renewable resources. In the automotive industry and other segments of the manufacturing industry, increasing attention is being paid to the use of natural fibers in the manufacturing of composite materials. For example, flax and hemp fiber, as reinforcing material, is starting to widely replace carbon fiber. It is not just an ecological benefit, but also an important product protecting human health, since the amount of emissions that pollute the environment is minimized. Consequently, that lead to reduced intake by human being of harmful substances that would affect its health status. Existing composite materials used in motor vehicles, produced from carbon fibers, are creating very sharp fracture areas in the event of accidents causing human injury, while materials from natural fiber plants in this case are free from sharp edges at the place of fracture. Raw materials derived from hemp processing are used in the automotive, textile industry, construction (hemp concrete, heat insulation material), energy, biofuel production, arts and design, paper production, food, medicine, etc. This paper covers the main types of products derived from hemp.

Europe has a course to zero emissions by 2050, with a strong emphasis on energy sector. Due to climatic conditions in Latvia, district heating (DH) plays an important role in the energy sector. One of the solutions to achieve the set goals in DH is to introduce emission-free technology. Therefore, the popularity of installation of large-scale solar collector plants continues to increase in DH in Europe. The first large-scale solar collector field in the Baltic States was installed in 2019. Solar collector active area is 21 672 m2 with heat storage water tank 8000 m3. The article shows the first operation results of this system and evaluates influencing factors. The results of the analysis show that system productivity is mainly demanded by solar radiation, and the strongest correlation between these parameters were established in May. The highest correlation between ambient air temperature and produced thermal energy is reached when ambient air temperature is between 7 °C to 15 °C and production process has not been externally regulated. The temperature difference between flow and return temperatures of the heat carrier affect solar collector performance minimally and strong correlation was not observed.

The aim of presented study was to identify the most promising new business models which could help to reach climate and energy targets. ‘Business model’ means new opportunities (e.g. business for profit or non-profit community collaboration models) enabled by various technologies in energy domains, i.e., heat and power supply and demand as well as mobility. Based on scientific publications, nine most important technologies and 37 new business models, which could be among the most important for sustainable energy transition, were identified. Mapping of the new business models was done by looking at synergies between the technologies and the energy domains. Valuation of the business models is done by finding ‘expected impact’ with regards to reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, which is obtained by multiplication of two factors: ‘potential’ and ‘feasibility’. The ’potential’ represents ability to reduce GHG emissions considering technical characteristics of technologies involved and scalability. The ‘feasibility’ indicates how realistic is implementation of the new business model in the near to mid-term. Experts in the field of energy and environmental engineering were interviewed to obtain scores for the ‘potential’ and the ‘feasibility’ for all business models. The results show that electric mobility is among the solutions with the largest expected impact for reduction of GHG emissions. Results of this valuation will be used to choose the most promising solutions for further analysis with system dynamic modelling.

Summarization: Biodiplomacy involves searching for a delicate balance and establishing a dialogue on the necessity to achieve international goals to develop the bioeconomy. The substantive basis of biodiplomacy is understanding bioresources, technological solutions for their extraction and use, indicators, and evaluation possibilities. The article is devoted to the establishment of a biodiplomatic institution. Such institutions will help young specialists in various economic sectors to develop competence approaches, acquire knowledge and build awareness that will make them competent to solve problems related to bioeconomy development and future, looking for efficient use of bio-resources and high value-added production. The aims and objectives of biodiplomatics are ambitious, which means that forms of study training must be attractive and multi-layered. Thus, the authors have analysed formative work assessment in the form of group work. With the help of a role game, the participation of different sections of society in developing the bioeconomy in agriculture, forestry and aquaculture was simulated. The article is devoted to the situation analysis, creating a model for building competencies, awareness, and knowledge of biodiplomats, and approbating it in the formative assessment work of the Riga Technical University bachelor’s study program in environmental engineering, organised as a role game. Presented on: Environmental and Climate Technologies

Implementation of bioeconomy has become an important topic on the national and global scale. Bioeconomy and its development is considered to be affected by many factors, for example, climate change, production, technology, waste and so on. Even more, there are linkages between these factors which, when discovered, could help to achieve one of the bioeconomy’s goals – sustainable use of bioresources. This paper analysis the interlinkage between two bioeconomy affecting factors – climate change and production. It was discovered that between two chosen factors there are seven common indicators: greenhouse gas emissions, investments in energy efficiency, energy consumption, waste generated, resource productivity, created wastewater, and use of freshwater. Regression method was used to conduct the strongest links between these common indicators. Results showed that the strongest links are between the indicators: resource productivity and GHG emissions, energy consumption and waste generated, and resource productivity and waste generated.

ispartof: pages:1-87 status: published