Search

Ecosystem Services (ESs) are benefits that humans derive from nature, including climate regulation, air and water purification, soil formation, and recreation. Currently, ESs are at the center of green city policies tackling sustainability challenges. Traditionally, ESs have been assessed using monetary estimations, Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs), and Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA). These methods are useful for integrating environmental aspects in land use planning but have practical limitations since they focus on analyzing biophysical values and economic benefits. Due to the value pluralism of the ESs concept, intangible/extra-economic elements and the plurality of perspectives of the different stakeholders involved need to be included. Within this context, Multicriteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) allows the consideration of multiple problem dimensions and accommodates value pluralism. Based on these premises and limitations, the present paper proposes the integration of CBA and MCDA to evaluate alternative project solutions for green roof installation. The multidimensional outputs from CBA and MCDA are combined in a common aggregation procedure called COSIMA. Starting from a real case in Turin (Northern Italy), this article illustrates the application of COSIMA from the point of view of the best trade-off on the preferences of users and investors. The study results show the suitability of COSIMA for integrating all ESs values (i.e., biophysical, sociocultural, and economic) in urban governance processes. • A holistic approach is developed to assess Ecosystem Services in urban context. • Multidimensional benefits generated by green infrastructure are considered. • Montetary and non-monetary methods are applied. • The research provides support for policy-makers and stakeholders to design and planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Green roof installations and photovoltaic (PV) systems are widely employed roof retrofits that aid cities in mitigating climate change impacts, while avoiding the need for increased land utilization. By integrating PV systems with vegetation on urban roofs, a photovoltaic-green (PV-Green) system can be achieved for multifunctional use of the roof space, thereby simultaneously achieving PV and greening benefits. However, current research solely based on one retrofit type cannot meet the requirement for assessing the multifunctional retrofit potential of urban roofs. In this study, an assessment method is proposed to identify and quantify the multiple retrofit potential of urban roofs by integrating roof attributes (slope, orientation, and area), roof type (gable or flat), solar attributes (radiation and irradiation duration), and biogeochemical simulation. Moreover, three roof retrofit scenarios, Scenario 1 (S1): maximization of PV-Green roofs, Scenario 2 (S2): maximization of PV economic benefits, and Scenario 3 (S3): maximization of public subjective well-being through roof greening, were designed to allocate the use of urban roof spaces and evaluate their respective potential power and carbon benefits at the city scale. Using Shanghai's downtown as an example, the results showed that 85,722 roofs (or 7310.86 ha) were available for multifunctional use. S1 revealed that applying PV-Green roofs can increase the additional green biomass by 0.74 × 107 kg C/yr compared to only installing PV roofs. Moreover, S1 produced the highest power output of 2.31 × 1010 kWh/yr to meet 15.4% of Shanghai's electricity demand. S2 identified 609 flat roofs and 70,527 gable roofs that were uneconomical for PV system installation. This indicated that the solar radiation received by most gable roofs was insufficient to cover the installation cost. S3 offered a biomass production of 1.48 × 107 kg C/yr and increased carbon stocks in Shanghai by 0.87%. This assessment method provides urban planners and policymakers with an analytical tool to optimize the use of urban roof spaces, thereby enhancing urban livability and sustainability. • A new assessment method to identify the multiple retrofit potential of urban roofs. • Evaluate the power and carbon benefits of roofs' retrofit scenarios in Shanghai. • PV-Green roofs can increase green biomass compared to installing PV systems only. • Most gable roofs are uneconomical for PV use due to insufficient solar radiation. • Green roofs enhance biomass production and urban carbon stocks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Freight Villages (FV) are logistics clusters in which all activities related with freight transportation are realized. Various operators conduct business under one roof in FVs. Coordination and collaboration are the essential part for creating harmony to achieve sustainability. The establishment of such facilities in Turkey has been realized in late 2000s. In this paper, the aim is to provide a broad overview of the FVs in Turkey and shed light into their potential for the future. To do so site visits to all existing operational public FVs and a private FV have been made, where interviews with the management units have been conducted and comparisons to global counterparts have been made. As a result of these, it has been observed that currently, FVs in Turkey are overwhelmed due to lack of coordination and collaboration. However, also light has been shed into possible alternative working principles for Turkish FVs, and it has been showed that if coordination and collaboration could be realized, significant positive effects can be achieved in terms of different aspects regarding sustainability and social equity. • FVs are logistics clusters necessarily focusing on coordination and collaboration. • FVs have potential for sustainable freight transportation. • FVs in Turkey can significantly affect transportation. • Case studies and paradigm change are required for analyzing Turkish FVs. • Physical Internet is promising in FVs future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study conducted life cycle assessments (LCAs) on four types of extensive green roofs and involved replacing natural perlite with the byproducts coal bottom ash (CBA) and fly ash-based aggregates (FAAs) in both the substrate and drainage layers of green roofs. The following combinations were investigated: perlite in both the substrate and drainage layers (Perlite SUB -Perlite DRIN), perlite in the substrate layer and FAAs in the drainage layer (Perlite SUB -FAA DRIN), CBA in the substrate layer and perlite in the drainage layer (CBA SUB -Perlite DRIN), and CBA in the substrate layer and FAAs in the drainage layer (CBA SUB -FAA DRIN). Two types of allocation approaches including mass allocation and system expansion were applied to the byproducts. The LCAs encompassed the production stage and the end-of-life stage. A two-stage analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to analyze the ReCiPe results and the following was confirmed: (i) the analysis identified the best environmentally friendly roof alternative, (ii) it was observed that the results from the simplification of the LCA for the roof (omitting the end-of-life stage) depended on the type of evaluation approach used in the LCA, and (iii) the more comprehensive performance of the LCAs of green roofs was associated with a combination of the ReCiPe and ANOVA methodologies. • Byproducts and perlite have different life cycle assessments (LCAs). • LCAs depend on the evaluation approach of system expansion or mass allocation. • The mass allocation evaluation approach shows similar LCAs. • The system expansion evaluation approach shows different LCAs. • LCAs have different simplifications due to the type of evaluation approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract This paper aims to evaluate the possibility of using the roofs of habitations in Caruaru city in the semiarid region of Pernambuco, Brazil, for two purposes: as green roofs to mitigate extreme temperatures inside the houses and for rainwater harvesting and storage for potable purposes. For this, a preliminary study was carried out with inside and outside temperature monitoring of rooms with a green roof and conventional roof to verify the thermal variation in a real situation. Furthermore, the potential of rainwater harvesting for Caruaru city was evaluated based on precipitation data provided by the Water National Agency and an estimation of the available roof area (buildings and houses). In this context, two scenarios were analysed: (scenario 1) the whole roof surface was used for rainwater harvesting and saving and (scenario 2) green roofs were implanted in part of the roofs. The results of this preliminary study indicated that the use of green roofs resulted in lower temperature variations throughout the day, decreased internal temperatures, and decreased thermal amplitude in relation to a conventional roof (with tiles). Regarding the reduction of the catchment area because of the recommended use of green roofs in a semiarid region, considering green roof application just over the bedrooms (which was considered to cover 16 m2 in total), the water saving potential of the public supply system decreased, with a monthly average of 23.13% versus 28.43% (without green roofs). Implanting green roofs in part of the roofs of houses, although there is a reduction in the rainwater volume that can be harvested, can result in an increase in thermal comfort, whereas this is not feasible with the use of the entire roof area to harvest potable water. Thereby, the results indicate that the simultaneous use of the two kinds of roofs (conventional and green) is feasible even in a semiarid climate. Graphical abstract Image 1 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Buildings are major contributors to climate change because of the greenhouse gas emissions released during their life cycle. Among building systems, green roofs are known for their potential environmental benefits. Many studies have focused on the environmental impacts of green roofs without considering their ability to sequester carbon. Furthermore, this environmental benefit is not well characterized in the cold climate conditions of the province of Quebec, Canada. The aim of this study was to identify the decoupling point between the environmental costs and the environmental benefits of green roofs compared to a conventional roof in a renewable energy mix, namely hydropower, and a cold climate context, namely subarctic climate. Few articles have modeled a comparative LCA taking into account a subarctic climate. Four roof assemblies were compared: extensive, semi-intensive and intensive green roofs, and one conventional roof. First, a cradle-to-grave life cycle analysis was conducted in Simapro© to assess the environmental impacts of the different roof assemblies. Then, a dynamic life cycle analysis was performed to quantify the environmental benefits. At this stage, the rate of carbon sequestration by plants planted on the three types of green roofs was taken into consideration, a factor not considered in many articles. The results indicate that the global warming potential of conventional roof, extensive, semi-intensive and intensive green roofs were 3328.54 kg CO 2 eq, 3113.15 kg CO 2 eq, 3147.45 kg CO 2 eq and 3432.05 kg CO 2 eq, respectively, over 45 years. Considering environmental benefits, the global warming potential of extensive, semi-intensive and intensive green roofs were reduced to 3051.5 kg CO 2 eq, 3007.5 kg CO 2 eq and 3292.1 kg CO 2 eq, respectively. These results suggest that for a cold climate, the environmental benefits of green roofs are greater than the environmental costs of semi-intensive and intensive green roofs after 14 and 35 years of installation, respectively. For the extensive roof, it shows a carbon benefit for all 45 years. The highlights of this study are that green roofs have significant intrinsic impacts due to the materials they require. Another point is that carbon sequestration is negligible in reducing CO 2 emissions in cold climates. A final point is that green roofs with a lifespan of less than 45 years increase their carbon impact. • Green roofs have significant intrinsic impacts due to the materials they require. • Carbon sequestration are negligible in reducing CO 2 emissions in cold climates. • Green roofs with a lifespan of less than 45 years increase their carbon impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The installation of green roof systems is being used as a specific action towards a broader objective of increasing the sustainability of the built environment. Yet, their development is still limited by the absence of a full understanding of their economic value. There is an underlying assumption that these solutions can enhance the value of cities, however contrasting results of past studies do not allow to draw specific conclusions about their real economic contribution. This paper intends to improve the decision-making process by providing an adequate methodology to perform cost-benefit analyses of installing green roofs. The proposed economic evaluation balances costs and benefits at three levels of analysis: financial, economic and socio-environmental. The first level compares construction, maintenance and replacement costs of green roofs with private benefits as discount on fire insurance, energy consumption, improvement of photovoltaic performance and urban rooftop farming. The second level also includes the economic gains from increase of property value, aesthetics, recreation and sound insulation. The third level adds social benefits related to storm water management, noise reduction, air pollution removal, mitigation of the urban heat island effect, public health and ecological preservation. The all-inclusive methodology is successfully applied to Lisbon, Portugal. The study confirmed the economic feasibility of green roofs in the long term at a social level but not at a financial level. The estimated net present value of green roofs implementation in Lisbon is about 320 million euros. A sensitivity analysis is also performed to the costs/benefits included. The results show that aesthetics, recreational value and sound insulation have the highest influence on the economic value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Green roof systems are considered a best practice for climate change adaptation and mitigation in urban areas affected by heat waves and stormwater flooding. Green roofs mitigate urban heat islands, improve urban air quality, buffer stormwater and improve runoff quality, absorb emissions and increase the thermal efficiency of buildings. Green roofs therefore are an interesting technology for densely populated urban areas in Thailand, but still at a rather low diffusion stage. The aim of this paper thus is to identify and quantify the main factors that influence green roof adoption using a mixed-method research design. The relevant factors were (1) identified in a qualitative content analysis, (2) structured alongside two dimensions (internal/external and positive/negative factors), and (3) quantitatively assessed in an Analytical Hierarchy Process based on expert judgments. The analysis yields three main factors influencing the diffusion potential of green roofs in Thailand: While their potential to mitigate urban heat islands is the most important facilitating factor, the lack of proper subsidy schemes as well as the lack of knowledge and skilled workforce, represent major adoption barriers. In spite of the discussed challenges and issues, a light trend towards greener buildings can already be observed among planners, architects, and also on policy levels in Thailand. If the identified issues are addressed properly, green roofs eventually could become a significant contributor to climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts in Thailand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to frequent and serious waterlog and environmental pollution in cities in recent years, urban stormwater management (USM) has become an essential issue of urban sustainable development in China. Low Impact Development (LID) technologies are effective and popular measures of USM, and can be used to reduce urban waterlog and the associated environmental pollution. In this paper, in order to identify an optimal strategy of LID technologies based on economic efficiencies and environmental performances, the construction costs and environmental benefits of the four LID technologies (including grass swales, bioretention cells, green roofs, and permeable pavement) were analyzed. Then, due to the uncertain feature of rainfall, concentration of pollutants and many social-economic factors, an inexact fuzzy chance-constrained programming (IFCCP) model was developed. Multiple uncertainties that can be expressed as interval parameters, fuzzy sets, and stochastic distribution can be addressed effectively and incorporated directly into the modeling process. Based on the analysis of the precipitation probability distribution and land use data, the developed model was applied to a university campus with relatively high building density and plot ratio in Beijing. Then, optimal solutions of multiple precipitation probabilities ( p m ) under varying USM goals were obtained. The four LID technologies were chosen to meet multiple USM goals based on multiple p m values. When   p m = 0.1 , 0.05 , 0.02 and   0.015 , the total construction investments would be 1.46 to 4.66, 1.46 to 5.25, 2.31 to 8.54 and 3.95 to 12.7 million yuan, respectively. The relationship between construction costs and p m represented the relationship between economic benefit and system risk. The results indicated that USM was influenced by the rainfall capacity, construction costs would increase with the increase of precipitation, and the risks of constraint violation would decrease as the construction costs increase. When considering the four LID technologies during the planning stage of USM, the preferred selection order would be bioretention cells, permeable pavements, grass swales and green roofs. Therefore, the solutions under each p m level could provide the references for desired USM plans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Green roofs are an important technique to efficiently mitigate adverse environmental impacts of buildings. This study focuses both on energy conservation and sustainability related aspects of two alternative green roof solutions applied to a typical urban office building in representative climatic areas of Cyprus in the Eastern Mediterranean. Simulations regarding the buildings’ energy demand were conducted using EnergyPlus software. Based on these results and using an in-house developed algorithm, the primary energy consumption for each alternative solution was computed, assuming variable refrigerant flow air-to-brine heat pump as heating and cooling system, coupled with a calculation of the associated emissions of carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides and sulphur dioxide. The analysis shows a reduction in primary energy consumption up to 25% in heating and up to 20% in cooling operation, thanks to the use of green roofs, and a corresponding reduction in emissions. The economic viability of the proposed green roof solutions was also examined, taking into consideration both monetary and environmental costs. The results show that the green roof solutions increase the lifetime cost up to 40,000 €, however they can lead to additional environmental and economic benefits which are hard to quantify. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The new roadmap of the European Union (EU), the European Green Deal, aims at tackling climate adaptation, energy, biodiversity, and pollution challenges. To contribute to such aim, the latest EU Renewable Energy Directive defines for the first time renewable energy communities. Among them, Photovoltaic-Green roof Energy Communities (PGECs) emerge as a potential option in urban areas. This paper investigates whether and under which conditions PGECs are capable to meet the objectives of the European Green Deal in an economically convenient manner. Since some conditions are context-specific, this research is showcased using a case study (Luxembourg). First, European legislation was reviewed to determine the suitable legal model for PGECs. Second, a systematic literature review helped identifying lifecycle costs and benefits of photovoltaic-green roofs and their value ranges. Third, a model for probabilistic social and private cost-benefit analyses was developed and tailored to Luxembourg. Lastly, Scenario Discovery was used to identify the ranges of input values leading to desirable net present values. Results show that PGECs can contribute to achieving multiple objectives of the European Green Deal in an economically convenient manner. From the societal perspective, PGECs are found to be economically convenient for any cost, benefit, and discount rate in the case study. From the private perspective, PGECs remain convenient in 62% of the scenarios, with green roofs' installation cost and electricity generation benefit playing pivotal roles. This paper presents a rare combination of probabilistic cost-benefit analyses and scenario discovery, It supports policymakers designing incentive schemes for PGECs, and can be replicated in other countries. [Display omitted] • Review of European legal models for Photovoltaic-Green Roof Energy Communities─PGECs. • The European Renewable Energy Community is the most suitable legal model for PGECs. • Qualitative and quantitative costs-benefit analysis of photovoltaic-green roofs. • PGECs prove economically convenient from private and social cost-benefit approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Green roofs (GRs) contribute to urban greening and adaptation to climate change and belong to a small group of measures that can be implemented even in densely built-up areas. Although the implementation of GRs has increased significantly in recent years, their implementation potential has not, for various reasons, been fulfilled in many places. Investors often lack information about the real value and feasibility of GRs. In this context, an economic assessment of GRs can address a wide range of costs and benefits and provide a clear economic argument for urban planning and decision-making. Cost–benefit analysis (CBA) is typically used to raise awareness of the positive impacts of GRs, but there is no unified approach, and its application differs across countries. As a range of approaches has been used, studies' results cannot easily be compared. The current study aims to provide comparable information on the economic value of three already implemented GR projects using two alternative CBA approaches, namely those used in Czechia and Portugal. The results indicate that the monetarily expressed GR benefits are four to six times greater than the costs depending on the case study. Thus, applying different approaches to the same case study, even when the same data are input, can yield a difference in results of 13–106 percent. The economic value of GRs is affected by specific CBA assumptions regarding the economic assessment of aesthetics and other benefits and costs of GRs. By using case studies in Czechia we thus show that different methodologies lead to different results, explain the contrasting results in the literature and prove the need to develop a standard economic assessment method for GRs. [Display omitted] • Investors lack information on the economic value of real green roof projects. • Studies present contrasting results in regard to the economic value of green roofs. • This paper makes an economic assessment of green roofs using cost-benefit analyses. • Results differ by 13–106 percent depending on the cost-benefit analysis approach applied. • Findings reinforce the need to develop a standard assessment method for green roofs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Properly designed green roofs are environmentally-friendly type of roofing which attracts increasing attention of both general public and professionals. Their use brings many benefits to people and surrounding environment. But with (excessive) use of man-made materials, environmental impacts of green roofs may unnecessarily increase. This paper focuses on Life Cycle Assessment of four semi intensive green roof assemblies, i.e. common assembly, assembly with added extruded polystyrene providing increased thermal resistance and two assemblies with hydrophilic mineral wool. Apart from increasing thermal insulation, this material also partially substitutes plant substrate and fulfils role of a water reservoir. A 20-year cradle-to-grave model of these assemblies life cycle has been created. The main goal of the assessment is evaluation of influence of added man-made materials (e.g. hydrophilic mineral wool) on the assemblies' total environmental impacts. These materials significantly increase the environmental impacts of the first stages of the assemblies’ life cycle. On the other hand, use of these materials reduces the environmental impact in following life cycle stages. According to our calculations, the lowest environmental impacts are related to common green roof assembly without any replacement of the substrate. Highest environmental impacts are related to assembly with added extruded polystyrene panels and assembly with 75% of the substrate replaced by the mineral wool. Proper use of the assessed hydrophilic mineral wool increases the environmental impacts by approximately 11%, compared to the common assembly. To sum up, irrespective of other advantages (e.g. water retention potential) we can conclude that this material is suitable for green roofs, almost comparable to natural substrates (from the defined cradle-to-grave perspective). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2012, the Laboratory of Recovery and Maintenance at the University of Naples Federico II starts an applied research with the Institute for Composite and Biomedical Materials – IMCB – National Research Council of Italy – CNR, of Naples. The aim is to explore the potential of a patented hybrid foam, Hypucem, as a green technology for the recovery of flat roofs in reinforced concrete buildings. Two green extensive prototypes are developed and tested to provide an adequate response to the problem of residential buildings. The difference between them is in the mode of greening: sowing before or after the on-site assembly, with overlapping layers of green, in the first case, and their integration into special pockets formed inside the panel, in the second. Laboratory tests verify the germination and growth dynamics for a closed-cell polyurethane-concrete foam and for open-cell polyurethane-soil specimens. Trials are carried out in a residential neighborhood realized after Second World War. During six months, the benefits to buildings' performances, in both solutions, are monitored, highlighting the importance of roofs dimensions and accessibility. With a greater ease of installation and inspection, the open-cell polyurethane foam solution, accommodating transplanted vegetation, results more suitable for a direct involvement of users in ordinary maintenance. This attitude is fundamental in order to prevent any decrease in roofs thermal resistance due to the lowering of the green layers performances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Green infrastructure (GI) has been touted as a more economically, socially, and environmentally sustainable option for urban stormwater management than more traditional gray infrastructure solutions. There are many types of GI, however, and there has been limited comparison of sustainability between types. This study examines the benefits and detriments of current GI designs (rain gardens, green roofs, porous pavements, and tree plantings) using emergy analysis, an environmental accounting system that evaluates the direct and indirect energy inputs used in the production of goods or services. Results of the analysis revealed inherent differences between the four GI typologies examined and identified system inputs that dominate emergy flows, and thus sustainability outcomes. Porous pavements performed the worst when evaluated using standard emergy-based environmental sustainability indices and the best when using economic indices. Indices calculated for green roofs and tree plantings indicated that these types of green infrastructure might inherently be more environmentally sustainable. Emergy inputs of stone and soil were dominant inputs for all systems, as was the emergy cost of disposal of excavated materials. Porous asphalt was a high emergy input for the porous pavement projects examined. Labor and equipment inputs were high for most projects, but were overshadowed by stone and soil inputs. These dominant emergy inputs show areas where efficiency of designs could be improved by practices such as recycling excavated sediments or utilizing construction materials that are less emergy intensive. In addition, the results of this study show that not all GI projects are created equally. Urban planners and other decision makers can use this information to improve standard design and implementation practices for GI projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to evaluate the technical feasibility of a multilayer detention roof, namely a purple roof, in managing urban stormwater. A purple roof is conceptually and technically different from a green roof in that the former includes a low-transmissivity drainage layer and a void layer that can be designed at various depths for the temporary storage and slow release of water. Three types of roofs, i.e., (i) traditional, (ii) green and (iii) purple, were constructed in Western Sydney, Australia. These roofs were investigated and compared in terms of runoff reduction capacity, time to start runoff and time to release the runoff. Data were collected across the period from April 2021 to May 2022. A total of 76 rainfall events were recorded during this period. It was found that the purple roof performed better than other roof systems during all the rainfall events. The purple roof delayed the median start times of runoff by 773, 211 and 86 min for small, medium and large rainfall events, respectively, compared to a traditional roof, and 110, 59 and 14 min, respectively, compared to a green roof. During small rainfall events, the purple roof retained 100% of the water on most occasions. For medium, large, and extremely large events, the median runoff volume reductions by the purple roof were 88%, 34% and 7%, and 55%, 21% and 10% than those of the traditional and green roofs, respectively. In addition to reducing the volume discharged, the purple roof took 242 and 113 min (median values) longer to discharge the stormwater compared to the traditional roof during medium and large events, respectively, and 226 and 66 min (median values) longer than the green roof. In the case of median times for extremely large events, the purple roof took 503 min longer to release stormwater than the traditional roof, and 74 min longer than the green roof. The outcomes from this study proved the technical feasibility of the purple roof technology to slow the release and reduce the volume of stormwater during different-sized rainfall events. Thus, a purple roof can potentially be used to replace the traditional detention basins in a dense urban environment to reduce flood risks. [Display omitted] • Purple roof can delay the start of runoff for most rainfall events. • During small rainfall events, purple roof retains 100% of runoff. • Purple roof outperforms the traditional and green roofs in retaining runoff. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Offshore industries seek cleaner energy solutions to decarbonise their energy systems and reach the net-zero target. Green hydrogen has the potential to decarbonise these industries. Since these offshore systems and technologies are relatively novel, there is a limited understanding of the opportunities and challenges that the green hydrogen industry presents. An overview of the status of the offshore industries, including renewables, in terms of energy demand and the significance of green hydrogen in their sustainable growth is provided. This study analyses the benefits and limitations of integrating offshore renewable energy systems with aquaculture, shipping and port, and oil and gas industries. Considering the characteristics of green hydrogen, the study portrays the picture of its engineering opportunities and challenges for different offshore sectors, which is currently missing in the literature. Based on a comprehensive review, knowledge gaps and research opportunities are identified for green hydrogen and aquaculture, shipping and port, and oil and gas industries symbiosis. Overall, the study provides an in-depth insight into the offshore renewable and marine industry's status in terms of energy demand, sustainability challenges, and opportunities to enhance growth by adopting newer technologies, including synergy with hydrogen. Critical analyses in this review suggest that green hydrogen synergy can facilitate the offshore and coastal industries clean and sustainable growth by furnishing proliferation opportunities for clean energy. Further, the derived implication and future directions of this critical review will assist the stakeholders, researchers, and developers in establishing and executing effective frameworks for sustainable and safe offshore clean energy facilities and operations. [Display omitted] • Review of offshore industries growth focusing on energy demand and sustainability challenges. • Scope and impediments of offshore renewables and maritime industries integration. • Green hydrogen synergy opportunities to various offshore activities. • Sustainability and safety challenges to green hydrogen synergy with offshore industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, green credit has become a major policy for banking institutions to financially support the green development of enterprises. However, there has been no consensus on whether and how green credit can effectively improve enterprise performance. This study investigates the dual impact of green credit on enterprise environmental and economic performance with a conceptual framework that incorporates eco-innovation (i.e., innovation related to eco-process, eco-product, and eco-organization) as a mediator. Using the structural equation model and data from China's 376 textile manufacturing firms, this study reveals that green credit directly improved enterprise economic performance but had no significant direct effect on environmental performance. Eco-innovation showed a complete and partial mediating effect in the indirect relationships between green credit and environmental performance, and economic performance, respectively. Such a mediated path can avoid excessive green investment, alleviate financial burden, and promote the green transformation of enterprises with high pollution and high energy consumption (HH), thus contributing to the sustainable development of green credit. This study offers a valuable framework to assist business managers, bankers, and policymakers in managing green credit, strengthening eco-innovation, and improving environmental and economic performance. [Display omitted] • Green credit directly improved economic but not environmental performance. • Eco-innovation mediated the impacts of green credit on enterprise performance. • Eco-innovation activities are measured from industrial engineering perspective. • Credit granting to enterprise eco-innovation contributes to sustainable green credit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Promoting coordinated industrialization and environmental development is an objective set forth by the United Nations for Sustainable Development and shared by different nations worldwide. Environmental regulation (ER), green finance (GF), and increased investment in green technologies (IGT) are major initiatives in this regard. These fields have become prominent in achieving green development and climate recovery objectives. Several factors affecting green productivity growth have been analyzed in the literature; nevertheless, quantitative studies focusing on ER, GF, IGT, and green productivity are scarce. This research investigates the role of ER, GF, foreign direct investment (FDI), and IGT on GTFP in 27 Chinese provinces from 2010 to 2021. The findings reveal that strict ER significantly increases green productivity in China with a 1.826 beta value. In addition, other factors such as GF, FDI, and IGT contribute substantially to green manufacturing. This study is one of the first to integrate ER, GF, FDI, and IGT into a coherent framework of green productivity and considers the negative yield in GTFP as ignored in the previous ones. Based on empirical findings, policy implications for environmental planning in China are made. [Display omitted] • Environmental regulations (ER) significantly increase green productivity in China. • Investment in green technologies (IGT) is a significant positive predictor of green productivity in China. • Green finance (GF) initiatives contribute substantially to green manufacturing in China. • Foreign direct investment, ER, IGT, and GF help in achieving green economy objectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although green roofs are considered among the most sustainable building envelopes, an expanding tendency is the use of recycled or reused materials and low-cost products to improve their environmental and economic sustainability. This article evaluated the use of polyethylene granules, derived from the recycling of agricultural plastic waste coming from greenhouse covering, as drainage layer in green roofs. To this end, the physical properties (i.e. particle size, specific weight, minimum and maximum density and permeability) of five different recycled plastic granules were determined. Moreover, the thermal conductivity of one of these recycled products was assessed through a customized testing methodology varying the water content. Thermal conductivity measurements were conducted by using two pieces of equipment to cross-referencing the measurements. The same surveys were carried out on other granular drainage materials (i.e. perlite, expanded clay) to validate the proposed methodology as well as to compare the thermal performance of the examined materials. The results of the thermo-physical tests showed that the recycled plastic granules have features within the range requested for green roof drainage layer, very similar to those of perlite and, therefore, they may be used as an alternative to natural drainage materials. In addition, recycled polyethylene had mechanical and environmental performances better than commercial products, indeed it has the lowest weight increase in saturated conditions, about 80 kg/m3, so reducing the extra load applied on existing building rooftops, as well it produces very low Global Warming Potential (GWP) impact, that is 2–4 kgCO 2eq /FU. These outcomes could have wide dissemination considering that Europe is one of the major consumers of agricultural plastic products and their reuse/recycling comply with the ecological transition objectives. • The use of recycled agricultural plastic waste as green roof drainage layer. • The physical properties of five recycled plastic granules different in recycling process were determined. • A laboratory testing method to assess the thermal conductivity by varying water content is presented. • The results of the analyses carried out allow to extend the proposed procedure to different green roof granular materials. • Recycled plastic granules are suitable for application as the green roof drainage layer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Promoting coordinated industrialization and environmental development is an objective set forth by the United Nations for Sustainable Development and shared by different nations worldwide. Environmental regulation (ER), green finance (GF), and increased investment in green technologies (IGT) are major initiatives in this regard. These fields have become prominent in achieving green development and climate recovery objectives. Several factors affecting green productivity growth have been analyzed in the literature; nevertheless, quantitative studies focusing on ER, GF, IGT, and green productivity are scarce. This research investigates the role of ER, GF, foreign direct investment (FDI), and IGT on GTFP in 27 Chinese provinces from 2010 to 2021. The findings reveal that strict ER significantly increases green productivity in China with a 1.826 beta value. In addition, other factors such as GF, FDI, and IGT contribute substantially to green manufacturing. This study is one of the first to integrate ER, GF, FDI, and IGT into a coherent framework of green productivity and considers the negative yield in GTFP as ignored in the previous ones. Based on empirical findings, policy implications for environmental planning in China are made. [Display omitted] • Environmental regulations (ER) significantly increase green productivity in China. • Investment in green technologies (IGT) is a significant positive predictor of green productivity in China. • Green finance (GF) initiatives contribute substantially to green manufacturing in China. • Foreign direct investment, ER, IGT, and GF help in achieving green economy objectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The environmental pollution and degradation of natural resources issues are worsening with every passing day and companies need to take immediate action to save the environment. Due to this reason, the current study intended to explore the mediating role of green innovation in corporate environmental ethics and sustainable performance relationship. Additionally, multiple moderating effects 1). Environmental leadership in corporate environmental ethics and green innovation relationship, 2). Environmental strategy in green innovation and sustainable performance nexus was also explored. The multisource data (N = 404) were collected from the managerial-level employees of manufacturing companies in Pakistan using the survey method. We used the "structural equation modeling" technique to examine the proposed hypotheses. The results demonstrated that green innovation mediates the relationship between corporate environmental ethics and sustainable performance (social, economic, and environmental). In addition, environmental leadership positively moderates corporate environmental ethics and green innovation nexus. Furthermore, environmental strategy strengthens the green innovation effect on environmental and economic performance. Overall, the study findings supported almost all direct, indirect, and moderating hypotheses and provided some novel theoretical and practical implications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Magnesium oxychloride cement (MOC) has been applied in various fields due to numerous advantages, such as high early strength and low carbon emission. However, the adhibition of MOC has been restricted by the lower waterproofness. Herein in this work, a facile and green approach was come up with to manufacture high-performance magnesium oxychloride cement by the simple organic and inorganic hybrid of tannic acid (TA) and MOC. The fabricated MOC features improved water resistance and compressive strength, surpassing the performances of multiple previous studies, in which only the water resistance was reinforced with the sacrifice of the compressive strength. The excellent performance was ascribed to the chelation between TA and Mg2+ and the effective filling effect of gel-like phase 5. Such advanced MOC is of great potential in green architecture industry, and this simple and green strategy will give more inspirations for the preparation of high-performance MOC. [Display omitted] • Magnesium oxychloride cement was modified by the hybrid with tannin. • Tannin significantly improved the water resistance and strength. • The enhanced mechanism was the chelation of tannin and the filling effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Emerging pollutants such as pharmaceuticals and endocrine disruptors are found in sewage systems and wastewater treatment plants in low concentrations. After being discharged into the river, these pollutants can contaminate surface and groundwater, causing harms to human health and to the environment. Due to this problem, this study aimed to produce functionalized carbon nanotubes (CNTs) impregnated with iron (Fe) nanoparticles produced from green synthesis for the adsorption of five pharmaceuticals and an endocrine disruptor: ciprofloxacin, diclofenac sodium, losartan, ofloxacin and propranolol, and bisphenol-A. To demonstrate the efficiency of the green synthesis, Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) analyses were performed. Affinity adsorption tests, molecular simulation via density functional theory, and the construction of an artificial neural network (ANN) were performed to evaluate the adsorbents performance. Characterization analyses indicated that the synthesis process of the green route was successful in the production of solids. The green functionalization of nanotubes previously composed with hydroxyl and carboxyl groups showed the best results in the adsorption tests (>80%), except for bisphenol A, which presented better results with the nanotube constituted by hydroxyl group (100%). Bisphenol A and propranolol molecules proved to be less reactive than the others and the constructed ANN was able to satisfactorily predict the adsorption capacity based on independent variables. Therefore, it can be concluded that carbon nanotubes impregnated with iron nanoparticles prepared by green synthesis are promising for the removal of pharmaceuticals and endocrine disruptors from aqueous media. [Display omitted] • Functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes were modified by green synthesis. • Several plant extracts were used to reduce the metal on the nanotube surface. • Functionalized and modified nanotubes show promise in removing emerging contaminants. • Molecular modeling was used to analyze the reactivity of adsorbate molecules. • An Artificial Neural Network could satisfactorily predict the adsorption capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cities occupy 3% of the surface of the planet, but account for 60–80% of energy consumption and 75% of carbon emissions. Likewise, buildings consume 35% of the energy and emit 38% of global greenhouse gases. Cities can aggravate such problems further by generating the phenomenon of urban heat islands (UHI). Few studies have evaluated the state of the art in UHIs' influence on buildings' energy performance, so the present research aims to analyze the main studies evaluating the thermo-energy behavior of buildings subjected to UHI. This was done with a systematic literature review and a scientific mapping of the publications present in Web of Science until 2021. 100 articles were selected for analysis in this review. The results point to an important evolution in the study of parameters affecting urban buildings' performance, in addition to the analysis of different urban land uses as a strategy to sectorize UHI. Such scientific evolution is analyzed and discussed in four-time segments. Fragmentation on building cooling loads and the energy penalty index derived from UHI are discussed, resulting in an average cooling penalty of 6.63 kWh/m2/y/°C and 3.81 kWh/m2/y/°C, for residential and office use respectively. This study presents limitations and proposes applications for the use of this index, as well as prospects for future studies and main research gaps in the area. • 60 publications containing thermo-energy case study analyses of buildings performance affected by UHI were evaluated. • Building thermo-energy performance studies in UHI in hot or tropical climates and in small and growing cities are scarce. • The predominance ratio of the UHI effect vs shading/density over buildings is unclear in some climates. • Other parameters than raised temperature of urban environments over buildings should be evaluated in thermo-energy analyses. • An energy penalty index derived from UHII is discussed and some applications are exposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is aimed at studying the dust behaviour of a super-large stepped stope, which is essential in reducing the dust hazards and setting up effective dust control facilities. In this paper, a three-dimensional model is established for the super-large stepped stope of Nanwenhe. Based on the theory of gas-solid two-phase flow, the Fluent software was applied to carry out a numerical simulation of the air flow distribution in the stope and the dust concentration distribution from multiple dust sources. The simulation results reveal that air flow is affected by the roof fault, resulting in it being diverted to the connecting roadway of the return air roadway, the roof of the lower stope and the interior of the stope. A part of the air flow flows back to the upper stope operation area at a speed of 0.3–0.6 m/s. The dust produced by the shovelling and dumping operations forms a high concentration dust belt with a length of 41 m, a width of 3.6 m and an average concentration of over 260 mg/m³. A portion of the dust flows back to the operation area by bypassing the ore pillar, with a concentration of 60–80 mg/m³. The reliability of our simulation method was verified by field measurements of the air flow velocity and dust concentration. Finally, a new intelligent wind-fog combined dust removal system was designed according to the dust concentration distribution, which achieved an overall dust removal efficiency of 76.9%. These research results provide certain references for the study of dust migration law in underground metal mines and the development of dust removal equipments. [Display omitted] • First study on dust transport law in the stope of super large stepped metal mine. • Comprehensive simulation of discontinuous operation process. • The reliability of the simulation method is verified. • Provide certain references for the development of dust removal equipments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In urban water management, the green infrastructures and grey infrastructures are complementary in function, effectively alleviating urban flooding and non-point source pollution. Coupled grey-green infrastructures will bring multiple benefits to cities, such as ecological, environmental, economic, and social benefits. However, there is still a lack of a coupled optimization layout method for green and grey infrastructures under different objective oriented benefits. The optimal layout ratio of each infrastructure is not clear. In this study, a multi-objective optimization framework was proposed to optimize the layout of coupled grey-green infrastructures. Firstly, this framework established a hierarchy structure of benefits evaluation with a monetization method to estimate the monetized net benefits, costs and environmental benefits for directly comparing the benefits and cost. Secondly, the monetized benefits and costs were used as the objective functions in the optimization problem, which were resolved by an elitist non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm (NSGA-II) to obtain the optimal grey-green infrastructure layout ratios (i.e., decision variables) for balancing the conflicting objectives. A case study of a district in Xi'an was used for validation. Results show that the green roof layout ratio is 7.6%–9.9%, and tends to be within the higher ratio values in all return periods. The other two green infrastructures have a larger range of optimal layout ratios, which varies significantly with different solutions. Although the optimal layout scenarios are different for different objectives, the coupled grey-green layout significantly improves the net benefits and environmental benefits. Compared to the deterministic scenario, the net benefit of the optimized scenario increase by 2.39 × 106CNY and 2.31 × 106CNY under the same cost or environmental benefit, respectively. This study provides a piece of evidence in support of urban stormwater management and evaluates the effectiveness of coupled grey-green infrastructures. [Display omitted] • A framework for the optimal layout of grey-green infrastructure is proposed. • A multi-objective decision model with monetization methods is established. • The changes and relationships between the infrastructure layout are obtained. • A grey-green infrastructures layout is given based on different objectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The preservation of biodiversity is a rising global concern and will have a major impact on the design and management of buildings and their immediate surroundings. Thus far, the majority of work on biodiversity and the built environment appears to focus on urban planning, project development, and the niche area of designing buildings with living walls and green roofs. Knowledge on the specific interaction between individual buildings and animals is fragmented, preventing holistic efforts to better manage these interactions. This paper presents the findings from a scoping study which captures the state-of-the-art about relationships between individual buildings, building stakeholders, and animals. It reviews the current body of knowledge and points out three areas of interest that are crucial for future work on this area of study: (1) different stakeholder perspectives of building stakeholders on animals in and around buildings (2) positive and negative interactions between individual buildings and their immediate surroundings with animals and (3) management of interactions between animals in and around buildings. Findings show that literature in relation to these three aspects is fragmented and contains multiple gaps in relation to which species need to be considered and how, including a total absence of mathematical models able to represent animal-building interactions. It calls for better engagement between built environment researchers and their counterparts in biological sciences to collect appropriate data and extract relevant information from it, enhancing knowledge on complex biological processes towards producing shared understanding and developing integrated actions. • Only fragmented knowledge on interaction between specific buildings and animals. • Widely different stakholder perspectives on animals in and around buildings. • Positive and negative interactions between buildings and animals. • Animal management around buildings seems biased towards pest management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the article is to contribute to structuring the problem of how to advance a sustainable energy transition and achieve carbon neutrality goals while ensuring a democratic and inclusive process, by drawing on a pilot case – i.e., the energy transition in Portugal. By building on approaches and concepts from the Sustainability Transitions research field, the article explores perceptions, values, and concerns regarding distributed and centralized energy models; inclusivity and energy democracy; energy systems' sustainability concerns and the speed of the transition. The study draws on the hypothesis that stakeholders across the state, market, community and third sector spheres, while equally supporting decarbonization, have different perceptions, values, and concerns regarding the social, environmental, and technological dynamics of the energy transition that need to be better understood for accelerating the transition. The multi-method approach included interviews, a survey (N = 110) and a stakeholder workshop, to unpack the key values and preferences around energy system technologies, sustainability and inclusionary aspects, the role of centralized and distributed energy systems and new investments, namely in green hydrogen and lithium mining. The results indicate there is a significant convergence on the fact that decarbonization is a priority that needs to be supported by inclusive and democratic processes. Decentralization, energy communities and solar energy are extremely valued, and transparency and information sharing are crucial expectations for new lithium mining projects, large-scale solar and green hydrogen investments. These findings outline some avenues for future research, where participation and transparency become anchors for a sustainable and inclusive transition. • Importance attributed to reducing emissions is correlated to inclusiveness. • Solar and wind energy are the top favorite technologies, biomass the least favorite. • Stakeholders find distributed systems are the most important for the transition. • Centralized systems ought to follow transparent plans, involving citizens and local populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Green infrastructure could provide a suite of benefits, including stormwater management and climate change impact mitigation. While European countries, the USA and Canada are increasingly adopting green roofs, Australia is lagging behind. This study specifically reviews the performance of green roofs in terms of stormwater retention, runoff quality, building energy consumption and life cycle cost analysis, as well as policy development in the Australian context. Research studies on these topics within Australia are identified, collated and analysed with respect to other studies reported by reputable research groups in other countries, where the green roof system has already matured. It should be mentioned that the results related to energy consumption were from simulation studies and empirical evidence derived from limited case studies, as reported in the literature. This study found that the average water retention capacity (worldwide) of a green roof is around 66.2%, which is within to the values (60–70%) reported in Australian studies. Because of the high water retention capacity, green roofs limit the export of pollution for most storm events. But when green roofs are saturated, they may be a source of pollution. However, the concentration of the pollutant decreases significantly over time. The temperature reduction by green roofs in buildings ranges between 4 and 6 °C. There is a potential for energy savings in building heating and cooling, but the findings from the literature are highly variable (ranges between 9 and 50%). The average payback period reported for a green roof is about 16 years. However, this depends on the initial cost, maintenance and assumed discount rate in the study. It has been shown that government policies and public awareness are important to increase the green roof adoption rate. Finally, current challenges in adopting this technology and future research directions are summarised. • Average water retention capacity of a green roof is around 66.2%. • When green roofs are saturated, they may be a source of pollution. • Temperature reduction by green roofs in buildings ranges between 4 and 6 °C. • Average payback period reported for a green roof is about 16 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Within the context of using shore side electricity (SSE) at container terminals, we propose a multi-objective optimization model to solve the problem of berth allocation and quay crane assignment (BACAP). The proposed optimization model integrates the interconnected decisions on each vessel's berthing position, berthing start and departure time, duration of using SSE, and duration of using auxiliary engines to minimize the costs of using SSE, departure delay and emissions. Several factors, including the availability of SSE at different berths and vessels and the time-of-use (TOU) electricity pricing, which have been frequently ignored by previous studies, are specifically considered in this paper. Due to the complexity of the proposed model, an integrative algorithm framework is developed, composed of Partial Optimization Metaheuristic Under Special Intensification Conditions (POPMUSIC), Strength Pareto Evolutionary Algorithm 2 (SPEA2), and k -means clustering. The numerical experiments for a real-world case illustrate the efficiency of the developed algorithm framework and the effectiveness of the proposed model. Compared to the best-known solutions with only one objective considered, the proposed model reduces the costs of using SSE, departure delay, and vessel emissions by 27.47%, 37.51%, and 51.44%. Besides, some managerial insights are outlined based on the experiments under a series of designed scenarios. In doing so, the proposed optimization model assists the promotion of using SSE and the development of green ports and green shipping. • Proposing a multi-objective optimization model for the quayside operation. • Considering the availability of shore side electricity at berths and vessels. • Considering the impact of time-of-use electricity pricing. • Developing an integrative algorithm framework. • Performing experiments on well-defined instances generated from real-word data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The combination of Photovoltaics (PVs) with green roofs is a new tendency in the building sector and provides benefits such as PV output increase because of plant/PV interaction. The present study regards the evaluation of a PV-green roof along with other roof configurations: PV-gravel, green (extensive and intensive), gravel. The evaluation of the systems is based on Life Cycle Analysis by means of Eco-Indicator 99, IMPACT 2002+ and Cumulative Energy Demand methodologies. Stages of the phases of material manufacturing, material transportation, use/maintenance and disposal are considered and the results show that material manufacturing is the most energy-demand phase for all the studied roofs. The roofing systems are separated into PV roofs, non-PV roofs and the comparisons are conducted within each group. Emphasis is given on the PV-green configuration and its comparison with the PV-gravel one, based on different scenarios regarding PV output increase. The results reveal that although the PV-green system has an additional environmental impact in comparison with the PV-gravel one (because of its additional “green” components), this additional impact on a log-term basis can be compensated. Furthermore, the two PV roofs are compared with gasoil and those results also verify the benefits of the PV-green configuration regarding gasoil/cost savings and reduction of CO2 emissions. In general, the study gives emphasis on warm months of Mediterranean climate since PV-green roofs have been proven beneficial under these climatic conditions. Finally, a discussion about critical factors in the field of PV-green systems provides a wider view of the studied issues. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In many Mediterranean cities, there are densely built up settlements characterized by the lack of green spaces and the abundant use of impervious construction materials, so the phenomenon of heat stress is exacerbated and mitigation strategies are key to improve thermal conditions of pedestrians. The present study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of heat stress mitigation strategies by proposing a new heat stress risk index that comprehensively accounts for hazard, vulnerability and exposure of the urban context. The index is tested with the assessment of two different greenery scenarios based on the introduction of vegetation in the existing street spaces rearranged according to the principles of traffic calming and vertical vegetated surfaces. These scenarios have been simulated in a district of the metropolitan city of Catania (Italy) through the combined use of GIS software and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations in ENVI-met. Results showed that mitigation scenarios improve outdoor thermal conditions for pedestrians because about 66% of the domain area showed T mrt reductions in the range of 2.5 °C–7.5 °C with respect to the existing scenario. Furthermore, the no hazard area for 80+ residents is increased from 63% of current scenario to 83% of the advanced scenario, thus demonstrating the usefulness of the new index in giving a synthetic measure of effectiveness to decision makers. Further studies are planned to stress the capabilities of the index in contrasting heat stress risk and mitigation solutions for different urban tissues and climates. • Assessment of heat stress risk for elderlies and vulnerable people in dense urban settlement. • Mean radiant temperature is taken as the hazard factor. • A new heat stress risk of mortality is developed accounting also for age and exposure. • Greenery mitigation solutions are tested and discussed based on the index evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the microsubjects of transformation and upgrading, enterprises are conducting green innovation to help simultaneously improve economic and environmental quality. However, whether green innovation can promote green total factor productivity (GTFP) remains unclear, especially at a micro level. This study addresses this research gap from an empirical perspective, focusing on Chinese A-share listed enterprises and using economic and environmental statistical data at the province and city levels from 2004 to 2019. Results show that green innovation improves GTFP. The impact of green innovation on GTFP is heterogeneous, depending on patent types and characteristics of enterprises. Additionally, technical gap influence the impacts of green innovation on enterprise GTFP. It has a threshold effect in heavy-pollution enterprises. Green innovation inhibits enterprise GTFP when the technical gap is less than 132.7233. When the technical gap is more than 142.4535, green innovation promotes the enterprise GTFP. Our research provides microscopic evidence on green transformation for enterprises with heterogeneous characteristics and green innovation. • Green innovation can promote enterprise green total factor productivity (GTFP). • Impacts of green innovation on GTFP are heterogeneous as a function of patent types. • Green invention patents can promote GTFP more than green utility patents. • Technical gap has a threshold effect in heavy-pollution enterprises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, countries around the world are increasingly emphasizing the green concept in their foreign investment cooperation. As an important means to guide the green development of China's economy, green credit policy may affect the overseas investment decisions of Chinese enterprises and ultimately affect the investment efficiency. Based on the overseas direct investment data of Chinese A-share listed companies from 2007 to 2019, this paper calculates the overseas investment efficiency at the enterprise level by expanded Richardson model, and further tests the influence of green credit policy on the overseas investment efficiency of Chinese enterprises. The results show that green credit policy can improve the efficiency of enterprises' overseas investment, especially for state-owned enterprises and enterprises in low environmental regulations areas. Therefore, China's financial institutions should strengthen the implementation of green credit policies and formulate differentiated credit schemes for enterprises with different characteristics under the supervision of relevant departments. The results of this paper verify the effectiveness of the green credit policy, which is very important for accelerating the green development of China's overseas investment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A classical LCA methodology is here applied to green roofs including in this analysis also the whole life cycle of the substrate, that represented a lack of previous LCA studies on green roofs. This inclusion will allow a complete and proper application of the LCA methodology to achieve an environmental accounting of the “green roof” performance. We have here chosen to approach the problem by analysing a specific substrate, that is used within an actual extensive green roof. Afterwards, we have applied the LCA methodology to the whole actual extensive green roof whose substrate under analysis is part of. In this manner, we achieved an environmental accounting of the “green roof” performance. In this study the contribution of production, maintenance and end of life to the whole environmental burden of extensive green roofs has been illustrated as well. Furthermore, in the present work we have speculated about the required level of data for allowing a complete LCA analysis of a green roof. Particularly, we have focused here our attention on the role of fertilizers used for the green roof maintenance and on the disposal of substrate, which seem to play a significant role in the whole LCA balance. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Most water conservation and energy saving strategies for residential homes and commercial buildings have higher initial capital investment than traditional ones. Yet, the added benefits of these “green” building strategies should outweigh the increase of initial capital cost at the end of the house lifetime. Using green roof systems to cool houses gives rise to uncertainties from local precipitation patterns and the unstable market related costs and benefits. The optimal area of green roof to balance cost, benefit, and risk remains unknown. To achieve such a complex systems analysis, a grey stochastic programming model was prepared to address the optimal design strategies under mixed uncertainties. Such a cost-benefit-risk trade-off model was formulated for this study through an optimization framework to retrieve the optimal design strategies with respect to a typical Florida residential home (shingle and metal roofs). It is particularly designed to synergistically integrate a green roof with beneficial reuse of gray water and stormwater while achieving some degree of energy savings. The study identifies the optimal green roof area that keeps within the cost of a conventional home over a specific life time, such as 50 years. Research findings show that as the reliability level associated with the chance constraint was decreased, the upper bound of the green roof area did not vary much for either shingle or metal roofs. The lower bound was found to decrease in the same situation, however, due to the higher minimum cost of the cistern in relation to the greater volume of expected rainfall, forcing the required green roof area to decrease. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

As a market-based financial instrument, green credit is one of the key drivers for constructing green financial system. Green credit policy (GCP) can guide capital flow from high-energy consumption and high-pollution industries to technologically advanced emerging industrial sectors, so as to support the development of green industries and curb the emissions of polluting industries. In order to explore the extent to which the goal of green credit policy in China has been achieved, based on the micro data of China's listed enterprises from 2009 to 2017, this paper explores the impact of "Green Credit Guidelines" (2012 Guidelines) policy on the green transformation of heavy polluting industries (HPIs) by using a Difference in Differences (DID) and Propensity Score Matched-Difference in Differences (PSM-DID) models. We then analyze the mechanism between GCP and green transformation of HPIs and identify the heterogeneous effects of GCP on the green transformation of HPIs. The results show that the 2012 Guidelines significantly promote the green transformation of HPIs, through debt financing constraints and equity financing constraints. The effect of 2012 Guidelines on green transformation of small-scale and private enterprises is more pronounced. However, the positive effect of 2012 Guidelines on the green transformation of HPIs has not been sustained in the long term. Our study provides an insight for decision makers to manage green transformation of HPIs from the GCP perspective, by informing the economic consequences of GCP and pushing the industrial transformation towards green development. • Difference in differences is used to explore the impact of green credit policy on green transformation. • Debt financing constraint and equity financing constraint are main impact mechanisms. • The results are robust to a battery of robustness checks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Green roof is a popular green infrastructure type implemented in highly urbanized areas, but it is difficult to reliably translate local results to urban or watershed scales. It is necessary to develop appropriate methods to quantitatively identify prioritization of green roof retrofitting at urban functional zones (UFZs) where green roof implementation is most needed and suited. In urban regions, various UFZ types may have diverse demands and suitability levels of green roof retrofitting, thus they should be given different spatial prioritization in location planning of green roof practices. In this paper, the spatial potential of green roof retrofitting at UFZs scale was estimated and mapped, a priority index considered the demand for green space, runoff risk and suitability for roof greening of UFZs was developed to identify the priority areas for retrofitting green roofs, and runoff reduction effectiveness of hypothetical green roof retrofitting scenarios under three storm return periods were assessed. Results indicated that the total potential area for green roof retrofitting is 143.62 km2 within the Fifth Ring Road of Beijing, which accounts for 21.52% of the study area; The developed priority index was able to appropriately reflecting the differences on demands and suitability levels of green roof retrofitting in various UFZs; Compared with the baseline scenario (0% retrofitting), the average runoff volume was reduced by 1.34%–2.73% with 10% green roof retrofitting; The maximum average reduction effectiveness achieved was 9.17%–19.05% under a 100% green roof retrofitting scenario. The runoff coefficient within COZ (commercial zone), EGZ (education & government zone) and HRZ (high-density residential zone) was significantly reduced as green roof retrofitting percentages increased. These results can inform urban planners of a meaningful estimator of UFZs scale green roof potential and support for identifying the priority areas for partially implementing green roofs. • A priority index to identify the spatial prioritization of UFZs for retrofitting green roofs was developed. • The potential area for roof greening within the Fifth Ring Road of Beijing was 143. 62 km2. • Functional zones COZ and EGZ had higher priority values for retrofitting green roofs. • Average runoff volume was reduced by 1.34%-2.73% with 10% green roof retrofitting. • The average runoff reduction achieved was 9.17%-19.05% under 100% green roof retrofitting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Floods are among the most dangerous and destructive hazards in the world. Stormwater Beneficial Management Practices (BMPs) are a set of strategies that can assist in reducing urban floods and their damages by capturing surface runoff and promoting infiltration. Engagement of citizens in the selection of stormwater BMPs may facilitate the decision-making processes and increase the chance of adopting and maintaining them. Due to existence of catastrophic floods in Brazil, implementing BMPs is essential in the urban areas. The objective of this study is to understand the viewpoints of citizens about a set of stormwater BMPs in Brazil. Moreover, we aim to comprehend whether diverging viewpoints about the BMPs can be associated with existence of different layers in the society. For this purpose, online surveys were used to access wide and diverse groups of citizens from different ages, levels of education and income, as well as geographical location. The questions and descriptions of BMPs were prepared in an accessible language, and then disseminated through various platforms. The responses of more than 1000 participants were analyzed using descriptive and statistical methods. Our results show that the participants found the retention and detention basins, as well as permeable pavement as the most efficient BMPs. Moreover, considering the small-scale practices, although lot related BMPs are considered less efficient, citizens are willing to use green roof, bioretention, and rain barrels in their properties. In addition, most of the respondents support public investments on stormwater BMPs. Our analyses show that participants' age and level of education statistically influenced their choice of BMPs and willingness to pay for their maintenance and construction. These results can help Brazilian policy makers to prepare flood management plans by including stormwater BMPs that would be more accepted by the population. In addition, proposing practices that are aligned with citizens' perceptions creates a sense of responsibility, and is in accordance with the Brazilian New Framework of Sanitation that includes public participation in policy making. [Display omitted] • 1017 respondents took part on an online survey to find out their viewpoints about stormwater BMPs. • Most of the respondents supported public investment on stormwater BMPs. • Citizen perception about the efficiency of the BMPs was influenced by socioeconomic characteristics. • Most of the respondents showed willingness to apply these practices in lot scale. • Infrastructural techniques were found to be more efficient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is an increased interest in including green roofs in building legislation to enable green infrastructure and improve the built environments. Yet, trees on buildings in particular, have received little attention. This paper presents a parametric study on the effect of nine green roof configurations on outdoor and indoor temperatures and the associated cooling demand under three urban densities by coupling ENVI-met and EnergyPlus simulation software. This study is novel as it introduces the performance of green roof configurations that include canopy trees and compares their performance with typical green roofs that include only low canopy vegetation. Results show that 1) green roof performance has a greater impact on reducing indoor rather than outdoor temperatures; 2) green roofs with trees perform better compared with green roof configurations without trees, reducing the indoor temperature by up to 7.20 °C and air conditioning electric loads by 60%; 3) green roofs with trees excel in thermal performance compared with typical green roofs, even if the latter have a higher green coverage percentage. Therefore, the authors recommend using green roof performance for green building rating and legislation instead of using green coverage percentage. Furthermore, as green roof performance varies with urban density and building type, the authors suggest specifying the most appropriate green roof configuration for each neighbourhood in smart city models to maximise the benefits and address the city's needs. • Rooftop trees have better thermal performance compared with typical green roofs. • Rooftop trees reduce indoor temperature by up to 7.20 °C and cooling electric loads by up to 60%. • Green roof performance varies by urban density and building type. • Green roof rating schemes should use performance instead of coverage percentage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapid urbanization not only helps the urban economy achieve rapid growth but also imposes great pressure on resources and the environment. The green and blue infrastructure (GBI) in urban areas appears to be an important measure to enhance the economic benefits of the urban environment, but related research is still limited. In this article, we combine big data and machine learning methods to investigate the economic benefits of GBI in the city of Wuhan in Hubei Province. Specifically, the daily travel routes of citizens are analyzed at two scale levels (the housing and neighborhood scales); in our analysis, we start with the structural attributes of citizens' own houses, move on to the city street views that citizens walk through, pass by the locational amenities where citizens spend their leisure time, and arrive at open spaces located throughout the city. The above trajectory dataset includes 30 variables, which were used as the input into ordinary least squares (OLS), geographically weighted regression (GWR), and multiscale GWR (MGWR). The results show that MGWR (adj. R2 = 0.524 at the housing scale, while adj. R2 = 0.869 at the neighborhood scale) with all control variables and the GBI attribute variables have the highest goodness of fit: the closer GBI is to urban residents, the higher the economic benefits are regardless of the area; and the higher the street visible green rate is, the greater the economic benefits are. Therefore, urban areas can appropriately increase the number of well-designed small GBIs located near urban residents. Our research provides insights into how big data and machine learning can be employed in frameworks to characterize the economic benefits of GBI and can be applied in other countries and regions. [Display omitted] • Research uses machine learning with big data containing 30 variables from various GBI. • The dataset includes urban POI data, housing purchase data, satellite remote sensing images and urban street-view data. • Differences in economic benefits and spatial features of GBI at both the housing and the neighborhood scale are revealed. • HPM is enriched by adding the appreciation rate from 2015 to 2020 as a dependent variable. • The method can be easily applied to other regions when the data is available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is in general good awareness of the potential role of green roofs to regulate urban thermal environments, but a lack of effective spatial modeling of this cooling effect for a given roof greening scheme at the city scale. This study proposes a simplified and feasible approach to simulate the cooling effect provided by green roofs as a mitigation option to combat urban heat island effects in high-density urban areas. In this study, we established a spatial model of the cooling effect of green roofs, which integrated remote sensing methods and a statistical model based on the law of diminishing marginal utility of the cooling efficiency of green roofs (DMUCE) deduced from previous studies. A case study in Xiamen City, China demonstrates the applicability and implications of the model. Our modeling clearly simulated the size and strength of the urban cool island and its variation under different green roof scenarios. We found that green roofs play an important part in moderating the thermal environment in areas where larger green spaces and waterbodies are largely absent. When the proportion of green roofs is implemented at scale, roofs that are only partly green can also create some extra cool islands (not merely normal islands) in high-density urban areas, equivalent to small green spaces and waterbodies. The sensitivity analysis of the cooling effect indicated that the maximum potential benefit of heat island reduction ranged from 4.04 km2 to 9.75 km2 when the coverage of green roofs was extended to the entire Xiamen Island. Besides, our results suggested that all proposed strategies would not remarkably moderate the thermal environment in the north of Xiamen Island, where urban planners should pay more attention in the future. • A simplified model to simulate the cooling effect of green roofs at city level was proposed. • The law of diminishing marginal utility of cooling effect of green roof was summarized. • Green roofs could contribute to lowering temperature in high-density urban area. • The model allows prior assessment by planners of the cooling benefit from green roofs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Green roof substrates provide water, nutrients, and physical support to vegetation development, as well as being a key element in the hydrological performance of the system. In this regard, the use of aggregate components that improve physicochemical properties of the substrates optimises the ecosystem services provided by green roofs. This study demonstrates the effects of using rice husk as an aggregate material in engineered substrates for extensive green roofs. Sixteen different substrates compositions were tested with different proportions of natural (NRH) and carbonized (CRH) rice husk incorporated into a base mixture with fixed proportions of vermicompost, vermiculite, and construction waste. The study consists of two phases: i) laboratory analyses to assess the substrates' physicochemical properties, and ii) a pilot-scale field experiment to evaluate hydrological performance under real subtropical climate conditions and vegetation development using a monoculture planting of Sedum rupestre. The findings showed that CRH has the potential to improve some physicochemical properties, such as water holding capacity, bulk density, and porosity. Additionally, CRH substrates presented a slightly increased average retention rate (up to 7%) comparing to local topsoil. The average stormwater retention rate for all engineered substrates was 77.73%. Multiple linear regression models were satisfactorily fitted to observed data from the open field experiment allowing an estimation of potential substrates' retention rates. Moreover, vegetation development was positively affected by adding CRH comparing to the NRH. Carbonized rice husk presents as a useful material for improving green roof substrates properties and could be a sustainable alternative for local agriculture waste management. [Display omitted] • Adding carbonized rice husk (CRH) improves substrate' physicochemical properties. • The average stormwater retention rate (RR) for engineered substrates was 77.73%. • Substrates with higher content of natural rice husk (NRH) performs lower for RR. • The regression models were fitted satisfactorily with moderate confidence level. • CRH is a potential aggregate for the formulation of green roof substrates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasing the environmental sustainability of wastewater treatment contributes to the construction of sustainable urban water systems, especially for developing countries. Life cycle assessments (LCA) have quantified the environmental implications of overly-sophisticated discharge standards. However, studies on these topics provide limited practical guidance, as real policy concerns are rarely incorporated in the assessment process. One such concern is watershed management by satisfying the water quality limit (WQL) of the receiving environment. To manage sustainable wastewater treatment from a watershed perspective, this study integrates LCA with water quality models to facilitate the decision process. By parameterizing the WQL as a constraint condition, a hierarchical priority structure is established in the environmental index system, and alternatives that satisfy the WQL are screened, and compared in terms of life cycle burdens. This study investigates the effect of considering WQL on the evaluation of wastewater treatment strategies, using an urban sewage system case study in China. In wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), determining discharge levels based on the WQL of the receiving river, contributes to specific control of WWTPs with reduced life cycle burdens, compared with the "one size fits all" administrative strategy. Considering the influence of non-point source pollution (urban runoff), results demonstrate that only relying on wastewater treatment is unlikely to reliably satisfy the WQL. This study highlights the importance of utilizing an integrated policy to coordinate the treatment of wastewater and urban runoff for watershed management, by coupling enhanced wastewater treatment intensities with the green and gray storm water management infrastructures. This integrated policy quantitatively showed advantages in terms of stable control of water pollution, and less dependence on the self-purification capacity of the receiving river. • Life cycle assessment is integrated with water quality models. • Watershed water quality limit is incorporated for wastewater management using LCA. • Discharge standards for WWTPs can be determined on the basis of local water quality targets. • Combined green and gray infrastructures show less dependence on self-purification capacity of receiving river. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Household decentralized water systems, including rainwater harvesting and greywater recycling, are often touted as a means to improve the sustainability and resiliency of centralized municipal systems. This research is focused on the spatial distributions of life cycle energy savings, consumer cost savings, and percent demand met of decentralized, household rainwater harvesting (RWH) and greywater recycling (GWR) system adoptions when they are being optimized for either life cycle cost or energy savings. The city of Boston was used as a testbed for applying the modeling framework in this study. A dynamic model was developed for both RWH and GWR systems to simulate daily water and energy usages and savings over a 30-year time frame using Python. The cost and energy optimal sizes of the RWH and GWR systems for each residential building in Boston were calculated using the Brent's method. Household characteristics such as distance from the centralized plants, number of tenants, and roof size were either directly obtained through Boston GIS data or approximated based upon existing data. Overall, GWR systems were found to perform generally better than RWH systems across the entire Boston. An average life cycle cost saving of $909–948/year and an average life cycle energy saving of 586–622 MJ/year can be achieved via installing cost- or energy-optimized GWR systems. The middle city area is generally good for both RWH and GWR system adoptions from both cost and energy perspectives. Incentives might be provided to foster decentralized system adoptions with infrastructure renovation efforts in this area. On the other hand, the southern sub-urban areas are generally the most suitable for installing RWH systems, while the downtown and its surrounding areas are generally the most suitable for promoting GWR systems. When taking stormwater management into consideration, the downtown area can also benefit from combined RWH and GWR systems as well as shared systems with local parks or other buildings with larger irrigation demands. [Display omitted] • GWR is more cost and energy effective and can better meet user demand than RWH. • RWH system adoption has better performance in buildings with larger roof areas. • GWR system adoption has better performance in high occupancy buildings. • The middle city area is generally good for both GWR and RWH adoptions. • There is a tradeoff between the individual vs common good in both cost optimized systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

University buildings may contribute significantly to the urban demand of potable water, particularly in small and medium communities with large universities. In this regard, alternative sources of water supply contribute to minimizing the pressure on natural resources. This paper investigates the applicability of rainwater harvesting (RWH) systems to partially compensate the daily non-potable water demand in university buildings. The traditional daily water balance model was improved to enhance the accuracy of the performance analysis and design optimization of the RWH system by accounting for consumption and runoff variability. The novel algorithm was tested using real daily water consumption data for two university buildings located in Portugal. In addition, different scenarios were evaluated combing RWH systems with extensive green roofs and different runoff distributions over time. The findings indicate that the use of real daily water consumption data instead of average values influences the final results, especially in buildings with fluctuating water consumption patterns over time up to 11%. Regarding the runoff coefficient, it was verified that variable values are recommended compared to the average values. Runoff variability associated with the installation of green roofs was found to decrease RWH system performance due to reduced stormwater runoff. However, the scenario with 50% of the catchment area covered by extensive green roofs showed promising results, decreasing the potential water saving less than 6% and increasing the volume of retained water by almost 15%. • Rainwater Harvesting (RWH) systems in university buildings increase water savings. • The developed hydrologic model allows the inclusion of real consumption patterns. • Average demand values are inappropriate for fluctuating consumption patterns. • Green roofs (GR) combined with RWH systems proved to be a promising alternative. • GR provides additional benefits at building and urban scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Green roofs constitute a prominent urban green infrastructure solution and are considered to be able to enhance urban sustainability and resilience. Existing literature, however, lacks a holistic evaluation of their life cycle impacts. In this study, a comparative environmental and economic life cycle analysis between green and flat roofs under Mediterranean climate conditions was conducted, examining all green roof types (extensive, semi-intensive, intensive), two types of drainage layer (granular and synthetic) for each one, all green roof layer materials, life cycle stages (production of materials, use and maintenance, disposal) and their quantifiable costs and benefits, aiming to address this research gap. Dynamic whole-building energy demand simulations were also conducted in its context, which additionally investigated the effect of various factors on green roofs' energy saving potential. Thermally insulated green roofs provided a small improvement in the energy consumption for heating and cooling (up to 8.30% and 3.50% respectively) but significant reductions in total life cycle energy consumption (8–31%), CO 2 emissions (24–32%) and waste production (15–60%) rendering them a cleaner environmental option compared to flat roofs. However, they also produced a very important increase in total life cycle water consumption (279–835%). The extensive green roof types were the ones to perform better in all these indexes. They were also the only type to constitute a better economic choice than a flat roof for the private owner in a low discount rate (0.25%) scenario, both with or without public benefits. As this study shows, the green roofs' potential is not limited only to the improvement of the buildings' energy efficiency, as numerous studies in the field of energy efficiency highlight, but compared to flat roofs, expand to reduce the embodied energy, greenhouse gas emissions and material waste. By means of environmental footprint, they are superior to flat roofs when only energy and emissions are considered, while in regions where water availability is a key environmental factor, this superiority is in question, together with their economic feasibility in countries where this technology is not financially supported. • Green and flat roofs comparative environmental and economic life cycle evaluation. • Green roofs reduce life cycle energy consumption, GHG emissions and waste. • Green roofs increase water consumption compared to flat ones. • Extensive green roofs were the most environmentally friendly green roof types. • Extensive green roofs were a better economic choice than flat ones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radiative sky cooling has attracted worldwide attention due to its passive cooling potential with zero energy input. Daytime cooling materials with outstanding spectral properties are developing rapidly. Using these new cooling materials as roof coatings can become one of the most prominent radiative cooling methods integrated with buildings. Current existing models and numerical tools are not able to incorporate the spectral selectivity of radiative cooling materials and local precipitable water vapor, thus failing to accurately predict roof thermal performance. To this end, the paper newly develops a spectral selectivity-based passive radiative roof cooling model to integrate full spectral properties of emerging cooling materials and consider precipitable water vapor-induced atmospheric radiation for precise evaluation of roof cooling performance. A field experiment was carried out to validate the developed model. The mean bias errors (MBEs) of the model in the prediction of rooftop temperatures were found less than 4.6%, verifying the sufficient accuracy of the new model in characterizing roof temperature variations. After validation, the developed model was used to investigate the potential benefits of radiative cooling as a rooftop strategy in the hot and humid region of Hong Kong. The whole year on-site weather data were collected as the model input. Compared to the baseline coating, the reductions in monthly cumulative roof thermal transfer values by applying a porous polymer cooling coating are 18.5–22.3, 33.7–40.5 and 2.9–3.5 kWh/m2 for residential concrete-based, industrial galvanized steel-based, and standard-compliant commercial multilayered roofs, respectively. For the above three roofs, the radiative cooling coating is able to save the annual roof-induced cooling electricity of 54.7–76.6, 97.4–136.4, and 8.8–12.2 kWh/m2, corresponding to the cooling cost saving of 71.8–100.5, 127.8–179.0, 11.5–16.0 HK$/(m2·yr), respectively. The new spectral selectivity-based radiative roof cooling model can be widely employed to accurately evaluate the utilization of daytime radiative coolers as a rooftop strategy in improving building thermal and energy performance. • Radiative roof cooling model incorporating spectral selectivity was newly developed. • The new model was validated by a field experiment with the MBEs within 4.6%. • Monthly RTTVs are reduced by 33.7-40.5 kWh/m2 for industrial metal roofs. • Annual roof-induced cooling electricity is reduced by 97.4-136.4 kWh/m2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]