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Increasing energy efficiency in manufacturing has significant environmental and cost benefits. Turning on or off a machine dynamically while considering the production rate requirements can offer substantial energy savings. In this work, we examine the optimal policies to control production and turn on and off a machine that operates in working, idle, off, and warmup modes for the case where demand inter-arrival, production, and warmup times have phase-type distributions. The optimal control problem that minimises the expected costs associated with the energy usage in different energy modes and the inventory and backlog costs is solved using a linear program associated with the underlying Markov Decision Process. We also present a matrix-geometric method to evaluate the steady-state performance of the system under a given threshold control policy. We show that when the inter-arrival time distribution is not exponential, the optimal control policy depends on both the current phase of the inter-arrival time and inventory position. The phase-dependent policy implemented by estimating the current phase based on the time elapsed since the last arrival yields a buffer- and time-based policy to control the energy mode and production. We show that policies that only use the inventory position information can be effective if the control parameters are chosen appropriately. However, the control policies that use both the inventory and time information further improve the performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pollution haven hypothesis is widely used to explain the predatory relocation of foreign investors to emerging markets. However, the long-term effect of the pollution haven hypothesis remains a mystery, given the natural evolution of environmental regulations. This study proposes that the likelihood of foreign divestment in the emerging market increases when the regional environmental regulatory pressure becomes more stringent. Empirical support is obtained through a Cox proportional hazard model of 402 international joint ventures established in China in 2000, whose foreign divestment status is traced until 2017. The findings support the karmic debt of the pollution haven hypothesis; that is, foreign investors' focus on avoiding environmental regulatory costs by relocating to emerging markets in the short run will backfire in the long run unless they bring something of value to the host market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article analyzes the environmental costs of Diesel Multiple Unit and Diesel Railcars operated in Poland. It consisted in determining the annual cost of gases and particulate matter emitted into the ambient air by the analyzed rolling stock. For this purpose, tests were carried out on the emission of harmful exhaust gases from a railbus equipped with the most commonly used drive system. The vehicle had two identical compression ignition engines meeting the Stage IIIB standard with a displacement of 12.8 dm3. Maximum power of the engine was 390 kW at a rotational speed of 1800 rpm and a maximum torque of 2200 Nm at 1300 rpm. In order to measure harmful exhaust compounds, tests were carried out in real operating conditions using Portable Emission Measurement System (PEMS) equipment. The tests carried out in track conditions showed that the rail vehicle did not meet the approval limits for nitrogen oxides (real value -- 2.43 g/kWh, emission standard -- 2.0 g/kWh). However, it should be remembered that the limit values are established in stationary tests and not in actual operating conditions. In the next stage, the annual emissions of rail buses operating in Poland were estimated. For this purpose, data from the Office of Rail Transport on the number of vehicles registered in the country and the average distance traveled by the vehicles were used. The data obtained indicate that the vast majority (over 98%) of environmental costs are costs related to carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the optimal energy mix for industrial complexes by incorporating renewable energy systems, decarbonization strategies, and sector coupling technologies. Using data from the Balan Industrial Complex in Korea, five energy scenarios were evaluated, ranging from conventional systems (Scenario 1) to advanced renewable configurations (Scenario 5). The results show that Scenario 5, which integrates sector coupling systems and decarbonization technologies, is the most cost-effective and environmentally sustainable. Scenario 5 achieves the lowest Net Present Cost (NPC), and significantly reduces CO2 emissions. Furthermore, an analysis of electricity prices and CO2 costs from Korea, the United States, and Germany highlights the critical role of regional electricity tariffs and carbon pricing in determining the economic feasibility of energy systems. While renewable setups require higher initial investments, Scenario 5 proves to be the most economically viable over time, offering both cost savings and environmental benefits. These findings provide valuable insights for policymakers and industry leaders, emphasizing the importance of customized strategies to optimize energy systems in industrial applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Energy, exergy, environment analyses and multi-objective optimization are performed for vortex tube coupled with transcritical refrigeration cycle (TVTC). • The parametric investigation is done to assess the thermodynamic performance of TVTC. • The cooling capacity of TVTC is found to be 10.1 % to 21.1 % higher than that of TVCR. • The maximum COP and exergetic efficiency of TVTC are higher than those of TVCR. • The evaporator temperature is the most influential input parameter in multi-objective optimization. The present study deals with the thermodynamic investigation of vortex tube coupled with trans-critical vapour compression refrigeration cycle (TVTC), followed by environmental analysis and multi-objective optimization. In this research, effect of various operating and design parameters is studied on the performance of TVTC. Furthermore, a comparison is made between the outcomes of TVTC and simple trans-critical vapour compression refrigeration cycle (TVCR). Results show that the optimum gascooler pressure for TVTC is observed to be lower than that of TVCR. Also, the cooling capacity and COP of TVTC are observed to be 10.1 % to 21.1 % and 2.3 % to 11.3 %, respectively, greater than those of TVCR. Moreover, the exergetic efficiency of TVTC is 2.3 % to 11.3 % higher than that of TVCR for the investigated range of evaporator and gascooler exit temperatures. The environmental penalty cost (per unit cooling capacity) of TVTC is 3.5 % to 12.2 % lower than that of TVCR. Furthermore, the coefficient of structural bond is calculated in order to choose the most sensitive parameters for system's performance. Additionally, genetic algorithm-based multi-objective optimization has been performed, with the evaporator temperature serving as the primary determining factor in establishing the optimal solution. This finding can guide the development of TVTC-based systems for a wide range of applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This critical commentary focuses on the research in Event Management on economic sustainability and events. We begin with a broad definition of an economically sustainable event that builds on economic impact to include social equity, livability, and community well-being, and accounts for environmental and social costs. We consider the methods, approaches, and types of events represented in the journal that lack diversity. The findings indicate that quantitative approaches predominate, focused on the direct and indirect contributions of visitor expenditure. Social, natural, and community capital have received less attention. The review calls for greater consideration of the economic sustainability of events beyond the tourism contribution; longitudinal studies on the impacts of events on the economic well-being of communities; understanding how events impact equity; correcting research bias towards Western developed economies by examining different contexts; exploring multiple event types; and investigating the role of planning in realizing economically sustainable events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper researches factors influencing green entrepreneurship in the five European Union's emerging markets from 2008 to 2020. We choose five countries from the UE not in the eurozone (International Monetary Fund's approach to assessing economies), including Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, Poland, and Romania. The theoretical part discusses selected problems related to green entrepreneurship (we focus on analysing green sectors of the economy) and its determinants. The practical part shows the research results. We use Pearson's R, the ordinary least squares, and the vector autoregression model (VAR) to verify our research hypothesis (p-value < 0.05). We focus on factors which are crucial for entrepreneurship OECD (2011). Measuring green entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurship at a Glance, including macroeconomic conditions (MacroCon), creation and diffusion of knowledge (CaDKnow), entrepreneurial skills and capabilities (CapEnt), regulations (RegFram), and the expenditure on environmental protection (EnvProt). According to the OLS regression, there is a substantial variation in the impact of individual factors on green entrepreneurship in emerging markets from 2010 to 2020. Moreover, green is conditioned by a sequence of events, with the past determining the present values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Improving the accessibility to archaeological sites in a desert is a crucial issue; it enhances the landscape value and helps in achieving sustainable tourism development. El-Fayoum Oasis and Governorate in Egypt, has a unique heterogenic environment that encompasses desert, lakes, agriculture lands, and urban areas. It is quite rich in historical heritage reflected by abundant archaeological and cultural sites, many of which fall in desert zones. A main constraint is the poor or lack of accessibility to such sites. In this study, we designed a geospatial model for planning a sustainable least cost tourist route (path) to link and develop three archaeological sites namely; Madinet Madi, Watfa city and Ummal-Barijat ruins. Spatial multicriteria decision analysis was integrated with the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) and the least cost path modules. Three cost criteria themes were created associated with economic, social and environmental costs. A cost surface and a least-cost path were created for each criterion and for each theme. The themes were combined using weighted linear combination to create four least cost scenarios for the path. Five preference criteria were used to compare the four route scenarios. Results show that the environmental scenario scored first scoring 0.69 while the economy path scores second 0.42, the equal weights path scores third 0.40 and finally the social path comes to be the last having a preference score 0.36. The method is flexible because priority can be changed and adapted according to specifications and site variances. It can be helpful for decision makers and planners in planning routes based on visual maps and priority visions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enlightening discourses and subjective perceptions is a crucial issue for policy makers to improve public acceptance and better understand social conflicts. This paper offers an overview of reasons to use Q methodology in environmental economic policy and an example on water governance. Based on 35 face-to face interviews with French water stakeholders, this study highlights consensus and disagreements on the controversial use of water. Participants sorted statements representing means to manage the resource in a better way, associated with domestic, agricultural, and industrial consumption reduction, preservation of the resource in quality and quantity, city planning and innovation, water governance and information, solidarity, and shared initiatives. This study identifies five prevailing stakeholder perspectives. They rely on the trade-off between quality and quantity, collective involvement, knowledge of water resources, technological optimisation and pricing and regulation. These perspectives are then developed to inform decision-making of various stakeholders such as policy makers and water experts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energy system planning has evolved from a narrow focus on engineering and supply works towards addressing more complex, multifactorial challenges. Increasingly challenged by climate change, extreme events, economic shocks, and altered supply demand patterns, the analysis of energy systems requires holistic approaches based on data-driven models, taking into account key socio-economic factors. We draw insights from reviewing the literature, indicating the need to cover the following major gaps: the shift to transdisciplinary approaches, incorporating environmental system analysis; resilient and sustainable energy designs based on flexible portfolios of renewable mixes; the integration of socio-economic aspects, economic analyses and behavioural models to ensure energy systems are not only technically sound but socially acceptable and viable; the need for stakeholder engagement considering the human angle in energy security and behavioural shifts. Responding to these pressing challenges and emerging needs, the Global Climate Hub (GCH) initiative, operating under the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, offers a conceptual framework, leveraging transdisciplinary approaches. In this Concept Paper, we present for the first time the idea of the GCH as a framework that we believe has the potential to address the modern holistic needs for energy system analysis and policymaking. By setting the conceptual/theoretical ground of our suggested approach, we aim to provide guidance for innovative combinations of cutting-edge models, socio-economic narratives, and inclusive interaction with relevant stakeholders for the development and the long-term implementation of sustainable pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cell culture is a cornerstone of in vitro biological research. Whilst glassware was once commonplace in tissue culture facilities, in recent decades laboratories have moved towards a heavy reliance on single use plastics for routine procedures. Single use plastics allow for accessible, sterile, and often affordable equipment that comes at a high environmental cost. We developed a glassware preparation and cleaning process that allowed the comparison of "traditional" plastic-heavy, and adapted "sustainable," cell culture practices, to empirically compare the sterility, viability, and proliferative capacity of cells cultured with differing techniques, by observing IL-6 production, morphology, and proliferation rate of cultured human pulmonary fibroblast cells. During which, we calculated the carbon footprint of traditional versus sustainable methods. We additionally endeavored to provide a realistic overview of the steps required to transition to more sustainable cell culture practices and make suggestions to ease the cost, labor, and time required to uptake similar practices in other laboratories. Cells cultured using reusable glassware did not show signs of contamination or stress compared to cells grown solely with plasticware, and glassware baked at 180°C for 120 min was sufficiently decontaminated and depyrogenated for culturing these cells. An individual researcher adopting the same methodology could reduce their carbon footprint by 105.92 kg of Carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) whilst also saving money (£408.78) over a 10-year period. We predict that these benefits would be greater if more researchers were to uptake these adapted practices. We intend for this paper to reassure researchers that viable, sterile, and sustainable routine cell culture can be achieved with little upfront cost to the researcher, with the prospective benefit of greatly reducing the cost to the environment. We additionally hope that increased uptake, and thus demand of more sustainable practices, encourages suppliers, policy makers, and funding bodies to make sustainable practices more accessible to individual researchers and institutions worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study delves into the complex interplay between land use dynamics, hydrological services, and intangible benefits within the context of Ifrane National Park (INP) in Morocco. Due to its extensive mountain forests and numerous wetlands, INP is a crucial contributor to the nation's water supply and a vital source of hydrological ecosystem services (HES). However, climate change and evolving land use patterns have led to diminishing water resources and the desiccation of certain wetlands. This research used the Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Tradeoffs software (InVEST 3.10.2) for HES quantification and environmental economics approach for monetization to comprehend how HES values respond to challenges posed by urbanization, intensive agriculture, and other land use alterations. This work underscores INP's role as a significant "water tower", emphasizing the evolution of its services amidst challenges. Our findings reveal an annual decrease in HES economic value by USD 4000. This economic assessment serves as a compelling tool to enlighten decision-makers and park users about the imperative need to preserve natural ecosystems and use water resources judiciously. It advocates for investments in conservation and restoration within protected areas to sustain these vital services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Philippine duck (Anas luzonica) is a vulnerable species, endemic to the Philippines. The need of local people for food and land has led to the endangerment of the Philippine duck populations through illegal hunting and the conversion of wetlands to aquaculture and farmland. This study was conducted to determine the willingness to pay (WTP) of residents (n = 500) in Maguindanao provinces for the conservation of the Philippine duck and the effects of conservation attitude and knowledge toward the Philippine duck, as well as sociodemographic characteristics, on WTP. The mean annual WTP for Philippine duck conservation was USD 0.60, and the total estimated annual amount that could be collected was USD 134 thousand when projected based on the number of households in the Maguindanao provinces. A positive conservation attitude and high knowledge increased the WTP for Philippine duck conservation. Females, pet owners, and those with higher income pledged a higher WTP than males, non-pet owners, and those with lower income. This study revealed that local residents are supportive of the conservation of the vulnerable duck populations by paying a considerable amount. These results are critical for designing and implementing outreach programs for increasing awareness and the acquisition of funds urgently needed for the protection and conservation of the remaining Philippine duck population in the area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the most important problems in economic development is the supply of stable amounts of renewable energy sources, including biomass. The production of biomass in Poland is not satisfactory; thus, this country has to import this product. As with other products, the trade of stable biomass includes both imports and exports and depends on the price and other characteristics of the market. This research aimed to assess the biomass trade in terms of energy and evaluate changes and trends in the import and export of biomass in Poland and its characteristics. Moreover, the export specialization index (SI index), Grubel–Lloyd index (IITk index) and foreign trade coverage index (CRK index) were evaluated. The considerations were based on the biomass trade in the context of environmental economics. This research found that the neighboring countries of Poland are the most important partners in both imports and exports. Germany and Lithuania are the most important countries in the trade of woody biomass. The export specialization index (SI index), in 2005–2008, was positive and growing, which means that exports exceeded imports; then, in 2009, there was a decline; from 2010 to 2013, the balance increased again, reaching significant positive values until 2019; and, in 2020, there was a decline. The Grubel–Lloyd index for the Polish wood and forestry industry showed a dynamic evolution in the analyzed period of 2005–2020, which reflects the industry's adaptive strategies in the face of global changes. Raw wood and veneer sheets are more volatile, which may indicate periodic shifts in the structure of foreign trade and the flexibility of producers to respond to international trends and demands. The CRK index in the years 2005–2020 presents an astonishing picture of changes in competitiveness and the ability to maintain the balance of imports and exports. The significant increase in the ratio of firewood and raw wood may reflect an increase in interest in renewable energy sources and the expansion of the industry into new markets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID‐19 pandemic created healthcare backlogs of routine primary and preventive care, elective procedures, dental care, and mental healthcare appointments across the world. So far, governments are responding by enacting pandemic recovery policies that expand their healthcare sector activity, without much, if any, consideration of its effects on the environmental crisis that is (among other things) worsening human health and health equity. This study argues that, as a matter of health and social justice, governments have an ethical responsibility to equitably reduce the backlog with minimal environmental damage. To do so, a first key action is to give priority to policy options that minimise negative human impacts on the environment. Yet these policies alone will not be sufficient to address the backlog, particularly in relation to elective procedures. The study therefore contends that a second key action for governments is to enact the policy options that are best able to equitably reduce the remainder of the backlog, while accelerating the transition to sustainable health care in ways that are best able to reduce the specific environmental costs of those policy options. It concludes by considering whether limits apply to governments' ethical responsibilities that ultimately mean accelerating the transition to sustainable health care is not required when addressing the backlog. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cement production is linked to heavy environmental load with exigences for reduction and substitution of raw materials and energy demands/sources. Recently, with the potential commercial discovery of natural gas (NG) reserves in Lebanon, discussions on the viability of fuel-switching, from petcoke (kiln processes) and heavy fuel oil (HFO) (reciprocating engines) to NG in the cement sector emerged. To that aim three alternative scenarios (SCx) were suggested: shifting petcoke to NG in kiln processes (SC1); shifting reciprocating engines from HFO to NG (SC2); shifting kiln processes and reciprocating engines to NG (SC3). An economic analysis indicated that SC2 is the only viable option. This paper presents a new combination of life cycle impact assessment (LCA) and monetization to quantify environmental impacts for the decision-making processes, within the Lebanese context. The LCA was conducted using primary data and SimaPro v8.5.2.0. The functional unit (FU) was 1 kg of cement. IPCC 2013 GWP 100a V1.03, Cumulative Energy Demand (CED) V1.10 ReCiPe 2016 E v1.02 impact assessment and Stepwise2006 (V1.05.3) monetary valuation methods were used. Results indicated that all scenarios lead to a reduced carbon footprint: 0.016 kgCO2eq., 0.0008 kgCO2eq. and 0.0168 kgCO2eq. for SC1, SC2 and SC3, respectively, from the baseline 1.0327 kgCO2eq.. The baseline CED was 5.06 MJ, and 4.5 MJ, 4.91 MJ and 4.35 MJ for SC1, SC2, and SC3, respectively. SC3 had the lowest environmental burden, followed by SC1 and SC2. Damage assessment results indicated that all alternative scenarios reduce environmental damage, while SC3 brought the highest benefit followed by SC1 and SC2, respectively. Monetization results/ FU indicated a cost burden of 25.54 US¢, 24,64 US¢, 25.5 US¢ and 24.6 US¢ for baseline, SC1, SC2 and SC3, respectively. Finally, the best fit option, after internalizing the environmental cost, shifted from SC2 to SC3 indicating the merits of combining LCA and monetization into decision-making processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The monetary policy operations of a central bank (CB) involve allocation decisions when purchasing assets and taking collateral. A green monetary policy aims to steer or tilt the allocation of assets and collateral toward low-carbon industries, to reduce the cost of capital for these sectors in comparison to high-carbon ones. Starting from a corporate bonds purchase program (e.g., CSPP) that follows a carbon-neutral monetary policy, we analyze how a shift in the CB portfolio allocation toward bonds issued by low-carbon companies can favor green firms in the market. Relying on optimal portfolio theory, we study how the CB might include the risk related to the environmental sustainability of firms in its balance sheet. In addition, we analyze the interactions between the neutral or green CB re-balancing policy and the evolutionary choice (i.e., by means of exponential replicator dynamics) of a population of firms that can decide to be green or not according to bonds borrowing cost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We measure the cost of technical inefficiency for local electricity distribution firms in Sweden using Stochastic Frontier Analysis, and explore how small-scale generation, the number of electric vehicles and the introduction of dynamic pricing schemes affects the transient inefficiency and efficiency scores. Our results show little to no effect of these environmental variables on the cost of technical inefficiency of electricity distribution grids in Sweden. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article confronts strands of thought in environmental ethics with environmental economics. Three approaches in ethics are addressed: that pointing to the rights of individual natural entities, the holistic approach, and the relational approach of Human and Nature. They are confronted with three strands of thought in environmental economics: the welfare economics approach, the biophysical-centric approach, the relational economic approach. The confrontation of ethics and environmental economics allow us to draw some insights both for academic research and environmental policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the complex relationship between economic growth and environmental sustainability through a multifaceted analytical approach. Utilizing a robust dataset that includes key economic and sustainability metrics from various countries, the research employs exploratory data analysis, regression analysis, time-series analysis, and clustering techniques to unveil these relationships. The findings of the research illustrate a significant correlation between gross domestic product and carbon dioxide emissions, supporting the Environmental Kuznets Curve hypothesis, which proposes that initial economic growth worsens environmental degradation until a certain level of wealth is reached. Furthermore, the research emphasizes that while renewable energy consumption and electricity access are crucial, their current impact is insufficient to offset the environmental costs of economic growth. Through clustering analysis, the study identifies diverse national profiles, highlighting the necessity of tailored strategies to effectively address sustainability challenges. These insights emphasize the importance of integrated policies that promote both economic and environmental goals, supporting energy efficiency, cleaner technologies, and stringent environmental regulations. This comprehensive study lays the groundwork for informed policymaking aimed at achieving sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review focuses on the physical disruption techniques in extracting intracellular compounds, a critical step that significantly impacts yield and purity. Traditional chemical extraction methods, though long-established, face challenges related to cost and environmental sustainability. In response to these limitations, this paper highlights the growing shift towards physical disruption methods—high-pressure homogenization, ultrasonication, milling, and pulsed electric fields—as promising alternatives. These methods are applicable across various cell types, including bacteria, yeast, and algae. Physical disruption techniques achieve relatively high yields without degrading the bioactivity of the compounds. These techniques, utilizing physical forces to break cell membranes, offer promising extraction efficiency, with reduced environmental impacts, making them attractive options for sustainable and effective intracellular compound extraction. High-pressure homogenization is particularly effective for large-scale extracting of bioactive compounds from cultivated microbial cells. Ultrasonication is well-suited for small to medium-scale applications, especially for extracting heat-sensitive compounds. Milling is advantageous for tough-walled cells, while pulsed electric field offers gentle, non-thermal, and highly selective extraction. This review compares the advantages and limitations of each method, emphasizing its potential for recovering various intracellular compounds. Additionally, it identifies key research challenges that need to be addressed to advance the field of physical extractions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article empirically explores the potential effects of CETA (Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement) on per capita emissions of 4 air pollutants. It shows statistically significant evidence suggesting that more trade between the EU and Canada could help reduce per capita emissions of C O 2 , C H 4 , and N 2 O in a typical CETA member, respectively. However, it finds unambiguous empirical evidence implying that Canada may act as Pollution Haven for C H 4 because it has more land per capita than any EU member. Moreover, it provides clear empirical evidence suggesting that 8 former Communist EU members (and Malta only for F-Gases may act as Pollution Havens for N 2 O and F-Gases because they are poorer than Canada. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Justice in sustainability transitions requires states to design transition policies that 'leave no‐one behind'. Emphasising fairness, however, may entail slowing or scaling down the impetus of sustainability transition. To examine this risk empirically, we analysed how stakeholders frame justice in deliberating policy measures needed to support just transition in agricultural land use and dietary changes, the cornerstones of building healthier and climate friendlier food systems in Finland. The results show that justice frames focus on the potential impacts of transition, largely ignore global scale, and prioritise social justice claims at the cost of environmental ambition. To create just and environmentally effective policies, policymakers need to consider justice at the level of policy‐mixes combining environmental and social policies. Furthermore, they need to acknowledge systemic injustices present in existing systems while striving towards just transition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Various aphid species, including Aphis gossypii Glover (Hemiptera: Aphididae), are considered important pests of okra and other vegetables. Previous studies under 1 environment in Cameroon, Central Africa, had found multiple okra genotypes with resistance to A. gossypii. However, the stability and yield performance of the "resistant" genotypes across different environments were unknown. Ten previously identified aphid-resistant okra genotypes along with 1 commercial variety and a local landrace (specific to a given location) were compared during 2 seasons in replicated trials in 4 agro-ecological zones of Cameroon that also represent large areas of Central Africa. Aphid populations and okra yield parameters were evaluated. Breeding values were predicted using a linear mixed model for all data, and genotypes by location interactions were identified. The area under the infestation pressure curve (AUIPC) was calculated using aphid count data and subjected to resistance analysis. The Local—the most susceptible with the highest breeding value (+2.33)—and VI060794—one of the moderately resistant—genotypes had the highest yield per hectare. The only resistant genotype VI036213 had the lowest breeding value (–2.20). Genotype × location interactions were significant for yield, pod width, and plant height, while location variance was significant for all parameters evaluated. When considering that higher aphid densities could lead to greater pesticide use and, therefore higher production and environmental costs, the high-yielding VI060794—with moderate aphid resistance across multiple environments—presents an alternative or substitute for local landraces across multiple agro-ecologies of Cameroon and (by extension) Central Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental justice issues have been absent or downplayed in most environmental economics textbooks and classes. This omission is a lost opportunity to teach and extend core economic concepts while attracting a diverse set of students. In this article, the authors share different perspectives and teaching materials to introduce an environmental justice module into an environmental economics course. Their approach combines traditional economic concepts and methods with case studies and insights from other disciplines. This approach is proposed in the hope of advancing two goals. First, the approach aims to create a module accessible and appealing to a broader set of students than is traditionally represented in the economics discipline. Second, the materials help convey the relevance of economic ideas and analysis to real-world issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The search for alternatives to petrochemical plastics has intensified, with increasing attention being directed toward bio-based polymers (bioplastics), which are considered healthier and more environmentally friendly options. In this review, a comprehensive overview of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) is provided, including their characterization, applications, and the mechanisms underlying their biosynthesis. PHAs are natural polyesters produced by a wide range of prokaryotic and some eukaryotic organisms, positioning them as a significant and widely studied type of bioplastic. Various strategies for the production of PHAs from agroindustrial waste, such as cacao shells, cheese whey, wine, wood, and beet molasses, are reviewed, emphasizing their potential as sustainable feedstocks. Industrial production processes for PHAs, including the complexities associated with extraction and purification, are also examined. Although the use of waste materials offers promise in reducing costs and environmental impact, challenges remain in optimizing these processes to enhance efficiency and cost-effectiveness. The need for continued research and development to improve the sustainability and economic viability of PHA production is emphasized, positioning PHAs as a viable and eco-friendly alternative to conventional petroleum-based plastics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the perspective of joint operation between coal power enterprises and new energy power enterprises (JOCN), this paper constructs an evolutionary game model among coal power enterprises (CPEs), new energy power enterprises (NEPEs) and the government, and analyzes the influencing factors of the final strategy choices of various subjects through evolutionary simulation. The results show that: (1) The game among CPEs, NEPEs and the government in JOCN is a win–win game. (2) The probability of CPEs choosing to participate in the joint operation is positively correlated with additional operating income, government subsidies and environmental costs in coal power generation, while negatively correlated with additional operating costs and spillover effects. (3) The probability of NEPEs choosing to participate in the joint operation is positively correlated with additional operating income, government subsidies and the cost of power loss in new energy power generation, while negatively correlated with additional operating costs and spillover effects. (4) The probability of the government choosing to support joint operation is positively correlated with social welfare, and negatively correlated with the cost of governmental strict supervision. The research results can provide theoretical reference for enterprises and the government in the future transformations and policy formulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comprehensive Summary: A visible‐light‐induced photoredox‐catalyzed regioselective and stereoselective C(sp2)–H amination of enamides with bench‐stable and easily accessible N‐aminopyridium salts is developed, affording synthetically and biologically prominent vicinal 1,2‐diamine scaffolds with broad substrate scope and excellent functional group compatibility. The transformation proceeded through a radical pathway involving the Giese addition of the relatively electrophilic N‐centered sulfonamidyl radical species to nucleophilic β‐olefinic position of enamides followed by the ensuing single electron oxidation and β‐H elimination, delivering geometrically‐defined Z‐configured β‐sulfonamidylated enamides. The operational simplicity, environmental friendliness and cost efficiency of this methodology allowed it to pave a new avenue to enrich the arsenal of synthetically crucial functionalized enamides and their related derivatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recent CAP aims at better targeting beneficiaries and being more selective in its objectives. This has drawn attention to how policies interact with resources used by farms in terms of both economic and environmental costs. Conditional Process Models under Structural Equation Modeling framework may offer statistical indications on these complex interactions. The proposed model, called SMIRNE, is applied to an Italian macro-area at severe risk of land pollution (Pianura Padana) caused by livestock sector. Results show a more substantial support from pillar I policies than those provided by pillar II in addressing a relevant response of policies to the economic and environmental costs of the livestock activities with reference to the use of land. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of new building elements, such as concrete and mortar with sustainable materials, which produce a lower carbon footprint, is an achievable milestone in the short term. The need to reduce the environmental impact of the production of cement-based materials is of vital importance. This work focuses on the evaluation of the life-cycle assessment, production costs, mechanical performance, and durability of three mortars and three concrete mixtures in which mixed recycled aggregates (MRAs) and biomass bottom ash from olive waste (oBBA) were included to replace cement and aggregates. Powdered MRA and oBBA were also applied as complementary cementitious materials with a reduced environmental footprint. Chemical and physical tests were performed on the materials, and mechanical performance properties, life-cycle assessment, and life-cycle cost analysis were applied to demonstrate the technical and environmental benefits of using these materials in mortar and concrete mixtures. This research showed that the application of MRA and oBBA produced a small reduction in mechanical strength but a significant benefit in terms of life-cycle population and environmental costs. The results demonstrated that finding long-term mechanical strength decreases between 2.7% and 14% for mortar mixes and between 1.7% and 10.4% for concrete mixes. Although there were small reductions in mechanical performance, the savings in environmental and monetary terms make the feasibility of manufacturing these cement-based materials feasible and interesting for both society and the business world. CO2 emissions are reduced by 25% for mortar mixes and 12% for concrete mixes with recycled materials, and it is possible to reduce the cost per cubic meter of mortar production by 20%, and the savings in the cost of production of a cubic meter of concrete is 13.8%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first overarching objective of the Space Agenda 2030 is to strengthen the role of the space sector as a major driver of sustainable development. To achieve this objective, the European Space Agency launched already 10+ years ago the ESA Business Applications Programme to foster the adoption of space technologies in non-space sectors, promoting the development of commercial satellite-based projects (i.e., projects developing business applications based on Earth Observation, Satcom and Navigation satellite technologies and data) and contributing to achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). While space technologies undeniably offer substantial societal benefits, there exists an opportunity to provide professionals and academics with a comprehensive perspective on the ongoing progress of commercial satellite-based projects in their vital role in advancing the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and tackling Grand Challenges. Our research aims to clarify commercial satellite-based applications' direct and indirect impacts on SDGs and their features contributing to achieving them. We develop a taxonomy of the ESA Business Applications programme portfolio, analysing 603 commercial satellite-based applications developed between 2014 and 2022 across 34 variables (including SDGs directly or indirectly impacted), sourced from the program's web pages. We perform descriptive statistics and exploratory data analysis to present commercial satellite-based applications' direct or indirect impact on the 169 SDG targets. Finally, we describe the features of commercial satellite-based projects (e.g., geographical scope, satellite technology adopted, non-space domains of application) contributing to the SDGs' achievement. Our results show that 603 commercial satellite-based applications impact at least one SDG. Overall, SGD3 is the most impacted (136, 22 %), followed by SDG11 (105, 17 %) and SDG2 (78, 12 %). 257 Earth Observation-based applications mostly impact SDG2 (58, 23 %), SDG15 (38, 15 %) and SDG11 (34, 13 %). 230 Satellite Navigation-based applications mostly impact SDG3 (68, 30 %), SDG11 (52, 23 %) and SDG6 (22, 10 %). 116 Satellite communication-based applications mostly impact SDG3 (33, 28 %), SDG11 (16, 14 %) and SDG4 (15, 13 %). Moreover, we identify 14 application domains, and for each of them, we investigate their impact on SDGs. The application domains that mainly impact SDGs are Health (91, 16 %), Food and Agriculture (85,15 %), and Energy (51, 9 %). Our research demonstrates and strengthens the space sector's role as a major driver of sustainable development. Researchers may adopt the methodology in other contexts, overcoming the geographical and data accessibility limitations of our research. • EO and GNSS-based applications demonstrate their value across diverse sectors and end-users. • Earth Observation-based applications mostly impact SDG2, SDG15, and SDG11. • Satellite Navigation-based applications mostly impact SDG3, SDG11, and SDG6. • Satellite communication-based applications mostly impact SDG3, SDG11, and SDG4. • Businesses tend to invest mainly satellite-based applications impacting SDGs 3, 11, 12, and 15. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Self-supervised learning enables the training of large neural models without the need for large, labeled datasets. It has been generating breakthroughs in several fields, including computer vision, natural language processing, biology, and speech. In particular, the state-of-the-art in several speech processing applications, such as automatic speech recognition or speaker identification, are models where the latent representation is learned using self-supervised approaches. Several configurations exist in self-supervised learning for speech, including contrastive, predictive, and multilingual approaches. There is, however, a crucial limitation in the majority of existing approaches: their high computational costs. These costs limit the deployment of models, the size of the training dataset, and the number of research groups that can afford research with large self-supervised models. Likewise, we should consider the environmental costs that high energy consumption implies. Efforts in this direction comprise optimization of existing models, neural architecture efficiency, improvements in finetuning for speech processing tasks, and data efficiency. But despite current efforts, more work could be done to address high computational costs in self-supervised representation learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brazil has been known for its mineral resources, which have been exploited by companies spread for the whole country. Nonetheless, the Brazilian mining sector has also been known for the recent disasters which have generated unprecedented social, economic, and environmental costs. In this way, this work presents an analysis of the impacts of the imposition of a new tax on the Brazilian mining activity, since it is a potential cause of negative externalities, causing damage to the environment and the society. For this, the computable general equilibrium (CGE) model was used. The results show that the introduction of a tax for the mining sector increased the production cost of mining activity and related sectors, which implies a reduction in economic dynamism. On the other hand, an introduction of the tax has also generated an increase in government revenues, which can finance new spending on other sectors of the country. Therefore, the economic losses resulting from the policy are not very pronounced, making it feasible to impose the tax on mining activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Cultural economics has largely looked toward environmental economics and used non-market valuation techniques such as contingent valuation to estimate the total economic value of cultural goods. These methods are well suited to the valuation of cultural heritage goods, where the benefits are mostly related to the level of supply and mainly take the form of existence and bequest values. This stands in contrast to cultural institutions such as theatres, libraries, exhibitions, and concerts, where the value is produced, when the goods are consumed. For this type of cultural goods, I suggest that cultural economics rather turn to find inspiration in the economics of education. The value of schooling can be divided into private returns and social returns (human capital externalities). Likewise, the value of cultural consumption can have a private and a public component, where I suggest labeling the public component cultural capital externalities. The idea is that when private consumption of arts and culture is taking place, the individual will accumulate cultural capital. This accumulated cultural capital can impact other people (e.g., through changed behavior, future decisions or interactions) and create externalities, i.e., the cultural capital externalities. The size of the externalities is expected to increase (or decrease) with the level of consumption. Without the consumption by the users, no externalities are produced. While this is one of the most fundamental arguments for cultural policy, it has not yet been extensively studied within cultural economics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to evaluate the fundamental factors that impact the environmental costs borne by firms included in the ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) index. The factors that were taken into account and analyzed include the reputation of the company, the quality of the audits, and the size of the organization in relation to environmental costs. The data collection is entailed the examination of financial records and sustainability reports. The study's population comprised companies that were indexed based on (ESG) criteria for the period of 2018-2022. The data gathering process in this study yielded a total of 285 data points for analysis, obtained from 57 different companies. The study employed a quantitative methodology using ordinary least squares and included control variables and a fixed effect. The findings of this study suggest that reputation and firm size exert a substantial impact on environmental costs, whereas the quality of audits does not have a significant effect on environmental costs. Empirically, this result shows that the better the company's reputation and the bigger the company, the higher the environmental cost spent by that company. Thus, whichever public accounting firm handles the company, will not affect the amount of environmental costs spent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the environmental and economic costs caused by invasive bird species, it is crucial to document their initial stages of invasion and manage them before control efforts become unfeasible. In this study, we conducted extensive sampling in search of the African collared dove (Streptopelia roseogrisea) in three regions of Mexico: The Northwest, "El Bajío" (central Mexico), and the Southeast. We documented five records of this species in two northwestern states (Sonora and Baja California) and analyzed additional sightings from citizen science and scientific literature to evaluate its presence and geographic distribution in Mexico. Streptopelia roseogrisea has been reported in nine Mexican states (32 records), with its first record occurring in 2000 in Tijuana, Baja California. The species is invading Mexico on two fronts: from populations established in the southern United States expanding southwards into northern Mexico, and individuals escaped/released from captivity invading central Mexico. Additionally, we used temperature and precipitation data to determine its climatic niche in Mexico. We compared it with the climatic niches of the United States populations and with the climatic space of its original distribution range in Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. We found that the climatic niche of the Mexico and the Southern United States populations is similar, and did not overlap with the climatic space present in its original geographic distribution. This suggests that niche models based on the climate of its original distribution could fail to predict the invasibility of this species in North America. Although S. roseogrisea does not seem to constitute a high-risk invader, it is important to document its early invasion process and take action before it spreads throughout the country, as it recently happened with the Eurasian collared-dove (S. decaocto). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study is motivated by the need to decouple economic growth from environmental degradation given the new wave of chase for higher economic growth trajectories comes with its environmental cost implications, especially among developing blocs like the Emerging 7 (E7) countries. There is a consistent trade-off between economic growth versus environmental quality. Government apparatus are perpetually on the chase for low-carbon emission policies via the pursuit for green economy. To this end, this present study extends the conventional environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) argument by incorporating the role of institution in emerging industrialized economies (E7) and using second-generation panel analysis methods like mean group (MG), augmented mean group (AMG), common correlated effects mean group (CCEMG), and the Dumitrescu and Hurlin causality test for more robust estimates and inferences. To this end, we explore the long-run and causality relationship between economic growth, quadratic form of economic growth, institutional quality, trade flow, investment in energy sector, and financial development in an EKC environment. Empirical analysis established a long-run equilibrium relationship among the outlined variables over the study period. The long-run regression shows the presence of EKC in the E7. Thus, suggesting the preference for GDP growth over environmental quality at the earlier stage of growth curve. Interestingly, investment in energy, trade flow dynamics across the blocs, and financial development dampens the detrimental effect of environmental pollution as we observed negative relationship with the ecological footprint. On the contrary, quality of institution is weak as institutional quality increase (worsen) the quality of environment in the E7 economies. From a policy perspective, this current study proposed the need for more stringent environmental treaties and regulations and promotion of green economy without compromising economic growth. In the conclusion part of the study, more details and specifics about the policy blueprint are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Railway alignment development in a study area with densely-distributed obstacles, in which regions favorable for alignments are isolated (termed an isolated island effect, i.e., IIE), is a computation-intensive and time-consuming task. To enhance search efficiency and solution quality, an environmental suitability analysis is conducted to identify alignment-favorable regions (AFRs), focusing the subsequent alignment search on these areas. Firstly, a density-based clustering algorithm (DBSCAN) and a specific criterion are customized to distinguish AFR distribution patterns: continuously-distributed AFRs, obstructed effects, and IIEs. Secondly, a study area characterized by IIEs is represented with a semantic topological map (STM), integrating between-island and within-island paths. Specifically, between-island paths are derived through a multi-directional scanning strategy, while within-island paths are optimized using a Floyd-Warshall algorithm. To this end, the intricate alignment optimization problem is simplified into a shortest path problem, tackled with conventional shortest path algorithms (of which Dijkstra's algorithm is adopted in this work). Lastly, the proposed method is applied to a real case in a mountainous region with karst landforms. Numerical results indicate its superior performance in both construction costs and environmental suitability compared to human designers and a prior alignment optimization method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to examine the role of minority shareholders protection (MSP) as a moderator influence of green environmental cost disclosure (GECD) and the company's financial performance (FFP) on its stock returns (STR). Drawing on contingency theory, the authors developed and tested hypotheses using secondary data from 260 Indonesian mining sector observations from 2016 to 2020. The sample used in this study is purposive sampling, and the analysis uses panel data with Eviews 10. The result showed that MSP moderate significantly positive influence of GECD and FFP on STR. The results also showed that MSP is a pure moderate variable. This is consistent with contingency theory, which posits that management must adapt all regulations and mix internal capabilities to be monitored better and reduce pollution for pursuing FFP, which improves STR. The evidence supports the emphasis green policy statements have put on increasing green environment cost disclosure and the intensity of the role of minority protection shareholders. This study offers new insights to policymakers in enhancing the monitoring role of mining corporations. The study also adds value to the understanding of predicting stock returns by using GECD, the Company's financial performance, and the role of MSP as moderating influences of this relationship, particularly in an emerging economy like Indonesia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the increasing impacts of climate change on flood management, it is vital to implement effective flood mitigation measures. Economic factors significantly influence the feasibility and speed of these implementations. Evaluations must go beyond just the implementation costs. This paper introduces tools and methods for incorporating environmental economics into flood risk management at various scales, from urban areas to entire river basins. Comprehensive analysis should include social, environmental, direct, and indirect factors. Despite the variability in flood mitigation costs across different economies, the methods discussed are highly adaptable. Data limitations for appraisal tools like Multicriteria Analysis (MCA) and Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA) can be addressed through expert judgment, qualitative assessment, or using GDP-proportional data for cost estimation. This approach utilizes databases from experienced countries, making the methods adaptable to different contexts.