Search

While existing literature offers various frameworks, they primarily focus on traditional building maintenance procedures and overlook the importance of integrating sustainability, climate change, environmental factors, and emerging technologies. To address this gap, this research has developed a comprehensive framework that caters to current needs, challenges, and future priorities. The integrated framework for building maintenance operations aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), climate change mitigation and adaptation, the adoption of emerging technology, energy conservation, as well as safety, resilience, and effectiveness. The development of the framework encompassed four phases: pre-development phases 1 and 2, development phase 3, and validation phase 4. During this process, current issues and challenges were identified, impacts were assessed, and strategies were developed. The framework serves as a roadmap to address these challenges and requirements in future building maintenance operations, making significant contributions to all three dimensions of sustainability: environmental, social, and economic. In summary, this study offers a comprehensive and in-depth analysis of the current issues, challenges, and potential improvements and benefits in building maintenance operations, providing a practical guide for industry stakeholders and making a significant contribution to the existing body of knowledge., Validerad;2024;Nivå 1;2024-04-09 (marisr);Funder: Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia;Full text license: CC BY 4.0

During the COVID pandemic of 2019, Sweden saw a huge increase in food prices, as many of the country's grocery chains import a large amount of all foods. This research is motivated by the Swedish Parliament's motion "Self-Sufficiency of Food in Sweden" and the need for innovative solutions to enhance Sweden's food supply. This study focuses on alternative urban agriculture methods, with a focus on aeroponics, aquaponics, hydroponics, and vertical farming, and their potential for self-sufficiency in Sweden. This study aims to fill the gap in Swedish research on soilless urban farming methods and contribute to the understanding and acceptance of the alternative methods above. The study seeks to determine whether the yield of alternative cultivation methods is comparable to traditional methods, soil-based and greenhouse-based farming, in terms of resources invested and to identify the alternative method with the highest yield. Resources in this thesis will be defined as the amount of water that is used. Our thesis aims to support businesses and local governance in decision-making regarding implementation of alternative urban farming in Sweden. A literature search was conducted using keywords such as hydroponic, vertical farming and sustainability. Statistical analysis of collected data indicates significant differences in yield and water usage among the collected examples which resulted in vertical hydroponic farming offering the highest yield in terms of space utilization, with significant statistical significance (p < 0.05). Additionally, hydroponic farming requires the least amount of water compared to other methods although this is not a certainty as there was no significant statistical difference between the different methods. The study demonstrates that hydroponic farming can achieve higher yields compared to traditional soil-based farming and other alternative farming methods. The study emphasizes organizational and governmental solutions to improve self-suff, Denna studie undersöker potentialen hos alternativa urbana odlingsmetoder för självförsörjning i Sverige. Den svenska riksdagen stödjer motion om "Självförsörjning av mat i Sverige" och behovet av innovativa lösningar för matförsörjning i landet. Denna forskning fyller en kunskapsbrist i den svenska litteraturen om jordlösa odlingssystem såsom aeroponiska, akvaponiska, hydroponiska och vertikala odlingar. Syftet med studien är att sammanfatta den befintliga kunskapen om dessa alternativa odlingsmetoder och klargöra deras fördelar i en urban miljö. Denna studie strävar att stödja företag och lokala myndigheter vid implementering av alternativa odlingsmetoder, genom att studera de alternativa odlingsmetodernas avkastning i förhållande till resursanvändning. Studien har samlat exempel från forskningsartiklar och företags-hemsidor som använde de ovan nämnda alternativa odlingsmetoder som sedan analyserats och jämfört deras avkastning med traditionella jordbaserade odlingar såsom åker odlingar och växthusbaserade odlingar. Med den statistisk analys som gjorts har vi funnit att vertikal hydroponisk odling visar den högsta avkastningen per yta jämfört med de andra alternativa odlingsmetoderna och traditionella odlingar. Vi har dessutom fastställt att hydroponiska odlingar använder minst vatten per kg skörd i jämförelse med andra metoder. Studien betonar vikten av att fokusera på organisatoriska och statliga lösningar för att öka självförsörjningsgraden på lokal och nationell nivå. Medan privatpersoner kan vara självförsörjande med grönsaker och frukt på en normalstor tomt, kan det vara svårt för alla privatpersoner att upprätthålla en egen grönsaksträdgård och undvika skador på marken och ekosystemtjänsterna i staden. Därmed riktar vi denna studie till kommunen och staten som ett stöd för att säkerställa självförsörjning på en lokal och regional nivå. För att uppnå hållbar samhällsutveckling och stödja självförsörjning av mat i Sverige, är integreringen av alternativa urba

Urbant dagvatten kan innehålla per- och polyfluoralkylämnen (PFAS). Den nuvarande kunskapen omförekomst och transport av PFAS i reningsanläggningar för urbant dagvatten är fortfarande mycketbegränsad. Den här studien utvärderar förekomst, ackumulering och fördelning av 35 PFAS och derasprekursorer i filtermaterial och försedimenteringssteg i tjugo biofilteranläggningar som varit i drift längreän 7 år. C5-14,16 perfluoralkylkarboxylsyror (PFCA), C4,8,10 perfluoralkansulfonsyror (PFSA), metylperfluoroktansulfonamidättiksyra (MeFOSAA, en känd PFSA-prekursor) och okända C6-8 PFCAprekursorer var de vanligast förekommande ackumulerade föreningarna. PFAS och deras prekursoreråterfanns i alla djup i liknande förekomster och koncentrationer. Trots att halterna var något högre i detövre filterlagret och minskande med djup var dessa skillnader i regel inte statistiskt signifikanta. Det fannsingen tydlig skillnad mellan fördelningen av kort- och långkedjiga PFAS, trots att långkedjiga ämnen(PFSAs>C5 och PFCAs>C7) förväntades ha mindre mobilitet på grund av deras högre hydrofobicitet. Deövre 5 cm av biofiltren innehöll ofta de högsta föroreningsnivåerna av PFAS och okända prekursorer,men de fanns också djupare ner i filtret. I motsats till exempelvis metaller och PAHer, räcker det sannolikt inte att endast byta ut det översta filterlagret och/eller sediment på toppen av filtret för att avlägsnamer komplexa och mobila föroreningar som PFAS., DRIZZLE, Dag&Nät

Att arbeta mot en grön omställning är vitalt för att bekämpa klimatförändringar. Europeiska Unionen har en rad olika initiativ för att arbeta mot just detta. Som en del av sitt arbete motden gröna omställningen tog EU-kommissionen den 16 mars 2023 fram ett förslag som kallas “Lagen om kritiska råvaror”. Syftet med lagen är möjliggöra en ökad inhemsk produktion för att minska beroendet av tredjeländers import av kritiska jordartsmetaller och säkra den gröna omställningen i Europa. Det statligt ägda gruvbolaget LKAB presenterade i början av 2023 en fyndighet i Kiruna som innehåller den största källan av sällsynta jordartsmetaller i Europa. Regeringen och EU välkomnar denna upptäckt och ser fyndet tillsammans med lagen som nyckeln till grön omställning. Dock skulle en gruva på denna plats innebära slutet för Gabna sameby då den skulle klyva samebyn itu. Studien bygger på att genom en fallstudie utforska hur en mängd valda aktörer förhåller sig till lagen och konflikten mellan LKAB:s gruva och Gabna sameby. Fallstudien används för att gestalta det spänningsfält som uppstår i begreppet “grön omställning” och hur begreppet används av fallstudiens olika aktörer i dessa sammanhang. De utvalda aktörerna består av LKAB, EU, Regeringen, Naturskyddsföreningen, Amnesty och samerna. Studiens resultat gav att Amnesty och samernas åsikter och motiveringar kring grön omställning ofta ligger i linje med varandra. Naturskyddsföreningen hamnar i mitten av spänningsfältet då de på många plan kan hålla med båda motpolerna i diskussionen. EU, regeringen och LKAB har på många plan uttryckt sig lika kring lagen och den potentiella gruvan. Däremot kan LKAB ha starka åsikter kring att gruvor ska vara en viktig anledning till åsidosätta allmänhetens intressen., Working towards a green transition is vital to work against climate change. The European Union has a range of initiatives to move towards this. As part of its work towards the green transition, on March 16th 2023 the European Commission came out with a proposal called the ‘Critical Raw Materials Act’(CRMA). The purpose of the act is to enable increased domestic production of critical rare earth metals to reduce dependence on third-country imports and secure the green transition in Europe. The state-owned mining company LKAB presented at the beginning of 2023 a deposit in Kiruna that contains the largest source of rare earth metals in Europe. The Swedish government and the EU welcome this discovery and see the find together with the act as the key to the green transition. However, a mine at this location would mean the end for Gabna Sami village as it would split the Sami village in two. The study is based on exploring through a case study how selected actors relate to the law and the conflict between LKAB’s mine and Gabna Sami village. The case study is used to portray the tension field that arises in the concept of ‘green transition’ and how the concept of‘green transition’ is used by the different actors in the contexts of case study. The selected actors consist of LKAB, the EU, the Swedish Government, the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation (SSNC), Amnesty, and the Sami. The study’s results showed that Amnesty and the Sami’s views and motivations around the green transition often fall in line with each other. SSNC is in the middle of the tension field as they on many levels can agree with both sides in the discussion. The EU, the Swedish Government, and LKAB have on many levels expressed themselves similarly about the law and the potential mine. However, LKAB may have strong opinions that mines should be an important reason of overriding public interest.

There is a need to develop investment-useful metrics to assess companies’ avoided emissions over the long term as a way for investors to find investment opportunities in support of the energy transition. Current investment practices lack a lifecycle approach, ignoring environmental impacts beyond a company's legal boundaries. The financial sector needs a lifecycle perspective to understand how investments truly affect the environment. This study evaluates the impact of transitioning to renewable energy—specifically wind and solar—using comprehensive life cycle assessment (LCA) studies. The methodology assesses the net environmental impact of investments by aggregating the environmental benefits of renewables and the avoided emissions from reducing fossil fuel use. The environmental impact assessed includes more impact categories than global warming. This approach enables a broader perspective of the environmental impact of an investment, thus minimizing the risk of suboptimization. The results from the LCA study shows that investments in solar and wind power plants have a positive net environmental impact and, thereby, mitigating crossing the planetary boundaries assessed. Furthermore, the net environmental impact also varies depending on what baseline is used. By anticipating different scenarios for future development of the global electricity mix this assessment contributes with plausible over- and underestimates of the emissions from the electricity production sector. To illuminate the uncertainties and their effect on the net environmental impact, a nuanced estimate of the net environmental impacts is provided. The net environmental impact varies depending on the powerplants’ location but remain positive regardless of the region. Since it can be difficult to know where the powerplants will be located, a global approach to assess environmental impacts is sufficient, acknowledging the regional nuances. To prevent any single actor from claiming sole ownership of th

The increase in the generation of e-waste and the increase in regulatory efficacy in automotive and implicit electronic companies regarding environmental sustainability in electronic products makes environmentally conscious decision-making a necessity. To this end, this study developed an environmental design support tool that encompasses various eco-design tools along with novel environmental design approaches. The effective utilization of identified environmental impacts and the development of environmentally conscious design improvements based on them is the primary objective of the environmental design support tool. For this cause, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Quality Function Deployment for Environment (QFDE) are integrated. Complementary, the novel Environmental Design Solution Library (DSL) and R-checklist are introduced to empower designers with practical, actionable strategies that enhance environmental consciousness in product design. With its hierarchical structure based on circular economy, DSL fills the existing knowledge gaps regarding environmental design by offering comprehensive environmentally conscious design insights to designers. In this way, designers are supported by DSL to make their choices towards environmentally beneficial design improvement options. On the other hand, the R-checklist enables quick evaluations, tracking, and comparison of generated design improvements to emphasize efficient consideration of environmental aspects and promote sustainable decisions. Also being located beside the DSL, this checklist inspires designers to make further environmentally conscious adjustments on improvement option that aligns with the insights within DSL. Furthermore, to validate and support these previously indicated methodologies, literature reviews, surveys, interviews, and case studies were conducted within a case company. The environmental design support tool departs from traditional eco-design methods, which can be abstract and difficult t, Ökningen av genereringen av elektroniskt avfall och ökad regleringseffektivitet inom bil- och elektronikföretag avseende miljömässig hållbarhet i elektroniska produkter gör miljömedvetet beslutsfattande till en nödvändighet. I detta syfte utvecklade denna studie ett miljödesignstödverktyg som omfattar olika ekodesignverktyg tillsammans med nya miljödesignmetoder. Det effektiva utnyttjandet av identifierade miljöpåverkningar och utvecklingen av miljömedvetna designförbättringar baserade på dessa är det primära målet med miljödesignstödverktyget. För detta ändamål integreras Livscykelanalys (LCA) och Quality Function Deployment for Environment (QFDE). Komplementärt introduceras det nya Miljödesignlösningsbiblioteket (DSL) och R-kontrollistan för att ge designers praktiska, handlingsbara strategier som förbättrar miljömedvetenheten i produktdesign. Med sin hierarkiska struktur baserad på cirkulär ekonomi fyller DSL de befintliga kunskapsluckorna avseende miljödesign genom att erbjuda omfattande insikter i miljömedveten design till designers. På detta sätt stöds designers av DSL att göra sina val mot miljömässigt fördelaktiga designförbättringsalternativ. Å andra sidan möjliggör R-kontrollistan snabba utvärderingar, spårning och jämförelse av genererade designförbättringar för att betona effektiv beaktande av miljöaspekter och främja hållbara beslut. Belägen bredvid DSL inspirerar denna kontrollista även designers att göra ytterligare miljömedvetna justeringar på förbättringsalternativ som stämmer överens med insikterna inom DSL. Dessutom, för att validera och stödja dessa tidigare angivna metoder, genomfördes litteraturöversikter, enkäter, intervjuer och fallstudier inom ett fallföretag. Miljödesignstödverktyget avviker från traditionella ekodesignmetoder, som kan vara abstrakta och svåra att implementera, genom att erbjuda en praktisk, användarvänlig lösning som är specifikt utformad för behoven hos utvecklare av elektroniska produkter, vilket därmed adresserar en bet

Omställningen till förnybar energi ökar alltmer, men bortom de positiva bitarna följer även vissa utmaningar. 1 januari 2022 skedde en ändring i förordningen om undantag för nätkoncession enligt ellagen (IKN-förordningen) som gör det möjligt att dela el mellan fastigheter. Detta möjliggör för en större flexibilitet där till exempel fastigheter tillsammans kan nyttja solens energi genom micronät, som förses med energi från solceller. Ett sätt att äga och förvalta ett sådant micronät borde vara genom gemensamhetsanläggning (GA) enligt anläggningslagen (AL). Det saknas praxis i området, samt att lagar och regler är svårnavigerade för privatpersoner. Eftersom elnätet är en grundläggande del av samhället bör reglerna som styr det vara i takt med utvecklingen. Av den anledningen anses frågan om GA för solceller vara högst aktuell och ses som ett problem att klargöra.Begreppet ”energidemokrati” har fått en ökad roll i samhället och handlar om arbetarnas och samhällenas förmåga att bestämma vem som äger och driver våra energisystem, hur energi produceras och för vilka ändamål. I EU:s lagstiftningspaket ”Ren energi för alla i EU”, pekas bland annat energigemenskaper ut som ett verktyg för att stärka det demokratiska deltagandet i energiomställningen. En energigemenskap i form utav GA för solceller borde därför vara i tiden, med tanke på ökningen av solceller i samhället och de behov en fastighet har i nutid.Forskning kring GA är begränsat, men det finns desto mer forskning kring solceller, micronät och energigemenskaper. Flera fall har fastnat vid att det inte går att skapa micronät på grund av koncessionsplikten, det var före ändringen i IKN-förordningen trädde i kraft. När en lagändring öppnar upp för att fler ska kunna bidra till ett mer hållbart samhälle, behöver andra lagar och myndigheter hänga med. Det finns inget uttalat regelverk gällande energigemenskaper, det går därför fråga sig ifall de strukturer som används idag är de mest lämpade.För att besvara studiens fråg, The transition to renewable energy is increasingly gaining momentum, but alongside the positive aspects, there are also certain challenges. On January 1, 2022, a change in the ordinance on exemptions for concession requirement according to the Electricity Act (IKN ordinance) made it possible to share electricity between properties. This enables greater flexibility, for example, properties can collectively utilize solar energy through microgrids powered by solar cells. One way to own and manage such a microgrid could be through a joint facility (GA) according to the Facilities Act (AL). There is a lack of precedent in this area, and the laws and regulations are difficult for private individuals to navigate. Since the electricity grid is a fundamental part of society, the rules governing it should keep pace with developments. For this reason, the issue of GA for solar cells is considered highly relevant and seen as a problem to clarify. The concept of "energy democracy" has gained increased importance in society and involves the ability of workers and communities to decide who owns and operates our energy systems, how energy is produced, and for what purposes. In the EU's legislative package "Clean Energy for All Europeans" energy communities are highlighted as a tool to strengthen democratic participation in the energy transition. An energy community in the form of GA for solar cells should therefore be timely considering the increase in solar cells in society and the needs of properties today. Research on GA is limited, whereas there is more research on solar cells, microgrids, and energy communities. Several cases have stalled due to the concession requirement, which was before the change in the IKN ordinance came into effect. When a legislative change opens for more people to contribute to a more sustainable society, other laws and authorities need to keep up. There is no explicit regulatory framework regarding energy communities, raising the question of whether t

The growing need for climate mitigation solutions has contributed so thatbiochar has gained significant interest. Primary for its ability as a carbon sinkbut there is also a growing interest due to several other aspects within industriese.g. substitution effects, increased resource efficiency, an enabler forindustrial symbiosis, and its beneficial properties when put in soil that can increasegrowth. Previous studies of biochar have been dominant within the environmentalperspective of biochar, analyzing detailed characteristics of its propertiesand carbon sink potential. Some studies have a holistic perspective reflectingon countries specific energy mix and the different benefits of producingbiochar. However, previous studies are far too few to determine the value-chainof biochar. Hence previous studies have knowledge gaps within the holistic lifecycle approach from a provider or customer perspective of biochar, not reflectingon demand for quality requirements in different utilization areas and markets.The need for validation of the environmental and the economic performanceof biochar has to be established, and the economic perspective of biochar hasmajor knowledge gaps since previous studies are scarce. The study aims to establish the value-chain of biochar by evaluating theenvironmental, economic, and social perspectives through life cycle thinking.The core of the study is to distinguish value, which first has to reflect thebiochar quality requirements from providers and customers, captured throughinterviews and literature research. The quality requirements enable a goal forproducing biochar and determine what processes and biomass are needed fordifferent markets. This is evaluated through a case development which considersthe different quality requirements. Life cycle assessment (LCA) with acradle-to-grave perspective and life cycle costing (LCC) with a cradle-to-gatewere then used to distinguish biochar´s environmental and economic performance. The interviews and

In this study, we critically examine the potential of recycled construction materials, focusing on how these materials can significantly reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and energy usage in the construction sector. By adopting an integrated approach that combines Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Material Flow Analysis (MFA) within the circular economy framework, we thoroughly examine the lifecycle environmental performance of these materials. Our findings reveal a promising future where incorporating recycled materials in construction can significantly lower GHG emissions and conserve energy. This underscores their crucial role in advancing sustainable construction practices. Moreover, our study emphasizes the need for robust regulatory frameworks and technological innovations to enhance the adoption of environmentally responsible practices. We encourage policymakers, industry stakeholders, and the academic community to collaborate and promote the adoption of a circular economy strategy in the building sector. Our research contributes to the ongoing discussion on sustainable construction, offering evidence-based insights that can inform future policies and initiatives to improve environmental stewardship in the construction industry. This study aligns with the European Union's objectives of achieving climate-neutral cities by 2030 and the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals outlined for completion by 2030. Overall, this paper contributes to the ongoing dialogue on sustainable construction, providing a fact-driven basis for future policy and initiatives to enhance environmental stewardship in the industry.

The construction industry is a leading sector for coal ashes utilization, including in cement manufacturing and soil stabilization applications. In soil stabilization, coal ashes, alongside Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC), are the most commonly used materials. However, the environmental impact of coal ashes, particularly the leaching of heavy metals from stabilized soil when exposed to rainfall, remains underexplored. There is a notable gap in assessing the environmental impacts of this utilization, particularly when the stabilized soil interacts with rainfall in real-world scenarios. Therefore, this study aimed to contribute to filling this gap. Accordingly, in this study, peat soil was stabilized by using fly ash, bottom ash, and OPC. The characterization of soil mixture materials, including physicochemical and engineering properties, was established and studied first. Following the environmental impact, simulations were conducted using a column to study soil leachate under different conditions and seasons (dry and wet) in response to its interaction with rainfall. The leachate was analyzed using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) to measure the concentrations of heavy metals, including copper (Cu), aluminum (Al), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), and zinc (Zn). Additionally, Ion Chromatography (IC) was employed to determine the concentrations of major anions, including fluoride (F⁻), chloride (Cl⁻), nitrate (NO₃⁻), phosphate (PO₄³⁻), and sulfate (SO₄²⁻). The findings revealed the complex interaction of the chemical stabilization processes and environmental factors with the leaching behavior of heavy metals and anions, highlighting the significant impact of stabilization on leaching patterns. To conclude, this study provides a valuable contribution to understanding the environmental and engineering implications of utilizing coal ashes in soil stabilization., Validerad;2024;Nivå 2;2024-09-11 (hanlid);Full text license: CC BY

This study investigates the effect of three key firm characteristics (diversification, size, and age) on road freight companies’ early adoption of alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs). While previous studies have identified the determinants of the adoption intention of AFVs, a gap in the literature is research into firm characteristics and the early adopters of AFVs. Because early adopters play an important role in the diffusion of innovation, it is imperative to fill this gap. Based on a survey of 156 Swedish road freight companies and logistic regression analyses, we report that firm size and diversification affect the early adoption of AFVs. In addition, the partial impact of the importance of driver comfort and payload capacity on early adoption of AFVs has been reported. Other factors, including purchase price, fuel cost, and truck refueling efficiency, were not found to discriminate early adopters of AFVs from those who had not yet adopted AFVs. These findings imply to policymakers that the current instruments in use in Sweden, including the greenhouse gas mandate and the relatively high taxation on diesel fuel, have led to the adoption of AFVs by larger road freight companies. For vehicle producers aiming to scale up the production and sales of AFV, the findings suggest the benefit of targeting diversified and larger road freight companies in the first place. © 2024 The Author(s)

Phosphorus (P) is a finite, non-renewable resource that is a critical component of fertilizers; therefore, recovering P from municipal wastewater can provide an alternative sustainable source of this nutrient. This work analyses economic impacts and greenhouse gas emissions of P recovery in Swedish municipal wastewater treatment plants. The study examines different scenarios, including P recovery technologies in individual plants and hubs, and considers various P-rich streams (supernatant, sludge, and ash) in plants, different plant sizes, and multiple sludge management strategies such as land application, incineration, and hydrochar production, under current market conditions. The goal is to identify and offer solutions tailored to local conditions, addressing both technical opportunities and strategies to reduce costs. The results show varying recovery rates: 5 % from supernatant, 36–65 % from sludge, and 17 % from sludge ash relative to total P in wastewater. Despite technical feasibility, P recovery costs are not covered at current market prices of P, indicating a lack of financial incentive, especially for smaller treatment plants. The least expensive recovery method costs about 7 k€/t P for ash, compared to 30–187 k€/t P for supernatant, however with the latter coming with the co-benefit of mitigated greenhouse gas emissions. The emissions from studied plants range from 84 to 123 kt CO2 eq (CO2 equivalent) for supernatant, 94–141 kt CO2 eq for sludge, and 75–102 kt CO2 eq for ash among different P recovery methods. Comparatively, P recovery methods from supernatant showed the lowest emissions, while the lower emissions range for ash is due to the consideration of fewer plants. Developing hub networks and converting sludge into products like hydrochar are crucial for attracting investments, enhancing P recovery, and leveraging economies of scale. Results highlight the urgency for localized strategies and proactive policy interventions to reconcile economic and, Validerad;2024;Nivå 2;2024-08-01 (signyg);Fulltext license: CC BY

Purpose: Energy-efficiency measures have always been important when renovating aging building stock. For property owners, window intervention is a recurring issue. Replacement is common to reduce operational heating energy (OHE) use, something many previous building renovation studies have considered. Maintaining rather than replacing windows has received less attention, especially for multi-residential buildings in a subarctic climate where there is great potential for OHE savings. The objective was to assess the life cycle (LC) climate impact and costs of three window maintenance and replacement options for a 1980s multi-residential building in subarctic Sweden. Design/methodology/approach: The options’ embodied and operational impacts from material production, transportation and space heating were assessed using a life cycle assessment (LCA) focusing on global warming potential (LCA-GWP) and life cycle costing (LCC) with a 60-year reference study period. A sensitivity analysis was used to explore the impact of uncertain parameters on LCA-GWP and LCC outcomes. Findings: Maintaining instead of replacing windows minimized LC climate impact and costs, except under a few specific conditions. The reduced OHE use from window replacement had a larger compensating effect on embodied global warming potential (E-GWP) than investment costs, i.e. replacement was primarily motivated from a LC climate perspective. The LCA-GWP results were more sensitive to changes in some uncertain parameters, while the LCC results were more robust. Originality/value: The findings highlight the benefits of maintenance over replacement to reduce costs and decarbonize window interventions, challenging property owners’ preference to replace windows and emphasizing the significance of including maintenance activities in future renovation research., Funder: Lulebo;Full text license: CC BY 4.0

Promising method for disposal the pine wood waste through extrusion pelleting using sulphate soap as a natural binder is considered in the article. Prior to pelleting, the wood waste requires drying to a water content of no more than 10%. Analysis of pine wood waste drying in filtration mode yielded optimal parameters: A 20 mm layer thickness, temperature of 135 °C, and drying time of 3,900 s. The optimal content of sulphate soap binder was determined to be about 20%, resulting in reduced coke residue, increased volatile components, higher calorific value, and enhanced static strength. This binder facilitates formation of pellets at lower pressures, increases calorific value, and acts as a lubricant, reducing friction and associated energy costs.

The pulp and paper (P&P) industry holds significant global importance. However, the industry’s processes substantially demand water and energy resources. Consequently, there is a pressing need for the industry to adopt more sustainable production practices, aiming to trim environmental impact and strengthen resilience against climate change. Recent research has highlighted the potential for substantial increases in Swedish biogas production using anaerobic wastewater (WW) treatment methods within P&P mills. The P&P sector traditionally relies on aerobic biological WW treatment, overlooking the valuable opportunity for WW resource recovery. This study aims to evaluate anaerobic moving bed biofilm reactors (AnMBBR) to enhance energy recovery while enabling treatment capacity for the P&P industry’s anaerobic WW treatment. The results of this study showed the resilience of the AnMBBR system. It proved capable of recovering from overload conditions and operating even during prolonged periods at low pH levels. However, the system removes mainly soluble COD, suggesting higher capabilities on P&P WW with a high fraction of soluble COD. Its ability to produce methane-rich biogas demonstrates efficient gas production while maintaining simple operational procedures., Part of ISBN 9783031633522QC 20240719

The energy demand in Sweden is increasing due to the growing electrification, and to meet this need, the generation must be expanded. Wind power generation is a very attractive renewable power production alternative for Sweden because of the favorable weather conditions. Research looks at how much wind energy may be deemed sustainable. Increased energy demand puts pressure on the government and industry to build more wind farms and, as a result, produce more wind turbines. Raw materials are necessary for wind turbines to provide a secure transition to green energy technologies. To meet these demands, the materials from various countries should efficiently contribute towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This paper gathers information about raw resources from diverse nations worldwide. All materials are mapped to the country where they are produced using social science criteria. A few nations are chosen based on a sample approach for further analysis, and the implications of mining operations are investigated. Finally, the direct and indirect effects of the SDGs are considered. Based on the data gathered, recommendations and considerations are given to avoid or mitigate the repercussions of raw materials mining and make wind power generation more socially and environmentally sustainable., QC 20240626

As the sole carbonaceous renewable energy source, biomass is distinguished by its abundant yield, widespread distribution, and carbon neutrality. It is integral to the achievement of zero and negative carbon production via conventional carbonaceous pellet technology. This study introduces a cradle-to-gate life cycle assessment methodology for biomass preparation in carbonaceous pellets. We prepare high-quality biochar through a process combining hydrothermal carbonization and pyrolytic carbonization. Biomass high molecular weight extracts are obtained via organic pyrolytic extraction, while biomass high-temperature binders result from the modification and treatment of biochar. Biomass carbonaceous pellets are then formed using hot press technology. The ReCiPe model facilitates a comprehensive life cycle assessment of biomass carbonaceous pellets used in blast furnace production. The study leverages two comprehensive evaluation indicators - renewability, and environmental performance - to enhance the environmental performance of the process system and to maximize energy-saving and emission reduction potential., QC 20240626

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a well-known methodology used to calculate the environmental impacts of a product across its life cycle. The industrial machines used to manufacture consumer products are generally heavy, bulky, and have a complex product structure which makes their environmental assessment using LCA difficult as well as time and resource-intensive. Few studies have conducted LCA of complex industrial machines. The paper presents an LCA of a jet printing and dispensing machine (MY700), an industrial machine used in the production of printed circuit boards (PCBs) carried out using ReCiPe 2016 (Hierarchist) impact assessment methodology. In this study, the use phase of the machine accounted for 91% of the total environmental impacts. The compressed air and electricity consumed in the use phase of the machine were the major environmental hotspots. Additionally, some measures to minimize energy and compressed air use are also discussed. The methodology proposed in this article can be adopted by practitioners to conduct LCA of other industrial machines. The results of this study can help the machine manufacturers to undertake relevant eco-design activities as well as a comparison of different versions/machines in the product family for their environmental impact., QC 20240430

Challenges related to the climate crisis and its consequences, such as rising sea levels, urban heat islands orfloods, engender pressure on architectural education. Sustainable design often inclines to regenerative one - an emergingtrend focused on the restorative power of architecture. The question appears upon the tools and methods that wouldfacilitate both students and academics to address new challenges. This article offers insights into one of such methods basedon the integration of students into research programmes. The European Union’s Horizon 2020 research project SOSClimate Waterfront and follow-up interdisciplinary courses and events offered to students at Gdańsk University ofTechnology, Poland; KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden; and Laval University, Quebec City, Quebec,Canada, are presented to illustrate this process. Starting with research by design approaches, and continuing with follow-upinitiatives, groups of students gradually extend their areas of experimentation empowering urban designs with nature-basedsolutions (NBS), building their critical reflection through an immersion in the science-art-engineering nexus, virtualexperience of nature or through creative writing about climate futures. Published, exhibited and awarded students’ worksconfirm numerous benefits and efficacy of the proposed research-based architectural education., SOS Climate waterfront project funded by EU Marie Sklodowska Curie grant agreement No 823901QC 20240603, EU-project SOS Climate Waterfront

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is one of the most common plastics and can be cascaded mechanically during its life cycle. However, recycling affects the mechanical properties of the material, and the virgin material is constantly in demand. If a worn material could be depolymerized to its chemical building blocks, then a virgin polymer could be generated from old fibers. In this work, we have developed a benign organo-catalytic depolymerization of PET to yield dimethyl terephthalate (DMT) and ethylene glycol (EG) without the need for purification of generated monomers. By recirculating the solvent and organo-catalyst, a solvent/substrate ratio of 3:1 was achieved. The depolymerization was successfully applied to other polyesters, polycarbonates, and polycotton. The cotton isolated from the polycotton depolymerization was successfully processed into viscose fibers with a tenacity in the range of nonwaste cotton-derived viscose filaments. The global warming potential (GWP) of PET depolymerization was evaluated by using life cycle assessment (LCA). The GWP of 1 kg PET recycling is 2.206 kg CO2 equivalent, but the process produces DMT, EG, and heat, thereby avoiding the emissions equivalent to 4.075 kg CO2 equivalent from the DMT, EG, and steam-energy production through conventional pathways. Thus, the net result potentially avoids the emission of 1.88 kg of CO2 equivalent. The impact of this process is lower than that of waste PET incineration and conventional PET recycling technologies.

Waste management in the northern latitudes is often more challenging than in the more central regions. Under the Arctic climate conditions with large distances between settlements and to the recycling facilities, and relatively smaller markets and volume of produced waste, there are special needs for developing new innovative solutions for waste management. WANO focuses on cross-border business and innovation cooperation in the field of waste management, including municipal and industrial waste, in the regions of Troms, Finnmark and Nordland (Norway), Lapland and North Ostrobothnia (Finland) and Norrbotten (Sweden). The project identifies key actors, technologies, innovation trends, and cross-border collaboration possibilities in the Arctic waste sector. Among the lessons learned so far which are highlighted in this policy brief are that waste management in Norway has already taken important steps to promote innovation and cooperation but that there is a demand for additional knowledge-based expertise among the waste management actors in north Norway. Cross-border initiatives are welcomed in north Norway by the actors. The big hindrance seems to be “know-who”: the Norwegian actors need more information about the actors across the border in north Finland and north Sweden.

The supply-chain logistics – storage and transportation over long distances – and downstream processes in biofuel production are adversely impacted by the moisture content in the biomass feedstock. Most woody, herbaceous, low-cost biomass resources such as municipal organic solid wastes and forest residues have moisture content over 30% (of the wet-biomass mass). This makes them less amenable to thermochemical biomass-to-biofuel conversion technologies like pyrolysis and gasification. If pyrolyzed or gasified, the resulting biofuels have a higher moisture content, which truncates their calorific values. During storage, there is a loss of dry matter owing to a tendency to compost aerobically/anaerobically, which is detrimental to the quality of the biomass as a potential source of biofuel. Beyond that, fire hazards due to the spontaneous combustion of wet biomass are not uncommon, necessitating storage in a dry condition. However, drying high-moisture biomass is energy-intensive. The quality of the product and the efficiency of drying are affected by particle sizes and drying technologies adopted. Within this chapter, the authors focus on managing and controlling the moisture content of the biomass utilized in the biofuels sector by resorting to drying and torrefaction technologies. The chapter dwells on drying principles, models and media in drying systems, types of drying systems, mechanical dewatering and torrefaction, the impact of drying, dewatering, and torrefaction on the physical and chemical properties of the end-product, and techno-economic analysis of torrefaction.

The article discusses the suitability of several existing empirical models for determining the safe separation distances (SSDs) for waste fuels. Contour plots of SSDs are generated based on isotropic thermal radiation model for safely storing municipal solid waste (MSW) bales under different storage settings and the plots can be employed for routine hazard assessment purposes. Further, experimental design technique was employed, and orthogonal test matrices were generated to conduct the experiments for studying the combustion dynamics of the primary fire under the influence of storage settings of surrounding fuel units. Main and interaction effects of various storage parameters (e.g., height of adjacent fuel sources, clearance between fuel sources and array size) on the response variables (flame height and burn out time) was studied. A list of appropriate measures for minimising the risk of secondary fires at MSW bale storage sites are provided., Prevention and Mitigation of Waste Fires

This chapter discusses the challenges faced by low-and middle-income countries (LMICs) in dealing with rapid transformation processes, including increasing inequalities, overconsumption of natural resources, high urbanisation rates, massive environmental degradation, and the growing impacts of climate change. The Majority World, where most of the world’s population resides, is the epicentre of the ongoing urban transformation, but it lacks accurate, high-resolution, and timely data to support mitigation and adaptation processes. The article highlights the potential of Earth Observation (EO) data to address data gaps and tackle urban and environmental challenges in LMICs. The article discusses the advances in using AI and EO-based algorithms to measure and characterize urban and environmental inequalities, including climate change and environmental challenges, infrastructure inequalities, and mapping the morphology and dynamics of cities, sub-urban and peri-urban areas with EO. We emphasize the innovative use of existing datasets to provide locally relevant information to users and how EO can create societal impacts.

Halide double perovskites managed by metal doping approach can exhibit dual emission colors, which have been considered as promising multicolor luminescent materials. However, an independent and stable emission at yellow region is missing owing to limited doping candidates, hindering the further commercialization of multicolor luminescence applications in double perovskites. In this work, we successfully obtain stable multicolor emission with PLQE (photoluminescence quantum yield) as high as 78% through developing the CuI doping strategy in Sb-Cs2NaInCl6. By introducing a high CuI feed ratio in airtight autoclave to compete the oxidization effect, the oxidization of CuI into CuII (detrimental factor for high PLQE due to serious quenching effect) is largely suppressed. With changing the CuI feed ratio, at least four distinct emission colors ranging from blue, purple, pink to yellow can be realized via changing the excitation wavelength. Depending on tunable multicolor emission, we further demonstrate the promise of our co-doped double perovskites in anti-counterfeiting technology and multicolor lighting devices. Our results open the way for enriching the optical applications of double perovskites based on multicolor emission., Funding Agencies|Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation [KAW 2019.0082]; Swedish Government Strategic Research Area in Materials Science on Functional Materials at Linkoping University [2009-00971]; China Scholarship Council (CSC)

This study investigates the perceptions of three Swedish stakeholders towards the contested use of waste incineration bottom ash as aggregates outside landfills: waste producers, users and authorities. The interview study shows that the stakeholders lack incentives to circulate bottom ash. Waste producers have a functional outlet for bottom ash by using it as landfill cover. Since the transition from gravel to crushed rock, the availability of natural aggregates is enormous in Sweden at low environmental and economic costs. This causes the potential users of bottom ash to prioritize conventional aggregates. In cases where waste-based aggregates are nevertheless used, they are taken from project-internal sources. Hence, there are few incentives for the authorities to change the currently unfavorable regulations for using bottom ash as aggregates. With unclear environmental benefits and contested interests, the rationale for circulating bottom ash appears to be driven by morality., Funding Agencies|Swedish Research Council Formas

The agricultural sector holds great potential for contributing to European biomethane production, but how to best exploit it is still not clear. This study compares three technical solutions for producing liquefied biomethane from manure in Sweden: centralized biogas production and liquefaction, decentralized biogas production and centralized liquefaction, and decentralized biogas production and liquefaction. Technical and practical aspects of the three configurations are assessed through interviews with professionals, and the economic performance is compared through life cycle cost analysis. Depending on the conditions, the most cost-efficient alternative is either a gas pipeline from decentralized biogas production to a centralized liquefaction, or fully centralized production. The economic benefit of centralization increases with the number of farms involved but decreases with the biogas capacity of the system and the transport distance. The pipeline solution provides simple logistics and operation, although concession for pipe laying can be challenging. Moreover, a partly or fully centralized setup improves the delivery security of the system and reduces downtime. However, decentralized biomethane production can be an option for remote farms where centralization is not possible. For existing biogas plants, small-scale liquefaction or a pipeline to centralized liquefaction can be options for developing more biomethane production., Funding: Swedish Biogas Solutions Research Center (BRC); Swedish Energy Agency, Biogas Solutions Research Center

Vegetated swales are an integral component of Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI), designed to manage urban stormwater at its source by reducing volumes and peaks, retaining water within the urban landscape, and providing high-capacity runoff pathways. They facilitate the integration of vegetation-based stormwater solutions with traditional grey infrastructure, creating synergies and enhancing urban drainage. In light of contemporary urban drainage challenges, swales are now assigned multiple functions beyond stormwater conveyance, necessitating enhanced predictability and reduced uncertainties in their hydrologic performance. This thesis investigates the hydrologic functions of vegetated swales in controlling urban stormwater. Vegetated swales are shallow, vegetated channels that manage runoff through infiltration, conveyance, storage, dissipation, and filtration, leading to reduced runoff volumes and attenuated peak flows. The study aims to advance the understanding of swale functions by examining their hydrologic and hydraulic performance under varying conditions. Key objectives include exploring the relationship between hydraulic and hydrological factors and swale hydrographs, such as soil moisture dynamics and swale characteristics, representing swale processes and spatial variability, and evaluating long-term hydrological behavior concerning soil water content (SWC). The methodology involved field experiments and long-term monitoring at two swales in Luleå and a combined stormwater control measure (SCM) in Skellefteå, Northern Sweden. These swales, with differing topographies and vegetative covers, were subjected to controlled irrigation experiments to mimic runoff inflows. The combined SCM, consisting of a rocky slope, vegetated slope, and vegetated collector swale arranged in series, was monitored to assess hydrologic parameters and responses based on natural rainfall inflows. Data collection included rainfall events, inflow and outflow hydrographs, soil i

New mutations provide the raw material for evolution and adaptation. The distribution of fitness effects (DFE) describes the spectrum of effects of new mutations that can occur along a genome, and is, therefore, of vital interest in evolutionary biology. Recent work has uncovered striking similarities in the DFE between closely related species, prompting us to ask whether there is variation in the DFE among populations of the same species, or among species with different degrees of divergence, that is whether there is variation in the DFE at different levels of evolution. Using exome capture data from six tree species sampled across Europe we characterized the DFE for multiple species, and for each species, multiple populations, and investigated the factors potentially influencing the DFE, such as demography, population divergence, and genetic background. We find statistical support for the presence of variation in the DFE at the species level, even among relatively closely related species. However, we find very little difference at the population level, suggesting that differences in the DFE are primarily driven by deep features of species biology, and those evolutionarily recent events, such as demographic changes and local adaptation, have little impact.

This study provides strong evidence thatthe biosurfactantrhamnolipid is more efficient than the widely used chemical dispersantsCorexit 9500 and Slickgone NS in stimulating oil biodegradation innatural seawater. Biosurfactants arepromising alternatives to chemical dispersantsfor combating marine oil spills; however, the impacts of biosurfactantson microbial community composition and oil biodegradation activitiesremain largely unknown. Here, we conducted a time-course microcosmexperiment mimicking oil spill scenarios with surface seawater fromthe North Sea, amended with either the biosurfactant rhamnolipid ora dispersant (Corexit 9500 or Slickgone NS). Radioactive tracer assaysto track hexadecane and naphthalene oxidation as well as bacterialproduction revealed the highest hydrocarbon oxidation rates and generalmicrobial activities in the rhamnolipid-amended oil microcosms, followedby oil microcosms with Slickgone and Corexit. Impacts on the microbialcommunity composition differed among treatments, and growth of oil-degrading Colwellia was stimulated remarkably in Corexit-amended oiland oil-only microcosms, while potential oil-degrading Oleispira were highly enriched in the presence of oil in combination withrhamnolipid or Slickgone. Furthermore, increased abundances of Colwellia and Oleispira, and stimulatedbacterial production in microcosms with only rhamnolipid, Corexit,or Slickgone, indicated their involvement in biosurfactant/dispersantbiodegradation. Our findings highlight varying microbial impacts resultingfrom rhamnolipid and chemical dispersants and suggest great promisefor the application of biosurfactants in future marine oil spills.

The choice of heating system is significant for city planners and building owners alike, and many important areas, such as the well-being of residents, climate change impact and resource efficiency, may influence the choice. Understanding how to balance these areas is crucial for effective decision-making that can contribute to sustainable development and the green energy transition. However, these decisions represent complex problems where disparate knowledge areas must be considered simultaneously. When faced with this type of decisionmaking problem, employing different multi-criteria decision-making methods is common. However, such methods only provide a snapshot of which alternative is preferred and because of this, their results may become obsolete due to changes in the performance of alternatives or the value perceptions of the decision-makers. To overcome this challenge and to improve the longevity and reliability of multi-criteria decision-making results, the authors of this study explored a novel approach to producing semi-dynamic results through scenarios, which were used to consider possible future changes to the alternatives performance and the decision-makers value perceptions. The application of scenarios in the multi-criteria decision-making method enabled nuanced information to be produced on how the performance of different heating alternatives may change under different plausible futures. This approach was demonstrated by applying it to the case of residential heating in Denmark, where results showed that while final rankings varied across both scenarios and ranking methods, solar heating was the preferred alternative, while the oil boiler alternative performed the worst. Overall, this study highlights the importance of considering likely future changes to both the performance of alternatives and the value perceptions of decision-makers when making decisions with long lifetimes and suggests an approach for doing this., Funding Agencies|FlexSUS: Flexibility for Smart Urban Energy Systems [91352]; European Union [775970]

Diamond possesses extraordinary properties, including extreme hardness, thermal conductivity, and mechanical strength. Global industrial diamond production is dominated by synthetic diamond, with important commercial applications in hard coatings and semiconductors. However, the life cycle impacts of synthetic diamond materials are largely unknown. The main aim of this study is to conduct the first detailed life cycle assessments of the typical production routes for nanodiamond and diamond film, which are detonation synthesis and microwave chemical vapor deposition, respectively. The functional units were set to 1 g nanodiamond and 1 cm2 diamond film. A limited number of inputs dominate the assessed impacts: explosives and cooling water for nanodiamond production, and electricity and substrate for diamond film production. Diamond film manufacturers can reduce their global warming, freshwater eutrophication, and terrestrial acidification impacts by 62-71% by sourcing wind or solar instead of global average electricity. However, this comes at the expense of increased mineral resource scarcity impacts at 57-73%. A comparison between nanodiamond and synthetic diamond grit shows that the grit's global warming impact is about 5 times higher, suggesting that nanodiamond is environmentally preferable. The ready-to-use unit-process data from this study can be applied in future studies of products containing these materials., QC 20240201

Sustainability has over the past two decades emerged as a key concern in human-computer interaction, with a much critiqued focus on quantification and eco-feedback. This approach fits within a modernist framing of sustainability, treating the environment (and our impact on it) as an externality, reducing it to a set of simple metrics. While data about the climate impact of our actions provide an important indication of harm, such data is fragmented and incomplete, capturing only a partial picture of a very wicked and entangled problem. My doctoral research departs from this notion of”information will solve the problem” and through design-oriented explorations of environmental data such as CO2 emissions from academic flying, I investigate alternative ways to engage people with environmental data in order to unsettle relations to the climate impact of our actions and foster care. So far, I have studied this through design-oriented case studies of data in action, with a specific focus on interventions aimed at engaging people in social contexts with the carbon emissions of everyday practices., QC 20231229

Arsenic (As) is a poisonous metalloid and recognized as a Group I human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Arsenic often exists in groundwater and surface water, oceanic and inland deposits, rocks, soils, and biota at variable concentrations. Over the last few decades, As contamination has been augmented noticeably due to both natural and anthropogenic sources. Arsenic contamination in groundwater is currently a major global environmental catastrophe, which affects over 200 million people in 107 countries and causes various health complications including cancer. Therefore, updated information regarding the sources, chemical form, bioavailability, extent and severity, food safety and regulation, remediation, and management of As is essential. In this chapter, we accumulated the detailed sources of As, including point and diffuse sources, various inorganic and organic As species, and their toxicity in the environment. Moreover, the fate of As in the environment, economic implications of As-contaminated food and food products, and the bioavailability and bio-accessibility of As in environmental media are also briefly summarized. Remediation technologies for As-contaminated soil with the latest case study and regulatory limits of As in soil are also presented in this chapter. Overall, this chapter incorporates the past and contemporary knowledge of As, which will be useful for better management of As in the near future., Part of ISBN 9780323904001, 9780323906852QC 20231221

Beachcast or beach wrack, washed-up algae and seaweed, used to be a highly sought-after agricultural resource (fertiliser and soil conditioner) in coastal communities around the world before being replaced by chemical fertilisers, but considering the talks of a circular bio-economy – can we reintroduce it? Since the abandonment of beachcast in agriculture, the amount of beachcast has significantly increased as an effect of eutrophication caused by the use of chemical fertiliser, and the material is commonly considered waste. Meanwhile, soils have degraded and need the multiple positive effects on agroecosystems that beachcast could provide. So, while harvesting the biomass serves to remedy the adverse ecosystem effects on marine ecosystems (from excessive organic material, i.e. macroalgae blooms), beachcast could potentially contribute to more sustainable food production. Sadly, it is not simple. This potentially symbiotic process infers uncertainties regarding soil cadmium accumulation, coastal ecosystem effects, and other challenges - and despite multiple studies and attempts at a waste-to-resource conversion of beachcast, the challenges remain unsolved, and a novel take on the topic seems necessary. On Gotland, Sweden, with a historical tradition of using beachcast in agriculture, a modern governance system for management has emerged from a national policy subsidising beachcast harvesting, which has partly come to connect the marine and agricultural domains, among other actors. In this case, beachcast harvesting is subsidised as a measure to curb eutrophication and reduce the detrimental effects of excessive beachcast, a phenomenon present in the Baltic Sea and many other coastal regions worldwide that are caused by an accelerating nutrient accumulation at sea and sediment stocks. So, by further applying beachcast as a fertiliser in agriculture and horticulture, a practical example of a regional land-marine nutrient loop could be created to make beachcast manage, Släke, det Gotländska samlingsnamnet för uppspolad alg- och tångmassa, brukade vara en mycket eftertraktad jordbruksresurs (gödselmedel och markvårdare) i kustsamhällen runt om i hela världen innan kemiska gödningsmedel introducerades i jordbruket, men med tanke på hållbarhetsmål som inbegriper konceptet cirkulär bio-ekonomi borde vi kanske återinföra släke som resurs? Sedan släkeanvändningen övergavs inom jordbruket har mängden släke ökat avsevärt (som en effekt av övergödningen till följd av användningen av kemiska gödningsmedel) och materialet betraktas vanligtvis som avfall. Samtidigt degraderas många jordar till följd av minskad tillförsel av organiskt material, något som släke skulle kunna bidra med till agroekologiska system. Så bortforsling av släke från lämpliga kustremsor skulle teoretiskt sett både kunna avhjälpa de negativa effekterna på marina ekosystem från makroalgblomning (som en följd av övergödningen) samt bidra till en mer hållbar livsmedelsproduktion genom näringscirkulation. Tyvärr är det i praktiken inte en enkel uppgift att åstadkomma ett sådant cirkulärt resurssystem för släke. Denna till synes symbiotiska process är förknippad med osäkerheter vad gäller kadmiumackumulering i jord, potentiellt negativa effekter på kustnära ekosystem och andra utmaningar - så trots flera studier och försök till en omvandling av släke från avfall till resurs, kvarstår utmaningen med resursomvandlingen och det finns ett behov av ett nytt angreppssätt på släke-problematiken. På Gotland, Sverige, med en historisk tradition av att använda släke i jordbruket, har ett modernt resurshanteringssystem vuxit fram ur en nationell policy som subventionerar släkeskörd som en övergödningsåtgärd. Systemet har kommit att engagera flertalet olika aktörer och har delvis kopplat samman marina och agrara domän. I det här fallet subventioneras alltså släkeskörd som en åtgärd för att bromsa övergödning och minska de skadliga effekterna makroalgsblomningar, ett fenomen som återfinns, QC 20231110

A very small part of the total earth’s water is freshwater (only 2.5 %). Unfortunately, due to climate change and pervasive manmade activities, surface freshwater quality in many places of the world has become degraded. This is manifested in the Rift Valley lakes, a series of lakes in Eastern Africa that runs from Ethiopia in the north to Malawi in the south. Water quality degradation in the Rift Valley lakes is driven by various factors, including water quantity and scarcity, pollution and contamination, nutrients loading, and general water use by industry and society. In particular, Lake Victoria, the world’s second-largest freshwater body and the largest tropical lake, has seriously polluted near lakeshore areas, which is a great regional development problem causing misfortune for millions of people. This dissertation contributes new insights into lake hydrodynamic processes and pollution transport in shallow lakes through developing more accurate models to understand the complex processes of water quality degradation. Based on empirical data this thesis developed systematic methods to consider lake bathymetry, lake flow, water level verification, water balance, hydro-climatological processes, transport and dispersion of pollutants and nutrient particles. The data-driven hydrological model of Lake Victoria that is developed in the thesis considers hydro-meteorological and climatological data, river discharges and outflow, wind speed and direction, atmospheric deposition, nutrient loading, concentration of pollutants and nutrients, and remote sensing satellite data. The thesis illustrates the power of numerical and hydrodynamic methods that uses one- and two-dimensional mathematical equations (1D and 2D) to model the three-dimensional (3D) behaviour of shallow lakes over time. The results indicate that the lake hydrodynamics of Lake Victoria are heavily influenced by lake bathymetry and regional weather patterns and are thus connected to increasing climate variat, En liten del av jordens vatten är sötvatten (endast 2,5 %). På grund av klimatförändringar som skapats genom ekonomiska och mänskliga aktiviteter har sötvattenskvaliteten på många platser i världen kraftigt försämrats. Detta märks i sprickdalssjöarna, en serie sjöar i området Rift Valley i östra Afrika som går från Etiopien i norr till Malawi i söder. Försämring av vattenkvaliteten i sprickdalssjöarna drivs av olika faktorer, inklusive vattenmängd och vattenbrist, spridning av föroreningar från jordbruk och städer, överbelastning av näringsämnen och överanvändning av vatten av industri och samhälle. I synnerhet Victoriasjön, världens andra största sötvattenkälla och den största tropiska sjön på Jorden, har fått allvarligt förorenade strandområden, vilket är ett stort regionalt utvecklingsproblem och orsakar problem för de miljontals människor som bor runt sjön eller som på olika sätt är beroende av dess vatten. Denna avhandling bidrar med nya insikter om grunda sjöars hydrodynamiska processer och föroreningstransporter genom att utveckla mer exakta modeller för att förstå de komplexa hydrologiska processer som formar grunda sjöars vattenkvalitet. Baserat på empiriska data har denna avhandling utvecklat systematiska metoder för att beakta Victoriasjöns batymetri, sjöflöden, vattennivåer, vattenbalans och hur föroreningar och näringspartiklar transporteras och sprids i sjön. Den datadrivna flödesmodellen beaktade meteorologiska och hydrologiska data, vindhastighet och vindriktning, utflöden från floder, men också koncentrationen av spårämnen av föroreningar och näringsämnen. Avhandlingen illustrerar kraften i numeriska och hydrodynamiska metoder som använder en- och tvådimensionella matematiska ekvationer (1D och 2D) för att modellera det tredimensionella (3D) beteendet hos grunda sjöar över tid. Resultaten indikerar att hydrodynamiken i Victoriasjön är starkt påverkad av batymetri och klimatförändringar. De hydrometeorologiska processerna, verifierade genom sjöflödes, QC 20231102

Global warming and other environmental concerns drive the search for alternative fuels in international shipping. A life-cycle analysis (LCA) can be utilized to assess the environmental impact of different fuels, thereby enabling the identification of the most sustainable alternative among the candidate fuels. However, most LCA studies do not consider marginal emissions, which are important when predicting the effects of large-scale fuel transitions. The research purpose of this study was to assess the marginal emissions of several currently available marine fuels to facilitate the identification of the most promising marine fuel. Thus, marginal and average emissions for eight marine fuels (high-sulfur fuel oil, very-low-sulfur fuel oil, marine gas oil, liquified natural gas, biomethane, biomethanol, fossil methanol, and hydro-treated vegetable oil) were compared in terms of their environmental impact. Non-intuitively, the results indicate that biofuels exhibit equally or higher marginal greenhouse gas emissions than conventionally used fuel oils (162–270 versus 148–174 kg CO2/MJ propulsion), despite their significantly lower average emissions (19–73 vs. 169–175 kg CO2/MJ). This discrepancy is attributed to the current limited availability of climate-efficient biofuels. Consequently, a large-scale shift to biofuels cannot presently yield substantial reductions in the shipping industry’s climate impact. Additional measures, such as optimized trading routes, more energy-efficient ships, and research on more climate-friendly biofuels and electro-fuels, are thus required to significantly reduce the climate footprint of shipping., QC 20231020

Waste segregation is an essential function in improving waste management. Waste segregation not only facilitates recycling and reduces waste going to landfills, rather it can benefit our environment and human in various ways. A pick analysis of waste composition is used to characterize the household waste stream and thus can analyze the segregation rate among the residents. In addition, it can measure the actual waste sorting behaviour at the household/community level. The objective of the study was to assess feasibility of a large-scale waste composition study, identify methodological and operational challenges, and estimate the resources needed to conduct the main waste composition study in order to obtain and get indicative figures about waste generation, composition, and miss-sorted proportions. The study team went door-to-door to collect waste in colour coded bags. We also collected the socio-demographic data of the households. The collected waste was weighed and segregated to analyze the waste composition. The analysis was done among 45 households, and it was found that the per capita waste generation per day is 0.25 kg (0.24 kg from slum and 0.27 kg from non-slum). Challenges identified in conducting waste composition study were lack of standard waste fraction classifications, difficulty in recruitment of personnel to conduct study due to social taboo around waste, challenge in co-coordinating with Ujjain Municipal Corporation waste collection vehicle for collection of waste. 53 household activities were completed in 5 and half hours with INR 24685 (USD 300.5). Pick analysis could be adopted by the Ujjain Municipal Corporation after cost effective analysis to generate precise estimate of waste generation, resource recovery, efficient resource allocation and will help in future interventions and informed policy decision making to improve segregation.

Residential energy consumption remains a significant driver of CO2 emissions in European buildings, demanding urgent action in the face of the climate crisis. While prevailing efforts have predominantly concentrated on enhancing energy efficiency and integrating renewable sources, addressing the climate urgency and resource constraints necessitates a paradigm shift towards sufficiency principles. Swedish statistics on Single-Family Houses (SFH) show that more than a third of households inhabit oversized spaces in aging buildings needing renovation. Sufficiency-oriented renovation strategies—optimizing, or reducing living areas per capita— present a promising avenue to achieve substantial energy reductions. This approach also opens the potential for space rentals, yielding combined energy and space efficiency advantages. In addition, the literature highlights reduced maintenance costs and potential urban housing crisis mitigation. However, practical implementation faces multiple obstacles.This paper investigates SFH owners' attitudes towards space-sufficiency interventions, focusing on living size preferences and identifying barriers and opportunities for sustainable housing. Through focus group sessions with SFH owners in November-December 2022, qualitative content analysis revealed that reducing living space per capita faces multifaceted challenges, despite potential benefits.These challenges encompass not only personal and psychological considerations but extend to economic, infrastructural, and policy barriers, including issues such as the potential breach of privacy, disruptions due to noise, dilemmas related to ownership and independency, disruptions to work-life dynamics, inadequate familiarity with sufficiency principles, and uncertainty imposed by space constraints. Strategic integration of sufficiency principles into energy-renovation policy alternatives necessitates a holistic approach that addresses these barriers, and some form of incentives may be neede, Scaling up energy renovation through smart design and one-stop-shop business model

Because of its specific qualities, lithium is a key element for making lithium-ion batteries, which is of great relevance since the battery sector is the fastest growing user of lithium to date and with the transition towards a fully electrified transportation sector due to the current climate agenda and an even bigger increase in demand for lithium is anticipated for the coming decades. The two main sources for lithium to date are mines and brines, with brine water composing around 87 % of the world’s lithium reserves in terms of contained lithium. Salars, dominantly large salt flats in South America, provide the type of brine water that has a high concentration of lithium. These salars occur primarily in Argentina, Bolivia and Chile (the ABC-triangle), where solid lithium-compounds occur dominantly as evaporate minerals such as lithium carbonates. Lithium from salars is recovered with natural evaporation and salar-derived lithium-salts generally have a higher purity than lithium derived from pegmatite mining. However, the process of lithium extraction from salars much slower than mining lithium from pegmatite, although large amounts of energy are required and large amounts of waste rock material is produced in the process. Lithium also occurs in geothermal waters and in seawater, but at far lower concentrations then in pegmatites or salar brines, which thus requires large processing efforts to be economically attractive.The purpose of this study is to provide a modern update based on the lithium production data in metric tons from recent years and interpolate the lithium production for the remaining part of the century. Then I will assess the difference between the projections from the study by Vikström et al. 2014, that were previously used to estimate possible future production rates annually, and current production and availability estimates. To achieve this, the present study will compare the different sources of lithium all over the world, mainly hard rock an

This essay will address if and how it is possible to reuse and recycle wood waste and CDWW (construction and demolition wood waste). The background will have a short introduction and then be divided into 3 sections. The first section addresses similarities and differences between linear vs. circular economy. The second section will take up bioeconomy and how it is managed in the different countries in the world, and the last part takes up wood waste management. The purpose of this thesis is to investigate from literature if it is possible to reuse and recycle wood waste and CDWW. By reviewing case studies, see if it is possible to implement a practical sustainable recycling worldwide. There are four questions that will be answered to see if it is possible. Those are: 1, Are there enough volumes of wood waste for it to be worth to reusing/recycling it? 2, What opportunities does it provide and how can it affect society, economy, and the environment? 3, Is it worth investing in facilities that only accept wood waste and reuse/recycle the material? 4, How have the trends with wood waste been according to the data collected? The methods that have been used are literature study, qualitative and quantitative methods. Qualitative as an interview has been conducted, and quantitative as data for wood waste in Borås has been compiled. The result showed that there exist enough volumes for it to be worth reusing and recycling, however, the volumes has gone down significantly and are not stable, though this could be argued due to the COVID-19 pandemic and will most likely change and go up in volume within the next few years. There have not been any studies on how the society could be affected by reusing and recycle wood waste, although from an economic and environmental perspective it shows a positive outcome, such as new jobs get created and less deforestation and less reduction of biological diversity. Depending on the type of wood waste the facility receives, it can affect wh

Food loss and waste (FLW) occurring early in the food supply chain (FSC) leads to increased resource wastage, including land, water, fertilisers, pesticides, fuel, packaging, energy, and labour. Targeting FLW prevention benefits various aspects such as food security, productivity, economic growth, climate change mitigation, resource conservation, and food waste management. Understanding the causes of FLW and their environmental impact is crucial for the design of effective solutions and their prioritisation. The purpose of this study was to investigate the risk factors and underlying causes of FLW in leafy vegetables (LV), mainly lettuce, throughout the Brazilian FSC, spanning from harvest to retail. Additionally, the study evaluated the environmental impact of waste management strategies applicable in the context of the case study. To achieve this, the research methodology encompassed a case study conducted among small-scale producers and retailers in the city of Tupã, Brazil. A comprehensive approach was adopted by integrating a systematic literature review of global FLW causes and those specific to the Latin American context. This approach was complemented by exploratory research, involving interviews with various stakeholders along the FSC, coupled with rigorous root-cause analysis. Moreover, the study employed a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology to offer an immersive perspective, determining the environmental implications associated with different approaches to treating lettuce waste in the case study. Findings revealed that the root causes of FLW in the case study encompassed normalised unfair trading practices, notably take-back agreement (TBA) conditions, and the absence of supportive policies and incentives for FLW reduction. These root causes manifested in the absence of formal agreements between retailers and local producers, leading to the return of unsold or substandard items without compensation. Furthermore, supermarkets exert power over product

Interviews: Christian NaumanenEditorial and layout advise: Linda Andersson, AxfoundationCopyright: Science Park Borås and The Swedish Wool Initiative encourages the use, reproduction, and dissemination of the material in this document. The material may be copied, downloaded, and printed for private use, research, and teaching purposes, or for use in non-commercial products or services, provided that appropriate acknowledgement of Science Park Borås as the source and copyright holder is given and that Science Park Borås’s and The Swedish Wool Initiative’s endorsements of users’ views, products, and services are not implied in any way. This document is managed and updated by Science Park Borås at the University of Borås.Pictures from Axfoundation, Filippa K, Fjällräven, Klippan Yllefabrik and Tiger of Sweden are their property and copyright.Cover photo: Anna Sigge for Science Park Borås.Funded by Vinnova and Region Västra Götaland in the projects The Swedish Wool Initiative and Kunskapsnoden för lokal biobaserad fiberråvara., The Swedish Wool Initiative, Kunskapsnoden för lokal biobaserad fiberråvara

Research background: The Bangladeshi government has set a plan to generate one-tenth of its electricity from solar and other renewable sources by 2030. Solar adoption surged in Bangladesh up until 2015, setting a global precedent for electrifying areas that were previously unconnected. The enhanced lighting offered by solar systems provides immediate benefits, including additional hours for household and business activities and extended study hours for school-going children. Purpose of the article: This study seeks to identify the determinants and welfare gains of solar adoption in rural areas by analysing three rounds of the Bangladesh Integrated Household Survey from 2011-12, 2015, and 2018-19. In addition to presenting new estimates of economic, environmental, and educational welfare gains, our research offers insights into how solar adoption relates to rural employment and the nutrition of children under five. Methods: We utilized both ordinary least squares and propensity score matching techniques to estimate the welfare effects of solar adoption. Only households that do not use electricity as their primary lighting source, such as those relying on solar or kerosene, are considered in our sample. Findings & value added: We have discovered that adopting solar is linked to higher income, increased expenditure, and growth in asset value. Additionally, there is a significant reduction in kerosene expenditure among adopters compared to non-adopters. Other observations reveal that households with solar setups tend to transition from sharecropping to trading and poultry farming. Children in these households also benefit from solar adoption in terms of education and nutrition. This study illustrates how solar energy can effectively address various welfare concerns in areas where the government cannot supply electricity. Given that recent global events have rendered underdeveloped countries more vulnerable to providing consistent electricity to their entire populati

Finding alternative phosphorus sources is imperative to address negative environmental and societal impacts caused by its current inefficient use. However, the direct use of phosphorus in sewage sludge in agriculture is controversial. This paper uses Denmark, Germany, and Spain as case examples to assess relevant legislation and boundary conditions in agricultural production to identify opportunities and barriers for the utilisation of recycled phosphorus from wastewater in agriculture on a regional level. Only five out of 22 phosphorus recycling technologies considered were in full compliance with legislation across all three countries, and these five were then assessed for their potential to supply phosphorus to major crops within countries. We considered the application of technologies across four scenarios: 1) struvite; 2) vivianite as iron supply; 3) vivianite for calcium phosphate precipitation; and 4) ashes for calcium phosphate precipitation. The most suitable scenario identified for Denmark was vivianite for calcium phosphate precipitation, whereas in Spain vivianite as iron supply was identified as most suitable, and ashes for calcium phosphate in Germany. We found that in 2018, the potential phosphorus supply from recycling technologies was on average 0.38, 0.29 and 0.05 kg of phosphorus per capita for Danish, German, and Spanish regions. These quantities could meet 9.1, 21.7, and 10.0 percent of the phosphorus required to produce major cereals in each country (specifically wheat, barley, and rye). Given current legal constraints, wastewater treatment plant connections and agronomic context, the potential contribution of recycled phosphorus is non-negligible in many sub-national regions. Still, to access the full potential of phosphorus circularity clear product specifications and transport and logistics among regions will be necessary., Funding Agencies|RecaP Project from the European Union [956454]; TU Wien Bibliothek

This study investigated the combination of biochar derived from carbonized local feedstock and Moringa oleifera seed extract-based flocculant, a novel combination in the context of greywater treatment missed in the previous studies, with a focus on the removal of organic contaminants (caffeine, chloramphenicol, trimethoprim, carbamazepine, diclofenac, and bisphenol A) and heavy metals (Cr(VI), As(III), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), and Pb(II)). The research focused on the optimization of dosage, application procedure, and relevance to greywater (presence of humic acids, clay, and surfactants). The order of application was found to impact organic compound removal, with the initial application of the flocculant, followed by biochar, being the more effective approach. The combined use of biochar and flocculant positively impacted the removal of heavy metals but impeded the removal of organic pollutants. The presence of humic acids, clay, and surfactants affected the flocculation process, which impeded the removal of heavy metals and organic pollutants., Funding Agencies|Swedish Research Council for Su-tainable Development, Formas [2019-00458]

Modelling the noise exposure for a given population is essential in order to assess its potential environmental health issues and to guide authorities in their urban planning or transportation policies. This paper introduces a new method for evaluating noise exposure of large-scale populations based on MATSim, an open- source agent-based transportation simulator. A list of agents, i.e. a synthetic population, is generated using available census and travel surveys, and are used in the transport simulation. The description of the agents includes their socio-professional profile. The resulting vehicle movements are then used in NoiseModelling, an open-source CNOSSOS-EU implementation for noise emission and propagation, to compute the noise levels every time step, typically every 15mn. Agents are then followed in their daily schedule and a noise level is assigned to them every time step. The result is a 24h noise level time history for every agent. Opportunities for analysis are discussed, such as the detailed population exposure assessment and the investigation of environmental justice issues. A case study is presented and some use cases are explored. Finally, a similar coupling for air pollutants (CO2, NOx, ...) using the HBEFA emission database and the SIRANE dispersion model is under development that will enable multi-exposure assessments., Part of ISBN 9788888942674QC 20240703

Sustainability has been proposed to address societal challenges. A number of efforts have been undertaken to implement sustainability, particularly through frameworks such as tools, initiatives and approaches (TIAs). Most of the research on the implementation efforts has been in the corporate context. This paper is aimed at analysing the implementation of TIAs in academic research. A bibliometric analysis of twenty TIAs during the period 1961–2020 was carried out to analyse their implementation in academic research. The results highlight that there has been research published on all the TIAs analysed. The TIAs have a better balance and interrelations between the sustainability dimensions in their implementation than in the theory. The results show that for a better implementation of TIAs in academic research it is necessary to address sustainability dimensions (economic, environmental, social, and time) in a holistic and balanced way considering alignment of general and specific efforts, i.e. TIAs, and congruence (linking ‘theory’ and ‘implementation’). The results were integrated to propose a ‘Sustainability Implementation Framework’ (SIF), which is divided into three levels (i.e., Initiatives, Approaches, and Tools). The TIAs implementation should follow more strictly the definitions, or, perhaps, the TIAs definitions should be redefined to encompass the insights from their implementation.