Integrating the green economy, circular economy and bioeconomy in a strategic sustainability framework
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors employ the well-known Framework for Strategic Sustainable Development (The Natural Step Framework) to comparatively identify the relative and integrated contribution of the three narratives for global net sustainability.
About: This article is published in Ecological Economics.The article was published on 2021-10-01 and is currently open access. It has received 96 citations till now. The article focuses on the topics: Green economy & Sustainability.
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462 citations
TL;DR: In this paper , the authors analyzed the Italian and Spanish ceramic tile industries as a prime example of process digitalization and environmental practices in the European manufacturing context, and investigated the possibilities provided by strategic innovation to companies in this sector, in order to be able to compete with producers in emerging countries who use price strategies as the only lever of their competitiveness.
Abstract: Sustainability is an essential goal for companies to pursue alongside their efforts to cope with a period of economic crisis and uncertainty. Technologically mature manufacturing sectors need to preserve their competitiveness, and process and product innovation may no longer be sufficient to stimulate demand. Strategic innovation is one possible option to address this challenge. However, methods to implement this new paradigm are still underexplored. This paper analyzes the Italian and Spanish ceramic tile industries as a prime example of process digitalization and environmental practices in the European manufacturing context. Through the application of multi-criteria analysis, this study aims to investigate the possibilities provided by strategic innovation to companies in this sector, in order to be able to compete with producers in emerging countries who use price strategies as the only lever of their competitiveness. To this end, dimensions relating to operations, market, economy, society and the environment are considered herein. Our results show that the multidimensionality of industrial organizations should stimulate manufacturing firms not only to look at customer needs from a price point of view, but to commit to including social and environmental attributes in their products, such as the green-circular premium and sustainability certification. These two practices represent strategic innovation. This presents a complex challenge involving widespread change that concerns entrepreneurship, management and industrial policies. • Industrial districts enrich socially industrial organization. • Sustainability is an enabler of competitive advantage in manufacturing. • Competitive advantage requires recognition a green-circular premium. • Recognition is based on a sustainability certification by performance classes. • Differential product taxation is a policy to be implemented.
98 citations
TL;DR: In this article , a preliminary evaluation of the role and contribution of biogas as a sustainable energy source towards achieving the sustainable development goals (SDGs) was presented, where the authors summarized the common feedstock and impurities in the BiOGAS as well as the advantages and disadvantages of Biogas compared with fossil fuels.
Abstract: Biogas is one of the promising renewable energy sources that successfully implemented at domestic and industrial scales. This work presents a preliminary evaluation of the role and contribution of biogas as a sustainable energy source towards achieving the sustainable development goals (SDGs). This work summarizes the common feedstock and impurities in the biogas as well as the advantages and disadvantages of biogas compared with fossil fuels. Challenges and barriers associated with biogas production in developing and developed countries were elaborated and connected with SDGs. Finally, the relation between the circular economy, biogas, and related SDGs was presented. The biogas has been found to have direct impacts and contributions to 12 out of the 17 SDGs. The main contributions of the biogas come from its ability to increase renewable energy, reduce climate change, enhance the waste management process, and create jobs. A set of 58 indicators was provided as a guideline for the stakeholders within the biogas industry to extend the benefits of the biogas toward the achievement of the SDGs and minimize any possible trade-off. The results of this work will help the different players within the biogas industry to form policy to ensure that biogas contribution to the SDGs is maximized.
75 citations
TL;DR: In this paper , the authors identify the drivers and barriers of this circularisation and provide guidance for effective policies to hasten the transition to a circular economy, which is crucial to reduce pressure on the environment and to improve the security of supply of primary raw materials.
38 citations
TL;DR: In this article , the authors highlight the contribution of SMART irrigation using Internet of Things (IoT) and sensory systems in relation to the SDGs and highlight the challenges and benefits for the implementation of sensory based irrigation systems are discussed.
Abstract: Countries are working into making agriculture more sustainable by integrating different technologies to enhance its operation. Implementing improvements in irrigation systems is crucial for the water-use efficiency and works as a contributor to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) under the United Nations specifically Goal 6 and Target 6.4. This paper aims to highlight the contribution of SMART irrigation using Internet of Things (IoT) and sensory systems in relation to the SDGs. The study is based on a qualitative design along with focusing on secondary data collection method. Automated irrigation systems are essential for conservation of water, this improvement could have a vital role in minimizing water usage. Agriculture and farming techniques is also linked with IoT and automation, to make the whole processes much more effective and efficient. Sensory systems helped farmers better understand their crops and reduced the environmental impacts and conserve resources. Through these advanced systems effective soil and weather monitoring takes place along with efficient water management. Irrigation systems have been determined as positive contributor toward optimized irrigation systems that could enhance the use of continuous research and development which focus on enhancing the sustainable operations and cost reduction. Lastly, the challenges and benefits for the implementation of sensory based irrigation systems are discussed. This review will assist researchers and farmers to better understand irrigation techniques and provide an adequate approach would be sufficient to carry out irrigation related activities.
38 citations
References
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Book Chapter•
01 Jan 2012
TL;DR: The Global Energy Assessment (GEA) as mentioned in this paper identifies strategies that could help resolve the multiple challenges simultaneously and bring multiple benefits, including sustainable economic and social development, poverty eradication, adequate food production and food security, health for all, climate protection, conservation of ecosystems, and security.
Abstract: Energy is essential for human development and energy systems are a crucial entry point for addressing the most
pressing global challenges of the 21st century, including sustainable economic and social development, poverty
eradication, adequate food production and food security, health for all, climate protection, conservation of ecosystems,
peace and security. Yet, more than a decade into the 21st century, current energy systems do not meet these challenges.
A major transformation is therefore required to address these challenges and to avoid potentially catastrophic future
consequences for human and planetary systems. The Global Energy Assessment (GEA) demonstrates that energy
system change is the key for addressing and resolving these challenges. The GEA identifies strategies that could help
resolve the multiple challenges simultaneously and bring multiple benefits. Their successful implementation requires
determined, sustained and immediate action.
13,413 citations
Stockholm Environment Institute1, Stockholm University2, Australian National University3, University of Alaska Fairbanks4, Université catholique de Louvain5, University of East Anglia6, Wageningen University and Research Centre7, Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences8, Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research9, University of Oxford10, James Cook University11, Arizona State University12, Royal Institute of Technology13, University of Minnesota14, University of Vermont15, Stockholm International Water Institute16, California State University San Marcos17, Goddard Institute for Space Studies18, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation19, University of Arizona20, Max Planck Society21
TL;DR: Identifying and quantifying planetary boundaries that must not be transgressed could help prevent human activities from causing unacceptable environmental change, argue Johan Rockstrom and colleagues.
Abstract: Identifying and quantifying planetary boundaries that must not be transgressed could help prevent human activities from causing unacceptable environmental change, argue Johan Rockstrom and colleagues.
8,837 citations
Australian National University1, Stockholm Resilience Centre2, University of Copenhagen3, McGill University4, Stellenbosch University5, University of Wisconsin-Madison6, Wageningen University and Research Centre7, Stockholm University8, Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences9, Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research10, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation11, International Livestock Research Institute12, University College London13, Stockholm Environment Institute14, University of California, San Diego15, The Energy and Resources Institute16, Royal Institute of Technology17
TL;DR: An updated and extended analysis of the planetary boundary (PB) framework and identifies levels of anthropogenic perturbations below which the risk of destabilization of the Earth system (ES) is likely to remain low—a “safe operating space” for global societal development.
Abstract: The planetary boundaries framework defines a safe operating space for humanity based on the intrinsic biophysical processes that regulate the stability of the Earth system. Here, we revise and update the planetary boundary framework, with a focus on the underpinning biophysical science, based on targeted input from expert research communities and on more general scientific advances over the past 5 years. Several of the boundaries now have a two-tier approach, reflecting the importance of cross-scale interactions and the regional-level heterogeneity of the processes that underpin the boundaries. Two core boundaries—climate change and biosphere integrity—have been identified, each of which has the potential on its own to drive the Earth system into a new state should they be substantially and persistently transgressed.
7,169 citations
TL;DR: This article conducted an extensive literature review, employing bibliometric analysis and snowballing techniques to investigate the state of the art in the field and synthesise the similarities, differences and relationships between both terms.
3,508 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, un estudio en donde se proporciona una revision extensa de la literatura de las two ultimas decadas, con el proposito de captar las principales caracteristicas y perspectivas of la CE (Economia circular): origenes, principios basicos, ventajas and desventajas, Modelado e implementacion of CE in los diferentes niveles (micro, meso, and macro) in todo el world.
3,121 citations
"Integrating the green economy, circ..." refers background in this paper
...CE conceptualization has multiple contributors from and beyond academia (Winans et al., 2017), and has received renewed interest in the past decade in science, business, policy-making and other societal realms (Blomsma and Brennan, 2017; Geissdoerfer et al., 2017; Ghisellini et al., 2016)....
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...Even though not excluding compatibility with degrowth ideas, CE does not explicitly align with them (Ghisellini et al., 2016)....
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...…long-term maintenance and repair; sharing, reuse, refurbishing and remanufacturing, repurposing; recycling and reclassification of waste into inorganic and biological components; and renewability of energy sources (Geissdoerfer et al., 2017; Ghisellini et al., 2016; Kirchherr et al., 2017)....
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...However, scholars have been exploring compatibilities of GE, CE or BE and the limits of economic growth (D’Amato et al., 2019; Ghisellini et al., 2016; Giampietro, 2019; Hart and Pomponi, 2021; Kasztelan, 2017; Oliveira et al., 2021; Therond et al., 2017)....
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