5th World Conference on Sustainability, Energy and Environment

Consumers are increasingly conscious of the sustainability and green credentials of their consumption choices, which has implications for businesses in terms of their innovation, sales, branding, and employment performance. It is important to understand how the general public as consumers perceive the performance of businesses in terms of climate change, whether people trust businesses about information on climate change, and consumers’ choices in terms of their purchase preferences. There is a scarcity of extant research on these important topics. Data from two waves of the Environmental Protection Agency’s Climate Change in the Irish Mind surveys are used, which captured a nationally representative sample of 4000 adult residents of Ireland in 2021, and a sample of 1355 in 2023. Consumer attitudes to businesses and purchasing decisions are examined. Using regression analysis, individual consumer characteristics which influence these decisions, such as gender, age, educational attainment and household income, are investigated, controlling for other background characteristics. In 2021, a majority of respondents (86%) reported they felt that businesses could do more in terms of climate change; with 60% reporting they more favourably gave their business to companies with better green credentials, while 49% reported that they purposely did not give their business to companies with poorer environmental credentials. Regression models demonstrated strong associations between positive responses on these outcomes and being female, young, of higher social classes, in employment, and of a more ‘left’ political affiliation. This work contributes to a better understanding of factors which affect consumer choices in this important area and can be used by policymakers and the business community to promote more sustainable consumption choices and habits of consumers.

The study aims to integrate the theory of planned behaviour and the Hunt-Vitell ethical theory to evaluate the effects of ethical values on Gambian consumers’ green product purchase intentions. Also, given the lack of clarity on least developed nations’ consumers’ intention-behaviour gap, the study evaluates the mediating roles of green product purchase behaviour between green product purchase intentions and green product repurchase intention. Hence, by employing a structural equation modeling with a sample size of 300 Gambians, the findings reveal both deontological evaluations and teleological evaluations exerting positive and significant direct effects on consumers’ green product purchase intentions although the magnitude of the effects is higher with teleological evaluation to deontological evaluations. Further, the relationships between deontological evaluations, teleological evaluation, and green product purchase intention were found to be partially mediated by egobiocentric values. Similarly, green product purchase behaviour also partially mediated the relationship between green product purchase intention and green product repurchase intention. Besides, by evaluating the moderating roles of green price sensitivity between green product purchase intention and green product purchase behaviour, the results indicate green price sensitivity plays a significant moderating role, although the effect differs between high green price sensitive consumers and low green price sensitive consumers. Overall, the findings from the study provide useful insights on how green marketers can position their products in the market by communicating the ethical aspects of their products.

Cellulose fibre-based multi-layer packaging (MLP), such as beverage cartons, coffee cups and food trays, has gained significant attention as a sustainable alternative to plastic due to the biodegradable nature of cellulose fibers. Take beverage carton as an example, in 2023, global consumption exceeded 250 billion—demanding around 5 million tons of slowgrowing softwoods. Yet only 20–30% of these fibers are successfully recycled, exacerbating resource depletion. The core challenge is the polyethylene (PE) barriers which sandwiched papers and impeded water penetration, extending disintegration times from 2-4 minutes (plain paper) to 20-40 minutes. Prolonged processing not only escalates energy consumption but also contaminates fibers with residual plastics, diminishing pulp quality. Current study investigates the delamination and disintegration mechanisms underlying hydropulping, highlighting the critical influence of hydrodynamic cavitation. By inducing cavitation through ultrasonic and thermal treatments, its damage effect on interfacial bonds between PE and paper was demonstrated. Building on this insight, a pretreatment system was proposed to separate the MLP through intensive cavitation pretreatment. Experimental trials validated a 90%+ reduction in disintegration time which is comparable to current industrial processing time. By elucidating the role of cavitation in beverage carton recycling, this work provides actionable strategies for advancing circular economy initiatives, especially given mandates such as the EU PPWR’s requirement of 70% packaging recycling by 2030. The pretreatment solution can potentially integrate with existing recycling infrastructure, necessitating only minimal retrofitting, and offer a scalable means to mitigate reliance on slow-growth softwood resources while decreasing water and energy consumption.

Khon Kaen, Thailand’s fourth largest city, is an important economic, education and health hub of the Isan, the Northeastern – and traditionally the poorest – region of Thailand. Its modernisation has been catalyzed by geopolitics and geoeconomics. Post WWII, this begun with the completion of the US security-driven highway (Thanon Mitraphap or the ‘Friendship Highway’) in 1957 during the Indo-Chinese wars, that was followed by the Thai Government’s decentralization of tertiary education away from Bangkok, building the first university in the Northeastern region, Khon Kaen University in 1966. Seeking to become a national model of medium-size city development, today the city has been preparing for the next wave of developments, ushered by local, national and regional infrastructure initiatives. This includes the city’s ‘Smart City’ plan and the planned light rail; the dual-tracking of existing national single-track rail system; and, crucially, the Indo-Chinese corridor of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) that manifests in the high-speed rail project to link between Bangkok and Kunming (via the completed Laotian section) that includes a station at Khon Kaen. The paper interrogates the historic and contemporary initiatives – from the impacts of past planning and development to the implications of contemporary plans. Can it ‘…become new urban frontiers of sustainable development?’ We observe that Khon Kaen serves as a model of urban development that has been a part of national and regional economic corridors that can serve as a model for other comparable cities of the Global South.

Recently, the lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) industry has become more expensive due to the limited resources and the uneven global distribution of lithium, with its rising prices. Therefore, sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) are promising as an attractive replacement to LIBs for storing energy because of the abundance of sodium resources. Additionally, demand for natural graphite in the battery industry has increased dramatically despite its limited reserves; this requires finding new materials and methods to provide alternatives for the graphite. Whereas coal is a high quality, widespread carbon source, it consists of graphitic crystalline domains connected with amorphous carbons that the graphitization process can further transform into synthetic graphite. The flash Joule heating (FJH) method is considered a time- and energysaving, strong candidate for a traditional graphitization method. The cost to transform 1 ton of amorphous carbon into graphene using FJH ranges from $30 to $161, depending on the starting source. In contrast, the cost of synthetic graphite is approximately 13 USD/kg, and for natural graphite, it is approximately 8 USD/kg. As an emerging synthetic method, FJH exhibits great superiority in environmental friendliness and low time and energy consumption, making it promising in transforming coals into graphitic carbon materials. Based on these considerations, porous graphitized coal anode materials for SIBs were prepared using a two-step process involving catalytic activation using nickel chloride, iron chloride, and zinc chloride catalysts, followed by high-temperature graphitization using FJH. XRD, Raman spectroscopy, SEM, TEM, and BET analyses confirmed the coal sample (FHC) transformation from an amorphous to a crystalline structure, with expanded interlayer spacing, increased porosity, and reduced defects. These structural features significantly enhance sodium storage capacity and electrical conductivity. The electrode of the FHC sample, prepared via flash joule heating, showed higher initial charge and discharge capacities of 298.9 and 642.7 mAh/g at 0.1 C. The superior specific capacity of FHC can be attributed to its improved crystallinity and enhanced porosity resulting from high-temperature catalytic graphitization. The FHC electrode demonstrated outstanding cycling stability, with a capacity retention of 99% after 300 cycles at 2C, confirming the effectiveness of this graphitized coal material for high-performance SIB applications. Therefore, the low price of coal and its abundant reserves, combined with the FJH technology, can be exploited to produce high-quality graphitic coal for use as anode materials for SIBs.

Non-contact heating with a short-wave infrared heater does not provide a uniform temperature field on the body being heated. Some parts of the body surface may be overheated while others are not heated to the required temperature. To homogenize the temperature field this study focuseds on the analysis of short-wave infrared heating of a solid-walled disk filled with nano-enhanced phase change material (NePCM). By adding nanoparticles to the basic PCM, its thermal and physical characteristics are improved. The disk serves as rotating collector, which rotates vertically relative to a stationary infrared heater at different speeds, with and without acceleration. The temperature of the heat source varies within the short-wave range and the shape of the heat source is also varied, along with the distance from the rotating disk, which significantly affects the visibility factor between the heater and the rotating collector. The metodology established in this study is based on analytical modeling of thermal irreversibilities and the efficiency of the heating process. Experimental testing of the system involves thermographic infrared analysis of the temperature field of the disk surface combined with the measurement of relevant process quantities. The thermograms obtained serve as the basis for directly connecting thermal irreversibility and heating efficiency. This heating system describes allows for the creation a rotating collector for short-wave infrared heating of various bodies while simultaneously accumulating heat. The methodology implemented enables the optimization of process and geometric parameters of the heating system, reducing total thermal irreversibility and maximizing thermal efficiency.

In data-scarce regions, effective drought risk management is challenged by limited meteorological observations. This study addresses this gap by exploring a spatial drought modeling framework using Multi-Output Support Vector Regression (MOSVR) to predict the Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) across multiple target locations based on neighboring station data. The research investigates how spatial correlations among stations can be incorporated to model drought conditions at multiple sites simultaneously, rather than building separate models for each location. The methodology focuses on evaluating MOSVR's ability to predict SPEI at 3-, 6-, and 12-month timescales. Findings reveal that the MOSVR model effectively captures key drought characteristics such as intensity, duration, and frequency, under moderate, severe, and extreme conditions. Additionally, the model successfully tracks the seasonal evolution of drought including onset and recovery phases. These results highlight the model’s capacity to learn complex nonlinear interactions among stations and highlight the potential of multi-output AI models for advancing drought risk prediction. This work offers valuable insights for sustainable water resource planning and climate adaptation strategies in vulnerable and data-limited settings.

Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) is a relatively widespread fuel used in a variety of applications such as cooking, transport and also industrial applications. LPG is a broad term, since its composition can vary but it is mostly composed of propane and butane or a mix of propane and butane. The convenience of LPG exists due to its physical properties which allow it to be contained in liquid form at room temperature and reasonable pressures presenting good energy density. The storage pressure is useful to deliver the fuel to burners. LPG also burns cleanly due to its chemical composition and efficient combustion. However, LPG use is hindered by the fact that it cannot be transferred easily from one container to another and therefore typically the LPG bottle/cylinder will be replaced, or filling has to be done at an industrial facility. This paper presents a setup designed, built, tested and used at the University of Malta that facilitated the filling of LPG at the thermodynamics laboratory thus making LPG usage much more convenient for our testing needs associated with engines.

This study develops a household-based urban travel demand model to support mobility planning in Kuwait’s extreme-heat, private vehicle-oriented context. A stratified household travel survey captured 1,507 logged person-trips across sampled households, representing work, education, and other purposes; public transport currently accounts for ~15% of reported person-trips. Employed respondents averaged 6.1 daily trips, the majority by private vehicles. Purpose-specific trip generation and attraction rates were estimated at the governorate level using household socio-demographics and network accessibility indicators. The aggregate regression model exhibited high explanatory power (R² = 0.9964 across governorates). Purpose-level attraction sub models also performed strongly. Hold-out validation against observed survey totals showed negligible bias (overall prediction error −0.04%), indicating robust transferability within the study frame. Findings demonstrate that well-designed empirical household surveys can reliably parameterize demand components even in data-sparse, climate-constrained settings. The resulting model provides a transparent platform for testing policy and infrastructure scenarios, e.g., transport network expansion, heat mitigation strategies, and parking/pricing measures, and for feeding subsequent regional simulation or activity-based frameworks tailored to Kuwait. Limitations include sample size, seasonal coverage confined to the survey period, and potential overfitting at high aggregation levels. By anchoring forecasts in observed household behavior, the framework supports evidence based investment prioritization and progress toward diversified, lower emission urban mobility in rapidly growing GCC cities.

Microalgae have been extensively studied for their environmental and industrial applications. Here Scenedesmus obliquus is studied due to its stand-out benefits such as capable of producing high-quality biolipids, high efficiency on CO2 absorption during photosynthesis and so on. It is known that various ambiance conditions may have impacts on the algae's population growth. In this study measurement was implemented on counting the number of Scenedesmus obliquus cells multiple times each day under different light frequencies over a period of time. The number of cells versus time is then plotted from the acquired data points. Formulating a theoretical equation that determines the rate of generation requires multiple parameters and is complicated. However, in this paper a straightforward equation with two parameters to estimate the corresponding time factors on cell division is introduced. The two parameters t0 and D indicate the cell cycle duration, and the average fission rate, respectively. Employing data fitting techniques, sets of (t0, D) values are thus derived for different light frequencies. Our results show that red light at 620 nm with t0 = 11, and D = 1.15 is optimal for generating Scenedesmus obliquus.

As US states look to attract more large-scale renewable energy projects, they are increasingly utilizing tax incentive structures as policy tools. This paper assesses the Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) program for qualified energy projects in the US state of Ohio, which exempts solar and wind facilities from traditional property taxes, and instead mandates a fixed annual payment to local governments. Our multi-methods study included stakeholder interviews, a media review, and economic modeling. In our interviews, a key finding was that PILOT payments are excluded from Ohio’s state school funding formula, allowing school districts to receive full state aid while gaining additional revenue from solar projects, which is viewed as a financial win for schools and counties alike. In our media review, we found that local officials praised the size and predictability of PILOT payments, and that funds are typically used for schools, emergency services, and community infrastructure. In our economic modeling, we find that if all of the large-scale solar and wind projects in the Ohio queue are built, roughly $4.15 billion in new fiscal revenues would be generated - $3.6 billion from solar and $550 million from wind. Overall, the PILOT tax incentive program is widely viewed as an attractor of renewable energy project investment, and may be replicable model for other states to balance renewable energy development with local fiscal stability.

Green hydrogen, produced via renewable-powered electrolysis, is increasingly regarded as a pivotal component of deep decarbonisation in emissions-intensive industrial sectors. In New Zealand, industrial process heat accounts for over one-third of the country’s total energy use and approximately 8% of gross greenhouse gas emissions. Decarbonising this sector is therefore essential for achieving the country’s net-zero emissions target by 2050. This study evaluates the technoeconomic feasibility of using green hydrogen to support the decarbonisation of industrial process heat in New Zealand. A detailed bottom-up optimisation model is developed to integrate hydrogen production, storage, delivery infrastructure, and end use, alongside competing technologies including electrification and biomass. Using high-resolution industrial energy data, the model simulates multiple policy and cost scenarios through to 2050. Our analysis reveals that in most scenarios, electrification, particularly through electric boilers and heat pumps, offers the most cost-effective decarbonisation pathway for low to medium-temperature process heat. However, green hydrogen becomes a viable solution under specific conditions, especially for high-temperature applications in sectors such as metal manufacturing, where electrification remains technically constrained. Although cost competitiveness is currently limited, targeted policy measures, including capital subsidies, carbon pricing, and renewable energy incentives, could improve hydrogen adoption where it presents strategic benefits. The findings provide actionable insights for policymakers and industry leaders, highlighting the importance of a diversified strategy that combines electrification, hydrogen, and biomass to achieve cost-efficient emissions reductions.

This study explores the microstructural behavior of cementitious matrices incorporating volcanic ash (VA) and nano-silica (NS) as partial replacements for ordinary Portland cement, with the aim of enhancing both sustainability and material performance. Three mortar mixes-control (45C), VA (45CVA3D), and NS (45CNS2) were analyzed using nitrogen gas adsorption, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Results showed that NS significantly improved matrix densification and reduced total porosity, while VA demonstrated less refinement in pore structure. SEM images revealed a denser morphology in the NS mix with well-developed calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H) phases, whereas the VA sample exhibited a more porous microstructure. TGA results confirmed consistent decomposition of calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) across all mixes, indicating similar hydration progress, though the NS-modified mix showed greater thermal stability and reduced mass loss associated with portlandite decomposition. Additionally, BET surface area analysis revealed a notable reduction in the NS mix over time, highlighting a refined and compact pore network. These findings demonstrate the potential of nano-silica as an efficient supplementary cementitious material for developing sustainable, high-performance cement matrices with improved microstructural integrity.

Wind turbine blade waste (WTB) pose a significant challenge to wind energy sustainability, as they are often buried in landfills with numerous environmental and health problems and resource waste. Recently, thermochemical treatment using pyrolysis has proven highly efficient in recycling WTB into fibres and energy. This research aims to investigate the environmental and economic performance of this technology. The analysis included the pre-treatment (milling) and post-treatment (screening, washing, and oxidation) of WTB. The environmental analysis was conducted using Life-cycle assessment (LCA) approach based on ISO 14040 and 14,044 global standards. Techno-economic assessment (TEA) was conducted based on the concept of building a complete recycling pyrolysis plant with a capacity of 7,000 ton/year, and the analysis was conducted on samples with different fibres compositions of WTB (glass and carbon fibres). The TEA analysis was performed based on three financial indicators: net present value, internal rate of return, and discounted payback period. The technical inventory data used in LCA and TCA analysis were collected from the results of practical experiments conducted using a small-scale pyrolysis plant, then scaled up to the specified capacity. The results showed that the technology used is very ambitious and has great environmental potential, especially in the case of carbon fibre due to its large footprint. The economic analysis also showed great profit potential, especially in the case of carbon, and the possibility of achieving a break-even point within a few years with a profit of (> € 500 million). Based on these results, pyrolysis provides a promising, environmentally friendly solution with competitive and economic performance that can be subsequently generalized in WTB recycling.

Access to sustainable energy remains a critical challenge in conflict-affected regions of Sub-Saharan Africa, where infrastructure is fragile and humanitarian needs are acute. While global attention increasingly shifts toward renewable energy, the supply chains that deliver solar panels, wind turbines, and clean cooking solutions often break down in the face of insecurity, poor logistics, and lack of local capacity. This study proposes a sustainability-focused framework for building resilient renewable energy supply chains that can operate effectively in complex and volatile environments. Using a mixed-methods approach including field data from humanitarian logistics operations, stakeholder interviews, and policy analysis the research identifies key bottlenecks in last-mile delivery of energy solutions and evaluates successful case studies from Mali, Tchad, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. It presents a model that integrates local manufacturing, gender-inclusive workforce development, and decentralized storage with real-time digital monitoring. Findings reveal that adaptive supply chain design coupled with community engagement and coordinated donor action can significantly improve the availability and maintenance of clean energy infrastructure in conflict zones. The study contributes to ongoing discourse on energy justice, resilience, and the humanitarian-development nexus, offering actionable recommendations for governments, NGOs, and private sector actors seeking to advance Sustainable Development Goal 7 in fragile contexts.

This study evaluates the mechanical performance of cement mortar mixes incorporating volcanic ash (VA) and Nano-silica (NS) as partial replacement for Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC). Three mixes were examined: a control mix (45C), a mix with 30% VA (45CVA30), and a mix with 2% NS (45CNS2). Compressive, flexural, and tensile strength were assessed at multiple curing ages. Results revealed that the inclusion of NS led to notable improvements in all measured mechanical properties. The 45CNS2 mix exhibited the highest compressive strength at early ages and maintained superior performance up to 90 days. Flexural strength followed a similar trend, with NS contributing to increased matrix stiffness. Tensile strength results showed significant enhancement in the NS mix compared to both control and VA samples. In contrast, the VA mix showed lower strength values across all tests and ages. The findings confirm that NS, even at low replacement levels, is highly effective in enhancing the mechanical behavior of cementitious composites, making it a promising additive for durable and high- performance construction materials.

The purpose of this article is to show the conflict between the concept of development in the developmental state model with the content and concept that our world currently holds about development. The developmental state is a state that has economic development as a priority objective. On the other hand, the meaning and concept of development today is comprehensive encompassing economic, social, political, and cultural improvement and well-being of people and individuals based on their participation in a right-based process. I believe that the developmental state model should be resubscribed as the growth-centered economic model based on its purpose and the needs and behavior of the governments that followed the model, The article explores the evolution of the concept of development and examines the current level of understanding based on the framework of the Declaration on the Right to Development (DRTD), and argues that the concept of development in the developmental state model does not go along with the current development thinking. The methodology employed is desk review.

Recently, there has been a growing interest directed toward the utilization of recycled rubber in asphalt pavements due to its ability to improve the performance of road networks. In addition to enhancing road durability, this approach helps reduce landfill waste by repurposing rubber that would otherwise be discarded, symbiotically benefiting asphalt performance and reducing the landfill waste. This research presents a case study where the air pollution impact of both rubberized asphalt and traditional asphalt mixes on air quality was evaluated and compared. A field study was conducted to collect the concentration and chemical compositions of emissions of various pollutants, such as nitrogen oxides (NOx), nitric oxide (NO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), hydrogen sulfide (H2S), ozone (O3), carbon monoxide (CO), and carbon dioxide (CO2). Unlike conventional asphalt pavements, the use of rubberized asphalt can effectively reduce pollutant emissions compared to conventional asphalt roads. Furthermore, these results fall below the Kuwait Environment Public Authority (KEPA) ambient air quality standards. These findings indicate that rubberized asphalt results in lower pollution levels compared to traditional asphalt during the asphalt paving stage.

The rapid growth of electric vehicle (EV) adoption in Europe presents both opportunities and challenges for sustainable energy transitions. A critical issue lies in the management of end-of-life (EoL) batteries, which contain scarce and hazardous materials yet offer high potential for recovery and reuse. The EU Battery Regulation 2023/1542 establishes ambitious provisions, including mandatory recovery rates of 70% lithium and 95% cobalt/nickel by 2030, carbon footprint disclosure, digital battery passports, and extended producer responsibility (EPR) schemes. This study evaluates how circular economy strategies can align with these requirements to ensure sustainable EV battery waste management. A policy–technology mapping framework was developed to analyze compliance potential across four strategies: design-for-circularity, second-life applications, recycling innovations, and material recovery optimization. Results indicate that recycling innovations and material recovery achieve the highest regulatory alignment, with hydrometallurgical processes currently reaching 90–95% cobalt/nickel recovery and projected 70% lithium recovery by 2030. Design-for-circularity reduces lifecycle impacts by 15–20%, while second-life applications extend battery utility by 20–30% and lower lifecycle carbon emissions by 10–15%. A national case study of Italy reveals accelerating EV adoption (>25% annual growth) but highlights limited recycling capacity, with only 30% of EoL batteries processed domestically, underscoring urgent infrastructure needs. The findings demonstrate that no single strategy ensures full compliance, but integrated approaches combining modular design, advanced recycling, and second-life deployment can deliver both regulatory compliance and sustainability benefits. This framework provides actionable insights for policymakers and industry stakeholders, strengthening Europe’s pathway toward a circular, low-carbon mobility system.

The proliferation of cyanobacteria in water bodies is a critical environmental and public health concern, driven by nutrient enrichment and climate-induced changes. As toxic blooms become increasingly frequent, developing accurate predictive tools is essential for risk mitigation and environmental management. In this context, the present study proposes a Seasonal ARIMA with eXogenous regressors (SARIMAX) model to forecast chlorophyll-a concentrations in the eutrophic As Conchas reservoir (Ourense, NW Spain). Chlorophyll-a was selected as a key indicator of bloom intensity due to its strong correlation with cyanobacterial biomass. The model was trained using a four-year dataset (2017–2021) collected from three high-frequency sensors installed throughout the Limia River watershed. Environmental variables used as exogenous regressors in the SARIMAX model were selected based on their informational significance via a supervised Bayesian analysis, in which chlorophyll-a served as the target node. By incorporating exogenous regressors, the SARIMAX model significantly improved predictive performance compared to traditional ARIMA and SARIMA baselines. The optimal SARIMAX configuration achieved strong validation metrics, including R² = 0.83, MAE = 2.9%, RMSE = 6.0%, and an F1 score of 0.9. In conclusion, these findings underscore the potential of Bayesian and SARIMAX models as robust, data-driven tools for enhancing decision-making and supporting their integration into real-time water quality monitoring systems.

Within the transport sector, road traffic contributes the most to air pollution and global warming. It is estimated that daily traffic is responsible for up to 30% of PM particle emissions in European cities. In Montenegro, the current situation in this area is not at a satisfactory level. The existing regulations prescribe criteria for ensuring data quality for air quality assessment, minimum data availability, temporal coverage, and measurement methods. At the same time, there is a need in Montenegro for more detailed research that would include specific local factors such as demographic growth, vehicle structure, and the characteristics of urban traffic. This research is crucial for creating sustainable emission reduction policies and improving air quality in Montenegrin cities. The aim of this study is to use Cost-Benefit Analysis to estimate the costs of emissions from road traffic in Montenegro, based on health problems caused by pollution (diseases, loss of productivity, healthcare), environmental costs (related to environmental degradation and the need for remediation), as well as economic costs (due to reduced labor productivity and losses in tourism). At the same time, the study evaluates the economic benefits of emission reduction by monetizing the benefits of reduced emissions through lower healthcare costs, increased productivity, improved quality of life, and ecosystem preservation. For the purposes of this analysis, data from available official national sources will be used, including pollutant emissions, number of vehicles, fuel types, traffic statistics, and healthcare costs. Finally, the study suggests the development of emission reduction scenarios, with an assessment of the economic viability of each scenario. The calculation of exhaust emissions from road traffic will be carried out using the COPERT software for a minimum of three years.

Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) fruits are prized for their high nutritional value, and as a result, their production and consumption are steadily increasing worldwide. In most orchards, cultivation relies on management schemes that use synthetic chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Such practices lead to soil depletion, groundwater pollution, disruption of orchard ecosystems, and the production of unhealthy fruits, negatively impacting human health. As a result, the benefits of organic agriculture are gaining greater importance, and both the production and consumption of organic products continue to expand. This study aimed to evaluate the potential of biopesticides for managing blueberry diseases under the conditions of western Georgia, particularly in the Samegrelo region. The research was conducted in 2024–2025 within the framework of a project funded by the Shota Rustaveli National Science Foundation (PHDF-23-827). Field experiments were carried out using standard plant protection methods, with treatments applied according to a pre-developed scheme. Four biopreparations and one copper-containing fungicide permitted in organic production were tested. Results showed that Phytosporin-M demonstrated the highest biological effectiveness against leaf spot (79.7%), followed by copper hydroxide (61.49%). For fruit rot, Phytosporin-M reached 66.5% effectiveness, while copper hydroxide achieved 63.8%. The other biopesticides tested (Agrocatena, Botrybell, Plastoff L) were less effective, with results not exceeding 50% against either disease. In terms of agricultural effectiveness, Phytosporin-M again ranked highest, producing yields 30.6% greater than the control. Overall, the study highlights environmentally sustainable approaches to plant protection, supporting both agricultural productivity and ecosystem health.

This study addresses the problem of predicting energy consumption in Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), with a particular focus on identifying the parameters that exert the greatest influence on battery performance. Accurate estimation of energy demand is crucial for reliable mission planning, safe operation, and extended flight endurance. The primary objectives of this work were fourfold: (i) to provide users with clear and interpretable post-mission feedback, most notably the remaining battery state of charge (SOC); (ii) to ensure model explainability and transparency; (iii) to develop a universally applicable framework capable of generalization across different UAV platforms; and (iv) to achieve the highest possible predictive accuracy while maintaining these requirements. To this end, a hybrid modeling strategy was employed, combining data-driven machine learning techniques with a physics-based theoretical foundation. The resulting framework not only quantifies the impact of weather conditions on UAV energy consumption and battery dynamics but also highlights the importance of trajectory design and velocity control in optimizing flight range. Furthermore, the proposed approach is lightweight, adaptable, and transferable to other quadrotor systems, thereby offering both practical usability and scalability. Overall, the findings provide valuable insights into energy-aware UAV mission planning and pave the way toward more efficient aerial operations.

The geothermal heat pump (GHP) system is increasingly recognized as a highly efficient, sustainable, and environmentally friendly solution for heating and cooling applications, primarily due to its reliance on the earth’s stable and renewable subsurface temperature. Unlike conventional systems that are affected by fluctuating ambient conditions, GHPs maintain consistent performance and significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption. This study employs the KTENG-7000GH geothermal heat pump simulator to experimentally assess system performance and accurately visualize the operational cycle through integrated advanced control panels and high-precision sensors. A detailed comparative analysis between the geothermal and conventional heat pumps was conducted based on the coefficient of performance (COP) across varying temperature levels. At 4°C, the GHP demonstrated an 11.11% improvement over the conventional heat pump. As temperatures increased, the advantages of the GHP became more pronounced, with performance gains of 32.00% at 6°C, 60.26% at 8°C, and an impressive 71.95% at 10°C. These results highlight the superior energy efficiency, thermal stability, and adaptability of geothermal systems, particularly in moderate to high-temperature environments. The KTENG-7000GH simulator not only facilitated a clear visualization of operational dynamics but also reinforced the conclusion that geothermal heat pumps provide a more reliable and cost-effective long-term solution. This study underscores the transformative potential of geothermal energy in reducing energy demand, lowering operational costs, and supporting global sustainability goals.

This research investigates travel behavior and transport mode preferences in Kuwait through a socio-spatial and sustainability-oriented perspective. Kuwait’s mobility landscape is dominated by private vehicles, which account for nearly 80% of the 2.4 million registered automobiles in 2024. A comprehensive survey, conducted across all six governorates, collected 1,507 responses, capturing trip purpose, travel distance, mode choice, and socio-demographic variables such as age, nationality, and gender. The findings reveal a heavy reliance on private vehicles (approximately 77% of trips), while public transport and active modes, such as walking and cycling, remain negligible. Mode choice is significantly influenced by socio-demographic characteristics and regional disparities, with trip distance and purpose shaping mobility behavior. The analysis highlights structural gaps in public transport services and limited infrastructure for non-motorized travel, which together reinforce car dependency. The study underscores the urgent need for a sustainable urban mobility framework in Kuwait. Key recommendations include investment in reliable, high-frequency public transit, improved last-mile connectivity, and climate-responsive infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists. Policy measures—such as fare incentives, integrated multimodal planning, and land-use–transport coordination—are essential to encourage a modal shift. Future research should focus on attitudinal and lifestyle factors, as well as emerging mobility solutions like electric and shared transport, to achieve long-term sustainability goals.

Building Automation represents one of the key leverage points for speeding up the decarbonization of the building sector. In this framework, two schemes exist: the BACS (Building Automation and Control Systems) classification, regulated by the EN ISO 521201:2022 standard and the SRI (Smart Readiness Indicator), introduced by the European Commission. Although these two methodologies for assessing building automation levels are similar, they remain so far still disconnected. This paper presents an innovative tool that combines these two approaches, allowing the user to automatically assess the BACS class of a building starting from a completed SRI assessment. This tool was initially developed in MS Excel and then converted into a Matlab app. It also allows the user to highlight possible automation bottlenecks and to estimate the potential energy savings linked to the suggested renovation actions, based on the BACS factor method. The tool has been validated within the Auto-DAN project (GA number 101000169), using a historically protected building (Palazzo Terragni in Lissone) as a case study. The analysis has shown how, although the planned renovation actions will lead to a substantial increase in the SRI score, the presence of automation bottlenecks in some services is limiting the improvement of the BACS classes, highlighting the need for an integrated vision for automation. This tool is intended as operational support for both designers and energy managers to use the SRI framework as the basis for techno-economic assessment and regulatory compliance checks through a userfriendly interface, enabling even a non-technical user to compare the results of both assessment frameworks.

The growing demand for sustainable energy alternatives to replace fossil fuels has reinforced the relevance of gasification technologies. Among these, Bubbling Fluidised Bed (BFB) reactors represent a promising pathway for producing gas that can be used directly as a fuel or as a precursor for synthetic fuels. This study aims to evaluate the thermal efficiency of the gasification process in a BFB reactor externally heated by an electric furnace, using pine chips (PC) and low-density polyethylene (LDPE) as feedstocks. Experimental tests were conducted with different gasification agents, air, steam, and air–steam mixture by varying the equivalence ratio and steam-to-biomass ratio. Thermal efficiency was defined as the ratio of useful to supplied energy. Useful energy corresponded to the chemical energy of the produced gas, while supplied energy included the chemical energy of the biomass, the energy required to preheat the gasification agents, the sensible heat of the exit gas, and the energy input of the furnace, which also accounted for thermal losses through the furnace walls. The experiments showed thermal efficiencies ranging between 43.38% and 20.25% for PC, and between 34.76% and 21.47% for LDPE, depending on operating conditions. Across both feedstocks, the highest efficiencies were obtained when only air was used as the gasification agent, while the lowest were observed with steam-only operation. These findings highlight the influence of feedstock type and gasification agent on process efficiency and provide valuable insights for optimizing BFB gasification toward sustainable energy production.

According to the United Nations backed scientists, the only way to avert the worst impacts of climate change and preserve a livable planet, global temperature increase needs to be limited to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. To keep global warming to no more than 1.5°C – as called for in the Paris Agreement – emissions need to be reduced by 45% by 2030 and reach net zero by 2050. Today, across the globe, a growing coalition of stakeholders are pointing to net-zero emissions objective as the best way out of the doom. 107 countries, responsible for about 82% of global greenhouse gas emissions, have committed to the net-zero pledges in one way or another. While pressure has been correctly applied on major polluting countries and industries, a shared responsibility for effective climate change solutions with individuals seems as the best course of action with a better chance of success. To that end, the "carbon footprint" concept developed by British Petroleum in the early 2000s may offer viable path. The footprint calculator allows users to estimate their household emissions based on factors like home features, travel habits, and recycling. By making carbon footprint the new “Calorie” we can turn Carbon footprint counting as “Calorie Counting”. The global popularity of counting calories in food is mixed and varies significantly by region, but its use in official nutrition information is widespread. The calorie, originally a unit of heat energy for engineers, was adapted for food and human metabolism by American agricultural chemist Wilbur Olin Atwater, and soon after, became a common food keyword due to nutrition science in the late 19th century and popular media in the early 20th century.

Wastewater treatment is essential to the resilient strengthening of our environment, especially in terms of climate and energy resilience. This work examines the performance and carbon impacts of the Sopron Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP), located in Sopron Hungary, using a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). Data collected from 2018-2020 were analyzed using the GaBi program to conduct an analysis of energy use, greenhouse gas emissions and biogas recovery of the Sopron WWTP. Results revealed a 62% decrease in Global Warming Potential (GWP) analysis over the 3 year period and an increase in energy self"use" self-sufficiency rates to almost 51% attributed to the biogas energy recovery. The sensitivity analysis conducted with this study determined that for the facility to improve both energy and environmental performance by optimizing sludge digestion and recovery of their biogas. The data produced by this work demonstrate the respective values of LCA, as decision-making tool, to direct the transition toward a carbon-neutral wastewater treatment facility.