Decarbonization in waste recycling industry using digitalization to promote net-zero emissions and its implications on sustainability

The role of digitization: an empirical study on the prediction and impact of changes in waste separation behavior in China

Digitalization has subtly affected all aspects of people's lives, including waste separation. This study explores how the role of digitization affects the behavior of mass waste separation, establishes the behavioral role of waste separation in the context of digitization through the theory of planned behavior, further subdivides the role of digitization into digitization practices and digitization quality, and constructs a research model of digitization's impact on mass waste separation behavior. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the data and fit the model to the questionnaires of the 611 respondents. The results show that digital practice and digital quality have a positive and significant relationship with waste behavioral intention. In contrast, digital practice has a considerable mediating and chain-mediating effect on the relationship between digital quality and waste separation behavioral intention. These findings provide good theoretical support for the role of digitization in mass waste separation and practical guidance for developing waste separation in the context of digitization.

Evaluating the forward-looking perspectives of environmental policy enforcement and institutional framework in the pursuit of a circular economy: A moments-quantile approach

Understanding the role of institutions and policy enforcement is crucial due to growing environmental concerns. Institutional framework and environmental policies drive the demand for sustainable practices such as recycling and sustainable use of natural resources. This study evaluates the forward-looking perspectives of environmental policy enforcement and the institutional framework in the transition to the circular economy. Panel data from thirty-eight Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries from 2000 to 2022 is analyzed using the method of moments-quantile regression and bootstrap quantile regression. The empirical analysis showed that environmental policy enforcement, institutional framework, and environmental taxes positively impact the circular economy. However, the ecological footprint negatively impacts the circular economy. The findings demonstrate that efficient institutions and effective environmental policy enforcement are vital for reducing natural resource use, material waste production, emissions, and recycling and for driving sustainable practices. The study informs better policymaking, enhances institutional effectiveness, and promotes circular transition in OECD countries.

Reinforcing synergy between circular economy in tourism and decarbonization in waste sector using digitalization: Case study in Taipei and Sukunan (Indonesia) in promoting carbon neutrality

Waste recycling heralds a vital agenda in the circular economy (CE) to leverage emission reduction targets. However, the role of digitalization in waste management (WM) is underexplored, and the literature remains fragmented. This study explores the synergy between CE principles in tourism and decarbonization in the waste sector through digitalization, using case studies from Taipei (Republic of China) and Sukunan (Indonesia). By examining the integration of digital tools in WM systems, the study highlights how these cities leverage technology to promote net-zero emissions and sustainable practices, particularly in the context of tourism. The research employs a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative data from focus group discussions, semi-structured interviews and secondary data analysis. The findings reveal that digitalization has significantly improved WM efficiency, resource recovery (RR) and carbon footprint reduction in both study areas. Notably, the study demonstrates that tourism plays a role in driving these digitalization efforts, particularly through the adoption of CE practices in WM. The results suggest that digital solutions, when tailored to local contexts, can accelerate decarbonization and enhance sustainability. In Sukunan, technological adoption generated 780 new jobs and raised average household incomes by USD 45 monthly. These initiatives reduced landfill waste by 30% and cut CO2-equivalent emissions by about 0.3 million metric tonnes annually. Taiwan's 'Pay-As-You-Throw' (PAYT) system is a benchmark, showcasing effective WM and resource recovery practices. Digitalization is projected to trim WM costs by 35%, reduce annual expenses by 3.6%, generate USD 493 billion in revenue over decades and subdue global CO2 emissions by 15% by 2030. Overall, this work emphasizes the potential for replicating such strategies in other cities, with consideration for local conditions, to achieve sustainability and decarbonization goals in the tourism and WM sectors.

An empirical and statistical investigation on decarbonizing groundwater using industrial waste-based biochar: Trading-off zero-waste management and zero-emission target

This study recommended a trade-off between zero-waste management of a brewery industry and zero-aim target of the drinking water sector. This study mainly aimed to decrease the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions resulting from groundwater treatment using biochar derived from malt sprout (MS) which is a waste by-product of a brewery industry. Also, CO2 resulting from groundwater treatment was collected and gas adsorption was performed to define the CO2 adsorption capacity of each biochar. Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) was performed to determine the effect of groundwater quality on CO2 emissions. In the result of experimental and computational analysis, a new carbon capture indicator (CCIB) was derived depending on biochar adsorption process, in this study. The results revealed that averagely 28.98 % of reduction on CO2 emission from groundwater treatment was reported using the mixture of three malt sprout derived biochar. MS1 had the highest carbon capture capacity which was derived at 300 °C. According to (DEA) results, the optimum total organic carbon (TOC) should be 3.2 mg/L for the minimum CO2 emission. Also, optimum biochar dose, contact time and gas flow were 8 g, 10 min and 965 mL/d, respectively for the maximum CO2 adsorption by biochar according to Box-Behnken design method.

Spatio-temporal evolution and drivers of coupling coordination between digital infrastructure and inclusive green growth: Evidence from the Yangtze River economic belt

The change of digital technology has ushered in a new era of digital infrastructure (DI) development. Facilitating the synergistic of DI and inclusive green growth (IGG) is essential for achieving sustainable development at the regional level. This study draws on panel data from 107 cities within China's Yangtze River Economic Belt (YREB) and employs a variety of research methodologies, including the entropy method, the coupling coordination degree model (CCDM), exploratory spatial data analysis (ESDA), the Dagum Gini coefficient, the GM (1.1), and an optimal parameters-based geographical detector (OPGD). The aim is to explore the coupling coordination degree (CCD) and drivers between DI and IGG from 2011 to 2020. The findings reveal: (1) Throughout the study, the CCD within the YREB remained generally low, achieving only low coordination by 2020. However, the system demonstrates greater harmonization and improved quality each year. Spatially, the distribution pattern exhibits a distinct "high in the east and low in the west" trend. (2) The CCD exhibits a positive spatial correlation, particularly with High-High clusters concentrated in the Yangtze River Delta (YRD). (3) Utilizing difference analysis and gray model predictions, the CCD level of the YREB shows considerable potential for development, with regional disparities gradually narrowing. (4) While the dominant driving factors of CCD vary across different sub-regions of the YREB, information supportability and economic driving force generally emerge as the primary drivers across different spatial sub-regions, with their impact significantly enhanced when interacting with other factors. Consequently, this study accurately identifies the driving factors in different spatial sub-divisions and suggests tailored development strategies and measures to provide more scientifically grounded policy insights.

Assessment of microplastics and heavy metal contamination in surficial sediments of Pasig River, Philippines during wet season

This study investigates the contamination of microplastics (MPs) and heavy metals in surficial sediments of the Pasig River, Philippines, during the wet season. This season, marked by heightened rainfall, runoff, and stormwater flow, potentially enhances the dispersion and accumulation of pollutants, leading to elevated pollution levels. MPs and heavy metals pose significant threats to aquatic ecosystems and human health, and their accumulation in river sediments warrants urgent attention. Samples were collected from multiple sites along the river, focusing on sediment composition, to analyze MP abundance and heavy metal concentrations. Results revealed high concentrations of MPs, predominantly polyester, polyethylene and acrylonitrile-butadiene copolymer, and heavy metals which were significantly higher in urbanized areas. MPs were found at all sampling locations, ranging from 2700 to 28,250 particles per kilogram of sediments. Heavy metals in the sediments varied, with concentrations of Cd (<0.003 mg/kg), Pb (3.09-50.48 mg/kg), Zn (53.37-175.74 mg/kg), and Fe (11,629-25,687 mg/kg), in the order Fe > Zn > Pb > Cd. According to the Hong Kong-Interim Sediment Quality Values criteria, the sediments were not contaminated by Cd, Pb, and Zn. Correlations between MP abundance and metals were found to be moderate for Pb and Zn but low for Fe, suggesting complex pollution dynamics. These findings emphasize the need for comprehensive monitoring and targeted waste management strategies to address MPs and heavy metal pollution, particularly during the wet season. Identifying MPs polymer types and their possible pollution sources provides valuable data to mitigate sediment contamination and protect aquatic ecosystems and human health.

Elbay A, El-Maghrabi N, Fawzy M. From Waste to Worth: Upcycling Plastic into High-Value Carbon-Based Nanomaterials

Plastic waste (PW) presents a significant environmental challenge due to its persistent accumulation and harmful effects on ecosystems. According to the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), global plastic production in 2024 is estimated to reach approximately 500 million tons. Without effective intervention, most of this plastic is expected to become waste, potentially resulting in billions of tons of accumulated PW by 2060. This study explores innovative approaches to convert PW into high-value carbon nanomaterials (CNMs) such as graphene, carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and other advanced carbon structures. Various methods including pyrolysis, arc discharge, catalytic degradation, and laser ablation have been investigated in transforming PW into CNMs. However, four primary methodologies are discussed herein: thermal decomposition, chemical vapor deposition (CVD), flash joule heating (FJH), and stepwise conversion. The scalability of the pathways discussed for industrial applications varies significantly. Thermal decomposition, particularly pyrolysis, is highly scalable due to its straightforward setup and cost-effective operation, making it suitable for large-scale waste processing plants. It also produces fuel byproducts that can be used as an alternative energy source, promoting the concept of energy recovery and circular economy. CVD, while producing high-quality carbon materials, is less scalable due to the high cost and required complex equipment, catalyst, high temperature, and pressure, which limits its use to specialized applications. FJH offers rapid synthesis of high-quality graphene using an economically viable technique that can also generate valuable products such as green hydrogen, carbon oligomers, and light hydrocarbons. However, it still requires optimization for industrial throughput. Stepwise conversion, involving multiple stages, can be challenging to scale due to higher operational complexity and cost, but it offers precise control over material properties for niche applications. This research demonstrates the growing potential of upcycling PW into valuable materials that align with global sustainability goals including industry, innovation, and infrastructure (Goal 9), sustainable cities and communities (Goal 11), and responsible consumption and production (Goal 12). The findings underscore the need for enhanced recycling infrastructure and policy frameworks to support the shift toward a circular economy and mitigate the global plastic crisis.

The hidden concept and the beauty of multiple "R" in the framework of waste strategies development reflecting to circular economy principles

There are numerous unresolved research questions, along with ongoing debates, regarding how to achieve a circular economy and at what level. The forthcoming circular economy standard (ISO 59000 framework, ISO59010) as a result from the ISO/TC 323, from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) aims to offer global implementation pathways using a unified technical language. The most challenging aspect of circularity, whether viewed scientifically, technically, and/or legislatively, is how to enhance prosperity while reducing reliance on primary materials and energy to achieve climate neutrality by 2050, thereby aiding the EU in achieving a successful and equitable transition towards a sustainable future. Strategies in the framework of waste management and circular economy are essential and needed to reduce the impact of several processes on the environment through product, processes, and corporate policies using green applicable sustainable resources and environmental management systems. In addition, "measuring something that is not there" is very complex and not fully comprehensible, not clear and not tangible from organizations, researchers, policy makers and citizens. The willingness and ability of individuals or organizations to take actions towards a low-carbon society involves grappling with various perspectives, such as social norms and economic viability. Circular economy is considered a tool in combating climate change and implementing climate mitigation (as well as adaptation) measures. Moreover, to date, there has been no common scientific or technical language for the application of the circular economy concept. This paper highlights the multitude of "Rs" beyond the well-known (3Rs) Reduce-Reuse-Recycle pattern, which can be applied in various contexts to assist SMEs (Small and Medium Enterprises), organizations and even citizens successfully adopt circular economy principles. Is also explores how these "Rs" can be utilized to measure intangible aspects (something that is not there). The results indicate that more than 55Rs exist which directly involved in the circular economy framework, also considering waste management strategies. The findings of this study reveal the existence of over 100 "Rs" beyond the well-known principles of "reduce, reuse, recycle," each playing a distinct role in the development of strategies aimed at addressing waste management issues and advancing circularity towards a low-carbon society. Furthermore, the results could be useful for any policy makers, consultants, engineers, practitioners, urban planners, academics etc., in order to develop, apply, monitor, measure and improve any strategy such as circular economy strategy, waste prevention, zero waste, reuse, reduce, energy recovery etc., in the framework of circular economy principles, solid waste management and beyond.

Paved with good intentions: From digitalization to carbon neutrality

Researchers and practitioners have promoted digitalization as a crucial tool for achieving carbon neutrality. In this paper, we argue that for digitalization to positively impact carbon neutrality, several essential supporting conditions are required. Using the Georgescu-Roegen/Daly ecological production function approach, we argue that digitalization alone a) will not necessarily lead to dematerialization, partly because it tends to economize on labor rather than other, less sustainable production factors, and partly because it requires a material- and energy-intensive infrastructure; b) will result in both quantitative and qualitative output expansion rather than substituting existing products and services with more sustainable alternatives; and c) will not promote carbon-conscious corporate governance practices. We suggest that a systemic perspective is necessary to analyze the complex relationships between digitalization and carbon neutrality.

Industrial circular water use practices through the application of a conceptual water efficiency framework in the process industry

Increased industrial water demand and resource depletion require the incorporation of sustainable and efficient water and wastewater management solutions in the industrial sector. Conventional and advanced treatment technologies, closed-water loops at different levels from an industrial process to collaborative networks among industries within the same or another sector and digital tools and services facilitate the materialization of circular water use practices. To this end, the scope of this paper is the application of the Conceptual Water Efficiency Framework (CWEF), which has been developed within the AquaSPICE project aspiring to enhance water circularity within industries in a holistic way. Four water-intensive process industries (two chemical industries, one oil refinery plant and one meat production plant) are examined, revealing its adaptability, versatility and flexibility according to the requirements of each use case. It is evident that the synergy of process, circular and digital innovations can promote sustainability, contribute to water conservation in the industry, elaborating a compact approach to be replicated from other industries.

The effect of the digital economy on carbon emissions in China's construction industry: evidence from spatial econometric analysis

Carbon emission reduction in the construction industry is vital for realizing sustainable development, and the development of the digital economy plays an important role in this process. The impact of the digital economy on reducing carbon emissions in the construction industry is empirically explored through econometric analyses on a sample of panel data from 30 provinces in China from 2012 to 2021. The empirical results show that developing a digital economy can significantly reduce the construction industry's carbon emission intensity. Additionally, this impact has a significant spatial spillover effect and can benefit the neighboring regions. The mechanism test shows that the digital economy can reduce carbon emissions by improving the technological level of the construction industry. Moreover, the inhibiting effects of the digital economy on carbon emissions in the construction industry vary across different regions. They are more pronounced in the eastern and western regions of low coal-consuming regions. These findings offer valuable insights for policymakers to help drive the deeper integration of the digital economy with the construction industry and facilitate its transition to low-carbon development.

Optimizing environmental regulation policies for digital transformation in energy enterprises in China: An evolutionary game theory approach

In response to the global consensus on achieving carbon reduction, China has introduced a series of policies aimed at accelerating the digital transformation of energy enterprises. However, these policies have revealed shortcomings such as deficiency in regulation methods and insufficient integration of regulation with technologies. This study applies evolutionary game theory (EGT) to evaluate the impacts of different environmental regulatory policies on the digital transformation and verifies the effectiveness of the theory in policy optimization. Utilizing modified real-world data, the study quantitatively examines the effects of alterations in various parameter combinations on players' strategic choices. The results indicate that: (1) increasing the regulatory intensity above 0.8, the carbon tax rate and penalties can promote the digital transformation, stimulating the low-carbon development in energy sector; (2) an interesting finding is that tax incentives such as carbon tax refund ratio can exacerbate enterprises' reliance on government compensation, thereby slowing down their transition process; (3) this study highlights the optimal service provision intensity for technological service providers (TSP) is 0.9, which can expedite system evolution towards the ideal state and foster the construction of a favorable digital regulatory environment. The study provides valuable references for optimizing regulatory policies and promoting digital transformation to realize the decarbonization goal.

Green and sustainable use of macadamia nuts as support material in Pt-based direct methanol fuel cells

The successful commercialization of direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) is hindered by inadequate methanol oxidation activity and anode catalyst longevity. Efficient and cost-effective electrode materials are imperative in the widespread use of DMFCs. While Platinum (Pt) remains the primary component of anodic methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) electrocatalysts, its utilization alone in DMFC systems is limited due to carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, instability, methanol crossover, and high cost. These limitations impede the economic feasibility of Pt as an electrocatalyst. Herein, we present the use of powdered activated carbon (PAC) and granular activated carbon (GAC), both sourced from macadamia nut shells (MNS), a type of biomass. These bio-based carbon materials are integrated into hybrid supports with reduced graphene oxide (rGO), aiming to enhance the performance and reduce the production cost of the Pt electrocatalyst. Electrochemical and physicochemical characterizations of the synthesized catalysts, including Pt-rGO/PAC-1:1, Pt-rGO/PAC-1:2, Pt-rGO/GAC-1:1, and Pt-rGO/GAC-1:2, were conducted. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed crystallite sizes ranging from 1.18 nm to 1.68 nm. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) images with average particle sizes ranging from 1.91 nm to 2.72 nm demonstrated spherical dispersion of Pt nanoparticles with some agglomeration across all catalysts. The electrochemical active surface area (ECSA) was determined, with Pt-rGO/GAC-1:1 exhibiting the highest ECSA of 73.53 m2 g-1. Despite its high ECSA, Pt-rGO/GAC-1:1 displayed the lowest methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) current density, indicating active sites with poor catalytic efficiency. Pt-rGO/PAC-1:1 and Pt-rGO/PAC-1:2 exhibited the highest MOR current densities of 0.77 mA*cm-2 and 0.74 mA*cm-2, respectively. Moreover, Pt-rGO/PAC-1:2 and Pt-rGO/PAC-1:1 demonstrated superior electrocatalytic mass (specific) activities of 7.55 mA/mg (0.025 mA*cm-2) and 7.25 mA/mg (0.021 mA*cm-2), respectively. Chronoamperometry tests revealed Pt-rGO/PAC-1:2 and Pt-rGO/PAC-1:1 as the most stable catalysts. Additionally, they exhibited the lowest charge transfer resistances and highest MOR current densities after durability tests, highlighting their potential for DMFC applications. The synthesized Pt supported on PACs hybrids demonstrated remarkable catalytic performance, stability, and CO tolerance, highlighting their potential for enhancing DMFC efficiency.

Exploration and future trends on spatial correlation of green innovation efficiency in strategic emerging industries under the digital economy: A social network analysis

With digital technological change and the increasing frequency of interregional innovation links, the spatial correlation and diversity of strategic emerging industries' green innovation efficiency (SEI-GIE) need to be explored in depth. This paper innovatively constructs the SEI-GIE input-output index system under digital economy. The proposed grey model FINGBM(1,1) with ω-order accumulation and weighted initial value optimization realizes effective prediction of 7 input-output indicators of 30 provinces in China from 2021 to 2025. Super-SBM-DEA, gravity model, and social network analysis are applied to explore spatial network structure's dynamic process of SEI-GIE from 12th to 14th Five-Year-Plan period (2011-2025). Empirical results show that (1) Under the effect of digital economy, the SEI-GIE in China generally shows a U-shaped fluctuation trend, in which the growth trend in the central region is obvious, and the western region shows significant fluctuations. (2) The spatial correlation network of SEI-GIE presents a complex and stable center-periphery circle. Particularly, the overall increase in network efficiency highlights the strong small-world characteristics. (3) Beijing, Shanghai, Zhejiang and Jiangsu have always been in the leading core position, with strong influence and control; And Tianjin's core position in the network will decline. Additionally, Guangxi and Chongqing have great potential, but Guangdong needs to strengthen its radiation effect. (4) Block model shows that plate-I (Beijing, Tianjin) receive spatial spillovers from others, while plates-III,IV have significant spillover effects. This study provides theoretical reference for policymakers from a network perspective to promote development of China's SEI-GIE.

Digitalization and innovation in green ports: A review of current issues, contributions and the way forward in promoting sustainable ports and maritime logistics

As a fundamental transportation mode, maritime logistics has become an indispensable component on a global scale. However, there are multiple drawbacks associated with ports operating in traditional ways, such as higher cost, lower efficiency and generating more environmental pollution. Digital technologies have been researched and implemented gradually in green ports, especially in data collection and real-time monitoring, and these advances help to promote higher work efficiency and reduce detrimental environmental impacts. It was found that green ports (e.g. ports of Raffina, Los Angeles, and Long Beach) generally perform better in energy conservation and pollutant emission reduction. However, considering the variability in the level of digitalization, there are challenges in achieving effective communications between individual ports. Therefore, to optimize and update green port practices, a systematic review is necessary to comprehensively analyze the beneficial contributions of green ports. This review adopted bibliometric analysis to examine the shipping framework focusing on green ports digitalization and innovation. After that, with regards to the bibliometric results, five aspects were analyzed, including environment, performance, policy, technology, and management. Besides, intelligent life-cycle management was systematically discussed to improve green ports and maritime logistics performance and sustainability in three aspects, namely waste discharge, shipping management system and green ports management. The findings revealed that green ports and maritime logistics require digital cooperation, transformation, and management to achieve sustainable development goals, including route selection and control of ships' numbers, weather prediction, and navigational effluent monitoring, albeit with some obstacles.

Leveraging food waste for electricity: A low-carbon approach in energy sector for mitigating climate change and achieving net zero emission in Hong Kong (China)

In recent years, food waste has been a global concern that contributes to climate change. To deal with the rising impacts of climate change, in Hong Kong, food waste is converted into electricity in the framework of low-carbon approach. This work provides an overview of the conversion of food waste into electricity to achieve carbon neutrality. The production of methane and electricity from waste-to-energy (WTE) conversion are determined. Potential income from its sale and environmental benefits are also assessed quantitatively and qualitatively. It was found that the electricity generation from the food waste could reach 4.33 × 109 kWh annually, avoiding equivalent electricity charge worth USD 3.46 × 109 annually (based on US' 8/kWh). An equivalent CO2 mitigation of 9.9 × 108 kg annually was attained. The revenue from its electricity sale in market was USD 1.44×109 in the 1st year and USD 4.24 ×109 in the 15th year, respectively, according to the projected CH4 and electricity generation. The modelling study indicated that the electricity production is 0.8 kWh/kg of landfilled waste. The food waste could produce electricity as low as US' 8 per kW ∙ h. In spite of its promising results, there are techno-economic bottlenecks in commercial scale production and its application at comparable costs to conventional fossil fuels. Issues such as high GHG emissions and high production costs have been determined to be resolved later. Overall, this work not only leads to GHG avoidance, but also diversifies energy supply in providing power for homes in the future.

Deep learning-based models for environmental management: Recognizing construction, renovation, and demolition waste in-the-wild

The construction industry generates a substantial volume of solid waste, often destinated for landfills, causing significant environmental pollution. Waste recycling is decisive in managing waste yet challenging due to labor-intensive sorting processes and the diverse forms of waste. Deep learning (DL) models have made remarkable strides in automating domestic waste recognition and sorting. However, the application of DL models to recognize the waste derived from construction, renovation, and demolition (CRD) activities remains limited due to the context-specific studies conducted in previous research. This paper aims to realistically capture the complexity of waste streams in the CRD context. The study encompasses collecting and annotating CRD waste images in real-world, uncontrolled environments. It then evaluates the performance of state-of-the-art DL models for automatically recognizing CRD waste in-the-wild. Several pre-trained networks are utilized to perform effectual feature extraction and transfer learning during DL model training. The results demonstrated that DL models, whether integrated with larger or lightweight backbone networks can recognize the composition of CRD waste streams in-the-wild which is useful for automated waste sorting. The outcome of the study emphasized the applicability of DL models in recognizing and sorting solid waste across various industrial domains, thereby contributing to resource recovery and encouraging environmental management efforts.

Municipal emission pathways and economic performance toward net-zero emissions: A case study of Nakhon Ratchasima municipality, Thailand

The transition to net-zero emissions (NZEs) in developing countries is challenging and requires the immediate adoption of comprehensive climate policy packages, strong collaboration among all sectors and stakeholders, and timely financial and technological assistance for developing economies. This research aims to analyze and evaluate the pathways to realize an NZE scheme at the municipality level. Nakhon Ratchasima (NR) Municipality, Thailand, is selected as the case study for this research. The Global Protocol for Community-Scale GHG Emission Inventories (GPC) is applied as the robust framework to assess the city's GHG emission profile. A mathematical forecasting model and the participatory multicriteria decision-making (MCDM) approach were adopted to support evidence-based local climate action planning based on four different scenarios: the business-as-usual (BAU), nationally determined contribution (NDC), carbon neutrality (CN), and NZE scenarios. The roles of stakeholders at the local community level across all sectors in mitigation actions and investment costs were investigated, and cost-effectiveness was evaluated to understand the economic performance of the adoption and implementation of local climate policy packages. The results indicate that by employing solely conventional technologies, a residential city that is also a hub for trade and land transportation will be unable to achieve its net-zero targets. It is imperative to seek additional low-carbon businesses and decarbonizing technologies that accompany substantial investments. According to the case of NR Municipality, the implementation costs to attain the NZE target by 2050 would range between 974.40 and 4.131.96 million USD. A pivotal driver of the municipal NZE pathway is the successful mobilization private sector investments to propel the transition toward climate-friendly technologies. Cost-effectiveness analysis significantly bolsters the municipality's transitional plan preparation, holistically encompassing economic, social, and environmental considerations. By preparing these aspects together, we ensure a smooth and equitable transition to net zero, avoid conflicts and economic harm and leave no one behind. This approach ensures a harmonious balance between a net-zero future, economic growth, and environmentally friendly living for all.

Fabrication, characterization, and application of light weight thermal insulation material from combined buffing dust and plaster of paris for construction industry

Buffing dust, generated from tannery industries, is a source of air pollution in Pakistan. Valorization of the waste into another useful material is important to deal with the environmental pollution, while reducing waste disposal costs in landfills. To demonstrate its technological strength, this work fabricates a thermal insulation material made of plaster of Paris and the buffing dust (from tanning waste) in the form of a composite with superior mechanical properties and low thermal conductivity. Buffing dust with concentrations ranging from 5 to 20% (w/w) were loaded in the composite. The samples synthesized were made slurry of plaster of Paris, buffing dust, and water at ambient temperature. The physico-mechanical properties of composite were analyzed. It was found that the composite had better thermal insulation properties than the panels of the plaster of Paris. Its thermal conductivity was reduced to 15% after adding buffing dust (20% w/w). All the materials had physico-chemical properties like tensile strength (0.02 MPa and 0.06 MPa), density (700-400 kg/m3), water absorption (5.2-8.6%) and thermal conductivity (0.17000-0.09218 W/m-K). Thermogravimetric analysis showed that the material was thermally stable at temperatures ranging from 145 to 177 °C, while FT-IR results revealed that the composite contained O-H, N-H, and CO functional groups. SEM analysis displayed that the composite's homogeneity was reduced with low voids due to buffing dust addition, while EDX analysis showed that the composite contained 23.62% of S, 26.76% of Ca, 49.2% of O and 0.42% of C. This implies that buffing dust could be recycled to manufacture heat insulation materials for construction sector to reduce air pollution, while minimizing energy consumption. By integrating the buffing dust from tanning waste and the plaster of Paris as a composite for construction sector, this work promotes the recycling of unused waste, while saving public funds. Instead of paying landfill fees and polluting soil, the waste may be recycled at lower cost, while reducing environmental damage.

Tackling microplastics pollution in global environment through integration of applied technology, policy instruments, and legislation

Microplastic pollution is a serious environmental problem that affects both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Small particles with size of less than 5 mm, known as microplastics (MPs), persist in the environment and pose serious threats to various species from micro-organisms to humans. However, terrestrial environment has received less attention than the aquatic environment, despite being a major source of MPs that eventually reaches water body. To reflect its novelty, this work aims at providing a comprehensive overview of the current state of MPs pollution in the global environment and various solutions to address MP pollution by integrating applied technology, policy instruments, and legislation. This review critically evaluates and compares the existing technologies for MPs detection, removal, and degradation, and a variety of policy instruments and legislation that can support the prevention and management of MPs pollution scientifically. Furthermore, this review identifies the gaps and challenges in addressing the complex and diverse nature of MPs and calls for joint actions and collaboration from stakeholders to contain MPs. As water pollution by MPs is complex, managing it effectively requires their responses through the utilization of technology, policy instruments, and legislation. It is evident from a literature survey of 228 published articles (1961-2023) that existing water technologies are promising to remove MPs pollution. Membrane bioreactors and ultrafiltration achieved 90% of MPs removal, while magnetic separation was effective at extracting 88% of target MPs from wastewater. In biological process, one kg of wax worms could consume about 80 g of plastic/day. This means that 100 kg of wax worms can eat about 8 kg of plastic daily, or about 2.9 tons of plastic annually. Overall, the integration of technology, policy instrument, and legislation is crucial to deal with the MPs issues.

The effects of digital technology application and supply chain management on corporate circular economy: A dynamic capability view

Developing circular economy capability has emerged as an effective response to environmental pressures on firms. The proliferation of digital technology has created uncertainty in developing corporate circular economy capability. Although research has begun to focus on the impact of digital technology application on corporate circular economy capability, empirical evidence remains absent. Simultaneously, few studies have concerned corporate circular economy capability obtained from supply chain management. The answer to the correlation between digital technology application, supply chain management, and circular economy capability is unavailable in current research. Based on a dynamic capability view, we investigate how digital technology application affects corporate circular economy capability through supply chain management regarding supply chain risk management, collaboration, and integration. This underlying mechanism was verified with 486 Chinese-listed industrial firms and the mediating model. The findings demonstrate that digital technology application and supply chain management significantly affect corporate circular economy capability. The mediating channel whereby the digital technology application provides circular economy capability can facilitate the positive impact of supply chain risk management and collaboration while undermining the adverse effects of supply chain integration. These mediating channels differentiate in heterogeneous growth firms and are more pronounced in low-growth groups. It presents an opportunity to use digital technology to reinforce the positive impact of supply chain risk management and collaboration and mitigate the negative effect of supply chain integration on circular economy capability.