The nexus between environmental regulations,economic growth,and environmental sustainability: linking environmental patents to ecological footprint reduction in South Asia

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Environmental sustainability has become a major concern for policymakers across the globe. In this regard, understanding the factors responsible for...     

Central and individual air-conditioning systems — A comparison of environmental impacts and resource consumption in a life cycle perspective

This paper compares individual (split) and central systems of air-conditioning in a life cycle perspective, taking into account the environmental impacts and resource consumption during resource extraction, material production, production of the air-conditioning units, their use, disposal and recycling. Life cycle assessment (LCA) is used in conducting this comparison.

Central systems have a longer lifetime than individual systems, lower electricity consumption and maintenance requirements during the use phase, and a higher recycling potential during the disposal phase. However, to transfer cool air, central systems use a large quantity of water pipes or air ducts, the production of which contributes significantly to resource use. The LCA study reveals that, on the whole, the central systems generally use less resources than split systems and result in lower environmental impacts.

The paper suggests a need for producers of air-conditioners to consider a change from being suppliers of air-conditioning hardware to being suppliers of cool air in order to overcome the initial cost constraints of central systems and realize their environmental and economic improvement potential to the benefit of the environment, and the industry as well as customers.     

Kappaphycus alvarezii waste biomass: A potential biosorbent for chromium ions removal

The Cr(III) sorption experiments onto Kappaphycus alvarezii waste biomass were conducted at different pH values (2–6) under the conditions of initial metal concentration of 10–50 mg/L and the chemical compositions of Cr-Cu and Cr-Cd. The Cr(III) sorption capacities were slightly dependent on pH, and the maximum sorption capacity was 0.86 mg/g at pH 3. The sorption capacities increased with increase in the initial metal concentration, whereas it was suppressed by the presence of Cu(II) and Cd(III) in the solution. The Cr(III) sorption equilibrium was evaluated using Langmuir, Freundlich and BET isotherms. The sorption mechanisms were characterised using scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The main mechanisms were ion exchange coupled with a complexation mechanism. Kappaphycus alvarezii waste biomass represents a potential for Cr(III) ion removal from aqueous solution.     

The relationship between corporate social responsibility,environmental investments and financial performance: evidence from manufacturing companies

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The primary objective of this research is to ascertain the relationship between corporate social responsibility, environmental investments and...     

Analysis of environmental degradation mechanism in the nexus among energy consumption and poverty in Pakistan

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The study aims to analyze the mediating role of environmental degradation (ED) in the association between energy consumption (EC) and poverty (POV) in...     

Differential neuroprotective effect of curcuminoid formulations in aluminum chloride–induced Alzheimer’s disease

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a slowly progressive brain degenerative disorder which gradually impairs memory, thinking, and ability to perform...     

Does globalization affect the green economy and environment? The relationship between energy consumption,carbon dioxide emissions,and economic growth

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - This study analyzes the relationship between globalization, energy consumption, and economic growth among selected South Asian countries to promote...     

The relationship between corporate social responsibility and financial performance: a moderate role of fintech technology

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - This study explores the new area of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and financial performance in the context of the fintech technology. The...     

Innovation cycles,niches and sustainability in the shrimp aquaculture industry in Thailand

In this paper we explain how a shift from culture of the black tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) to the Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) took place during 2002–6 in Thailand. We use system innovation theory to help explain how niche substitution led to a regime change within a Thai aquaculture industry trying to maintain international competitiveness but under pressures from a global landscape in which consumers are increasingly concerned with health and ecological sustainability. Support from a vertically integrated major firm, an extensive foundation of learning networks within the industry, and early profitability made the scaling-up and embedding of the experiment with white shrimp very rapid once the formal ban on import of exotic broodstock was lifted. Disease management with domesticated, specific pathogen-free strains of white shrimp has proven much easier than with black shrimp still dependent on capture of wild broodstock. Moreover relative production costs are lower. The switch in species had significant consequences for the environment and firms. Using life cycle analysis we found that rearing white shrimp requires less resource and produces less waste than black shrimp. The shift in regime, however, also made it more difficult for small farms and hatchery businesses.     

Sustainability assessment of municipal solid waste management in Sri Lanka: problems and prospects

Solid waste disposal in Sri Lanka has been assessed using environmental, economic, and social indicators, based on a life cycle approach. The existing situation of open dumping in Sri Lanka was compared with that of a sanitary landfill with gas recovery, since the latter is anticipated to constitute an initial step towards sustainable development. The results revealed the extent to which sanitary landfills with gas recovery systems could contribute to reducing environmental impacts such as global warming potential, acidification potential, and eutrophication potential. Assessment of life cycle cost and damage to human health also showed results in favour of sanitary landfills with gas recovery system. The results obtained quantify the sustainability benefits of the proposed option for solid waste management, and can be useful for justifying policy measures that encourage the replacement of open dumping with sanitary landfills.