• Energy Research
• 12. Responsible consumption close
• 14. Life underwater close
• 15. Life on land close
• Transport Research close

The Human Mobility Transition model describes shifts in mobility dynamics and transport systems. The aspirational stage, ‘human urbanism’, is characterised by high active travel, universal public transport, low private vehicle use and equitable access to transport. We explored factors associated with travel behaviour in Africa and the Caribbean, investigating the potential to realise ‘human urbanism’ in this context. We conducted a mixed-methods systematic review of ten databases and grey literature for articles published between January 2008 and February 2019. We appraised study quality using Critical Appraisal Skills Programme checklists. We narratively synthesized qualitative and quantitative data, using meta-study principles to integrate the findings. We identified 39,404 studies through database searching, mining reviews, reference screening, and topic experts’ consultation. We included 129 studies (78 quantitative, 28 mixed-methods, 23 qualitative) and 33 grey literature documents. In marginalised groups, including the poor, people living rurally or peripheral to cities, women and girls, and the elderly, transport was poorly accessible, travel was characterised by high levels of walking and paratransit (informal public transport) use, and low private vehicle use. Poorly controlled urban growth (density) and sprawl (expansion), with associated informality, was a salient aspect of this context, resulting in long travel distances and the necessity of motorised transportation. There were existing population-level assets in relation to ‘human urbanism’ (high levels of active travel, good paratransit coverage, low private vehicle use) as well as core challenges (urban sprawl and informality, socioeconomic and gendered barriers to travel, poor transport accessibility). Ineffective mobility systems were a product of uncoordinated urban planning, unregulated land use and subsequent land use conflict. To realise ‘human urbanism’, integrated planning policies recognising the linkages between health, transport and equity are needed. A shift in priority from economic growth to a focus on broader population needs and the rights and wellbeing of ordinary people is required. Policymakers should focus attention on transport accessibility for the most vulnerable.

For both the expansion of important islands/reefs and the development of marine resources in South China Sea, a modular integrated floating structure (MIFS) system with tidal self-adaptation dolphin-fender mooring (DFM) has been proposed. The DFM, coupled with wave energy converters (WEC), can serve as an anti-motion system. Considering both the modules’ hydrodynamic interaction effect and the connectors’ mechanical coupling effect, both dynamic responses of the MIFS system and the WEC’s output power characteristics were investigated under typical sea conditions. Based on the comprehensive consideration of key factors (safety, economy, and comfort), the effects of both the DFM and module connectors were systematically studied for the MIFS system. Preliminarily optimal design parameters of corresponding connectors and WECs were suggested. The security of the MIFS system under extreme sea conditions was checked, and a promising survival strategy has been proposed. In addition, the modular expansion scheme of the MIFS system was further discussed, and the results indicated that the proposed MIFS system shows good expansibility. The WEC can not only improve both dynamic responses and the comfort of inner modules, but also make considerable wave energy contributions.

Renewable energy sources have become necessary for long-term energy sustainability due to the increased demand for electric cars and worrisome rises in carbon dioxide emissions from traditional energy sources. Furthermore, transportation is one of the sectors that uses the most energy on the planet, accounting for 24% of overall consumption. Fossil fuels are still the dominant energy source for balancing global demand/supply dynamics. Supporting laws and regulations have enhanced the first phase of environmentally friendly energy-resource consumption. This has spurred the development of new solutions that cut greenhouse-gas emissions and reduce the air pollution produced by internal combustion engines that are fuelled by fossil fuels. Wind energy is one of the clean energy sources that may be utilised for this purpose. Wind energy has been used to power electric-car-charging infrastructure, generally in a hybrid mode with another renewable source. This research examines the possibility of using wind energy as a standalone energy source to support electric-vehicle-charging infrastructure. Using data from Malacca, Malaysia, and HOMER software, the project will build and optimise a standalone wind-powered charging station. An RC-5K-A wind turbine coupled to a battery and converter is the appropriate choice for the system. The findings demonstrate that the turbine can produce 214,272 kWh per year at the cost of USD 0.081/kWh, confirming wind’s future feasibility as an energy-infrastructure support source.

This paper explores institutional responses from Regional Fisheries Bodies (RFBs) to climate change. Fisheries management is highly dependent on the stability or predictability of targeted fish populations. Oceanic changes occurring as a result of climate change will see continuing and potentially irreversible deviations from the conditions of fisheries past. These changes present challenges to fisheries management at all scales – from local to international – relating to food security, sustainability, and ecological integrity. Areas of measurably warmer ocean, or ‘hotspots’, are a very clear indicator of direct climate change effects. RFBs with hotspots in their areas of competence were chosen for this study. Three levels of institutional engagement were developed: Awareness of climate change; Learning about climate change; Action taken by the institutions. While 94% of institutions demonstrated awareness of climate change and 82% demonstrated learning about climate change, only 41% demonstrated some form of action; and these were mainly procedural and administrative. Only two of the RFBs considered made explicit statements about incorporating climate change into future fishing management plans. The inference is that RFBs are largely practising business-as-usual, with the implication that many exploited fish populations will face additional survival pressure as the sea around them alters.

Natural gas is cheaper than fuel on an energy basis, making it an alternative ship fuel which leads to a reduced operating cost and clean gas environmental conditions. The current study analyses the retrofit of an ageing multi-purpose ship to use liquefied natural gas as a primary ship fuel in the context of a short-ship sea operation. The objective is to transform an existing commercial ageing ship propulsion system into a green energy propulsion one and to analyse the economic feasibility considering the high volatility and increased LNG price. Four scenarios were analysed based on the net present value representing Denying, Disinterested, Good and Acceptable financial cash outflow. It was concluded that in the present economic instability and price of LNG fuel and CO2 taxes, the ship owner needs to rely on the long-term contract of buying LNG fuel to implement measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and keep good benefits in shipping.

In this article, the concept of an electric vehicle (EV) as a sustainable development (SD) is discussed, and the viability of the development of electric vehicles is assessed. This study broadens the conventional definition of sustainable development by incorporating and prioritizing crucial areas of technology, environment, and policy performance. The proposed review studies have summarized the elements that can promote the integration of electric vehicle technology. The innovation of the EV has just become a modern innovation. At the same time, some obstacles, such as policy and lower adoption, are resisting its goals. To overcome this situation, electric cars have to adopt some innovative approaches that can be another path to success. The review result shows that the proposal discusses the technological advancements of electric vehicles worldwide and paves the way for further improvements. The results also mentioned technological development to reduce emissions and help us understand the impact on the environment and health benefits. However, the summary would be advantageous to both scholars and policymakers, as there is a lack of integrative reviews that assess the global demand and development of EVs simultaneously and collectively. This review would provide insight for investors and policymakers to envisage electric mobility.

The effects of climate change (CC) on contaminants and their potential consequences to marine ecosystem services and human wellbeing are of paramount importance, as they pose overlapping risks. Here, we discuss how the interaction between CC and contaminants leads to poorly constrained impacts that affects the sensitivity of organisms to contamination leading to impaired ecosystem function, services and risk assessment evaluations. Climate drivers, such as ocean warming, ocean deoxygenation, changes in circulation, ocean acidification, and extreme events interact with trace metals, organic pollutants, excess nutrients, and radionuclides in a complex manner. Overall, the holistic consideration of the pollutants-climate change nexus has significant knowledge gaps, but will be important in understanding the fate, transport, speciation, bioavailability, toxicity, and inventories of contaminants. Greater focus on these uncertainties would facilitate improved predictions of future changes in the global biogeochemical cycling of contaminants and both human health and marine ecosystems.