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A precise energy conservation and emission reduction (ECER) path in industrial sector contains two aspects: applying effective ECER measures and focusing on processes with significant ECER potential. However, most studies have investigated the ECER effects of an individual measure or only evaluated industrial-level ECER potential. Therefore, the objective of this study is to find a precise ECER path in China's iron and steel industry through quantitative analysis methods. First, this article adopts scenario analysis to simulate situations where different ECER measures are adopted and designs calculation methods to quantitatively evaluate the ECER effects in each scenario in 2020 and 2025. Second, through analysis of the application of ECER measures to certain processes, we calculate the ECER potential of different individual processes in the iron and steel industry. In addition, the conservation supply curve method and the quadrant method are used to measure the level of advanced technology application. The results show that: (1) for four types of ECER measures, the limitation of production output measure is most effective, contributing to 6.98% and 12.50% decreases in total industrial energy consumption and pollutant emissions in 2020 and 2025; moreover, the contribution of the adjustment of scale structure measure is comparatively low. (2) The sintering and ironmaking processes have strong ECER potential in 2020, while the steel making process also has high ECER potential in 2025. (3) 21 technologies are divided into 4 quadrants based on energy, popularity, and economic performance. In addition, we provide some suggestions for future ECER policies. In sum, this article provides an in-depth example of determining a precise ECER path in an important industry.

A precise energy conservation and emission reduction (ECER) path in industrial sector contains two aspects: applying effective ECER measures and focusing on processes with significant ECER potential. However, most studies have investigated the ECER effects of an individual measure or only evaluated industrial-level ECER potential. Therefore, the objective of this study is to find a precise ECER path in China's iron and steel industry through quantitative analysis methods. First, this article adopts scenario analysis to simulate situations where different ECER measures are adopted and designs calculation methods to quantitatively evaluate the ECER effects in each scenario in 2020 and 2025. Second, through analysis of the application of ECER measures to certain processes, we calculate the ECER potential of different individual processes in the iron and steel industry. In addition, the conservation supply curve method and the quadrant method are used to measure the level of advanced technology application. The results show that: (1) for four types of ECER measures, the limitation of production output measure is most effective, contributing to 6.98% and 12.50% decreases in total industrial energy consumption and pollutant emissions in 2020 and 2025; moreover, the contribution of the adjustment of scale structure measure is comparatively low. (2) The sintering and ironmaking processes have strong ECER potential in 2020, while the steel making process also has high ECER potential in 2025. (3) 21 technologies are divided into 4 quadrants based on energy, popularity, and economic performance. In addition, we provide some suggestions for future ECER policies. In sum, this article provides an in-depth example of determining a precise ECER path in an important industry.

Abstract Growing urban populations, changes in rainfall patterns and ageing infrastructure represent significant challenges for urban water management (UWM). There is a critical need for research into how cities should adapt to become resilient to these impacts under uncertain futures. UWM challenges in the Ebbsfleet Garden City (UK) were investigated via a participatory process and potential sustainable solutions were explored using a System Dynamics Model (SDM). Collaborative development of the SDM by the Ebbsfleet Learning and Action Alliance developed stakeholders’ understanding of future UWM options and enabled a structured exploration of interdependencies within the current UWM system. Discussion by stakeholders resulted in a focus on potable water use and the development of the SDM to investigate how residential potable water consumption in the Ebbsfleet Garden City might be reduced through a range of interventions, e.g., socio-environmental and economic policy incentives. The SDM approach supports decision-making at a strategic, system-wide level, and facilitates exploration of the long-term consequences of alternative strategies, particularly those that are difficult to include in quantitative models. While an SDM can be developed by experts alone, building it collaboratively allows the process to benefit from local knowledge, resulting in a collective learning process and increased potential for adoption.

Abstract Growing urban populations, changes in rainfall patterns and ageing infrastructure represent significant challenges for urban water management (UWM). There is a critical need for research into how cities should adapt to become resilient to these impacts under uncertain futures. UWM challenges in the Ebbsfleet Garden City (UK) were investigated via a participatory process and potential sustainable solutions were explored using a System Dynamics Model (SDM). Collaborative development of the SDM by the Ebbsfleet Learning and Action Alliance developed stakeholders’ understanding of future UWM options and enabled a structured exploration of interdependencies within the current UWM system. Discussion by stakeholders resulted in a focus on potable water use and the development of the SDM to investigate how residential potable water consumption in the Ebbsfleet Garden City might be reduced through a range of interventions, e.g., socio-environmental and economic policy incentives. The SDM approach supports decision-making at a strategic, system-wide level, and facilitates exploration of the long-term consequences of alternative strategies, particularly those that are difficult to include in quantitative models. While an SDM can be developed by experts alone, building it collaboratively allows the process to benefit from local knowledge, resulting in a collective learning process and increased potential for adoption.

Systemic humanitarian, environmental, and socio-political problems are impeding current and future generations from meeting their very basic needs. The speed and scope of mainstream responses to the world’s most pressing problems are limited by agency failures and by the ‘rules of the game’. In this context, this research contributes to theory and practice by formulating and exploring the concept of Sustainability Hacking, a particularly advantageous change driver in situations where information is limited, resources are scarce, stakes are high, and decision-making is urgent. This research was conducted through 3 sequential stages. First, the researcher has systematically reviewed the literature on sociotechnical system change for sustainability. This review exposed and discussed 15 theoretical foundations that shape what changes are perceived as desirable and attainable, as well as how to navigate between all the coexisting pathways to drive positive change. By examining these foundations, it became possible to pinpoint opportunities for future contributions. Among them was the idea of investigating the meaning, characteristics and potential implications of Hacking as a change driver of sociotechnical systems. These were revealed in the 2nd research stage, after interviewing self-declared Hackers and cybersecurity experts to understand how they used the term and how they pursued their desired systemic changes. This stage provided the definition, as well as 9 dominant characteristics of System Hacking. The term refers to exploring unconventional solutions to a problem within sociotechnical systems. ‘Unconventional’ here means deviating from embedded institutions, i.e. the rules of the game in a society. Institutions represent sources of stability, coherence, and continuity of systems, while simultaneously shaping public expectations of what changes are viable and the heuristics of how they should be pursued. Differently from conventional approaches, system Hackers are not aiming at changing rules, neither are they passively complying with them. Instead, they work around the ‘rules of the game’ to accomplish ‘good-enough’ results promptly. The 3rd research stage consisted of investigating and working with Sustainability Hacks, i.e. System Hacks addressing pressing sustainability problems. This was performed through a combination of Action Research and Case Studies. Benefitting from a diverse database of 19 cases, the researcher conducted a cross-case analysis, which provided comprehensive observations on the 15 main similarities and 10 differences that constitute the key analytical variables of Sustainability Hacking. Furthermore, the analysis derived 5 Archetypes that can be used as frames of reference to provide guidance for practitioners evaluating possibilities of addressing pressing sustainability problems, as well as to support future academic contributions in this nascent field of research. Gates Cambridge

Systemic humanitarian, environmental, and socio-political problems are impeding current and future generations from meeting their very basic needs. The speed and scope of mainstream responses to the world’s most pressing problems are limited by agency failures and by the ‘rules of the game’. In this context, this research contributes to theory and practice by formulating and exploring the concept of Sustainability Hacking, a particularly advantageous change driver in situations where information is limited, resources are scarce, stakes are high, and decision-making is urgent. This research was conducted through 3 sequential stages. First, the researcher has systematically reviewed the literature on sociotechnical system change for sustainability. This review exposed and discussed 15 theoretical foundations that shape what changes are perceived as desirable and attainable, as well as how to navigate between all the coexisting pathways to drive positive change. By examining these foundations, it became possible to pinpoint opportunities for future contributions. Among them was the idea of investigating the meaning, characteristics and potential implications of Hacking as a change driver of sociotechnical systems. These were revealed in the 2nd research stage, after interviewing self-declared Hackers and cybersecurity experts to understand how they used the term and how they pursued their desired systemic changes. This stage provided the definition, as well as 9 dominant characteristics of System Hacking. The term refers to exploring unconventional solutions to a problem within sociotechnical systems. ‘Unconventional’ here means deviating from embedded institutions, i.e. the rules of the game in a society. Institutions represent sources of stability, coherence, and continuity of systems, while simultaneously shaping public expectations of what changes are viable and the heuristics of how they should be pursued. Differently from conventional approaches, system Hackers are not aiming at changing rules, neither are they passively complying with them. Instead, they work around the ‘rules of the game’ to accomplish ‘good-enough’ results promptly. The 3rd research stage consisted of investigating and working with Sustainability Hacks, i.e. System Hacks addressing pressing sustainability problems. This was performed through a combination of Action Research and Case Studies. Benefitting from a diverse database of 19 cases, the researcher conducted a cross-case analysis, which provided comprehensive observations on the 15 main similarities and 10 differences that constitute the key analytical variables of Sustainability Hacking. Furthermore, the analysis derived 5 Archetypes that can be used as frames of reference to provide guidance for practitioners evaluating possibilities of addressing pressing sustainability problems, as well as to support future academic contributions in this nascent field of research. Gates Cambridge

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.

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.