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This study develops a multidimensional framework to assess cumulative exposure to climaterelated risks across Europe, integrating health, energy, transport, and socioeconomic conditions. By mapping risk distribution across regions and measuring dependence, we capture the interconnectedness of exposures and identify key socioeconomic drivers. Our findings reveal a substantial variation in risk distribution, with no clear geographical patterns. Unsurprisingly, household income emerges as the strongest determinant of exposure. We extend this analysis by projecting cumulative exposure to 2050, applying climate scenarios. The results suggest gradual rather than sharp change in exposure over time, with some areas exhibiting sharp rises; however, average risks are expected to rise across the entire continent.

This thesis is concerned with the mathematical modeling of bioplastic compoundswith fillers of agri-food origin (brewery waste) in the context of the mechanics ofsolids. The modeling will be carried out on the basis of original experimental laboratorydata produced by using materials and equipments belonging to the Polymer,Biopolymers and Composites laboratory and to the Mechanical Treatment Prototype laboratoryof the Department of Engineering of the University of Messina in collaborationswith the Advanced Social District of Messina, with "Crossing" (spin-off of theDepartment of Molecular Sciences and Nanosystems of the Ca’ Foscari Universityof Venice and other partners of the LIFE RESTART project. The thesis is part of acollaborative perspective between experimental disciplines (Chemistry and MaterialsEngineering) and theoretical disciplines (Mathematical Physics), and it is consistentwith the increasingly widespread need to implement development policiesaccording to the paradigm of the circular economy, with attention to environmentalprotection and sustainable use of resources.The plan of the thesis is the following.In Chapter 1, some general qualitative and quantitative considerations about thepollution problems, determined by the dispersion of a huge amount of fossil–basedplastics in the environment, are given; consequently, it is stressed the importancethat bio-based plastics may have. The higher cost of the bioplastics, compared withthe one of fossil-based plastics, can be significantly reduced by the production ofcompounds where the biopolymer is mixed with some agricultural waste. This processis within the framework of the new paradigma of circular economy which triesto minimize waste and optimize the use of resources.Chapter 2 briefly reviews the very basic elements of continuous solid mechanics,whereas in Chapter 3, the laboratory production process of the mixture of bioplastics(Polybutylene Succinate, PBS) and brewer spent grains (BSG), together with theexperimental setup for carrying out the mechanical tests, are described. The experimentaldata in Chapter 3 are then fitted in order to characterize the relations betweensome relevant mechanical parameters of the bio-compound and the filler concentration.Chapter 4 is devoted to the description of the experimental data for a newbio-compound where an additive has been mixed to PBS and BSG to increase thephysical and chemical affinity of the two components. The experimental data, representedby stress–strain curves, show that the Young’s modulus and the ultimatetensile strength of dog-bone samples are linearly related to the filler concentration.Finally, in Chapter 5, the mathematical modelization of the bio-compounds studiedin Chapter 4 is numerically developed along with the Finite Element Method using COMSOL Multiphysics software; the two theoretical models that have been investigatedare the Maxwell model and the Burgers model.

The document summarises the work done and the results achieved in Task 3.1 Providing access to distributed energy data repositories carried out within Work Package 3 Energy data modelling.Task 3.1 has a key role in the project development because it is the connection node between Task 2.1 and Tasks 3.2 and 3.3. The interrelationships between these tasks are as follows: Task 2.1 provided the data of the three case studies (North Harbour, Newcastle-upon-Tyne and Manresa) while in Task 3.1 these data were identified, collected and classified. The outputs from Task 3.1 will form the basis for the semantic modeling which will be carried out in Tasks 3.2 and 3.3. Moreover, Task 3.1 forms the basis for the development of T3.4 which is directly linked to WP4 – Semantic Energy Information Framework. In fact, Task 3.1 also analysed the technical features of the different data sources.Consequently, Task 3.1 deals with the following items: a) the methodology to present and classify the characteristics of data used for energy and environmental analyses at different scales, b) the data fields necessary to describe data in a detailed and complete way, c) the information to be provided on the data sources with reference to availability and technical accessibility.Task 3.1 had a further impact on the “Use case” methodology (described in detail in D1.8) through: a) the identification of input data to fulfil the “Activity” goal in the “Use case”, b) the data characterisation which provided both a terminology and definitions by technical standards which will be useful for the subsequent semantic modeling of data, c) the technical analysis of the access mechanisms to data sources.

This study presents a comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Life Cycle Costing (LCC) analysis of selected bio-based packaging materials, including cassava starch- and chitosan-based film and edible coating (NARO, UG), PPnc-based film (SUA, TZ), cassava starch- and coconut oil-based film (UoN, KE) and CNC-based film (INAT, TN), compared to conventional low-density polyethylene (LDPE) film packaging.The environmental impact was assessed using the ReCiPe 2016 Midpoint method, analyzing 18 impact categories and using “the amount of bio-based packaging material required to package 1 kg of food from production to end-of-life disposal” as the functional unit. Diagrams were utilized to illustrate the carbon footprint of both bio-based and conventional materials, highlighting the contributions of specific unit operations. The analysis was conducted using SimaPro PhD software version 9.3.0.3 with the Ecoinvent version 3 database. Among bio-based materials, starch- and chitosan-based biofilm (NARO) emitted 1.87 kg CO₂ equivalent per kilogram, primarily due to electricity consumption (1.12 kg CO₂ equivalent) and acetic acid use (0.675 kg CO₂ equivalent). The starch- and chitosan-based biocoating (NARO) production resulted in 1.63 kg CO₂ equivalentper kilogram, with electricity, acetic acid, and chitosan being the dominant contributors. PPnc-based film (SUA) exhibited 1.61 kg CO₂-eq/kg, with electricity and glycerol contributing significantly. CNC-based film (INAT) had the highest environmental load among bio-based materials, emitting 3.83 kg CO₂-eq/kg, primarily from transportation, polyester complexed starch, and cellulose nanocrystals. Conventional LDPE film had the highest impact, emitting 6.08 kg CO₂-eq/kg, driven by transportation, electricity and naphtha use.While bio-based materials generally demonstrated lower environmental impacts, CNC-based biofilm approached the carbon footprint of LDPE, underscoring the need to optimize bio-based production processes. To enhance sustainability, producers of CNC-based films should focus on reducing energy consumption, optimizing supply chains and exploring alternative raw materials.All the bio-based film prototypes were also analysed with Life Cycle Costing (LCC) analysis, focusing on direct production costs incurred in laboratory-scale innovation, and comparing them with LDPE conventional film.Key cost parameters analysed included raw materials, labour, energy, water, transport, and production output in terms of the number and size of films/pouches produced. Data collection was facilitated using an automated Excel template to record detailed cost reporting. The cost of production was calculated based on the direct costs incurred per production process or batch. The analysis revealed significant cost disparities among the bio-based films and LDPE film. The total production costs reported were 28.36 (UoN), 53.49 (SUA), 58.76 (INAT), and 78.24 (NARO) (all in dollars), while the LDPE film had the lowest cost at 24.94. When factoring in the number of films produced (UoN: 907 films, INAT: 1113 films, NARO: 128 films, SUA: 20 films, and LDPE: 907 films), the cost per film varied significantly. LDPE achieved the lowest cost per film at 0.027, followed by UoN at 0.031 and INAT at $0.053. NARO and SUA had higher costs per film at 0.61 and 2.675, respectively (all in dollars).Since the films varied in size, a simple cost-per-film analysis was insufficient for a fair comparison. After normalizing costs per the size, INAT had the lowest cost at 0.0440 /500 cm², followed by LDPE at 0.1636 /500 cm² and UoN at 0.1861 /500 cm². However, NARO and SUA continued to exhibit high costs of 1.5918 and 1.6715 /500 cm², respectively. In terms of least-cost pricing, INAT and UoN bio-based films are better positioned to compete with conventional LDPE films due to their lower costs. Conversely, the high production costs reported by SUA and NARO pose significant challenges for market entry and competitiveness. Despite the increasing demand for sustainable alternatives to conventional packaging, challenges related to production costs remain a major barrier to the widespread adoption of bio-based films. The findings highlight significant cost disparities across various production parameters and emphasize the need to scale production to achieve economies of scale, as these materials are currently produced at a laboratory or semi-pilot scale. Addressing these cost-related challenges will be crucial for the broader promotion and adoption of bio-based packaging solutions in the market.

The contribution offers to the disciplinary debate on theories and practices of land-use planning the restitution of an ongoing research work to support the drafting of an unusual Landscape-Energy-Tourism Plan. Within this endeavor, on the one hand, the article gives an account of the review conducted on the national and international literature as well as on the few available practices, bringing out the elements present and the gaps, including conceptual ones, that need to be filled. On the other hand, starting from ongoing experimentation, the contribution focuses on first directions for an integrated and wide area plan that can offer itself as a possible reference on what planning should be practiced to better hold together landscape protection and enhancement with the necessary regulation of renewable energy facilities and the promotion of sustainable tourism development paths. In the frequent lack of adequate resources and technical expertise as well as sufficient bargaining power in the face of national or international energy managers or unscrupulous entrepreneurs who offer more than the available agricultural land is worth or produces, non-metropolitan territories have only the integrated and intermunicipal plan from their side (even though they don't know or care). While for planners is very difficult to address at the same time landscape protection and tourism development with the very strong request of land for the (sustainable) energy facilities.

In an era marked by the disturbing symbol of pollution, this volume offers an in-depth critical and multidisciplinary analysis of the planetary ecological crisis and its inextricable link to global socio-economic challenges. Outlining the gravity of the current situation and the deep roots of an unsustainable model of development, the book rigorously and originally explores the crucial role of education as a transformative response. Through an argumentative path that ranges from theoretical reflection to empirical investigation, the book presents Formative Education and global ecological citizenship as promising pedagogical paradigms for the formation of individuals who are aware, responsible, and capable of concrete action for a more just and sustainable future. Special attention is given to the preparation of new generations for the “green jobs” of the future, through the analysis of innovative educational approaches and international and Italian “good practices”. Aimed at educators, researchers, policymakers and all those interested in the issues of sustainability and educational innovation, this book offers an organic and stimulating vision for understanding the challenges of our time and, through education, building a future of work and society in harmony with the planet. This book will inspire and challenge you to rethink the transformative power of learning to address pressing global issues. An urgent call for paradigm shifts in education and culture to sow hope and reap a future worth living.