• Energy Research

The aim of this paper is to propose a research framework, based on the joint use of three widely used methods: EMergy Evaluation (EME), Ecological Footprint Analysis (EFA) and Greenhouse Gas Inventory (GHGI), that are applied to assess the environmental sustainability of a region. The results of application of these methods to several Italian Provinces enabled us to compare their sustainability, and to test the methods with respect to sustainability requirements at local and global level. The outcomes suggest that the proposed framework provides an organic evaluation of regional systems based on key aspects, such as resources depletion, consumption patterns, waste production and absorption.

European governments are addressing plastic pollution by implementing the Directive EU 2019/904 that bans single‐use items like cutlery, plates, straws, and beverage stirrers. One strategy proposed by several industries to continue their production is the conversion of single‐use items into multiuse items. Herein, the focus is on the production of polystyrene reusable plates and the suitability of this product for microwave and dishwasher use is assessed: in proper conditions, the structure is preserved without cuts or visible deformations, and the chemical stability is guaranteed. To get a full picture of the benefits and impacts of this new product, a life cycle assessment methodology is applied to compare the performances of one reusable plate with 20 single‐use plates. Results indicate that proper use is crucial: a reusable plate disposed after one use is more impactful than a single‐use plate. In contrast, the reuse of plates for 20 times allows to reduce carbon footprint and acidification potential. Eutrophication and ozone layer depletion, on the other hand, increase due to the washing phase. The solutions that can mitigate these issues and enhance the sustainability of the reusable plates include the improvement of the detergent compositions and the use of electricity from renewable sources.

This paper presents a time series analysis of the Index of Sustainable Economic Welfare (ISEW). It is a measure, alternative to GDP, that in accordance with the principles of sustainability takes into consideration environmental and social aspects within the traditional economic accounting system. The Index is calculated for an Italian Province from 1971 to 2003 and it will be compared with the provincial GDP during the same period. A growing gap between the two monetary values (GPI grows faster then ISEW) has been occurring consistently with the national trend. This means that part of the wealth which GDP asserts does not correspond to welfare. The ISEW monetizes this gap in order to orient decisions for a more sustainable way of life and more correct policies.

Abstract Vertical Greenery Systems (VGS) are relatively new structures for architectural green cladding that embed a curtain of plants (Living Wall – hereafter LW) or grass (Grass Wall – hereafter GW) fixed on building facades and nurtured by an automated watering system. An eMergy evaluation (EE) of both LW and GW was performed aimed at assessing potential ‘environmental costs’ relative to their manufacturing chain, from plants–grass nursery to the assembling of structural elements, until their sustenance in time. Contextually, benefits were estimated as the energy saving for cooling mainly due to their shading effect and airflow. A 98 m2 south-oriented facade of a hypothetical 1000 m3 building has been investigated. EE is an environmental accounting method that accounts for direct and indirect environmental resource use by systems-processes in terms of solar energy equivalents (i.e. solar emergy joule – sej). The Cost to Benefit Ratio has been introduced, as the emergy investment per saved emergy (CBR: sej sej−1), in order to compare the environmental cost of structure functioning to the overall energy saving, in emergy terms. Results highlighted that, in certain conditions (i.e. Mediterranean climate, massive envelope, integrated rainwater harvesting system) both LW and GW can provide net environmental benefits and be valuable options for building retrofitting.

Exergy function was basically developed in the fields of engineering and is the most useful function to solve problems related to cost-optimization procedures of energy conversion systems and energy policies. However, in the last decades, this function has also been proposed as a tool able to study complex systems, such as ecological systems. The exergy function proposed by Jorgensen, called eco-exergy, is investigated in this paper because of its formulation that differs from the classical one. The two main differences are in the changed reference state, which is more useful for ecological applications, and the contribution of informational exergy that is taken into account. This paper shows how moving from macroscopic to microscopic information storage the exergetic contribution due to information grows and it becomes even three orders of magnitude higher than physical one in the more complex living systems. The capacity of packaging information at the molecular level (DNA) that differs from one organism to another can be taken into account using eco-exergy function.

Water use and agricultural practices in the Mediterranean area are unsustainable. The situation is worsened by the increased frequency of droughts and floods, as well as desertification and soil depletion, associated with climate change. The aim of Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA) is to foster an integrated programme of sustainable food production and water provision in the framework of the water-energy-food nexus. A monitoring tool developed under PRIMA is based on the Sustainable Development Goals, two of which are specifically dedicated to food security (SDG 2) and sustainable management of water (SDG 6). The 12 indicators that have been chosen to be monitored in the Mediterranean area are: Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI); population overweight (%); land use (%); GHG emissions (total and AFOLU)(tCO2e); cereal yield (kg/ha); agriculture value added (US$/worker); fertilizer consumption (kg/haarable land); crop water productivity (kg/m3); annual freshwater withdrawal for agriculture (%); population served using with safely managed water service (rural, %); population served using with safely managed sanitation (rural, %); amount of agricultural residues used for energy purposes (t). Datasets for these indicators are collected by international bodies such as the World Bank, WHO, FAO and UNFCCC; recent series are available for almost all Mediterranean countries and are constantly updated. The aim of the proposed monitoring tool is to keep track of the impact generated in by PRIMA research and innovation projects Mediterranean countries.

Abstract Due to growing interest in biofuels as alternative renewable energy sources, several recent studies have assessed the sustainability of their production. Emergy is a widely used environmental indicator for this purpose, as it counts exploitation of natural resources and direct and indirect solar energy requirements of biofuel production. Depending on whether a biofuel is first, second or third generation, its production system differs in nature and the indications derived from emergy evaluations vary as well. This article aims to provide guidelines on how to interpret and properly use the results of emergy evaluation of first, second and third generation biofuels. These guidelines are useful for correct emergy assessment of biofuels and clarify the actual meaning of emergy evaluation outcomes.