• Energy Research
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In line with the national and international context, where energy emerges as a means for development, and not an end in itself, the definition of strategic objectives and implementing strategies for energy and development needs to be based on an inclusive and integrated approach including all the implications of energy on social, economic and environmental dimensions. Looking at the Italian perspective, the UNESCO Chair in Energy for Sustainable Development at the Department of Energy has launched a new initiative, by proposing the activation of a ���Multi-stakeholder Platform for Energy in Development���, to define a first national pilot experience of multi-actors collaborations including institutional and private sectors, civil society, academic and research sectors. The overall objective of the Platform is to identify, formulate and validate energy intervention strategies in line with the SDG7. In May 2016, the Platform has started the elaboration of the ���Guidelines for projects in Energy & Development���. The guidelines contribute to define a national framework for planning energy projects in the development cooperation, referring to the best practices existing in the international framework. JUNCO | Journal of UNiversities and international development COoperation, N. 1-2 (2018): Migrazioni, Pace e Sviluppo. Nuove sfide e nuovi attori nella cooperazione internazionale per lo sviluppo in Italia - Atti del V Congresso CUCS, Milano 14-15 settembre 2017

Currently, society is assisting in transitioning from centralized power generation to distributed power generation [1, 2]. This transition is necessary for various reasons that essentially reside on some fundamental points: 1.The current electric lines can not withstand the energy demand of an increasing number of energy-intensive vehicles, especially for mobility [3]. 2.The ever-increasing availability of small electric generators has created many small electricity producers, and on-site use becomes more advantageous [4]. 3.Technologies concerning electrochemical devices for the production and use of energy are particularly efficient for small sizes [5]. In this scenario, the development of energy conversion devices such as solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) and devices for the storage of electricity such as solid oxide electrolysis cells (SOEC) and metal-air solid oxide batteries can play a crucial role [6, 7]. Solid oxide cells (SOC) are electrochemical devices capable of converting chemical energy into electrical energy when used as SOFCs and vice versa when operated as SOECs. A similar cell can also be used as cell batteries, allowing electricity storage, depending on the grid demand. The current problem is that such devices cannot be considered sufficiently mature because not enough time has passed from their conceptualization to their demonstration for real uses. Therefore, we are assisting to a proliferation of concepts that simulate their perspectives in a suitable environment. Based on these considerations, this communication reports the ideas and prototypes adopted by our research group to improve the flexibility in the use of fuels (SOFC), the convenience of direct methane production through commercial SOEC cells and the realization of a simple and cheep architecture of metal-air battery.

The paper investigates how the relationships between climate change, disasters and human rights are framed within the realm of international law. The paper takes into exam: i) the interaction between international climate change law and international disaster law; ii) the integration of human rights into international climate change law and international disaster law; iii) the international human rights obligations applicable to climate action and disaster management. The aim is to shed light on the synergies and conflicts between the three relevant international law regimes.

The parent site consists of: two main research sites (Lake Santo Parmense and Lake Scuro Parmense) in the Northern Apennines, but also several temporary and permanent lentic systems sampled at a lower frequency; two main research sites in the Western Alps (Lake Paione Inferiore and Superiore), and about 30 high altitude lakes (above 1900 m a.s.l.) in the same area, with long-term irregular data; one research site located in the Brenta Dolomites (Lake Tovel) at 1178 m a.s.l. with a monthly sampling regime and long-term data; three main research sites in the province of Bozen, together with other 11 lakes all located below the treeline, monitored since 1979 with samplings at irregular intervals. For all the main research sites long-term data exist on water chemistry, plankton and benthos; however, the datasets of the various sites may be different in terms of size, temporal coverage, frequency of the series and monitored parameters. The main research topics considered are eutrophication and acidification, population dynamics, biodiversity, functional diversity, lake metabolism, plankton phenology, alien species, climate change effects, impacts of anthropogenic activities in lake catchments, high frequency monitoring.

The seriousness of the environmental crisis and the current debate on ecological problems are at the basis of this survey, which intends to take a frontline position in this theoretical research in an attempt to reduce the epistemological and philosophical vacuum surrounding the foundations of the ecological idea and its possible evolutionary pathways. Compared to movimentist environmentalism that seeks concrete solutions and is often challenged by the urgency of all the issues massed together in the current circumstances, a more deeply pondered theoretical approach should fully develop a systemic-relational vision, both with respect to scientific investigations on the physical-biological origins of the tangle of life, and to ethical-political perspectives in order to design projects for the future. The purpose of this thesis is to analyse the ecological issue in the light of the recent developments of sciences that study the behaviour and evolution of complex systems and that place the investigation in the web of interconnections to which the dynamics of life and evolution can be ascribed. Having ascertained how the prevailing models in modern tradition are inadequate in addressing the environmental emergency, an ecological vision of complexity restores the essential character of interdependent unity to the ecological systems. This is a major contribution not only for superseding the purely utilitarian objectives that currently prevail in economics and politics, but also for basing human development on values of social justice and collective solidarity that could redirect the course of future history along more desirable pathways. Despite the implausibility of supporting any direct applicability of the models of natural sciences to the social, political and economic ambits, an in-depth analysis of the natural lifecycles could help us open up to the prospect of a more realistic positioning and integration of the human species in the cosmos. In this regard, the horizon of complexity - understood as gathering together, connecting, placing in relation - could reawaken a systemic awareness capable of generating more sustainable and liveable social-economic balances.

Over the past two decades, film scholars have offered new theoretical frameworks that define and strengthen ecocinema studies. In this regard, sensitive environments (Parikka 2015) are the film festivals that scholars mainly refer to as sites for promoting the consumption of ecocinema (Monani 2013). This contribution attempts to highlight what have become established practices aimed at educating an audience aware of the issue of environmental sustainability (Cubitt 2005). After a historical excursus, the author proposes an analysis of the Italian case: AFIC constitutes a space of discursive elaboration that has developed guidelines and parameters. Cinergie – Il Cinema e le altre Arti, No. 22 (2022)

The biomass for energy purposes, coming from agricultural firms and forestry industry for energy, can provide various environmental and socio-economic benefits. Among all renewable energy sources, agro-forestry biomass represents both an important alternative source to fossil fuels and an opportunity for the socio-economic development of various marginal mountain areas. This survey aims at estimating the potential revenue in province of Reggio Calabria, which is showing a great interest in biomass production.

Who can fight against climate change and global warming? Who ought to fight? What is the role of the human rights-based climate change litigation? The paper tries to answer these questions, having as a starting point the definition of a “minimum content” of the fight against climate change and global warming. Acting against climate change and global warming firstly means carrying out a global collective action involving actors (individuals, States, enterprises, generations) with different levels of awareness and responsibility. Given the above, the paper focuses on the “climate legal obligation” whose source is rooted in the International (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, Kyoto Protocol, Paris Agreement) and EU climate law, with the aim to point out the legal duties of every single State. Consequently, the paper underlines how the climate obligation specifically requires the adoption of mitigation measures in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Finally, moving from the Dutch Urgenda case, the paper points out the role of the human rights-based climate change litigation in the global fight against climate crisis.

Introduction The momentum towards the green economy; strongly focused on innovation; highlights the urgent need to anticipate the new and emerging health and safety risks in green jobs with a view to ensuring adequate; safe and healthy working conditions. The present study has conducted a survey among relevant stakeholders; social partners; institutions and green companies to collect their perceptions of potential effects of green jobs on occupational health and safety; with particular regard to the renewable energy sector. Methods An online questionnaire posted on the "Research Activity" section of the INAIL website was used to conduct the survey. It involved a sample of 61 stakeholders including institutions (11); trade unions (11); employers associations (13); companies (11); research (15). Questionnaire results have been uploaded to a database in Microsoft Excel format and analysed using SPSS version 16.0 for Windows. Results Most of respondents claim that the green transition poses new risks that can be managed with current risk management procedures (38;2% of responses) or think that renewables entail the same types of risks as other forms of energy but new risk management procedures are required (27;3% of responses). As regards the occupational health and safety risks associated with the production of sustainable energy sources; this study shows that wind; photovoltaic and solar thermal energy (41;2%) entail low health and safety risks. Medium risks have been identified in geothermal (47;1%); hydro power (44;1%) and biomass (38;2%). Discussion This study provides an objective analysis of green experts' perception of emerging and poorly investigated issues concerning the potential implications of green technologies in the field of occupational health and safety. The poor perception of workers' health and safety protection brought to light by the survey is due to a delay of the Italian political; scientific and industrial world in the assessment of potential risks for workers' health and safety posed by the introduction of new green technologies.