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This paper explores to what extent moving towards the 30% GHG emission reductions by 2020 with respect to 1990 in the EU can be considered a transformative target. To do so, we first define the concept of transformative targets from a complex systems perspective and show a novel approach and original results using an extended application of the GEM-E3 model. Traditional macroeconomic models cannot easily handle key synergetic system effects derived from green growth and sustainability policies, and thus require additional features. We analyse the role of semi-endogenous growth driven by learning-by-doing and low-carbon investment expectations following a long-term transformative trajectory.

Bio-based and biodegradable plastics (BBPs) are innovative materials, wholly or partially produced from biomass, with the potential to enhance the circulation of resources in the biological cycle of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s butterfly diagram. Although BBPs are generally considered more environmental-friendly than conventional plastics, robust scientific evidence is still missing. The lack of tools and metrics to assess the circularity and sustainability of the BBPs industry poses relevant challenges for its upscaling and contribution to climate neutrality goals in Europe. It calls for adopting system and life cycle thinking, guided by multi-level and multi-dimensional examinations, which led researchers to build a comprehensive picture of trends, gaps and future orientations that may boost a sustainable circular bioeconomy in the sector. The value- chain based and multi-faceted SWOT analysis that emerged from the intersection of system and corporate data reveals the need to establish a combined circular bioeconomy strategy where incentives to integrated local supply chain, dedicated EPR scheme, eco-design guidelines, revised EoL standards, new clear labelling schemes and harmonised sustainability criteria should be prioritized and conjointly pursued to accelerate the transition towards a sustainable circular bioeconomy of the BBPs value chain. European Journal of Social Impact and Circular Economy, V. 4 N. 2 (2023)

Nowadays, organic aerogels have arisen as promising materials for different applications such as: building, construction, energy among others, due to their low density, high thermal insulation capacity and high porosity. In the recent years multiple procedures to synthesize them have been developed, however, the freeze-drying method has gained more importance, being considered a cost-competitive, eco-friendly, and efficient process. Therefore, it is fundamental to evaluate its environmental impacts for its future implementation as a sustainable industrial process. In this work, a Life Cycle Assessment on the synthesis of nanoclay reinforced polyvinyl alcohol aerogels by freeze-drying has been carried out. Furthermore, the influence of the production scale (laboratory and pilot line) and the functional unit (1 kg and 1 m3) have been studied. Additionally, different upgrading approaches carried out in the pilot line, energy efficiency and production capacity, have been evaluated. Results demonstrated that better environmental impact values were obtained with pilot line aerogel production in comparison to laboratory scale for both functional units. Regarding the different upgrade assessment with the pilot line, it has been concluded that the background processes and the energy consumption are the main causes for the increment in the environmental impact values during the aerogel synthesis. En la actualidad, los aerogeles orgánicos han surgido como materiales promisorios para diferentes aplicaciones tales como: edificación, construcción, energía entre otras, debido a su baja densidad, alta capacidad de aislamiento térmico y alta porosidad. En los últimos años se han desarrollado múltiples procedimientos para sintetizarlos, sin embargo, el método de liofilización ha ganado mayor importancia, siendo considerado un proceso rentable, amigable con el medio ambiente y eficiente. Por lo tanto, es fundamental evaluar sus impactos ambientales para su futura implementación como un proceso industrial sostenible. En este trabajo se ha llevado a cabo un análisis del ciclo de vida de la síntesis de aerogeles de poli(alcohol vinílico) reforzados con nanoarcillas mediante liofilización. Además, la influencia de la escala de producción (laboratorio y línea piloto) y la unidad funcional (1 kg y 1 m 3) han sido estudiados. Adicionalmente, se han evaluado diferentes enfoques de mejora llevados a cabo en la línea piloto, eficiencia energética y capacidad de producción. Los resultados demostraron que se obtuvieron mejores valores de impacto ambiental con la producción de aerogel en línea piloto en comparación con la escala de laboratorio para ambas unidades funcionales. En cuanto a la evaluación de diferentes actualizaciones con la línea piloto, se ha concluido que los procesos de fondo y el consumo de energía son las principales causas del incremento en los valores de impacto ambiental durante la síntesis del aerogel.

AbstractFly ash is currently a problem in different companies, mainly in thermoelectric plants, which must follow a production and consumption model that involves reusing, renewing, and recycling, thus contributing to the circular economy. This work aims to evaluate the reactivity and compressive strength of different types of ashes in concrete monoliths. For this purpose, sugarcane bagasse (SCBA), bituminous coal (BC), and untreated hazardous waste (RUD) were evaluated as replacements for cement. Monoliths and mortars have been manufactured in different mixtures, taken to a curing room, and their compressive strength and reactivity have been determined at different times (up to 28 days for the monoliths and up to 90 for the mortars), mainly in order to check the formation of calcium silicate hydrate (CSH) gels. In the monolith tests, the best performances have been with SCBA and BC, which have been used for the manufacture of the mortars. On day 56, the behavior of the replacement of 30% fly ash (15% BC:15% SCBA) presents a type H mortar behavior, with better results than the control. By day 90, all replacements had the same resistance as M mortars and even higher resistances than the control. This demonstrates the feasibility of its use in the production of Portland cement for the manufacture of low‐performance inputs. This implies the possible reduction of impacts, both in waste disposal sites and in emissions caused by the construction industry, thus contributing to the circular economy.

Transport is an important source of air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Although the applications of information and communication technologies (ICTs) for transport, also known as intelligent transport systems, are seen as having great potential to help reduce emissions from road transport, their exact impact on CO2 emissions are uncertain for decision makers from government to industry. This uncertainty hinders the deployment of such applications. Therefore there is a need for a common evaluation approach to assess the CO2 impact of ICT measures in a systemic and realistic way. In this study, a methodology framework to evaluate the impact of ICT measures on CO2 emissions is explained. The methodology was developed within the European Union FP7 project Amitran. In particular, this study focuses on the outline and the framework architecture of the methodology as well as the required interfaces between the required models. The use of the methodology is demonstrated by applying it to a use case of dynamic traffic light systems. Finally, the efforts made to validate the methodology and make it accessible to users are explained.

Abstract Low-level technological radioactive wastes, in Spain, are commonly produced in research and medical centers. These wastes must be characterized before conditioning in order to determine their radioactive content for inventory purposes. A prototype has been designed for beta–gamma radiological characterization of standardized 25 l bags containing heterogeneous low-density technological radioactive wastes within the density range 0.05–0.6 g/cm 3 . The system consists of an iron shielding box with three NaI(Tl) and a silicon implanted detectors for gamma and gross beta activity determinations, respectively. The study of the measurement method, carried out with rotating scanning, included the optimization of the detection solid angle to minimize the uncertainties and the influence of the relative position of the radioactive material. Several materials and densities, in the range aforementioned, were considered to obtain the experimental attenuation factors, used for fitting a correction algorithm in function of density and γ-emission energy. The sensitivity of this method, calculated for the most frequent average density of this kind of waste (0.1 g/cm 3 ), is lower than 50 Bq/kg for the main β – γ emitters ( 137 Cs and 60 Co) and lower than 480 Bq/kg for gross beta activity.

AbstractAimTo explore the concept of sustainability in nursing using social media as a vehicle for discussion on the topic.BackgroundThere is a need for an increased awareness among nurses of the issues that are crucial for the healthcare sector to prepare for climate change and contribute to sustainable development. However, topics about sustainability and climate change are not a requirement of nursing curricula in Europe; social media provides an opportunity to raise issues and promote discussion.DesignA thematic analysis of a Twitter discussion.MethodsA Twitter discussion session hosted by @WeNurses took place on 24 March 2015 over 1 hour. Data were gathered via this online discussion hosted on Twitter, a social media platform. Following the discussion a thematic analysis of the posted Tweets was conducted.FindingsOne hundred and nineteen people posted nine hundred and ninety six Tweets, a reach of 3,306,368. Tweets broadly followed the questions posted by the team. Several threads related to the sustainable use of healthcare resources and the need to reduce waste was evident. A Word Cloud of the Tweets highlighted prominent words in the discussion: sustainability, nursing/nurses, curriculum, important, waste, practice, resources, student, plastic, health, gloves.ConclusionSocial media is an effective way of engaging nurses and students in a discussion on challenging issues. Sustainability appears to be important for nurses, with a particular emphasis on resource use and the importance of sustainability topics in nurse education.