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Two studies conducted in Guadeloupe (West Indies) and Réunion (Indian Ocean) islands were designed to investigate the benefits of producing sugarcane as an energy crop and to assess the influence of agroclimatic factors on energy efficiency, respectively. In this context, it is essential to know the low heating value of the dry above-ground biomass (LHVd, MJ/kg) and its energy yield (EY, MJ/m2) in order to select the best varieties and set up a payment method for growers. Eighteen Poaceae (sugarcane and Erianthus) cultivars were compared under wet tropical environmental conditions in Guadeloupe. Three sugarcane cultivars were studied in four contrasting environments in Réunion. The partition sampling and biomass measurement procedures were identical at both locations. Low heating value (LHV) predictions were achieved using near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) after specific calibration (Guadeloupe), or arithmetically after lignocellulosic compound prediction (Réunion). In both studies, LHV variability was very low and slightly dependent on the site, cultivar and above-ground biomass components (millable stalks and tops, and green and dead leaves). Considering the overall dry above-ground biomass (DAB, kg/m2), the LHVd was calculated by averaging 159 samples (mean 16.65 MJ/kg) in Guadeloupe and 315 samples (mean 16.45 MJ/kg) for Réunion. An excellent linear relationship between the DAB and its EY, regardless of cultivar, age and environment, was found (n = 474 and R² = 0.99). Sugarcane energy content assessment could thus be simplified by measuring the DAB, while enabling development of a faster method of payment for growers based on the DAB measurement and the correlation between DAB and EY. Finally, the findings of this study should allow growers to rapidly determine the commercial value of their sugarcane crops, and also enable purchasers to assess the amount of recoverable energy. (Résumé d'auteur)

The current fashion design, production, and consumption system, known as ‘fast fashion’, is characterized by the manufacturing of low-quality garments in a short period of time carried out in developing countries. In parallel with the deficits in social responsibility and human rights, the prevailing ‘take-make-dispose’ system in the fashion industry is one of the main causes of environmental pollution that concerns the climate change, scarcity of natural resources and health problems for the living beings. Due to these facts, discussions on Circular Design strategies – for waste reduction, components recycling, and materials reuse – became increasingly relevant throughout the globe. This paper’s aspiration is to outline a perspective towards a Circular Fashion. The concept of the Design for Sustainability requires a holistic view throughout de-signing strategies as well as the establishment of cyclical systems for the production site. Notwithstanding, the efficient integration of social and cultural dimensions are vital for Sustainable Fashion’s triumph. This work is supported by FEDER funds through the Competitiveness Factors Operational Programme - COMPETE and by national funds through FCT – Foundation for Science and Technology within the scope of the project POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007136. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Reducing agronomic input supply can significantly contribute to decrease the environmental impact of bioenergy cropping systems. Currently, there is a renewed industrial interest in non-food oil crops for different end-uses application. Among species from Brassica genus, Brassica carinata A. Braun is an interesting winter annual crop in warm and semi-arid environments and may provide a rotation alternative with cereal crops, sourcing non-edible oil for the industry, additional incomes to the farmers and soil benefits. The present study compared four Brassica carinata lines (GID-6165, GIP-6164, GID-6091, GID-6084) under two different organic fertilization levels (80 and 160 kg N ha-1) in a semiarid Mediterranean area. These four lines have not been tested in Southern Italy previously, nor under the present low-input cultivation practices in semiarid Mediterranean area. Main findings showed a significant fertilization effect (P=0.05), with the high-input providing higher seed yields and harvest index than low-input. There was no genotype effect, however, the gap between potential (i.e. seed yield at the programmed plant density) and actual yields was rather high for GID-6165 and GID-6080. On the other hand, genotype had the largest effect on the thousand seed weight and the residual biomass yield. In general, GID-6091 and GID-6165 reached seed physiological maturity earlier than GID-6084 and GID-6164 lines. The present study proved that improved B. carinata lines can be grown in semiarid Mediterranean area under low-input organic systems, providing satisfactory seed yields. However, seedbed preparation was noticed to be key to narrow the gap between potential and actual seed yield, particularly under the present clay soil. Proceedings of the 30th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition, 9-12 May 2022, Online, pp. 120-124

The high level of emissions and pollution caused by diesel engines increases the importance of developing low-emission and high-efficiency fuel technologies. Implementing various modifications in engines has the potential to reduce emissions, however, these adjustments can lead to technical difficulties and inefficiencies in terms of cost. In this case, as an alternative solution, the use of diesel fuel (DF), biodiesel (B100), nanoparticle and light or heavy alcohol mixtures can be considered; these fuels can help engines produce less polluting emissions. As it is known, the main reason why internal combustion engines emit emissions such as particulate matter, hydrocarbon (HC), and carbon monoxide (CO) into the atmosphere is incomplete combustion of the fuel. The high oxygen content of fuels such as biodiesel and alcohol can solve these combustion problems. The focus of this study is a detailed investigation of the effect on emissions of mixtures of DF, B100 derived from safflower seed oil with a low Free Fatty Acid (%FFAs) value, and n-decanol. Emission values obtained for DF, B100, 50%/50% volume ratio diesel/biodiesel (DF50B50), 50%/50% volume ratio diesel/n-decanol (DF50DE50), 50%/25%/25% volume ratio diesel/biodiesel/n-decanol (DF50B25DE25), Emission values of 50%/35%/15% diesel/biodiesel/n-decanol (DF50B35DE15) and 50%/45%/5% diesel/biodiesel/n-decanol (DF50B45DE5) blends were compared. Among these blends, compared to DF at maximum load, DF50B50, DF50DE50, DF50B25DE25, DF50B35DE15, and DF50B45DE5 fuels reduced smoke opacity (SO) by 80.17%, 86.78%, 54.55%, 21.49%, and increased it by 15.70%, respectively. Under the same load conditions, compared to DF, NOx emissions were reduced by 19.18%, 21.38%, 17.30%, increased by 34.91%, and reduced by 15.72% respectively with DF50B50, DF50DE50, DF50B25DE25, DF50B35DE15, and DF50B45DE5 fuels. Under the same load conditions, CO emissions were also reduced by 23.08%, 15.38%, 16.15%, increased by 40%, and reduced by 16.92% respectively with DF50B50, DF50DE50, DF50B25DE25, DF50B35DE15, and DF50B45DE5 fuels.

The new challenges posed at the European level, with the Next Generation EU, and at the national level, with the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, increase the priority of measuring spatial transformation through specific indicators. For this purpose, it is crucial to measure the effect of the transformations provided by current planning with respect to the goals of 2030 Agenda to assess their sustainability/unsustainability and, if necessary, propose improvements in the field of territorial planning. The work presented describes a research experience developed in collaboration with the Abruzzo Region, in Southern Italy, to support regional activities for the drafting of the Regional Sustainable Development Strategy (RSDS). The proposed methodology consists of a dynamic analysis through which it is possible to assess the positioning of regional planning in relation to the National Sustainable Development Strategy (NSDS) and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Such position can be evaluated by carrying out a coherence analysis between the objectives of the Abruzzo Region's Plans and those of 2030 Agenda together with the selection of a set of indicators useful for monitoring the sustainability of territorial transformations expected by regional planning. In particular, the first recognition of the sustainability indicators was carried out from the ones proposed by the Italian National Institute of Statistics (ISTAT) and the Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA). UPLanD - Journal of Urban Planning, Landscape & environmental Design, Vol 6 No 1: Contemporary Urbanism

On behalf of the EURAF2020 Scientific and Organizing Committees, we are very pleased to introduce the rich collection of research on agroforestry illustrated in this book of abstracts and presented within the 5° European Agroforestry Conference. Unfortunately, as we all know, the COVID-19 pandemic has forced us to meet only remotely, despite all the efforts of our local and national organizers to hold the conference in presence. We are conscious about the completely different dimension, which does not allow participants to meet, discuss and live the conference supported by an environment socially vibrant and rich of cross-cultural stimuli as the real Sardinia can offer. Nevertheless, in accordance with the mission of the European Agroforestry Federation, EURAF, to promote agroforestry knowledge, we wish to support the sharing of data presented and solicit a fruitful scientific confrontation on agroforestry issues. This book is the result of a long and rigorous work performed by the authors (about 230 abstracts sent from 5 continents and 37 countries) and members of the Scientific Committee. The book will be one of the tools supporting such confrontation we are glad to foster from the heart of the Mediterranean.

The Paris Agreement, in force since 2016, stipulates the new multilateral foundations for climate actions under the United Nations Convention on Climate Change. This Agreement incorporated Payment for Environmental Services (PES) and Markets for Environmental Services (MES) among its strategies to combat climate change. However, abundant literature has outlined economic, social and environmental equity concerns regarding the implementation of PES and MES under the Kyoto Protocol. How have these concerns been taken into account in the establishment of PES and MES in the Paris Agreement? How can equity considerations be comprehensively assessed in this regard? Through the triangulation of methodologies including literature review, participant observation and interviews with key informants, this thesis explains the consideration of equity in the newly established PES and MES in the Paris Agreement.

The main goal of this review is to emphasize the emerging role of the scientific community of applied geophysics in supporting actions for urban planning. We analyse the new scenario related to the global urbanization process and its impact on environmental sustainability and resilience to natural disasters of urban areas. A selected list of case-studies concerning the application of geophysical methods for the subsurface exploration in historical cities of Italy and megacities located in Asia and south America are described and discussed. The analysis clearly demonstrates that the geophysical surveys are assuming a great relevance to manage the underground urban environment and to adopt new strategies for the mitigation of geological risks. The sensor synergy strategy, the novel algorithms for the tomographic imaging and the capability to explore the subsoil with a multi-resolution approach are the key of success of the urban geophysics. Finally, the innovative aspects of the CLARA project funded by MIUR for promoting the integration of the remote and ground-based technologies for surface and subsurface imaging in urban areas are presented and discussed.

Sustainable agriculture leads today to important questions about the diversification of agricultural production and sources of income for farmers, the use of rural and arable land for food and non-food crops, the contribution of agriculture to climate change fighting and the supply of renewable energy. Bioenergy from agriculture is at the heart of these concerns, integrating sustainable development key components: environment and climate change, energy economics and energy supply, agriculture, rural and social development. The lack of primary and reliable data on bioenergy externalities from agriculture and the lack of decision-making tools are important non-technological barriers to the development of bioenergy from agriculture on a large scale, and, consequently, to the achievement of the national and regional objectives of sustainable development with respect to greenhouse gas mitigation, secure and diversified energy supply, rural development and employment and the future of agriculture. Furthermore, the recent worldwide controversies about transport biofuels, food shortages and increasing prices have demonstrated the urgent need for sustainability criteria applied to biofuels and bioenergy. Within this current sustainable development framework, a project entitled TEXBIAG integrating experts from 4 research institutions is financed by the Belgian Science Policy. The final objective of this project is to lead to an actual and significant contribution of bioenergy from agriculture to the mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions, to a secure and diversified energy supply and to farmers' incomes and rural development. To reach this final objective, the project develops three specific tools: (1) a database of primary quantitative data related to environmental and socio-economic impacts of bioenergy from agriculture integrating biomass logistics; (2) a mathematical model monetizing bioenergy externalities from agriculture; and (3) a prediction tool assessing the impacts of political decisions made in the framework ofthe development of bioenergy from agriculture on different economic sectors (energy, agriculture, industry, and environment). An integrated interface tool will be programmed where access to and update of the three tools will be prepared. The project methodology will be conducted for a given number of scenarios with sensitivity analysis wherever possible. The three main target groups that will benefit from the project are: the government officials and policy makers in the field of agriculture, energy and environment in Belgium and its two main regions, the small, medium and large energy companies and the agricultural sector