ABSTRACT. The interest aroused by the practices and thinking surrounding the circular economy can be seen in its spread to a growing number of disciplines, from the experimental sciences to engineering and the social sciences. In the field of economics and management, the circular economy fits in perfectly. The themes of innovation and technology occupy an important place in economics and management, and the circular economy is an integral part of the issues addressed by researchers. The aim of this conference is to show the links that exist between the economics and management of innovation and the circular economy: we place particular emphasis on the different forms of eco-innovations with a view to the circular economy, on the transformation of companies' knowledge capital to guide their technological trajectory and on the construction of "circular innovation ecosystems". Through these examples, we can highlight that the circular economy is now a key theme for researchers in economics and innovation management. Applying the key concepts of these disciplines to the circular economy (polymorphism of innovation, routines, dynamic capabilities, knowledge capital of companies, innovation systems and ecosystems) is a source of conceptual renewal and deepening. It also provides a detailed understanding of the actual implementation of the circular economy and its strengths and difficulties.

ABSTRACT. Keeping inflation on track and combatting environmental degradation has risen ever higher on the policymaking agenda. We investigate the impact of inflation on CO2 emissions by taking advantage of a novel dataset comprising 28 high-income countries from 1996 to 2021. We employ a unique amalgam of estimation methods ranging from regressions at the mean that account for slope heterogeneity and cross-sectional dependence, quantile estimators, Cholesky impulse response functions (IRFs) using flexible local projections and a New Keynesian (NK) model with environmental externalities to confirm robustness. Our findings point to a positive and significant association between inflation and carbon emissions along with a negative effect of financial depth on carbon emissions, thereby providing strong incentive for policymakers to bring inflation back down to the target and enhance financial development in order to avert environmental degradation. These impacts appear to be heterogeneous across country groupings, with generally larger impacts in low inflation countries. By disentangling the inflation drivers, the evidence suggests that energy inflation is the primary driver of CO2 emissions with implications for the setting of monetary policy.

ABSTRACT. Biochar is a carbon-rich product resulting from the pyrolysis combustion of biomass, which has the ability of both trapping soil carbon and preventing soil erosion, and could then lead to negative emissions.The aim of this paper is to assess (i) the economic feasibility of Biochar through a survey of the different techno-economic analysis experienced worldwide (ii) the different advantages of Biochar adoption, (iii) to discuss the different levers which could be experimented to implement it.

ABSTRACT. The work focuses on the concepts of circularity and sustainability as can be observed in the archaeological record. The study views instances from European antiquity and prehistory, revealing intentional instances of tool repurposing dating back to the Stone Age. As human material culture evolved to encompass a wider array of materials and artifact types, recycling and reusing extended beyond mere raw material to encompass abstract concepts such as artifact typologies. Objects such as axes, for instance, manifested in various materials like stone, metal, bone, or shell, could therefore undergo transformations in function and significance over their lifespan, transitioning from practical to ceremonial objects. Archaeologists have termed this phenomenon "mutability" to encapsulate the fluidity of artifact forms, composition, and associated ideas.

Along with the concept of recycling, repurposing of materials, choices are likely made with energy conservation in mind like glass and metal recycling, where, even without scientific data available, people understand the benefits of recycling over working primary source material.

Roman sources mention glass cullet and metal ingot salesmen. This practice becomes visible through waste analysis. In sealed primary scenarios studied in Roman towns by Furlan and Andreatta (2023) metals comprise roughly half of the materials used, while glass makes up about one-tenth in inner-city local dumps. Surprisingly, dumped materials consist of over ninety percent ceramics. While the proportion of glass decreases only slightly, there's a significant decrease in the presence of metal items. The stark contrast between materials in urban areas in use versus those in dumps, essentially between what's consumed and what's discarded, can be attributed to varying replacement rates and recycling practices.

ABSTRACT. The circular economy is an essential strategy for achieving climate change mitigation, aligned with the EU's goal of climate neutrality by 2050. In the construction sector, which significantly contributes to CO2 emissions, adopting circular economy practices can maximize materials, products, and components' technical, economic, and environmental values. The circular economy in the construction sector can be achieved through practices such as using recycled materials, refurbishing, repairing, reusing components, rethinking space utilization, and refusing low-carbon emission materials. In light of this, the European project CO2NSTRUCT (Horizon Europe, 2022-2026) aims to enhance the implementation of circular economy practices and integrate additional elements, such as consumers' behaviour towards the circular economy and climate change mitigation. It also intends to strengthen the existing open access energy systems model of climate change mitigation "JRC-EU-TIMES" by integrating circular economy measures. In the framework of the project, a consumer behaviour survey was conducted in nine European countries, involving 4500 participants, to analyse their perceptions and attitudes towards circular economy aspects and practices in the construction sector. The survey examined their a) awareness, perceptions, and behaviours towards various circular economy practices, such as sharing spaces, and residential repair/refurbishment, b) intention to use and willingness to pay for innovative, biobased, and recycled/reused materials and components, and c) use of circular economy products. This study presents the survey results, identifies factors influencing consumers' intentions and behaviours, and highlights similarities and differences between the participating countries. The survey results have revealed that consumers' awareness of the circular economy is somewhat limited, while there is an above-average knowledge of climate change mitigation. It was observed that the most recognised circular economy practices are recycling, reusing and repairing. Regarding sharing spaces, it was found that participants are willing to share an office space but not to live in a residence with other people. Consumers are more willing to use recycled materials than reused materials/components. The factors influencing consumers to select and buy circular economy construction products were revealed, including benefits, risks, market strategies, social norms, attitudes, perceived behavioural control, and environmental concerns. Moreover, the differences between the nine countries regarding participants' answers to all issues under investigation were examined. The results indicated that, with very few exceptions, there were statistically significant differences in all themes under examination. The work performed on the analysis of consumers' behaviour will provide data that will be utilized within the development of circular climate mitigation scenarios to quantify the role of the circular economy for EU+ climate mitigation in the near term and future.

ABSTRACT. This research aims to investigate hypothesized relationships between the Artificial Intelligence of Metaverse (AIM) and sustainable supply chain (SSC) moderated with governance in the context of the United States retail sector. The authors used a mixed-method approach. The first phase comprises of formulation of a conceptual model based on an extensive literature review and interviews from both academia and Industry. Further, in the second phase structural equation modelling (SEM) using SPSS 26 PROCESS macro is utilised. The results of the study indicate that there is a significant relationship between the AIM and all components of sustainability namely economic, social (SOCS) and environment. The relationship was also positively significant between AIM with SOCS moderated with governance. This work provides novel contributions both theoretically as well as practically as this is the first study that explores these relationships empirically in the context of retail supply chain.

ABSTRACT. Concerted efforts to reduce emissions to zero in the manufacturing sector are important for meeting worldwide climate goals, but there are big challenges in making these goals a reality. Most studies on this important topic focus on technical, financial, policy, and organisational obstacles, but there's not much understanding of how behaviour and psychology influence companies' decisions to adopt zero-emission strategies. This paper points out a gap in research, noting that not enough attention is given to how cognitive biases, psychological patterns, and behavioural economics play a role in decision-making within manufacturing companies. The perspective of behavioural science is rarely used in studying how to achieve zero emissions in manufacturing, yet it could provide a fresh viewpoint that enhances our understanding of why progress in sustainability is often slow Drawing upon the theory of bounded rationality, the paper proposes a research agenda aimed at examining the behavioural dimensions of net zero in manufacturing organisations, through the lenses of cognitive bias, complexity, and information asymmetry. The specific objectives of this paper include:

• Exploring the research gap through a systematic literature review of net zero in manufacturing organisations • Identifying complexity factors driving sub-optimal net zero decisions • Mapping possible information asymmetries that necessitate problematic assumptions • Identifying the cognitive biases that contribute to organisational decision making in the context of net zero plans and actions.

ABSTRACT. This study evaluates end-users' perspectives on innovative construction solutions, specifically thermal insulation materials. It begins with a literature review on insulation material specifications, followed by an analysis of factors influencing their adoption. A survey was conducted targeting diverse insulation material end-users, mainly from SNUG European project (Horizon Europe; 2023-2027) participant countries. The survey results indicated that cost efficiency/ payback period, durability, energy efficiency, impact on human health, release of dangerous substances, and thermal conductivity/ thermal insulation performance were the most critical material features. Aesthetics, bio-based materials, biodegradable material and weight/density were considered the least important. Moreover, the study observed differences in perspectives based on end-users' knowledge levels. The study aims to assist building component manufacturers in developing innovative construction products.

ABSTRACT. Our investigation examines the relationship among ecological footprint, economic growth and renewable energy use in 20 OECD countries from 1990 to 2019, paying special attention to the possible existence of structural changes in this relationship over the period studied. Our results provide evidence supporting the presence of breaks, with the Great Recession playing a very important role. Our analysis identified an initial phase of decoupling between economic growth and ecological footprint, characterized by a significant negative correlation between the utilization of renewable energy and ecological footprint until around 2012. Nevertheless, these patterns are becoming less evident in several countries following the Great Recession. The results emphasize the urgent need for a shift in policy, placing greater emphasis on pursuing a form of economic growth that is environmentally sustainable.

ABSTRACT. Objective of this study is the development and assessment of an optimal framework for the simultaneous sizing and energy management of solar-hydrogen hybrid systems. Specifically, we take into account an autonomous system that is built upon photovoltaics, a short-term energy storage in the means of accumulators, a PEM water electrolyzer and a set of hydrogen storage tanks. Through realistic operation scenarios (a case study will be presented here and more in the conference presentation), it will be shown that hydrogen production from solar energy is feasible if the levelized cost of hydrogen (LCOH) is always <20 €/kg.

ABSTRACT. I. Introduction The issue of combating climate change and the imperative need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions has been a matter of concern for decades, as evidenced by the numerous international conferences held on the subject since the 1970s. Despite the proliferation of new economic models combining economic and social development with environmental protection, tangible results remain elusive. Over the last decades, the focus has increasingly shifted towards decarbonization, accompanied by more recent dedicated public policy measures. Our aim in this presentation is to illustrate the complexity of changing the industrial and energy trajectory of a former industrial zone, which has been predominantly reliant on heavy industry (steel, chemical, industry, nuclear power unit, etc.) since the early 1960s’. Today, the Dunkirk industrial zone stands as the largest producer of industrial CO₂ in France, accounting for 21% of the nation’s total emissions. Our analysis will be centered on France’s primary steel plant and one of the largest steelworks in Europe, ArcelorMittal in Dunkirk, that serves as the anchor of the industrial ecology scheme. II. Methodology ArcelorMittal unit has been in Dunkirk since the beginning of 1960s. It has a long history from Usinor in 1960 until the fusion with Mittal in 2006. In 2021, ArcelorMittal ranks as the second-largest steel company globally, behind the Chinese group China Baowu, employing 158,000 workers across 16 countries. The Group has ambitious decarbonization goals, positioning itself as a leader in steel decarbonization, aiming to reduce its CO₂ emissions in Europe by 35% by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. In 2023, we interviewed four decarbonization managers to ascertain: the unit of production strategy for decarbonization and its developed technologies, their resources that they utilize (particularly public support), their motivations (whether driven by energy efficiency, public regulation, or environmental protection), and the challenges they face including technical, financial, and workforce-related difficulties. Our methodology also relies on company annual reports, as well as local and national press sources (Yin, 2009). III. Main results Technological choices ArcelorMittal representatives define decarbonization as gradually reducing carbon use in industrial processes, distinct from energy efficiency. Positive externalities for the territory nterviewees emphasized the importance of aligning with the Group's strategy. Greenhouse gas reduction targets set at the group level are locally implemented to ensure long-term viability. Workforce strategy According to the interviewed managers, this decarbonization strategy is not insignificant; it has and will have major consequences: the entire site will be restructured, some jobs will disappear while others will be created.

ABSTRACT. The EU targets decreasing final energy consumption by at least 11.7% by 2030. Residential buildings stock offers high potential for energy efficiency (EE) gains since it represents an important share of energy consumption (27%). While renovations of buildings and energy labelling of products have been recognized as key actions on this EE pathway, additional actions are needed to make long-term energy savings accessible for all households, especially those who feel burdened by increasing energy bills and/or suffer from energy poverty. This is particularly relevant for Portugal, where 19% of the population suffer from energy poverty. This work aimed to test nudging interventions among Portuguese families focused on empowering them by providing real-time data on home energy consumption to entice the households to voluntarily make more informed and energy-efficient decisions. To accomplish this aim, 101 families with children living in the region of Porto were recruited for a building survey and smart electricity meters’ installation. Participants were invited to install an app that was specifically developed for the study. The participants were randomly divided into 2 groups and the intervention program occurred, for each intervention, in two periods following a crossover design (randomized controlled trial). Two interventions were tested: 1- Providing access to detailed historical and real-time information on energy use. 2- Allowing the visualization of information useful for assisting users to optimize the operations of heating systems (e.g., notification to reduce the temperature set points (at least in 1°C, if the target temperature is > 19°C) and when the outdoor temperature is >2°C than the indoor temperature for recommending turning off the heating systems and opening the windows. A questionnaire was distributed before and after intervention to collect participants’ feedback on motivation and intention to save energy. The average daily electricity consumption was 11 111Wh for homes of the participants assigned to Group 1 and 12 161Wh for those of Group 0. The electricity consumption was significantly impacted by factors, including area, occupancy, typology, construction period, and orientation of window glazed façades. No statistically significant nudging effect was obtained for electricity consumption. Nevertheless, the implementation of intervention 1. resulted on a significant (23%) increase in participants' motivation to save energy. Due to this increase in motivation to save energy we cannot exclude the possibility that this nudge contributes to a learning effect that can result in more efficient behaviours later on. For instance, some participants could have used the information provided to identify a corrective action to implement (e.g., identify appliances that are not the most energy efficient options) but the effective behaviour change (e.g., device’s replacement) can happen only in a later stage. Overall, results show that although immediate consumption reductions were not significant, feedback & awareness nudges can be valuable to increase motivation to save energy. It could be valuable to consider for further work and policy action on EE the implementation of a more integrated approach aiming at combining this type of nudges with other kind of incentives (e.g., financial) to more effectively bolster energy savings.

ABSTRACT. The Circular Economy (CE) is rapidly gaining global momentum as a model to foster sustainable development. Within this paradigm, the transition to renewable energy sources plays a pivotal role in powering the economy. However, as this transition advances, so does the challenge of managing increasing resource consumption and production plants’ end-of-life (EoL). CE could be an effective way to reduce energy transition negative implications. Nonetheless, no studies offered comprehensive insights on how CE concepts and principles can be linked to energy production systems. To bridge this gap, we carried out a comprehensive three-step systematic literature review, revisiting more than 3000 studies and finally analysing 88 documents from both academic and grey literature. To the best of our knowledge, we provided the first comprehensive study on the conceptualisation and trends of CE within energy production systems, including all energy sectors, namely: photovoltaic, wind, bioenergy, hydropower, geothermal, nuclear and thermoelectric sectors. We analysed bibliographic patterns, definitions, principles, circular business models, units of analysis, CE-related dimensions, and circularity measurement systems. Although the rapid growth in CE-related research in the last years, we highlight lack of conceptualisation in terms of definitions and principles and in-depth investigation between CE and energy production systems. We also highlight renewable dominance of PV and wind sectors in CE literature, whereas limited to no discussion entails hydropower, geothermal and non-renewable sectors. We found that supply chain aspects and power plants’ life cycle stages such as extraction and manufacturing are underexplored. By applying the R principles, we highlight that the most used principles and concepts refer to the reuse dimension (84% of studies), followed by recycling and recovering (80%). Both are extremely used and with similar percentages, in line with the main CE literature body. Eco-design as circular strategy is considered in 52% of studies, whereas only 42% refer to the resource reduction concept. These circular aspects are investigated non - uniformly among different energy production systems and even within the renewable energy sector. Moreover, CE studies mostly relate to technologies (nano level), the environmental dimension of CE, with only a few studies considering the social implications of CE. The main circular business models and operational strategies found in our sample can be synthetised as: Information sharing and digitalisation, Take-back systems, Industrial symbiosis, Hybridisation and storage, and product as-a-service (PAAS). CE metrics are limited. We identified qualitative measurement systems and quantitative metrics, that we categorised as follows: single circular indicators, set of circular indicators, and life-cycle assessments (LCA) with circular indicators. Acknowledging the several research and practitioner gaps, we developed a transversal CE framework for energy production systems consisting of a CE definition and 6 CE strategies. Finally, we detailed a research agenda, suggesting further theoretical studies on CE concepts and energy production systems on conceptualisation, strategies, CBMs, integrating practical implications and examples. We call for more research to advance the field of CE in the context of energy production and promoting more sustainable and resource-efficient energy systems.

ABSTRACT. Introduction:13.1 Mt of food waste is generated annually in the UK across the supply chain, leading to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of 27 Mt of CO2 eq./yr. The highest volume of waste is generated in the cereals (31%) and vegetables & roots subsectors (28%). Nathalie et al, (2023) emphasised that one of the reasons why food is wasted is because it does not meet established visual and cosmetic category standards. Harish K. et al. (2021) pointed out that the wasting of ugly or misshapen farm produce can be avoided. Retailers presume that consumers favour good-looking products, and this leads to the application of cosmetic standards hence retailers most times reject misshapen farm produce from the farmers (Grewal et al., 2019).

Retailers try various tactics to increase acceptance of this misshapen product, such as applying large discounts to encourage consumers to buy these products (Godoy, 2016). Research shows that an odd shape leads consumers to think that it is less nutritious and healthy (Loebnitz & Grunert, 2018; Mookerjee et al., 2019 Powell et al., 2019). In the initial stages, the focal point of several countries was to reduce the carbon emissions, and global warming caused by to burning of fossil fuels for energy, industrial pollution, and transportation, but only in the last few years has the food supply chain and food waste also become the centre of attention (Gauri Shah, Sasha Gode, Shantanu Shivarkar, Prachi Wani 2021).

Research Aim: To examine the impact of customers' perspectives on misshapen fresh produce; explore the level of awareness of customers about their nutritional value, and the connection between food waste on greenhouse gas emissions.

The customer's stereotypes of Misshapen produce have also led to retailers' rejection of these products and sometimes to food waste. Higher Education (HE) over the years has embedded issues on sustainability in some of the modules, however, it is unclear the level of awareness that has been created throughout the campus. The study further stretched to explore whether price reduction, awareness of food waste as a source of GHG or the awareness that the produce nutritional value could persuade customers to buy Misshapen farm produce.

Method: This study uses a quantitative approach carried out through an online questionnaire distributed to a PhD and master's holders who graduated within the last 5 years across a few universities in the Midlands of England, and it yielded 101 responses.

Result: 96.04% would naturally prefer well-shaped produce and 2.95% prefer misshapen farm produce. However, with the awareness of food waste as a source of GHG emissions, 62% would opt for misshapen farm produce; with the awareness of the nutritional value, 69% would opt for misshapen farm produce; if the price was reduced 49% would opt for ugly farm produce. This study presents that knowing the nutritional value of misshapen farm produce is more likely to drive customers to buy it. In addition, it presents the need to create more awareness in Higher Education of the relationship between food waste on GHG emissions.

ABSTRACT. In the face of escalating climate change impacts and the pressing need for sustainable environmental stewardship, the AI4FS (Artificial Intelligence for Forest Surveillance) pilot emerges as a beacon of innovation. This EU-funded initiative harnesses the power of cutting-edge technology to pioneer a sustainable, data-driven approach to forest management and preservation, with a pilot program in the biodiverse landscapes of Norwegian forests. The use case has been designed and developed under Open Call #1 of the IMAGINE-B5G EU Horizon Project. More precisely, the use case has been designed and developed by iLINK New Technologies and Local AI. At the heart of AI4FS lies the deployment of the DJI Mavic 3M drone, equipped with dual RGB and multispectral cameras. This drone utilizes 5G technology to stream high-resolution images in real time, facilitating immediate analysis. Through the integration of Fast RCNN Deep Learning algorithms, the system achieves accurate tree counting, which is critical for sustainable forest thinning practices and biomass estimation. Simultaneously, the multispectral imagery enables the precise calculation of the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), offering invaluable insights into forest health and vitality. Further enhancing the project's monitoring capabilities, AI4FS incorporates Raspberry Pi 5 processors mounted with SenseHAT sensors strategically placed throughout the forest. These sensors monitor environmental parameters such as temperature, humidity, and pressure, providing early warnings for potential fire hazards. This ground-level data complements aerial surveillance, creating a comprehensive monitoring system that not only detects early signs of fire but also tracks overall forest well-being. AI4FS's proactive alert system informs administrators of unusual data patterns, including smoke and fire detection, facilitating swift decision-making and action—be it deploying drones for further investigation or mobilizing ground response teams to precise coordinates. This integrated approach underscores the project's commitment to leveraging technology for environmental preservation, aligning with global sustainability goals and the principles of the circular economy. The initiative's emphasis on collaboration with local stakeholders, adherence to regulatory compliance, and dedication to environmental protection sets a new standard for how technology can be employed to safeguard our planet's natural resources. AI4FS stands as a testament to the potential of artificial intelligence and IoT in crafting a sustainable future, showcasing a scalable model for forest surveillance that balances ecological integrity with economic viability. As the world grapples with the dual challenges of environmental degradation and the need for sustainable resource management, AI4FS offers a glimpse into the future of conservation technology. It not only contributes to the preservation of Norwegian forests but also provides a blueprint for global forest management practices, embodying the principles of sustainability and the circular economy at their core.

ABSTRACT. In recent decades tourism industry has experienced a strong growth, becoming one of the most important and dynamic economic sectors worldwide. However, this growth has been accompanied by many challenges, mostly related to sustainability, anthropic pressure, and climate change. The Mediterranean area is particularly vulnerable to these elements, and this can generate a significant negative impact on the Mediterranean tourism industry. In this context, the concept of Circular Economy emerges as a key strategy to address the environmental, social and economic challenges plaguing modern tourism, representing an innovative and promising approach for the transformation of this sector. In this context, understanding tourists' preferences is crucial to adopt effective strategies to meet demand and contribute to the preservation of the environment and local communities. Therefore, for destination decision makers knowing tourists' behaviour in relation to sustainable and circular tourism destinations is a useful tool to develop strategies to meet both tourists' expectations and the need for a sustainable transition, implementing measures to reduce impacts while preserving, regenerating, and enhancing the territorial resources. This study aims to fill the gap in the literature concerning the study of antecedents of consumer behaviour in the tourism sector, with reference to Mediterranean tourist destinations and CE. The theories taken as reference for the present study are the Theory of Planned Behaviour and the Value-Belief-Norm Theory. A survey-based questionnaire has been developed and administered to a sample of citizens from France, Germany, Italy, and Spain, which are the most representative countries in terms of outbound touristic flow, in the month of June 2022. This study aims to fill the gap in the literature concerning the study of consumer behaviour in the tourism sector, with reference to Mediterranean tourist destinations and CE.

ABSTRACT. The concept of sustainable development has garnered increasing attention globally as societies grapple with the challenges of environmental degradation and resource depletion. In this context, the load capacity factor serves as a critical indicator of environmental sustainability, reflecting a nation's ability to maintain ecological balance while meeting socio-economic demands. This study aims to delve deep into the intricate relationship between the load capacity factor and various socio-economic factors within the ASEAN Economic Association. Additionally, the research examines the nuanced impacts of both renewable and non-renewable energy consumption on sustainability, shedding light on the complex dynamics at play. The significance of understanding and addressing sustainability concerns cannot be overstated. As global populations burgeon and economic activities intensify, the strain on natural resources and ecosystems escalates, necessitating informed interventions to ensure a viable future for generations to come. By unraveling the drivers of sustainability and delving into the interplay between environmental factors and socio-economic variables, this study aims to offer invaluable insights for policymakers, businesses, and civil society. These insights can guide strategic decision-making processes, steer policy formulation towards sustainability-oriented objectives, and foster collective action towards achieving sustainable development goals in ASEAN countries. The ASEAN region stands at a pivotal juncture in its development trajectory, marked by rapid economic growth, urbanization, and burgeoning energy demands. However, this growth trajectory has come with its share of environmental challenges, including pollution, deforestation, and climate change impacts. These challenges underscore the urgency of studying sustainability dynamics within ASEAN countries comprehensively. By focusing on this diverse and dynamic region, this research aims to capture the nuanced socio-economic and environmental landscapes, providing context-specific insights that can inform targeted interventions and policies to address sustainability challenges effectively. This study employs a robust methodological framework encompassing panel data analysis and advanced econometric techniques to unravel the complexities of sustainability dynamics. The utilization of Fixed Effects, Fully Modified Ordinary Least Squares (FMOLS), Dynamic Ordinary Least Squares (DOLS), and panel cointegrating tests by Pedroni and Kao allows for a rigorous examination of the relationships between key variables. Furthermore, the incorporation of bootstrapping techniques by Westerlund and causality tests by Juodis et al. (2021) enhances the analytical depth, ensuring robustness and reliability in the findings. The empirical findings from this study unveil intriguing insights into the sustainability landscape of ASEAN countries. Notably, the analysis reveals significant correlations between various socio-economic factors, energy consumption patterns, and the load capacity factor. GDP, non-renewable energy consumption, urbanization rates, and trade activities emerge as influential factors that exert negative pressures on sustainability, highlighting the inherent trade-offs between economic growth and environmental conservation. Conversely, the study identifies positive relationships between sustainability and variables such as renewable energy adoption and Human Development Index (HDI), underscoring the potential for policy interventions to foster sustainable practices and enhance overall well-being.

ABSTRACT. The marine environment is often threatened by oil pollution due to anthropogenic activities and oil spill accidents, which pose a significant risk to environmental and socioeconomic sustainability. In this framework, the escalating demand for crude oil as a mineral energy source heightens the possibility of oil pollution caused by activities such as exploitation, extraction, refining, and shipping of petroleum, etc. Globally, it is estimated that approximately 1.3 million tonnes of petroleum enter the marine environment annually (Mc Genity et al., 2012). Crude oil is a natural, heterogeneous mixture of hydrocarbons. These compounds are stable and difficult to degrade in the environment, and they have significant impact on the ecosystem (water, soil, and human health). Several conventional methods (burning, sorbents, dispersants, emulsion breakers, mechanical recovery, etc.) are applied to face oil spills; however, they are cost ineffective and cause detrimental effects on the ecosystem. Biodegradation emerges as the optimal method for the remediation of oil pollution, which leads to the extensive decomposition of complex petroleum hydrocarbons of spilled oil into non-toxic compounds (Xue et al., 2015). Bioremediation technology excels by degrading petroleum into harmless inorganic products, such as CO2 and H2O during microbial processing, allowing these compounds to re-enter the biogeochemical cycle. Unlike conventional physicochemical methods, which often produce other chemical compounds and secondary environmental pollutants, remediation through biodegradation offers a cleaner and more sustainable solution to oil pollution.

In this study, the biodegradation process of crude oil was investigated at laboratory scale in an immobilized cell bioreactor under aeration and high salinity (sea water) conditions. A total volume of 0.5 L bioreactor was set up and operated for about 12 months, using crude oil from Energean S.A. and seawater from the port of Avdira in Xanthi, Greece. To enhance the indigenous bacteria in the bioreactor at start-up stage, sand taken from a carnage in Thermaikos Gulf was added to the system. The bioreactor was operated under 20℃ in continuously aerated conditions. Specifically, the total COD removal efficiency in the bioreactor reached 60%. Bacterial community structure was evaluated by applying Next Generation Sequencing (NGS), i.e. Illumina sequencing. The major microbiota detected were placed in the Flavobacteriaceae family. To conclude, the results indicate that biodegradation can be an effective depuration route, constituting an optimal ecofriendly cleanup method to face oil pollution. Acknowledgment: This research was funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 European Green Deal Research and Innovation Program (H2020-LC-GD-2020-4), grant number No. 101037643—ILIAD “Integrated Digital Framework for Comprehensive Maritime Data and Information Services”. The abstract reflects only the authors’ views and the Commission is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information it contains.

ABSTRACT. The imperative to transition towards a circular economy is increasingly recognized as a fundamental strategy for addressing global sustainability challenges. Central to this transition is the optimization of supply chain operations to minimize resource consumption, reduce waste generation, and promote circularity. In this context, Business Intelligence (BI) emerges as a pivotal enabler, offering advanced analytics, data-driven insights, and decision support capabilities to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of supply chain management practices. This paper presents an in-depth exploration of the intersection between BI and the circular economy within the realm of supply chain management. Through an integrated review of the literature, industry case studies, and empirical analyses, it examines how BI technologies and methodologies can be leveraged to drive transformative changes in supply chain operations, fostering resilience and sustainability. The paper elucidates the role of BI tools, such as data analytics, predictive modeling, and real-time monitoring, in optimizing various facets of supply chain operations. By harnessing data-driven insights, businesses can identify inefficiencies, streamline processes, and optimize resource utilization, thereby advancing circular economy objectives. Through the lens of BI, the study explores strategies for promoting circular practices within supply chains, including product lifecycle management, remanufacturing, and closed-loop systems. BI facilitates the tracking and tracing of materials, enabling businesses to recover, recycle, and reintegrate resources back into the value chain. By providing the necessary insights and analytics to drive sustainable practices, reduce waste generation, and promote resource efficiency within the supply chain ecosystem, BI plays a crucial role in optimizing supply chain operations for circularity Recognizing the importance of certification frameworks in ensuring compliance and transparency, the paper investigates the evolving landscape of certification needs and perspectives within transportation and supply chain networks. It examines the challenges and opportunities associated with existing certification standards and explores the potential for harmonization and collaboration to streamline certification processes and enhance credibility. Based on the findings, this paper offers strategic recommendations for businesses, policymakers, and stakeholders seeking to leverage BI and certification frameworks to accelerate the transition towards a circular economy in supply chain management. These recommendations encompass areas such as investment in technology infrastructure, collaboration across value chains, and advocacy for regulatory support. By synthesizing insights from multiple disciplines, this research contributes to advancing our understanding of the synergies between BI and the circular economy in supply chain management. It underscores the transformative potential of data-driven approaches and the importance of robust certification frameworks in driving sustainable practices and fostering circularity. Through actionable recommendations, this paper aims to empower stakeholders to navigate the complexities of the transition towards more resilient and resource-efficient supply chains, ultimately contributing to the broader goal of achieving sustainability and circularity in the global economy.

ABSTRACT. In an era characterized by resource constraints and material supply uncertainties, the imperative of prioritizing resource efficiency has never been more acute. This study aims to untangle the intricacies of sustainability and circularity within Europe's lithium recycling sector, with a specific focus on recovering lithium from mining tailings for electric vehicle batteries. As the transition to renewable energies gains momentum, the necessity for new business models becomes paramount to support the decarbonization of our economy, highlighting the emergent issue of mining waste management.

Lithium stands as a pivotal metal for the production of lithium-ion batteries, and its demand has undergone a significant surge from 2017 to 2022. Projected to surpass 2.4 million metric tons of lithium carbonate by 2030, this growth is primarily propelled by the exponential rise in electric vehicle adoption worldwide. Europe's heavy reliance on lithium imports, particularly 79% sourced from Chile, underscores the urgency of developing domestic recycling capabilities. Furthermore, with the global mining industry generating over 100 billion tons of solid waste annually and the new EU Battery regulation mandating that new batteries contain at least 6% recycled lithium, the demand for innovations and business models that minimize waste and increase recycled lithium availability is pressing.

Employing a value stream analysis methodology, this study endeavours to identify key actors and critical nodes within the lithium recycling ecosystem, setting the stage for enhancing sustainability and circularity in the industry. By adopting a qualitative approach and drawing from the value stream-based analysis framework developed by Pynnonen et al. (2008), the study conducts semi-structured interviews to pinpoint key actors and maps tangible and intangible value streams, associating resources and capabilities with identified value streams.

Embracing circular principles that create and retain the value of materials, the study underscores the importance of waste minimization in supporting the sustainability and circularity of both mining and electric vehicle battery companies. Through a systematic examination of value streams among actors, including mining companies, technology developers, policymakers, battery recyclers, and manufacturers, the study assesses potential drivers, opportunities, and challenges inherent in the lithium recycling industry for electric vehicle batteries. By comprehending the interplay of these complexities, the study proposes future research directions aimed at optimizing business models and fostering a more sustainable lithium supply chain.

As the focus on sustainability intensifies across industries, stakeholders in the lithium recycling ecosystem must collaborate to address challenges and capitalize on opportunities. This requires aligning business strategies with environmental objectives, leveraging technological innovations, and advocating for supportive policies and regulations. By elucidating value streams and identifying key actors, this article aims to catalyse collaborative efforts towards achieving a more sustainable and circular lithium economy in Europe. Through strategic interventions and informed decision-making, stakeholders can navigate the complexities of the lithium recovery process, paving the way for a greener, more resilient future.

ABSTRACT. In the evolving landscape of the global job market, business-oriented social networks, such as LinkedIn, play a powerful role in effectively connecting businesses with job seekers from around the world. As regards LinkedIn, the most popular of this kind of social networks, various studies have focused on exploring its influence on personnel selection, career development, education, personality assessment, talent development, and professional networking. In general, and as demonstrated by several studies, LinkedIn can support the better understanding of the job market country-wise as well as industry- and field-wise.

Recently, research studies have demonstrated the significance of LinkedIn data in examining topics like the circular economy. For example, LinkedIn data has been used to test the relationship between circular economy and sustainability, or to assess company engagement in circular economy activities, offering insights into global distribution, industry sectors, employee count, followers, and other characteristics.

Despite the abundance of literature aiming to explore the circular economy within the global market, none of the existing approaches has presented a specific framework for acquiring, curating, and analyzing data from LinkedIn. This gap in research hinders the ability to derive insights, especially about jobs and employment. This study explores the circular economy job market using LinkedIn, providing an understanding of job postings, trends, and disparities across different regions and filters, therefore, the importance of this work lies in its potential to guide both job seekers and policymakers in navigating the emergent field of sustainable employment.

This work’s contribution to the literature is threefold: First, as societies shift towards more sustainable practices, the emergence of job opportunities within the circular economy sector is significant, thus, acknowledging this significance, the present study sheds light on the current state of the circular economy job market, identifying key trends that not only reflect the demand for sustainable practices but also indicate areas of growth within specific regions and industries. Second, the study offers rich analytical insights into the nature of circular economy jobs, from the dynamics of remote work to the distribution of commitments in job postings, the findings contribute to a holistic understanding of the subject matter. Third, this work develops a data extraction approach from LinkedIn, including various filters and the simulation of user actions ensuring a comprehensive dataset, and providing a solid foundation for subsequent analyses.

The analysis conducted in this study covers all EU countries, the UK, USA, and other selected countries, revealing insights into job trends, geographic distribution, and job characteristics at both global and country levels. The study also highlights the dominance of certain countries, job types, and industries in the circular economy sector, emphasizing the need for targeted policies and investments to promote sustainable employment, also evidencing regional disparities, workforce development needs, and emerging patterns within the circular economy job market. The study provides valuable insights for job seekers, policymakers, and researchers in understanding and fostering sustainable employment opportunities in the circular economy, concluding with recommendations for future research, emphasizing the importance of considering multiple platforms and tracking changes over time.

ABSTRACT. The Network of Experts on Bioeconomy in 2018 defines BioWEconomy as “the sustainable, circular and transformative bioeconomy in which social aspects are of high importance” (EU Science Hub or JRC, 2020), as it contributes to make EU more resilient and competitive. However, bioeconomy activities are not necessarily sustainable, as the development of an economy that is based on biological resources faces several trade-offs (FAO, 2022). The disruptive pandemic crisis caused by COVID-19 fostered the transformative importance of bioeconomy in turning socio-economic challenges to opportunities for promoting the sustainable development. Entrepreunership, although is as old as economic behavior, has been considered as a relative new concept, particulary in the bioeconomy discourse and the principles of responsible consumption and production. Furthermore, recent studies have emerged that small firms and especially spin-offs or startups from established corporations, research institutes and/or universities have achieved revolutionary breakthroughs changing the entepreunerial ecosystem. The purpose of this paper is to define the concept of Sustainable Entrepreunership and propose a framework to position Sustainable Entrepreneurship in relation to BioWEconomy. Methodologically is used systematic literature review. Suggestions for further research on the interface of entrepreneurship and the bioeconomy are also provided.

ABSTRACT. Sustainability and circular economy in supply chains are among the leading research areas in this domain. A sustainable supply chain should be viewed holistically as a synergistic combination of corporate social responsibility, economic growth, and environmental management (Sgarbossa &Russo, 2017). Increasingly dynamic and uncertain situations have triggered the supply chain network to face numerous disruptions that will endanger operational activities. Being incapable to forecast the consequences of an event can have implications that disrupt supply chain operations. Besides, the globalizing food system increases many concerns about sustainability due to the increasing negative impacts of its activities on the environment and society. There are various effects on the food system such as social, environmental, economic and health issues. The food system has different effects on the supply chain, such as increasing consumption of natural resources, gas emissions, and pollution in the entire food supply chain stages from procution to end usage of it. The second influences of the food system on human health and well-being include food safety, food security, healthy food consumption, and innovative food system. Lastly, the last one is the ethical issues of food production such as food fraud, animal welfare. Thus, supply chain resilience can be key to achieving a sustainable and circular food supply chain during disruption. This study aims to analyze resilient sustainable and circular food supply chains to quickly adapt to disruptions and risks in dynamic and uncertain environments.To accomplish these goals, the most critical dimension that is impacted by these risks will be identified and prioritized potential ipacts and reveal the most critical ones using a hybrid multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) model, which combines the Best-Worst Method (BWM) and Tomada de Decisao Interativa Multicriterio (TODIM) methods.The results of this study will provide managers and policy makers to analyze impacts of disruptions for developing resilient sustainable and circular food supply chains.

ABSTRACT. Secondary raw material markets are key to delivering a circular economy (CE) in the European Union (EU). These markets can ensure the timely circulation of good-quality recycled materials in the EU economy, which minimises the need to extract natural resources as a result. One of key areas for CE implementation is production of alternative fertilisers, that are based on nutrient-rich waste as sewage, sewage sludge, manure or food waste. To accelerate the development of the market for secondary raw materials and alternative fertilisers, a dedicated policy tools have to be proposed and implemented. This paper presents a set of proposals for selected tools, including policy tools, that can support the further development of the secondary raw materials market in the context of waste rich in biogenic components such as phosphorus and nitrogen. Among them, policy documents such as waste management plans and regional/ national CE plans can provide a context for establishing and updating the mix of instruments to address policy needs. Moreover, a joint definition of „secondary raw materials” and “bio-based fertilisers” is strongly recommended to reduce problems in the supply chain of these materials on regional and international level. An important tool could be also databases or platforms with detailed information on quantity and quality of available nutrient-rich waste resources for potential investors. For example, in Poland, a detailed inventory of sewage sludge ash (SSA) rich in phophorus was prepared. Currently, the development of the market for secondary raw materials (rich in nutrients) and alternative fertilisers is the subject of debate at the level of the European Commission, supported by the world's largest network for nutrients - the European Sustainable Phosphorus Platform. The ESPP is intensively analysing various policy options. It is emphasised that to define and identify proposals for market pull policy tools, which could achieve consensus across recycled product producers (waste companies, recycling technology suppliers), industry and uses (fertilisers industries, distributers, farmers) is a key challenge, but also an inevitable necessity to strengthen the transformation towards CE in the agro-fertiliser sector. The growing consumer preference for "bio" or "organic" products creates a market opportunity for alternative fertilisers. Farmers respond to the market trend, producing agricultural goods that meet the demand for environmentally friendly and sustainable products. However, there are some consumer concerns mainly about the use of animal and human waste (such as slurry or municipal sewage sludge) in agriculture. This requires both the development of tools to ensure safety and quality standards, confirmation to interested parties, and monitoring them. Furthermore, to encourage the acceptance of bio-based fertilisers it is essential to implement focused awareness campaigns to promote their use and provide support to innovative farmers who can conduct on-farm demonstration trials. Other tool proposals also take into account eco-taxes; eco-labeling; CE certificates; competitive prices for CE products; Green Public Procurement; security of supply (incl. the possibility of import/export between regions/countries); International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standards.

Acknowledgement Paper prepared as a part of the project Novafert that is financed by European Union, project no. 101060835.

ABSTRACT. Organic waste, known as biowaste, makes up a significant proportion of total municipal waste. The European Union has set an ambitious target of recycling 65% of municipal waste by 2035. It is therefore essential to increase the rate of selective collection of this waste. The central aim of this article is to propose a new roadmap to European Union State members, based on the best practices of household organic waste management systems in the European Union with a view to the transition to a circular economy. To achieve this, a case study methodology combines with a content analysis was applied to analyse 49 reports on organic waste systems from EU countries. These reports describe practices in force or in the process of being implemented in the management of household organic waste. In addition, Correlation Analysis was applied to assess possible relationships between the variability of selective household organic waste collection rates in the 27 countries and six socioeconomic/demographic characteristics, such as GDP, population density, level of education, compensation of employee per capita, employment rate and unemployment rate. As for the main results, it was concluded that: (1) GDP, educational level and per capita income explain 40%, 22% and 35% respectively, of the total variation in the selective collection of household organic waste. On the other hand, the employment rate, unemployment and population density are not statistically significant regarding separate collection of household organic waste; (2) the more comprehensive and developed the selective organic waste collection systems are, the higher the separate collection of household organic waste tend to be; (3) the implementation of legislation focussed mainly on two strategies is essential: the first consists of mandatory separate collection, accompanied by associated fees, playing a key role in motivating citizens to actively participate in waste management programmes, thus increasing the separate collection of household organic waste. The second strategy involves the gradual application of taxes and constraints on the disposal of organic waste in landfills, with the aim of reducing its quantity and promoting the development of waste management systems in line with the principles of the circular economy; (4) there is no universally ideal and directly transferable method of treating household organic waste between countries, even between those that are geographically close. Therefore, it is crucial to consider the specific characteristics of each country before implementing a treatment method; (5) regular communication campaigns, with an emphasis on prevention and proper separation of organic waste at source, should be developed as an integral part of selective waste management strategies. Based on the above conclusions, a roadmap has been proposed to guide policymakers and practitioners in defining strategies for implementing or restructuring organic waste management systems in line with the principles of the circular economy.

ABSTRACT. In an era marked by rapid technological advancement, environmental volatility, and global interconnectedness, the ability to anticipate and adapt to evolving circumstances is crucial for organizational resilience and sustainability. This paper delves into the concept of business resiliency within the context of modern management, highlighting the need for comprehensive risk assessment that extends beyond traditional financial metrics. External factors such as climate change and disruptive events underscore the importance of foresight in strategic planning and decision-making processes. Within the transportation industry, characterized by its susceptibility to external disruptions and market fluctuations, the imperative for proactive risk management is particularly pronounced. The emergence of Intelligent Transportation Facilities reflects a strategic response to this challenge, emphasizing the importance of accurate long-term predictions and effective utilization of data resources. However, the sheer volume and complexity of data generated in this digital age pose significant challenges, necessitating innovative approaches to extract actionable insights and inform decision-making. Research infrastructures (RIs) play a pivotal role in addressing these challenges by providing essential tools and methodologies for scenario planning, data analysis, and decision support. The EN.I.R.I.S.S.T. (Intelligent Research Infrastructure for Shipping, Supply Chain, Transport and Logistics) research project is at the forefront of this endeavor, aiming to develop a Regional Interoperability Observatory tailored to the unique needs of the transportation sector. By leveraging a System of Systems (SoS) approach, the project seeks to integrate disparate data sources and promote interoperability among stakeholders, thereby enhancing the sector's resilience and competitiveness. Key findings from the EN.I.R.I.S.S.T. project underscore the critical importance of interoperability and data-driven insights in fostering sustainable development. The proposed observatory serves as a collaborative platform for stakeholders to exchange information, assess risks, and formulate evidence-based strategies. Moreover, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and business intelligence (BI) tools enhances the analysis of performance indicators and facilitates informed decision-making across various domains. The paper presents key findings from the EN.I.R.I.S.S.T. project, emphasizing the importance of interoperability and data-driven insights for sustainable development. Leveraging a System of Systems (SoS) approach, the project proposes an integrated platform to manage complex data ecosystems, particularly in the Eastern Macedonia and Thrace region of Greece. By promoting collaboration and information exchange among stakeholders, the observatory facilitates informed decision-making and enhances the region's competitiveness in the global market. Furthermore, the paper highlights the role of artificial intelligence (AI) and business intelligence (BI) tools in analyzing performance indicators and guiding strategic planning efforts. Through the establishment of a regional infrastructure interoperability observatory, the EN.I.R.I.S.S.T. project aims to provide actionable insights for policymakers, planners, and industry stakeholders, ultimately contributing to sustainable development goals and fostering economic growth in the transportation sector.

ABSTRACT. Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) operation, from the collection of wastewaters to disposal, cause direct and indirect greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions. GHG direct emissions mainly come from biological treatment processes in the main line of WWTP, such as organic and nutrients dissipation by aerobic/anaerobic bacteria (e.g. activated sludge process), as well as sludge management in the sludge line, such as anaerobic digestion and biogas combustion. WWTPs are considered one of the largest energy consumers (3% of global electricity), with indirect CO2 emissions due to (electrical and thermal) energy consumption, production and transportation of chemicals and fuels, and waste disposal. Based on the above, the main purpose of this study is to provide valuable information concerning GHG emissions during wastewater treatment with focus in the WWTP serving Iraklion city (Crete, Greece). The carbon footprint is related to GHG emissions, such as nitrous oxide (N2O), methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2) expressed in CO2 equivalents, generated from direct and indirect sources of the WWTP operation. The WWTP at Iraklion city is equipped with an activated sludge unit and membrane bioreactor (MBR) unit serving 191,500 people. The sewage treating activated sludge unit is divided into three treatment lines. These are fluid, solid and biogas lines. Fluid line includes primary, secondary and spare tertiary sedimentation. Solid line includes especially the sludge handling units (sludge pre-thickening, anaerobic digestion, sludge thickening, sludge dewatering). Anaerobic digestion process produces the gas (biogas) line, which produces heat and electric power used for plant’s needs. MBR treatment unit includes a membrane bioreactor (hollow fiber), chlorination and sludge dewatering. Figure 1 illustrates the whole process of the WWTP under study. In order to evaluate the carbon footprint of WWTP at Iraklion city, an online open tool was used. The data entered were wastewater influent and effluent physicochemical parameters, electricity consumption, biogas production and combustion, sludge handling and disposal, transportations and chemicals use. Mathematical expressions including specific emission factors were used to calculate emissions in tons of CO2 equivalents during the operating period of 2019. The present work performed a quantitative as well as qualitative estimation of the carbon footprint (in tons of CO2e / year), using a calculation tool, based on real data from the practices used during wastewater treatment in the selected WWTP. The results obtained from this study, will offer a knowledge platform for individually designed mitigation strategies towards the decrease of WWTPs climate impact, demonstrating environmental and socio-economic benefits. A possible mitigation strategy that could be proposed is the use of purple photo-bioreactors with adopted purple phototrophic bacteria that able for CO2 fixation. PPB are fast growing organisms that can grow via anoxygenic photosynthesis by converting low energy infrared light into chemical energy. PPB have an extremely versatile metabolic system, which involves photoautotrophic growth using inorganic electron donors and carbon source, which entails CO2 fixation or emissions

ABSTRACT. In the age of growing global warming and non-inclusiveness, inclusive green growth (IGG) has become an aspiration for all nations. In the last decade, the European Union (EU) has achieved commendable progress. According to the ranking of the Energy Transition Index published by the World Economic Forum (WEF), seven EU countries have placed in the top ten. In this context, the study aims to explore the impact of energy transition on IGG in the European Union (EU) during 1995-2021. To achieve the objective the study employs advanced econometric techniques such as Pooled Mean Group-Autoregressive Distributed Lag model, Driscoll-Kray standard error method, feasible generalized least square method, panel corrected standard error method, and Dumitrescu-Harlin causality test. The empirical finding of the study established that renewable energy transition hampers IGG in the short run but promotes it in the long run in the European Union. Additionally, the study also reports that financial development and internet access positively affect IGG, whereas government expenditure, inflation, and economic globalization decrease it. Thus, to make their economic growth green and inclusive, the economies of the European Union must stimulate investment in renewable energy technologies and promote the use of renewable energy. Additionally, it is suggested that these economies should promote information and communication technologies.

ABSTRACT. Sewage sludge management presents three main final pathways: landfill disposal, agricultural use as compost, or waste to for energy recovery. The first approach is increasingly seen as inadequate, particularly in light of European directives. Moreover, the viability of using sewage sludge in agriculture is diminishing. This is also due to studies highlighting the presence of microplastics in sewage sludge, suggesting that its application could introduce pollutants into the soil, worsening environmental conditions. Consequently, waste to energy is emerging as an effective method by eliminating waste and generating energy. However, the challenge arises from the typical distance between waste to energy plants and wastewater treatment plants, necessitating the consideration of the environmental impact of transporting sludge, which is significant. This paper proposes the exploration of integrating a local gasification plant, designed to generate electricity and heat through the partial oxidation of sewage sludge and a large wastewater treatment plant. This process directly utilizes sewage sludge from local wastewater treatment facilities of adequate capacity. The proposed system leverages the heat produced from the exploitation of the syngas obtained from gasification, to dry the incoming dehydrated sludge at the thermal drying facility, an innovation over traditional drying methods that typically rely on methane. The dried sludge then becomes feedstock for the gasifier. The generated electricity primarily powers the plant's operations. Additional by-products from the selected gasification process include non-carbonaceous material residues like metals and glass, and bottom ashes, which can be repurposed for new product manufacturing or integrated into products such as asphalt and cement. Importantly, materials recovery from the ashes, such as phosphorus, can foster a circular economy for these wastes. To evaluate the disparity in environmental impacts between traditional thermal drying methods for sewage sludge and an enhanced process with gasifier, a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) was conducted utilizing SimaPro software version 9.5 with the Ecoinvent 3.9.1 database. The results demonstrate a notable reduction in various environmental indicators when comparing the standard and upgraded approaches to drying sewage sludge. Results refer to the drying of one kilogram of sewage sludge selected as functional unit (FU) following the use of the ReCiPe 2016 Endpoint (H) Impact Assessment Method. The ReCiPe method is a widely recognized framework that quantifies and aggregates the potential environmental impacts of a product or system throughout its life cycle. One of the distinctive features of ReCiPe is its ability to express environmental impacts in terms of a single score, making it easier to communicate and compare different impacts. Upon closer examination of the impact attributed to the conventional plant, it can be demonstrated that the main impact is associated to the electricity production, therefore, when the plant achieves energy self-sufficiency, the impacts are significantly reduced. A significant advantage of the proposed integrated system is also that it is in agreement with Circular Economy and Green Deal concepts regarding waste circularity and protection of biodiversity and food, thanks to the avoided pollution of land that other solutions could give.

ABSTRACT. The agribusiness sector encounters a significant challenge in food waste generation, leading to substantial production of food by-products. Current patterns in food production and consumption are increasingly exhibiting unsustainable traits. Food waste arises throughout the entire food supply chain, notably during the consumption as well as the food manufacturing stage. A key objective of the Food and Agriculture Organization’s 12th Sustainable Development Goal is to ensure population well-being by securing access to food and water, while minimizing waste. One of the most prominently cultivated citrus crops globally are oranges, with an increasing production since the 1980s. Renowned for their nutritional value, oranges contain vital compounds such as vitamin C and antioxidants. Their versatility is highlighted by the ability to thrive in various soil and climatic conditions. However, the waste generated from orange processing and other citrus processing byproducts poses environmental concerns due to its substantial annual production. Primarily originating from juice production, this waste comprises peels, seeds, and pulp, while citrus peels account for approximately half of the total weight and posing disposal challenges for many industries. Conventional disposal methods, such as composting and landfilling, pose a financial burden or they are environmentally discouraged. For instance, in Greece, approximately 35,000 tons (dry weight) of citrus peels are generated annually, with only a small fraction used as livestock feed. Although Balu et al. (2012) have highlighted the potential of waste to product biorefinery, exemplified by a case study on the integrated valorisation of citrus waste for bioethanol and biogas production, broader applications remain unexplored. However, citrus waste can be valorised through solid-state fermentation using specialized microbiota capable of hydrolysing its high hemicellulose and cellulose content, thereby degrading residual concentrations of pesticides often found in such waste. Furthermore, organic waste can be harnessed to enhance xylanase and cellulase production, facilitating the bioconversion of organic content into high-value products such as antioxidants. Additionally, orange processing waste can be processed to improve animal feed quality and used as a growth medium for microbial biocontrol agents with suppressive properties against plant pathogens. In this work, specialised yeast microbiota capable of growing on orange processing waste were employed for examining their potential to valorise such agro-industrial residues in solid-state fermentation applications. Funding Information: The research project entitled “Multipurpose solid state fermentation as an integrated biorefinery approach to valorize orange processing waste for food and animal feed”, acronym “FERONIA” is implemented in the framework of H.F.R.I call “Basic research Financing (Horizontal support of all Sciences)” under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan “Greece 2.0” funded by the European Union –NextGenerationEU (H.F.R.I. Project Number: 014995).

ABSTRACT. Waste production is a significant challenge faced by societies worldwide, driven by factors such as population growth, urbanization, industrialization, and changes in consumption patterns. Municipal solid waste (MSW), which includes household, commercial, and institutional waste, constitutes a significant portion of the waste stream. The waste management problematic encompasses various interconnected issues, including waste generation, collection, transportation, treatment, and disposal. Inefficient waste management practices can exacerbate environmental degradation, contribute to climate change through greenhouse gas emissions, and pose risks to human health and ecosystems. Effective waste management is crucial to mitigate these however, many regions struggle with inadequate waste management infrastructure, leading to issues such as improper disposal, illegal dumping, pollution of land, water, and air, and threats to public health. This work compares the environmental impacts of three waste management techniques, namely incineration, gasification and plasma gasification, a case study for the MSW produced in Portugal in 2022 being presented, following ISO 14040/44. Incineration involves burning solid waste at high temperatures in controlled conditions, generating heat that is used to produce steam, which can then be used for electricity or heating purposes. However, this process produces emissions such as greenhouse gases, particulate matter, and hazardous pollutants, which can have adverse environmental and health impacts if not properly controlled. This is corroborated by this study, namely through the results of GWP, MAETP and HTP. Gasification converts organic materials into a combustible gas mixture called syngas, typically at an oxygen-starved environment, leading to partial oxidation. The produced syngas can be used for various purposes, including electricity generation, fuel production, and chemical synthesis. Gasification offers advantages such as higher energy efficiency and lower emissions compared to traditional methods. This work shows that gasification is more beneficial in categories such as EP, ADP fossil and TETP. On its turn, plasma-gasification is an advanced technology, which subjects waste to extremely high temperatures using a plasma torch. Plasma gasification offers environmental profits, as seen for the negative results in all impact categories, as well as the ability to handle a wide range of waste types, higher efficiencies, and the potential for high energy recovery rates. However, the technology is still in the development stage and may require significant investment for large-scale implementation. These preliminary results show that gasification-based techniques are more proficient than traditional incineration regarding environmental impacts; GWP, AP, TETP and POCP are the categories where more benefits are achieved. AP, ODP and POCP depict environmental savings for all the waste management techniques considered.

ABSTRACT. Postharvest practices play a crucial role in maintaining the quality and safety of fresh fruits, leading to significant postharvest losses. Traditional preservation methods, including cold atmospheric storage and synthetic preservatives, have been proven effective, but are not aligned with sustainability objectives. This study, within the framework of the Sustainable Packaging subproject of the "Package of the Future" initiative, aimed to develop alternative approaches to postharvest preservation of strawberries. The present work was focused on sustainable packaging systems based in agri-food chain byproducts (apple and pear pomace) ingredients and active coatings from seaweed extracts. The incorporation of antimicrobial seaweed extracts into packaging materials to enhance their efficacy against microbial contamination was also assessed. Comprehensive evaluations were conducted to assess the microbiological stability and antimicrobial activity of the packaging materials. Microbiological analyses included total viable counts, Enterobacteriaceae development, and yeast and mould contaminations. In vitro assays were performed to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of the packaging materials against major phytopathogens affecting strawberries. The results demonstrate that the developed packaging solutions exhibit minimal microbial loads and significant antifungal activity against common strawberry pathogens, including Botrytis sp, Fusarium sp, and Penicillium sp. Furthermore, the biodegradability of the packaging materials was confirmed, suggesting their potential for environmentally friendly disposal. Overall, this study highlights the promising potential of natural-based, plastic-free packaging solutions enhanced with seaweed extracts to align postharvest preservation technology, with sustainability goals in food systems.

Note: we intend to submit this abstract to the special session and workshop 'Food packaging – eco-design in a circular economy workshop'.