Analysis of the environmental performance of life-cycle building waste management strategies in tertiary buildings

At urban level, the generation Municipal Solid Waste and Construction and Demolition Waste is mostly related to the life-cycle of buildings. An evaluation method based on Life Cycle Assessment methodology is presented in this paper to make an analysis of the environmental performance of different life-cycle building waste management strategies in tertiary buildings. As a case study, several waste management strategies considering a tertiary building located in the city of Zaragoza in Spain, are studied. The aim of the case study is to compare the environmental impacts, in terms of Global Warming Potential, of the scenarios proposed focussing on the waste minimisation and avoidance of landfilling of at least 10% for the Municipal Solid Waste generation during a building''s use stage, and Construction and Demolition Waste generated during its construction and end-of-life. In case of Municipal Solid Waste, the results show that when a recovery scenario includes energy recovery from the residual fraction of the mechanical-biological treatment plant in the form of Refuse Derived Fuel, greater benefits in terms of the Global Warming Potential are obtained than with current scenarios of landfill deposition of the residual fraction. On the other hand, in case of Construction and Demolition Waste, a similar situation can be observed in case of an increase of the recovery rates of metals

Energy vulnerability composite index in social housing, from a household energy poverty perspective

In Europe, the proportion of social housing is high, and such houses tend to be inhabited by below average-income households, which are particularly vulnerable to energy poverty. This article proposes a new methodological approach for defining an index for household energy vulnerability assessment. This method can be used to improve the management of social housing. After establishing a heuristic framework for household energy poverty-which stems from different causes such as income, the characteristics of the residence, energy installations, and the energy-consumption habits of household members-multi-criteria analytical methods, based on the aggregation of indicators which reveal the conditions leading to energy poverty, have been applied, and effective means of intervention are proposed. The method is also applied to a sample of social houses and thus validated as a useful tool in decision-making processes which concern the management of social housing from a household energy-poverty perspective

Sustainability reporting in view of the European sustainable finance taxonomy: Is the financial sector ready to disclose circular economy?

The European sustainable finance taxonomy requires financial and nonfinancial companies to provide investors with information about the environmental performance of their assets and economic activities. For financial institutions, making socially and environmentally responsible investments visible through a common label that guarantees specific standards for the entire European Union is crucial. Against this background, this study analyzes the evolution of sustainability reporting practices and their assurance in a sample of European financial institutions. To this end, we used a double qualitative methodological approach, based on (a) an external analysis of nonfinancial information and its relationship with the main economic-financial variables of the sample companies, and (b) a case study of a bank carried out through semi-structured interviews. This study provides an external measurement analysis of nonfinancial information in entities from different countries, which can contribute to broadening the scope and level of sustainability and circular economy accountability

Analysis of energy poverty intensity from the perspective of the regional administration: Empirical evidence from households in southern Europe

The current economic situation has increased the number of households in Europe experiencing restrictions and/or limitations of affordability of energy services, demonstrating the urgent need to intervene in those extreme cases in which households suffer the daily consequences of what is internationally defined as energy poverty. In such a context, this paper presents the results obtained in a case study characterising a sample of 615 households with demonstrated energy poverty in the region of Aragón (Spain). In parallel, the intensity of energy poverty in the studied cases is examined by measuring the percentage of energy expenditures with respect to income in the households that suffer it, and a descriptive analysis of the main determinants of energy poverty in the homes studied is presented as well as the policy implication at regional level

A web-based Toolbox to support the systemic eco-efficiency assessment in water use systems

The eco-efficiency assessment of a water use system at the meso level, as well as the estimation of the anticipated eco-efficiency improvements as a result of innovative practices/technologies, is a conceptually and methodologically challenging issue. A systemic approach is required to capture the complexity of all interrelated aspects and the interactions among the heterogeneous actors involved in the system. This involves mapping the behaviour of the system into representative models, structuring the analysis in easy to understand procedures and developing versatile software tools for supporting the analysis. This paper presents a web-integrated suite of tools and resources (EcoWater Toolbox) for assessing eco-efficiency improvements from innovative technologies in water use systems. Equipped with a continuously updated inventory of currently available technological innovations as well as a repository of eco-efficiency indicators and their evaluation rules, the EcoWater Toolbox supports a comprehensive four-step eco-efficiency assessment of a water use system: (1) allows the users to frame the case study by defining system boundaries, describing the water supply chain and value chains and including all the actors; (2) helps the users to establish a baseline eco-efficiency assessment, using the integrated modelling tools; (3) supports the users in identifying both sector-specific and system-wide technologies and practices to suit their situation, through the integrated technology inventory; and (4) enables the users to assess innovative technology solutions by developing predictive technology scenarios and comparing these with baseline results. At the core of the Toolbox are two modelling tools, which combine both economic and environmental viewpoints into a single modelling framework. The “Systemic Environmental Analysis Tool” (SEAT) assists in building a representation of the physical system, its processes and interactions and forms the basis for evaluating the environmental performance of the system. The “Economic Value chain Analysis Tool” (EVAT) addresses the value chain and focuses on the economic component of the eco-efficiency. Both tools provide a graphical model construction interface that is implemented in client-side and incorporate advanced features such as model scripting. The methodology adopted and the operational aspects of the EcoWater Toolbox are presented and demonstrated through the assessment of the eco-efficiency performance associated with the water value chain in the case of a milk production unit of a dairy industry

Oil-Based Mud Cutting as an Additional Raw Material in Clinker Production

Oil-Based Mud (OBM) cutting is a hazardous by-product generated during oil-well drilling. Its chemical composition suggests that it might be suitable as a raw material in cement manufacturing. It is rich in calcium oxide, silica, and aluminium oxide, which are the major oxides in raw materials for cement manufacturing. In this research, OBM cutting is used as a constituent of the raw meal for cement clinker production. Raw meal mixtures were prepared by mixing different ratios of raw materials increasing OBM content. The impact of the addition of OBM cutting on the resulting clinker has been investigated. The results demonstrate that OBM cutting could be recycled in the manufacturing of Portland cement clinker. Clinker prepared using OBM cutting had very similar properties to that prepared from limestone. This result could represent an opportunity for solving an environmental problem. The addition of OBM cutting lowers the calcination temperature, and increases the rate of carbonate dissociation. However, it also leads to a higher free lime in clinker, which is a result of the presence of trace elements, such as barium. Overall, its use as a raw material in cement production could provide a cost-effective, environment-friendly route for the management of OBM cutting

Refuse derived fuel (RDF) plasma torch gasification as a feasible route to produce low environmental impact syngas for the cement industry

Plasma torch gasification (PTG) is currently researched as a technology for solid waste recovery. However, scientific studies based on evaluating its environmental implications considering the life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology are lacking. Therefore, this work is focused on comparing the environmental effect of the emissions of syngas combustion produced by refuse derived fuel (RDF) and PTG as alternative fuels, with that related to fossil fuel combustion in the cement industry. To obtain real data, a semi-industrial scale pilot plant was used to perform experimental trials on RDF-PTG. The results highlight that PTG for waste to energy recovery in the cement industry is environmentally feasible considering its current state of development. A reduction in every impact category was found when a total or partial substitution of alternative fuel for conventional fuel in the calciner firing (60 % of total thermal energy input) was performed. Furthermore, the results revealed that electrical energy consumption in PTG is also an important parameter from the LCA approach.Framework of the 'New Designs of Ecological Furnaces'-EDEFU project 246335 European Commission under the Seventh Framework Programme for Research (FP7

Collaborative inter-peer teacher development for sustainability: materials and interdisciplinary multi-teacher teaching

[EN] The current economic and social scenarios and the appearance of various institutional initiatives such as the Sustainable Development Goals make it necessary to adapt the current study plans, incorporating the analysis and study of aspects related to sustainability. For this, a set of practices and activities related to sustainability have been designed with an interdisciplinary approach, throughout different study plans, thus complementing the isolated and optional vision that is being offered at this time. In total, it is expected to reach more than 1,600 students from 7 degrees and 6 centers, taking advantage of e-learning methodologies and tools to update the learning process. The project aims to incorporate additional experience on the use of different teaching methodologies that help to incorporate the perspective of sustainability as a transversal capacity with which to skill students.[ES] Los actuales escenarios económicos y sociales y la aparición de diversas iniciativas institucionales como los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible, hacen necesario adaptar los actuales planes de estudio incorporando el análisis y el estudio de aspectos relacionados con la sostenibilidad. Para ello, se han diseñado un conjunto de prácticas y actividades relacionadas con la sostenibilidad con un enfoque interdisciplinar, a lo largo de diferentes planes de estudios, complementando así la visión aislada y optativa que se está ofreciendo en este momento. En total se prevé llegar a más de 1.600 alumnos de 7 titulaciones y 6 centros, aprovechando a su vez metodologías y herramientas de e-learning para actualizar el proceso de aprendizaje. El proyecto, pretende incorporar experiencia adicional sobre el uso de distintas metodologías docentes que ayuden a incorporar la perspectiva de sostenibilidad como capacidad transversal para el estudiantado.Aranda-Usón, A.; Scarpellini, S.; Valero-Gil, J.; Llena Macarulla, F.; Marco-Fondevila, M.; Portillo, P.; Llera-Sastresa, E.... (2023). Desarrollo docente colaborativo inter-pares para la sostenibilidad: materiales y docencia de multi-profesorado interdisciplinar. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. 1315-1327. https://doi.org/10.4995/INRED2023.2023.165761315132