Sustainability in the Norwegian aquaculture industry: The green financing, accreditation and certification conundrum

This thesis explores the conundrum of green financing, accreditation, and certification in the context of sustainability in the Norwegian aquaculture industry. As the demand for sustainable practices in aquaculture continues to grow, the industry faces the challenge of reconciling financial considerations with environmental objectives. The study highlights sustainability and how it encompasses various dimensions, including environmental, financial and productive considerations, as it has become a key focus in the global discourse on responsible resource management. It then examines the role of green financing instruments, such as green bonds, in promoting sustainable initiatives and attracting capital for environmentally friendly projects. It also delves into the complexities arising from the presence of multiple accreditation and certification schemes, which create ambiguity and hinder comparability of environmental performance. To give this scenario an on-going context, this paper compares leading Norwegian aquacultural companies; SalMar, Mowi & Grieg Seafood, in terms of their role and involvement in achieving sustainable practices as well as securing capital from green-financing. The research highlights the need for harmonization and standardization efforts to ensure transparency, credibility, and accountability. Moreover, the thesis underscores the importance of collaboration between industry stakeholders, regulators, and NGOs to address the challenges and advance sustainable practices. Through a comprehensive analysis of the green financing, accreditation, and certification landscape, this study provides valuable insights and recommendations for achieving sustainability in the Norwegian aquaculture industry. By considering the complexities and embracing a multi-faceted approach, the industry can navigate the conundrum and make significant progress towards a more sustainable future

Sustainability in the Norwegian aquaculture industry: The green financing, accreditation and certification conundrum

This thesis explores the conundrum of green financing, accreditation, and certification in the context of sustainability in the Norwegian aquaculture industry. As the demand for sustainable practices in aquaculture continues to grow, the industry faces the challenge of reconciling financial considerations with environmental objectives. The study highlights sustainability and how it encompasses various dimensions, including environmental, financial and productive considerations, as it has become a key focus in the global discourse on responsible resource management. It then examines the role of green financing instruments, such as green bonds, in promoting sustainable initiatives and attracting capital for environmentally friendly projects. It also delves into the complexities arising from the presence of multiple accreditation and certification schemes, which create ambiguity and hinder comparability of environmental performance. To give this scenario an on-going context, this paper compares leading Norwegian aquacultural companies; SalMar, Mowi & Grieg Seafood, in terms of their role and involvement in achieving sustainable practices as well as securing capital from green-financing. The research highlights the need for harmonization and standardization efforts to ensure transparency, credibility, and accountability. Moreover, the thesis underscores the importance of collaboration between industry stakeholders, regulators, and NGOs to address the challenges and advance sustainable practices. Through a comprehensive analysis of the green financing, accreditation, and certification landscape, this study provides valuable insights and recommendations for achieving sustainability in the Norwegian aquaculture industry. By considering the complexities and embracing a multi-faceted approach, the industry can navigate the conundrum and make significant progress towards a more sustainable future

Proposed novel classification of circumscribed Lower-Grade Gliomas (cLGG) vs. infiltrating Lower-Grade Gliomas (iLGG): Correlations of radiological features and clinical outcomes

Purpose: We hypothesize that lower grade gliomas (LGG) can be identified and classified into two distinct subtypes: radiologically circumscribed Lower-Grade Gliomas (cLGG) and infiltrating Lower-Grade Gliomas (iLGG) based on radiological parameters and that these two different subtypes behave differently in terms of clinical outcomes.Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study on surgical patients diagnosed with lower grade glioma over five years. Patient records and MRIs were reviewed, and neurosurgeons classified tumors into cLGG and iLGG groups.Results: From the 165 patients in our cohort, 30 (18.2%) patients were classified as cLGG and 135 (81.8%) patients were classified as iLGG Mean age in cLGG was 31.4 years while mean age in iLGG was 37.9 years (p = 0.004). There was significant difference in mean blood loss between cLGG and iLGG groups (270 and 411 ml respectively, p = 0.020). cLGG had a significantly higher proportion of grade II tumors (p \u3c 0.001). The overall mean survival time for the iLGG group was 14.96 ± 1.23 months, and 18.77 ± 2.72 months for the cLGG group. In univariate cox regression, the survival difference between LGG groups was not significant (HR = 0.888, p = 0.581), however on multivariate regression cLGG showed a significant (aHZ = 0.443, p = 0.015) positive correlation with survival. Intense contrast enhancement (HZ = 41.468, p = 0.018), blood loss (HZ = 1.002, p = 0.049), and moderately high Ki-67 (HZ = 4.589, p = 0.032) were also significant on univariate analyses.Conclusion: cLGG and iLGG are radiologically distinct groups with separate prognoses, surgical experience, and associations

Distance travelled for brain tumour surgery: A Low- and Middle-income Country Perspective

Objective: To examine the effect of distance travelled for brain tumour surgery on patient outcomes in an LMIC. Methods: Data were collected as part of the Pakistan Brain Tumour Epidemiology Study (PBTES) for brain tumour patients who underwent surgery in 2019. Mapping software was used to calculate the distance travelled by each patient from their primary address to the hospital. This was analysed in correlation with outcomes (change in KPS score, current status) and demographic variables. Results: Of 2366 patients, the median distance travelled across the country was 104 km (IQR: 9.07 - 304). Only 970 (41%) patients had access to brain tumour surgical care within 50 km of their primary address. A total of 372 (15.7%) patients requiring brain tumour surgery had to travel more than 500 km to reach their primary care hospital. Patients travelling more than 50 km for brain tumour surgery had better pre- and post-surgery Karnofsky performance scores (p<0.001) than those travelling less than 50 km. The overall survival for these patients was also better (82.4% vs 75.7%, p= 0.002) compared to patients travelling less than 50 km. Conclusion: The distance to a hospital dictates a patient's access to continuity of care through adjuvant chemoradiotherapy and regular follow-ups. Less than half of brain tumour patients in Pakistan had access to brain tumour surgery care within 50 km of their homes. Overall outcomes were significantly better in patients travelling more than 50km for neurosurgical care - suggesting a distance bias effect. Keywords: Distance travelled, Health disparities, Neuro-oncology, LMIC, Cancer epidemiology. Continue..