Introduction

This introductory chapter presents a book outline and the work of the European project SCORE! (Sustainable Consumption Research Exchange). Also covered is the process of the SCORE! project and the role of the contributors and their responsibilities

Recent Progress in Assessment of Resource Efficiency and Environmental Impacts Embodied in Trade: An Introduction to this Special Issue

This paper serves as an introduction to this special issue on the use of multiregional input- output modeling in assessments of natural resource use and resource use efficiency. Due to globalization, growth in trade has outpaced growth in global gross domestic product (GDP). As a consequence, impacts of consumption of a country increasingly take place abroad. Various methods have been developed to perform so-called footprint analyses. We argue that global multiregional input-output (GMRIO) analysis has the largest potential to provide a consistent accounting framework to calculate a variety of different footprint indicators. The state of the art in GMRIO has, however, various shortcomings, such as limited sector and regional detail and incomplete extensions. The work presented in this special issue addresses a number of such problems and how to possibly overcome them, focusing on the construction of a new GMRIO database (EXIOBASE V3). This database includes long time series in both current and constant prices, a high level of product and sector detail, a physical representation of the world economy, and allows analyzing which footprints out of the many possible indicators provide most information for policy making. Various options for empirical analyses are presented in this special issue. Finally, we analyze how GMRIOs can be further standardized and gradually moved from the scientific to the official statistical domain

Niet-lineaire vibratie spectroscopiën van biomoleculaire systemen

Er is recent veel vooruitgang geboekt in de ontwikkeling van niet-lineaire vibratie spectroscopische methoden voor onderzoek van biologische macromoleculaire systemen(1,2,3,4). De niet lineaire vibratie spectroscopische technieken die in onze groep in gebruik en in ontwikkeling zijn, zijn CARS (coherente anti-Stokes Raman verstrooiing), stRg (gestimuleerde Raman verstrooiing), IR/V-SFG (infrarood-zichtbaar licht som frequentie generatie). Daarnaast wordt gebruik gemaakt van niet-lineaire optische eigenschappen van materie, zoals parametrische fluorescentie, verschil frequentie generatie en tweede harmonische generatie, om laser emissie met geschikte karakteristieken te genereren. Als standaard techniek zijn in de groep zeer geavanceerde Raman microspectrometers voor spontane Raman verstrooiing (spR) beschikbaar. Het doel van het onderzoek is om gevoelige methoden te ontwikkelen voor detectie van kleine aantallen molekulen, bijvoorbeeld aan oppevlakken en in biologische cellen. We richten ons op de vibratie selectieve technieken omdat: 1) vibraties niet alleen geschikt zijn voor detectie maar ook voor identificatie, 2) vibraties zijn gevoelig voor inter- en intramolekulaire interacties, 3) vibraties kunnen helpen bij het bepalen van de molekulaire orientatie of de relatieve orientatie van molekulen en 4) vibraties maken het mogelijk om zeer snelle dynamica in materie te bestuderen. In het bijzonder niet-lineaire optische technieken zijn interessant vanwege: a) spectrale scheiding tussen fluorescentie en signaal (bijvoorbeeld in CARS en IR/V-SFG), b) gecollimeerde signaal bundel maakt efficiente signaal collectie mogelijk, c) hoge signaal niveaus door gebruik te maken van gestimuleerde verstrooiings processen (CARS, stRg) en/of door resonantie (IR/V-SFG), d) efficiente belichting door gecollimeerde lichtbundels, waardoor combinaties met golfgeleiders mogelijk zijn (CARS, stRg en spR) en oppervlakte gevoeligheid ontstaat door evanescente veld excitatie of intrinsieke eigenschappen van c(2) (IR/V-SFG).\ud Na een korte inleiding worden in het vervolg resultaten gepresenteerd van polarisatiegevoelige multiplex CARS, golfgeleider Raman verstrooiing en een optisch parametrische oscillator. Deze vormt het hart van een IR/V-SFG spectrometer die in ontwikkeling is

Interplay between multiple scattering, emission, and absorption of light in the phosphor of a white light-emitting diode

We study light transport in phosphor plates of white light-emitting diodes (LEDs). We measure the broadband diffuse transmission through phosphor plates of varying YAG:Ce$^{3+}$ density. We distinguish the spectral ranges where absorption, scattering, and re-emission dominate. Using diffusion theory, we derive the transport and absorption mean free paths from first principles. We find that both transport and absorption mean free paths are on the order of the plate thickness. This means that phosphors in commercial LEDs operate well within an intriguing albedo range around 0.7. We discuss how salient parameters that can be derived from first principles control the optical properties of a white LED.Comment: 14 pages, 9 figure

Imagining sustainability: The added value of transition scenarios in transition management

Abstract Purpose – To address lessons that specify the impact and contribution of current scenario methods when focused on facilitating transition management processes. Design/methodology/approach – Comparative literature review based on transition management and scenario development. Research limitations/implications – Need of further systemic thought about the required criteria of transition scenarios and the embedding of scenario use in transition management processes. Practical implications – Processes of transition management are in need of transition specific scenarios. Originality/value – Because transition management implies a complex and long-term steering paradigm with which current scenario applications are not familiar, conclusions are drawn on the (changing) requirements of scenario development processes in transition management and on the need to innovate current scenario methods in the context of transition management

Product Service System Innovation in the Smart City

Product service systems (PSS) may usefully form part of the mix of innovations necessary to move society toward more sustainable futures. However, despite such potential, PSS implementation is highly uneven and limited. Drawing on an alternate socio-technical perspective of innovation, this paper provides fresh insights, on among other things the role of context in PSS innovation, to address this issue. Case study research is presented focusing on a use orientated PSS in an urban environment: the Copenhagen city bike scheme. The paper shows that PSS innovation is a situated complex process, shaped by actors and knowledge from other locales. It argues that further research is needed to investigate how actors interests shape PSS innovation. It recommends that institutional spaces should be provided in governance landscapes associated with urban environments to enable legitimate PSS concepts to co-evolve in light of locally articulated sustainability principles and priorities

The role of public policy in stimulating radical environmental impact reduction in the automotive sector: The need to focus on product-service system innovation

This is the post-print version of the Article. The official published version can be accessed from the link below - Copyright @ 2010 InderscienceProduct-service system (PSS) innovation is a promising approach to address sustainability challenges in the automotive industry. Starting form this assumption, this paper presents and discusses the potential contribution that policy measures can have in fostering the automotive sector in innovating on a PSS level. A set of policy instruments (general instruments and specific PSS-targeted ones) are presented and classified, underlining the effects they could produce at the company and environmental levels. In order to effectively support sustainable PSS diffusion in the automotive industry, the paper suggests the integration of general policy measures (such as internalisation of external costs, extended producer responsibility programmes and informative policies), with the PSS-targeted ones (such as Green Public Procurement focused on sustainable PSS, support of companies in acquiring information related to PSS, support of demonstrative pilot projects). In addition, the paper suggests the necessity to involve actively universities and research centres

Evaluating the Use of a Carbon Footprint Calculator : Communicating Impacts of Consumption at Household Level and Exploring Mitigation Options

Through an increasingly globalized supply chain, local consumption of goods and services has impacts around the world. The carbon footprint can be used to link local consumption to global greenhouse gas emissions. This study describes the development and use of REAP Petite, a household-level footprint calculator. We describe how the tool integrates geodemographic information with user-inputted data; allows users to compare their footprint with others in their community; and presents them with targeted pledges to help them reduce their impact. Such tools can help individuals to see the impact their consumption has on emissions and help promote alternative behaviors. Based on the lessons learned during tool development and through using the tool with individuals in the UK and Sweden, we make recommendations for the development of new footprinting tools for use in the public domain. We highlight the benefits of using bottom-up methods for calculating footprints; recommend that designers consider future-proofing their tools; discuss the trade-off between complexity and usability; and recommend that designers consider going “beyond carbon” to increase the appeal of tools to a wider audience. We also highlight the importance of providing opportunity for users to compare their footprints with those of others and of monitoring and evaluating user engagement with the tool