Bibliometric Analysis on Sustainability Assessment Methods in the Bioeconomy

Sustainability is meeting the needs of today without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Sustainability assessment is a complex process because it needs to cover multidisciplinary aspects – environmental, economic, and social. The sustainability assessment is created by combining different indicators, and the resulting single holistic value can be used as an indicator for comparison. A successful economic transition towards a bioeconomy can contribute to the achievement of many sustainability goals. In this paper, a bibliometric analysis method is used to analyse Open Access articles from the Web of Science database using bibliometric VOSviewer software. The relationship between sustainability assessment methods and associated keywords is explored through a biometric analysis. A literature review is conducted on the methods and tools of assessing the sustainability of bioresources. The authors have summarised the use of sustainability assessment methods and tools, and their characteristics. The obtained results show that keywords' sustainability assessment methods, in publication have become particularly popular since 2015, as the number of publications increases by more than 100 publications every year. The biggest connection with keywords are keywords 'life-cycle assessment', 'performance', 'management', 'framework', 'model', and 'impact'. Life-cycle assessment, material flows analysis, multi-criteria decision analysis, system dynamics and modelling are popular for assessing sustainability. Each method has advantages and disadvantages; however, it is possible to combine several tools to improve the assessment

Municipal Solid Waste Management towards Climate Neutrality

In line with the European Union’s move and the Green Deal initiative, Latvia needs to reduce CO2 emissions by 2030 and reach their complete elimination by 2050. Since waste management sector is associated with high greenhouse gas emissions, the sector will experience changes in the near future, and its sustainable development is linked to overcoming technical, economic and environmental challenges. The work aims to find solutions to the development of the waste sector in an environmentally sound manner, ensuring that the sector is closer to climate neutrality in 2050. Waste management is at the forefront of major changes and challenges in achieving regulatory objectives. In view of the changes expected and taking place in the sector, it is essential to carry out studies on resource and material recovery optimization options and potential for waste streams to be recycled and the energy recovery potential for non-recyclable streams. Acquiring knowledge and raising awareness of the role of changing management practices in saving CO2 emissions – avoided emissions – will allow the sector to move towards climate neutrality. This article analyses biodegradable waste management options and proposes the optimal solution for biodegradable waste management towards climate neutrality

To Burn or not to Burn. Literature Review

The amount of potentially recyclable municipal solid waste in the world is growing every year. At the same time, the demand for energy is increasing globally. Waste-to-energy (WTE) technology has been proposed as a potential solution to this problem, whereby waste is burned to produce electricity. Although promoted as an environmentally sustainable solution, doubts persist regarding its actual eco-friendliness. This article analyses the literature and discusses the advantages and disadvantages of WTE technology in Latvia and at the general level. The focus of this article is the potential advantages of WTE technology, which encompass a decrease in landfill waste, retrieval of valuable resources, production of energy, and improving financial feasibility. Disadvantages, such as a potential increase of emissions, loss of valuable materials, breaking development of recovery technologies and practices, and neglection of circular economy plans, are also discussed

Do Non-Formal and Informal Education Impact Reaching the Bioeconomy and Green Deal Goals?

To achieve the goals of the bioeconomy, formal education is a cornerstone, as well as non-formal or lifelong learning and informal education. Professionals in their specific profession can expand their knowledge in the context of bioeconomy in non-formal education by attending various seminars and courses, acquiring knowledge in informal or self-education, and reading books, internet sources and other resources. Competencies in the bioeconomy are a cross-cutting element for a professional working in any field. RTU IESE is a leading institution providing non-formal and informal education in bioeconomy and Green Deal topics. This study aims to identify the potential of non-formal and informal education in achieving the goal of bioeconomy and the Green Deal. Non-formal and informal education is an essential type of education that can increase bioeconomy competencies for professionals. Seminars, conferences, courses, lectures, and workshops are non-formal education tools, but with informal – everyday learning (books, scientific papers, conversations, internet resources, TV, audio materials) it can be accelerated to reach bioeconomy and Green Deal goals faster

The Agricultural Sector towards Climate Neutrality

Agriculture is one of the leading sectors which significantly contribute to the increase of GHG emissions, thus contributing to the negative impact that climate change can cause on biodiversity and create extreme weather changes, raise the sea levels, revers ocean currents etc. One of the main objectives of the new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is to improve and promote the sustainability of rural regions by providing economic support and direct payments to ensure farmers’ incomes, which can be compared with the level of other sectors. Direct payments are not only a way to reward farmers but also an opportunity to generate income for farmers in an environmentally friendly operation, providing compensation for possible losses due to reduced production intensity or for costs incurred by farmers in applying climate and environmentally-friendly practices. However, the mechanisms used in the CAP – direct payments and subsidies – do not significantly increase agriculture’s sustainability and technological efficiency. Using a results-based scheme, it is possible to see more clearly the relationship between payment and biodiversity achievements; farmers are defined with specific results that must be achieved. Still, no specific actions are being taken taken to arrive at the results. In this article, the analysis based on a sustainability assessment of CAP measures is performed and blind spots are identified

Social Assessment of Healthcare Waste Management

Circular economy targets clearly define recovery and recycling as predominant actions for future waste management. However, circularity-oriented actions might not be easily implemented for some types of waste. Healthcare sectors generate non-hazardous municipal waste (up to 80–85 % of all generated waste according to the World Health Organization data) and hazardous infectious waste. Due to public health and the spread of infection risks, healthcare waste treatment needs to be organized in a special manner and moreover, recovered materials need to be tested repeatedly. The present paper aims to analyse the social aspects of health care waste recovery technologies along the supply chain (gate-to-gate approach) – from health care waste collection at medical care institutions to recovered materials at treatment plants. Rotoclave and chemical treatment healthcare waste treatment technologies were analysed as case studies. Methodological approach of the study is based on the UNEP/SETAC guidelines for social life-cycle assessment (S-LCA) of products and questionnaire-based indicators. The results of the assessment will bring the framework for improvement of social aspects of healthcare waste management

Life Cycle Assessment of Black Soldier Fly, Yellow Mealworm and Soybean Protein for Use in Fish Feed

As the consumption of fish in the human diet increases, a larger amount of production is needed. The growing demand for fish also has an impact on fish feed, its production efficiency and the sustainability of using raw materials. To evaluate the sustainability of raw materials and the impact on the environment, three protein alternatives are compared – black soldier fly, yellow mealworm and soybean. Each alternative has advantages and disadvantages. The advantages of black soldier fly and yellow mealworm are a valuable source of protein, sustainable growth (as feed can be used for food waste) and no need for arable land. Disadvantages of black soldier fly and yellow mealworm are price, an unbalanced diet can negatively affect growth, and nutritional value effect on the fish vary depending on fly or mealworm species. The advantages of soybeans are price, availability and high protein content, but the disadvantages are a lack of essential amino acids that affect the quality of fish and poor palatability. An LCA study has been carried out for the black soldier fly, yellow mealworm and soybean protein. From PEFCR most relevant impact categories are climate change, particulate matter, acidification, land use, eutrophication terrestrial and water use. The total single score value for black soldier fly protein is 1.43E+01 μPt, for yellow mealworm protein is 3.89E+02 μPt and for soybean protein is 9.72E+01 μPt. Large impact is from electricity consumption, used components for feed. Sensitivity analysis was performed for black soldier fly protein and yellow mealworm protein production, where feed composition was changed. In sensitivity analysis environmental impact is less from the new feed structure. The reason might be that the new feed structure has used food waste and wheat as feed ingredients

Environmental Impact of Natural and Synthetic Astaxanthin Pigments using Life Cycle Assessment

The growing demand for fish and the development of the industry raise concerns about environmental impact. As fish production increases, so does the consumption of fish feed. One of the ingredients in fish feed is pigment, which improves the nutritional value and visual appearance of the product, increasing their marketability. Astaxanthin is a red pigment that also has high antioxidant activity. Natural pigment from microalgae or synthetic pigment may be used in feed. The advantage of natural pigment from microalgae is ecological benefits, as the microalgae culture can sequester carbon and release oxygen. The advantage of synthetic pigment is the economic aspect. The Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) method was used to determine the environmental impact of natural and synthetic pigments. The results obtained from the LCA are expressed according to the impact categories defined by the Product Environmental Footprint Category Rules (PEFCR). Sensitivity analysis was performed for natural pigment, and changes were made only to electricity – electricity is produced by hydropower in Norway, or a country mix from Norway was used. Total single score value for natural pigment is 6.85E+01 mPt, and the largest impact is from preparation of the culture medium phase – from sodium nitrate and magnesium sulfate. Sensitivity analysis results for electricity from a country mix is 4.50E+02 mPt. Total single score value for synthetic pigment is 1.07E-01 mPt. The largest impact is from methanol and electricity consumption. Synthetic pigments have a lower environmental impact than natural pigments; however, a sensitivity analysis shows that the environmental impact can be reduced by choosing an alternative to electricity. It should be noted that the comparison presented reflects a general comparison of alternatives, as the input data is derived from a literature review

Sākotnējā ietekmes uz vidi novērtējuma analīze un attīstības perspektīvas Latvijā

Tiek apskatītas sākotnējā IVN problēmas Latvijā un minēti priekšlikumi sistēmas uzlabošanai un optimizācija

An Assessment of the Potential and Optimal Method for Biowaste Energy Production in Latvia

This paper presents an analysis of the possibilities to utilize biowaste for biogas production in Latvia, including biogas production from landfill gas and biogas production from biowaste by the method of anaerobic digestion. The analysis is based on a selection of criteria and methodology for the optimization of biowaste management and biogas production from biowaste, as well as on preliminary environmental impact assessments and cost-benefit analyses. The first results have shown that the optimal method for biowaste treatment and biogas production from biowaste in Latvia is anaerobic digestion. This optimization depends on certain conditions, e.g. distance from waste source to biogas production plant, energy potential of biowaste, efficiency of separate waste collection etc. The optimization target function includes engineering, environmental, and economical parameters which are applied to foresee the potential of biogas productio