Bøger i Environmental Footprints and Eco-design of Products and Processes serien

This book highlights the notion of Circular Economy under the umbrella of Sustainability because of the widespread momentum it is gaining. Today the whole world is certainly in emergent need of an alternative system to traditional economy which is linear, i.e. make, use and dispose to get rid-off the waste and very important to ensure continuous use of resources, which is possible by the advent of circular economy.  A circular economy aims to utilize the resources in use for as long as possible, extract the maximum value from them during use, then recover and regenerate products and materials at the end of each service life vis-a-vis traditional linear model.  This book discusses circular economy in terms of assessment with various case studies.

This book highlights one of the most important water pollutants known as Microplastics. It has been reported that humans and the environment are dealing with microplastics particles in water and aquatic media. Despite the fact that such pollution might have mainly started out from the sea, it is now in lakes, rivers, ponds and even drinking water. This book presents as overview of microplastics in freshwater environments in different regions around the world. It discusses the ecotoxicological effects of microplastics, the removal/remediation techniques of microplastics and the role of water/wastewater treatment plants in spreading microplastics. This book is a valuable resource, covering wide aspects of microplastics from sources, detection and characterization to removal and their fate in treatment plants.

This book is devoted to strengthening the theoretical and methodological basis, systematization of international experience, and scientific elaboration of prospects for developing a climate-smart economy and business as a vector of the sustainable development of Industry 4.0 in the Decade of Action.The first part of the book focuses on climate-responsible entrepreneurship in support of the sustainable development of Industry 4.0. The part systematizes best practices for climate-smart green innovations across sectors of the digital economy. The third part reveals the experience of climate risk management based on smart green innovations in regions and countries. Particular attention is paid to the best practices of the European Union (EU) and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). The book ends with part four, which explores ESG climate risk management and green finance in support of combating climate change.The book¿s novelty is that it rethinks the environmental footprints of Industry 4.0 from the perspective of climate risks and their management. The theoretical significance of the book lies in the formation of an innovative concept of climate change risk management, in which the economy, society, nature, and technology are presented and interact effectively. The book is intended for scientists. In this book, they will find an innovative and systemic vision of smart green innovations in Industry 4.0 for climate change risk management.

This book highlights the sustainability aspects of products and processes in forest science. The forest products sector supplies raw materials to several industrial sectors worldwide. These products can be classified as timber or non-timber products. Wood products are those that originate from the woody fraction and can include pulp, charcoal, firewood, and others. The non-timber products, on the other hand, have the products extracted from the different parts of the tree, such as bark, leaves, fruits, resins, oils, tannins, or even products extracted from non-woody biomass, such as palm heart or carnauba, among others. There are new studies and new products developed from forests worldwide each day. However, studies that evaluate the sustainability of these products and the processes related to their production are not so common. It is essential to highlight the sustainability aspects of these activities and the products obtained from them; such that steps can be taken to make the processes eco-friendly.Allied to ecological sustainability studies that evaluate the technical and economic feasibility of such activities arise. With this book, the authors through the approach of other products and processes of forest science, present the practical vision of aligning production with sustainability in an economically viable way. The book analyses different products and processes, ranging from technological production of engineered wood products to handcrafted resins with a high commercial appeal. With the expertise of different authors, who are researchers in various specific areas of forest sciences, this book helps expand research and presents new insights, assisting industry decision-makers and researchers working in the areas forest sciences.

This contributed volume offers several cases in life cycle assessment (LCA) and implementation of circular economy principles across different industries. LCA is a tool which is utilized to measure the environmental footprints of various products from inception through disposal. Circular economy, a related concept, presents a meaningful alternative to a traditional linear economy as it seeks possible ways to reduce waste, recover resources at the end of a product¿s life, and channel them back into production, thus significantly reducing environmental impacts. LCA and CE complement each other, as the former can be used to meaningfully assess possibilities for the latter. The combination of the principles of CE and LCA enable product developers to quantify the environmental performance of various products, processes and supply chain configurations in order to make progress toward sustainability.

This book covers topics related to implementation of advanced technologies, such as AI, big data, procurement 4.0, Logistics 4.0 and Lean 4.0, in Industry 4.0 for the manufacturing supply chain. Many applications of Industry 4.0 in the manufacturing supply chain have been presented. The content of this book is useful for students, researchers and professionals in order to implement Industry 4.0 in manufacturing supply chain.

This book brings forth the fundamental understanding of the role of Industry 4.0 technologies in sustainable manufacturing supply chain. Readers will get an overview of the challenges, opportunities, and requirements for the implementation of digital technologies and how they can support manufacturing supply chains to be sustainable. The book presents many applications of Industry 4.0 including integration of IoT, AI, Big Data, Blockchain, Procurement 4.0, Logistics 4.0, and Lean 4.0 in different contexts. The book therefore provides a platform for researchers, academicians, and professionals from diverse backgrounds to gain state-of-the-art knowledge for using Industry 4.0 in sustainable manufacturing supply chains. Readers will also be able to identify the practical significance and opportunities for future work directions.

This book proposes digitalization as a promising direction for green growth and sustainable development of the economy of Central Asia. It reveals the advanced and unique hands-on and case-based experience of Central Asia in ESG management with the involvement of digital technologies and provides practical recommendations on the extension of the use of digital technologies in ESG management of the development of the green economy in Central Asia.

This book highlights the relevant and timely global change movement: green entrepreneurship. Presented in this book is relevant literature and academic knowledge. The book is expected to  support in creating more green entrepreneurship initiatives in collaboration with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.