Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Michele Costantini, Ian Vazquez-Rowe, Alessandro Manzardo, Jacopo Bacenetti
Summary: Beef production has significant environmental impact globally, with pasture and feedlot stages showing different effects. Further research is needed to explore mitigation solutions and implications of different scenarios.
SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION AND CONSUMPTION
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
P. W. Ndung'u, T. Takahashi, C. J. L. du Toit, M. Robertson-Dean, K. Butterbach-Bahl, G. A. McAuliffe, L. Merbold, J. P. Goopy
Summary: Ruminants play a central role in the economic and nutritional life of sub-Saharan Africa, but cattle are blamed for their disproportionately large negative environmental impact due to greenhouse gas emissions. However, the mechanism behind excessive emissions on some farms is not well understood. This study used individual animal records to quantify farm-level greenhouse gas emission intensities of smallholder farms in Western Kenya. The results showed a wide range of emission intensities, with milk being responsible for the majority of emissions. Enteric methane production was found to be the main contributor to emissions. The data collected from individual animals on smallholder farms demonstrated the variability in emission intensity and provided indicators on how to achieve low emission intensity in these environments.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Laurine Santos Carvalho, Camila Daniele Willers, Bruna Borges Soares, Alex Rodrigues Nogueira, Jose Adolfo de Almeida Neto, Luciano Brito Rodrigues
Summary: The environmental performance of cow milk produced in a conventional semi-intensive system was evaluated using a life cycle assessment method. Methane and nitrogen emissions from enteric animals and feeding inputs were identified as major contributors to impacts. Strategies based on literature were suggested to mitigate environmental impacts, emphasizing productivity improvement and efficient use of supply chain inputs. Sensitivity analysis confirmed the consistency of results despite uncertainties in methodological choices and database usage.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Mingbao He, Yingchun Li, Shixiang Zong, Kuo Li, Xue Han, Mingyue Zhao
Summary: China is a major producer of green tea, especially from small farmers. This study analyzed the carbon footprint of green tea produced by smallholder farmers in Shaanxi Province, using the life-cycle assessment method. The results revealed high carbon emission intensities during processing and cultivation stages, mainly due to coal use, complex processing procedures, and older equipment in processing, and fertilizer production and application in cultivation. The study suggests the importance of establishing a scientific fertilization system, optimizing processing equipment and energy utilization, and promoting the concept of low-carbon consumption for reducing carbon emissions by smallholder farmers. Furthermore, it emphasizes the need to focus on carbon emissions from the production processes of small farmers.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Friederike Ziegler, Katarina Nilsson, Nette Levermann, Masaana Dorph, Bjarne Lyberth, Amalie A. Jessen, Genevieve Desportes
Summary: As modern Western diets become more popular around the world, the need for a sustainable global food chain becomes increasingly urgent. This study explores the impact of dietary shifts on sustainability in Greenland, finding that the greenhouse gas emissions of locally hunted seal meat are significantly lower than those of imported livestock products.
Article
Immunology
Catherine Kaluwa, Jemimah Oduma, Faduma Abdullahi Abdirahman, Byalungwa Kyotos Kitoga, Angela A. A. Opondoh, John Muchibi, Brigitte Bagnol, Marieke Rosenbaum, Sylvia Onchaga, Meghan Stanley, Janetrix Hellen Amuguni
Summary: Livestock diseases are a significant hindrance to productivity for both male and female livestock keepers in Africa. This study focuses on the linkages between women's empowerment and access and control over livestock products and vaccines, specifically in Kenya. The Women Empowerment in Livestock Index (WELI) was used to measure empowerment scores for women in Machakos county, Kenya. The results show that women contribute significantly to livestock productive activities but have low vaccination rates and minimal knowledge on livestock diseases.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Kitoga Byalungwa Kyotos, Jemimah Oduma, Raphael Githaiga Wahome, Catherine Kaluwa, Faduma Abdulahi Abdirahman, Angela Opondoh, Jeanette Nkatha Mbobua, John Muchibi, Brigitte Bagnol, Meghan Stanley, Marieke Rosenbaum, Janetrix Hellen Amuguni
Summary: This study examines the barriers preventing women smallholder farmers in Kenya from effectively accessing and adopting CCPP vaccination for their animals. The key constraints identified include lack of a cold chain for vaccine maintenance, inadequate and late delivery of veterinary services, lack of information and training, and limited financial capacity. The study suggests that providing more resources, information, and training to women farmers, as well as considering gender perspectives in policy development, can improve livestock productivity and increase agency for women.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Hossein Sabet, Shabnam Sadri Moghaddam, Majid Ehteshami
Summary: This study assessed the potential environmental implications of innovative sludge reduction technologies based on lab-scale results. Three different scenarios were selected and analyzed using the life cycle assessment method. The results showed that the integrated SBR system with an anaerobic side-stream reactor was the most efficient and sustainable alternative in environmental terms.
JOURNAL OF WATER PROCESS ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Lennart Kokemohr, Neus Escobar, Alexandre Mertens, Claire Mosnier, Giacomo Pirlo, Patrick Veysset, Till Kuhn
Summary: This study assesses the environmental, social, and economic performances of three typical beef production systems in the EU at the farm level. The results show that the German system performs best in environmental indicators, while the French and Italian systems show higher economic performance. The sensitivity analysis identifies the major factors influencing the results.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2022)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Yovanna Elena Valencia-Barba, Jose Manuel Gomez-Soberon, Maria Consolacion Gomez-Soberon, Maria Neftali Rojas-Valencia
Summary: This research analyzed 44 interior partition walls in the Spanish residential sector and found that the product stage has the greatest contribution to environmental impact. It emphasizes the importance of considering multi-layer components as an entire element for more representative and trustworthy results in real practice application.
JOURNAL OF BUILDING ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Agronomy
Juanjuan Cheng, Qian Wang, Dongjian Li, Jin Yu
Summary: This study compared the environmental and economic performance of apple production between cooperatives and smallholder farmers using the methods of life cycle assessment (LCA) and life cycle cost (LCC). The results showed that cooperatives significantly reduced resource depletion and environmental impacts compared to smallholder farmers, while also having lower total life cycle cost (LCC) and higher net profit. The study provides insights into optimizing farm inputs for apple production and active participation in agricultural cooperatives to promote sustainable development of the apple industry in China.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Milad Golkaram, Rajesh Mehta, Mathilde Taveau, Anna Schwarz, Harold Gankema, Jan Harm Urbanus, Lia De Simon, Seda Cakir-Benthem, Toon van Harmelen
Summary: One of the key challenges for plastics in a circular economy is its degradation, and this study presents a novel quality model that accurately assesses the quality of recycled plastic and provides guidance for applications and decision making.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2022)
Review
Agronomy
Giuliana Vinci, Roberto Ruggieri, Marco Ruggeri, Sabrina Antonia Prencipe
Summary: Rice is a crucial crop in terms of human consumption, and assessing the sustainability of its production process is of great importance. This research investigates the recent literature on Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of rice primary production to determine the extent to which Life Cycle Thinking (LCT) and sustainability have been applied in the rice sector, as well as identify research gaps. The study reveals limited consideration of multiple functional units, methodological differences leading to result variability, and inadequate focus on socio-economic aspects.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Claudiane M. Ouellet-Plamondon, Livia Ramseier, Maria Balouktsi, Laetitia Delem, Greg Foliente, Nicolas Francart, Antonio Garcia-Martinez, Endrit Hoxha, Thomas Luetzkendorf, Freja Nygaard Rasmussen, Bruno Peuportier, Jarred Butler, Harpa Birgisdottir, David Dowdell, Manish Kumar Dixit, Vanessa Gomes, Maristela Gomes da Silva, Juan Carlos Gomez de Cozar, Marianne Kjendseth Wiik, Carmen Llatas, Ricardo Mateus, Lizzie M. Pulgrossi, Martin Roeck, Marcella Ruschi Mendes Saade, Alexander Passer, Daniel Satola, Seongwon Seo, Bernardette Soust Verdaguer, Jakub Veselka, Martin Volf, Xiaojin Zhang, Rolf Frischknecht
Summary: This article compares the life cycle assessment of the same multi-residential building from the perspective of 16 countries participating in the international project Annex 72 of the International Energy Agency to determine the effects of different datasets and methods of accounting for biogenic carbon in wood construction. The results show substantial variations due to different methods, highlighting the need for further research and practical guidelines to harmonize life cycle assessment methods of buildings with bio-based materials.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2023)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Xueyuan Deng, Kun Lu
Summary: The building industry generates significant carbon emissions, contributing to the worsening of the greenhouse effect. Building Information Modeling (BIM) is an effective method for assessing embodied carbon, but the lack of compatibility among different BIM software hinders this process. This paper proposes a six-step methodology based on Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) to calculate embodied carbon. The methodology provides a transparent process at various levels, enabling impartial carbon audits. Additionally, an innovative IFC tool, NMBIM, is developed to automate the process, allowing for quick assessment and optimization of embodied carbon in multi-participant collaborative works using heterogeneous BIM models.
JOURNAL OF BUILDING ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Environmental Studies
A. Muscat, E. M. de Olde, J. J. L. Candel, I. J. M. de Boer, R. Ripoll-Bosch
Summary: Appropriating marginal land is regarded as a solution to various land-use challenges, but the multiple definitions and interpretations of marginal land lead to competing claims and debates. Exact definitions or estimations are unlikely to resolve land-use controversies, and deliberative science-policy relationships are needed.
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
L. Schreefel, I. J. M. de Boer, C. J. Timler, J. C. J. Groot, M. J. Zwetsloot, R. E. Creamer, A. Pas Schrijver, H. H. E. van Zanten, R. P. O. Schulte
Summary: The objective of this study is to create a modeling framework for the redesign of farming systems and assessment of ecosystem services associated with regenerative agriculture. The results indicate that soil management practices can improve local ecosystem services and have an impact on the socio-economic sustainability of the farm.
AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yue Wang, Imke J. M. de Boer, Yong E. Hou, Corina van Middelaar
Summary: The rapid intensification of animal and crop production in Chinese dairy farms has led to high nutrient losses and food-feed competition. This study found that Chinese dairy farms heavily rely on imported feed and are not closely connected to crop production. On-farm croplands play a minor role in feed supply but are overloaded with cattle manure. The average nutrient use efficiencies were low, indicating inefficient utilization of nutrients. Farms with higher milk yields and moderate concentrate use performed better in nutrient use efficiencies and food-feed conversion ratios.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
D. B. Akakpo, I. J. M. de Boer, K. E. Giller, S. Adjei-Nsiah, A. J. Duncan, S. J. Oosting
Summary: Crop residues have the potential to address feed shortages and nutrient deficiencies in West Africa. This study assessed the nutritional quality of grain legume fodders under different storage conditions. The results showed that farmers and sheep were able to distinguish quality differences based on physical characteristics, while laboratory analyses could not. Correlations were found between the different quality assessment methods, with crop differences being the important determinants. This highlights the value of farmers' knowledge in formulating and implementing interventions.
SMALL RUMINANT RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Shiksha Adhikari, Marijke Schop, Imke J. M. de Boer, Thom Huppertz
Summary: When designing healthy and sustainable diets, the quality of nutrients, particularly proteins, is just as important as the quantity. Assessing protein quality based on amino acid concentration and digestibility allows for ranking of proteins and evaluation of complementarity between protein sources. Integration of protein quality on a dietary level should be done based on measurements of individual amino acids, while considering the effects of processing.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Shilpi Misra, John Upton, Edgar G. Manzanilla, Keelin O'Driscoll, Amy J. Quinn, Imke J. M. de Boer, Corina E. van Middelaar
Summary: Livestock feed production is a major consumer of freshwater and arable land. This study examines the impact of different pig diets on freshwater usage for pork production. Three feeding scenarios were explored: standard diets, local diets, and by-product diets. The water footprint and competition for water resources were calculated for each scenario using the water footprint method and the water use ratio. The study found that by-product diets performed the best in terms of freshwater usage. Consideration of human edibility and the broader food system is important when determining pig diets.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
A. H. O'Connor, L. Shalloo, E. A. M. Bokkers, I. J. M. de Boer, H. Hogeveen, R. Sayers, N. Byrne, E. Ruelle
Summary: Moderate to severe forms of suboptimal mobility on dairy cows are associated with yield losses, whereas mild forms of suboptimal mobility are associated with elevated somatic cell count and an increased risk to be culled. The economic consequences of mild forms of suboptimal mobility are generally ignored, but this study aimed to determine their impact.
JOURNAL OF DAIRY SCIENCE
(2023)
Review
Fisheries
Anne-Jo van Riel, Marit A. J. Nederlof, Killian Chary, Geert F. Wiegertjes, Imke J. M. de Boer
Summary: This study analyzed the feed-food competition in aquaculture using natural trophic levels (TLs) and species-specific human-edible protein conversion ratios (HePCRs). The results showed that under current feed use, carp, tilapia, and shrimp are net contributors of protein, requiring 0.6 kg of human edible protein to produce 1 kg of fillet/meat protein. However, the use of food-competing ingredients like soya bean meal and fishmeal increases the HePCR to 2, making these species become net consumers of protein. To prevent this, the use of high-quality food-competing ingredients should be minimized in aquaculture feed.
REVIEWS IN AQUACULTURE
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Annemarieke de Bruin, Imke J. M. de Boer, Niels R. Faber, Gjalt de Jong, Katrien J. A. M. Termeer, Evelien M. de Olde
Summary: The transition towards sustainable and just food systems is being actively pursued through various initiatives aiming to address unsustainable practices and social injustices. This paper investigates the conceptualizations of justice and the principles used by authors when discussing food system initiatives, offering insights into how justice is understood in the context of these transitions. The identified conceptualizations and principles provide a framework for reflection and clarity in conceptualizing justice, guiding efforts towards a just transition for sustainable and equitable food systems.
AGRICULTURE AND HUMAN VALUES
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Jelle Silvius, Anne G. Hoogstra, Jeroen J. L. Candel, Evelien M. de Olde, Imke J. M. de Boer, Catrien J. A. M. Termeer
Summary: Policymakers and scientists recognize the importance of emerging circular initiatives in driving transformations towards sustainable food systems, but it is challenging to determine their transformative potential. To address this gap, we develop a heuristic of five characteristics for potentially transformative circular agriculture initiatives and provide examples to illustrate these characteristics.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
K. McGarr-O'Brien, J. Herron, L. Shalloo, I. J. M. De Boer, E. M. De Olde
Summary: This study characterized the sustainability certification standards used in dairy production and identified 19 standards that qualify as sustainability certification based on selection criteria. The standards vary in terms of organization type, number of indicators, sustainability themes covered, and the balance of credibility, accessibility, and continuous improvement. The environmental pillar is most frequently addressed, while the economic pillar is least addressed. The analysis shows that credibility and accessibility are often described and assured, but continuous improvement is less focused on. The variability in standards allows farmers to choose a standard that aligns with their beliefs or stage of development, but it may also create mistrust in standards.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Benjamin van Selm, Renske Hijbeek, Martin K. van Ittersum, Ollie van Hal, Corina E. van Middelaar, Imke J. M. de Boer
Summary: Livestock and feed production are often separated and this disrupts nutrient cycles and leads to environmental degradation. Reconnecting livestock and feed production at a local level can enhance circularity and decrease emissions. This study shows that recoupling livestock and feed production has the potential to improve sustainability and reduce environmental impact.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Ollie van Hal, Hannah H. E. van Zanten, Friederike Ziegler, Johan W. Schrama, Kiki Kuiper, Imke J. M. de Boer
Summary: Studies have shown that aquatic animals also contribute to food supply, especially as a source of valuable omega-3 fatty acids. Proper balance of different fish and livestock systems is required to provide valuable human food, with priority given to edible fish for human consumption.
SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION AND CONSUMPTION
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Ndungu S. Nyokabi, Imke J. M. de Boer, Jos Bijman, Bockline Bebe, Norman Aguilar-Gallegos, Lisette Phelan, Johanna Lindahl, Bernard Bett, Simon J. Oosting
Summary: The study aimed to examine social networks in dairy value chains in Kenya and understand how power relationships and trust among actors influence milk quality behavior. The researchers conducted stakeholder analysis using the Net-Map tool and analyzed social networks using VisuaLyzer software. They found that formal value chains had more actors and dense social networks with power asymmetries and limited trust, while informal value chains had fewer actors and less dense social networks with higher trust due to personal relationships. They also discovered that milk quality was perceived to be higher in the formal value chain. The study highlights the importance of addressing power asymmetries and enhancing trust to improve compliance with milk quality standards.
NJAS-IMPACT IN AGRICULTURAL AND LIFE SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Benjamin van Selm, Hannah H. E. van Zanten, Renske Hijbeek, Corina E. van Middelaar, Marijke Schop, Martin K. van Ittersum, Imke J. M. de Boer
Summary: Applying circularity interventions to the food system can reduce land use and greenhouse gas emissions. Changes in human diets, imports, exports, and waste utilisation can have significant environmental benefits.
