Article
Environmental Studies
Samuel Assefa, Aad Kessler, Luuk Fleskens
Summary: The sustainability of Ethiopia's national Campaign-Based Watershed Management program relies on the active participation of farmers in planning and implementation activities. However, the study finds that farmers' participation level in the program is quite low, with factors such as proximity to microwatersheds, commitment of local leaders, and awareness and motivation of farmers influencing their level of participation. Therefore, steps should be taken to address these issues, including focusing on smaller watersheds, providing local livelihood opportunities, enhancing the commitment of local leaders, and improving farmers' awareness and motivation.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Aderemi Timothy Adeleye, Amos Adeleke Akande, Chuks Kenneth Odoh, Monday Philip, Timothy Tizhe Fidelis, Pigweh Isa Amos, Oluwakemi Oluwabunmi Banjoko
Summary: This review focuses on the synthesis of activated carbon from renewable precursors and its utilization in catalytic systems for a gentle and sustainable approach. Porous carbons have been developed and used as heterogeneous solid catalysts in fine chemical and biofuels synthesis as a sustainable and economical alternative over homogeneous catalytic systems. Efforts in developing sustainable processes for integrated production of value-added products and fuels in biorefineries have led to delicate designs towards sustainability.
JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL AND ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Studies
Dereje Kebede, Bezabih Emana, Girmay Tesfay
Summary: This study empirically investigated the impact of large-scale agricultural investments (LSAIs) on household food security in Ethiopia. The results showed that the LSAIs led to a significant deterioration in the food security status of affected households, including a 23% decrease in daily food energy intake and a 40% decrease in annual food consumption expenditure. Policymakers should reconsider conventional approaches to LSAIs and promote inclusive and empowering methods to address this issue.
Article
Development Studies
Fleur Wouterse, Marina Andrijevic, Michiel Schaeffer
Summary: Climate change has a significant impact on global food supply and demand as well as local food systems, especially in small farm communities. In poverty-stricken areas, climate change poses intensified and unpredictable risks to land-based food security. To address the pressures of climate change, accelerating the adaptive capacity of small-scale, subsistence farms is crucial. The study finds that formal education plays a central role in adaptive capacity, female-headed households are less adapted, and perceived risk based on past hazard experience is crucial for adaptation. Policy makers should focus on micro-regions identified as highly food insecure and enhance adaptive capacity through gender-inclusive education interventions.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Mohammad Alherbawi, Ahmed AlNouss, Gordon Mckay, Tareq Al-Ansari
Summary: Research has been conducted to analyze the production and utilization process of Jatropha using various tools and technologies to find the most sustainable pathway for its utilization and address its potential impacts.
RENEWABLE & SUSTAINABLE ENERGY REVIEWS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Woong Hee Lee, Kyeongsu Kim, Jai Hyun Koh, Dong Ki Lee, Da Hye Won, Hyung-Suk Oh, Ung Lee, Byoung Koun Min
Summary: Carbon dioxide emissions from burning fossil fuels have contributed to global warming and increased climate change risks. To mitigate these impacts, a new energy economic concept called the green-alcohol economy is proposed, where green-alcohol can be used as fuel for transportation and as a liquid organic hydrogen carrier. The production and dehydrogenation of green-alcohol are crucial steps in building a feasible green-alcohol economy.
Article
Environmental Studies
Anika Trebbin
Summary: This study examines the intersection of jatropha and land grabbing hype in India, the leading promoter of the plant globally, and explores how the global land grab discourse influenced actual jatropha investments in the country. The study found that both hyped discourses have impacted investor decisions, but the impact varied depending on the types of company. This research adds a previously overlooked investor perspective to the global land grabbing discourse and emphasizes the importance of considering the role of small and medium enterprises in land grabbing processes.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Biruk Alemu Gemeda, Barbara Wieland, Gezahegn Alemayehu, Theodore J. D. Knight-Jones, Hiwot Desta Wodajo, Misgana Tefera, Adem Kumbe, Abebe Olani, Shubisa Abera, Kebede Amenu
Summary: The study aimed to analyze the distribution and patterns of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Escherichia coli isolated from livestock feces and soil in smallholder livestock systems in Ethiopia. The results showed that resistance to at least one antimicrobial was detected in 52% of cattle fecal samples, 34% of sheep samples, 58% of goat samples, and 53% of soil samples. The highest prevalence of resistance was found against streptomycin, followed by amoxicillin/clavulanate and tetracycline. The odds of detecting E. coli resistance to multiple antimicrobials were higher in lowland pastoral systems compared to highland mixed crop-livestock systems. These findings provide important insights into AMR in low-resource settings.
Review
Plant Sciences
Larissa Renata Santos Andrade, Raul Jose Alves Felisardo, Ianny Andrade Cruz, Muhammad Bilal, Hafiz M. N. Iqbal, Sikandar I. I. Mulla, Ram Naresh Bharagava, Ranyere Lucena de Souza, Lucas Carvalho Basilio Azevedo, Luiz Fernando Romanholo Ferreira
Summary: Cassava processing generates a large amount of waste, but this waste has excellent potential for bioenergy and non-energy products. However, the sustainability of biorefineries faces environmental challenges and uncertainties. Life cycle assessment provides information to help address production bottlenecks and improve competitiveness.
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Abd El-Fatah Abomohra, Xuying Zheng, Qingyuan Wang, Jin Huang, Reham Ebaid
Summary: This study evaluated in-situ co-transesterification of wet spent coffee ground (SCG)/microalgae mixture for enhanced biodiesel production. The optimum conditions for maximum biodiesel yield were found to be 198 degrees C, 6 mL solvent g(-1) biomass, and a reaction time of 132 min. Pure microalgae showed the highest biodiesel yield, while pure SCG showed the lowest yield.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Anna Maria Lis, Marta Mackiewicz
Summary: The paper explores the role of clusters in green transformation, focusing on green, low-carbon, and circular economies. The authors used both qualitative and quantitative research methods to study a group of Polish Key National Clusters. Their findings reveal that the surveyed clusters undertake various practices to promote green transformation, and they are active in different thematic areas. The study highlights the potential of clusters as agents of change for green transformation.
ECOLOGICAL ECONOMICS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Jinshu Huang, Yumei Jian, Hu Li, Zhen Fang
Summary: A novel biochar catalyst was prepared by thermochemical treatment of lignin-derived monomers at a low temperature, showing good structure and controllable acidity, high stability, recyclability, and high efficiency for biodiesel production.
Article
Development Studies
Sarah Rogers, Brooke Wilmsen, Xiao Han, Zoe Ju-Han Wang, Yuefang Duan, Jun He, Jie Li, Wanlong Lin, Christine Wong
Summary: Major changes are occurring in the Chinese countryside, driven by a range of policies, regulations, and financial instruments towards larger-scale, more commercialized, and industrialized agriculture. Despite limited land transfer from smallholders to other operators based on national statistics, a survey focusing on apple, tea, orange, and coffee-growing areas reveals that the transfer of land is not widespread, highlighting the viability of specialized smallholder farming.
Article
Agronomy
Eniko Kovacs, Maria-Alexandra Hoaghia, Lacrimioara Senila, Daniela Alexandra Scurtu, Cerasel Varaticeanu, Cecilia Roman, Diana Elena Dumitras
Summary: As the population and living standards increase globally, the use of energy and materials has also been on the rise. A study has shown that converting vine shoot waste into pellets/briquettes biofuels has a lower negative impact on the environment compared to the production of bioethanol.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Chaoqiong Li, Yuxing Shi, Sufyan Ullah Khan, Minjuan Zhao
Summary: The study found that household characteristics, family characteristics, agricultural management characteristics, social characteristics, and cognitive characteristics significantly affect smallholders' adoption of AGPT, and that AGPT adoption significantly increases the TE of rice production, especially for farmers who are older, less educated, more specialized in planting, have more fragmented land, and have more off-farm employment.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2021)
Editorial Material
Environmental Sciences
Thomas Breu, David Molden
MOUNTAIN RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
(2019)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Thomas Breu, Michael Bergoo, Laura Ebneter, Myriam Pham-Truffert, Sabin Bieri, Peter Messerli, Cordula Ott, Christoph Bader
Summary: Five years after the adoption of the 2030 Agenda, there has been a general lack of progress in reaching its Sustainable Development Goals on national, regional, or global scales, which scientists attribute to insufficient understanding and addressing of interactions between goals and targets. This study aims to contribute to the methodological conceptualization of the 2030 Agenda's implementation at the national level, proposing an eight-step proposal for creating knowledge to support national 2030 Agendas.
SUSTAINABILITY SCIENCE
(2021)
Editorial Material
Environmental Sciences
Davnah Payne, Sarah-Lan Mathez-Stiefel, Susanne Wymann von Dach, Anne Zimmermann, David Molden, Thomas Breu
MOUNTAIN RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
(2020)
Article
Economics
Roger Baer, Juergen Reinhard, Albrecht Ehrensperger, Boniface Kiteme, Thomas Mkunda, Susanne Wymann von Dach
Summary: Most households in sub-Saharan Africa rely on wood-based cooking fuels for cooking, but there is potential for change in the future. Policy has a significant impact on the future mix of cooking fuels, highlighting the importance of prioritizing the sustainability of the biomass cooking fuel sector.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Lilian Julia Trechsel, Anne Barbara Zimmermann, Camilla Steinbock, Thomas Breu, Karl Herweg, Susan Thieme
Summary: This article discusses international student mobility, inequalities in higher education, and transformative learning for sustainable development. Tracking PhD alumni of an international Swiss research program revealed that students from the global South experienced immediate career advancement, while those from the global North took longer to progress. In-depth interviews with graduates highlighted the empowerment through networks and interdisciplinary relationships, emphasizing the importance of safe spaces for transformative learning supported by unconventional teaching and research strategies.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
T. Gross, L. Breitenmoser, S. Kumar, A. Ehrensperger, T. Wintgens, C. Hugi
Summary: Anaerobic digestion of biowaste in India shows promise for renewable energy and organic fertilizers, with intersectoral analyses revealing varied benefits in different regions. While villages benefit from energy production, towns and cities focus more on fertilizer supply and pollution control.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Gabriela Wuelser, Carolina Adler, Thomas Breu, Gertrude Hirsch Hadorn, Urs Wiesmann, Christian Pohl
Summary: Transdisciplinary research uses knowledge co-production to solve societal problems, focusing on relevance and validity in specific contexts. Transferable knowledge from TDR includes principles, approaches, procedures, and formats, with efforts needed to develop and discuss in areas beyond principles and approaches.
SUSTAINABILITY SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Jasmina Saric, Fabian Kaser, Jon-Andri Lys, Jurg Utzinger, Thomas Breu
Summary: Research that actively bridges science and practice has the potential to accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals by combining strengths on individual, project, entity, and sustainable development levels. However, weaknesses include decreased scientific quality in research projects and inefficient implementation services. The lack of career paths for individuals wishing to pursue academic research alongside services poses a threat. Increased funding for Swiss Universities of Applied Sciences presents an opportunity in this area.
Article
Development Studies
Jasmina Saric, Thomas Breu, Gilbert Fokou, Salome-Joelle Gass, Boniface Kiteme, Honorati Masanja, Jurg Utzinger, Gete Zeleke, Fabian Kaeser
Summary: Over the past decade, higher education institutions have made considerable progress aligning with sustainable development goals, with some African HEIs focusing on implementation science and development assistance services to advance sustainable development. The research found that participating organizations excelled in implementation quality, local relevance of research, and uptake of research evidence into policy and practice, but faced challenges in operating a bi-sectoral model. The study highlights the unique role research-implementation institutions play in achieving sustainable development through optimized support systems and strong research ecosystems.
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
(2023)
Review
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Anh-Thu Nguyen, Carlos Oya, Alice Beban, Christophe Gironde, Rob Cole, Albrecht Ehrensperger
Summary: Agricultural commercialization in the Mekong region has been studied from three research traditions - neoclassical, Marxian political economy, and neopopulist approaches. The neoclassical literature argues for positive impacts on household incomes, while the Marxian political economy tradition highlights social differentiation and negative impacts. The neopopulist perspective finds negative impacts compared to traditional livelihoods. The implications for policy are discussed.
JOURNAL OF LAND USE SCIENCE
(2023)
Review
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Cornelia Hett, Zar Chi Aye, Christophe Gironde, Alice Beban, Jean-Christophe Castella, Rasso Bernhard, Albrecht Ehrensperger
Summary: The study found that agroecological approaches in the Mekong Region have room for further development, particularly in terms of holistic approaches and gender issues. To promote agroecological transitions, sectoral barriers must be overcome, and greater emphasis should be placed on women's roles in sustainable agriculture.
JOURNAL OF LAND USE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Beatrice Adoyo, Urs Schaffner, Stellah Mukhovi, Boniface Kiteme, Purity Rima Mbaabu, Sandra Eckert, Simon Choge, Albrecht Ehrensperger
Summary: This study assessed the spatiotemporal trajectories and determinants of Prosopis cover in Baringo County, Kenya. The results revealed that most plots were only temporarily managed or not managed at all, while continuous management of Prosopis occurred mainly near rivers and on plots suitable for cultivation. It is important to clear Prosopis near roads, which are dispersal pathways for Prosopis seeds.
JOURNAL OF LAND USE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Ecology
S-L Mathez-Stiefel, A. J. Mulanovich, S. Jaquet, S. Bieri, J. Lojas, T. Breu, P. Messerli
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jasmina Saric, Dominic Blaettler, Bassirou Bonfoh, Silvia Hostettler, Elizabeth Jimenez, Boniface Kiteme, Inza Kone, Jon-Andri Lys, Honorati Masanja, Eveline Steinger, Bishnu Raj Upreti, Jurg Utzinger, Mirko S. Winkler, Thomas Breu
GAIA-ECOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES FOR SCIENCE AND SOCIETY
(2019)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Christoph Oberlack, Thomas Breu, Markus Giger, Nicole Harari, Karl Herweg, Sarah-Lan Mathez-Stiefel, Peter Messerli, Stephanie Moser, Cordula Ott, Isabelle Providoli, Theresa Tribaldos, Anne Zimmermann, Flurina Schneider
GAIA-ECOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES FOR SCIENCE AND SOCIETY
(2019)