Efforts to Improve
Supply Chain Sustainability in Albania: A Status Report View Digital Media
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Ralph G Kauffman, Jeffery Adams, Engjellushe Icka
Most economically developed nations have laws/regulations that are intended to improve environmental sustainability. However, many developing nations either do not have any regulations or do not enforce existing regulations. Research has shown that sustainable development is enhanced by the existence of strong supply chains. However, in many developing countries, supply chain strength is hampered by: corruption, lack of infrastructure, social problems, and informality. This study was undertaken in the country of Albania to determine the status of supply chain environmental sustainability there as an example of sustainable development in developing countries. The study focuses on small and medium-sized companies because in Albania most companies are not large. The concept of sustainability is briefly introduced using the three pillars definition: economic, social, and environmental sustainability. The main impact of supply chain activities on sustainability is environmental, therefore this study focuses on that aspect of sustainability. Demographics and industry in Albania are discussed in general. SMEs in particular are discussed regarding characteristics, issues, motivation, and barriers to implementation of sustainable business practices. Eight companies were visited and interviewed to determine the status of environmental sustainability in their supply chain business practices. Because Albania is mostly an agricultural country, most of the companies are producing food-related products. All companies are either implementing or considering implementation of sustainable business practices. One company is discussed in detail as an example of objectives and practices being planned and implemented to increase environmental sustainability in supply chains.
Featured Implementing a Smart Home for Sustainability and Resiliency in a Changing Climate View Digital Media
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Russell Manser, Brian Ancell
Efforts to mitigate climate change impacts will be required in the coming decades to ensure countries, communities, and individuals have access to affordable power and water (utilities). As natural disasters increase in severity and frequency, resiliency against these events will also become increasingly important. The current American centralized utilities infrastructure is susceptible to natural disasters, which can leave communities without utilities for days or longer. While efforts to improve the infrastructure are important, it may be possible to achieve sustainability and resiliency at the single residence and community levels. This work discusses the Home Utility Management System (HUMS), which addresses issues with centralized utilities through on-site generation of renewable utilities. The HUMS home is equipped with solar panels, a residential wind turbine, a battery array, and a water collection tank and filtration system. A novel aspect of HUMS is the custom software, which synthesizes weather forecast data with household utilities consumption to provide tailored predictions of utilities generation to residents. Specifically, machine learning algorithms are trained to extract forecasts specifically for the HUMS home, and artificial intelligence algorithms are also employed to provide resource conservation suggestions to the residents. Our goal is to provide residents with meaningful and pointed information that can assist them in conserving their resources, particularly when those resources are limited. In doing so, we aim to investigate the quality of life the HUMS home can afford its residents and if sustainability efforts at the residential and community scales can mitigate the impacts of a changing climate.
Strategic Environmental Assessment for Urban Systems Transformation
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Alexandra Polido
Cities and urban systems transformations are paramount for global change. These transformations aim at systemic change necessary to tackle socio-ecological challenges, decision-making processes (e.g., policy, plans, programmes) and governance issues in urban systems. To advance policies and planning for urban transformation, understanding the type of capacity that enables the desirable change is necessary. Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) is an environmental policy tool with the potential to help this transformation towards urban sustainability. This research explores how SEA contributes to enhancing urban systems transformation capacity. Specifically, this paper examines how an SEA for Sustainability placed-based conceptual framework is linked with urban transformation scholarship and how SEA can contribute to urban transformation capacity towards sustainability. Findings show that SEA for Sustainability is aligned with three main themes focused on the urban transformations’ literature: governance and community empowerment, knowledge co-production and cooperation networks, and resilience enhancement. Overall, this work lays the foundation for future research into examining the effects of SEA in urban systems transformation and exploring opportunities to enhance sustainability in these territories.
Credibility of Net Zero Pledges: What Could Make Governments Retreat from Ambitious Climate Targets? View Digital Media
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Jeong Won Kim
The credibility of net zero pledges emerged as a critical issue given that reaching net zero is inevitable to meet the 1.5°C global climate goal. Amid the proliferation of net zero pledges, it is observed that several national and municipal governments delayed their net zero targets and policies. They suggest that the governments could be tempted to postpone or abandon their net zero targets and plans under changes in political and economic conditions and circumstances. Such a setback of not meeting the net zero targets may cast doubt on the credibility of ambitious climate targets and plans. This study explores potential factors that discourage governments from meeting their net zero targets based on the case study of Costa Rica, Copenhagen, and the UK. Governments may give up or postpone net zero targets and policies for political purposes. Also, overreliance on carbon removal and external financial support could hinder achieving net zero targets. To avoid retracting from ambitious climate policies and enhance the credibility of net zero pledges, the current net zero pledges need to be scrutinized and ensure legally binding targets, concrete plans, and greater accountability for success and failure.
