Ambiente e Sustentabilidade | Artigos em revistas internacionais / Papers in international journals
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Browsing Ambiente e Sustentabilidade | Artigos em revistas internacionais / Papers in international journals by Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) "07:Energias Renováveis e Acessíveis"
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- Co-creating a sustainability performance assessment tool for public sector organisationsPublication . Ramos, Tomás B.; Domingues, Ana Rita; Caeiro, Sandra; Cartaxo, Joana; Painho, Marco; Antunes, Paula; Santos, Rui; Videira, Nuno; Walker, Richard M.; Huisingh, DonaldOrganisations are increasingly being pushed to manage, assess and report their sustainability performance, including public sector organisations (PSO). Several approaches were developed to implement sustainability assessments at the organisation level. However, the majority are still for the private sector and are often not supported by active stakeholder involvement. Several PSO have adapted private-oriented models to assess their sustainability performance, which are often not adequate due to public administration, whose main mission is to provide public services. The present work aims at developing a conceptual framework to support PSO and to assess their sustainability performance. The proposed approach is supported by two sustainability performance assessment systems – Formal and Informal Sustainability Performance Assessment. The Formal Sustainability Performance Assessment system, which is the main focus of this paper, consists of a checklist of objectives and practices and a set of twenty-nine (29) performance indicators. An initial proposal was drawn from the literature review and then assessed through a participatory process involving practitioners and academics in semistructured interviews, questionnaire surveys and a collaborative workshop. The Portuguese central public administration was used as a case study. The developed checklist of objectives and practices and related performance indicators will allow PSO to assess and communicate complex information about organisational sustainability. Reference values support the normalization of indicators’ results, and consequently, the comparison of sustainability-related performance between PSO integrated into the context of the Portuguese central public administration. This research contributes to the debate on organisational sustainability assessment and communication, and the importance of selecting and developing sustainability indicators using co-creation processes with key stakeholders.
- A conceptual model for integrating non-material components in sustainability assessmentPublication . Viégas, Osvaldo; Caeiro, Sandra; Ramos, Tomás B.A adoção do conceito de desenvolvimento sustentável (DS) originou inúmeros sistemas de avaliação da sustentabilidade, para os quais diversos autores têm sugerido a incorporação de componentes não materiais. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo principal o desenvolvimento de um modelo conceitual para a futura integração desses componentes em sistemas de avaliação da sustentabilidade. A revisão da literatura possibilitou construir um modelo conceitual para os componentes não materiais da sustentabilidade e identificar temas associados. Essa proposta foi analisada em escala local-regional, através de entrevistas semiestruturadas dirigidas a atores-chave no estado de Alagoas e na cidade de Maceió, Brasil. A proposta foi considerada pelos atores envolvidos como genericamente adequada, e foram apresentadas propostas de melhoria e ajuste, para facilitar compreensão e aplicação prática. A análise da percepção dos entrevistados permitiu identificar o vínculo preferencial do termo sustentabilidade com a dimensão ambiental e a restrita referência ao compromisso intergeracional.
- Educação ambiental e educação superior: uma revisão sistemática da literaturaPublication . Gomes, Luís Alipio; Brasileiro, Tânia Suely Azevedo; Caeiro, SandraA universidade tem um papel importante na formação de profissionais comprometidos com a sustentabilidade socioambiental. Em décadas recentes registrou-se uma significativa produção científica sobre a abordagem da temática socioambiental na Educação Superior. Este artigo tem como objetivo analisar a relação entre Educação Ambiental e a Educação Superior na formação de bacharéis e licenciados. Para isso, fez-se uso da Revisão Sistemática de Literatura, que consiste em uma metodologia rigorosa para identificar pesquisas sobre o tema, aplicando métodos explícitos e sistematizados de busca, avaliação e validação dos estudos encontrados. A base de dados foi o Catálogo de Teses e Dissertações da Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (Capes/MEC), no período de 2009 a 2019. Após aplicação dos critérios de inclusão/exclusão, foram identificadas 40 pesquisas de pós-graduação relacionadas ao tema, demonstrando a relevância da universidade na formação da consciência socioambiental dos sujeitos, com diferentes iniciativas para a abordagem ambiental no currículo. O termo Ambientalização Curricular tem sido uma tendência nas pesquisas para se referir a abordagem ambiental na Educação Superior. Em que pese o papel exercido pelas universidades, ainda se enfrentam barreiras e obstáculos com relação a presença da Educação Ambiental no processo formativo, principalmente de professores da educação básica, e a resistência por parte de alguns setores institucionais, dentre outros fatores. Avançar no processo de incorporação da temática ambiental, envolvendo o ensino, a pesquisa, a extensão e a gestão a fim de promover a cultura da sustentabilidade, é um desafio a ser superado pelas instituições de ensino superior no país.
- Household sustainability: challenges and dilemmas in everyday lifePublication . Caeiro, Sandra; Ramos, Tomás B.
- How are new sustainable development approaches responding to societal challenges?Publication . Ramos, Tomás B.; Caeiro, Sandra; Pires, Sara Moreno; Videira, Nuno
- Phase equilibrium of n-Nonane + n-Decane for low-temperature thermal energy storage: insights into odd–even effectsPublication . Sequeira, Maria Carolina; Nikitin, Timur; Caetano, Fernando J. P.; Diogo, Herminio; Fareleira, João; Fausto, RuiThe present article presents the solid–liquid phase diagram of a binary system composed of an n-alkane with an odd number of carbon atoms, namely, n-nonane (n-C9), with an even-numbered one, namely n-decane (n-C10). This work is part of a series of phase equilibrium studies on n-alkanes for low-temperature thermal energy storage (TES) applications. The ultimate purpose of this work is to investigate the adequacy of this binary system to be used as a Phase Change Material (PCM) at low temperatures. Additionally, along the equilibrium studies on linear alkanes, an interesting feature has emerged: the solid–liquid phase diagrams of binary n-alkane systems apparently show a striking dependence on the odd or even number of carbon atoms in their chains. The phase diagram for the system n-C9 + n-C10 has primarily been obtained using Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), whose results have been complemented by Hot-Stage Microscopy (HSM) and low-temperature Raman Spectroscopy results. The DSC analysis provided both the temperature and enthalpy values for the observed solid–liquid and solid–solid phase transitions. The n-C9 + n-C10 binary system seems to display a peritectic solid–liquid phase diagram at low temperatures. The peritectic temperature found was 222.41 K, with a peritectic composition around xnonane = 0.60. Those results confirmed the initial suggestions that this would be a peritectic system, based on previously observed odd–even effects on phase equilibrium behavior of alkane mixtures. The goal of this work is to extend new insights into the solid–liquid phase equilibrium behavior of the binary system n-C9 + n-C10, a topic not yet covered in the literature. This information, consequently, provides practical and essential information on the potential use of this system as PCM for low-temperature TES applications. Additionally, it contributes to support the important discussion on the effect of odd–even number of carbons of the individual n-alkanes in the solid–liquid phase equilibrium behavior of their binary mixtures. The solid–liquid diagram of this system is being published for the first time, as far as the authors are aware.
- Procedures and criteria to develop and evaluate household sustainable consumption indicatorsPublication . Caeiro, Sandra; Ramos, Tomás B.; Huisingh, DonaldCommunication about very complex problems like household sustainable consumption in simple terms is still a major challenge. Despite the diversity of tools to measure household consumption, clearer indicators are needed to more effectively communicate with the general public. The main objective of this research was to develop an approach to define the main procedures and criteria to built household sustainable consumption assessment tools based on indicator sets. A review of available household sustainable consumption assessment metrics and related initiatives was conducted; this included a comparative analysis of the different approaches. The review revealed that the majority of these initiatives are focused upon specific domains (e.g. energy or waste), but none used an integrated approach in the sustainable consumption domains. Furthermore, it was found that few methods used indicators to measure and assess household sustainable consumption. Principal components and a checklist of key good-practice factors that a household sustainable consumption indicator system should include were developed. Due to the need to communicate effectively, to engage stakeholders and to address the complexity involved in the measurement and assessment of household sustainable consumption, the proposed integrated approach was designed to evaluate household sustainable consumption.
- Reinvigorating the sustainable development research agenda: the role of the sustainable development goals (SDG)Publication . Leal Filho, Walter; Azeiteiro, Ulisses; Alves, Fátima; Pace, Paul; Mifsud, Mark; Brandli, Luciana; Caeiro, Sandra; Disterheft, AntjeThe United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) contain a set of 17 measures to foster sustainable development across many areas. It offers a good opportunity to reinvigorate sustainable development research for two main reasons. First, it comprises many areas of SD research, which have become mainstream thanks to the UN SDGs. Second, the fact that the UN and its member countries have committed to attaining SDGs by 2030 has added a sense of urgency to the need to perform quality research on SD on the one hand, and reiterates the need to use the results of this research on the other. Even though the basic concept of sustainability goes back many centuries, it has only recently appeared on the international political agenda. This is partly due to an awakening of the fact that the human ecological pressure on the planet is still much larger than what nature can renew or compensate for. Based on this state of affairs, this paper presents an outline of the process leading to the agreement on the UN SDGs, and looks at some of the ecological aspects as a result of continued pressure of human activities on natural resources. Furthermore, a set of research needs is proposed – also based holistically on updated research trends – discussing the degree of urgency of some measures and explaining why the UN SDGs need to be accorded greater priority in international sustainable development research efforts.
- Rethinking sustainability: questioning old perspectives and developing new onesPublication . Ramos, Tomás B.; Caeiro, Sandra; Disterheft, Antje; Mascarenhas, André; Deutz, Pauline; Spangenberg, Joachim H.; Montaño, Marcelo; Olayide, Olawale; Sohal, AmrikThe concept of sustainability is still progressing, being complex and contested, and is therefore under continuous discussion and research. This special volume comprises 29 articles exploring recent developments of sustainability concepts, approaches, strategies, policies, and practices, as well as their roles and applicability in different geographic, socio-cultural and economic contexts. The majority of the articles were presented at the 22nd conference of the International Sustainable Development Research Society (ISDRS), held in Lisbon, Portugal, in July 2016. The articles address six overarching themes: i) global perspectives on sustainability challenges, policies and models; ii) the next frontiers of sustainability for corporations, iii) integration of non-traditional aspects and new forms of knowledge in sustainability research, iv) planning for sustainable development and sustainable cities, v) (higher) education for sustainable development and vi) human resources and sustainability. A summary of each article is given in this editorial, showing the diversity of themes, from theoretical and practical perspectives, and the broad range of different methods and research formats. The research presented in the articles was carried out in more than 17 countries on five continents. Notwithstanding the many efforts around rethinking sustainability research and practices, there are still many challenges to face and further opportunities for research on the topic.
- Solid-liquid phase diagram of the dimethyl + dipropyl adipates system: application to low-temperature thermal energy storagePublication . Sequeira, Maria Carolina; Nikitin, Timur; Caetano, Fernando J. P.; Diogo, Herminio; Fareleira, João; Fausto, RuiThe present study is the continuation of our research work on di-n-alkyl adipates and their potential as phase change materials (PCM) for low-temperature thermal energy storage (TES). The solid–liquid phase diagram for the binary system composed of dimethyl adipate (DMA) and dipropyl adipate (DPA) is presented and analysed. In a previous study, we explored a particular binary system of n-alkyl adipates, namely diethyl and dibutyl adipates, and demonstrated that these compounds possess underappreciated potential as PCMs at sub-zero temperatures. The goal of the current work is to expand on this research by contributing new phase equilibrium data and deepening our understanding of the fundamental thermodynamics governing low-temperature phase behaviour in di-n-alkyl-adipates. The phase diagram for the DMA + DPA binary system was obtained using three complementary techniques: differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), hot-stage microscopy (HSM), and Raman spectroscopy. DSC analysis of sixteen compositions, including the two pure compounds, provided both the temperature and enthalpy values for the solid–liquid and solid–solid phase transitions. The binary system displays eutectic behaviour at low temperatures, with the eutectic point found at 252.83 K and a composition of approximately xDPA = 0.77. Raman spectroscopy confirmed that the system is characterized by a non-isomorphic eutectic phase diagram, indicating differences in the crystal structures of the solid phases. The liquidus line of the binary phase diagram was successfully described using a suitable fitting equation, yielding a root mean square deviation of 0.65 K, indicating excellent agreement between the experimental data and the theoretical model. This fitting also allowed an accurate prediction of the eutectic composition and temperature. A Tammann diagram is also presented, further confirming the eutectic composition and associated enthalpy. This work addresses a gap in the literature by presenting, for the first time, the solid–liquid phase equilibrium behaviour of the DMA + DPA binary system (including the detailed solid–liquid phase diagram of the system). The findings provide valuable insight into the potential use of this system as PCM for sub-zero TES applications, supporting their consideration in future thermal energy storage technologies.