This study explores the application of Value Management (VM) and Value Engineering (VE) within Malta’s public service sector, focusing on environmental projects. Traditional cost-centric procurement approaches are proving insufficient in an era of heightened economic volatility, technological disruption, and increasing demands for public accountability. This research advocates for a structured, value-based decision-making framework that balances cost with quality, efficiency, and long-term sustainability considerations. A mixed-method, quasi-experimental design was employed, using Ambjent Malta as a case study. The methodology involved pre-intervention data collection, stakeholder information sessions, and post-intervention evaluation. Three environmental projects were analysed through stakeholder engagement workshops, incorporating VM tools such as function analysis and value criteria evaluation. The results demonstrate that VM can effectively address cost overruns, promote stakeholder collaboration, and improve project alignment with client and environmental objectives. Significant increases in stakeholder awareness and understanding of VM principles were observed, alongside a reported shift from cost minimisation to value optimisation in project planning. This research contributes to the limited knowledge of VM in the Maltese context. It underscores the potential of value-based methodologies to enhance public sector project outcomes and long-term efficiency.
The environmental performance and service quality of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) vehicles were evaluated through a dual-phase analytical approach. In the first phase, exhaust emissions from LPG and petrol-powered vehicles were quantified using the CAPELEC 3010 gas analyzer, with concentrations of carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO$_2$), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and hydrocarbons being measured. The results demonstrated that LPG vehicles emitted significantly lower CO levels (0.09% on average) compared to petrol vehicles (0.18%), with corrected CO values also reduced (0.08% vs. 0.19%). These findings reinforce the environmental advantages of LPG as a cleaner fuel alternative. In the second phase, the SERVQUAL model was employed to assess user perceptions of service quality, focusing on five dimensions: reliability, responsiveness, assurance, empathy, and overall service quality. A negative overall SERVQUAL gap (-0.806) was identified, with the most pronounced discrepancies observed in reliability (-1.061) and responsiveness (-0.933), indicating unmet expectations in key service aspects. Despite these gaps, LPG vehicles were perceived as cost-effective and environmentally sustainable. The findings underscore the necessity for technical refinements in LPG vehicle systems and improvements in service infrastructure to enhance user satisfaction. The insights derived from this study offer valuable guidance for policymakers and industry stakeholders seeking to promote LPG as a viable component of sustainable transportation strategies.
The European Union has actively promoted the development of intermodal transport as a response to the ecological and safety challenges posed by global transportation flows. Through projects such as Customer-driven Rail-freight services on a European mega-corridor based on Advanced business and operating Models (CREAM) and Reorganization of Transport Networks through Advanced Rail Freight Concepts (RETRAC), substantial improvements in rail freight transport on European mega-corridors have been achieved. These initiatives aim to enhance transportation efficiency, reduce environmental impacts, and improve safety. The proximity of Serbia to these key corridors, coupled with its involvement in these projects, presents an opportunity for the country to enhance its infrastructure, expand its business prospects, and increase its global market competitiveness. Furthermore, such developments will contribute significantly to Serbia’s economic growth and its integration into European transportation networks. This study evaluates the CREAM and RETRAC corridors by examining their effects on environmental sustainability, transportation safety, and economic development. The paper also assesses their overall efficiency and sustainability, providing valuable insights for strategic decision-making. Given the complex nature of intermodal freight corridors, the evaluation process incorporates Multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) techniques, considering a variety of performance indicators. Specifically, the hybrid model combining the Fuzzy Aggregated Distance-Based Measurement (FADAM) method and the Fuzzy Best-Worst Method (FBWM) is applied to offer a comprehensive analysis. This approach allows for the systematic assessment of the two corridors, supporting the development of strategies aimed at optimizing their performance and sustainability.
Waste management has emerged as a critical environmental challenge globally, particularly in the context of rapid urbanization, which has significantly increased waste generation. Effective strategies for handling construction and demolition (C&D) waste are essential to mitigate environmental impacts. In Libya, the aftermath of the 2011 conflict and subsequent instability has led to extensive destruction of public and private infrastructure. As reconstruction efforts accelerate, the absence of a structured framework for C&D waste management remains a pressing concern, with current practices predominantly involving disposal in open dumps alongside municipal solid waste. This study employs the Full Consistency Method (FUCOM) to determine the relative importance of key criteria and the Evaluation Based on Distance from Average Solution (EDAS) method to assess alternative waste management strategies. The findings indicate that investment cost is the most influential criterion, followed by social acceptance. Among the evaluated strategies, landfilling emerged as the most suitable alternative. To ensure the robustness of the results, a sensitivity analysis was conducted by varying the weight distributions across seven additional scenarios, consistently reaffirming the superiority of landfilling. Furthermore, a comparative analysis was performed using three other Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) models—COmbinative Distance-based ASsessment (CODAS), VIKOR, and Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS)—each corroborating the ranking of landfilling as the optimal strategy. The insights derived from this study underscore the necessity for policymakers to integrate cost-effective and socially acceptable solutions into Libya’s C&D waste management framework to support sustainable reconstruction efforts.
Under the "dual carbon" goals, green finance, as a financial activity aimed at optimizing resource allocation and protecting the environment, holds significant scientific importance for the rational adjustment and upgrading of regional industrial structures. Hebei Province, a key industrial hub in China, faces an urgent need for industrial structure adjustment and optimization. This paper employs time series data from Hebei Province spanning 2001 to 2023 to measure the development levels of green finance and industrial structure, and constructs a coupling coordination model to analyze their interactions. Furthermore, the study uses the GM (1,1) grey model to predict future trends. The results indicate that the coupling coordination degree between green finance and industrial structure upgrading in Hebei Province has steadily improved but remains at a moderate coupling stage. It is projected that the coupling coordination degree will continue to rise, entering a high coordination stage by 2032.
The development of green skills has gained significant attention in recent years, driven by the increasing global focus on achieving the Agenda 2030 goals and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Green skills are recognized as essential for fostering sustainable practices across industries, supporting the transition to a low-carbon economy, and addressing pressing environmental challenges. A notable surge in scholarly interest is observed, with 79% of publications related to "green skills development" in the Web of Science database being published after 2015. This indicates the growing recognition of green skills as a key element in advancing sustainability agendas. In this study, a bibliometric analysis was conducted using data from 962 articles extracted from the Web of Science database. The evolution of scientific output, thematic trends, and international collaboration patterns were examined. The analysis reveals a steady increase in publications, particularly post-2015, with an expanding range of research topics, including renewable energy, energy efficiency, green entrepreneurship, and climate adaptation. The distribution of authorship across countries highlights significant international cooperation, with countries from both the Global North and South actively contributing to the discourse. The findings underscore the interdisciplinary nature of green skills research, which spans diverse fields such as environmental science, education, policy studies, and technology. Moreover, the growing body of research reflects a clear shift towards integrating green skills within education and training systems as a means of achieving SDG targets, particularly those related to sustainable economic growth, decent work, and climate action. This study provides valuable insights into the emerging trends and collaborative networks in green skills development, offering a foundation for future research aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of green skill programs and policies. It is evident that continued focus on this area is critical for driving global sustainability efforts and achieving long-term environmental goals.
Intralogistics activities within automotive industry warehouses play a critical role in the efficient management of materials, components, and finished goods throughout production and distribution processes. These activities contribute significantly to the optimization of warehouse space, reduction of delivery lead times, and minimization of storage costs. Furthermore, effectively implemented intralogistics processes are essential for ensuring continuous production and the timely delivery of high-quality products to customers. This study focuses on the enhancement of sustainability in intralogistics operations within warehouses by adopting innovative technologies, optimizing resource utilization, and minimizing environmental impact. The automotive industry’s supply chain was examined, with particular emphasis on the challenges associated with intralogistics and sustainability. The study explores the optimization of warehouse intralogistics processes, which directly affect operational efficiency, cost reduction, and overall productivity. Based on the identified challenges, three potential solutions—mini-load (ML) Automated Storage and Retrieval System (AS/RS), AutoStore systems (ASSs), and Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs)—were analyzed through a sustainability lens. The evaluation of these technologies was conducted with respect to various sustainability criteria, such as energy consumption, space efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and environmental impact. The primary objective is to identify the most suitable solution for improving the sustainability and operational efficiency of intralogistics processes within the automotive industry. By investigating the potential of these innovative technologies, the research aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of how they can address contemporary intralogistics challenges, enhance operational performance, and align with the broader objectives of environmental sustainability and cost optimization.
Individuals with disabilities have long faced disproportionate economic disadvantages, including higher poverty rates, poorer health outcomes, limited access to education, and restricted employment opportunities compared to those without disabilities. The green economy, characterized by low carbon emissions, resource efficiency, and social inclusivity, holds the potential to address these persistent inequities by creating jobs that promote income equality and support sustainable livelihoods. However, despite the growing global shift toward carbon neutrality, there is a significant gap in understanding the challenges and opportunities faced by persons with disabilities in this transition. This scoping review aims to assess the current state of knowledge regarding the inclusion of persons with disabilities in the green economy, with a particular focus on the Global North. Literature published between 2012 and 2023 was systematically reviewed, resulting in the identification of 21 relevant studies from an initial pool of 4,311 abstracts. The findings were categorised into three primary themes: conceptual frameworks for inclusion in the green economy, the role of persons with disabilities as workers, and the role of persons with disabilities as consumers. The results underscore a critical lack of literature addressing disability inclusion in green economic development, with existing studies indicating that persons with disabilities have been systemically marginalized in efforts to foster low-carbon economies. This exclusion represents a missed opportunity to harness the talents, perspectives, and contributions of persons with disabilities, whether as workers, consumers, or agents of change in sustainable development. It is therefore imperative that the experiences and epistemologies of persons with disabilities are central to the design, planning, and implementation of green economy initiatives. Future research must address the existing gaps in the literature and explore strategies for fostering greater inclusion in green economic frameworks to ensure equitable opportunities for all individuals in the transition to a carbon-neutral world.
Lithium, as a critical resource underpinning strategic emerging industries, has garnered significant global attention due to its pivotal role in energy storage and clean energy applications. This study delineates the spatial economic network of China’s lithium industry by analysing data derived from lithium-related listed firms and their subsidiaries registered within the country. Employing social network analysis (SNA) and GeoDetector methods, the spatial characteristics and determinants of the economic network are systematically investigated. The findings reveal that lithium-related listed firms are predominantly concentrated in economically developed regions, including the Yangtze River Delta, Pearl River Delta, Hubei Province, and Henan Province. The economic network exhibits sparse connectivity but displays a small-world effect, characterised by a hierarchical structure with Shenzhen as the central hub, supported by significant nodes in Ningde and Shanghai. A distinct east-west disparity is observed, with dense linkages in the east contrasting with sparse connections in the west. Core cities within the network, primarily located in coastal regions, are identified as possessing strong economic development, favourable resource endowment, or well-established industrial foundations. These cities exhibit notable spatial agglomeration patterns around regional cores. Furthermore, the economic network is profoundly influenced by factors including economic development levels, local innovation capacity, openness to trade and investment, and policy environments conducive to industrial growth. These findings provide valuable insights into the spatial structure and driving mechanisms of China’s lithium industry, offering a robust basis for formulating targeted strategies to enhance the sector’s development and competitiveness.
Solid waste management in rural areas remains an underexplored domain, despite its growing significance in the context of environmental sustainability and the circular economy. Key challenges include inadequate municipal infrastructure, a shortage of waste collection containers, and the absence of suitable vehicle fleets capable of navigating narrow and steep rural pathways. Moreover, the lack of a strategic framework for waste management, the insufficient application of the 3R (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) principles, and the absence of circular economy practices further exacerbate these issues. In rural areas, approximately 40% of the waste produced is organic and could be used as a resource for compost production, a valuable input for organic agricultural practices. Projections suggest that by 2027, biowaste will account for 8% of the total waste generated in rural communities. The transition to a circular economy offers significant potential for transforming waste management practices in these areas. Emphasis on innovative collection methods, such as localised and adaptive waste separation techniques, can facilitate this transition. The adoption of circular economy principles in waste management strategies is critical, not only for reducing environmental impact but also for promoting resource efficiency, enhancing soil fertility, and supporting sustainable local economies. Raising public awareness, engaging local communities, and introducing more effective waste management systems will be vital in overcoming existing barriers and ensuring the success of these initiatives.
As ecological civilization becomes a key national development strategy, green finance, which aims for sustainable development, plays a significant role in fostering regional economic growth. At the same time, local governments actively respond to central policies and, in the process of exploring financial reform and innovation, need to quantitatively assess the effectiveness of these policies. This paper takes the establishment of Green Finance Reform and Innovation Pilot Zones as a quasi-natural experiment to examine the impact of this policy on regional economic growth and its underlying mechanisms. The study finds that the establishment of Green Finance Reform and Innovation Pilot Zones effectively promotes regional economic growth, and the conclusion remains robust after conducting various sensitivity analyses. Further heterogeneity analysis explores the differing impacts of the policy in various regions, while considering green innovation as a positive mechanism mediating the relationship between the policy and economic growth. This study provides insights into the shift from “quantity” to “quality” in regional economic development.
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