-The increasing amount of food waste througout the world is becoming a major problem for waste management plants. The food waste produced amounts to 1.3 million tons a year. This is a resource that could be used for production of new products. Decreasing fossil resources and a rapidly growing population lead to the necessity to produce more food and to replace existing with new materials ones that are biological and produce little effect on environment. Bioeconomy is a method that can help achieve production of value-added products that use local resources and waste to manufacture products efficiently. In this article, we are looking at possibilities to use potatoes for production of new materials, such as bioplastics, antioxidants, proteins, instead of their conventional use for food production. We have studied potato components, extraction technologies and summed up possible directions for development for new products, looking at the use of processing waste as a raw material.
In order to enforce the concepts of bioeconomy and the circular economy, the use of a bottom-up approach at the national level has been proposed: to start at the level of a small region, encourage its development, considering its specific capacities and resources, rather than applying generalized assumptions at a national or international level. Therefore, this study has been carried out with an aim to develop a methodology for the assessment of small rural areas in the context of the circular economy and bioeconomy, in order to advance the development of these regions in an effective way, using the existing bioresources comprehensively. The methodology is based on the identification of existing and potential bioeconomy flows (land and its use, bioresources, human resources, employment and business), the identification of the strengths of their interaction and compare these with the situation at the regional and national levels in order to identify the specific region’s current situation in the bioeconomy and identify more forward-looking directions for development. Several methods are integrated and interlinked in the methodology – indicator analysis, correlation and regression analysis, and heat map tables. The methodology is approbated on one case study – Aizkraukle region – a small rural region in Latvia. During the research recommendations for the development of the circular economy and bioeconomy for the case study have been elaborated.
PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyze the environmental impact assessment of power energy projects in Latvia. Every industrial activity and procedure influences the environment and climate change: each to a lesser or greater extent. In Latvia, the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) procedure has been carried out for more than ten years, and during these years numerous impact assessments have been conducted. The main purpose of the EIA is to assess the possible impacts of the implementation of an intended activity, or planning document, on the environment and to consequently develop proposals for the prevention or minimization of negative effects. In turn, the project shall avert violation of the requirements specified in the regulatory enactments. Currently, particular global attention, including in Latvia, is being paid to two aspects of the energy crisis – energy dependency and climate change. The global experience has proven that with an increase in the consumption of energy, a deficiency of energy resources occurs. In this situation, public officials have increased the import of energy resources, rather than encourage a reduction of consumption. Consequently, the state becomes more dependent on imported energy resources. At the same time, scientists are researching alternative energy resources, and the development of new technology. Latvia is a country with limited resources. The development of the national economy is unthinkable without an increase in the production sector. In turn, the development of the production sector is connected with the intensification of production capacity and the resulting consequences to the environment.Design/methodology/approachThe paper takes the form of a literature review and a case study.FindingsThe power industry in Latvia has acquired a stable position in the national economy. It is necessary to elaborate the common approach of EIA power projects. During the process of impact assessment, principles of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) should be implemented, which enhance the quality and efficiency of the EIA. The use of LCA principles in the process of the EIA will allow the assessment of the designed activities and environmental impact of proposed alternatives to have greater objectivity.Originality/valueThe work concludes with suggestions on how to include the principles of LCA in the EIA procedure. This is to improve the impact assessment of energy projects.
This study presents a comprehensive analysis of costs and benefits of technologies based on cold plasma for the removal of sulfur and nitrogen oxides of flue gases. Assessment is based on welfare economics and seeks to include all relevant costs and benefits to evaluate the net social benefit of a project. A plasma unit installed in a CHP plant was used as the case study for this study. Results obtained from the study showed that the use of plasma technology is not financially viable unless all economic, social and environmental costs and benefits for all parties affected by the project are included. Compared to alternative flue gas treatment technologies, plasma proved to be more economically attractive if capital expenditures and operating costs were taken into account.
Mitigating CO2 emissions has become a top question in international and national arenas, likewise on the city level. To initiate and maintain transformative policies related to climate neutrality, an evident-based multi-sectoral forecasting model needs to be timely and effectively deployed. Decarbonisation solutions should be considered from the economic, environmental, and social perspectives. The resulting complexity constitutes an essential barrier to implementing CO2 valorisation projects. This study aims to analyse barriers and driving factors for the sustainable development of CO2 valorisation options. In order to reach the research goal, a methodological approach based on the combination of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats analysis, Geographical Information System and Fuzzy Logic Cognitive Analysis method was used. The method has been applied to a case study in Latvia
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