Cleantech can be described as a diverse range of products, services or processes using technologies that optimize our use of natural resources and minimize environmental impacts. In this paper we explain that Cleantech can be seen as an implementation towards (weak) sustainability. This because proponents of weak sustainability believe that technological improvement can overcome any resource constraint. Cleantech can contribute towards a sustainable future but Cleantech is not the equivalent of a sustainable future because Cleantech activities do not solve the question of absolute scarcity. On the other hand, Cleantech can be an important step if we move from system optimization towards system innovation and transition. To achieve maximum diffusion and valorization of environmental technologies, we therefore distinguish the "Cleantech approach". In this value-oriented approach all Cleantech key players (companies, research centres, consumers, government and investors) search for value in a spirit of cooperation.
Transition projects have been implemented for Flemish agriculture since 2003, but these did not enable a transformation of the agricultural sector. This paper looks at pre-transition scenarios that have been collectively designed by stakeholders of the agricultural sector in2002. These foresaw decreases in the regional animal stocks in Flanders. However, the real evolution of the sector did not reveal such a decrease. It is assumed that the individual adaptive behaviour of farmers can explain the unexpected stability of the Flemish agricultural sector. A detailed agent-based model has been built to replicate the past evolution, accounting for structural diversity of farmers, heterogeneity in behaviour, and natural resource constraints. The results indicate that different forms of rigidity in the individual behaviour of farmers slow down the adaptation of the agricultural sector. Future transition scenarios should account for these elements in order not to overestimate the speed of change in the sector. ; This project was financed by the Impuls-project of the Transnational University Limburg (TUL, Belgium and the Netherlands). A prior version of the results was presented in September 2014 at the 10th annual meeting of the European Social Simulation Association (ESSA) in Barcelona; the remarks from participants improved this manuscript. The computational resources and services in support of this study were provided by the Hercules Foundation and the Flemish Government–department EWI. Prof. Steven Van Passel thanks DG Agriculture (European Commission) for access to the Farm Accountancy Data Network (FADN). All remaining errors are the sole responsibility of the authors.
Le modèle ricardien a été fréquemment utilisé pour étudier l'impact du changement climatique sur l'agriculture européenne. Cet article contribue à cette littérature en utilisant les données de panel sur les régions du RICA et la période 2004-2012, et en tenant compte à la fois de l'hétérogénéité individuelle et de l'autocorrélation spatiale entre les régions de l'Union européenne. Nous avons testé trois hypothèses liées au modèle des degrés-jours. Nos résultats montrent que le climat en dehors de la saison de croissance est important pour l'agriculture européenne, et l'exclure pourrait sous-estimer les impacts du changement climatique. Nos résultats devraient appuyer les décisions de politique publique relatives aux mesures efficaces d'atténuation et d'adaptation dans l'agriculture de l'UE.
Polymetallic nodules found in the Clarion Clipperton Fracture Zone in the NE Pacific contain more nickel, manganese and cobalt than all terrestrial reserves combined. Following the 1982 Law of the Sea Convention and its 1994 Implementing Agreement, the resources of the international seabed beyond the limits of national jurisdiction will be developed for the benefit of mankind by attracting investment and technology, whilst demanding that necessary measures be taken to ensure effective protection of the marine environment. To date, no single commercial seabed mining activity has taken place in international waters, and the development of balanced and stimulating exploitation regulation is needed, based on accurate economic analysis. This paper presents the first detailed, vertically integrated, stochastic techno-economic assessment from a contractor's perspective, and contributes to the development of the world's first exploitation regulations. The economic performance measured by the internal rate of return was compared using deterministic and probabilistic commodity price forecasting models. Different levels of a financial payment regime, comprising of a royalty payment and a payment to internalize environmental costs, were considered. When real growth was included, the internal rate of return remains above the hurdle rate when a transitional, total-cost, financial payment regime is below 2 per cent during the initial period and below 4 per cent for the remaining tenure period. Following a 10-year moving average of commodity prices, including real growth, a 77.51 per cent probability was calculated of achieving a hurdle rate of 18 per cent. ; The methods and results of this paper were presented at the Deep Seabed Mining Payment Regime Workshop #3 (19-21 April 2017, Singapore): Exploring a Financial Model and Related Topics, organised by RESOLVE and PEW Charitable Trusts, and attended by a wide variety of stakeholders, including contractors, academics and nongovernmental organisations. Furthermore, this project has received funding from the European Union's Seventh Framework Program for research, technological development and demonstration under grant agreement no. 688975 (Blue Nodules). This output reflects only the authors' views and the European Union cannot be held responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained herein.
Belgium has passed the 45% cap, mandated by the European Union, by achieving a collection rate of over 50% in 2012. Having such a collection rate, Belgium is amongst the frontrunners in battery recycling in Europe. However, despite the efforts, about 40% of used batteries are still not properly collected. Particularly troublesome according to the national producer responsibility organization are the battery packs. In this paper we therefore investigate the drivers and barriers to battery pack drop-off intention perceived by Belgian households using an integrative model based on the Theory of Planned Behaviour. An R2 of 0.64 was found, which according to the literature on partial least squares structural equation modelling signals a moderate yet very close to substantial coefficient of determination. We find that on average perceived behavioural control and moral norms have the largest influence on the intention to drop-off used battery packs as quickly as possible. Based on the insights gained, recommendations are made for both behaviour change interventions and future research. ; The corresponding author wishes to thank the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO) for granting him a postdoctoral grant [grant number: 12G5415N]. Furthermore, the second author wishes to express her gratitude for funding her to the SUMMA policy platform. Furthermore, we wish to express our sincere gratitude to Peter Coonen and Nele Peeters of Bebat for their time and willingness to share information with us.
AbstractFarmers should increasingly adopt more water‐efficient irrigation technologies—such as drip irrigation—as a result of climate warming and aggravating water scarcity. We analyze how Italian farmers adapt to climate change by changing their irrigation technology mix. We apply a two‐stage econometric model to data from 5876 Italian farms. We find that farmers' initial reaction to increasing temperatures is reducing their surface‐irrigated fractions. When temperatures increase further, farmers switch toward more sprinkler irrigation. Our results show that farmers are not autonomously moving to drip irrigation in response to climate change, suggesting that government incentives are needed to encourage this transition.
