This Handbook provides an in-depth analysis of the multiple ways in which oil has shaped, changed and affected international relations and global politics. Theoretically innovative, it provides new insights into the interaction between the materiality of oil and its social, economic and political manifestations. International contributors address the continuing legacy of oil, colonialism, and neo-imperialism and how this has had lasting effects on regions like the Middle East, Africa and Latin America. Chapters also assess the complex ways in which oil has influenced the trajectory of global capitalism with the emergence of multiple and powerful economic actors and institutions, and how this has affected the less powerful, the marginalised and the dispossessed. The Handbook concludes by considering the future of oil in the context of the transition to a low-carbon energy system and the challenges and geopolitical consequences of a world becoming less dependent on oil. Exploring the interaction between oil, hegemony and the international political order, this Handbook will be critical reading for scholars and students of international relations, energy policy and environmental governance and regulation. It will also be beneficial for practitioners and policy makers in the field of the international political economy of energy.

Waste Biorefineries: Advanced Design Concepts for Integrated Waste to Energy Processes presents a detailed guide to the design of energy-efficient and cost-effective waste-integrated biorefineries. Integrating thermochemical processing of waste with existing waste-to-energy technologies, the book includes the latest developments and technologies. It introduces current waste valorization techniques and examines reasons to modify existing waste-to-energy systems through the integration of new processes. In addition, the book explains the design of novel biorefineries and methods to assess these processes alongside detailed results, including the integration of waste-based CHP plants with waste gasification and the integration of pyrolysis technologies and biogas plants with waste thermochemical processing. Other sections discuss the issues and challenges of commercializing waste-to-energy technologies, including uncertainty in waste thermochemical process designs, the environmental impact of waste-integrated biorefineries, and the role of integrated waste-to-energy management in smart cities and urban energy systems. This book will be an invaluable reference for students, researchers and those in industry who are interested in the design and implementation of waste-to-energy systems, waste biomass-based combined heat and power plants, biogas plants and forest-based industries.

Sustainability is a top priority for organizations and a key strategy in corporate agendas, but the effective deployment of any strategy demands that the strategy is consistent, functional, and aligned. This Handbook advocates sustainability strategies that encompass environmental, social, and economic dimensions at department-level. Split into sections covering business strategies in marketing, innovation and entrepreneurship, operations management and information systems, finance and accounting, and human resources, this Handbook provides a comprehensive view of the development and deployment of sustainability-driven business strategies across an entire organization. The last section uses case studies to provide a better understanding of the features and tools needed to develop and implement a sustainability-driven business strategy in practice. Distinguishing the important role of each functional area, this Handbook will be a key reference for those researching on sustainability-related topics across business and management. Beyond the academic contributions, this Handbook also provides practical guidelines for managers interested in implementing sustainability-driven business strategies in their workplace.

This thoroughly revised second edition provides an up-to-date account of essential EU climate mitigation law, analysing an area that remains one of the most dynamic fields of EU law. Special attention is paid to the energy sector and to the impact of climate law on broader legal issues, such as energy network regulation and human rights. Written by leading scholars of EU climate law from the University of Groningen, the book addresses the relevant directives and regulations, examining their implementation and impact on current policy and academic debate. Chapters guide the reader through key topics including the EU emissions trading system, renewable energy consumption, and carbon capture and storage. Key features of the second edition include: A clear and accessible introduction to EU climate mitigation law Comprehensive coverage of the climate targets and instruments of the EU Special focus on the relationship between climate law and energy law New classroom questions to stimulate further discussion and debate Educational design based on reviews by climate law students and lecturers. Combining educational design and analytical accuracy, this book will be an indispensable guide for both students and professionals. It is highly recommended for courses on EU climate mitigation law, as well as climate law, energy law, environmental law and EU law.

Transportation issues are often too complicated to be addressed by conventional parametric methods. Increasing data availability and recent advancements in machine learning provide new methods to tackle the challenging transportation problems. Readers will learn how to develop and apply different types of machine learning models to transportation related problems. Example applications include transportation data generations, traffic sensing, transportation mode recognition, transportation system management and control, traffic flow prediction, and traffic safety analysis.

Utilizing a governmentality lens, this timely book offers an explanation for China's decarbonization performance in the early 21st century. Le-Yin Zhang investigates one of the most ambitious governing projects in history, analyzing the political rationalities of Chinese leaders for decarbonization and the governing techniques and technologies at multiple levels of governance. Demonstrating the potential of combining the use of juridical, administrative and governmental powers, Zhang holistically considers the success of the state in instigating low-carbon transitions in China and mitigating climate disaster. The book provides an in-depth exploration of the art of greening the Chinese financial system and how this links to a wider formulation of carbon governmentality, highlighting the rise of the carbon governmental state through a range of governmental technologies. Engaging with a wide range of primary data from both national and local levels, the author uncovers profound lessons in low-carbon transitions for other states in the making of a carbon neutral world. This cutting-edge book offers key insights for scholars and researchers of environmental governance and its importance in mitigating climate change, particularly those with a key focus on Chinese climate policy. It will also benefit government officials, researchers and consultants investigating potential avenues for low-carbon transition and climate action.

Teaching Environmental and Natural Resource Economics is a significant contribution to the literature of economics education. Theory and practice, teaching activities and exercises, and pro teaching tips are clearly and expertly presented. The editors begin by presenting a bit of the historical thought on the study of environmental and natural resource economics. Once the editors establish context, they provide a full exploration of both paradigms and pedagogy. The paradigm section provides models for teaching the variety of courses offered at the university level. The chapters bridge the gap between environmental and natural resource economics textbooks and the classroom, with guidance for how to approach course topics. The pedagogy section is an excellent contribution to the teaching of environmental and natural resource economics, covering both particular topics and teaching methods. University instructors will find this guide to teaching environmental and natural resource economics invaluable in helping students gain a better understanding of the theory and practice of environmental and natural resource economics.

Sustainable entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial ecosystems research is ever evolving and this timely book stimulates further exploration, offering a research agenda and alternative approaches. Presenting new scientific evidence together with policy and other practical implications, chapters demonstrate the vibrancy and diversity of approaches in the field. Chapters on sustainable entrepreneurship analyse the circular economy, entrepreneurial decision-making logics, the drivers of eco-process innovations and strategic sustainability decision-making. Entrepreneurial ecosystems are investigated through discussion of different ecosystem orientations as factors influencing entrepreneurial behaviour. This thought-provoking book concludes with consideration of the conditions predicting entrepreneurial activity or behaviour, including family background and the growth of social and commercial SMEs. This book's up-to-date analysis and practical insight will prove invaluable to scholars and researchers in entrepreneurship as well as other business and management academics, policy-makers and practitioners.

Exploring water scarcity issues in light of the growing crisis in global water management, this book examines the applicability of water markets. It provides an overview and understanding of the presence of water markets across the globe, analysing the ways in which different countries and regions are grappling with water scarcity. This timely book offers an insight into the benefits of water markets, and their identified market failures. A water market framework is applied to key case studies, highlighting that the majority of regions have not had sufficient water reforms to allow for the introduction of water markets without negative social consequences. The book addresses existing hydrological and institutional capacity across countries and areas where water reform is needed, and lessons are provided for future water markets, taking into account these limitations. The case studies of different countries tackling water scarcity issues and reform will make this an essential read for scholars of environmental studies, water economics, sustainability management and environmental policies. It will also be an invigorating book for water policy-makers interested in lessons for change, and in how to better implement reforms for water markets to help address both water scarcity and improve productivity.

Presenting critical insights on how economic activity is constrained by the environment's ability to provide material and energy resources, this timely Research Agenda explores how humanity shapes, and is shaped by, environmental change and sustainability challenges. Chapters highlight how, under these constraints, people may seek to improve their lives and standards of living without undermining the abilities of others to do so now or in the future. With contributions from top economic scholars, as well as from a range of other disciplines including ethics, law, and the physical and life sciences, this book explores how interdisciplinary insights can be integrated to provide meaningful investment and policy advice. Offering diverse understandings of the topic from both the Global North and South, this Research Agenda challenges previous economic conceptualizations of human-environment interactions, exploring resource use and environmental impact from micro- and macro-economic perspectives. Students of environmental and ecological economics will find this to be a thought-provoking and stimulating read. The suggestions for future research and use of clear case studies will also prove valuable for environmental law and ethics scholars, as well as environmental policy-makers. Contributors include: D.C. Andersen, Y. Bramoulle, L.P. Breckenridge, M. Faber, M. Frick, A. Kander, R. Kemp, D. Malghan, R.B. Norgaard, C. Orset, S.V. Ramani, M. Ruth, J. Sager, M. Sagoff, M.R. Sers, D.I. Stern, D.J. Thampapillai, E. van Leeuwen, M.d.M.R. Varas, P.A. Victor

Progress in Sustainable Development: Sustainable Engineering Practices provides readers with the latest research and best practices in sustainable engineering in the fields of urban, environmental, energy and sustainability sciences, reflecting a focus on state-of-the art insights and the latest developments. Chapters focus on the key engineering principles of effective resource use, reduction of excess waste, and taking advantage of natural resources to equip readers with the background information and practical considerations of successful implementations of sustainable technical solutions. Each chapter features detailed case studies and figures showing real-world applications of the latest technologies, ensuring they are reproduceable by the reader. The multidisciplinary chapters include environmentally-friendly technologies and the application of novel initiatives in engineering for infrastructure, renewable energy generation, advanced materials and waste, among other areas, with a strong emphasis on sustainability and conservation of resources.

Recognizing the urgent need to transform energy systems to low-carbon alternatives, this timely book offers evidenced and credible ways to accelerate actions towards meeting the Paris Agreement goals and achieving net zero emissions. Steven Fries analyses through the lens of government, business and household actions-their policies and investments-the systemic changes needed to eliminate net carbon dioxide emissions from energy. Fries explores how advancing low-carbon alternatives could maintain current economic activities while halting climate impacts. But his analysis of accumulating evidence on transforming energy shows how multiple market imperfections hold back alternatives. To overcome these barriers, the book develops heterodox energy reform strategies and ways to coordinate actions across countries, recognizing differences in their specializations and renewable resources. Going beyond orthodox economics, it sets out the role for supporting deployment of low-carbon alternatives in initial markets, calibrating emissions pricing to net zero emission goals, and adapting institutions and infrastructures to low-carbon alternatives. It also signposts policy sequencing and differentiation across sectors and countries. Providing comprehensive energy policy assessments and sound reform strategies, this book will be essential reading for government policymakers and business investors. Its rigorous approach to systemic change also makes it a valuable reference for energy economics and environmental economics scholars.

This timely Handbook recognizes the emergence of climate change as the defining topic of our time. With public climate discourse growing more urgent every year, this Handbook brings together international experts from different economic disciplines to answer critical climate policy questions. Chapters present key ideas and policies to support and accelerate advances in three key areas: the political economy of climate change and climate policy, integrated assessment modelling, and economic and resource sustainability. Contributors discuss the distributional implications of climate change and how policymakers may respond in order to contribute to economic transformation in the midst of a global crisis. With reference to both theoretical and applied economics, this Handbook is critical reading for economists working in the field of climate policy and climate change. It will also appeal to a broader group of environmental scientists and scholars. Contributors include: L.M. Abadie, G.B. Asheim, J.K. Boyce, W.A. Brock, M. Budolfson, G. Chichilnisky, N. Chichilnisky-Heal, F. Dennig, J. Doyne Farmer, D.K. Foley, I. Galarraga, R. Hahnel, J. Hartwick, G. Heal, C. Hepburn, C. Hope, D. Iris, A. Markandya, P. Mealy, T. Mitra, T. Narasimhan, F. Nesje, I. Parry, A. Rezai, E. Sainz de Murieta, N. Schofield, B. Shang, A. Tavoni, L. Taylor, R. van der Ploeg, N. Vernon, P. Wingender, C. Withagen, A. Xepapadeas

At a time when climate change and the Covid-19 pandemic pose a global existential threat, this timely and important book explores how policy responses to a pandemic create both opportunities and challenges for the increased use of environmental pricing instruments, such as carbon taxes, and tradable permit schemes, and targeted green fiscal incentives. The chapters provide an important foundation of knowledge and analysis about how a pandemic affects environmental tax policy. They identify lessons from policy makers' responses to the management of the pandemic and implications for addressing the threat of climate change and other environmental challenges. They highlight the need for environmental pricing instruments in the mix of policy instruments even in the wake of a pandemic. They present theory and empirical analysis, and they feature a number of country-specific case studies, including the experience of developing countries. This book takes readers into the important and unprecedented circumstances of our time where pandemic policy meets environmental policy for the short and long terms. It will be of great interest to researchers, students and scholars in environmental policy, tax and law, as well as the industry sector, policy makers and government officials.

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Smart City Planning shows the reader practical applications of AIML techniques and describes recent advancements in this area in various sectors. Owing to the multidisciplinary nature, this book primarily focuses on the concepts of AIML and its methodologies such as evolutionary techniques, neural networks, machine learning, deep learning, block chain technology, big data analytics, and image processing in the context of smart cities. The text also discusses possible solutions to different challenges posed by smart cities by presenting cutting edge AIML techniques using different methodologies, as well as future directions for those same techniques.

Personal Sustainability Practices is a collection of 19 academic and practitioner perspectives on the topic of faculty personal sustainability. The book addresses the issues of whether, how, where, and when faculty who teach, research, consult, and perform academic and community service are, or need to be, practicing and communicating their own sustainability behaviors to students and other stakeholders. The contributors represent multiple countries, disciplines, academic levels and affiliations, and orientations on those issues and on the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals related to their personal sustainability practices. The chapter contributions highlight the several main concepts of systems, internal and external integration, curriculum development, and social movements. The key takeaway is that many sustainability scholars are practicing and communicating a wide variety of sustainability actions but that greater consistency and frequency among faculty sustainability values, expression, and actions are generally possible and necessary, and that further exploration of this overall topic is encouraged. Current faculty and doctoral students in the field of environmental or socio-economic sustainability, as well as business, government and nonprofit organization executives who interact with said faculty, will be inspired by the examination of values and personal practices.

This timely book offers a critical account of key governance challenges of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Illustrating China's efforts to expand its idea of a sustainable eco-civilization, thereby 'greening' the BRI, it explores the disputes that have emerged from this process and subsequent complications resulting from geopolitical competition. R. James Ferguson presents a critical analysis of China's Green BRI, discussing the environmental impact of BRI corridors and its overall importance in harmonising the twin policy agendas of human development and environmental preservation. The author evaluates security and geopolitical challenges for the BRI in the context of China's new globalism and emerging asymmetric co-governance. Demonstrating the need for improved governance of the BRI for a sustainability transition in global affairs, Ferguson suggests a range of strategies to compete with, complement or transform the BRI into a more multilaterized Green BRI. This cutting-edge book is crucial reading for academics and researchers in political science and international relations focusing on contemporary Chinese governance and the significance of sustainable development for the BRI. Its unique practical insights and policy recommendations will also benefit policy advisors and environmental organizations that are engaging with green governance issues.

Building Energy Flexibility and Demand Management looks at the high penetration of intermittent renewable energy sources and the need for increased flexibility. Ensuring electrical power systems adapt to dynamic energy demand and supply conditions, the book supports the transition to a renewable energy future with current fluctuating power generation. By facilitating the penetration of renewable energy sources into the building sector, and balancing electricity supply with demand in real-time, this book will provide fundamental concepts, theories, and methods to understand, quantify, design and optimize building energy flexibility. In addition, the book also provides case studies with emerging technologies to enhance building energy flexibility and demonstrate how demand management strategies can utilize energy flexibility for demand reduction and load shifting. It will be useful for all those researchers and engineers working in flexible energy systems and advanced demand side management strategies.

Lakes of Africa: Microbial Diversity and Sustainability examines microbial ecosystems in African lakes, including the history and formation of African lakes. The book describes how environmental stressors-including seasonal variations, climate change, and anthropogenic activities-affect microbial ecosystem dynamics in African lakes and the microbial responses to these stressors. The book explores and evaluates extremophiles in African lakes, including industrial biotechnology applications. The book highlights challenges facing microbial ecology in African lakes, as well as the design of models for solving these problems and predicting the future of lake microbial ecosystem sustainability.

Exploring the important role of education in both pursuing and implementing sustainable development, this timely Handbook highlights how teaching methods at schools and universities can impact the future. It looks at ways not only to inform students about matters related to sustainable development, but also to empower them to adopt behaviours and actions that lead to more sustainable lifestyles. Chapters from an international team of contributors present and analyse experiences of different learning processes and methods, showcasing the impact of curriculum-related issues and teacher training. Using different pedagogical approaches, case studies and interdisciplinary initiatives, the Handbook explores a broad range of technological approaches and tools to foster better teaching and learning for sustainable development. It provides key insights into the implementation of teaching initiatives in helping to promote sustainable development and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. This Handbook will be crucial reading for those investigating curriculum policies and issues, and looking to enhance students' understanding of sustainability in schools and universities.

Improving the resilience of social systems is a goal increasingly adopted in our modern world. This unique and comprehensive Handbook focuses on the interdependencies of these social systems and the technologies that support them. It explores the ways in which the resilience of elements and social systems interact with each other to promote or undermine resilience for one or both, how these interactions manifest themselves through space and time, and how they can be shaped through active intervention. Original and multi-disciplinary contributions illustrate the nuances in the way resilience is interpreted through corresponding case studies and applications. The use of diverse tools, such as cost-effectiveness analysis, multi-criteria decision analysis, transition theory and network science provides readers with a balanced treatment of both theoretical issues surrounding resilience and applications to specific socio-technical systems. Case studies from across the globe are used to discuss the ways in which natural disasters, terror attacks, cyber attacks and infrastructure impact the resilience of these systems. Timely and innovative, this Handbook is an ideal resource for university think-tanks, researchers and advanced students exploring the resilience of both social and technical systems. Planners and policy-makers will also greatly benefit from the lessons drawn from contemporary case studies. Contributors include: D.L. Alderson, U. Bhatia, R. Biggs, C.R. Binder, R. Bowman, A. Cryan, N. Dormady, D. Fannon, K. Fischer, L. Fischer, A.R. Ganguly, B. Giese, S. Goessling-Reisemann, E. Gordon, H.-D. Hellige, B. Helmuth, S. Hiermaier, S. Lehnhoff, I. Linkov, K. Maciejewski, T. Malloy, S. Mirzaee, S. Muhlemeier, K. Poinsatte-Jones, A. Roa-Henriquez, J.C. Rocha, A. Rose, H. Rosoff, M. Ruth, A.J. Schaffer, B. Scharte, M. Schneider, S. Scyphers, J.C Stephens, P. Thier, B.D. Trump, A. von Gleich, M.E. Warner, D.D. Woods, R. Wyss

Recent Advancement of IoT Devices in Pollution Control and Health Applications covers current developments in Internet of Things (IoT)-based pollution control, solid waste management, transportation, and healthcare systems. Because of its effects on physical and biological entities of the environment, the issue of environmental pollution and action has become a global concern. This guide highlights how environmental and health data from connected devices can be stored, analyzed, and eventually used-from developing indices for the state of environmental pollution, to diagnosing and treating patients and the role of IoT-based technology for pollution control.

Exploring the emerging and vibrant field of critical agrarian studies, this comprehensive Handbook offers interdisciplinary insights from both leading scholars and activists to understand agrarian life, livelihoods, formations and processes of change. It highlights the development of the field, which is characterized by theoretical and methodological pluralism and innovation. The Handbook presents critical analyses of, and examines controversies about, historical and contemporary social structures and processes in agrarian and rural settings from a wide range of perspectives. Chapters explore the origins of critical agrarian studies, the concepts underpinning the diverse theoretical approaches to the field, and the strengths and weaknesses of different methodologies used within the field. Finally, it illuminates debates around the topic and trajectories for future research and development. This will be a vital resource for graduate students, scholars and activists interested in critical agrarian studies. The analytical and empirical insights will also be helpful to students of environmental and development studies as well as agricultural and development economics, human geography and socio-cultural anthropology.

The transition to a circular economy requires innovation at all levels of society. This insightful Research Handbook is the first comprehensive edited work examining how innovation can contribute to a more circular economy. Illustrating the critical part played by individuals, organisations and system-level actors in the development of circular innovations, this Research Handbook demonstrates that while many firms are working towards a circular economy, most of the innovations are incremental. Hence, the loop is far from closed, and much more radical work remains to be done by both academics and practitioners. The content and structure reflect a multi-level understanding of innovation for a circular economy, with conceptual chapters and strong empirical research with both quantitative and qualitative research designs. Highlighting the urgent need for a circular economy, authors call for more comprehensive and radical innovation efforts to achieve it. This Research Handbook will be an invaluable resource for academics and students of innovation and entrepreneurship, as well as those more broadly interested in the circular economy. Practitioners and policymakers will also find this useful for providing practical examples of how to understand innovation processes and frameworks that contribute to a circular economy.

This timely Handbook draws together insightful analyses of natural resource management challenges and solutions in the face of sustainable development targets and a changing global climate. Expert contributors illustrate the ways in which resource- and region-specific challenges shape national and global strategies, exploring the institutional aspects of resource management and their implications for policy making. They consider the economic, legal, environmental, social, financial and technological dimensions of resource management, consolidating interdisciplinary knowledge and setting the agenda for future research. Advancing scientific knowledge in the field, the Handbook offers a roadmap for well-informed policy making, highlighting the uncertainties and risks associated with climate change, energy and sustainability transition, and the need for a forward-looking approach to resource management. Assembling state-of-the-art contributions to provide a clearer understanding of the transformative policy developments ahead, this Handbook is crucial reading for academics and researchers of resource management, public policy, sustainability, energy transition, climate change and environmental studies. It also offers critical empirical insights for policy makers and practitioners developing innovative strategies to meet sustainability targets.