The Experts below are selected from a list of 34512 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform
B E Clothier - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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eco efficiency as a Sustainability Measure for kiwifruit production in new zealand
Journal of Cleaner Production, 2015Co-Authors: Karin Muller, A Holmes, M Deurer, B E ClothierAbstract:Abstract Assessing the Sustainability of orchards focuses on quantifying environmental impacts and resource consumption. Sustainable orchards also have to be profitable and socially responsible. We aimed to identify sustainable kiwifruit production in the Bay of Plenty, New Zealand, by considering orchards' environmental and economic performance. We conducted a survey of 40 orchards with different cultivars (Actinidia deliciosa ‘Hayward’ (green) v. Actinidia chinensis ‘Hort16A’ (gold)) and management (integrated v. BioGro certified organic). Assessment of environmental performance was restricted to greenhouse gas emissions (carbon footprint of the orchard phase). We defined eco-efficiency on an area basis as NZD net profit per kg greenhouse gas emissions (1 NZD = 0.83 USD, 31/10/2013). Carbon footprints for the cultivars and management systems were comparable. The choice of functional unit, namely land area and 1 kg of produce, did not affect the result. Our analysis revealed fertilizer use and the N-associated emissions as hot spots for greenhouse gas emissions. Opportunities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions arise in the background system of fertilizer production, packaging, storage and transport, and the optimization of nutrient-use efficiency in the orchard. The integrated system had insignificantly higher greenhouse gas emissions than the organic system. Taking into account the profitability of the orchards, the eco-efficiency of organic orchards was significantly higher than that of integrated orchards. We demonstrated that the metric of eco-efficiency can enhance product differentiation for customers and can also assist orchardists to find the most sustainable management system. However, the volatility of commodity markets and changing consumer preferences remain challenges.
Diane Lawong - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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a comprehensive three dimensional Sustainability Measure the missing p of people a vital stakeholder in sustainable development
Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, 2018Co-Authors: Vickie Coleman Gallagher, Mary W Hrivnak, Sorin Valcea, Christine Brown Mahoney, Diane LawongAbstract:Sustainability depends on a balanced relationship of the triple bottom line – people, profit and planet. However, limited research exists on how employees comprise the people component as vital stakeholders. The advancement of Sustainability research has been hampered by the lack of a comprehensive Measure incorporating three dimensions. Hence, three studies were conducted to develop a Measure. In Study 1, qualitative interviews with 16 Sustainability executives and a literature review led to development of 41 items. In Study 2, exploratory factor analysis of the Measure with 102 working adults confirmed three dimensions and reduced it to 34 items. In Study 3, confirmatory factor analysis of panel data from 119 human resource managers resulted in a fit with three dimensions. SEM analysis indicated an antecedent relationship with innovative culture, learning orientation, and a supportive and collaborative culture. The people dimension is related to organizational identification as an important outcome. Strengths, limitations and directions for future research are discussed.
Karin Muller - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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eco efficiency as a Sustainability Measure for kiwifruit production in new zealand
Journal of Cleaner Production, 2015Co-Authors: Karin Muller, A Holmes, M Deurer, B E ClothierAbstract:Abstract Assessing the Sustainability of orchards focuses on quantifying environmental impacts and resource consumption. Sustainable orchards also have to be profitable and socially responsible. We aimed to identify sustainable kiwifruit production in the Bay of Plenty, New Zealand, by considering orchards' environmental and economic performance. We conducted a survey of 40 orchards with different cultivars (Actinidia deliciosa ‘Hayward’ (green) v. Actinidia chinensis ‘Hort16A’ (gold)) and management (integrated v. BioGro certified organic). Assessment of environmental performance was restricted to greenhouse gas emissions (carbon footprint of the orchard phase). We defined eco-efficiency on an area basis as NZD net profit per kg greenhouse gas emissions (1 NZD = 0.83 USD, 31/10/2013). Carbon footprints for the cultivars and management systems were comparable. The choice of functional unit, namely land area and 1 kg of produce, did not affect the result. Our analysis revealed fertilizer use and the N-associated emissions as hot spots for greenhouse gas emissions. Opportunities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions arise in the background system of fertilizer production, packaging, storage and transport, and the optimization of nutrient-use efficiency in the orchard. The integrated system had insignificantly higher greenhouse gas emissions than the organic system. Taking into account the profitability of the orchards, the eco-efficiency of organic orchards was significantly higher than that of integrated orchards. We demonstrated that the metric of eco-efficiency can enhance product differentiation for customers and can also assist orchardists to find the most sustainable management system. However, the volatility of commodity markets and changing consumer preferences remain challenges.
Erik Mathijs - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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an aggregate resource efficiency perspective on Sustainability a sustainable value application to the eu 15 countries
Ecological Economics, 2011Co-Authors: Steven Van Passel, Erik MathijsAbstract:The Sustainable Value approach integrates the efficiency with regard to environmental, social and economic resources into a monetary indicator. It gained significant popularity as evidenced by diverse applications at the corporate level. However, its introduction as a Measure adhering to the strong Sustainability paradigm sparked an ardent debate. This study explores its validity as a macroeconomic strong Sustainability Measure by applying the Sustainable Value approach to the EU-15 countries. Concretely, we assessed environmental, social and economic resources in combination with the GDP for all EU-15 countries from 1995 to 2006 for three benchmark alternatives. The results show that several countries manage to adequately delink resource use from GDP growth. Furthermore, the remarkable difference in outcome between the national and EU-15 benchmark indicates a possible inefficiency of the current allocation of national resource ceilings imposed by the European institutions. Additionally, by using an effects model we argue that the service degree of the economy and governmental expenditures on social protection and research and development are important determinants of overall resource efficiency. Finally, we sketch out three necessary conditions to link the Sustainable Value approach to the strong Sustainability paradigm.
M Deurer - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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eco efficiency as a Sustainability Measure for kiwifruit production in new zealand
Journal of Cleaner Production, 2015Co-Authors: Karin Muller, A Holmes, M Deurer, B E ClothierAbstract:Abstract Assessing the Sustainability of orchards focuses on quantifying environmental impacts and resource consumption. Sustainable orchards also have to be profitable and socially responsible. We aimed to identify sustainable kiwifruit production in the Bay of Plenty, New Zealand, by considering orchards' environmental and economic performance. We conducted a survey of 40 orchards with different cultivars (Actinidia deliciosa ‘Hayward’ (green) v. Actinidia chinensis ‘Hort16A’ (gold)) and management (integrated v. BioGro certified organic). Assessment of environmental performance was restricted to greenhouse gas emissions (carbon footprint of the orchard phase). We defined eco-efficiency on an area basis as NZD net profit per kg greenhouse gas emissions (1 NZD = 0.83 USD, 31/10/2013). Carbon footprints for the cultivars and management systems were comparable. The choice of functional unit, namely land area and 1 kg of produce, did not affect the result. Our analysis revealed fertilizer use and the N-associated emissions as hot spots for greenhouse gas emissions. Opportunities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions arise in the background system of fertilizer production, packaging, storage and transport, and the optimization of nutrient-use efficiency in the orchard. The integrated system had insignificantly higher greenhouse gas emissions than the organic system. Taking into account the profitability of the orchards, the eco-efficiency of organic orchards was significantly higher than that of integrated orchards. We demonstrated that the metric of eco-efficiency can enhance product differentiation for customers and can also assist orchardists to find the most sustainable management system. However, the volatility of commodity markets and changing consumer preferences remain challenges.
