Energy, Sustainability and Society最新文献

{"title":"Are strategy developers well equipped when designing sustainable supply chains for a circular bio-economy? Supporting innovations’ market uptake in a PESTEL + I environment","authors":"Linda Blümel,&nbsp;Konrad Siegfried,&nbsp;Fabian Riedel,&nbsp;Daniela Thrän","doi":"10.1186/s13705-023-00415-2","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13705-023-00415-2","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><p>Innovations and new supply chain concepts are crucial for establishing a sustainable and circular bio-economy that reduces carbon emissions and lowers negative environmental impacts. PESTEL-based concept development provides information about positive, negative and neutral external factors of the macro-environment and their influence on supply chains. The primary data were collected at a stakeholder workshop and gaps in understanding the critical details were closed through expert interviews. The information gathered was organised using a data management software and coded by following a deductively formed system based on predefined PESTEL categories (political, economic, social, technological, ecological, legal). Stakeholders that used the method on intermediate carbon carriers (ICC) grappled with identifying the obstacles that hinder the market uptake of innovations. The workshop revealed a substantial demand for additional information. Infrastructural aspects were considered key to adequately understanding all of the segments along a supply chain. Using PESTEL alone, without taking infrastructural aspects into consideration, meant that the macro-environment that surrounds and affects the ICC supply chain remained a black box. This paper developed docking-related approaches to the basic PESTEL method in order to improve its output for the development of strategic concepts and to improve the market uptake of bio-economy-centred innovations.</p><h3>Results</h3><p>The expanded PESTEL method (hereinafter PESTEL + I) significantly shifted the emphasis of strategic decisions to the marketing of individual innovations compared to the basic method. Docking information gathering onto infrastructure (+ I) should be considered in order to expand existing strategy development concepts for bio-economy value chains. Testing the market uptake of innovations was beyond the scope of this study.</p><h3>Conclusions</h3><p>PESTEL + I not only increased the utility, but also the complexity and the time needed to analyse an entire supply chain. The expanded method, however, provides stakeholders and strategy developers with a more useful tool to support and optimise market uptake strategies in the bio-economy. Beyond this, there is a knowledge gap with regard to reducing the effort needed to collect data and evaluate such studies. Hence, follow-up research needs to find ways to digitalise major steps in the overall process to make it more efficient.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":539,"journal":{"name":"Energy, Sustainability and Society","volume":"13 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2023-11-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://energsustainsoc.biomedcentral.com/counter/pdf/10.1186/s13705-023-00415-2","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"134795459","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Correction : How municipalities support energy cooperatives: survey results from Germany and Switzerland","authors":"Thomas Meister,&nbsp;Benjamin Schmid,&nbsp;Irmi Seidl,&nbsp;Britta Klagge","doi":"10.1186/s13705-023-00418-z","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13705-023-00418-z","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":539,"journal":{"name":"Energy, Sustainability and Society","volume":"13 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2023-10-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://energsustainsoc.biomedcentral.com/counter/pdf/10.1186/s13705-023-00418-z","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"134878465","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A study on how efficient measures for secondary district heating system performance can be encouraged by motivational tariffs","authors":"Kristina Lygnerud,&nbsp;Theo Nyberg,&nbsp;Anna Nilsson,&nbsp;Antoine Fabre,&nbsp;Pascal Stabat,&nbsp;Chloé Duchayne,&nbsp;Valentin Gavan","doi":"10.1186/s13705-023-00417-0","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13705-023-00417-0","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><p>District Heating (DH) is a technology that provides heating and domestic hot water to buildings and is an important technology for supporting the European energy transition. As such the heating systems increasingly resort to renewable heat sources and waste heat, it is even more important that they operate in the most efficient way possible. DH companies have access to the primary network of which they can impact system performance. To maximize the efficiency of the system, however, it is important that the system at the building level, known as the secondary system, is also efficient; otherwise, overall system efficiency is reduced. To increase system efficiency, return temperatures from the secondary system into the primary system have been targeted through motivational tariffs. There is limited information on how to establish a motivational tariff that motivates the customer to improve both the primary and secondary systems, which is a gap that this paper aims to fill.</p><h3>Results</h3><p>In this paper, the impacts of retrofit actions in secondary systems are assessed through simulations. The identified relevant refurbishment measures to lower the return temperature to the primary system are variable flow pumps, low-temperature radiators, parallel heat exchangers, and a pass-through DHW system. Apart from simulated refurbishments, we also identify that the secondary system sometimes generates excess heat, which is valuable to recover, especially during peak load periods for the primary system. Hence, motivational tariffs targeting secondary system efficiency should also encompass an incentive for the customer to make use of waste heat in the secondary circuit to lower peak demand for the DH system.</p><h3>Conclusions</h3><p>To date, the most commonly used parameters introduced to customers are linked to the flow of water through the customer’s asset and the bonus malus principle. The results from simulations show that DH companies can introduce additional parameters to support customers in guiding their secondary system to perform more efficiently. Increased overall system efficiency has a positive impact on both costs and emissions.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":539,"journal":{"name":"Energy, Sustainability and Society","volume":"13 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2023-10-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://energsustainsoc.biomedcentral.com/counter/pdf/10.1186/s13705-023-00417-0","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"134797427","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Plating the hot potato: how to make intermediate bioenergy carriers an accelerator to a climate-neutral Europe","authors":"Konrad Siegfried,&nbsp;Linda Blümel,&nbsp;Fabian Riedel,&nbsp;David Moosmann,&nbsp;Karl-Friedrich Cyffka,&nbsp;Mark Richters,&nbsp;Patrick Reumerman,&nbsp;John Vos,&nbsp;Magnus Matisons,&nbsp;Daniela Thrän","doi":"10.1186/s13705-023-00416-1","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13705-023-00416-1","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><p>With sustainable bioenergy in the European energy mix, intermediate bioenergy carriers (IBC) become of growing importance, as they can ensure a more efficient utilisation of biomass feedstocks from agricultural and forest residues. A high potential for market uptake is foreseen for fast pyrolysis bio-oil (FPBO), one of several IBCs. While facing the chicken and egg problem in market entry, the aim of this study was the development of adequate strategies to support market implementation. The case study findings and methodological approach can provide policymakers, industry, and a broader audience with a vision for addressing similar challenges in market adoption of innovations in the bioeconomy and beyond. Therefore, we tested a new PESTEL + I approach and its practical applicability to an IBC value chain.</p><h3>Results</h3><p>With an adopted PESTEL method, we analysed a promising value chain in which FPBO is produced from sawdust in Sweden and Finland, transported to the Netherlands and upgraded and marketed as a marine biofuel. Our results show that the market uptake of IBCs such as FPBO and subsequently produced biofuels is above all driven by the European Renewable Energy Directive II (RED II). In Annex IX Part A, sawdust is listed as a feedstock for advanced biofuels, which can be double counted towards the 14% renewable energy share goal in the transport sector in 2030. To support the use of advanced biofuels in the maritime and aviation sector, the proposal for revision of RED II 2021 contains a new multiplier (1.2x) for fuels delivered to these sectors, while all other multipliers are deleted. These legal European obligations and implementation into national law of member states create strong incentives for many downstream market actors to use advanced biofuel. However, technological challenges for FPBO use still hamper fast market introduction.</p><h3>Conclusions</h3><p>Overcoming technology challenges and the creation of long-term validity of guidelines and regulatory framework will create stable market conditions, investment security and finally stimulate long-term offtake agreements between feedstock providers, technology developers and downstream customers. The approach and findings can provide a vision to overcome similar challenges in other bioeconomy innovations’ market uptake and beyond.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":539,"journal":{"name":"Energy, Sustainability and Society","volume":"13 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2023-10-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://energsustainsoc.biomedcentral.com/counter/pdf/10.1186/s13705-023-00416-1","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"134797077","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Characterization of briquettes developed from banana peels, pineapple peels and water hyacinth","authors":"Tadeo Mibulo,&nbsp;Denis Nsubuga,&nbsp;Isa Kabenge,&nbsp;Kerstin D. Wydra","doi":"10.1186/s13705-023-00414-3","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13705-023-00414-3","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><p>Uganda’s energy relies heavily on biomass sources. This dependence on biomass for household and commercial purposes, driven largely by population increase, poses pressure on natural resources, such as forests. This study investigates the usage of some of the country’s largely produced agricultural wastes for the production of biofuels.</p><h3>Methods</h3><p>Pineapple peels (PP), banana peels (BP) and water hyacinth (WH_<i>Eichhornia crassipes</i> (Mart.) Solms) were used for generation of both carbonized and uncarbonized briquettes. Physical properties and calorific values for the developed briquettes were determined through thermogravimetric analysis and using a bomb calorimeter.</p><h3>Results</h3><p>Pineapple peel carbonized briquettes had the highest calorific value (25.08 MJ/kg), followed by a composite of banana peels and pineapple peels (22.77 MJ/kg). The moisture content for briquettes ranged from 3.9% to 18.65%. Uncarbonized briquettes had higher volatile matter (ranging between 62.83% and 75.1%) compared to carbonized briquettes (ranging between 22.01% and 24.74%). Uncarbonized briquettes had a shorter boiling time (ranging between 27 and 36 min for 2.5 L of water) compared to carbonized briquettes (ranging between 26 and 41 min). Bulk density was highest in uncarbonized BP briquettes (1.089 g/cm³) and compressive strength was highest with carbonized BP + PP (53.22 N/mm²). When using water hyacinth alone, the produced carbonized briquettes show low calorific values (16.22 MJ/kg). However, the calorific values increased when they were mixed with banana (20.79 MJ/kg) or pineapple peels (20.55 MJ/kg).</p><h3>Conclusions</h3><p>The findings revealed that agricultural wastes could be used to augment the energy sources pool to protect the environment and create social stability in the community.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":539,"journal":{"name":"Energy, Sustainability and Society","volume":"13 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2023-10-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://energsustainsoc.biomedcentral.com/counter/pdf/10.1186/s13705-023-00414-3","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"134796879","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"What’s in my fuel tank? Insights into beliefs and preferences for e-fuels and biofuels","authors":"Anika Linzenich,&nbsp;Dominik Bongartz,&nbsp;Katrin Arning,&nbsp;Martina Ziefle","doi":"10.1186/s13705-023-00412-5","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13705-023-00412-5","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><p>Alternative fuels made from biomass or CO₂ and water using renewable energy can reduce CO₂ and pollutant emissions compared to fossil-based mobility and thus support a transition to a more sustainable transport. The adoption of alternative fuels in transport will ultimately depend on public acceptance and drivers’ willingness to use them. Little is known if and under which circumstances people would accept alternative fuels and which narratives and cognitive beliefs might underlie these usage intentions. Moreover, it is unclear if and how laypeople distinguish between different alternative fuel types in their perceptions, e.g., between fuels made from biomass (biofuels) and fuels produced using electricity (e-fuels). To address the research gap, this study empirically investigated laypeople’s beliefs and expectations towards alternative fuels and preferences for different fuel types. Understanding preferences for fuel types could help in steering public information, support managerial decisions and communication pathways, and promote the roll-out process of fuel innovations.</p><h3>Results</h3><p>Laypeople expected alternative fuels to be made using renewable feedstocks and to not contain gasoline or diesel. Whereas alternative fuels were believed to have advantages concerning environmental and toxic effects and safety compared to diesel and gasoline, they were associated with practical disadvantages for drivers. It was shown that although e-fuels and biofuels both fall under the definition of ”alternative fuels”, laypeople distinguish between them in evaluations of safety, costs, and resource competitiveness: E-fuels were preferred over biofuels and believed to have a lower competition for resources than biofuels. They were also evaluated to be more expensive and comparably less safe to use. Moreover, different adopter groups were identified for both fuels.</p><h3>Conclusions</h3><p>The study has highlighted both adoption drivers and barriers for alternative fuels: Reduced environmental impact could be an important positive factor. In contrast, drawbacks feared by laypeople regarding a low range and an expensive fuel price could be barriers for alternative fuel adoption because they reflect current technical challenges for these fuels. Thus, a more cost-efficient production and higher fuel efficiency should be considered in an acceptance-optimized alternative fuel production.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":539,"journal":{"name":"Energy, Sustainability and Society","volume":"13 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2023-09-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://energsustainsoc.biomedcentral.com/counter/pdf/10.1186/s13705-023-00412-5","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"134797577","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Sustainable transition of the Republic of Serbia: measuring capacity for circularity in agriculture and rural areas","authors":"Igor Vukelić,&nbsp;Srđan Milošević,&nbsp;Diona Đurđević,&nbsp;Gordana Racić,&nbsp;Vilmoš Tot","doi":"10.1186/s13705-023-00413-4","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13705-023-00413-4","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><p>The Republic of Serbia (RS) is strategically oriented towards sustainable development, but the implementation thereof faces different limitations and problems. RS emits substantial pollution caused by fossil fuels, and pollution from agricultural sector characterized by inefficient use of energy and intensive use of fertilizers. Bearing in mind the significant agricultural capacities and the orientation towards rural development, a special green transformation must be implemented in this domain. Taking into account the specificities and tradition, the introduction of the circularity concept can be considered the most acceptable. Research on readiness for transition to circularity in RS rural areas has not been conducted; therefore, the goal of the paper is to develop a concept for assessing the capacity of rural areas for circularity. This study is the first scientific proposal that aims to provide input for policymakers, thus contributing to the creation of a new identity of RS, whose development is based on the principles of sustainability.</p><h3>Methods</h3><p>The study was conducted as conceptual research, with the objective of examining an undiscovered phenomenon without empirical evidence and incorporating the targeted phenomenon into a conceptual framework, while providing a proposal for a solution model based on an interdisciplinary approach—the application of qualitative and quantitative methods (aggregation of composite indicators and Delphi method).</p><h3>Results</h3><p>Paper results can be summarized as follows: (a) qualitative analysis of policy framework related to RS transition towards circularity (which shows that regulation is insufficient or non-existent, so conceptual research at this stage is necessary and only possible); (b) research questionnaire; (c) original set of indicators for measuring capacity for circularity (derived from the questionnaire); (d) concept of index of capacity of agriculture and rural areas for circularity (based on a set of indicators); and (e) concept of the monitoring of circularity implementation.</p><h3>Conclusions</h3><p>The main research findings presented in this paper could be beneficial for countries at early stages of introducing circularity, having both low and high agricultural potential. With slight modifications, they can also be applied to other economic activities.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":539,"journal":{"name":"Energy, Sustainability and Society","volume":"13 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2023-09-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://energsustainsoc.biomedcentral.com/counter/pdf/10.1186/s13705-023-00413-4","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"134796979","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Scaling up community wind energy: the relevance of autonomy and community","authors":"Rikard Hjorth Warlenius,&nbsp;Sonja Nettelbladt","doi":"10.1186/s13705-023-00411-6","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13705-023-00411-6","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><p>Renewable energy, especially wind power, is expanding rapidly in Sweden and elsewhere and has left the “niche” to become part of the mainstream energy socio-technical “regime”. However, the <i>social</i> innovation of community-owned wind energy is not expanding alongside. Despite its potential for an inclusive energy transition and for alleviating conflicts, community energy remains a niche phenomenon. In this article, we explore the conditions for community energy to scale up. Upscaling is sometimes regarded as alien to the spirit of community energy, but we argue that it can be positive and, assuming the existence of a “community wind energy trap”—increased market competition and decreased governmental support—even necessary for the long-term survival of community wind energy. We particularly study how two variables relate to upscaling: autonomy and community, the latter divided into communities of interest and place.</p><h3>Results</h3><p>A case study on four wind cooperatives and their main partners, municipal energy companies, based in western Sweden is conducted to generate a theory of how autonomy and community are related to their ambitions and capabilities to scale up their operations. The results indicate that for scaling up, autonomy is a more important factor than community, while communities of interest are more likely to scale up than communities of place. A provisional theory on possibilities for community energy to scale up is developed based on the case study results.</p><h3>Conclusions</h3><p>Even when upscaling is the will and ambition of a community energy initiative, neither autonomy nor community alone is a guarantee for it to happen—yet in combination, the likelihood increases: with autonomy as a prerequisite for action, and community as a motivation for action. Both communities of place and of interest can act as a motivational force and mobilise resources. Yet local rootedness can be difficult to combine with upscaling beyond a certain point, while a community of interest lacks physical borders. If regulators are keen on counteracting the community energy trap, our research suggests that they need to intervene and support these initiatives—yet without intruding on their autonomy.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":539,"journal":{"name":"Energy, Sustainability and Society","volume":"13 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2023-09-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://energsustainsoc.biomedcentral.com/counter/pdf/10.1186/s13705-023-00411-6","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"134795951","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Sustainable development economy and the development of green economy in the European Union","authors":"Mert Mentes","doi":"10.1186/s13705-023-00410-7","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13705-023-00410-7","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><p>This study aims to explain the policies implemented by the European Union in transitioning to a green economy. It examines the period from the adoption of sustainable development within the Union to the present, focusing on the EU's strategies for sustainable development and the green economy.</p><h3>Main text</h3><p>The study reveals that the European Union has long recognized environmental problems and the impacts of climate change, starting from the 1990s. In response to the global crisis in 2008, the EU embraced the opportunity to build a dynamic, low-carbon, resource-efficient, knowledge-based, and socially inclusive society. Green investments were included in the EU's rescue plan, initiating the green transformation. The study explains the concepts of sustainable development, the green economy, and green growth. It discusses how the European Union implemented its green transformation, particularly through the examination of the European Green Deal. Furthermore, it explores the developments related to climate change and the green economy within the framework of the European 2020 strategy.</p><h3>Conclusions</h3><p>The findings highlight the European Union's commitment to addressing environmental challenges and transitioning to a green economy. Future research should focus on assessing the effectiveness of implemented policies and strategies in achieving sustainable development goals. The EU allocated a substantial portion of its budget to support green investments, including green incentives during the 2008 financial crisis, and significant budgets from member states like Germany and France. The EU has set ambitious targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, aiming for at least a 40% reduction by 2030 compared to 1990 levels and becoming carbon-neutral by 2050. Future research should also explore the social and economic implications of the green transformation, including job creation and industry competitiveness, to provide valuable insights for policymakers and researchers. This will contribute to enhancing the EU's green policies and advancing the transition to a sustainable and environmentally conscious economy.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":539,"journal":{"name":"Energy, Sustainability and Society","volume":"13 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2023-08-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://energsustainsoc.biomedcentral.com/counter/pdf/10.1186/s13705-023-00410-7","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47722017","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Energy security of the European Union and corruption in Central Asia as the main challenges for the European sustainable energy future","authors":"Bojana Vasić,&nbsp;Ivan Pekić,&nbsp;Goran Šimić","doi":"10.1186/s13705-023-00406-3","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13705-023-00406-3","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><p>The main goal of the paper is to define, analyze and assess the basic security, development and institutional challenges faced by the Central Asian countries after 2022. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, and with the outbreak of the Ukrainian crisis, Europe faced problems in ensuring energy security, which were further complicated by its decision to stop importing natural gas from the Russian Federation. The Central Asian region is rich in energy resources, but at the same time, it is also a region of special geopolitical interest of often-conflicting parties, characterized by limited information and insufficient academic literature about development, various aspects of security, internal specificities and future challenges.</p><h3>Methods</h3><p>The research included qualitative and quantitative analyses carried out for Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Germany. Data processing was performed based on 16 selected indicators in the fields of economy, energy, governance and climate change, for the time period 2011 to 2021. Data processing was performed using correlation and regression analysis (ANOVA).</p><h3>Results</h3><p>The results showed that corruption represents one of the biggest problems faced by the countries of Central Asia, with the biggest variations in the calculated Standardized Confidence level, which shows that this indicator trend, in relation to the 16 indicators used, is the least predictable. This represents a significant problem for all countries that are supplied with energy products from this region, or plan to do so. Energy security is positive only in the case of Turkmenistan. Regression analysis shows that Kazakhstan reported the best positive trend for most indicators. Data for Germany show consistent values over the observed period.</p><h3>Conclusions</h3><p>The main conclusions of the paper indicate that the countries of Central Asia have certain specificities when it comes to sustainable development, where energy security, corruption and government efficiency can be considered the biggest problems. The European Union must find ways and mechanisms to overcome these and many other impediments if they decide to import energy products from the aforementioned region.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":539,"journal":{"name":"Energy, Sustainability and Society","volume":"13 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2023-08-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://energsustainsoc.biomedcentral.com/counter/pdf/10.1186/s13705-023-00406-3","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42770049","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}