Dace Lauka

Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) is a key decarbonisation option for hard-to-abate industries, where process emissions cannot be fully eliminated through conventional means, leaving captured CO₂ utilisation or geological storage as the primary pathways forward. For geological storage, particularly offshore, marine transportation of CO₂ is increasingly seen as a flexible and scalable option within the supply chain. Most studies have focused on technical and economic aspects of CO₂ marine transportation, with limited attention to structured social sustainability assessment. This study presents the development of a preliminary, indicator-based Social Life Cycle Assessment (S-LCA) framework, following the S-LCA international standard and guidelines, that focuses on the operationalisation of social sustainability indicators for CO₂ marine transportation. The study developed 32 indicators covering 7 stakeholder categories and 19 impact subcategories, spanning themes such as occupational health and safety, working conditions, employment quality, community safety, access to information, emergency preparedness, and governance transparency. The framework is intended to support future social sustainability assessments of CO₂ marine transport projects in CCUS value chains.

– In the context of the EU Green Deal and the Paris Agreement, the transition to renewable energy sources and the deployment of energy storage systems are fundamental for a sustainable and low-emission tomorrow. However, given the diversity of municipalities in terms of resources, infrastructure, and socio-economic conditions at local energy transition level, main actors face numerous challenges related to the implementation of new renewable energy generation projects, lack of capacity to initiate, install, and develop new projects, for which the underlying unifying factor is economic and lack of knowledge/specialists. Hence there is a need for a modelling platform that can model scenarios for the deployment of different energy generation/storage technologies in municipalities, thus saving financial resources and assessing risks and potential before the actual deployment. This research paper is a follow-up to previous publications in which the authors characterized Baltic Sea region municipalities through benchmarking and identified their storage potential and engagement in the energy transition. The focus of this case study, however, is the development of a modelling platform using systems dynamics approach to provide local public authorities support in decision-making for energy system planning. The model was validated and piloted in six municipalities – Tukums, Gulbene, Wejherowo, Tomellila, Mikolajki Pomorskie and Taurage. A scenario modelling approach based on existing municipal parameters was used for piloting. The study reveals the outcomes of different simulated scenarios in each of the municipalities and provides insights and resources to address the challenges of energy storage deployment. The study analyses the potential and means of municipalities to move towards an energy transition, but each municipality is different, and one approach does not fit all. The findings mainly address renewable energy production, storage, costs and emissions. The results of the pilots are a useful tool for municipalities to understand possible actions to reduce emissions, become more sustainable to meet EU targets whilst maintaining a stable and reliable energy supply.

This article examines energy audit procedures as a crucial instrument for raising building and business energy efficiency in European Union (EU) Member States. Energy audits, which include technical, economic, and environmental aspects, are essential to reaching the EU’s climate targets, which include increasing energy independence and cutting emissions by 55% by 2030. The study highlights how crucial energy efficiency initiatives are to combating climate change, cutting energy use, and advancing sustainable development. A thorough examination of methods, financing sources, and legislative frameworks reveals differences in how Member States carry out directives such as the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive and the Energy Efficiency Directive. A case study on Latvia is included in the article, highlighting the country’s energy audit regulations, implementation difficulties, and successes. This study applied a bibliographic methodology or review of the scientific and other relevant literature, analyzing sources identified through targeted keyword searches in academic databases and a variety of online sources, including official legal websites, handbooks, reports, plans, and other publicly available digital resources. The integration of energy efficiency principles and country performances are compared using data from the Odyssee and Mure databases. The results highlight how important it is to standardize energy auditing practices, promote information sharing across national borders, and move past obstacles like public resistance and budgetary limitations. Policy recommendations to improve energy efficiency and aid the EU’s transition to climate neutrality by 2050 are included in the research’s conclusion.

Meeting the global demand for aquatic products while maintaining sustainability is a critical challenge. This review article examines global practices of land-based aquaculture systems that could be implemented in the EU, as the EU has not yet fully realized its potential in developing the aquaculture sector. Therefore, the article examines different aspects (aquaculture systems, technological solutions and improvements, and best management practices) in achieving sustainable aquaculture and emphasizes the need for innovation and cooperation in the face of increasing environmental concerns and resource constraints. There is no one-size-fits-all solution for the sustainable intensification of aquaculture. The way forward requires a combination of different and improved-upon technological solutions complemented by technological innovation and better management practices. The sustainability of aquaculture requires a broader application of the ecosystem approach to aquaculture and the promotion of energy and resource efficiency measures in aquaculture systems.

Latvia has abundant water resources, but the aquaculture sector has been slow to adopt technological advances and innovations. To address this gap, the Latvian Aquaculture Development Plan for 2021–2027 aims to improve the competitiveness and sustainability of the sector. An essential component of this effort is the establishment of effective communication channels that bridge the knowledge gap between the general public, industry professionals and researchers. To promote consumer interest in sustainable aquaculture products, an environmental communication framework to assess their sustainability was used. This assessment utilised a multi-criteria analysis technique complemented by an online survey to formulate an effective communication strategy. According to the multi-criteria analysis, canned fish emerges as the most sustainable product, while fish oil, fish meal and spirulina show promise. The online survey identifies the most appropriate communication channels: social media, audio and video. To facilitate engagement and information sharing, we advocate for the practice of communication, which can effectively facilitate the sustainable use of biological resources and serve as a channel for knowledge sharing.

A vital component of achieving climate neutrality in the future involves bolstering energy efficiency measures in educational institutions and improving the overall knowledge on sustainable solutions. To achieve fruitful outcomes, the active involvement of various stakeholders, such as managers, teaching staff, and students, is indispensable. By implementing energy-efficient building systems, advancing the use of renewable energy sources, and incorporating sustainable practices into the curriculum, educational institutions can decrease their environmental impact and conserve resources for future generations. Active participation from all stakeholders, including managers, teaching staff, and students, is essential for the success of these efforts. Providing students with a comprehensive education on sustainability equips them to apply this knowledge in their future professions, thus contributing to a more sustainable society. To gain insights into the existing state of sustainability within educational systems, a comprehensive study of educational institutions was undertaken. To assess and compare schools’ sustainability, a composite indicator was developed. The study’s findings reveal that the implementation of mandatory and optional measures can lead to a substantial reduction in primary energy consumption by 39% and greenhouse gas emissions by 34% in educational institutions. The average abandonment costs for mandatory measures are 5.87 EUR/kgCO₂/year, but the average value for optional measures is 33.80 EUR/kgCO₂/year. It is suggested demonstration projects be implemented in institutions where specialists in RE, mechatronics, building engineering systems, and environmental technologies are trained by showcasing technologies needed for the transition to climate neutrality.

The EU aquaculture sector, like other sectors of the EU economy, must participate in the ‘green transition’ set out in the European Green Deal. The sector has a particular role to play in contributing to the transition towards sustainable food systems and the development of the bioeconomy and circular economy. Aquatic organisms and fish cultivated in aquacultures are important sources of food and feed, the importance of developing which has been highlighted in several EU policy planning documents. Due to high nutritive value, fish and aquatic organisms are a valuable food source. Despite the rapid growth of aquaculture in Europe and other parts of the world, the promotion of sustainable or organic aquaculture is crucial for the provision of high-quality, locally accessible food. Aquacultures produce relatively low greenhouse gas emissions compared to sources of protein grown on land. However, there is still room for growth, therefore, to further reduce greenhouse gas emissions from aquacultures and foster more sustainable practices and greater resource and energy efficiency are required. This review article includes an analysis of policy planning documents adopted in Latvia and the EU, outlining opportunities and risks for creating a sustainable aquaculture industry. The purpose of this review article is to identify the most significant problems and obstacles to achieving a sustainable aquaculture system at both the local and European levels. In addition, the review investigates and contrasts recent advancements in aquaculture technological processes and socioeconomic impact factors. Whether aquaculture’s path to sustainability is jeopardized by inefficient consumption of resources and wastes (feed, energy, emissions) at the beginning or end of the organisms’ life cycle.

The rapid consumption of resources, as well as the increase in the number of people, has raised awareness of the urgent need to change Europe’s existing methods and attitudes towards the consumption of biological resources in production, processing, storage, reuse and disposal. One of the key principles of the European Green Deal is to make the EU economy sustainable. Achieving this goal requires promoting resource efficiency through the transition to a clean circular economy, restoring biodiversity and, above all, reducing pollution in order to mitigate climate change. The aim of the research is to create and offer bioeconomy opportunities, by demonstrating, analysing, and describing possible solution with the help of various examples. In order to compare different production process methods, which helps to understand which of them best meets the set sustainability criteria, fuzzy cognitive maps (FCM) modelling method was used. Alternatives to 16 bio-products are evaluated using the FCM (fuzzy cognitive maps) method using the Mental Modeller tool, according to four criteria – environmental, economic, social and technological aspects. Obtained results are reliable and objectively reflect the validity of the FCM method, and the use of this type of integrated analysis is appropriate to compare the various alternative production processes considered in the work.

The main aim of this study is to evaluate the results achieved by implementation of different support policies in form of subsidies for energy efficiency improvements and transition to renewable energy sources. The article compares the energy efficiency measures in district heating systems with other support program. In order to assess the effectiveness of implementation of different renewable energy technologies and energy efficiency projects, the levelized costs of saved energy for different support programs were determined. Authors compared different co-financed projects related to replacement of fossil fuel energy sources in district heating (mainly to biomass) and the installation of new biomass boilers, heat pumps, solar collectors and other local technologies in municipal buildings. Results show that financial support for energy efficiency measures in industrial enterprises and district heating systems has been most cost-effective, mainly due to the low co-financing rate (30%) and the high potential for energy savings in different production processes. Authors have identified the blind-spots within the funding allocation for different municipalities, which is not always dedicated to achieved energy savings.

Most drivers have been blindsided on the road when the car next to them is not visible neither in the side mirror nor when turning their heads to the side. Blind spots like these can also arise during economic development forecasting and developing political documents. Previous experience suggests that in previous energy and climate policy documents, the impact assessment of measures in many countries was not effective, as state aid instruments did not consider the blind spots faced by national economies in the post-support phase. Blind spots are problems and situations that the energy sector has to face unexpectedly. This paper presents a methodology for the impact analysis of energy policy instruments, including identification of previously unexpected problems – blind spots. The developed methodology is based on the analysis of energy sector legislation and literature on implementation of energy policies, as well as an assessment of financial support instruments in Latvia. Overall, this paper gives an insight into the importance of energy sector policies evaluation and proposes ways to avoid blind spots in the future using the developed methodology.